1197 samples of this type
Throughout the history of analytic philosophy, the problem of meaning has been and remains one of its central themes. Semantic studies of recent decades have underscored the unrelenting interest of philosophers in this issue. The criticism of the traditional theory of meaning is one of the most critical developments in...
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...
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson is a great poetess of the nineteenth century originally from Amherst, Massachusetts, and the world-renowned for her mystic and captivating poetry. Regardless of her parents’ desire for her to become a well-mannered, diligent housewife, Emily Dickinson devoted herself to literature. During her saturated literature path, she developed...
The problem of the concept of the soul is fundamental to philosophy. Depending on the solution to this problem, the emphasis is shifted either to the biological nature of a person, or to their spiritual essence. The question about the nature of soul was first raised in the works of...
Introduction It is important to note that the concept of change was interpreted and understood differently by Parmenides and Anaximenes. On the one hand, the former believed in a static framework of the universe, where any apparent change is a mere illusion. On the other hand, the latter claimed that...
In the book The Prince, Machiavelli presented the readers with opinions that were opposed to humanism philosophy. He encouraged rulers to kill some of their subjects to obtain what they wanted. The author discusses the criminal ways that rulers can use to attain what they want. He outlines how rulers...
Introduction Transcendentalism is one of the most significant philosophical movements of the nineteenth century. Developed in the U.S., it was based on the idea of embracing idealism. Transcendentalists advocated for the innate goodness of humans, the prevalence of experience and insight over logical judgment, beauty and purity of nature, and...
Aristotle gives a fairly broad meaning to friendship, giving numerous and varied examples. For instance, one type of friendship is care for the elderly (Aristotle. 142). The philosopher also notes that parents “feel it for offspring” and vice versa, meaning friendship also encompasses love between relatives (Aristotle. 142). To summarize,...
Renaissance Humanism Definition Renaissance humanism refers to an intellectual movement characterized by a revitalized interest in the classical world and studies that did not focus on religion but what it is to be humans. It is traced to have originated from 14th-century Italy, and its pioneers comprised authors such as...
Violence in Modern Society The daily living of human lives is coupled with numerous challenges that impair their wellbeing. Violence is one factor that affects individuals’ quality of life and makes it not worth living. Several philosophers, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Hannah Arendt, and Viktor Frankl, suggested various ways...
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...
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...
Deontology is a theoretical and philosophic movement that directs people in understanding what action should and should not be taken by an individual. People subscribing to this view believe that persons are born with a set of obligations and responsibilities they must adhere to. This ethical theory places an increased...
“The Allegory of the Cave” describes a human community, forced to live in a dark cave. Shackles limit the prisoners’ movements so that they can see only the things in front of them. Their perception of the world is limited to the shadows they can see on the walls and...
Freedom is one of the phenomena that permeate all spheres of human activity. Many philosophers, writers, and scientists thought about it, trying to understand its essence and necessity for humanity. In my opinion, freedom seems to be something attractive and essential for a happy life. Unfortunately, many people feel unfree...
In Apology 28b-30c, Socrates admits that he is not ashamed of pursuing a life that has not put him at risk of early death. The philosopher’s convictions hinge on the rational premise that it is worse to “live as a bad man” and not consider justice when taking action (28b)....
Why Materialism Makes More Sense The purview of existence in the world has had several illustrations on the constitution of life as well as the state. Even then, the notions of soul and body tend to attract massive concerns from different fragments, drawing battle lines on which aspect is more...
Bacon (1620) was not only an excellent philosopher but also a good scientist and writer who believed in reasoning to explain various phenomenons and rejected the laws of nature that other scientists relied on. Zagorin (1991) says that Bacon lived in an age when the scientific world had come awake...
Argument Critics of the Marxist approach comprehended art as a form of social production and realization. For them, it is not an intellectual, idealistic phenomenon but an instrumental social practice. A genuinely revolutionary artist, therefore, always deals not only with a work of art but also with the means of...
