W.D. Ross’s Ethics of “Prima Facie” Duties

By: 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology — July 4^th 2023 at 02:37

W.D. Ross believed that there are multiple fundamental moral principles. He called them "prima facie" duties. This essay introduces Ross’s theory, which is often called intuitionism.

The-Promise-Walker-Henry-Scott-Tuke-Oil-Painting

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Henry Scott Tuke's painting "The Promise" (1888).

1000-Word Philosophy

Aristotle on Friendship: What Does It Take to Be a Good Friend?

By: 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology — May 30^th 2023 at 14:43

What is it to be a friend, especially a good friend? Aristotle’s claims about friendship began debates that continue today. This essay presents his views on friendship and a contemporary debate he inspired.

AristotleFriendship-v4

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An image of Aristotle and Hypatia laughing together, next to the first page of a Latin and Greek version of Nicomachean Ethics. Generated using Midjourney AI and edited by G.M.Trujillo.

1000-Word Philosophy

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: the Journey Out of Ignorance

By: 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology — May 26^th 2023 at 16:54

Plato’s book The Republic is a dialogue about justice. It contains the “Allegory of the Cave”, a fanciful story that illustrates some of Plato’s ideas about education and the distinction between appearance and reality. This essay introduces the Allegory and explains its meaning.

allegory-of-the-cave

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An image of a prisoner looking at shadows in the cave, illustrating part of Plato's "Allegory of the Cave."

1000-Word Philosophy

Epistemic Justification: What is Rational Belief?

By: 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology — March 19^th 2023 at 11:50

Rational or reasonable beliefs are often described by philosophers as "epistemically justified." This is an introduction to the concept of epistemic justification.

epistemic-justification

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A woman looking in a refrigerator. Is she epistemically justified in believing there is almond milk in the fridge?

1000-Word Philosophy

The Doctrine of Double Effect: Do Intentions Matter to Ethics?

By: 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology — March 12^th 2023 at 02:46

An introduction to the Doctrine of Double Effect, which claims that it is permissible to harm someone if it will also result in good consequences that outweigh the harm and the harm is just a “side-effect” of your action, rather than something you intend to make happen.

trolley1

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Trolley problems: should he push the man?

1000-Word Philosophy

The Buddhist Theory of No-Self (Anātman/Anattā)

By: 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology — February 25^th 2023 at 21:35

The Buddhist denial of the existence of the self is known as anātman (or anattā). This essay explores some of the basics of anātman/anattā.

no-self

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Woman looking in a mirror: does she see her self?

1000-Word Philosophy

Self-Knowledge: Knowing Your Own Mind

By: 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology — February 16^th 2023 at 02:52

We usually know our own mental states better than others know them. And we usually come to know them in different ways than how others come to know them. How do we come to possess self-knowledge?

self-knowledge2

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1000-Word Philosophy

The Meaning of Life: What’s the Point?

By: 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology — February 6^th 2023 at 20:51

Does life’s having meaning depend on a supernatural reality? Is death a threat to life’s meaning? Is life the sort of thing that can have a “meaning”? In what sense? Here we will consider some approaches to questions about the meaning of life.

NASA-Apollo8-Dec24-Earthrise

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