Philosophers essays

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Rene Descartes Concept of Self Essay

It's my first time watching this movie, and I can truly say that it helped me discover new things and come to even more new conclusions. At first, I was perplexed, and I could not figure out what was going on, but as the film went on, somehow everything seemed clearer to me. This film has many plot twists, a cliffhanger finale, and also several unanswered questions and theories. It's one of the best films I have seen so far...
5 Pages 2341 Words

Essay on Flaws in Human Nature

Immanuel Kant created his ethical teachings with a basis of doing your duty and with goodwill. A priori reason is used to follow the three forms of categorical imperatives and the three postulates. Kant focuses’ on the intention and so is non-consequentialist and deontological. The ultimate ending to following the maxims created is happiness. However, Kant’s ethical teachings are argued by Schiller to be too repressing human nature which needs to be governed by reason yet ultimately, the theory relies...
2 Pages 1050 Words

Essay on Freud and Marx Views on Human Nature

Karl Marx, John Mill, and Sigmund Freud are some of the most iconic philosophers and writers who focused their works on human nature. Each individual had a different view on human nature and progress, but religion ties into and is a key point in their work. In Karl Marx’s Early Writings, he refers to religion as “the opium of the people”, and is a strong critic of the relationship between religion and the human race. In The Future of an...
4 Pages 1986 Words

Plato Concept of Self Essay

I will be mindful of developing through the years, and I used to be usually taught that as soon as you die, your soul would drift up to heave and that's how you would live the relaxation of your days. This used to be my theory of the self; you would live out your days on earth but ascend to heaven as soon as it was your time. Plato's thought of the self is exceptional from mine and is very...
1 Page 558 Words

Essay on Thomas Hobbes Definition of Democracy

The Oxford dictionary describes democracy as “Democracy is all a system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting”. Democracy existed in pre-agricultural societies, it was first seen in Greece, in Athens in the 6th and 5th centuries BC. Democracy first made an appearance in the form that we know, as representative democracy, in the 18th century, as the French and American revolutions occurred. There are three main pioneers with different views on democracy, John Stuart Mill(1806;1873), Plato(360 BC;1974),...
3 Pages 1309 Words

Socrates Concept of Self Essay

In Plato’s Alcibiades I, the relationship between Socrates and Alcibiades is a perfect example of seeing beyond the flaws of another and guiding them to be the best version of themselves. Socrates is defined as an erotic character who strives for truth and self-perfection in the form of wisdom and virtue. On the other hand, Alcibiades is young and ignorant of the truth. Socrates approaches the young Alcibiades during a time when Alcibiades was losing contact with his self and...
3 Pages 1537 Words

Bentham and Mill Utilitarianism Essay

The basic foundation for answering what is considered good would lead to a consequentialist answer that is anything producing a net amount of pleasure or happiness. All people seek happiness so this is the ideal mechanism that determines morality. Utilitarianism is a perspective wherein the fulfillment of the best number of people in the overall population is seen as the best extraordinary. Utilitarianism is universal because everyone wants to seek happiness and is the only thing with intrinsic value. As...
1 Page 396 Words

Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism Essay

Introduction Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill demonstrate two contrasting moral theories. The philosophers have very different ideas about ethics and happiness. Immanuel Kant, author of “Duty and Reason”, believed in the morality of goodwill and duty. According to Kant, happiness is an emotion unable to be controlled while motive is controllable; therefore, duty is the most important aspect of leading a moral life. Conversely, John Stuart Mill, who wrote, “The Greatest Happiness Principle”, is well known as a utilitarian,...
5 Pages 2205 Words

Immanuel Kant Concept of Self Essay

Kant and Hegel are well known for their contributions to the field of philosophy and history. Their views and ideas have led to different ways of viewing and understanding concepts of history. Their theories of history provide more insight into things such as absolute freedom, self-consciousness, enlightenment and morals in society. Some of their views on these concepts represent similarities in thought or direction of one’s thoughts. However, their ideas and views on these concepts also show differences that exist...
4 Pages 1694 Words

Essay on What Did John Locke Do for the Enlightenment

Europe had once been covered by dark clouds of bloodshed, hostility, and conflict but many Enlightened thinkers and leaders struggled through many troubles for the cause of human life; upon the enlightenment, multiple philosophers and leaders emerged to create a new era where human life was treasured, new ideas were heard, and ways of life were improved upon for all. Human life in all aspects would have not been improved upon without the struggle Enlightenment figures such as John Locke...
1 Page 641 Words

