Philosophical Meditations - Articles in Press

God and Morality

Volume 1, Issue 4 , December 2009, , Pages 107-116

Abstract

In this paper, Richard Swinburne considers the relationship between God and Morality. The chief question is that whether or not actions can be morally understood as good or bad, being ... Read More

principles of Human Rights and anthropology from Suhrawardi's point of view

Volume 2, Issue 7.8 , September 2010, , Pages 141-161

Abstract

Anthropology is the science of man's place in the universe and his relationship with nature and society. Anthropology of Human Rights investigates how various cultures approach the ... Read More

Heidegger on Dialectic of Truth and Thing

Seyyad Jamal Same; Mohammad Javad Safiyan

Volume 5, Issue 15 , September 2015, , Pages 147-177

Abstract

Truth is among the most controversial questions in philosophy. Heidegger turns truth from criteria of correctness to ontological position with his definition of truth as unconcealment. ... Read More

Objective Tendency of Morality and Objectivism about Morality

SeyyedAli Asghari

Volume 10, Issue 25 , February 2021, , Pages 151-182

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2020.117137.1717

Abstract

English abstract will be sent soon. بستر کاوش مقاله‌ی پیش رو، بحث عینیت اخلاق است که در حوزه‌ی فرااخلاق مطرح می‌شود. ... Read More English abstract will be sent soon. بستر کاوش مقاله‌ی پیش رو، بحث عینیت اخلاق است که در حوزه‌ی فرااخلاق مطرح می‌شود. اتخاذ موضع درباره‌ی این که آیا اخلاق عینی هست یا نه (و اگر عینی است، از چگونه عینیتی برخوردار است) کانون بحثهای هستی‌شناختی فرااخلاق بوده است. تحلیل تجربه‌ی اخلاقی متعارف (شهودها و دریافتهای افراد غیرفیلسوف) درباره‌ی عینیت اخلاق، نزد متفکران فرااخلاق جایگاه ویژه‌ای دارد و ایده‌های فلسفی را خود بر زمینه‌ی این تحلیل بنا می‌کنند. اما در این سیر و تحلیل، معمولاً مرز تجربه‌ی اخلاقی متعارف با ایده‌های فیلسوفان مبهم است. مقاله‌ی پیش رو تلاشی است در تفکیک «معطوف بودن اخلاق به عینیت (مباع)» به‌عنوان جهت‌گیری تجربه‌ی اخلاقی متعارف، از «عینیت‌گرایی درباره‌ی اخلاق» به‌عنوان یک جهت‌گیری نظری در فرااخلاق. این تفکیک، اولاً معلوم می‌کند که مباع به چه معنی و چگونه در فرااخلاق نقش ایفا می‌کند زیرا هم رابطه‌ی آن با نظریه‌ی فرااخلاقی به‌طور کلی روشن خواهد شد و هم این که چگونه عینیت‌گرایی را در موقعیت اولیه‌ی بهتری نسبت به نظریه‌های رقیب قرار می‌دهد. نقشی که برای مباع تبیین خواهیم کرد، بر اساس برخی مطالعات حوزه‌ی روان‌شناسی فرااخلاق به چالش کشیده شده است. از این بحث کرده‌ایم که چرا این چالش نمی‌تواند مباع را زیر سؤال برد. ناعینی‌انگاران برای وانهادن مباع و غلبه بر موقعیت اولیه‌ی بهتر عینیت‌گرایی ناگزیرند استدلال(های) قوی اقامه کنند. خواهیم دید که دو استدلال علیه وجود امور واقع عینی اخلاقی، به هدفشان دست نمی‌یابند.

