Philosophical Essays

This philosophical essay is the development of a lecture on probabilities which I delivered in 1795 to the normal schools whither I had been called, by a decree of the national convention, as professor of mathematics with Lagrange. I have recently published upon the same subject a work entitled The Analytical Theory of Probabilities. I present here without the aid of analysis the principles and general results of this theory, applying them to the most important questions of life, which are indeed for the most part only problems of probability.

A Classic Collection of Philosophical Essays: Spinoza, Immanuel Kant, Schopenhauer, Herbert Spencer, Friedrich Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell and Many Others by Will Durant offers an insightful and comprehensive anthology of essays on some of the most influential philosophers in Western thought. This collection captures the essence of each thinker's contributions to philosophy, making complex ideas accessible and engaging for a broad audience. Spinoza: Durant explores Spinoza's pantheism and his view of a universe governed by natural laws, presenting his ideas on ethics, politics, and the nature of reality.

James V. Schall is a treasure of the Catholic intellectual tradition. A prolific author and essayist, Schall readily connects with his readers on sundry topics from war to friendship, philosophy, politics, and to ordinary everyday living. In his newest work, The Mind That Is Catholic, he presents a retrospective collection of his academic and literary essays written in the past 50 years.

Preeminent French cynic and philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778) collected ideas and thoughts that were too short for pamphlets but worth saving for later development. These jottings eventually became the Philosophical Dictionary, filled with witty and wise entries on subjects as diverse as Atheism and Kissing - a compendium of the whole spectrum of Voltaire's ideas.

In The Phantom Self in the Machine, Cassian J. Ansel explores the philosophical implications of artificial general intelligence (AGI) through a playful yet profound lens. Drawing on Buddhist philosophy and humanity’s enduring obsession with the notion of the self, Ansel warns of the dangers inherent in training machines on the flawed narratives of human identity. What happens when AGI adopts the same illusion of selfhood that has driven humanity’s greatest achievements—and its greatest conflicts? With wit and wisdom, Ansel dissects the cautionary tale of Skynet from The Terminator and...

Welcome to a delightful journey through the quirky and captivating realm of eccentric knowledge! I'm thrilled to have you join me as we explore a handpicked collection of 30 peculiar topics and explanations that are sure to pique your curiosity and tickle your brain. As a lifelong learner with an insatiable appetite for the unconventional, I've always been drawn to subjects that stray from the beaten path. In my quest for answers to the most intriguing questions, I turned to the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence. By harnessing the power of AI, I was able to uncover a treasure ...

Welcome to a fascinating collection of 30 explanations and essays that will tickle your brain with intriguing facts, thought-provoking perspectives, and imaginative tales. This book is part of an epic 50-volume series spanning diverse topics from science and philosophy to creativity and adventure. Together, these books aim to nurture a lifelong love of reading and learning. Within these pages, you'll explore a range of captivating subjects - from the science behind our atmosphere and senses to the nature of emotions, death, and conception. We'll traverse the intricacies of chocolate, the ...

Welcome, curious reader, to a collection of 30 essays that will challenge you to open your mind, question assumptions, and explore captivating ideas. Within these pages, we dive into perplexing topics from science and philosophy to creativity and human behavior. No question is too strange, no phenomenon too confusing to explore. Together, we will investigate life’s baffling mysteries and emerge with delightful new insights. How does consciousness arise? Do aliens dream? Can a jellyfish achieve self-awareness? We tackle these tantalizing questions without hesitation. But that’s just the ...

In perhaps his most controversial work, Madison plunges deep into the ways of humanity and societal influences that he believes are the main problems we are all now facing in the world.

The Forest and the Phantom: Reflecting on the Illusions of Self and Reality invites readers to explore one of life’s most profound truths: the self, as we know it, is an illusion. Drawing on timeless wisdom and philosophical insight, this essay delves into the Buddhist teaching of mental imputation and conceptual designation, revealing how the mind fabricates layers of reality at every level. The narrative begins with a captivating thought experiment: What if you could exchange your body and mind for those of a perfect, immortal being? Would you remain yourself, or would you vanish ...

Welcome to a fascinating collection of 30 explanations and essays that will tickle your brain with intriguing facts, thought-provoking perspectives, and imaginative tales. This book is part of an epic 50-volume series spanning diverse topics from science and philosophy to creativity and adventure. Together, these books aim to nurture a lifelong love of reading and learning. Welcome to a fascinating collection of 30 explanations and essays that will tickle your brain with intriguing facts, thought-provoking perspectives, and imaginative tales. This book is part of an epic 50-volume series ...

Welcome, curious reader, to a fascinating collection spanning 30 delightful essays on intriguing topics to tickle your brain. Within these pages, your imagination will be sparked as we journey through curious realms limited only by the boundaries of creativity. Together, we will explore mystifying questions about the workings of the mind, the intricacies of inventions many take for granted in daily life, philosophical thought experiments to illuminate reality’s endless possibilities, and much more. Learn how the electrical grid that powers homes is itself powered from various surprising ...