Free essays on philosophers are academic papers that explore the works and ideas of renowned philosophers throughout history. These essays delve into the philosophical theories that have shaped the world we live in today and analyze the writings of philosophers such as Aristotle, Plato, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Jean-Paul Sartre, among others. These essays offer insightful perspectives into the most intricate philosophical concepts and issues, including ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and ontology. Students and scholars can find free essays on philosophical topics across varied domains, including ethical theory, political philosophy, aesthetics, and more. These essays can be an excellent resource for individuals who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of philosophical theories and concepts.
An Essay to Niccolo Machiavelli`s Political Ideas in “The Prince”
In this essay I`m going to discuss the ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli in his work “The Prince”, a book which is dedicated to Lorenzo Di Piero De Medici the governor of Florence at his time and I will try to connect the ideas from it to modernity. Machiavelli wrote the “The Prince” which is an advice on how to gain and retain power of those who is in power. The reason why he wrote “The Prince” is in hopes to…...
EthicsMachiavelliThe Prince
Niccolò Machiavelli and His Concept of Modernity
Niccolò Machiavelli was a diplomat from Florence, and a political philosopher. He is also known as the founding father of modern political theory. The date of birth of Niccolò Machiavelli was in the Republic of Florence on 3 May 1469, he was the third child of Bernardo and Bartolomea. Around the same time Lorenzo the Magnificent became pioneer of Florence. Apparently a republic, Florence had been successfully administered by the Medici family since 1434. Machiavelli was raised to multiple classical…...
DemocracyMachiavelliPolitics
Locke and Machiavelli: Two Polar Opposites of Government
Throughout the years, there have been many forms over government or political ideals that have helped shape nations. While some have failed and fallen, others have prevailed and are still used and sought after to this day. Over the course of history, many political advocates have come forward and written about what they believe to be the perfect ideals to weave into a government or political system. Among these advocates are John Locke, author of Second Treatise of Civil Government,…...
John LockeLawMachiavelli
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Justice Is a Way to Assess Our Government and Society
Justice is the focus of a well-managed society, according to philosopher John Rawls. Rawls is responsible for the Original position or the difference principle. To understand the difference principle, you must first understand the “Veil of Ignorance”. Rawls states that the principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance. The questions that he asks are; how would a person want to organize society if the person were placed in what Rawls called the original position. (May, and Delston…...
PhilosophersPhilosophyRobin Hood
The Creation Myth in Plato’s Timaeus
The relationship between Man and nature as seen through Plato's creation myth Timaeus can be summed up relatively succinctly: all is one, and therefore, Man is nature and nature is Man. Plato’s scholarship analyzes a variety of elements and principles, but ultimately concludes that the creator “led it from chaos to order, which he regarded as in all ways better”.[footnoteRef:1] For Plato, all is born from chaos into order, all is made of the same elements, and all becomes chaos…...
Creation MythPhilosophyPlato
Philosophy of personal responsbility
Aristotle considers virtue to fall in between scarcity and overabundance. He believed that we should focus more so on how we act than the results or intentions of our actions. To understand ethics, according to Aristotle, it was necessary to observe the behavior of other people. Aristotle's Philosophy of Life Aristotle was very practical in his approach and many of his beliefs were based on the actual actions of people. Aristotle assumes that humans innately think and behave in ways to achieve…...
AristotleImmanuel KantPhilosophyResponsibilityUtilitarianism
An Analysis of Confucius’ Teachings
Due to the nature in which Confucius' work is discovered it can sometimes be hard to interpret what he means, given lack of context. However, comparing similar concepts throughout his teachings gives the best understanding of what Confucius means. The following is a passage in the Analytics "Zigong said: "I do not want others to impose on me, nor do I want to impose on others." Confucius replied, "Zigong, this is quite beyond your reach" (Confucius 5:12). Without the context…...
