Cornucopia of Philosophical Questions (1)

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Carmen asked:

How many types of knowledge can you name? What role does context play in determining the types of knowledge that exist?

Sarah asked:

Where can I locate the teachings of Confucius specifically related to his "View of Self" philosophy. I had an instructor mention it briefly years ago and I've not been able to find anything.

Kaitlin asked:

In Kant's philosophy, is there a moral difference between abortion and euthanasia?

Edward asked:

"Can there be laws of war?"

I think this can be interpreted in two ways. It could mean, "Are there any patterns in war?" Or, "Should there be guidelines dictating both whether it is valid to enter a war and how a war should be waged?" I have chosen to assume it is asking the latter. This is what I have done so far:

I have dipped into Thomas Nagel's Mortal Questions which has a fascinating essay on War. Whilst listening to BBC Radio 4's 'Today' Programme, I heard that a philosopher called 'Grontius' had some thoughts on this although I have not been able to find out what he wrote. Would Aquinas be relevant?

I might start with a synopsis of how wars begin (with the help of A.J.P. Taylor's How Wars Begin). This would bring me on to the point that they begin from a breakdown of diplomacy or of laws. Thus it would seem ridiculous to suggest that laws can dictate whether a war should be and how it should be waged.

The next paragraphs would discuss the different standpoints: absolutist and utilitarian. I would need to back them up with original and convincing historical examples. I could bring in the Christian standpoint on war and the criteria that would need to be fulfilled for it to be valid.

Any source suggestions, ideas, comments on structure would be greatly appreciated.

Zach asked:

How does Ghandi's philosophy reflect the ideas, beliefs, and views of the Islam world during the modern era (literature period of modern era)? I've looked to connect the two without turning it into a Ghandi biography (I was advised not to turn it into that by the the professor) and I'm having some difficulties; I think your opinion would greatly help.

Gill asked:

Why did Plato believe that the Form of the Good was the highest of the forms? I know that he thought it would "illuminate" all all the other forms, but why can't the form of justice or truth fulfil this role just as well?

Could you explain the 'third man' argument with regards to this theory?

Mario asked:

Comparing Rousseau to Socrates... How would Socrates respond to the two human sentiments of self-preservation an pity?

David asked:

Hello, I am struggling with understanding the follow readings:

Rudolph Carnap "The Elimination of Metaphysics Through the Logical Analysis of Language" from Modern Philosophy of language

Donald Davidson "Belief and the Basis of Meaning"

Donald Davidson "On the very Idea of a conceptual scheme"

W.V.O. Quine "Two Dogmas of Empiricism"

What I plan to do is write a six page paper on "Meaning, language and truth" and comparing/ contrasting the views of Carnap, Davidson and Quine. I've read the readings but I'm having trouble "finding the sun behind the clouds". In other words what are the basic standpoints of each philosopher on such matters and what would be the most effecting way of addressing them?

Ethen asked:

I'm working on this metaphysics paper concerning Max Black's counter example to the Principle of the Identity of Indiscernibles. That is his 2 sphere universe where the two spheres resemble each other in all of their intrinsic and relational properties.

Some guy named Hacking came up with the idea that if you 're-defined' the universe you could essentially see that it was just one sphere...in other words if a traveller were moving from one sphere to the other he would essentially be travelling out in space and arrive his original departure site.

There are some other (smaller) objections to this counter-example in Black's article on the principle itself but these all deal with his universe as if it were symmetrical with a plane (mirror) cutting through....when he abandons this and turns his universe into a radially symmetrical one he copes with some of his own objections (the small ones I mentioned above). The only other thing I can think of deals with a traveller leaving one sphere...there would have to be an identical traveller leaving the other sphere....this allows for the possibility of the two passing 'through' each other...which obviously wouldn't be possible.

Anyways...I was hoping whether you could help me come up with some new objections or point me to someone who has already thought about this.

Maria asked:

According to Kant, why does the connection between our experiences and our perceptions HAVE to be necessary? (Critique of Pure Reason B219). How does Kant provide examples to support this notion? Would Hume agree or disagree with Kant's notion?

Esmond asked:

What is the main difference between law-like hypothesis and statistical hypothesis on the one hand, and verifiable and confirmative statements on the other?

Christopher asked:

How does Hume criticize Descartes' proof of the existence of God?

Anna asked:

Discuss the philosophical issues involved in liberalism, pluralism, universalism and materialism.

Paul asked:

I am trying to compare and contrast the moral philosophies of G.E. Moore and A.J. Ayer.

Rebecca asked:

I am writing a dissertation entitled, 'Freewill, autonomy, and mental illness', any suggestions? I have yet to begin it!

Jone asked:

I have to do my first essay for my philosophy class and the question, "Present the two arguments that induced Hume to deny the strict identity of self or thinking being," also, "Present the argument that induced Hume to conclude that the self is a composition of perceptions." I would be grateful for any help you could give me to orientate my answer.

Chi asked:

"My practice, you say, refutes my doubts" — When Hume says this, what does he mean? How does he reject this objection? Why does he go on to say: "But you mistake the purport of my question"?

Tabitha asked:

1) In what was would John Locke and David Hume describe your knowledge of a penny?

2) How could you use three tests of truth to learn about a penny?

3) Kant argued that it was possible to have synthetic a priori knowledge of a penny. In what way did he arrive at this conclusion?

4) In what ways did Descartes use rationalism to demonstrate that he could know something about pennies?

5) What is the impact that the post-modernist theory that "all is difference" could have upon your ability to know pennies?

6) How would you compare the epistemological views of Plato and Aristotle and discuss how these views would relate to knowing pennies?

Corie asked:

I am being asked to compare and contrast Plato's metaphysics and epistemology with Aristotle's metaphysics and epistemology. I have a pretty good idea of Plato's, but my book combines Aristotle's metaphysics and epistemology, and it confuses me. I would just like to know the BASICS of all of it. I have most of the answers, I am just afraid I might leave something of significance out.

Justin asked:

I am doing an extended essay on philosophy and have questions regarding some research sources. My topic is as follows:

"Plato's Allegory of the Cave and the Republic: an evaluation on the acquisition of knowledge in finding a true perception of justice."

Andy asked:

If I applied logic to state a principle, deductively from the conclusion, how would the assumption then work, i.e. what should T and F represent in both instances?

Law of Non-Contradiction

(a) contraries

either T--> F or F--> T

e.g., hot / cold

conclusion = either hot to cold or cold to hot

(dubiously T = state of hotness, F = state of coldness)

(b) contradictories

cannot be T & not-T or F & not-F

e.g., motion / rest

conclusion = cannot be simultaneously in motion and at rest

(dubiously T = state of potential/ kinetic motion, F = static inactivity)

May asked:

Are there propositions? please explain and defend your answer.

Jessica asked:

What's a good point of comparison between Locke and Leibniz?

Greg asked:

We need to find out about Marx's critique of religious experience. We are familiar with his criticisms of religion in general, but not of any thing specific on religious experience itself.

