Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Baccalaureate

Origins of ETA and Basque Nationalism

Nearly the entire leadership of Euzko Ikasle Alkartasuna (EIA), a clandestine student group, was arrested in 1954. The remaining members of the group didn't want to make the same mistakes they had made during the late 1940s.

At the same time, the clandestine network of the Euzko Alderdi Jeltzalea (EAJ-PNV) had been severely weakened, leaving a number of young activists to organize their own activities independently of established groups.

The Formation of Ekin and Intellectual Roots

During 1951, a group of young people—some of whom had been active in EIA—began meeting on an informal basis in Bilbao for secret discussions in Basque about common interests and Basque culture in general. The group began to take...

The Doctrine of the Point of View

Links to Other Philosophical Positions

The theory of knowledge in Plato's doctrine opposes Ortega's perspectivism. Plato provides two basic classes of knowledge: episteme (true knowledge) and doxa (opinion). For Plato, real knowledge is episteme, while perspective resides in opinion and fails to reach true knowledge.

For Thomas Aquinas, it is possible to obtain an understanding of the essence of things from their sensible manifestations; this is the doctrine of abstraction.

For Marx, men are the producers of their own ideas, conditioned by their material reality. Ortega agrees with Marx that a perspective is a product of specific circumstances, but argues that this perspective does not distort reality; rather,...

Immanuel Kant's Historical Context (18th Century)

Kant lived for much of the eighteenth century, a period of relative calm following the previous era called the Wars of Religion and preceding a series of Revolutionary Wars (American and French). In this interwar period, the European intellectual elite perceived a common mentality produced by a shared belief in a set of values that has passed into history with the name of the artwork.

The Intellectual Climate: Revolution of Minds

This common mentality, rather than producing political change, sought to achieve a general revolution in minds, illustrating the rulers and educating people so that they could improve the law and realize the idea of progress. This notion of revolution of thought and education...

Holidays: Exploring Menorca

The Island's Charm

Imagine a place where relaxation meets vibrant fun. Menorca, nestled next to Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, offers just that. Every summer, the island's population swells with tourists drawn to its pristine beaches and coves. Escape the stress of urban life and find tranquility in Menorca's captivating landscapes.

Binibeca: A Picturesque Village

My stay in Binibeca, a charming fishing village, was unforgettable. Whitewashed houses adorned with colorful flowers create a picturesque setting. Every detail on this island enchants its visitors.

A Place of Self-Discovery

Menorca is more than just a destination; it's an experience. The peaceful sea views and captivating landscapes leave you speechless....

Vocabulary Practice

1. Choose the correct answer

1. The designers think that this building will meet the needs of everyone.
2. I want you to repay the money by Friday at the latest.
3. We have to learn the poem by heart for tomorrow’s lesson.
4. You’re blocking the traffic. Get out of the way.

2. Word formation: Complete the sentences

1. There were countless occasions when I didn’t think we would reach safety. (COUNT)
2. The help that locals gave to the refugees was wonderful. (WONDER)
3. This green colouring is completely harmless, so you can add it to food and drinks for St. Patrick’s Day. (HARM)
4. Why do so many people think that a physical disability makes people unable to work? (DISABLE)
5. Unfortunately, there isn’t always equality between men and women in the

The Mendizábal Confiscation: Secularizing Church Property

The Mendizábal secularization targeted church property, primarily from religious orders. This policy aligned with liberal anti-clericalism and was chosen for its lower political cost, as it avoided direct conflict with major political groups. When Mendizábal arrived from London to preside over the government in 1835, his primary concern was securing the throne for Elizabeth II by winning the Carlist War, which required reducing the national public debt.

Key Provisions of the Decree

• Suppression of religious orders: Dissolution of monastic institutions.
• Sale of nationalized goods: The decree aimed to create an abundant class of property owners, establishing public credit modeled after the

The Story of Afel

Afel is a Jamaican boy who first saw snow in a picture book when he was very young. He asked his mother what snow was, and she laughed while she explained it to him.

Years later, while watching a large TV at his uncle’s house, a program about snow suddenly started. He did not know what the program was about; he only thought the people on the screen looked like animals flying all over the place.

His uncle explained what was happening. He said the event was “The Winter Olympics,” which takes place every four years, and described the different sports included in the competition. Afel began to understand, and he paid the most attention to the skiers.

A Dream Takes Root

As soon as he discovered these competitions, he decided he...

Saint Augustine: The Harmony of Reason and Faith

Saint Augustine posits that reason and faith are two distinct paths that converge at the same destination: knowledge. Because there is only one truth, these two actions are complementary and collaborative, summarized by the principle: "Believe to comprehend, and understand to believe."

The Theory of Knowledge and Interiority

Augustine’s epistemology is rooted in self-reflection to reach God. He is the first philosopher to emphasize that we seek truth within ourselves rather than in the imperfect material world. Our reason is guided by eternal ideas, which originate from the mind of God, illuminating our intellect so we may grasp the truth.

Human Nature and the Soul

Man, created in the image and...

Rhythmic and Folk Characteristics

The piece consists of a ternary rhythm in a beat of 3/4. This rhythm gives it a distinct folk dance character. The score is a descriptive transcription. In the original, the composer probably employed just two figures: the semibreves and breves; however, the author of the transcription has used black and white notation. It is very characteristic of the time to use hemiola, which provides a strong rhythmic tension, producing the effect of alternating a ternary rhythm every two binaries.

Incorporating barline action is necessary to link the two crotchets (negras) in order to maintain this rhythmic scheme. Another procedure is the rhythm in bars that form the final cadence, where the different voices invert their...

Crisis and Conversion in Spain

In 1973, Spain faced a significant economic crisis triggered by the global oil crisis. This crisis had profound effects on the Spanish economy, reflecting its peripheral position in the global market.

External Factors

• Emergence of semi-peripheral countries with cheaper labor, supported by states, primarily in Southeast Asia, leading to a New International Division of Labor.
• Continued technological innovation, replacing manual labor.
• Increase in oil prices, marking the onset of the crisis, as oil had previously been a cheap alternative to coal.
• Closure of traditional external labor markets, resulting in the expulsion of immigrants.

Internal Factors

• Rising labor costs due to an improved standard of living.
• Stagnation in