Posts

What is Nihilism?

-
Image
The term “nihilism” comes from the Latin “ nihil ”, which means nothing or that which does not exist. It was first used by the German philosopher Friedrich Jacobi (1743- 1819) during the early 19th century to negatively describe Immanuel Kant ’s philosophical system. However, it only became popularized after its appearance in Ivan Turgenev ’s (1818-1883) 1862 novel Fathers and Sons , where it was used to describe Bazarov’s philosophy that rejects traditional values, norms, and authority in favor of scientific materialism and social change. Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with radical skepticism and an extreme pessimism that condemns existence. The 4 Types of Nihilism Nihilism can be understood in at least four ways: Epistemological nihilism which denies the possibility of knowledge and truth. Moral nihilism which rejects the possibility of absolute moral values; it argues that good and evil are...
Read more

Utilitarianism vs. Deontology

-
Image
In this post, we’re going to look at the differences between utilitarianism and deontology. But before we do, let’s first have an overview of each one, starting with utilitarianism. Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that stems from the late 18th- and 19th-century English philosophers Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). It argues that an action is right if it tends to promote happiness or pleasure, and wrong if it tends to produce unhappiness or pain—not just for the agent of the action but also for everyone affected by it. Utilitarianism is a type of consequentialism, which means that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences. In assessing the consequences of an action, utilitarianism relies upon a theory of intrinsic value; meaning, it holds something to be good in itself, apart from its consequences, such as, for example, happiness; and that all other values are believed to derive their worth from their relation t...
Read more

What is Postmodern Literature?

-
Image
Postmodern literature is a form of literature that emerged during the 1950s. It was mainly a reaction against modernism (especially against its distinction between “high art” and everyday life), World War II, and post-war events such as globalization and the rise of mass media and consumer culture. Postmodern literature rejects traditional narrative forms and experiments with new literary techniques, genres, styles, etc. It is marked by a decentralized structure (lacking clear leaders and a cohesive direction) and embraces chaos and disorder (portraying a world that is disconnected and dehumanizing). It uses elements such as intertextuality, pastiche, fragmentation, metafiction, and magical realism. While its major themes include feelings of alienation, anxiety, and the meaninglessness of human existence. It is important to note that postmodernism in literature is not an organized movement with leaders or central figures. Therefore, it is then difficult to say if it has ended or when i...
Read more

What is Conservatism?

-
Image
Conservatism is a political ideology that emphasizes the value of traditional practices and institutions . It is a preference for the historically inherited, rather than the abstract and ideal. Conservatives view society not merely as a collection of individuals, but rather as a living organism of interdependent members that has evolved over time. As such, they favor institutions, such as family and religion, that have evolved gradually and are manifestations of continuity and stability; while they consider any rapid or radical change to society as disruptive and harmful. For them, then, the government’s responsibility is to be the servant, not the master, of existing ways of life. Brief History Conservatism began to develop as a distinct political movement during the 18th century, in reaction to the French Revolution (1789). The first established use of the term “conservatism” in a political context was by the French diplomat François-René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848) in 1818, during...
Read more

What is Ideology?

-
Image
Ideology refers to a set of beliefs, values, and principles that shapes an individual or group’s understanding of the world and guides their decisions and actions. It is a system of ideas that provides a framework for interpreting reality, making sense of social, political, economic, and cultural phenomena, and prescribing courses of action. Ideologies can take many forms, from religious beliefs to social movements, political theories, and economic systems. Essentially, an ideology is a way of organizing the world. It seeks to explain why things are the way they are and how they should be. Ideologies provide a framework for understanding, for example, the causes of social problems, the role of individuals and institutions in society, and the best way to achieve common goals. As such, they can be used to promote social unity or to justify social inequality, to mobilize people for social change or to maintain the status quo. The term “ideology” was coined by the French Enlightenment ph...
Read more

What are Moral Dilemmas?

-
Image
A moral dilemma is a situation where a person is forced to choose between two or more conflicting moral obligations, and choosing one will inevitably mean violating another. It is not just some tough decision one has to make between something good and something bad. It is a clash between two “goods”—or even between two “bads,” where one is forced to choose the lesser evil. In other words, a moral dilemma involves significant moral stakes; its choices and consequences have serious ethical weight. The Three Conditions of Moral Dilemmas In an article she wrote for The New Social Worker in 2012, Karen Allen , then associate professor at Oakland University, identified three conditions that make a moral dilemma: 1. Obligation to Choose According to Allen, the person in a moral dilemma—also known as the “moral agent”—must be obliged—or forced—to choose which course of action is best. Otherwise, if she isn’t obliged to choose, then her situation may not be a moral dilemma, but merely a pr...
Read more

What is Modernism?

-
Image
Modernism is a cultural movement during the late 19th century until the mid-20th century. It emerged as a response to significant changes in Western culture and society, such as industrialization, secularization, the growing influence of science, technological innovations, and the geopolitical shifts after World War I. A Rejection of the Past Modernism is characterized by a rejection of the past. Modernists believed that they were part of a new age and that traditional forms and conventions were outdated and irrelevant in the modern world. They therefore sought to create new and original forms that reflected the changing world, emphasizing experimentation, abstraction and subjective experience. This movement was evident in all areas of culture, including art, literature, and even architecture. A. Modernist Art In art, for example, modernist artists such as Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp rejected traditional artistic forms, such as those in realism and romanticism. They experiment...
Read more