Tsz asked:

Why do I always have illusion and imagination?

But I am not crazy, just a graphic designer?

Rebecca asked:

Who said, "We are nothing but miraculous temporal genetic patterns"?

I think it was G.E. Moore or maybe R.M. Hare, but I really need to find out where it is and the rest of the quote.

Ryan asked:

I work for a Justice of the Al. Supreme Court and he wants to use a quote that he believes reads "could an arab become Pope?" I need to know who to cite this quote to and how it actually should read. If you have any knowledge on this quote I pray that you e-mail me back.

Sean asked:

Do you think that ethical egoism or its varieties offer anything of value to general ethics or to personal ethics?

Karimas asked:

If you buy the theory of postmodernism — my question is — are we still in it or have we reached a post-post modernity?...or can we argue that pastiche is merely a myth because everything is based out of something and that something is always our creation?...in the beginning of time our art and creation was based on the creation of the world and god and trying to replicate "his" creation or understand it...it seems now we are more concerned with our creation and replicating that...but isn't our first creation the notion of god? and thus we have always had "postmodernity" and this is an incorrect term that cannot term an era that we live in but our entire existence?

Cherry asked:

I have read Mill's Utilitarianism. I found it very interesting. But when I sit back and started thinking....I didn't quite understand how Mill supported his idea that what's right is to understood in terms of the "greatest happiness principle".

It would also be helpful if you can tell me where I can find more resources in this issue.

Jason asked:

According to Plato, what is a counter example?

According to Plato what is the value of wonder?

According to Plato are wisdom and knowledge the same?

Describe how error arises in Descartes' world?

According to Descartes what is the value of doubt?

Can you please answer these for me, I am having the hardest time. Me and my friends are having an argument and I think that I am right and they think that they are right. Please help us. I am going crazy.

Lucia asked:

What is the natural system of culture?

Hannah asked:

How was Kant affected by the ideas of Descartes and Hume, and in what ways did he try to combine their approaches?

Rasmelle asked:

How far does ignorance breed fanaticism and bigotry.? To what extent is this true of religiosity and sexual discrimination?

Graeme asked:

I'm studying Philosophy at A-level and I was hoping you could give some advice, perhaps a comparative study between Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, and their contribution to Ethical thinking?

Suresh asked:

What is the real meaning of reality for human beings?

What is the logic of epistemology?

How many things are in that logic?

Marilza asked:

Who were the first philosophers?

What was the theory invented by the first philosopher?

What is the difference between a philosopher and a professional philosopher?

I am a Brazilian student.

Allan asked:

My essay question is: "Do values depend on individual choice? Discuss with reference to Kierkegaard and Nietzsche."

I suspect that Kierkegaard, whose saying was "Truth is subjectivity", was especially insistent that the individual created his own values. But what is Nietzsche's take on this question? And what am I expected to home in on in this laden question?

Tony asked:

I am looking for the origin of the saying, "Show me the boy and I'll show you the man." I think it is part of the nature/ nurture debate or is related to the Jesuit teaching philosophy. Would appreciate any pointers to pin down where it came from.

Wing asked:

I am doing a research on this question: is it possible that hypnosis and mental illness are left from our bicameral past?

Also, how did Greek view of Zeus change between Homer And Hesiod? how did this change aid the development of philosophy?

Behnaz asked:

I am studying philosophy and my thesis is Quine and the indeterminacy of translation for my postgraduate degree in Iran. Please help me in this case thanks.

Stephen asked:

I have been told that the use of the word "values", to refer to morals or principles of proper behaviour, originated with Nietzsche. Is that correct?

Tanya asked:

In Epicurus "First Principle of Materialism", what is he view on the universe/ life? What kind of soul does he see? What are his recommendations on how to live? and what is his attitude toward life? I have an assignment for my philosophy class to read this and it really doesn't make any sense to me! please help me! I feel I need to fully understand these points before I can go ahead and write the paper.

Jim asked:

Having a problem trying to understand how utilitarianism is categorized as an axiological type of normative ethical theory. I would be extremely grateful for any help in explaining this.

Julie asked:

According to Kant, what gives a person moral worth?

How can I use the scenario of the shopkeeper (who always gives the correct change because it is good business) to clarify Kant's view?

Todd asked:

I read an earlier answer that stated if one does not subscribe to the Utilitarian moral philosophy, it is hard to be a consistent vegetarian. But didn't Peter Singer make a case for what he called "equal consideration of interests" that would allow for a vegetarian to kill a mosquito simply to avoid getting an annoying itch? That's not based upon utilitarian, but egalitarian principle.

I think the conclusion would be that when you weigh all of the human's interest in not being itchy, with the mosquito's interest in life, which is maybe limited to simple procreation and maybe the pleasure of sucking blood; well, both interests being considered are basically about physical comfort with the human MAYBE having an edge on emotional interests that might be tied in. But I could see how a sane vegetarian could still decide that an itchy human is having its vast human interests violated more than those relatively minor interests of a squashed mosquito. I say this thinking that if the mosquito were in the human's shoes and the human in those of the mosquito, one might still find the squashing by a veggie to be justified and consistent. It only becomes Utilitarian issue if you figure that the squashed mosquito will not go on to breed and thereby the veggie is saving countless other creatures from getting bit. Is this right or am I missing something?

Monica asked:

What is the role of a people governed against their will?

This is my senior paper question. I am thinking of using the Hawaiian islands and the American colonies as examples. I am also looking for references.

Chuka asked:

I am a final year philosophy student at the University Of Lagos Nigeria. I am currently writing my final project titled: 'Existential Philosophy of Sartre: A Critique'.

I need guidelines.

MC asked:

How would you explain a cogent probabilistic argument to a beginning philosophy student?

Vimol asked:

Who are philosophers of Positivism, Interpretivism and Pluralism?

Adam asked:

What is the Metaphysics of 'time'?

I need to explain and evaluate Bergson's view of time. Then attack the view that I disagree with, by using the other theories for support. Like Parmenides, St.Augustine, Isaac Newton, and D.C. Williams.

Veronica asked:

I am writing a paper and have been asked to compare and contrast Locke's view of toleration with J.S. Mill's notion of freedom of thought and expression. Can you please help me on how to get started on it?

Felicia asked:

What would the Divine Command theory and utilitarian philosophy have to say about Euthanasia?

Immo asked:

Can an Ethical Practice be independent from our casual life?

Walid asked:

What are the dominant philosophical schools in recent days (Idealism, Existentialism, etc)? Can you give a brief description of each?

Cheryl asked:

What is Kant's ethics of duty? How practical is his philosophy? Are his ideas on ethical duty misplaced or impractical in this modern world? How valuable is his philosophy despite its criticism?

Frank asked:

Discuss the difference between versions of utilitarianism that regard 'pleasure' as the unit of utility, and those that take it to be 'desire-satisfaction'.

Omary asked:

What is happiness as defined by the Pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle?

