Mythical vs. Philosophical Knowledge: Concepts & Traits
Mythical Knowledge
Myth is a fantastic story, full of metaphors and symbols, transmitted from father to son or resulting from the collective effort of a group of authors. It explains the origin of the world and answers questions about the hereafter. Myths tell a story from another time; they are timeless. The protagonists are gods, heroes, or supernatural characters who act arbitrarily. The myth reveals an esoteric truth, which a social group interprets and uses to gain privileges. Authority and
Read MoreOrtega y Gasset’s Philosophy: Autonomy, Pantonomy, and Vital Reason
Features of Philosophy According to Ortega y Gasset
The philosopher Ortega y Gasset studied all aspects of the universe and identified some key traits of philosophy:
Autonomy
The philosopher must not accept truths established by other forms of knowledge. They should only admit truths that can be proven with evidence.
Pantonomy or Universalism
While sciences are interested in specific parts of reality, philosophy is interested in the universe in general. It tries to discover the meaning of things, being
Read MoreSaint Augustine: The City of God and True Justice
Commentary on Saint Augustine
Location: Saint Augustine was an author of the late 4th and early 5th centuries. Therefore, he belongs to medieval philosophy, but his thinking stems from the Roman era. He was the great representative of Latin Patristics and the first to develop a philosophy of history. Furthermore, he built one of the great syntheses of Christian philosophy by explaining the precepts of Christianity in light of the philosophy of Plato and Neoplatonism.
Theme: This text reflects the
Read MoreAristotle’s Metaphysics: Matter, Form, Change, and Potentiality
Aristotle’s Metaphysics: Key Concepts
Metaphysics, according to Aristotle, is knowledge or wisdom that surpasses the knowledge acquired through our senses. Wisdom implies going beyond sensible experience, seeking the causes of things. It concerns itself with knowledge at the highest level of abstraction. This abstract knowledge isn’t about the universal and the particular, or the level of sensible things. True wisdom, or metaphysics, is the most abstract and accurate of all sciences.
A central problem
Read MoreEthical Theories: Material and Formal Approaches
Ethical Theories
1. Material Ethical Theories
- Eudaemonism (Aristotle): The ultimate goal of human beings is happiness, achieved through the actualization of reason, our defining characteristic. Goodness is acquired through repeated actions that form habits. Virtuous habits lead to happiness. Virtue lies in the mean, which is objective but also relative to each individual.
- Hedonism (Epicurus): Based on the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. It emphasizes a reflective approach to reality.
Metaphysics and Materialism: Key Concepts
ITEM 5: Reality
1. The Origin of the Term ‘Metaphysics’
The term ‘metaphysics’ first appears in writing in Andronicus of Rhodes’ edition of Aristotle’s works in Rome, at the end of the ancient era. The word titles a piece placed after the works discussing physis (nature), meaning “what comes after physics.” Some interpreters, like Aubenque, argue that this term was already used in the Lyceum, Aristotle’s school, to name these writings.
2. Understanding Metaphysics
- Traditionally, metaphysics addresses