eBooks de filosofía, página 4 de 14

Aristotle addresses the nature of logical fallacies and deceptive arguments used to mislead in debate. He categorizes these "sophisms" and provides methods for detecting and refuting them, emphasizing the importance of genuine reasoning over rhetorical trickery. The work serves as a manual for dialectic defense, equipping the reader to distinguish between valid proofs and apparent truths. It is an essential component of the Organon, refining the tools of logic and critical thinking.

Dive into a rigorous debate concerning the true nature of rhetoric and its place in civil society, as Socrates confronts one of the most famous sophists of his time. The dialogue relentlessly questions whether the art of persuasion is a noble pursuit or merely a tool for manipulation and flattery without regard for justice. Plato argues passionately for the health of the soul over the power of speech, suggesting that it is better to suffer wrong than to commit it. This work stands as a powerful critique of political corruption and the moral responsibilities of those who wield influence.

While awaiting execution in his prison cell, Socrates is visited by his friend Crito, who has arranged a safe escape. Socrates refuses to flee, engaging Crito in a dialogue about the nature of justice and the citizens obligation to the laws of the state. He argues that responding to injustice with further injustice is wrong, and that he must abide by the legal verdict of the city that raised him. It is a powerful examination of civil obedience and the social contract.

Plato records the defense speech given by Socrates at his trial, where he stands accused of corrupting the youth and impiety. Rather than begging for mercy, Socrates offers a spirited justification of his philosophical life, arguing that he is a "gadfly" sent to sting the state into awareness. He famously declares that "the unexamined life is not worth living," choosing death over silence. It is a foundational text of Western philosophy, portraying the dignity of a thinker facing unjust persecution.

Venture into a grand cosmological myth that seeks to explain the creation of the universe by a divine craftsman. This influential dialogue describes the physical world as a mathematical ordering of the elements, bridging the gap between the eternal Forms and the material realm. It discusses the nature of time, space, and the human body, influencing scientific and theological thought for millennia. The text offers a unique vision of a rational universe designed with purpose and beauty.

Follow the famous geometrical demonstration with an enslaved boy as Socrates attempts to prove that learning is actually a form of recollection from a previous existence. This dialogue addresses the paradox of inquiry, asking how one can search for something they do not already know, while simultaneously exploring whether virtue can be taught. It bridges the gap between metaphysics and ethics, offering a glimpse into the theory of forms through practical application. The work remains essential for those interested in epistemology and the Socratic approach to education.

Encounter one of the most challenging and abstract of Platos works, featuring a rare instance where a young Socrates is put on the defensive by an elder philosopher. The dialogue rigorously critiques the Theory of Forms, raising logical difficulties that have puzzled scholars for centuries regarding the relationship between the one and the many. It is a mental workout that pushes dialectic to its limits, exploring the fundamental nature of reality and existence. This text is a crucial pivot point in Platonic thought, demonstrating the philosophers willingness to scrutinize his own most cherished doctrines.

Explore the sophistical traps laid by two brothers as they engage in a battle of wits against Socrates in this dialogue concerning the nature of wisdom and virtue. Plato masterfully dissects the logical fallacies employed by the Euthydemus and Dionysodorus, contrasting their eristic methods with true philosophical inquiry. As the conversation spirals into absurdity, the text serves as both a humorous critique of empty rhetoric and a serious examination of how language can be manipulated to obscure the truth. This enduring work challenges readers to distinguish between the appearance of knowledge and the rigorous pursuit of reality.

In this Socratic dialogue, the conversation centers on the definition of "sophrosyne," often translated as temperance or moderation. Socrates engages with a young man and his guardian to explore whether this virtue represents quietness, modesty, or self-knowledge. As with many early dialogues, the discussion ends in a state of aporia, or puzzlement, having dismantled all proposed definitions. It serves as an inquiry into the difficulty of defining ethical concepts and the nature of self-control.

Observe a clash of intellectual titans as Socrates faces off against a leading sophist to determine if political virtue can be taught to the youth of Athens. The dialogue is rich with dramatic irony and detailed character studies, contrasting the long-winded speeches of the sophist with the concise dialectic of the philosopher. It delves into the unity of the virtues and the role of pleasure in ethical decision-making, challenging the educational systems of the day. This vivid portrayal of 5th-century intellectual life questions the foundations of democracy and civic leadership.

