When we reason, we use inferences. In philosophy, where people like to order and categorize things, there are three types of inferences: deduction, induction, abduction. We all use them daily (especially the last two), but we do not always realize what they are, how they work, and what are their strengths and weaknesses. Recently, I … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Deduction, Induction, Abduction?
Tension in Enlightenment Project
One of the more striking incoherences characteristic of the Enlightenment is the struggle to establish a naturalistic foundation for morality and ethics. Given the success of the natural sciences and overall confidence in the human cognitive capacities to understand and explain nature in a purely mechanistic way, the hopes of Enlightenment thinkers must have been … Continue reading Tension in Enlightenment Project
Spreading the Word: Kierkegaard’s Existentialism
Sometimes, when you feel down, all you really want is to feel understood, have a sense of companionship. Among philosophers, existentialists are probably the best place to go for that feeling of fellow humanity. Here is a short video introducing Soren Kierkegaard, "a companion for our darkest moments." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9JCwkx558o Keeping up the "Spreading the Word" … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Kierkegaard’s Existentialism
Philosophical Notes: Is Kant an Enlightenment Thinker?
There are different views about this question. Some scholars see the 18th-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant as one of the central Enlightenment thinkers, while others claim that in him we can already see the shift away from the self-confident optimism about the power of human reason that marked the Enlightenment age. However, any answer to … Continue reading Philosophical Notes: Is Kant an Enlightenment Thinker?
Spreading the Word: Relaxing Morning Walk
Enjoy this relaxing early morning walk video. I found this channel's walk videos very beautiful and calming. Something many of us need these days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgSjJVRH6wY Keeping up the "Spreading the Word" tradition, every weekend, I hope to share with you an article I've read or a video I've seen and considered to be inspiring and … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Relaxing Morning Walk
Al-Ghazali and Artificial Intelligence
What can the 11th-century Islamic polymath, theologian and philosopher al-Ghazali tell us about artificial intelligence and the possibility of conscious machines, long before Alan Turing developed his imitation game, also known as the Turing test? It is impossible, moreover, to create knowledge in inanimate matter. For we understand by the inanimate that which apprehends. If … Continue reading Al-Ghazali and Artificial Intelligence
Spreading the Word: Inspirational Norse Wisdom
Enjoy this selection of inspirational Norse wisdom quotes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPe3JysjYZk Keeping up the "Spreading the Word" tradition, every weekend, I hope to share with you an article I've read or a video I've seen and considered to be inspiring and insightful. I feel it is important to take good care both of our physical and mental … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Inspirational Norse Wisdom
Complexity Of The Science And Religion History
It can be argued that history as an academic discipline, itself one of the oldest human and social sciences, can never provide a true reflection of events it claims to investigate. By 'true' I mean here 'objective' and by this I mean an account that is free from the influence of the personal interests of … Continue reading Complexity Of The Science And Religion History
Spreading the Word: History of Medieval Philosophy – Podcast on Aquinas
Recently I published a short post with my notes on the 13th-century philosopher's and Christian theologian's St Thomas Aquinas thoughts on the soul. I am continuing to research this influential and interesting thinker, and today I share with you a podcast on Aquinas, by the BBC programme In Our Time. Enjoy! Saint Thomas Aquinas by … Continue reading Spreading the Word: History of Medieval Philosophy – Podcast on Aquinas
Aquinas On Soul – Brief Notes
For St. Thomas Aquinas, any material substance (unlike immaterial, for example, angels) is a metaphysical unity made of matter and form. The substantial form is what configures or organizes the matter into this substance and not any other. For a human being, our substantial form is our soul. Human souls are rational. Therefore, according to … Continue reading Aquinas On Soul – Brief Notes
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