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

Theory of Knowledge

Saint Augustine sought truth and happiness (bliss), which he believed are found in Christ. He believed that faith and reason are complementary, and that reason is not insufficient. Saint Augustine stated that we can find truth within ourselves, thus negating skepticism. He distinguished between:

• Sensitive Knowledge: Derived from information received through the senses. It is unreliable and represents the lowest level of knowledge.
• Rational Knowledge: Proper to human beings, enabling judgments based on concrete realities, intangible models, and universal and eternal truths.

Truth, according to Augustine, is "the adequacy of the intellect to the thing" (logical truth). It resides in reason and transcends it. Augustine adopted... Continue reading "Saint Augustine's Philosophy: Truth, God, and Humanity" »

Understanding Communication Fundamentals

Communication is a complex process involving several key elements that facilitate the exchange of information and meaning.

Elements of Communication

• Transmitter (Sender): The source initiating the message.
• Receiver: The recipient who interprets the message.
• Content (Message): The information or idea being conveyed.
• Channel (Means of Communication): The medium through which the message is sent (e.g., oral, written, visual).
• Code (Language/Sign-Language): The system of signs and symbols used to encode and decode the message.
• Context (Situation): The circumstances or environment in which communication occurs.

Exploring Language Varieties

Language adapts to various social contexts and levels of formality. Understanding... Continue reading "Key Concepts in Communication, Language, and Poetics" »

3. Characteristics of Philosophical Knowledge. It is knowledge about the totality of human experience, rational, radical, autonomous, and critical. It integrates knowledge, aiming to understand all human experiences (perceivable and sensed) and their roles within the whole. It searches for the underlying foundation or integrity of this totality.

Totalizing Knowledge

Encompasses everything. It provides a sense or meaning for all human experiences. We understand all human experiences—perceiving, feeling, thinking, imagining, etc.—and the role each plays within the whole.

Radical Knowing

Gets to the root of things, seeking ultimate principles to make sense of everything else. Nothing is taken for granted.

These share the idea that all human experiences... Continue reading "Philosophical Knowledge: Characteristics and Significance" »

Bioethical Challenges in Technology

Understanding Bioethics

Discoveries and technological advancements bring immense benefits to humanity. However, this progress also raises serious moral dilemmas. Key concerns include the legitimacy of experimentation on animals and humans, and the impact of advances in genetic engineering. For these reasons, the development of a serious and effective bioethics – a discipline tasked with studying and addressing ethical issues related to life – is a responsibility we owe to ourselves and future generations.

Philosophical Solutions: Return to Nature

One proposed solution, a 'return to nature,' suggests that if the root of societal ills lies within the current system of industrial and technological development,... Continue reading "Ethical Dimensions of Technology: Responsibility for the Future" »

Aristóteles: Unión Cuerpo-Alma y Crítica a Platón

Aristóteles postula una unión sustancial entre cuerpo (materia) y alma (forma). Critica la teoría de las ideas de Platón. La felicidad, según Aristóteles, se alcanza mediante la doctrina del término medio.

Física Aristotélica: Movimiento y Hilemorfismo

Los seres físicos se caracterizan por el movimiento. Aristóteles distingue dos mundos:

• Mundo Supralunar: Seres formados por éter, con movimiento circular y eterno.
• Mundo Sublunar: Seres formados por los cuatro elementos (fuego, aire, agua, tierra), con movimiento rectilíneo que cesa.

Los seres están compuestos de materia y forma. La forma es lo que diferencia a los seres, ya que la materia prima sería indiferenciada. La unión de... Continue reading "Aristóteles: Ser, Alma, Conocimiento y Causas" »

Despido Colectivo: Causas y Finalidad

Son aquellos que se realizan para mantener la viabilidad empresarial y pueden basarse en causas económicas, técnicas, organizativas o de producción.

Despido Objetivo: Circunstancias y Causas

Se produce por circunstancias objetivas ajenas a la voluntad culpable del trabajador, pero relacionadas con su desempeño o las necesidades de la empresa. Algunas causas incluyen:

• Ineptitud del trabajador (conocida o sobrevenida).
• Falta de adaptación del trabajador a modificaciones técnicas justificadas en su puesto.
• Faltas de asistencia al trabajo, aun justificadas pero intermitentes, que alcancen el 20% de las jornadas hábiles en 2 meses consecutivos siempre que el total de faltas en los 12 meses anteriores alcance

The Socratic Ideal of Self-Examination

Socrates was not a professional philosopher but a simple citizen guided by an unshakeable desire for truth, questioning the values and practices of his time. Socrates gave no definitive answers, nor did he appear to claim he had them. He only knew that the conventional answers of his fellow citizens often lacked true understanding. However, his ideal of life was not exhausted in the negativity of this apparent skepticism. Above all, he wanted individuals to care for their souls and find the truth, believing that truth should illuminate our lives. Socrates was convinced that truth exists, and although hard to find, it is to be found within ourselves. He argued the difficulty lies in our souls being full... Continue reading "Ancient Philosophical Ideals for a Meaningful Life" »

Common Good and the Individual

The principle of the Common Good states that the two subjects that constitute any social formation are, and should be, the protagonists of life in coexistence. They have to guide each other to do their respective part towards the same goal: the common good of the group. This is the set of conditions of social life that allow associations and each of their members to achieve self-perfection more fully and easily. The importance lies with the person forever. There are three key areas to its content: respect for the individual, social welfare and development, and stability and security. It is the responsibility of both the authority and the social body.

Marriage as a Human Expression of Love

Marriage is a fully human... Continue reading "Humanity, Marriage, and the Natural World: Key Principles" »

Democracy and Political Issues

Notes on Democracy:

• True: line 7
• False: lines 13 and 15
• True: lines 17, 18, 19

Vocabulary:

Brief:

ant. A lot

Pondering:

syn. think about

Simply:

syn. Just

Phrases/Questions:

1. Hadn't seen
2. Did you know
3. Has left a lot of money
4. Can't believe
5. To be true
6. You can spend
7. Did she tell you

Dialogue Snippets:

• 1: Hi, I'm John and this is my boyfriend Peter. Nice to meet you.
• 3: How much does the phone cost?
• 4: I advise you not to fence in your house; it is good to be alone. You get bored, besides the best is the mother company, helps you in good times and bad times.
• 5: Hi, I'm a little fat and I would like you to tell me what exercises to do to burn calories and a diet low in fat.

Political Commentary:

Politicians of today do not fight for the democracy... Continue reading "Perspectives on Society: Politics, Health, Conflict" »

Essential Sources for Journalistic Reporting

Effective journalistic reporting relies on a diverse range of information sources to ensure accuracy, depth, and credibility. Below are key categories of sources utilized by reporters:

• Direct Observation

  When a reporter is physically present at the event's location, the initial information is gathered directly from what is seen and experienced firsthand.

• Interviews with Individuals

  Although seemingly obvious, it is indispensable to speak with the key players or protagonists involved in an event. There may be more than one central figure whose perspective is crucial.

• Telephone Interviews

  It is often impractical to conduct face-to-face interviews with every person who can provide information on an event or