Philosophy Essays Examples For College & High School Students in PDF

10142 total results

A Review of Mahatma Gandhi’s Statements in His Book Selected Political Writings (1155 words, 4 pages)

Gandhi EssayMahatma Gandhi, in the book Selected Political Writings, claimed that swaraj is to be taken to mean the independence of a nation or people. In this essay I will discuss the questions of Why does Gandhi think nations need to rule themselves? What does he mean when he suggests ... Read More

A Comparison of the Similarities and Differences Between the Views of John Locke and Karl Marx on Violent Revolutions (1146 words, 4 pages)

Topic Both Locke and Marx agree that violent revolutions are sometimes justified. Compare and contrast their views of when these things are justified. Which view is stronger?The government is responsible to protect and preserve individual civil liberties. John Locke defines nature when the individuals look out for themselves. However, a ... Read More

An Argument in Favor of the Theory of the Demonic Deceiver Doubt in Meditation by Rene Descartes (1238 words, 4 pages)

Topic Discuss the Demonic Deceiver Doubt in Meditation 1. How strong a reason for doubting does it provide? What are some weaknesses in it?Descartes was one of well known philosophers of the Enlightenment Era who discovered how nature worked in its surrounding. He researched his surroundings by conducting philosophical thinking ... Read More

A Study of the Ways of Forming Moral Theories (1479 words, 5 pages)

Moralities and TruthThe three primary ways to form moral theories are described through the philosophies of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. When practiced in our own world today, they have similarities and differences in the way they justify our actions. The most prominent and universal manifestation of these philosophies appears ... Read More

A Comparison Between Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism (1351 words, 6 pages)

Many can agree upon the concept of utilitarianism - the idea that an action should create the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. However, within the ethical theory of utilitarianism, two forms exist, act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. Act utilitarianism tells us that the most important ... Read More

A Study of the Impact of Global Ethics (778 words, 3 pages)

Implications of Global EthicsEthics have been a topic of contention since the very beginnings of society. Large and small, societies have had to find ways to approach the moral dilemmas that arise from the complexities of human interaction. Global ethics is what comes from these complexities - the study of ... Read More

The Point of Morality and the Moral Absolutist Approach to Ethics (1223 words, 4 pages)

Whether morality is an objective property of the universe, or instead the subjective opinion of humans, is one of the longest running issues in ethics. This essay will aim to address the point of morality, if in fact there is a point, and if a moral absolutist approach to ethics ... Read More

A Sociological Analysis of Transcendentalism, a Philosophical Movement of the Early 18th Century (315 words, 2 pages)

Transcendentalism is a philosophical and social movement that was developed by different philosophers and first applied in New England. Transcendentalism is opposed and can be described as the direct opposite of rationalism. Individualism on the other hand is the ability to acquire freedom over self control and knowledge as opposed ... Read More

A Review of Ethics as Taught by Socrates (822 words, 3 pages)

Socrates is one of the most popular philosophers of all time. He lived in a time when philosophers were contesting on matters pertaining to religion and metaphysics. He is among the pioneering philosophers who introduced the human realm in all the arguments that defined the philosophy of his time. As ... Read More

The Existence of a Thing in Order and the Idea of God in First Meditation, a Book by Rene Descartes (472 words, 2 pages)

At the commencement of his First Mediation On what can be called into doubt, Rene Descartes lays out the purpose for, what would later become a collection of, the Mediations. Upon prior reflection, he realized that things that which he has been made to believe all the way up to ... Read More

A Review of the Principles of Utilitarianism (1121 words, 4 pages)

The Main Points of UtilitarianismAlthough much has been written about right and wrong, it is useful to separate different theories about these matters into two main categories. The first approach takes a look at acts such as theft and murder as being wrong strictly on the basis of principle without ... Read More

A Review of John McTaggart’s Argument on Time (2030 words, 7 pages)

Explain McTaggarts argument against the temporal A-series. Does it succeed?McTaggart denies that time exists on the ground that temporal designations associated with the passage of time are contradictory. McTaggart develops his argument by showing firstly that we think of time in two distinct, but related conceptions and that we think ... Read More

The Existence of a God and Whether He Can Be a Deceiver in Meditations on First Philosophy, a Book by Rene Descartes (496 words, 2 pages)

A Reflection on the Preface of Critique of Pure ReasonBy the time Descartes is to his Third Mediation out of six total he is now certain that he does quite in fact exists he is a thing that thinks so he is therefore a thing of existence. The philosopher knows ... Read More

The Poison That Took the Life from Socrates (1023 words, 4 pages)

The Innocence of SocratesAt the age of seventy, Socrates is ordered to the court of law to defend himself and his conduct for two primary reasons being an atheist (creating false gods) and corrupting the youth. Socrates must defend himself from the lying accusations made against him. There have been ... Read More

A Personal Review of Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason (508 words, 2 pages)

A Reflection on the Preface of Critique of Pure ReasonImmanuel Kants Critique of Pure Reason is a notable work in philosophy. This reflection will cover the span of the books preface (from both the First Edition and the Second Edition) as translated in the textbook Modern Philosophy An Anthology of ... Read More

A Review of Rene Descartes Argument on the Existence of God (1089 words, 4 pages)

