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...

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...

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...

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,...

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’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 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)....

The Concept of Ideal Society

Description and understanding of an ideal society are two contentious issues due to the divergent views put forward by scholars. While some sociologists focus on social components defining a perfect community, political scientists and economists underpin the significance of sociopolitical elements. Thus, an ideal society incorporates socioeconomic and political factors...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Essential Tenets of Idealism and Realism in Politics

Introduction Political scientists identify two main theories of international relations such as realism and idealism. These theories are fundamentally opposite since their representatives believe that a different nature guides people and states. While realists believe that all states’ actions are based on their national interests and the desire for power,...

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...

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...

Epistemology’ and Education’ Theories

Introduction Epistemology is one of the most interesting branches of philosophy. It deals with the numerous question raised by various philosophers about education. One of the many questions raised by persons in the profession over the years is the definition of knowledge. Many philosophers believe that knowledge acquisition in education...

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...

Importance of Studying Philosophy

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...

“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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

The Culture Industry by Adorno & Horkheimer

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

Comparing Marxist vs Weberian in Terms of Class

Abstract Marx and Weber both give us insight into the stratification of class in society. Marx builds upon a theory where there are two classes, a ruling class, and a subject class. He believes the proletariat will overthrow the capitalists because conflict is bound to rise due to unbalanced power....

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...

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,...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Comparing Marchiavelli’s View of Virtue to Christine de Pizan’s

Introduction The concept of virtue has attracted the attention of many scholars over the past several decades. The civilization brought with it an understanding that one’s action should not deliberately hurt others or cause harm to society. One should strive to hold high moral standards at all times and behave...

Sharon Street’s Article Objection Paper

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...

Solidarity. “All for One and One for All” by Charles Taylor

“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...

Frederick Taylor’s and Karl Marx’ View of Workers

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...

Faith and Reason: Critical Analysis of Faith

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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)....

“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...

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 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...

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...

Discussion: Sam Berns’ Philosophy for a Happy Life

Sam Berns’ talk on how he achieves happy life while living with a rare medical condition provides valuable insight for all people who ever face obstacles and prostration. His philosophy is founded on three primary principles: focusing on possibilities instead of inabilities, choosing positive communication circles, and bringing certainty to...

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...

The concept of will to power in Nietzsche’s Philosophy

The concept of will to power is central to the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. According to Nietzsche, the will to power is an integral part of all life phenomena, which cannot be squeezed into the framework of a philosophical category since it is broader than any category. According to the...

Kant’s Descriptions of the Concept of Goodwill

Introduction The topics of ethics and morality are prominent in philosophical works, and many philosophers have proposed their own theories of ethics. Kantian ethics focuses on the concept of duty, and acting out of duty is perceived by Kant as a sign of morality. In his writings, Kant discusses this...

Plan for the Portfolio: Competing Philosophies of Education

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...

Values in the Quran and “Prince Behram and the Princess Al-Datma”

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...

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...

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...

Theories of Governance: Plato’s and Aristotle’s Theories

Plato’s Theory of Governance In Plato’s approach to philosophy, everything is prone to decay, and, therefore, forms of government also decay. Even the best form of government will inevitably deteriorate into a less perfect form. Nevertheless, Plato proposes four stages of governance to show how one stage transforms into another...

Kant’s Categorical Imperative

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...

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...

Existentialism, Its Themes and Philosophers

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...

People’s Attitude Towards Death

Nowadays, death is an integral part of the life cycle of any person, which will meet everyone in one day. However, there are different times, various circumstances and reasons for death, so most people are afraid of this day in their lives and their friend and families. This fear is...

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...

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...

The Relationship Between Science and Philosophy

Science and philosophy are strongly correlated because modern science has grown directly from philosophy. According to Ramchandani (2017), science means “knowledge” and stems from philosophy, which means “love of wisdom.” Therefore, people in former times considered philosophy as a method to express their love for wisdom, and the purpose of...

Political Power: Definition and Dimensions

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...

Theory of Natural Man, Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Introduction “The first man who, having fenced in a piece of land, said “This is mine,” and found people naive enough to believe him, that man was the true founder of civil society. From how many crimes, wars, and murders, from how many horrors and misfortunes might not anyone have...

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...

Aristotle, Mills, and Kant on Ethical Dilemmas

The ethical dilemma is the moral choice between two or more options, in which the decision is in any case wrong. Such dilemmas do not have a definite solution because they are morally complex. Thus, when dealing with the ethical dilemma of Coach Rob and the suspension of two of...

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...

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...

“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...

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...

Epistemology. Epistemology of Perception

Throughout the history of humanity, people have been striving to comprehend the world they live in, constructing theories of various kinds to explain their observations. Some of the most fundamental philosophical problems are addressed by the branch of philosophy called epistemology, which studies the nature, origin, and limits of human...

Descartes’ Proofs of God’s Existence and Explanation of Human Errors

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...

God Is Dead: Friedrich Nietzsche’ Argument

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...

The Toulmin’s vs. the Rogerian Arguments

Introduction Managing dilemmas and addressing conflicts as well as getting involved in any sort of analysis means being able to navigate among the existing options and analyze the arguments provided by each party to define the solution that suits the identified problem best. Traditionally, two types of arguments are used...

Dennett’s “Where Am I?” Review

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...

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...

Philosophy: Aristotle’s View on Substance

Introduction Aristotle, the substance is the ultimate reality; it does not correspond to other categories of being and is the classification of being upon which all other categories of being are founded. This statement is reinforced by the quote “… the old question—always pursued from long ago till now, and...

More’s “Utopia” vs. Bacon’s “New Atlantis”

When it comes to utopia as a philosophical genre, one cannot forego the author who gave it its name. While More was far from the only philosopher attempting to envisage perfect society, it was his book that baptized such thought experiments as a proper type of a philosophical treatise in...

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...

Freedom – Comparison of Different Definitions

Freedom is often a term used to describe various types of individual liberties, such as religious liberty, political liberty, freedom of speech, right of self-defense, and others. Nations fight for political freedom, youth desire behavioral freedom, and monks desire spiritual freedom. It is also used as a general term for...

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...

“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...

Plato’s and Aristotle’s Ideas of Ethics

Introduction Aristotle’s and Plato’s philosophies disagree on many issues. One of the most common issues of this disagreement arises when we examine their different perspectives and school of thought regarding issues in ethics. Many conflicting views can be recognized when we look at their different works related to ethical theory....

Christopher Phillips on the Socratic Method

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...

McMullin vs. Kuhn: Philosophy of Science

It is important to note that the impact of science was immensely useful for bringing more knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and life improvement to humanity. However, it is not clear whether or not scientific frameworks lead to absolute reality or only interpretive ones. The former forms a basis for scientific realism,...

Philosophy: The Perception of Truth

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...

On the Uses and Disadvantages of History for Life

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...

Epistemology and Methods of Knowing

Epistemology and the Three Models Notably, epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the knowledge’s nature, implications, and limits. Hence, epistemology is focused on whether the knowledge claims can withstand investigation in such a way that individuals can distinguish between simple ideas and factual knowledge (Tavernaro-Haidarian, 2018; Entwistle, 2015)....

Plato’s and Aristotle’s Dualism and Theory of Forms

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...

Lens Analysis: Natural and Applied Sciences

The issue of women in the workforce is an important one in the field of natural and applied sciences. According to Noonan (2017), 76 percent of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workers are men. There are numerous reasons for this disbalance, one of which is the high rates...

Informative Speech: Importance of Ethical Awareness

Ladies and gentlemen, with your permission I will talk about the importance of ethical awareness in our interactions with each other and our work. It is vital to know the importance of ethics in our midst. Many people fail to realize that it is our responsibility to make our surroundings...

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...

The Meaning of Life: A Discussion

Introduction In philosophy, it is a good tradition (if it might be said so) to look for answers to very general questions, such as questions about the origin of the universe, human nature, good and evil, and so on. One of these is the question of the meaning of life....

Discourse Ethics and the Disadvantages of Fair Argumentation

Discourse ethics theory, developed by Jürgen Habermas, can be understood as a continuation of Kant’s categorical imperative. The aim of Kant’s categorical imperative lies in testing norms for their moral validity. Habermas develops this idea and adds that the test should be conducted through the discourse between those affected by...

“A Treatise of Human Nature” by David Hume

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...

“The Future of an Illusion” by Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud is a highly controversial figure among philosophers, often criticized. Despite the significant number of published works, they have often been considered frauds. Nevertheless, some of Freud’s writings, especially later ones, deserve more detailed attention. One such work is “The Future of an Illusion”, in which Freud examines the...

Plato’s Work “Allegory of the Cave” vs. Kant’s “What Is Enlightenment?”

The two philosophical works, namely Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” (1962) and Immanuel Kant’s “What is enlightenment?” (1784), present their authors’ views concerning a better state and society. Although they were written almost 2000 years apart from each other, the ideas that the philosophers developed share many common aspects. First...

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...

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...

Sally Haslanger’s “Gender and Race” Review

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...

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...

Bertrand Russell’s Knowledge by Acquaintance vs. Description

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...

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...

Ethical Theories for Decision-Making

There are several ethical theories that provide guidelines that should be followed in the process of decision-making. The most popular ethical theories are utilitarianism, casuist, right, and deontology. All the ethical theories make demands on human beings but the nature of the demands varies. The utilitarianism theory makes the hardest...

Immanuel Kant’s Moral and Political Philosophy

Kant’s Moral and Political Philosophy Immanuel Kant’s moral philosophy revolves around our everyday conversion of rational knowledge into philosophical wisdom, which serves as a practical reason it itself to follow morality. Kant’s theory defines a moral deed as ‘categorical imperative’, which though is derived from ‘duty’ but according to Kant...

