Philosopher College Essays Samples For Students

Philosophy 223

Exam is open book, open notes, however, there should be no internet use or looking at other sources (besides the Kyabgon Traleg book The Essence of Buddhism and The Monk and the Philosopher) and no talking to anyone about the exam, etc.

Remember, “Karma means nobody gets away with nothing.” Ruth Denison

Please observe the academic honesty policies of the College. I am obliged to report any suspicion of violation. See the Dean’s office or me if you have any questions. Especially in a take-home exam situation, it is important to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Also, give credit to other sources, even if just to say, ...

Philosophy 223

Exam is open book, open notes, however, there should be no internet use or looking at other sources (besides the Kyabgon Traleg book The Essence of Buddhism and The Monk and the Philosopher) and no talking to anyone about the exam, etc.

Remember, “Karma means nobody gets away with nothing.” Ruth Denison

Please observe the academic honesty policies of the College. I am obliged to report any suspicion of violation. See the Dean’s office or me if you have any questions. Especially in a take-home exam situation, it is important to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Also, give credit to other sources, even if just to say, ...

Introduction

The passage from the Republic by Plato is prone to different interpretations. To gain full comprehension of the passage the reader is obliged to delve deep into the platonic debate between Socrates and Glaucon. The trajectory of the argument according to Plato, was that democracies are governments ran by fools. The principal argument in the discussion was that democracies elect courses of action without a coherent understanding of the matter they are handling. The overriding argument was that only those who are fully experienced in statecraft should be allowed to rule. ‘Socrates argued that the cobbler and the medical doctor ...

The role of leadership in a state or an organization is one that requires a great deal of forethought and determination – an entire philosophy is dedicated to the employment of sound leadership principles when others are at one’s command. Plato’s “The Republic” discusses these aspects in detail, settling upon the idea of the philosopher-king as the ultimate solution for effective leadership of an organization or state. He explores the role of philosophy through a number of analogies that, in essence, argue for an aristocracy wherein the philosopher is allowed the power to make policy due to his greater understanding of ...

Introduction

Plato in his work The Republic dialogues with other great thinkers of his era in an endeavor to develop a perfect governance system. In the dialogue, various elements of the government become prominent. The key elements are justice and leadership of the city. The dialogue seeks debate on and develops a system of governance or a city where there are minimal disputes and perfect leadership. The main argument in the platonic dialogue is that the other governments that Plato approached with varying scorn were ineffective in running a state; on their stead, Plato proposed his version on a republic. His ideas on how the ...

Plato was a prominent Greek philosopher who posed elementary questions about human nature, education and justice. He was a student of another famous Greek philosopher, Socrates. One of Plato’s greatest philosophical ideals regards the concept of an ideal state with ideal rulers. Part of Plato’s educational ideas was derived from his personal conception of justice, both for the state and for an individual. He was of the view that individuals are actually mutually dependent for their survival and well-being. He also proposed that the concept of justice in an ideal state is congruent with that in an individual’s ...

(Student’s Full Name)

“At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is worst”—Aristotle
The above statement made by Aristotle emphasizes the significance of law and justice in not only maintaining order, but also help to affirm the nobility and distinction of human beings. In Thrasymachus’s account of justice, the philosopher presents his argument that different individuals and different states perceive the concept of justice differently. For the purposes of this essay, I will be focusing on 377a and 344e, while paying special attention to 338d-339a, 338a-339d, and 343b-344c. ...

Introduction

Everyone would like to live his or her life in the best way possible. This notion goes without saying, although there has been contemplation of the question since time immemorial. Which is the best possible kind of life to lead. As a result, philosopher and sages from all walks of life started devoting their lives to establishing the right answer. These philosophers, started writing books to demonstrate to the world their versions of how to live the good life. The two philosophers whose perceptions of living the best possible life are widely known are Plato and Lao Tzu. In ...

Philosophy

The great Greek philosopher Plato (428-348 BC X.) was a brilliant student from another major Hellenic sage - Socrates. The basis of the philosophy of Plato - the doctrine of ideas - has been a source of Socratic appeal to the true cognition of concepts that are not subjective (as contemporaries of Socrates and Plato - the sophists claimed), and constitute an independent incorporeal world that exists beyond the world of sense. Plato believed that only in the world of ideas and is the real truth.
Son of noble Athenian citizens and Perictione Ariston, Plato led by the legendary origin ...

