philosophy lecture 09

Introduction to PhilosophyIntroduction to Philosophy

IS-VNUIS-VNUMr. Mike Mr. Mike Lecture 9Lecture 9

Introduction to Philosophy

Idealism ContinuedIdealism Continued

ConservatismConservatism

Liberalism Liberalism

Introduction to Philosophy

Idealism ContinuedIdealism Continued

Liberalism Liberalism

IdealistsIdealists

Authur SchopenhauerAuthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)(1788-1860)

Set out to complete the Set out to complete the philosophy that Kant philosophy that Kant startedstarted First openly Atheist First openly Atheist philosopherphilosopher First Western First Western philosopher to seriously philosopher to seriously study Eastern philosophy study Eastern philosophy

IdealistsIdealists

Authur SchopenhauerAuthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)(1788-1860)

Set out to complete the Set out to complete the philosophy that Kant philosophy that Kant startedstarted First openly Atheist First openly Atheist philosopherphilosopher First Western First Western philosopher to seriously philosopher to seriously study Eastern philosophy study Eastern philosophy

IdealistsIdealistsAuthur SchopenhauerAuthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)(1788-1860)

Kant's Basic PremiseKant's Basic Premise2 Aspects of Reality: (1) 2 Aspects of Reality: (1) Phenomenal Phenomenal Reality (what Reality (what we perceive) and (2) we perceive) and (2) NoumenalNoumenal Reality (reality Reality (reality in itself)in itself)

Since Reality in itself is Since Reality in itself is beyond our to perceive it beyond our to perceive it we can never know reality we can never know reality as it is as it is

Phenomenal Reality is a Phenomenal Reality is a mental construct of our mental construct of our mindmind

Noumenal Noumenal RealityReality

Sensory Experience of Reality

Events & Things

Mental Construct of Reality

Kant's Basic PremiseKant's Basic Premise2 Aspects of Reality: (1) 2 Aspects of Reality: (1) Phenomenal Phenomenal Reality (what Reality (what we perceive) and (2) we perceive) and (2) NoumenalNoumenal Reality (reality Reality (reality in itself)in itself)

Since Reality in itself is Since Reality in itself is beyond our to perceive it beyond our to perceive it we can never know reality we can never know reality as it is as it is

Phenomenal Reality is a Phenomenal Reality is a mental construct of our mental construct of our mindmind

Events & Things

Kant's Basic PremiseKant's Basic Premise

Science is capable of Science is capable of providing knowledge of the providing knowledge of the phenomenal (perceived) phenomenal (perceived) worldworld The Noumenal world and The Noumenal world and the Phenomenal world are the Phenomenal world are essentially different things essentially different things Science is not capable of Science is not capable of providing any knowledge providing any knowledge of the noumenal world.of the noumenal world.

Events & Things

Kant's Basic PremiseKant's Basic Premise

Science is capable of Science is capable of providing knowledge of the providing knowledge of the phenomenal (perceived) phenomenal (perceived) worldworld The Noumenal world and The Noumenal world and the Phenomenal world are the Phenomenal world are essentially different things essentially different things Science is not capable of Science is not capable of providing any knowledge providing any knowledge of the noumenal world.of the noumenal world.

Events & Things

Correcting Kant's MetaphysicsCorrecting Kant's Metaphysics

KantKant – Since the noumenal and – Since the noumenal and phenomenal are essentially phenomenal are essentially different it is impossible for the different it is impossible for the noumenal to be the cause of the noumenal to be the cause of the phenomenal phenomenal Also, “cause” is an aspect of the Also, “cause” is an aspect of the phenomenal phenomenal (i.e. “causes” are (i.e. “causes” are organizational constructs of the mind)organizational constructs of the mind)

SchopenhauerSchopenhauer – Phenomenal – Phenomenal reality and noumenal reality are not reality and noumenal reality are not DIFFERENT realities. They are the DIFFERENT realities. They are the SAME reality. SAME reality.

Phenomenal Reality

Correcting Kant's MetaphysicsCorrecting Kant's Metaphysics

KantKant – Since the noumenal and – Since the noumenal and phenomenal are essentially phenomenal are essentially different it is impossible for the different it is impossible for the noumenal to be the cause of the noumenal to be the cause of the phenomenal phenomenal Also, “cause” is an aspect of the Also, “cause” is an aspect of the phenomenal phenomenal (i.e. “causes” are (i.e. “causes” are organizational constructs of the mind)organizational constructs of the mind)

SchopenhauerSchopenhauer – Phenomenal – Phenomenal reality and noumenal reality are not reality and noumenal reality are not DIFFERENT realities. They are the DIFFERENT realities. They are the SAME reality. SAME reality.

