1215 samples of this type
The Condition of Living Beings The best way to help living beings is to show them the path leading to liberation. Thus, the best way is the unity of method and wisdom, which is the quintessence of the teachings of all the Buddhas, that is, these three essential aspects —...
It is essential to emphasize that the question of what influences people’s feelings or actions is one of the most archaic not only in philosophy but also in psychology. There are two various points of view on this issue; the first asserts that hereditary and natural factors determine the identity...
William James appears to be a prominent figure in the field of philosophy. He lived in the second half of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century in the United States, and his professional activity regarded philosophy, history, and psychology. William James has become famous for...
The Chinese culture has its foundation in Confucianism, an ancient philosophy and belief system. It was invented by Confucius, a philosopher and teacher who lived from 551 to 479 before Common Era (BCE) (Makeham 4). According to several writings produced by Confucius ‘ pupils, confucianism stresses concepts of ethical behavior,...
Daoism is a religion-philosophical indigenous Chinese tradition that has affected the lives of countless Chinese for over 2000 years. Laozi, a great philosopher in the Roman period BCE, is the central figure of Daoism (Van 54). Most people believe this thinking to be a religion, yet it does teach us...
Formal Analysis P1: To know that something exists is to experience its existence immediately and directly. P2: Human senses are too limited to discover the objective truth. P3: Context dictates the truth. C: Subjectivism is the correct way of viewing knowledge. Essay There are three different perspectives regarding knowledge, definition,...
Skepticism refers to a philosophical idea based on the doubt that reliable knowledge of the objective world is possible. Throughout history, there were significant changes in the development of philosophy associated with the crisis of democratic society and the increase of dictatorial regimes throughout. As a result, people attempted to...
Introduction Existentialism is a very peculiar discipline of the school of thought in terms of its historical context. Its periods of active development and popularity paralleled the civilizational era of technical progress, full-scale and technological wars of annihilation, and unhuman state systems. These factors formed the very freedom-loving basis of...
The Socratic method is a manner of discovering truths through your own eyes. All rolled into one, it is a system, a spirit, a method, a form of philosophical inquiry, and an intellectual approach. Socrates never explicitly stated a method, but Christopher Phillips has summarized the fundamental principles of his...
The trolley problem has its origins as a set of thought experiments in both ethics and philosophy. The dilemmas that are presented are often stylized in such a way that encourages the participant to debate whether the sacrifice of one person for the sake of many is fair or advantageous....
In 1707-1708, the young George Berkeley wrote the Book of Common Places, consisting of 2 parts: A and B. The central idea of the work was Berkeley’s unique philosophical outlook, specifically the principle of “esse est percipi”: to exist is to be perceived. After presenting this idea to the public,...
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 a thinking matter, man is becoming more and more aware of himself as an active factor of the social and natural environment surrounding him, of the whole being on the scale of the universe. This defines the idea of man as a conscious participant in world evolution. In...
Rene Descartes prefers meditation over the scholastic method of debate popular at the time because it allows him to get insights that the Question-Responded (Q&A) structure does not qualify. Furthermore, one can tell that a dream inspired him during his euphoric moments, and he embarks on these meditations as a...
Machiavelli was a Florentine philosopher best known for his political ideas in the 16th century. After his death, his two most famous philosophical works, The Prince and Discourses on Livy, were published. His impact has been massive, with the possible exception of Kant; no philosopher since antiquity has had such...
Introduction Augustine’s achievements include studying problems that the ancient philosophers had not considered, particularly his exploration of the dynamics of the human person and the movements of world history. The former is devoted to his autobiographical book “Confessions” (13 books). With deep psychological introspection, he dispassionately explored the contradictory process...
Harmony is essential for every human being because it is typically associated with physical and mental well-being. Even though this phenomenon seems clear and universal, the best philosophers in world history have elaborated on the issue and offered different interpretations of it. That is why it is reasonable to consider...
When it comes to aesthetic judgments and the human faculties that enable them, Kant analyzes and classifies them with the same meticulous rigor that is characteristic of his approach to ethics or epistemology. The key notion of his aesthetics is that a proper judgment of beauty can only be disinterested...
