1182 samples of this type
Need to write a philosophy essay but do not know how to start? Do not worry, and we are here to give you a hand. In this article, we will explain to you what the philosophy paper is. On this page, you will find philosophy essay topics, writing prompts, and tips for making an outline. Examples of A+ papers included!
A philosophy essay is argumentative research of abstract concepts, theories, or philosophical traditions. You may compose an essay on a concept, school of thought, or a philosopher. The format of this type of essay is strict. Our instructions are here to help you make less effort while writing.
Philosophy essay topics may focus on any problem you choose. There are several spheres of great importance that have been subjects of debate for many years. We will provide writing prompts for them.
Meaning of life philosophy essay explores philosophers’ ideas on life. Choose a topic that appeals to you and study philosophers’ concepts. Keep in mind that their ideas can diverge and have nothing in common. While Aristotle reflected on human function, Kant considered the meaning of life as “the Highest Good.”
The debates are held on questions like:
Human nature philosophy essay is to focus on fundamental traits and dispositions of people. Are they competitive and selfish or altruistic and social? Philosophers debate on humans as part of society and nature. They discuss the function of people, their place, and their purpose in the world.
Significant discussions are held on the following topics:
The free will philosophy essay examines opinions on determinism, its degree, and its impact. Can one control anything? To what extent can we manage our lives? This is one of the most pressing subjects. The other topic of the philosophers’ interest is what limits one’s actions. Is it other people, nature, or God? This issue is closely related to the field of ethics and metaphysics.
The debates take place on these topics:
Political philosophy essay focuses on the philosophical aspects of government, institutions, and legitimacy. In contrast with political science, political philosophy studies and elaborates on the ideal society. What drives people to form a state and become a nation? What is the human role in various government structures? What do these terms mean?
The essential issues of political philosophy are:
Essay on Socrates philosophy studies Socrates’ concepts and work. He stands at the origins of ancient philosophy. His teachings have not lost their meaning to this day. He spread his ideas to his students not in writing, but in oral form. Socrates has changed philosophy with his thoughts by presenting new ways of thinking.
The ideas for an essay may be:
An ethics essay is an article on morals, the ideas of “good” and “bad.” It describes the way one could or should live and behave. There are three major spheres in ethics – metaethics, normative, and applied ethics. They intersect in many aspects, so exploring one field is hard without considering others.
Here are some ideas for your ethics essay:
The first step in composing an essay is to choose a topic of your interest.
The second is to develop a proper outline. It has to contribute to easy and pleasurable writing. The philosophy essay outline features the same structural elements as other essay types.
Below you’ll find an outline for the topic “How much power should a government have?”
We hope you have found all the information to compose an excellent philosophy paper. Check out the essays’ samples we have placed below!
Introduction Jean-Jacques Rousseau is one of the most recognizable figures of the European Enlightenment. His contributions to political philosophy go beyond theoretical avenue. As an active political activist of his era, Rousseau substantially influenced the French Revolution and further paths of development of ideas in the fields of politics, philosophy,...
Not sure how to cite Plato’s Allegory of the Cave? You are in the right place! All you have to do is to look at our Allegory of the Cave citation examples and use the same format in your essay. Interested? Keep reading! Introduction: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave The...
Introduction The teachings on philosophy, morality, and politics have followed Plato’s ideals. Aristotle enlightened the community on ideals of life and insights into what a good life should be and intended their concepts to be well understood and influence societal opinions positively and elaborately. Some of Aristotle’s works are founded...
Introduction The theories explaining human nature can be categorized into two core groups: avocado and artichoke. Regarding the avocado philosophy, a person is perceived as self-enduring and stable, whereby their reasoning enables them to control their desires (Al & Alexa, 2021). An artichoke’s viewpoint is that an individual is perceived...
Utilitarianism is a branch of moral philosophy that promotes the idea that the means applied can be justified by the results obtained. The proponents of this theory believe that traditional moral values and codes are futile as they do not contribute to the improvement of human existence. Thus, they claim...
Since different people’s interests often turn out to be mutually exclusive, there are numerous situations, in which moral quandaries take place. For instance, it is possible to imagine a woman who has a seriously ill son. Her child needs an expensive drug to recover and survive, but the woman has...
Introduction Thomas Kuhn and Sir Karl Popper are particularly famous for their opposing views on science and its development. Thomas Kuhn was a philosopher and a historian of science. He focused on the conception, development, and acceptance of scientific ideas and specifically attempted to investigate the context of justification, wondering...
Introduction The Social Contract Theory is an old theory. The theory is of the view that individuals’ moral and political views depend on an agreement or a contract between them to establish a society. It is linked with the morality and politics theories. The theory has been defended by people...
Every human being has his or her past. For someone, the past comprises of unfortunate events, such as sexual violence, accidents, and the fear of domestic abuse. Some other people’s past consists of pleasant moments. Most of the past, however, contains a combination of good and bad memories. People should...
