Philosophy Final

G.W.F. Hegel

A major 19th-century German philosopher known for his work 'Phenomenology of Spirit' and for developing the concept of Absolute Reason and dialectical method.

Dialectic

A method proposed by Hegel consisting of a triadic process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, driving conflict and progress.

Arthur Schopenhauer

German philosopher known for his work 'The World as Will and Representation', arguing that existence is driven by individual will rather than a hierarchy leading to God.

Søren Kierkegaard

Often called the 'Father of Existentialism', he emphasized subjective truth and individual redemption through internal conflict.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory primarily associated with Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill aiming to maximize happiness for the greatest number of people.

John Stuart Mill

An influential 19th-century philosopher who expanded on utilitarianism and advocated for gender equality in 'The Subjection of Women'.

Friedrich Nietzsche

Philosopher known for 'perspectivism' and the concept of the 'will to power', he famously declared the 'Death of God' and critiqued traditional morality.

Charles S. Peirce

American philosopher who initiated pragmatism; he emphasized the role of the scientific method in determining truth.

William James

Philosopher and psychologist known for his pragmatic approach to truth, suggesting that truth is defined by practical outcomes.

Ludwig Wittgenstein

A philosopher who contributed to the philosophy of language, initially through logical positivism and later through the idea of language as forms of life.

Edmund Husserl

Philosopher focused on phenomenology and the conscious experience, advocating for 'bracketing' one’s assumptions to understand phenomena.

Martin Heidegger

Existentialist philosopher known for exploring the nature of Being, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and our relationship with the world.

Jean-Paul Sartre

French existentialist who argued that existence precedes essence and emphasized the importance of authentic living over societal conformity.

Nelson Goodman

Philosopher known for his work on inductive reasoning and the challenges of establishing formal validity through thought experiments.

John Rawls

Philosopher who redefined social contract theory in 'Theory of Justice', arguing for fairness and justice behind a 'veil of ignorance'.