Nietzsche’s Critique of Western Metaphysics and Culture
Explanation of the Terms Underlined
Unit: This means that reality, the world, has a single principle from which it originates. While our senses can perceive many different things in reality, all are reduced to the unit, be it *physis* (nature), substance, etc. All philosophers who believe that the unit exists deny the reality of movement. However, that is precisely what is expressed by the other concept.
Becoming: A term that designates the self as a process, and that includes every change: movement,
Read MoreMetaphysical Concepts: Ontology, Epistemology, and God
Metaphysical Knowledge
Topics in Metaphysics
- The truth, knowledge, soul, God, good, evil, freedom, reality, death, the meaning of life, etc.
- Metaphysics is “the science that seeks” and studies knowledge which is not science.
Large Regions of Metaphysical Knowledge
- Ontology: theory of reality in general
- Gnoseology or theory of knowledge: theory of the knowing subject
- Ethics: Theory of human action
Ontology
- The material object is the set of all beings.
- The formal purpose is to study what they all have in common:
Exploring Determinism, Free Will, and Moral Action
Determinism and Physical Determinism
Determinism within “physical determinism”: This thesis consists of 2 types of determinism:
- Material: The universe is composed of physical atoms, endowed with permanent mass, only differing in position and relationship (Newton).
- Mechanical: The physical state of the universe at a particular time is determined by the state of the universe at any other time. Therefore, one could predict that state. For example, astronomy provides examples: knowing the position of the
Saint Augustine: Faith, Reason, and the City of God
Saint Augustine: Faith and Reason
The relationship between reason and faith arises when philosophy and Christianity intersect. Philosophy seeks knowledge through reason, while Christianity is based on faith. These two may not always align, requiring a distinction between matters of faith and reason. Saint Augustine believed that both faith and reason should work together to lead us to truth. He opposed the idea that faith is against reason, arguing that faith encourages and promotes reason: “I think
Read MoreSt. Thomas Aquinas: Proofs of God’s Existence & Moral Philosophy
St. Thomas Aquinas on God and Morality
According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the existence of God is a natural knowledge in humans, which can be reached through the proper use of reason and logic, even without Christian Revelation or an act of faith. Reason, when addressed logically and scientifically, can attain certainty of God’s existence, as well as the immortality and spirituality of the soul. These two statements are called, the preambles of faith.
Reason precedes faith and philosophy precedes theology,
Read MoreEthical Thinking, AI, and the Digital Age: Key Concepts
Avoiding Ethical Thinking
Here are three ways people often avoid ethical thinking:
- Flying by instinct: Acting on gut feelings without considering the ethical implications, which can lead to poor decisions. For example, not helping a friend because you feel too busy, without considering the importance of support.
- Off-hand self-justification: Quickly making excuses for actions without thinking about whether they are right or wrong. For instance, taking office supplies home, thinking, “The company has