Category: Philosophy

Dialectical materialism is a philosophical framework and method of analysis that serves as the underlying philosophy of Marxism. It was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the mid-19th century and is a key component of their materialist conception of history and social change. Key principles and characteristics of dialectical materialism include: Materialism: Dialectical…

Deontological ethics, also known as deontology, is a moral theory that emphasizes the importance of adhering to ethical rules, duties, and principles when making moral decisions. It is often contrasted with consequentialist ethics, which focus on the outcomes or consequences of actions. Key principles and characteristics of deontological ethics include: Moral Rules and Duties: Deontological…

Deism is a philosophical and religious worldview that emerged during the Enlightenment in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It emphasizes the use of reason and observation of the natural world to understand the existence and nature of God. Deists believe in the existence of a creator or supreme being but reject the idea…

Deconstruction is a philosophical and literary theory that emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily associated with the work of the French philosopher Jacques Derrida (1930-2004). It is a method of textual analysis that challenges the traditional understanding of language, meaning, and truth. Key principles and characteristics of deconstruction include: Critique of Binary Oppositions: Deconstruction seeks…

The Cyrenaics were an ancient Greek philosophical school founded by Aristippus of Cyrene (c. 435-355 BCE), a student of Socrates. The school was named after the city of Cyrene in North Africa, where Aristippus was born. Key principles and characteristics of Cyrenaic philosophy include: Hedonism: The Cyrenaics were hedonists, and their central ethical principle was…

Cynicism is a philosophical school of thought that originated in ancient Greece and was developed by the Cynics, led by Diogenes of Sinope (c. 404-323 BCE) and Antisthenes (c. 445-365 BCE). It is characterized by its rejection of conventional social norms, material possessions, and the pursuit of external goods in favor of a simple and…

Critical realism in the philosophy of the social sciences is a theoretical approach that seeks to provide a robust and ontologically grounded understanding of social reality and the processes that govern social phenomena. It was developed primarily by philosopher Roy Bhaskar in the late 20th century as a response to the limitations of positivism and…

Critical realism in the philosophy of perception is a theoretical framework that seeks to provide an account of perception that goes beyond both naive realism and direct realism. It was primarily developed by philosopher Roy Wood Sellars in the mid-20th century as a response to the challenges posed by perceptual experience and the nature of…

Continental philosophy is a broad and diverse tradition of Western philosophy that originated primarily in continental Europe, especially in Germany and France, during the 19th and 20th centuries. It contrasts with analytical or Anglo-American philosophy, which emerged primarily in English-speaking countries. Key features and characteristics of continental philosophy include: Focus on Existential and Phenomenological Inquiry:…

Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system that originated in ancient China, attributed to Confucius (551-479 BCE) and his followers. It has profoundly shaped Chinese culture, politics, and society for over two millennia and remains influential in various East Asian countries. Key principles and characteristics of Confucianism include: Ren (仁) – Benevolence and Humaneness: Ren…