sophies world
TRANSCRIPT
What is Philosophy?What is Philosophy?
Love of knowledge?Love of knowledge?
Wonder?Wonder?
Archetype Metaphor for Western Archetype Metaphor for Western Philosophy:Philosophy:
Plato’s Allegory of the CavePlato’s Allegory of the Cave Philosophy explores the meaning of reality Philosophy explores the meaning of reality
and illusion, and faith and reasonand illusion, and faith and reason Philosophical QuestPhilosophical Quest Sophie’s questions:Sophie’s questions:
Who are you?Who are you? Where does the world come from?Where does the world come from? Who is Hilde Knag?Who is Hilde Knag?
II. Top HatII. Top Hat
Why are children philosophers?Why are children philosophers? Why does Sophie find education boring?Why does Sophie find education boring? Metaphor of the white rabbit and the hat:Metaphor of the white rabbit and the hat:
““We know that the world is not all sleight of hand… because We know that the world is not all sleight of hand… because we are here in it” (p. 14).we are here in it” (p. 14).
What does the rabbit represent?What does the rabbit represent? Where/what are we?Where/what are we?
Aristotle: “All men by nature desire to know.”Aristotle: “All men by nature desire to know.”The potential for wonder is frustrated by habit.The potential for wonder is frustrated by habit.
Wordsworth: “The child is father of the Wordsworth: “The child is father of the man.”man.”
Functions of MythFunctions of Myth
Instill a sense of wonder in the mystery of the Instill a sense of wonder in the mystery of the universeuniverse
Explain the natural worldExplain the natural world Support and validate moral system and social Support and validate moral system and social
cultureculture Guide people through lifeGuide people through life
Danger of myth is its power.Danger of myth is its power. Philosophy must rely on reason as well as mythPhilosophy must rely on reason as well as myth
The Natural PhilosophersThe Natural Philosophers
Sophie’s Questions: Sophie’s Questions: Is there a basic substance?Is there a basic substance? Can water be changed to wine?Can water be changed to wine? Can a frog come from the earth and water?Can a frog come from the earth and water?
Philosophical project: Explain change and Philosophical project: Explain change and motionmotion
Three philosophers of Miletus believed in Three philosophers of Miletus believed in a single basic substancea single basic substance
Natural PhilosophersNatural Philosophers Thales = waterThales = water Anaximander = divine matter; boundlessAnaximander = divine matter; boundless Anaximenes = airAnaximenes = air
Parmenedes: all is permanentParmenedes: all is permanent Heraclitus: all is in fluxHeraclitus: all is in flux
Basic elements: air, water, earth, fireBasic elements: air, water, earth, fire Empedocles: Source of nature cannot be a single Empedocles: Source of nature cannot be a single
elementelement Anaxagoras: seeds ordered by intelligenceAnaxagoras: seeds ordered by intelligence
Democritus & LegosDemocritus & Legos
Atomic theoryAtomic theory Invisible substances linked in various Invisible substances linked in various
combinations “eternal, immutable, and combinations “eternal, immutable, and indivisible”indivisible”
Sense perception: We perceive the moon when Sense perception: We perceive the moon when “moon atoms” penetrate the eye.“moon atoms” penetrate the eye.
Nothing can change; nothing can come out of Nothing can change; nothing can come out of nothing; nothing is ever lost; therefore, Nature nothing; nothing is ever lost; therefore, Nature MUST consist of infinitesimal building blocks that MUST consist of infinitesimal building blocks that can join and separate and join again.can join and separate and join again.
FatalismFatalism Sophie’s questions:Sophie’s questions:
Is there fate?Is there fate? Does God punish the wicked here?Does God punish the wicked here? Does history have a purpose?Does history have a purpose?
What governs history? If God or What governs history? If God or Fate, then there is no free will.Fate, then there is no free will.
What is the role of free will?What is the role of free will?Oracle at Delphi: Man’s place “Know thyself”Oracle at Delphi: Man’s place “Know thyself”Hippocrates: “Anima sana in corpore sano.”Hippocrates: “Anima sana in corpore sano.”
