Philosophical Concepts: From Ancient Greece to Modern Economics
Greek Philosophy
Pre-Socratic Philosophy
This era focused on explaining the origin of the world and everything in it. Philosophers sought a fundamental principle underlying all existence.
Socratic Philosophy
This period shifted the focus from metaphysics to humanity. Key figures include Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
Hellenistic Philosophy
Spanning from the late 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD, this phase blended with Christian philosophy and emphasized individual solutions.
Business Ethics
Business ethics are the values of an organization that ensure its survival, reputation, and positive outcomes. It involves conducting business according to moral principles and accepted societal norms. Ethical conduct is crucial for businesses of all sizes.
Organizations are recognizing the importance of ethics for public perception and fostering positive relationships between employees and customers. Ethical practices benefit the entire society, including customers, suppliers, partners, employees, and the government. Companies that adhere to ethical standards are more likely to thrive.
Liberalism (Neoliberalism)
Neoliberalism advocates for minimal state intervention in the economy, promoting free trade as the key to economic growth and social development.
Criticisms of Neoliberalism
Critics argue that neoliberalism primarily benefits large economic powers and multinational corporations, while developing countries often experience negative consequences such as unemployment, low wages, increased social inequality, and dependence on international capital.
Strengths of Neoliberalism
Supporters of neoliberalism contend that it fosters competition, technological advancement, and lower prices through open markets.
Epistemology
Innatism
Innatism, championed by René Descartes, proposes that humans are born with inherent knowledge.
Empiricism
Empiricism posits that knowledge is acquired through experience.
Dogmatism
Dogmatism is the adherence to fixed beliefs or doctrines. It represents an uncritical acceptance of truths without questioning. The Greek philosophical tradition contrasted dogmatism with skepticism.
Skepticism
Skepticism emphasizes doubt and questions the possibility of attaining certain knowledge about truth. It involves a constant state of inquiry and acknowledges the limitations of human understanding in metaphysical, religious, and even everyday matters.