Philosophy Stack Exchange
Philosophy Stack Exchange

Most Popular

more tags
1500 questions
14
votes
3 answers

What are some good books about the history of philosophy in the 20th century?

I just read "The History of Western Philosophy" and liked it very much. I would like to now read a history that covers the span after Russell wrote the book, from 1940-present. Can anyone recommend a good book that explains the history of thought…
skaz
  • 243
  • 1
  • 7
14
votes
16 answers

Does consciousness depend on our five senses?

Does consciousness depend on our five senses? If we never have senses, would we have consciousness? It seems that if we lose our senses, we would maintain our consciousness. But if we never had senses to begin with? Imagine a child born without any…
Fred Oakman
  • 265
  • 1
  • 2
  • 5
14
votes
8 answers

Is free will a third option aside from chance and necessity?

The determinism dilemma is that if our actions are predetermined they are not free, and if they are random they are not willed, either way there is no free will. Even if will causation is a mixture of chance and necessity it can be split into the…
Conifold
  • 43,055
  • 4
  • 95
  • 182
14
votes
3 answers

How does Gödel's theorem apply to daily life?

I came across a simplified description of Gödel's theorem and the discussion touches on a concept of honesty (truth?) and completeness. How does Gödel's theorem apply to everyday interactions?
Motivated
  • 433
  • 5
  • 10
14
votes
4 answers

What is it that Leibniz calls a “Monad”?

What is a “monad” as introduced by Gottfried Leibniz in his Monadology? What is the purpose of monads for Leibniz' philosophical arguments? EDIT: I've found basic definitions like those found in the comments, too. However I also found rather…
scravy
  • 675
  • 1
  • 9
  • 19
14
votes
2 answers

How do I use the "Barbara, Celarent, … etc." mnemonic?

Medieval logicians memorized this most famous logic mnemonic: Barbara, Celarent, Darii, Ferio ← direct first figure Baralipton, Celantes, Dabitis, Fapesmo, Frisesomorum ← indirect first figure Cesare, Camestres, Festino, Baroco ← second…
Geremia
  • 7,954
  • 2
  • 25
  • 57
14
votes
4 answers

Proving that man is not born with certain skills?

I was arguing with my father about the nature of the human mind. I believe that a man is not born with a predetermined skill, such as painter or composer, and that through hard work and dedication, a man can learn to be just as great as Beethoven or…
bitmoe
  • 241
  • 1
  • 3
14
votes
10 answers

If a person is discriminated against, and they are not aware, is it truly discrimination and/or unjust?

I began discussing whether sexism was independent of culture, and the topic moved on to women in middle-eastern countries that may be required to wear some type of veil. Someone argued, if they were accustomed to such behaviour, they may not…
user1997744
  • 247
  • 2
  • 7
14
votes
4 answers

Are we born with Kantian Categories?

Following this question; given that Kantian Categories are required to sythesise Concepts and for the conditions of experience; does this mean that we are born with them?
Mozibur Ullah
  • 47,073
  • 14
  • 93
  • 243
14
votes
4 answers

What did Hegel mean by 'world spirit'?

I understand that Hegel intends to justify the history of mankind by stating that every town and society that has existed has been a test indirectly arranged by the 'world spirit' in order to eventually create a town in which people would live…
Werther
  • 141
  • 1
  • 1
  • 4
14
votes
5 answers

What is mathematical existence?

When I make a claim in a proof that a mathematical entity exists, is this no more than saying that the theory I'm working within is consistent, and that all the steps upto that point in the proof are allowed moves in the theory? By mathematical…
Mozibur Ullah
  • 47,073
  • 14
  • 93
  • 243
14
votes
2 answers

What are the implications of ordinary language philosophy on the study of language?

The etymology of a word does not appear to have any significance other than historical. How can we characterize the connection between the original formation of a word and its current use, or its current meaning derived from its original one? For…
Jon
  • 1,232
  • 6
  • 14
14
votes
4 answers

What is the Difference Between Human Rights and Natural Rights?

When people discuss the human rights and natural rights, there seems to be a distinction between the two, where standard interpretations of human rights (such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) are broader and incorporate rights, such as…
Kupyn
  • 243
  • 1
  • 2
  • 4
14
votes
6 answers

Arguments for/against tolerance against intolerance?

What arguments speak for/against tolerance towards intolerance? Can someone be called fully tolerant, if they don't tolerate intolerance? Hence, does tolerance exist in a pure form? On the other hand, doesn't tolerating intolerance kill tolerance?
Bob
  • 1,062
  • 8
  • 18
14
votes
7 answers

I am confused regarding my beliefs

I was born in a Muslim conservative family in Pakistan. I was taught Islam in my childhood. After growing up, I saw things differently. There was contradictions in all religious books, practices and theory. I believe in God but I deny all the…
Rabail Anjum
  • 299
  • 1
  • 10
1 2 3
…
99 100