Cornucopia of Philosophical Questions (3)
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Brian asked:
I have been working on the question of the body, its space, its way of being. Reading Derrida's 'Spurs' he says, "Hegel's comments on the passivity of clitoral stimulation are well known." Well I don't known them, if anyone does could they let me know, please.
Continuing the bodily theme can anyone explain why we have belly-buttons, and if other mammals don't have them Why?
Stephen asked:
To what extent has the field of Humanistic Psychology been influenced by the New Age movement?
Jenn asked:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of freewill and conformity in Brave New World?
Ally asked:
Is there a Theodicy for NATURAL evil?
Alisha asked:
How did philosophers in the Medieval period reconcile theistic belief with pagan philosophy? Were their attempts successful?
Tajamul asked:
I'm not getting on with my wife. We have a child. We do not agree at any point. Any suggestion?
Richard asked:
I am having trouble understanding the notion of "accidental necessity" and what it has to do with past events. Can you help me understand this?
Alice asked:
What do you think about this statement? "A man is responsible for feelings that has for other people as well as for the feelings that evokes in the others"?
Emma asked:
How are the ideas of meta-ethics (notably G.E. Moore) similar or different from the logical positivists in 1920's Vienna?
Emma also asked:
If we assume "god" exists, does he reveal truths about himself propositionally or does he reveal himself personally?
Emma also asked:
What are the differences between a moral ethic and a religion?
Zaheer asked:
Please could you enlighten me on David Hume's arguments relating to free will and determinism in An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding and point out the weaknesses in the arguments that he presents in his defence of his compatibilist position. Also, despite these weaknesses, offer arguments showing why compatibilism is, nonetheless, the only viable approach to questions of freewill and determinism.
Please would you also explain the arguments for the libertarian and hard determinist approaches to questions about free will and determinism.
Jim asked:
What did Barthes mean by aesthetics symbols in art which he called 'schizophrenic', in which the relations between objects in the pictures are arbitrary?
Carly asked:
Discuss Foot's criticism of Kant's moral theory. If moral claims are just like claims of etiquette, then how might we explain the apparent force of the moral 'should'?
Emma asked:
Could you please summarise and explain Kant's Transcendental Idealism for me?
Maurizzio asked:
What is good customer service?
Iris asked:
Are we the same yesterday, today and tomorrow? what makes us the same or different? what will be the answer of David Hume, according to his skepticism in the Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding?
Joan asked:
How does Aristotle's ideas on constitutional government depart form Platonic theory?
Rene asked:
What is the difference between Rousseau's definition of human nature and Hobbes?
Dusya asked:
What should I read to be able to discuss "Relations of Ideas" and "Matters of Fact"?
Espie asked:
Define the Pragmatic Theory of Truth. What are two objections to the theory?
Analyse the proposition "The earth is flat" from an objective theory of truth and relativist theory of truth.
I would really appreciate a simple elementary style answer, I am a fresh green student, just learning philosophy.
Tom asked:
Why is Plato regarded as the founder of sociology?
Adam asked:
When arguing a case for a particular issue, what constitutes the difference between reliable evidence and unreliable evidence?
Jennipher asked:
Baudrillard casts suspicion on such notions as "the real", "the true", etc. How can such basic notions be questioned?
Brandon asked:
I have several questions:
1. Discuss in detail the nature of dialectical philosophy in Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit. How is the dialectic different in Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Comte, and Marx?
2. In detail compare and contrast the philosophies of Marcel and Jaspers.
3. What are the major issues in analytical philosophy?
4. Compare and contrast the phenomenology of of Heidegger and the philosophy of the absurd in Albert Camus. How has solipsism become one of the major philosophical problems in our contemporary world?
Kane asked:
How can I reconcile Deleuze's ontology of difference with Hegel's negation of the negation without replaying the same French theoretical stereotypes adopted in concerns to Hegel's ontology and its interpretation during the interwar period, while not taking the analytic standpoint and being outrightly dismissive of the core aims of the Deleuzian project?
Constantine asked:
Can you provide a concise, complete, and integrated account of how a desire-based, duty-based, and natural end ethics respectively approach the following issues: human nature, goodness, obligation, practical reason, moral imperatives, the role of desire, and the naturalistic fallacy? The difficulty answering this question lies in reasonableness, admissibility, and justifiableness of actually opposite approaches. Is there a universal approach, or, if not, which approach makes the most sense and why?
Rochelle asked:
Please could you enlighten me on David Hume's arguments relating to free will and determinism in An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding and point out the weaknesses in the arguments that he presents in his defence of his compatibilist position. Also, in the light of these weaknesses, please show me why either libertarianism or hard determinism is the only is the only viable approach to questions about free will and determinism.
Michael asked:
I'm interested in philosophy; however, I don't have very good background knowledge in logic and argument. Could you tell me where I can find the necessary resources or information to enrich myself?
Lindsey asked:
Does the United States have a right (or a responsibility) to impose its ethics on another culture?
Also:
Do we have a responsibility as ethical individuals to try to educate others to our own point of view, or in some cases, to coerce people to follow our prescriptions through legislation or other means?
Elisa asked:
What is meant by "Freedom and bread enough for all are inconceivable together"?
Discuss the following passage from the Communist Manifesto:
"You are horrified by our intending to do away with private property. But in your existing society, private property is already done away with for nine tenths of the population; its existence for the few is solely due to its non-existence in the hands of the nine-tenths."
Elisa also asked:
Explain clearly Hume's justification of suicide.
Explain the concept of "natural evil" and "natural suffering" put forth by Weirob.
Kellie asked:
I Have two questions which I would like answered:
1) What is the Language of Thought Hypothesis and does it relate to current debates about the nature of language?
2) In what way do Essentialism and Theory of Mind play a role in our understanding of language?
