Philosophy Essay Examples and Topics. Page 3

2,123 samples

Meaningless Existence in Camus’ “The Myth of Sisyphus”

The concept shared by the author consists in the statement that human life is irrational: one has to admit that it is senseless and is forced to overcome this knowledge to continue living, working, and [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 621

“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

The Role of Law in State-Building

The introduction of the rule of law is an integral part of state-building. Their importance in state building is to ensure that the actions of both leaders and citizens are controlled.
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1644

Utilitarianism, Kantianism, Virtue Ethics, Egoism

Quote: The amanagers of a corporation must take responsibility to fulfil their duties to their stockholders and to the public'. According to this normative theory, the utility can be described as anything that is related [...]
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1142

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

Ethical Theories and Christian Tradition

As for the Deontology theory, its primary absolute is the proposition that rules and obligations define the morality of various actions as perceived by people.
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 592

The Purpose of Man

One of the basic virtues of a human being is to be rational, and it enhances all other virtues. A human being must have the ability to select his actions, goals, and values carefully for [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 814

Darwin’s Theory of Human Evolution

Although Darwin seems to refute the religious claim on the origin of man, it is apparent that both religion and science share a common hypothesis that man has a distinct origin. Darwin is also concerned [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 591

Whistleblowing as a Critical Thinking Skill

Whistleblowing is defined as "having four component parts: 1) an individual acts with the intention of making information public; 2) the information is conveyed to parties outside the organization who make it public and a [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1441

Descartes’ Argument for the Existence of God

Hume's argument gets interesting when he postulates that regardless of the number of times we witness a succession of events, we cannot predict the succession of events.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1415

Transcendentalism in American Literature

The emergence of new transcendental ideas reshaped the American literature introduced in the works by Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman in such a way that it contributed to the excellence and maturity of the literary world [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1384

Confucius and His Philosophy

Contrary to the expectations of the Chinese people, this situation disenfranchised Confucius up to the point of leaving his government post.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 597

The Utopian Society Concept

It foresees a society whereby gender neutrality will be tenable and that social responsibilities are not subject to the gender of an individual.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 818

What is Philosophy: Meaning and Importance

In the Euthyphro, Plato reveals the nature of philosophy through the dialogues of Socrates as he goes to face the trial against corrupting young men.
  • 5
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 832

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

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

The Age of Enlightenment Explained

The Age of Enlightenment became a natural result of the development of human thought as a result of the progress of science and society.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 551

Postmodernism and Social Constructionism

The concept of social constructivism gives people the power to create and encourages them to create a positive world that they will exist in peace.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1081

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

Deontology and Utilitarianism: Comparative Analysis

The idea of the purpose justifying the means is central to utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is dependent on consequentiality since it asserts that the most moral thing to do is to use happiness for the benefit of [...]
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 308

The Search for Meaning or Purpose of Existence

It is not individual achievements but rather the feeling of having contributed to a general human goal and becoming a better person that grants life meaning.
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 891

Plato on Knowledge and Opinion

The primary division of Plato's classification is the division of knowledge into sensory and intellectual knowledge. The first category of knowledge, namely sensory knowledge, is perceived as a lower type, and intellectual knowledge is the [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 363

What It Means to Be a Philosopher

The ability to wonder about the world and construct these enduring questions is the first trait a philosopher should have. The presence of the Socratic Method, which is asking questions to improve conclusions and general [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1697

John Locke’s Philosophy: Main Aspects

This was an indication that the government was the determiner of a man's right to life. He was clear that naturally man had the right to life, property, good health and knowledge.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2053

Private and Public Property

On the other hand, public property is the type of property mostly owned by governments or the public which is available for all.
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2569

Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim: Comparison

Although he agreed that wrongdoers in the society were supposed to be punished, he did not agree with Spencer that this punishment was supposed to be meted on the poor and defenseless in the society.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2580

Main Branches of Philosophy

This is the study of value that surpasses the ability of a man to reason over the universe and its state on the whole.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 966

“The Ways We Lie” by Stephanie Ericsson

The omission is just when one does not say anything in preference to lying; this modifies history as it did in the omission of Lilith from the book of Genesis.
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 551

Kant and Mill: The Concepts of Good and Duty

While Mill does not use the complicated jargon that is put forth by Kant, nonetheless the notion of good and actions to which we should subscribe are relative points in this complex world.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 564

Kant’s Ethical Theory: Rational and Free Choices

Another theory that Kant criticized is the view of Baumgarten wherein it states that God is the author and the legislator of all the natural obligations because HE was the one who made the world.
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 575

