Category: Branches of Philosophy
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Buridan’s Donkey: The Trap of Equal Choices
Click Here for Video What Is Buridan’s Donkey? Buridan’s donkey is a classic philosophical paradox named after the 14th-century French philosopher Jean Buridan. It illustrates a dilemma of decision-making in which an agent, faced with two equally desirable options, becomes unable to choose and thus suffers paralysis—often symbolized by a donkey dying of hunger between…
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Roko’s Basilisk: Why Is It So Terrifying?
What Is Roko’s Basilisk? Roko’s Basilisk is a modern thought experiment that emerged from online discussions about artificial intelligence (AI), ethics, and philosophy. It combines ideas about superintelligent AI, decision theory, and existential risk — and it has earned a reputation as one of the most unsettling paradoxes in recent digital philosophy. At its core,…
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What Is the Paradox of the Heap (Sorites Paradox) Explained?
The Paradox of the Heap — A Philosophical Puzzle About Vagueness The paradox of the heap, also called the Sorites paradox, is one of philosophy’s most famous puzzles about language, logic, and vagueness. It raises an intriguing question: When does a collection of grains of sand become a “heap”? At first, this sounds simple. But…
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What Is Ethical Egoism? Understanding Self-Interest as a Moral Duty
What Is Ethical Egoism? At first glance, morality might seem all about putting others first — helping, sharing, sacrificing for the good of the community. Yet, ethical egoism turns this assumption on its head. It proposes a striking idea: the right moral action is always the one that serves your own self-interest. Ethical egoism claims…
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Moral Relativism vs Moral Realism: What Is Right and Who Decides?
The Deep Divide in Understanding Morality From daily decisions to global conflicts, questions of right and wrong shape human life. But is morality a universal truth waiting to be discovered, or a construct shaped by culture and perspective? The debate between moral relativism vs moral realism asks one of philosophy’s most fundamental questions: Is morality…
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Virtue Ethics: Aristotle vs Confucius
Understanding Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics is one of the oldest and most profound ethical theories, focusing not on rules or consequences but on cultivating good character traits — virtues — that make a person morally excellent. Unlike deontology or utilitarianism, which emphasize duties or outcomes, virtue ethics emphasizes who we ought to be rather than…
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Utilitarianism vs Deontology: Which Is Better?
Utilitarianism vs Deontology Utilitarianism vs deontology frames one of the most significant debates in ethical philosophy: Should moral decisions be judged by their outcomes, or by the duties and rules behind them? This is more than an abstract academic issue—it shapes policies, justice systems, and personal decisions every day. These competing theories offer radically different…
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Buddhist Anatta vs Hindu Atman: Is There a Soul?
Buddhist Anatta vs Hindu Atman Buddhist Anatta vs Hindu Atman is more than a theological comparison—it’s a deep investigation into the nature of identity, consciousness, and liberation. Are we eternal souls journeying toward unity with the divine, or is the self a construct to be dissolved in the fire of insight? This contrast between Buddhism…
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Islamic Surrender vs Existential Freedom: Where Is True Power?
Islamic Surrender vs Existential Freedom Islamic surrender vs existential freedom isn’t just a theological puzzle—it’s a fundamental tension in how human beings understand their place in the universe. Are we subjects of divine will, called to submit in humility? Or are we condemned to freedom, burdened by the weight of our choices in an indifferent…
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Karma vs Divine Justice: Who Deserves What and Why?
Karma vs Divine Justice—Two Paths, One Question Karma vs Divine Justice is more than a philosophical puzzle—it’s a lens into how civilizations structure morality, accountability, and the very mechanics of destiny. Do people suffer because of their own actions from past lives (karma), or is justice handed down by a personal God according to divine…