Marxist Theory in Fiction Various works of fiction examine Marxist notions related to ideology, historical materialism, and the concepts of dystopia/utopia. Karl Marx’s philosophy profoundly impacted the literature of the twentieth century, including Joseph Conrad’s literary work. Dialectical materialism, for instance, posits that material conditions shape a society’s order and...
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...
The human mind is a complex machine; which humankind has studied for hundreds of years. Thousands of scientists tried to de-code the sophisticated nature of emotions and the overall nature of humans. The concept of ‘natural goodness’ is not new to the philosophy, as it was discussed actively during the...
Introduction Accordingly, human beings study psychology to understand the peculiarities of a personality’s development, avoid making similar mistakes in handling and treating various psychological disorders, obtain valuable ideas to develop psychology as a science, and satisfy their natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Needless to say, studying psychology starts with...
Introduction In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle explains the principle of friendship and virtue are the coe of social relations, Aristotle supposes that all people were not equal. Aristotle believed that there were a more intelligent master or ruling element and a ruled element or slave. In contrast to Aristotle, Cicero believes...
The laws of Nature and existence define life of every living creature, including human beings. The laws that people create are based on the universal laws of the physical and non-physical world. The fact that people base their laws on some preceding laws or laws that already existed, even before...
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...
The word leadership assigns and unimaginable task upon one person who has been chosen to be the head of a group. It is the act of steering a group of people who share qualities or ambitions towards a common goal. This person is called a leader. Somebody who knows how...
The argument George Edward Moore, an English philosopher, is well known for his “philosophical argument, “Here is a hand,” in which he criticizes philosophical skepticism in favor of common sense. His argument takes three dimensions: (1) Here is a hand, (2) Here is another hand (3) There are at least...
The scientific revolution profoundly changed the ways in which people thought. It was difficult for many to accept this change. Today scientific ways of thinking are as accepted and taken for granted as traditional ways of thinking in the sixteenth century. What might a future change in the ways of...
Moral Development This research paper aims to analyze Lawrence Kohlbergs theory of moral development. In particular, we need to discuss its application to the so-called Heinz or druggist dilemma, which exemplifies the choice between two limited options, either duty to the law or a dear person. First, it is necessary...
Introduction The idea of ‘democracy’ has been in the domain of political theorists for quite a long time. It can be remembered that the controversy over democratic space for the citizens has been in existence from the time when classical theory centered on the proposition that the people hold a...
The most important question in philosophy Philosophy is an extensive subject and what separates philosophy from other subjects is that it is the perspective that other subjects are examined through. Being of such nature, there are a number of questions that are of prime importance, but what is widely considered...
Introduction The book “A Thousand Plateaus” written by the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze and the psychoanalyst Felix Guattari is the second part of the project “Capitalism and Schizophrenia”. Main body As a matter of fact, the authors themselves believe that this work cannot be considered that as a “book” because...
Contradictions Being logically consistent implies that a person has inner integrity. This is enhanced by avoidance of contradictions as inner desires are not permitted to conflict with one another. For instance, the need to be honest and brave might be contradicted by an urge to shun trouble and pain (Goldman...
Introduction John Locke was an English philosopher, famous for his liberal ideas and natural rights. In Two Treatises of Government, he evaluated different states of nature, war, and slavery. In the fifth chapter, Locke focused on property and its establishment in society from God’s perspective. The purpose of this essay...
Many scholars interpreted Niccolò Machiavelli’s ideas differently, and even today, there is no consensus on whether his views of political behaviors were reasonable or morally unacceptable, right or false. For instance, Leo Strauss, Ernst Cassirer, and Sheldon Wolin conducted the analyses of The Prince and Machiavelli’s main arguments made in...
Introduction As an essential set of traits, virtue is perceived as moral excellence that defines the extent of the humanity of oneself. It is a common phenomenon studied by ethics, a branch of philosophy. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, made a significant contribution to examining this ethical phenomenon, as he is...
