Aristotle, Politics, and Ethics of Saint Augustine
Aristotle: Historical and Sociocultural Framework
Historical and Sociocultural Framework: A period where significant political changes occurred. The Greek polis suffered a decline in political power compared to the previous century, due to the Medical Wars and clashes between Greek cities (Athens, Sparta, etc.) in the Peloponnesian Wars. This continued with the invasion of Macedonia by Philip II and ended when Alexander the Great, son of Philip II, unified all of Greece under his command. He then
Ethics and Politics: Comparing Plato and Aristotle
Some of the similarities we find between Plato and Aristotle are the connection between ethics and politics. The Platonic ruler must be wise, and wisdom links ethics and politics. In addition, the division into social classes recalls the three parts of the soul, each of which should seek to achieve its corresponding virtue.
For Aristotle, the relationship between ethics and politics is clear. If ethics is to provide a model of happiness, the proper purpose of politics is precisely to organize the
Read MoreKant and the Enlightenment: Philosophy, Science, and Reason
Kant and the Enlightenment
In the eighteenth century, some European monarchs embraced enlightened despotism. Prussia, Kant’s homeland, experienced great prosperity and annexed smaller states, contributing to the unification of Germany. Frederick II the Great, the most important king of Prussia, displayed intellectual gifts, engaged in governance, and maintained contact with French Enlightenment philosophers. Kant supported him.
Kant lived during the great revolutions of the eighteenth century. Britain
Read MoreMyth vs. Logos: A Philosophical Journey Through Time
Myth vs. Logos: A Philosophical Perspective
Myth: Myth embodies personification and deification through stories. World events depend on gods acting capriciously. Objects acquire properties based on their nature.
Logos: In contrast to the arbitrariness of myth, logos emphasizes necessity. Events happen when, where, and how they must. Logos uses ordered laws to create a cosmos from chaos. In logos, appearance aligns with the essence of unchanging reality.
Myth causes distress and ignorance about the
Read MoreUnderstanding Kantian Formalism and Medieval Citizenship
Kantian Formalism
Kantian formalism posits that a moral action is an end in itself, not a means to an end. Its ethical value lies in being based on duty. Kant’s aim is to identify the essence of morality, what makes an action moral. He seeks to understand what constitutes good and bad. He concludes that good deeds are done with goodwill.
Goodwill
For Kant, goodwill is inherently good. It ensures that someone tries to act in the best way. This concept has been criticized, but Kant develops a morality
Read MoreJohn Locke: Empiricism and Political Liberalism
Locke’s philosophy must be understood in the context of the Enlightenment movement, which he helped initiate in England. His empiricism leads to a moderate skepticism about the nature of things, advocating for intellectual tolerance. His political liberalism proposes that society should be organized through a social pact or contract to respect individual rights.
Locke’s Theory of Ideas
Locke famously stated, “There is nothing in the human mind that has not been received by the senses.” This highlights
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