Nikki asked:
Some Aristotle scholars have contended that there is an irresolvable inconsistency between book I-IX and X of the Nicomachean Ethics. What is this inconsistency? What evidence is there for this claim and is there an alternative interpretation of books I and X on happiness that removes the inconsistency? Who is more correct, those claiming inconsistency or those claiming that the inconsistency is only apparent?
Shane asked:
If people can be sincere, sober, truthful but mistaken, why is testimonial evidence alone so prone to being shoddy evidence?
Giuseppe asked:
I am very interested in the way Ghandi lived his life and also I am intrigued by his policy of civil disobedience. Yet from a religious perspective I am curious as to which religions specifically influenced Ghandi and his teachings.
Brian asked:
What is Plato's argument for the social equality of women?
Marley asked:
I have to critically discuss Plato's view that knowledge is but recollection. Do I agree/ disagree and why. I also have to base the essay on the relevant sections in the Meno and Phaedo (The Philosopher welcomes death; for a Philosopher life is a preparation for death; the immortality of the soul and the argument from opposites; the theory of recollection; she soul exists prior and after birth; the argument from affinity; fate of the soul; Socrates' reply to Simmias' objection.) In no more then 500 words. Help?! (I'm new to philosophy.)
Farra asked:
I am currently enrolled into a Philosophy class and I have to write an essay. I was just wondering how I can compare and contrast Sartre's Being-in-itself to Being-for-itself.
Kristin asked:
I have a question about academic dishonesty. When someone cheats in college there are many different penalties depending on how the teacher wants to deal with it. My questions are: are these penalties justified on grounds of deterrence, why or why not? And if they are ineffective, does that mean that they are not morally justified, why or why not?
Nancy asked:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a new progressivist ideology in the primary school/ classroom, including towards the education of children?
Miljan asked:
Why and to what extent is unselfishness advantageous to the species?
Darren asked:
How do we come to learn from the beginning what is right and wrong?
Peadar asked:
Would you regard De Tocqueville as a functionalist? He is regarded as the godfather of social capital which I think epitomises functionalism, but I'd like another opinion.
Jane asked:
Generally speaking, what is society's current stance on child criminals? If and how should these children be punished? Is it acceptable for society to present some with new identities and lives?
Ava asked:
What is the correlation between Wittgenstein and philosophy of religion?
Lisa asked:
I am doing a paper on the popular culture movie, Groundhog Day and early philosophers/ psychologists. In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray is faced with the fate of an old man (whether or not he will die), I was wondering what philosophers/ psychologists discussed or theorized most famously on this topic(death and fate)?
Mike asked:
"Religion..... is not God.
Science..... is not the universe.
And Intellect.... is not intelligence.
Religion and science will become authentic only when the intellect is governed by intelligence.
Karen asked:
What are the opposing arguments to Locke's theory of Private Property?
Karen also asked:
Did Aristotle's defence of slavery illustrate the conservative nature of his thought?
Steven asked:
I have to illustrate that we don't make the truth ourselves, but we undergo the truth. (Socrates said this.)
Steven also asked:
Why is Hobbes the bad conscience of an economist?
Russell asked:
Can you give me a sample of 'teaching philosophy'?
Tiffany asked:
What is the difference between Descartes epistemological view and Hume's epistemological view?
Elizabeth asked:
I have an exam coming up and one of the works it covers is Mill's representative government. I am just trying to figure what my plan of attack should be for studying this work, I was wondering if you could maybe point out some key aspects in the essay that I should pay more attention to? What material do you think is more important? I have a few other things that I have to study for this exam so I don't want to spend too much time on insignificant details.
Jennifer asked:
How does Socrates (in Plato's Republic) argue that it is intrinsically valuable to be just/ moral, and not merely seem to be so? To what extent do you agree?
Why does Kant say that we are only free when we follow the Categorical Imperative? Do you agree?
What does Plato present as the relationship between self-control and morality? To what extent do you agree?
Victor asked:
I like art and have collected several pieces of art work from local artists from my surrounding community. On one occasion one of these artists said to me, "You will always have a piece of me in your home." Can anyone elaborate on this? I know that some people consider art as a inner reflection of their own personality, so am I taking a part of their being with me? Sounds kinda scary to me.
Espie asked:
Peter Unger holds that to claim to know anything is dogmatic. Thomas Nagel argues that it is unavoidable. How can I compare these two positions?
Michael asked:
How can I argue against Mill's view that happiness is our ultimate desire, and that the sanction of all morality is a subjective feeling in our minds? Somehow I need to include some of the theory found in Dawkins' book The Selfish Gene in relation to Mill's hedonist view.
Gerri asked:
If I were David Hume (philosopher 1711-1776) what would my opinion on embryonic stem cell research be?
Angie asked:
Explain how Du Bois' analysis of double consciousness is similar to concepts in the theoretical school called symbolic interactionism.
Mukherjee asked:
How can Hermeneutics help to analyse a philosophic theory and can it apply to any theory? (e.g. Hobbes' political theory, or Darwin's evolutionary theory). Are there online resources that would be helpful? Can Hermeneutics be linked to Deconstructionism? How?
Kati asked:
What is the difference between voluntary, involuntary, and non-voluntary euthanasia? can non-voluntary euthanasia be justified?
Kati also asked:
what are the three liberal arguments for abortion discussed by Singer and what are his objections to them?
Brandon asked:
I'm researching a paper on Karl Marx and I have some questions:
What is Marx's definition of philosophy?
What method does Marx advocate is proper to the development of a philosophy?
What is Marx's view about the relation between philosophy and science?
What is Marx's definition of a human being?
How does Marx define 'good'?
What kind of moral philosophy is possible within the confines of Marx's philosophy?
Does Marx genuinely deal with the question of God's existence and the human person's relationship to God?
Sue asked:
I am a psychology student and would like help answering the following questions:
What is attraction?
Explain proximity, familiarity and physical attractiveness and what is their importance in establishing liking for someone?
