Descartes’ Proof of God and the Material World
The Existence of God
Descartes believes that the thinking self is not perfect, and that it has been established [through] methodical doubt to correct its mistakes, illusions, and inaccuracies. Despite that, the thinking ‘I’ has the idea of perfection. If we are aware that our nature is imperfect, it is because we know what a perfect nature is and we compare ourselves to it. Thus, the idea of perfection is innate in us; the idea of a perfect being: the idea of God.
According to Descartes, this idea
Read MoreCartesian Rationalism vs. Empiricism: Impact on Society
Cartesian Rationalism vs. Empiricism
This article examines the evidence of the thinking subject as the first undoubted truth, a rational, innate evidence that precedes the demonstration of other substances (extended and divine) according to Descartes. Cartesian thinking is, therefore, fully rational, contrasting sharply with the empiricism of another seventeenth-century philosopher, Hume.
The Role of Innate Ideas
Innate ideas play an essential role for Descartes. To build the edifice of knowledge deductively,
Read MoreNietzsche’s Philosophy: Tragedy, Morality, Nihilism
Nietzsche’s Philosophy: Tragedy, Morality, and Nihilism
*The Birth of Tragedy*: Apollonian and Dionysian Forces
In Nietzsche’s The Birth of Tragedy, Apollo symbolizes the principle of individuation, characterized by finished forms and rational limits. Dionysus, conversely, represents the force of life, the incomplete, and the strength of irrational life instincts. In nature and life, both spirits exist in a balance of forces, drawing humans to confront the tragedy and suffering inherent in existence.
Rousseau’s Social Contract: General Will and Citizen Freedom
The general will considers only and exclusively the common interest. It is important to distinguish the general will from the will of all. The general will is not always equal to the will of all. The reason is that the people always want the good, but do not always know what that good is. For this reason, the general will needs the figure of the legislator, whose function is to advise and enlighten the people to know and see their best interest. Only the general will is infallible; it is always
Read MoreKant’s Perpetual Peace: Conditions and Implications
Kant’s Perpetual Peace: A Path to Global Harmony
Perpetual Peace, conceived through a priori knowledge and moral concepts, finds vindication in anticipating major projects like the United Nations. The core aim is to identify the preconditions and final conditions necessary for states to achieve lasting peace. Kant considers this ultimate goal a duty, stemming from reason in the form of a categorical imperative, which paradoxically acknowledges the presence of war.
The Kantian Conception of the Natural
Read MoreMoral Consciousness, Ethics, and Social Norms
Moral Consciousness and Ethics in Society
Understanding Moral and Psychological Consciousness
- Moral consciousness and psychological consciousness: The moral problem arises from psychological consciousness. Choice stems from the awareness of who we are and what we do. The fundamental moral triplet is: consciousness, freedom, and responsibility.
- Moral conscience presupposes psychological consciousness. If a person’s acts were triggered by pressure from instincts or habits, if a person does not consciously