Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for Philosophy and ethics for Secondary education

General Characteristics of Systems

• Emerging: These are systems that have the character of novelty with respect to the characteristics of their components viewed separately or structured differently.
• Homeostasis: The self-regulating capacity of systems to maintain a steady state.
• Equifinality: In a closed system, a steady state is reached in one specific way; in an open system, it can be reached in many ways.
• Entropy: A measure of disorder within a system. Increased disorder leads to higher entropy.
• Synergy: A system that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Dynamic System Models

• Limit Deposits: Component elements with defined boundaries where the elements meet.
• Communication Network: Allows the exchange of energy, matter, and information between elements

Spanish Realist Novel

The characteristics of the Spanish realist novel are:

• Following the principle that the novel has more value the more faithful it is to the reality around it; novelists consider direct and vivid reality as aesthetic objects of first order.
• To achieve the above, authors aim to reflect in their novels the reality closest in time and space, i.e., the reality they know best.

This emphasis on fidelity to everyday life results in two major subgenres within Spanish realism: novela regional and novela urbana.

Novels are usually developed in contemporary time; when events are set in the past, they are used to explain the present. The writer seeks to approach reality from a position of impartiality, devoid of value judgments about the...

REALITY. Metaphysics
St. Thomas is in part the thought of Aristotle, but not limited to accept its teachings without more, but extends them in some places and modifies others.

St. Thomas took the Aristotelian distinction between matter and form, between substance and accident, and between power and act, though the latter gives a new meaning.

Still, the more important is that referring to the analogy of being, which is based on what the body is the essence and the act of being (esse) of that essence.

That comes to a new theory that distinguishes and describes two types of substances, the material entities that are accessible through the senses and that is ontologically divided between the substantial level, where matter is related to the form,...

The Scale of Human Values

The scale of values refers to the process by which we choose aspects we find most significant. A value acts as a guide to freedom; it is a property or character rating of an object that exists independently of the person assessing it.

Subjectivism vs. Objectivism

Why are we attracted to certain values more than others? This depends on the philosophical perspective:

• Subjectivism (Relativism): Values depend entirely on the individual. They are based on personal preferences and the person considering them.
• Objectivism (Absolutism): Values exist independently of the observer. These properties are located within the objects themselves. While individual estimates may differ, values tend to be shared by groups with similar backgrounds

Human Identity and Social Nature

Children develop their first consciousness of themselves, or their identity, at about a year and a half old. We are born with unique, salient resources to relate to others; the human being is a social being by nature.

Dignity and the Structure of Society

Dignity: This refers to the absolute value—the unconditional worth every human has by the fact of being. A person can never be a means or be used for any purpose.

Society: A group of individuals organized to meet through mutual cooperation all or any of the purposes of life.

Parental and Public Responsibilities

Fathers and mothers take on the responsibility to educate their children as individuals and as members of a given society when they decide to have children....

Core Definitions in Law and Society

Human Dignity Defined

The human person is central to universal declarations of human rights, which recognize and attempt to protect and implement the respect it deserves throughout the world. The legal framework should organize this recognition.

Understanding Discrimination

Discrimination is an act that violates equality. It refers to the violation of a person's equality regarding social questions, race, religion, or other characteristics.

Racism

Racism is a form of discrimination based on reasons related to a person's skin color, facial features, or other physical characteristics.

Xenophobia

Xenophobia is characterized by suspicion, rejection, and prejudice against foreigners.

Socio-Economic Segregation

This refers...

Key Dimensions of Human Existence

• Personal Dimensions: Internality, sociability, openness, eagerness to transcendence, life project.
• Components: Socio-cultural, socio-political, moral, and religious.

Determinism vs. Freedom

Determinism

Determinists argue that human beings are not free, but determined in their choices, doing what they can do at any given time.

Types of Determinism:

• Cosmological: Argues that a universal law governs humans and nature, making the future predictable and unchangeable.
• Theological: Believes that God knows and dominates all, predetermining all human actions.
• Scientific: Aims to explain human behavior through empirical dimensions.

Despite these theories, determinism fails to explain why we praise or reject certain behaviors,...

The Communist Manifesto and Theoretical Propositions

The Communist Manifesto focuses on the theoretical propositions of Communist doctrine. Initially, the text denies the participation of Communists in theoretical approaches seeking any "God redeemer of mankind." It specifically states that these assumptions arise out of necessity, the urgency of revolution, the class struggle, and the overthrow of bourgeois domain. Furthermore, it emphasizes the conquest of political power by the proletariat to transform capital development into a social character.

Marxist View on Class Struggle

According to Marx, historical class struggle is a necessity. It reflects the actual course of history from an economic viewpoint based on opposing class antagonism. This...

Understanding Dialectics and Philosophical Discourse

Dialectics refers to the philosophical method focused on objects and the connections between them achieved through discourse. When numbness, confusion, or perplexity occurs, an interruption arises, creating a difficulty that prevents reaching a satisfactory conclusion to a question asked at the beginning. We can define knowledge as the act of dealing with things and people through a conceptual framework without questioning its underlying presuppositions. Alternatively, we can speak of knowledge itself as the philosophical step of examining the rules that govern practical knowledge.

Defining Things and Ideas in Philosophy

Thing: Each establishment accessible to knowledge through the senses; knowledge...

1. Human Nature and Social Being

Man is an animal and a social being. A human being is a creature of nature and a social being living in groups and organizations. The human being differs from other animals by the ability to create and transmit culture through language and by the conscious awareness of life.

2. Human Condition and Person

The person and the human condition: We are a group that shares the same human characteristics. Moreover, human beings are persons: we have the ability to orient ourselves socially and to choose. We are relational; we need others.

Person's Identity and Dimensions

Person's identity: We are all different and unique. Identity is formed by three main dimensions:

• Physical: This depends on our genetics and the biological