A Survey on the Meaning of Thinking to Death in Heidegger’s Philosophy

Jamal Same; Mohamad Javad Safian

Volume 6, Issue 17 , September 2016, , Pages 155-186

Abstract

The present study tries to consider the problem of death from the perspective of ready-to-hand ontology. By ready-to-hand ontology, we mean a kind of encounter with ready-to-hand beings ... Read More

The Need for Observing Ethics in Business and Professions

Volume 2, Issue 6 , July 2010, , Pages 159-177

Abstract

The professional ethics is a set of accepted and sensible actions and reactions that are established by professional organizations so as to utilize social relations among ... Read More The professional ethics is a set of accepted and sensible actions and reactions that are established by professional organizations so as to utilize social relations among members and employees, implementing professional duties and responsibilities. Nowadays, ethics and the professional conduct based on it is so important that even large business-industry companies adhere to professional ethics and its celebration in the form of professional conduct or the Code of Ethics, as a guide for managers and employees in their relations on the one hand, and the important strategy of organization issue in relationship with customers on the other. Trades and businesses are viable and thriving only with their customers – and this can be obtained by honesty and effective communication. The survival and success of any business follows professional ethics in the business. In recent decades the investments based on ethical principles has become one of the most important topics in the field of business. The roots of this tendency in society and also among the investors are very different. Using analysis-descriptive method, this paper seeks to explain the importance of ethics in business, the effects of applying the principles of the thriving and increasing business and the challenges ahead in this field. Also in this paper, the addition to explaining the principles of ethics to business professionals, we will discuss the pathology of non-compliance with these principles. The principals of professional ethics are fairness, commitment, keeping secrets, competence and professional care. Professional ethics can be examined from four aspects: society, interest groups, behavior of individuals within the organization, together with the other people outside the organization. Ethical issues should be considered in different parts of the business such as finance, human resources management, marketing and sales promotion activities, manufacturing operations, intellectual property, knowledge and skills management, and international trade.

Ehsaee, believing to asalat-ol-mahiah or asilain (originality of quiddity or originality of quiddity and existence both)

seyed mohammad esmaiel seyed hashemi; milad shir mohammadi

Volume 7, Issue 19 , September 2017, , Pages 167-191

Abstract

abstract: Has Ahsaei believed to Asalat-ol-Mahiah only or Asalat-ol-Mahiah and Asalat-ol-Vojood both? According to the appearance of some Ahsaei’s words, some writers like Sabzevari ... Read More

The Problem of Evil& God

Hossein Yazdi; hossein atrak

Volume 8, Issue 21 , December 2018, , Pages 169-200

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2019.34355

Abstract

Abstract There are numerous ideas regarding the nature of evils and the cause of its emergence and the division of evils as well as the dependence on natural evils on moral evils. ... Read More

The Right and Wrong Kinds of Motivations: An Argument against the Humean Theory of Motivation

Muhammad Heydarpour; Husayn Dabbagh

Volume 11, Issue 27 , February 2022, , Pages 171-202

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2021.136108.1873

Abstract

The Humean theory of motivation maintains that cognitive states like beliefs lack motivating force. If an agent were to be motivated to perform an action, s/he would necessarily have ... Read More

Acceptability of Visual Proofs in Mathematics

Hossein Bayat

Volume 6, Issue 16 , April 2016, , Pages 173-206

Abstract

Most mathematicians are reluctant to accept the visual proof as a genuine type of mathematical proof. In this paper, I paraphrase 10, common or new, objections to this type of proof ... Read More

The Place of Illeity: How God is Described by Emmanuel Levinas

mohammadmahdi abdolalinejad; Ahmad fazeli

Volume 10, Issue 24 , September 2020, , Pages 179-205

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2019.110251.1634

Abstract

10- Levinas, E., 1993, God, Death, and Time, Trans. Bettina Bergo, Stanford University Press 11- Levinas, E., 1998, Of God Who Comes to Mind, trans: Bettina Bergo, Stanford University ... Read More

The relationship between soul and body according to Maimonides & Spinoza

Yousef Nozohour; Morteza Shajari

Volume 7, Issue 18 , April 2017, , Pages 181-206

Abstract

In Jewish thought, the human being is composed of body and soul. Maimonides while influenced by earlier scholars, Especially Aristotle and Avicenna, Believes that not only humans, but ... Read More

