Philosophy Essays Examples For College & High School Students in PDF

10142 total results

An Analysis of the Structure of the Inferno by Dante (984 words, 1 pages)

The journey of Dante through Hell, in both its structure and content, symbolizes the nature of sin and punishment. The structure of the book takes the reader step by step through greater and greater sins. The content of the book shows the different punishments for sins which are symbolic of ... Read More

A Look at the Moral Philosophy of Utilitarianism and Its Perspective of Life (2750 words, 4 pages)

Utilitarianism is a version of moral philosophy, initiated by Jeremy Bentham and refined and popularized by John Stuart Mill, which, true to its etymology, is concerned above all with the usefulness of human activity. Utilitarianism has been one of the most influential of ethical theories, and the one most widely ... Read More

An Examination of Rene Descartes’ Skeptical Argument and Responses by Bouwsma and Malcolm (2361 words, 6 pages)

In this essay, I will examine Rene Descartes' skeptical argument and responses by O.K. Bouwsma and Norman Malcolm. I intend to prove that while both Bouwsma and Malcolm make points that refute specific parts of Descartes' argument in their criticisms, neither is sufficient in itself to refute the whole. In ... Read More

An Introduction and the Definition of Stress (2209 words, 3 pages)

Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Defining Stress III. Types of Stress IV. How to Handle Stress V. Recognizing Stress VI. The Military and Stress VII. Summary I. INTRODUCTION Since the beginning of mankind there has always been some kind of stress affecting how people feel, act and cope with ... Read More

A Comparison of Ideologies of Conservatism, Liberalism and Socialism (671 words, 1 pages)

Conservatism, liberalism and socialism can be called ideologies, as they constitute comprehensive set of beliefs and attitudes about social and economic institutions and processes (Lawson, 44). These three ideologies, which have been developed throughout history, share both similarities and differences. Conservatism, unlike liberalism, generally opposes radical changes in social and ... Read More

The Concept of Consent in the Works of John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1590 words, 2 pages)

Consenting Adults The idea of consent is a key element in the works of John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In the Second Treatise of Government, Locke puts forth his conception of the ideal form of government based on a social contract. As Locke develops his theory of consent, he also ... Read More

The Life of Confucius and Confucianism (756 words, 3 pages)

Confucius and Confucianism LIFE OF CONFUCIUS Confucius was believed to have been born in 551 BC., in the state of Lu, known today as the Shandong province. His parents, who died while he was a child, named him Kong Qui. Confucius was derived from the Latin word Kongfuzi which means ... Read More

A Comparison of Lao Tzu and Machiavelli (794 words, 2 pages)

Comparison of Lao Tzu and Machiavelli It is obvious to most people the differences between black and white, light and darkness, or Pepsi and Coca-Cola. Many people have different preferences for each of these things, as well as different views about them. While one person may argue that Pepsi is ... Read More

David Hume Opposed Strongly the Idea of a Self in Human’s Identity (874 words, 2 pages)

Is there an "I", or a "self"? What exactly does this "self" refer to? These are questions raised by personal identity that many philosophers have attempted to answer. Most people would probably believe that they have a self, but there are people and philosophers that think differently. One such philosopher ... Read More

A Comparison of Freedom, Rousseau, Marx and Mills (2846 words, 4 pages)

Compare the conception of freedom by any two of the following Rousseau, Marx and Mills. Freedom in the most basic terms is a license to do what one wishes. Citizens can experiment with certain behaviour both good and bad, without becoming criminals. The idea of freedom has been one that ... Read More

A Overview of Jeremy Bentham’s Legal Obligation (3132 words, 5 pages)

Legal obligation is both Bentham's and Hart's central concern. Yet, Dworkin does not really make an account on this topic, but rather criticising positivist theses. Thus, I will first make a brief summary of Bentham's and Hart's account of legal obligation, before I make a comparison of all the three ... Read More

Karl Marx Established Idea of Communist Society in Response to Capitalism (716 words, 1 pages)

Communistic Society Karl Marx, a 19th century philosopher, is credited with establishing and developing the idea of a communist society in response to modern capitalism in the early 1800s. Communism is the theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the ... Read More

An Introduction to the Theories About Communism by Karl Marx (890 words, 2 pages)

One of the main themes within the study of Marxism is the idea that all social change is a result of conflict between existing classes within society. Marx believed that this concept could be applied throughout all of history and would continue to exist, ultimately resulting in a proletariat revolution ... Read More

A Biography of K’ung Fu Tzu a Philosopher from China (2151 words, 3 pages)

K'ung Fu Tzu (commonly pronounced Confucius in English) was born in 551 B.C.E. in the state of Lu (modern day Shantung Province). He lived during the Chou dynasty, and era known for its moral laxity. Later in life, he wandered through many states of China, giving advice to their rulers. ... Read More

Presentation of Philosophical Optimism in Candide by Voltaire (1050 words, 2 pages)

Philosophical Optimism Life, death, and existence every sentient beings at one time or another have perused each concepts in regards to their own lives, questioning the very philosophy that they had so easily accepted. In the novel Candide by Voltaire, Candide the nave protagonist of the story who, though pummeled ... Read More

