Understanding Kant’s Philosophy: Knowledge and Ethics
(1724-1804) lived all his life in Königsberg (in former Prussia). He was a professor at the University of his city, and his thinking was influenced by rationalism and empiricism, making him the most important philosopher of the eighteenth century. In favor of liberal ideals of the Enlightenment, he defended the American Revolution and the French Revolution. He was peaceful and free from all forms of nationalism. His constitution was weak and very methodical, with the accuracy of his schedule allowing
Read MoreUnderstanding Plato’s Philosophy: Ideas, Knowledge, and Ethics
ITEM 2: Plato
1. The Constitution of the Universe
The great Presocratic cosmological system was mechanistic atomism. Plato and Aristotle rejected it because it entailed two implications:
- a) Knowledge of nature was impossible.
- b) The cosmos, the order cannot come from disorder.
The explanation of Plato radically rejects this last point: the order cannot be the haphazard result of disorder. It can only come from an ordering intelligence, which Plato called the Demiurge. The Demiurge acts on the eternal,
Understanding Idealism, Materialism, and Existentialism
Idealism Idealism as a doctrine is opposed to realism, considered as the determining consciousness and nature as non-essentials, as what he faces. They have conducted many classifications, but idealism can be divided into two groups: Objective Idealism, which considers the foundation of reality as spirit (personal/impersonal), a group that may include Eastern philosophies, Plato, Neoplatonism, and is strongly influenced by the mysticism of St. Augustine, the philosophy of the Middle Ages (subject
Read MoreUnderstanding the Morality of Slaves and Masters
Moral of Slaves and Masters
- Moral of Slaves: Christian morality is the result of the rebellion of the slave class. Its measurements “weaken life” and are based on resentment and revenge, extolling the virtues of the weak, which is a synonym for submission. Its features are: passive, not creative, love of neighbor, brotherhood, and tranquility; egalitarianism considers the conscious life of power as “bad”.
- Moral of Lords: This moral exalts life, power, pride, and self-assertion. The good is seen as
Understanding Ortega’s Philosophical Stages and Perspectives
Stage of His Thought An Objectivist (1902-1910): This is the stage of formation, which included his stay in Germany. Ortega published articles only. Concerned about the gap between Spain and Europe, which may only be overcome if one eliminates subjectivism and dominant personality. This method requires critique, rationality, and objectivity. He maintains that one must treat men as things, leading to anti-humanism and objectivism, which he later recanted.
2 Perspectives (1910-1923): In 1913, two very
Read MoreUnderstanding Citizenship: Rights, Duties, and Historical Context
Citizenship is a broad concept that is closely related to society, politics, law, employment, and ethics. It is defined theoretically and practically, progressively extending its meaning. “Being a citizen” status is expressed by recognizing the individual embedded in a community with certain rights and duties in their relations with others and with the state. Socially, the citizen has certain rights and duties in their social relationships with others within civil society and a particular physical
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