Kant’s Philosophy: Overcoming Rationalism and Empiricism in the Age of Reason
Immanuel Kant and the Age of Enlightenment (1724–1804)
Immanuel Kant was born in 1724 and died in 1804. His century saw the development of the Enlightenment (Luces).
The 18th Century: Peace, Industry, and Social Change
From a historical standpoint, the 18th century is presented as a century of peace in Europe, situated between the religious wars of the 17th century and the conflicts of the 19th century. The economy, fundamentally based on agriculture, began its revolutionary shift with the Industrial
Read MoreHegel’s Philosophy: Dialectics and Absolute Idealism
Hegel’s Dialectics: Overcoming Dualism
Hegel seeks to overcome the dualism between reason and understanding, between phenomenon and noumenon, and between physical determinism and freedom of conscience. When Hegel speaks of overcoming, he refers to the constant flux of a dynamic, universal reality, where what was true at one time is no longer. The process of overcoming, namely to oppose and fight against elements that are finally reconciled, is called dialectics.
The main law of dialectics is that
Read MoreNietzsche and Plato: Contrasting Philosophies of Western Thought
Nietzsche’s Vitalism vs. Plato’s Idealism
Nietzsche’s 19th-century philosophy, characterized as irrational vitalism, presents an interesting contrast with the rational idealism of Plato (5th-4th century BC). Nietzsche, a professor of Greek at the University of Basel, was a connoisseur of Greek thought. He became a fierce critic of it, considering it the origin and foundation of many evils that have afflicted Western civilization.
Shared Philosophical Ground
Before delving into the significant differences
Read MoreEssential English Vocabulary: Finance, Career & Modern Life
Financial & Career Vocabulary
Key Financial Terms & Concepts
- Inherit: To come into a fortune or money.
- Haggle: To bargain.
- Stock market: A market where stocks and shares are bought and sold.
- Rise: An increase in value or amount.
- Priceless: So precious that its value cannot be determined.
- High-income families: Households with significant earnings.
- Paid on commission: Receiving payment based on sales or performance.
- Go bankrupt: To declare that you are unable to pay your debts.
- Credit card fraud: Illegal
Plato’s Metaphysics: Ideas, Reality, and Knowledge
Platonic Metaphysics: The Theory of Ideas
Plato’s metaphysical theories, known as the Theory of Ideas (or Forms), propose a dualistic reality. For Plato, true knowledge must seek what Parmenides called “what is,” an unchanging and eternal truth that constitutes the true metaphysical structure of reality. This unchanging essence Plato termed an Idea or Form.
Reality is fundamentally divided into two realms:
- The Sensible World: Accessible through our senses, it is the world of physical objects and constant
Mastering English Vocabulary: Precise Definitions & Synonyms
Staunch
Definition 1: Unwavering in Conviction
- Synonyms: intransigent, resolute, unyielding, steadfast
- Antonyms: conciliatory, flexible, yielding, docile
Definition 2: Physically Robust
- Synonyms: strong, powerful, robust, resilient
- Antonyms: weak, feeble, listless, fragile
Gregarious
Definition 1: Sociable and Outgoing
- Synonyms: sociable, communicative, outgoing, convivial
- Antonyms: solitary, withdrawn, aloof, sullen
Adherent
Definition: One Who Follows Others’ Ideas
- Synonyms: fanatic, devotee, zealot, partisan
- Antonyms: