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

The Philosophical Problem of Truth

Truth Concerning Reality: Appearance vs. Essence

The term “truth” can be identified here with true reality as opposed to mere appearance. The distinction between reality and appearance has been the subject of a long debate throughout the history of philosophy. This debate has often been dominated by the conception that appearances are concealments of reality.

Things are often not as they appear. For example, objects do not become smaller when they move away, and a stick does not bend when it is immersed in water. Appearances are deceptive and hide the true reality, since we cannot always see how things are in reality.

Truth Concerning Knowledge

The concept of truth can also be applied to propositions and knowledge... Continue reading "Defining Truth: Correspondence, Coherence, and Scientific Methods" »

Core Vocabulary: Social Action and Fundraising Terms

Activism and Protest Terminology

Activist:

Activista

Appeal:

Apelación

Attend a rally:

Asistir a un mitin

Banner:

Bandera

Campaign:

Campaña

Demonstrator:

Manifestante

Go on a march:

Ir en marcha

Petition:

Petición

Protest:

Protesta

Protester:

Manifestante

Rally:

Reunión / Mitin

Sign a petition:

Firmar una petición

Slogan:

Eslogan

Take part:

Tomar parte / Participar

Take part in a sit-in:

Participar en una sentada

Charity and Fundraising Vocabulary

Animal charity:

Caridad animal

Charity (Adjective):

Caritativo

Donation:

Donación

Donor:

Donante

Fundraising activity:

Actividad para recaudar dinero

Raise awareness of:

Crear conciencia de

Raise funds:

Recaudar fondos

Sponsor:

Patrocinador

Sponsorship:

Patrocinio

Sponsored walk:

Marcha benéfica

Volunteer:

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,

Good morning, dear members of the Parliament,

Thank you all for being here for today’s important discussion and for continuing to demonstrate your commitment to this issue. I am here mainly to discuss the importance of responding to the specific needs of women. We have stressed the importance of not only meeting these needs but also ensuring that we’re grounding our support and interventions in strategies that empower us, with the sole objective of creating a just and equal society.

Do you know what you would do if you could not vote or get a good education? Would you be upset, furious, frustrated, or annoyed? That is how most women feel when they think about this. Women have been trying to claim their rights while men enjoy many privileges... Continue reading "Empowering Women: The Fight for Equality and Rights" »

G.A. Cohen's Locked Room Analogy

The story of G.A. Cohen presents a scenario where ten people are locked in a single room with only one key able to open the door. This thought experiment is used to analyze the concepts of freedom and necessity within the capitalist system.

The Analogy's Components

The room is similar to the working class, the people locked in the room are the individual workers, and the key represents the means with which individual workers can escape the working class. It must also be noted that only one individual may use the key and leave the room, and after that individual leaves, no other individual may attempt to exit.

The Argument for Individual Freedom

It is true that before anyone attempts to leave, all are equally free... Continue reading "G.A. Cohen's Locked Room Analogy and Capitalist Exploitation" »

Welfare means that people can have a minimum level of education, health, and financial security, even in negative circumstances such as sickness, retirement, disability, or unemployment. In order to maintain this well-being, different types of institutions provide social and economic support, especially in negative circumstances.

The Importance of Social Security

Social Security is the protection that a society provides to all its citizens so that they can develop their personalities through education. It must guarantee that they can live a safe and healthy life through healthcare. It must guarantee that a person can still receive money if they lose their job (income during unemployment) and also receive money during periods of need, such as... Continue reading "Social Security and the Welfare State Explained" »

Branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of existence, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.

Epistemology

Epistemology is the theory of knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. It distinguishes justified belief from opinion.

Ethics

The field of Ethics (or moral philosophy) involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior.

Early Greek Philosophers and Their Ideas

Thales

Known as the father of Western philosophy, Thales is famous for the story of having once fallen into a cistern because he was looking up at the heavens.

Anaximander

Anaximander believed that... Continue reading "Essential Philosophical Concepts and Thinkers" »