(Hermes - the messenger)(Hermes - the messenger) Hermetic -- hidden, inaccessibleHermetic -- hidden, inaccessible
450 BC — Athens center 450 BC — Athens center for new philosophical projectfor new philosophical project
DemocracyDemocracy Perceptions of Right and WrongPerceptions of Right and Wrong SophistsSophists PragmatistsPragmatists Skepticism: Man cannot know the truth Skepticism: Man cannot know the truth
about the riddles of nature.about the riddles of nature.
The measure of all thingsThe measure of all things
Protagoras (485-410 BC): “Man is the Protagoras (485-410 BC): “Man is the measure of all things.”measure of all things.”
Can this concept lead to hubris?Can this concept lead to hubris? What is natural? What is socially induced?What is natural? What is socially induced? Perceptions flow, vary from place to placePerceptions flow, vary from place to place No absolute norms for what is right or No absolute norms for what is right or
wrong (man is measure).wrong (man is measure). Sophocles in his dramas provides a Sophocles in his dramas provides a
rebuttal to this moral relativism.rebuttal to this moral relativism.
Socrates (479-390 BC)Socrates (479-390 BC) RationalistRationalist Persona for PlatoPersona for Plato Socratic irony: feign ignorance to expose weakness in opponent’s argument - gadflySocratic irony: feign ignorance to expose weakness in opponent’s argument - gadfly Eternal and absolute rules for right and wrongEternal and absolute rules for right and wrong Human reason/common sense is eternal and immutableHuman reason/common sense is eternal and immutableSocratic ideas:Socratic ideas:
Is there such a thing as natural modesty?Is there such a thing as natural modesty? Wisest is he who knows he does not know.Wisest is he who knows he does not know. True insight comes from within.True insight comes from within. He who knows what is right will do right.He who knows what is right will do right.
Diagram of Soul and StateDiagram of Soul and State
QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
““One thing only I know, and One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.”that is that I know nothing.”
Sophist is the “know-it-all”Sophist is the “know-it-all” The philosopher admits ignoranceThe philosopher admits ignorance The most subversive people are those who ask The most subversive people are those who ask
questions.questions. Child is the philosopher king because he/she is not Child is the philosopher king because he/she is not
afraid to ___.afraid to ___. People are indifferent - buried deep in the rabbit’s People are indifferent - buried deep in the rabbit’s
furfur Wisdom begins with ignoranceWisdom begins with ignorance Foundation of knowledge lies in man’s reason.Foundation of knowledge lies in man’s reason. Why did Socrates and Jesus have to die?Why did Socrates and Jesus have to die?
Elements of Socratic Elements of Socratic PhilosophyPhilosophy
Right insight leads to right action Right insight leads to right action Insight lies in reason, not in societyInsight lies in reason, not in society
Can one do wrong and be happy?Can one do wrong and be happy? A slave has the same common sense as a man of A slave has the same common sense as a man of
rank. rank.
PlatoPlato
Sophie’s tasks: What is the project?Sophie’s tasks: What is the project? Can you make 50 identical cookies?Can you make 50 identical cookies? All horses are the same. Why?All horses are the same. Why? Does man have an immortal soul?Does man have an immortal soul? Are men and women equally sensible?Are men and women equally sensible?
Plato 428-347 BCPlato 428-347 BC
Project: Theory of “ideas”Project: Theory of “ideas” A “reality” that is eternal and immutableA “reality” that is eternal and immutable World of ideas/forms — world soulWorld of ideas/forms — world soul
True knowledge only of things understood with reasonTrue knowledge only of things understood with reason No true knowledge of world of sense, which is constantly No true knowledge of world of sense, which is constantly
changingchanging World of sense and of the soulWorld of sense and of the soul All natural phenomena are merely shadows of eternal All natural phenomena are merely shadows of eternal
ideas/formsideas/forms Everything tangible (4 elements) flows; the IDEA Everything tangible (4 elements) flows; the IDEA
alone is eternalalone is eternal Do we have to see something to have an “idea” of it?Do we have to see something to have an “idea” of it?