Plato’s “Euthyphro” is a written dialogue between Socrates and Euthyphro that discusses the meaning of piety as a virtue. Generally, piety is considered to be the fulfillment of duty to a higher power and humanity. Euthyphro is regarded as a highly pious man who chose to legally prosecute his own...
Introduction Aquinas is a famous philosopher whose work has offered an interesting point of view on human existence. In the third article of On the Voluntary and the Involuntary, the author presents his outlook on the actions people take. Most notably, he examines whether all activities are performed through a...
Introduction The quote “Man’s life is a line that nature commands him to describe upon the surface of the earth…” is a great example of a determinist philosophy concept. It was written by d’Holbach in his work The System of Nature, which was published in 1770 (Speaks, 2006). The main...
Explain and critically evaluate the notions of Karma, Samsara, and Nirvana Karma refers mainly to the concept of deeds and intentions that an individual or a group does while being alive in the world. It also captures the effects of those actions on other people and the rest of the...
The elements of moral dilemmas The elements of any moral dilemma are the following. The act Talking about the moral dilemma, we consider the moral act to be any human act made on the basis of one’s knowledge and with regard to one’s free will. It is always performed consciously...
The definitions of right and wrong are a fluid subject. Over the course of history and the evolution of human ethics, the concept has undergone significant changes. Many religions around the world are thousands of years old. They have participated in the formation of the society as we know it...
Introduction It may seem complicated to penetrate deeper into philosophy as such an endeavor requires people to concentrate on elevated matters while living up to their potential. Some people succeed, while others cannot find answers to philosophical questions even as they mature and continuously pose such conundrums to themselves. However,...
What is a Good Life? The question of what constitutes a good life was pursuing humanity since the dawn of time. However, as humankind developed and formed societies, the definitions of a good life needed to be assessed, as definitions solely through materialistic possessions were not only inaccurate, but also...
Personal worldview inventory Spirituality is a broad term that carries different meanings to different people. First, it means the act of connecting to a supernatural being to find meaning in life. Second, it refers to the establishment of deep connections with concepts such as nature, art, and music. Third, the...
Introduction In her article, Altmann (2007) focuses on analyzing Patricia Benner’s influential article “From novice to expert” with the aim of defending its philosophical, rather than theoretical, character. Altmann explains that her purpose is not to diminish the significance of Benner’s work, which is extensively applied in all spheres of...
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...
Introduction This paper traces the advancement of political thought via a study of some key writers of political discourse such as Immanuel Kant, David Hume, and Friedrich Hegel. Emanuel Kant was a German philosopher, and he was well known for his enormous contribution towards shaping the modern philosophy. Hume was...
The fundamental aspect of being a soldier is the acceptance and willingness to follow all the rules given by one’s superiors. The power hierarchy is, thus, very important in the military and army bases. Due to this, soldiers usually experience personal battles regarding whether to take an order as expected...
Introduction In contemporary society, morality binds all rational beings, and their actions are considered moral only if they emanate from reason and not sensual inclinations (Atwell 44). The moral quality of an action is determined by the motive or intention for its performance. Therefore, the consequences of an action have...
Greatest Happiness The ‘greatest happiness principle’ is based on the belief that an action is right if it promotes “happiness” or, in other words, “pleasure and absence of pain” and it is wrong if it produces “the reverse of happiness” (Mill, 2015, p. 107). Two Pleasures It is possible to...
Moral intent According to Abelard and Heloise, moral intent is the best way of assessing morality because it determines the capacity and intention of a person to undertake moral or immoral acts. The notion of Abelard is that moral intent predisposes people to perform good or evil acts. In this...
The arguments of the author in ‘Problems of Philosophy’ were neither for direct realism nor against indirect realism. As a result, the author described the existence of reality and appearance using the Cartesian technique (Russell 6). To approach the argument on appearance and reality, he suggested that we must avoid...
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...
Epistemic Humility and Its Personal Impact Epistemic humility is an important phenomenon that can explain painful feelings experienced when communicating with people who do not share my views. This concept is associated with the acknowledgment that I cannot know everything; I do not have infinite knowledge about all processes and...
