How A Child Learns Language (Part 1)
Philosopher W.V. Quine talks about how children learn language. He equates learning with conditioning, which is based on the instinct of induction--that is, the instinct to expect similar events to be followed by events which are in turn similar to ...
Science and Human Life
Philosopher Hubert Dreyfus argues that even if scientists come to a clear cosmological understanding of the universe, science can't teach us what kind of thing a human being is or what constitutes a good life.
Scientific Method, The
Philosopher Stephen Toulmin touches on another aspect of philosophy in which there are very different perspectives. In this case, Professor Toulmin notes, it is scientific method which comes into question. He notes that while some believe there is a...
Republicanism: Aristotle and Hegel
Philosopher Michael Sandel talks about the sources of contemporary Republican theory. He briefly discusses Aristotle, who emphasized the importance for a full human life of sharing in self-rule. Professor Sandel also discusses Hegel, who contributed...
Innate Ideas and Mathematical Proof
Philosopher Ian Hacking observes that rationalists were fascinated by the possibility of mathematical proof, while empiricists were not. He notes that there is an enormous difference to this day among philosophers about this same subject. For those ...
Individual and the Community, The
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum discusses the relationship between the individual self and the community. She maintains that even with a spirit of altruism at work, even with an awareness of and concern for the community and the family unit, it is very ...
Are Humans Unique?
Philosopher Daniel Dennett talks about ways in which we are similar to other primates, as well as ways in which we are different. One major difference is that our brains are capable of performing operations that result in language and culture, which...
Aristotle and Social Democracy
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum talks about Aristotle's efforts to map out the basis for "...a very rich political approach for the contemporary world." Professor Nussbaum observes that Aristotle believed it was the job of political planning to give peo...
Ancient Views of the Self
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum talks about the split among the ancient Greeks between those, like Aristotle, who thought the body was an essential part of the self, and those like Plato, who believed that the body was merely "...a prison house for the ...
Ancient Philosophers and the Meaning of Life
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum talks about Socrates' belief that the unexamined life is not worth living. Professor Nussbaum adds that Plato and Aristotle urged those who were running society and making the rules to see things more clearly and do a bet...