The World's Best Book Summaries
What is logical positivism? What is the main criticism of this philosophy? Logical positivism is a philosophy that states that the only problems worth considering are those which can be solved through observation or logic. Following this logic, scientific paradigms should only work for the specific phenomena they’ve been tested for, and only under those same conditions. Read more to learn about logical positivism philosophy and its criticism.
What are the different kinds of meditation? What do these types of meditation accomplish? Meditation can take both active and inactive forms. In The Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains to Arjuna how the different kinds of meditation can bring him closer to god. Read more about the different kinds of meditation in The Bhagavad Gita.
What are the three Gunas? How can you learn about the three Gunas in The Bhagavad Gita? The three Gunas are sattva, rajas, and tamas. In The Bhagavad Gita, every action is fueled by knowledge of one of the three Gunas. Read more about the three Gunas and what they mean.
Who are Krishna and Arjuna in The Bhagavad Gita? Why are they so important to the story? Krishna and Arjuna in The Bhagavad Gita have an important connection. Arjuna, a prince is deeply conflicted about a battle, and Krishna, a god, helps him understand important lessons about himself and his spirituality. Read more about Krishna and Arjuna in The Bhagavad Gita.
What is the role of government in a free society? How can government serve the people while still allowing them economic freedom? Milton Friedman’s Capitalism and Freedom argues that without government interference, people and society will be allowed to flourish. According to Friedman, the role of government in a free society is to be uninvolved. Read more about the role of government in a free society.
How does Kuhn explain a scientific revolution? What spurs a revolution into motion and how do we know that a scientific discipline has been revolutionized? According to Thomas Kuhn, a scientific revolution happens when new discoveries do not fit into the existing scientific frameworks. When that happens, scientists have to break with traditional knowledge and start looking for a new model that fits this new information. Read more about Thomas Kuhn’s scientific revolution theory.
What is the connection between yoga and spirituality? How is spiritual yoga defined in The Bhagavad Gita? Many people are familiar with hatha yoga, which is controlling the body and mind through physical exercise and meditation. But yoga and spirituality also have a higher purpose. By focusing on yoga, or your connecting with god, you can break free from karma. Read more about yoga and spirituality, and how Arjuna learns how to use yoga to break free from karma.
What is dharma in The Bhagavad Gita? How does the text define dharma, and what does it mean in terms of spirituality? Dharma in The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important lessons. In the text, dharma is similar to destiny. Your dharma helps you fulfill your higher purpose, rather than be concerned with material things. Krishna introduces dharma to Arjuna, and they continue to refer to it throughout the book. Read more about dharma in The Bhagavad Gita.
What is Karl Popper’s falsification theory? What contribution did Popper make to the philosophy of science? Karl Popper was a philosopher who is mostly known for his falsification principle. According to Karl Popper’s falsification theory, tests for verification of scientific theories should be designed with the purpose of disproving or falsifying them, not confirming them. Learn about Karl Popper’s falsification theory.
What is Thomas Kuhn’s philosophy of science? How did his ideas revolutionize the way scientists think about the development of science? The central tenet of Kuhn’s philosophy of science is the distinction between normal and revolutionary science. Normal science is a progressively cumulative compendium of knowledge within the established paradigms. Revolutionary science happens when there is a shift from the set paradigm. Read more to learn about Thomas Kuhn’s philosophy of science.