The Artichoke and Avocado Philosophical Approaches

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...

Your Past Does Not Define You

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...

The Impact of Ancient Greek Philosophy on Modern Day Thought

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,...

Confucius: The Five Great Relationships

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)....

Utilitarianism Advantages and Disadvantages

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...

John Locke and Thomas Hobbes Beliefs and Ideas Comparison

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...

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: Essay

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...

The Role of Women in Antigone by Sophocles

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...

The Difference Between Socrates’s and Aristotle’s Prescriptions of Way of Life

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...

Aristotle’s View on the Relationship Between Soul and Body

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...

Machiavelli’s Qualities of Ideal Ruler

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...

Ethics, Metaphysics, and Epistemology in Philosophy

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...

Direct Democracy from Rousseau’s Perspective

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,...

Kant’s Deontological Ethics in a Real-Life Example

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...

Social Contract Theory: Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau

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...

“The Need for More Than Justice” by Baier: Key Concepts

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...

Immortality: Blessing or Curse?

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...

Interpreting Kafka – Before the Law

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....

Plato and Aristotle Differences

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...

The Difference Between Plato and Aristotle’s Views

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...

Locke and Berkeley: If a Tree Falls in a Forest

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,...

Connection Between Humans and Nature in Emerson’s “Nature”

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...

Rationalism vs Empiricism: Essay Example

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...

Hume, Locke, and Descartes: Philosophical Theories

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...

Plato and Rousseau: Educational Philosophies Comparison

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...

Plato’s and Machiavelli’s Political Views Analysis

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...

Locke and Descartes on Personal Identity

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...

Process Philosophy in Family, Marriage, and Education

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...

Achilles’ Pride and Hubris in Homer’s “The Iliad”

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...

Kant’s Principles of Humanity and Universalizability

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...

Plato and Aristotle Views on the Concept of Knowledge

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...

“Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?” by Sandel

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...

Immanuel Kant: Categorical and Hypothetical Imperatives

Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant’s first mature work dealing with moral philosophy aims at exposing foundational principles that are to govern human behavior. One of the concepts indispensable from Kant’s metaphysics of morals is that of moral imperative. This essay will discuss the difference between categorical and...

Are We Truly Free or Only to a Certain Degree?

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...

Plato’s and Aristotle’s Approaches to Metaphysics Comparison

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...

General Philosophical Concept: Empiricism, Rationalism, and Skepticism

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...

St. Augustine, Socrates and Plato: Comparison

The influential philosophers of antiquity who established the basis of modern human fields are St. Augustine, Socrates, and Plato. However, these philosophers have different perspectives on specific aspects of the worldview, although they voice similar motives in various directions. Thus, it is essential to analyze the main similarities and differences...

The Local Church of Christians

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,...

Ethical Theories: Virtue Ethics, Deontology and Consequentialism

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...

Little Speech of Liberty and Mayflower Compact

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...

“Trying Out One’s New Sword” by Mary Midgley Summary

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...

Plato: His Inspirations and Theories

Introduction Plato is considered one of the greatest philosophical thinkers of western society and was born around 429-427 BC to Ariston and Perictione of aristocratic ancestry. As a result he obtained the best education a noble family would offer. As a student Plato was greatly influenced by the works of...

Comparing Marxist vs Weberian in Terms of Class

Karl Marx and Max Weber have contributed a lot to the discussion of the class system in society. Although they both agree that there are classes in a society where stratification methods differ completely, they are almost opposites. Marx says society is divided by class and that capitalism is a...

“Universal Love” by Mo Tzu, Chinese Philosopher

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...

Philosophy: Plato’s View on the Self

Plato’s view on the self is correct because it provides a clear and comprehensive explanation of the basic components of personality. Section II Plato presents a very interesting and logical explanation of personality in his discussion of the Divided Self. The philosopher, in his characteristic playful and creative manner, and...

Reality Is an Illusion and Illusion Is Reality

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...

