Key Pre-Socratic Philosophers and Their Ideas
Unit 1: Pre-Socratic Philosophy
Pre-Socratic philosophy refers to the Greek philosophers who were active before Socrates, or contemporary thinkers who were not influenced by him. They are generally considered the first philosophers in the Western tradition. This period predates Socrates, who significantly shifted the focus of philosophy towards ethics and human knowledge.
These early thinkers primarily focused on cosmology, the nature of the universe (physis), and the fundamental substance or principle
Read MoreKant’s Revolution in Metaphysics and Knowledge
Summary
The analyzed text discusses Kant’s metaphysics and the possibility of its foundation. Kant claims that metaphysics, despite being the basis of all sciences, the first to appear, and potentially the last to be lost, cannot be substantiated or proven using available rational scientific methods. All metaphysical demonstrations must be made a priori and therefore can be misleading. To address this problem, Kant reverses the situation: he makes objects conform to the subject, meaning reality fits
Read MoreEarly Greek Philosophy: Essence, Arche, and Myth to Logos
Core Concepts in Early Greek Thought
Consistency and Essence (Eidos)
Early philosophers grappled with the idea that things possess an inherent consistency. This consistency is what philosophy calls essence (or *eidos* in Greek). The essence of a thing is what makes it truly *possible* despite changes in appearance; it encompasses all the traits that constitute a thing *as it is*. Thus, the first philosophers established opposing concepts:
- Ontologically: essence vs. appearance, permanence vs. change,
Early Greek Philosophy: Pre-Socratics and Socrates
Pre-Socratic Philosophy: The Cosmos
Philosophy historically started with the cosmological period, comprising approximately 600 to 450 BCE. During this period, the main subject matter for philosophers was the cosmos (the universe). They sought answers about how the world originated, seeking to know its raw material or fundamental element. Aristotle called these philosophers ‘physicists’ because they studied physis (nature).
Thales of Miletus
The first philosophical school was established in the city
Read MoreHuman Freedom vs Deterministic and Reductionist Views
Deterministic Perspectives
This section outlines five modalities, all suggesting that humans are not masters of themselves but victims of unseen forces:
- The practice of sorcery.
- A growing interest in horoscopes or astrology.
- Belief in reincarnation.
- Providential Passivity: The mistaken belief among some Christians that everything is fatally determined and imposed by God.
- Social Fatalism: Based on misconceptions about fundamental human equality leading to fatalism.
Psychological Reductionism
Human beings
Read MoreDeconstructing Romantic Love: Analysis of ‘Dear John’
Deconstructing Romantic Love in ‘Dear John’
Hello, my name is Victoria Menendez Simonutti, and I will be presenting my final year project, titled ‘Deconstructing Romantic Love in Dear John’ by Nicholas Sparks.
Introduction
First, I would like to outline the structure of this presentation. It will be approximately 15 minutes long and divided into the following sections: an introductory part (which I am currently delivering), the topic of this project and the reasons for choosing it, the methodology
Read More