Socratic Philosophy: The Key Features

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

Kant’s Deontological Ethical Theory and Policing Ethical Practices

The police system is a universal hierarchy that has the purpose to control the criminal world and ensure the citizens’ safety. Most police officers, when starting the education, decide to devote their lives to serving people within the framework of ethical values, norms, and principles. Notably, Immanuel Kant’s deontological ethical...

Jean-Paul Sartre’s Defense of Existentialism

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...

Seneca’s Views on the Happy Life: Modern Perspective

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...

Rousseau’s Theory About a Lawgiver and a Civil Religion

For centuries, many great minds and talented thinkers outlined their ideas about citizens, governments, the development of the world, and the way it should be arranged. For instance, Genevan writer and philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau had his views on the system of states. In his 1762 book The Social Contract, the...

Lao Tzu and Diogenes: Philosophical Figures of the Pre-Christian World

Lao Tzu and Diogenes were philosophical figures of the pre-Christian world. Despite living in radically different societies, geographically opposite world regions, and temporal periods, these thinkers had several similar, relatively revolutionary concepts. It is a generally accepted fact that Diogenes was the greatest cynic, nihilist, and non-conformist of the ancient...

The Basic Level of Healthcare: H. Engelhardt’s and N. Daniels’ Perspectives

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,...

Chapter 9 of The Archetypes of Wisdom by Soccio

René Descartes was the first philosopher who focused on acquiring knowledge about knowledge, giving rise to the new era of epistemology in philosophy, becoming the pioneer of rationalism. According to rationalists, knowledge relies primarily on reason and not on sense evidence. The coherence theory of truth states that knowledge is...

The Utilitarianism Theory by John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill is the philosopher behind the Utilitarianism Theory, who introduced the theory in a bid to help people from making life decisions. In his approach, Mill suggests that actions are right when they produce happiness and wrong when they result in sadness (Komu, 2020). According to Mill, happiness...

The Role of Women in Sophocles’ Antigone

Sophocles draws attention to various problems in his tragedy Antigone. The themes of justice, traditions, and family are still actual in society nowadays. One could also notice the huge role the women characters play in the tragedy and the overall morale of the piece. Hence, this research will analyze the...

Putnam’s “Twin Earth” Thought-Experiment

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...

We Often Learn More From Failures Than Successes, but Not Always

Introduction Failures can teach people to think differently or break down completely, depending on the type of it. Successes may lead to over-relaxation when a person stops working actively in order to take pleasure in them. In contrast, causing pain and failures can stimulate work more actively and more productively,...

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...

Camus and the Meaning of Life

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,...

Locke’s and Rousseau’s Views on Property

Introduction The origins of land ownership, property, and the ability to claim something as belonging to a particular individual and not all people is a disputable topic. In The Second Discourse, Rousseau critiques Locke’s approach to viewing ownership of land. Locke’s view on the property is based on the idea...

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)....

The Meaning of Life and Great Philosophers

The question of the meaning of life is a philosophical and ambiguous one. To answer it, I would like to compare two philosophers’ views, Schopenhauer and Sartre. According to Schopenhauer, the meaning of life for people is happiness; that is, the goal in life is to become happy or satisfied...

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...

Christopher McCandless: True Transcendentalist

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...

Life After Death: Nevitt’s Survivalism vs. Oderberg’s Survivalism

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...

Socrates and Thoreau on Law, Protest, and Politics

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

William James’ Views on the Origin of Religions

One of the greatest American philosophers of the 19th century, Willian James, believes that religion is closely related to psychology. James’s theory is based on the fact that every person has psychological needs, including the need for attachment, control, pleasure, and self-development. At first sight, it seems that these needs...

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...

The Local Church of Christians

The local church refers to a group of Christians who often oversee and affirm each other’s membership in Christ and God’s kingdom. The definition of Christianity incorporates five parts: often gathering, the exercise of oversight and affirmation, the reason for representing Christ officially, and use of ordinances and preaching (Puffer,...

Philosophical View of Violence in the Society

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...

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...

The Difference Principle by John Rawls

John Rawls was an American philosopher in the field of politics in the 20th century, who adhered to the liberal tradition. During his activity, he introduced several theories, such as justice as fairness and political liberalism. The first mentioned one involves the difference principle, which presents an alternative distributive principle....