Personal Worldview Philosophy: Prime Reality

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...

Aristotle’s Concept of Decency: A Virtue of Honor and Moderation

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...

What Is Enlightenment? By Immanuel Kant: Analysis

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....

Truth: Philosophical Theories

In modern society, the image has a significant role and determines the attitude of people to an individual or organization. Thus, this phenomenon is strongly connected with the truth, which becomes an integral part of it. To study this aspect, various theoretical approaches are used, providing a more detailed understanding....

Does The End Justifies the Means

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...

Universalism as Importance Philosophy of Society

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...

Teleological and Deontological Ethical Models

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...

Plato’s and Aristotle’s Argument on Forms and Universals

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...

What Makes an Issue Political?

Introduction Politics is a common feature among human societies both in the past and in present. Politics is said to be an aspect of human behavior and hence the concept of politics is “human social activity” (Yan, Hong and Mair 72). There is no single definition of politics because it...

Cartesian Doubt: Rene Descartes’s Skepticism

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...

McCloskey’s “A Non-Utilitarian Approach to Punishment”

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...

John Locke’s Tabula Rasa vs. Innatism

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...

“The Apology of Socrates” by Plato

Introduction A great deal of what we know about Socrates the man, in fact, all of what we know of him, is what is written about him by others who may or may not have heard him speak. This is because Socrates chose not to write anything down in his...

The Concept and Importance of Philosophy

Introduction Philosophy is a specific system of knowledge based on centuries-old traditions, keeping and constantly rethinking history. It is multifaceted, and one of its most extensive segmentation is the division into metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. The subject matter of each branch is distinct, including being, existence, and reality in metaphysics,...

“The Socratic Dialogues” by Plato

For Plato, philosophical wisdom is characterized by the ability to confront the trial of serious conversation. As proposed in the apology, this usual criterion precludes nearly every sort of what is normally known as wisdom without a moment’s delay. Neither the legislator, the craftsman, nor the artist can clarify the...

Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave”: Argumentative Analysis

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....

Determinism in Philosophy: Hard Determinism, Soft Determinism, Libertarianism

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...

Utilitarianism Theory: Applications and Issues

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...

Understanding Justice Through Plato’s “Ring of Gyges” Story

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...

“The Nature of Virtues” by Alasdair MacIntyre

‘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...

Meaningfulness and Meaningless of Life

Human beings are likely to put their existence into several questions. A question about the meaning of life has been asked frequently, and many people have articulated different opinions and views. The response to this question is based on an individual’s perspective on life. Life is likely to have meaning...

Philosopher Max Scheler

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...

Science Development in Popper’s and Kuhn’s Views

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...

President’s Speech on the High Levels of Corruption

Fellow countrymen, it gives me great pleasure whenever I address the nation on matters that are so pertinent. I am going to address the issue of high levels of corruption that has become so rampant. As a nation, our reputation and future success are critically dependent on compliance, not just...

Philosophy as an Academic Discipline

Description of Discipline / Subject Matter Philosophy concerns itself with the study of problems fundamental to the existence of humanity and understanding of phenomena that is sometimes beyond regular human comprehension. The problems are general and may sometimes be connected to the questions and regarding existence, language, value, and reason....

Rhetoric of “The Myth of the Charioteer” by Plato

The myth of the Charioteer by Plato is the part of his dialogue Phaedrus. Being presented as the Chariot Allegory, Plato aims to describe the nature of human soul using rhetoric. The main idea of this myth is to show how three issues in human soul are related. Therefore, human...

Plato’s Theory of Forms: Metaphysics and Epistemology

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...

The Effects of Trade Unions on Alienation at Work

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...

The Links Between Discourse, Common Sense, and Ideology

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 Theory of Meaning by Patricia Starck

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...

