Human Nature: Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives
1. A Rational Animal
Greek philosophy attributed to human beings the opportunity to think and appreciate this feature as one of the most distinctive of humanity. Rationalism posits that reason is the only source of knowledge and rejects faith. Vitalism considered reason as the source of all problems of Western culture, claiming the importance of life, freedom, and chance.
2. An Animal That Is Moved
Psychic life is full of affection. All human experiences have an emotional component. You cannot live
Read MoreThe Genesis of Homo Aestheticus: Body, Senses, and Art
The Emergence of the “Aesthetic Reason” in Humanity: The Genesis of Homo Aestheticus
The emergence of the “aesthetic reason” in humanity: the genesis of Homo aestheticus from the emergency body, phylogenetic, sentient, and mover. The body is the most remarkable creation of the sensitive and delicate, which has the power to unfold visibly in the flesh and concrete world, and the flesh of my body and sentient. It is, therefore, an important natural body. It is light because we can see the world, and
Read MoreAristotle’s Philosophy, Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory, and Moral Development
Aristotle’s Theory
Aristotle’s theory is also dualist (body and soul). He thought that the soul is the essence of being human and that body and soul were united. He distinguishes three types of soul:
- Vegetative: Responsible for survival and reproduction functions. This type of soul coincides with that of plants.
- Sensitive: Has the ability to perceive sensitive qualities, regulate memory, and control mobility. Animals possess both the vegetative and sensitive souls.
- Rational: Regulated by reason. Humans
Analysis of the Communist Manifesto: Bourgeoisie vs Proletariat
Communist Manifesto
Chapter I: Bourgeois and Proletarians
The text starts by developing the idea that the history of human society is a history of class struggles between oppressor and oppressed classes. Human society today tends to be divided between two antagonistic classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat.
After this, it is a historical review from the last times of feudal society to the “modern bourgeois society,” finding in the economic development the thread that explains the radical political and
Read MoreArchaic vs. Rational Thought: Philosophy and Science
Archaic Thinking
Historically, humans relied on archaic thinking, where the world and its events were enigmas. Decisions were based on faith, imagination, and the value of tradition. This was common until about 2500 years ago.
Distinctive features of archaic thinking:
- Unfounded thought: Limited to making unsubstantiated claims without any demonstration.
- Uncritical thinking: Did not provide reasons for itself, nor did it explain or analyze its methodology.
- Anthropomorphic character: Explained the world
Key Concepts in Descartes’ Philosophy
Reason in Descartes’ Philosophy
Reason is Descartes’ criterion of truth. It is the faculty that allows us to distinguish truth from error and to establish correct judgments. According to Descartes, reason is autonomous, infallible, unique, and powerful, and it must follow the mathematical model to arrive at truth.
Knowledge and Method
Knowledge is the basic concern of Cartesian philosophy; the discovery of the truth by drawing on the right track with an appropriate method. For Descartes, reason has
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