Harry asked:

1. According to Confucius, why be moral?

2. What are the relations between jen and li?

Katie asked:

Both Mill and Dostoevski discuss the importance of freedom, but I am a little unclear of each of their perspectives. Can you help me to understand these differences? The essays are, On liberty (Mill), and The Brothers Karamazov (Dostoevski).

and Mikey asked:

I understand that Mill and Dostoevski both write about the importance of freedom but they are coming from different perspectives that I don't understand. I am thinking of differences such as the individual's abilities and sensibilities of that freedom and how they may lead to pitfalls.

David asked:

Me and my friends are having a lot of trouble with this. If you could answer it we would be thankful:

"Regarding the philosophers Aristotle, Plato, Locke, Hobbes,Machiavelli, Marcus Aurelius — When would each of them select justice within the community and when would they choose global justice and why?"

Laura asked:

What is the difference between Bentham and Mill?

What is 'ACT' and 'RULE' utilitarianism?

Cassandra asked:

I am doing a paper and I have to give Lucretius's atomic theory and then refute Lucretius using St. Thomas Aquinas. I don't have the slightest clue as to what Aquinas would say about the swerve as proposed by Lucretius. Please help!

Seth asked:

In Machiavelli's The Prince, what is the connection between the lion and the fox? audacity and prudence?

Angie asked:

Actually have three questions for my test on Plato's dialogue Crito

1. Socrates gives two deontological reasons for staying what are they?
2. Crito gives several prudential reasons for leaving, name three.
3. Socrates gives several prudential reasons for staying, name two.

Stephen asked:

In view of Stephen Hawking's latest statement where he says, "Not only does God play at dice, but sometimes he throws them where you can't see them," can anyone make the arguments for determinism in the absolute or theological realms of possible realities?

Ric asked:

I am looking for a philosophically based counseling program or practitioner. I live in NW Washington State.

Erik asked:

Is it possible to justify the universality of human rights without a metaphysical principle (e.g the categorical imperative)?

Coleman asked:

To some, this may be a fairly simple concept, however I am having a difficult time in understanding the concept of moral absolutism versus moral relativism. I would appreciate any comments, examples or theories that would aid me in understanding this concept more fully.

If one were to model a society on these concepts how would relativism effect this society and how would absolutism affect this society?

Heather asked:

My second year philosophy course essay is about Locke. "How are the limits of the power of government determined?" From what I can understand, Locke was not actually supporting the less wealthy people. Am I on the right track, or have I misunderstood what he had to say in Two Treatises on Government?

Richard asked:

I'm very stuck on my homework, could you please help me?

"Outline the main features of the moral argument for the existence of God. You must comment on the view that, although the moral argument will strengthen the faith of a believer it can do nothing to convince an unbeliever."

Eddie asked:

I have not had much experience in the English language as I was brought up in South America and am now going to college in N. America and having difficulty understanding the text and some of the "larger words."

My question is as follows: Can someone please explain Kant's Metaphysic of Morals to me in plain English?

Eddie also asked:

I was wondering how an argument of Kant's Metaphysic of Morals vs. ethical egoism might pan out. We had the discussion in class and although I tried to understand both sides I only succeeded in getting more confused.

Tasneem asked:

I was wondering if you knew how Aristotle came up with the term "unmoved mover"? what led him to that conclusion? why? are there any quotes to back up his statements about the unmoved mover? did he change his life because of it? I was also wondering if you can recommend some web sites or books of his, translations of Aristotle's' work would be a great source.

Robbie asked:

I have a few questions to ask. What exactly is philosophy and does it involve Greek mythology? What kinds of philosophy are there? Can you give me some basic information on the origins of Greek mythology?

Johnee asked:

Is there anything objective about my (subjective) knowledge of "your" subjective notions of objectivity?

Alex asked:

Is adopting a utilitarian stance a viable way to live out your life? I would be grateful if you could point me in the direction of any commentators on this subject.

Jasper asked:

Sirs: In reading your retorts to questions, I feel free will is more the aim of philosophy than willing free a limit into the minds of questioners to what was said before!

Just take a look around you: do you see your limits emancipating all others into a place of parity where justice is never an issue when all men are born free and equal? I'd say not! But then why not toy with this idea: If you tell me the difference between the notion of a thing and nothing other, and the idea of something similar but not the same, you'll find the virtue in the middle of the ethical sandwich Aristotle taught us not to eat, but to merely entertain and ponder as being so!

Why is "to be or not be" so problematic when we are always what we know we're not?

This riddle I present here, Sirs, is what philosophers have sought for three centuries! And while Bishop Berkeley came so close, and Shakespeare, a mere poet, took us the rest of the way, have you lot bettered their thoughts or just worsened all our birthrights?

Kerry asked:

I am reading Plato Apology and wondering: what does it mean to be a philosopher, in the light of Socrates's actions?

Peter asked: @fullbrook.surrey.sch.uk>

My question that I wish to ask you is one that is annoying me. I study at a sixth form college in Surrey England, and so far none of my Physics teachers have been able to give me a definite answer. This is my reason for writing to you.

My question is: Consider a long pole in deep space — approximately 15 Million light years long. This pole is immune to gravitational effects of galaxies and stars and indeed itself. While standing at one end of this pole I push it one metre or so in the direction that it is facing. Will the other end of the pole react immediately by moving a metre away from me, like the end I am holding?

I am aware that when I push a pen, what is causing the end I am not holding to move is the force applied through the pen by the moving molecules. That is, the pen is displaced by the molecules behind it, so the pen moves through space. I was told that this would probably occur in my rod and that a force wave would have to move through the rod in order for the effect of moving on the other end to be seen. But, suppose the rod is comprised of super dense neutrons so tightly packed that it was hypothetically impossible to push these neutrons closer together. The rod would still move but how? I feel like I am missing something here so any insight would be appreciated. I would very much like to hear a reply from you.

Med asked:

Are the models of Sartre, in "Anti-Semite and Jew", and Fanon, in "Black Skin, White Masks", still valid today?

James asked:

Was William James a deontological or teleological philosopher?

Bayard asked:

An ancient philosopher is believed to have described 10 or 12 sorts of truth or lies, some being more acceptable lies than others. Who wrote of this and where can I find it?

Brian asked:

I am interested in creating a program of study in something loosely resembling philosophy of religion. I enjoy reading the works of Nietzsche and Schopenhauer and Kant, etc. I don't want the program to emphasize so much the mental conundrums of "Does God exist?" But more an emphasis on what it is that people are looking or hoping for in "God". Also how the concept of God has changed in the modern scientific era. Is something like this possible?

Youssouf asked:

"A belief is what we accept as truth."

Using empiricism and rationalism, what how could this quote, if at all, be defended? I want to talk about Kant and mathematics to prove his way of knowing the truth, and I want to use Descartes and his theory that if someone has a reason to believe in something, then it is true.

Steve asked:

Sorry if this is not the appropriate place for this type of question, but I recall only vaguely a quote from Wittgenstein from a book I believe of a student's classroom notes published in the early 1980s about common sense and the task of philosophy. I believe it included reference to a chair, the gist being, I think, that the philosopher's job was not to determine whether the chair was a chair, but to determine how common sense defined it so. The quote was highlighted in a review of the book in the Washington Post, but I failed to clip it or write it down. I have tried to find it since and cannot track it down. Any help would be appreciated.