Assess the usefulness of theoretical models in understanding how and why relationships are formed (Byrnes affect-centred model, social exchange theory, balance theory, filter models).
Jules asked:
Is there a solution to the Frege-Geach problem by non-cognitivists that is plausible? I have read Simon Blackburn's viewpoints in his Spreading the Word and I don't think he has given anything like a satisfactory account of the identity of meaning between terms in asserted and unasserted contexts. As I read Blackburn he shows that different attitudes are expressed in the different contexts and hence even on an expressivist reading identity of meaning is not preserved. Does anyone think Blackburn succeeds in this endeavour?
Dusty asked:
I would like a to have a better understanding of the contrasts between Marx's viewpoint's as expressed in The Communist Manifesto as opposed to Hegel and functionalism. Think in the form of a critique of the Manifesto from a functionalist perspective.
Julie asked:
What is the connection between identity and racism? why does it occur? is it because people are unsure of themselves, and have a lack of identity?
Jean-Paul asked:
What would a philosopher say about the logic behind the Duckworth-Lewis method for resetting targets in one-day cricket matches affected by rain?
What are the cons of this method?
Jonathan asked:
I have to do a paper on phenomenology and how it relates to the rationalist movement. I was wondering if you could give me some places to start from or an overview of what you feel I should cover. I have done some research but the whole phenomenology thing is still a little vague.
Budisttrii asked:
Is there any intellectual progress made in the dialogue between Socrates and Meno in the Meno?
Evie asked:
What is it that makes me different?
Schaefer asked:
Corn is a vegetable correct? That being said, one must assume that corn that is still on the cob is a vegetable. My question is simple; "Is popcorn still defined as a 'vegetable' after it's popped or does it suddenly become one of the other major food groups? If so, which one?
Jen asked:
What is the Biblical standpoint and ethical issues concerning the pharmaceutical industry?
Irene asked:
This question was brought to our class in school and I have no idea how to answer it or what he means by it!
"Women, minorities and gays have no place in the criminal justice system."
Jonathan asked:
Where does the soul goes after leaving the body?
Can you please give me ten examples of metaphysical hypotheses relating to the problem of appearance and reality in metaphysics?
Shirley asked:
How is Ronald Dworkin's idea of 'law as integrity' related to his idea of the law as an interpretative practice?
Alex asked:
Is the notion of genre sound in terms of films? Is there such a thing, or is a genre a mere construct? I ask this question because we are often met with the thesis that a) films can be organized in terms of generic taxonomies and b) they are capable of evolution.
Robin asked:
What is the argument between Descartes and Hume over the nature of the mind?
CJ asked:
How does psychological oppression differ from other forms of oppression? What are three ways in which women are psychologically oppressed according to Bartky? Is she right?
Julia asked:
The arguments for a rigorous education to citizenship that Socrates advances in Books Two and Three of the Republic contrast markedly with Locke's case for toleration in his 'Letter on Toleration" and in the Second Treatise of Government. Why is Socrates' position so strict while Locke's is, well, so liberal?
Thomas asked:
Is it possible to explain why Hobbes is the bad conscience of the economist?
Sandy asked:
I need help knowing how the Industrial Revolution changed Life for Europeans and Americans.
Minerva asked:
What are the most important contrasting features of the theory of substantial forms and the mechanical philosophy and what did Leibniz think were the deficiencies of each philosophy?
In you answer could you please include forces in respect with the theory of substantial forms.
Cristiane asked:
Does "choice" presume freedom?
Lindsey asked:
Explain the distinction between quantitative hedonism and qualitative hedonism. How did John Stuart Mill use this distinction to answer those critics of Bentham's utilitarian ethics who called it a "pig philosophy"?
Liz asked:
According to Berkeley, what is a primary quality? What is a secondary quality? How does he argue against the distinction between them?
Crystal asked:
How do the ethical views of Nietzsche differ from Kant and also from Mill?
Jackie asked:
Where can I find some essay titles pertaining to Schopenhauer's 'On the Basis of Morality?'
Anthony asked:
Having read through most of early Greek philosophy including Plato I am still at a loss as to whether it is possible to ever really discover any objective truth, or whether all knowledge is relative to the subject?
Will asked:
I wonder if this classification of postmodern movements is correct. The movements consist of four groups:
1) Critical theory like Habermas'
2) Hermeneutics like Gadamer's and Ricoeur's
3) Rhetoric or discourse analysis like Foucault's
4) Deconstruction like Derrida's.
Ashley asked:
I don't exactly have an question. I just would like to know did the great Machiavelli have a mentor? And if he did who was it and what did they discuss?
Hope asked:
I just can't figure these out, can you help me?
"Compare and contrast the views of Paul Tillich with Soren Kierkegaard."
"Explain William James' argument against agnosticism."
Sam asked:
What is the Famous quote that John Locke quoted on Capital Punishment?
Olivia asked:
"The African view of the universe is profoundly religious, Africans see it as a religious universe." Discuss.
Thomas asked:
Which ancient Greek philosopher said "When voting started, democracy ended"?
Natasha asked:
What is Aristotle's view on fate vs freewill?
Vikki asked:
I'm currently writing an article on the philosophical justification for human superiority over animals. I have found your article on consciousness incredibly useful but I'm a bit stuck for help on how rationality could be considered justification for superiority if at all. Most articles I find have some moral or ethical standpoint and I really need to focus on whether consciousness, emotion and rationality can be seen as grounds for assumed superiority. I know morality is important and unavoidable but if anyone can help with humans and animals regarding rationality or emotion in a philosophical sense or just some pointers of where to look, I'd really really appreciate it!
Aikale asked:
What are the differences between Plato and Aristotle's view of human nature?
Heather asked:
How does Plato's Theory of Forms relate to rationalism, how does it relate to empiricism, how does it relate to Kant's theory?
Jim asked:
What is the use of 'nonsense' in literature, (especially in Lewis Carroll's Alice books and Lear's Book of Nonsense) if we define a work of art as 'nonsense' (in the literary sense of the term)?