Phenomenal Reality

MetaphysicsMetaphysics

Since space and time are Since space and time are aspects of the phenomenal aspects of the phenomenal world that we can perceive, world that we can perceive, they have no meaning in the they have no meaning in the noumenal world. noumenal world. If space and time do not If space and time do not exist then there can be no exist then there can be no differentiation between things differentiation between things – – Everything is OneEverything is One

Kant – Acts of the Will are Kant – Acts of the Will are part of the noumenal world part of the noumenal world but are also the causes of but are also the causes of the phenomenal world the phenomenal world

Example: A person wills to Example: A person wills to move his arm (noumenal) move his arm (noumenal) which is followed by the bodily which is followed by the bodily movement (phenomenal) movement (phenomenal)

Kant – Acts of the Will are Kant – Acts of the Will are part of the noumenal world part of the noumenal world but are also the causes of but are also the causes of the phenomenal world the phenomenal world

Example: A person wills to Example: A person wills to move his arm (noumenal) move his arm (noumenal) which is followed by the bodily which is followed by the bodily movement (phenomenal) movement (phenomenal)

Schopenhauer – If the Schopenhauer – If the phenomenal and noumenal phenomenal and noumenal are different (Kant) then the are different (Kant) then the acts of the will cannot cause acts of the will cannot cause anything in phenomenal anything in phenomenal reality.reality.

Solution:Solution: Phenomenal and Noumenal are Phenomenal and Noumenal are not different. not different. Motives (will) are internal and Motives (will) are internal and noumenal. Bodily movement is noumenal. Bodily movement is external (phenomenal). external (phenomenal). Motives and Bodily movements are Motives and Bodily movements are the same event apprehended in the same event apprehended in two different ways (internal and two different ways (internal and external) external)

Impersonal Noumenal WillImpersonal Noumenal Will The Whole Noumenal Realm has The Whole Noumenal Realm has the character of Will the character of Will Noumenal Will – Impersonal, Noumenal Will – Impersonal, energy/force behind the energy/force behind the Phenomenal worldPhenomenal world Reality has no purpose, Reality has no purpose, intelligence or goal. intelligence or goal.

Noumenal Noumenal Reality = Reality =

WillWill

Phenomenal Reality

Impersonal Noumenal WillImpersonal Noumenal Will The Whole Noumenal Realm has The Whole Noumenal Realm has the character of Will the character of Will Noumenal Will – Impersonal, Noumenal Will – Impersonal, energy/force behind the energy/force behind the Phenomenal worldPhenomenal world Reality has no purpose, Reality has no purpose, intelligence or goal. intelligence or goal.

Noumenal Noumenal Reality = Reality =

WillWill

Phenomenal Reality

EthicsEthics Since noumenal reality is essential Since noumenal reality is essential ONE, then there is no real ONE, then there is no real distinction between individual distinction between individual peoplepeople People only “appear” as individuals People only “appear” as individuals in the phenomenal realmin the phenomenal realm Humanity's ONENESS creates Humanity's ONENESS creates compassion between humanscompassion between humans Human compassion (based on Human compassion (based on essential oneness) is the essential oneness) is the foundation of all Ethics foundation of all Ethics

IdealistsIdealistsFredrich Shelling Fredrich Shelling (1775-1854)(1775-1854)

MetaphysicsMetaphysics Nature is total reality perpetually Nature is total reality perpetually evolving (constantly changing) evolving (constantly changing) Nature is One (unity)Nature is One (unity) Nature is a constant on-going Nature is a constant on-going process process Humans have emerged from Humans have emerged from within the process of naturewithin the process of nature Man does not exist outside of Man does not exist outside of nature but is part of naturenature but is part of nature

Humans are the most Humans are the most advanced aspect of nature advanced aspect of nature Humans are the only Humans are the only aspect of nature that is aspect of nature that is self-awareself-aware Humans are matter Humans are matter spiritualized spiritualized Humans are nature that Humans are nature that has become self-aware has become self-aware

Aesthetics Aesthetics

Nature is in the continual Nature is in the continual process of creationprocess of creation Humans reflect this aspect Humans reflect this aspect of nature through creative of nature through creative artsarts The creative artists are the The creative artists are the highest form of existence highest form of existence

Aesthetics Aesthetics

Nature is in the continual Nature is in the continual process of creationprocess of creation Humans reflect this aspect Humans reflect this aspect of nature through creative of nature through creative artsarts The creative artists are the The creative artists are the highest form of existence highest form of existence

IdealistsIdealists

Fredrich ShellingFredrich Shelling (1775-1854)(1775-1854)

Ultimate Question Ultimate Question

Why does anything exist at all?Why does anything exist at all? Why not nothing?Why not nothing?