Philosophers Views about Reason

Introduction Philosophers such as Aristotle, Kant, and Mill dedicated a lot of their time in understanding reason and its role in day-to-day life. The reason is commonly understood as the power to think about using the human mind. People believe that it is the power to think that sets humans...

Mill’s Utilitarianism Framework in Solving the Trolley Problem

Thesis The Trolley Problem is one of the acutest and most morally perplexing scenarios in the realm of ethical philosophy. The problem has ignited numerous debates and discussions. It has even been reflected in the modern pop culture of memes due to its being used as a basis for the...

Ethical Frameworks and Their Main Categories

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...

Averroes’s “Decisive Treatise”: Reflection

Introduction A Cordoba native, Averroes or Ibn Rushd, came from a family of prominent judges and jurists. Some of Averroes’s works explore the relationship between Islam and philosophy as well as the association of theology and philosophy. For example, the Decisive Treatise is a critical text for understanding legal opinions...

Summary of “The Paradoxes of Time Travel” by Lewis

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...

Aristotle’s Teleological Understanding of Ethics as Virtue in Modern Society

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...

Heraclitus’ Ever-Changing Reality: Fire as the Essence

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...

Philosophy of Plato: Theory of Knowledge

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...

Socrates’ Wisdom and Rational Thinking

Introduction Philosophers tried to find the meaning of life throughout history, and there is no unanimous opinion on this issue even nowadays. As Socrates claims in Plato’s “Apology,” “the unexamined life is not worth living”. This perspective articulated by Socrates emphasizes the importance of knowledge and cognition in finding the meaning...

Blindness as Central Element in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex

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...

Plato’s, Aristotle’s, and Machiavelli’s Perspectives on the Ideal Form of Government

Introduction The phenomenon of human nature has long been a source of continuous and quite heated philosophical discussions due to its multifaceted and remarkably complex structure and the necessity to approach it from several different perspectives. Additionally, numerous philosophers have pondered the concept of an ideal governmental structure, linking it...

Descartes’ Concept of Self Described in Meditations

Introduction Descartes is correct that the essential self as a thinking entity is central to one’s consciousness, unlike the self as a material entity. The Core Argument Descartes’ concept of self revolves around the idea of the dualism of mind and body. In other words, the body and its physical...

“Old” and “New” Metaphysics

The main difference between the old and the new metaphysics is in the philosophical problems they seek to address. The old metaphysics, going back up to the Ancient Greek philosophers such as Parmenides and Aristotle, was preoccupied with the matters of essence and existence. The classic example of a problem...

The Foucault’s Notion of Power and Knowledge

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...

Aesthetics: The Theory of Beauty

Aesthetics mark one of the fields that have received intensive scholarly concerns. As early as the first century, different philosophers have since tried to explain the meaning of aesthetics and specifically identify what really makes an object beautiful in the eyes of the observer. On their part, empiricist philosophers aimed...

Cicero’s Views on Citizenship and Ethics

Cicero argued that virtue is at its best when it is applied by the state or by government. He argued that political action is the only way of putting virtue to use and that this comes naturally. In this context, one may be mistaken for believing that such actions would...

Saint Augustine and His Understanding of Memory

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...

Comparison Between Plato and Aristotle’s View on Women

Introduction Even if no lady has ever been the president of the United States, the world has had a few years of involvement with female leaders. A lot of women are providing more visible leadership skills than ever before. As a result, their authentic records have put a lot of...

John Locke and Thomas Hobbes’s Perspectives on Absolute Sovereignty

Introduction Sovereignty is the ability of states to make laws and shape policies in their territories. Territories must obey the sovereignty in force and fulfill obligations by complying with laws and regulations. Different perspectives on the power of sovereignty determine how public policy operates to legislative and executive powers. The...

The Scottish Enlightenment: Stadial History and Early Anthropology

Similar to many other regions of Western Europe, the Enlightenment era greatly affected the social, cultural, and political aspects of life in Scotland. In particular, the concept of “useful knowledge” was a significant term that many Scottish thinkers of the 18th century frequently used in their writings and presentations. In...

