Philosophy Essays Examples For College & High School Students in PDF

10142 total results

A Summary of the Kantian Philosophy and How It Outlines the Universal Law Formation of the Categorical Imperative (1404 words, 5 pages)

Kantian philosophy outlines the Universal Law Formation of the Categorical Imperative as a method for determining morality of actions. This formula is a two part test. First, one creates a maxim and considers whether the maxim could be a universal law for all rational beings. Second, one determines whether rational ... Read More

The Challenges of Socrates Regarding Justice in the Second Book of the Republic by Plato (637 words, 1 pages)

Up to the Task? In the beginning of the second book of The Republic of Plato, Glaucon and Adeimantus both issue challenges to Socrates regarding justice. The first challenge issued is Glaucons. Glaucon asks of Socrates that he prove that, it is in every way better to be just than ... Read More

The Role of Religion and Values in the Works of Nietzsche a Philosopher and a Poet (1570 words, 4 pages)

As philosopher and poet Nietzsche's work is not easily conformable to the traditional schools of thought within philosophy. However, an unmistakable concern with the role of religion and values penetrates much of his work. Contrary to the tradition before him, Nietzsche launches vicious diatribes against Christianity and the dualistic philosophies ... Read More

An Introduction to the Analysis of True Identity (878 words, 2 pages)

True Identity. Does being an individual require having a green Mohawk and a pierced nose? I see so many kids walking around trying to act punk. Not because there escaping the conformists that plague society, but because they want to fit in. Then once the person is in the group ... Read More

Transcendentalism in Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson and in Walking by Henry David Thoreau (713 words, 1 pages)

Concepts of Nature Transcendentalism was an important philosophical and literary movement in New England from 1836 to 1860. This new development portrays the belief that humans can intuitively transcend the limits of the senses and logic and receive higher truth directly from nature. Both Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David ... Read More

The Thinking of a Transcendentalists (1019 words, 4 pages)

Transcendentalism is the view that the basic truth of the universe lies beyond the knowledge obtained from the senses, a knowledge that transcendentalists regard as the mere appearance of things (Adventures 162). Transcendentalists believe the mind is where ideas are formed. The transcendentalist ideas of God, man, and the universe ... Read More

A Comparison of Two Major Belief Systems in the 1800s: Transcendentalists and Dissenters (502 words, 1 pages)

Transcendentalists vs. Dissenters In the 1800s, transcendentalism was one way of belief. Man and Nature were looked at as being good. Ralph Waldo Emerson was one writer and, Henry David Thoreau was another transcendentalist believer. They used transcendentalism in their writings. Transcendentalists believed that the basic truths or meaning of ... Read More

John Locke’s and Jean Jacque Rousseau’s Opinions on the Natural State of Man (499 words, 1 pages)

Two philosophers, John Locke and Jean Jacque Rousseau had varying opinions on the natural state of man. Locke mentioned that, Since every man is equal and since most man do not concern themselves with equality and justice, the enjoyment of rights in the state of nature is unsafe and insecure. ... Read More

An Analysis of Materialism in Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous (319 words, 1 pages)

Philonous, in Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous, attacks Hylas arguments toward the distinction between primary and secondary qualities. The distinction between primary and secondary qualities is a peculiarity between qualities which depend for their existence on the relation between an object and a perceptual device. An example of this ... Read More

An Analysis of How Wisdom Works in Human Beings (518 words, 1 pages)

How Wisdom seems to Work All of us can picture scenarios in our minds when thoughts have suddenly dropped in "out of the blue". Wisdom, too, seems to descend on us, usually just when we need it, but sometimes when it might provide a lesson to us after we've messed ... Read More

An Analysis of Life’s Purpose in Summa Theoligiae by Thomas Aquinas (3180 words, 4 pages)

What is humankinds purpose in life? What does it mean to be happy? What is happiness, and where do we find it? These are some of the questions I have had in mind for the past few years, and ones which are very hard to fathom, much less answer. However, ... Read More

Cosmic Humanism vs. Secular Humanism (913 words, 2 pages)

Cosmic Humanism vs Secular Humanism One of man's wrong objects of faith is himself. Humanism rests on the conviction that man's intellect as he uses the scientific method can bring solutions to all his problems and answers to all his questions. Man needs no outside help. He has in himself ... Read More

A Comparison of Descartes’ and Plato’s Views and Opinions on the Methods of Doubt and Recollection (701 words, 1 pages)

Philosophical Argument Final Copy Although they differ in method, both Descartes and Plato share relatable views and opinions on the methods of doubt and recollection. Each philosopher is able to color in his method with theoretical insight and depth. There is a recognizable link between the two methods. Descartes uses ... Read More

A Biography of Karl Marx (1543 words, 3 pages)

-2- Karl Marx was born 1818 in Western Germany. He would become one of the worlds most inspirational and non-conformist thinkers of his time. Although, he struggled throughout his adult life to survive and provide for his family, he was driven by his interest in human economics and life to ... Read More