Essay on John Locke Theories on Early Childhood Education

In this essay, I would like to discuss Rousseau’s approach to childhood and how his work impacted society. The themes of innocent states and fears of corruption are repeating themes that appear within Rousseau’s work. I would like to highlight the main points he emphasizes throughout his texts, particularly in his treatise on education called Emile (1762), also known as On Education, which supplies a more holistic approach, for the time, on childhood and education. In addition to this, the...
3 Pages 1901 Words

Essay on John Locke Major Achievements

Introduction This paper researches the habits by which John Locke stated progressivism and refashioned its image. It has been discovered that the speculations given by Locke suggest the present current world in all the classes of the general public and are refreshed. John Locke (b. 1632, d. 1704) was a British logician, Oxford scholastic and restorative scientist. Locke's stupendous Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689) is one of the main incredible protections of present-day experimentation and worries about deciding the points...
4 Pages 2816 Words

John Locke Theory of Knowledge Essay

If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? In order to answer this question, we must first understand John Locke and his view on epistemology in order to get a clear meaning of this philosophical puzzle. First, what is epistemology? Epistemology is one of the four main branches of philosophy along with metaphysics, logic, and ethics. It is the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and limits...
1 Page 1046 Words

Essay on John Locke Influence on American Revolution

John Locke was an enlightened thinker from England born in Wrington, Somerset 1632 to family of Puritans (a father who even fought on the side of the parliamentarians during the English Civil War). Labeled as a contract theorist which the study of how conflicting interests build formal and informal ways of working constructively, Locke was known as the “father of liberalism” through his writing of the Second Treatise of Government which although written around 1680 was only published in 1689....
2 Pages 1732 Words

Failure of Capitalism Essay

 Although capitalism has been the dominant form of economic system globally in the past 50 years, its success in allowing individuals to self-thrive has been constantly criticized (Meltzer, 2012). Karl Marx’s Volumes I, II, and III of Das Kapital, published in 1867, 1885, and 1894, respectively, famously theorizes the collapse and self-destruction of capitalism. Capital, known as being “a bible of Communism”, gave rise to what is considered modern economics, and underlines issues regarding the absence of equality and productivity...
3 Pages 1984 Words

Essay on How Did John Locke Influence the Constitution

Liberalism is comprised of eight core principles that define its outlook on everything from the role of the individual in society to social justice and the part the state plays in tolerance and equality (Goodwin, 2014). The father of liberalism is often seen to be John Locke, a political thinker who emphasized the idea of a social contract wherein all humans should not harm each other, or in his own words, 'that being all equal and independent, no one ought...
1 Page 559 Words

The Stranger' Existentialism Critical Essay

In Albert Camus’s “The Stranger”, the absurdity of life from Camus’s eyes is put on display through the main character Meursault. The sense that the meaning of life is in human experiences and that things shouldn’t be questioned is the basis of who Meursault truly is as a person. These personality traits reveal that Meursault is a perfect example of an existentialist. From Meursault’s strictly physical way of describing the events he comes into contact with, to his lack of...
2 Pages 1415 Words

Essay on Euthanasia in Kantianism Vs Utilitarianism

Introduction Euthanasia, the deliberate act of ending another's life, often in cases of extreme suffering and with the individual's consent, remains one of the most contentious ethical dilemmas in modern society. Ethical theories such as Kantianism and Utilitarianism offer contrasting perspectives on the moral permissibility of euthanasia. While Utilitarianism justifies euthanasia based on its consequences in maximizing overall happiness, Kantianism rejects it due to the violation of categorical imperatives. However, both theories exhibit significant flaws in their reasoning, making the...
1 Page 480 Words

Utilitarianism Vs Kantianism Essay

Moral philosophy serves as a guiding light in navigating the complexities of ethical decision-making, offering us insights into how we should approach moral dilemmas. Within this realm, utilitarianism and Kantianism emerge as two prominent ethical frameworks, each with distinct principles and applications. In this essay, we will delve into the key principles, differences, applications, and implications of utilitarianism and Kantianism, shedding light on their contrasting perspectives. The Foundations of Utilitarianism Originating from the minds of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart...
1 Page 494 Words

Essay on What Did John Locke Contribute to the Enlightenment

What was the Enlightenment? The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement in Europe that occurred throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The Enlightenment arrived at a time of history when countries were governed by monarchs. There were many kings throughout Europe. These kings allied themselves with the Catholic Church to govern the citizens. The king told their citizens that they had a divine right to govern them, God permitted them to create the rules of the country and enforce...
3 Pages 1322 Words

