Reprising this on why some cultures become great explorers and others stay home: the role of metaphysics. “And as for trying to sail down the west African coast, everyone knew that as soon as you passed the Canary Islands you would be in the Mare Tenebroso, the Sea of Darkness: ‘In the medieval imagination [writes […]
On the dangers of exploration — medieval version Read More »
Stephen Hicks discusses Jean-Paul Sartre’s famous phrase “existence precedes essence” and its implications for the Existentialist view of human nature. This is from Part 11 of his Philosophy of Education course. (See also my episode on Sartre’s essay “Existentialism Is a Humanism’ in the Philosophers, Explained series.)
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This is my grandfather’s axe. My father replaced the head. I replaced the handle. My daughter added some tape to the handle. Is it still my grandfather’s axe? Ship of Theseus problems: “The ship wherein Theseus and the youth of Athens returned from Crete had thirty oars, and was preserved by the Athenians down even
My grandfather’s axe Read More »
This week in Contemporary European Philosophy we are reading Martin Heidegger’s “What Is Metaphysics?” In this recent survey (dominated by philosophers from the English-speaking world), Heidegger ranks as the 18th most-identified-with non-living philosopher. “What Is Metaphysics?” was first delivered in 1929 as Heidegger’s inaugural lecture at the University of Freiburg. Here is my summary of
Heidegger’s “What Is Metaphysics?” Read More »
Stephen Hicks summarizes Ayn Rand’s metaphysics and epistemology with a quotation from Francis Bacon. This is from Part 12 of his Philosophy of Education course. Previous: Cognitive tabula rasa. Next: Human nature: mind/body integration, volition, reason and emotion, tabula rasa morally. Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to the StephenHicks.org main page.
Francis Bacon’s “Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed” Read More »
Stephen Hicks discusses Ayn Rand’s concept of cognitive tabula rasa. This is from Part 12 of his Philosophy of Education course. Previous: Empiricism Next: Francis Bacon’s “Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed” Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to the StephenHicks.org main page.
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Stephen Hicks discusses Ayn Rand’s empiricism. This is from Part 12 of his Philosophy of Education course. Previous: Objectivity Next: Cognitive tabula rasa Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to the StephenHicks.org main page.
Stephen Hicks discusses the Objectivism’s view of consciousness as relational. This is from Part 12 of his Philosophy of Education course. Previous: “The Primacy of Existence”. Next: Objectivity. Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to the StephenHicks.org main page.
Consciousness as relational Read More »