Michael asked:
Why do we live in this world? Is there any special meanings for that? Is war good for human beings? If not, why should human beings like to do such a cruel thing to his fellows? Please give the answer. I'm so confused about this.
Janice asked:
What are the four criticisms of existentialism Sartre tries to defend in Existentialism and Humanism?
Dustin asked:
Explain the difference between acting in accordance with moral law, and acting out of respect for moral law. according to Kant
Skylar asked:
How is the soul related to the aspects of Plato's philosophy such as issues of knowledge, opinion, and the Forms? I have read a selection from Meno and realize that that Plato uses the soul to show how we "remember" knowledge, as he demonstrates with the mathematical questioning of the slave boy. Are there any other works by Plato that involve the soul related to knowledge and opinion? I do not think that Plato views the soul as one of the Forms based on other readings I have done. Am I correct? What is the relationship between the soul and the Forms?
Nacho asked:
I f you kill yourself in order to save your own life is it murder?
Nacho also asked:
Isn't it kind of odd that people would actually think that God would even be defined by a gender? If it were only God in the beginning what would be the purpose of being defined by gender?
Sophia asked:
Does the concept of punishment have any relevance to its justification?
My question is based on the philosophy of punishment, concerning philosophers such as Honderich, Hart, Feinberg and so on.
The basic structure to me seems to me to be as follows: 1) the concept of punishment, 2) the justifications — consequentialists, non-consequentialists, a bit of hybrid theories and proportionality (whether the punishment fits the act), 3) answer the question, whether the concept of punishment has any bearing on its justification. But I do not know if this is correct?!
Travis asked:
I have a couple of questions
1) Explain how Aquinas uses Aristotle's notion of the progressive scale of life?
2) What is a superego?
Dustin asked:
Explain the connection between the Stoics and fatalism?
Nicole asked:
I need help with explaining the meaning of the following statement:
"Everyone loves someone."
Tracey asked:
What or where is utilitarianism in the movie Saving Private Ryan?
What or where is utilitarianism in the movie Extreme Measures?
Nick asked:
Karl Jaspers emphasizes that Socrates, Buddha, Confucius and Jesus have exercised an unique and enduring influence in the shaping of world history. Validate his argument. Compare and contrast any two of the four paradigmatic figures in Jaspers' study.
Franc asked:
I've been given and essay title, but I don't know where to begin: "Compare and contrast the contributions of Plato and Aristotle to our understanding of the sources and nature of 'the good' for humans."
April asked:
To what extent do sceptical hypotheses threaten the possibility of knowledge? Please answer with reference to both Descartes and Locke.
Bakhtiar asked:
(1) What is the difference between Existentialism and Analytical Philosophy? How are they related?
(2) What is linguistic and logical analysis?
(3) What is the Islamic approach to the relationship between Philosophy, Science and Religion?
Jonathan asked:
Does what Sartre had to say in his books Existentialism and Humanism and Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions have anything to do with Ethics?
Bobby asked:
In a detailed yet comprehensible explanation, can you please explain Spinoza vs. Descartes view in regards to the soul and Spinoza's explanation of what happens to man after death?
Jim asked:
What are the arguments against dualism and can you explain which arguments you find the most cogent?
Dolora asked:
I am writing a paper now on Kant's view on the moral act. I have no idea what to put in my paper. So all I'm asking to please help me with what am I going to write and how to manage a good and tasteful essay on Kant. Give me points to write about. The paper I am now writing is no less than 2000 words.
Dave asked:
This is a question from one of my students!
"I have to do an A level piece of coursework based on J. S. Mill. The question asks me to assess the implications for political philosophy of Mill's theory of the tyranny of the majority and the power of the state. I had decided to outline the problems associated with Mill's theories and then consider them in relation to other political philosophies such as Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Marx and Rawls. Now I am not sure if this fulfils the criteria of 'implications for political philosophy'. Would you consider there is any other way of tackling this question?"
Kandi asked:
I'm working on a project in school on Plato's Apology. I'm trying to figure out what fallacies are involved in Socrates defense. Can you help?
Weena asked:
What is the connection between Kant, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, and Berkeley? I am looking at epistemology and rationalism vs. empiricism.
Doug asked:
What is Functionalism? What advantages is it supposed to have over behaviorism and the identity theory, and what problems still face it? Do you find it more or less plausible than these other two views?
Lyn asked:
I am helping my little sister write a paper for her philosophy course and am doing some internet research for her. It's been quite a journey and I'm now interested in other viewpoints on the question, "Analyze Hume's treatment of the problem of evil by, first, stating Philo's formulation of the problem, then choose and clearly state one focal objection to Philo's statement of the problem. How might Philo reply?"
Lucy asked:
Why did Plato introduce his theory of forms?
Ronda asked:
Actions are only morally good if they are done because of a good will. Explain "good will" and give reasons why you think the statement is correct or incorrect.
Mosley asked:
How did Aristotle's ideas about government and society differ from Plato?
Khaldoun asked:
This is about Ramon, who wanted to marry his third cousin's wife (Answers 18). My question is this:
Did it ever occur to you that if you are 'seeing' (if you mean sexually) your third cousin's wife before she is divorced, then you are committing adultery!? All religions, bar-none call your action wrong, or unethical, regardless whose wife she is.
Cassy asked:
If moral judgement is based on feelings, and is similar to aesthetic taste, how does Hume avoid relativism? This is from Hume's Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals.
Marianne asked:
I need help with a paper I'm writing. The issue I am addressing is 'What are the major objections to Utilitarianism, put forward by political theorists?'
Spike asked:
I'm working on some questions about God at the moment and have some problems. Is action at a temporal distance problematic, i.e. could God will a state of affairs at time t to obtain at t+n?