Mimetic theoryMimetic theory
Art imitates what? Life, nature, reality?Art imitates what? Life, nature, reality? Implication for Implication for Sophie’s WorldSophie’s World?? Will lead to Renaissance pragmatism and Will lead to Renaissance pragmatism and
Romantic expression Romantic expression Plato argues the poet is father of lies.Plato argues the poet is father of lies.
Yet the “lie” takes us closer to the ideaYet the “lie” takes us closer to the idea
What is the philosophical purpose for What is the philosophical purpose for Alberto’s reaction to Sophie’s “break-in”?Alberto’s reaction to Sophie’s “break-in”?
Proof of Sophie’s intellectual growth:Proof of Sophie’s intellectual growth: CuriousCurious Uses senses & ideas/reasonUses senses & ideas/reason Anticipates Aristotle’s objection to PlatoAnticipates Aristotle’s objection to Plato
Plato — reason (Imagination is reality)Plato — reason (Imagination is reality) Aristotle — senses: Idea “flows” but has no Aristotle — senses: Idea “flows” but has no
existence of its own; forms are in the THINGS. existence of its own; forms are in the THINGS. (Nature is reality)(Nature is reality)
No innate ideas, but we have innate faculty to No innate ideas, but we have innate faculty to organize and classify— Innate Reasonorganize and classify— Innate Reason
Summed up and categorized natural philosophySummed up and categorized natural philosophy pigeonholingpigeonholing
Last great Greek philosopher; first great European Last great Greek philosopher; first great European biologistbiologist
From Macedonia; father a physicianFrom Macedonia; father a physician
Aristotle 384-322 BCAristotle 384-322 BC
Aristotle’s LogicAristotle’s Logic
Material - block of woodMaterial - block of wood Formal - idea of tableFormal - idea of table Efficient - carpenterEfficient - carpenter Final - reason for the Final - reason for the
table being madetable being made
Moisture in airMoisture in air Nature of water to fallNature of water to fall Moisture coolsMoisture cools Because plants & Because plants &
animals need itanimals need it
Potentiality: Matter: Act: FormPotentiality: Matter: Act: Form Chicken’s egg always has potentiality to Chicken’s egg always has potentiality to
become a chicken; it cannot become a goose.become a chicken; it cannot become a goose.
Laws of causality:Laws of causality: Why does it rain?Why does it rain?
Aristotle’s Logic Aristotle’s Logic
SyllogismSyllogism All A is C; all B is A; therefore, all B is CAll A is C; all B is A; therefore, all B is C Deductive reasoning; general to specificDeductive reasoning; general to specific
God as pure ACT (Aquinas will define as God as pure ACT (Aquinas will define as the first cause) — the formal causethe first cause) — the formal cause
Aristotle’s EthicsAristotle’s Ethics Man can achieve happiness only by using all his Man can achieve happiness only by using all his
abilities and capabilities.abilities and capabilities. Three forms of happiness:Three forms of happiness:
Life of pleasureLife of pleasure Life as free & responsible citizenLife as free & responsible citizen Life as a thinker/philosopherLife as a thinker/philosopher
Golden meanGolden mean Literary criticism: catharsis, pity, fear, tragic hero Literary criticism: catharsis, pity, fear, tragic hero Balance is key to happiness: Balance is key to happiness:
Neither cowardly, nor rash, but courageousNeither cowardly, nor rash, but courageous
Aristotle’s PoliticsAristotle’s Politics
Man is a political animal Man is a political animal Highest form of human fellowship is in the Highest form of human fellowship is in the
statestate Three good forms of constitution:Three good forms of constitution:
Monarchy Monarchy NOT tyrannyNOT tyranny AristocracyAristocracy NOT oligarchyNOT oligarchy Polity (Democracy) Polity (Democracy) NOT mobNOT mob
HellenismHellenism
Decline of AthensDecline of Athens Alexander the Great (356-323 BC)Alexander the Great (356-323 BC)
Macedonia tutored by AristotleMacedonia tutored by Aristotle Defeated PersiansDefeated Persians Linked Egypt, the Orient (to India), & GreeceLinked Egypt, the Orient (to India), & Greece
Religion, philosophy, and scienceReligion, philosophy, and science Doubt and uncertaintyDoubt and uncertainty Teachings of mankind’s salvation from deathTeachings of mankind’s salvation from death Philosophy should free man from pessimismPhilosophy should free man from pessimism Religion & philosophy blendReligion & philosophy blend
Syncretism Syncretism
Cynics, Stoics & EpicureansCynics, Stoics & Epicureans
True happi-True happi-ness is withinness is within
Antisthenes Antisthenes - - frugalfrugal
Diogenes Diogenes - - lived in a lived in a barrel, with a barrel, with a stick and a stick and a bread bag; told bread bag; told Alexander the Alexander the Great, “Move to Great, “Move to one side - one side - you’re blocking you’re blocking the sun.”the sun.”
