Western Philosophy
At the heart of western philosophy from the time of the Greeks to the modern age is an analysis of life and the attempt to develop narratives that explain universal truths that can help guide our actions through creating a framework to guide our actions to predictable and desirable outcomes. The method of inquiry and narratives constructed have varied across the ages - in keeping with changes in society and cross-pollination of ideas as our collective intelligence has evolved.
Here we draw upon some ideas of ancient Greek philosophers Plato (428-424 BCE) and Aristotle (384-322 BCE) who argue we each bear an ethical responsibility for our own conduct and the development of our character, by which is meant who we are as individuals. They hold that the ongoing development of our character is key to our success in life and doing this requires self-discipline, the willingness to learn from our experiences and the desire to be the best we can be as a person. A person of good character was not, in their view, necessarily rich, famous or powerful, indeed Plato and Aristotle were suspicious of those who sought such material forms of ‘success’. Rather, persons of good character were those who had developed in themselves various virtues, such as the courage to be truthful, self-control (temperance), a sense of what is just, generosity and kindness toward others and the wisdom to act prudently.
Many other philosophers throughout ancient and medieval times have also written about these ideas of character and virtues and, more recently, Alisdair McIntyre has been a particularly influential thinker in this area. In the Eastern tradition, there is also a strong concern dating back thousands of years with these fundamental questions of what does it mean to be a ‘good person’ and to live a ‘good life’. The teachings of Buddha (c563 -480 BCE), for example, are concerned with fostering careful reflection, wisdom and self-discipline so as to become ‘enlightened’ or ‘awakened’, an aim which was seen to be ethically meritorious.
The teachings of Confucius (551-479 BCE) also have much to say about the cultivating virtue and ethics. The Confucian concept of Ren, for example, highlights the importance of benevolence towards others, while the concept of Yi is about being righteous and oriented toward actions that are morally good. These days, some of the ‘self-help’ industry is implicitly concerned with issues of character and virtue, even if these terms are not specifically used.
At the heart of western philosophy from the time of the Greeks to the modern age is an analysis of life and the attempt to develop narratives that explain universal truths that can help guide our actions through creating a framework to guide our actions to predictable and desirable outcomes. The method of inquiry and narratives constructed have varied across the ages - in keeping with changes in society and cross-pollination of ideas as our collective intelligence has evolved.
Below we explore the stories of a number of prominent western philosophers and use there insights to help form our own perspectives.
Here we draw upon some ideas of ancient Greek philosophers Plato (428-424 BCE) and Aristotle (384-322 BCE) who argue we each bear an ethical responsibility for our own conduct and the development of our character, by which is meant who we are as individuals. They hold that the ongoing development of our character is key to our success in life and doing this requires self-discipline, the willingness to learn from our experiences and the desire to be the best we can be as a person. A person of good character was not, in their view, necessarily rich, famous or powerful, indeed Plato and Aristotle were suspicious of those who sought such material forms of ‘success’. Rather, persons of good character were those who had developed in themselves various virtues, such as the courage to be truthful, self-control (temperance), a sense of what is just, generosity and kindness toward others and the wisdom to act prudently.
Many other philosophers throughout ancient and medieval times have also written about these ideas of character and virtues and, more recently, Alisdair McIntyre has been a particularly influential thinker in this area. In the Eastern tradition, there is also a strong concern dating back thousands of years with these fundamental questions of what does it mean to be a ‘good person’ and to live a ‘good life’. The teachings of Buddha (c563 -480 BCE), for example, are concerned with fostering careful reflection, wisdom and self-discipline so as to become ‘enlightened’ or ‘awakened’, an aim which was seen to be ethically meritorious.
The teachings of Confucius (551-479 BCE) also have much to say about the cultivating virtue and ethics. The Confucian concept of Ren, for example, highlights the importance of benevolence towards others, while the concept of Yi is about being righteous and oriented toward actions that are morally good. These days, some of the ‘self-help’ industry is implicitly concerned with issues of character and virtue, even if these terms are not specifically used.
At the heart of western philosophy from the time of the Greeks to the modern age is an analysis of life and the attempt to develop narratives that explain universal truths that can help guide our actions through creating a framework to guide our actions to predictable and desirable outcomes. The method of inquiry and narratives constructed have varied across the ages - in keeping with changes in society and cross-pollination of ideas as our collective intelligence has evolved.
Below we explore the stories of a number of prominent western philosophers and use there insights to help form our own perspectives.
Socrates and the Self-Examined Life
Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, and as being the first moral philosopher of the Western ethical tradition of thought.
Although Socrates exerted a profound influence on Greek and Roman thought, not every major philosopher of antiquity regarded him as a moral exemplar or a major thinker. Aristotle approves of the Socratic search for definitions but criticizes Socrates for an over-intellectualized conception of the human psyche. The followers of Epicurus, who were philosophical rivals of the Stoics and Academics, were contemptuous of him.
Although Socrates exerted a profound influence on Greek and Roman thought, not every major philosopher of antiquity regarded him as a moral exemplar or a major thinker. Aristotle approves of the Socratic search for definitions but criticizes Socrates for an over-intellectualized conception of the human psyche. The followers of Epicurus, who were philosophical rivals of the Stoics and Academics, were contemptuous of him.
| socrates.pdf |
Plato and Forms
Plato is one of the world's best known and most widely read and studied philosophers. He was the student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle, and he wrote in the middle of the fourth century B.C.E. in ancient Greece. Though influenced primarily by Socrates, to the extent that Socrates is usually the main character in many of Plato's writings, he was also influenced by Heraclitus, Parmenides, and the Pythagoreans.
| plato_1__1_.pdf |
Epicurus and the Pursuit of Pleasure
Epicurus is often associated as one of the Greek philosophers more interested in pleasure or its pursuit than other ideals. While at times this led to a negative view of his philosophy, the reality is his thinking was very advanced and developed, leading to his ideas becoming highly influential in modern thought in many regions of the world today. He was one of the first Greek philosophers to develop a strong tradition that avoid superstition as a core ideal. His simple philosophy of avoiding pain, leading a simple life, and attaining knowledge have made his philosophy both attractive and influential to many.
| epicurus_1.pdf |
Kant and Moral Theory
Kant believed that reason is the source of morality, and that aesthetics arise from a faculty of disinterested judgment. Kant's views continue to have a major influence on contemporary philosophy, especially the fields of epistemology, ethics, political theory, and post-modern aesthetics.
| kant_1.pdf |
Nietzsche and Overcoming Weakness
Nietzsche was a German philosopher, essayist, and cultural critic. His writings on truth, morality, language, aesthetics, cultural theory, history, nihilism, power, consciousness, and the meaning of existence have exerted an enormous influence on Western philosophy and intellectual history.
| nietzsche.pdf |
Hobbes and a Totalitarian State
The English philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) is best known for his political thought, and deservedly so. His vision of the world is strikingly original and still relevant to contemporary politics. His main concern is the problem of social and political order.
| hobbes_1.pdf |