Richard Dawkins Reason for Abortion: Account, Analysis, Criticism

raham sharaf; muslim hajizadeh

Volume 9, Issue 22 , September 2019, , Pages 183-212

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2019.36301

Abstract

There are different approaches about whether abortion is right or wrong each of which has answered this question from a different perspective. Richard Dawkins is one of the advocates ... Read More

Frame Problem as a Challenge for Understanding Language in AI Machines

Abolfazl Sabramiz; Mehdi Zakeri; Roohollah Haghshens

Volume 8, Issue 20 , August 2018, , Pages 193-223

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2018.32204

Abstract

When we ask if Strong AI is possible we ask, in fact, if AI can lead to the level in which most basic human intelligence features achieved. In this research we ask this question more ... Read More

A Critical Studying of the Implication of the Verse "لا ینال" on Prophets' Infallibility

Hossein Atrak

Volume 11, Issue 26 , June 2021, , Pages 193-222

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2020.119061.1732

Abstract

This paper in the field of Islamic Theology studied the implication of the verse “لاینال عهدی الظالمین” which means “My covenant does not include ... Read More

Explaining and criticizing Shahid Sadr's view of the real world

abbas asalem; Hosein Faghih

Volume 9, Issue 23 , March 2020, , Pages 197-224

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2020.38509

Abstract

In Islamic philosophy tradition the discussion of reality in three aspects of priority of existence and fact itself are crystalized.it will be understood by searching in those topics ... Read More

A Comparative Study of Casual Relation of Mind and body from the Perspective of Mulla Sadra and Foster

Hamid Reza Abdoli Mehrjardi; forough rahimpour

Volume 12, Issue 28 , August 2022, , Pages 201-221

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2021.529165.1979

Abstract

Explaining how the soul and body relate is one of the issues that arises after accepting the duality of the two. One type of relationship between the soul and the body is the acceptance ... Read More

Ethical aspects of the emotions of fear and pity in Aristotle's Poetics Emphasizing Aristotle’s Poetics of Steven Halliwell

Mohammad Hashemi; Amir Maziar

Volume 12, Issue 29 , February 2023, , Pages 229-259

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2022.544697.2134

Abstract

In Rhetorics, Aristotle introduced fear and pity as selfish and altruistic emotions that resulted in the unfortunate suffering caused by the unexpected occurrence of devastating calamities ... Read More