Stoa - porticoStoa - portico
meetingsmeetings 300 B.C. 300 B.C.
founded by founded by ZenoZeno
Role of Role of reason and reason and acceptance acceptance of sufferingof suffering
Cicero, Cicero, SenecaSeneca
Garden Garden philosophersphilosophers
Aristippus Aristippus -“The -“The highest good highest good is pleasure”is pleasure”
Stressed Stressed reason and reason and moderationmoderation
Later - self-Later - self-indulgenceindulgence
Neo-platonistsNeo-platonists
Plotinus (205-270 A.D.)- Alexandria (Egypt)Plotinus (205-270 A.D.)- Alexandria (Egypt) MysticMystic Came to RomeCame to Rome Dualist: relationship between body/soulDualist: relationship between body/soul The light = the One = GodThe light = the One = God Darkness = the absence of lightDarkness = the absence of light Soul illuminated by the light of the one (good)Soul illuminated by the light of the one (good) Different from Plato: All is part of the One, even the Different from Plato: All is part of the One, even the
most chained prisoner in the cavemost chained prisoner in the cave Romantics, TranscendentalistsRomantics, Transcendentalists
Two CulturesTwo Cultures Indo-EuropeansIndo-Europeans PolytheisticPolytheistic Transmigration of soul Transmigration of soul
(Plato)(Plato) View of history as a cycle - View of history as a cycle -
ring structure (Homer, ring structure (Homer, Plato, Beowulf; Hindu cycle)Plato, Beowulf; Hindu cycle)
Reliance on sight & insight - Reliance on sight & insight - Pictorial representations of Pictorial representations of godsgods
Semites & MonotheismSemites & Monotheism Judaism, Christianity, Islam Judaism, Christianity, Islam
(OT written in Hebrew)(OT written in Hebrew) Greek influence (NT in Greek influence (NT in
Greek)Greek) Linear view of historyLinear view of history Reliance on hearing - No Reliance on hearing - No
images of God (Christianity images of God (Christianity shows Greco-Roman shows Greco-Roman influence with images)influence with images)
Is the Good of Plato the God of Christianity? By 400 AD entire Hellenistic world was Christian.
Hegel’s Dialectic at WorkHegel’s Dialectic at Work
THESIS: Greco-Roman world of Homer, THESIS: Greco-Roman world of Homer, Plato, Aristotle and SophoclesPlato, Aristotle and Sophocles
ANTITHESIS: Biblical- Old and New ANTITHESIS: Biblical- Old and New TestamentsTestaments
SYNTHESIS: The Middle Ages makes the SYNTHESIS: The Middle Ages makes the synthesis which will generate an antithesis synthesis which will generate an antithesis during the Renaissance: humanismduring the Renaissance: humanism
Middle AgesMiddle Ages
380 AD Christianity becomes official Roman 380 AD Christianity becomes official Roman religion (Constantine)religion (Constantine)
476 Western Rome destroyed476 Western Rome destroyed 529 Plato’s Academy closed529 Plato’s Academy closed Monasteries - educationMonasteries - education 1200 - cathedrals and universities1200 - cathedrals and universities 1400 - transition to Renaissance1400 - transition to Renaissance PROJECT: Are belief and knowledge PROJECT: Are belief and knowledge
compatible?compatible?