IdealistsIdealists

Fredrich ShellingFredrich Shelling (1775-1854)(1775-1854)

Ultimate Question Ultimate Question

Why does anything exist at all?Why does anything exist at all? Why not nothing?Why not nothing?

IdealistsIdealists

Georg W.F. HegelGeorg W.F. Hegel (1770-1831)(1770-1831)

Everything is an organic Everything is an organic unity unity Reality is in an ongoing Reality is in an ongoing process of development process of development Ultimate goal of reality is Ultimate goal of reality is self-awareness and self-self-awareness and self-understandingunderstanding

IdealistsIdealists

Everything is an organic Everything is an organic unity unity Reality is in an ongoing Reality is in an ongoing process of development process of development Ultimate goal of reality is Ultimate goal of reality is self-awareness and self-self-awareness and self-understandingunderstanding

IdealistsIdealists

GeistGeist:: Mental/spiritual aspect Mental/spiritual aspect of reality of reality Non-material Non-material The ultimate essence of The ultimate essence of beingbeing Absolute Idealism Absolute Idealism

IdealistsIdealists

GeistGeist:: Mental/spiritual aspect Mental/spiritual aspect of reality of reality Non-material Non-material The ultimate essence of The ultimate essence of beingbeing Absolute Idealism Absolute Idealism

IdealistsIdealists

Hegel's DialecticHegel's Dialectic:: Thesis – Current state of Thesis – Current state of things things Antithesis – Conflicting Antithesis – Conflicting forcesforces Synthesis – Resolution of Synthesis – Resolution of the Thesis and Antithesis the Thesis and Antithesis Synthesis become the new Synthesis become the new thesisthesis

IdealistsIdealists

Hegel's DialecticHegel's Dialectic:: Thesis – Current state of Thesis – Current state of things things Antithesis – Conflicting Antithesis – Conflicting forcesforces Synthesis – Resolution of Synthesis – Resolution of the Thesis and Antithesis the Thesis and Antithesis Synthesis become the new Synthesis become the new thesisthesis

Political Philosophy Political Philosophy

Promotes the Promotes the maintenance of traditional maintenance of traditional institutionsinstitutions

Supports the idea of Supports the idea of minimal and gradual minimal and gradual change in societychange in society

Ultimate Goal = Stability Ultimate Goal = Stability and Continuity in society and Continuity in society

Edmund BurkeEdmund Burke (1729-1797)(1729-1797)

Supported Limiting the Supported Limiting the power of the monarchy power of the monarchy

Multiple political parties Multiple political parties within a government within a government prevent any one party prevent any one party from abusing powerfrom abusing power

Opposed excessive Opposed excessive taxation (especially in the taxation (especially in the American colonies) American colonies)

Opposed modern forms Opposed modern forms of Democracy (open and of Democracy (open and free elections) free elections)

Government needs an Government needs an educated class of people educated class of people

Common people had Common people had dangerous passionsdangerous passions

Democracy could remove Democracy could remove protection from some protection from some minoritiesminorities

Opposed modern forms Opposed modern forms of Democracy (open and of Democracy (open and free elections) free elections)

Government needs an Government needs an educated class of people educated class of people

Common people had Common people had dangerous passionsdangerous passions

Democracy could remove Democracy could remove protection from some protection from some minoritiesminorities

LiberalismLiberalism

Political Philosophy Political Philosophy

Promotes the importance of Government Promotes the importance of Government protecting Liberty and providing Equal Rightsprotecting Liberty and providing Equal Rights

Free and Fair ElectionsFree and Fair Elections

Universal Human RightsUniversal Human Rights

Freedom of Religion Freedom of Religion

Constitutionalism – Constitutionalism – Government authority is Government authority is based on and limited by a body of fundamental lawsbased on and limited by a body of fundamental laws

Liberal Democracy - Multiple Political Parties Liberal Democracy - Multiple Political Parties