The story of Joe Simpson is an example of survival in one of the most hopeless situations. In 1985, two British climbers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, successfully climbed the summit of Siula Grande in Peru (Wacky Wanderlust [17:30]). However, during the descent in bad weather conditions, Joe broke his...
Introduction These days, the words minimalism and sustainability are most often mentioned in the same breath. A modern, minimalist lifestyle usually goes hand in hand with sustainable products and the fundamentally sustainable use of facilities. These two concepts were born from different parts of the same problem, which perhaps show...
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...
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...
The “Allegory of the Cave” represents the fact that information acquired by the senses is little more than belief and that actual knowledge can only be attained through philosophical deliberation. We are to understand the cave as a metaphor for those who place their faith in the evidence they gather...
Introduction: Marx, Nietzsche, and Du Bois Marx, Nietzsche, and Du Bois have contrasting views on modern ideology, specifically liberalism. Liberalism as a concept, both from an individual and societal level, has been criticized by all three political thinkers, yet for different reasons. Marx, who was the founder of the communist...
Introduction The Allegory of the Cave is the cornerstone of objective idealism, illustrating the world of things and the world of ideas. Many researchers rightly consider the Allegory of the Cave to be Plato’s central conversation (within the great dialogue of the State) and one of the primary texts in...
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...
In this essay, I argue that Thomas Donaldson’s view of global businesses being held accountable for their harmful activities in foreign countries is ethical and justifiable. I begin by outlining Thomas Donaldson’s strong arguments about justice practices that subject foreign citizens to technological risks that are more destructive than in...
Introduction The past always seems frightening and mysterious, and sometimes it is rather unpleasant to stir up past events because they make people remember. These memories may not always be pleasant, but that does not mean that the past is necessarily bad. Forgetting the path that led a people to...
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...
One of the central sections of philosophy that studies the problem of being is called ontology, and the problem of being itself is one of the main ones in philosophy. The problem of being was the base around which the whole field of philosophy was originally formed. Ancient Indian, Chinese,...
Jean-Paul Sartre was a renowned French philosopher who wrote several books and inspired people through his brilliant ideas. In writing “Existentialism is a Humanism,” originally published in 1946, Jean-Paul Sartre tries to persuade an audience comprising of other philosophers and the publics about the nature of people living as isolated...
Achieving happiness in life has been a topic of discussion among people for thousands of years. In particular, philosophers of all times are extremely concerned about this issue, one of which is Seneca. In his letters, he discusses the nature of a happy life and how to achieve it. He...
The supreme value of human existence is often expressed in the form of an ultimate goal to which all private human interests and needs are subordinated. Among the many approaches to the solution of this complex problem, three main ones can be distinguished. Some people believe that the meaning of...
Introduction As far as healthcare rights are concerned, Tristram Engelhardt and Norman Daniels are on opposite sides of the aisle. Norman Daniel believes normal functioning can only be restored with minimum healthcare. He makes the case that denying people access to even the most basic healthcare violates their constitutional rights,...
Individual identity is explained by evoking the soul, according to the oldest related concept, which is perhaps the most frequently accepted by ones who are not involved in the sphere of philosophy across the world. The soul may be considered a metaphysical, immaterial element of a human, according to this...
Edwin Abbott’s satirical work Flatland explores the nature of hierarchy, freedom, and reality. The story depicts a two-dimensional universe in which “side differentiation is meant by Nature to indicate color distinction.” As a result, it is a society in which certain seemingly abstract features determine the distribution of assets. This...
In the philosophical tradition, few topics come up as frequently as does the subject of meaning. Humans have a history of seeking significance in things surrounding them and experiencing frustration if this goal cannot be achieved. But should meaning be found in every aspect of everyday human experience, or are...
Introduction Contemporary Critical Theory consists of many different aspects that have been developing through generations. The origin of this theory occurred at the beginning of the twentieth century between World War I and World War II (Bronner, 2017). Contemporary Critical Theory is a part of a philosophical approach that includes...
