Glossary of Philosophical and Anthropological Terms
A
Accidental Property: Quality that completes or perfects an object or being but is not essential.
Acculturation: Process by which the members of a culture incorporate the features of a different culture.
Anthropocentrism: Doctrine that positions human beings at the center of philosophical reflection.
Anthropologic Dualism: Philosophical doctrine that claims that human beings are made up of two realities: body and mind.
Anthropomorphism: The attribution of human characteristics and properties to non-
Read MoreAristotle’s Philosophy: Theory of Knowledge, Ethics, and Politics
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
Aristotle agrees with Plato that true scientific knowledge should be fixed, but differs in:
1 –
Scientific knowledge is not about ideas but about the essences of things.
2 –
Plato only recognizes as valid the knowledge of reason which leads to ideas, Aristotle also admits to the senses as a source of knowledge.
3 –
Plato admits the real existence of separate ideas of individuals. In this theory called exaggerated realism. Aristotle does not support the existence of ideas apart from
Read MorePhilosophical Concepts and Thinkers
Social Contract Theory
Hobbes
The instinct of self-preservation provokes fighting, which necessitates societal order. The social contract, as a mutual agreement, aims to mitigate this conflict. The first step is to “give up” the freedom to undermine others, and the second is to “transfer” individual rights that impede peace to the state.
Leviathan
Hobbes named his concept of the state after the Leviathan, a biblical sea monster. It is an “artificial man,” higher and stronger than any other, designed
Read MoreOrtega y Gasset’s Philosophy: Principles, Influences, and Key Concepts
OYG thought in his work entitled “What is philosophy?
“ defines this discipline as “the radical study of the entire universe, and presents some main features, in turn, help to clarify the definition above.
A) Principle of autonomy :
following Descartes, Ortega maintains that the philosopher can not borrow the truths conquered by other knowledge, at least as regards the foundations of philosophical inquiry must accept as true only what he shows himself with evidence. It is precisely this desire for
Read MoreEthics and Religion: A Guide to Choosing Good
How You Orient Religion
The desire for immortality and the search for ultimate meaning that goes beyond all pain and any limitation are two constants in human history, both individually and collectively. The answer is religious. The authentic response is the invitation to happiness and consolation. In religions, there are some rules, but that is not their main feature: they are the best initial level of religiosity. When the legal aspect of religion is exceeded, humans conceive of and accept the
Read MoreProfessional Ethics: A Guide to Moral Principles and Actions
What is Professional Ethics?
Professional ethics derives from general ethics. Its objective is to apply general ethical principles to the specific activities of each profession.
The Concept of Ethics
Ethics is the systematic and orderly study of the morality of human actions. It is a theory-practice discipline:
- Theoretical: Knowing what is good.
- Practical: Applying that knowledge to guide good actions.
Moral Dimension of Human Actions
Human actions originate from intellect and will and must have freedom.
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