1204 samples of this type
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...
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...
Physicalism is closely related to the word ‘physical,’ which states the material condition of objects surrounding people. According to Jononymous Personymous (2021), physicalism means that everything has a physical substance, but followers of this theory do not deny the fact that abstract objects exist. Individuals can create their specific vision...
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...
Introduction One of the pioneers of moral and political philosophy, Plato, has extensively elaborated on the conception of justice in his works. He provided a unique understanding of justice by analyzing it on the individual soul and social level. Although later philosophers have questioned its practicality, the audience should give...
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;...
The eighth chapter of Soccio’s Archetypes of Wisdom discloses the differences between Christian values and classical Greek ones. Whilst Christians were theological, or concentrated on God as a savior of their souls, Greek philosophers believed that objective knowledge and logic would lead them to life improvements. To border the rationality,...
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....
Introduction There are numerous themes that are covered in the outstanding work by Sophocles. The issues that the prominent playwright raises in the play became essential topics for discussion in countless literary works centuries later. Certain virtues described in Antigone contradict each other and make it difficult to realize the...
Introduction The ability to choose between right and wrong has been a contentious issue about ethical principles that govern societal rules. Among the minds that have developed theories to address the matter are Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. On the one hand, Kant is of the view that an...
Introduction Rene Descartes is known for his ontological argumentation in support of the existence of God. However, there are several issues with the view of the omnipotent and perfect God. For example, atheists appeal to the idea that if God existed, he would strive to prevent human suffering and catastrophes...
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...
Philosophers, since time immemorial, have been at a conundrum in defining the truth. Pragmatic theories have been at the frontline by proposing that true beliefs will be accepted “at the end of an inquiry.” Although the pragmatic theories concentrate on connecting the truth and epistemic practices, the truth can be...
Introduction Plato and Aristotle are among the most influential philosophers to have written on various topics. These topics range from ethics to general academic inquiry. Their work played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for other philosophers and scholars to make important advances in various theories. These scholars have...
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...
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...
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...
The second chapter of Archetypes of Wisdom by D. J. Soccio (2015) was dedicated to the Presocratic period in the development of philosophy. In general, it introduces the term Sophos, which referred to wise men or first philosophers who aimed to understand natural processes and the essence of life (Soccio,...
The nature of knowledge has always been a disputable question. Since the earliest stage of civilization, philosophers have been trying to determine this broad concept and clearly explain its character. However, the scope of the term, its sophistication, and the numerous components it includes resulted in the emergence of numerous...
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...
One unique characteristic of the Republic is that it is a literary work written as a dialog. Despite this work of Plato being the most influential one in the field of political thought, and as Smith notes, all the works written after the Republic can be viewed as an answer...
An ontological argument set forth by Descartes is among the most exciting while also improperly understood aspects in his philosophy. The interest in the argument is associated with the effort to prove that God exists based on simple but significant premises. Descartes was unsuccessful in proving the existence of God...
In The Value of Philosophy, Bertrand Russell reflects on the significance of philosophy as a field of study for humanity as a whole. One of the important aspects of his work is highlighting that philosophy does not aim at gaining definite answers and concentrates on the ability and process of...
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...
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 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...
This chapter highlights the basic components one should expect from the book and the main concepts that one should be aware of to ensure they understand the entire book. Its central themes include defining key terms, what the book is about, different areas of philosophy, and philosophical archetypes. The author...
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...
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...
Introduction Early philosophical discussions presented by the scholars of Ancient Greece are still essential for the scientific community of the current age. The knowledge and beliefs manifested in the writings of well-recognized philosophers of that time offer the researchers an opportunity to establish the characteristics of philosophical thought. Furthermore, it...
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...
Veil of Ignorance emerged out of a thought experiment conducted by John Rawls. In conducting the experiment, he sought to examine arguments about justice, integrity, parity, and social stature in a structured procedure. The Veil of Ignorance constitutes part of the social contract theory that is used to examine inklings...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
The problem of the concept of the soul is fundamental to philosophy. Depending on the solution to this problem, the emphasis is shifted either to the biological nature of a person, or to their spiritual essence. The question about the nature of soul was first raised in the works of...