Effects of Spiritual Courage in Life Spiritual fortitude strengthens us when we inquire about purpose and meaning. While many people develop inner valor through organized religion, there are more ways to cultivate this feature. Thus, divine bravery entails being open to the most fundamental concerns of why we are here,...
Philosophers are skilled in resolving puzzles, which often constitute the primary object of their studies and research. Yet, some of these conundrums do not seem to have one clearly-defined answer and thus provide an opportunity for a debate. One of the examples of such philosophical puzzles is the falling tree...
Bishop Berkeley is one of the philosophers who has argued on the concept of whether matter does exist or does not exist. The philosopher has argued based on the concepts of immaterialism, which have played an essential role in defining matter. As a result, everything that human beings ideally think...
Introduction Since the dawn of human civilization, religion has been its integral component. It shaped the mindsets of entire nations, having a direct influence on both global affairs and the everyday activities of the people. The world has always been characterized by an extreme diversity of beliefs: from the pagan...
The idea of society as a community with a set hierarchy and philosophy is thousand years old, dating back to the primitive life. As a result, philosophers started pondering over the concepts of life and reality quite a while ago, making the issue quite contentions. Although there seems to be...
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...
The legends that have developed around famous personalities show how little humanity there is in the world. Alexander the Great, the conqueror of the ancient world, and the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope were contemporaries who lived simultaneously (Bryan Lueck). One wanted to rule the world and conquered it;...
Freedom is the essential characteristic of human life, which is revealed based on the unity and interaction of its spiritual and material components. It consists of the ability of man to create and direct his being in accordance with the laws of the development of nature and intelligent life on...
Plato’s main argument is that souls are immortal and responsible for the recollection of knowledge. He uses the example of recollection to show that souls are immortal and existed before a human is born by mentioning instances in which people can recollect knowledge that they have never been conversant with....
You may think that you know a person very well, but just one occasion can turn them into a total stranger. Unfortunately, that is the truth many of us have already experienced or have yet to experience. The pain, emptiness, and disconnectedness that one feels when this happens are skillfully...
Robert Nozick (1938-2002) refuted the Hedonistic idea that happiness is the only end that people pursue. Ethical Hedonism views individual welfare in terms of pleasure and pain. Hedonists claim that pleasure experiences are intrinsically good and experiences of pain are intrinsically bad (Dimmock and Fisher 11). Hedonists believe that what...
Comparison of the epic about Gilgamesh and texts describing the trial of Socrates and his self-defense reveals interesting details about the attitude of early civilizations to human life. Man is perceived by both the Sumerians and the ancient Greeks as a unit that is able to know itself only in...
Your post shows that Rousseau considered fallibility in the General Will came due to his philosophy since people within the commonwealth always have their self-interests within their minds. To contribute to what you build on General Will, sometimes the will contributes to the political agency by which humanity is influenced....
Introduction Fair punishment has long been a subject of dispute among philosophers, politicians, and the general public. However, there is still no consensus on which type of penal system is the most appropriate in terms of effectiveness and ethics. These discussions gave rise to two major theories – utilitarian and...
The intractability of the mind-body problem arises from consciousness as it is a concept that cannot be discussed exhaustively. With consciousness being an important component of the mind-body problem, then the latter becomes even more complicated to debunk. Therefore, without debunking consciousness, the mind-body problem also remains unsolved. According to...
The wagon problem is one of the most popular ethical and philosophical issues. The question seems straightforward; of course, saving the lives of five is more important than saving the life of one. However, it is complicated by the fact that, in this case, the person behind the level, making...
The shadows in Plato’s allegory reflect a distorted view of reality, a delusion about truth. For instance, Socrates invites Glaucon to envision a cave in the discussion. Prisoners are chained up within the cave; they are forced to face a wall. Because the captives have never seen the genuine items...
Violence and life-harming action can be reviewed from the perspectives of several philosophical theories. Since the chosen moral issue concerns animal experimentation, it is closely related to the theory of Utilitarianism. The main idea of this philosophy induces preference of practical changes over morally wrong obstacles (Lazari-Radek & Singer, 2017)....
