Medieval Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Medieval Philosophy - Essay Example Thomas Aquinas. Al-Ghazali, after studying the rationalist philosophers became a mystic convinced that ultimate truth could be attained only through revelation. While other philosophers claimed that God dealt only with universals, Ghazali's God was concerned with the minutest details. Perhaps best known to the Western World were Ibn Sina, known in Europe as Avicenna (980-1037), and Ib Rushd (Averroes). Ibn Sina's numerous works, also rooted in Aristotle, greatly influenced medieval European philosophers such as Abelard, Albertus Magnus, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Ibn Rushd, born in 1126 in Spain, wrote about philosophy, mathematics, law, and theology, building upon his predecessors, al-Farabi and Ibn Sina. He was the last of the classical Muslim philosophers in Spain. Faith in the existence of human knowledge in all men marked his philosophy - which also had many similarities to that of Thomas Aquinas. The ninth century A.C. forms the golden period of the development of Islamic learning, when the Arabs were the real standard bearers of civilization. They not only saved Greek learning from total extinction but also made lasting contributions to almost all branches of knowledge and made considerable advancements in diverse spheres of human activity.

Social And Natural Sciences Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social And Natural Sciences - Essay Example A great contribution of positivism into philosophical and methodological explorative methods is considered further on the example of social and natural sciences. In sociology, positivism is the core paradigmatic methodology. Science and inquiry are two basic pillars of positivism. Still, it is very important to solve the major problem of social sciences, which concerns results finding on the basis of complex species research and study. The roots of Positivism can be traced in the French Enlightenment. The philosopher suggested combining natural sciences principles with social sciences. Comte claimed that religion was conquered by science. It was much important those times to refer to facts and laws, than to suppositions and considerations. Scientific knowledge is outlined by Comte in the following way: the stage of fictitious, metaphysical and scientific knowledge. The last stage of knowledge, scientific knowledge, is preferential for Comte. The development of all other stages, if su ccessfully implemented, would result in scientific knowledge emergence. These stages of knowledge can be also sought in Empiricism. This science is based on observable facts, claiming that logical and mathematical roots are in the background of the facts. The main principle of positivism should be also found in â€Å"positive† information, which can be obtained from a positive experience. A methodological paradigm of positivism consists of science and inquiry. An empirical exploration is of crucial importance for any science.  ... These stages of knowledge can be also sought in Empiricism. This science is based on observable facts, claiming that logical and mathematical roots are on the background of the facts. The main principle of positivism should be also found in â€Å"positive† information, which can be obtained from a positive experience. Therefore, a methodological paradigm of positivism consists of science and inquiry. An empirical exploration is of crucial importance for any science. Thus, from positivist perspective it can be claimed that social phenomena are not distributed in accordance with certain or specific types, where the members of these types are homogenous (Cassell, 2002). In other words, positivist vision or methodology implemented in social sciences is not relevant to the fullest extent. Sociological phenomena are of inhomogeneous nature. For example, a structure of any sociological object or phenomena cannot be considered in accordance with specific features or characteristics, w hich are relevant at all times. Moreover, social processes and generalizations cannot be characterized simultaneously in accordance with homogenous characteristics. For sociological sciences it is of crucial importance to formulate specific hypotheses focused on special sociological events or imagination. A development of sociological theory is one possible way to develop explanations concerning sociological events or objects. Therefore, positivism is often criticized as irrelevant methodology applied for social inquiry. Social science requires development of special approaches focused on â€Å"contingency, heterogeneity, path-dependence, and particularity corresponding to the plasticity of