Give a critical anaylisis for one of descartes arguments for the existence of GodDescartes, the 17th century rationalist and dualist, first attempt to prove the existence of God is the cosmological argument of Meditation three in his Meditations on First Philosophy. Descartes relies on the existence of a benevolent god ... Read More

The Art of Rhetoric in the Works of Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine (1021 words, 4 pages)

Rhetorical ThinkingThe art of rhetoric is one of persuasion. Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine have all written informative essays on rhetoric. These three texts educate readers on rhetorical thought and draw conclusions on the meaning of persuasive speech. They also demonstrate the relationship between gaining knowledge and being persuaded to believe ... Read More

The Arguments and Theories of Immanuel Kant on Metaphysical Thinking (1137 words, 4 pages)

With time, Kant was very much aware of the misconceptions people had regarding the continued growth of the phenomenal and logical structure of the human brain. To him, the brain was not an empty slate awaiting writing upon by the empirical world. The notion that a priori knowledge was possible ... Read More

Education Versus Morality According to the Ideas and Beliefs of Seneca the Younger (822 words, 3 pages)

Epic Rap Battles Presents Education vs. Morality Anyone who can say they are educated generally had to take designated liberal arts courses as a requirement. These courses include things such as mathematics, literature, science, social sciences, and a fine art or elective. Though these classes can provide plenty of knowledge, ... Read More

The Unique Ideas on Human Nature in the Works of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke (790 words, 3 pages)

Mans State of Nature and How Ideas Are FormedThomas Hobbes and John Locke both have unique ideas about human nature and the way that ideas are formed in humans heads. Predicting human actions and analyzing what causes them is not something that can be easily done, but these writers have ... Read More

The Importance of Clarity in Ideas and Beliefs in How to Make Our Ideas Clear, an Essay by Charles S. Peirce (503 words, 3 pages)

A high school student reading a book for his or her class may constantly find themselves sifting through the dictionary. Although they have found they definition theyre looking for, theyre still perplexed, because there are words within the definition they dont understand, and ultimately, they havent really come to a ... Read More

An Analysis of the Functionalist Approach, Conflict Theory, and Interactionist Perspective of Viewing Society (291 words, 1 pages)

Textbook explains three theoretical approaches which view the society. Functionalist perspective emphasizes the way in which the parts of a societies are structured to maintain its stability. It shows the society as a living organism which each part contributes its survival. Functionalists view of society is stable and continuous. People ... Read More

A Comparison of the Similarities and Differences Between the Values of Liberty and Freedom in the Theories of Machiavelli and Locke (1689 words, 6 pages)

Machiavelli and Locke Society's Relation to Liberty and FreedomThe values of liberty and freedom are discussed in the writings of Lockeand Machiavelli as well as their significance in political life. Accordingto Locke, people give up their natural liberties in exchange for politicalliberties when they enter society to escape the State ... Read More

A Comparison of the Differences Between the Concepts of Labor and Property in the Political Theories of Locke and Marx (2275 words, 8 pages)

Comparing Locke and Marx's View on Labor and Private PropertyThe concepts of labor and property play a key role in shaping the politicaltheories of Locke and Marx. How the two political theorists define laborand property and their purposes shape how they view freedom, rights, andthe role of government. Locke sees ... Read More

The Important Role of Philosophy in Politics (945 words, 3 pages)

Philosophy's Role in Politics In Plato's The Republic, Socrates introduces the concept of the philosopher-king. Heclaims that since a philosopher's main goal is to seek truth, they areunlikely to act on their selfish desires, only acting out of concern forthe common good. Therefore, it is in the best interest of ... Read More

The Concept of Ethics and Morals as the Binding Force and Essential Nature of the Universe (1052 words, 4 pages)

The Pre-Socratic philosophers, also known as the Naturalists, theorized that there must be an essential matter to the universe, and they attributed this to various elements. Then they searched for a binding, eternal force that would not change due to circumstances. They ascribed this to an omniscient presence they called ... Read More

The Natural Law as the Basis for Human Morality and Justice (374 words, 2 pages)

Natural law says that some deity instilled the ideals of justice and morality in people. People naturally don't want to kill other people or cause harm to others... i.e. man is naturally good because that's how he was created. If you were raised in an environment that taught you that ... Read More

The Practical Issues of Society in The Republic, a Book by Plato (599 words, 2 pages)

Platos book, The Republic, deals with practical issues such as the nature of justice, the human condition, and the basis of societal order and political power. It is a treasure trove of ideas and has long been a central work in Western literature.In ancient Athens, women were not considered citizens ... Read More

The Guidelines for Tragic Plays in the Literary Works of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle (924 words, 4 pages)

The political and social upheaval caused by the Persian wars was a time of pivotal changes. This coupled with the continued strife between Athens and Sparta resulted in the influx of new ideas for the Athens in the 5th century. The people had experienced war for close to a century ... Read More

An Philosophical Analysis of Five Ways by Thomas Aquinas (1016 words, 3 pages)

Reflection Paper to Thomas Aquinas Five WaysAt surface, Thomas Aquinas Five Ways seems like flawless logical arguments for the existence of God especially to theists and believers. Looking deeper, changing perspectives, and applying some knowledge on logical fallacies however reveals that there are discrepancies, even fundamental ones, in Aquinas arguments. ... Read More

Philosophy Essay Examples