Plato’s Philosophy: Justice, Soul, and the Ideal State
Plato’s Ethics and Politics
When discussing Platonic ethics, it is crucial to note that the individual is entirely dependent on the state. An individual’s behavior is ethically correct when they act as a good citizen, always striving for justice. Justice reigns in the polis (city-state) only if harmony reigns within the soul of the city, and vice versa.
Achieving harmony in the soul is possible only if each of its component parts performs its proper function. Plato distinguishes three parts in the
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Plato’s Philosophy: Foundations and Concepts
Point of Departure: Questioning Reality
Plato’s philosophy begins with a fundamental distrust of sensory experience, leading to three core questions:
- Ontological: What is the true nature of reality? (The reality of the Ideas themselves)
- Epistemological: How do we acquire true knowledge? (True knowledge of Ideas)
- Ethical: What are universal, necessary ideas and values? (Morality)
The Two Worlds
Plato posited the existence of two distinct realms:
The Sensible World
- Perceived
Key Concepts in René Descartes’ Philosophy
René Descartes: Core Philosophical Concepts
René Descartes, born in France in the sixteenth century, studied with the Jesuits and was familiar with atomistic philosophy (Scholasticism).
Descartes’ Method of Rules
Following the collapse of Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophy, Descartes’ fundamental objective was to find a method with clear rules to ensure concrete reasoning and the reconstruction of all human knowledge. His method is based on four rules:
- Rule of Evidence: To accept only what is clear
Ortega y Gasset’s Philosophy: Ratiovitalism, Perspective, and Social Critique
Ratiovitalism
This concept occupies the last stage of Ortega y Gasset’s life. It is a critique of pure rationalism, returning to vitalism to achieve a synthesis where reason and life are united. It denies Cartesian reason, which focuses on the analysis and synthesis of things. Each life is unique and characterized by pure change.
Critical Pragmatism
Ortega’s critical pragmatism focuses on verifying truth. He argues that truth cannot be reduced to a utilitarian standard in knowledge, as truth holds
Read MoreCatholic Social Teaching: Core Principles and Justice Concepts
Core Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
- Human Dignity
- Respect for Life
- Association/Participation
- Call to Family
- Preferential Option for the Poor
- Solidarity
- Subsidiarity
- Stewardship
- Common Good
Understanding Justice
Ensuring everyone receives their dues and is treated with basic human rights.
Four Types of Justice According to Aquinas
- Commutative Justice
- Distributive Justice
- Legal Justice
- Social Justice
Human Dignity
Every human being possesses inherent value and worth.
Respect for Human Life
Life, created by God, is
Philosophical Perspectives on Knowledge and Reality
Dogmatic Knowledge and Early Philosophy
Vulgar and dogmatic beliefs are based on tradition or dogma revealed by a deity. The traditions and dogmas are indisputable, justified by the sacred authority of ancestors or gods. Such knowledge is commonplace because it offers no rational proof for its claims. Dogmatic knowledge is accepted without contention or argument, often rooted in superstitious stories of sorcerers or myths. These narratives accept the existence of supernatural entities that act on
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