Introduction Privacy of life and emotion, personal freedom are fundamental things for the modern democratic world. However, when describing the ideal political regiments in his Republic, Plato shows a view different from the contemporary interpretation of the free and just democratic republic. The Ancient Greek philosopher argues that, while ensuring...
The process of cognition with relation to different areas of human life is guided by the methods for making forecasts on the basis of available data. From this perspective, the efficiency of this complex initiative is conditional upon the credibility of initial information. Even though some claims are made regarding...
Introduction In the field of political philosophy, the question concerning the compatibility between two theoretical frameworks, namely liberalism, and pluralism, has been vividly discussed and taken to the center of the debate. Despite the lack of a clear answer to the question of whether liberals should be pluralists and if...
In Plato’s “Euthyphro,” Socrates asks whether something is pious because the gods love it or whether the gods love it because it is pious. The term pious can be translated to mean religious correctness or holiness. It means narrowly the act of doing and knowing what is right in religious...
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 For many decades, the delineations of philosophy have been drawn between supporters of continental viewpoint and analytic ideas. The analytic theory describes a method of thinking anchored in the interrogation of whether something is factual, while the continental model often seeks to answer multiple factors, which constitute meaning (Arnold,...
Introduction Manifest destiny is a philosophy advocating that the United States was divinely ordained to expand its dominance, capitalism, and democracy across the North American continent. This belief is also based on issues of religion and race. Nevertheless, the country was not ready to show its superiority without a justifiable...
Ancient Greek philosophy had its own character and unique differences. Scientists are still studying how people in ancient times saw the world, and many works on this topic have already been written. This scientific work deals with the review of how the ancient Greeks saw the concept of the world...
Introduction The philosophical principle of doxastic voluntarism holds that people exercise voluntary control over what they believe. This doctrine argues that people can choose to believe whatever they want. In the doxastic voluntarism debate, philosophers categorized voluntary control into two – direct and indirect voluntary control. A person has direct...
Michel Foucault was a French philosopher, writer, and political activist whose theories mainly revolved around the relationship between power and knowledge. Foucault’s thoughts have significantly influenced people, particularly on cultural and communication studies, as well as sociology. Educational institutions, specifically schools, are understood as panoptic spaces by social researchers. They...
Introduction Moral philosophy is predicated on the notion of fulfilling individuals’ rights and freedoms without interfering with others. In our societies, governments protect and promote civility, ensuring a certain individual or group does not impede others’ rights to pursue their happiness. It is important to discern the relevance of this...
Argument of the Materialistic Theory of Consciousness The materialistic theory of consciousness focuses on the idea that consciousness is material and ceases to exist with the annihilation of the body. Remarkably, there are three types of arguments supporting the materialist theory of consciousness. These are panpsychism, illusionism, and arguments suggesting...
Intrinsic qualities of the human experience are a topic that many philosophers and thinkers have brought upon in their works, as well as something people have wondered about in their daily life. While it is impossible to understand where people have originally come, from and how they came to be...
One of the most famous defenders of the absolute prohibition of lying in the history of Western philosophy is Kant. According to the categorical imperative, he argues that falsehood is forbidden not because a lie is directly immoral but rather due to the fact that fiction cannot be universal; as...
Socrates’ Biography The activity of Socrates, one of the outstanding ancient thinkers, has significantly impacted the formation of philosophical ideas in different cultures and influenced the emergence of different concepts. He was born in 469 BC to a mason and midwife and died in 399 BC in Athens. During his...
Summary Philosophy as science often questions topics that the average person does not consider. The purpose of this approach is to identify such categories as meaning, illusion, or reality. One of the riddles to solve the problem is, “If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one around...
The Tree Puzzle The tree puzzle is a well-known philosophical paradox that can be approached in diverse ways. Solving it requires engaging in complex decision-making processes based on the definitions of reality. The puzzle itself illustrates the extent to which perception influences the truth. Moreover, it refers to the human...
