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

Monotheism

Religious belief that affirms the existence of only one God.

Multiculturalism

Cultural phenomenon that involves the coexistence of cultural groups, which have very different origins, within the same society.

Myth

Story that incorporates elements of fantasy to explain the origin of a natural or social reality.

Objective Knowledge

Knowledge of reality as it really is, without being compromised or distorted by subjective knowledge.

Pantheism

Philosophical doctrine that involves identifying God with nature. It affirms the divine nature of reality in its entirety. It can, therefore, be considered to be a form of monism. This concept was notably explored by philosopher Baruch Spinoza.

Person

Individual substance of rational nature. Roman philosopher... Continue reading "Glossary of Philosophical and Cultural Terms" »

Essential Vocabulary: F and G Terms

F Words

Façade

The false front or misleading appearance of anything.

Facet

Any of the flat, polished surfaces of a cut gem.

Fallacy

A false notion or belief.

Fathom

To understand.

Faux

False.

Fawn

To exhibit affection; to seek favor through flattery.

Feign

To make false representation of.

Fester

To generate pus.

Fetish

An object of obsessive reverence, attention, or interest.

Fiasco

A complete failure or disaster.

Fiat

An arbitrary decree or order.

Fickle

Likely to change for no good reason.

Figment

Something made up or invented; a fabrication.

Fiscal

Pertaining to financial matters.

Fledgling

Inexperienced or immature.

Flippant

Frivolously disrespectful.

Florid

Ruddy; flushed; red-faced.

Fodder

Coarse food for livestock.

Folly

Foolishness; insanity;... Continue reading "Advanced Vocabulary List: Definitions for F and G Terms" »

The Principle of Solidarity

We are all responsible for helping others, protecting and caring for vulnerable people. If we practiced generosity, there might not be a need for the extensive welfare systems we have. Solidarity particularly highlights the intrinsic social nature of the human person, the equality of all in dignity and rights, and the common path of individuals and peoples towards an ever more committed unity. Solidarity represents a moral value to pursue the common good and social virtue, aiming to achieve justice.

The Principle of Subsidiarity

Governments should not intervene in problems that can be resolved effectively by families or lower-level associations. The State has a role of guidance and protection; it should be at the service... Continue reading "Solidarity, Subsidiarity, and Social Justice Principles" »

Fetal Personhood and Abortion: A Comparative Analysis

Mary Anne Warren's Criteria for Personhood

Mary Anne Warren would likely argue that a six-week-old fetus does not meet the criteria for personhood. She outlines five conditions necessary for an entity to be considered a person:

1. Consciousness and the capacity to feel pain.
2. Reasoning ability.
3. Capacity for self-motivated activity.
4. Ability to communicate.
5. Self-awareness and self-concepts.

According to Warren, if a fetus does not fulfill all five conditions, it cannot be considered a person. Therefore, she would likely support the permissibility of abortion in this case.

George and Lee's Argument for Fetal Moral Status

In contrast, George and Lee would argue that abortion is morally wrong because it involves... Continue reading "Fetal Personhood and Abortion: A Comparative Analysis of Warren, George, and Lee" »

Chapter 1
What are some of the reasons the world is increasingly threatening, according to Paul and Elder? (p. 3)
A world in which national mass media gain more and more power over the minds of people.
A world in which increasing numbers of civilians find themselves trapped in the crossfire of warring groups and ideologies.
A world in which privacy is increasingly penetrated by multiple invasive technologies: face-recognition software, DNA testing, e-mail review systems, credit card tracking, and auto-tracking systems.
Why is a complex world a problem for critical thinking? (p. 6)
Much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or downright prejudiced. Critical thinking begins, then, when we start thinking about... Continue reading "Concepts of educations" »

Point 7: Evidence and Memory

"The only evidence is inside my own mind, and I don't know with any certainty that any other human being shares my memories."

Context: Winston is explaining to Julia about how there is no history and that there is no real evidence that anything happened.

Significance: Shows how the Party keeps everything in the present. Because they are always reinventing history, it ceases to exist since the evidence is falsified.

Point 8: The Proles vs. The Party

"The proles are human beings, he said. We are not humans."

Context: Winston is talking about the proles and explaining the contrast between his people (the Outer Party) and them. He perceives the proles to be human because they are loyal only to each other and not to the Party.... Continue reading "Key Passages and Analysis from 1984" »

The Role of Sympathy in Economics

Adam Smith's Perspective on Sympathy

Adam Smith described sympathy as an automatic reaction that influences our economic behavior. He observed that people tend to reflect the emotions of others, feeling happiness or pain in response to the emotions displayed by those around them. However, Smith noted that sympathy has its limits, as we tend to sympathize more with those closer to us, such as family and friends, than with strangers.

For example, Smith argued that a person would be more distressed by the loss of their own finger than by an earthquake in a distant country, simply because they lack a personal connection to the victims of the earthquake. This limitation of sympathy, according to Smith, influences our... Continue reading "Sympathy in Economics: From Personal Connections to Global Markets" »

Foundation and History of Industrial Relations

The history of Industrial Relations (IR) is rooted in key concepts derived from economics, sociology, law, and political science. Modern IR focuses on labor-management relations, unions, and collective bargaining. The four original IR solutions include:

• Professional labor management.
• Protective labor law (Social Insurance and Collective Bargaining).
• Macroeconomic stabilization (policy changes to reduce violence and encourage welfare and growth).

Objectives and the Balance of Interests

Effective IR relies on balancing three core objectives:

• Efficiency: Maximizing profit through limited resources while incorporating equity and voice.
• Equity: Implementing procedural justice to protect employee rights, acknowledging