Philosophy: Political Advertisements

Introduction Philosophy is usually understood in various diverse ways by people or philosophers of different backgrounds. However, these different philosophers aim at achieving some understanding, awareness and gaining some intelligence, to think, support and argue rationally on various essential matters. Moore & Bruder, 2005 philosophically offered a succinct definition of...

The Effects of Trade Unions on Alienation at Work

Introduction The concept of alienation was first proposed by the German philosopher Karl Marx in his famous work Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844. He argued that the modern production methods forced workers to abandon their humanity and embrace the role of an easily replaceable element in a large oppressive...

Philosophy of the Concept of Solipsism and How It Differs From Others

Throughout history, humans have tried to make sense of the world around them. Through observation, discussion, and theory crafting, individuals have managed to present specific ideas on the nature of broader concepts. Practices that study the fundamental aspects of human existence can be called philosophy. Many great minds have combined...

Postmodernism. History. Christian Apologetics

Introduction Throughout history, humans have always tried to understand and explain the world around them. The need to find meaning and purpose in their life and natural curiosity brought many to devising various systems of understanding, forming complex worldviews. The world’s major religions are one of the more common types...

A Philosophical Puzzle from John Locke’s Perspective

Introduction The physical tangibility of material reality and the extent to which it is dependent on the personal perceptions of an individual is, perhaps, one of the most contentious topics that have been discussed throughout the history of philosophy. In the famous dilemma of a falling tree, the question of...

“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...

A Virtuous Ruler by Niccolò Machiavelli

Since ancient times, numerous philosophers have dedicated their efforts to finding the right ways to become a perfect ruler. The Greek tradition, which formed bases for the political thoughts for centuries, viewed citizens’ happiness and prosperity as the highest virtues. Such ideas were later replaced with Christian morality statements, which...

Weber’s and Marx’s Views on Capitalism Comparison

Introduction Modern sociology is rooted in the works of Max Weber and Karl Marks, who laid the foundations of the capitalist and communist views of history, the society, and mechanisms affecting the lives of every citizen on a daily basis (Sayer, p. 2). The purpose of their endeavors was to...

Our Loss of Wisdom, Speech of Barry Schwartz

Reflections on the nature of society, some rules in it, and its influence on an individual are deep-rooted in the sociological science. However, regulation appears to an integral part of any community and organization, and each person has to cope with it. The methods are various, and the results depend...

The Value of Philosophy

The British philosopher Bertrand Russel was one of the most ardent advocates for philosophical knowledge. According to Russel, individuals who immerse themselves into practical affairs or scientific matters often brush off philosophy as a field that relies largely on “useless trifling, hair-splitting distinctions, and controversies (Russel, p. 298).” In Problems...

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

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

Herbert Marcus And the New Left

Introduction Marxist Herbert Marcus was regarded in the 1960s as the guru of the new left. Although Marcus was not the only Marxist to formulate theories of integration and capitalist stabilization his vigorous search for alternative forces and how he bluntly presented his theories distinguished him from his contemporaries. As...

“Proof of an External World” by George E. Moore

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...

Theory of Knowledge: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave

We See and Understand Things Not As They Are But As We Are The assessment of knowledge as a subjective or objective entity can be seen as a question that is haunting humanity since the ancient times. Taking Plato’s allegory of the cave, where people chained since childhood to watch...

Moral Virtue of Learning Foreign Languages

Reason A skill that most utilizes the concept of reason is learning and speaking a second language. Scientific research suggests that language learning leads to enhanced cognitive control, which improves mental attention, flexibility, and reasoning. The reasoning is applied in learning a language since a person has to acquire specific...

Hard Determinism Theory: Responsibility for Our Behavior and Actions

Introduction Why do I act in certain ways? Am I really responsible for my behavior and actions? These are some questions that most of us have asked ourselves at one time or another. While philosophers have put forward many theories to explain this phenomenon, no one seems to have satisfied...

Compatibilism: Philosophical Meaning and Application

What Is Compatibilism? Compatibilism is often given the name of soft determinism. In its application, it is used to refer to the theory that expresses the views that voluntary choice and predestination or God’s exhaustive sovereignty is dependent. In short, it can be put that there exists an amount of...