On the Necessity of Moral Judgment Requiring Moral Principles

SeyyedAli Asghari

Volume 13, Issue 30 , August 2023, , Pages 239-270

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2022.551889.2199

Abstract

Abstract In recent decades, the principled theories of ethics have been criticized by the moral particularists. Criticisms, objections, and oppositions of particularists against those ... Read More Abstract In recent decades, the principled theories of ethics have been criticized by the moral particularists. Criticisms, objections, and oppositions of particularists against those theories are diverse. An objection or challenge which has been one way or another put forth by many particularists is that the emphasis of the principled ethics theorists on moral principles is at the expense of neglecting the importance of moral judgement. This paper addresses this objection. The aim is to show that the generalist not only can acknowledge the importance of moral judgment but also have the means to develop an acceptable theory about moral judgement. This paper’s answer to the objection is proposing a special view towards moral judgement and moral principles according to which moral judgement itself depends on moral principles. In this view, both the nature of moral principles and the nature of moral judgement is crucial. Moral principles are neither mechanical decision mechanisms nor just theoretical principles. Moral principles are practical principles and a kind of extended determinations of the agent. Capacity of moral judgement requires some sensitivities; and sensitivities depend on our character. Finally, this paper analyses the roles of extended internal determinations, and especially moral principles, in the character of the agent. Keywords: Principled Ethical Theories, Particularism, Generalism, Extended Determinations, Practical Principles Introduction Investigating why moral judgement requires moral principles is important because moral judgement is important for our moral life. Moral judgement is the capacity to bridge the gap between moral principles and particular situations. What tells the agent that the particular situation facing him falls under a certain principle, and how he should satisfy that principle, is not the principle itself but the capacity of judgement. In life situations, it is not a simple matter for us to know what the best way of implementing the principle of, for example, “one should take a stand against injustice” is, and requires that we discern the details. Many moral particularists object to principle-based theories, arguing that moral principles are not required by good moral judgement. In response to this objection, this article adduces a special view towards moral judgement and moral principles according to which moral judgement relies on moral principles. Methodology Some moral philosophers’ criticism of traditional principled theories’ inattention to moral judgement is based on those philosophers’ extreme conception of the nature of moral philosophers. They regard moral principles as entirely mechanical decision-procedures which can be applied without any perception, imagination, or judgement. For example, Charles Larmore remarks that Kantians and utilitarians have been in agreement “in seeking a fully explicit decision procedure for settling moral questions”, and that is why “they have missed the central role of moral judgement” (Larmore, 1987, p. 12). Despite these remarks, no reasonable generalist considers moral principles as mechanical decision-procedures. For example, Mill (1998) points out that any ethical standard whatever will work ill, if we suppose universal idiocy to be conjoined with it (70). Kant (1996) emphasizes that correct application of the Categorical Imperative requires “judgement sharpened by experience, partly to distinguish in what cases [the categorical imperative is] applicable and partly to provide [it] with access to the will of the human being…” (45). Findings The particularist’s objection to the non-algorithmic conception of moral principles is that if we need the capacity of moral judgement to apply moral principles to particular situations, why not use it directly and independently in moral thinking? Some particularists suggest that we can and should rely on this capacity alone (Gleeson, 2007; Dancy, 1983p. 543). This means that in their point of view moral principles are not necessary for moral judgement. In response to this problem, the argument that is propounded in this article is based on the idea that moral principles are necessary for the capacity of moral judgement because the latter relies on the former. The generalist not only can admit the importance of moral judgement but also have the possibilities on which he can build an acceptable theory about moral judgement. To understand the nature of the capacity of moral judgement and to explain it, we should know what kind of sensitivities is required by right moral judgement and how we can develop that kind of sensitivities. Such sensitivities and their development greatly depend on the agent’s character. If the process of the agent’s moral development is successful, moral principles will transform from external educational commands and tools to his internal extended determinations. The agent will no longer behave only in obedience to practical moral principles but assumes a favouring (or opposing) attitude towards the act-type that the principle prescribes, and intends to act in a certain way from now to the future. Moral principles as extended internal determinations play two roles in the constitution of the agent’s character: a) form his moral sensitivities; b) have a crucial role in his identity and unity over time. a) extended determinations determine the structure of our lives. One improves their moral sensitivities through organizing their life and world in a way that makes the joint fulfilment of their moral principles possible. Gradually one becomes more sensitive to the needs of others and to the details of situations in which they finds themselves. When moral principles become internal, they also gain emotional weight (for a different view, see Gleeson, 2007, p. 370). The fact that having determinations forms the agent’s experience and improves their sensitivities is a familiar phenomenon also in areas beyond morality. The fact that the agent can “see” that someone needs help does not make the principle of beneficence redundant, but shows the agent’s ability to implement this principle. b) The agent’s character depends on the fact that they conceive themselves to have identity and unity over time. Moral principles as extended internal determinations, (1) bring about psychological connections between the agent’s present intentions and future implementations of those intentions, and (2) help them build up and perceive themselves as a specific person (for a related discussion in moral psychology see Prinz, 2007: 306-307). Moral principles, as distinct from other kinds of principles, in virtue of their universal obligatoriness, help the individual build up and maintain a self above their diverse roles. Based on this section, moral judgement is not a strange capacity that should somehow be added to moral principles, but through the medium of moral character is basically based on moral principles. Therefore, moral principles are essentially required by moral judgement. Conclusions and discussions In opposition to what I call “sufficiency of moral judgement” (the view of many particularists), I said that moral principles are indeed required by the capacity of moral judgement itself. Moral judgement needs some sensitivities, and depends on the moral character of the individual. Moral principles as extended internal determinations play two important roles in the constitution of the individual’s moral character. First, they form their moral sensitivities. Second, they help them maintain his identity and unity over time. The individual by adopting a set of moral principles determines to live a certain life, and developing their moral sensitivities help them remain committed to their determinations. Moral principles help the individual construct and perceive themselves as a specific person. References Albertzart, M. (2014). Moral principles. London: Bloomsbury. Asghari, S.A. (1399 SH). Tabyeen-e Masʾale-ye Jaygah-e Aslha-ye Akhlaqi. Tarh-e Pazhooheshi. Tehran: Pazhooheshgah-e Olum-e Ensani va Motaleʿat-e Farhangi. [in Persian] Dancy, J. (1983). Ethical particularism and morally relevant properties. Mind, 92: 530–47. Gleeson, A. (2007). Moral particularism reconfigured. Philosophical Investigations, 30:363–80. Kant, I. (1996). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. In M. J. Gregor (ed.), Immanuel Kant: Practical Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Larmore, C. E. (1987). Patterns of Moral Complexity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Mill, J. S. (1998). Utilitarianism (Crisp, R., Ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Prinz, J. (2007). The Emotional Construction of Morals. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Art, Truth, Vulgarity (Rethinking The truth of art in Mulla Sadra's Basics)