A Critical Analysis of Idealism, Realism and Anti-Realism (1329 words, 3 pages)

Metaphysics In this essay I will critically analyze three views of metaphysics. These will include idealism, realism and antirealism. I will present and then assess the premises and claims of each of these theories. I will then base my conclusion on that assessment. The first view of metaphysics that is ... Read More

How to Find Your Unlimited Knowledge in Socrates Theory of Recollection (379 words, 1 pages)

The theory of recollection, according to Socrates, means that before we are born we possess all knowledge. We are never taught anything new, but instead reminded of things we already know. Socrates deduces this from the argument that the soul is immortal, "as the soul is immortal, has been born ... Read More

The Views of Mencius and Hsun-tzu on Heaven (376 words, 1 pages)

November 17, 1999 The Views of Mencius and Hsun-tzu on Heaven. Mencius believes that it is our nature and mind that determine what we are. It is our fate that governs our fortunes and determines our lease on life. Fate was originally a patent to a fief-holder, given by the ... Read More

An Overview of Different Definition of Reason and Emotion by Plato (1945 words, 3 pages)

What is reason and what is emotion? Can these two concepts play a big role in someones life, and can they work together? Reason are the mental powers concerned with forming conclusions, judgments or inferences, good sense. Emotion or passion is the strong agitation of the feelings caused by experiencing ... Read More

Nature and Reason in Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan and Plato’s Republic (1081 words, 2 pages)

By comparing and contrasting the requirements necessary for the appropriation of knowledge or wisdom in the examples of both Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan and Plato in The Republic an explanation will be given as to the relationship between nature and reason. In using this explanation it will illustrate the differing ... Read More

A Biography of Aristotle (1160 words, 3 pages)

The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle was an amazing individual who possessed a multitude of talents ranging from mastery of rhetoric to interest in physiology. Aristotle lived during the fourth century B.C. in ancient Greece. The culture of the Greeks during this time differs greatly from our present day life and ... Read More

An Introduction to the History of Descartes (2340 words, 3 pages)

Over time, means through which creatures have communicated with each other have evolved. From this, we now have words that supposedly carry meaning with them through which we are able to express our ideas and feelings to other. It is my opinion though, that we still do not have a ... Read More

Descartes, Method of Doubt and Existence of God (1123 words, 2 pages)

The existence of God has been a question since the idea of God was conceived Descartes tries to prove God's existence, and to show that there is without a doubt something external to ones own existence. He is looking for a definite certainty, a foundation for which he can base ... Read More

An Introduction to the Analysis of a Good Life; Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Buddha (1332 words, 2 pages)

Some questions in life do not have an absolute answer. There are certain circumstances that are so complicated that cause people to have many different views and opinions on it. The question, what is necessary in order to live a good life is an example of a question with multiple ... Read More

Philosophical Issues from the Perspectives of Dispositional and Humanistic Perspectives (2085 words, 4 pages)

Description This essay was for a 2nd year psychology class called 'personality'. The essay asked the writer to examine several philosophical issues from both a dispositional and humanistic perspective. Abstract For many years, the argument over which perspective on personality is the more valid has been debated. Two of the ... Read More

An Argument Against the Perfectibility of the Mass of Mankind (1772 words, 3 pages)

The advocate for the perfectibility of man, and of society, retorts on the defender of establishments a more than equal contempt. He brands him as the slave of the most miserable and narrow prejudices or as the defender of the abuses. of civil society only because he profits by them. ... Read More

The Speech of Love by Phaedrus in Plato’s Symposium (2092 words, 3 pages)

As much as our society has become involved in the advancement of feminism and the equality of the sexes, there is one fact that neither gender can ignore none can survive without the other. Love and the want of a soul mate keeps each member of man and womankind in ... Read More

The Development of the Situationist International (733 words, 1 pages)

In 1957, a merging between the Letterist International and COBRA art groups took place. The result was the Situationist International, a group that sought to redefine revolutionary theory. The group was a kind of global critique of capitalism, and they were very much influenced by Marxist theory. Though small, group ... Read More

An Analysis of Plato’s The Republic (1080 words, 2 pages)

The Republic written by Plato examines many things. It mainly is about the Good life. Plato seems to believe that the perfect life is led only under perfect conditions which is the perfect society. Within the perfect society there would have to be justice. In the Republic it seems that ... Read More

The Nature and Origins of War (962 words, 2 pages)

Plato states that the "nature and origin of war" has to do with a nations desire for wealth and luxury at the expense of its neighbors. Although this has some truth, I dont think that its the only factor which causes war to break out. In this paper, I will ... Read More

God and Religion According to John Mackie a Philosopher (1341 words, 4 pages)

A theist is a person whose belief in God is based upon three premises. The three premises are God is omnipotent, God is wholly good, and evil exists. However, many people are skeptical to this belief, claiming that an omnipotent and wholly good God would not allow evil to exist. ... Read More

Philosophy Essay Examples