Main Categories of Philosophy - Essay Example

All categories of knowledge are processed knowledge whether conceptual, perceptual, or sensory. Knowledge acquired without means of cognition is unprocessed knowledge. All concepts are formed by the measurement omission process. This is according to the philosopher Rand in her Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology. Concepts are the integration of units possessing the same distinguishing characteristics with certain measurements omitted. This is because measurements are an essential part of a process. Animals can be integrated into concepts such as living things.

Ethics

While in search of a good life, we have to distinguish between what is right or wrong and various rules of morality. Ethics is what enables us to achieve this. It defines the code of values that guide our choices and actions. The choices define the purpose and course of our life. Existence and non-existence pertain to living things only. The existence of inanimate matter is unconditional while that of life is conditional because it depends on a certain course of action. Only living things face the issue of life and death. A person is free to think or else evade the effort in any issue of life or at any hour. Man’s mind is only the tool of survival because life is given to him and but survival is not. The body is given to him, but its sustenance is not, he is given the mind but not its content. He has to purpose his actions and know nature before taking any action for him to remain alive. To implement his choice rational ethics guide him on the principal actions to take. If he decides not to live, nature takes its course. He has to adhere to a moral code.  According to the Philosophers Douglas Rasmussen and Douglas Den, every man must work for his rational self-interest for the achievement of his happiness as the highest moral purpose of his life.

Reality

Rand’s philosophy targets three axioms namely existence, consciousness, and identity. Through reality, we develop a sense of belief. For instance, existence, consciousness, and identity are bases of knowledge and are inescapable. Existence is the base of all forms of knowledge. Existence is the identity of a specific nature made of certain attributes. Anything with no attributes does not exist. The mind never creates reality but it is a means of discovering reality. Entities act in a manner caused by the nature of them. The primary observation of causal connections among entities serves as the basis of further knowledge.

Freedom

Freedom is an ingredient of a good life and a very important thing on earth. A German philosopher Immanuel Kant supports this and argues that freedom is a prerequisite for moral responsibility. Many countries as well as individuals have fought for it. The possibility of moral judgments presupposes it. It serves an indispensable practical function. For a reason to act, freedom has to be assumed. We have to think of our actions as the result of an uncaused cause for us to accomplish ends and get to know the world better. We must think of ourselves as being free. How we choose to act makes a difference in how we act. In making decisions on what to do, the mechanism that works in our nervous system makes no difference to us at all. For instance, if you decide to buy a house, you have to consider options, reflect on your needs and make decisions basing yourself on the application of general principles. The deliberative, intellectual process of choice is unavoidable. Freedom is a necessity for a man according to Ayn Rand's philosophy. It is your freedom to think, produce, go high as far as your ability can take, and take actions based on your judgment.

Self

`From time to time, our concepts vary for different people and cultures. The context defines our importance in various areas.  According to the philosophers Thomas Hobbes and David Hume, self-realization is freedom from external coercion, and economic and political freedom. Human beings are free as long as they are not mentally constrained. If our decisions are slaves to our passions and they are for reasons, then this leads to self-perfection. Self-determination also covers free will about us. Ayn Rand a philosopher in her book, terms selfishness as an evil. Evil is at the root of pursuing one’s self-interest (Robert 78-97).