Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of Philosophy and ethics

David Hume's Sentimentalism

The Scottish philosopher David Hume (1711-1776) is one of the most representative philosophers of the philosophical current known as empiricism. Empiricism prioritizes the role of observation and sensitive experimentation against reason in both science and general thought.

Hume's Ethical Theory

From the point of view of ethics, Hume undertook a study of morality that changed the prevailing rationalist perspective in previous philosophies. He focused more on emotions, passions, and feelings as the foundation of the moral life; therefore, we speak of "sentimentalism" in Hume.

Morality as Experience

According to Hume's ethical theory, morality is a kind of experience clearly different from logical-mathematical or merely... Continue reading "David Hume's Sentimentalism: Ethics and Emotions" »

Qualities of a Good Negotiator

Knowledge

Understand the other party's needs and perspectives.

Communication

Clearly state your desired outcome from the start. Pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal communication, including voice and body language. Avoid aggressive behavior.

Confidence and Listening

Project self-confidence and practice active listening to understand the other party's point of view.

Types of Negotiation

Win-Win

Both sides benefit, leading to voluntarily accepted resolutions. Integrative bargaining aims for win-win outcomes through cooperation.

Win-Lose

Only one side perceives the outcome as positive, making voluntary acceptance less likely.

Lose-Lose

All parties end up worse off.

Negotiation Advice

• Strive for win-win outcomes.
• Maintain

Reflections on Dr. Mario Sergio's Insights

In a compelling video, Dr. Mario Sergio discussed the crucial relationship between ethics and coexistence in a society. He highlighted that our generation faces a significant ethical deficit. Dr. Sergio emphasized that ethics is the "aesthetics of our inner selves," cultivated through discipline and a clear understanding of right and wrong. This ethical foundation, he argued, must be established during childhood.

The Importance of Early Ethical Education

Dr. Sergio quoted a popular saying: "The world we leave to our children depends heavily on the children we leave to this world." This underscores the need to instill strong values and ethical principles in our youth. He referenced the letters of the Apostle... Continue reading "Ethics and Social Harmony: Cultivating a Better Future" »

A human action can be considered as a moral action whether it has the following characteristics:

1. It is done by adjusting to a code or a set of moral rules and values. These rules and values designate what should be considered as morally good or bad, advisable or inadvisable, etc. In the next section we will study what the moral values and rules are.
2. This moral code should not be imposed by the society to the people, but each individual must be free to choose it. For example, I must be free to choose whether or not euthanasia is something acceptable from a moral point of view. For this reason, morality is above all an individual matter related to the autonomy of each person.
3. Being free when acting is something extremely important when assessing

The Importance of Having Goals in Life

All humans have goals to accomplish in life. Some are achievable, and some are not, but we should always have hope. It doesn't matter if you can perform it or not. These are the goals that fill us with hope and faith. Also, they guide us and show which path to follow. Without those goals, we could not define exactly where we wanted to go. In this text, I will explain what my goals are and why it is good to have goals in life, and we will realize that life would be meaningless without them.

My Primary Goal: Becoming a Nurse

First, I always thought that having goals in life is good, and I have so many, but today I am going to mention the one which is the most important one. It's something I want to be in the... Continue reading "Achieving Aspirations: The Significance of Setting Life Goals" »

The Impact of Music on Emotional and Mental Well-being

Music plays a vital role in people's emotional and mental well-being. It has the power to awaken deep and positive emotions. Listening to pleasant songs can reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and provide an escape from daily worries.

Music and Cultural Connection

Music promotes connection and understanding between different people and cultures. The diversity in musical styles allows people to explore and appreciate different cultural and social points of view, fostering empathy and mutual respect, and helping to build more tolerant and inclusive societies.

The Psychological Benefits of Music

Music has a positive effect on psychological development, especially in children. Studies... Continue reading "Music, Mindset, and Words: Keys to Well-being & Positivity" »

Critical Thinking & Argumentation

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is about examining information from any source, evaluating its value and relevance, and effectively applying it to your studies.

Understanding Arguments

An argument, in the context of critical thinking, goes beyond mere disagreement. It involves presenting reasons in a structured way to persuade you of a specific viewpoint.

• Arguments are supported by reasons.
• Arguments aim to be persuasive and convince you of a particular position, potentially refuting or disproving opposing views.

Key Concepts in Critical Thinking

Assumptions

An assumption is an unstated reason that is necessary for the conclusion to be valid.

Credibility

Credibility refers to whether a claim or piece... Continue reading "Critical Thinking & Argumentation: A Guide" »

René Descartes is introduced into modern philosophy being the father of rationalism.

René is born in 1596 and dies in 1650

Descartes was a dualist. He affirmed that there are two substances: that of the body that possesses the attribute of extension, and that of the soul that possesses the attribute of thought.

There was a new worldview, this change implied a break with the old religious beliefs and the knowledge of other philosophers of the new planetary system was added, coming to the theory that the center of it was the sun. Because of this, Rene wanted to build new knowledge, that is, a new world for him.

Descartes attributes to the matter a creative force of its own, and considers the mechanical movement as the vital manifestation of matter... Continue reading "Rene Descartes: The Father of Rationalism" »

1. The Origin of Philosophy

Philosophy as a way of thinking is a human way of interacting with the world. It involves asking questions about the world around us in order to find meaning. This way of thinking, asking questions about the world, is deeply rooted in humans and has always existed.

However, its existence doesn't give rise to philosophy as a discipline. Philosophy as a discipline has a historical origin in the Greek colonies of Asia Minor during the 6th century B.C. One of these colonies was Miletus where Thales was born. Thales is considered to be one of the first philosophers. He used observation and reasoning to offer an explanation of the existence of natural things and phenomena. Thales' fundamental features:

• It begins with the recognition