John Vespasian

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) built his philosophy step by step, starting with a central concept (the theory of the will), and adding layers of explanations. His physics, epistemology, logic and morality revolve around the theory of the will, and so do his views on the meaning of life. John Vespasian explains that, according to Schopenhauer, the will (“life force”) drives all living creatures to...

Was Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) a subjective thinker? Did he reject an objective philosophy, where the concepts of good and bad are universally defined? What’s the difference between Schopenhauer and subjective thinkers? John Vespasian explains that Schopenhauer wasn’t a subjective thinker. His book “The world as will and representation” (1818) outlines the theory of the will, which sustains t...

History provides compelling illustrations of the rhetoric and persuasion techniques identified by Aristotle (384-322 BC) in his work “Rhetoric.” John Vespasian explains that Demosthenes (384-322 BC), who was born in the same year as Aristotle and died roughly at the same age as Aristotle, gave inspiration for the Aristotelian principles of rhetoric. Demosthenes made repeated speeches in Athens, ex...

In contrast to his predecessors, Aristotle (384-322 BC) built his theory of knowledge on empiricism. The main principle of empiricism is that knowledge can only be gained from sensory experience before it can be assessed and refined. John Vespasian explains that Aristotle taught that humans start at birth with a blank mind (a blank slate) and will acquire knowledge through interactions with the ex...

Despite its innovative, accurate character, philosophers first rejected the philosophy developed by Aristotle (384-322 BC) on knowledge and learning. His empiricism fell into disregard, and his detailed causal analysis (material cause, formal cause, efficient cause, and final cause) was seldom taught to students. John Vespasian explains how Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was a fierce contender o...

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) never wrote any novels, but his ideas have influenced important authors and shaped their novels. John Vespasian explains that Schopenhauer’s influence on literature has taken place more in the novels’ atmosphere than in their explicit philosophy. He also comments on Schopenhauer's influence on Franz Kafka and other major authors. Here is the link to the original art...

Aristotle (384-322 BC) outlined his philosophy of education primarily in his works “Eudemian Ethics” and “Nicomachean Ethics.” John Vespasian explains that the Aristotelian formula for education revolves around the concept of virtue, that is, that the purpose of education is to equip students with physical, moral and intellectual habits enabling them to achieve “eudaimonia.” How should we translat...

After Aristotle’s death in 322 BC, it did not take long for the world to forget his contributions to educational theory. John Vespasian explains how the Aristotelian idea that the purpose of life is happiness received attacks from all sides. In contrast to Aristotle’s educational advice (i.e., teach students to become virtuous, so that they can achieve happiness), the education in ensuing centurie...

After the disastrous distortions introduced in late Antiquity, it took centuries to put into practice the views that Aristotle (384-322 BC) had developed on education. John Vespasian explains that Aristotelian educational ideas emanate from the Aristotelian ethics. If happiness is the goal, and virtue shows the path, then the purpose of education is to teach virtue. Each student should learn ethic...

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) produced a philosophical system that revolves around the theory of the will (“life force”), which he regarded as the prime mover of all living entities. John Vespasian passes review to Schopenhauer’s main ideas. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/schopenhauers-main-ideas/

The key concepts in the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) connect it to Ancient Stoicism and existentialism. John Vespasian passes review to those concepts, which Schopenhauer first outlined in “The world as will and representation,” a book that he published in 1818. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/schopenhauers-key-concepts/

The twentieth century has generated three serious initiatives to revive the educational philosophy put forward by Aristotle (384-322 BC), or similar to his. John Vespasian explains Aristotle's views on education compared to John Dewey's, Carl Roger's, and Maria Montessori's. He also explains the uniqueness of Aristotle's views on education. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnves...

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) rejected the unshakeable optimism of his contemporaries about the power of reason. John Vespasian explains that Schopenhauer acknowledged that all individuals are potentially able to think, but pointed out that we have to make the effort to assess facts accurately and draw logical conclusions. He also explains how Schopenhauer diverges from Aristotle (384-322 BC) on...

The historical influence of Aristotle (384-322 BC) rests on the labours of one man, namely, Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). John Vespasian explains why Aquinas devoted most of his life to reconciling Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy. He also breaks down the key aspects in which Aquinas retook Aristotelian philosophy and made it accessible to large numbers of readers. Here is the link to...

The views of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) on the role of reason differ from those of prior philosophers. John Vespasian explains the difference between Schopenhauer's views and those of Epicurus, Thomas Aquinas, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Spinoza, and Socrates. Schopenhauer was right in sustaining that an unexamined life is sub-optimal, but normal. The consistent use of reason brings vast benefits,...

The influence of Aristotle (384-322 BC) on Western ideals, philosophy and society has been a slow and difficult process. John Vespasian gives an overview of the path of Aristotle's influence through the works of Avicenna, Maimonides, Averroes and Albert the Great. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/the-path-of-aristotles-influence-on-western-philosophy/