Introduction Individuals in American society feel that the government secures them without infringing on their freedoms. The government is seen as a safe harbor where citizens feel comfortable under its leadership and protection. However, the government cannot respond to threats and defend the subjects of its control without regard to...
Foundationalism According to foundationalism, justified beliefs are structured like a building: they are divided into a foundation and a superstructure, where the former supports the latter. The underlying beliefs are basic. Beliefs related to the superstructure are non-basic, they are justified by justified beliefs in the foundation. However, for a...
Introduction In the modern world, disputes persist over the freedom of the human role, whether it is complete or whether the will is caused by external influence. Philosophers hold different opinions in this discourse: some adhere to deterministic positions, others libertarian. Determinists declare that there is no free will based...
The Natural Law Theory gives human beings morals based on nature and can be interpreted by human reason. The theory gives guidelines on what human beings can do in their settings, and it does not dictate what should be done. Notably, the theory concentrates on human character and asserts that...
The Problem of Free Will Free will implies the possibilities open to the individual and the available action choices. The compatibility of freedom as a personality trait with determinism raises the problem of compatibilism. The central question is the definition of free will through its relationship to metaphysics. The nature...
Concerning the discussion posted on analysis of validity, acquiring, and defining truth on the pragmatic theory of truth, criticism on William James’ pragmatic theory can be deduced. The theory holds that a belief or claim can be classified as true if it works. However, critiques of this theory assert that...
The meaning of life, if there is any, is one of the oldest and most profound questions in the history of human civilization. The sheer number of philosophical traditions that attempted to answer it in one way or another suggests there is no easy and evident solution to it. However,...
The ‘Two Worlds’ Theory in the Phaedo by Gail Fine analyzed the work of Plato named Phaedo. In this paper, the author arranges that Plato’s work can be investigated in the context of the theory of two worlds. Thus, it is implied that some dialogues reflect the opinion that there...
In the First Meditation, Descartes expresses his intention to break the foundation of falsehoods that he had accepted as true since childhood. He begins by stating that everything he has accepted to be true is acquired from or through his senses. The first belief that seems unlikely to be doubted...
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...
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...
Introduction Different religions have unique views on what happens to people after physical death. The nature of immortality of the human soul is an intriguing topic in the philosophy of religion, and numerous scholars have addressed this question, including Saint Thomas Aquinas. As a renowned philosopher and Catholic priest, Saint...
Happiness is a sufficient and perfect that of human beings. Aristotle argues that there are different lives people tend to consider happiness. The types of lives stated by Aristotle include the life of political action, the life of money-making and gratification, and contemplation or philosophical life study. People appreciate all...
Introduction There are many ethical approaches to charity and altruistic behavior that state how individuals should embark on helping others, whether any kind of help is necessary, and to what extent. Thus, such theories as utilitarianism and libertarianism present opposing views on charitable behavior and whether individual members of society...
The article by George Pitcher presents a philosophical discussion about dead people. While the author of the analyzed text considers that harming and even benefitting the dead is possible, I must disagree. Pitcher (1984) states that “one’s death means the permanent end […] of one’s conscious life” (p. 183). This...
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...
Introduction Omniscience is the state of having full or maximum knowledge and is regarded as an essential feature of an entirely perfect being. Many philosophers have considered this trait to be possessed and attributed by a divine-like God who is believed to have the necessary knowledge, complete knowledge, tenseless knowledge,...
Various influential philosophers have considered the idea that the self as continuously independent of other individuals, making it fully autonomous. Mason Cooley poetically presented this argument by stating, “The true self is the part of us that does not change when circumstances do” (Velasquez 99). Conventionally, this belief was widely...
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...
Michel Foucault was born on October 15, 1926, in the small provincial town of Poitiers, France. From a young age, he was expected to follow the medical path as both his father and grandfather were surgeons. They did everything they could to ensure that he receives the best education possible....
Morality is a complex phenomenon, and philosophers have debated its nature for a long time. Many theories examine ethics and how people make ethical decisions. It is especially interesting to discuss how people make choices when they involve the interests of people they are connected to in a meaningful way....
