... which neither side knows the answer to. Philosophy searches for the truth and questioning the unquestionable. It satisfies, or seeks to satisfy, the intellectual desire for comprehensive knowledge and understanding. Philosophers need to be open-minded and never closing door. They have to be accepting and be able to accept changes. A philosopher is curious, reflective and critical. Big philosophical questions like ... difference between the psyche (soul) and the soma (body) are just a few of the many different topics which can be covered under the umbrella of philosophy. Over the years, ...

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... which neither side knows the answer to. Philosophy searches for the truth and questioning the unquestionable. It satisfies, or seeks to satisfy, the intellectual desire for comprehensive knowledge and understanding. Philosophers need to be open-minded and never closing door. They have to be accepting and be able to accept changes. A philosopher is curious, reflective and critical. Big philosophical questions like ... difference between the psyche (soul) and the soma (body) are just a few of the many different topics which can be covered under the umbrella of philosophy. Over the years, ...

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... flower. The shapes, colors, and smells of the flower would capture the inadequate philosopher; where as, a true philosopher would appreciate the intrinsic beauty. The true philosophers are fascinated with the spectacles of truth. They desire knowledge. A philosopher is a lover of wisdom. Lovers of wisdom desire not to posses merely a part ... it appears. I would be confident about my city if it were ruled by one who always had a desire for knowledge. What attributes do philosophers posses that would justify them to be kings? A king must have keen sight to rule over his people. Who has k...

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... relationships with family and friends. In addition, while gentlemen question the world around them, guardians remain silent. Finally, when guardians are ready to become philosophers, it is because they came to know the forms. On the other hand, when gentleman becomes a sage, it is because they were able to ... not. It is an inherent trait in all animals to show attachment to one of their tribe, flock, herd or school. the guardians and philosophers of Socrates are devoid of that attachment. Confucius deals with pain and grief in a very different manner. The gentleman loves and respects h...

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... establish anything at all in the sciences that was stable and likely to last." (First Meditation, AT VII 17: CSM I 12) Many philosophers have described Descartes as a sceptic however he made it clear from his first public presentation of metaphysics that his aim was to eliminate doubt ... As Descartes philosophy is famous throughout the world is thus reasonable that his assumptions and statements were/are heavily criticised by past and present philosophers in order to gain a higher understanding of the topic. Descartes philosophy brought into context how first principles should be reject...

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... metaphysical systems. This theory later leads on to Nietzsche's concept of the Ubermensch. In the first aphorism of On The Prejudices OF Philosophers, Nietzsche accuses past philosophers of being prejudiced in valuing truth over untruth. Though in the book Nietzsche does it in such a way that it almost appears that ... want truth: why do we not prefer untruth? Or uncertainty?" Even though Nietzsche speaks in such a leading way, he is merely pointing out that philosophers have made the mistake of making a value judgement - it is not a given truth that truth is inherently more valuable tha...

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The question of our existence in reality have been dwelling for years among philosophers. However non is more notable, in terms of knowledge on this matter, than Rene Descartes. The phrase "I think therefore I am" ... human existence. Furthermore, Descartes put forth a distinct method of doubting to determine whether certain knowledge is indubitable or not. Descartes" divergent thinking left many philosophers questioning how reliable his method actually was. Among them was a man named Elliot Sober who believed that some of Descartes" arguments were trapped in the Cartesian ... Circle. Noneth...

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... become "contextualizers", "story-tellers", "faith healers" or "conversationists"? Perhaps more pointedly, should one have to choose at all? Many of the philosophers we have been reading about in class seem to me to be hopelessly dated. Although some of them express useful ideas and or make good points ... which a person is living, and a philosophy is necessarily dependant on the historical situation and the extent of man's knowledge. And many of the philosophers who have existed over the course of centuries have necessarily had to worry about governmental, church or societal disapproval,...

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... become "contextualizers", "story-tellers", "faith healers" or "conversationists"? Perhaps more pointedly, should one have to choose at all? Many of the philosophers we have been reading about in class seem to me to be hopelessly dated. Although some of them express useful ideas and or make good points ... which a person is living, and a philosophy is necessarily dependant on the historical situation and the extent of man's knowledge. And many of the philosophers who have existed over the course of centuries have necessarily had to worry about governmental, church or societal disapproval,...

• Word Count: 2185
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... become "contextualizers", "story-tellers", "faith healers" or "conversationists"? Perhaps more pointedly, should one have to choose at all? Many of the philosophers we have been reading about in class seem to me to be hopelessly dated. Although some of them express useful ideas and or make good points ... which a person is living, and a philosophy is necessarily dependant on the historical situation and the extent of man's knowledge. And many of the philosophers who have existed over the course of centuries have necessarily had to worry about governmental, church or societal disapproval,...

• Word Count: 2185
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... attempted to define the most efficient and effective way to obtain knowledge. As mankind has progressed into a more civilized society, these philosophers have debated the way man should live his life in order to obtain the highest level of intellect and subsequent happiness. Specifically, Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Immanuel ... , stating that if "freedom is granted, enlightenment is almost sure to follow" (Kant 2). Kant's argument is similar to the theory of Adam Smith in the sense that both philosophers feel a decrease in authoritative restrictions is key to the intel...

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Descartes, Berkeley, and Russell The world is a dubious place, but there are a few things that are fairly certain. Many philosophers over the ages have tried to study what is "real", and what we cannot rely on. Why do we think the way we do? Is there an outside force, God, ... be real? What do we really know? We are going to discuss the answers to these questions that were presented to us by such great philosophers as Descartes, Berkeley, and Russell. Most of all how did these philosophers come to the conclusions they did and why? Rene Descartes, in his first meditation, tells us that everyt...

