Core Concepts in Scientific Methodology and Epistemology
Definition of Methodology
Methodology is the science that analyzes the way other sciences analyze science. It can be understood as meta-logos, meaning ‘above science’.
Types of Methodologies
- General: Focuses on commonalities (about identity) across all sciences.
- Specific: Examines differences in sciences, recognizing that not all methods can be used in all scientific fields.
The Methodenstreit Debate
This debate concerns the unity of scientific methods:
- Monists: Claim there is a single methodology for
Francesco Calasso’s Legal History: Statism & Medieval Law
Francesco Calasso: Statism and Medieval Legal Thought
The pervasive influence of psychological statism is clearly evident in the work of legal philosophers themselves. Figures like Capograssi and Cesarini Sforza enthusiastically embraced Romano’s proposals, striving to imbue them with a proper philosophical foundation.
Calasso’s Incisive and Liberating Presence
Francesco Calasso’s presence in legal scholarship was both incisive and liberating. Drawing upon the highest lessons of Italian idealism, he
Read MoreFoundations of Logic and Philosophical Knowledge
The Principles of Logic
Logic is an essential instrument that ensures the proper functioning of reason. It is defined as the branch of philosophy dedicated to identifying and validating the forms of thought. Since reasoning is the fundamental way of thinking, logic can be understood as the philosophical discipline that aims to establish formally valid reasoning.
Understanding Arguments in Logic
An argument is a procedure where, starting from a set of comprehensive propositions and utilizing the relationships
Read MoreCore Philosophical Concepts Explained
Fundamental Philosophical Concepts
Pre-Rational Ideas & Justification
These concepts often precede or underpin rational thought:
- Theoretical Justification: The basis for understanding.
- Imagination: A key faculty in forming ideas.
- Grounded Understanding: Comprehending the whole tradition.
- Ultimate Justification: The final and justifying principle.
- Supernatural: Concepts beyond natural explanation.
- Arbitrariness: Lack of inherent reason or order.
- Symbolic: Representation through symbols.
Core Characteristics
Read MoreUnderstanding Personality, Ethics, and Human Rights
Understanding Personality: Character vs. Temperament
Your personality defines your unique way of being. It comprises two main components: character and temperament.
Can You Change Your Personality?
You can change your character, which is acquired through your habits and actions. It’s shaped by what you do and how you behave. However, you cannot change your temperament, as it is innate and genetically determined.
Example: Hyperactivity and Personal Growth
For instance, a student might have a hyperactive
Read MoreHuman Thought & Reality: Discourses of Understanding
Humanity: Thought, Language, and Symbolic Expression
Human beings are unique because they are fundamentally thinking animals. While other animals perform various actions, only humans possess the capacity for complex thought and language, enabling them to translate their experiences symbolically.
Through linguistic thought, humans acquired and transmitted knowledge and skills, crucial for survival against dangers and success in hunting and gathering. Only humans can speak, reason, and imagine the future.
Read More