Confucius
The Success of Asians in Confucius Lives Next Door by T.R. Reid
T.R Reid's Confucius Lives Next Door was a remarkable insight into what it is like for an American to be plucked out of their “normative” culture and placed in one that is very differentiated. At the time of their culture shock, Reid and his family were “smack in the middle of a fundamental shift in world history – a basic realignment of global stature and political power” (Reid 5). I never realized that Japan and China only became global powerhouses…...
Confucius
The Disciples’ Observations on Confucius’ Teachings
An initial observation of The Analects may be one that notes the informal tone of the text. This informality stems from the conversational style in which Master Confucius' disciples recorded his teachings. The disciples' observations of their Master allow the reader to be able to obtain a more thorough image of Confucius of not only his methodology, but also of his persona. Amid all the underlying philosophy towards topics such as humaneness (ren), The Analects reveals an important characteristic of…...
Confucius
A Reflection on Three Quotes Attributed to Confucius
Confucius was a wise man that gave many bits of advice over his lifetime. One of his famous sayings is, "He (a gentleman) preaches only what he practices." In other words, only advise people to do things that you would typically do. I could not agree with this statement enough. There is no reason why you should be advising someone to do something when you yourself would never follow your own advice. For instance, if you yourself have a fear…...
Confucius
Aristotle vs Confucius: Prioritizing Family, Education & Character
Chinese Philosophies Throughout the history of mankind, people have searched for answers to the basic philosophical questions of existence, purpose, and society. Greek and Chinese philosophers wrestled with the simple and complex questions of human relationships in order to create a more perfect social order. Although there were clearly distinguishable differences between Chinese and Greek cultures, their philosophical ideas balanced between similarities and differences. Aristotle's views were not so different from Confucius' ideals, and the differences they had were not…...
Confucius
“What is Enlightenment” by Immanuel Kant
Although “What is Enlightenment” by Immanuel Kant and “Life of a Sensuous Woman” by Ihara Saikaku show simple differences, they relate to one another more than one may see. “What is Enlightenment” by Immanuel Kant was based around self-incurred tutelage. Enlightenment was the process by which the public could rid themselves of intellectual bondage after centuries of slumbering. Kant proposed the needs for enlightenment. Ultimately, Kant wanted the public to think without question, “treated in accordance with their dignity” ,…...
EnlightenmentImmanuel KantLazinessSociety
Albert Camus Story of a Bubonic Plague Epidemic
But here is something much more important, because under this appearance of narrative novel, is the exposure of problems of a tremendous ideological density, and we understand that the form of novel has been used only to express the attitude that Camus adopts in the face of great questions of man and life. It is likely that Camus chose the plague as the ideal setting to place his characters directly and inevitably before the tormented questions that he suggested life…...
Albert CamusBubonic Plague
Allegory of the Cave Applied to Social Media
The internet was born in 1990 and has now, 28 years later, become a crucial aspect of our everyday lives. Plato is an ancient Greek philosopher whose writings explored justice, beauty, and equality. The book Allegory of the Cave stands out to people the most because it is relatable and can be applied in the world we live in today. It is a book about a couple of prisoners who have been locked up with chains their whole lives and…...
Allegory Of The CavePlatoSocial Media
The Analects of Confucius
The Analects of Confucius were one of the first pieces we read in class and one that has stuck with me. We discussed in class the deeper meaning of each of the different statements and as to how they are “rules” in life. In this paper, I want to discuss Book 1 and how it was comprised of the themes of Confucius’ teaching. Confucius was an active leader and in The Analects of Confucius, he describes attributes of leaders along…...
ConfucianismConfucius
Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant was a philosopher during the Enlightenment Age. He wrote the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, which Kant argues that autonomy, or the ability to self-govern oneself, is the basis for morality and justice. Introduction Kant also believes that intentions are the basis for judging and determining value. He argues the intention for an action would determine whether the act is good or evil. “Nothing in the world—or out of it! —can possibly be conceived that could be…...
