Philosophical 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,

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Kant’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

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Ancient 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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Financial Derivatives: Futures, Options & Credit Essentials

Concept of Financial Derivatives

Financial derivatives are sophisticated financial products derived from other underlying assets. They serve as hedging instruments to manage or profit from variations in the price of an asset, which in turn depends on other financial variables over time.

Understanding Derivative Markets

Futures markets are term markets for financial assets where the sale price of an asset is contracted in advance for delivery at an agreed future time.

Financial options markets involve

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Boost Your English: Core Skills Development

Contextual Vocabulary Practice

Use each sentence to help you understand the meaning of each underlined word or phrase.

  1. Take a piece of fruit to munch on during your commute. (eat)
  2. If you like to eat meat, trim all visible fat. (cut off)
  3. Use “lite” dairy products which are low-fat and better for your health. (not fatty)
  4. Cut down on portion size so you don’t eat too much unhealthy food. (Eat smaller portions)

“There Is” or “There Are” Exercises

Complete each sentence or question with a form of there is or

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Social Psychology Essentials: Group Dynamics & Influence

Why Milgram Experiment Results Were Unpredictable

The results of the Milgram experiment were difficult to predict due to a fundamental attribution error. Researchers and participants alike underestimated the powerful influence of the situation and overestimated the role of individual personality traits in determining behavior.

Conformity vs. Obedience: Key Differences

While both conformity and obedience involve yielding to social pressure, they differ in several key aspects:

  • Conformity: The pressure
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Capitalism & Market Principles: Essential Economic Concepts

Core Principles of Capitalism

Voluntary exchange is a second characteristic of capitalism, defined as the voluntary act of buyers and sellers freely and willingly engaging in market transactions.

Another major feature of capitalism is private property rights, which allow people to own and control their possessions as they wish. Private property gives people the incentive to work, save, and invest.

The Profit Motive

The profit motive is the incentive to improve one’s material well-being.

Profit Defined

Profit:

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Key Concepts of Transformative Eras: Science, Enlightenment, Industry

The Scientific Revolution

Geocentric Theory

An Earth-centered view of the universe.

Heliocentric Theory

The theory that the Sun is at the center of the universe.

Galileo Galilei

A scientist who was forced by the Catholic Church to retract scientific ideas that conflicted with the Church’s doctrine.

Scientific Method

A logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas.

Isaac Newton

A scientist renowned for discovering the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Devised a model of the universe

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Understanding Core Concepts & Crafting Professional Emails

Philosophical & Political Concepts: Key Definitions

Delve into foundational ideas that have shaped ethical and political thought throughout history. Each concept offers a unique perspective on human behavior, societal structures, and the pursuit of a just life.

Moral Conscience: Guiding Ethical Behavior

The inherent moral sense that directs our actions toward what is right and enables us to judge deeds as good or bad.

Morality: Defining Good and Evil

The established set of judgments concerning what

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Achieving Excellence: Quality Control & TQM Strategies

Quality Control: A Survival Factor

Quality is a crucial survival factor in a globalized world.

Stages of Quality Evolution

  1. Screening: Controlling final products (departmental control).
  2. Statistical Monitoring: Ensuring product specifications are met.
  3. Quality Assurance: Implementing documentation systems like ISO 9000.
  4. Total Quality Management (TQM): Fostering a culture of continuous improvement through attitude and behavior.

The Deming Cycle: Plan-Do-Check-Act

The core principle: Plan, Do, Check, Act.

Modern

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