It is a common misconception that Confucius wrote the Analects. In fact, although the text is composed of his sayings, there is no singular author of the book since it includes various fragments of the teachings of Confucius’ students. Therefore, Analects is a collection of Confucius’ sayings put together by...
Introduction Moral issues often appear in philosophy, literature, and even politics, since morality forms the basis of human activity. Morality is a set of norms of behavior adopted in a particular society or the mind of a specific person. People acquire morality in the process of life, and it can...
Thesis The sound of a falling tree in an empty forest does not exist. Introduction Background Information Philosophy gives humanity many questions and puzzles to ponder about existence, nature, knowledge, perception, and reason. Regardless of what problems it poses, there always can be an answer or “truth of the matter”...
Introduction Human beings should act and behave in accordance with the established legal systems and ethical principles. Different theorists present various views and arguments regarding the validity of natural law and its interpretation. Many modern philosophers and scholars of politics and governance reference Thomas Hobbes and John Locke for their...
Introduction A causal chain problem has always been an essential part of numerous philosophical questions and paradigms. The Euthyphro dilemma highly resembles chicken and egg problem, where the central debate revolves around of which causes which. However, the Euthyphro dilemma possesses much deeper meaning regarding religion and philosophy. In the...
Introduction Boethius, the writer of ‘The Consolation of Philosophy’ was a Christian philosopher of the 6th century in Rome. It should be noted that, Boethius was executed by King Theodoric the Great; after being suspected to be conspiring with the Byzantine Empire. It can further be argued that his work...
Hume’s Theory in Brief Hume’s theory is a theory of based on how we can be able to make inductive references and knowledge. This theory revolves around skepticism which is the belief that people cannot have full knowledge on the nature because perception reveals things not as they are, but...
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...
There is one wise saying that philosophy is a queen of all sciences. It is really true as it is very difficult to find so ancient and wise science as philosophy is. Due to philosophy and works of famous philosophers, people find explanations of the events and actions which seem...
Introduction In considering the meaning of truth in mathematics, the arts, and ethics, one is bound to encounter similarities and contradictions while making attempts to arrive at a concrete conclusion regarding what truth connotes in these three streams. There are several arguments from different schools of thought that are not...
Introduction Ever since the dawn of civilization, groups of people united by a common interest used to wage wars on each other, as the ultimate mean of resolving seemingly irresolvable issues. Modern historians and anthropologists cannot even find a consensus on whether the first stone axes, produced by revolutionizing homo...
Introduction Phrenology has been a subject of heated debate among criminologists, psychologists, and sociologists for more than two centuries. This theory is based on the belief that the personal qualities of a human being can be deciphered from the shape of his or her cranium (Hanen et al, 1980, p....
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings The Old Man in the story was symbolic of the spiritual realm. This spiritual realm came in contact with the earthly realm when the angel came in the form of a weak castaway. The only evidence that he is not from this place...
Introduction Renaissance political thought put forth the principalities and offered people a choice of them. Machiavelli proposes that the principalities may be hereditary or may be acquired by new princes or might be free ones. Hence, he proposes the state of dominions being free or living under a prince who...
The paper’s aim is to study the main ideas of Socrates, the outstanding Greek philosopher. In the work the author studies the Socratic Method, sheds light on Socrates’ ideas of soul, virtue and knowledge. It would be hard to find a more mysterious and captivating historical figure among philosophers than...
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...
Introduction It can be said that science is a form of knowledge but one must add that it is a higher form of knowledge. This is because we can easily equate knowledge to facts and facts need not necessarily be scientific. For instance I love chocolate ice cream and that...
Along with Socrates and Plato, Aristotle is believed to be one of the most ancient Greek philosophers. Being arguably the most educated man of those times, Aristotle had a wide range of interests, like instance logic, ethics, music, and metaphysics. Naturally, this list can be easily continued. In his studies,...
