...Introduction: Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and David Hume (1711-1776) are two of the most influential and remarkable philosophers who have ever lived. Their perspectives on various subjects have certainly left a dent on the topics of literature, history, and philosophy. They were not afraid of turning away from common knowledge, and reinventing certain understandings about the world. Each of these philosophers were known for their new, innovative, and challenging ideas. The topic of causality (the relation between an event and a second event, where the first event is understood to be responsible for the second) was one specifically discussed by both men with great intensity, and their respective opinions shaped the minds of hundreds upon hundreds...
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...Top Ten Assignment The Enlightenment and Romanic Ages produced numerous masterpieces in art, music, architecture, and literature which people still enjoy today. These opus magnums along with the philosophies during the two periods are reflections of the developments in world events and cultural patterns. This paper will present two pieces of art, music, architecture, literature, and philosophy from the Enlightenment and Romanic Ages that best represents the developments patterns from that time. Philosophy in the Enlightenment Age focused on an individual’s right to life and liberty. One example of a philosopher from this age is Thomas Jefferson. He famously wrote the Declaration of Independence (1776) that the Continental Congress signed declaring the United States free from the oppression of England. The document begins with, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (us history, 2013). Another such example of philosophy during the Enlightenment Age are the works of Thomas Paine. He wrote two of the most highly influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution. One such pamphlet is Common Sense (1776) (us history, 2011) the all-time bestselling book that advocates America’s independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine were chosen as examples because we believe the Declaration...
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...Immanuel Kant’s essay An Answer to the Question: ‘What is Enlightenment?’ is a work that creates a sense of dependence and independence.” The motto of the Enlightenment is therefore: Sapere aude! Have courage to use your own understanding.” (Kant 54).Kant plainly tells the audience that we as human beings aren’t able to function in society properly and yet dares us to go out of our comfort zone. Kant presents the problems with society and the people within then encourages the people to better people because Kant knows the potential that each of the people in society holds. Is Kant’s an essay a call to democratic thinking? Kant’s essay dares us to be wise which is a call to go out and be an individual; go into the world and think for you. As a society we are still being spoon feed everything we don’t like change, we don’t like being told to do something different because we don’t know or what the unknowing. “Instead, new prejudices, like the ones they replaced, will serve as a leash to control the great unthinking mass.” (Kant 55). Society constrains the thinking process, we see what we can do and we replace the old with the same new thing or we choose not to change a thing. Kant essential words tell us that we need to be given freedom we can’t be prepared for it. Kant’s work provides examples and different experiences that can happen between the population of the society and the different aspects of the society compared to the government and how the government operates separately...
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...challenge men on the playing field, court, etc. From the beginning of time, women have existed right alongside with men. Many questions were conjured up as to why the physical existence is so distinct from each body. Many different philosophers constructed their own unique views on this matter. Aristotle believed that women are absolute subsidiary to men, thus establishing, anything women can do, men can do better, faster and stronger. Another world-renowned man, Rousseau, believed that men women existed with different capabilities, and women were here only to please men and carry out domestic and maternal duties. Also, as Aristotle claimed, Rousseau too contested that men stand above women. Similar to Rousseau, a philosopher by the name of Kant attested, women are to be wed, and therefore the servant of...
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...A Critical Assessment of Immanuel Kant's Epistemological Alternative to Hume's Fork All the objects of human reason or enquiry may naturally be divided into two kinds, to wit, Relations of Ideas and Matters of Fact. Of the first kind are the sciences of Geometry, Algebra, and Arithmetic; and in short, every affirmation which is either intuitively or demonstratively certain. That the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the square of the two sides, is a proposition which expresses a relation between these figures. That three times five is equal to the half of thirty, expresses a relation between these numbers. Propositions of this kind are discoverable by the mere operation of thought, without dependence on what is anywhere existent in the universe. Though there never were a circle or triangle in nature, the truths demonstrated by Euclid would forever retain their certainty and evidence (Hume, Section II). Matters of fact, which are the second objects of human reason, are not ascertained in the same manner; nor is our evidence of their truth, however great, of a like nature with the foregoing. The contrary of every matter of fact is still possible; because it can never imply a contradiction, and is conceived by the mind with the same facility and distinctness, as if ever so conformable to reality. That the sun will not rise tomorrow is no less intelligible a proposition, and implies no more contradiction than the affirmation, that it will rise. We should in vain, therefore, attempt...
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...For the Final research paper, you have asked us to compare our own views of morality with the ethics of two philosophers. I would like to examine Immanuel Kant and Ayn Rand’s moral systems for my essay. At first glance, you could say that these two thinkers seem diametrically opposed, but they actually share some similar views. I’ll start by reviewing some of the details of Immanuel Kant’s moral system. You could say that Kant’s views on morality are just an extreme form of altruism. Kant believed in duty ethics, or the act of judging the morality of an action within the context of a system of laws. He believed that humans alone possessed goodwill, a word which he defined as, “the ability to act in accordance with moral laws regardless of interests or consequences”. (Camoin) Kant credits human emotions with the power to know the greater metaphysical world by indiscernible means that he termed “pure reason.” Pure reason exists in the inexplicable human instinct for duty. Duty is an uncompromising obligation that one “just knows.” Kant held that an action is moral only if a person performs it out of a special sense of duty (MacKinnon 45). Morality is therefore derived through feelings from that metaphysical dimension of reality. That being said, these duties fall within Kant’s two moral codes: The first being that they must be logically consistent, not self-contradictory and that any truths must be universal. On the other hand, we have Ayn Rand, whose philosophies...