Introduction The concept of knowledge has been debated since the conception of philosophy as a method of examining the nature of phenomena and relationships between them. Plato and Aristotle can be regarded as the initiators of the discussion surrounding the definition of knowledge. Although there are several points at which...
Introduction Among the many ancient philosophers is a man by the name of Confucius born in 550 B.C. Confucius is the greatest philosopher from the East. He was the founder of an ethical and moral system based on the family, as well as the five grand relationships (Zukeran, p. 1)....
In Kafka’s Before the Law, the Law is open to interpretation and could mean different things to different people. It could mean something abstract as happiness or contentment or something concrete such as riches and wealth. It is simply an allegorical reference, denoting a place into which one wants entry....
Immortality, an ability to live forever, has been contemplated by philosophers since ancient times. There is hardly a person who would not have thought, at least once, how it would be – to live eternally. Physical and mental never-ending bodies would obtain the opportunities to explore each of the Earth’s...
Rationalism vs Empiricism Examples: Essay Introduction Various philosophers have come up with different ideas to explain the concept of acquiring knowledge. Rationalists believe that people acquire knowledge without going through life experiences. They hold that some people possess innate knowledge that surpasses their level of experience, and thus it has...
Locke and Berkeley “If a Tree Falls in a Forest”: Introduction One of the most debated philosophical experiment questions is “If a tree falls in a forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” The answer to this question seems to be quite easy,...
How did Greek philosophy influence today’s culture? Why is Ancient Greek philosophy important for modern literature? Here, you’ll find answers to these and other questions. Keep reading to get some ideas and inspiration for your essay! Introduction Ancient Greek philosophy has arguably played the greatest role in shaping modern thought,...
Introduction The Republic of Plato and The Prince by Machiavelli is among the greatest works in Political theory in studying political ideals such as democracy, power, justice, and understating political practices and institutions. Politics form the basis of our day-to-day life, where politicians chase their view of self-worth and urge...
Worldview Analysis Process philosophy refers to a philosophical approach that emphasizes change and time as the major categories of metaphysical understanding. Transformation and development are viewed as integral to reality under this framework (Taylor & Bovill, 2018). Process philosophy has impacted American society in numerous aspects, including its legislation, political...
Introduction Emerson’s “Nature” essay discusses the important and unifying relationship between man and nature. Responsible for the fathering of transcendentalism, Emerson’s view is that God made nature for a man so that he could dominate over it. As such, God works through man while man can have an effect on...
Introduction Reality and illusion have intrigued philosophers and the common man alike since times immemorial. Years of education, superstition and increase in scientific knowledge and perspectives have led us to directly or indirectly oppose the validity and truth behind illusions. They seem to be undesirable deviances from the more acceptable...
Introduction The notion that ‘The end justifies the means’ carries with it a historical as well as a political implication. The maxim holds that provided the final result will be ‘beneficial,’ the action employed to achieve this goal ought not to be a factor to be considered. It will matter...
Plato is a crucial figure in ancient philosophy and contributed to studying and discussing metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Indeed, his manuscripts and critique of Socrates describe the nature of reality and the importance of knowledge in human life, how it influences beliefs, forms logic, builds society, and determines the metaphysics...
Introduction Locke and Descartes are two of the most influential philosophers in the field of personal identity. The matters they discussed were somewhat different, but the theories have some overlapping topics, such as the nature of the soul. The purpose of this essay is to outline the main points of...
The Nature of Reality from the Perspective of Heraclitus Heraclitus believes that reality could be equated with fire (Moore & Bruder, 2011). The reason behind this is the fact that it is ever-changing. For this reason, he believes that there is no reality. According to him, permanence is nothing but...
In his article, “A Non-Utilitarian Approach to Punishment,” H.J. McCloskey critiques utilitarianism which demands punishing of the innocent of benefiting the majority. He begins by acknowledging that it is easier for many people to accept utilitarianism as it advocates for the punishment of the offender. However, McCloskey explains how utilitarianism...
Philosophy was defined as the knowledge and understanding of the primary causes and beginnings of all things. It aims to create a picture of the world and human beings in it by rational means of mental activity. At the same time, it represents only one of the sections of the...
Love is considered to be the feeling that can occur between two individuals that accept the presence of admiration or sympathy. Mo Tzu, a Chinese philosopher and thinker, in his work Universal Love attempted to describe the essence of love and the context of this phenomenon. In fact, love can...
At the beginning of the conversation, Desmond Tutu explains the meaning of Ubuntu, a philosophical concept mysterious to non-African readers. According to Archbishop Tutu, Ubuntu is the essence of being a person, and a human becomes humanized only through interaction with other people. In addition, Ubuntu is based around generosity...
Introduction The Need for More Than Justice by Baier primarily distinguishes between Rawls’s and Kantian justice perspectives and the care position that Gilligan outlined in her studies of women’s moral development. Baier argues that the perspective of justice itself is inadequate as a theory of morality since it overlooks the...
