Investigating Different Philosophical Concepts

Explanation of Philosophical Concepts 

What is the value of philosophy? 

Philosophy is very valuable in human society as it helps individuals to question among other things their existence and purpose. Historically, philosophy was a concept that described all forms of knowledge from medicine, astronomy, and physics. In particular, philosophy allows people to have deeper insights into what is around them something that makes them critical thinkers. If philosophy was not there people would just everything that goes without thinking. In a way, philosophy proves very valuable as it helps one to question the seen and unseen phenomenon.

Philosophy is a discipline that fulfills the natural inquisitiveness that is present since childhood and persists throughout life. Philosophy not only fulfills humans’ natural inquisitiveness but it is also pleasurable to philosophize. In a way, humans tend to have great delight when they ask questions and consider several possibilities of particular phenomena. Finally, philosophy is valuable in that it helps individuals to explore more knowledge and wisdom. These reasons make philosophy a valuable discourse which enables individuals to delve into their world as informed participants.

Ontological Argument 

The ontological argument is some form of philosophical arguments that use premises to conclude on the existence of God. These arguments are not about using reasons only but the arguments must seem to be logical and analytic. St. Anselm of Canterbury proposed the first ontological argument in the 11th century. According to St. Anslem established that Gods existence would be supported that a greater being had to exist and be conceived. In a way, the existence of God is considered as a conceptual truth, which is represented as an idea in the mind that no other grater being can be imagined apart from God. This argument was reinforced by Rene Descartes who claimed that indeed a supremely perfect being existed. The ontological argument uses problematic notions such as necessity, analyticity, and priority to advance complicated and unverifiable arguments.

Aristotle's Metaphysics 

Metaphysics is a concept that is common in the philosophical discourse and it is attributed to Aristotle’s treatise by the same name. The subject matter of Aristotle’s metaphysics is causes and principles in what he referred to as ‘first philosophy’. In this first philosophy, Aristotle was keen on putting a distinction between the things that are known to humans and those that are known to themselves (Peramatzis, 2017). Aristotle proposed that it is important to start from the things that are known to understand the things that are known to themselves. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the things that are known to themselves are remote but individuals who have studied nature could study them. In particular, the things that are known to themselves come after physics or ‘metaphysics’

Locke's Empiricism 

Locke’s empiricism, which falls in the epistemology branch of philosophy, is concerned with how humans develop knowledge. According to Locke, there are forms of knowledge, which can be claimed legitimately, and those cannot be claimed legitimately. Simply put Locke believed that knowledge is acquired through experience, which is informed by experimentation and testing (Hossain, 2014). Locke established that individuals understand their world through their sensory aspects, which help them to conclude phenomena. Tabula rasa is one of the fundamental principles of John Locke’s empiricism. Individuals have a blank slate at birth, as they know nothing about their world. However, over time, individuals come to learn about their world through interactions, sensations, and reflections. This form of experience creates permanent information, which can be retrieved at will to inform one's decisions. This theory has a historical significance considering that John Locke made a fundamental contribution to modern theories regarding the liberal government, religious tolerance, and theology.

Ethical Egoism 

Ethical egoism, which was first advanced by Henry Sidgwick in 1874, is considered a normative ethical theory that calls upon moral acts to act according to their self-interests. According to Gantt and Burton (2013), an action is morally right if it benefits the doer no matter if it has negative consequences on others. Simply put, the theory calls upon individuals to put their interests above the interests of others since their interests are equivalent to the interests of others. In as much as this theory promotes egoism, moral actors are warned against making moral deliberations that that may hurt or are detrimental to the well-being and the interests of others. This theory is divided into three categories namely personal, individual and universal ethical egoism. These three categories of establishing that action should benefit the self and that everyone should act in a way that promotes their own self-interests.

Utilitarianism 

Utilitarianism, which belongs to consequentialist ethical theories, is a popular ethical theory that unlike ethical egoism promotes actions whose outcomes are deemed to benefit more people. Technically, utilitarianism holds that the most ethical action is the one that produces the greatest good for the highest number of people. This theory, which was founded by Jeremy Bentham, considers the interests of the entire population equally without bias or favor. Utilitarianism has its background in hedonism, which is about promoting happiness. Additionally, one could trace utilitarianism origins to Mohism by Niccolo Machiavelli who advocated for communal moral goods such as wealth and political stability. At the end of it, utilitarianism is about making life better for the larger population by encouraging people to act in a way that is acceptable.