In his relationship with Socrates, has Alcibiades been made into a true lover; that is, is Alcibiades now a philosopher. To answer this, love must be defined philosophically or otherwise.
Socrates, in his speech, says that love is a feeling for some object. Love is a desire for an object. Eros is the Greek god of love. The Roman god of love is called Cupid. In his speech, Cupid says that love is a feeling for beautiful things. Socrates philosophically says ‘love’ is not good or beautiful’. He goes on and says that if it were the contrary, then he would not be ...

The academic field of philosophy provides the much need knowledge and introspection about the self, the society and the world. Among the many eminent philosophers of the world, Greek philosophers were among the most influential with all of their vision, knowledge and explication. Their works are still hailed as impeccable and commendable by the modern day philosophers and critics. There can be no denial of the fact that Plato is one of the foremost figures in the domain of philosophy in the entire timeline of human history of this world. Plato has been successful in leaving an immortal mark ...

Philosophy has been one of the defining disciplines and characteristics of Western culture. This ideology is so ingrained in the thought processes of these people that one may not realize that a particular view responds to the philosophical tradition that began with the ancient Greeks. Socrates was one of the most important of these thinkers. Therefore, as this discipline has developed, his thoughts have been both acclaimed and refuted by subsequent philosophers. Notably, Friedrich Nietzsche was very critical of this father of philosophy and many others in his Twilight of the Idols. A line-by-line analysis of a paragraph from this book ...

PLATO

The role of leadership in a state or an organization is one that requires a great deal of forethought and determination – an entire philosophy is dedicated to the employment of sound leadership principles when others are at one’s command. Plato’s “The Republic” discusses these aspects in detail, settling upon the idea of the philosopher-king as the ultimate solution for effective leadership of an organization or state. He explores the role of philosophy through a number of analogies that, in essence, argue for an aristocracy wherein the philosopher is allowed the power to make policy due to his greater understanding of ...

Dr. Elizabeth Sikes

UCOR-2500-13
Close Reading of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
“There would, therefore,” I said, “be an art of this turning around, concerned with the way in which this power can most easily and efficiently be turned around, not an art of producing sight in it. Rather, this art takes as given that sight is there, but not rightly turned nor looking at what it ought to look at, and accomplishes this object” (Republic 518D-E).
The foregoing quote in the Allegory of the Cave provides insight into the importance of proper education and balanced teachings that would enable people ...

Philosophy Questions

1. Ross’ s Moral Theory is considered to stand between Kant’s strict deontological theory and theological theory of utilitarianism. According to the philosopher, there existed several prima facie duties that people had to hold in respect if they did not contradict one another. In case they conflicted, human’s intuition would help to make the right choice and find the weightiest and the most important duty. Ross stated that any prima facie obligation could be redefined by more important ones. While Kant saw all obligations absolute and exceptionless, Ross allowed maximization of the good as one of the ...

William Carlos Williams

William Carlos Williams has always been known as an experimenter, an innovator, a revolutionary figure in American poetry. Yet in comparison to artists of his own time who sought a new environment for creativity as expatriates in Europe, Williams lived a remarkably conventional life. A doctor for more than forty years serving the New Jersey town of Rutherford, he relied on his patients, the America around him, and his own ebullient imagination to create a distinctively American verse. Often domestic in focus and "remarkable for its empathy, sympathy, its muscular and emotional identification with its subjects," Williams's poetry is also characteristically honest: "There ...

Why should anyone be bothered by the fact that Martin Heidegger, whose political philosophy was very much admired by the French after the post-war period , did neither admitted nor regretted his early political engagement with Nazism especially during his rectorship at the University of Freinberg (Farias, 1989; Steiner, 2000)?
Given the facts that Heidegger is both a philosopher and polemically, an ardent supporter of the Fuhrer, it is just appropriate to admire his intellectual gigantism and then still study his political dispositions during the 1930s up to the 1950s. Although it became evident later on that since Nazism ...