Introduction A famous treatise Meditations on First Philosophy, published by the French mathematician, philosopher, and scientist René Descartes in 1641, contains several ambitious claims. First of all, Descartes attempted to prove the existence of God through logical arguments. One might say that Descartes’s philosophy viewed God as a cause for...
Do you want to know more about the difference between Aristotle and Plato? Then make sure you read this essay example! Here, you’ll find information on Aristotle and Plato differences in views on philosophy, politics, and more. Plato and Aristotle Difference: Essay Introduction Aristotle and Plato are two celebrated philosophers...
Introduction Plato was a notable philosopher of ancient Greece that has changed the perspectives the world’s population has significantly. In this paper, attention is paid to the essence of Plato’s ideas about forms as something mathematically and morally equal to rationally explain the worth of knowledge. The report provides information...
Introduction The debate on whether some jobs are preserved for men and others for women continues in society as critics and adherents try to prove their points. Among them is Sophocles, the playwright, who technically pictures a variety of women’s roles. Antigone is one of his masterworks, which closely manifests...
Introduction Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics is a seminal work in moral philosophy, offering a profound exploration of the virtues that constitute good character and the pursuit of the good life. Among the virtues discussed, decency (also translated as magnificence in some versions) stands out as a nuanced character trait. However, for...
Socrates’ Biography The activity of Socrates, one of the outstanding ancient thinkers, has significantly impacted the formation of philosophical ideas in different cultures and influenced the emergence of different concepts. He was born in 469 BC to a mason and midwife and died in 399 BC in Athens. During his...
Hobbes and Locke are influential Enlightenment philosophers. This essay is centered on Hobbes and Locke similarities and differences. It enumerates what they agreed and disagreed on. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are well-known English philosophers whose contribution to the development of human society is extensive and all-consuming. The ideas and...
Philosophy is the highest science, which embodies the pure desire for truth. It is the only way to know yourself, God, and true happiness. Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave is its image in a fragment of the expression of the main ideas of the perception of the world, the...
Kant developed the principle of humanity and universalizability, which defined his moral philosophy. The principles have similarities and differences where Kantian humanity demands dignity and respect for individuals by insisting that a person should treat another as an end, not a means (Fasoro, 2019). On the other hand, universalizability primarily...
Introduction Machiavelli has outlined the characteristics of an excellent ruler in his work The Prince. Machiavelli’s primary conception is that a good ruler has to focus on gaining and retaining power. Moreover, in The Prince, Machiavelli explains his rationale when arguing that political leaders may use deceit, cruelty, and strive...
The concept of freedom has been a cause of discussion ever since the rise of humanity. In general, I think that yes, we are free since we are always responsible for the decisions that we make or do not make. In a sense, we choose our destiny, but we do...
Introduction to Faith Religion and faith It is important to believe; faith is something that cannot be imposed on people without the true understanding of God, miracles that can be done, and other concepts attributed to faith. Another thing, in this case, is the religion that can be imposed on...
Many philosophical and religious movements raise the question of the soul, thinking about it as a kind of intangible essence opposed to the body. The soul is often considered the basis for feelings, consciousness, thinking, manifestations of will, and similar things. It reflects the inner world of humans and is...
Prime Reality: Definition The concept of prime reality has been discussed countless times by philosophers across the globe, yet no consensus has been reached so far. There are numerous approaches to defining the notion of prime reality; for instance, there is the assumption that God represents it. Other philosophies suggest...
Introduction The main philosophies in education belong to two famous thinkers, Rousseau and Plato. They created and implemented their dogmas of world perception in different eras, but they were interested in the same challenge – training an individual so that education becomes a trend. However, Rousseau’s teachings, presented in a...
Deontology is an ethical science based on the teaching of moral issues. The focus of deontological ethics is on duties and obligations to be followed. At the heart of ethical teaching is the elevation of moral responsibility for the good, so deontology also becomes a way of justifying happiness as...
Introduction In the book Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, professor Michael Sandel explores a range of political philosophies, which range from Aristotle to Kant to liberal traditions of John Rawls that have contributed to the modern understanding of justice. He then applies these philosophies as objectively as possible...
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings The Old Man in the story was symbolic of the spiritual realm. This spiritual realm came in contact with the earthly realm when the angel came in the form of a weak castaway. The only evidence that he is not from this place...
‘The Nature of the Virtues’ by Alasdair MacIntyre (1981) discusses the concept of virtue as it appears in Western philosophical thought throughout millennia. Analyzing the similarities and differences between the ideas of virtue entertained by different philosophers, the author eventually arrives at the definition of virtues as qualities crucial for...
Trying out One’s new Sword is an article on the topic of ethics written by Mary Midgley in 1981. In the article, Midgley aims to investigate different aspects of moral isolationism in order to assess the viability of the above-mentioned theoretical model. Midgley (2015) states that even though moral isolationism...
Introduction Many philosophers, researchers, and scientists have explored the problem of God or any other immaterial power that can explain humans’ existence. Friedrich Nietzsche, who lived during the Industrial Revolution that brought crucial changes not only to the everyday life of people but also to their thinking, claimed that God...