The idea of aging and the inevitable death typically seem exceptionally distant for young people. However, as one ages, the necessity to reconcile with the fear of eventual demise emerges. Moreover, aging and the threat of death are connected directly and inseparably to multiple losses, including the loss of physical...
The main aim of urban theories is to have a glimpse of the contemporary world, which is an outcome of transition. Urban and modern society has evolved from the traditional way of living to the modern way. The main theorists of the classical way of transition include; Emile Durkheim, Max...
The argument that love is epistemically objectionable is based on the assumption that the standard epistemological norms are correct. The mainstream epistemological norms stress the importance of impartiality, truth, and rationality in beliefs and behavior. Therefore, the types of beliefs and behavior commonly associated with love and friendship are objectionable...
The philosophers of the axial age were primarily involved in the discussion of justice as the principal condition of citizens’ wellbeing. However, their views on the subject were extremely biased since the socially accepted constructs, such as the inferior position of women, did not contribute to ensuring the above provision....
The initial post states that Thomas Paine, as a deist, criticizes Christianity extensively. Additionally, his views are surprising in the context of the time in which he lived. Indeed, it is extremely daring of him to criticize religion using the publication of The age of reason (Paine, 2014). The post...
In Chapter 5 of The Analects, Confucius formulates an equivalent of the Golden Rule. Through Master’s counsels, Confucius defines the concept of universally appreciated conduct. The Master suggests that in order to be appreciated everywhere, one should approach people with sincerity and truthfulness, and his actions should be honorable and...
The question of duty and moral responsibility has been a relevant topic throughout the whole history of philosophy. Various thinkers propose diverse opinions on what a human must do in order to achieve happiness and fulfill their obligations. Duty is also the central point of deontological ethics, which focuses on...
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...
The ancient philosophy, Stoicism, suggests people can track down joy by depending on their internal identity by offering security and harmony notwithstanding savagery. Stoics instructed that excellence, the most elevated great, depends on information and that the astute can live in amicability with the heavenly (Tanner 24). The Stoic God...
Copernicus, Bruno, Kepler, and Galileo made significant contributions to human understanding of the universe. They revolutionized the scientific field of their time by their findings which were primarily concerned with the movement of the sun, planets, and other heavenly bodies. Namely, the common point in their ideas is that the...
Introduction One of the most critical questions in existential philosophy is to determine the potential for a global peace as a system in which all nations live in a commonwealth. In discussing this idea, it is crucial to be particularly precise in the terms used since the state of international...
The discussion of love and friendship is present throughout Plato’s Symposium, but it is centered in Lysis, Socrates’s dialogue where he defines the nature of friendship. The text captures Socrates’ opinion regarding Hippothales’ feelings towards Lysis, eldest son of Democrates. Another character, Ctesippus, expresses concerns about Hippothales’ feelings to Lysis,...
Introduction It is no secret that the modern political landscape in the United States and across the world is becoming more polarized, which is the problem being addressed in the given reflection. The two major political parties of America are further from each other than ever, which is why Machiavelli’s...
The issue of freedom has always caused debates among philosophers, psychologists, and other scholars related to the field of social sciences. Some of the perspectives of studying freedom include compatibilist and libertarian conceptions. A significant feature of the libertarian theory of freedom is that it implies circumstantial and metaphysical freedom....
Introduction Since classical times, humans have tried to explore and describe the mechanisms that regulate life both for particular individuals and societies. Among the essential issues are the origin of feelings and their role in decision-making; specifically, philosophers of all epochs sought to answer the question of whether emotions interfere...
The speed of modern life rarely allows us to think about major philosophical questions and moral rules that control our lives. Not surprisingly, we close ourselves to the outer world, trying to follow a habitual set of circumstances and refrain from indulging in new ideas. After reading Trial of Socrates...
The examination of universal and basic concerns such as presence, reason, wisdom, values, consciousness, and language is referred to as philosophy. These issues are frequently offered as issues to be investigated or handled. The concept of happiness is central to Ancient Greek and Roman beliefs, yet at the Dawn of...