Along with Plato Aristotle is considered to be one of the greatest philosophers of the Hellenistic epoch. Actually, Aristotle was one of Plato’s students. In the age of eighteen the young philosopher entered Plato’s Academy in Athens and spent there about 20 years studying and helping his teacher. After the Plato’s death Aristotle left Athens and educated those who wished all around the Greece and even outside the state. For three years the philosopher was the teacher of great warrior and leader Alexander the Great. After a while Aristotle came back to Greece, to Athens and founded ...

Introduction

Meaning in life (MIL) is a concept which is fundamental to numerous individuals as it is based on their values and it can be a source of motivation. According to Allan (2014), virtues and character strengths have been linked augmented levels of fulfillment and meaning in an individual’s life. In the book “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” the concept of meaning in life is illustrated by a young orphan who pursues a great destiny. This story follows a young boy – Harry Potter who lost his parents at the age of one year after they were murder ...

Abstract

While power is a secular affair these days, ethics and moral with their connection to religion seem related to what refers to activities associated with the governance of people and territories. Of course, neither of the two provides a comprehensive view of the complex notion of politics, yet both complement the concept with precious meaning. Thus, moral adds an important dimension revealing domestic politics as a set of activities prioritizing social welfare. Furthermore, the perception of governance through the prism of virtuous leaders, as done by ethics scholars, such as al-Farabi, allows people to perceive politics as a unique ...

In this paper, I will discuss the present-at-hand and the ready-at-hand in Heidegger’s philosophy. Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) is a German philosopher who is often thought of in terms of the Existentialist movement in Continental philosophical tradition, but who did not prefer to be classified as an existentialist (McBride 131). Heidegger concerns himself with the deep metaphysical question of being in his book Being and Time — a job he never completed in his lifetime (Blattner 9). Heidegger has an ambitious project in his book — that is fundamentally to investigate being, a project he feels has been forgotten by philosophers (Heidegger 1). Theologians ...

1. Introduction
The most of the people in the world was guided by some of the philosophers. The philosopher is the great thinkers that they can provide good advice to lead the good society. The ancient kings obeyed the advice of philosophers. The most famous among them are Socrates. The Socrates is a great thinker and philosopher; his sayings are still followed by most of the people. The one among the best philosopher is Confucius. The Confucius was born in 551- 447 BCE in the nation called china. The Confucius is the most influential philosopher in china. The thinking ...

PLATO

According to Plato, in “The Republic,” one of the biggest roles that a person can have in the state is that of leader – it takes a lot of commitment and intelligence to fulfill that role. Plato purports the notion of the philosopher-king as the perfect leader; they are the best way to lead an organization. Many analogies are used to explore the function of philosophy; in short, he asks for an aristocracy that allows the philosopher to have the power to dictate policy for those around him, as he understands the most about the world we all inhabit. Plato uses the ...

Plato held the belief, illustrated by his use of the analogy of the Cave, that we live in a world of illusions, with the true forms of the everyday objects which surround us being shrouded behind said illusions. According to his own philosophy, every object or concept (such as beauty or goodness) has a truth behind it; one which is perfect in every way. Furthering this idea, Plato believed that behind the world of illusions we live in which clouds our ability to see the true world, is a world which is populated by all those perfect forms of ...

Introduction

The primary purpose of philosophy is to clarify and refine the human thought processes so that the state of affairs and hence the reality of the world are clear. As such, philosophical problems are a failure to come up with the explanations of things that happen in the environment and by extension in the world. Philosophy is critical in refining the human's basic concepts that are applied to understand the reality. Just like in other sciences that are driven by the experimentations in the search for the truth, philosophy is informed by the questions that cannot be easily answered ...

Julian Young is one of the most prominent philosophers of the United States and a prominent researcher of the German philosophy of the 19th and 20th centuries. He is the author of more than 10 philosophical books and numerous articles awarded the highest honors in the field of philosophy. In his book The Death of God and the Meaning of Life, Young explores the most relevant question in the postmodern era. The question of the meaning of life has been studied by many philosophers, but each of them has their own ideas about what makes sense and what God ...