Philosophy is one of the subjects, the study of which is fundamental for further education. It helps to track the development of science and learn more about various intellectual ideas. In addition, by following the train of thought of philosophers, you can learn a lot about the science of the...
Philosophy is a science that studies the most profound aspects of knowledge, reality, and understanding. The scholarship seeks to acquire significantly finite elements regarding reason, existence, values, and knowledge. As per philosophy, a truth in one perspective can become an opinion when viewed differently. The absence of a standard view...
The Iliad is probably one of the most popular and influential Homer’s works around the globe. This epic poem provides the reader with a variety of images related to Ancient Greece, characters, both heroes and villains, and values that define human qualities. Pride is one of the strongest themes in...
Lex talionis is a famous concept in Western ethics and jurisdiction. This word comes from the Latin language, describing the principle of equal retaliation. It was commonly used in the jurisdiction and other spheres to set human behavior limitations. Lex talionis can be regarded as a helpful tool to exercise...
Introduction Transcendentalism is one of the most significant philosophical movements of the nineteenth century. Developed in the U.S., it was based on the idea of embracing idealism. Transcendentalists advocated for the innate goodness of humans, the prevalence of experience and insight over logical judgment, beauty and purity of nature, and...
Introduction Human beings have always appreciated the importance of applying philosophical concepts to questions that are ethical and metaphysical in nature. This paper seeks to explain why death is bad for the dead person because he or she will be unable to experience the good things associated with life or...
Nowadays quickly changing world sets plenty of challenges for people causing stress and life-changing events. In this connection, the theory of meaning elaborated by Patricia Starck seems to be one of the solutions to overcome the rapid pace of life helping to handle everyday stress. Definition of Theory The middle-range...
The philosophy of education encompasses relevant schools of thought and their responses to the social issues in education. It primarily revolves around the critical concepts of equality, equity, social justice, peace, and other stimulating factors to educate people on moral virtues from a philosophical perspective (Davids and Waghid, 2021). At...
Introduction Sula is a difficult and morally challenging novel focusing on the story of two girls Sula and Nel who grow up in vastly different upbrings within matriarchal households in a struggling African American community, ‘the Bottom.’ One of the major themes identified in the scholarly examination of this text...
The local church refers to a group of Christians who often oversee and affirm each other’s membership in Christ and God’s kingdom. The definition of Christianity incorporates five parts: often gathering, the exercise of oversight and affirmation, the reason for representing Christ officially, and use of ordinances and preaching (Puffer,...
Introduction Plato’s and Aristotle’s arguments have played an essential role in philosophy and metaphysics. Both philosophers’ arguments have played an immense role in giving definition and meaning to the existing reality. In addition, their rebuttal to each others’ opinions and theory has brought livelier and reality to the metaphysical explanation...
Relations between people in the societies of Ancient Greece should be evaluated under the ethics of that period. Therefore, the actions of the main character of Homer’s Odyssey are proposed to be examined in terms of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics criteria, within the framework of practical philosophy. This approach will allow...
Many views are a part of philosophy, while philosophy as a whole has not and perhaps never will merge its branches and theories into one way of thinking that is the best way to approach knowledge and life. Three major ways of thinking in this area are empiricism, rationalism, and...
Philosophy is one of the most ancient sciences in the world. It was created by people as an attempt to explain the course of world development on the whole, and the events that happen to every particular person in his or her life. There are also numerous schools of philosophy...
Assumptions, Coherence, and Inference Although the links between ideology and discourse might appear to be tenuous, closer inspection reveals that the two are closely intertwined. Ideology imbues discourse with a particular meaning by creating certain expectations, thereby encouraging audiences to make assumptions about the purpose of a speech. Thus, the...
The dilemma encountered by one of Sartre’s students is frequently analyzed in works on ethics and philosophy (Statman 17; Detmer, Sartre Explained 169). The problem is that a young man is torn between the desire to revenge for his brother’s death and fulfilling his duty as a son (Statman 17)....
The ethical dilemma is a choice between two possibilities that will inevitably lead to violations of certain moral principles. In this sense, Coach Rob is faced with a dilemma where he needs to decide the fate of his two top starters. Students were caught cheating on an exam, which led...
Ethical theories give guidance on decision-making, especially when a person has to consider ethics in their actions and reasoning. There are three ethical theories; virtue ethics, deontology, and consequentialism. Virtue ethics is a philosophical approach to ethics that is primarily concerned with the person’s character rather than duties as the...
The idea of interpreting the nature of ethics as teleological dates back to the era of Ancient Greece, yet the understanding of ethics as a teleological notion still echoes in contemporary society. At its core, teleological ethics on which Aristotle’s philosophy based can be traced in the contemporary interpretation of...
Introduction Thomas Hobbes’ discussion of the state of nature prompted responses from a multitude of other philosophers and scholars. The author’s principal argument is that, without governmental control, people would always remain in their natural state, which is “a condition of war of every one against every one” (Hobbes 1660,...
