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..
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 ..
Innate Ideas: Plato and the Meno
Philosopher Ian Hacking notes that Plato was fascinated by mathematics, and explains that his theory of innate ideas is based on the simple mathematical proof in his famous Socratic dialogue called the Meno.
Inner Self and External World
Philosopher Hubert Dreyfus talks about the views of multiple philosophers concerning how the inner self encounters the every day reality of the external world.
Institutional Justice
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum talks about the practical limitations that impede economic aid wealthier countries can provide to developing nations. She suggests that what is possible is to focus on strong enforcement of ba..
Intentionality
Philosopher John Searle talks about intentionality ("the capacity of the mind to be directed at or to be about or of objects and states of affairs of the world other than the mind...") and consciousness, which he believe..
Interpreting the Bill of Rights
Philosopher Michael Sandel contrasts liberal and republican political philosophies, using historical interpretation of the Bill of Rights as a means by which to discuss the differing conceptions of freedom and citizenshi..
Is Ethics Based on Character?: Character-based Ethics
Until recent decades modern ethics was dominated by two approaches that focus on action. The movement that focuses on character rather than action has come to be known as virtue ethics. Looking at ethics in terms of who ..
Is Ethics Based on Character?: Criticisms and Concerns about Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics is criticized for failing to provide clear rules for action that would help people facing crises. It is not a theory about what people ought to do, but an inquiry into the kind of person we ought to be. Ano..
Is Ethics Based on Character?: How to Address Ethical Issues
One way to approach moral philosophy is to take each of the different ethical theories in turn and see how it would address a single moral question. Seneca, the Roman writer saw life as a series of concentric circles. Wh..