Immanuel Kant
NYT article Why Machiavelli Still Matters
In the NYT article, “Why Machiavelli Still Matters,” Scott and Zaretsky discuss the current relevancy and application of Niccolo Machiavelli’s teachings to current political figures and emphasizes the sheer importance of his lessons (2013). These teachings can be applied to one of the current democratic candidates, Micheal Bloomberg, particularly pertaining to his vast wealth and his strategic philanthropic spending. The year before Bloomberg announced his campaign his philanthropic spending increased astronomically, securing the allegiance of potentially powerful and influential individuals…...
Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli’s Moral Theory
What makes modern political thought “modern”? That’s a question that can be answered in a multitude of different ways. According to what we learned in class, there was a big emphasis on the changing of attitudes towards morality and politics, as Machiavelli showed us. It included many different revolutions such as The Reformation, The Renaissance, The Enlightenment, and most of all, the ride of republicanism. Modern Political Theory basically looks at the contemporary condition of political hypothesis, making an appraisal…...
Machiavelli
Kant and The Enlightenment
As the age of Enlightenment arose in the 18th century, many had different views on what Enlightenment was. For the most part, Enlightenment stresses the idea of rationalism. For Immanuel Kant, this meant thinking for yourself, expressing your ideas instead of others. As for Voltaire, he emphasized that the idea of Dogmatism towards religion should not be instituted; instead, Voltaire insisted that people be tolerant towards other religions. According to Kant, “Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-imposed immaturity”(Kant 1).…...
Immanuel Kant
About Two Philosophers
The following sample essay on "About Two Philosophers": about compare and contrast two philosophers. Philosophers are essential in the provision of both knowledge and critical analyses. Some of the theories and disciplines that are postulated by philosophers are essential to set the path that the community should follow to live as a unit. In this aspect, Paulo Freire and Emmanuel Kant are the philosophers that I will focus on. In his ideas, Freire's have been significant tools in influencing other…...
AstronomyCategorical ImperativeCultureEpistemologyEthicsPedagogy Of The Oppressed
Red River Rebellion
The folllowing sample essay on Red River Rebellion discusses it in detail, offering basic facts and pros and cons associated with it. To read the essay's introduction, body and conclusion, scroll down.This paper will look at the views of five different authors and their views on the Red River Rebellion. The sources that surround the Red River Rebellion come from people of many different scholarly backgrounds, walks of life and opinions. To really understand an event that happened so long…...
BiasBritish EmpireJohn LockePhilosophersPhilosophyPolitical Science
Tragic Villain Definition
The essay sample on Tragic Villain Definition dwells on its problems, providing shortened but comprehensive overview of basic facts and arguments related to it. To read the essay, scroll down.Shakespeare’s Iago is the antagonist of Othello but what makes him tragic is an enigma as he is reticent and seems motiveless. However, Shakespeare prints three possible motives into the play that present him as tragic. Iago is a Machiavellian villain as was Macbeth in Macbeth, written two years after Othello,…...
AristotlePhilosophersPhilosophy
The Niccolo Machiavelli Parents
The following sample essay on The Niccolo Machiavelli Parents deals with a framework of research-based facts, approaches and arguments concerning this theme. To see the essay's introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion, read on. The Prince or The Analects By Rory Steuart Comparing the The Analects (confucious) with the Prince (Machiavelli) is something like comparing George bush and Elizabeth May of the green party. Basically the wrtitings of The Analects totally disagrees with the writings of The Prince. Confucius believes people…...
FamilyLifeMachiavelliParentPhilosophersPhilosophy
Rhetorical Theory Of Communication
This sample essay on Rhetorical Theory Of Communication reveals arguments and important aspects of this topic. Read this essay's introduction, body paragraphs and the conclusion below. Importance of Rhetorical Theory in Communication “What do you think about Rhetorical theory? Do you think, it’s something essential for our speaking, something we can’t do without? ” – that was the start of my writing this essay, the first question that aroused in my mind, when I started it. Why should I write…...
