Philosophy

Building knowledge is an essential part of the human experience, which is why understanding the process of its development and accumulation is vital to exploring human nature. John Locke and Rene Descartes’ perspectives on the issue of approaches to knowledge represent the direct opposites of each other, with Locke insisting...

One of the most commonly asked philosophical questions is, ‘When a tree falls in the forest, and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?’ This philosophical issue introduces a great topic for reflection on the correlation between social and physical processes happening in the...

“The Symposium”, written by Plato, is constructed upon the close meeting of old friends together to discuss philosophical questions concerning love. In this discussion, there are several participants, including philosopher Socrates, statesmen Alcibiades, Athenian poet Agathon, and the comic playwright Aristophanes. The phrase from the passage under study was said...

Introduction Machiavelli and Aristotle’s attitudes regarding political ideas have persisted to the present day. Both provide diametrically opposed perspectives of political life in different notions. Machiavelli, in particular, expressed concern about the viability of utopian regimes in his famous aphorism the end justifies the means, which has long been a...

One of the most important concepts discussed by Montaigne is that of imagination. One of the most prominent philosophers of the Renaissance, Michel de Montaigne was as dramatic as the next great thinker of the time. While Shakespeare was writing his plays, which reached thousands, first at the Globe, and...

In the article, Khalil and Sheikh (2016) explore the way Sufism has been conceptualized throughout the centuries. The authors trace the changes in the views regarding this concept among Western and Islamic scholars. It is emphasized that people’s views on the matter have differed considerably, depending on the scholar’s perspective....

Perception has traditionally and instinctively appeared to be an excellent beginning point for developing good views. People believe that if someone observes, feels, or otherwise witnesses something, it is a good justification for her to create ideas about that object and for those views to be logical. There are times...

The ideas of epicureanism became central to the philosophy promoted by the Roman poet Lucretius. This worldview originates from Ancient Greece, being inseparable from the name of its founder, Epicurus, who lived in 341-271 BC (Cottingham, 2021). Epicurus and his followers promoted a highly materialistic approach to life that revolved...

Introduction Not unlike his predecessors, Schopenhauer discusses humans’ existence from the point of anthropocentric view. However, Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of reality itself present a challenging topic for analysis and discussion. According to the author’s philosophical views, humans are incapable of true happiness. The reasons behind this notion might...

The American Dream The term originates from a historical treatise by James Adams, in which he spoke of the American Dream as a whole and wealthy country where everyone gets what they deserve. In other words, it is hard, honest work, the result of which is material wealth. Bill Gates...

Usbek, one of the central heroes of the story, serves as a symbolic representation of despotism and superiority towards women. Hence, when analyzing the letters of one of his wives, Zachi, it becomes evident that a woman tries hard to regain her composure while Usbek’s power profoundly affects her. For...

Ethics determines the main human moral values and traditions coined during centuries. In discussing ethics and morals as it applies to society, three words (ethics, morals, and ethical) will be frequently used. Ethics means the system or code of human conduct, with the emphasis on the determination of what is...

Introduction In his meditations, Rene tries to explain and ascertain the world’s existence and true nature. Most of his assumptions are science-based, whereby doubt forms the core or starting point. Out of doubt, he tries to differentiate reality from perceptions, hence discovering the existence of things with certainty. He uses...

Undoubtedly Plato can be considered among the greatest philosophers of ancient time. It can be stated that the establishment of his philosophical thoughts was at the hand of Socrates, another great philosopher of that time, and who is merely known from Plato’s dialogues. In his works, Plato combines philosophical ideas...

Introduction When Glaucon and Adeimantus demand a defense of justice without reference to any benefits that being just might bring to someone, Socrates declares, “I’m not capable of it,” but then says he must defend justice so as not to seem “impious” (368b-c). Socrates may as well admit that he...

The social contract can be defined as explained as socially approved relationships aimed to ensure order and peace. The background rights of several properties, freedom of contract, first possession, and restitution are rights that we cannot do without if we are to address the problems of knowledge, interest, and power,...

Dretske’s approach to knowledge and skepticism is distinct in terms of the priority that the scholar gives to sensual perception. According to Dretske, “if one sees that X is there, one knows that X is there,” (p. 88, n. 10). Dretske claims that both human beings and animals are to...

Considering the information given it could be stated that the “SO” example helped Socrates to refute the concept that knowledge is true belief with an account. At Theaetetus 188a-c, Socrates claims against a suggested response to the question “How can false belief or judgment occur?” This response is based on...

Nelson Goodman became widely famous for his work The New Riddle of Induction where he discloses his views on the phenomenon of induction arguing that while inductive reasoning does originate from the human habits and regularities (according to Hume), not all regularities establish habits. According to his views, justifying induction...

Introduction Randy Komisar worked for 11 companies in 25 years and he noted that the person who wants to be successful, should not be career oriented but rather make decisions based on the friendship and intuition. Today he is the virtual CEO and helps several companies to develop their strategy....

Introduction What exactly the basis of morality? – This is one of the many philosophical questions tackled by Thomas Nagel in his book “What does it all mean?” Nagel puts forth the situation where a friend of a librarian asks to be allowed to smuggle a reference book for his...