Philosophy Archives

Utilitarianism vs. Libertarianism: What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between utilitarianism vs. libertarianism? Can the two be reconciled? To what extent should government restrict personal freedoms to ensure public safety and well-being? Utilitarianism states that government should only concern itself with maximizing public welfare. Libertarianism, on the other hand, says that government should only concern itself with maximizing personal freedoms. Michael Sandel explores the difference between these two ideologies and how their views apply to real-life political questions.

The Indigenous Critique: What Started the Enlightenment?

What’s the indigenous critique? What started the Enlightenment? Is the traditional narrative accurate? European Enlightenment philosophy was inspired by the native North American people’s critique of European customs. That’s the view of David Graeber and David Wengrow, as presented in their book The Dawn of Everything. Continue reading to learn about this fascinating alternative view of history.

Applying Michael Sandel’s Philosophy of Justice

What is Michael Sandel’s philosophy of justice? What are the key tenets of Sandel’s communitarianism? In Justice, Michael Sandel advocates his philosophy of justice and how he thinks it can create a more moral world—”communitarianism.” Communitarianism argues that the goal of the state is to create and preserve a community of citizens by promoting public engagement, kinship, and a sense of belonging. To show how communitarianism works in practice, Sandel offers the following examples of how governments can create and preserve a community of citizens.

Philosophy of Leadership: 4 Examples to Inspire Your Own

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Do you want to change the world? To do anything meaningful, you’re going to have to work with people. And if you’re working with people, you need to know how to lead them. To lead effectively, you must cultivate a cohesive philosophy of leadership—a system of values and core principles that will inform your decision-making. In this article, we’ll discuss what a philosophy of leadership is, why it’s important, and provide four examples of philosophies to help you decide which one is right for you.

Michael Sandel: What Is Communitarianism?

What is communitarianism? How does communitarianism differ from liberalism and utilitarianism? Communitarianism is a political ideology that prioritizes the connection between the individual and the community. According to political philosopher Michael Sandel, communitarianism is the best principle for organizing human societies. Keep reading to learn about communitarianism, according to Michael Sandel.

Maximizing Freedom: Libertarianism Philosophy Explained

What is libertarianism in philosophy? Is there a safe limit to how much freedom individuals may have? Libertarianism states that the goal of the state is to maximize personal freedom. This goal comes from the libertarian belief that people own themselves. That said, libertarians do recognize that it’s the government’s role to prevent people from limiting the freedom of others. Keep reading to learn about the key tenets of libertarian philosophy.

Kandiaronk: The First Philosopher Behind the Enlightenment?

Who was Kandiaronk? Did his ideas influence the Enlightenment in Europe? Kandiaronk, a leader of the Wendat people in North America, was an intellectual whose ideas made their way to Europe in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. In The Dawn of Everything, David Graeber and David Wengrow argue that these ideas gave rise to the Enlightenment. Continue reading to learn about this intriguing character and his philosophy.

What Is Utilitarianism Moral Philosophy?

What is utilitarianism in philosophy? How do utilitarians define morality? Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy arguing that the morality of an action or choice depends on how much happiness or pain it creates. “Happiness” to utilitarians (which they call “utility”) means pleasure and the fulfillment of desires, while a lack of happiness means pain or deprivation of desires. Keep reading to learn about the key tenets of utilitarianism philosophy and how they apply to real-life political issues.

Reasoning From First Principles: Things to Keep in Mind

What are “first principles” in philosophy? What are some things you should keep in mind when reasoning from first principles? First principles are self-evident assumptions that ground your reasoning. For example, in deciding which career path to pursue, you might follow the first principle that upward mobility is valuable. Here are some things you should watch out for when using the first-principles method of reasoning.

Utilitarian Happiness: How It’s Measured

How does utilitarianism define happiness? What does utilitarian happiness have to do with morality? Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that prescribes actions that maximize welfare or happiness. Utilitarians argue that happiness and pain are the only ways we can measure morality—morally good things make people happy, while morally bad things cause people pain. Keep reading to learn about the utilitarian conception of happiness and how can be measured.