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

Introduction: Echoes of 1984

George Orwell's 1984 depicts a society under Big Brother's control, where constant surveillance is the norm. Today, technology mirrors this reality, as we share personal information and activities, making us vulnerable to surveillance.

Thesis: Modern technology, with its erosion of privacy and social media surveillance, brings us closer to the dystopian world of 1984.

Erosion of Privacy

Social Media Overexposure

Firstly, young people and adults are often tethered to social media, sharing their daily lives and consequently sacrificing their privacy.

Digital Footprints and Surveillance

Secondly, the digitalization of our lives leaves data trails across various platforms, leading to mass surveillance.

Conclusion: A Warning

Norbert Elias: The Civilizing Process

Norbert Elias was a 20th-century sociologist who studied how people have gradually changed their behavior over the centuries. His most important work, The Civilizing Process, shows how, since the Middle Ages, human beings have learned to control their impulses (such as violence, sexuality, or aggressiveness) due to social, economic, and political changes.

This process is closely related to the birth of the modern State, which, as Max Weber said, holds the legitimate monopoly on violence within a territory. In other words, only the State has the legal right to use force. Thanks to this, people no longer need to defend themselves individually and can trust that the authorities will resolve conflicts. As a result,... Continue reading "Societal Evolution: Key Thinkers on Progress and Conflict" »

Social Justice: Definition and Explanation

Definition: Social justice is the moral and social principle that seeks to ensure fair access for all people and groups to the goods, opportunities, and rights necessary for human dignity.

Explanation: It goes beyond material equality; it aims at equity, solidarity, and respect for human dignity.

It ensures that everyone can participate in the economic, political, and social life of the community.

In Catholic Social Teaching, it is rooted in love of neighbor and the dignity of the human person, not in ideology.

The Principle of Subsidiarity

Definition: A principle that states a higher authority should not interfere in what a lower level can accomplish by itself, but should support (subsidium) when necessary.... Continue reading "Core Principles of Catholic Social Teaching" »

Imagine you're standing at a crossroads, faced with a decision that could alter the course of your life. At that moment, who are you? Are you defined by your past experiences, your aspirations for the future, or something deeper, more fundamental?

The Philosophical Roots of Identity

This existential quandary has puzzled humanity for centuries, captivating the minds of philosophers from ancient Greece to the Enlightenment.

Aristotle's Soul and Identity

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, posited that the essence of identity lies within the soul—our innermost core that remains constant throughout our lives.

Descartes: Consciousness and Existence

Building upon Aristotle's ideas, René Descartes, the 17th-century French philosopher, famously... Continue reading "Human Identity Unveiled: Consciousness & Existence" »

The state is a union of families and villages having for its end a perfect and self-sufficing life, by which we mean a happy and honorable life.

Features of the State

1. State as a Union

The state is a union of different individuals, groups, families, etc., providing legal bonds.

2. State Has a Purpose

The state was not created without reason; it exists for the betterment of individual life. In the absence of the state, lawlessness and disorder would prevail, where the strong would dominate the weak.

3. State Comprises Four Elements

One: Population

There can be no state if there are no people to populate it. The state exists for its people.

Two: Territory

Any government must have a fixed geographical area over which it exercises control.

Three: Government

The... Continue reading "Defining the State: Elements and Characteristics" »

The Case Against Mandatory Exams

Many people believe that exams should be mandatory, arguing they don't necessarily need to value student effort or attitude. However, I disagree with this perspective. Why should assessment focus solely on the final "product" rather than the entire learning process?

High Stress and Mental Health Concerns

Firstly, high school students often face numerous exams, frequently scheduled on the same day or within the same week. To achieve good marks for university admission, they study intensively. This immense pressure can be detrimental, causing significant stress and tiredness, which may eventually lead to mental health issues.

Unfairness Due to Cheating

Secondly, a significant number of students cheat on exams, sometimes... Continue reading "Mandatory Exams & School Uniforms: Student Impact Debated" »

Employment Law: Key Concepts

1. Contract Terms vs. Psychological Contract

   A written employment contract contains terms and conditions like salary, working hours, and benefits. The psychological contract is an implicit agreement between employee and employer based on mutual expectations and loyalty.

2. Benefits of a Contract

   For the employee, it provides security, legal protection, and clarity on obligations. For the employer, it offers stability and a legal framework for managing employment.

3. Standard Employment Contract Terms

   Salary, working hours, workplace location, probationary period, vacation policies, and dismissal procedures.

4. Implementing the Psychological Contract

   It is more challenging because it is based on unwritten expectations, values, and interpersonal

T1: What are the Social Sciences (SSCC)?

The Social Sciences are a group of disciplines that study human beings in their social dimension. Their main objective is to understand how people live together, organize societies, create cultures, and establish social, political, and economic relations.

Social Sciences are considered an umbrella term, as they include different disciplines that analyze social reality from various perspectives. They focus on the relationship between the individual and society, not on the individual in isolation. It is important to distinguish Social Sciences from the Humanities, which focus on philosophical and artistic thought, and from Social Studies, an educational field that integrates content from different Social... Continue reading "Social Sciences Teaching: Curriculum, Methods and Cultural Heritage" »

Foundational Concepts in Ethical Reasoning

Principle: An essential norm in a system of moral thought, forming the basis of moral reasoning. Principles help us formulate rules and practical guidance.

Respect for Autonomy

Definition: A principle requiring respect for the decision-making capacities of autonomous persons.

Understanding Autonomy

• Autonomy: Freedom from external constraint and the presence of critical mental capacities such as understanding, intending, and voluntary decision-making capacity.
• Personal Autonomy: Personal self-governance—the personal rule of the self by adequate understanding while remaining free from controlling interferences by others and from personal limitations that prevent choice.

Diminished Autonomy

To have diminished... Continue reading "The Four Core Principles of Bioethics: Definitions and Application" »

What Are Values?

Values define what is worthwhile, beneficial, important, useful, and desirable for people. They influence feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. Values encompass various types, including economical, aesthetical, and moral/ethical values.

Values and Facts

Ethical questions are challenging because value judgments (e.g., good, bad, beautiful, fair) cannot be proven true or false. While facts like "grass is green" or "the earth is round" are provable, concepts like the morality of racism or murder are not.

Different Conceptions of Ethics

1. Situational Ethics

In situational ethics, right and wrong depend on the specific situation. There are no universal moral rules or rights; each case is unique. This approach emphasizes flexible guidelines... Continue reading "Understanding Ethical Values and Frameworks" »