AristotleCommunicationJuryPersuasionRhetoric
Analytical Paper On Aristotle
The following academic paper highlights the up-to-date issues and questions of Aristotle Essay. This sample provides just some ideas on how this topic can be analyzed and discussed. Aristotle is one of the most influential philosophers of the western tradition and had many philosophical plants credited to him. In his treatise on logic jointly known as “Organon” . Aristotle gave two preliminary treatises ; “The Categories and De Interpretatione ( on reading ) covering with footings and with propositions severally.…...
AristotleEpistemologyMetaphysicsPhilosophersPhilosophical TheoriesPhilosophy
Exploring Mrs Lyons: Pros and Cons
The folllowing sample essay on Mrs Lyons discusses it in detail, offering basic facts and pros and cons associated with it. To read the essay's introduction, body and conclusion, scroll down.The contrast of Mrs. Johnstone having several children but little money and Mrs. Lyons having no children but a lot of money is an important point put across by Russell. He is showing that despite her wealth, Mrs. Lyons, leads an empty life without children, especially with her husband being…...
Bertrand RussellLanguageLuckResearchSuperstition
The Truman Show Transcript
This sample essay on The Truman Show Transcript reveals arguments and important aspects of this topic. Read this essay's introduction, body paragraphs and the conclusion below.In the film “The Truman Show. ” one epistemic job that is being tackled is the job of how adult male is able to go cognizant of things that he one time had no thought approximately. Do we acquire to cognize things or do we get cognition because of our mere experiences of things or…...
EpistemologyJohn LockeMetaphysicsPhilosophersPhilosophy
Bertrand Russell The Value Of Philosophy
This sample essay on Bertrand Russell The Value Of Philosophy provides important aspects of the issue and arguments for and against as well as the needed facts. Read on this essay's introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.Rubric: Explain Russell’s take on the central value of philosophy. In the final part of your answer, provide a reasoned evaluation of some aspect of Russell’s defense of philosophical inquiry that includes some discussion of an example or two that you think illustrates the importance…...
Bertrand RussellCultureGodHinduismPhilosophy
Aristotle Function Argument
This sample essay on Aristotle Function Argument reveals arguments and important aspects of this topic. Read this essay's introduction, body paragraphs and the conclusion below.“… if the function of man is an activity of the soul in accordance with, or implying, a rational principle; and if we hold that the function an individual and of a good individual of the same kind – e. g. f a harpist and of a good harpist and so on generally – is generically…...
AristotlePhilosophersPhilosophy
Aristotelian Tragedy
The following example essay on “Aristotelian Tragedy" discusses the great Greek myth of Oedipus, which continues to be integral to the Western literary canon even today. Starting from 5th century B.C., various ancient writers of the Hellenistic era made references to Oedipus in their works. The best known version of the Oedipus myth comes from Sophocles’ trilogy of Theban plays: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone. Reading the biography of Oedipus through Aristotle’s conception of tragedy makes for…...
AristotleLiterary GenreOedipus RexSophoclesTragedy
Sample Essay on Socrates Believed That
Socrates believed that right insight leads to right action, this means that our judgment in choosing right over wrong causes us to do good. He says that our actions should be based from our reason and that ignorance causes us to think wrongly and in turn will make us do evil. We must conquer our ignorance if we want to do good in order to achieve our end goal, to have a happy life. A happy life is understanding what…...
EpistemologyMetaphysicsPhilosophersPhilosophical TheoriesPhilosophySocrates
The Rise And Fall Of Alexandria
The following sample essay on Rise And Fall Of Alexandria offers an extensive list of facts and arguments related to it. The essay's introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion are provided below. How the modern world was actually established is often overlooked and attributed to the powers and domination of Athens and Rome. What authors Justin Pollard and Howard Reid urge readers to understand, however, is the significance that the city of Alexandria had on Western Civilization. Both authors have…...