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... precisely in the quantitative form. This simple example shows, that quality and quantity are related and sometimes are interchangeable. This exchangeability of quality and quantity was a problem for many philosophers dating back to the ancient Greeks. Numerous theories have ex-isted which have gone through evolutionary changes right up to the time of Ein-stein's new theories in physics. ... Only structures of elements can get qualitative properties. B. QUALITY VERSUS QUANTITY VERSUS SUBSTANCE The above mentioned statements indicate that there are differences and commonal-ties between qua...

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... just be dreaming that we are standing in front of the room; it could all just be a figment of our imagination. How do we really know what reality is? Some philosophers say we can distinguish between reality and dreams because reality happens in sequence and dreams are disordered and skip around. Yet, when we are dreaming we do not know we ... back in the moment living her life. This idea relates to The Matrix, and the scene where there are disembodied brains in a cocoon full of nutritive fluids. This example causes philosophers to question whether or not we are actually alive. We could ...

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... the truth; he desires the agreeable life-preserving consequences of truth." This seems to a major idea that holds the blocks of philosophy together. Truth in fact, is the ultimate star philosophers reach for. Many other questioned issues are mere comets when compared to the quest for what truth is, how truth comes about, and what truth means. This paper will explore ... be several criteria for taking truth as such. We will explore that in the proceeding. Let us begin by dissecting the first question. What constitutes truth? What defines it? Most philosophers argue that truth is based on...

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... an 'eternal jewel', shares goodness, beauty and rationality. Human thinking and senses nourish and bask themselves in this indisputable, cosmic intimacy. In comparison with this the attention of early Christian philosophers and theologians shifts from the visible creation to its invisible Creator. Although God's creation witnesses to His goodness and rationality, nature becomes only a sign of them. The attention for the ... and connected with the foregoing, Kant's epistemology fits into the Western tradition of conceptualistic-nominalism as it was first developed by Ockham and Cusanus a...

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Plato Plato is one of the most important philosophers in ancient Greek philosophy. He did several extraordinary works in mostly in dialogue form. The Republic is just one of all his works. I find The Republic to be very interesting ... good, the true, the beautiful, courage and justice. Plato believed that if a person had all these qualities they were in the level of reason and they were knowledgeable to be philosophers. The second level of the invisible world is understanding. In understanding, Plato refers to things that don't changed or that have a fixed meaning like numbers, geometrical ...

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... Henry's and Hountoundji's views on religion in philosophy? (Or choose another point of contention to discuss). It is interesting to contrast the metaphilosophies across philosophers themselves. Towa, Henry, and Hountoundji, while all well-known and highly respected authors, philosophers, and speakers, hold some drastically contrasting opinions as to what is included in the definition of philosophy. A primary debate is the role of ... ...

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... certainty does Descartes have that the principle of non-inferiority causes is true. The last and possibly the most damaging criticism is that Descartes allows by his reason, what other philosophers have dubbed as the Cartesian circle. The so-called Cartesian is defined by two arcs. 1. I am certain that God exists only because I am certain of whatever I clearly and distinctly perceive ... this he must exist, so this in turn proves nothing. I my self took this problem on and found it rough going to say the least. I like hundreds of more educated philosophers before me was unable to break ...

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Nietzsche's philosophical outlook and approach has had far-reaching and lasting effects. With his theories, thinkers and philosophers have had to consider new philosophical topics that were previously un-discussed. They were able to brush these topics off and leave them as nonsense- the things that they did ... known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose. While few philosophers would claim to be nihilists, nihilism is most often associated wit...

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... of philosophy, if not more. One aspect of Western Philosophy deals in accordance with myths. Myths are supposed to open the world to mystery. They help us ask questions that philosophers are supposed to answer. Myths, and the stories that go along with so many of them, have been passed down from generation to generation to help people understand their existence ... Star could be considered a philosopher, for he pursued the truth in the case of Bill Clinton, just as Socrates would have done. In reality, all of us could be considered philosophers, for we all, in one way or another, peruse...

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Plotinus and Plato were two great philosophers during their times. The two philosophers influenced their world greatly. Their philosophy is very similar but sometimes different. Plotinus based his philosophy on Plato's ideas. He was a mystic who had experienced the union of God or ... ...

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... the agent and the emission of head and light is the end.) Form is one of the most important concepts in the history of philosophy. Many ideas of many different philosophers are based around the concept of Form. The idea of Form is the basis and the answer to many philosophies and ways of thinking. Many ... philosophers, such as Plato, who base their ideas on the theory of Form, form an objective basis for all that exists, as well as knowledge and judgment. This objective basis is ... ...

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... state of mind. Therefore as one can see the thought of what the real contribution of the senses toward learning and knowledge was at that time much argued by different philosophers presenting opposing arguments and explanations. In rationalism, mathematics is considered the ideal form of knowledge and reason is the ultimate authority. Rationalists tend to see mathematics as the paradigm of ... Empiricism of Locke and Berkeley where the senses are explained to be the primary and most important part of the learning process as receptors of the human body. To these philosophers it was clear...

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... public discourse. Neil Postman believes that the nature of knowledge created by television does not allow for intelligent reasoned discourse. Postman aligns himself between several factions of sociologists, cognitive psychologists, philosophers and anthropologists that believe in the power of television to influence thought patterns and its power to determine intelligence among different generations and cohorts. . He has made three counterclaims to ... . There have been many that have argued that changes in the media affect the thought process. Although Postman gives credence to the theo...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate