FAQs

Some quick introductory articles (Frequently Asked Questions) on philosophy. These are not meant to be all-encompassing and in many respects they are too reductionist.

I aim to be neutral here, with as little commentary / judgment as possible.

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The Trolley Problem (and communication theory)

Ok, so no philosophy-oriented website would be complete without the Trolley Problem. Though one should already ask themselves whether it is even possible to have a complete philosophy website – in the sense of both, that completeness and website are...

What is Renaissance Philosophy?

What is Renaissance Philosophy?

As in other disciplines, the Renaissance period in philosophy falls between the Medieval and Modern periods and cover the thinkers of the 15th and 16th centuries. It is sometimes argued that the Renaissance period forms the foundation for Modern philosophy,...

What is Egalitarianism?

What is Egalitarianism?

Introduction Egalitarianism is a doctrine in moral and political philosophy that maintains the equality of all people. By and large, equality is understood as appearing equal under law, rather than social and/or economic equality. Nevertheless, Egalitarianism does highlight that human...

What is Epicureanism (Brief)?

What is Epicureanism (Brief)?

Introduction Epicureanism is a Hellenistic doctrine that is named after its found: the Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus. The foundations for Epicureanism were laid out after Epicurus opened his school in his own garden in 307 BC – the school was thus aptly...

What is Pluralism (Ancient)?

What is Pluralism (Ancient)?

Pluralism is a philosophical doctrine that can be attributed to three figures of 5th century BC: Anaxagoras, Archelaus, and Empedocles. All three made attempts to resolve the differences between refutation of change by Parmenides (and the Eleatic School more generally) and the manifest sense...

What is Ordinary Language Philosophy (Brief)?

What is Ordinary Language Philosophy (Brief)?

Introduction Ordinary Language Philosophy is a method to approach traditional problems in philosophy as misunderstandings of the use of words. In particular, the argument is that philosophers often forget that words have ordinary meanings in language and are not always to...

What is Hedonism (Brief)?

What is Hedonism (Brief)?

Introduction Hedonism is a philosophical doctrine originating from the Hellenistic period of Ancient Greece. While there are many doctrines that incorporate elements of hedonism, the one constant that they all have in common is the centrality of the pursuit of pleasure....

What is Communitarianism?

What is Communitarianism?

Introduction Communitarianism is a political doctrine that emphasises the importance of a given community over its individuals. While the view has existed for a very long time, and is present in, for example, Plato, its articulation as a doctrine has...

What is Panentheism?

What is Panentheism?

Introduction Panentheism is a view that Nature and God are one and the same. In this regard, it is similar to Pantheism; however, unlike the latter, Panentheism does not equate the two and instead stresses that God is more than Nature alone....

What is Pantheism?

What is Pantheism?

Introduction Pantheism is the theoretical position that God is everywhere and everything; that God not only is present in every aspect of human life, but truly inhabits all that is known. This is to say that not only is God present...