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

Conception of Man in St. Thomas's Thought

IV. Conception of Man

1. The Structure of Created Reality

The contingency of all being, the finite radical destitution of all finite beings, requires a being that is the foundation of self and all reality: God. All creatures have a metaphysical composition of essence and existence contrasted with the single necessary and infinite God, who is the cause of their existence. From God, St. Thomas offers us a vision of reality created in a hierarchical fashion. To refer to the creatures he uses Aristotelian concepts: action and power, substance and accident, matter and form, adding the distinction essence/existence. The hierarchy of beings is given by their degree of simplicity and their greater proximity to... Continue reading "St. Thomas on Human Nature: Essence, Existence & God" »

Humans: Theory of the Soul

Both philosophers believe in the duality of human beings. While for Plato, the human meaning is an accidental union between body and soul, for Aristotle, these two elements make up a substantial unity, where the body is matter and the soul is the form (Hilemorphism: man is the unit substantially).

Plato's Perspective

For Plato, the soul is the perfection that belongs to the world of ideas and possesses true knowledge. It has three parts: the rational (Auriga), the irascible (white horse), and the concupiscent (black horse). These three parts are explained in the myth of the winged chariot: when the soul loses control of the other parts, it is represented as a chariot that inhabits the world of ideas. In the world, it... Continue reading "Understanding the Duality of Human Existence" »

Aristotle and Teleological Ethics (Eudaemonism)

Aristotle (384–322 BC) is the main representative of teleological ethics. According to this philosopher, all human activities seek to achieve a particular, immediate good that is also a means to a higher, better end. The ultimate goal toward which all our actions are directed, and the greatest good to which humans can aspire, is the pursuit of happiness.

The Concept of Eudaemonism

In Greek, this happiness is called eudaimonia, which is why Aristotelian ethics is also known as eudaemonism.

Happiness as the Supreme Good

If happiness is the end aimed at by the individual, this means it must be a supreme good—a good thing always and without exception. Moreover, as the ultimate end, happiness must have... Continue reading "Aristotle's Eudaemonism: Defining Happiness and the Supreme Good" »

Rousseau's Philosophy: Nature, Civilization, and the Social Contract

The author begins by mentioning the main cause of man and society: one is leaving the state of nature. For Rousseau, this concept is based on three principles: the state of nature, the state of civilization, and the social contract, which provides a solution to the problems of the state of civilization.

The State of Nature

In the state of nature, man, whom Rousseau calls the "noble savage" or "wild man," was inherently good because the term maldad (evil) did not even exist. This is a pre-moral state because there was no established morality or social laws; it is the presocial state. However, man did know the feeling of piety, which is the feeling of disgust that separates him... Continue reading "Rousseau's Social Contract: Nature, Civilization, and Liberty" »

Chapter Two: Mill's Utilitarianism

Utility and Pleasure

1. Utility is not opposed to pleasure: This includes beauty, decoration, fun, etc.

2. Utility is not just pleasure: It also encompasses the release from pain.

Definition of Utility

Net: Moral foundation.

Pleasure and pain are not the ultimate ends of moral action.

Synopsis: Critique of Pig's Moral Theory

This theory ignores the specific pleasures of being human.

It focuses on the circumstantial advantages of intellectual pleasures.

Mill's Contribution

Mill argues for different qualities of pleasure.

Test for Higher Pleasures

Humans prefer higher pleasures (universal suffrage among those who know all pleasures).

Reason for Choosing Higher Pleasures

Some say it's due to pride, love of freedom, independence,... Continue reading "Mill's Utilitarianism: A Summary of Chapter Two" »

Reason and Faith: Augustine intensely explored the relationship between reason and faith. In his youth, he left the Church due to the perceived incompatibility between the two. However, upon his return, he insisted that intellectuals must not abandon their rational demands when embracing faith.

A) The Harmony of Reason and Faith: Augustine believed in a single truth illuminated by two sources: reason and faith. While faith is the more powerful source, leading to the fullness of truth, both are in harmony.

B) Distinct but Not Confused: Augustine clearly distinguished between reason and faith, a distinction accessible to everyone.

C) Collaborative Discovery of Truth: Augustine's formula, "Ut credas intelligas. Crede ut intelligas" ("Believe to understand.... Continue reading "Reason and Faith in Augustine's Philosophy" »

Philosophical Views on the Soul

Plato established a dualism between the sensible world and the world of ideas, which results in a dualism between body and soul in anthropology. For Plato, man is a spiritual and eternal soul locked within a body. The authentic and genuine self of man is the soul, destined for wisdom. Body and soul are two heterogeneous realities. The body is of a material nature and belongs to the world of the senses, while the soul is spiritual and belongs to the intelligible world. The soul's natural place is the intelligible world, not close to the body.

For Plato, the soul has three distinct parts:

• The rational soul: Immortal, intelligent, and of divine nature. It is the most noble and high, as its business is to know intellectually

Item 8 — The Appearance of Life

Being alive

Being alive: A set of atoms and molecules form a highly organized and complex structure of materials that are involved in molecular communication systems. These systems are related to the environment through an orderly exchange of matter and energy and perform the basic functions of life.

Characteristics of a living being

• a) Ability to transform matter into usable energy.
• b) Capacity for self-replication.
• c) Is complex and organized.
• d) Is self-supporting.
• e) Is not at equilibrium.
• f) Contains information on the processes that take place.

Biomolecules

Biomolecules: The molecules that make up living matter; they are composed of carbon and other elements.

Theory of spontaneous generation

Theory of spontaneous

Rationality and Fundamental Concepts

• Theoretical rationale: Knowing reality through universal concepts that are abstracted.
• Practical rationality: The strategy for living your best life, reaching our goals, and fulfilling our preferences as much as possible.
• Need: The basic component of a human being that affects their behavior because they feel the lack of anything to survive or improve.
• Contingency: The state of those events which, from a logical point of view, are neither true nor false. In this context, need is the opposite of an act or event that is contingent; a contingent event is one that could not have happened or taken place, or an act or event that is not necessary.
• Pragmatism: Current thinking where truth is whatever is effective, useful,

Formal Ethics (3.3)

Kant believes that formal ethical content does not tell us what to do, but rather determines how we act. Ethical imperatives are not hypothetical but categorical: they are binding and require compliance.

• The Principle of Universality: This does not dictate specific actions but prescribes the form that any maxim must take to become a moral norm.
• Human Dignity: We must treat others with dignity; human beings cannot be used as instruments to satisfy our desires.

For Kant, acting ethically means acting selflessly out of respect for duty. He distinguishes between acting legally (in accordance with duty) and acting morally (out of conviction for the sake of duty).

3.4 Postulates of Practical Reason

We can only be considered moral when... Continue reading "Kant's Formal Ethics and Postulates of Practical Reason" »