Determinism in Philosophy: Hard Determinism, Soft Determinism, Libertarianism

Philosophy is one of the most ancient sciences in the world. It was created by people as an attempt to explain the course of world development on the whole, and the events that happen to every particular person in his or her life. There are also numerous schools of philosophy...

Philosophy’s Influence on Education System

Introduction Education can be defined as a process of passing knowledge to others. It may also be considered as an area of study taught at learning institutions. Education can be carried out formally as in an organized setting or informally. Education has undergone various philosophical changes. This includes changes in...

Franciscan and Dominican Orders

The history of Christianity cannot be complete without mentioning such aspect as religious orders. The religious orders throughout history had a great impact on the major historical events in general, and the flow of Christianity in particular. In terms of influence and longevity, two orders should be mentioned, the Franciscan...

Epistemology and Its Usage in Writing

Introduction The word epistemology refers to studying the source of knowledge. In this respect the reality and truth of what a man writes or says more or less props up against the thoughts and ideas being told and outlined previously. In other words, everything which surrounds an individual can be...

Hobbes’s Reply to “There Is No Such Thing as Justice”

Thomas Hobbes’s “Leviathan” in focus The work of Thomas Hobbes’s “Leviathan” tells about different approaches on the state power with the author’s personal points on it. The work tends to keep a reader following the gradual understanding of how to make out the power itself and what kind of it...

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....

“Popular Sovereignty and Nationalism” by Bernard Yack

Introduction This paper is a critical evaluation of “Popular Sovereignty and Nationalism” By Bernard Yack. Discussion In his article, Yack proves the relationship between nationalism and popular sovereignty and shows that against popular belief, modernization is not a prelude to nationalism but rather a result of nationalism to some extent....

American City: Dreams and Nightmares

Introduction It is not a secret, that urbanization is taking place as a process all over the world today and especially in America. It means that people tend to go to the large cities for a seemingly better fortune there. Despite this vastly developed tendency, some people of today are...

The Conceptual Metaphor by Lakoff and Johnson

The use of the conceptual metaphor is a powerful tool because it reaches the very center of our way of understanding the world around us. Generally speaking, a conceptual metaphor is defined as a metaphor “that is so basic in the way people think about something that they fail to...

The Factual Character of Socrates & the Fictional Character of Antigone: Comparison

The dictionary typically defines philosophy as “the love of or search for wisdom or knowledge” or “as the theory or logical analysis of the principles underlying conduct, thought, knowledge and the nature of the universe” (Neufeldt, Goralnik, 1994, p. 1015). With such a general definition, one might begin to understand...

Antigone & Socrates’ Philosophy: Critical Analysis Essay

Sometimes the best way to understand a person’s philosophy is to attempt to apply their thinking to an outside situation or event. There is a catch to the process, though, in that if one is not careful to apply this mode of thinking to another individual within that same society,...

Skepticism and Unreliable Knowledge Sources

Skepticism is associated with doubts about knowledge and its reliability. Skeptics stress that it is impossible to make sure that any source of knowledge is reliable enough, so people are likely to be mistaken all the time (Vaughn, 2018). The best illustration of this perspective is Plato’s assumption that the...

Analysis of Rowe’s and Hick’s Ideas

There are some topics on which people have been arguing for centuries and still cannot come to a consensus as there is no such evidence that no one would doubt. Some of those questions are God’s existence, the nature of evil, and the human soul. William Rowe and John Hick...

Plato’s Concept of the True Art of Politics

Introduction According to Plato, the central axis of the state is justice; it contains the answer to the question of why and how a perfect polis is born and dies. The correct organization of government, according to Plato, is able to curb and make impossible the greed of rulers, in...

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...

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

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

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...

Roy’s Adaptation Model: A Theoretical Framework for Nurses

Principle of Cosmic Unity One of the paradigms discussed in Roy’s Adaptation model is the idea of “cosmic unity,” which redefines the goal of systematic approaches to nursing from mere system maintenance to the achievement of a greater purpose. Roy defines cosmic unity as a set of relationships between people...

Logical Consistency and Contradictions Definition

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...

Virtue Perception by Aristotle and Today’s Society

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...

Karl Marx’s Critique of Capitalism

The socialist revolutionary, Karl Marx, singled out several socio-economic formations in history and considered the patterns of their development. Slavery, feudalism, capitalism, and communism aspects were discussed by this scholar. Marx revealed the economic contradictions inherent in capitalism, pointing to the inevitability of the transition to the next formation. This...

