Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Philosophy and ethics

Philosophical Schools of Thought

Major Philosophers and Their Ideas

Key Concepts and Arguments:

1. Accepted both ideas of permanence (higher forms) and impermanence (lower forms). Plato
2. Reality is divided into two parts: the visible and the invisible. Plato
3. Believed humans are born without any knowledge. Locke
4. Created a synthesis between rationalism and empiricism. Kant
5. Thought the mind and body are connected in the pituitary gland. Descartes
6. Concluded there is as much reality in the cause as in the effect. Descartes
7. Found the mind to be structured to apprehend “Sense reality.” Kant
8. Said, “The seen is changing. The unseen

Philosophical Views on Human Nature and Law

There are many reasons why human nature and the purpose of laws exist. Thomas Hobbes believed human nature to be brutish and destructive; thus, the purpose of laws is to prevent such nature and maintain order. Hypothetically, an anti-violence law regulating society to prevent harm would align with Hobbes's views.

For Aristotle, human life is neither inherently good nor bad by nature; rather, upbringing determines social and political character. Nevertheless, Aristotle believed the purpose of laws is to encourage virtue. He would likely support laws aiding those in need, especially after natural disasters. For instance, the Model Act for Facilitation of International Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance... Continue reading "Philosophical Foundations of Law and Human Rights" »

This document details significant hominin fossil discoveries and the crucial milestones in human evolution, from early bipedalism to the development of complex thought and culture.

Notable Hominin Fossils and Their Characteristics

True or False

1. Space and time are forms of sensibility and objects given in intuitions. T
2. A unicorn is a simple idea, but horse and horn are complex as they result from sensations. F
3. For Descartes, the mind is an infinite substance trapped in the finite body. F
4. Since babies cannot count, quantity is learned and is not an a priori category of the understanding. T
5. Reflections, for Locke, are acts of the mind while sensation provides ideas of the external world. T
6. Kant believed self, cosmos, and God offer unity and completeness. T
7. Although Kant argued that minds move towards wholeness, the way the mind analyzes raw data differs by culture. T
8. While odor and taste are part of objects, motion depends on the observer. F
9. The word empiricism is derived from the

The Rise of Advanced Robotic Arms

This article discusses robotic arms developed by companies such as Amazon and FedEx, capable of picking and sorting objects with human-like dexterity.

For years, engineers have strived to replicate the human capacity to grip and manipulate objects using robots. However, recent advancements in artificial intelligence, camera technology, and engineering now enable robots to "see" and dynamically adjust their grip on objects of varying sizes and shapes.

Critics express concern that this technology will lead to significant job losses. Others, however, raise different concerns, including the potential for higher worker injury rates or the need for stricter human surveillance to ensure production targets are met.

According... Continue reading "Robotic Arms and AI: Shaping the Future of Work" »

active:

Learning from Mistakes: Popper and Kuhn

Science progresses not by proving theories right, but by recognizing when our understanding of reality is false. Scientists actively try to disprove their theories.

• Induction: If you observe that it rains every Thursday for four weeks, you might conclude that it always rains on Thursdays.
• Science aims to avoid the problem of induction.
• Scientists propose a hypothesis and then test it, seeking evidence that could falsify it. If falsified, the hypothesis is rejected.
• Kuhn: Argued that there are no objective facts waiting to be discovered. Progress occurs through "paradigm shifts," where existing frameworks of thought are overturned.

The Runaway Train and the Unwanted Fiddler

These thought experiments by Philippa... Continue reading "Key Philosophical Concepts: From Popper to Singer" »

Stages in Customer Service

A set of quick and flexible procedures is fundamental to avoid problems.

Usual stages are:

1. Ordering: Using a computer management tool to fill in data such as customer name and number code.
2. Information Request: This has improved tremendously in many companies.
3. Claim and/or Complaint Management: Nowadays, this is mainly done through contact centers, but the internet is rapidly growing.

When dealing with claims, consider:

• Who the claims should be addressed to.
• What data to send to the customer.
• Establish three levels of response: serious claims for superiors, and lower and middle-class claims to solve internally.
• General claims that do not require any actions.
• False or imaginary claims caused by misunderstandings should be addressed,

Scientific Methods

Scientific methods provide frameworks for investigation and understanding.

Deductive Method

This method moves from general statements to particular statements. From general judgments or definitions (premises), individual conclusions are deduced that are the necessary consequence of the first. The consistency and validity of this method are unquestionable. The deductive method is characteristic of formal sciences, although in empirical sciences it is also used in the initial part of the investigation.

Inductive Method

The inductive method starts from the particular to formulate a general conclusion. Scientists, after observing that a property or event is repeated in many individual cases, conclude that such a property belongs to... Continue reading "Understanding Scientific Methods" »

1)Which is the key concept of Socratic ethics?

His ethics around truth and good, the notion of good is a political category, not merely on individual one. This means that the good is what suits the polis or city, not this or that particular citizen. However, Socrates is aware of the need to limit this concept in a context in which the disparity of interests and expections leads to contradictory views about it. This is the meaning of the pedagogical work that will develop throughout his life and culminate with his sacrifice in favour of the laws of Athens. (His death sentence)

1. Which is the difference between selfish good and political good?
2. The knowledge of good precedes it’s application in the practical and political sphere: once the good is