The Mind-Body Problem in Philosophy: Exploring the Relationship Between Mental and Physical Phenomena
VI – The Mind-Body Problem
VI.1. Mind and Body
VI.1.1. The Mental and Physical Distinction
We owe the mental-physical distinction as we currently understand it to René Descartes (1596-1650). For him, the physical is res extensa (extended substance) and the mental is res cogitans (thinking substance). In philosophy of mind, the fact that something is considered physical does not imply that it is not mental. Some theories claim that mental phenomena are physical (physicalism), while others claim that
Read MoreUnderstanding Global Business Ethics: A Practical Approach
Chapter III: Ethics in Global Business
Understanding Ethical Standards
Ethics are moral standards, not governed by law, that focus on the human consequences of actions. They often require behavior that meets higher standards than those established by law, including selfless behavior rather than calculated action intended to produce a tangible benefit. Ethics can sometimes conflict with individual and corporate self-interest.
Ethics are a product of a society’s culture, encompassing its traditions,
Read MoreMoral Autonomy vs. Heteronomy: Exploring Ethical Relativism and Absolutism
Moral Autonomy, Relativism, and Subjectivism
The word autonomy is composed of two words: auto, which means “self”, and nomos, which means “law or rule”. Autonomy consists of the free imposition of moral norms for ourselves. Moral autonomy is pointed towards human freedom. To be autonomous means to choose what we do and how we act.
For Immanuel Kant, individuals must be morally autonomous. People must have their own rules as long as they maintain a universal maxim: “Never do what you do not want done
Read MoreExploring Key Ethical Theories: A Comprehensive Overview
Chapter 1: Ethics and Ethical Reasoning
Key Concepts
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Normative Claim | In philosophy, normative statements affirm how things should or ought to be, how to value them, which things are good or bad, and which actions are right or wrong. |
| Aesthetics | The study of beauty and art. |
| Argument | A set of statements, one of which (the conclusion) is supported by the others (the premises). |
| Conclusion | The statement that is supported by the premises in an argument. |
| Premise | A statement that supports the conclusion |
Key Events That Shaped Canada’s National Identity
A Nation Forged: Key Events in Shaping Canada’s Identity
In 1867, the nation we know as Canada was born. Today, Canada stands as a free and independent nation, a tapestry woven from diverse nationalities and a history spanning centuries. Through pivotal events and legislation, Canada has evolved politically, economically, and socially. Events like the Confederation Act, the Official Languages Act, and the Constitution Act have profoundly shaped Canada’s independence and national identity.
The Official
Read MoreTheological & Philosophical Perspectives on Politics & Order
What Might Thomas Aquinas Say About the Canadian Charter Myth?
The Canadian Charter Myth emphasizes the Charter as a unifying common conception of the good. However, Thomas Aquinas would likely argue the following points:
- Friendship with God: Aquinas believed that only a friendship with God can achieve the right kind of conception of the good, not a legal document like the Charter.
- Individualism vs. Social Beings: The Charter’s focus on individualism would be critiqued by Aquinas, who believed humans