Divisions of Old Roman EmpireDivisions of Old Roman EmpireROME ROME CONSTANTINOPLECONSTANTINOPLE ARABIAARABIA
Latin Latin
ChristianChristian
Greek ChristianityGreek Christianity Muslim Muslim CultureCulture
PopePope Fell to Turks -1453Fell to Turks -1453 632 death of 632 death of MohammedMohammed
NeoplatonismNeoplatonism PlatonicPlatonic AristotelianAristotelian
MIDDLE AGES an intellectual turning point - confluence of three-part river of philosophy
AugustineAugustine AquinasAquinas 354-430 North Africa354-430 North Africa To Carthage, Rome, To Carthage, Rome,
Milan, HippoMilan, Hippo Stoicism, Neoplatonism, Stoicism, Neoplatonism,
then Christianitythen Christianity City of God = ChurchCity of God = Church Who can be saved? Who can be saved?
PreordainedPreordained Divine willDivine will Christianized Plato - the Christianized Plato - the
IDEA in Divine Mind IDEA in Divine Mind before creationbefore creation
1225-12741225-1274 Translated Aristotle from Translated Aristotle from
Greek and Arabic to LatinGreek and Arabic to Latin Aristotelian logic - faith Aristotelian logic - faith
and reason are neededand reason are needed Synthesis of faith and Synthesis of faith and
reasonreason Two routes to ONE Two routes to ONE
TRUTHTRUTH
RENAISSANCERENAISSANCE Revival of humanism - desire for educationRevival of humanism - desire for education ““Man is formed” - Power of individualMan is formed” - Power of individual Split between church and science/philosophySplit between church and science/philosophy Restore Rome - St. Peter’sRestore Rome - St. Peter’s Martin Luther (1483-1546): Man receives “free” redemption Martin Luther (1483-1546): Man receives “free” redemption
through faith alonethrough faith alone Emphasizes personal relationship with GodEmphasizes personal relationship with God
Start of scientific ageStart of scientific age Printing pressPrinting press Francis Bacon - rebellion against Aristotle - Empiricism Francis Bacon - rebellion against Aristotle - Empiricism
“Knowledge is power.” - Man beginning to control nature“Knowledge is power.” - Man beginning to control nature Idea that God is infinite; therefore in all thingsIdea that God is infinite; therefore in all things
Copernicus (1543) - new astronomy Copernicus (1543) - new astronomy heliocentric world viewheliocentric world view
Galileo - founder of modern physics - Galileo - founder of modern physics - “Measure what can be measured, and “Measure what can be measured, and make measurable what cannot…” make measurable what cannot…” - Inertia Law - parabola - Jupiter’s moons- Inertia Law - parabola - Jupiter’s moons
Kepler (1600s) mathematical explanation Kepler (1600s) mathematical explanation of solar system’s operation; elliptical orbitof solar system’s operation; elliptical orbit
Newton (1642-1727) “I stood on the Newton (1642-1727) “I stood on the shoulders of giants.” - Law of Universal shoulders of giants.” - Law of Universal Gravitation; moon -tides; Gravitation; moon -tides;
BaroqueBaroque
A Romantic period: tension, energy, A Romantic period: tension, energy, irregularityirregularity
Carpe diemCarpe diem Rise of theater: illusion vs. realityRise of theater: illusion vs. reality Idealism vs. Materialism Idealism vs. Materialism
Descartes (1596-16500Descartes (1596-16500
Socratic-Platonic via St. AugustineSocratic-Platonic via St. Augustine Convinced of his own ignoranceConvinced of his own ignorance Father of analytical geometryFather of analytical geometry Father of modern philosophy (hated it)Father of modern philosophy (hated it) PROJECT: Built a systemPROJECT: Built a system
Wanted reliable, certain knowledgeWanted reliable, certain knowledge Wanted to solve body/soul;mind/matter dualism “How Wanted to solve body/soul;mind/matter dualism “How
can you be certain that your whole life is not a can you be certain that your whole life is not a dream?”dream?”