Frank asked:

Does Hume's rugged empiricism allow him to say that there is a self? Can he say "I have perceptions" or only "Perceptions occur"? Can one really consider there to be a Humean "self", definable as a "bundle" or "series" of perceptions? Doesn't setting off a particular collection of perceptions require a separate existence serving as a standard, not itself a member of the set, and not itself a perception, to which each member of the set relates in some way? Can a set define itself? Can there be a Humean "self" at all? Did the guy really think he existed? Did he put his self in a pre-Cogito pickle?

Sean asked:

Three questions: From Hume's "concerning liberty and necessity":

1. Does Hume assert that our knowledge of human character and behavior is based on our observation of patterns and repetitions in past experience?
2. In Hume's view, do natural events and human events both exhibit regularity and uniformity?
3. According to Hume, do those human actions for which we praise or blame people exhibit higher uniformity or predictability and therefore are they necessary?

Sean also asked:

In Phillipa Foot's essay "Free Will Involving Determinism," is she making a clear attempt to support Hume's analysis that freedom of the will can be reconciled with causal determinism?

Nettie asked:

What is "taxonomy of philosophy"?

Jessica asked:

What are the similarities and dissimilarities between Plato and Aristotle's theory of Being?

CW asked:

If Martin Luther King, Jr. says he is an extremist, is he violating Aristotle's principle of moderation?

Zoe asked:

How can science help us to understand questions concerning the world around us? I think, so far, that science can test these problems to certify that things exist, or not, and the world around us relies on science so this shows us that the two are interrelated, but I feel there is more here than I can grasp — can you help me to grasp it??

Joshy asked:

Is life visions of dimensional creativity? why are some mysteries so mysterious? is the appearance of ghost a past memory of the brain picked up by senses?

Sonya asked:

What is Henry David Thoreau's view and Jean Baudrillard's view on material prosperity and American culture? How are they similar and different?

Sandra asked:

How would Sartre Criticize Hobbes? How would Hobbes answer?

How would Sartre criticise Plato? How would Hobbes answer?

Khadija asked:

Please, I need the answer of the following questions concerning each of the following philosopher:

Mahatma Gandhi and Kierkegaard

What is the background of this philosopher?

Where and when born?

What are his childhood, schooling and training?

What made him for coming up of philosopher?

Which school of thought he belongs?

What other philosophers he shared philosophy?

What are the fundamental philosophy he believe in?

What are the aim, purposes so advocated by this philosopher?

What are the principle of education advocate by his philosophy?

Curriculum, teaching method, teaching material, teachers role and responsibility, teacher and learners relationship, school community relationship.

Richelle asked:

Nietzsche and Foucault both suggest that our values are not good for us in some way. What problems do they have with who we are in modern society? Compare and contrast them on this question.

Need to be able to summarize Nietzsche's view of slave morality as well as Foucault's view of disciplinary power.

Dave asked:

"Explain Boethius' argument that evil is nothing. Explain why Boethius would find such a claim attractive. Then either explain what is problematic about Boethius's position or defend his account from the strongest objection you can think of."

Jordan asked:

How well does Berkeley's nominalism apply to the question of moral universals? Is there another theory that would better apply assaulting objective ethics?

Laura asked:

What would Skinner think about cloning in the metaphysical, moral, social, and religious sense?

Cathy asked:

What would Socrates think of Wittgenstein's "language on holiday?"

Novie asked:

Virginia Axline in her book Dibs:In search of self writes: "We are the sum total of all the parts that go into the making of a life. " As a philosopher what do you think of that? Could it be true..? Is it incomplete?

John asked:

Good evening to you, Sir.

I am a 2nd year graduate student at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, USA. And I am employed with the Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I am earning my M.S. Human Resources/ Hospitality Management. I have a master's thesis to complete with a very diversified topic: "Relevant to the history of gaming analyze early myths regarding ethical problems and how people use gambling in contradiction to their religious beliefs. Use United Kingdom, compare it with Greece and show contrast to Rome."

Could you be of any assistance or could you provide any sites for reference?

Ozgur asked:

I just need to answer the following question:

"Do I contradict myself?

Very well, then I contradict myself

(I am large, I contain multitudes)"

The analysis of the aforementioned stanza must contain the below given concepts:

1. The self
2. Ethical judgements
3. Facts-propositions and Metaphysical statements

Faris asked:

Why, or why not should one lead the philosophical life?

Erdal asked:

Is there any relationship between economic history and the history of economic thought? if not, explain the alternative path to be taken in order for this discipline to make any sense.

Mariana asked:

Christianity supports the idea of a couple having as many children as God sends. Is there any other religion that supports the same idea?

Elie asked:

I have been reading Gadamer's thoughts on the role of questions and questioning in understanding. I was wondering if there are other systematic discussions, in different philosophical schools of thought, on these issues: What characterizes different types of question? Questioning and the human condition, etc.

Secondary sources are welcomed too.

Casey asked:

What is Locke's explanation of the bees wax and why does he think Descartes is wrong?

Kolese asked:

I'm now working on a paper regarding "the private and public realm" according to Hannah Arendt (on her The Human Condition)

I'm highly interested in viewing it from the actual phenomenon recently, namely: the mass phenomenon of loneliness. Hannah Arendt talking about Jean Jacques Rousseau on intimacy in her book. But up to now, I have no clear understanding of the co-relation between her thinking and Rousseau's thinking on intimacy as private realm. Can you shed me some light to pinpoint this theme? Or could you give me references regarding the topic I'd like to highlight?

Janette asked:

Hi, I'm in a 120 phil. course at a university, and I'm having some difficulty grasping the concepts. One of them being from Voltaire's Candide. At the end, Candide says, "we must go work in the garden..." What exactly does that mean metaphorically? If you can help me with this, it would be well appreciated.

Christine asked:

What is the definition of the term moral resolve?

What are the benefits and drawbacks of having a moral resolve?

Michelle asked:

Could you please tell me if there are any similarities between Marcus Aurelius and Aristotle?

Noah asked:

Why does Camus believe that the only philosophical question is that of 'suicide,' and what is the difference between Camus' absurdity and De Beauvoir's ambiguity?

Heather asked:

Is methodology really psychology?

Noah asked:

What is a concise definition of positive and negative freedom?

Steve asked:

What is Critical Realism? Are there two (or more) different theoretical positions using that name? I.e. is the Critical Realism of Lovejoy (1929), Santayana (1991) and Sellars (1916) the same as that of Bertrand Russell, and that of Roy Bhaskar (1975)?

