Continuing with Hegel’s philosophy of history we will move into one of the most important, but often neglected, aspects of Hegel’s philosophy: the role of religion as the source of society and culture. Throughout his works, Hegel comments on religion, the power of religion, and the role of religion in society and shaping national character and spirit. … Continue reading Hegel’s Philosophy of History (2/4): The Role of Religion and Culture in History
ethics
Introduction to Plato: The Ethics of Philosophia
Philosophy means love of wisdom. Essential to understanding Plato is why it is important for man to strive, to seek, to move, to wisdom and how it relates to life on earth. Everyone knows, or is familiar, that Plato established the first system of philosophy. But the system of philosophy which Plato established does not … Continue reading Introduction to Plato: The Ethics of Philosophia
Introduction Plato: The Importance of This World
Plato is considered the father of systematic philosophy. His dialogues contain the essence of his philosophical outlook and have been much discussed. But there are many common misreading’s and misconceptions about Plato that need to be sorted out before reading Plato and misunderstanding the profundity of his works. As a published scholar on Plato, there … Continue reading Introduction Plato: The Importance of This World
Augustine’s City of God, VIII: The City of God
Where the city of man is founded on the love of self to the point of contempt of God, the city of God is found on the love of God—and by extension, others—to the point of contempt of self.[i] The city of God is also about enlargement; for it is the truly universal city spread … Continue reading Augustine’s City of God, VIII: The City of God
Augustine’s City of God, III: What was the Cause of Rome’s “Greatness” (Part II)
The Roman philosopher Cicero was the Plato and Aristotle of Rome. He was the foremost orator of his day and an important political philosopher who was cherished among Christians (and Augustine). Augustine even credits the writings of Cicero to helping him believe in God in Confessions. However, the warm remarks he gives to Cicero in … Continue reading Augustine’s City of God, III: What was the Cause of Rome’s “Greatness” (Part II)
Cicero’s On Obligations (Di Officiis)
Cicero, perhaps the most famous of the Roman philosophers, wrote an influential treatise on duties and obligations published after his death. De Officiis, along with his Republic/Commonwealth and Laws, serve as Cicero’s longstanding political legacy to the West. In fact, On Obligations was widely influential in that it influenced St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, becoming an integral part of the … Continue reading Cicero’s On Obligations (Di Officiis)
Corruption of Language and Morality in History of the Peloponnesian War
In a celebrated analysis of the corruption of language and its relationship with deteriorated character, Thucydides reflects on the symbiotic relationship of language with moral character. Language is clear, meaningful, and understandable when there is moral clarity, meaning, and understanding in the human animal. That is, the clarity of language ebbs and flows with the … Continue reading Corruption of Language and Morality in History of the Peloponnesian War