Introduction Kant’s ethics revolve around the concept of a categorical imperative, which is a fundamental ethical principle declaring that one must always recognize the humanity in others and only behave in line with principles that apply to everyone. Kant contended that the categorical imperative is a logical truth; hence, all...
Introduction An attempt to provide an ethical theory is made in response to specific moral dilemmas. Although ethical theories aim to determine what moral standards are right, they do not directly address any particular queries (Gunn, 2018). The death penalty was, is, and most likely will be a contentious topic...
The police system is a universal hierarchy that has the purpose to control the criminal world and ensure the citizens’ safety. Most police officers, when starting the education, decide to devote their lives to serving people within the framework of ethical values, norms, and principles. Notably, Immanuel Kant’s deontological ethical...
The 1944 book “The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception” was co-authored by Theodor W. Adorno and Max Horkheimer. Adorno and Horkheimer, in during, 1999/1944, p. 32, say that ‘Culture now imposes the same mark on everything” The Culture Industry, according to this article, uses a variety of media to...
Robert Kane, a famous philosopher, formulated the concept of free will, which is a relevant topic for discussion even nowadays. Free will is one of the most debatable problems of philosophy; many people still examine human will as an object of freedom. This topic is highly relevant to philosophers and...
Sharon Street’s article, Does Anything Really Matter or Did We Just Evolve to Think So? raises crucial questions about the origins of personal and societal biases or beliefs that influence the perception of events. People often undoubtedly rely on facts they learned through life and refused to analyze the genealogy...
What you have learned concerning the theory A welfarist philosophy is largely presumed or applied in utilitarianism theory. In other words, it is necessary to have a thorough grasp of the welfarist theory before applying the principle of utilitarianism. This implies that that the theory of utilitarianism is constructed using...
Introduction Conservatism is a social and political philosophy which aims at retaining traditions. It aims to pursue justice and freedom. A conservative is a person who follows conservatism philosophies. Classical conservatism is practiced by organic society where equality of the people is not such a necessity. The conservatives believe strongly...
Basic Knowledge The Critique of Practical Reason is Kant’s second commentary, one of his three main expositions on morality, and a highly influential work in the history of ethical theory. The Critique, which was first released three years after Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, expands on the central...
Altruism and egoism are almost contrasting terms that relate to philosophy, psychology, ethics and biology. Both terms refer to one’s behavior and prioritization of self-interest over the interest of others. While altruistic people put fulfilling the needs of others over their own, egoists pursue their own interests in the first...
Socrates and Aristotle are among the most famous ancient philosophers who may be described as founders of Western philosophy. Their opinions concerning ethics and way of life do not coincide, and that is why both of them should be analyzed in order to figure out where the truth lies. Socrates...
John Stuart Mill is the philosopher behind the Utilitarianism Theory, who introduced the theory in a bid to help people from making life decisions. In his approach, Mill suggests that actions are right when they produce happiness and wrong when they result in sadness (Komu, 2020). According to Mill, happiness...
Introduction The novel Nausea, written by Jean-Paul Sartre, is a philosophical masterpiece that addresses the topic of existentialism. The given close reading analysis will focus on the following statement: “the Nausea has stayed down there, in the yellow light. I am happy: this cold is so pure, this night so...
Time travel is a fascinating fantasy idea that has a logical justification in addition to its obviously entertaining function. In particular, such travel is inextricably associated with the endless paradoxes generated whenever the traveler decides to move into the past or the future. This raises legitimate questions about whether the...
Plato’s and Plato’s and Aristotle’s attitudes to the nature of reality are regarded as the opposite ones. According to Plato, the knowledge of life is based on learning the common inextricable idea that exists separately from the material world. Aristotle, a disciple of Plato, understands the vision and the material...
Lynch and Kafka both portray isolation and desperate loneliness in their works. While often interpreted negatively in other works, separation serves as a gateway to a better knowledge of oneself in Eraserhead and Metamorphosis alike. Due to being lonely and separated from others, the protagonists of both stories can better...
The general philosophical basis of Russell’s theory of knowledge was made up of the ideas to which he came rejecting the speculative philosophy of German idealism. Russell himself characterized his position as scientific common sense (Russel 1997). This sense does not contrast science and ordinary knowledge, as well as knowledge...
Kant calls the era of the Enlightenment the most important stage in human history marked by a fundamental change in the attitude of mankind to its inherent ability to judge. Kant believes that before the Enlightenment, humanity did not understand and did not properly use its inherent intelligent abili[A1] ty....
The argument George Edward Moore, an English philosopher, is well known for his “philosophical argument, “Here is a hand,” in which he criticizes philosophical skepticism in favor of common sense. His argument takes three dimensions: (1) Here is a hand, (2) Here is another hand (3) There are at least...
Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest and most recognized spiritual leaders globally, was born on the 2nd of October, 1869. Gandhi became instrumental in fighting for India’s independence using non-violent means as well as championing for his people. His methods of attaining freedom inspired many across the globe, as this...
