Free Will
Philosopher John Searle argues that even if all our behavior is determined and we don't have determinism, there's no way to actually live according to that conviction. Quoting Immanuel Kant, Professor Searle states that, "...You can't think away you...
Unconceptualized Reality
Professor of Philosophy Hilary Putnam explains his belief that the world we can think about and talk about is a world that is conceptualizable by us.
The Realism vs. Anti-Realism Debate (Part 2)
Philosopher John Searle talks about the anti-realist view that we never actually perceive the real world and instead only perceive our own perceptions of that world. Professor Searle argues that this is incorrect, that we do, in fact, have direct pe...
The Nature of the Mind
Philosopher Hilary Putnam describes his current view of the mind, stating that we actually see and experience the external world, and not just an internal representation of it.
Philosophy of Ethics (Part Two), The
Philosopher Stephen Toulmin elaborates on his thoughts regarding Kant, Bentham and ethics. Professor Toulmin points out that when Kant wrote general treatises on the philosophy of ethics, his intent was not to provide axioms, but to simply explain "...
Philosophy of Ethics (Part One), The
Philosopher Stephen Toulmin argues that neither Immanuel Kant nor Jeremy Bentham believed that there's an absolute moral formula that can be applied in all cases.
Can Rules Define Morality?: Kantian Ethics
"Can Rules Define Morality?" addresses Immanuel Kant's rights-based theories of ethics, the categorical imperative. What was new about Kant's moral philosophy is that a superhuman authority is not necessary to determine morality. Our own reason, he ...
Wittgenstein and Language (Part Two)
Philosopher Stephen Toulmin continues his exploration of language and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Professor Toulmin explains that Wittgenstein worked throughout his career to understand, "...how it is possible at all that there should be such a thing as a ...
Wittgenstein and Language (Part One)
Philosopher Stephen Toulmin notes that Immanuel Kant first dealt with the problem of the intrinsic limits of human reason and how we can deceive ourselves if we don't pay proper attention to them. By the time that question reached Ludwig Wittgenstei...