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

Instinct

Instinct refers to genetically determined guidelines for stationary behavior that occur in all normal animals of a species.

Myths

Myths are stories repeated consistently, explaining the origin and destiny of the human community in which they are effective, often detailing significant events.

Anthropomorphic

Anthropomorphic describes the belief that everything happening in the world is the result of actions by gods who resemble humans but possess significantly greater power.

Analysis

Analysis involves breaking down a complex whole into its constituent, simpler elements.

Summary

A summary involves synthesizing various simpler elements to form a more complex, cohesive whole.

Radical

A radical approach focuses not on how things work, but on whether... Continue reading "Fundamental Concepts in Philosophy and Science" »

The Unmoved Mover and Pure Act

For Aristotle, if something is moving, it is because the movement was previously in potentiality, and it was another substance that communicated it into actuality. The chain of things that move and are moved cannot be infinite. Therefore, the existence of a first mover is necessary—one that moves without being moved itself: the Unmoved Mover.

The Concept of Potentiality and Actuality

This concept is reached by considering the Mover as a pure form, already realized as Actus Purus (Pure Act). The substrate is the realm of possibility. Aristotle called this conceptual substrate First Matter, which is pure potentiality, pure plasticity without specific form or concretion.

If we place First Matter at one end of the explanatory... Continue reading "Aristotle's Metaphysics: Unmoved Mover and Four Causes" »

Economic Alienation

Economic alienation is the fundamental form of alienation, from which all others derive. The employee suffers from it in various ways:

• Essence: Meaningful work, which distinguishes humans from animals, is not possible in a capitalist society.
• Activity: Work is forced and repetitive, not felt as fulfilling but as something alien.
• Product: The worker has no power over the product of their labor; it becomes something that enslaves them.
• Relationship with the Capitalist: The worker's relationship with the capitalist, who benefits from their work, is fraught with conflict.

Social and Political Alienation

Economic alienation underlies the division of society into classes and the separation between citizens and the state. The state... Continue reading "Alienation and Will: From Marx to Nietzsche" »

Positivism and Transcendentalism: A Philosophical Comparison

1. Defining Truth and Reality

Positivism's View of Truth

• Truth is derived entirely from the senses.
• Only empirical sources are valid for constructing scientific theory.
• Rejects non-empirical methods of knowledge, such as Theology, Religion, and Metaphysics.

Transcendentalism's View of Truth

• The empirical appearance of things is secondary; it merely wraps objects.
• The spiritual essence is paramount.
• The world is viewed as a vast symbol conveying a spiritual or divine message.

2. Methods of Acquiring Knowledge

Positivist Methodology

• Knowledge must begin with empirical information gathered from the material appearance of things.
• Hypotheses must be rigorously tested and demonstrated.

Transcendentalist

Dionysus and Zarathustra

Dionysus and the Apollonian

According to Nietzsche, Greek tragedy originated from the merger of the Dionysian and the Apollonian spirits. Socrates is the great corruptor: he replaces the tragic man with the theoretical man, imposing the optimism of science. The Platonic dialogue replaces Greek tragedy. Knowledge becomes universal medicine, and error is the supreme evil.

Zarathustra: Beyond Metaphysics

Thus Spoke Zarathustra is the fundamental work of Nietzsche. It contains the essence of his message. Nietzsche replaces Dionysus with Zarathustra in order to refute all metaphysical comfort. Dionysus was too identified with the metaphysics of Schopenhauer; Nietzsche's new vision rejects all metaphysics and is maintained only... Continue reading "Nietzsche's Philosophy: Will to Power, Zarathustra, and the Superman" »

The Quest for Moral Conduct

From the beginning of time, humanity has sought to understand how to act and how to guide its conduct. This quest necessitates addressing profound ethical issues that have always been central to philosophy. However, philosophers do not hold a unified position on these problems; sometimes, they even offer opposing answers.

Kant's Formal Ethics: A Historical Novelty

Immanuel Kant's ethics represented a significant novelty in history. His formal ethics stands in stark contrast to the various material ethics that preceded it.

Rejection of Material Ethics

Kant rejected material ethics for several reasons:

• They are empirical, as their substance is derived from experience.
• They are hypothetical, meaning they are precepts valid

The Evolution of the Spanish Essay: From the 19th Century to Democracy

The delicate political and economic situation that dominated the 19th century led into the 20th with a constant concern for the state of Spain. The proposed regeneration went hand in hand with the country, and in their writings, authors discussed the most pressing problems of the moment and postulated practical solutions. However, it was not only the Regenerationists who were concerned about the crisis of the century. In the essays of the Generation of '98, we also see spiritual concerns and anxiety about the meaning of life, fear of death, or the desire for immortality (Unamuno), political commentary from patriotic intellectuals and anarchists, charged with autobiographical... Continue reading "Spanish Essayists: 19th Century to Democracy" »

Hume: Treatise on Human Nature and Human Understanding

*Treatise on Human Nature* as the "Newton of Moral Science"

Treatise on Human Nature is considered as the "Newton of Moral Science." It intends to apply the Newtonian method to moral issues, i.e., the science of man. It aims to unify all the sciences to examine and understand the extent of the forces of human agency and explain the nature of ideas and arguments. From the empirical standpoint, the most important work is the laws of association of ideas.

*An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding*

In *An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding*, Hume abandons the idea of creating a science of man and leaves the Newtonian method. He focuses on an analysis of human understanding and has a strong... Continue reading "Hume's Philosophy: Understanding Human Knowledge" »

Marx's Historical Materialism: Origins & Influences

The idea of historical materialism, developed by Marx, was conceived early in his readings of Feuerbach and Hegel. Feuerbach was seen as a crucial founder of the materialist conception, influencing the path Marx identified. Hegel, on the other hand, interested Marx with his historical conception of human essence, according to which the human being becomes itself through labor. Marx found these statements rather complicated and needed to adapt them. Hegelian dialectics was not something abstract, but Feuerbach's materialism, while important, could not explain the human being at work and within a given society without a historical dimension.

The work done in *The German Ideology* by Marx and... Continue reading "Marx's Historical Materialism: Origins and Core Concepts" »

Eudaemonism: The Pursuit of the Good Life

Eudaemonism, a central concept in ancient Greek philosophy, posits that human well-being and flourishing (eudaimonia) are the highest good and the aim of moral thought and conduct. This pursuit of the good life was explored by prominent philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, each offering unique perspectives on how individuals can achieve true happiness and virtue.

Socrates on Objective Knowledge of Good

Socrates believed that objective knowledge of good is possible and universally applicable. He argued that the idea of "good" is inherent within humanity; one merely needs to bring these innate ideas to light. According to Socrates:

• One cannot live well without knowing what is good, as it is