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15Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

My personal opinion about the Socratic Paradox

Key takeaways The Socratic Paradox encourages intellectual humility, allowing individuals to embrace uncertainty as a pathway to genuine inquiry and learning. In philosophy education, admitting ignorance fosters meaningful dialogue, critical thinking, and personal growth among students. Teaching the paradox promotes resilience, as students learn to see doubt as an opportunity for exploration rather than a limitation. Practical strategies, like starting conversations with questions and embracing pauses, can enhance engagement and deeper reflection in discussions. Understanding the Socratic Paradox The Socratic Paradox, famously stated as "I know that I know nothing," challenges how we think about knowledge itself. I remember when I first encountered this idea; it felt like a breath of fresh air in a world obsessed with certainty. It made me ask myself, “Can truly knowing nothing actually be…

15Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

How I Navigated Business Ethics with Kant

Ethical Theories

Key takeaways Business ethics prioritize fairness, honesty, and respect, fostering long-term trust and integrity over immediate profits. Kantian ethics emphasizes moral duty and the dignity of individuals, prompting decisions based on universalizability rather than self-interest. Holding firm to ethical principles can be challenging but ultimately builds lasting trust and transforms business relationships. Consistently applying ethical standards creates a strong moral foundation, guiding decision-making even in uncertain situations. Understanding Business Ethics Principles Understanding business ethics principles starts with recognizing that these are more than just rules—they’re a reflection of our values in action. When I first faced a tough decision at work, I realized that ethics challenge us to consider not only what is profitable but also what is right. Have you ever wondered why some businesses thrive long-term while others…

14Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

This is How I Researched Ethical Subjectivism

Ethical Theories

Key takeaways Ethical subjectivism emphasizes that moral judgments are influenced by individual feelings rather than objective truths, challenging traditional views of morality. Engaging with key philosophical concepts promotes personal transformation and deeper understanding, highlighting the need for clear definitions in discussions. Research in philosophy requires critical analysis of texts and diverse perspectives, as well as patience to appreciate the complexity of differing viewpoints. Practical applications of ethical subjectivism encourage empathy and openness in understanding moral disagreements, particularly in multicultural contexts. Understanding Ethical Subjectivism Fundamentals When I first encountered ethical subjectivism, I found it surprisingly intuitive yet unsettling. It suggests that moral judgments are not about universal truths but rather reflect individual feelings or attitudes. Have you ever felt strongly that something was right or wrong simply because of your own…

11Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

This is How I Reviewed Nozick’s Entitlement Theory

Critical Thinking

Key takeaways Nozick’s Entitlement Theory centers on individual rights, asserting that holdings are just if derived from rightful acquisition or voluntary exchange. The theory challenges traditional views of justice by minimizing the role of redistributive justice, prompting reflection on fairness and personal obligation. While the theory emphasizes personal responsibility and clear principles of ownership, it raises concerns about addressing systemic inequalities and the practicalities of rectifying past injustices. Teaching the theory encourages critical thinking and personal engagement, as students grapple with the real-world implications of ownership, justice, and social equity. Introduction to Entitlement Theory Entitlement Theory, as Robert Nozick presents it, challenges the typical views of how justice and ownership work. I remember first encountering this theory and feeling a mix of curiosity and confusion—how could property rights be just…

11Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

Critical Thinking

Key takeaways Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of actions, emphasizing the greatest happiness for the greatest number, which challenges individuals to consider the impact of their decisions on others. John Stuart Mill's version highlights the quality of happiness, differentiating between higher (intellectual/emotional) and lower (physical) pleasures while balancing personal liberty with the collective good. Practical applications of utilitarianism can be seen in public health decisions and resource allocation, prompting moral dilemmas about fairness and individual choice for the greater good. Utilitarianism encourages ongoing reflection on daily choices, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to the well-being of others, transforming ethics into a personal journey. Introduction to Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is a way of thinking about morality that focuses on the consequences of our actions. I’ve found it fascinating how it…

11Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

This is how I analyzed Heidegger’s Being

History of Philosophy

Key takeaways Heidegger's concept of Being emphasizes a lived, personal engagement with existence, urging individuals to explore their relationship with the world beyond abstract definitions. Effective philosophy education involves fostering open dialogue, connecting abstract ideas to students' daily lives, and encouraging active participation to deepen understanding. Analyzing philosophical texts requires patience and active questioning, transforming reading into a dialogue that invites deeper exploration and personal transformation. Teaching Heidegger effectively includes embracing complexity, relating concepts to students' experiences, and facilitating discussions that promote collective inquiry and reflection. Understanding Heidegger's Being concept When I first grappled with Heidegger’s concept of Being, I was struck by how elusive it felt—like trying to catch smoke with bare hands. What does he really mean by “Being” beyond just existence? To me, Heidegger points us to…

11Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

This is how I understood Nietzsche’s Beyond

History of Philosophy

Key takeaways Nietzsche's concept of "Beyond" encourages self-overcoming and questioning personal beliefs rather than rejecting values outright. The "will to power" emphasizes personal growth and creativity, urging individuals to transform challenges into opportunities for development. Embracing uncertainty is vital; living authentically means confronting discomfort as a sign of personal evolution. Integrating Nietzsche's ideas into education fosters critical thinking and personal discovery, promoting ongoing self-reflection and dialogue. Understanding Nietzsche's Beyond Concept When I first encountered Nietzsche's idea of "Beyond," I felt both intrigued and challenged. What does it really mean to go beyond established moralities and traditional values? To me, it wasn’t just an abstract concept; it felt like an invitation to rethink everything I had accepted as given in life. As I reflected on this, I realized that "Beyond" isn’t…

10Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

My Thoughts on Environmental Ethics in Practice

Ethical Theories

Key takeaways Environmental ethics encourages us to view nature with intrinsic value and moral responsibility, urging a shift from dominance to stewardship. Teaching environmental ethics effectively involves connecting philosophical concepts to real-world issues through personal experiences and practical engagement. Applying environmental ethics in daily life includes making mindful choices and recognizing the importance of small actions in fostering broader change. Challenges in practicing environmental ethics stem from societal norms and personal emotional complexities, emphasizing the need for persistence over perfection. Understanding Environmental Ethics Concepts When I first encountered the core idea of environmental ethics, I found myself questioning not just how we treat nature, but why it matters beyond human benefit. Concepts like intrinsic value and moral responsibility challenged me to see the environment as more than resources to be…

08Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

My Personal Insights on Nietzsche’s Overman

Critical Thinking

Key takeaways Nietzsche's Overman emphasizes the importance of self-creation and embracing personal growth through continual self-reflection and overcoming discomfort. Key concepts like "will to power" and "eternal recurrence" challenge individuals to question their values and consider the significance of their actions in life. Incorporating the Overman in education encourages active engagement, challenging students to confront complacency and embrace authentic self-transformation. Critiques of the Overman highlight the potential for elitism and the difficulty in defining what it means to create one’s own values while maintaining empathy for others. Introduction to Nietzsche's Overman Nietzsche’s concept of the Overman, or Übermensch, has always intrigued me as a bold challenge to conventional morality. It feels like an invitation to rethink who we are and who we can become beyond society’s imposed limits. Have you…

08Jul 2025 by Lydia Ashcombe No Comments

History of Philosophy

Key takeaways Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall happiness but faces challenges in measuring happiness and addressing individual rights. John Stuart Mill distinguishes between higher and lower pleasures, emphasizing the quality of happiness in moral considerations. Critiquing philosophical theories, like Mill's utilitarianism, involves examining real-life scenarios and contrasting them with alternative ethical frameworks. Effective critique in philosophy promotes patience, exploration of uncertainty, and ongoing dialogue rather than merely identifying flaws. Understanding Utilitarianism in Philosophy When I first encountered utilitarianism, I was struck by its simple appeal: the idea that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness. It seemed straightforward, almost too good to be true. But does measuring happiness really capture the full complexity of human experience? Utilitarianism, especially as articulated by John Stuart Mill, emphasizes consequences and…