Methodology: Doubt -Cogito ergo sum - I existMethodology: Doubt -Cogito ergo sum - I exist RATIONALISMRATIONALISM
Spinoza (1632-1677)Spinoza (1632-1677)
Can human life be subject to natural law?Can human life be subject to natural law? Monist - a flower and a poem about a flower are Monist - a flower and a poem about a flower are
both expressions of the substance but seen from both expressions of the substance but seen from different point of viewdifferent point of view
God’s will is the natural law, the inner cause of God’s will is the natural law, the inner cause of all that happens (Stoics)all that happens (Stoics)
Free will only according to our natureFree will only according to our nature We can achieve an intuitive understanding of the We can achieve an intuitive understanding of the
whole -contentmentwhole -contentment RATIONALISTRATIONALIST
John Locke ( 1632-1704)John Locke ( 1632-1704)
EMPIRICISM - counters rationalismEMPIRICISM - counters rationalism Knowledge is derived from the sensesKnowledge is derived from the senses References AristotleReferences Aristotle Blank slate - Tabula rasaBlank slate - Tabula rasa
Hume (1711-1776)Hume (1711-1776)
Begins with everyday experiencesBegins with everyday experiences Man reasons by impressions (immediate) and Man reasons by impressions (immediate) and
ideas (recollections)ideas (recollections) Faith vs. Reason Faith vs. Reason AgnosticAgnostic Said you cannot prove faith by human reasonSaid you cannot prove faith by human reason What is a miracle?What is a miracle? White crow - We have not experienced ALL White crow - We have not experienced ALL
natural lawsnatural laws
Berkeley (1685-1753)Berkeley (1685-1753) IrishIrish Denied a material world outside of human Denied a material world outside of human
consciousness - all is spiritualconsciousness - all is spiritual Empiricist who believed in God (Lockean)Empiricist who believed in God (Lockean) We exist in the mind of God who causes everything to We exist in the mind of God who causes everything to
occuroccur Questions material reality, time & spaceQuestions material reality, time & space Can we prove that the material world exists?Can we prove that the material world exists?
I touch, feel, etcI touch, feel, etc Ideas existIdeas exist God ordersGod orders We perceive the effects - ideasWe perceive the effects - ideas
Bjerkely - ReviewBjerkely - Review
Pre-Socratics attempted to identify basic Pre-Socratics attempted to identify basic substance at root of all changesubstance at root of all change
Berkeley is empiricist who shares the idea Berkeley is empiricist who shares the idea (spirit) with rationalists (spirit) with rationalists
Aristotle established the course for later Aristotle established the course for later empiricistsempiricists
Plotinus : “We ourselves are that divine Plotinus : “We ourselves are that divine mystery closest to God in our own soul.”mystery closest to God in our own soul.”
Kant (1724-1804)Kant (1724-1804) Devout ChristianDevout Christian DutyDuty Synthesized rational (Descartes) and empirical Synthesized rational (Descartes) and empirical
traditions (Locke)traditions (Locke) We begin with sense perception, but our mind plays We begin with sense perception, but our mind plays
a major role in its ordering a major role in its ordering Transcendental- where both reason and experience Transcendental- where both reason and experience
fall short, faith fills the vacuumfall short, faith fills the vacuum Reason cannot alone prove the existence of GodReason cannot alone prove the existence of God When we obey conscience, we make our own moral When we obey conscience, we make our own moral
lawlaw
RomanticismRomanticism
Feeling, imagination, experience, yearningFeeling, imagination, experience, yearning Rousseau, Spinoza, Berkeley - philosophical Rousseau, Spinoza, Berkeley - philosophical
fathers of Romanticismfathers of Romanticism The artist is like God - Expressive TheoryThe artist is like God - Expressive Theory Mystery of nature beyond reasonMystery of nature beyond reason Schelling’s world spirit: The world is IN God; God Schelling’s world spirit: The world is IN God; God
is aware of some of it, but not all.is aware of some of it, but not all. Can the created conceive of that which the creator Can the created conceive of that which the creator
has not imagined?has not imagined?
