Philosophy
Filosofia · 606 articles · Principal contributors · All subjects-
Obligation (OBBLIGAZIONE)
OBLIGATION. - O. in its very Latin etymology means, in the active sense, the act of binding or obligating, in the passive sense the feeling… -
Occasionalism (OCCASIONALISMO)
OCCASIONALISM. - A philosophical current that develops Cartesian philosophy, resolving its dualism (v.) by attributing efficient causality… -
Ollé-Laprune, Léon (OLLE-LAPRUNE, LÉON)
OLLÉ-LAPRUNE, LÉON. - Philosopher, b. in Paris on 25 July 1839, d. there on 13 Feb. 1898. A pupil of the École normale supérieure, he began… -
Ontological Argument (ONTOLOGICO, ARGOMENTO)
ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENT. - In the history of philosophy, the o. a. is that form of demonstration which seeks to deduce the existence of God… -
Ontologism (ONTOLOGISMO)
ONTOLOGISM. - A philosophical trend, of varied meaning, characteristic especially of modern philosophy. I. NOTION AND HISTORY. - Many… -
Ontology (ONTOLOGIA)
ONTOLOGY. - From ὄν and λόγος, science of being, it is synonymous with metaphysics (v.) and seems to have been introduced for the first… -
Opinion (OPINIONE)
OPINION. - An assertion to which assent is given, but without absolute certainty and without there being evidence (v.) of its truth.… -
Optimism (OTTIMISMO)
OPTIMISM. — In the narrower philosophical sense the term refers, at the beginning of the 18th century, to the doctrine of Leibniz (v.)… -
Orestano, Francesco
ORESTANO, FRANCESCO. - Philosopher, b. at Alia on 14 April 1873, d. at Rome on 19 Aug. 1945. He taught (1907-24) history of philosophy at… -
Panlogism (PANLOGISMO)
PANLOGISM. - From Gr. πᾶν, all, and λόγος, reason, it is "the doctrine according to which everything that is real is wholly intelligible… -
Panpsychism (PANPSICHISMO)
PANPSYCHISM. - It is the doctrine that attributes a soul to all things, including those of inorganic nature (πᾶν, all, ψυχή, soul), insofar… -
Pantheism (PANTEISMO)
PANTHEISM. - A very ancient doctrine, but the introduction and use of the term are relatively recent. As R. Eucken (v.) noted, J. Toland… -
Participation (PARTECIPAZIONE)
PARTICIPATION. - Participation, or methexis (Gr. μέθεξις), as a philosophical concept receives its first determination in Platonism. Plato… -
Pascal, Blaise
PASCAL, BLAISE. - French scientist and philosopher, b. at Clermont-Ferrand on 19 June 1623, d. at Paris on 15 Aug. 1662. Second son of… -
Passion (PASSIONE)
PASSION. - In ordinary language it indicates the impetuous force of an inclination toward a determinate object that manifests itself in the… -
Paulsen, Friedrich
PAULSEN, FRIEDRICH. - Philosopher, b. at Langenhorn (eastern Silesia) on 16 July 1846, d. at Steglitz (Berlin) on 14 Aug. 1908. He began… -
Pendasio, Federico
PENDASIO, FEDERICO. - Mantuan philosopher; from 1564 to 1570 he was a rival of Francesco Piccolomini for the chair of natural philosophy at… -
Perception (PERCEZIONE)
PERCEPTION. - It generally indicates the awareness of something in both external and internal experience and becomes almost synonymous with… -
Perceptionism (PERCEZIONISMO)
PERCEPTIONISM. - In philosophy, it is that theory of sensible knowledge which affirms the ordinary formal objectivity of sensible… -
Peripatetic, School (PERIPATETICA, SCUOLA)
PERIPATETIC, SCHOOL. - The followers of Aristotle were called οἱ ἐκ τοῦ περιπάτου in reference to the walk (περίπατος) of the Lyceum (the… -
