Философия
Различные книги в жанре ФилософияA Child Sees God
In A Child Sees God, Howard Worsley explores how we can all learn from a child's perspective of the world and shows how a child's eye view of the Bible reveals many interesting ideas about ethics and morality, and provides new ways of understanding these ancient stories. By asking families to read Bible stories to their children and discuss these stories with them, recording the ensuing conversations, Howard Worsley offers not only fresh insights into the meaning and significance of these stories but also reflections on how adults can use the Biblical text in the company of children at different stages of development. Following the theory that all stories ever written fall into one of seven categories, this book shows that the themes of the Bible are no different, dividing stories into sections containing texts of wonder, adventure and leadership, terror, justice and judgement, comfort and hope, comedy, and mercy and forgiveness. This fresh look at the Bible through the eyes of children will be a fascinating read for parents, teachers, ministers, and anyone with an interest in child spirituality or ethics.
Utilitarianism
The philosophy of utilitarianism can trace its origins back thousands of years but it's most famously associated with the 18th century English philosopher Jeremy Bentham. The basic principle of utilitarianism is that ones actions should be guided towards outcomes that create the greatest good for the greatest numbers of people. This simple guiding principle creates a host of challenging moral dilemmas. John Stuart Mill's «Utilitarianism» is the classic exposition of this simple and yet complex philosophy.
The Socratic Writings (Memorabilia, Economist, Symposium, Apology, Hiero)
A Greek soldier, wealthy Athenian, Attic poet, and historian in the late 5th century B.C., Xenophon was a prolific writer and friend of Socrates during his lifetime. His «Memorabilia» directly defends the charges against Socrates, which were largely religious, but also political, in nature. This work then relates a series of episodes in which Socrates converses with a variety of individuals, from friends to rivals to important Greeks of his day, proving the value and wisdom of Socrates' teachings, as well as revealing a remarkable glimpse into everyday Athenian life. In Xenophon's «Economist,» he speaks of household organization and administration, again allowing readers to see Socrates' political philosophy and ancient Greek life from the author's perspective. Aside from being perhaps the earliest work on economics, Xenophon discusses agriculture, rural compared to urban life, the relationships of men and women, slavery, and education. «Symposium» vibrantly relates a witty dinner party in which Socrates and the author were both in attendance, and where each person present defined their idea of virtue and pride. Through an amusing contest of words, Socrates ultimately comes to praise love, particularly that of the host for the boy who he honors with the evening of entertainment. In Xenophon's «Apology,» the state of mind and defense of Socrates is related in detail at his trial and execution. The author had as eye-witness Hermogenes, and the account proves an interesting comparison to that of Plato. Finally, there is «Hiero,» an extended dialogue between the absolute dictator of Syracuse and the poet Simonides, in which they discuss how the private man has easier access to happiness than a tyrant. Through these five works, Xenophon proves his understanding and admiration for the wisdom of Socrates and both relates that knowledge and applies it to a variety of situations, revealing amazing glimpses into ancient Greece and a famous philosopher's place within it.
The Gay Science (The Joyful Wisdom)
First published in 1882 and revised in 1887, «The Gay Science (The Joyful Wisdom)» was written at the peak of Nietzsche's intellectual abilities. It includes a large number of poems and an appendix of songs, all written with the intent of encouraging freedom of the mind. While he praises the benefits of science, intellectual discipline, and skepticism, the influence of the Provençal tradition from which he drew is also an enthusiastic affirmation of life. Nietzsche additionally explores the notion of power and the idea of eternal recurrence, though not in a systematic way. Described by the philosopher himself as «perhaps my most personal book,» he produced a work that is worthy of attention from anyone with an interest in moral psychology or the most essential themes and views of Nietzsche.
Bushido, the Soul of Japan
Bushido which literally means «Way of the Warrior» is a code that has greatly influenced the culture and people of Japan. Developed in Japan between the Heian and Tokugawa ages (9th – 12th century) Bushido was the code of the Samurai. In «Bushido: The Soul of Japan» Inazo Nitobe explores how the influence of the ancient code of Bushido has had such a lasting effect on the culture and traditions of Japan.
