The Human Soul: Nature, Relation to Body, and Immortality
The Affirmation of the Soul
Philosophers who have affirmed the existence of the soul: Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Descartes
The Knowledge of the Immaterial
We know things that are intangible, such as:
- Square root concepts: concepts familiar to us
- Judgments linking those concepts
- The arguments that link these judgments (including the “consequence” – that is, the link of the premises to the conclusion – is something not material).
Intangible objects would not be known if there were not in
Read MoreNietzsche’s Critique of Western Civilization: Morality, Metaphysics, and Science
Nietzsche’s Critique of Western Civilization
Criticisms of Western Civilization
Nietzsche’s philosophy aims to critique the values of Western civilization, which he believed leads to nihilism—the denial of reality. His critique targets dogmatic philosophy, particularly Platonism, which introduced the enduring error of ontological dualism, separating the ideal world from the apparent world. He also criticizes Christian moral philosophy, which adopts Platonism’s structure.
Nietzsche’s critique follows
Read MoreDescartes’ Philosophy: A Quest for Certainty
Building a New Foundation for Philosophy
Descartes sought to establish a secure and universal philosophical system, unlike the fallible systems of the past. He envisioned a philosophy grounded in reason, similar to mathematics, that would be free from particular beliefs and customs. This dream of universal reason marked the beginning of modern rationalism, culminating in the Enlightenment.
The Method of Doubt
To achieve this, Descartes employed the axiomatic method, starting with a self-evident axiom
Read MoreHegel’s Philosophy of Mind & Dialectical Materialism
Hegel’s Philosophy of Mind
Tripartite Analysis of Human Behavior
- Subjective Spirit: Anthropology, phenomenology, and psychology.
- Objective Spirit: Law, morality, and ethics.
- Ethical Life: Family, civil society, and state.
- Maximum Triad: Art, religion, and philosophy.
Dialectical Materialism
Dialectical materialism involves the sudden oppositional movement between thesis and antithesis, governed by these laws:
- Law of reciprocal action of matter and universal connectivity.
- Universal law of change and constant
Ancient Greek Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle
Plato
Plato’s philosophy explores the world’s nature and the problems of humanity, including political, social, metaphysical, epistemological, anthropological, and moral-political issues. He aimed to understand the essence of things, the possibility of knowing that essence, human nature, and the ideal society. Plato synthesized the ideas of Parmenides and Heraclitus, addressing the problem of motion from the Pythagoreans, Socrates’ dualism, and inductive reasoning, while striving for universal definitions.
Read MoreAristotle’s Philosophy: Metaphysics, Ethics, and Politics
Aristotle’s Philosophical Ideas
Wisdom and Experience
In this fragment of Aristotle’s work, there is a concern about wisdom and experience, discerning which is more important. He speaks of recognizing our ignorance to begin philosophizing. In a metaphysical sense, science provides the four causes. It also reflects on the substance of all things, reviewing what earlier philosophers said.
Aristotle considers experience unique and practical, stating it involves knowing what happens. However, knowing is
Read More