Kant and Mill: The Ethics of Lying

Deontology suggests that morality is based on universal rules defining bad or good. As a supporter of this theory, Kant, in Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals and On the Supposed Right to Lie From Benevolent Motives, argues that lying is always a wrong action. The philosopher explains that a...

Lynch’s “Eraserhead” and Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”: Isolation and Enlightenment

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...

“What We Have to Lose” by Theodore Dalrymple

The purpose of this paper is to summarise the arguments presented by Theodore Dalrymple in his rather lengthy philosophical article and reflect on them, providing my own opinion. The author begins by mentioning how insignificant he feels in comparison to the shocking and devastating events that transpire regardless of his...

“Critical Thinking” by Brooke Noel Moore and Richard Parker

Introduction The author of this piece commits some serious logical errors owing to the fact that he/she is trying to convince other readers to support his/her position based on a bad flow of reasoning (Andolina and Andolina, 2001). First, he goes on to assert that the murder of a young...

Plato’s “Symposium”: An Explanation of Love

Plato’s Symposium 201d-212c is primarily focused on Socrates’s speech. The Greek philosopher and thinker addresses Agathon about the notion and nature of Love. He uses the wisdom he received from Diotima of Mantinea in order to explain what role and place Love holds. The first aspect of the speech focuses...

Jonathan Vogel’s Response to the Skeptics

The standard way of thinking about skepticism has it that the choice between our ordinary beliefs and skeptical hypotheses cannot be justified. Jonathan Vogel states that it makes sense to prefer a theory that offers a better of some data rather than one that offers a worse explanation. He proves...

The Concept of War in the Bhagavad Gita

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...

Odysseus Personality in Terms of Aristotle’s Ethics

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...

Louis Althusser’s Concept of an Ideological State Apparatus

Louis Althusser’s concept of the Ideological State Apparatus (ISA) represents an innovative at the time view on peoples’ being involved into different manipulations from the part of official power. The concise picture of Althusser’s ISA represents rather interesting explanation of how individuals living in a state governed by the rule...

20th Century Philosophy: Theories and Concepts

Some new approaches to the world were developed going into the 20th century in response to rapid changes taking place at the time. These philosophies often attempted to make sense of a world that seemed to be going mad with the new technologies and advances that were being introduced. Every...

Philosophy: Plato’s Theory of Forms

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...

Sartre’s Student’s Dilemma

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)....

Power in “The Prince” Book by Niccolò Machiavelli

Introduction Niccolò Machiavelli is considered one of the most influential political thinkers of his age. He was a statesman in Florence and wanted to achieve success and power in politics. Due to his broad interest and knowledge of the topic, Machiavelli observed the ways other politicians obtained power and gained...

Kant’s Deontological Ethical Theory and Policing Ethical Practices

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...

Free Will by Kant, Descartes, Sartre, and Nietzsche

Introduction Can human beings act independently and make their own choices, or their decisions are not autonomous and are influenced by various factors? Do they have the right to do what they want? Are they free? Individuals have always been trying to find answers to these questions as they can...

The Utilitarianism Theory by John Stuart Mill

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...

Philosophy: The Nature of Knowledge and Reality

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...

Taoism, Confucianism, and Mohism in Chinese Philosophy

World philosophies are a combination of different events that occurred in the past to the present day. The new edition of world philosophies context by David Cooper ensures that it continues to fulfill the people’s demands of the growing people’s interests in all the main philosophical traditions of the world....

Deontological Ethics and Principles for Parenting

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...

Kant’s View on the Lex Talionis Principle

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...

Weber’s Protestant Ethic and Marxist Critique

Modern sociologists, philosophers, and economics currently use the works by Max Weber and Karl Marx to strengthen their views of society and discuss the impact of different ideas in history. It is not enough to take Weber’s theory of stratification or social class and explain the roots of social conflict...

Socrates and Thoreau on Law, Protest, and Politics

More than two thousand years separate such philosophers as Socrates and Thoreau. One of them lived in Ancient Greece long before the Industrial and market revolutions, and another was a citizen of the 19th-century United States as it gradually became an industrial powerhouse of the globalizing world. It seems reasonable...

Kant’s Theory of Categorical Imperative in Sports

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...

The Difference Principle by John Rawls

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....

Philosophical Views on Death

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...

The Impact of the Locke’s Democratic Theory on the Contemporary Governance

Introduction John Locke (1632-1704) is one of the most influential classical democratic theorists whose ideas have defined the modern theory of democracy. John Locke is famously known as the father of classical liberalism. His writings on democracy are still influential in modern society, especially in the United States (Forstron, 2010)....

Personal Philosophy of Success and Strategies

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...

Modernization Theory: Context and Sociological Issues

Background information Different development theories have been invented by scholars in bid to unravel the mystery behind varied developments in the society. In their bid to come up with strong argument, scholars have employed different social scientific phenomena. One of the development theories that were established in early 1940s is...

Democracy: Strengths and Weaknesses According to Thucydides and Plato

Introduction In the period of the Peloponnesian war contribution was made to writing by a writer called Thucydides. He had surpassed Herodotus (regarded as the father of history) in the taking down of events with high accuracy and fairness. He was born from a wealthy Athenian family who was a...

Realism & Formalism. Singer’s Reality Transformed and La Jetée Film

Introduction People are free to understand and interpret movies in their specific ways, relying on personal interests, knowledge, and approaches. During this week, students got a chance to study the perspective about classical film theories and the peculiarities of cinematic art offered by Irving Singer. There are many filmmaking devices...

Silverman’s Wager in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”

There are many different arguments for the existence of God and against it, most of which have been criticized heavily and logically deconstructed since their inception. Blaise Pascale, a famous scientist, and philosopher proposed a model for faith that is based on rationality. He claimed that belief has a higher...

Philosophy: Plato’s “Five Dialogues” Analysis

In the suggested passage, the philosopher revolves around the price of freedom and whether it could be achieved by any means. If to speak about the main idea of this very text, it could be determined as the essence of the cogitations about justice, injustice, and the appropriate response to...

Art Criticism and Aesthetics Philosophy

The connections between pleasure, contemplation, and judgment in aesthetic appreciation In aesthetic appreciation, when the object is contemplated, it is not only experienced by dint of sensory system but also enjoyed. Being rational creatures, people tend to judge the objects using their own standards of judgment based on interests. While...

Philosophy of Socrates: Essay Example

Socrates Essay Introduction Socrates was a philosopher from Athens. His moral and intellectual integrity is reflected in all aspects of his life. This is evident even in the face of betrayal and execution by his fellow Athenians. Socrates way of thinking and of life is presented in four well-known works....

Confucius, Aristotle, and Plato: The Issue of Harmony

Harmony is essential for every human being because it is typically associated with physical and mental well-being. Even though this phenomenon seems clear and universal, the best philosophers in world history have elaborated on the issue and offered different interpretations of it. That is why it is reasonable to consider...

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Based on my worldview, it can be safe to say that I am a spiritual person but also an omnist because I believe that all creeds are acceptable and useful. Nevertheless, there should be no connection between religion and spirituality because the core energy of the Universe is love. Thus,...

Plato’s Philosophy: Souls Are Immortal

Plato’s main argument is that souls are immortal and responsible for the recollection of knowledge. He uses the example of recollection to show that souls are immortal and existed before a human is born by mentioning instances in which people can recollect knowledge that they have never been conversant with....

The Trolley Problem of Active vs. Passive Killing

The Trolley Problem The trolley problem refers to a thought experiment frequently cited within philosophy and psychology. While it contains many variations, its central idea is based on decision-making. It describes a situation where the reader witnesses a trolley with dysfunctional brakes toward a switch in the tracks. At the...