Nietzsche’s doctrine dedicated to the topic of eternal recurrence is considered to be one of the least clarified concepts in his works. The philosopher claimed that the initial idea of eternal recurrence emerged in 1881 during his journey in Switzerland (Nietzsche & Hoover 14). Nietzsche claimed that eternal recurrence is a valid scientific hypothesis, which states that every process in this world recurs constantly in the certain period of time. According to this notion, time is infinite and change is eternal (Nietzsche & Hoover 28). Also, eternal recurrence suggests that energy is always constant and finite, so as its numerous ...

Introduction

Plato is perhaps one of the most well-known philosophers in Western history. Even if many people don’t fully understand his ideas, most are aware that he was a very important and influential thinker. How did someone who lived over 2000 years ago have such a tremendous and lasting impact on our culture? By introducing a new way of seeing the world that revolutionized how philosophers defined truth. In The Republic and The Apology, Plato uses the character Socrates (based on, but probably not an accurate representation, of his teacher) to explain his view of truth, his method for ...

The Existence of God

The world is definitely the most marvelous and exciting gift ever received. Though everyone is constantly facing various hardships along the way and has to overcome rather complicated challenges, it is still worth living for. Nothing could be compared to the possibility of admiring sunsets, walking in the rain or simply inhaling the smell of the flowers around. The whole universe is ready to present its breathtaking wonders and reveal all mysteries to those who are ready to experience the unknown and set off on an unforgettable and adventurous journey. The biggest mystery is surely the creation of the ...

Philosophy and Logic

The nature of philosophy as, as Socrates put it, a metaphorical gadfly demonstrates the relationship that the discipline has with other academic and intellectual pursuits. The idea that Socrates was attempting to express is in consideration of the role of philosophy in the sciences and the philosopher in society (Plato 2016). This role, for Socrates went well beyond simple academic pursuits, but rather, extended into all aspects of life. In this sense, it is important to consider this metaphor in relation to the conception that Socrates had of the implications of rational thought and the mind's pursuit of knowledge. ...

A social gadfly - that was the unofficial name of Socrates in Athenian circles. Socrates, indeed, was a gadfly to his peers: he stung with his revealing and unbiased speeches. Even as a young boy the philosopher became considered as the wisest of men. Pythia, the Oracle of Delphi, herself proclaimed Socrates the profoundest philosopher that had ever lived, only to hear his famous words "I know that I know nothing" though (Miles, 2003, p. 165) (Scott, 2002, Does Socrates Have a Method, p. 122). Not believing the oracle, Socrates began to ask other Athenian sages about their lore. ...

Socrates is a philosophical model for humanity that stimulates people’s thinking. Socrates lives in Athens more than 2000 years ago (Chaffee, 2005). During his life, he is instrumental to caution people against the tendency to drift in lives current. Socrates arouses, persuades, and reproaches people’s sluggish attitude towards life. Socrates portrays much relevance in the contemporary world with the same reproach he used to in Athens. People have a tendency to behave in a drowsy and sluggish way as they engage in their daily chores (Chaffee, 2005). One must apply Socrates concepts of gadfly to wake from the shuffling in ...

Throughout the history of Western civilization, people have asked themselves questions about how to lead their lives and achieve happiness. Major philosophers have debated this idea, arguing for different ways of orienting their lives, commenting and criticizing their precursors in the process. Two of the most important of these thinkers were Aristotle and Immanuel Kant, who both drafted different ethical theories, while staying within the boundaries of what is considered standard in the Western philosophical tradition. Specific differences in their contexts lead to major dissimilarities in their theories. However, both theories have aspects which may be considered correct, and ...

- Introduction
Alain Badiou is a French philosopher, born in 1937 to a war-ravaged France. Throughout the years, he has written a number of important texts; the two most important of these texts were Being and Event and Logics of Worlds. As philosophical texts, they caused a great deal of noise and discussion in the philosophical community.
Badiou has addressed a number of important philosophical concepts in these texts, including the concepts of truth and being-- the latter of which became the subject of one of his most important texts, Being and Event. To discuss his views on these subjects, Badiou often ...