Person (PERSONA)
PERSON. - It indicates the dignity of subsistent spiritual nature: « Persona significat id quod est perfectissimum in tota natura, scilicet… -
Personalism (PERSONALISMO)
PERSONALISM. - From persona (v.), the term goes back to the 19th century (Schleiermacher, Feuerbach, Grote, Teichmüller), used in… -
Personality (PERSONALITÀ)
PERSONALITY. - In the metaphysical sense, p. expresses the constitutive determination of the person (v.), the foundation from which the… -
Pesch, Tillmann
PESCH, TILLMANN. - Jesuit, brother of the preceding, philosopher, b. at Cologne on 1 February 1836, d. at Valkenburg on 18 October 1899.… -
Pessimism (PESSIMISMO)
PESSIMISM. - It is the conception that contrasts with optimism (v.) insofar as it affirms the predominance of evil (v.) over good (v.):… -
Peter of Abano (PIETRO D'ABANO)
PETER OF ABANO. - Physician and philosopher, b. at Abano (Padua) in 1257, d. at Padua ca. 1315. After completing his early studies at… -
Petitio Principii (PETIZIONE DI PRINCIPIO)
PETITIO PRINCIPII. - A sophism (v.) consisting in assuming, explicitly or implicitly, as the basis of the proof, the very thing that is to… -
Phenomenism (FENOMENISMO)
PHENOMENISM. - In its most rigorous expression, it is the philosophical system that denies the reality of being or the thing in itself… -
Phenomenology (FENOMENOLOGIA)
PHENOMENOLOGY. - A term used, it seems, for the first time by J. H. Lambert (1764) and then by Kant, to indicate that particular… -
Phenomenon (FENOMENO)
PHENOMENON. - From the Greek φαίνομαι, "to show, to bring to light" (root φα, "to shine," "light"), it means appearance, presentation:… -
Philosophy (FILOSOFIA)
PHILOSOPHY. - The term ph. ("love of wisdom"), which according to Plutarch is traced back to Pythagoras (H. Diels, Doxographi Graeci, 2nd… -
Philosophy of Action (AZIONE, FILOSOFIA DELL')
PHILOSOPHY OF ACTION. - Under the name philosophy of action are sometimes included various currents and systems (pragmatism, certain forms… -
Philosophy Of Law (FILOSOFIA DEL DIRITTO)
PHILOSOPHY OF LAW. - It is the discipline that investigates the concept of law in its logical universality, the idea of justice as the… -
Philosophy Of The Spirit (FILOSOFIA DELLO SPIRITO)
PHILOSOPHY OF SPIRIT. - An expression popularized and made current by B. Croce (b. 1866), so that in ordinary language it serves as a… -
Philostratus (Φιλόστρατος) (FILOSTRATO (ΦΙΛΆΣΤΑΣΤΟΣ))
PHILOSTRATUS (Φιλόστρατος). - Name of four sophists of the imperial age, natives of Lemnos. I. Son of Verus, Philostratus of LEMNOS is said… -
Planck, Max
PLANCK, MAX. - Thinker and scientist, b. in Kiel on 23 April 1858, d. in Göttingen on 4 October 1947. > (from J. Demers, Oud nederlandsche… -
Platonism (PLATONISMO)
PLATONISM. - For ancient Greek Platonism, see the entry ACCADEMIA (I. Greek Platonism). Here we shall treat: I. Platonism in the Fathers;… -
Plato (ΠΛΆΤΩΝ) (PLATONE (ΠΛΆΤΩΝ))
PLATO (ΠΛΆΤΩΝ). - Greek philosopher of the 5th-4th century B.C., among the greatest thinkers of humanity. SUMMARY: I. His life. - II. The… -
Pleasure (PIACERE)
PLEASURE. - In general, in classical usage it indicates the "joy" of the senses when they are satisfied and therefore also the physical… -
Plotinus (PLOTINO)
PLOTINUS. - Greek philosopher, b. at Lycopolis (Egypt) in 205 A.D. A disciple, for eleven years, of Ammonius Saccas in Alexandria, he… -
