Philosophy Overview

Stoicism

• Core Teachings: Achieve tranquility by accepting what cannot be changed, focus on controllable aspects.
• Practices:
  • Live in harmony with nature.
  • Exercise self-discipline.
  • Maintain inner calm during external events.
• Key Principles:
  • Dichotomy of control.
  • Embrace hardships for growth.
  • Promote virtues: wisdom, courage, self-control, justice, temperance.
• Encourages resilience and virtuous living.

Ancient Greek Philosophy

• Key Philosophers:
  • Socrates: Encouraged critical thinking and questioning.
  • Plato: Founded the academy; wrote on justice and the ideal state.
  • Aristotle: Explored ethics, logic, metaphysics.
• Impact: Influenced science, politics, and intellectual pursuits.

Buddhism

• Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).
• Core Concepts:
  • Overcome suffering.
  • Four Noble Truths: understanding suffering, its end, path to liberation.
  • Eightfold Path.
• Central Practices:
  • Mindfulness.
  • Meditation.
• Goal: Achieve Nirvana (freedom from suffering and rebirth).
• Philosophy: Compassion, understanding, impermanence, interconnection.

Christianity

• Scripture: The Bible (Old and New Testaments).
• Teachings: Love, forgiveness, salvation.
• Core Beliefs:
  • Faith in Jesus' death and resurrection.
  • Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
  • Living a virtuous life.
• Churches: Places of worship and community.

Taoism

• Concept: Tao (the way/path), a natural cosmic force.
• Principles:
  • Yin and Yang: Balancing opposing elements.
  • Simplicity, spontaneity, acceptance of change.
  • Wu-wei: Effortless action.
• Text: Tao Te Ching by Laozi.
• Values: Humility, interconnection, alignment with the universe.

Nihilism

• Belief: Life lacks inherent meaning or value.
• Themes:
  • Skepticism towards authority.
  • Existentialism and absurdity.
• Urges: Individual creation of meaning in an uncertain world.

Existentialism

• Focus: Individual existence and freedom.
• Themes:
  • Personal responsibility and choice.
  • Search for meaning in an indifferent universe.
• Philosophers: Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus.
• Emphasis: Defining essence through actions.

Absurdism

• Roots: Existentialism.
• View: Life is irrational, lacks predetermined meaning.
• Prominent Thinker: Albert Camus.
• Concept: Embrace absurdity and live authentically.

Marxism

• Founders: Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels.
• Critique: Capitalism and class struggles.
• Vision: Classless, stateless society (socialism, communism).
• Focus: Address social inequalities, workers' rights.

Confucianism

• Origins: Ancient China, Confucius.
• Emphasis:
  • Moral virtues and social harmony.
  • Filial piety, respect for elders.
• Text: The Analects.

Utilitarianism

• Theory: Actions are right if they maximize overall happiness.
• Founders: Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill.
• Principles:
  • Greatest good for the greatest number.
  • Outcome-focused.

Epicureanism

• Philosopher: Epicurus.
• Goal: Achieve happiness through simple pleasures and avoiding pain.
• Principles:
  • Moderation.
  • Intellectual/spiritual pleasures over physical indulgence.
• Objective: Ataraxia (inner tranquility, freedom from anxiety).

Cynicism

• Philosopher: Diogenes.
• Beliefs:
  • Reject societal norms and materialism.
  • Value simplicity and virtue over wealth/status.
• Modern Perspective:
  • Skepticism towards authority, consumerism.

Pragmatism

• Philosophers: William James, John Dewey.
• Approach: Practical application over theoretical purity.
• Focus: Problem-solving, experience, experimentation.
• Truth: Effective practice rather than abstract principles.

Phenomenology

• Philosopher: Edmund Husserl.
• Method: Explore conscious experience without preconceptions.
• Objective: Understand consciousness structures.
• Approach: Describe phenomena as lived experiences.

Feminist Philosophy

• Focus: Gender issues, gender equality advocacy.
• Exploration: Gender nature, sexism, patriarchy, intersectionality.
• Goals: Deconstruct oppression, promote inclusivity.

Skepticism

• Stance: Questioning attitude toward knowledge/beliefs.
• Forms:
  • Methodological skepticism.
  • Radical skepticism.
• Emphasis: Critical examination, evidence-based beliefs.

Kantianism

• Philosopher: Immanuel Kant.
• Principles:
  • Moral actions guided by reason and duty.
  • Categorical imperative: universal moral law.
• Focus: Autonomy, rationality, inherent worth of individuals.

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