Philosophy notes

Aristotle:

• Russell states 'it was two thousand years before the world produced any philosopher who could be regarded as approximately his (Artistotle) equal.'
• Credited with the earliest study of formal logic.

Rousseau:

• Had 5 children, but sent everyone to an orphanage. His reasoning being that children's strong bondage to their parents limit's their freedom, and vice versa (parents bondage to children).


• Is a 'romantic,' and because of this focuses more on individuals passions instead of delving into science, which the movement known as 'enlightenment' done before hand.


• Locke's 'Law of Nature theory' states that all of mankind is equal, and should defend, and persecute those who violate their rights. This is very different to the Aristotle school of though, which suggests that man is not equal, and people are born with a purpose. Some to be slaves, some to rule.


• Disagree's with Hobbes 'state of nature' theory, as he claims we were free before society and in a much better place. However he does concede that it would be impossible to get back to a world before society.


• Is famously quoted as saying 'man is free, yet everywhere he is in chains.' By this he is referring to the fact that people are born free, and then their life is shackled by the chains of society.


• Had a strong believe in the 'general will', which consisted of everyone feeling a sense of something, and being a part of a greater system.


• Was a religious man, and believes 'all power comes from God,' however he added 'so does all sickness, does that mean we are forbidden to call in the doctor?' This is the way Roussau put across his point that the general population should question those in power.


• Claims that those in control don't have a 'right' to be, and no one naturally has power over someone else.


• Believed strongly that taking away one's freedom was taking away what makes them human, and what differentiates humans from animals. He stated 'to remove man's will is to take away the morality from his acts.'


• One of the flaws in Rousseau's thinking is the fact he believes everyone should be forced to live with freedom, however anything forced upon people can not be seen as a form of freedom.

Machiavelli:

• Believed that in order to be a true leader, you must have the ability to decieve the greater population, and lie to them so they follow and support you. He also felt that it is right to be cruel, and harsh in order to be a great leader.
• Considered a 'typical renaissance man.'
• Believed a hereditary prince has an easier tast of ruling, whereas a a new prince has the more difficult task in ruling, since he must first stabilize his new-found power in order to build an enduring political structure.
• Book 'Prince' is a manual in mantaining political power.

Hobbes:

• Spoke of a 'state of nature', what the world was like before Government.
• Said that the world would be vile, and dangerous without a King.
• Believed people would elect a ruler. The elected ruler would then do whatever he wanted, which brought about a 'social contract'.
• Stated that once the people signed the 'social contract' the ruler be dominant in his rule, but that this was still better than the state of nature, where there would be continuous warfare.

Descartes:

• First ‘modern’ philosopher.
• Wanted to change the intellectual society of his time, to base things on evidence beyond any doubt.
• Doubted everything other than the fact he exists.
• Believed that if he was to stop thinking, he would cease to exist. This is how he reached the conclusion of 'I think therefore I am.’
• Questioned reality and all what we perceive to be real. With the example of God, he suggested that if God is superior and we are inferior, then why is it possible for something inferior to understand a superior being.
• Believed in innate ideas, that things are programmed into our minds before we are able to experience them for ourselves.

Locke:

• Valued experience rather than innate idea's, and believed everyone is born with a 'blank slate.'
• Believed the power to elect a leader should lie in the hands of the people, and not the 'divine right of kings' rule which stated that all kings have descended from Adam.
• Saw a different 'state of nature' to that of Hobbs, and believed God gave all of us the skill to decide what is right and what is wrong.
• Believed everyone should have their rights, and every individual to live with their own internal morals. He stated that government is needed when an argument between people who both believe they are correct, so the government would determine who is correct.
• Suggested that people have a right to a revolution of the leader had broken the natural law.