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

Thomas Hobbes (17th Century)

In the opinion of many scholars, Thomas Hobbes stands as one of the first great political philosophers of modern times. His cultural antecedents were the Reformation and the Renaissance, movements which, despite their differences, shared a common thread: a yearning to return to origins. The Reformation challenged established religious traditions, while the Renaissance extolled the virtues of classical philosophy. However, these movements also engendered discord, particularly concerning religious authority, leading to widespread conflict. It was an era marked by ambiguity and the absence of clear authority.

Born amidst the tumult of civil war, Hobbes's philosophical outlook was profoundly shaped by this experience.... Continue reading "Thomas Hobbes and the Social Contract" »

The first similarity is that there are actors of only one kind: the relevant actors are individuals. In both cases, they have more or less equal powers. Obviously, this is not true in terms of countries, but anyone can harm another. They are dependent on each other. In both cases, you cannot trust the behavior of others. In fear of being killed, it is either kill or be killed: the most rational action is to kill first. The fifth similarity is that good and evil come after the social contract. International politics and relations are amoral: they lack morals.

MAX WEBBER “A STATE IS A MONOPOLY OF LEGITIMATE VIOLENCE IN A GIVEN TERRITORY”

There are three different ways to contemplate the relation between morals and war. The first one would be... Continue reading "Similarities and Differences: State of Nature of Individuals and States" »

Immanuel Kant (18th century)

Regarded as one of the greatest philosophers in history, he came up with a brilliant set of ideas which formed his philosophy. He made a distinction between material ethics and formal ethics. Material ethics try to change how humans are for what they ought to be using virtue as a tool for such a goal. The problem here for Kant is that humans do not usually agree on what they should be. Some humans look for happiness while others for saintliness, heroism, or pleasure. It is virtually impossible to reach a consensus on this matter. To solve this problem, Kant tries to provide a formula which he calls categorical imperative. He takes this imperative from the gospel: treat others the way you want yourself to be treated.

1. Think Like a Scientist

   When you start forming an opinion, resist the temptation to preach, prosecute, or politic. Treat your emerging view as a hunch or a hypothesis and test it with data.

2. Define Identity by Values, Not Opinions

   It’s easier to avoid getting stuck to your past beliefs if you don’t become attached to them as part of your present self-concept. See yourself as someone who values curiosity, learning, mental flexibility, and searching for knowledge. As you form opinions, keep a list of factors that would change your mind.

3. Seek Opposing Views

   An easy place to start is to follow people who make you think—even if you usually disagree with what they think.

4. Don't Confuse Confidence with Competence

   The better you think you are, the greater

The Biological Dimension of the Human Being

Non-Evolutionist Theories

Creationism

This theory asserts that the world and all living things were created by God from nothingness. This theory is the basis of many religious doctrines, not only of Christianity.

1. All living species were created separately by God from nothingness in the beginning of times. So they are not related nor derive ones from others.
2. God created mankind in his own image. So the human being plays a special role in the divine creation.

Fixism

Pseudo-scientific theory formulated by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) which states that species, both plant and animal, do not evolve, but remain unchanged in time. To explain the fact, as evidenced by the fossils, of the disappearance of certain species... Continue reading "Anthropology: Exploring the Biological, Cultural, and Philosophical Dimensions of Humanity" »

Causal Law

Scientific law that establishes a relationship between phenomena in such a way that if the phenomenon considered to be a cause takes place, the phenomenon that is considered to be an effect will also take place.

Cause

Event or action capable of producing or originating another different event, which is referred to as effect. Given that the cause of an event allows to explain a certain effect, the term is also used to refer to the reason for its taking place.

Chaos

Amorphous, undefined state that was supposed to occur before the cosmos existed. If the term “cosmos” refers to the ordered Universe, in Greek mythology the term “chaos” refers to the state of disarray that precedes the formation of the Universe. The term then evolved... Continue reading "Understanding Key Philosophical and Anthropological Concepts" »

Test2

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9 mind-according-for-without-part-not-into-little

17complexities-misled-politicians-incredibly

assumptions-impair-repeatedly-infinite

25mean that it is difficult:::to reach

to the exhibition is restricted to:::visitors who

for Stevie's prompt action:::in putting

is every possibility that taxes will rise

had left with no choice but than to accept

have got into the habit of

Test3

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9 if-so-where-with-or-nothing-back-in

17environmentally-recycling-undrinkable-consequences

expectancy-diagnosis-certainty-speculative

25 yourself be taken in by

waited for Sophie to finish her homework before

last thing I want is for

to have sustained a loss of

would have been better if I had

kept in contact with

Test4

1distance(c)-b-a-... Continue reading "Listening Science Lecturer: Test2, Test3, Test4" »

211.CAPRICIOUS And

212.MERCURIAL – both mean very changeable and impulsive; Caesar’s statues.

213.ENMITY And

214.ANIMUS – both mean a feeling of intense dislike and animosity.

215.INTRACTABLE And

216.INTRANSIGENT – both describe behavior that is stubborn, obstinate and unyieldingly persistent; Obdurate.

217.PAINSTAKING And

218.METICULOUS – both mean very careful and precise; exacting.

219.LOQUACIOUS And

220.GARRULOUS – both mean very talkative.

221.TENDENTIOUS And

222.PARTISAN – both describe strong and biased views on controversial issues.

223.CASTIGATE And

224.EXCORIATE – both mean to express very strong and harsh disapproval.

225.DEXTEROUS And

226.ADROIT – both mean skillful.

227.HISTRIONIC And

228.OVERWROUGHT – both describe an exaggerated... Continue reading "qdcq" »

Constructivism in International Relations

One of the main assumptions of Western philosophy is the difference between nature and culture. The concept of nature is an important discovery of philosophy. Pre-philosophical societies did not make this distinction. Post-modernism doubts there is a radical distinction between nature and culture: they think this difference is not all that clear. International relations are accordingly not solely based on a natural reality (state of anarchy) but also on a social reality. Constructivism claims that tradition and culture result in the development of social phenomena. They believe international relations to be social and cultural. We do not obey any natural law but rather our own construction of ideas.

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