Bentham, Mill and Human Flourishing
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum explores the different approaches to utilitarianism as expressed in the works of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. She suggests that Bentham focuses primarily on pleasure, while Mill is mor..
Brain in a Vat (Part 1)
Philosopher Hilary Putnam explains his "brain in a vat" theory. This theory calls into question basic human assumptions about knowledge and reality on the grounds that we have no way of knowing if what we think we see an..
Brain in a Vat (Part 2)
Philosopher Hilary Putnam discusses problems with using any form of the brain in a vat argument for skeptical purposes. The biggest problem he cites is that the brain in a vat argument itself requires that many of our as..
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 ..
Can We Know God Through Experience?: Brain and Religious Experiences, The
Many believe that the actual origins of reported personal religious experiences are more human than divine. The brain is capable of lots of illusory and hallucinatory activity which undercuts any attempt to prove God thr..
Can We Know God Through Experience?: Divine Experience or Illusion?
It is useful to keep in mind that mystics are self conscious about the possibility of self deception. Saint Teresa was convinced that experiences which genuinely produce love cannot be deceptions. As William Craig reveal..
Can We Know God Through Experience?: Extrovertive and Introvertive Mystical Experiences
The highest form of mystical experience seems to be one in which there is a sense of flowing together and becoming one with God. In an extrovertive mystical experience the world around us is transfigured and transformed...
Can We Know God Through Experience?: Matter of Faith, A
Ordinary devotional experiences guide most people of faith. But those who have mystical experiences find that analytical discussions are beside the point. As William James said, "feeling is the deeper source of religion,..
Can We Know God Through Experience?: Principle of Credulity
Philosopher Richard Swinburne says that "apparent perceptions ought to be taken at their face value in the absence of positive reason for challenge." He applies this Principle of Credulity to religious experiences and p..
Can We Know God Through Experience?: Religious Experiences Reflect Cultural Differences and Traditions
Followers from different religions proclaim their own visions of the Divine. In Christianity, the person in prayer comes in contact with God or Jesus Christ, whereas in Eastern traditions the experience is a meeting with..