Lovejoy A. O. (1929,1955) Revolt Against Dualism: An inquiry concerning the existence of ideas

Santayana G. (1991) 'Three Proofs of Realism' in D. Drake, A. O. Lovejoy, J. B. Pratt, A. K. Rogers, G. Santayana, R. W. Sellars, C. A. Strong (Eds, 1968) Essays in Critical Realism New York: Gordian Press

Sellars R. W. (1969) Critical Realism: A study in the nature and conditions of knowledge New York: Russell & Russell

Bhaskar R. (1975) A Realist Theory of Science Harvester Press

Leann asked:

Why does Plato believe that knowledge of ideas serves as an answer to the problem of the "infinite regress"?

Leon asked:

I have been reading David Hume on causation and cause and effect, but I am wondering if there were any philosophers who attempted to destroy the cause and effect relationship altogether or said that there was no distinction between the two (or we could never tell the difference)? And how was it done?

Daniel asked:

Did Nietzsche intend to apply his suspension of cultural moral codes to the political field? What kind of suspension did he mean, would murder or robbery be allowed for his superhuman? Second does postmodernism disallow any claims of superiority for one system over another? Is Bin Laden's brand of Islam merely inappropriate for the western mind and culture?

Mirna asked:

Good evening, I'm a Mexican student, and I'm worried about some existential aspects. I would like you to answer my question, so I can present them to my philosophy classmates:

What is our purpose in this life?

What is the pattern that we follow in our attitudes and reactions?

Henry asked:

Woody Guthrie once remarked that, "life is one big soul". Do you believe that emotionally we all determine each other, how we function or what we do? Sartre hinted as much in his sketch on human emotions. For us individually to feel whole and complete we need to witness, albeit at a distance in the media, the entirety of human emotion and action. Only by such participation in life are we complete human beings. It would naturally follow then that human dynamics would require an endless parade of greatly diversified behaviour very often crossing over into forbidden territory of acceptable conduct to an individual. Are we not then emotionally in subtle ways primarily concerned with this need, egging each other on, inciting our behaviour upon others regardless of consequences that first and foremost serves this drive towards completeness rather than any preferred belief system?

Lionel asked:

Hello!

I am Lionel from Taiwan and I am studying in Chengchi University at Taipei. Since I take a course named Western Political Thoughts. Our teacher is a good guy, maybe. He let us design what we studies in this course. The only condition is we have to make a categories for the classifying the most important Western Political Thoughts. And we have to try to puts the different philosophers into the different categories. Then we start the course.

Basically, I divide the political thoughts into "Domination" & "Liberation":

"Liberation", and it maybe divided by: "Liberation from Knowledge", "Liberation from Society", "Liberation from Morality" and "Total Liberation" (Liberation from Knowledge+Society+Morality).

E..g. Rousseau's thought is the one which "Domination from Morality"+"Liberation from Knowledge & Society".

Another example is Peter Kropotkin's thought with "Total Liberation". And Plato's "Republic" is an example of "Domination from Knowledge and Morality". About the Machiavelli's thought, it's the "Total Domination" one. I hope I can deal with all political thoughts in this way. (Of course, just for the class, not for my whole life.)

However, I make the sub-categories of "Knowledge", "Society" and "Morality", since I think these are the three patterns of Domination/Liberation. But, it's just a personal estimation. Would you please to give me some idea? Especially, are there any discussions about the classifications of the domination.

Chris asked:

According to the nominalist, only particulars "exist." Why exactly are the proponents of this view called nominalist, and what was at stake in this famous altercation?

Montse asked:

Lo "otro" no existe, tal es la fe humana, la incurable razon del ser. Razon=identidad como si lo "uno" y lo "mismo" fueran asi. Pero lo "otro" persiste, subsiste es el hueso duro de roer en la que la razon se deja los dientes. Machado con la fe poetica creia en "la heterogeneidad del ser", en la incurable "otredad" de la que padece lo "uno".

Sorry I can't explain this in English but is what I remember in Spanish. I hope you could investigate on the Octavio Paz's book: El laberinto de la soledad. I think there is a book on English and I wish you research it because I really need your opinion. And after you read this paragraph of the book you answer my following question. Does the "other" exist? What relationship has the "other" with the "one"? What's the dominant component? What's your opinion about the "heterogeneidad del ser"? Does that mixture really exist?

Anna asked:

In relation to Rousseau's Discourse on the Origin of Inequality. What is the problem that constitutes the starting point of Rousseau's project? Why is this a problem?

Yenny asked:

What are some comparisons and contrasts between Spinoza and Augustine's notions of God?

Martha asked:

I am trying to figure out the link to teaching children and existentialism. Do you see a connection to whole language at all?

Paul asked:

Does Plato seek to enslave the warrior in the Republic?

Charlotte asked:

What is the difference between Functionalism, Marxism, and Interpretivism?

David asked:

I am very interested in the argument of Gilbert Ryle's against Descartes' dualism, "The Ghost In The Machine". And I was wondering if Gilbert Ryle was an Atheist. It seems that way because of his disagreement towards dualism and also his behaviorism. But I cannot seem to find anywhere his view on god. Can you help me out?

Jennifer asked:

What could be a possible solution to Robert Pirsig's Paradox? What does this paradox mean?

Satish asked:

Sir, really I am very unhappy these days, and my exams start now. I will complete my course this year.

Thelma asked:

Compare and contrast Hobbes' and Locke's Theory of Social Contract.

Krissie asked:

Moral statements are simply covert descriptions of emotions or recommendations for action. Discuss this view with reference to logical positivism and its implications for ethics.

Vicki asked:

Can you summarize Phillipa Foot's theory on virtue ethics? How does she differ from Aristotle?

Coleen asked: @aol.com->

The arguments for the existence of god have weaknesses. Some have more problems than others. Some seem more attractive and some stronger than others.

1. What do you think the value of these arguments to be?
2. Why do humans care about these arguments or proofs?
3. Since they all have problems, are they necessary for the believer in God?

Gemma asked:

On what grounds might Plato's understanding of human reason be criticised?

Stacey asked:

Please explain the different types of virtue espoused by Aristotle, and how do these differ from Plato's?

What do Augustine and Aquinas do beyond their predecessors Plato and Aristotle (over and above adding God to the belief system)?

Denise asked:

What are the differences and the similarities between Christianity (a religious ideology) and Marxism (a political ideology)?

Kathleen asked:

I have a couple of questions: How can I understand Plato's simile of the line in the Republic answering the question "What is knowledge?", and what does the conversation with the slave Meno add to your answer?

What do Plato, Descartes, Hume and Kant say about the reliability of sense experience?

Ruban asked:

I am writing to ask your help on a question that is causing me considerable concern. I would like to know more about Nietzsche and his theory on the Irrational. I cannot seem to find any information on the web, and would therefore really appreciate it if you could give me your personal opinion and also point me to some valid web-pages which could help me in my research.

Nicole asked:

I have been given an essay, "What is a philosopher? Identify three ancient Greek philosophers and summarize each one's new idea!" Please help me!

Kaitlin asked:

How does the just person compare to the tyrannical person in Plato's Republic, books 9 and 10?

Jen asked:

What is Liberty?

and Julian asked:

How do philosophers characterize the idea of liberty, if we cannot see liberty ourselves?