Plato and Aristotle, along with the first great philosopher Socrates, are considered to be the founders of all philosophical concepts and the top of Greek philosophy. They developed such philosophical systems that lately found a number of adherents, and even nowadays famous philosophers apply to the classic works of Plato and Aristotle since after these Greek authors there were not any fundamentally new ideas in philosophical studies. However, the difference between Plato’s and Aristotle’s views is significant; even though Plato laid the foundation of many political, social thoughts and the theory of Ideas, they were criticized by Aristotle, ...

Philosophy

Introduction
In many ancient civilizations, it was a firm belief that the sun revolves round the earth and nobody dare to doubt the belief for centuries until Nicolaus Copernicus, an astronomer of the Renaissance period doubted on this age old belief and put forward his revolutionary work stating that it is the earth that revolves round the sun. Lawhead has rightly stated that “Doubt stimulates us to action and seeks its own elimination by means of inquiry, which is a process of finding the way to a new and more adequate belief” (p.495). Actually, people refrain from doubting landmark and well-accepted ...

Generally speaking, psychology is the empirical or systematic study of behavior and mental function (Pastorino and Doyle-Portillo, 2012). It involves an analysis of behavioral and cognitive functions, through a scientific method. Though today psychology is a distinct science, it was not so regarded at its inception. For a long time, psychology was not treated as a distinct science, but was rather regarded as within the scope of medicine (Hergenhahn, 2009). At that time, philosophers explained cognitive and behavioral issues with reference to the body, just like any other sickness.
One of these early philosophers, Hippocrates, opined that personality was as a manifestation of ...

Arguably, psychology is not a discipline that developed overnight. For many centuries and years, psychology has undergone tremendous growth from the simplest form of psychological ideas to become a science on its own. There are many philosophers who are historically linked with the formation of psychology as a discipline. As a matter of fact, before psychology became a discipline and a science, various intellectuals are known to have contributed to philosophical concepts behind psychology. This relationship can be linked back to the Renaissance period, middle age, and Greeks. In the early 19th and late 18th century, a link between modern psychology and philosophy became possible (Goodwin, ...

II. Short Answer Questions
Answer each of the following 4 questions with a 3-5 sentence paragraph. Write legibly and in full sentences. You may write on the back of the sheet.
(12 points each: 48 total)
1. What philosopher used the idea of Tetrapharmakon? What does this word mean? What is the purpose of this teaching? List and describe the different parts of this idea.
It was philosopher Philodemus who first used the idea of Tetrapharmakon. The word Tetrapharmakon means the Four Cures, which are the summary of the four basic doctrines:
- Do not fear the god
- ...

Symbolic communication can be defined as the things that we have given a special meaning and as such represent a particular idea. Further symbolic communication can be interpreted as a language that is dependent upon the use of symbols created for the sole purpose of achieving exactitude.
A look at the use of symbolic language in the text “How Language Shapes Thought” by Lera Boroditsky. Lera progress idea of symbolic communication in her article based on the arguments that the language of thought is mostly the same type of language used by humans or the instance as form of ...

Introduction

In Chinese history, political, state and the economic system has changed during the Spring and Autumn Period that lasted about 300 years. It was during era that there is substantial transformation in the political, economic, and social structure of Chinese civilization. However, amidst these changes are widespread conflicts in the society such as warring elite families and other conflicts that the government cannot match. According to Confucius, who was born during the latter part of the Spring and Autumn, the societal disorder was largely because the government was not virtuous enough to please the people. The teachings of Confucius ...

“Nicomachean Ethics” is one of the most well-known philosophical works by Aristotle. In ten books, Aristotle discusses such notions as justice, friendship, happiness, kindness, and different virtues. The times have passed, though these issues are still important in the society, so it is extremely interesting to investigate Aristotle’s point of view and compare it to modern one.
In the whole work Aristotle states that a person should seek for the golden middle in everything and that the lack or excess of something is negative. The same approach is preserved in the description of ideal state and society. It ...

Comment

Judging by his views on happiness, Aristotle was not a philosopher. He was a brilliant philosopher and an extremely wise man. The distinction between people's desires that he made is smart and straight to the point – we seek ends not the means. As Aristotle pointed out the only end that can be found in all humans’ activities, desires, and aspirations is happiness. It is the only end point that we seek for. While we may get distracted throughout our journey by the images or the surrogates of this end, such as honors, fortune, or passion, all of these are ...

