Analysing Mill’s ideas on non-intervention/the colonial exception & contradictions

This essay will first outline Mill’s ideas on non-intervention, the colonial exception and how this relates to his ideas on individual liberty, before evaluating how these ideas contradict each other. Firstly, it will contend that his view that colonialism is nurturing the local people to prepare them for gaining individual liberty is inconsistent given the … Read more

Argument from evil

I. Introduction Argument from evil is essentially an argument that objects to the existence of God on account of the existence of evil in the world. The fact that evil plagues this world in multitude and enormity consolidates the foundation of atheism. There are four versions of this argument. The first version of the argument … Read more

The Euthyphro problem (the second hornist’s position is stronger)

The Euthyphro problem has been central to the discussion about morality and its relationship with God. We will first outline the dilemma before presenting problems with both sides. Ultimately, this essay will argue that the second hornist’s position, that God wills things because they are good, is the stronger but that the conception of God … Read more

What is Moral? Consequential theory and deontology

Definition of the word morality is a group of standard applied to people, personally or socially, and used to define correct or wrong behaviours and personalities, according to the Cambridge Dictionary. In other words, morality sets the guideline for what people “ought to do”. (Potthast&Panza, 2010) It is not as difficult to explain the word … Read more

Locke’s Two Treatise of Government

In 1689, Locke introduced his Theory of Government which was controversial to British thinkers, defending and summarising bourgeois rule and its new system in theory. The whole book is divided into two parts, which separates in to critical and constructive. The rationalism spirit which differs from his philosophy empiricism has laid the keynote of modern … Read more

Existence of God – Descartes and Aquinas

The discussion on God’s existence has been a very controversial topic throughout our the history of mankind. In order to fully understand God’s existence, we must first have a wide range of knowledge and understanding on the way of being and existence. The study of metaphysics has allowed us to understand and think about the … Read more

Comparing control: Neo in The Matrix, Plato’s cave and Descartes’ demon

The Matrix, Plato, and Descartes are all controlled by different means. Neo is controlled by the computer system, Plato’s cave by the mankind and Descartes by his perceptions of evil demons. These three have multiple similarities as well as differences. They all question the reality in which they are currently living, whether it’s real or … Read more

Reading week 2 – Global ethics by Andrew Heywood

Macintyre 1966 stated that the very process of moral argument presupposes the principle that everyone is to be treated the same until reason to the contrary is shown. This principle however does not prescribe how anyone should be treated. Here are a few decisions facing contemporary policymakers and citizens around the world: who is responsible … Read more

We need sympathy and reason to derive morality (utilitarianism)

Utilitarians emphasize the role of sympathy in thinking about morality, this is important to take into consideration because it is right to acknowledge the reality of strong human compassion. We cannot separate ourselves from the feelings that drive our behavior, even if it reason that drives our thinking. One could argue that we need both … Read more

Act utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a moral theory that posits the right action is the one that produces the best outcome for the greatest number of people. Within utilitarianism, there are two distinct types: Rule-utilitarianism and Act-utilitarianism. This essay will focus on Act-utilitarianism, exploring its principles, implications, notable proponents, and some criticisms. Defining Act Utilitarianism Act utilitarianism suggests … Read more

Do human rights activists have a right to concern over developments in robotics inc AI

Human rights and the fight for human rights has occurred since the very existence of man. Nelson Mandela very famously quoted,” To deny people their human rights is a violation of being a human.”(Mandela 1994) Firstly what are human rights? Human rights is defined by (Hutchings 2010) as,” The rights that we as human beings … Read more

George Ritzer’s “McDonaldization” process

Consumerism takes advantage of changes in society and it “seduces into accepting the deeply unsettling condition of postmodernity” (Smith, 1999: 50). Consumers “can buy short term comfort in the market place” (ibid). Through advertisements people are trained to think that the solution for dissatisfaction is the fulfillment of their wishful fantasies. People’s needs, which can … Read more