496 Answered Questions for the topic philosophy

03/26/19

Did the Ancient Greek Philosophers actually believe in their Gods and Myths?
Is there any historical proof that shows what attitude the Ancient Greeks, specially the philosophers, had towards their Gods?
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Art History Chinese

03/24/19

What is an artwork from China that expresses a clear connection to Daoism or Confucianism and explain how the philosophy/religion is represented in the artwork?
What is an artwork from China that expresses a clear connection to Daoism or Confucianism and explain how the philosophy/religion is represented in the artwork?
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •2
Philosophy Theology

03/19/19

If the universe has a beginning does that prove God exists?
It is curious to note that a eminent Physicist like Stephen Hawking thinks the universe has a beginning. This has some rather startling Religious implications
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/19/19

Is it a fallacy, and if so which, to believe we are special because our existence on Earth seems improbable?
People often use the argument that there must be a God, for example, because Earth and the laws of physics are perfectly situated for humans to exist the way we do. However, if Earth or even the... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/19/19

Why aren't pure apperception and empirical apperception structurally identical, even though they are functionally identical in Kant's Anthropology?
I can't be the only one who finds this strange. Section 7 of *Anthropology from a Pragmatic Perspective*, entitled "On Sensibility in contrast to understanding", reads as follows: >In regard to... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/19/19

Is there anything that is totally random?
When I say totally random, I mean absolutely random, not pseudorandom. If I want to say "totally random" numbers such as 1,26,17,4,1 and 27, although I see them to be totally random, they aren't.... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/19/19

Do any philosophers disagree with Occam's razor?
I never bought into the razor. For example, if I have two hypotheses A and B with equal evidence, the razor would have me pick the simpler one. But personally in my mind, I create a sort of... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/19/19

Interpret Bayesian probability as frequentist probability?
It is usually said that the Bayesian probability is a subjective concept, quantifying one's degree of belief in something, while the frequentist probability is the the fraction of certain outcomes... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Logic

03/19/19

What is the difference between "necessary" and "sufficient"?
What is the logical difference between something being necessary in order for something else to be true; as opposed to something being sufficient to make something else true. i.e. Fuel is... more
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •2
Philosophy Epistemology

03/19/19

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence?
"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." I think this statement raises some kind of epistemic problem. Like, how are we supposed to conclude the potential non-existence of something, like... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/19/19

Does compatibilism imply that a chess program has free will?
I am puzzled by compatibilism and am trying to understand what it means using a test example. Given that a typical chess program generates several choices, evaluates them with a goal of winning and... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Logic Proof Theology

03/19/19

Does a negative claimant have a burden of proof?
I have often heard it said that the burden of proof is on the positive claimant but not on the one making a negative claim. A person claiming, "God exists" has a burden of proof but not a person... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Logic Modal Logic

03/18/19

What is modal logic for?
I understand "pure" logic as a structural description of what a valid proof is but I have never understood the reasons for using modal logic. What's an example typical of how modal logic is used?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/18/19

Why does Dawkins think it is wrong to posit that a paragon of 100% morals could theoretically exist?
Let’s move on down Aquinas’s list. 4\\. The Argument from Degree >>We notice that things in the world differ. There are degrees of, say, goodness or perfection. But we judge these degrees... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Determinism

03/18/19

How should you respond to criminal behavior if you believe in hard determinism?
There are several ideas on hard determinism, but the core seems to be that in an interconnected existence, there can be no "actions" (free will), but only "reactions" (determinism). An action of... more
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Logic

03/18/19

Are different values of nothing equivalent?
Are different values of nothing equivalent? Is 'no tigers' the same as 'no zebras'?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/18/19

What fallacy in Pascal's Wager allows replacing God with the devil?
I wanted to know the name of the fallacy or fallacies the Pascal's Wager in the sense that it can be applied to motivate one's belief in many things. A similar argument to the original Wager can be... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/18/19

How to get started with philosophy without getting overwhelmed quickly?
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to find how to get started with philosophy but I can’t. It seems that getting started with computer programming is nothing in comparison - with computer programming... more
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Logic Pascal Theology

03/18/19

Does Pascal's Wager contain any logical flaws or fallacies?
Blaise Pascal's famous wager was that even if the existence of God cannot be determined through reason, a rational person should wager as though God exists, because living life accordingly has... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Ethics Theology

03/18/19

Does the idea of being created imply the necessity for obedience to a creator?
If a scientist created intelligent life (biological, AI software, etc.), would that scientist have the right to dictate to that life a moral framework? Does the act of creation give implicit rights... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Biology

03/16/19

What is the bioethical issue?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Philosophy Anthropology Sociology

03/15/19

What is actor-network theory?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

03/14/19

What is the difference between a statement and a proposition?
I'm doing a MOOC on mathematical philosophy and the lecturer drew a distinction between a proposition and a statement. This is very puzzling to me. My background is in math and I regard those two... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2
Philosophy Logic Truth

03/14/19

What is the difference (if any) between "not true" and "false"?
A fairly simple question I hope someone can help me with.
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •3
Philosophy Logic Fallacies

03/14/19

Is circular reasoning always a fallacy?
Suppose the following dialogue: >... >"I accept only one notion of land property. Namely, 'I am doing my stuff here, therefore I am here". >"But this means," he responded, "you can break... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

Still looking for help? Get the right answer, fast.

Ask a question for free

Get a free answer to a quick problem.
Most questions answered within 4 hours.

OR

Find an Online Tutor Now

Choose an expert and meet online. No packages or subscriptions, pay only for the time you need.