Aristotle and Augustine on Doing Wrong

Aristotle, the Ancient Greek philosopher who lived in the 4th century BC and was a student of Plato, had a huge intellectual range and thus was involved in many different branches of science, such as biology, chemistry, history, political theory and, most importantly, philosophy. Among his many philosophical works, a...

Determinism vs. Free Will: Pereboom’s Hard Incompatibilism

Determinism is a well-established school of thought, arguing that all actions performed are entirely determined (hence the name) by psychological, biological, or other causes. Thus, all actions are entirely rational and could be explained. Sometimes it also precludes free will, since if all human actions are determined by their experience...

Edmund Husserl on “Crisis” of Europe

Introduction Edmund Husserl is believed to be one of the greatest rationalist philosophers of the early 20th century. During the Nazi regime, the scholar studied and analyzed most of the predicaments that appeared to trouble every European citizen. The events experienced during this period confirmed the challenges that had been...

Kant’s Moral Principle and Nietzsche’s Slave Morality

Introduction Kant’s moral principle is among the most recognizable examples of deontological ethics. However, its requirement for compliance with certain virtues was criticized by some philosophers. The following paper explores the possibility of viewing Kant’s moral principle as an expression of Nietzsche’s slave morality. Kant’s Moral Principle In order to...

Introducing Order Into Life: Getting Priorities

Introduction Maintaining order in one’s life is an essential step toward creating a harmonic environment and, therefore, increasing life satisfaction rates (Sirgy, 2012). The reasons for choosing specific tools for managing the crucial elements of one’s routine are arguably very subjective; therefore, the efficacy of a certain device may vary...

The Pasteurization of France by Latour Bruno

Introduction Bruno Latour examines the sociology of primatologists and critically analyses laboratory procedures, relating them to real-life situations. In his writings, he reviews Louse Pasteur and his discovery of microbes (Lafarge 23). Latour gives an account of the social phenomena that surrounded Pasteur’s discipline and career. Latour did not accept...

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...

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...

Freedom in “On Liberty” by John Stuart Mill

Introduction The philosophical work “On Liberty” was written by J. S. Mill in 1859. These are the times of democratic republics’ heyday on the eve of slavery abolition in the US. The main idea centers on the understanding of the concept of individual freedom and the definition of public interference...

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...

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 Escape of Socrates in Plato’s “Crito”

In Plato’s work Crito, Socrates argues with his friend about the escape from prison. Crito has come to free him, but Socrates does not want to follow his friend’s advice and chooses to stay waiting for his punishment. Both Crito and Socrates present their arguments in support of their ideas....

Kant vs. Fuller on Rule of Law: Morality and Governance

Introduction The rule of law is a subject of practical philosophy that has always been of high interest to philosophers willing to arrive at principles of pragmatic governance by either separating empirical applications of sets of rules governing human action from the pursuit of ends valuable in the moral sense...

Personal Worldview, Prime Reality, and Religion

For every particular field of study, prime reality is the concept to explain on the basis of one’s personal feelings, beliefs, and comprehension. For Christian theism representatives, it appears to be a personal God, whose nature is unveiled in the Holy Scriptures. Supporters of postmodernism, however, take a naturalistic approach...

“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...

American Soldiers as Deontologists

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...

Little Speech of Liberty and Mayflower Compact

Introduction Conservatism is a social and political philosophy which aims at retaining traditions. It aims to pursue justice and freedom. A conservative is a person who follows conservatism philosophies. Classical conservatism is practiced by organic society where equality of the people is not such a necessity. The conservatives believe strongly...

Aristotle’s and Machiavelli’s Perspectives on Virtue: A Comparative Analysis

Introduction There are many discussions and contradictions in the attempts to understand what virtue can mean and how it can define the quality of a human life. The ideas developed by Aristotle seem to be one of the oldest examples of how people should behave in regards to the virtues...

Simone de Beauvoir Existentialism Philosophy

Introduction Simone de Beauvoir is a female philosopher of the 20th century, who made great contribution to the development of philosophy in aspects such as existentialism, feminism, political activism, and social theories. As a prominent French writer, Simone de Beauvoir wrote a series of literary works during her lifetime of...

Determinism vs. Freedom: Philosophical Implications and Real-Life Applications

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...

