This paper looks at two Greek philosophers‚ Heraclitus‚ and Parmenides. It examines their different theories as to how the universe was created‚ understanding of the universe‚ ’way of truth‚ ’ ’way of opinion ’ and the third way. The author explains that Parmenides‚ who came after Heraclitus‚ addressed part of his writings as a refutation of Heraclitus? views. He objected both to Heraclitus? view of the universe and how Heraclitus felt people could gain knowledge of it. From the Paper: "While
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Since ancient times the notion of friendship being a method for self gain has lurked in the shadows. Though never out rightly stated it is one which trumps the subconscious mind of each person and has even been pondered upon by great minds such as that of Aristotle‚ who believed certain friendships occurred simply as a means of utility. This raises the question of whether friendships are truly mutual and not driven by the needs and desires of a person. It’s simply impossible for one person to have
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PHILOSOPHY 1100: THE MEANING OF LIFE Different Approaches to the Meaning of Life 1. Why we want to know the ‘meaning of life’ The question "what is the meaning of life?" is often treated as a paradigmatic "head in the clouds" sort of philosophical question that more practical people shouldn’t have the time for‚ but its actually a question of tremendous practical importance. Further‚ it is a question to which most people‚ even those who claim to have no interest in such questions‚ answer implicitly
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“The Enchiridion‚” by Epictetus is a very interesting piece. This piece emphasizes the different aspects of our lives that we do have control of contrasted to the parts of our lives that we do not have any control of. “Things in our control are opinion‚ pursuit‚ desire‚ aversion‚ and‚ in a word‚ whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body‚ property‚ reputation‚ command‚ and‚ in one word‚ whatever are not our own actions.” (Epictetus 1) This quote lists and incorporates some
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The Value of Philosophy In the introductory lecture notes to this course I stated that we would start with a working definition of philosophy as being the “love of wisdom.” I have found‚ though‚ that just about every other definition attempted has many shortcomings. No one definition seems adequate to define what it means to engage in philosophy. Consequently‚ I think it is best to think of the philosopher in the somewhat imprecise term of a lover of wisdom. Someone who is continually in
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have contemplated for thousands of years the purpose of reason and what it is good for. Three philosophers specifically have tried to prove that their theory is the best they are Descartes‚ Epictetus‚ and Leibniz. Descartes believes that reason is good for proving God exists and reason shows us we exist. Epictetus believes that reason is useful for proving what good actually is and that reason gives us freedom. Leibniz believes reason is good because it proves the existence of God and helps prove that
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Christian Dold 8 June 2015 Free Will and Determinism in Run Lola Run Perhaps one of the most pressing questions that philosophers have attempted to answer throughout the years is the debate between human free will and determinism. Free will is the idea that human action is unhindered by fate‚ and that the actions we take are directly responsible for our future. Conversely‚ determinism argues the opposite of this‚ that our actions are not free but are merely a result of preceding events. The film
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Epicurus (341—271 BCE) Epicurus is one of the major philosophers in the Hellenistic period‚ the three centuries following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE (and of Aristotle in 322 BCE). Epicurus developed an unsparingly materialistic metaphysics‚ empiricist epistemology‚ and hedonistic ethics. Epicurus taught that the basic constituents of the world are atoms‚ uncut table bits of matter‚ flying through empty space‚ and he tried to explain all natural phenomena in atomic terms. Epicurus
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A good number of philosophers stressed that happiness is essential to the human existence‚ they see the sense of human living in triumph of different contentment. Condemning Epicureans‚ Stoics proposed another view and their concept included ethical and moral laws that denied the leading role of happiness but established the principle of logic and rational mind in the life attitude. They prove that sufferings and pain can be used for reaching important knowledge and‚ what is more‚ are the normal
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he considered philosophy to be the "true‚ inward" religion‚ one which did not require ceremonies necessary in others. Throughout his childhood and early adulthood‚ Aurelius was taught by several talented teachers. When he was young‚ the great Epictetus tutored him‚ followed by a man named Q. Junius Rusticus‚ who would accompany Aurelius throughout much of his life. In 161 AD‚ Pius died‚ leaving Aurelius and Pius’s other adopted son‚ known as Verus‚ to rule together. The two brothers
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