Multiple themes are covered in the famous play by Sophocles. Despite the importance of love for family and other essential topics, the playwright particularly emphasized the issue concerning the origins of law and the conflict between the natural law and the new type of civil law that developed rapidly at...
Plato experienced a variety of influences from previous philosophical movements. The pre-Socratic influential thinkers include Protagoras, whose relativist thought inspired Plato’s dialogues despite contradictions between the two thinkers’ approaches. As for the Sophists, some contempt for them could have encouraged Plato to achieve excellence in reasoning. The impact of Socrates...
The Critique of Pure Reason, the main philosophical work of Immanuel Kant, was published in 1781, the result of reckless writing after many years of deliberation. Before its creation, Kant reported that it was no longer possible to keep such complex material in mind, and it was urgently required to...
In order to depict a parallel between Plato’s Phaedrus sections 247 b-c and Pessoa’s experience of reality, it would be rational to provide the background of Plato’s ideas in these sections. Plato tends to explain the nature of souls by appealing to an understandable – but not complicated and ambiguous...
Introduction The importance of the state of nature cannot be overstated because it is the foundation of both Hobbes and Locke’s views of political power, as well as their thoughts on such concepts as equality, liberty, and morality. Despite having the same foundation, Hobbes’ conception of the state of nature...
While Symposium is not the most famous of Plato’s works, like Republic or Allegory of the Cave, it still occupies a prominent place within the philosopher’s legacy. Although mainly concerned with questions of love and virtue, Symposium, true to the multifaceted nature of its author’s thought, covers a broad range...
Throughout the history of humanity, people have been striving to comprehend the world they live in, constructing theories of various kinds to explain their observations. Some of the most fundamental philosophical problems are addressed by the branch of philosophy called epistemology, which studies the nature, origin, and limits of human...
Metaphysics is a process of searching for the original nature of reality, the world, and existence. Aristotle was the first to use metaphysics to answer the cause of beginnings and the becoming of the world. In the Middle Ages, the content of metaphysics was replaced by finite: Thomas Aquinas thinks...
Thales Thales of Miletus is remembered for their influences on science and philosophy. Though there are no writings on Thales, his achievements are difficult to evaluate and are based on the legendary Seven Wise Men. As a practical statesman, Thales advocated the unification of Ionian cities in the Aegean region....
General Will Quotation: “Immediately, instead of individuals entering into contractual relations, this act of association creates a conditional collective Whole… This Whole receives unity, its common self, its life and will as a result of such an act. As long as a certain number of united people look at themselves...
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,...
Introduction Martin Heidegger is one of the most famous philosophers that many people have analyzed. He was a German, and his work primarily involved politics and religion. Moreover, many individuals have argued that his ideas have impacted European philosophy. He also had an impact on other aspects, such as cognitive...
Socrates is an iconic figure in thought history that set the vector of flowing of the whole Western tradition. He was born around 470 B.C. and died in 399 B.C. by Athenian court order because he was blamed for many sins, mainly baseless. Despite the fact that he was concerned...
Introduction The novel Nausea, written by Jean-Paul Sartre, is a philosophical masterpiece that addresses the topic of existentialism. The given close reading analysis will focus on the following statement: “the Nausea has stayed down there, in the yellow light. I am happy: this cold is so pure, this night so...
Introduction The Allegory of the Cave is a situational stance of how cave imprisonment represents the world of imagination and despair at war in the progressive acquisition of thoughts and ideas to build on the realities. It focuses on sharing the positive significance of education in eradicating ignorance and mental...
Philosophical metaphysics teaches that all human decisions have underlying causality and motivation, and the freedom to express personal free will is the basis for most of them. It is challenging to call free will one of the inalienable rights of a citizen, for it is difficult to delineate where its...
Socrates was one of the first Western philosophers whose thoughts and ideas were recognized around the globe. He left no definite philosophy, and most of his works were based on his followers’ retelling, like Plato or Xenophon. He believed that reasonable people would hardly harm themselves and support the possibility...
