Plato’s Philosophy: Ideas, Soul, and the Just State
Plato’s Core Philosophical Concepts
Disappointment with the political situation in Athens and the death of Socrates marked the beginning of Platonic philosophy. On one hand, contact with the Pythagoreans made Plato aware of the importance of mathematics and familiarized him with the doctrine of the immortality of the soul and reincarnation. On the other hand, his disillusionment with the dictatorship of the Thirty Tyrants, and later the Athenian democracy, led him to propose a model of society where
Read MoreRené Descartes: Life, Philosophy, and the Rationalist Shift
Descartes’ Early Life and Education
René Descartes was born in March 1596 in La Haye. At an early age, René entered college as an intern at La Flèche, a newly founded institution established with the help of Henry IV to form a nobility as a weapon against the Protestant Huguenots. Once he left school, he decided to join the troops of Maurice of Nassau in the Thirty Years’ War to see the world and strengthen his character.
The Turbulent 17th Century Context
This war was perhaps an event caused by
Read MorePhilosophical Concepts: Thought, Knowledge, and Utopia
Mythical vs. Rational Thought
The philosopher contemplates the daily unfolding of events. When one departs from the philosophical attitude, doubt and admiration often emerge. To understand this attitude, consider children: their inherent curiosity drives them to question everything. Problems that arise can be addressed in two primary ways:
Mythical Thought (Mythos)
This form of thought cannot be empirically corroborated. It explains phenomena by appealing to deities, supernatural beings, or extraordinary
Mastering Risk: Strategies for Protection & Security
Handling Risk
Since you cannot completely avoid all risk, you must learn to handle it.
You can avoid, reduce, retain, or transfer risk.
Risk Avoidance (Individuals and Businesses)
Avoiding risk involves thinking about the consequences of decisions. However, it is not always practical to avoid all risks.
For a business, this means refusing to engage in a particularly hazardous activity.
All business decisions should be made with consideration for both the potential benefit and the associated risk.
Risk
Read MoreFundamentos de la Verdad: Metafísica y Epistemología
Necesidad y Contingencia en Metafísica
Para la metafísica, los seres que componen la realidad se definen por dos características opuestas. Unos seres existen ahora, pero pueden dejar de existir e incluso hubo un tiempo en que nunca existieron; no fueron parte de tal realidad. De estos seres decimos que son contingentes. Otros seres existen y siempre han existido; jamás pueden no ser quienes son o dejar de existir. Estos se definen como necesarios.
La Teoría del Conocimiento y la Verdad
La teoría
Read MoreHuman Impacts on Ecosystems and Environmental Ethics
Ocean Stressors & Marine Protection
Industrial, Petroleum & Coastal Impacts
- Industrial Growth: Toxic chemicals introduced into water systems.
- Petroleum Industry: Potential to contaminate habitats.
- Coastal Development: Leads to water pollution and issues with waste disposal.
Tourism’s Toll on Coral Reefs
- Direct Impacts: Anchors damaging reefs, harm from snorkeling activities.
- Indirect Impacts: Waste generated by resorts, increased demand for seafood.
Consequences of Ocean Stressors
- Pollution: Contributes