Key Concepts in Philosophy: From Plato to Aristotle
Key Philosophical Terms and Concepts
Philosophy: Critical reasoning about ultimate questions. Modus Ponens: If A, then B. A. Therefore, B. Modus Tollens: If A, then B. Not B. Therefore, not A. Analogy: An argument that moves from one specific example to another, reasoning that because the two examples are alike in many ways, they are also alike in one further specific way. Epistemology: The subfield of philosophy that concentrates on what we can know. Metaphysics: The subfield of philosophy that
Read MoreUnderstanding Imputability in Criminal Law
Imputability in Criminal Law
ITEM 17: Imputability
Imputability is the capacity to be deemed guilty. To be guilty, one needs to be, first and foremost, imputable. Unlike guilt, imputability has to do with the author, without reference to the fact. It is not a relationship between the fact and the subject, but rather a pre-existing situation of the subject prior to the act. Imputability is a particular subject’s internal situation, which, in general, has been seen as a particular capacity to be guilty
Hume vs. Kant: Causality Principle Debate
Hume’s Empirical View of Causality
Hume argued that the principle of causality is empirical and a posteriori. It is contingent and not strictly universal, meaning it is logically possible to have exceptions.
Kant’s A Priori Principle of Causality
In contrast, Kant believed that the principle of causality is a priori. It is necessary and strictly universal. For Kant, there can be no derogation from the principle of causality; only the particular causal laws can vary.
Influence of Hume on Kant
Sensory
Read MorePhilosophy: Reality, Knowledge, and Existence
Philosophical Conceptions of Reality
Greek philosophy recognizes the existence of a divine realm and a natural realm, i.e., autonomous ambits, since one is not affected by the other. For the ancient Greeks, something is orderly because something in it always stays the same. Nature, in its essence, is an eternal universe. There is a permanent law governing the process of production and destruction of natural things. The essence remains; the natural produces and destroys some types of things kept in
Read MoreUnderstanding Hume’s Theory of Knowledge
**Relation of Ideas**
Hume points out two types of knowledge: knowledge relationships between ideas and propositions based on experiences. As regards the relations of knowledge of ideas, he says that although all ideas are based on impressions, we have knowledge of ideas without the need for impressions. These formulations are typical of analytics and necessary knowledge. It is the knowledge of logic and mathematics. What we know of ideas is reduced to relationships between ideas based on three principles:
Read MoreNietzsche’s Critique of Religion and the Rise of the Superman
Nietzsche’s Critique of Religion and Morality
1. Critique of Religion and its Morality: Nietzsche criticizes religion and its morality because he sees it as nihilistic. He argues that all religion is false because it relies on transcendent realities. He discusses the necessity of religion, noting that it arises in every culture, seemingly because everyone needs to believe in something. Nietzsche’s genealogical method involves looking for the origin of everything. What is the origin of religious belief?
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