Essay on Father of the Enlightenment

John Locke was known to be one of the most influential philosophers of the Enlightenment Era, and earned the title of the “Father of Liberalism”. Within his work, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, a foundational work during the Enlightenment, Locke’s epistemological narrative reflects the claim that we, as humans, are not in the position to know, or discover, more than we need to live. His dedication to concept empiricism is reflected in his theories of personal identity, government, politics, and...
2 Pages 866 Words

Essay on Was Mary Wollstonecraft an Enlightenment Thinker

Throughout history, art has been heavily influenced by sociopolitical and cultural events which have transpired within society. These events have had a notable influence on the genre and characteristics of art produced. For instance, the emphasis on religious subjects during the medieval era; was used to inspire pious living through religious indoctrination. During the Enlightenment, as scientific discoveries and inventions developed, reason informed man’s thinking rather than religion. This resulted in a contentious debate often represented through complex art subjects...
5 Pages 2127 Words

Religion Is the Opiate of the Masses: Essay

Religion could be a set of convictions that are passionately held by a gathering of individuals that are reflected in a worldview and in expected beliefs, activities, or actions. There are numerous different religions, each with a diverse set of beliefs. Beliefs are about the world and the individuals in it, about how they came into being, and what their purpose is. German philosopher Karl Marx's view about religion, his examination and evaluation of religion as the opium of the...
2 Pages 872 Words

Essay on Socrates on Justice

In this narrative, I will attempt to explain the Apology, by Socrates. He proclaimed his innocence of charges that he had suborned the youth men Of Athens and he would attempt to plead his case in front of several Athenian Council members (Alan De Botton, The Consolations of Philosophy, (New York, Vintage Books, 2000),28-29. He believed that Philosophy should attain real results for the greater good of society. He also strived to institute an ethical system based on mortal reason...
2 Pages 796 Words

Essay on Rousseau French Revolution

Human beings have proven to be the most peculiar creatures when it comes to establishing a strong and resistant civil state that will benefit all those within a particular society. For centuries different individuals have attempted to identify the origins of human instincts’. Certain individuals have inclusively taken the time to compose works of their own explaining their point of view and what they consider society should look like shortly. Furthermore, such individuals, now addressed as philosophers have allowed for...
3 Pages 1522 Words

Essay on Karl Marx Industrial Revolution

The industrial revolution was the second most experienced revolution in man's history. The Industrial Revolution began in England in the 18th. The transition was characterized by the use of machines that replaced human labor. Also, a source of energy such as steam and water power was increasingly used. Industrially, the textile industry was the first one in the Industrial Revolution. It experienced massive employment, out and high capital invested. Similarly, it used modern production methods. The spinning jerry was invented...
4 Pages 1952 Words

John Locke's 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding': Summary

'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding' does not operate under the pretense of possessing a store of wisdom to be passed on to others, rather it aims to dispel sources of intolerance, stimulate others to think for themselves, and promote the cause of freedom enacted through thought and action. As an adequate representation of the spirit of the modern age, it has done much to shape the course of many different fields of inquiry. The Western world will forever be imprinted...
1 Page 584 Words

Essay on Aristotelian Concept of Friendship

There is no ultimate valuable outcome, nor should outcomes be in competition with one another to create the most value. Providing we strive to create good for everyone and treat others as rational autonomous individuals with an equal amount of respect for one another, friendship (entailing both the love for family and friends) is the most loving thing. Here, love is not measured, but simply recognized and the negation of what love or friendship is not, which is malice and...
1 Page 601 Words

Essay on John Locke on Abortion

”I have noticed that those who go for abortion have once been a fetus and went through conception before coming into this world.” A quote from Ronald Reagan (https://www.goodreads.com). During the last twenty years, abortion has been a controversial issue in the United States and most countries of the world including Papua New Guinea as a whole. According to the World Health Organization (http://apps.who.int ), “abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus is capable of having a...
2 Pages 1046 Words

Socrates' Position on the Good Life: Essay

Plato's 'The Apology' is a dialogue that provides Plato's version of a speech given by Socrates to defend himself against the charges of corrupting the youth and impiety, charges that Socrates ultimately was convicted of and sentenced to death. This dialogue contains one of the most frequently cited lines in the entire history of Western thought. When speaking to the jury to explain why he can't simply stop what he is doing, why he can't stop annoying people by constantly...
2 Pages 904 Words

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