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...Among many names, Immanuel Kant and his “Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals” shines in the list of influences Simone de Beauvoir used to write her “The Ethics of Ambiguity”. Both philosophers focused on morality as an extension of one’s personal freedom, and I believe that Simone de Beauvoir’s accounts reach farther than that of Kant’s – making her writing just that much more successful. Specifically, I find that in Kant’s original points concerning the difference between good and evil values and overcoming instinct, de Beauvoir uses her explanation of such topics in the light of freedom in a much more concrete and identifiable way – as opposed to Kant’s abstractions. To begin, although Kant addresses evil in this particular writing,...
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...Chong Bland (Linda) Ken Maddox Business Ethics 4/09/2011 Week # 3 Drop box assignment Immanuel Kant and his contribution to the study of business ethics Immanuel Kant focuses mainly on the role of duty. He believes that actions can be in accord with duty or be from duty. Duty is defined as an action which we are obligated to perform out of respect for the moral law. Moral law is practical reason, which is in every rational person, though some people are more aware of it than others. Moral law is having the knowledge of the difference between good and evil, and an inner conviction that we should do what is good. The concept of duty includes good will. Good will is good without qualification; it is good in itself and good through willing alone. It comes from an instinct within us and cannot be denied. Good will can be seen in moderation, self-control and sober reflection. There are things in everyday life that have to do with duty. We are innately born with the capacity to learn right from wrong. Every single human being is molded by their parents, teachers, and anyone else who is a part of their life, from there on is how we determine what is good and what is evil. It is my duty to preserve my life. This idea works because there are many people there are many people who hate their lives and yet they will still keep their life dear to them. These people are not doing it for self satisfaction; it is just their duty to live on. A man...
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...Art of Change: New Directions from China and The Discourse of the Ridiculous and the Sublime. Art of Change: New Directions from China, Hayward Gallery, London, UK, 7th September 2011 to 9th December 2012. While long regarded as two ends of the spectrum, the Sublime and the Ridiculous have never been seen as two aspects that are inherently irreconcilable. The Ridiculous, when utilized effectively, is able to assist in perpetuating the sublime despite their disparate natures. The Ridiculous in art has the ability to probe sublimities that deal with transcendence and venturing beyond liminal boundaries. However, the relationship between the Sublime and the Ridiculous must be one of careful consideration as when construed inappropriately, the ridiculous nature of an artwork can overblow and nullify the Sublime, rendering it as purely ridiculous in its entirety, displaying the precarious nature between the Sublime and the Ridiculous and how “one step above the sublime makes the ridiculous and one step above the ridiculous makes the sublime” The discourse on the relationship between the Ridiculous and the Sublime of this essay will start with the works of Chinese artist Duan Ying Mei that are located early in the exhibition, Art of Change: New Directions from China. Duan’s Sleeping, 2004/2012 (Fig.1), a performance installation of a live performer silently sleeping on a white shelf elevated high up on a gallery wall. Exhibiting in the same space is also Duan’s In between...
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...The Categorical Imperative Analyzing Immanuel Kant’s Grounding for A Metaphysics of Morals Anders Bordum WP 4/2002 January 2002 MPP Working Paper No. 4/2002 © January 2002 ISBN: 87-91181-06-2 ISSN: 1396-2817 Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy Copenhagen Business School Blaagaardsgade 23B DK-2200 Copenhagen N Denmark Phone: +45 38 15 36 30 Fax: +45 38 15 36 35 E-mail: as.lpf@cbs.dk www.cbs.dk/departments/mpp 2 The Categorical Imperative Analyzing Immanuel Kant's Grounding for a Metaphysics of Morals By Anders Bordum Keywords: Categorical imperative, discourse ethics, duty, ethics, monologic, dialogic, Immanuel Kant, Jürgen Habermas, self-legislation, self-reference. 3 Abstract In this article I first argue that Immanuel Kant’s conception of the categorical imperative is important to his philosophy. I systematically, though indirectly, interconnect the cognitive and moral aspects of his thinking. Second, I present an interpretation of the Kantian ethics, taking as my point of departure, the concept of the categorical imperative. Finally, I show how the categorical imperative is given a dialogical interpretation by Jürgen Habermas in his approach, usually referred to as discourse ethics. I argue that the dialogical approach taken by discourse ethics is more justifiable and therefore more usefuli. I The Synthesis of Rationalism and Empiricism The philosophy of Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) is in the main inspired...