If it is, is it equally problematic on the tensed as tenseless view of time? It seems that since on the tenseless view we are entitled to temporal as well as spacial locations and act could be spatially approximate to its cause but not temporally. I'm not sure about this however as something seems dodgy in there!
Angel asked:
I would like to know how Greek Mythology effects the modern world. I am writing a paper on Aphrodite and Eros.
Michael asked:
Who compares Gershon Scholem to Maimonides?
Erika asked:
What is up with John Dewey? Can someone please explain Dewey's "problem of truth" to me?
Jason asked:
When in military conflict, what arguments support national security over individuals rights?
Josh asked:
How do two existential beings relate to one another?
Sartre mentions that we have to objectify people, but how can two co-exist authentically?
Wa asked:
Plato says a lot about goodness as it relates to government. How does his view compare with Lao-tzu and Machiavelli? Which would Plato agree with? How do their philosophies compare in regards to political views, nature of goodness and what they require in a leader?
Tonya asked:
I am quite new to philosophy and am having some difficulty in my 19th Century Philosophy course. I am suppose to read Hegel's Encyclopaedia and provide some critical commentary in a short paper. However, how do I do that when I have read the piece (in part) and still do not comprehend the material. I fear I am in a lot of trouble here. Can you help me?
Alicia asked:
How does Nietzsche use philosophical physiology to critique metaphysics?
Peggy asked:
I am trying to write a paper and to tell you the truth this is very difficult for me, and would appreciate your help. I am focusing on the formulation of Kant's categorical imperative that states: Always treat other beings with respect and integrity and never use them as a means to an end. Do you agree with Kant's claim that the categorical imperative is a legitimate test for moral claims? I can also use one of the other formulations that states: Act always on that maxim that can, at the same time, become a universal law. I have worked on this but everything that I have written down just doesn't seem to make any sense.
Tarryn asked:
What is a good philosopher quote that relates to the good life?
Jane asked:
I recently heard a theory that true happiness is only achievable through contemplation of something we wished for but never got. This is because we never knew any of the disadvantages of the thing we wanted, as we never got it, and consequently our perfect image of it could never be destroyed.
I wondered if perhaps you could tell me what branch of philosophy this idea belongs to, as I would be interested to learn more about it. I have looked on various websites, but the only philosopher I found with (vaguely) similar ideas was Schopenhauer.
Jhanvi asked:
How does the Self/ Other dichotomy underlie cultural violence? I'm particularly thinking in relation to Beauvior's disagreement of the Hegelian dichotomy.
Aimee asked:
Do you believe Hobbes is a Machiavellian? Why or why not?
Lydie asked:
Explain and discuss the implications for political philosophy of John Start Mill's views on the power of the state and the tyranny of the majority.
Tabula asked:
If all of us reached the same level of social conscience ...would the world be a better place?
Tim asked:
Do Plato and Descartes define the mind and body differently? Does Descartes see the mind and soul as one in the same?
Denise asked:
What is the relationship between the self and wisdom?
John asked:
According to Hume we are never justified in claiming to have some truth regarding causation or other unobserved events because we can not trace back any of those back to our impressions or to relations between our ideas. What then is Causation and explain Hume's argument for this. Do you think that Hume's is correct? Why?
Espie asked:
In comparing the views of Paul Tillich with those of Soren Kierkegaard, in what ways are they similar and different?
Filiz asked:
I am trying to apply the theories of Carl Jung to The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett. The Garden contains many symbolic features and a sense of spiritualism arises from within the walls. This could be as a result of nature or the root of nature at the highest level or a change in thought from negative to positive in the children, mind over matter. I am a bit confused as to how apply the theory.
Colin asked:
When in conflict should we look at the letter of the law or the spirit of the law?
Ali asked:
Is philosophy a form of wisdom, and if not, what links all these systems of thought together?
Colin asked:
What specifically is the difference between a philosophical fact/ opinion and a logical fact/ opinion?
Kelly asked:
I was wondering what exactly death tells us about the individual and our society.
Alicia asked:
I am in High School and am in the process of writing a term paper on children and television shows. My question for you is do television shows really teach children to have bad manners, bad habits, bad language, bad dieting, and have a negative outlook on life?
Benedicte asked:
Can abortion be justified using Kant's Categorical Imperative? and how?
Sebastien asked:
If my consciousness, for instance, came here from nowhere, could it return again to someone else inhabiting the world when I am dead like a form of reincarnation, but bringing with it no recollection of memory, seeing as perhaps the faculty which housed the memories of my consciousness' former experiences died when my brain did?
Harpaz asked:
During the Clinton impeachment business one Congressman commented that lying cannot be tolerated because, in essence, if everyone lies, then the whole fabric of society breaks down. He then noted, that this was Kant's insight as formulated in the Categorical Imperative. Was the Congressman right about Kant? Explain.
At the end of Book I and beginning of Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle distinguishes between two kinds of virtue: intellectual and moral. What kinds of abilities do these virtues generate and how are they different? I believe this corresponds to a pretty commonly made distinction one hears frequently. Try, if you can, to put this distinction into more common-sensical terms.
Demonstrate how the Universal Law version of the Categorical Imperative says the same things as the Ends in Themselves version.
Taylor asked:
According to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics are there very few true friends?
Dcents asked:
How is Aristotle's metaphysics of being and substance related to the present issue on Iraq?
Debbie asked:
What does Ronald Dworkin mean when he uses the term "integrity" in both his legal theory and his theory of dignity. What use is Dworkin making of it to solve the question of the best meaning of a legal text or the value of life?
Gem asked:
How do sociologists explain why certain people commit crime?
Lance asked:
How do the medieval philosophers go about proving God's existence, Particularly St. Augustine?
and Robert asked:
How does St. Augustine go about proving God's existence?
Kranti asked:
What are the contributions John Locke made to American values?
Jason asked:
Is there such a thing as human worth? If so, are some people "worth" more than other people?
Jane asked:
Compare and/ or contrast the educational views of Plato, Rousseau, and Dewey.