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

Stephen Greenblatt’s Concept of New Historicism

New historicism is a conservative, establishment-type of approach to literature involving the strict, historical contextual analysis and background. This means that New Historicism is a modern perspective of understanding past events through the use of [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophy of Science
  • Pages: 20
  • Words: 529

Descartes’ Philosophy: Thinking Proves Existence

To support his claims, the intellectual compares the qualities of mind and body and deduces that they cannot be the same thing since the body is divisible and mind is whole.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 853

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

Ontology and Epistemology in Leadership Research

In the frames of this research on leadership as a practice, it is impossible to clarify what has been already known, what could be expected, and what lessons could be offered. It is a practice [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophy of Science
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1406

Morality of Friedrich Nietzsche and Alasdair MacIntyre

Self-deception is the nature of moral judgments because relying on a set of rules that is universal for everyone, regardless of how limiting, presupposes the control over the people's actions and the security of the [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1813

Philosophical Life: Live, Love, and Learn

The whole world is currently taking a paradigm shift towards trying to find the reason and meaning of life. A perfect philosophical way of life is the philosophy of the three Ls which stand for; [...]
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 549

Socrates’ Critique of Cephalus and Polemarchus

They include the view of justice that forms the basis of Socrates' criticism and the reason why the philosopher found Cephalus and Polemarchus definitions and views of justice unsatisfactory.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1384

Demarcation, Its Problem, Importance, Solutions

In the 21st century, distinguishing between scientific and non-scientific theories has been one of the most complex issues. There has to be a clear definition to establish the scope of a scientific hypothesis and other [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophy of Science
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1353

Consequentialism and Human Rights

Ethics is a moral code that governs the behavior or conduct of an activity."Ethics is thus said to be the science of conduct".
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 862

Political Theory by Niccolo Machiavelli

First, according to him, a prince should be able to develop the state he is governing and come up with the laws that will govern the state; to attain this, the prince should be ready [...]
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2823

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

“The Consolations of Philosophy” by Allan de Botton

In the chapter, the author uses events in Socrates' life to argue against the stigma of unpopularity. Socrates' position is meant to offer consolation to the people who find themselves unpopular as a result of [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1130

Rene Descartes and Karl Marx’s Philosophy

I have seen that Rene Descartes contribution in philosophy and natural science stood the test of time; therefore, he became a hero' on the other hand, Karl Marx's contribution in social science did not stand [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 942

Philosophy Issues: Kantianism and Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism can be explained using the principle of 'the end justifies the means', meaning if the end of a processor action is good, then the means of arriving at that end are also good and [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1370

Philosophical Studies: Human Emotion

Biologically, the brain realizes that the situation taking place is negative or depressing, and the heart reacts to the external environment, as well as internal understanding that the situation is stressful.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 563

“Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?” by Gettier

In addition, the article reveals that the concepts of 'the right to be sure that' and 'has adequate evidence for' only work if the element of 'justified true belief' is not introduced in an analysis.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 576

“The last Days of Socrates” by Plato

It is a follow up of Plato's 'The Apology' and provides a description of the conversations between Socrates, and his disciples, Crito and the jailer.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 951

Immortality of Soul

From the perspective of the Opposites Arguments, if the physical body is mortal and physical, the soul is immortal and, therefore, it should not die.
  • 3.5
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 811

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

The Theory of Cause and Effect

In particular, he emphasized on the importance of human experiences in the comprehension of cause and effect. Hence, the theory of cause and effect highlights that the tendency to associate events is the foundation of [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 613

The Positions of Physicalism and Dualism

Physicalists claim that a non-physical nature of the world cannot be the determinant of the state of the world since the world is physical in nature.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1280

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

Philosophy of Existentialism

The philosophy of existentialism though difficult and abstract gives explanation to most of the questions that we ask ourselves as we go through life.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1078

Hegelian Dialectics

The article situates the reasoning of Hegel in two articles, one being the Second Sex by Simone and the other is the modern woman as a subject by Fanon.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1091

Plato and Aristotle’s Views of Virtue in Respect to Education

Arguably, Plato and Aristotle's views of education differ in that Aristotle considers education as a 'virtue by itself' that every person must obtain in order to have 'happiness and goodness in life', while Plato advocates [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: Philosophy of Science
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 582

Arstippus and Epicurus

This especially comes out well in the case of Aristippus who believed in satisfying his craving for pleasure in the present as opposed to postponing them to the future.
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 621