Introduction 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...
The examination of metaphysical concerns is one of the principal orientations of philosophers of all times, which is complicated by differences in their approaches. Moreover, these initiatives tend to evolve with regard to preferences or vary depending on their focus. From this perspective, their examination through the lens of Pre-Socratic...
Nagel’s groundbreaking mental exercise has inspired years of inquiry and study into animals and human awareness, yet it continues as perplexing and ambiguous as ever. The article’s analysis of subjectivity is maybe an essential takeaway. Nagel emphasizes the subjective nature of subjective awareness, which is not represented by physical explanations...
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...
Every morning at 8 A.M., the alarm clock on the smartphone fills the room with an annoying melody that could have been joyful if it had not interrupted my sleep. Instead of waking up with a broad smile, I lie in my bed and think that a new day of...
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...
Descartes puts forward several axiomatic philosophical proofs of the existence of God to explain the objective surrounding reality. In his opinion, the mechanistic processes taking place in the world around us cannot be explained without a cause-and-effect logic. It is precisely in the search for an explanation of the pattern...
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 The state is the leading central institution of society, which is a political and territorial organization of public power that has a special apparatus capable of making its dictates binding and exercising its governance. Philosophers tend to discuss their own opinions about what they think is the state and...
Locke’s philosophy on the state of war represents a particularly interesting topic due to the presence of ideas that require a substantial amount of nuance and the transfer of these ideas into the context of actual war settings. Namely, Locke’s idea of an aggressor’s right to instigate a war as...
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...
The importance of Confucianism for early Chinese society is conditional upon its role in establishing relationships among the citizens. In order to do so, the followers of this approach were guided by five relationships, and they seem quite informative from the perspective of analyzing its structure. However, these aspects had...
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...
The meaning of the word omniscience lies in the etymology of the word, since this term is related to a person who knows everything. Omniscience is the ability to know everything infinitely and without limits, or at least everything that can be learned about life, thoughts, feelings, the universe, and...
Socrates’s arguments against the accusations of the prosecutor Meletus are represented in two ways. One way included an explanation of the purpose and method of Socrates. He believes that it could give a jury explanation of why certain people do not like him. Socrates’s second argument is based on response...
In the book The Prince, Machiavelli presented the readers with opinions that were opposed to humanism philosophy. He encouraged rulers to kill some of their subjects to obtain what they wanted. The author discusses the criminal ways that rulers can use to attain what they want. He outlines how rulers...
Deontology is an ethical theory that considers the motives and other mental factors conditioning human behavior as essential in exploring moral concepts. Deontological ethics is deemed duty-oriented because it estimates the person’s actions according to any existing systems of ethical rules. Deontology principles are an essential basis of Kantian ethics...
Thoreau critiques the basis of representative democracy in Civil Disobedience in which he not only advocates for opposition to decadent and unjust actions but also censures them. His main concept was that there is a higher rule than civil law that requires individual obedience. His major question, impelled by his...
The religious views of Paine and Williams are strikingly dissimilar, as they advocate entirely different things. Unlike Williams, who supported the separation of church and state and religious tolerance, Paine criticized traditional religion. Williams defended his spiritual principles, condemned the orthodoxy of New England Puritanism, and decried the theological foundations...
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...
The famous philosopher Rene Descartes is prominent not only because of his ideas but also for the book he wrote, Meditations on the First Philosophy. This book is highly influential among philosophical texts and remains distinguished long after the first publication date. The book was initially written in Latin in...
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...
The aim of Descartes’ Mediation 1, “Meditation on the First Philosophy,” is to present the philosopher’s radical doubt and its implications for people’s abilities to know anything. To a great degree, Descartes breaks down the knowledge and reality in order to reconstruct it on more reliable and science-based grounds. The...
