Philosophy of the XIX Century Key Concepts and Thinkers

Philosophy of the XIX Century

Overview
  • The study of 19th-century philosophy focuses on the contributions and ideas of various key figures such as John Stuart Mill, Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, and Arthur Schopenhauer.
  • Major philosophical theories during this period include:
    • Utilitarianism (Mill)
    • Positivism (Comte)
    • Marxism (Marx)
    • Philosophy of Life (Schopenhauer)
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
  • Advocated for Utilitarianism, asserting that the best actions are those that promote the greatest happiness.
  • Opinions on freedom:
    1. Freedom maximizes happiness, as individuals are generally better at knowing what makes them happy.
    2. Freedom of choice aids in the development of human nature.
    3. While mistakes happen, differences in opinions lead to individual and societal progress.
Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
  • Developed Positivism, a philosophy asserting that knowledge must be based on observable phenomena and logical reasoning.
  • ** Law of Three Stages**:
    • Theological Stage: Understanding through religious views.
    • Metaphysical Stage: Abstract principles lead to social understanding.
    • Positive Stage: Knowledge based on scientific observation.
  • Proposed an Encyclopedic Law for classifying sciences, emphasizing a structure from simple to complex.
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
  • Founded Marxism, highlighting the role of class struggle in societal development.
  • Emphasized Alienation in three forms:
    1. Alienation from products of labor.
    2. Alienation from one's own activity.
    3. Alienation from humanity's essence.
  • Concept of Surplus Value: The value created over and above the worker's wage, leading to profit for capitalists, signifying worker exploitation.
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)
  • Proposed the notion of the world as will and perception, asserting that:
    • Objective truth is subjective; perceptions shape reality.
    • Space and time serve as a priori forms that help organize sensations.
  • Introduced the idea of Will as the inner essence of everything, likening it to a blind force manifested in individual behavior.
References
  • Ayer, A. & O’Grady, J. (1992). The Dictionary of Philosophical Quotations. Blackwell.
  • Gava, G. (2019). "Kant and Crusius on Belief and Practical Justification." Kantian Review.
  • Honderich, T. (Ed.) (1995). The Oxford Companion to Philosophy.
  • Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (IEP). www.Iep.utm.edu
  • Walsh, J. (2019). "Amo on the Heterogeneity Problem." Philosophers’ Imprint, 19(41): 1–28.