Rico asked:

I need some information on Zhuang Zhou, a Daoism founder for my research paper, 'The life philosophy of Zhuangzhi'.

Elizabeth asked:

What is J.C.C. Smart's opinion of Mill's objection to the doctrine of swine?

Carrie asked:

What is the scientific view of the world and compare it to the humanistic view of the world.

Jane asked:

According to Plato's Lysis: What are the steps through which Socrates shows that he who is neither good nor bad is a friend of the good, for the sake of something good, on account of what is bad? Explain using your own examples and not Plato's because his are confusing.

Ted asked:

I was wondering if you could interpret this statement that Socrates wrote (p. 119 in Jowett Dialogues of Plato):

I cannot help thinking that if there be anything beautiful other than absolute beauty, that can only be beautiful in as far as it partakes of absolute beauty — and this I should say of everything. Do you agree in this notion of the cause?

Ted also asked:

Give what you think is the best argument in support of the claim that Socrates should escape from prison. Then, if you could criticize your argument imagining that you are Socrates.

Samantha asked:

What does it mean to be a sophist? And Why according to the sophists, is self-preservation so important?

Stella asked:

I'm having trouble comparing the conception of human nature between Aristotle, Descartes and John Locke. Do you think you could help me?

Amy asked:

Who's theory of knowledge is more appropriate, Kant or Descartes?

Martin asked:

Why did Sartre become so socially interested in the last phase of his life, or do I not understand that correctly? Did he switch away from Existentialism after a life time of espousing it? No one seems able to answer the question about "the switch".

Gonzalo asked:

I would like to know if it was possible for you to tell me what was the impact that Confucius had on eastern philosophy.

Also, I am rather interested in knowing what was Noam Chomsky's contribution to the field of philosophy and linguistics.

Chantel asked:

I would like to know what kinds of quotes would best support the ideas of Efficiency in an L.D. style debate. I just started this year, and I'm having some troubles finding some really good quotes and ideas to support my criterion. If you could help me out, that would be greatly appreciated.

Dick asked:

Each and every limitation of man is inherent in the point of view held and the belief there-in, with one exception. What is it?

Erica asked:

Could you please give me a quick and dirty summary of John Rawls's A Theory of Justice with specific reference the what he means when he talks about his "difference principle"?

Ernest asked:

What are the similarities and differences between Sartre's thought and Kierkegaard's thought? How relevant is Kierkegaard's philosophy of authentic existence in the contemporary world?

Larry asked:

What is Aristotle's concrete definition for a good life?

Jay asked:

Although St. Augustine holds that the future does not exist, he nonetheless insists that we can talk sensibly about it. Using his divisions of the soul and his picture theory of the mind, explain Augustine's view as to how we can sensibly discuss the future.

Alex asked:

Has there been or does there exist today a philosophical system that takes the position the universe is a one-way ride, so to speak? Everything that ever was still is, as human beings have memory within a single lifetime. Therefore, the universe has one lifetime and until it expires everything it ever was still exists in a sort of cosmic memory.

Karolyn asked:

This is not a question regarding a philosophical problem as much as a question regarding reading materials.

I majored in philosophy and have recently started becoming interested in what the latest philosophical thinking is after Heidegger, Foucault and the problem concerning the "disappearance of the subject" as addressed by Faizon. There is definitely something happening in the breakdown (or should I say reconfiguration) of subjective identities in America, and in the way people are interacting with each other at a very painful level — and the way I am personally experiencing it as a painful condition of anxiety, horror and hysteria even. Psychologically, we have been described as having become a society of victims.

Are there any philosophers following this phenomenon?

Kwamie asked:

1. According to Locke, how would men and women live together in the absence of democracy?
2. According to Hobbes, how would men and women live together in the absence of dictatorship?
3. According to Marx, how would men and women live together in the absence of communism?

Nicole asked:

I would like to know what Aristophanes real charge against Socrates is with references to Aristophanes' Clouds and Plato's Euthyphro, Crito and Apology.

Felicia asked:

When Socrates was supposedly prying was it spiritual beliefs or for each man the specific trade or both?

John asked:

1. How does Dewey characterize operational (experimental) thinking?

2. What does Dewey say about the alleged distinction between higher and lower types of value?

Fredrik asked:

I wonder about the current status of realism. Putnam had a notion of partial truths which would overcome the difficulties with concepts that showed to be in some aspects to be false. Is a corresponding theory (about truth) held by anybody else?

Jennifer asked:

"Compare Bertrand Russell's The Problems of Philosophy to Socrates' thought."

Sherlyn asked:

Who is your favorite philosopher from years ago? Why?.

Alán, Gaby and Luis asked:

What would we need to expect of living in an ambiguous world?

Trey asked:

A friend and I have been in discussion of Sartre's phenomenological view of reality. We have been reading the text, but still can't seem to get our minds around it. We have concluded that Sartre is a realist of some kind, but he seems to not fall into direct realism or representational realism. While as a phenomenologist he deals with phenomena, and phenomena are what is given, at the same time, he does not posit a thing in itself, but he does posit the external world. So, can you give me a little something that can make some sense out of this?

Patricia asked:

I can't find in my country "The unfinished project of enlightenment" by J. Habermas and I need his definition of enlightenment to compare it with what Weber wrote about it. Will you resumé it for me?

Vernon asked:

Why is the philosopher Paul Weiss not discussed much by other philosophers? Is he worth studying at all? What can we learn from him, if anything?

Upendra asked:

Do you think that John Rawls, based on his works, has answers to the problems posed by several streams of thought like feminism, multiculturalism, postmodernism, libertarianism, marxism etc as he stresses on the realization of a well-ordered, just society?

IbnSira asked:

What is the difference between Jean Jacques Rousseau's concept of society and that of the society according to St. Thomas Aquinas?

Martin asked:

In Nietzsche's Thus spoke Zarathustra why does Zarathustra show pity for the "herd class"? Is this not opposite to what he preaches?

Sarah asked:

I'm confused with the phrase "tough truths based on clear vision"...this was said by Sartre...it relates to authentic optimism.

P. Raghunandan asked:

Please tell me how does a society whose members have undergone the "Landmark Forum" look like?

Dave asked:

I am hoping that you can help me with a small problem. I am desperately trying to find materials on Richard Dawkins. I am looking for information on his view of the body/soul distinction and life after death.

I would be most grateful if you could assist me in this quest.

George asked:

What implications do you think the ideas of the great philosophers have for education in the year 2001?

Penny asked:

What is the relevance of Hannah Arendt's concept of The Human Condition to Buddhism?

Sharon

I am wondering what questions Aristotle would have had about Timothy McVeigh and how he would have answered them.

Frank asked:

Somewhere in Kant's ideas he writes about his idea of mental illness, indicating a division of illnesses into three categories of which one was a disorder of will. I cannot remember the other categories and would like to obtain the reference to re-read this again. Looking forward to some help.

Jennifer asked:

Where can I find information on the philosophers that have influenced the British government and or the American government? Or could you tell me....I have a few but there are not many sites that I have found to be helpful....any ideas? Thank you.

