Western Philosophy: Core Concepts from Aquinas to Rousseau
Thomas Aquinas: Key Philosophical Concepts
Reason and Faith
Reason and faith are distinct but complementary paths to truth. Theology, guided by faith, helps discern the truth of statements.
The Five Ways (Proofs for God’s Existence)
Aquinas proposed five arguments for the existence of God:
- Motion: Everything in motion was put in motion by something else, leading to a First Mover.
- Efficient Cause: Every effect has a cause, leading to a First Cause.
- Contingency and Necessity: Contingent beings depend on
Human Rights: Foundations, Evolution, and Contemporary Issues
The Evolution of Human Rights Ethics
In the aftermath of the disasters of World War II and the impact of the Jewish Holocaust by the Nazis, new ethics based on dialogue and communication emerged. Notably, Jürgen Habermas raised the ethics of duty, in which, unlike Kant, universality is achieved through dialogue. These rules acquire universal validity when their creation is achieved through this process based on communication, or if all those affected participate in the dialogue. Habermas’ ethics
Read MoreUnderstanding Plato: Life, Works, and Core Concepts
Chapter 3: Plato’s Philosophy
1. Biography
Born in 427 BC in Athens into an aristocratic family. Plato initially aspired to public life. He agreed with Socrates that there was a need to reform society, but later proclaimed that Athenian politics was so corrupt that it was able to condemn Socrates to death. He then dedicated himself to travel, notably in Sicily, where he connected with the Pythagoreans. Plato founded the Academy, a gathering place for friends and followers, which served as the first
Read MoreNietzsche’s Philosophy: A Critique of Western Values
Nietzsche’s Critique of Western Culture
Nietzsche’s philosophy is a profound critique of Western culture, as all its manifestations reveal a decadent life, unable to advance or draw new goals for humanity. For him, life is the will to power, an unconscious impulse in all living things to improve and advance. This will to power, as he defines it, opposes the idea that living beings are characterized by a preservation instinct. Such an instinct, he argues, leads to stagnation and decay, representing
Read MoreZooco Design Interview: Architecture & Interior Design Role
Zooco Design Interview: Architecture & Interior Design
Candidate Introduction & Background
Employer’s Welcome & Zooco Overview
Employer: Good morning, my name is Ana and I am the Director Manager of Zooco. As you know, this company, based in architecture and design, is mostly dedicated to creating peaceful environments for big companies like, for example, a restaurant or an office. To start the interview, I would like to know a little about you.
Applicant’s Profile & Qualifications
Applicant:
Modern Philosophy: Origins, Scientific Impact, and Key Currents
Modern Philosophy: 15th to 18th Centuries
From the 15th century, a process of historical, social, and cultural change occurred in Europe, leading to what is known as modernity. Modern thought emerged in open confrontation with medieval religious culture, radically changing attitudes toward reality and the human relationship with it.
The Scientific Revolution (16th and 17th Centuries)
The Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries marked the definitive break with the Greco-Medieval worldview.
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