Western Philosophy Essays Examples For College & High School Students in PDF

343 total results

The Renaissance Giants Erasmus and Montaigne (1035 words, 3 pages)

Erasmus and Montaigne are both well known as European Renaissance giants that write and ruminating on profound philosophical questions while envision for humanist in their own ideal society. The fact that even though they have passed away long times ago, their work, epic quotations and unique insights still remain with ... Read More

An Analysis and the Definitions of the Live and Dead by Montaigne (1143 words, 4 pages)

Topic 1Montaigne, who talked about his philosophical ideas in his Essays, and he explain many ideas from a new approach. Instead of explaining tones of definitions about live or dead, cruelty or sympathy Montaigne used examples from the past to illustrate his points of view. Just like Montaigne said Others ... Read More

Kant’s View on Moral Worth and Worth of an Action (1234 words, 4 pages)

According to Kant, the worth of an action from duty comes from the principle or law that forms its basis, and this might be defined as the motivation of the will in doing the action. So, taken together, the action from duty means respect. Kant states that no certain example ... Read More

The General Will Should Be the Basis for Governance According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1211 words, 4 pages)

Political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that people are best governed according to the general will but the peoples interests are at odds with this principle. His political theory provides a basis for understanding why people are unable to live according to the concept of the general will. Rousseau explains that ... Read More

The Fundamental Beliefs and the Role of Faith in Western Philosophy (1786 words, 7 pages)

Philosophy has always been a major preoccupation of virtually allcultures since the beginnings of recorded history. No matter thecivilization, it seems that humanity is endlessly determined to identifyactual reasons for existence. Many of the most esteemed Westernphilosophers focus on the role of God in dictating how mankind functions,perceives, and seeks ... Read More

An Argument Against the Rene Descartes’ Claim That Animals are Thoughtless Machines in Our Society (2368 words, 7 pages)

Many people own pets and think that their pets are extremely smart because they think about their daily activities. Rene Descartes argued that animals are just thoughtless machines who do not actually think I disagree completely with Rene Descartes because today studies and animal behaviors show that in fact animals ... Read More

An Analysis of Environmental Philosophy in the Trouble with Wilderness by William Cronon (633 words, 2 pages)

William Cronons, The Trouble With Wilderness, has to be one of the most comprehensive works on environmental philosophy I have read through out this course thus far. In 2015 with the environment a major topic not only on political stages in various countries but also in classrooms among young people ... Read More

A History of the Transcendentalist Movement (1490 words, 6 pages)

The Transcendentalist movement established a new profound and everlasting culture in America. Transcendentalist widely believed in the notion of spirituality as a source to obtain enlightenment. They aspired to connect with nature and ones soul. Therefore, many transcendentalists were different from the usual norms of society, during the nineteenth century. ... Read More

An Introduction to the Validity of Hard Determinism (1329 words, 6 pages)

To evaluate the validity of hard determinism as a sound philosophical theory, one must first consider other theories regarding free will and whether we possess it. A hard determinist such as Laplace would claim that human beings are not free to initiate any actions or make decisions, which are all ... Read More

A Discussion on Rene Descartes’ Philosophy Related to Epistemology and the Quest for Absolute Knowledge (2420 words, 9 pages)

The search for knowledge has existed as long as humans have walked this earth. From the primitive study of the plants and animals that coexisted with early homo-sapiens, to the most recent advances in science and technology, the thirst for truth continues to build in the minds of all. But ... Read More

An Analysis of Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche (1225 words, 5 pages)

The Future Belongs To Nietzsche Nietzsche has completely destroyed the possibility of Lockean Liberal Democracy as well as Socialism and Communism. The future belongs to Nietzsche Discuss.Through Nietzsches work Beyond Good and Evil, he completely destroys the possibility of Lockean Liberal Democracy as well as Socialism and Communism. He does ... Read More

An Analysis of the Romantics’ Relationship With Nature (526 words, 2 pages)

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit. When I see this I cannot help but think of Romantics and the Romantic that wrote this, Ralph Waldo Emerson. This aphorism is still present today and while it may not be appearing as often as before because of urbanization, it is ... Read More

Every Aspect of Life That Can Be Explained Through Science and Technology (1577 words, 5 pages)

We are now in the 21st century and in a world where every aspect of life can be explained through science and technology. Through mankinds scientific knowledge, we have concluded thinking and our emotions originate from our brain. We classify this as fact, but can there be another force that ... Read More

An Introduction to the Analysis of Utilitarianism (2440 words, 4 pages)

Utilitarianism is a theory which measures the scope and freedom of individual liberty under state authority (Hinman ). It argues that peoples actions should produce the benefit for society. The well-being of the majority is a priority over ones happiness.The entire purpose of morality is to make the world a ... Read More

A Discussion on the Views on Compassion of Four Different Authors (650 words, 3 pages)

Throughout the past several weeks of this Honors course, we have studied compassion and the components that surround it. Despite reading selections from several different and unique authors- Boyle, Anderson, Jesus and Buddha- there is an underlying theme within the idea of compassion from each author acceptance and understanding. More ... Read More

