by Manuel Marino | Philosophy
In the early 20th century, scientists made a groundbreaking discovery: matter was not as it had been previously imagined. Matter was not solid, nor did it have colors, smells, sounds, or images. Instead, matter was merely energy. Everything from the chair you sit in, to the people around you, to the stars in the sky, and the entire physical world exists as a form of energy.
This unexpected discovery led to the scientific collapse of all philosophies based on the concept of matter. Science revealed the existence of something within us, yet not belonging to the physical body, something that perceives the entire physical world but is not itself physical: the human soul.
The soul could not be explained through materialist claims. Darwinism, which had concocted numerous fictitious stories about the imaginary evolution of species, fell silent when faced with the existence of the soul. Since the soul was not matter, it was a metaphysical concept. Materialists found it difficult to accept metaphysics because it contradicted their belief in unconscious events, coincidences, and random processes. Metaphysics provided evidence of conscious creation or, in other words, the existence of God. This is why materialists have denied the … ...Read the rest.
“All Philosophies Constructed On The Basis Of Matter Is Collapsed”
by Manuel Marino | Philosophy
There is no greater gift than life itself. While Christmas is traditionally a religious holiday with pagan origins, it has evolved into a celebration of life. The birth of Jesus Christ is often commemorated during this time, although people of all beliefs celebrate the holiday. In essence, it has become an international tradition marked by giving Christmas gifts, decorating, partying, and feasting.
The simple fact that we are alive is a gift in itself. Various religions have sought to explain human existence and what happens after death, many of which are rooted in mythology. The first Christmas tree, for instance, grew from a dead tree stump, and gifts were placed upon it each year on December 25 to honor Nimrod, the husband and son of Semiramis.
Christianity has its origins in Judaism, and both religions share stories like Genesis, which details the creation of humanity. According to Genesis, Adam was created in the image of God. Zen Buddhists believe life is an energy produced by the mind, while existentialists argue that people create their own purpose in life. Different religions and philosophies propose various ideas about life’s meaning and what happens after death, but the most important thing … ...Read the rest.
“Religious Philosophies and the Meaning of Life”
by Manuel Marino | Philosophy
Two essential and noble objectives of philosophy are to promote intellectual freedom and to awaken the desire for knowledge. In simpler terms, philosophy aims to encourage people to think and, ideally, to ponder more deeply about fundamental issues beyond those that occupy most of our daily lives. A brief examination of the issue of freedom versus determinism helps to outline the scope of philosophy and related controversies.
Theories concerned with the matter of freedom versus determinism seek to understand the nature of human behavior. Are human actions predictable in a scientific way? In other words, are there laws of nature, albeit complex and largely unknown, that could inform us what a person will do in a given situation and completely rule out any other possibility? This view, known as determinism, has been reinforced since the sixteenth century by the scientific principle of universal causation: every event has a cause, and predictions of outcomes can be made with total accuracy.
Hard determinism maintains that moral responsibility is incompatible with universal causation. Soft determinism argues that some behavior is free from compulsion, allowing people to be held morally responsible. Libertarians assert that humans do possess freedom of action; otherwise, they … ...Read the rest.
“Philosophy in a Nutshell – Freedom Versus Determinism”
by Manuel Marino | Philosophy
Confucius lived around 500 BC when Chinese culture, language, and religion consisted of various gods and spirits, leaning towards mysticism and Taoism. There was no central religious authority, and practices could vary widely between households and regions. Confucius seemed to not adhere to Taoism, which believed in a naturally formed and divine order of things. Instead, he placed great importance on ritual, seeing himself not as a creator of ideas but as a transmitter of them. Some of the ideas he taught were derived from his study of the ancient Book of Songs.
The disorganized nature of the Analects makes it difficult to extract a single narrative or theme from Confucius’ philosophy. Indeed, he taught that individuals should always examine and think deeply for themselves and not rely on doctrine. However, one of the themes running through the Analects is the importance of compassion and practicing concern for others. In this context, the purpose of ritual is to reconcile one’s personal desires with those of the family and the wider community. Respect for parents and elders is also crucial in achieving the ultimate goal of social harmony.
Confucius’s teachings also touched on what would now be called the … ...Read the rest.
“The Philosophy and Legacy of Confucius”
by Manuel Marino | Philosophy
Many cultures and moral philosophies have promoted so-called selflessness, like the ethical doctrine of altruism by Auguste Comte (who coined the expression altruism). Perhaps as a happen, other philosophies have promoted so-called selfishness, including the ethical doctrine of Egoism and Ayn Rand’s strategy of Objectivism.
Putting prescriptive morality apart, I contend that the self-interestedness supported by pro-selfishness philosophers refuses to always conflict with all the kindness supported by pro-selflessness philosophers.
The 2 philosophical viewpoints appear to straight oppose each additional, but that appearance stems within the utilize of divisively perplexing terminology.
Firstly, let’s consider the utilization of expression selfish. Usually talking, what many pro-selfishness philosophers call “selfishness,” I might merely call self-interestedness. To many individuals, ‘selfishness’ usually pertains to performing upon incredibly greedy, uncompassionate or narcissistic motivations. On the other hand, ‘self-interestedness’ will just refer to performing from one’s own interests, including indirect interests. Many individuals, including myself, argue that all persons are inherently self-interested because, by description, a individual desires and values what he or she desires and values. Those desires and values equally develop into objectives, as well as the individual makes their decisions in an attempt to many fulfill those desires, values, and objectives. While … ...Read the rest.
“Ethical Philosophy: Selfishness and Kindness”
by Manuel Marino | Philosophy
The term “yoga” originates from the Sanskrit word “Yuj,” which means to join or unite. It symbolizes the union of the body with the mind, and the mind with the soul. The ultimate aim of this union is to achieve a happy, balanced, and fulfilling life.
For many centuries, various paths of yoga have evolved. The techniques of yoga come from multiple sources and have been taught and developed by different teachers. The Vedas and Upanishads provide some of the earliest references to different paths of yoga, although they are compilations of yoga teachings that were passed down for centuries before their creation.
Stories of yoga are depicted in early versions of the Puranas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata, which encompass the spiritual aspects of yoga. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a more technical presentation of exercise and breathing practices.
Over time, different teachers have developed their own methodologies and philosophies. The Yoga Sutras were written over 2200 years ago and consolidated all known theories and practices at that time. Many of today’s yoga practices have roots in these original teachings.
Remarkably, the Sutras are still considered an incredibly profound and deep study of the human psyche. Teachers have adapted … ...Read the rest.
“The Philosophy of Yoga”
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