Plato and Aristotle: Contrasting Metaphysics and Epistemology

Plato vs. Aristotle: Ontological Dualism

For Plato, true reality resides in the World of Ideas. For him, the physical world is merely an imitation of these truly real ideas. The World of Ideas comprises concepts that are immutable, eternal, intelligible, and universal (inspired by Parmenides’ characteristics of Being). This world is apprehended through reason; the rational soul comes to know these values.

The physical world consists of sensible things perceived through the senses. These are finite,

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Descartes and Hume: Contrasting Views on Knowledge and Reality

Descartes’ Rationalism: Foundations of Knowledge

Methodical Doubt and the Cogito

Methodical doubt is applied to all knowledge, as all true knowledge must be differentiated from sleep. That which cannot be doubted is the fact that we think and the ability to do so.

The Existence of God

God is the guarantee of true knowledge. If the subject comes to understand and methodically assured knowledge, they can be sure that their thinking is real, since God cannot deceive us when we act with rationality.

The

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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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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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