Universal Responsibility: Meaning and Implications

Introduction Universal responsibility is the responsibility of humans to behave with integrity and do good to others for them to benefit eventually. Various writers over time have researched the topic and concluded that every person should practice universal responsibility to achieve global peace and harmony. Dai Lama and Mbiti are...

The Morality of Freedom in Novel “Sula”

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...

How to Make Our Ideas Clear by Charles S. Pierce: Review

In this chapter, Mr. Pierce expresses several opinions about the concept of a clear idea, the way it should be defined and recognized, and the distinction between a truly clear idea and an idea that only looks clear on the surface. He states that any thought is a system to...

Positive and Negative Freedom: Distinction and Ethical Problem

Freedom is one of the philosophical categories that characterize a person as multidimensional, which is determined by the individual’s ability to think and act following his ideas and desires, and not as a result of internal and external compulsion. An individual can be forced to perform specific actions, which is...

Inconsistency of Socrates’ Arguments in Crito and Apology

It is often the case that philosophical judgments are self-contradictory. The matter is that philosophy as such is a very contradictory science and what at first may seem true, turns out to be absolute lies after thorough consideration. A number of philosophers are blamed for being inconsistent in their arguments...

What Is True and What Is Believed to Be True

This essay answers the question “How can the different ways of knowing to help us to distinguish between something that is true and something that is believed to be true?” A good understanding of the different ways of knowing is basic to explaining how they can be of use in...

Social Contract Theory: Individual-State Relations

Introduction Social Contract theory is based on the principles of political philosophy described in a number of theories of well known thinkers, such as John Locke, Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Political philosophers managed to present the key assumption through the freedom and priority of individuals underlining the motivations of...

“Second Meditation” a Work by Descartes

In the “Second Meditation”, Descartes operates on concepts the core of which seems impossible to doubt. At the beginning of this meditation, he claims that there are no thoughts since he has convinced himself that there is nothing in the world. However, he further comes to a conclusion that he...

Socrates’ Apology and Crito: Law and Justice Analysis

Introduction Socrates is a Greek philosopher and teacher of a great Greek philosopher Plato. His works laid a basis for the Greek thespian art and he is a pioneer to the rise of official logical positivism. The Apology and Crito, which substantiates his tribulation, sentence, and denial to run away...

Philosophy Definition and Significance

Education is regarded as an important pillar of human civilization. Over the centuries, various fields of study have been developed and mastered, leading to great progress in the world. One of the oldest academic disciplines is philosophy. This disciple has had great importance in the development of various human institutions,...

The Utilitarianism Argument for Public Policy

Introduction Utilitarianism holds that an action that is morally right should result in the most good. The theory of Utilitarianism refers to a type of consequentialism, which indicates that actions are understood based on the consequences produced. A Utilitarian view aims to maximize the overall good of others as well...

Socratic Philosophy: The Key Features

Core Philosophy Aspects The special feature of Socratic philosophy is its conscious departure from cosmology, centered on the cosmos, to anthropocentrism, which is its basic, most important principle. Thus, Socrates concentrates on the human being and on the individual’s life. Two intents, faith and reasoning, determine Socrates’ personal and philosophical...

Buddha, Tolstoy, and Raymond’s Martin Views on the Meaning of Life

Meaning of Life Many influential philosophers throughout history have offered a response to the issue of what, if anything, makes life worthwhile, albeit they rarely state it in these terms. The systematic endeavor to determine what individuals have in mind when they think about the issue or what they mean...

Plato’s Political Philosophy and Aristotle’s Political Science

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...

Plato’s “Apology”: Analysis and Evaluation

Introduction Representing a peculiar interpretation of the trial that Socrates faced after being accused of multiple wrongdoings, including the corruption of young minds, Plato’s “Apology” can be considered one of the most accurate accounts of the described events. In his work, particularly, in the passages that address the accusation of...