Introduction John Taurek is the most effective critic of Jeremy Bentham’s aspect of morality approval in utilitarian theory. Even though both philosophers were connected with utilitarianism, they had a significant confrontation regarding the fundamental values of their vision: community prevalence. In his theory, Taurek objectively argues that utility is a...
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...
Introduction The human brain is the most perfect and most mysterious mechanism. It controls everything that happens in the body, and therefore life. Mind is a set of cognitive and analytical abilities of man, due to which the intellect of the individual is formed. There is no standard interpretation of...
Philosophers are interested in a variety of questions related to the idea of truth. The challenge is determining what types of matters can be considered true. Is truth the definition of words and is a linguistic entity, or is it truly an abstract and everlasting concept? The essential question remains...
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,...
Daoism is an ancient world-famous philosophical movement that has always been a matter of interest for philosophers. This traditional Chinese philosophy focuses on the understanding that Dao is an ultimate void forming the supreme world order (Ivanhoe 5). The Daodejing of Laozi, where the various Daoism concepts are collected, touches...
It is important to note that philosophy is a framework under which even ordinary knowledge and information are questioned through criticism based on a strictly determined set of principles and rules. In other words, philosophy address the fundamental aspects of the universe and existence itself with no room for inarticulate...
Morality is impossible without freedom, since if a person’s actions are determined by the will of God or the laws of nature, then one cannot speak of morality or morality, since then there is no responsibility. Kant believed that a person’s actions in moral terms could be determined by three...
Introduction How challenging it is to find yourself and finally be free, but once you do it, everything starts making sense, and life just becomes more straightforward and happier. Every life experience shapes everyone’s personality in some way, leading one to realize life’s purpose, principles, priorities, and inspirations. Therefore, it...
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...
Introduction The concept of harmony has always taken one of the central positions in both Western and Eastern traditions of philosophy. Prominent thinkers have utilized this notion to describe social aspects, such as cultural norms and sovereign regulations, and individualistic nature. Furthermore, the concept of harmony is frequently used to...
Historic fundamentalism can be categorized as an occurrence that is distinctly Protestant, Christian, and American. Its early roots can be traced back to 1919, a year of what can be deemed extreme modernization due to the end of the first world war, the citizen status of African Americans, and the...
There are many views and positions regarding the existence and form of God. Spinoza was the first who dared to refute the concept of the dualism of matter and spirit, uniting these concepts in the concept of God, who is equal to Nature. This approach was revolutionary in the 17th...
As a way of life, philosophy demands that children should have a space for active engagement in philosophical thought to promote their critical thinking. Philosophical thought allows children to ask existential questions about their surroundings and the world (Kizel 142). The curiosity in children exposes them to many dangers, some...
Introduction Psychological research involves the empirical pursuit of exploring and explaining phenomena. We might ask questions such as: Does X vary with Y? Does X cause Y? What is the strength of the relationship between X and Y? Within the context of clinical psychological research, we might ask questions such...
Introduction The Phaedo is among Plato’s most renowned and extensively read dialogues. However, the discussion raised several contentious problems about the conceptions of life and death, as well as what happens after death. Socrates, for example, argues in the dialogue that the soul should not be consumed by the demands...
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...
It is necessary to raise the question of the nature of the direction of the criticism of Nietzsche against thinking. Although it is comprehensive and very radical at first glance, the study allows us to see the ambiguity of such an understanding. Uncompromising criticism is directed primarily against the absolutization...
Freedom is the ability to do something without prevention by other individuals. A free person can engage in activities without any constraint from the people around them. Additionally, freedom gives people the power to act or speak accordingly without any hindrance. When people act freely, it is not always a...
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...
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...
Introduction Various scientists, philosophers, and priests interpret the connection between God, science, and naturalism differently as the evolutionary discoveries question the religious statements. Gould and Draper are the scholars who discussed how Christianity correlates with science based on their own experiences and observations. This paper aims to compare and contrast...
Introduction Philosophy is one of the most controversial areas of knowledge because its applicability to real-life from the perspective of practicality is dubious. Meanwhile, present-day researchers prefer more concrete information in contrast to theoretical concepts, and this fact explains the declining popularity of the field. However, it is still important...