For every particular field of study, prime reality is the concept to explain on the basis of one’s personal feelings, beliefs, and comprehension. For Christian theism representatives, it appears to be a personal God, whose nature is unveiled in the Holy Scriptures. Supporters of postmodernism, however, take a naturalistic approach...
Introduction The story of the Ring of Gyges, presented in Plato’s “Republic,” illustrates a cynical and pragmatic view of justice. This view holds that people act justly only out of fear of the law or punishment, not out of internal convictions. This view seems too skeptical and cynical, yet some...
Ethical Frameworks Ethical frameworks are divided into three categories: deontological, virtue and teleological. There are two central principles upon which they classify various ethical frameworks. Each belief system is distinct, and many different ethical frameworks exist. Some people are more likely to identify with particular ethical frameworks, while others might...
Introduction The ancient times were highly appreciated because of their unique writing style and were valued for the vivid entertainment of the community. Also, plays are considered part and parcel of the community as they encourage unity and peace. On the other hand, authors applied literature to applause the excellent...
Introduction Plato and Aristotle’s approaches to government and politics are often perceived as examples of two different categories of political analysis. Plato is commonly considered a political philosopher, while Aristotle, on the other hand, is regarded as a political scientist. This essay will examine the reasons behind different perceptions of...
People often evaluate their behavior and the actions of others from the standpoint of right or wrong. Nevertheless, the assessment itself, as well as the idea of good and evil, can be pretty subjective. German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who developed his views under the influence of the Enlightenment, and his...
Islam may be seen as a controversial religion, with many contradicting morals. Some of the Quran’s values are not always promoted in the fictional works. For example, there are differences in interpreting the way families should be formed in some Arabic tales. Comparing the Quran and “Prince Behram and the...
Today, people face multiple situations when their rights and freedoms are compromised by existing societal norms and regulations. In philosophy and social sciences, many theories explain human interactions and classify behaviors as per different criteria. One of the most common debates is developed between John Locke’s tabula rasa theory and...
In Sally Haslanger’s philosophical essay ‘Gender and Race: (What) are they? (What) do we want them to be?’ the author utilizes an analytical approach to gender and race to define factors contributing to their meanings. In my understanding, the essay presents a significant accomplishment as it provides a unique approach...
For centuries modern philosophy has been discussing the possibility of applying two models or approaches to the problem of ethics. The principles by which a person functions and makes decisions are often at the center of philosophical works. Ethical philosophy tries to understand what should lie in the causality of...
Background on the Philosophy of Truth Western philosophy considers two different approaches to the topic of reality, such as the nature of reality itself as well as the relationship between the mind, including culture and language, and reality. When studying the relationship between knowledge, truth, and reality, it has been...
The historical development of philosophical thought was accompanied by emerging controversies regarding the uncertain role of people’s perceptions in the process of the formation of the concept of self. This situation was connected to the conflicting theories aimed at explaining personal identity either through impressions one receives from the world...
Success is the individual’s ability to overcome a challenge or task in a particular situation. It is important to note that philosophically, success is a relative term meaning, it ranges from small magnitudes of achievement to considerably larger ones. Nevertheless, it is crucial to relate to certain aspects of principles...
Abstract People in the 21st century perceive the world in a significantly different way from their counterparts from the 14th century. Jean Baudrillard argues that a considerable shift has occurred, and human beings can no longer determine what reality is. He states that individuals are surrounded by “models of real...
Introduction Frederick Taylor and Karl Marx had the views that the worker was not getting a fair deal and thus formulated theories geared at improving their lifestyles. Frederick Taylor came up with the Scientific Management Principles theory whereas Karl Marx coined the Communist Manifesto theory with ideas on how their...
Max Scheler, who is considered to be an outstanding German philosopher of the 20th century, developed a hierarchy of values based on the Ressentiment concept. Graphically the hierarchy of values can be presented in the following form: Positive and negative groups characterize Scheler’s values; values are considered to make a...
Political Power Political science is a very elaborate as well as a very complex science which concerns itself with the study of various disciplines and how they influence politics of the day. The field of political geography is concerned with the political power aspects. It emanates from a complex combination...
Introduction Categorical imperative (introduced by Kant) suggests that in itself there is nothing good except a goodwill, and only when an individual acted from duty does the individual’s actions have moral worth. Kant supposes that every rational person has inherent worth; consequently, a rational individual will always act to treat...
Introduction In the book, Cartesian Meditations, Edmund Husserl speaks about the main problems of phenomenology including such topics as static and genetic phenomenology, reduction and intersubjectivity. The central thesis of Husserl’s mature work is that of the life-world, a term that refers to the concrete reality of an individual’s lived...
“All for One and One for All” is an essay written in 2010 by a Canadian philosopher, Charles Taylor. In his essay, the author narrates about solidarity as one of the most significant elements of democratic societies. The strength of the essay is Taylor’s argument that points out that the...
