Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Social sciences

Kant and Marx: Shared Philosophical Ground

Immanuel Kant and Karl Marx share a dialectical view of history. For both thinkers, history progresses through various stages, and some may even seem to be a denial of previous progress, or even a setback in historical development. However, measured with sufficient perspective, it appears as a stage in the unfolding of human potential. In this sense, Kant would be a precedent not only for Marx but also, as mentioned, for Hegel.

A Positive Assessment of Conflict

One consequence is that Kant and Marx also share a positive assessment of conflict. For Marx, this is reflected in the concept of class struggle. Kant also admits that conflict and antagonism are what drive history forward, suggesting that even... Continue reading "Kant and Marx: Philosophical Parallels and Divergences" »

The Impact of Technology Today

Technology has a significant impact on productive activity, social aspects, and other repercussions.

Definition of Technology

Historically, philosophies and scientists dedicated to the natural world developed practices that were often isolated and disconnected from practical application. This changed with the emergence of modern science. Galileo was among the first to carry out his investigations hand-in-hand with technique. He built a telescope and employed it to study the stars and confirm his theory of the universe. Thereafter, the relationship between technology and science has been increasingly close.

For technique, this has been a profound transformation. We can define technology as the set of procedures and... Continue reading "Technology's Influence on Modern Society" »

Rousseau's Core Ideas: Nature, Morality, and Policy

The fundamental concept of anthropological theory, morality, and policy, as outlined in Rousseau's Discourse on the Sciences and Arts and Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Men, centers on the inherent goodness of human nature and the corrupting influence of society. Evil, according to Rousseau, originates from social structures.

To develop this theory, Rousseau needed a working hypothesis: a theoretical assumption about human life before the establishment of social status, the state of nature. In contrast to Hobbes, Rousseau envisioned humans in this state as good, free, and happy, with inherent equality. The natural man possesses two dominant, basic feelings: self-love and natural... Continue reading "Rousseau's Philosophy: Human Nature, Society, and the General Will" »

Group Operations: Concrete

1. Formation of a Hierarchy of Classes

• a) 7-8 years: Can include classes.
• b) 8-9 years: Can classify to represent flowers in clusters. For example: What will a large branch be? If you cut all the flowers in the garden, would any remain? Can a daisy be in the "Flowers" category without changing the sign? If you take all the daisies from the box, would any flowers remain?
• c) They have difficulty in representing objects that involve mental representation. For example: If all animals died, would any birds remain? If all animals die, would some animals remain? Can these two cells be under the same sign? Children cannot respond to these problems until 10 or 12 years of age.
• d) In the absence of specific references, Piaget found

Literature of the Baroque: Lyric Theater

1. The Baroque Era: A Century of Crises and Conflicts

The 17th century, known as the Baroque period, was a time of widespread crisis—economic, demographic, political, social, and military. The Spanish Empire experienced a significant decline.

2. Baroque Ideology, Beliefs, and Thought

Religion permeated Baroque thinking. This religion, based on the Counter-Reformation, was deeply intolerant and controlling (Inquisition).

The Baroque worldview was pessimistic and disillusioned, reflecting a sense of crisis, the passage of time, and the brevity of life.

Religious beliefs intertwined with magical beliefs about the supernatural world (spirits, miracles, superstitions, etc.).

Concepts of honor, revenge, and violence... Continue reading "Spanish Baroque Literature: A Deep Dive" »

Greek Architecture: Principles and Harmony

Greek architecture is fundamentally based on *order* and *reason*, achieving great harmony through a synthesis of concept, proportion, and measure. Buildings were always adapted to the scale of man. These features were aimed at the pursuit of beauty and balance. To achieve these objectives, architects employed numerous practical optical illusions.

Types of Greek Architecture

Religious Architecture: The Temple

The temple was the most prominent religious building, housing the divine image in its interior. Temples are typically rectangular and consist of three main parts:

• Pronaos: The entrance vestibule leading to the sanctum (naos/cella).
• Cella (Naos): The main space where the divine image or statue was kept.

Political Liberalism: 18th-19th Century Foundations

Political philosophy associated with fundamental principles that laid the foundation for modern liberties of the 19th century and the evolution towards democracy. It distinguished the 'political' from the 'economic' (especially concerning wealth expressed as money).

Core Principles of Political Liberalism

• Freedom of the individual
• Civil liberties
• Representative constitutional government
• Parliamentarism

Initially revolutionary and progressive, political liberalism fought against feudal aristocracy, absolute monarchy, and church doctrine.

Economic Liberalism: Principles and Challenges

Economic liberalism brought significant shifts in societal values and economic practices:

• Change in the perception of

The Interplay of Nature and Culture in Human Existence

We are nature and culture. Eating is a natural, biological process that all living things need to survive. Cooking or adhering to table rules are cultural activities. As the saying goes, “Man is a bipedal, implume, and unanchored animal.” Throughout our lives, elements of both cultural and natural origin are present.

Defining Natural and Cultural Behaviors

• Natural behaviors: Information is transmitted genetically.
• Cultural behaviors: Acquired through social learning.

Biological Foundations: Genotype and Phenotype

Biology distinguishes between:

• Genotype: The combination of genes on chromosomes.
• Phenotype: The interaction of genotype with the environment.

Phenotype = Genotype + Environment

Anthropology... Continue reading "Humanity's Dual Nature: Biology, Culture, and Evolution" »

The Republican-Socialist Coalition: Challenges and Decline

The proclamation of the Republic aroused high hopes among the masses for changes in the distribution of income and wealth. However, it also caused fear and mistrust among landowners and businessmen, whose investments were critical for increased production and employment.

An Economic Downturn

The regime change coincided with the most severe phase of the global economic slump, which began with the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange in October 1929. The crisis reverberated more strongly in Spain than in other Western countries, paralyzing emigration to America, a common escape valve during global crises. During the Republican era, the international crisis worsened traditional problems... Continue reading "Spain's Republican-Socialist Coalition: Crisis and Conflict (1931-1933)" »

Early Protests: The Bullangues Movement

The origins of Catalan nationalism as a political movement had antecedents in a series of popular protest movements against the new liberal state. This state was based on a centralized political, economic, administrative, legal, and military system designed to strengthen the state and foster economic development. The first signs of popular opposition movements were known as the "bullangues." These movements were directed against those considered responsible for this malaise (clergy, political authorities, etc.). The uprising in Barcelona in 1842 led to the formation of local and provincial government boards, which proposed political and social reform programs with a democratizing spirit while defending... Continue reading "Catalan Nationalism's Genesis: Bullangues and Federalist Ideals" »