Capitalism – Privately owned means of Capitalism – Privately owned means of production which generate profit for the ownersproduction which generate profit for the owners

Thomas PaineThomas Paine (1737-1809)(1737-1809)

Invented the term “United Invented the term “United States of America” States of America”

Inspired the American and Inspired the American and French RevolutionsFrench Revolutions

Forced to leave England Forced to leave England when he attempted to when he attempted to inspire a revolution thereinspire a revolution there

Influential in the formation Influential in the formation of the American Constitutionof the American Constitution

Thomas PaineThomas Paine (1737-1809)(1737-1809)

One of the first writers to One of the first writers to call for the call for the abolishment of abolishment of slaveryslavery

Based on his philosophy Based on his philosophy that all men are born equal that all men are born equal and that class distinctions and that class distinctions are immoral are immoral

Thomas PaineThomas Paine (1737-1809)(1737-1809) The Rights of ManThe Rights of Man

All men are created equal All men are created equal and are born with equal rights and are born with equal rights (liberties) (liberties)

It is necessary to establish a It is necessary to establish a State and a constitution which State and a constitution which encodes individual rights in encodes individual rights in law law

The responsibility of the The responsibility of the government is to enforce and government is to enforce and protect the rights of protect the rights of individualsindividuals

Thomas PaineThomas Paine (1737-1809)(1737-1809) The Rights of ManThe Rights of Man

The only moral form of The only moral form of government is a democratic government is a democratic one which allows everyone to one which allows everyone to freely choose government freely choose government leadersleaders

Viewed the monarchies of Viewed the monarchies of France and England as France and England as immoral forms of government immoral forms of government because they deny the right to because they deny the right to freely elect government freely elect government officialsofficials

LiberalismLiberalismJeremy BenthamJeremy Bentham (1748–1832)(1748–1832) Utilitarianism Utilitarianism

Maximize Pleasure & Maximize Pleasure & Minimize Pain Minimize Pain

Foundational Principle of Foundational Principle of Law, Ethics and Politics Law, Ethics and Politics

Promote the Promote the greatest good greatest good for the greatest numberfor the greatest number of of peoplepeople

Punishment should be Punishment should be harsh enough to deter crime harsh enough to deter crime but not too harsh to cause but not too harsh to cause useless suffering useless suffering

LiberalismLiberalismJeremy BenthamJeremy Bentham (1748–1832)(1748–1832) Utilitarianism Utilitarianism

Ethical DilemmasEthical Dilemmas

Trolley Car Illustration Trolley Car Illustration

John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill (1806–1873)(1806–1873) Utilitarianism Utilitarianism

Follower of Bentham Follower of Bentham

Actions are right in proportion Actions are right in proportion as they promote happiness, as they promote happiness, wrong as they produce the wrong as they produce the reversereverse

Individual should be free to Individual should be free to do whatever they want as long do whatever they want as long as it doesn't cause harm to as it doesn't cause harm to anyone else anyone else

John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill (1806–1873)(1806–1873) Utilitarianism Utilitarianism

Bentham saw all pleasures Bentham saw all pleasures and pains as equal – Mill felt and pains as equal – Mill felt that there are degrees of that there are degrees of pleasure and pain.pleasure and pain.

– The death of a relative is a The death of a relative is a greater pain than the death greater pain than the death of a petof a pet

John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill (1806–1873)(1806–1873) The Subjection of WomenThe Subjection of Women

As a Member of the British As a Member of the British Parliament he proposed that Parliament he proposed that women should also be given women should also be given the right to votethe right to vote

First philosopher to advocate First philosopher to advocate equal right for women not just equal right for women not just for menfor men

Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797)(1759–1797) Feminist Thomas PaineFeminist Thomas Paine

Vindication of the Rights of ManVindication of the Rights of Man

Agreed with Paine that all Agreed with Paine that all men are born equal men are born equal

British people have the Right British people have the Right to remove a bad kingto remove a bad king

Injustice and mistreatment of Injustice and mistreatment of the poor is immoral the poor is immoral

Slavery is immoral Slavery is immoral

Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797)(1759–1797) Feminist Thomas PaineFeminist Thomas Paine

Vindication of the Rights of Vindication of the Rights of WomenWomen

Argued that Men and Women Argued that Men and Women are also born equal are also born equal

The greatest crime of her day The greatest crime of her day was the lack of education for was the lack of education for womenwomen

Advocated that women must Advocated that women must given the right to vote as a given the right to vote as a basic right basic right

philosophy lecture 09

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