Jose asked:

I need to know about the levels of knowledge: empirical, scientific, philosophical and theological. Who made this division? According to what? Please, I have been searching the web but can't find this simple information. To what philosopher should I refer? Thanks a lot.

Greg asked:

What was the most popular philosophy during the 1990's?

Jens asked:

What are the main differences between the Kantian and the Hegelian view of liberty?

Patricia asked:

Is it really possible to reconcile anthropocentric and non-anthropocentric perspectives as James Sterba clams?

There is a problem with his paper as thinkers like Frey and Singer do not demand equality between species yet are not anthropocentric, since they do value animals. However, Sterba believes that to be non-anthropocentric demands that humans and nonhuman animals are equal. So my question to the philosopher is: Is it really possible to reconcile anthropocentric and non-anthropocentric perspectives?

Tobias asked:

How did Kennedy's assassination affect the American Psyche?

Julie asked:

I was wondering if you could help me answer the following two questions:

1. First, define each of these terms:"objectivism," "relativism," "subjectivism," "absolutism." Second, explain what question each of the terms is trying to answer. Third, state the number of ways in which one can consistently embrace these world-views, and briefly explain why. Fourth, state which of these terms apply to the following philosophers: Plato, Descartes, Sextus Empiricus, James, and Berkeley.

2. James distinguishes between pragmatism as a theory of truth, on the one hand, and as a method on the other hand. What does he mean by this? What method do the other theories of truth utilize?

Jerry asked:

Please can you explain the moral argument for the existence of God (Kant) as challenged by Freud?

What did Marx have to say about religious experience?

Sarah asked:

In what sense is Stewart Sutherland a realist? Is his approach to Christian language convincing? This concerns his book God, Jesus and Belief.

There seem to be many types of realist and I'm not sure where Sutherland fits in. I think he may be a realist about possibilities. He says that Jesus showed that it was possible to live a life sub specie aeternitatis.Therefore Jesus' life corresponds to the possibility of someone else doing it. I read in Peter Vardy's The Puzzle of God that a realist holds the model of the everlasting God rather than Aquinas' timeless God. But if Sutherland is rejecting God how can he hold this model?

Lasse asked:

I would like to know what pragmatic history is. It is said that Kant had that approach to history. I also know that it's considered to be opposed to universal history. Please enlighten me!

Stephen asked:

What is the social contract theory that is developed by Glaucon in Plato's Republic? What are it's merits? How does it stand up to arguments by others? How did he come about the idea for the social contract theory? How convincingly does Glaucon proceed to justify his claims?

William asked:

If a part of the soul is to be capable of recognising kinship in another part, it must recognise kinship to itself, and so it must apparently have a conception of itself. What might such a conception be like? I am considering Plato.

Louise asked: @orbit.net.mt>

Thank you for your answer to my question on Feminist ethics. Ms. Rachel Browne states that drawing a distinction between reason and care in masculine/feminine terms is of doubtful use if there is no real truth to it. Does it mean between reason and emotion? And don't you think that showing emotion entails reason too?

At this time, my interest in philosophy arises from how it applies to me. I am interested in different pathways to achieve "the good." For instance, in the Republic Plato relates Socrates' Divided Line and using reason to achieve noesis. Can you give me other philosophers' theories on achieving a greater truth?

Allan asked:

What would Voltaire, Mencius, and Bernard Williams think about cloning?

Lesley asked:

How does the indirect duty view differ from the contractarian view in connection with animal welfare? ( Rights argument and speciesism arguments being looked at.)

Jason asked:

Kant and Synthetic a priori knowledge: not that the points he made in Critique of Pure Reason and Prolegomena weren't very important, but doesn't Russell's point concerning Kant's basing it on Psychology and the "categories" bring his theory into question?

Elizabeth asked:

Please explain Spelman's "Holistic Theory", [woman as body] in simpler terms for me. It would be greatly appreciated!

Rebecca asked:

I am a history student but picked a module on modern political thought, and although I enjoy it I find it very difficult, I have to write an essay on Locke and chapter 5 of his Second Treatise on Government. The essay is to do with private property and why it is important to his political thoughts. Any ideas?

Zoran asked:

I would like you to write to me some comments on Emil Sioran's work in general, or some of his aspects on his ideas about life, death, the people etc. I ask you to do this because I have a difficulty finding more of his books. Thank you.

Jessica asked:

How are Plato and Hobbes alike and different?

Cristian asked:

I'm an Italian student and I'm looking for a "Nietzsche/ Darwin" comparison. Can you help me? Thanks.

Paul asked:

Please can you tell me who Klaus Conrad was and what his involvement was in humanistic psychology?

Mick asked:

How have Plato's ideas about religion influenced western religious philosophy?

Michael asked:

What is the relationship between the self and wisdom? Reflecting on the readings of Thoreau.

Elizabeth asked:

Commonwealth (Popular Democratic Party — PPD) of Puerto Rico. Moral/ Ethical/ Philosophical Issues: Consider the morally 'correct' reasons for your version of Puerto Rico's future and the morally 'wrong' reasons of the other viewpoints; consider the major historical figures in your party and what they believed in.

Naomi asked:

I watched "Like Water for Chocolate" and I have to pick two philosophers and analyze the movie according to their theories. I picked the issue of love and dependency. I have an article on Sharon Bishop but I stuck and can't find another philosopher who I can compare on this same issue. If you can give me an idea on some philosophers who have a theory on this topic it would be greatly appreciated.

Peter asked:

What do you think are the merits of Plato's attack on democracy?

Curtis asked:

Why does Hannah Arendt feel that the goodness of God has become incomprehensible for Descartes?

Ann asked:

In D'Alembert's Encyclopedia he expressed great contempt for metaphysics stating it will soon become an insult for our men of intelligence. G.W. Leibniz clearly embodied the understanding of the now discredited mode of philosophy. My task is to show how Pope (Essay on Man), Voltaire (Candide), Mandevile (Fable of Bees), and Smith (Wealth of Nations) confirm, challenge or complicate D'Alembert's verdict.

Miguel asked:

Hello there, I was just wondering if you had any information about Plato's ideas on religion. Or if not could you give me an idea where to look?

Adam asked:

Do you think it is possible to establish one clear rule to guide our moral behaviour and also do you see "contractarianism" as a valid theory?

Akinkunle asked:

Kindly answer this question:

What are the problems of judgement?

What is knowledge?

Examine the relationships or otherwise between researches in humanities, social science, and physical science.

Libby asked:

I am struggling to understand Kant's Transcendental Aesthetic. I would be very grateful for an explanation of the key ideas and a suggested reading list.

Stephen asked:

What are the philosophical assumptions/ policies which underlie changes in United Kingdom education policy/ practice?

Eliza asked:

Does the "Intellect" of Plotinus contain the platonic Forms? Could it be thought of as some sort of collective unconscious? Then what's a World Soul and how does it differ from "hypostasis soul"?

