Aristotle’s Core Philosophy: Nature, Ethics, Politics
Aristotle’s Philosophy: Nature and Change
While Plato possessed a mathematical mind, Aristotle approached philosophy with a biologist’s perspective, focusing on the nature and causes of phenomena. His conception of nature defines it as an internal principle of motion inherent in natural beings, distinguishing them from artificial ones. This perspective emphasizes the origin and teleology of natural processes, which appear to be preceded by an internal plan or finality that directs and manages their
Read MorePlato and Aristotle: Contrasting Metaphysics and Epistemology
Plato vs. Aristotle: Ontological Dualism
For Plato, true reality resides in the World of Ideas. For him, the physical world is merely an imitation of these truly real ideas. The World of Ideas comprises concepts that are immutable, eternal, intelligible, and universal (inspired by Parmenides’ characteristics of Being). This world is apprehended through reason; the rational soul comes to know these values.
The physical world consists of sensible things perceived through the senses. These are finite,
Read MoreDescartes and Hume: Contrasting Views on Knowledge and Reality
Descartes’ Rationalism: Foundations of Knowledge
Methodical Doubt and the Cogito
Methodical doubt is applied to all knowledge, as all true knowledge must be differentiated from sleep. That which cannot be doubted is the fact that we think and the ability to do so.
The Existence of God
God is the guarantee of true knowledge. If the subject comes to understand and methodically assured knowledge, they can be sure that their thinking is real, since God cannot deceive us when we act with rationality.
The
Read MorePhilosophical Foundations: Hellenistic Thought and Cartesian Principles
Hellenism: 323 BC – 31 BC
Cynicism
- School founded in Athens
- Accept life according to nature (“like a dog”)
- Despise conventionalisms
- Advocate autarky (self-sufficiency, rejection of material possessions)
Diogenes of Sinope
- Lived in a barrel (cask)
- Performed indecent acts
- Appeared unkempt
- Was exiled
- Lived in poverty
Epicureanism
Epicureanism was a practical philosophy, aiming to heal human suffering. Its primary guidance was to get rid of worries. Epicurus sought to eliminate religious myths and superstitions,
Read MoreKant’s Philosophical Legacy: Reason, Knowledge, and Global Peace
Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason: Synthesizing Knowledge
Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason aims to resolve the long-standing conflict between rationalism and empiricism, demonstrating that all knowledge is a synthesis of both. His theory of transcendental idealism posits that knowledge is not merely about what we experience, but also about the mind’s active role in structuring that experience.
Synthetic Judgments A Priori
Kant argues that scientific and metaphysical methods rely on synthetic judgments
Read MoreAncient Greek Political Thought: Sophists and Plato’s Vision
The Sophists: Education and Political Thought
The Sophists are recognized as the originators of a conscious conception of education. Their educational philosophy had a clear orientation towards the use of critical thinking and personal skills for practical purposes, though this did not exhaust their broader view of education.
From an early age, children in Athens listened to the exploits of gods and heroes from the lips of a slave mother or nanny. This informal instruction was primarily moral in nature,
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