Relating the Concepts to my Personal Philosophy 

Value of Philosophy 

I feel that philosophy is of great value as it helps me to question what goes around me instead of accepting it as it is. In a way, I feel that philosophy enables me to be an active consumer of information. I simply do not follow the crowd when making a decision but rather I ask questions to have a personal view. My philosophical worldview in terms of the importance of philosophy is that there is no better discipline to help individuals question phenomenon. The value of philosophy became part of my worldview during a heated political campaign. I realized that I did not need to go with the most popular candidate but I had to choose to go with the best there was. I asked myself several questions concerning what my nation needed and the person who would take us there. Without philosophical discourse and questioning, I would have followed the crowd and I would still be stuck in the past and regret.

Ontological Argument 

This philosophical concept is important to me as it helps in shaping my religious convictions. I tend to agree with the fact that the existence of God is an idea in the mind, which cannot be ignored considering humans cannot come up with a greater being. In a way, I believe that there must be a supreme being in control of the universe. No matter how hard I try, I cannot think otherwise but that God exists. I believe that there must be a perfectly supreme being no matter the existing contrary opinions. Before the course, I tended to think that the existence of God is a scientific concept but now I think it is philosophical. One does not need to see to believe there is God, instead one needs to have a deep connection and pursue this conviction as the truth.

Aristotle's Metaphysics 

Aristotle's metaphysics has shaped my perspective in that it makes me think about those things that re not visible but actually exist beyond my world. In a way, this concept helps individuals to dig deeper into their understanding to make sense of things that cannot be observed. Aristotle of the idea that in order to understand the things that are unknown it is important to start from the known reason. I believe that physicists and quantum physicists make use of this concept to explore the outer space hoping to make discoveries. However to do this these scientists apply the known techniques to assess and understand what lies beyond. I believe that many things are possible and I hope to pursue the things that are not there most specifically technological solutions.

Locke's Empiricism 

Locke’s empiricism is a fundamental concept that has shaped my perspective over the years. According to Locke, humans must pursue knowledge right from the start considering they are born with an empty slate, which requires to be written throughout their lives. The knowledge that I have right now is a result of my interactions with others either physically or through the internet. Knowing this, I strive to increase my knowledge at every opportunity to ensure that my slate has information for every situation. Additionally, this concept has helped me to plan for my children. In this case, I will ensure that the get the best information so that they can be successful as we are living in an age of information.

Ethical Egoism 

The concept of ethical egoism got me thinking of how individuals can be allowed to undertake actions that only meet their interests. I realized that it is not bad to pursue selfish interests considering that at the end of it what we want is happiness. If something makes me happy then I have no qualms in achieving it no matter who it hurts. In as much as this theory advocates for selfish interests, I feel that at times I have to consider the needs of others as they also matter. If in my pursuit of happiness, I will hurt my significant others do not think that happiness will last as I will need them to make it meaningful. At the end of it, I think that it is important to pursue happiness, not for the sake of it but ensuring that happiness lasts through collaborating with others

Utilitarianism 

The concept of utilitarianism has changed my perspective about life and the world in general. This theory judges the rightness of action depending on its outcomes. An action that produces benefits for the greater population is considered morally right while the one that has adverse consequences on a large population is considered morally wrong. I feel that utilitarianism should be at the center of political, social, and economic decisions at all levels to ensure equity. In as much as utilitarianism is such a good ethical theory, I feel that people are yet to embrace it. Instead, most people are selfish and undertake decisions that do not benefit the majority. I would not want to be an individual who is conceited but rather I would like to make morally right decisions. When I get a leadership position in the future I will not make selfish decisions but decisions that will favor the majority of my followers.

Summary of the Ideas 

In conclusion, philosophical thoughts and theories are crucial in helping individuals to think about their world in a reflective and critical manner. It is not enough to accept information just as it is, but it is important to question all the information to have more understanding. The philosophical concepts help individuals to pursue knowledge that is beyond what they can see as there is a chance to do so. It is upon individuals to ensure that their slates have ample information to guide their decision. In addition to this, the philosophical concepts and thoughts are crucial in helping individuals to make moral decisions. In this case, individuals ought to think about the consequences of their actions both to serve personal and universal interests. At the end of it, individuals are prepared to become better thinkers and with this a chance to have improved interactions and knowledge and application of this knowledge.

References

Gantt, E. E. & Burton, J. (2013). Egoism, altruism, and the ethical foundations of personhood. Journal of Humanistic Psychology , 53(4), 438-460.

Hossain, F. M. A. (2014). A critical analysis of Empiricism. Open Journal of Philosophy , 4(3), 225-230.

Peramatzis, M. (2017). Metaphysics A.7, 988b16-21: Aristotle's Conclusion about His Predecessors on Causes. Philosophical Inquiry, 41(3), 5–65.