The Biography of Henry David Thoreau 1917-1862 (1195 words, 2 pages)

Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on July 12, 1817. He was born to parents that were very intelligent, yet poor and undistinguished. Despite their struggle with poverty, "their home was a center of affection and vivacity." Thoreau was the third of four children and he showed an ... Read More

An Analysis of Descartes’ First Meditation and the Beginning of the Second Meditation (558 words, 1 pages)

Analyze in detail Descartes First Meditation and the beginning of the Second Meditation. Do you believe Montaigne could not reply to Descartes and therefore that Descartes has succeeded in defeating skepticism? Descartes First Meditation sought out to offer reasons to doubt everything in order to, after taking doubt into consideration, ... Read More

An Introduction to the Life of John Locke an English Philosopher (1134 words, 2 pages)

John Locke John Locke was an English philosopher. He was born at Wrington, Somerset, on August 29, 1932. He had attended the University of Oxford. Locke had spent his boyhood in Beluton, near the village of Pensford. But the house no longer stands there. Locke s parents, John Locke and ... Read More

Aristotle’s Refutation of Plato’s Theory of Ideas (1250 words, 2 pages)

Aristotle refutes Plato's Theory of Ideas on three basic grounds that theexistence of Ideas contradicts itself by denying the possibility ofnegations that his illustrations of Ideas are merely empty metaphors andthat they theory uses impermanent abstractions to create examples ofperception. Though the theory is meant to establish concrete standards forthe ... Read More

An Overview of the Ideas of John Locke a Thinker and Philosopher (1970 words, 3 pages)

Perhaps one of, if not the, most historically influential political thinkers of the western world was John Locke. John Locke, the man who initiated what is now known as British Empiricism, is also considered highly influential in establishing grounds, theoretically at least, for the constitution of the United States of ... Read More

An Analysis and an Introduction to the Philosophy of Ren Descartes (490 words, 1 pages)

Out of all the philosophers we have examined in this unit, Ren Descartes (On Thinking and the Soul) presents the best argument about what a soul and body are. In contrast, I believe that Locke s interpretation of the body, mind, soul and self was my least favorite interpretation. Ren ... Read More

An Introduction to John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism (1109 words, 2 pages)

JOHN STUART MILL S UTILITARIANISM Along with other noted philosophers, John Stuart Mill developed the nineteenth century philosophy known as Utilitarianism - the contention that man should judge everything in life based upon its ability to promote the greatest individual happiness. While Bentham, in particular, is acknowledged as the philosophy ... Read More

An Analysis of Faith of Paul Tillich (711 words, 2 pages)

The Faith of Paul TillichThe Dynamics of Faith is an in-depth look at what faith is from a theological perspective. Tillich seems to be replying to all of the writers we have read thus far and placing their arguments within the context of faith. Nowhere is this more apparent than ... Read More

A Historical Overview of Existentialism (1196 words, 5 pages)

Existentialism refers to the philosophical movement or tendency of thenineteenth and twentyth centuries. Because of the diversity of positions associatedwith existentialism, a precise definition is impossible however, it suggests one majortheme a stress on individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individualfreedom, and choice 3. Existentialism also refers to a family ... Read More

Utopian Literature as a Mirror for Problems in Contemporary Society (1492 words, 3 pages)

The vision of one century is often the reality of the next (Nelson 108). Throughout time, great minds have constructed their own visions of utopia. Through the study of utopias, one finds that these perfect societies have many flaws. For example, most utopias tend to have an authoritarian nature (Manuel ... Read More

An Analysis of the Extent of the Legislative Power By John Locke (1014 words, 2 pages)

Locke on Politics, Religion, and Education- chap. 1 JOHN LOCKEON THE EXTENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE POWER It is easy to see where the philosophy behind our countrys system of government was derived from when you read any of Lockes essays on civil government. In fact if you have read our ... Read More

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Hegel a Pantheist (1457 words, 2 pages)

1. Hegel is a pantheist, meaning that he believes that everytng toeather comes to being God. Subsequently he believes that everythenig is one, menatin gtat reason and reality actually are the same thing, fuirtheremore Hegel believst that reality is reason, this is his first Principle. In contrast to this Kant ... Read More

A Comparison of Locke’s and Descartes’ Philosophy (1605 words, 2 pages)

The new view of the world comes from new developments in the sciences. The new views and developments contradicted some of the most fundamental ideas that were held in the world at the time. The philosophers associated with this new view of the world are Copernicus, Kepler, Bacon, Galileo, Descartes, ... Read More

An Analysis of a Passage in Meditations on First Philosophy by René Descartes (1419 words, 2 pages)

How do we know what we know? Ideas reside in the minds of intelligent beings, but a clear perception of where these ideas come from is often the point of debate. It is with this in mind that Ren Descartes set forth on the daunting task to determine where clear ... Read More

Descartes View on the Objective of Meditations (2288 words, 4 pages)

Descartes overall objective in the Meditations is to question knowledge. To explore such issues as the existence of God and the separation of mind and body, it was important for him to distinguish what we can know as truth. He believed that reason as opposed to experience was the source ... Read More

Western Philosophy Essay Examples