Pre-Socratic Philosophers: Understanding the Cosmos
The assumption that the generation of beings, change, and movement may arise from a single principle, or arche, complicates things. One cannot actually originate the plurality witnessed by the senses, which contradicts the logical-rational information of Parmenides. Empedocles spoke of four elements: Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. Generation and corruption are effects of the mixing or separation of such elements. But why do they come together or separate? This is due to two opposing cosmic forces:
Read MorePlato’s Theory of Ideas: Understanding True Knowledge
Knowledge is unreliable for attaining real knowledge (science or Episteme). The reason is that, if it leads to true knowledge, one must be able to know the ideas: objects that are stable, permanent, eternal, and so on. These will serve to build the concepts of universal knowledge, which is eternal, immutable, objective, strong, and not wrong. Also recognized in the knowledge of reason, in varying degrees of Episteme, is Dianoia, discursive reason, aimed at the mathematical world, which was, according
Read MoreKant’s Ethics of Duty: A Deep Dive into Moral Philosophy
Kant’s Ethics: Duty and Moral Philosophy
The central question of ethics for Kant is what one ought to do. This leads us to consider that morality is directly related to duty, to the question of what should be done and what should be avoided. According to Kant, ethics must be universal; its principles should be valid for all rational beings in an absolute and necessary manner. Morality that is based on the particular experience of a subject has only a contingent and particular value. Morality cannot
Read MoreNietzsche’s Critique of Enlightenment: Nihilism and the Death of God
The Crisis of Enlightenment Reason: Nihilism
Nihilism encompasses all of Western culture: metaphysics, epistemology, anthropology, morality, and religion. Western metaphysics (Platonic-Christian) has created an illusory and unreal world. All of this is a manifestation of humanity’s helplessness to accept life’s irrationality, its blind and senseless path, and therefore, its horror and pain. The same can be said of religion and values.
Nietzsche understands nihilism (from *nihil* = nothing) as the
Read MorePlato’s Allegory of the Cave: Understanding Reality and the Philosopher’s Role
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: Understanding Reality
At the beginning of Book VII of the Republic, Plato presents the Allegory of the Cave. He describes prisoners chained by their feet, hands, and necks, confined to a cave. They are forced to constantly face a wall where shadows are occasionally projected. These shadows are cast by figures passing in front of a small fire, much like a puppet show. The prisoners, trapped in the cave, develop a distorted perception of reality, mistaking the world of
Read MoreUnderstanding Insurance Contracts: Key Elements and Policy Types
The Valuation of Risk in Insurance Contracts
The insurance contract obligates the insurer to pay compensation for damages caused by an accident in exchange for a premium. The contract of insurance is based on the legitimate interest of the insured. It sets with absolute precision the real value of the sum insured or guaranteed. This value can be set as:
- Use value: Established according to the inconvenience incurred by the insured not being able to use the insured asset.
- Custom value: The customary