An Analysis of the Theory of Optimism in Candide by Francois Marie Arouet de Voltaire (1246 words, 4 pages)

Candide - A Contrast to Optimism Francois Marie Arouet de Voltaire was the French author of the novella Candide, also known as "Optimism"(Durant and Durant 724). In Candide, Voltaire sought to point out the fallacy of Gottfried William von Leibniz's theory of optimism and the hardships brought on by the ... Read More

An Analysis of Descartes Statement “I Think Therefore I Exist” in the Debate About Certainty of Existence (1757 words, 2 pages)

Descartes' statement "I think therefore I exist" raises questions about the meaning of thought, the meaning of existence but most fundamentally, in what sense he can be certain. The difficulty in establishing the certainty of "I think" and "I exist" is that the two concepts are interrelated. Thus, for example, ... Read More

Can Capitalism Lead to Human Happiness? (1054 words, 2 pages)

Can Capitalism Lead to Human Happiness? Capitalism is good at meeting many of our wants but has "big blind spots when it comes to others," such as family relationships, a sense of community. Capitalism, by unleashing rapid changes in technology, business organization, and social and economic status, sometimes undermines institutions ... Read More

The Recipe to Greatness Ad Success from Through a Person’s Motivation (410 words, 1 pages)

Best. Webster's dictionary defines "best" as the most excellent sort to the highest degree. Although the word is commonly used, there are many variations for it's exact interpretation. I believe "Being the Best that I Can Be" is partial to the speaker's mindset. The best of anything is frequently used ... Read More

The Ideas of Hobbes and Augustine in The Lord of Flies by William Golding (858 words, 2 pages)

Augustine believes that the condition of war arises when the perfectly ordered and harmonious enjoyment of God is disrupted (The City of God, 690) whereas Hobbes believes that the original state of nature is a condition of constant war, which rational and self-motivated people want to end. Augustine argues that ... Read More

Analyzing Aristotle’s Idea of “Golden Mean of Moderation” (558 words, 2 pages)

Is life really about the 'money', the 'cash', the 'hoes', who has the biggest gold chain or who drives the shiniest or fastest car, who sells the most albums or who has the most respect? Aristotle challenges views, which are similar to the ones held and shown by rap artists ... Read More

Courage According to Aristotele (783 words, 1 pages)

Aristotle considers courage and every other moral virtue to be a mean between two extremes. If one had an excess of fear combined with a lack of confidence, fear would affect the decisions of such a person and one would display cowardice. If the inverse were true, that person would ... Read More

Aristotle’s Idea of the Human Good in Bringing Happiness (1260 words, 2 pages)

Aristotle and The Human Good In book I, Nichomachean Ethics Aristotle argues the highest end is the human good, and claims that the highest end pursued in action is happiness, "What is the highest of all goods pursued in action...most people virtually agreeabout what the good is, since both the ... Read More

Aristotle’s Beliefs Upon The Existence and Purpose of Human Life (583 words, 1 pages)

Aristotles and Modern Thought Aristotles thoughts of ethics conclude that all humans must have a purpose in life in order to be happy. I believe that some of the basics of his ideas still hold true today. This essay points out some of those ideas. It was Aristotles belief that ... Read More

A Comparison of the Eastern and Western Occasionalists (1453 words, 2 pages)

Arabia vs. Europe Who were the true occasionalists? To begin a comparison between occasionalists from the eastern and western hemispheres of the world, a clear definition of Occasionalism must be stated. Occasionalism is the belief that everything is caused by God, from the motion of the tiniest spider, as it ... Read More

Ethics According to Thomas Aquinas and Thomas Hobbes (1048 words, 2 pages)

In his writings on Early Christian Ethics, Thomas Aquinas proposed the existence of four distinct types of laws. These laws are eternal, natural, human, and divine. Aquinas defines eternal law as that which orders everything in the universe. It is a cosmos which issues from the will and wisdom of ... Read More

The Two Different Styles of Speech Socrates Uses in the Apology and the Crito (264 words, 1 pages)

You can see two different styles of speech that Socrates uses in the Apology and the Crito. In the Apology , Socrates was defending himself and trying to prove his innocence. In the Crito , Socrates was telling his beliefs in the whole truth. You will see that he speaks ... Read More

An Analysis of the Analects by Confucius (1377 words, 2 pages)

The spiritual cornerstone of the oldest living and most populous civilization on Earth, The Analects by Confucius has inspired people all over the world with it's strong humanistic ideals. The book seems to be a record of various conversations between Confucius and his disciples and with the rulers of his ... Read More

An Analysis and a Brief Summary of the Aspects of Transcendentalism (607 words, 1 pages)

Some aspects of Transcendentalism can be applied in today's society, while others have lost their relevance due to the changes of social and economic conditions since the time of Thoreau. The Transcendentalists' goal was to create a Utopia in America. They believed in a society without rules in which you ... Read More

An Analysis and the Explanation of the Analogy of the Cave by Plato (790 words, 1 pages)

Plato was a philosopher living in Athens during the Hellenistic period. He was an aristocrat, but did not venture into politics, instead having a love of philosophy instilled in him by his tutor, Socrates. Plato thought and taught philosophy his whole life, and unlike Socrates wrote his ideas down in ... Read More

Philosophy Essay Examples