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...
Han Fei was one of the leading theorists of the Legalism school in Ancient China. The main work of Han Fei titled “Han Fei-Tzu” includes the main idea that the treatise is devoted to analyzing state-building and the art of statecraft. Han Fei was a supporter of creating a centralized...
The author of the book under study, Rob Reich, in his specialty is quite far from philosophy in general and from such a specific topic as philanthropy in particular. This writer’s main field of activity is politics since he is a professor of political science. However, this knowledge allows the...
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...
The discussion of the identity of a whole often includes the paradox called “The ship of Theseus.” In this example, a ship has all of its parts gradually replaced, while the disassembled parts are used in the creation of its copy. This creates an issue of the origin of an...
Introduction Different religions have unique views on what happens to people after physical death. The nature of immortality of the human soul is an intriguing topic in the philosophy of religion, and numerous scholars have addressed this question, including Saint Thomas Aquinas. As a renowned philosopher and Catholic priest, Saint...
Happiness is a sufficient and perfect that of human beings. Aristotle argues that there are different lives people tend to consider happiness. The types of lives stated by Aristotle include the life of political action, the life of money-making and gratification, and contemplation or philosophical life study. People appreciate all...
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...
The meaning of life is the most crucial and essential question for every human being because it addresses the deep inner self. It arises from a human’s fundamental desire, which he wants to fulfill. Everyone tries to satisfy this desire in different ways, but there is only one for all...
Paine’s arguments in his treatise The Age of Reason are transparent and objective, to my thinking. For instance, in the book’s first pages, Paine states that he believes in God (4). He does not believe in the creed of various churches and their revelations, emphasizing that “my mind is my...
Introduction The tree puzzle is a well-known philosophical paradox approached in diverse ways. Solving it requires engaging in complex decision-making processes based on the definitions of reality. Thesis statement: the tree puzzle represents an interesting epistemological problem, and Locke would probably argue that a falling tree always makes a sound....
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...
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 The philosophy of Socrates, which became the background for the formation of many doctrines and concepts, is an example of how reason conquers ignorance. In his writings, the ancient Greek thinker pursued truth as one of the key benefits that allowed the human to comprehend the secrets of life...
Freedom is defined in different ways; however, the most common meaning is the ability to act without the interference of other people. Several philosophers have tried to have varied opinions on the aspect of freedom, but they usually agree that external forces influence the freedom of people. Over the past...
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...
Knowledge is one of the most basic categories that people use to perceive the world around them. It forms the basis of how people act and which decisions they make at every point of their life. However, the philosophical concept of knowledge is anything but simple because there is always...
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...
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...
Immanuel Kant is a philosopher who tried to understand how people can be good and kind – outside the influence and persuasion of traditional religion. The philosopher was born in 1724 in the Baltic town of Königsberg. Categorical Imperatives are the principles that Kant defined by their morality and level...
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...
Critical thinking is one of the aspects that have been encouraged in various institutions. For instance, many schools encourage students to be creative and ensure that they develop ways to improve their performance. Businesses have also focused on innovation as one way that employees can practice to advance their productivity....
Introduction There are many ethical approaches to charity and altruistic behavior that state how individuals should embark on helping others, whether any kind of help is necessary, and to what extent. Thus, such theories as utilitarianism and libertarianism present opposing views on charitable behavior and whether individual members of society...
The guardian philosopher-king is the leader with distinguished characteristics such as wisdom, intelligence, efficiency, and sacrifice. The willingness to live a minimalist or simple lifestyle is what Socrates advocates in his theory of the character of the just. Therefore, the guardian is prohibited from private property ownership but encouraged to...
The trial of Socrates was undoubtedly arranged since the personality of the philosopher was disagreeable to some individuals. While some of the accusations against him were valid, such as a lack of respect for the gods, the real reason for this trial and its ruling was to get rid of...