Introduction Rene Descartes’s form of skepticism, which is referred to as Cartesian Doubt, represents a manifestation of methodological skepticism. It implies a systematic process of doubting the validity of people’s personal beliefs, which has become a key characteristic of philosophy. For many who studied the topic, methodological doubt is considered...
Introduction Aquinas is a famous philosopher whose work has offered an interesting point of view on human existence. In the third article of On the Voluntary and the Involuntary, the author presents his outlook on the actions people take. Most notably, he examines whether all activities are performed through a...
Understanding cause-and-effect can be like “brain cell gymnastics” when reading different Philosophers’ perspectives on the topic. This is because their theories often conflict with one another, which, at first, makes the topic very confusing for a reader; but later pulls the reader into much deeper thinking and appreciation of this...
The arguments of the author in ‘Problems of Philosophy’ were neither for direct realism nor against indirect realism. As a result, the author described the existence of reality and appearance using the Cartesian technique (Russell 6). To approach the argument on appearance and reality, he suggested that we must avoid...
The similarity between Austin’s and Hobbes’ approaches is evident since both philosophers point out that the law cannot exist without a person who will establish the law and agree to execute and make it. Both Austin and Hobbes view sovereigns as the makers of the law, and subjects need to...
Theology, like psychology, is driven by the urge to understand human nature. Clinical psychology dominates psychology’s discipline, and its subject matter frequently intersects with religious questions. The crucial question is whether psychology can help humans from the perspective of philosophical anthropology. Thus, the essay will compare philosophical anthropology’s psychological and...
Ethical and moral standards form the basis on which an action is considered right or wrong in a particular society. Philosophers such as John Stuart Mill, Immanuel Kant, Aristotle, Sartre, and Singer developed different theories explaining the concept of morality and ethics (Tseng & Wang, 2021). Philosophical theories such as...
The Socratic method is a manner of discovering truths through your own eyes. All rolled into one, it is a system, a spirit, a method, a form of philosophical inquiry, and an intellectual approach. Socrates never explicitly stated a method, but Christopher Phillips has summarized the fundamental principles of his...
Introduction The reflective essay focuses on the comparison between liberal arts and radical education philosophies. Important to mention that the paper introduces and highlights the philosophies’ concepts, fundamental theories, founders, and ideas. Therefore, the author critically analyzes both perspectives and presents the crucial impact they could have on educators who...
There is a great multitude of debates in philosophy, and all these discourses have a shared aim of widening and enriching the human mind and soul through asking questions. Interestingly, the very subject of philosophy is constantly losing some of its branches, which become separate sciences like astronomy and psychology....
Introduction Failures can teach people to think differently or break down completely, depending on the type of it. Successes may lead to over-relaxation when a person stops working actively in order to take pleasure in them. In contrast, causing pain and failures can stimulate work more actively and more productively,...
Species of History Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher whose relativistic view formed an important precursor to the post-modern movement. He first began his career as a small-scale philologist before turning to philosophy. In his essay, he wrote about the different types of history that normal human beings experience and...
Analysis: Diotima’s Speech Socrates quotes Diotima as saying that Love (the alleged divinity) is neither mortal nor eternal, lovely nor ugly. This is a titular claim that characterizes the speech, fitting the first requirement of the Toulmin model. The further direction of the speech mostly evolves around this claim, trying...
One of the oldest religions of the world, Hinduism is often seen as the set of stories, myths, and morals, which promote pacifism. At the center of its teachings lies the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita. The entirety of the writing comprises the dialogue between the major Hindu deity Krishna and...
John Rawls was an American philosopher in the field of politics in the 20th century, who adhered to the liberal tradition. During his activity, he introduced several theories, such as justice as fairness and political liberalism. The first mentioned one involves the difference principle, which presents an alternative distributive principle....
Introduction The concept of alienation was first proposed by the German philosopher Karl Marx in his famous work Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844. He argued that the modern production methods forced workers to abandon their humanity and embrace the role of an easily replaceable element in a large oppressive...
Throughout history, humans have tried to make sense of the world around them. Through observation, discussion, and theory crafting, individuals have managed to present specific ideas on the nature of broader concepts. Practices that study the fundamental aspects of human existence can be called philosophy. Many great minds have combined...
The issues of power and knowledge have occupied a key position within sociological analysis. From the work of Weber the exercise of power and domination has been conceptualized within sociology as a constitutive feature of social life, although formulated in different and at times opposing ways, and from the work...
The word forgiveness is defined as the act of excusing an offender or a wrongdoer who has committed a mistake. Synonyms of the word forgiveness include, pardoning, condonation, exculpation among others. Other authorities have defined forgiveness as the compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive. However, confusion surrounds what...
Introduction In considering the meaning of truth in mathematics, the arts, and ethics, one is bound to encounter similarities and contradictions while making attempts to arrive at a concrete conclusion regarding what truth connotes in these three streams. There are several arguments from different schools of thought that are not...