Michael asked:
Compare and contrast functionalism with marxism.
Lissette asked:
I am doing a paper about Aristotle's and Kant's opposite view on lying.
I have to give reasons why Aristotle thinks that to lie might be a compromise of the Aristotelean virtues, while Kant uses the categorical imperative.
My question is: Which Aristotelian virtues are compromised by lying?
Maryland asked:
Hope you can help me clarify a few issues. Most of our knowledge leads us to believe that all the universe's functions are deterministic. Determinism claims that there is no such thing as possibilities just actualities and that free will is an illusion. therefore I believe that free will and determinism is incompatible.
Can you explain to me what reasons Hume gives in section 8 of the Enquiry for thinking that free will and determinism are compatible, and why D'Holbach finds arguments such as Hume's unpersuasive? Finally, which of the two positions do you find to be more cogent?
Sadic asked:
In what places that the euthanasia start? [in what circumstances does something count as 'euthanasia'?]
Jess asked:
What is Augustine's Critique of the Manichean solution to the problem of evil? What is Augustine's theodicy (defense of God's goodness in the face of the existence of evil)?
LIbby asked:
Why did Locke suggest that God did not play a role in our acquisition of knowledge?
Kimberly asked:
Who [what?] is the 'landscape' based on the Hermeneutic strategy?
Stephen asked:
Does love always require an object?
Several religious traditions teach that "God is love", and that humans should "love God". This seems to be commanding people to love love itself..! I am having a little difficulty understanding the logic and/or psychology of such a notion.
Similarly, such religions also may command people to "hate evil", evil (or the devil, etc.) being the opposite of God (as God is good). But surely, evil must have connotations with hatred, as the opposite of love (since love, God and goodness are intimately related in the theology of such religions.) Therefore, this teaching seems to imply that we should also hate hatred itself.
So the implication seems to be that we should love love, and hate hate. Does this 'emotional duality' further imply that we should fear fear itself, trust trust itself, hope for hope itself, be angry at anger itself, and so on, or does it only apply to love and hatred? (I doubt very much that the theology implies that we should 'lust after lust itself', so this strange 'duality' does not seem to apply universally to emotions. Maybe it only applies to 'natural' emotions?)
Elie asked:
How can I evaluate Leibniz's law-using argument for Descartes for the conclusion that Descartes is not the same as his body?
Nelya asked:
Explain Aristotle's theory of Causality and its relation to the question of human nature.
Paul asked:
Which philosopher(s) supports the principle of every man's unalienable right to his own Life, Liberty, Property and pursuit of Happiness?
Alicia asked:
What is wrong with subjective immaterialism?
Steve asked:
Explain why Hobbes, in the context of his "social contract theory", sees the second "law of nature" as coming to the same thing as the "golden rule". Do you think this claim can be defended? Why or why not?
Todd asked:
Why in the dialogue Gorgias does Socrates consider oratory a branch of pandering?
Deanna asked:
What are the differences between Kant's and Scheler's philosophies?
Denise asked:
I'm trying to understand the difference between emotion and feeling, especially as proposed by T.S. Eliot in "Tradition and the Individual talent".
Stacey asked:
Can you outline the basic points of the four laws that deal with discrimination?
Dennis asked:
Who said, "The right goes out to the world, the left comes out from the centre"?
I think it may be Seneca L. A. but have not been able to track it down as yet.
Cristiane asked:
Would you tell me something about Frankfurt's compatibilism?
Robert asked:
How far was sartre to be considered falling into the behaviourist category? and where his attempts to steer a middle path through it successful?
Glen asked:
Where can I find a list of names and biographies of philosophers?
Jenny asked:
In Descartes' Discourse on Method he discusses his 'rules of his method' (Discourse II) and the 'moral maxims' (Discourse III). Are these positions valid in respect to each other?
Ginni asked:
What is industrialisation, and what is its significance for philosophy?
Simon asked:
If we are made in God's image, how come we are all different? Free will itself surely cannot account for genetic differences, in the same way that it can account for the differences in our ethical conduct, can it?
Philo asked:
What does Aristotle mean when he uses the term 'equity' and is it a good ethical principle?
Alex asked:
What are the main arguments of the Crito?
Jill asked:
According to the ethics of natural law, the "principle of forfeiture" may be used to justify the killing of all of the following except:
A. an attacker in self-defense
B. an enemy in a defensive war
C. a convicted murderer as capital punishment
D. oneself as a suicide
Indya asked:
I've been set a question for an essay at college about the 'implications for Political Philosophy of John Stuart Mill's views on the power of the state'. I know I've got to explain about the tyranny of the majority and Mill's 'three phases' of struggle between liberty and authority, but otherwise I'm stuck!
Ritchel asked:
What is your opinion about Empedocles' theory of four elements: earth, air, fire, water, that all things in this world are composed of these primal elements/ roots?
Marci asked:
What is the essential difference between Nietzsche's "will to power" and Schopenhauer's "will and representation" — outside of course of the evident. Schopenhauer's exposition is clear; but what has or how has Nietzsche added to or twisted that? I don't see a big shift and for Nietzsche that is unusual; he's so original, I'm sure that I'm missing something.
Karen asked:
This is my first year taking Philosophy, and I am struggling with understanding. This is a on-line course [not Pathways] there are no lectures, so I am basically trying to learn this on my own. What suggestions can you give me to help?
LeAnn asked:
I have a test in which we are provided with essay questions. The question I pose is "What qualities belong essentially to something like a piece of wax? Critically discuss Descartes' Wax argument. I can't seem to formulate an answer.
Jackie asked:
How do Kant and Nietzsche differ in their views on punishment?
Sudarmaji asked:
Do you think that capitalism will dominate the entire of the world in one or two decades time? If so, what are its strengths? Is it possible for Islamic ideologies replace capitalism? If so, how?
Malang, Indonesia.
Ben asked:
What conceptions do philosophers try to convey when they use the word Suchness?
Stephen asked:
I am considering a M.Phil for the next academic year, my problem is this: The subject I am considering doing is 'an examination of religious doubt'. However, before I can begin I need know if there is enough (or indeed any) material on the area and in what way the 'doubt' concerned with a religious subject is different from that in the scientific arena.
Missy asked:
I have a couple of questions:
Why and how do Epicurus' theories still affect us and survive today?
Whom do these theories apply to?
How do the theories continue to impact thinking now?
Cruz asked:
For Aristotle, living a excellent human life includes each of the following, except:
A. participating in a community
B. developing inner strength by enduring suffering
C. striking a balance between extremes in action
D. fulfilling one's potential for self-sufficiency
Cruz also asked:
Which of the following best describes J.S. Mill's conception of individual rights?
A. People should have the right to do anything as long as it doesn't interfere with others.
B. People have only those rights that their government chooses to give them.
C. People should have the rights the Bible says they have.
D. Government should never prevent people from acting as they please.
Lindsay asked:
I am currently enrolled in a first year philosophy course, 'Metaphysics and Epistemology.' We recently had a paper due, and the topic I chose was that to do with the Principle of Induction and the problems that arise with this principle. Our topic, "How, if at all, do you know the sun will rise tomorrow." I have already written my paper and formulated my ideas making logical reference to Hume, Edwards, Russell, Hospers, and Salmon. I have presented my paper to many of my "non-philosophical" friends, and the first reaction I got out of them was, "Thank god I'm not in philosophy." I laughed and told them that it really wasn't that bad once you get into the swing of things. In any case, I was wondering what views you held on this topic, if any at all, and if you would be so kind as to share them with me?
Ryan asked:
In the Gita, does virtue mean obeying the Hindu deities, or do I have my information mixed up?
Ryan also asked:
I was wondering if you could explain the Eastern concept of Atman/ Brahman. Also, could you tell me if this is correct, Eastern philosophy believes all reality is an illusion?
Shareen asked:
Compare and contrast how the world would be today if we applied the same beliefs in the gods, man, death, values and ethics that the Egyptians and Greeks had during the time to the Egyptian Book of the Dead and/or Plato's Meno. How are they the same? How are the different? In your opinion, would the world be better or worse or the same? Why and how?
Owen asked:
I was hoping you could clarify a scenario for me. If 100 people we on a deserted island whose account of the ensuing events do you find more plausible, Hobbes or Locke and why?
I was under the impression that Locke believed the preservation of private property, life and liberty is the ultimate. Locke also believes that in a state of nature there is freedom and equality and that no one is subject to the will of another.
Conversely, Hobbes believes that we should avoid the state of nature at all costs. That being said which one do you find more plausible and why?
Emily asked:
Compare and contrast teleological and deontological ethical theories.
Space asked:
What did Plato and Aristotle have to say about the sources and nature of the good for humans?
Lisa asked:
What is autonomy versus paternalism?
Paul asked:
Do you think that Augustine was swayed by Plotinus and his work on Neoplatonism to become a Christian?
How were Augustine's Manichean beliefs different from his Christian beliefs?
Cathy asked:
Is it possible to lead a happy life knowing that you are doing things wrong? There are two problems with asking this question what are they?
Rohit asked:
Over the span of human history, what is the change in the idea of happiness? I would appreciate a brief chronological description mentioning the major ideas, and their proponents.
Rohit Gupta, Journalist
Janet asked:
How can a person who yearns for spiritual and philosophical awareness achieve it? I feel emptiness "in my heart" and despite reading all the great teachings of different philosophers, do not feel or believe, yet I want to. How can I achieve philosophical and spiritual awareness to try to achieve some potential as a human being?
Joseph asked:
In one of your archives, you said that negative things are harder to prove than the positive. I think that is false because in real life, negative things are easier or equally easy to prove than or as the positive. Such is the case in criticisms in books, people, religions. Also, I think that is so in Christianity because people are trying to disprove or deny what is real. Such is the case in God's existence or human evolution. Or maybe it is harder to prove because it is something we cannot see. These are what I came up with, but I'd like to see what you think.
Amy asked:
How did Philosophers like Nietzsche, Darwin, and Baber and Murray deal with traditional values?
Angie asked:
Why is Marx considered to be the founder of "conflict theory" and Durkheim the father of "functionalism"?
Dan asked:
What do you know about Deleuze, specifically Difference and Repetition? How do you feel about him?
Dawn asked:
How would you answer this question:
"Compare and contrast Plato's dualism with Aristotle's theory of the soul-body relationship."
Heather asked:
What is the mind/ body distinction and how might it be useful to women, according to Elizabeth Spelman?
Jessica asked:
Are there other famous philosophers with the same views has Rousseau?
Amy asked:
How could I show that Immanuel Kant's moral theory could not support the idea of voluntary euthanasia?
Rach asked:
Critically assess Descartes' argument that we can always be certain of our own existence.
Critically assess Socrates response to Meno's paradox concerning knowledge.
What does Plato regard as the difference between knowledge and opinion?
Mikaela asked:
What do some philosophers think about the legislation for voluntary euthanasia?
Wayne asked:
I just want to know: how does the environment affect people's feelings? And how does curiosity affect the way we get?
Chinese student
Bill asked:
A philosopher was mentioned on Star Trek — Spinoza? He was mentioned in relation to Einstein. Do you know of him and if so, where can I find more info on the web?
Gail asked:
If two people make an entity, or a group of people make an entity, then what entity was originally supposed to be called, "the waves"?
David asked:
I have to write a paper on God's will and God's love as manifested in Creation and I was wondering if you could give me the names of some good authors who have written on this subject.
Cooper asked:
In your opinion which should take priority over one another, the spirit of the law, or the letter of the law? Why? What kind of values are upheld by both that would make them outweigh the other?
