Smith Philosophy101 27 November 2015 Free to Treat Others However We Wish? Would William James Agree? It is true that philosophers William James and Friedrich Nietzsche have had a widespread influence on the entire philosophy world. Though their theories on truth and morality are very different‚ there is some solid common ground. This essay plans to summarize the theories of both philosophers and show how they are similar. It will also explain if one has to agree with the views of the other based
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Rene Descartes‚ a rationalist‚ said that each person contains the criteria for truth and knowledge in them. Finding truth and knowledge comes from the individual themselves‚ not necessarily from God. Descartes also believed that reason is the same for every single person. Descartes believed that nothing could be true unless we as humans could perceive it. He also believed that you could break down things into smaller simpler parts. Descartes also believed that there was a relationship between
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This unit aims to give a brief overview of the Greek influences on religious philosophy by focusing on the two leading thinkers of the classical period: Plato and Aristotle. These thinkers are vastly different in many respects but have each been hugely influential and have helped to shape western philosophy in the past 2‚500 years. The specific topics covered are: Plato’s analogy of the cave as presented in Book 7 of The Republic. Plato’s concept of Forms and the Form of the Good. Aristotle’s
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WRITING AN ESSAY IN VCE PHILOSOPHY Writing a philosophical essay is different from essay writing in many other disciplines. The aim of a philosophical essay is to defend a thesis‚ usually one which is fairly narrowly defined‚ through the presentation of reasons. A good philosophical essay will normally exhibit the following virtues: 1. Has a clear thesis 2. Has a clear argumentative structure 3. Presents reasons which support the thesis 4. Stays on topic 5. Examines
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what Socrates tells the jurymen‚ “keep this one truth in mind‚ that a good man cannot be harmed either in life or in death…” is meant to imply that regardless of what kind of people will tarnish a good man’s reputation‚ it will have no effect on their legacy. I truly believe that Socrates was advocating that the legacy of a good man will continue to impact the lives of all individuals that are willing to accept and listen to what they had to offer as good individuals. Regardless of how Socrates will
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Nietzsche‚ Nihilism and the Death of God The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche while producing many works‚ consistently wrote on five main concepts: nihilism; revaluation of values; will to power; the eternal return; and the overman. Yet all these concepts stem from another concept which was not previously mentioned and is possibly what Nietzsche is most well known for. Even those who can merely utter Nietzsche’s name can usually tie it to the proclamation of the death of God. This essay aims to
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Rene Descartes were among the first to break away from the conventional views of their times to find a place for science in a society and propose the way it should be practiced. All three authors agree on some points but differe markedly on others. Bacon insists on the importa nce of experimentation and relative uselessness of senses and experience‚ while Decartes thinks them imporatnt for understanding of nature. Galileo stresses the need for separation of science and religion‚ while Descartes
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Descartes’ philosophy begins in doubt. The first step towards certainty‚ the Archimedean point from which the whole structure will grow‚ is the discovery of the existence of the self. At the beginning of Meditation II‚ reflecting on the evil genius posited at the end of Meditation I‚ Descartes observes: ‘Let him deceive me as much as he can‚ he will never bring it about that I am nothing so long as I think that I am something… I must finally conclude that this proposition‚ I am‚ I exist‚ is necessarily
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I. What Is Philosophy? In the given quote‚ Socrates is defending himself in court against Meletus’ claim that he believes in false Gods‚ and he is giving his opinion on the meaning of life. He says that a docile life – one without speculation and reason – is not worth living. He explains that he will not live in exile because it is God’s will that he be a gadfly‚ and that he will not keep quiet because enlightenment is his meaning in life. He explains to the jury that he is like a gadfly and
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Examine Descartes¡¦ account of the relationship between the mind and body. Do you find his arguments convincing? Descartes (1596-1650) is generally considered to be one of the most influential philosophers of the modern Western world. He has been called ¡¥the founder of modern philosophy¡¦ as he was the first man of any influence in philosophy to be interested and affected by physics and astronomy‚ as well as refusing to accept views of his predecessors‚ preferring to work out everything for
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