The One/Good is a deity? Did Plato ever refer to the One or is it just something the Neoplatonists added to his teachings?

Deborah asked:

I am taking a philosophy class and I was asked to compare the philosophical thought of either Socrates, Aristotle or Plato and then compare any one of these with any one of the "non-western" systems of philosophy. I am a bit stumped with this comparison but I do understand the differences through my own concepts of their beliefs. It does seem that my own religious teachings seem to get in the way. Can you help me to understand the differences more clearly?

Julia asked:

In the Discourses Machiavelli puts forth numerous remarks on Marcus Furius Camillus, portraying him in varying situations and interacting with various inferior specimens. In your opinion, what does the portrayal of Camillus show about Machiavelli's understanding of human excellence or virtue? About the relationship between human excellence or virtue and necessity, fortune, and the nature of the people and the great? How does this understanding of virtue contrast with that of Christianity? Finally, which character discussed in the Prince most closely resembles Camillus, and why do you think so?

Manda asked:

What did R. M. McIver contribute to philosophy?

What did George H. Houston contribute to philosophy?

What did Charles Frankel contribute to philosophy?

Francine asked:

What is the difference between David Ward of Widener University's view of censorship of pornography, and Helen E. Longino, feminist?

Claudio asked:

I'm a Geography teacher in secondary school of Brazil. I'm preparing a course about the question of labour in the modernization and the actual globalization process.

What can I read about the follow theme: “The relation between: the historic affirmation of the modern labor discipline and construction of self/subject”?

Here I'm talking in the language of Michel Foucault: I'm interested in his works (I heard he wrote about this). But I don't know him and his works too well. I need an specific orientation on what to read in this perspective. Where to begin in the works of Foucault, and about him? (Preferably located on the web.)

Well, translated for a language that I know better (from the Marxist/Hegelian tradition): Who did write about the relations among commodity fetishism-ideology/ abstract labour/ Bildung (culture, formation)/ Bildungsprozess?

Pilippa asked:

I have to write an essay on the following, "Compare and Contrast the moral philosophies of any two philosophers". I have chosen David Hume and Thomas Hobbes. Any suggestions?

Royce asked:

Economic theory as accepted in the West assumes the Adam Smith "invisible hand" as fundamental. It is a kind of "deus ex machina". . .nicely permits explanation of many phenomena.

At issue is the question of the 'nature of man' — Hume, vs. Rousseau vs. Descartes etc. Is 'man' basically "self seeking, self aggrandizing and unalterably selfish"? Adam Smith and the market economies count on it for models to lend predictive reliability, apparently TRUE.

What do sociobiology, social psychology and moral philosophy tell Adam Smith, Ricardo, Marx and other economic theorists? (See for example Francis Fukuyama.)

Samuel asked:

Through much of the Republic, Plato attempts to show that just people receive rewards in their current lifetime. Another part of that argument deals with the life of a tyrant being the worst. Which of Plato's arguments for the life of a despot or tyrant being the worst do you think is the most sound?

April asked:

In what specific ways has the thought of Plato shaped and directed many of our insights concerning knowledge, reality, morality, the self, and politics today?

Joanne asked:

How does the natural philosophy of Plato provide solutions to many of the questions left unanswered by his predecessors? What were those questions and what were his solutions, including the questions of the Parmenidean dilemma, achieving certainty in scientific inquiry and explaining observable change?

and April asked:

In what specific ways was the thought of Plato influenced by the thought of particular Pre-Socratic philosophers?

Sunny asked:

What are the best objections to ecofeminism by schools of environmental philosophy such as deep ecology, eco holism, social ecology and ecocentrism and biocentrism?

Elizabeth asked:

What are the similarities and differences in Rousseau's Social Contract and Descartes Discourse on Method Part II?

Nat asked:

I have been reading Philosophy in the Flesh the recent book by Lakoff and Johnson that argues for a new philosophy based on the evidence cognitive sciences and current linguistics have provided for the embodiment of mind, the underlying metaphoric structure of conceptual thinking, the preponderance of unconscious thought, the evolutionary nature of cognition, etc. They seek to put an end once and for all to the mind-body "problem" and to demystify the way philosophers and metaphysicians have traditionally addressed the question of "the mind."

My question is this: is the "body" as clearly defined a concept as the authors presuppose it to be? Meaning: the body (and the brain contained therein) is after all a form of DNA, of matter. What the physicists now suggest about matter is that it is at the sub-atomic level in perpetual motion across space, and that it is perhaps inter-connected in some as yet undeciphered way. In other words the sub-particles that "pass" through our bodies are not "embodied" by us, are they? At the cellular, neurochemical, molecular, and sub-atomic levels, we are not as self-contained as we appear to be, are we? Cells regenerate within our own bodies (and now it's thought in our brains), and it seems also that our bodies are not self-contained at the sub-atomic level.

So, how do we justify the notion that our bodies represent the ultimate borderline for our notions of being? They are from a strict materialist view merely tissued vats of complex carbon. There is an invisible world passing between all of us, and all matter, is there not? Therefore, is the body itself an undeniably necessary, but fundamentally illusory, way of orienting ourselves and our experience? I realize this thinking walks very close to a mysticism based on the interconnectedness of all matter--but we seem to have found that this interconnectedness is in fact empirically true at the sub-atomic level, have we not? So while we may have found mind is embodied, have we also found that body is embodied (by the subatomic)?

Jeff asked:

Can any proof be derived for the moral and ethical codes of Socrates (or any other realists) and/or Stockdale (and other such Stoics) to the existence of Religion? Or more precisely can any evidence be derived from the writings of these men that proves the non-existence of religion? I know Stockdale in his Stoic nature does not refute religion but he sure does look down on it.

[Admiral James Stockdale gives an account of how he drew consolation and support from the philosophy of Epictetus, during his ordeal as a prisoner of war in Vietnam in his book In Love and War New York, 1984.]

Ruk asked:

Is it true that, in Aristotle's view, only polity is the constitutional government? Can we separate between constitutionalism (or rule by law) and forms of government and say that for any constitution, rule by law is just?

Est asked:

Hi, is there any ways I could find material on Baudrillard's theory of simulation; or his nihilism; or his theory of seduction? I'm doing an essay on him and need some assistance...thanks.

Michelle asked:

Emile Coue's ideas about will and imagination are similar to those of Schopenhauer on Will and Representation. Do these theories contribute at all to parapsychology? Could determinism be free-will, and free-will determined?

Joe asked:

Compare and contrast the definitions of reason, mimesis and logos in the works of Plato, Aristotle and Epicurus.

Amanda asked:

Compare and contrast Marcus Aurelius and Aristotle.

Christian asked:

In his discussion of the Unmoved Mover, how does Aristotle show us that contemplation is the highest human excellence?

Aisha asked:

Tolstoy and Descartes both explain how they rose from despair. How? How do they differ? Or are they the same?

Conrad asked:

How would I find works that give solid criticism of Charles Hartshorne's philosophy and of Ernest Becker's The Denial of Death and Escape From Evil?