In the book “The Tao of Pooh,” Benjamin Hoff intends to explain the Taoism principles using the example of a famous children’s story character – Winnie the Pooh. In this regard, the current paper will discuss three major aspects of this ancient Chinese philosophy and analyze how these teachings can...
Hard problems are problems without functional explanation as opposed to easy problems which involve explanation in the form of what mechanism can perform what function. The problem becomes hard when our consciousness can not figure out the mechanism through which we can solve the problem. The problem also becomes hard...
Introduction Many philosophers and analysts have presented powerful theories that can guide more people pursue their goals in life. Albert Camus is one of such thinkers whose concepts continue to influence the decisions and actions made people take in their lives. The philosopher’s ethical model revolves around the concept of...
Summary Rene Descartes is a French philosopher and scientist with a complicated life situation and tough childhood. However, Rene was not doomed to the difficult life of the late sixteenth century Rene Descartes – the most important philosophical ideas from the Meditations on the first philosophy Rene Descartes is a...
David Hume, an empiricist within the British tradition, who nurtured his philosophy within John Locke’s tenets of empiricism, embarked on his philosophical thinking with a severe perspective of empiricism. According to him, when we exercise our mental faculties in thinking, we acquire ideas which essentially are experientially generated. By seeing,...
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,...
There were many philosophers in the history of humanity, but only a few who significantly influenced societies and cultures and even gave rise to new religions. Among these important thinkers, Confucius, Buddha, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were the most influential, and their ideas continue to affect the way people perceive...
The article by George Pitcher presents a philosophical discussion about dead people. While the author of the analyzed text considers that harming and even benefitting the dead is possible, I must disagree. Pitcher (1984) states that “one’s death means the permanent end […] of one’s conscious life” (p. 183). This...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
Two Basic Laws and the Right of Nature In his fundamental treatise Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes introduced several philosophical conceptions, which can look seemingly similar and might confuse understanding. All of them are related to rights, laws, and human nature in one way or another. However, all these conceptions are logically...
Erroneous reasoning can significantly impact the course of the dialogue, shifting the topic to the side, confusing the opponent. While they may be random, some people may use them on purpose, so it is imperative to distinguish between basic techniques. The purpose of this essay is to analyze Straw Man’s...
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”...
Philosophy is a rather complicated and at the same time very interesting sphere of knowledge. Philosophy is one of the types of person’s outlook, his or her method of perception of the surrounding world. Philosophy is the study of truth and lie, about knowledge, beauty, mind, in the word about...
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,...
Cesare Beccaria was named the first socialist who significantly questioned the state’s right to execute and imprison the citizens. This desire emerged after witnessing many citizens’ cruel and brutal deaths and a man accused of committing sodomy. The male was called Lisette and was viciously dealt with by the state....
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...
Critical thinking is one of the fundamental concepts of philosophy. Used to describe the process of objectively identifying and analyzing events to meet one’s goals in the most efficient way possible. The ability is developed through training and learning different things, as well as being conscious of one’s thought process....
Aging is a significant part of all human beings reflecting the organic changes that occur, but also sparkling cultural and communal conventions. Aging is a multidimensional process of physical, psychological and social changes that occur in all human beings. Aging has made a significant impact on the community or society....
Introduction Different philosophers and religious analysts have approached the existence of God from diverse perspectives. Some remain skeptical while others have succeeded in providing strong arguments to describe the nature of God and the universe. Some of these great thinkers include Aquinas, Kant, and Reiner. Using the views of these...
Personal Purpose As humans, everyone needs personal philosophy; otherwise, there will be a risk of wandering in information and making random stimuli, with no impact on individual’s long-term goals. Personal life philosophy offers the overall attitude and vision towards both life and its purpose; therefore, without the essence of philosophy,...
Philosophy is an integral part of every person’s worldview and outlook on life which they espouse and through which they interpret various phenomena. Ethics is inherent to any philosophical perspective since it constitutes an element which guides people in their actions and interactions with others. Utilitarianism and deontology are two...
