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

1. Analyze Briefly the Various Aspects of Moral Action:

• Moral Relativism: The belief that what is considered fair or unfair, good or bad varies across different societies. Each society has its own customs, religions, and norms.
• Skepticism: The view that it is impossible to know what is just or unjust, good or bad, because we cannot find any criteria to substantiate these claims.
• Subjectivism: Moral issues are subjective; unlike scientists, we cannot provide rational reasons to convince others of our beliefs. Accepted values are akin to faith.
• Emotivism: This theory expresses subjective feelings or emotions to influence others, aiming to elicit the same attitudes in listeners. For example, opposing the death penalty by stating it is morally untenable

Alma (Soul)

A finite spiritual substance. It is simple because it is not composed of parts and therefore immortal. It is an independent substance from the body and does not require it to exist. It is the principle of consciousness, that is, what makes us aware.

Certainty

An act of perfect understanding that fully recognizes the clarity, distinction, and conviction of truth. It is the security of possessing the truth. It is based on evidence. It refers to the evidence that something is true, as false certainty can exist: being sure of something that is actually wrong.

Clarity and Distinction

These belong to the first rule of the Cartesian method and are key features of evidence. Claro is what is transparent, clear, and visible to reason. Distinto... Continue reading "Cartesian Philosophy: Key Concepts and Definitions" »

Categorical Imperative: Maxims and Practical Laws

The difference between maxims and practical laws is fundamental to Kantian ethics.

Maxims (Subjective Principles)

Maxims are all the rules that govern the conduct of an individual, but are valid only for that individual. They are subjective principles of action.

Practical Laws (Objective Principles)

Practical laws are objective action goals, or imperatives, that express the objective necessity of the action required. The imperatives function because they show what everyone should do.

Why Imperatives Govern the Will

While man is a rational being, reason is not the only factor that determines the will. The will can also be determined by inclinations, desires, and needs. Since people do not always act... Continue reading "Kant's Categorical Imperative: Moral Law and Duty" »

Nietzsche vs. Kant: A Philosophical Comparison

Metaphysics

Kant argued that metaphysics isn't a science because it doesn't meet material conditions, yet it remains relevant due to humanity's inherent moral inclination towards it. Nietzsche countered that morality itself fuels false metaphysics, with humans creating it to bear life under a veil of lies.

Human Nature

Kant viewed humans as both phenomena and noumena, shaped by animality, humanity, and personality. He believed that while animality represents a selfish, unsocial being, humanity and personality drive ethical and social development. Nietzsche, however, saw the noumenal reality of humans as a fabrication. He posited that humans are intermediaries between animals and the Übermensch (Superman)... Continue reading "Nietzsche vs. Kant: Contrasting Philosophical Perspectives" »

The Theory of Knowledge: Epistemological Realism of Aristotle and Aquinas

General Characteristics

1. Two Levels of Knowledge: Distinguishes between sensitive (sensory) and intellectual (understanding) knowledge.
2. Empiricism: Sensitive knowledge captures aspects of reality, while intellectual knowledge grasps aspects beyond sensory experience, such as causality and logical implications. Both levels are integrated within human knowledge.
3. Realism: Knowledge is of reality itself, caused by the objects themselves. It is the faculty by which we become aware of reality.

Sensitive Knowledge

Human knowledge begins with the senses, capturing the sensible qualities of things, forming the base of knowledge content.

1. Sense Organs: The senses, both external (5 senses)

Language Games

A language game is the use we make of a term to mean something. For example, the term "white" can be used to mean, among other possible uses, "white is the clearest of all colors."

Therefore, the set of language games in which a term appears would be the meaning of that term: the meaning of a word is its method of use.

• Each of the "language games" in which a term appears is the ruling that indicates the "logical" or "grammar" of that term: what makes sense and what does not make sense to use that term, moves allowed and which are not.
• These rules are further instructions for learning this term: learning these rules involves learning the contents of that term and understanding their conceptual load, i.e., knowing how to use it correctly.

Before delving into the differences, it's crucial to understand the lineage: Aristotle was a student of Plato, who, in turn, was a student of Socrates.

Socrates and Plato shared a belief in the possibility of acquiring objective, necessary, and universal knowledge. However, their focus was exclusively on knowledge that is unchanging and eternal, thus disregarding what we perceive through the senses.

Plato Versus Aristotle: Divergent Metaphysics

Plato's Dual Worlds: Ideas and Senses

• World of Ideas: Imperceptible by the senses, perfect, and eternal.
• Sensible World: An imperfect copy of the ideal World of Ideas, perceived through the senses.

Aristotle's Agreement and Critique of Plato

Aristotle concurred with Plato on the existence of objective, necessary,... Continue reading "Aristotle's Philosophy: Knowledge, Change, and Hylomorphism" »

Thought and Language

The following positions can be held about the relationship between thought and language:

• Thought is based on and depends on language: Language allows thought to flow, shaping and limiting it. Thinking about nothing is easier than thinking about something concrete.
• Thought is language: Language is a system of signs, which do not necessarily have to be spoken or written.
• Language is based on thought: Thinking is an innate faculty that can be developed and perfected. Language is not innate; it is learned. No one is born knowing how to speak; therefore, thought precedes language.

Language and Reality

Relations between language and reality:

• Human language is conventional. Words do not emerge naturally from things; instead, "all our

Relations of Ideas and Matters of Fact

Matters of Fact

Matters of fact are based on observation and experience, and refer to the facts, all that is available to perception. Knowledge does not allow for strict certainty. Knowledge refers to the empirical world and is based on experience. Unlike mathematics and logic, it does not allow for strict knowledge but is based on probability, because the opposite of each event is always possible, though perhaps foreign to our experience.

The facts are the happenings in the world, the behaviors of things as shown by the senses. The physical facts are given in time and space, and mental events in time. We call the whole experience of perceived facts. A few facts are followed by other facts.

Not to be confused... Continue reading "Understanding Relations of Ideas and Matters of Fact" »

Accidental Changes

When these changes are substantial, the substance is generated and is corrupted. Matter also includes the absolutely indeterminate concept, certainly a subject very close to that area from the Platonic demiurge that configured sensitive objects in the world according to the models of ideas.

Ends and Goods

There are many ends and goods, some of which are subject in a chain to more important ones. The supreme good that we would like to achieve by itself does make a supreme good, there are no others. This is the type of interpretation of happiness.

Three Interpretations of Happiness

• Happiness equals pleasure (vulgar nature)
• Happiness in political or public life, glory, and seeking honor
• Happiness in contemplative or intellectual knowledge

The... Continue reading "Aristotle's Philosophy: Matter, Happiness, Virtue, and Politics" »