Introduction to Philosophy Chapter 1: Introducing Philosophy Philosophy: thinking about thinking‚ or the love of wisdom Autonomy: the ability to freely make rational decisions Materialism (physicalism): a metaphysical theory‚ developed by the PreSocratic philosophers‚ that says that everything‚ including a person’s thoughts‚ consciousness‚ and personality‚ is composed of matter Philosophical System Builder: someone who tries to construct a complete system of knowledge First-Order Language:
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Global Skepticism According to Renee Descartes “I think; therefore‚ I am”- Renee Descartes In modern society‚ skepticism is a dirty little word with negative judgements placed on the skeptic. Another word for skepticism used in the field of philosophy is doubt. During the enlightenment era‚ scholars and thinkers began to doubt the world as they knew it. They doubted their society‚ religion‚ and even their own existence. Renee Descartes (1596-1650) contributed significant insight to skepticism and
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Socrates and Descartes have profoundly changed the philosophical thought of occident. Being both great thinkers‚ it is essay to portray their differences and similitudes base on how well they always exposed them. Descartes documented all his work; however‚ there is not any document written by Socrates himself‚ but by his student‚ for instance‚ Plato. Socrates was born 469 BC. He bounced between two branches of philosophy‚ ethics and epistemology. Ethics is the philosophy that tries to understand
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Abstract and Referential Ontology: Descartes Versus Spinoza on the Existence of God. The concept of God is central to the development of Cartesian and Spinozan philosophy. Although both philosophers employ an ontological argument for the existence and necessity of God the specific nature of God differs greatly with each account. While Descartes suggests a Judeo-Christian concept of God‚ Spinoza argues a more monistic deity similar to that of the Hindu tradition. The most significant difference
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Criticisms on Meditation III Clear and Distinct Perception The Cogito is the one undubitable item that Descartes arrives at. But having reached this certain proposition‚ in the second paragraph of Meditation II he goes on to claim that it also gives him a criterion for truth. He says that what assures him of the truth of the Cogito is that he perceives it clearly and distinctly and that‚ thus: a statement is true if‚ and only if‚ it is perceived clearly and distinctly. This is Descartes criterion
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Descartes VS Hume René Descartes and David Hume touched upon epistemology on the same question‚ “where does human knowledge come from?” They both came to very different conclusions. Descartes claimed that our knowledge came from human reasoning alone and this is an absolute certainty principle. This faculty of reasoning is innate tool that came with human species. He called this tool‚ “mind‚” which is separated from our body. Hume on the other hand‚ claimed that human learned from observing the
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"By using the word "meditation" there is a possibility of moving in a wrong direction – because English has no exact word for "dhyana‚" meditation only comes close to it. "English has three words: concentration‚ contemplation‚ meditation. Concentration is of the mind. You focus your mind on a particular object‚ you exclude everything else‚ you just go on narrowing your vision. Hence in concentration everything can become a distraction. A dog starts barking and you will be distracted because you
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philosophy [fɪˈlɒsəfɪ] n pl -phies 1. (Philosophy) the academic discipline concerned with making explicit the nature and significance of ordinary and scientific beliefs and investigating the intelligibility of concepts by means of rational argument concerning their presuppositions‚ implications‚ and interrelationships; in particular‚ the rational investigation of the nature and structure of reality (metaphysics)‚ the resources and limits of knowledge (epistemology)‚ the principles and import of
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This essay will focus on distinguishing the difference between what it is to be a material thing and a thinking René Descartes supports the claim that we as humans are made up of two separate substances‚ a mind and body‚ and this is what distinguishes a thinking thing or human being‚ from a material thing Peter Strawson critiques this argument and presents us with a strong rebuttal with two key arguments‚ the problem of the subject side and the identity and numerability argument. He is able to sway
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Christian meditation is a universal path to bring a closer relationship with God‚ the divine. This practice is a form of prayer and is transcendental as it involves a spiritual realm in which God sit above our existence. The word ‘meditation’ refers to ‘reflect on‚ study and practice.’ Christian meditation can be described as a peaceful focus on God as mentioned in Psalm 19:14‚ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight‚ O LORD. Christian meditation is to be
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