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...During the the time that the ground-breaking Pathways to Philosophy distance learning program has been running, students from around the world have produced many fine examples of philosophical writing. Reproduced here are essay portfolios which have received the Associate Award, as well as dissertations successfully submitted for the Fellowship Award. For shorter essays by students taking the six Pathways to Philosophy programs, follow the links at Pathways to Philosophy: the six programs. All work is copyright of the original authors. No material may be transmitted or reproduced without permission. For further information, e-mail klempner@fastmail.net. Geoffrey Klempner Director of Studies [pic] Associate Award • Paul Meakin • Mary Jennings • Andrew Watson • Kenneth Head • Stuart Hopkins • Tony Bellotti • Oliver Leech • Alan Bradnam • Shirley Hughes • Terence Kuch • Fr. Seamus Mulholland • John Eberts • Gordon Kennedy • Justin Woods • Neil Munro • John Dudley • Samuel Thorpe • Jürgen Lawrenz Fellowship Award • Tony Fahey • Martin Jenkins • Peter Jones • George Brooks • Samuel Michaelides • Mike Finch • Rachel Browne • Jürgen Lawrenz back [pic] Paul Meakin: Associate Award Essay One Heidegger, Dasein and the quest for authentic Being-in-the-world Essay Two 'I am Condemned to be free':...
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...Oliver James Savenor 5/5/15 Dr. Thaddeus Ostrowski Social Ethics Is Missing Class Morally Permissible? While most schools have an attendance policy, many students feel that missing a class for any reason is morally permissible for the betterment of the student. Morally permissible can be proven by the three approaches to ethics as defined by Michael Sandel, which include: maximizing welfare, respecting freedom and rights, and cultivating virtue and promoting the good life. Maximizing welfare would be seen as an approach to the ethics of utilitarianism and John Stuart Mill; respecting freedom and rights is seen as an approach of Kantian deontology and Immanuel Kant, while the last is seen as an approach of Aristotelian thinking and Aristotle. According to Mill, a utilitarian, he would have argued that missing class for any reason is morally permissible. He backs this up by saying the ends justify the means, which is saying that the end result is what justifies the motive because Mills was a consequentialist who placed emphasis on the outcome of an act. So in the case of missing a class, for example skipping class to study for a test, he is able to justify it by citing the greatest happiness principle, which states, “We ought to do what which produces the greatest amount of happiness or pleasure (for the greatest number of people)”(notes). This states that by not going to class it’s creating the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount...
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...overview of the development of phenomenological thinking and of past interpretations of Red Desert, this essay will provide an analysis and interpretation of the film’s cinematography –specifically its colours and editing– from a phenomenological point of view. Phenomenology maintains that experience is both passive –seeing, hearing, and so on– and active –walking, running, touching, and so on. One describes experience and interprets experience by relating it to a context, which is usually social or linguistic. The word phenomenology originates with the Greek word phainomenon, which means ‘appearance.’ Phenomenology is, then, the study of appearances rather than the study of reality. In the eighteenth century, thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and Johann Fichte began to seriously consider phenomenology as a theory of appearances, and to consider it essential to acquiring knowledge. Phenomenology has its origins, certainly, with debates regarding what exists in reality and what is an illusion. John Locke believed that qualities such as colors, sounds, smells, and so on were subjective, and were not indigenous to objects that produced those qualities. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel stated that nothing in the world was entirely real save the whole of the world. According to Hegel, the world was not a collection of small things, but a large organism. To perceive a single part of the world, then, was to perceive something that was not real (Russell, 1972, pp. 712-713, 731)...
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...and I have to make the final decision on the matter. In any recruitment process, ethics plays a very vital role. Despite the fact that recruitment processes are governed by certain established laws, there are several ethical dilemmas that human resources professionals face that normally extend beyond the established rules. Such situations thus require human resource professionals to be consistent, honest, and objective. In the case presented, Hamilton Craft is an individual who is well known to everyone in the town to be the best for the job on offer, due to his experience. However, the information that he presents in his resume could as well be considered to indicate lack of honesty because he indicates that he received a Ph.D. in art history, from East Coast University but the record does not indicate. When confronted, Craft says that he meant to indicate that he completed Ph.D. coursework, but had not intentions of indicating that he was a Ph.D. holder. In my point of view, the fact that Craft is well known all over the town that he has undisputed experience in artwork is a clear indication that he should be awarded the job position. Though he appears to have indicated wrong information on his resume, he goes ahead and justifies that he did not mean...
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...states that men are born without innate ideas, and that knowledge comes from experience and perception, as opposed to predetermined good and evil nature, as believed by other thinkers. On his treatise “Some Thoughts Concerning Education”, he emphasized that the knowledge taught during younger years are more influential than those during maturity because they will be the foundations of the human mind. Due to this process of associations of ideas, he stressed out that punishments are unhealthy and educators should teach by examples rather than rules. This theory on education puts him on a clash with another widely accepted philosophy, backed by another brilliant mind Immanuel Kant and Idealism They never lived at the same time, but history always put Locke and Kant on a dust up. A famed German thinker, Kant (1724–1804) was an advocate of public education and of learning by doing, a process we call training. As he reasons that these are two vastly different things. He postulated “Above all things, obedience is an essential feature in the character of a child…”. As opposed to Locke, he surmises that children should always obey and learn the virtue of duty, because children’s inclination to...
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