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: Perception, Truth, and Modern Interpretation

Explanation of the Allegory Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is an important component of his voluminous philosophical work, The Republic. Within the framework of this treatise, the ancient Greek scholar seeks to convey to his readers the idea of how one must perceive one’s surroundings in order to arrive at...

Laozi’s Views on Naming and Language in the Daodejing

Introduction Laozi, the founder of Taoism, is credited with penning the philosophical masterpiece the Daodejing or Tao Te Ching. This book has significantly affected Chinese culture and philosophy, earning it a place within the canon of great works of Chinese literature. The Tao, or the path, and the need to...

Explainable and Unexplainable in Arts and Natural Sciences and Their Impact on Knowledge

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...

Nietzsche’s Ethical Philosophy in On the Genealogy of Morality: Defining Good and Evil

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...

Evaluating the Validity of a Syllogism and Its Real-World Applications

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...

Epistemic Humility: Navigating Discomfort and Identity in Conflicting Beliefs

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...

Peter Singer’s Moral Argument for Charitable Giving to Alleviate Poverty

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...

Aristotle’s Philosophy: Virtue Ethics, Theory of Forms, and Political Thought

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,...

The Secular Foundations of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense: Reason Over Religious Doctrine

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...

Nietzsche’s Genealogy of Morality: The Origins and Impact of ‘Bad Conscience’

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....

Critical Analysis of Sartre’s Existentialism and Humanism

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, ‘...

The Problem of Evil: Logical and Evidential Challenges to Theism

Introduction Among the several arguments for theism presented by atheists, the issue of evil and suffering stands out as the most renowned and often discussed. Despite ongoing debates around evolution and related topics, it is plausible that the majority of meditative theists would concur that the presence of evil and...

Effective Altruism: A Philosophy of Thoughtful Giving for Global Impact

Introduction Making a case for a philosophy of giving that I believe is crucial, I argue for “Effective Altruism” or “Thoughtful Giving.” Effective altruism involves donating money to do the best for humanity rather than just addressing immediate individual needs. It’s about maximizing the positive impact of your donations on...

Philosophical Insights from Plato and bell hooks: Justice, Guardians, and Theory

Introduction Philosophy is an influential domain that makes one reconsider their views by presenting alternating standings on different aspects of life. Among the outlooks that can affect a person are those of prominent figures like Plato and bell hooks. The key topics that felt eye-opening to me and altered my...

Reconsidering Beliefs Through Philosophy: Kierkegaard, Freud, and Plato

Introduction Philosophy is a rather complicated and highly rewarding discipline to study as it offers a variety of issues for analysis. However, during such contemplation, one may realize that one’s previously established views or ideas are wrong or, at least, can be doubted. During the course, several topics were eye-opening...

Kantian Ethics and Youthful Accountability in A Thirteen-Year Boy Video

Introduction The main character in the “A Thirteen-Year Boy” video faces an ethical dilemma. Examining it considering Immanuel Kant’s moral values, it becomes clear that his emphasis on reason and autonomy plays a decisive role in determining the ethical nature of actions. Ethical Analysis of the Dilemma Reason and Independence...

The Skepticism of David Hume on Knowledge, Induction, and Causality

The Foundation of Inferences from Experience In philosophy, particular importance is given to such an aspect as knowledge and to what extent individuals can claim it. Many philosophers paid attention to the study of such an aspect as the reason for securing knowledge; however, David Hume had a more skeptical...

Comparing Plato’s Idealism with Berkeley’s Rejection of Objective Reality

Introduction For centuries, philosophers have debated the nature of the universe and knowledge of reality. Plato and George Berkeley, two well-known philosophers, have approached the investigation of this subject from various angles. As outlined in his famous book “The Republic,” Plato’s philosophy provides intriguing insights into the nature of reality....

Justice Through Social Science, Natural Science, History, and Humanities Perspectives

Introduction This project will focus on the concept of “Justice.” The basics of justice and the structure of legal systems are among the first things a person learns. Future research is hoped to dive further into more complex issues, such as the effect of technology enhancement on the administration of...

Saving Family vs. Science: The Moral Dilemma of Life and Sacrifice

Ethical Dilemma Saving a family member over a famous scientist is a complex but ultimately justifiable decision. Family holds a profound, intrinsic value that cannot be easily replaced or replicated by any breakthrough in science. The bonds of love, trust, and support that exist within a family are invaluable and...

Greek Democracy’s Influence on America and the Relevance of Stoicism

The Influence of Classical and Hellenistic Greek Culture on the United States The influence of Classical Greek culture on modern American life is deeply ingrained, but perhaps the most profound effect is seen in the realm of government. The concept of democracy, born in Athens in the 5th century BCE,...

Exploring the Nature of Meaning: Faith, Science, and the Human Quest for Purpose

Introduction There are many ways to define “meaning” because it can have different definitions for everyone. Aside from the description in the dictionary, “meaning” is something people derive, share, and can create. Today, people often say, sometimes aggressively or in a sad way, that “life has no meaning.” Two reasons...

Understanding the Three Branches of Philosophy: Insights from Ancient Greek Thinkers

Introduction To embark on this philosophical odyssey, we must first chart our course. In the initial segment of this Touchstone, we shall distinguish between the three primary branches of philosophy and illuminate their connections to fundamental inquiries that have transcended time. Defining Philosophy and Its Branches Philosophy is the quest...

Plato’s Critique of Government: Democracy, Oligarchy, and Tyranny

Summary Imperfect Societies, the ninth part of Plato’s Republic, is a fascinating chapter of observations and critique on government modes. He distinguishes four sorts of government: timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny (Plato, 2022). The most interesting part of this reading is the overall deep analysis of flaws and vulnerabilities in...

Philosophical Thinking: The Influence of Ancient Greek Philosophy on Life

Philosophical Thinking Defining Philosophy and Its Three Main Branches Philosophy is an ancient discipline that dives into the questions of nature, knowledge, and ethics. The experience retrieved from the Greek history can be correlated with the modern reality. The philosophers of ancient Greece were following the truth based on Western...

Aristotle’s Ethical Disagreement with the Delphians on Happiness and Pleasure

After reading Book I of Nicomachean Ethics (NE), it is doubtful that Aristotle would accept the moral stand of the Delphians. The Delphians, as described by Aristotle, believed that happiness and pleasure were the ultimate goals in life (Aristotle, 2020). However, Aristotle argues that true happiness is not derived solely...

Ayn Rand’s Critique of Altruism: Evaluating Its Consequences and Assumptions

Ayn Rand believes that altruism leads to four negative consequences. First, people express low self-esteem as they view their lives beneath those of others. These persons also do not respect people, perceiving them as weak. Next, they develop a negative view of humankind and the universe, believing that society and...

Justification of Life Through Self-Growth and Philosophical Perspectives

Introduction Justification of one’s own existence has been a matter up for discussion for millennia, with the most famous philosophers, such as Plato, delving deeper into the essentials. Such a case can be the topic of human existence, an inquiry that requires introspection and a continuous process of costs, meaning,...

Summary of Chapters V-VII in Bertrand Russell’s The Problems of Philosophy

Introduction Bertrand Russell’s The Problems of Philosophy is a seminal work in philosophical inquiry. It comprehensively examines Russell’s various philosophical ideas and perspectives, drawing on a wide range of philosophical concepts. This paper summarizes Chapters V through VIII of the book, highlighting the key ideas and arguments presented by Russell...

Rousseau’s Political Philosophy in The Basic Political Writings

Introduction Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s The Basic Political Writings is a collection of his perspectives on political philosophy, including executive organization and human freedoms. As an 18th-century philosopher, Rousseau was highly skilled in governmental issues due to his sporadic but intense love of studying in libraries. Thus, he offers three major works...

Socratic Insights on Self-Awareness and Leadership and Strategies for Personal Growth

Introduction The knowledge of ancient thinkers often proves beneficial in the quest for self-improvement and personal growth, delivering profound insights that are just as applicable today as they were hundreds of years ago. Socrates discusses these ideas in Alcibiades I and makes a strong case for the virtues of self-control,...

Morality and Politics: Kant’s A Priori Principles and Hume’s Empirical Ethics in State Governance

Introduction Many people draw parallels between David Hume’s philosophy and the moral aspects of Immanuel Kant. In contrast to Kant’s insistence that morality should be rooted in a priori principles, Hume’s approach to moral philosophy guiding political activities is experimental and empirical (Kant, “Toward Perpetual Peace” 56). While Hume argues...

