Truth, Matter, and Spirit in Philosophy
Introduction
Truth
Truth is a property of certain statements that:
- Match with the world
- Are accepted as valid by a community
- Can be inserted into a system without causing contradiction
Truth exists on three levels:
- The level of the world or reality (scientific study)
- The level of scientific theories about the world (level 1)
- The level of philosophical theories about the world’s true theories (level 2)
Definition of Truth
Definitions, especially of abstract concepts like “truth”, are challenging. Throughout
Read MoreOrtega y Gasset’s Philosophy: Perspectivism, Vital Reason & Life
Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955)
Historical Context
Ortega y Gasset belonged to the Generation of ’14, a group of Spanish intellectuals active in the first half of the 20th century. This period witnessed diverse political shifts in Spain, including the end of the Spanish empire and the rise of the Republic. Internationally, it was a time of great upheaval, marked by the First World War, the Russian Revolution, the Second World War, and the Cold War. Ortega was deeply concerned about Spanish politics, leading
Read MoreEmpiricism: Key Philosophers and Concepts
Empiricism: Concept and Characteristics
Empiricism maintains the thesis that experience is the source of all knowledge, in contrast to rationalism, which posits reason as the primary source. Key characteristics include:
- Rejection of Innate Ideas: All knowledge arises from experience. We can only know what is verifiable through experience. The question of God’s existence is thus meaningless within empiricism.
- Practical Knowledge: Empiricists seek knowledge that aids in practical application. Natural
Globalization, Ethics, Justice, and Rights in Business
Globalization, Ethics, and Justice
Globalization
Globalization is an economic process leading to transnational relationships and creating a global society. It features uniformity in lifestyles, where the search for identity and individualism creates local reflections. This leads to an exaggerated perception of risk and the globalization of problems.
Global Ethics
Global ethics responds to moral problems arising from scientific and technological development, globalization, and modern society’s moral
Read More19th Century Cultural & Philosophical Context: Rise of Nationalism, Liberalism, and Industrial Revolution
Cultural and Philosophical Context of the 19th Century
Cultural History (1859)
Europe in 1859 inherited a political landscape shaped by the Restoration. Throughout the 19th century, this legacy faced challenges from rising nationalism and liberalism. Nationalism, fueled by the Vienna Congress’s land management, spurred unification processes in Germany and Italy, culminating in the German Empire’s proclamation and Rome becoming Italy’s capital. Liberalism, meanwhile, challenged the restored absolute
Read MoreCritique of Pure Reason: A Kantian Perspective
The Enlightenment and Reason
The 18th-century Enlightenment, situated between the English Revolution (1688) and the French Revolution (1789), emphasized reason, tolerance, and empirical observation. Beginning in England with figures like Locke and Newton, the Enlightenment spread to France, where thinkers like Diderot and d’Alembert championed individual rights and social progress through works like the Encyclopédie. In Germany, Kant focused on reason as a system of principles guiding knowledge
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