Protecting LGBTQI+ Youth: Ending Harmful Practices & Discrimination
In some countries, young LGBT persons are subjected to harmful so-called ‘therapies’ intended to ‘modify’ their orientation or identity. Such therapies are unethical, unscientific, and ineffective and may be tantamount to torture. Young transgender people also lack access to recognition of their gender identity and are subjected to abusive procedures, such as sterilization or forced treatment.
In addition, intersex children and young people may be subjected to medically unnecessary, irreversible
Read MoreHobbes vs. Locke: Contrasting Social Contract Theories
Hobbes believed that the authority limits us (e.g., strong man + apple, kill), which is reflected in his famous phrase: “Man is a wolf to man.” According to Hume, man has a natural tendency to be afraid of something powerful. Instead, Hobbes argues that by failing to adhere to religion or positive law in the natural state, there is a continuing struggle between men, creating a condition of fear and insecurity. This fear leads to the formation of a social contract, delegating power to a king with
Read MoreGreek Philosophy: Rationality, Politics, and Human Nature
The Greeks: The Rational Animal
The Homeric Hero
Philosophical thought emerged in Greece as a tool to explain reality. Before philosophical reason, everything was explained through myths. Myths presented a model where anthropomorphic gods had human traits, and heroes, immortals, and demigods (sons of a god and a woman) were examples of virtue to be followed. However, human life was conditioned by the capricious will of the gods and other external powers.
The Man in Greek Philosophy
From the sixth century
Read MorePlato’s Philosophy: Political, Ethical, Anthropological, and Knowledge Theories
Plato’s Core Philosophical Theories
Plato, a Greek philosopher of the fourth century BC, developed his ideas through dialogues, heavily influenced by his teacher Socrates. Other influences include Heraclitus, Parmenides, and Pythagoras. His theories encompass political, ethical, and anthropological thought, as well as the theory of knowledge and ideas.
Political Theory
Plato’s political theory, significantly influenced by Socrates (who believed knowledge and virtue are intertwined), is based on the
Read MoreFreedom, Will, and Responsibility: A Philosophical Analysis
Nation and Free Will
Human beings possess the power to autogovernarnos and make our own decisions.
Freedom
Freedom: is not just the ability to go or come in or out, but the ability and choice. It is typical of our actions.
Will
Will: is the ability to choose after deliberating (to consider all the possibilities before choosing one.)
Intelligence
Intelligence: is what allows us to understand reality.
Why Do We Act?
Reason
Reason: is the justification we have for doing something.
Orders
Orders: are actions we
Read MoreBrave New World: Character Analysis
Brave New World: Key Characters
Bernard Marx
An Alpha male who fails to fit in due to his inferior physical stature. He holds unorthodox beliefs about sexual relationships, sports, and community events. His insecurity about his size and status makes him discontented with the World State. Bernard’s surname recalls Karl Marx, the nineteenth-century German author best known for writing Capital, a monumental critique of capitalist society. Unlike his famous namesake, Bernard’s discontent stems from