Descartes: Founding Rationalism & Modern Philosophy
Descartes and Rationalism
One of the central achievements of 17th-century Rationalism was the creation of its own sphere, encompassing both reason and its method. It posited a methodical and analytical human reason, capable of understanding and transforming the world. Every thought, therefore, is an action to transform reality. Modernity sought to change everything from the past, separating itself from any authority and founding itself on the rational principles of self-knowledge. Modern science
Read MoreMoral Concepts: Divine, Rational, and Utilitarian Origins
Moral Concepts: Three Main Approaches
1. Divine Command Theory
The first approach is based on divine character, appealing to the existence of one or more gods. This God has revealed their beliefs, and through that revelation, we come to understand what is right and what is wrong. As God told us His will, a creature’s willingness to adhere to God’s will determines their moral compass. This approach assumes a superior being who proclaims what is moral for all, regardless of individual beliefs or religions.
Read MoreNihilism: Understanding Active and Passive Nihilism
Nihilism: Active and Passive Interpretations
Nihilism, in the context of life, can be seen as an expression of decadence. It’s a viewpoint that often stems from cultures believing in an absolute reality where ultimate truth and values reside. Western culture, particularly influenced by Christianity, is argued to be inherently nihilistic because it directs hope towards a non-existent entity (the Christian God, or the Rational World of philosophers), thereby devaluing the tangible reality experienced
Read MoreUnderstanding Moral Theology: Key Concepts and Principles
Understanding Moral Theology: Key Concepts
Key Terms: Law, Natural Law, Eternal Law, Positive Law, Human Acts, Acts of Man, Moral Rectitude, Conscience, Lax Conscience, Scrupulous Conscience, Erroneous Conscience, True Conscience, Antecedent Judgement, Concomitant Judgement, Consequent Judgement, Ascesis, Intrinsic, Immutable, Positivism, Sacred Tradition, Canon Law, Doctrine, Catholic Moral, Freedom, Responsibility, Partial Knowledge, Full Knowledge, Autonomous Morality, Heteronomous Morality, Vincible
Read MoreEthical Philosophers: Vázquez, Aristotle, Einstein, and Balmes
Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez
Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez was a Mexican philosopher, writer, and professor born in Spain. He emigrated to Mexico after the fall of the Second Spanish Republic and adopted an open, critically refreshing version of Marxism. In ethics, he opposed normativism. Notable works include Burning Pulse and Ethics and Politics.
The main theme of his work revolves around the meaning of moral and ethical concepts.
Ethics is closely linked to morality, but the two are not identical and should
Read MoreKant’s Formal Ethics: Autonomy, Duty, and Universal Law
Kant’s Formal Ethics
For Kant, all ethics developed up to his time were material ethics. This is because they were primarily concerned with the consequences, the end result, and the material benefits that could be enjoyed by following a set of rules. In contrast, Kant’s ethics are formal ethics, because he is most interested in the principle that promotes compliance, ensuring that our actions are morally right.
Material ethics are based on standards that Kant considers heteronomous and hypothetical.
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