Kant’s Philosophy: Ethics, Future, and Metaphysics
Kant’s Categorical Imperative and Moral Action
What should I do? Instead of pursuing an end, Kant’s ethics focuses on the duty that dictates how we should act. Using a categorical imperative, which is universal, practical reason tells us how we should behave. A moral action is one guided by reason and good will, acting out of duty and respect for the moral law. According to Kant’s categorical imperative (an absolute and unconditional order), we should “act according to that maxim that you want
Read MoreFormal and Informal Logic: Understanding Arguments
Understanding Logic and Arguments
Logic deals with the art of reasoning and the principles of good reasoning. Logic is the science of analysis:
- Formal logic: Analyzes the structure of arguments, focusing on syntactic aspects.
- Informal logic: Examines the correct way to argue.
Formal Logic
A general debate is usually made up of sentences: premises and conclusions. All these are proposals. Logic deals with the formula; therefore, by what standards can we distinguish what is valid and what is not? Reasoning
Read MoreUnderstanding Democracy: From Ancient Greece to Modern Systems
Democracy: From Ancient Greece to Modern Systems
Democracy is a government of the people, where those who are held accountable are chosen by the people. Representatives must be from the legitimate majority. It originated in Athens, where citizens met and deliberated. However, there are a series of differences and similarities between Greek democracy and today’s democracy.
Differences Between Athenian and Modern Democracy
- Athenian communities were compact and homogenous.
- Athenians understood the state
Plato’s Dualism: Sensible vs. Intelligible Worlds
Plato’s Theory of Forms
According to Plato, Heraclitus would have argued that sensible objects are subject to constant change and various movements that make it impossible for something to be equal to itself. Parmenides believed that plurality and change were deceptive appearances of sense, and that being, the authentic fact, is ungenerated, homogenous, immutable, and imperishable. On the other hand, the Sophists advocated epistemological skepticism and relativism. Plato shows us a Socrates who seeks
Read MoreNietzsche: Modern Consciousness, Values, and Themes
Nietzsche, Freud, and Marx exemplify what has been called the crisis of modern consciousness. They are especially critical of the values of modernity, that is, reason, science, and progress.
Vocabulary of Nietzsche
- Apollonian: Symbolically expresses the more orderly and rational aspects of people’s lives.
- Body: Has primacy over thought; it is what gives us the reference points for understanding reality.
- Dionysian: Symbolically expresses the irrational, impulsive, instinctive aspect of people.
- Moral:
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Human Traits: Biological Plasticity, Senses, and Cultural Evolution
Human Characteristics
The traits that typify the human being are four:
- The first is standing, which has its pros and cons. It frees our upper extremities and allows for the relocation of the vocal cords to produce speech and also relocates the brain. The disadvantage is that it leaves our most sensitive parts exposed.
- The second feature is prehensility, which is the ability to grasp with the hand.
- The third feature is neoteny. This means that our species is born prematurely. When we are born, our brain