Compare and Contrast

Philosophy

Introduction
It is not surprising that not most of the people are understanding the context of philosophy. From a person not inclined with its concept, phisolosphy can be viewed as boring, irrelevant to the real-world application, and yet very much intriguing. On the other hand, it is not so difficult to put a finger on what really is its purpose, what phisolosphers do, and how its principles relate to human existence. However, the answer to those questions can be found in analyzing how it is viewed by different philosophers and what their perspectives about the subject pertains. The ...

In ancient Greek political thought takes the form of theories, with their inherent features and system integrity. Life insurance policy, or city-state, requires development of tools, methods of living together of individuals and groups with different interests. The policy lesson in politics was the right and duty of all free citizens. The concept of citizenship had different meanings.
Aristotle considered the desire of people for living together and for a political dialogue as natural. According to Aristotle, the individual is a political entity, which means that it social and carries the instinctive desire to ‘joint cohabitation’. But it should ...

Introduction

The assumed Socratic problems were solved long time ago. The standpoint of this paper will be opposing beliefs that are prevailing and hence the primary emphasis will be put on the pedantry and lack of creativity of Socrates. Through the reviewing of records and their theme, this paper will be able to bring out the ambiguous character and the teachings of this great thinker.

Over time, there have been many attempts that try to link up the character of this great philosopher Socrates to the decisive turning point of the Greeks spiritual history. To very great extent this ...

What are Locke's arguments against the Rationalist notion of innate ideas? Do you find his arguments convincing? Why or why not?

According to Rationalist philosophers reason is the source of knowledge. Hence knowledge holds more importance over experience. The Rationalists argue that we are born with some innate ideas including the belief of God, mathematics, the concept of time, casualty and other such principles which help us understand the essence of the world. Unlike empiricists, the Rationalists don't believe in the concept of mind being 'a blank state' at birth. They postulate that not all our knowledge derive from experience (Markier, 2013).
Famous philosopher of early historic times Plato was an idealistic and rationalistic. He was of the ...

Passion is a strong and powerful emotion that drives us to further achievements and gives us a sense in life. Life without passion would probably be just a meaningless existence. Emotions have always been a subject of discussions by different philosophers. Such thinkers as Plato, Descartes and Spinoza analyzed passion in different ways and provided their concepts of passion. Passion has been categorized in six categories. These are hatred, wonder, hatred, sadness, and love (Descartes on the Emotions).
When I read a book, I dive into a new, unknown, and undiscovered world. A book makes me worry about the character as if it is my ...

Racism

There are two main questions that any person who follows Kantian Ethics must ask before they perform any action. Is the action the accepted norm, meaning will others act in the same manner? Will the act respect others and their shared goals? If the answer to either question is no, then under Kantian Ethics it is deemed that one should not perform the action. Immanuel Kant devised a theory by which a person must decide whether or not to perform an action not based on the outcome or consequences, but instead based upon whether or not those actions will fulfill a shared ...

Immanuel Kant’s philosophy about moral judgment as a categorical imperative and unsupported hypothetical imperative is argued by Philippa Foot who defends the moral judgment as hypothetical imperative, while J.L. Mackie confronts Kant’s categorical imperative criticizing it as lacking objective validity. Whereas Foot sustains that moral judgments can be inherent as hypothetical imperatives, Mackie demonstrates that the lack of objectivity in moral judgments leads to an inconsistency in Foot’s argumentation.
Besides criticizing the difference between the hypothetical imperatives and the categorical imperatives, grammatically marked through “should” versus “ought”, in his essay “Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives” ...

Absurdism as a worldview theory is a part of the philosophy of existentialism; and as the fundamental philosophical concept it was firstly developed in the work of Albert Camus “The Myth of Sisyphus”. As a system of philosophical views, it claims the lack of meaning of human life (the absurdity of life existence). According to the absurdism, people have been trying to find the meaning of existence throughout their history. Traditionally, these attempts have ended in one of two ways: man has come to the conclusion that all life is senseless or he has started to understand that everything is predetermined by ...

