Philosophy Essay Examples and Topics. Page 2

2,113 samples

Cartesian Dualistic Theory of Pain

Cartesian developed the Cartesian Dualistic Theory of Pain to explain the relationship between physical and psychological types of pain. Therefore, Descartes developed the Cartesian Theory of pain to explore pain in the context of mind [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 630

The Essay “Nature” by R. W. Emerson

Firstly, nature is the source of human spirituality and love, and Emerson confirms this by stating that "a nobler want of man is served by nature, namely, the love of Beauty".
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1413

“The Book of the City of Ladies” by Christine de Pizan

In this book, the author constructs a symbolic city of women and reflects on the misogynistic attacks of men on women. Lady Reason explains to Christine that sometimes men try to keep each other out [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 334

Structure vs. Agency. Foucault’s View

Therefore, while the existing social structure frames the lives of individuals, they have the ability to make decisions and express them in behavior.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 11
  • Words: 3025

“The Subject and Power” by Michel Foucault

Unlike the older versions of power which, although they did include modern thinking, like feminism, always argued that power was only for a dominant group in society, Foucault believes that it is quite silly to [...]
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1657

John Locke and His Epistemological View of Matter

It is very clear that John Locke's theory about material things understanding and perceiving them is an attempt to contribute to the advancement of epistemology. Locke was mistaken in assuming that there is nothing certain [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3195

Being as Being: Aristotle vs. Aquinas

The philosophical concept of being as being is concerned with the notion of existence, more specifically, that of the thing in and of itself.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1426

Michael Sandel’s Objections to Utilitarianism

The moral and intellectual pleasures were considered to be "highest pleasures", and the experiences, that caused satisfaction of flesh were considered to be "lower pleasures". The pleasures of the majority, in that case, are considered [...]
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 593

Epictetus and Epicurus

It is possible for one to live in a state of tranquility or ataraxia when one limited oneself to the necessary and natural things of life.
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1405

Philosophical Perspective of Self Essay

In essence, the cogito exposes a different view of the world and states the fact that mind is the only thing in the world that is able to know itself.
  • 2.3
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2724

St. Augustine. Solution to the Problem of Evil

Augustine claims that the solution of evil is to do the right thing and to abstain from wrongdoing. He claims that evil results from a man trying to equal himself to God.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 562

The Essay “Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau

He claims that the government's power is based more on the influence that the majority possesses rather than on the desire to act legitimately and fairly, which makes it overall unreliable as a source of [...]
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 306

The Book “The Artist in Crisis” by Yaroslav Senyshyn

It should be noted that this text is a critical scholarly dissection that plays a vital role in opening the readers' minds in different ways according to the views of the world and their important [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 748

The Theory of Utilitarianism by Jeremy Bentham

According to utilitarianism, the greatest ethical action is the one that benefits society, and the value of each person is more significant than the value of a community.
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 329

Wilhelm Dilthey’s Hermeneutic Perspective

Consequently, the subject matter, which is the suitability of Dilthey's modes of apprehension to revealing the common ideas of groups of citizens from the perspective of hermeneutics, can be understood by discussing others' views.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 570

“Who Governs?” by Robert Dahl

The book "Who Governs?" by Robert Dahl analyzes and evaluates the role of the political elite in city government and the impact on interest groups and community power of governance.
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1650

The Life of Plato and His Philosophy

One of the founders of Greek ancient thought was Plato whose works became the handbooks of many modern philosophers and scientists.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 584

“Man is a Political Animal” by Aristotle

This is based on the fact that the philosophical ideas expressed by these scholars have proven to be greatly important in offering guidance to various facets of life-like cultural, social, political, and economic endeavors In [...]
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1131

Philosophy: Roland Barthes as a Structuralist

Although Barthes had not contemplated anything of the sort, his efforts and the efforts of others led to the establishment of the structuralism movement in the 1950s and the 1960s.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 340

“Examined Life” in Socrates’ Thesis

In order to develop a sufficient understanding of what this proposition means, it is necessary to recognize the specifics of the philosopher's approach to philosophy and how it relates to practical life.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 574

What Is the Relationship Between Mind and Body?

As noted by the author, Socrates depicted the human body as the part or an instrument of the soul, admitting at the same time that the corporal health depended directly on the wellness of the [...]
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1763

Charles Mills vs. John Locke

Mills's viewpoint on human moral equality To prove that Mills's position is wrong, one is to read Locke's arguments on the state of equality.
  • Subjects: Law Philosophy
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1327

The Analects of Confucius

Everyone, including the leaders was under the umbrella of proper morals, which he said, was the linen from which the peace of the country was to be made.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1458

Personal Philosophy of Success

In this essay, I shall define the success strategies that I have discovered and which I intend to use in the coming years to achieve success.
  • 5
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 578

Sense experience is the only source of knowledge

Theories such as rationalism the Intuition/Deduction thesis and Innate Knowledge thesis which support the notion that there is the existence of intrinsic or instinctive knowledge or the subsistence of a priori knowledge, knowledge of necessary [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2164