Descartes started with defining knowledge in terms of doubt. He made a clear distinction between rigorous knowledge and lesser degrees of conviction by stating “ I distinguish the two as follows: there is conviction where there remains some reason which might lead to doubt , but knowledge is conviction based...
Philosophers and thinkers are always the rebels of their contemporary society. The foundations of their philosophy are laid based on human welfare. Looking into the history of all the mighty revolutions becomes evident that it was philosophers who awoke the sleeping nation and fought for the noble cause of freedom,...
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...
Enlightenment According to Kant Definition According to Immanuel Kant, enlightenment is a “man’s emergence from his self-imposed nonage” (Kant What is Enlightenment? 1). Kant can be deemed as the pioneer of the described mode of thinking, with his notion of Enlightenment being the result of the ultimate freedom trumping the...
Hobbes and Locke are among the most influential political philosophers to ever write in English. The state of nature, which precedes the organization of the complex societies, is the common premise that both Hobbes and Locke share but interpret in different ways. The former views humans in their natural state...
Introduction Approaching arguments from the position of blind faith rarely leads to effective decisions, which is why a skeptical attitude toward unsubstantiated claims has been practiced in science for centuries. Dissecting skepticism as a theory of knowledge, one can understand the philosophical ramifications of the specified approach better and, therefore,...
Descartes was the first philosopher to criticize the empiricists’ view of the process of achieving knowledge in the seventeenth century. According to Descartes, human senses cannot be trusted, as there are no reliable signs to distinguish whether a man is asleep or awake (158). There are, however, some undeniable truths,...
The benefits a student may gain by studying philosophy and the Socratic Method of Teaching Studying philosophy benefits students as it develops their thinking abilities. Philosophical inquiries and debates contribute to the students’ critical thinking and encourage them to look at one issue from different angles. This can help students...
Do humans have a soul? It is not right to claim that human beings have a soul yet there is no concrete evidence to indicate any action that has resulted from the presence of the soul. Instead, many individuals just talk about it surviving after the death of the body....
Is it wrong to punish a criminal primarily as a means to reform the criminal? Developing main principles of the doctrine of right, Kant states that punishment is just retribution for a committed crime, and any state has a right and obligation to cause suffering to a criminal. Speaking about...
Introduction Values refer to codes of conduct that a person holds as relevant, worth, or essential in life. On the other hand, attitude is the way of viewing or feeling about something, which is usually seen in a person’s form of conduct. Human service goes along with appreciating the well-being...
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...
Introduction Throughout the ages, people have tried to comprehend the world and understand their own place in this unique system. From the time the ability to think critically and analyze events first appeared, individuals used their brains not only to come up with ways to survive but also to improve...
Introduction The controversy between rationalism and empiricism relates to the extent to which human beings depend on sense experience in the process of gaining knowledge. Rationalism is based on the assumption that knowledge is gained without reliance on sense experience (Cushman 86). On the contrary, empiricists argue that sense experience...
Reid, a Scottish philosopher, held that common sense (sensus communis) should be the foundation of all modes of philosophical inquiry. He opposed the view of Hume on the subject (Forguson 23). The latter claimed that it was impossible for people to understand or know the external world since knowledge is...
Interview Question: Are you a believer? Answer: I am, very much. I believe in God, and those moments in my life when I doubted his existence were the hardest moments for me. I am not much of a churchgoer because it was never a tradition in my family, and I...
The contribution of Simone de Beauvoir to the development of contemporary philosophy and Western culture as a whole could hardly be overlooked. Primarily, her most recognizable work is The Second Sex essay, which is considered to be one of the central texts of the feminist movement. However, she contributed to...
Introduction Socrates, one of the greatest philosophers of ancient Greece, presented his statement about crafts, arguing that they are all selfless and directed only for the advantage of what they operate on. However, in Thrasymachus in the Republic, I used a shepherd as a counterexample to refute this claim. In...
Introduction The human soul is the immaterial essence of a person, which combines individuality and humanity and is often seen as the representation of the mind or the self. Thus, immortality is the ability of the human soul to continue existing for an indefinite period, even after death. It entails...