Pluralism (PLURALISMO)
PLURALISM. - In opposition to monism (v.), it is the doctrine according to which reality is constituted of multiple and diverse entities.… -
Plutarch of Chaeronea (PLUTARCO DI CHERONEA)
PLUTARCH OF CHAERONEA. - Greek philosopher and historian, b. in Chaeronea (Boeotia) between 46 and 50 A.D. He studied philosophy and… -
Pneumatology (PNEUMATOLOGIA)
PNEUMATOLOGY. - From πνεῦμα (spirit) and λόγος (word-concept), it means the science of the spirit. An expression by now little or not at… -
Porphyry (PORFIRIO)
PORPHYRY. - Philosopher, b. in 232-33 A.D. probably at Tyre (Vita Plotini, VII) or perhaps in Batanea, an obscure land of Syria or… -
Positivism (POSITIVISMO)
POSITIVISM. - A philosophical (scientific, historical) movement that arose in the 19th century and dominated its second half (classical… -
Possibility (POSSIBILITÀ)
POSSIBILITY. - In the logical sense, possible is that which, once posited, has no absurd consequence; it is that which can be and not be,… -
Postulate (POSTULATO)
POSTULATE. - From Lat. postulare (to require; Gk. αἰτησίω), it is a proposition (v.) that is admitted as true without demonstration (v.)… -
Pragmatism (PRAGMATISMO)
PRAGMATISM. - A direction in contemporary philosophy, among the most fortunate and widespread, which has had vast and at times profound… -
Predicables (PREDICABILI)
PREDICABLES. - The term (Gk. κατηγορούμενα, whence also, in Italian, "categoremes") means "that which can be predicated" of another. In a… -
Pre-established Harmony (ARMONIA PRESTABILITÀ)
PRE-ESTABLISHED HARMONY. - It is a doctrine — or hypothesis — central to Leibniz, which, although it has various historical roots… -
Primary Qualities (PRIMARIE, QUALITÀ)
PRIMARY QUALITIES. - They are, according to the common acceptation after Locke (v.), the qualities (v.) of bodies without which the body… -
Principle (PRINCIPIO)
PRINCIPLE. - From primum-capere (caput) it is that which comes first, the origin, the beginning (initium, exordium, origo); it corresponds… -
Prisco, Giuseppe
PRISCO, GIUSEPPE. - Cardinal, b. at Boscotrecase (Naples) on 8 Sept. 1833, d. at Naples on 4 Feb. 1923. He studied at the Seminary of… -
Probability (PROBABILITÀ)
PROBABILITY. - In the sense now common, a fact is probable which, while not presenting itself as absolutely certain, is nevertheless… -
Problematicism (PROBLEMATICISMO)
PROBLEMATICISM. - "Problematicism" generally denotes every "critical philosophy," that is, every method that intends to begin… -
Proposition (PROPOSIZIONE)
PROPOSITION. - From Lat. pro-ponere, "to place before." The Greek πρότασις (προκτίθημι) corresponds to it, referring, for the most part, to… -
Psychologism (PSICOLOGISMO)
PSYCHOLOGISM. - It indicates, in general, «the tendency to let the psychological point of view (that is, the empirical analysis and… -
Psychology (PSICOLOGIA)
PSYCHOLOGY. - From the Greek ψυχή, λόγος, it is the "doctrine or science of the soul," of its nature and its operations. The term p. comes… -
Pufendorf, Samuel von
PUFENDORF, SAMUEL von. - Historian, philosopher and jurist, b. at Dorfchemnitz in Saxony on 8 Jan. 1632, d. at Berlin on 26 Oct. 1694.… -
Pyrrhonism (PIRRONISMO)
PYRRHONISM. - It is the school of thought that traces back to the skeptical doctrine of Pyrrho of Elis (c. 360-270 B.C.). It was summed up… -
Pythagoras (PITAGORA)