The elenchus is a method of discussing matters presented by Socrates. It consists of several stages, which include asking questions, presenting logical contradictions as per the answers, and insisting on combined efforts in pursuing the truth. In other words, one using this approach starts with claiming doubts regarding the opponent’s...
Introduction Daoism, a philosophy that originated in the 6th century BCE China, has significantly influenced China’s cultural beliefs and religion and most other Asian countries. The popularity of this philosophy has increased worldwide and continues to capture the attention of scholars and philosophers in its application in various fields, ranging...
Moral relativism is a philosophical position according to which moral or ethical provisions do not, in fact, reflect universal moral truths. However, this kind of relativism does not deny the truth – it merely affirms its relativity. The adepts of moral relativism state that humans are not omniscient, and history...
Civil disobedience has become a prominent topic of discussion among scholars and the public as a whole. Such an interest has originated in the rise of a variety of political movements in the United States, notably Black Lives Matter. These movements have led to mass protests, looting, and violence. Some...
Sometimes, people find it problematic to choose and take moral responsibility for their choice. In the analyzed case, a friend laments having been forced by a parent to learn to play the flute instead of the violin, which they find more interesting. This case can be considered from the perspective...
Centering the importance of utility as the foundation for decision-making, Kant’s ethical theory is an important framework for addressing complex moral dilemmas. In turn, the Categorical Imperative as a crucial part of the specified perspective allows dissecting major ethical problems and solving them by examining the utility of the proposed...
Introduction Ideologies of various levels and degrees of influence on people exist and compete with each other in it. One of their leading ideologies at the moment is liberalism. In connection with the frequently arising issues related to the rights and freedoms of citizens, various points of view have been...
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...
The purpose of a true philosopher is to rise above bodily, simple pleasures because they are empty and insignificant. He is not interested in everyday life, wealth, nobility of origin, and various amusements. Socrates is an example of a true philosopher because he never sought to please other people and...
According to Harari, the Cognitive revolution was what actually separated Homo Sapiens from other species. He defines it as the emergence of new ways of thinking and communicating (Harai, 25). In this sense, it became “the point when history declared its independence from biology,” meaning that humanity developed according to...
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,...
Personally, I find Sartre’s philosophical stance on the freedom of an individual very bold and motivational, as it can lead a person to become more proactive. Vaughn reveals that Sartre’s idea that “existence precedes essence” is a vital source of inspiration for those who are willing to take matters into...
Adam Smith was not an economist but a philosopher who initiated modern capitalism. On the contrary, Thomas Hill Green was a political radical, temperance reformer, and English philosopher, and he supported the human freedom theory. Although both individuals aimed to improve people’s living standards in society, they had contradicting ideas...
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...
Introduction With the development of scientific knowledge as well as technology that have given answers to many questions and provided outstanding opportunities for exploration and invention, beliefs began to outlive their usefulness. It would not be reasonable, however, to consider religion as a phenomenon obsolete; rather, it needs adapting to...
Introduction Various concepts of human freedom are different from each other in few events. Some human choices are the results of the freedom that they possess. Additionally, these ideas are both non-theistic and theistic, including compatibilism, incompatibilism, libertarianism, and determinism. Freedom is the procedure of selecting or determining a set...
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...
Hume’s analysis is a complex concept directed to understand the relationship between cause and effect. In his view, we enhance our knowledge of matter because of understanding its causes. However, our understanding of the cause of the matter is limited; therefore, we cannot fully accept the nature of events. The...
Introduction The disciplines of philosophy envelope a considerable number of issues, concentrating on the topics pertinent to numerous areas of human development. The range of branches connected to philosophical thinking, as well as the variety of scholarly opinions on the discussed matters, prove how essential it is for humankind to...
Most influential topic covered in the course The topic that completely changed my mindset is the arguments of God’s existence. The issue presented in the topic evaluated that every problem requires a complex revision. Considering an argument in seclusion from other views could be irrelevant because discussing such a complicated...
