Application of Knowledge from Philosophers - Term Paper Example

Philosophy Final Examination Things Learnt From the Following Philosophers and Application of Knowledge to Life The PresocraticsBeing the initial philosophers of the west, the Presocratics, who preceded the Socrates, established a way of establishing reining mythic perception, through description of nature; in fact, they offered a description based on rational means and speculative principles of various forms generated on the basis of crucial observation of the world (Wildman, 1). In this case, explanation of nature by the Presocratic, was based on four fundamental element, which include; earth, water, air and fire; in fact, these elements were compared to other extensive lists of basic elements (Wildman, 1). Nonetheless, this quest to explain nature by giving an account for these elements and focusing on object or processes involved in nature makes a significant contribution to knowledge; in fact, this can form a basis of understanding other elements that are studied in the present world. Socrates Socrates had taken a crucial role of caring for people’s souls in their life, and they had a conviction that the real persons are the souls; thus, through their arguments it is evident that a person’s soul is the center of their character (Richard and Elder, 1). Moreover, the Socrates argued that the souls is the basis through which people think, feel, set values and make decision; thus, it a significant determinant of a person’s foolishness of brilliance. One of the significant ideas that can be derived from their teachings and be applied in life is that people’s souls should be kept healthy like their bodies (Richard and Elder, 1). Furthermore, Socrates proposed that the souls can be kept healthy by not being ignorant in life. Besides, these philosophers suggested that people should take tasks in realizing their potential. Plato The teaching of this philosopher is focused on the concept of Absolute Goodness, whereby Plato portrayed high consciousness in his profundity regarding the subject; thus, he had interest in discovering the Creator and Father of the universe, and an exploration of his operations (Wilder, 1). Nonetheless, he discovered that there was an impossibility of revealing this, but he considered justice, truth, and beauty to be element of the creator and father of the universe. On the other hand, Plato’s study has a high consideration of Good as a branch and concepts he introduced are highly applicable in people life through their soul in numerous ways (Wilder, 1). In fact, people experience them in their life, while others have been recognizing them as universal principles that are infinite and absolute (Wilder, 1). Nevertheless, they may seem to be hidden or abstract, but they are aroused, thereby enabling people to make a distinction between wrong from right. Therefore, knowledge acquired from Plato is substantial in understanding a person’s inner most being and their external world. Aristotle Aristotle made a significant contribution to science and philosophy, and his contribution is beyond scope that can be exhibited by this paper; thus, an overview of this contribution indicate that Aristotle’s ideas has a direct association with reality and eternal forms, which are identified through reflection and purpose. He had real perception towards objects through experience; thus, a lot can be gathered from his teaching such as reality in perception towards organisms (Waggoner, 1). For instance, Aristotle offered an explanation of organisms in terms of their potential, matter, forms, and reality; in fact, he suggested that a block of marble matter determines the shape created by sculptor, just like the embryo had the ability to develop to a living plant or animal (Waggoner, 1). In addition, information acquired from the Aristotle’s teaching can be applied people to classify their way of life based in their actions and their roles. Augustine Some of the things learnt from Augustine are the notion that people should see themselves in a little book as mirror. He established oldest forms of rules in the Western World that have been followed by numerous Augustinians and other religious orders; in fact, these rule offer guidance to religious orders and congregations, whereby they are expected to follow them during their daily lives. On the other hand, there this philosopher offered a basic message through these rules, whereby he urges people to love God and their neighbors as the center of their Christian life (The Augustinians, 1). Furthermore, he encouraged love for others in order to facilitate living together with harmony, in a religious community, which is embodies true teaching of Christ. For this philosopher, some of the ideas that are applicable to real life include the ideas of making Christ love visible to other people in the society. Therefore, rules proposed by Augustine are applicable to life since they are considered elements of monastic life, whereby Christians are expected to be prayerful, generous, and obedient to authority. Aquinas Aquinas made significant contribution to the civilization through this doctrine of natural law, which plays a crucial role in his political and moral teachings; in fact, he suggested that everything is in this world was created by God, and they were endowed through a definition regarding its significance (Koritansky, 1). In addition, he suggested that nature is detectable based on external appearance and through natural inclination that offer guidance to people regarding their behaviors in compliance with nature. Aquinas suggested that God prescribes and sustains various natures, which entail creation through the law (Koritansky, 1). In this case, he defined law as an ordinance for the aimed at establishing a common good for people who are concerned with the welfare of the society; in fact, he claimed that the universe is ruled by supreme lawgiver, a divine providence; thus, the universe is ruled for a divine rationale. Descartes Descartes plays a significant role by restructuring the system that initially had uncertain convictions on absolute certain foundation. In this case, he re-established convictions based on absolute certainty, which involve existence of world in exterior bodies to the mind, mechanistic physics models that are based on ideas of geometry (Skirry, 1). On the other hand, this philosopher does not support ideas proposed by Aristotelian; in fact, his intentions were to replace this Aristotelian perceptions through a system based on mechanistic principles. Furthermore, he applied mechanistic framework to foster understanding of feeling, sensation, and passion among animals, plants, and human beings (Skirry, 1). Therefore, in the real life his teaching can be applied on the basis of the ideas that culminate in moral system due to the perception established by suggestion of people to generous. Hume Hume made a significant contribution by suggesting that knowledge is segregated into two classes, which include impression and ideas. Hume explains that impression category involves a clear perception that people are not wrong. For instance, an impression may involve color sensations such as colors and emotional response such as being annoyed (Robephiles, 1). On the other hand, Hume indicates that ideas as a category is a manifestation of people’s impressions; thus, memories of seeing a given color or having a specific emotion such as sadness counts as ideas and people are subject to be wrong about them. Furthermore, Hume suggested that human mind has no ability of generating any ideas without the exposure to an impression upon which it is built (Robephiles, 1). This philosopher offers an example indicating that he takes the responsibility of observations, through this interrelationship is not equitable to causality that is stated in science. In addition, he draws a significant distinction regarding the relationship of ideas and facts, and the interconnection between ideas and things that are considered self-apparent (Robephiles, 1). Therefore, information from his ideas is applicable to in developing skeptical claims regarding an event, which occur along with causal relationship. Works Cited Koritansky Peter. “Thomas Aquinas: Political Philosophy.” December 29, 2007. Web June 6 2013. Richard Paul and Elder, Linda. "Socratic Teaching". Foundation for Critical Thinking. April 1997. Web June 20 2013. Robephiles. “Key Concepts of the Philosophy of David Hume”. HubPages Inc. 2011. nd. Web June 6 2013 Skirry Justin. “Rene Descartes (1596—1650): Overview”. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. September 13, 2008. Web June 6 2013. The Augustinians. “The Augustinians”. Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. n.d. Web June 20 2013 Waggoner Ben. “Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.)”. The Tech Classics Archive. Sept 6 1996 Web. June 20 2013. Wilder Alexander. “The Teachings of Plato”. FilosofiaEsoterica. August 2012. Web 20 June 2013. Wildman Wesley. “Presocratics (600-400 BCE)”. Western Philosophy. 2010. Web June 20 2013. Read More