Majid Yarian

Volume 13, Issue 31 , February 2024

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2022.556500.2235

Abstract

The modern world, by entering all areas of human life and placing itself in the context of reality, has narrowed the field to the transcendent so much that it seems that no trace of ... Read More

Referential Theory of meaning

Volume 1, Issue 2 , July 2009, , Pages 57-71

Abstract

Translator's introduction: Philosophy of language (philosophical linguistics) can be categorized in two main titles: philosophical semantics and philosophical pragmatics. the ... Read More

Divine command theory; William Ockham's expression

Volume 2, Issue 7.8 , September 2010, , Pages 163-184

Abstract

Divine command theory is one of the most controversial issues in ethics and contemporary scholars have always concerned it. In modern times, this theory has been studied in some ways, ... Read More

A Critical Examination of the Interpretation of Aga Ali Modarres and His Followers on Mulla Sadra's Theory of "Principality of existence"

Mohammad Hosseinzadeh

Volume 10, Issue 25 , February 2021, , Pages 183-208

https://doi.org/10.30470/phm.2020.113543.1674

Abstract

Mulla Sadra's view of the principality of existence has been interpreted in various ways. In the prevailing interpretation of the theory of the principality of existence, the quiddity ... Read More

Pragmatism and Analytic Philosophy

Abdurrazzaq Hesamifar

Volume 6, Issue 17 , September 2016, , Pages 187-217

Abstract

In the classification of contemporary philosophy into analytic and continental philosophies, pragmatism has a middle place, while its affinity to the former is more than its affinity ... Read More

feminist approach to the concept of autonomy with respect to Spinoza's philosophy

Fatemeh Bakhtiari

Volume 7, Issue 19 , September 2017, , Pages 193-212

Abstract

Rethinking the tradition of western philosophy, Feminist thinkers have claimed the most important philosophical concepts in this old and long lasting tradition, such as reason and autonomy ... Read More

Volume 13 (2023)

Volume 12 (2022)

Volume 11 (2021)

Volume 10 (2020)

Volume 9 (2019)

Volume 8 (2018)

Volume 7 (2017)

Volume 6 (2016)

Volume 5 (2015)

Volume 4 (2014)

Volume 3 (2013)

Volume 2 (2010)

Volume 1 (2009)

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