Kant and Marx: Key Philosophies and Political Thought
The Practical Use of Reason
The practical use of reason must answer the second question of philosophy.
Kantian Formalism: The Categorical Imperative
Kant was the first philosopher who drew a formal ethics, considering earlier ethics (material) inadequate. Material ethics have a content based on something considered a supreme good and ultimate end for human beings.
Formal ethics is an ethics without content aimed at establishing the form that actions must hold. According to Kant, in determining the moral
Read MoreSubjective vs. Objective Meaning of Life
Richard Taylor: Meaning Comes from Within
Richard Taylor claims: “The meaning of life is from within us, it is not bestowed from without, and it far exceeds in both its beauty and permanence any heaven of which men have ever dreamed or yearned for.”
There is no objective meaning to human life because objectivity rejects personal interest or beliefs. Taylor implies that life has meaning under a subjective perspective; value or meaningfulness is met when activities are paired with our will. Hence,
Read MoreSt. Augustine: Philosophy, Faith, and History
Historical Context of St. Augustine
After Alexander the Great’s death, Hellenism emerged, leading to the decline of the Polis and the rise of Stoicism and Epicureanism. The concept of man changed from zoon politikon (a political animal within the city-state) to zoon koinonikos (a social animal of humanity), a citizen of the world. Individuals sought security and happiness. Consequently, moralist schools like Stoicism and Epicureanism (fundamentally important) arose, offering answers to the meaning
Read MoreHuman Evolution and the Uniqueness of Logos
The Nature of Knowledge
The possibility of knowledge is subject to debate. There are six major types of responses:
- Dogmatism: The belief that certain knowledge is attainable.
- Skepticism: The belief that it is impossible to acquire reliable knowledge, as there is never enough evidence to consider something true.
- Subjectivism and Relativism:
- Subjectivism: What is true depends on each individual.
- Relativism: What is considered true or false depends on the culture, time, or group.
- Pragmatism: Identifies truth
Descartes’ Philosophy: A Path to Certainty
Introduction: Descartes’ Discourse on Method
This piece delves into Descartes’ masterpiece, *Discourse on Method*, a philosophical work that seeks to answer every question posed, aiming to find a universal science applicable to all.
The Method (Part II)
Descartes developed a method based on mathematics and logic to achieve true knowledge. It comprises four rules:
- Evidence: Intuitively recognizing something as true, carefully avoiding haste and bias—the two errors of doubt—and accepting only what
Plato’s Philosophy: Knowledge, Soul, and Nature
Plato’s Degrees of Knowledge
Plato distinguishes four degrees of knowledge, divided into two categories: sensitive knowledge (opinion) and intellectual knowledge (science).
Degrees of Opinion:
- Conjecture/Imagination: Knowledge of images and reflections.
- Belief/Faith: Perceptual knowledge of sensible things.
Degrees of Science:
- Reason: Knowledge of mathematical objects.
- Intelligence/Knowledge: Philosophical dialectics; intuitive ascent to the contemplation of Ideas.
Plato’s Dialectic
Plato’s dialectic is
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