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Full-Text Articles in History of Philosophy

Moral Sense Theory And The Development Of Kant's Ethics, Michael H. Walschots Dec 2015

Moral Sense Theory And The Development Of Kant's Ethics, Michael H. Walschots

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation investigates a number of ways in which an eighteenth century British philosophical movement known as “moral sense theory” influenced the development of German philosopher Immanuel Kant’s (1724-1804) moral theory. I illustrate that Kant found both moral sense theory’s conception of moral judgement and its conception of moral motivation appealing during the earliest stage of his philosophical development, but eventually came to reject its conception of moral judgement, though even in his early writings Kant preserves certain features of its conception of moral motivation. In the mature presentation of his moral philosophy Kant offers detailed objections to moral sense …


Schelling's Naturalism: Motion, Space, And The Volition Of Thought, Ben Woodard Sep 2015

Schelling's Naturalism: Motion, Space, And The Volition Of Thought, Ben Woodard

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation examines F.W.J. von Schelling's Philosophy of Nature (or Naturphilosophie) as a form of early, and transcendentally expansive, naturalism that is, simultaneously, a naturalized transcendentalism. By focusing on space and motion, this dissertation argues that thought should be viewed as a natural activity through and through. This view is made possible by German Idealism historically, and yet, is complicated and obscured by contemporary philosophy's treatment of German Idealism in both analytic and continental circles. The text engages with the foundations of Schelling's theory of nature as well as geometry, field theory, inter-theory relations, epistemology, and pragmatism.


Philipp Frank: Philosophy Of Science, Pragmatism, And Social Engagement, Amy N. Wuest Aug 2015

Philipp Frank: Philosophy Of Science, Pragmatism, And Social Engagement, Amy N. Wuest

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Philipp Frank––physicist, philosopher, and early member of the Vienna Circle––is often neglected in retrospective accounts of twentieth century philosophy of science, despite renewed interest in the work of the Vienna Circle. In this thesis, I argue that this neglect is unwarranted. Appealing to a variety of philosophical and historical sources, I trace the development of Frank’s philosophical thought and, in so doing highlight the roles played by history, sociology, values, and pragmatism in his philosophy of science. Turning to contemporary literature, I then argue that Frank’s work should be understood as an early instance of what is now called “socially …


Weaving The Statesman: The Unity Of Plato's Politicus, Ryan Middleton Apr 2015

Weaving The Statesman: The Unity Of Plato's Politicus, Ryan Middleton

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Plato's Statesman comprises three parts: method, myth, and politics. Scholars tend to pivot around any one of these, but seldom address how they fit together. My thesis argues for unity to the dialogue. The method, myth, and politics of the Statesman are connected by a common theme: the correct management of the parts of a whole. Each section in the dialogue concerns the appropriate management of the parts of something. The myth describes a time during which the cosmos was steered by a divine helmsman. By superintending the whole, the helmsman ensured that the parts were correctly organized. The method …