Philosophy Stack Exchange
Philosophy Stack Exchange

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What are some philosophical works that explore constructing meaning in life from an agnostic or atheist view?

I've been deeply suicidal for years, but it's gotten worse recently. I grew up Mormon, and last year I realized I couldn't believe in it anymore. I just couldn't; it would take too long to explain. I started watching "The Good Place". I had seen it…
Emily Savage
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What did Russell intend to achieve with "The Impact of Science on Society"?

I have been reading Russell's "The Impact of Science on Society" and I found it to be a very strange book. This book has become like a Bible to some conspiracy theorists, and I can see why. However, I find it hard to see just what Russell actually…
Ben
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Physicalism + book recommendations

I'm 17 years old and I'm starting out in philosophy on my own. To get started I would like to get to know myself more and the way I think since according to what I have researched, I could define myself as someone who is a physicalist and at the…
WiseMode
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What is the difference between an 'idea' and a 'concept'?

What is the difference between an 'idea' and a 'concept'? Has a distinction between the two terms been settled and accepted by most modern philosophers?
Hal
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Why aren't Kripke semantics "syntax in disguise"?

The Wikipedia article on Kripke semantics suggests that they were considered a major breakthrough in part because algebraic semantics were seen as merely "syntax in disguise". But Kripke frames strike me as very algebraic in flavour, even if they…
jdonland
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What are the missing pieces that prevents us from deriving the laws of chemistry from physics?

What are the missing pieces that prevents us from deriving the laws of chemistry from physics? People say it's emergent properties, but it's hard to believe that there are emergent properties between physics and chemistry. Simulating physical laws…
Sayaman
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What are the practical applications of formal logic, outside of math and computer programming?

I am studying a bit of this and so far it seems that, apart from math and computer science, the discipline of Logic is very inward-facing...with logicians proving things for other logicians. This may just be a feature of the materials I am learning…
user4634
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Did any specific philosophy contribute to the world wars?

I understand how, for example, nationalism and imperialism can be said to have been causes/contributing factors behind World War 1 and how the Great Depression was a cause behind World War 2. Are there any theories on how the philosophical…
Thomas
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What does Albert Camus mean by two methods of thought, "of La Palisse and Don Quixote"?

In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus says that there are two methods of thought to conclude that the meaning of life is the most urgent of questions: those of La Palisse and Don Quixote: Whether the earth or the sun revolves around the other is a matter…
virtuous
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Is Socrates mocking Ion in Plato's dialogue?

In "Ion", Socrates argues that Ion's poetic talents are a gift of the gods, but not the product of any knowledge/skills. Ion naturally takes that as a compliment, being called "divine", but is Socrates being ironic and just mocking Ion? Socrates'…
YoMrWhite
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If Socrates said he was ignorant but was in fact knowledgeable, was he simply a liar?

According to "Does the center hold?" by Donald D. Palmer, Socrates's main argument during his trial was that "he knew nothing". But Socrates discussed various topics with many people, he had knowledge in many areas. Can we then consider him a liar?
Jaja bae
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Comedy we play everyday and pretend everything is fine?

I am sure it has a name or is covered by a movement, and I am sure that many philosophers have already talked about this, but I have this on my mind more and more everyday. It is obvious, but how can we literally ignore the fact that we are in the…
BestAboutMe
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Can science work without mathematical formulations?

Ernst Mayr in his last book titled "What Makes Biology Unique?" argues that many of the theories in biology do not need any mathematical support. He says that much of biology is only conceptual and cannot be describe by mathematical formulations. In…
Remi.b
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Is scientific progress an illusion?

I was reading CS Lewis's ideas on Chronological snobbery. What stuck to me is the question of whether in a century's time we are all going to bemoan how ignorant humanity was in the 21'st century. Some may think the age of enlightenment was the…
Neil Meyer
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How does Whitehead explain repeated attempts of remembrance/recollection?

In Process and Reality one of the main concepts Whitehead talks about is the symbolic reference. A derivative element of the connection between symbolic type and meaning type of species (in Whitehead's terms) in the usage of language is the act of…
Yechiam Weiss
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