Kant’s Philosophy in the Movie “Gone Baby Gone” by Ben Affleck

Introduction In the contemporary world, people have to deal with moral dilemmas especially when deciding what is ultimately good. Philosophically, the definition of a good act varies depending on the different schools of thought. Immanuel Kant came up with the categorical imperative on moral philosophy, which defines what is right...

Karl Marx Views on History

Introduction Marxism perspective is concerned with the ways in which the production of space and place is implicated in the reproduction of specific social reforms that happen in history. Marx believed that the present order must first be destroyed by revolution before a truly socialist could evolve. Marxist Theories of...

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...

Analysis of Arguments for God’s Existence

There are different approaches in philosophy that discuss the existence of God from all viewpoints. Some intend to prove that God exists, whereas other concepts support the idea of his non-existence. The third ones suggest the idea of agnosticism, claiming that it is not possible to prove the existence or...

The Idea of Leisure From Philosophical Perspectives

Introduction People typically have more freedom to pursue their interests during their leisure time. When discussed from various philosophical perspectives, the idea of leisure takes on several diverse forms. The Greek philosophers Aristotle and Epicurus each offer distinctive interpretations of the term “leisure,” with Aristotle focusing more on the advantageous...

A Letter to Plato the Philosopher

I regularly review your reputable philosophical literature and its moral ethics. I am writing this letter to proclaim how your philosophy has been helpful to me in handling my everyday decision-making reasoning. The concept of happiness has helped me achieve my existence, nature, and self-happiness. I have used the idea...

“Nausea” by Jean-Paul Sartre: Main Topic and Key Elements

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...

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...

Political Economy by Adam Smith and Thomas Green

Adam Smith was not an economist but a philosopher who initiated modern capitalism. On the contrary, Thomas Hill Green was a political radical, temperance reformer, and English philosopher, and he supported the human freedom theory. Although both individuals aimed to improve people’s living standards in society, they had contradicting ideas...

Absurd in Thomas Nagel’s Philosophy

The topic of the absurd has been an ultimate ground for philosophical debates and discussions for many centuries. The main issue considered under this theme is the connection between human life and its absurdity. Nagel, in his work, investigates a concern about the inescapable absurdity of human lives and analysis...

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...

“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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Relativism and the Dialectical Method: Differences Between Them

Relativism is based on the assumption that all diverse viewpoints are equally valid since the various perspectives relate to the observer’s domain in one way or another. In turn, the dialectical method is founded on the premise that a conversation between two people holding conflicting perspectives can establish the truth...

Philosophy: Definition, Branches and Application

The three main branches of philosophy Humans have a natural inclination towards reflecting on their own lives and different aspects of it, unlike other beings. These questions have been a matter of reflection and discussion since ancient times, and they allowed to define the purpose of a good life or...

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...

Cogito, Ergo Sum (“I Think, Therefore I Am”) – The Fundamental Position of Descartes

Introduction Many philosophers, researchers, and scientists have explored the question of whether a person can be sure about anything they know or perceive through their feelings. Rene Descartes, who shared the ideas of rationalism, claimed that the one, certain truth is that every time one thinks he or she exists,...

Existence of God: Philosophical Proofs

Introduction I will argue in support of the argument brought forward by St. Aquinas that God exists since we can experience him through our senses, live up to his purposes and be guided by his perfect will. Human beings are at liberty to search for the truths about God’s existence...

Utilitarianism Theory: Value and Disadvantages

Utilitarianism theory states that the moral value of an individual’s deed can be determined by the way it is effective in the long run. This means how an action is able to make an individual happy thus leading to the conclusion that the moral value of this action is determined...

Locke and Hobbes as Human Nature Philosophers

Human philosophy is a field that continues to influence the way people think about specific subjects, issues, or things in life. The concept of human nature has remained divisive since many scholars present diverse views and opinions about its relevance or existence. This paper describes how John Locke and Thomas...

Friedrich Nietzsche’s Views on Human and Society

Writer’s Ideas It is paramount to note that there many ways to interpret the section titled “The madman.” The fact that this story can be regarded as provocative should not be overlooked. “God is dead” is a phrase that appears several times in the works of an author, and he...

Free Will and Determinism: Can They Coexist?

Introduction Through the pleasures and woes of life, humans often find themselves in states of regret, denial, or any of the plethoras of emotions felt after a regrettable or punishable action. One may wonder whether these emotions or reactions are reasonable. That would depend on whether humans are actually in...

Heraclitus’s Philosophy of Change

Formal Analysis P1: All living beings undergo constant change at every point in their lives. P2: Inanimate things are subject to continuous change. P3: Everything in the world exists in a cycle of change as fire does. C: Heraclitus’s philosophy of change is the correct way to think about the...

Altruism and Egoism: Similarities and Differences

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...

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...