Mary asked:
Locke denies the general idea of substance. Berkeley denies that sensible objects can have an existence distinct from their being perceived. What does each claim mean and does Berkeley's thesis follow, of necessity, from Locke's?
Samira asked:
Can you give me a thesis statement on the theme of survival?
Tanisha asked:
What is the nature and significance of the debate over the ontological status of the good in Plato's Euthyphro?
Rajes asked:
When is an individual being motivated for the very first time?
Marisa asked:
What kind of truths in Leibniz's system are not demonstrable by the law of contradiction?
Kenneth asked:
I am looking for web sites or research comparing and contrasting ethical positions of consequentialist and non-consequentialist. Who were or are the leading consequentialists and non-consequentialists?
Lindsay asked:
What are both the problem and the solution expressed in Knox's limerick: "God in the Quad.."?
Kristin asked:
I was wondering on the thoughts of early philosophers in the context of whether a person's goodness/ evil is a reflection of ones soul, and if so how so, and where were these ideas put into writing?
Elaine asked:
I have to write an essay and the title is ''Compare and contrast Plato's dualism with Aristotle's theory of the soul-body relationship''. I have no idea where to start.
Melvin asked:
I have to do a paper on contrast/ compare behaviorism and existentialism on an unknown person.
Kyle asked:
I have a couple of questions regarding Philosophy. First, a friend and I were discussing how successful Descartes is in establishing a foundation of knowledge, and what is the chain of arguments are which lead to the conclusion that our senses are reliable. We were also debating which of those arguments in the chain was the weakest argument. Then we discussed the most interesting interaction between Descartes' arguments and Hume's views. Could you help me with what the chain of arguments are, and which one is the weakest? And then what do you think is the most interesting interaction between Descartes' arguments and Hume's views on this topic?
Don asked:
I will like to know why people should (or should not) obey 'unjust laws' as propounded by St Aquinas which later came to form the nucleus of Natural Law.
Tanisha asked:
Discuss the meaning of the socratic maxim "Know thyself" as a moral imperative.
Brian asked:
I just finished reading Immanuel Kant's duties to the body and crimes against nature. I have concluded that Kant argues that sex is inherently degrading. What does he mean by this? and does he present a good argument for this position?
Luciano asked:
Can you please explain the reasons that David Hume gives for thinking that beliefs about matters of fact cannot be derived from our experiences by reason alone and how he thinks that such beliefs actually originate?
Maureen asked:
What is the Principle of Universality according to Astronomy?
Elissa asked:
What are Plato's views on Moral Obligation?
SY asked:
How did Socrates use his physical appearance to explain his theory of virtue?
Lai asked:
I wanted to find out more about what sociologists say about morality being formed by society and not by God. I wondered if you could point me in the right direction of websites that may address this question?
Seem asked:
This is a topic which is making my brain hurt more and more each day, so hopefully someone can shed some much needed light on the issue. here is my question:
How do Paul Feyerabend's views/ arguments apply/ relate to economics? I would like to know how in some ways they do apply, and in some ways they do not apply.
Jill asked:
With reference to Socrates, Aristotle and Descartes, what is an argument to answer the question: "what's philosophy for?"
Paula asked:
What is the difference between Eastern and Western Philosophy?
Nadja asked:
How are utilitarian principles applicable to contemporary government?
Tyrannie asked:
Could you please send me a quote supporting globalization and one supporting national sovereignty and also give me the philosopher who said each one?
David asked:
Wasn't it Nelson Goodman who said that God was the collective conscience of mankind? Do you have a cite for that?
May asked:
This is about David Armstrong's attempt to prove that we logically can be mistaken about our own current mental states. Why is this important for his position? Is his attempt successful?
Sina asked:
Some philosophers classified the reasons of existence of God into the logical arguments (that means human logical framework) and meta-logical arguments (that is, beyond our representational mind and thinking). In that case, are we allowed to put some part of practical reason out of the limitations of our logic? and according to this divided limitation, can we find a way to solve this classic problem of philosophy? what is your idea?
Heather asked:
If you had the time could you quickly outline the deal with environmental ethics? I'm finding it hard to understand reading Peter Vardy's Puzzle of Ethics.
Andrea asked:
What are the advantages and criticisms of Aristotle's idea of 'Cause' and also the 'Prime Mover'?
Atoosa asked:
What did Hegel think about Kant's aesthetics and his judgements on the beautiful?
Mykolas asked:
I have a question about what Elizabeth Anscombe says in the Introduction to her book Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Mind (pp. viii-ix of the 1981 edition). What does she mean by the example she gives of Wittgenstein saying, "'Let me think what medicine you need...Suppose we had the word painy as a word for the property of some surfaces'...The 'medicine' was effective, and the story illustrates Wittgenstein's ability to understand the thought that was offered to him in objection." I don't understand this whole passage. Can someone enlighten me?
Kudlic asked:
I have to interpret a quote by Aristotle and I can not find the context of which it was printed in hope you can help:
"Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in the conscientiousness that we deserve them"
Jerome asked:
Isn't "soul travel" merely a matter of imagination?
Randy asked:
I'm always asking myself this question Do I know? Do I really know? also asking you this, is it proper to say "I think therefore I am" (the 'Cogito' of Rene Descartes)?
God bless us!
Doug asked:
According to Augustine faith is a product of God's grace (God's love and protection freely given), and flows from God to humankind. The question, is the acquisition of faith an act of personal free will or, an act of God?
Clare asked:
I would be very grateful for your help in comparing and contrasting Plato's dualism with Aristotle's theory of the soul-body relationship
Annis asked:
I've chosen a question for my Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge essay which I believe is an easy one but I'm still having problem with some aspects of it, and I couldn't find any information of value on the questions page so I would be grateful if I could get someone else's point of view on the following question:
"Which sources of knowledge — books, websites, the media, personal experience, authorities or some other — do you consider most trustworthy, and why?"
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