Ancient RomeAristotleCleopatraCulture
Moral Absolutism Principle and Approach
This sample essay on Moral Absolutism provides important aspects of the issue and arguments for and against as well as the needed facts. Read on this essay's introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Moral absolutism is the view that morale standards are unchanging and universal. On the opposite side of the spectrum there is a relativist approach. Relativists believe that moral claims are true or false depending on the moral standpoint. These opposing viewpoints can bring about great societal and political…...
John LockePhilosophersPhilosophy
Aristotle Self Realization
The essay sample on Aristotle Self Realization dwells on its problems, providing a shortened but comprehensive overview of basic facts and arguments related to it. To read the essay, scroll down.Aristotles’ Philosophy of Man – Self-Realization Brief History about Aristotle Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) was a Greek philosopher. He was a student of Plato and a teacher of Alexander the Great. Aristotle wrote a lot covering subjects which include physics, metaphysics, theater, poetry, music, linguistics, rhetoric, logic, politics,…...
AristotleHuman NatureMetaphysicsPhilosophersPhilosophical TheoriesPhilosophy
Wholesight Definition
This sample of an academic paper on Wholesight Definition reveals arguments and important aspects of this topic. Read this essay's introduction, body paragraphs and the conclusion below.Ethical issues exist in all areas of criminal justice system (from passage of laws to punishment) Criminal justice professionals have discretion Legislators: in making laws Police: in enforcing laws Attorneys and Judges: affecting justice process Correctional Professionals: affecting offenders lives What do criminal justice professionals have in common? power to make decisions duty to…...
Categorical ImperativeCrimeCriminal JusticeJusticeLawNatural Law
Truth According To Plato
The following academic paper highlights the up-to-date issues and questions of Truth According To Plato. This sample provides just some ideas on how this topic can be analyzed and discussed. However Antigone disagrees and wants to bury her brother in accordance to the will of the gods. And so she does. There is no right or wrong here, just an opposition of opinion on who is right. The truth they believe in is right according to them. Thus proving in…...
PhilosophersPhilosophyPlatoScienceTruth
Creating Your Ideal State Essay
The essay sample on Creating Your Ideal State Essay dwells on its problems, providing a shortened but comprehensive overview of basic facts and arguments related to it. To read the essay, scroll down.Eren ErkanFinal Draft 20801260 IR Phil 243/ 15 Tugce Ar? kan Essay Question: Explain Plato’s ideal state by referring to the Republic, book IV and VII. To what extent do you agree with Plato’s idea that the kings should be philosophers? Why? Why not? Concept of create an…...
Allegory Of The CaveJusticePhilosophical TheoriesPlato
“Brilliant Pain” by Andrew Miller
This sample essay on Ingenious Pain provides important aspects of the issue and arguments for and against as well as the needed facts. Read on this essay's introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The book Ingenious Pain by Andrew Miller takes place during The Enlightenment of the 18th century. This dramatic novel portrays James Dyer, the main character, is born in 1739 without the feeling of pain. In the eight parts of the story, the structure begins near the end in…...
DiseaseFriedrich NietzscheHuman NaturePain
Diary Of A Madman Lu Xun Summary
This essay sample on Diary Of A Madman Lu Xun Summary provides all necessary basic information on this matter, including the most common "for and against" arguments. Below are the introduction, body and conclusion parts of this essay.Lu Xun writes about the impending doom for China because he hates to see the homeland he loves diminish. The Story of Ah Q and The Madman’s Diary are both scornful critiques of Chinese traditions, values, customs and ways of life. He is…...
ChinaConfucianismConfuciusCulture
Superior Man Confucius
This sample paper on Superior Man Confucius offers a framework of relevant facts based on recent research in the field. Read the introductory part, body, and conclusion of the paper below.A Reflection on Confucianism Confucianism teachings focus on three socially critical topics. These aspects are woven into the Confucian teachings called The Analects. The Analects can be broken down into the four main parts of focus, humanity, or Jean, word-deed, propriety and the superior man. These Analects are primarily concerned…...
ConfucianismConfuciusCultureEthicsPhilosophersPhilosophical Theories
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