Throughout history, literary writers, psychologists, scientists, and philosophers tried to define the word ‘love.’ According to Gottman and Gottman (2017), love is not a single concept but a process that constitutes three stages. In this theory, the initiation of love is triggered by neurotransmitters, and then a person gradually builds...
Introduction The meaning of life is a question that has lingered in the minds of philosophers and other people alike for generations. While some take a positive approach, praising all the joys and experiences that come with existence, others maintain that it is suffering and pain that define it. In...
Cognition of the human essence is one of the most complex philosophical issues that has been regularly raised and is being raised by various scholars. To understand what a person is, philosophers have resorted to a variety of techniques, using comparisons. René Descartes (1996), in his work Meditations on first...
As the ancient Roman philosopher, Cicero said: “To make a mistake is only human; to persist in a mistake is idiotic.” Indeed, it is impossible to live without faults. They can ruin a person’s life, even break his soul, but they can also give a rich life experience. We can...
End-of-life controversies exist in modern American society because not all people are ready to accept their beloved ones’ deaths, relying on their cultural and religious beliefs. In the case under analysis, NK is a 32-year-old patient who remains comatose with no brain activity during the next 24 hours after losing...
The essence of Arendt’s idea was in the fact that the power of many would not become something substantial over the course of time, as the core of Jefferson’s ward system was the power of everyone and the personal competencies of every civilian (254). This turned out to be a...
The General Problem The problem of non-existence remains a fundamental logical and philosophical problem. When people think, they always think about something that exists or does not. It is peculiar that there still can be falsehoods and truths about something non-existent. Although the latter is dependent on what really exists,...
For Aristotle and his followers, virtue is not a simple term connected to positive levels of morality in a human being. In Aristotelian ethics, virtue is known as a “Golden Mean,” “the intermediate position between two extremes or vices” (Lawhead, 2014, p. 89). The philosopher does not provide a concrete...
Introduction Studying the relationship between financial well-being and personal happiness is an essential aspect that can reveal people’s preferences and views on whether a large income directly correlates with a positive attitude or not. Selected articles address this topic and offer relevant findings and reasoning. In her research Do We...
Skepticism Skepticism is the belief that human knowledge is fundamentally lacking in some way, which in turn undermines the conclusions people reach. As Vaughn notes, there are multiple schools of thought that adhere to this view, differentiated based on the reason for the purported lack of knowledge (276). Some question...
Introduction The history of the church is always an interesting subject, especially during and after the protestant reformation. Martin Luther (1483-1546) can be regarded as the founder not only of the present protestant church but also the modern society. This is because of the many practices he rejected, including the...
Rorty sees his task in radically deconstructing and overcoming the traditional view of philosophy as a discipline that provides an accurate representation of being. The philosopher proposes a post-positivist concept of coherence as the correspondence of an affirmation to the principles and requirements of a particular language game operating in...
Due to the fact that a particular unified theory of education is absent in pedagogical science, we should talk about a paradigmatic approach. In many ways, paradigms of philosophy have become the basis of theories and paradigms of education. According to the approach, there are several paradigms that allow characterizing...
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...
Ethics often asks questions of choice. In the analyzed story, there is a choice of a man who has committed a betrayal, but no one will know about it except if he personally tells. In the story, the ethical dilemma of Utilitarianism vs. Deontology appears. In the case of Utilitarianism,...
Introduction These days, education presents a pressing concern, as a perspective on this regard has changed dramatically. Some people are opposed to the traditional system, claiming that it restricts students’ individuality and prevents from developing their interest. They believe that such an approach cannot provide children with relevant knowledge and...
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...
Rene Descartes was not the first philosopher to show concern over dreaming as an epistemological issue. However, his treatment of the matter popularized it and occasioned its development, over the years, into a Cartesian argument. Today, epistemologists agree that people must defeat this argument for “knowledge of the external world”...
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,...
Moral obligations do not simply purport to provide supremely authoritative reasons. They are also what we are responsible to one another for doing, what members of the moral community have the authority as such to demand that we do by holding ourselves accountable second personally. Some define moral obligation as...