Skepticism is associated with doubts about knowledge and its reliability. Skeptics stress that it is impossible to make sure that any source of knowledge is reliable enough, so people are likely to be mistaken all the time (Vaughn, 2018). The best illustration of this perspective is Plato’s assumption that the...
By applying psychological methods and interpretive frameworks to religious studies, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung attempted to accurately describe the advantages and disadvantages of religious beliefs. According to the views expressed by Freud in his The future of an illusion, religious belief can have several positive implications for an individual...
The main themes of existentialism The basic themes of existentialism include isolation, freedom of choice, meaninglessness, and death. A person’s life is not predetermined. Isolation, one’s struggle to become a person in the world, is one source of anxiety; responsibility of choice is another. A person has the freedom to...
Reid, a Scottish philosopher, held that common sense (sensus communis) should be the foundation of all modes of philosophical inquiry. He opposed the view of Hume on the subject (Forguson 23). The latter claimed that it was impossible for people to understand or know the external world since knowledge is...
A Treatise of Human Nature is a work of David Hume, which was published in three consecutive parts from 1738 to 1740. Hume was a Scottish philosopher who was increasingly fascinated by the study of human knowledge and mind. In A Treatise of Human Nature, Hume attempts to explore the...
Introduction In the Confessions of St. Augustine, memory is a multidimensional, multilevel human faculty that is capable of performing several functions due to its features, which, in turn, are enabled by its nature and the character of its inner workings. Following the doctrine of recollection, Augustine believes that his mind...
Introduction Wisdom has fascinated philosophers, theologians, and thinkers throughout history. It is a multifaceted concept that often encompasses a deep understanding of life, insight into human nature, and the ability to make sound judgments. In this essay, we will explore the nature of wisdom through the lens of the Socratic...
Since the era of Aristotle, aesthetics has been among the most challenging problems for philosophers to solve. It is possible to categorize the many theories of aesthetics into two classes: the cognitivist and idealists, although they differ in several aspects. Idealists maintain that a person can use an objective view...
Introduction Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s The Social Contract and Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence are both influential works that address the question of how individuals and society should interact. Both authors believed in the importance of freedom and equality, but they had different ideas on how to achieve these goals....
Ethical practices are crucial for business operations since they promote social and economic growth. Therefore, it is primal for organizations to always consider the welfare of the communities they operate in. Manufacturing and mining companies can expose the community to hazardous materials that are detrimental to their lives. Kantian ethics...
DISPOSITION HISTORICAL EXAMPLE With Citation CURRENT PROPOSED APPLICATION SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Fairness, Justice, Equity Adam Smith Adam Smith believed in the ability and responsibility of each person to contribute to society, which could be achieved through universal education of as many people as possible (Doyle, 2018). According to Smith, equity and...
Introduction Utilitarianism has attracted ardent opponents and defenders over the years as an approach to ethics and morality in society. Enthusiasts regard the philosophical approach to morality as a liberating and standard theory. Further, the theory practically connects attitude to decision-making and rejects the tyrannical questions about moral conventions. On...
Learning philosophy helps one critically analyze their life, knowledge, the universe, and everything it holds. The three core branches of philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology, evoke creative thinking through questioning. Although the approach used within each division is constant, they are distinct in content and objective. The subject of epistemology...
It should be a globally accepted concept that everyone deserves to be helped by others around them, regardless of language difficulties, religion, race, education, income, or place of birth. This should be implemented as a universal rule, with everyone having a moral responsibility to aid another person in situations like...
Introduction There are three common frameworks for moral philosophy: deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics. Virtue ethics is possibly the oldest ethical theory in the world, with origins in Ancient Greece. Ethics, also called moral philosophy, is the discipline concerned with what is morally good and bad and morally right and...
In his article “Where Am I?” American thinker Daniel Dennett presents a philosophical theory of individual identity. He illustrates a thought experiment in which his brain is detached from his body and placed in a vat in Houston, Texas. Next, his body is sent on a mission to retrieve a...
Introduction Fair punishment has long been a subject of dispute among philosophers, politicians, and the general public. However, there is still no consensus on which type of penal system is the most appropriate in terms of effectiveness and ethics. These discussions gave rise to two major theories – utilitarian and...
Happiness is an emotional state characterized by satisfaction, contentment, feelings of joy, and fulfillment. It mainly involves positive emotions and life satisfaction despite having many different definitions. Psychologists use the term subjective well-being when talking about this emotional state. Subjective- well-being tends to concentrate on the overall personal feelings of...
Introduction Individuals in American society feel that the government secures them without infringing on their freedoms. The government is seen as a safe harbor where citizens feel comfortable under its leadership and protection. However, the government cannot respond to threats and defend the subjects of its control without regard to...
Can Truth be Known Based on the Writings of Aquinas and Plato? Philosophers have varying interpretations of the truth as human beings understand the meaning of the word. According to Aquinas, truth resides not in the human intellect but in things (Knight, 2017). This belief applies when the truth cannot...