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born and raised in the town of Porbandar in the State of modern day Gujarat. He was born on 2nd October 1869. He schooled in a nearby Rajkot, a place where his father served as the prime minister to the local rulers. He gained fame and recognition through his extraordinary autobiography. “The Story of My Experiment with the Truth” which forms the basis of this thesis is recorded in detailed form in the autobiography. This paper focuses on the major items outlined in the book. Among the major issues that the essay seeks to address include development ...

The mythical presence of Socrates and his legendary acceptance of the poisoned drink have always fascinated the philosophers and historians alike. What makes the historical and philosophical character of Socrates even more elusive is the fact that Socrates himself did not write any big volumes of philosophy and the sole vessel to his philosophical contributions are the reminiscences of his equally gifted student Plato. Due to this indirect nature of the knowledge being passed down, one can never be sure of what Socrates really believed in as there are many conflicting views presented by other philosophers who were directly ...

Mediation is word used in a broad spectrum. It is often said for a person who mediates; peace of mind is necessary. However, the mediation and peacemaking is interrelated to one another. When we say that the mediation is necessary for resolving interrelated problems worldwide or even personally, we limit our observation to the fact that satisfaction and peace is an utmost factor that comes as a result of the mediation. Mediation can be between family members, between colleagues working together and on broader perspective between countries on diplomatic levels. The role of mediator is acknowledged worldwide as disputes from the small ...

The aim of this essay is to present you with a portrait of Socrates, the philosopher and teacher of Plato and other philosophers in Ancient Greece in the 4th century B.C. The portrait will be drawn upon the reflections formed by some literary pieces which provide readers with details of Socrates’ personality. The literary pieces which will be used are the ‘Republic’ and ‘Menon’ by Plato, the monologue the ‘Apology’, the painting ‘The Death of Socrates’ by Jacques-Louis David and the written piece of Nietzsche Friedrich ‘The problem of Socrates’.
This portrait is rich in terms of consisting of ...

Linguistic anthropology is the interdisciplinary study of languages and the impact it has on the social life. Linguist’s anthropologists have always tried to study and document the languages of indigenous cultures. In pursuit of this goal, linguistic anthropologists have entered into the study of daily encounters, political events and rites, literacy events and the media. Most of the wok in linguistic anthropology states that language structures imitate experiential-conceptual structures that in turn echo social structures. Through the treaties of 1725 wrote by Giambattissa Vico a philosopher, who stated that individuals understand the world through the imaginative use of language. ...

Book VII - On Shadows and Realities in Education

SOCRATES - GLAUCON
AND now, I said, let me show in a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened: --Behold! human beings living in a underground den, which has a mouth open towards the light and reaching all along the den; here they have been from their childhood, and have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them, being prevented by the chains from turning round their heads. Above and behind them a fire is blazing at a distance, and between the fire and the prisoners there is a raised way; and you will ...

An overview

Introduction
In simplest of words, theology is the study of religions and religious beliefs. Some scholars choose to call it the science of deities and divinity. But atheistic scholars do not very much approve of theology as a viable branch of study or ‘science’. Nevertheless, theology has been helping religious people understand, follow and even reform their religions with time. The great theologians in history have acted like a guiding star to bring changes in religious beliefs and rituals. And in the course of past several centuries, the major religions in the world have been modified mainly because of these ...

Arguably the most controversial philosopher Descartes’ works have raised different points of view among modern philosophers. His most prominent work – Meditations of First Philosophy endeavors to explain the existence of the human being. He endeavors to explain the difference between body and mind through various skeptical arguments. In the first and second meditations, Descartes is seen to be troubled in understanding who he is and whether or not he exists. The philosopher casts doubt on various perceptions that he has had to believe in the past, which actually turned out to be false (Descartes et al 1996, pp.34). The ...

Philosophy of Art

Through his book The World as Will and Representation, in which the author claimed that the world was driven by an unsatisfied will, Arthur Schopenhauer influenced a philosophy student, Friedrich Nietzsche at the University of Leipzig. Nietzsche found Schopenhauer as the best possible educator and began to convince his friends to join his new faith, where they consulted Schopenhauer’s work in every trouble that they encountered. Friedrich went further dedicate to him one of his essays ‘Schopenhauer als Erzieher’, one among his ultimate meditations, to show his appreciation. The significance of philosopher rests more on the example that he ...