Engage with the cornerstone of Western political philosophy, a sweeping inquiry into the nature of justice and the construction of an ideal city-state. Through the famous allegory of the cave and the concept of the philosopher-king, the text argues that the just soul and the just state are mirror images of one another. It covers an immense range of topics, including education, poetry, immortality, and the structure of reality. This monumental work challenges readers to imagine a society governed by reason and the Good.

Investigate the elusive nature of knowledge in a dialogue that rejects the definition of knowledge as mere perception or true belief. Socrates acts as a "midwife" to ideas, helping a brilliant young mathematician birth various theories only to test and discard them. The text is a masterpiece of epistemological inquiry, highlighting the distinction between the fluctuating world of the senses and the stability of truth. It remains a critical starting point for anyone asking what it means to truly know something.

Aristotle delves into the fundamental nature of reality, exploring concepts that go beyond the physical world. He investigates the principles of existence, the nature of substance, and the definition of the "unmoved mover" or first cause. This seminal text seeks to understand being qua being, distinguishing between potentiality and actuality in the structure of the universe. It serves as a foundational inquiry into ontology, shaping the course of Western philosophical thought for centuries.

The city-state is examined as the highest form of community, aimed at achieving the common good and enabling citizens to live virtuously. Aristotle compares various constitutions and forms of government, classifying them based on whether they serve the public interest or the rulers selfish desires. He discusses the role of the citizen, the nature of justice, and the importance of education in maintaining the stability of the state. This political treatise argues that man is by nature a political animal, destined to live in a structured society.

Join two distinguished generals and Socrates in a search for the definition of courage, only to find that even experienced soldiers struggle to articulate the virtue they embody. The conversation moves from the specific training of young men to the broader nature of bravery, exposing the limitations of conventional wisdom. Despite the failure to reach a conclusive definition, the dialogue illustrates the importance of intellectual humility and the complexity of moral education. It serves as a timeless reminder that possessing a virtue does not necessarily equate to understanding it.

The processes of coming into being and passing away are analyzed in this scientific exploration of change in the natural world. Aristotle distinguishes generation from simple alteration, proposing that the four elementsearth, air, fire, and watertransform into one another through the exchange of qualities. The text examines the cyclical nature of life and matter, rejecting the idea of a void and focusing on the continuity of physical substance. It lays the groundwork for understanding growth, decay, and the perpetual transformation of the material universe.

Experience the moving final hours of Socrates as he discusses the immortality of the soul with his devoted friends before drinking the hemlock. The dialogue weaves together emotional narrative and complex metaphysical arguments, offering hope that death is a liberation rather than an end. Plato presents a vision of the afterlife and the philosophers journey toward the pure realm of Forms, transforming a tragedy into a testament of intellectual courage. It stands as one of the most poignant and influential works in Western literature.

This profound treatise on ethics establishes the concept of the highest good for human beings, which Aristotle identifies as Eudaimonia, or flourishing happiness. He argues that virtue is a habit, a mean between the extremes of excess and deficiency, cultivated through practice and reason. The work explores the nature of friendship, pleasure, and the role of contemplation in achieving a well-lived life. It provides a practical guide to moral character, emphasizing that the goal of ethics is not just to know what is good, but to become good.

Immanuel Kant seeks to establish the supreme principle of morality, arguing that moral actions must be based on duty rather than consequences. He introduces the famous Categorical Imperative, creating a framework where rules must be universally applicable to all rational beings. The text dissects the concepts of good will, autonomy, and the kingdom of ends. It is a rigorous philosophical groundwork for ethical behavior and rational freedom.

Examine the mysterious source of artistic inspiration in this short but significant dialogue where Socrates questions a celebrated rhapsode about his craft. The discussion probes whether the poets ability comes from technical knowledge and skill or from a form of divine madness that bypasses rational thought. Plato suggests that artists are merely vessels for the gods, lacking true understanding of the subjects they perform. It is a compelling exploration of the ancient quarrel between poetry and philosophy, questioning the authority of creative genius.