The Age of Reason
Thomas Paine is a seminal figure in American History. An Englishman by birth, Paine immigrated to America in 1774 where he quickly took up the cause of the independence of the American colonies from England. His famous work «Common Sense» helped to gain great public support for the American Revolution and firmly established him as a central figure among the founding fathers. In «The Age of Reason» Paine turns his attention to a philosophical examination of Christianity. Within the work Paine lays the foundation of his Secularist Deist philosophy, which greatly influenced many of the founding fathers and the writing of the constitutional law of the United States of America.
Logic
Taken from his lecture notes on his introductory course on logic, Kant's philosophies in «Logic» describe his thoughts on the mental process and how it should be applied in life. Kant never set out to write a book on the subject, but his graduate student Gottlob Jaesche gathered his mentor's lecture notes together and added his own observations and explanations to the preexisting text. Included in the philosophy are historical explanations of Kant's beliefs, which detail how he arrived at his conclusions. While the book contains the highly complex extrapolations that Kant is known for, he explains his wordy tendencies by discussing the limitations of language and how difficult it can be to convey thoughts and ideas logically. However, «Logic» contains moments of true clarity and understanding; he posits that by realizing limitations, thinkers can break barriers and comprehend metaphysical ideas. Kant is best known for his three Critiques: «The Critique of Pure Reason,» «The Critique of Practical Reason,» and «The Critique of Judgment.» In large part due to these works, he is known as one of the most famous and popular thinkers of the late Enlightenment period. He is also famous for bridging the gap between the empiricists and rationalists of the time, and although various philosophers have sought to perfect and expand on his theories, his works are staples in the philosophy discourse.
The Meaning of Truth
Brother of novelist Henry James and godson of eminent philosopher, essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, William James (1842-1910) gained notoriety for the monumental contributions he made in the field of Psychology, particularly in the areas of education, religion, mysticism and pragmatism. James was a founder of The American Society for Psychological Research, and continued to write and lecture after his retirement from a thirty-two-year tenure at Harvard University. His 1907 publication of «Pragmatism», in which he promoted his philosophical doctrine on what he called radical empiricism, was subject to both praise and criticism. As a result, he published a sequel called «The Meaning of Truth» in 1909 in an effort to clarify his arguments toward objective truth. These two works, among James' last, are part of his vast repertoire of works considered to be some of the most important in American philosophical writing.
The Ethics and On the Improvement of the Understanding
"The Ethics" is the magnum opus, the most famous work of Benedict de Spinoza, considered one of the great rationalists of 17th-century philosophy. In this volume, which was published posthumously, Spinoza lays out his ethical philosophy in geometrical order, with axioms and definitions followed by propositions. «The Ethics» is divided into five parts: Part One – Concerning God, Part Two – On the Nature and Origin of the Mind, Part Three – On the Origin and Nature of the Emotions, Part Four – Of Human Bondage, or The Strength of The Emotions, and Part Five – Of the Power of the Understanding, or Of Human Freedom. Spinoza's «Ethics» is considered one of the most important philosophical treatises on the subject and a must read for all students of philosophy. Also contained in this volume is a representative selection from Spinoza's «On the Improvement of the Understanding».
The Will to Power (Volumes I and II)
First released in 1901, about one year after Nietzsche's death, «The Will to Power» is a collection of Nietzsche's unedited and unpublished writings. Though the title and all of the ideas are of the radical philosopher's own invention, the order and selection of Nietzsche's notebooks are due to the organization of his sister. As a result of his poor health, Nietzsche used his remaining energy to write a different work, leaving «The Will to Power» in the earliest stages of writing. The topics he explores vary widely and include nihilism, religion, morality, the theory of knowledge, and art. Some ideas are reflected in the works Nietzsche managed to complete in his lifetime, while others show his progression toward those ideas in his earlier life. Overall, «The Will to Power» is an opportunity to read the intellectual journaling of one of the nineteenth century's most brilliant thinkers.