Epicurus’ Perception of Pleasure and Justice

Pain which is brought about by harm is the main source of injustice, pursuing pleasure involved refraining from doing what does not bring pleasure to oneself but ensuring that obtaining utmost personal pleasure would be [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 565

Kant’s Critique of Judgment

The purpose of this paper is to analyze critically the concept of the sublime as presented by Immanuel Kant in his work 'The Critique of Judgment'.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1748

David Hume: The Ideology of Self

Incidentally this is the concept from which the science of psychology is based which is best exemplified by the theory of behaviorism: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concepts of self ideology [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1446

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

Philosophical movement

This is to mean that the life of a person is what makes up what is referred to as the person's 'essence'.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1684

Aristotle’s Philosophical Theories

Aristotle argued that the understanding of nature could only be accomplished through the analysis of the aspects of nature as the first step in understanding the target object, and then processing the mental reaction of [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1528

Immanuel Kant on the Nature of Policy

At the same time, people should "remain in the paths of duty, as the rules of wisdom require". In the world of appearances, people's instincts dominate, while the world of intelligence refers to the superiority [...]
  • Subjects: Political Philosophies
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 521

Socrates’ Dialogue With Euthyphro

This paper examines and attempts to propose an answer to one of the questions posed by Socrates to Euthyphro: "What is that excellent aim that the gods achieve, using us as their servants?" In the [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 325

Significance of Emotions in Aristotle’s Philosophy

Additionally, the philosopher distinguishes two moralities, each with its interpretation of the cognitive role of emotions: a civic morality of judicial process in the Nicomachean Ethics and a contemplative ethics of theoretical study in Politics.
  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy
  • Pages: 13
  • Words: 3723

The Nature Essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Why should not we have a poetry and philosophy of insight and not of tradition, and a religion by revelation to us, and not the history of theirs?" Thus, attempting to interpret experience through the [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Works
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1147

The Difference Between Common Sense and Knowledge

The research explores ancient Greek philosophy and modern studies of the "sensory turn" period in order to bring clarity to the discussion and evaluate the significance of common sense and reason in the cognitive process.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 811

St. Thomas Aquinas’ Influence on Western Thought

Interest in the teachings of Aristotle contributed to the unification of many philosophers, which happened in the case of Thomas Aquinas. The main achievement of Thomas is that he is considered the founder of the [...]
  • 1
  • Subjects: Philosophers
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1102

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

Aspects of Religious Exclusivism

For instance, in Hebrew, at the core of the concept of "the chosen one" is a belief that anyone who does not subscribe to the Jewish faith will not see the promised "world to come".
  • Subjects: Philosophy of Religion
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1118

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

Nominalism vs. Realism in Philosophy

The main problem that makes the difference between nominalism and realism is the question of the existence of properties beyond objects.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 372

The Greatest Source of Human Frustration or Misery

The lack of pain in the body and lack of disturbances in the soul, which Epicurus calls tranquility of mind, is the ultimate happiness and solution to human frustrations.
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 562

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

Thomas Hobbes’ Views on Human Nature

Generally, peace is achieved by creating a government and forsaking individual rights in favor of one entity to ensure humans' chaos-less existence.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 298

“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

Horkheimer’s Concepts of Reason

Max Horkheimer, in his concept 'Eclipse of Reason,' claims that modern society is an entity subjecting all to dehumanizing effects and that suffering in the society results from the absence of rationality.
  • Subjects: Philosophy of Science
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 552

Epistemology, Rationalism vs. Empiricism

Studying it, obtaining new and new facts, enlarging his knowledge, man started to think not only about the principles of the functioning of the surrounding world, but about the ways his percepts the information and [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 512

Key to Success in Life

More, it is a book of the hidden circumstances that follow the rising of the stars due to specific circumstances rather than the innate abilities or IQ.
  • Subjects: Life Philosophy
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1733

Ancient Philosophy. Aristotle and Seneca on Anger

Though there are conditions when anger is beneficial and useful, such as the feeling of anger that inspires the soldiers to fight abandoning hesitation and fear, Aristotle believes that the emotion of anger is constantly [...]
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 970

David Hume’s Empirical Kind of Philosophy

Metaphysics tried to explain the origin of things on something that is beyond our scope of reasoning when measured against our capacity to understand things with respect to our senses.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 898

Eros in Plato’s Symposium and Sappho’s Poems

The truth of love is to follow the way of love like philosophical way and see the soul behind the body, everlasting beauty of virtue, and idea behind the beauty of transient love.
  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1355