Overview of Philosophical Concepts

Stoicism

• Teaches acceptance of what cannot be changed
• Focus on thoughts and actions as controllable
• Advocates living in harmony with nature
• Key principles include:
  • Dichotomy of control
  • Embracing hardships as growth opportunities
  • Promoting virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, temperance

Ancient Greek Philosophy

• Key philosophers:
  • Socrates: Emphasized questioning and critical thinking
  • Plato: Founded the Academy, wrote about justice and the ideal state
  • Aristotle: Focused on ethics, logic, and metaphysics
• Impact on fields like science and politics

Buddhism

• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
• Emphasizes overcoming suffering
• Four Noble Truths:
  • Understanding suffering
  • Origin of suffering
  • End of suffering
  • Path to liberation
• Eight-Fold Path: Encourages mindfulness
• Emphasizes impermanence and interconnection

Christianity

• The Bible (Old and New Testaments) is the Holy scripture
• Teaches love, forgiveness, and salvation through faith in Jesus
• Churches serve as community and spiritual growth centers
• Shared beliefs include the Trinity and virtue

Taoism

• Ancient Chinese philosophy centered on the concept of Tao (the way)
• Advocates harmony with the Tao, simplicity, and spontaneity
• Yin and Yang: Represents balance of opposing elements
• Text: Tao Te Ching by Laozi

Nihilism

• Rejects traditional beliefs, asserts life has no inherent meaning
• Challenges norms and moral principles
• Urges individual freedom in an indifferent universe

Existentialism

• Focuses on individual existence and freedom (19th-20th centuries)
• Key themes: personal responsibility, choice, search for meaning
• Notable existentialists: Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus

Absurdism

• Rooted in existentialism, explores life's inherent meaninglessness
• Emphasizes living authentically despite lack of meaning
• Notable proponent: Albert Camus

Marxism

• Founded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
• Critiques capitalism and promotes a classless, stateless society
• Addresses social inequalities and advocates for workers' rights

Confucianism

• Ancient Chinese ethical system attributed to Confucius
• Emphasizes moral virtues and social harmony
• Key principles: filial piety and respect for elders

Utilitarianism

• Consequentialist theory: actions are right if they maximize happiness
• Founded by Jeremy Bentham, refined by John Stuart Mill
• Focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number

Epicureanism

• Based on Epicurus' teachings on achieving happiness through simple pleasures
• Emphasizes moderation and intellectual over physical pleasures
• Goal: ataraxia (inner tranquility)

Cynicism

• Rejection of societal conventions and materialism
• Values simplicity and virtue over wealth

Pragmatism

• Developed by William James and John Dewey
• Emphasizes practical application of concepts over theoretical purity
• Truth is seen through effectiveness in practice

Phenomenology

• Developed by Edmund Husserl
• Focuses on subjective experience without preconceived notions

Feminist Philosophy

• Addresses gender issues and advocates for equality
• Explores topics like sexism and the intersections with race and class

Skepticism

• Involves questioning attitudes toward knowledge and beliefs
• Challenges the possibility of absolute knowledge

Kantianism

• Based on Immanuel Kant's philosophy
• Moral actions guided by reason and duty
• Introduces the categorical imperative: treating others as ends in themselves

For further learning, check out videos on great Roman philosophers.