Hegel Hegel
Child of German Romantic movement Child of German Romantic movement Wanted to get philosophy down to earth Wanted to get philosophy down to earth
againagain Romantic spirit evolves through history Romantic spirit evolves through history
(Plato)(Plato) All knowledge is human knowledge - All knowledge is human knowledge -
subjective and dynamicsubjective and dynamic History has a consciousness, and it History has a consciousness, and it
develops toward self-awarenessdevelops toward self-awareness
Hegel’s DialecticHegel’s Dialectic Thesis - God knows allThesis - God knows all Antithesis - Man can (should?) rebelAntithesis - Man can (should?) rebel Synthesis - Should man leave the garden? Will leaving Synthesis - Should man leave the garden? Will leaving
cause contact with the shadow?cause contact with the shadow? We think dialectically by relying on senses (Locke) and We think dialectically by relying on senses (Locke) and
reason (Descartes)reason (Descartes) Stages of consciousness of world spiritStages of consciousness of world spirit
Subjective spirit - world soul first aware in individualSubjective spirit - world soul first aware in individual Objective spirit - world and stateObjective spirit - world and state Absolute spirit - culmination in religion and philosophyAbsolute spirit - culmination in religion and philosophyPhilosophy is the mirror of the world soul or religionPhilosophy is the mirror of the world soul or religion
Kierkegaard Kierkegaard Christian ExistentialistChristian Existentialist Rejects Hegel and denial of individual responsibilityRejects Hegel and denial of individual responsibility MelancholiaMelancholia Philosophy of existentialism begins with Philosophy of existentialism begins with
examination of Socratic ironyexamination of Socratic irony Personal life of individual more important than Personal life of individual more important than
objective truthsobjective truths Three stages on life’s wayThree stages on life’s way
Aesthetic - slave of desires - carpe diem - leads to angstAesthetic - slave of desires - carpe diem - leads to angst Ethical - series of moral choices - like Kant’s dutyEthical - series of moral choices - like Kant’s duty Religious - leap into the open arms of the living GODReligious - leap into the open arms of the living GOD
MarxMarx
German philosopher, historian, sociologist, German philosopher, historian, sociologist, economisteconomist
Studied Democritus, Epicurus (materialism) and Studied Democritus, Epicurus (materialism) and HegelHegel
““Philosophers have only interpreted the world in Philosophers have only interpreted the world in different ways; the point is to change it.”different ways; the point is to change it.”
Dialectical materialism - class struggleDialectical materialism - class struggle Conditions of production - resourcesConditions of production - resources Means of production - toolsMeans of production - tools Ownership - of resources and toolsOwnership - of resources and tools
History of society - dialectic of haves and History of society - dialectic of haves and have-notshave-nots
Work is positive and productive until Work is positive and productive until worker forced to give his efforts to worker forced to give his efforts to someone elsesomeone else
1848 - Communist Manifesto1848 - Communist Manifesto ““From each according to his ability; to From each according to his ability; to
each according to his need.”each according to his need.” Can the perfect state be achieved? (Plato)Can the perfect state be achieved? (Plato) Animal FarmAnimal Farm
NaturalismNaturalism
Marx - historical and economic evolutionMarx - historical and economic evolution Darwin - organic evolutionDarwin - organic evolution
Where is God?Where is God? Origin of SpeciesOrigin of Species and and Descent of ManDescent of Man
Freud - psychological evolutionFreud - psychological evolution
Dream psychologyDream psychology Irrational impulses can swamp reason - manifested in Irrational impulses can swamp reason - manifested in
dreams but suppressed by societydreams but suppressed by society We store memories of previous experiencesWe store memories of previous experiences
ID - instinctive pleasuresID - instinctive pleasures EGO - regulates the IDEGO - regulates the ID SUPEREGO - like conscience that determines SUPEREGO - like conscience that determines
morality of an action - echo of taboos of morality of an action - echo of taboos of parents/societyparents/society
Unconscious tries to communicate with conscious Unconscious tries to communicate with conscious
through dreamsthrough dreams
Dreams are dramatizations of wish fulfillmentDreams are dramatizations of wish fulfillment
Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud
EXISTENTIALISMEXISTENTIALISM
Existence takes priority over essenceExistence takes priority over essence Do we define our own essence?Do we define our own essence? Man must create himselfMan must create himself Kierkegaard, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche (“God is Kierkegaard, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche (“God is
dead.”)dead.”) SartreSartre
There are no eternal valuesThere are no eternal values We must make our own choices and accept We must make our own choices and accept
responsibilityresponsibility The theater of the absurdThe theater of the absurd