Foundational Concepts in Philosophy, Politics, and History

Philosophical Foundations and Classification

Porphyry's Tree and Universal Concepts

The Tree of Porphyry illustrates a classification system that influenced philosophers. In this tree, concepts are universal as well as particular, and with it began nominalism, which could be considered the precursor of modern taxonomy.

Understanding Genus and Species

• Next Genus: The broader category, e.g., for "man," the next genus is "animal."
• Specific Difference: This consists of the characteristic that makes a species different from other species belonging to the same genus.
  • Example: Man's next genus is "animal," and his specific difference is "rational."
• Specific Definition: This alludes to mediate or remote species.
• Substance: Cannot be defined.

Boethius and the Definition of Person

Boethius stated that a person is an individual substance of rational nature.

Theological Debates and Doctrines

The Council of Ephesus and Christ's Nature

The Council of Ephesus addressed the oneness of God, debating the nature of Christ. This arose from the Nestorian denial of Christ's singular nature, asserting that His divine and human natures were separate, with human nature prevailing over the divine.

Nestorianism

Nestorianism is a doctrine that regards Christ as radically separated into two persons: one human and one divine.

Marxist Theory and Social Dynamics

Marxism and the Concept of Person

Marxism, often opposed to Christianity, redefined the concept of 'person' within its framework.

Class Struggle in Capitalist Society

In civil society, the dominant social class was the capitalists, and the proletariat class was dominated. Within capitalist society, there is a clash between a statement (thesis) and a negation (antithesis), resulting in a synthesis.

• Thesis: Represents the capitalist class (class struggle).
• Antithesis: Represents the proletarians (violent revolution).
• Synthesis: Represents the class struggle leading to the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Surplus Value

Surplus value is the difference between the value produced by labor and the wages paid to the worker.

Political Philosophy and Statecraft

Thomas Hobbes and the Social Contract

Thomas Hobbes posited that all men had the need to sign a pact, in which they gave up their sovereignty to the Leviathan (monarch).

Louis XIV: The Absolute Monarch

Louis XIV famously declared, "The state is me," and built the magnificent Palace of Versailles.

John Locke: Natural Rights

John Locke posited that in the state of nature, man was free, not violent, and possessed three fundamental rights:

• Right to life
• Right to property
• Right to freedom

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Society's Influence

Jean-Jacques Rousseau famously stated, "Man is naturally good, and society corrupts him."

South American Independence and Key Figures

José de San Martín: The Liberator

José de San Martín (1778-1850) was an Argentine military leader whose campaigns were decisive for the independence of Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Together with Simón Bolívar, he is considered the most important South American liberator from Spanish colonization. In Argentina, he is known as the "Father of the Fatherland." In Peru, he is recognized as the "Founder of the Republic." In Chile, he held the army rank of Captain General.

Arturo Prat Chacón: Naval Hero

Arturo Prat Chacón (1848-1879) was a Chilean marine, military officer, and attorney. In Chile, he is considered its greatest naval hero. He died in the Battle of Iquique aboard the Esmeralda.

Bernardo O'Higgins

Bernardo O'Higgins served as Supreme Director of Chile.

Andrés Bello: Jurist and Educator

Andrés Bello was a Venezuelan humanist and jurist, based in Chile. He authored the Civil Code and was the first rector of the University of Chile for two decades.