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

Events

Events that update being. That would be the ability or potency. Thomas Aquinas distinguishes between what things are (essence) and the fact that they exist (existence). The essence is potency ('can exist or not'); existence is act.

Absolute Good

One of God's attributes. As He is absolute being, He is absolute good.

Efficient Cause

In general, it is the causal principle that in some way influences being. The efficient cause or agent is the principle of change, that which makes it possible to actualize a being. Aquinas distinguishes between the primary cause (God, the ultimate cause, not caused by another) and secondary causes (those that were caused by another).

God

Pure Act. Being in which there is no composition of matter and form, or of essence... Continue reading "Thomas Aquinas: Core Metaphysical and Theological Concepts" »

Human Rights

Concept

The powers of the people that are acquired by the mere fact of their birth and which correspond to all individuals equally and cannot be altered or deleted by other persons or the state.

Features

1. Natural: Because they belong to the person, by the mere fact of their birth, without being recognized by law or by the state.
2. Universal: Because they pertain to all individuals equally, regardless of race, sex, religion, etc.
3. Mandatory: Because they must be complied with and respected by all.
4. Inviolable: Because they cannot be disturbed or altered by anyone.
5. Inalienable: Because they cannot be traded or waived by anyone. Example: the right to physical integrity.
6. Indivisible: For altering one of them puts at risk or alters any other.

Rationale

1. Philosophical:

The Evolving Family Model

Writers such as Octavio Estela Fernández Grassi and Mouján suggest that we are experiencing a profound transformation of the family model. This transformation may appear to be a sign of exhaustion, but there are many ways of being a family. This evolution can be considered a crisis, in the sense of concern or a terminal stage. The family is in an accelerated process of change, but it remains in good health when viewed from a contextual and evaluative framework different from that of our ancestors.

The Changing Role of Women

Some of these changes are related to the current modification of the role of women. Women can now enter the labor market, leading to higher expectations of personal satisfaction beyond marriage and... Continue reading "Understanding Family Structures and Dynamics in Modern Society" »

Marx's Conception of Man

Marx viewed man as an active, dynamic, and constantly evolving being who transforms reality. This transformation is undertaken through work, which represents the union of theory and practice. Man is reflected in his work and identifies with it.

However, in this society, man cannot fully realize himself through work because it is not truly his. The fruit of his labor belongs to another, the owner, leading to the alienation of the individual. The product of their work is taken away, becoming foreign, and the more one produces, the poorer one becomes. The worker also feels alienated in their relationships with other men and ultimately becomes distanced from themself, as alienation affects their inner world. Human relationships... Continue reading "Marx, Nietzsche, and Ethical Indeterminism: A Deep Dive" »

Argumentative Text

Subject: The subject on which the question is presented in the argumentative text. The matter should be contested in a manner that is easily approached from different points of view.

Thesis: The position on the subject that the issuer adopts.

Arguments: The reasons the issuer provides to defend their opinion or thesis.

Conclusion: A summary of the basic ideas provided in the intervention.

Purpose of an Argumentative Text: To defend an opinion and persuade the reader.

The Debate

A debate is an oral argumentative essay in which there are two opposing views on a controversial issue, and in which each party defends its point of view. For a debate, there should be a moderator who is responsible for establishing speaking turns and ensuring... Continue reading "Argumentative Texts, Debates, Journalism, and Literature" »

Ethics: Saint Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle

Saint Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle agree on Eudaimonia. Both raise an ethics based on the search for happiness and theologians consider an ultimate end. Man acts for an end, for a good, and the supreme good is happiness. Being happy, for Saint Thomas, is seeing the highest good, and the maximum happiness is to see God and be in Heaven.

We live on Earth, and God gives us laws to live this life. The divine law is the law of God revealed through the apostles. We must meet the eternal law, which only God knows completely. We know some of what God has revealed, but we cannot know all of His will. The law of nature has natural tendencies arising from it. Positive law depends on the natural law, and the moral

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Mathematization and Scientific-Technical Development

The speech proposes a method and a criterion of truth that are inherent in mathematics. Descartes thus believed that all science would gain similar assurance. The characteristic of mathematization is that from a saturated environment, it has permeated almost every field of Western science. From Cartesian axes to the design of particle accelerators, the same parameter persists: the real is considered mathematizable. The understanding of things is achieved by quantifying, i.e., reducing to quantity and then finding the relations between these quantities. Major discoveries in science (physics, biology, security, audio) and their technical applications (engineering, medicine, etc.) have been such... Continue reading "Cartesianism: Mathematization and Reason's Autonomy" »

The Quest for Arche: Early Greek Philosophers

What kind of reality is the unitary order that justifies the diversity of things in the world? The answers given to this question may seem naive, but what is important is not the answers, but the very wording of that question.

The Ionian School

A common characteristic unites these thinkers: All things share one and the same first principle, or arche. Their basic concern is to find the foundation that explains the common constitution of everything; that which informs us about *physis*, i.e., the physical world.

• Thales: He sees the arche in water, observing the different forms it takes and how water is the essential element of life.
• Anaximander: The first to use the word arche. He posits that the basic

Understanding Key Philosophical Concepts

Intuition: Intuition is direct and immediate knowledge, without reasoning, generally considered obvious.

Skepticism: Skepticism is questioning claims that are often taken for granted.

Phenomenology: Phenomenology studies events as they appear in consciousness, focusing on the relationship between facts.

Eidetic: Eidetic relates to essence and ideas, as opposed to factual or sensible matters.

Hermeneutics: Hermeneutics is the art of interpreting texts to determine the precise meaning of words and expressed thoughts.

Subjective: Subjectivity is based on the individual's viewpoint, influenced by interests and wishes, contrasting with objectivity.

Pantonomia: Also called universalism, pantonomia is the study of... Continue reading "Understanding Key Philosophical Concepts and Their Meanings" »