Hobbes and Descartes: the Existence of Soul Debate

Descartes argued that the notion of the soul consist of all the perceptions of intelligence and the leanings of the human will, and is totally different from the notion of the body which concerns itself [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 706

Locke’s and Rousseau’s Views on Freedom and Government

The first element on which the concepts of Locke and Rousseau are based is the state of freedom. In exchange for this safety, people would consent to forfeit some of their freedom and submit to [...]
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1119

Western Philosophy: The Main Representatives

Plato was a Greek philosopher who established the Platonist school and founded the Academy in Athens, the first Western institution of higher learning.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 921

Avocado vs. Artichoke: Can Human Nature Change

The essence of the avocado vs.artichoke debate lies in the dynamic of opposing ideas of essentialism and proteanism in philosophy. Both views present quite polarizing extremes and have outdated pre-conceived notions, as in the case [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 368

Machiavelli and Luther Comparison

He did not support the idea of the church and the Pope who was superior to the King because he believed that faith and Christianity were just meant to strengthen the society and not keep [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2420

The Two Main Types of Morality Behind Nietzsche’s Theory

Nietzsche regarded that every personality needs to arrange their moral structure: the key point of principles is to facilitate every individual to sublimate and regulate their obsessions, to emphasize the originality inherent in their being, [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1050

The “Dream Argument” by Descartes

This idea transitions into other arguments that Descartes explores in the book, and as a way to be sure of the existence of at least one thing, he proposes that since he is capable of [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 749

Why Are We Afraid of Death?

However, it can be interesting to understand why the rest of the people are so afraid of death. People are afraid of the unknown.
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 292

Thomas Nagel’ Philosophic Views on Love and Sex

It is apparent that Nagel's account of sexual perversion and the application of his theory omits masturbation, which is a contentious form of sexual activities.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 756

The concept of Being by Heidegger

The author of this paper will also revolve around the ontological composition of the world and its contribution to the question of being. This is because the question of being is constituted in the entities [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2187

Utilitarian Analysis and Stakeholder Analysis

In this case, the happiness of the customers and that of John count the same. On the other hand, the stockholders who own the company are in pursuit of profits and anything that acts contrary [...]
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1510

Cosmopolitanism

According to Holinger, a world class citizen relates well with other groups, and all human beings: Cosmopolitan is about justice, which should be evident in all aspects and it must be the one governing the [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 790

Kant’s Formula of Universal Law

The test for universal acceptance involve: determining the agent's maxim; imagining that everyone in the same position as the real-world agent observed that maxim; deciding if there is any contradictions generated from the maxim; if [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 681

Truth: Absolute or Relative?

Another way of understanding the concept of truth is through looking at it on the grounds of whether it is absolute or relative.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1087

The Role of Gods in Plato’s Philosophy

As Plato recounts the episode "Myth of Er" found in the republic dialogue phaedo and the story of time reversal in the statesman, a clear view of the hierarchical arrangement of the cosmos is illuminated.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2081

The Concept of Interconnectedness in Science

We improve our ability to make friends and relate to others and recognize the importance of prioritizing the development of healthy relationships in all aspects of life, recognizing that this is the foundation for a [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1108

Theories of the Creation of the World

According to the Bible, a tree of life was created by God in the middle of the Garden of Eden. In the Iroquois Creation Story, a tree was growing in the middle of the floating [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 385

Saint Augustine and the Question of Free Will

Applying Augustine's idea of free will to the concept of an all-knowing God, one could think that after God deprived Adam and Eve of free will, the future choices we make are made by God [...]
  • Subjects: Freedom Philosophy
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 319

Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” Analysis

It would not be an exaggeration to state that Plato's allegory of the cave only makes perfect sense if one views it in the light of the theory of forms.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 836

Rene Descartes: Education and Rules of Logic

I believe it is a considerable drawback of schooling, and it should be fixed in the near future, as young adults need to learn how to apply the knowledge they get.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 546

Classical and Modern Liberalism

Classical liberalism focused on the issues of political and economic freedoms, the natural rights of the individual, and the social contract. The novelty of the ideas of classical liberalism is based on the European and [...]
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1106

​Do the “Ends Justify the Means?”

When comparing the crimes that might be committed and the fact that the person will be late for work, it is clear that the lateness is not as important.
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 859

Heraclitus: Fire Is the Principle of Everything

However, when it comes to Heraclitus, he believes that fire is the principle of all that exists. In addition to that, Heraclitus further develops his idea by mentioning that the existence of fire is commensurate [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1003

Descartes’ “Discourse on the Method”

In the conclusion of the fourth part of Discourse on Method lies Descartes' paradoxical assertion that the whole process of systematic and rational deduction is based on our assured knowledge of God, however, in the [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophy of Religion
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 609

Jurgen Habermas, the Frankfurt School Thinker

After scrutinizing the past of the public sphere, Herbamas establishes that there was no between the public and the private spheres, because of the class groupings by the feudal government. He views the liberal model [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2038

The Doctrine of Negative Responsibility

According to it, the individuals should act in such a way that the maxim of their action could be related to the universal law of morality.
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1450