The Role of Religion in Human Existence: Insights from Mircea Eliade

Introduction Since the dawn of civilization, religion has played a fundamental role in human existence. Many have resorted to religion to cope with life’s hardships, find consolation and comfort, and learn the meaning and purpose of existence. According to Mircea Eliade, a Romanian historian of religion, the significance of human...

Defense of Scientific Realism: Addressing Pessimistic Induction and Consilient Evidence

Introduction Given its name, scientific realism seems to be the logical approach to perceiving science, as science itself is based on interpreting metaphysical reality and giving realistic claims. Despite this assumption, scientific realism has its opponents who support anti-realist ideas. This essay will defend the realist point of view by...

Critique of Britton-Purdy’s “The New Nature”: Anthropocene and Denaturalization

Overview of “The New Nature” by Britton-Purdy “The New Nature,” an essay by Britton-Purdy about nature and humanity’s historical perception of it through the lens of the political economy, reveals the coming world paradigm for some and confirms the hunches of others. He claims, “the world has slipped from the...

Plato’s View of Art: Philosophies of Art and Beauty

Plato was known for being concerned about society and its morals. He knew that art had a great influence on the youths, which is why he expressed some concerns. The philosopher feared that certain negative influences depicted in it could have a negative impact on people. This is why the...

To What Extent Is Truth Different in Mathematics, Ethics and Arts

Introduction Truth as a subject of investigation is very problematic. In this paper, through analysis of what philosophers have posited over time, it will be established that a universal understanding and appreciation of truth is possible. However, in given different contexts the approach to and appropriation of truth has to...

John Henry Newman, an English Philosopher

Introduction John Henry Newman was born in 1801 and died in 1890; and was an English philosopher, intellectual, academic, theologian, poet, scholar, writer, and historian, among many other titles or accomplishments. In addition, Newman happened to be the first Anglican priest who later became a Catholic cardinal. Newman was also...

The Intersection of Wisdom and Intellectual Skills

Reflection Paper: Wisdom and Intellectual Skills By taking the lecture on wisdom and intellectual skills, I learned the nature of wisdom from the philosophical perspective, the traits of a wise person, and a detailed breakdown of analysis, assessment, and argument. As a result, I understood the role of wisdom in...

Epistemology Based on Rationalism

Introduction The diverse routes of knowledge have created controversy in the field of epistemology, with rationalism being the most viable acquisition strategy. Various philosophers have tried to explain how individuals acquire knowledge about their environment and every other aspect of living. Socrates’s pursuit of wisdom begins with discovering facts through...

The Idea Behind Greek and Roman Epicureanism

Introduction Humanity constantly seeks happiness in different material and spiritual matters. Through the centuries, people have been referring to various philosophical studies to find the key answer to happiness and how to satisfy it. The teachings of Roman and Greek philosophers offer their ideas on content life leading. Epicureanism’s death...

The “Euthyphro” Dialogue by Plato

In Plato’s “Euthyphro,” the character Euthyphro offers four definitions of piety. The first definition states that piety is what is loved by the gods, while impiety is what is hated by the gods (Lu). The second definition states that piety is doing what is pleasing to the gods, while impiety...

Forms of Consent: Consultation–Trusted Digital Identity Bill Package

Consent is voluntary permission to receive or provide something in a legally binding contract or other circumstances. It creates the opportunity to make agreements between at least two entities, with one or both agreeing to initiate certain actions or avoid them in exchange for a certain outcome. Consent can be...

Foucault’s Concept of “Power/Knowledge”

It is important to note that Michel Foucault’s concept discusses the emergence of the concept of knowledge and its relationship to power. Thus, the author argues that the impetus for the emergence of knowledge comes from the upper circles of power (Fruhling, n.d). This is because it is important for...

Epicurus’s View of the Greatest Pleasure

Epicurus defines pleasure as nothing more than the elimination of pain. If a person can attain a mental state without pain, they have achieved a state of pleasure. Therefore, Epicurus holds that individuals experience the greatest pleasure after all suffering has been eliminated (Voorhoeve, 2020). This implies pure, genuine pleasure...

Sartre’s Concept: Existentialist Philosophical System

The idea that existence comes before essence is a cornerstone of Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialist philosophical system. It implies that humans create their essence via their choices and actions in life rather than being born with a predetermined nature or purpose. Sartre believed that a person’s existence, or the fact that...

