Afleveringen
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Immanuel Kant's Critique of Judgment provides a glimpse into his philosophical system and the overarching themes explored in the work. Kant emphasizes the importance of critique in philosophy, arguing that we must examine the limitations of our cognitive abilities before making judgments. The Critique of Judgment focuses on aesthetic and teleological judgments, examining how we judge beauty and the purposiveness of nature.
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In Heidegger's Off the Beaten Track, he dedicates a piece 'The Origin of the Work of Art' inquiring into the nature of art, focusing on the relationship between the artwork, the artist, and art itself. He argues art is not just a mere object but holds with it a work-character, and it is this work-character that defines art.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Our second episode is on Hegel's Aesthetics. In this text, Hegel provides a philosophical framework for understanding the nature and development of art. Hegel believes art represents the ideal, it is the perfect embodiment of truth and beauty. Hegel explores the relationship between art and the public.
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This season on aesthetics kicks off with an essay on the nature of beauty, written by Ancient Greek philosopher Plotinus. Plotinus argues against the tendency of language to conceal truth, and promotes the pursuit of understanding over mere verbal analysis. It explores the nature of beauty, first by examining how beauty manifests in physical objects and then by examining the beauty of the soul. Plotinus ultimately argues that true beauty lies in the realm of intellect, a realm of pure and perfect being that is accessible only to those who have purified their souls.
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In Albert Camus novel, The Stranger, the protagonist Meursault faces emotional detachment and his reaction to his mother's death. There is a theme of absurdity as Mersault faces his trial for murder.
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Albert Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus" discusses the concept of the absurd and how it relates to various aspects of human existence. Camus argues that the absurd is a fundamental truth of life, acknowledging that life has no inherent meaning, yet choosing to live with this understanding.
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Nietzsche, through the voice of his fictional prophet Zarathustra, explores the themes of individualism, the Superman, the will to power, and the transvaluation of values. In the novel, Zarathustra criticizes conventional morality and traditional religion, proposing a new morality based on self-overcoming and the affirmation of life. He emphasizes the importance of the body and the will to power as driving forces for human evolution and asserts that true joy lies in the eternal return of all things.
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Miguel de Unamuno's "Tragic Sense of Life" is a philosophical treatise that grapples with the human desire for immortality in the face of inevitable death. Unamuno argues that the human condition is inherently tragic because our longing for eternal life is irreconcilable with reason. He explores this tragic tension through an examination of various philosophical, religious, and literary perspectives, ultimately concluding that true meaning lies not in finding definitive answers, but in embracing the perpetual uncertainty and passionate struggle that define our existence.
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Friedrich Nietzsche's The Gay Science is a collection of aphorisms and poems. Nietzsche explores the will to power, the revaluation of values, and the nature of truth. He critiques traditional morality, religion, and philosophical ideas, arguing for a new way of thinking that embraces the inherent contradictions and complexities of existence. He celebrates a life of creative self-overcoming, living dangerously, and challenging societal norms, all while recognizing the importance of art and the "gay science" in making life bearable.
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In "Existentialism is a Humanism", Jean-Paul Sartre questions the meaning of abandonment, anguish, and despair. He argues "existence precedes essence" meaning we create our own identities and must take full responsibility for who they become.
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Sartre's Being and Nothingness focuses on the concept of consciousness, which Sartre terms the For-itself, in relation to being, which he calls the In-itself. Sartre contrasts the For-itself with the In-itself, which is full, complete, and without nothingness. He then examines how consciousness, through negation, reveals being to itself, leading to concepts such as lack, possibility, and temporality. Sartre also discusses the relationship between consciousness and the body, suggesting that the body acts as a medium for consciousness to experience the world and that the body itself is subjected to the same nihilating processes as consciousness.
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In this episode, Soren Kierkegaard explores the relationship between aesthetics and ethics in Either/Or. Kierkegaard discusses the nature of love, marriage, and ethics as they relate to the pursuit of meaning and happiness in life. The introduction highlights the challenges in balancing the immediate desire for pleasure with the demands of responsibility and duty. It examines the complexities of romantic love and its role in forming human character and identity.
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Kick off this season on Existentialism with the "Father of Existentialism" Soren Kierkegaard and his book Fear and Trembling. This episode is a philosophical exploration of the nature of faith. Søren Kierkegaard, argues that Abraham's faith transcends traditional ethical and moral boundaries, demanding an absolute, individual commitment to God that cannot be understood or justified through rational thought or by appealing to universal principles. Kierkegaard contrasts Abraham's "knight of faith" with the "tragic hero," who operates within the ethical framework and sacrifices for the sake of a greater good. He explores the unique challenges of understanding and emulating Abraham's radical faith, which requires an individual leap of faith beyond reason and universal ethical codes.
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What is the central principle of utilitarianism, and how does Mill define happiness in this context? How does Mill distinguish between higher and lower pleasures?
John Stuart Mill explores the philosophy of utilitarianism, arguing that actions are morally right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce unhappiness.
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Singer argues that ethics should be used to guide decision-making about controversial issues like animal rights, abortion, and euthanasia. He emphasizes that ethical questions require careful consideration, not just emotional responses. He also explores how the principles of universalizability and equality can be applied to these complex issues.
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Why does Kant emphasize a "pure" moral philosophy derived from reason rather than experience? What does Kant mean by "duty"? What is the categorical imperative, and how does it relate to morality? What does Kant mean by the "kingdom of ends"?
Kant argues for the existence of a categorical imperative, a universal moral law that applies to all rational beings. He proposes that this imperative can be formulated as “Act only on that maxim whereby thou canst at the same time will that it should become a universal law,” meaning that our actions should be governed by principles that we could universalize without contradiction. Kant also explores the relationship between freedom and autonomy, asserting that freedom of the will is a necessary precondition for morality and that autonomy—the ability of reason to govern itself—is the foundation of moral action.
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What is the "tyrannical impulse" of philosophy according to Nietzsche? How does Nietzsche characterize the "free spirit"? Why does Nietzsche find the idea of a "God amongst men" problematic?
Friedrich Nietzsche's challenges traditional moral values explores the nature of knowledge, truth, and morality. Nietzsche criticizes philosophers for focusing on the search for truth and argues that "truth" is a construct and not an absolute reality.
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Spinoza's text on Ethics is heavily focused on God. Ultimately, Spinoza suggests that the highest human endeavor is to attain knowledge of God through reason, a process that leads to intellectual love and a sense of peace.
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What is Aristotle's definition of moral virtue? What are the two supreme forms of goodness of intellect, and how are they distinct? How does habituation contribute to the development of virtue?
Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, explores the concept of happiness (eudaimonia) as the ultimate goal of human life. Aristotle views happiness as rooted in human action and virtue, and that the state is essential for cultivating these virtues.
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From Aristotle to Whitehead, how do these metaphysical ideas compare?
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