Introduction Metaphysics is a concept that has a different interpretation depending on the historical period. Aristotle stressed empirical observation and experience as the route to understanding the nature of reality. At the same time, Plato focused on the existence of a world of Forms or Ideas, which he believed to...
Book Summary The Big Question: A Short Introduction to Philosophy by Solomon and Higgins is designed to discuss the most important philosophical questions. Many of the main themes of this subject are revealed in various sections of the book. Thus, thanks to an integrated approach, the authors fully reveal the...
Introduction Friendship has been an integral feature of human existence since ancient times. The topic attracted massive interest from philosophers seeking to uncover what it constitutes. Jean-Marie (2021) states that Aristotle and Epicurus are two of the most significant ancient Greek philosophers who recognized the importance of friendship. The philosophers,...
Introduction The opposition between faith and reason has been an issue in theological circles for centuries. Among the many attempts to logically explain and justify the Christian doctrine, St. Thomas Aquinas is still known and placed in high regard. This paper will support Aquinas’ claims and argue that his stance...
Introduction One of the main topics in philosophy is how free a person is in their actions and whether there is determinism in the nature of things. Determinism and freedom are two concepts that describe two different sides of this question. This essay will explore the differences between the two...
Introduction The arts and the natural sciences have profoundly affected human thinking. Culture, technology, and socioeconomic ideas have all grown exponentially due to this double-edged quest for knowledge. Explainable refers to everything that can be reduced to a set of physical laws or a set of unambiguous physical properties (Shafir...
Introduction Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher and writer who became one of the first philosophical activists who tried to show social problems in an easy way that was available to everyone. The figure has raised various discussions that directly influence surrounding people, like culture, history, and critical thinking in...
Introduction The syllogism is a fundamental technique of logical reasoning, and logic is the study of reasoning. A syllogism is a type of deductive argument made up of two premises and one conclusion. The validity of the syllogism depends on how logically connected these three elements are and how the...
Big Ideas The First Big Idea The first big idea introduced by Epictetus is that a man cannot control everything in his life, but he can manage his attitude. The philosopher takes this position because most people believe external events like health, wealth, and reputation must always be regulated. This...
Introduction The philosopher Peter Singer most famously articulates the argument that most people should donate far more than they currently do to alleviate extreme poverty. His reasoning hinges on the moral imperative to prevent suffering and death when it is within our power to do so, especially when the cost...
Introduction Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who flourished during Greece’s Classical Period. He is regarded as one of Western philosophy’s greatest philosophers, and his theories have affected numerous subjects, including politics, ethics, and biology. This is an examination of three major topics in Aristotle’s philosophy. Aristotle was born in Stagira,...
Introduction Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine in 1776, is widely recognized as one of the most influential political pamphlets ever written and has been credited with inspiring the citizens of America to break away from British rule. Despite its enduring popularity, historians have disagreed on the interpretation of the...
Introduction The quest for meaning in life is a perennial concern that has traversed the boundaries of time and culture. In my pursuit of understanding, I anchor my philosophy of life on the principle of self-actualization—an intrinsic drive to realize one’s full potential and to become the most that one...
Introduction Leadership is an intricate and pivotal practice that involves guiding and influencing others to achieve a common goal or purpose. It is the cornerstone of any successful group, organization, or society, as it involves the ability to steer people in a direction that leads to collective success. Leadership is...
Introduction In Friedrich Nietzsche’s second essay, “On the Genealogy of Morality,” he delves into a daring and profound exploration of the origin of ‘bad conscience.’ Nietzsche posits a theory that challenges conventional wisdom, presenting a narrative of societal transformation and the intricate interplay between internalization, societal structures, and religious concepts....
Introduction It is important to note that humans construct their self-conceptions to establish a form of philosophy and organize their existence. Existentialists and humanists provided an atheistic perspective on human essence as a product of human existence and not the reverse. The analysis will focus on Jean-Paul Sartre’s piece, ‘...
