Philosophy: Core Distinctions and Historical Periods
Philosophy vs. Religion
Philosophy differs significantly from religion primarily because philosophy does not rely on revealed knowledge. Philosophical knowledge is acquired through rational reflection on human experience and history, using reason as its primary tool. We understand concepts in philosophy because we can reason about them. In contrast, religion often involves knowledge based on faith rather than reason; one accepts certain truths based on trust in a revealed source, even if they are
Read MoreCore Concepts in Plato: Metaphysics, Knowledge, and Politics
Plato’s Metaphysics: Two Worlds (Ontology)
Plato argues for the existence of two distinct realms of reality, a concept known as ontological dualism.
The Intelligible World (World of Ideas)
This realm is the true reality, populated by the Forms or Ideas.
- Ideas are the arche (origin and essence) of all things.
- Ontological characteristics of Ideas: They are eternal, immutable, universal, perfect, independent, self-subsistent, abstract, and intangible.
- Humans cannot perceive Ideas directly through the senses;
Values, Rights, Duties, and Moral Development
Understanding Values
Values are:
- Projects and ideals that human beings want to notice, search for, and desire.
- Personal options that are chosen and acquired through the free exercise of will.
- Beliefs attached to the personality of human beings, an important part of their identity.
- Indicators that guide the life, conduct, and behavior of people.
Types of Values
Guide values or large values include peace, freedom, justice, equality, and solidarity. We also have other values such as:
- Aesthetic values: beauty,
Kant’s Philosophy: Metaphysics, Freedom, Knowledge
Kant’s Metaphysics: The Ideas of Reason
Reason is a faculty of the subject and contains three ideas:
- The I: Makes us think of the only explanation for all knowledge of internal experiences.
- The World: Makes us think of the ultimate explanation for all external knowledge and experiences.
- God: The root of all that is (internal and external experiences).
When we use these ideas, we engage in metaphysics. This is not the same as empirical knowledge, but rather the thought that Kant says is true for three
Read MoreDescartes’ Legacy: Mathematization, Reason, and Modernity
Mathematization and Scientific-Technological Development
The Discourse on the Method proposes a method and a criterion, believing we are heirs to mathematics. Descartes thought that thus all sciences would achieve similar certainty. Certainty is a characteristic that mathematization possesses, having permeated all fields of Western science. From Cartesian axes to the design of particle accelerators, the same parameters are followed:
The Real is That Which Can Be Mathematized
Knowledge of things is
Read MoreUnderstanding Kant’s Epistemology and Metaphysics
Kant .1. Epistemology (Critique of Pure Reason) The conditions that enable the laws are judgments (uttered statements). Critique of Pure Reason: Aesthetic I. Transcendental, pure forms used to explain mathematics and science. The sensitivity is used to sort data in existence (data of the senses (empirical), pure forms of sensibility (space, which allows us to explain the outside and while enabling us to explain the internal order of experience) who are a priori). II. Transcendental Analytic, which
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