Early Greek Philosophers: Miletus, Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Parmenides
The School of Miletus
Ionia (Asia Minor) in the 6th century BC, was the first cradle of philosophy.
Thales initiated philosophy. He and his disciples, Anaximander and Anaximenes, began to question the value of mythical explanations, which they considered arbitrary, and sought logical, necessary explanations. They were the first to start the transition from myth to logos. They sought to answer questions by searching in nature for the necessary causes of phenomena and trying to find a law from which
Read MoreHuman Understanding of Life and Reality
The Human Need to Understand Life’s Meaning
One thing seems clear: unlike animals that spend their lives consumed by the constant procurement of subsistence, humans cannot be content merely to live. We need to find meaning in life. We need to understand why we live and what is the best way to do it. Animals live completely submerged in the present, their needs satisfied by predictable stimuli and responses. We, however, are never fully comfortable in the present. We are pulled back to a past we miss
Read MoreSubstance and Causality: Hume’s Empiricist Skepticism
The Problem of Complex Ideas: Substance and Causality
Substance and causality are two fundamental ideas in the construction of arguments. A fundamental part of knowledge is built on the belief that one can establish causal chains linking substances. The problem is that it is not possible to prove these concepts from simple ideas given by experience. Locke, an empiricist who could be called common sense, is forced to accept indemonstrable ideas, such as the existence of external reality and causality.
Read MoreNietzsche’s Superman: The Three Transformations
Author: Nietzsche’s philosophy presents a radical critique of idealistic and positivistic reason, and a defense of the values of life. His nihilistic vitalism was a strong reaction against any form of rational thought, against all dogmatic systems of concepts and values, and all forms of social, political, or economic collectivism. His vitalism led him to affirm life as the ultimate nature of all reality. The life instinct manifests as spontaneous, constant struggle and constant change, and therefore
Read MoreEthical Criteria of Truth: Evidence, Principles, and Universality
Ethical Criteria of Truth
Evidence and Errors
Evidence, while seemingly clear, is the ultimate criterion of truth, but it is not always trustworthy. We have all experienced errors where what seemed obvious was later invalidated by stronger evidence. Therefore, it’s crucial to measure the strength of material evidence. This is both the most challenging and most rewarding aspect of human existence. We must distinguish truth from falsehood in these matters to avoid being involved in tragedies.
Concerning
Read MoreWilliam of Ockham: Faith, Reason, and Secular Spirit
William of Ockham: Faith and Reason
Despite all the efforts of Thomas Aquinas to reconcile faith and reason, it soon became apparent that the matter was not easily resolved. It was increasingly difficult to reconcile them. William of Ockham’s work effectively certified the end of the debate. In the history of philosophy, there are times when we find that certain problems are unsolvable, and people lose interest in them. This is what happened with the problem of the relationship between faith and
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