Discover published sets by community

A philosophical approach that emphasizes the role of sensory experience in the formation of ideas, arguing that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experiences. Examples of usage: Scientific investigations that rely on experiments and observation.

Concerned with the nature of existence and the individual's freedom and responsibility, Existentialism explores the meaning of human existence. Examples of usage: Jean-Paul Sartre's concept of 'existence precedes essence'.

A methodology that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application. Examples of usage: William James's pragmatist theory that truth is what works in practical terms.

A methodology which asserts that reason and intellectual deduction are the primary sources of knowledge, as opposed to sensory experience. Examples of usage: Rene Descartes' 'Cogito, ergo sum' ('I think, therefore I am').

Emphasizes clarity and argumentative rigor, Analytic Philosophy often focuses on language and logic to resolve philosophical problems. Examples of usage: Ludwig Wittgenstein's analysis of language games.

Focuses on the structures of experience and consciousness, Phenomenology aims to describe phenomena as they are experienced by individuals. Examples of usage: Edmund Husserl's studies of consciousness.

Associated with various philosophical traditions, especially in Europe, Continental Philosophy is often less concerned with analytic precision and more with historical context, culture, and societal critique. Examples of usage: The works of Friedrich Nietzsche on morality and power.

An extension and critique of structuralism that advocates for a more dynamic and less deterministic approach to cultural analysis. Examples of usage: Jacques Derrida's concept of deconstruction.

An ethical methodology that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules. Examples of usage: Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative.

An ethical framework that evaluates actions in terms of their outcomes, specifically aiming to maximize overall happiness and well-being. Examples of usage: Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill's development of classic utilitarianism.

A social, political, and economic theory that analyzes society through the lens of class struggle and the development of socioeconomic systems. Examples of usage: Karl Marx's analysis of capitalism in 'Das Kapital'.

A methodology that analyzes cultural phenomena in terms of their relationship to the overall structure or system they are part of. Examples of usage: Claude Levi-Strauss's anthropological work that identifies cultural patterns.

A skeptical philosophical stance that critiques structures of power, authority, and grand narratives, emphasizing plurality and ambiguity. Examples of usage: Jean-François Lyotard's critique of meta-narratives.

This methodology concentrates on the theory and practice of interpretation, particularly of texts and symbols. Examples of usage: Hans-Georg Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics that emphasizes the importance of historical context and the 'fusion of horizons'.