Aquinas and Spinoza’s Philosophical Framework

With regards to the first point or the first method to prove the existence of God, Aquinas' arguments focused on the concept of causality, so that God is the first cause or the primary mover.
  • Subjects: Philosophy of Religion
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 975

The Meanings of Lives by Susan Wolf

Although the idea of searching for the meaning of life does not seem original enough, the difference between the common meaning of life and the essence of life for each and every individual is worth [...]
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 546

Plato’s Philosophy in “The Republic”

In his description of the ideal society, Plato explains that people in the society are not advised to act without knowledge such that before a city is erected, full understanding of justice should be known.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 772

Socrates by Aristophanes and Plato

In "The Apology" by Plato, the characterization of Socrates is tied to the fact that the setting of the book was Socrates' execution.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1652

Comparison Between Confucius and Han Feizi

Apart from the fact that he said Confucianism was responsible for the wars that were beleaguering the country; he also was extremely critical of morals and societal rotting that he witnessed.
  • 3.7
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1346

Meno by Plato: Philosophical Ideas

He had the view that individuals naturally possess knowledge and that what they need is a direction for them to come to terms with what they already knew. He seems to be of the opinion [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 547

John Rawls’ A Theory of Justice

The first clause calls for distribution economic and social disparities in a way that, "they are to be of the greatest benefit to the least-advantaged members of society".
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2063

Consequentialism and Deontology

In deontology, the outcomes and consequences may not justify the means to achieve a goal, while in consequentialism, the results determine the means, and significant benefit is expected for the greatest possible number of people.
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1168

Husserl’s and Descartes’ Philosophies

The differences in the concept of philosophy as a science between Husserl and Descartes relate primarily to the concept of intentionality and the method of intentional analysis.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 925

Pragmatism’ and Rationalism’ Concepts of Truth

William James starts his article "Pragmatism's Conception of Truth" focusing on the idea of truth and what makes it work. Rationalism and pragmatism contrast each other: while pragmatism seeks to understand how an idea applies [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 290

The Main Branches of Philosophy

The first main branch within the field of philosophy is the concept of human nature which is the pursuit to improve the interdisciplinary exploration of the social, environmental and biological factors and variations of the [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1247

“Leviathan” by Thomas Hobbes

The part of Leviathan entitled "Of a Christian Commonwealth" addresses such religious controversies of the 16th-17th- century United Kingdom as state and church relationships and establishment of Church of England's position towards continental Protestants and [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophy of Religion
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2082

Paradise Lost by John Milton

I however beg to disagree with this great English poet that this predestination was actually intended to benefit mankind and not Him; it's actually the opposite because the fall was predestined to benefit God and [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2119

Bentham’s and Mill’s Theory of Utility

In other words, his theory of utility is based on the principle of moral obligation: the greatest pleasure for the greatest number of people who are involved or affected by the action performed by one [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 636

Free Will and Argument Against Its Existence

Determinism is a theory which states that the course of the future is determined by a combination of past events and the laws of nature, creating a unique outcome.
  • Subjects: Freedom Philosophy
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1508

“Washing Away Your Sins” by Zhong & Liljenquist

The participants in the third study were asked to repeat the recalling process of the first study after which they had to choose between a pencil and an antiseptic wipe as gifts.
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1215

Socrates: Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living

By saying that "unexamined life is not worthy living", Socrates was referring to freedom, a state of making choices about your surrounding, a state of choosing your destination, having the freedom to criticize issues, setting [...]
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 447

Knowledge Role in People’s Lives

Even though knowledge is often forced upon people, especially children, and due to the deficiency of the human mind, knowledge is biased.
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1119

Socrates as a Founder of Western Philosophy

The jurors argued that Socrates' ideas and teachings corrupted the minds of young people. Some scholars believe that Socrates' views and beliefs could have influenced the later works of Plato, particularly in literary writings.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1166

Niccolo Machiavelli’s Philosophy

According to Machiavelli, it is the duty of the prince to protect his realm and to further enhance his sovereignty. He asserts that a prince should not be generous when spending the State's wealth as [...]
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1704

Thomas Hobbes’ Views on Natural Laws

The laws of nature provide the fundamental rights based on the concept of reason. The law of nature refers to the general analysis of flora and fauna through reason.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 924

Inauthenticity and Authenticity Differences

Heidegger concludes that authenticity is temporary as opposed to inauthenticity because we are born with the former and achieves the later after some time Nietzsche on his view argues that authenticity is the elementary mode [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 697

Aristotle’s Definition of Virtue

In particular, he writes that virtue is "a state that decides, consisting in a mean, relative to us, which is defined by reference to a reason, that is to say, to the reason by reference [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 408

Michel Foucault: Views on Prisons and Psychiatric Hospitals

The main concern of Foucault consists in the way technology has influenced quest for power among the ruling class in the society, and also the reason as to why the society is violating the rules [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1143

Life After Death

In many religions across the world, people belief in life after death and also being born again in the world after an individual. Life after death is the belief in the continuation of life after [...]
  • 3.3
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1354