Michael Foucault’s Theory of Governmentality

Introduction The French philosopher Michael Foucault’s theory of governmentality, correlates with the idea that power is only used under the circumstances that the individual is free to begin with. For example, slavery does not exercise power as those who are enslaved have no choice and are, by definition, trapped. Instead,...

William Rowe’s Argument on the Issues Concerned With Suffering

Introduction William Rowe is a philosopher who wrote extensively on the ethical issues concerned with suffering. He argued that it is unlikely that all critical cases of intense human and animal suffering bring about the greater good. It is possible to agree with the philosopher that suffering cannot obviously lead...

Socrates’ Wisdom: A Quest for Knowledge or Material Gain?

Socrates’ statement reflects his belief that individuals should prioritize seeking knowledge and wisdom over acquiring wealth and fame. This attitude is consistent with Socrates’ philosophical beliefs, as he is known for valuing knowledge and virtue above all else; thus, I agree with him. As one of the founders of Western...

Temporary vs. Historical Discourses about Nature and Humans

The fundamental problems of philosophy arise along with its development, which is inseparably linked with civilizational transformations. The problems that thinkers have always considered have changed with the development of human culture, knowledge, and practice, but there have always been such questions, the answers to which were traditionally expected exclusively...

Animal Cruelty in Philosophers’ Arguments

It is important to note that ethical perspectives and frameworks provide insight into how people should act morally. The given analysis will primarily address Kantian and Singer’s points of view on animal cruelty as well as Baier’s arguments on the unethicality of trust relationships. Kant highlights the importance of personhood...

Equality in Different Philosophers’ Arguments

Equality has been the subject of debate among many scholars and philosophers. During the 20th century, the concept was met with ridicule in regards to defending women’s rights and anti-racism. One of those cases was Thomas Taylor’s satirical piece called A Vindication of the Rights of Brutes, where the philosopher...

Agent and Possible Intellect in Saint Bonaventure’s vs. Averroes’ Views

Many philosophers considered the nature of knowledge and human intellectual capacities from different perspectives. Aristotle proposed the most influential theories that later became the basis for interpretations and discussions. Saint Bonaventure articulated a theory of the agent and possible intellect, which attributes the possibility of knowledge generation to each individual...

Grey Areas from a Christian Standpoint

The most important thing for Christians to acknowledge is that there is no black and white in the world. Only grey areas that must be navigated carefully exist and continuously call Christians to action. The discussed story is “Free Fruit for Young Widows” by Nathan Englander, featured in the May...

The God, Freedom, and Human Dignity Book by Highfield

Ron Highfield’s book, God, Freedom, and Human Dignity, offers a thoughtful and illuminating exploration of how to embrace a God-centered identity in a me-centered culture. The author draws on various sources, including scripture, literature, and philosophy, to present a compelling argument in favor of living a life of faith and...

Galileo: Role in the Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution was when philosophers began to discover truths about existence and the universe through intensive research and experimentation without relying on the influence of Christian theology for solutions. Philosophers such as Galileo contributed knowledge to the Scientific Revolution through thought experiments that led to numerous discoveries (Zanatta 1)....

Socrates’ Philosophical Maxims Analysis

Introduction The Socratic maxims are both conscientious and conceptual in nature. These dicta were initially analyzed and critically assessed by Aristotle. Presently, these axioms have become an area of interest in the philosophy of education and general philosophy. Indeed, the intellectual and cultural development of the world has been shaped...

Postmodernism as a Philosophical Aspect

Postmodernism is a philosophical aspect that is described as a truism. It is a concept characterized by relativism, subjectivism, and skepticism. Postmodernism plays a role in asserting and balancing life through a general suspicion of reason. The basis of postmodernism is the reaction against the intellectual assumptions and traits of...

The Problem of Evil from a Religious Perspective

The problem of evil has been debated since the dawn of time. Komodo Dragons hunt their prey by biting them; the blood attracts other dragons, and they all wait for the venom from the bite to take effect, which can take days, weeks, or even months (Smithsonian Channel, 2016). Fans...

HIS102: Western Civilization II

Middle class has historically exhibited higher internal complexity and greater regional volatility and has been highly vulnerable to changes in business cycles. It is commonly believed that middle-class status is most reliably associated with business people, even though it can also refer to a variety of other groups, such as...