PYTHAGORAS. - The historical figure of P., philosopher and founder of the school that bears his name, was so distorted by later legends… -
Quality (QUALITÀ)
QUALITY. - Q. (ποιότης) means, in a generic sense, mode of being. The universe, material and spiritual, not only presents a multiplicity of… -
Quantity (QUANTITÀ)
QUANTITY. - Q. (ποσότης) is the property by which a body is "how much" or extended, capable of occupying a space. It is among the… -
Question of Universals (UNIVERSALI, QUESTIONE DEGLI)
QUESTION OF UNIVERSALS. - A famous controversy, and at certain moments highly clamorous, concerning a problem which, because it was posed… -
Ranzoli, Cesare
RANZOLI, CESARE. - Philosopher, b. in Mantua on 13 April 1876, d. in Genoa on 8 February 1926. He was professor of philosophy at the… -
Rationale (RAZIONALE)
RATIONALE. - That which belongs to reason (v.) or is in conformity with it. In this sense, demonstration (v.), deduction (v.) are called… -
Rationalism (RAZIONALISMO)
RATIONALISM. - A philosophical term, relatively recent (it entered usage with English Deism [v.] in the 17th century) and rich in meanings.… -
Ravaisson, Félix
RAVAISSON, FÉLIX. - French philosopher, b. at Namur (Belgium) on 23 Oct. 1813, d. at Paris on 18 May 1900. An independent spirit, he did… -
Realism (REALISMO)
REALISM. - A philosophical orientation that affirms the priority of being over knowing, in the sense that being is independent of the act… -
Reason (RAGIONE)
REASON. — A philosophical term which, especially in the sense of faculty (v.), has had in the history of Western thought a multiplicity of… -
Reasoning (RAGIONAMENTO)
REASONING. - From ratio (v. RAGIONE), it is the act by which thought, by virtue of given propositions, facts, judgments, passes to a new… -
Reflection (RIFLESSIONE)
REFLECTION. - It is the act by which thought takes explicit awareness of itself, considering its own activities, its own objects and… -
Reid, Thomas
REID, THOMAS. - English philosopher, b. April 25, 1710 at Strachan, near Aberdeen, at whose university he was a professor from 1752 to… -
Reisch, Gregor
REISCH, GREGOR. - Carthusian, b. at Balingen in inner Württemberg before 1467, d. at Freiburg im Breisgau on 9 May 1525. He studied at… -
Relation (RELAZIONE)
RELATION. - From referre, it means the reference of one thing to a term, and its formality consists precisely in this being-toward-another,… -
Relativism (RELATIVISMO)
RELATIVISM. - A term that indicates not a specific doctrine or system, but an attitude common to various thinkers, according to which every… -
Reminiscence (REMINISCENZA)
REMINISCENCE. - In a generic sense (from re-miniscor) it denotes memory, recollection. In philosophy the term (Gk. ἀνάμνησις) had a… -
Renouvier, Charles
RENOUVIER, CHARLES. - Philosopher, b. at Montpellier on 1 Jan. 1815 and d. at Prades on 1 Sept. 1903. He is considered the founder and the… -
Rensi, Giuseppe
RENSI, GIUSEPPE. - Philosopher and political writer, b. 31 May 1871 at Villafranca (Treviso), d. at Genoa on 9 Feb. 1941. At first a… -
Representation (RAPPRESENTAZIONE)
REPRESENTATION. - It is the term for a cognitive act when this is not immediately apprehensive and presentative of the reality known (it… -
Review of Neoscholastic Philosophy (RIVISTA DI FILOSOFIA NEOSCOLASTICA)
REVIEW OF NEOSCHOLASTIC PHILOSOPHY. - It appeared in January 1909, directed by Fr. Agostino Gemelli and by Giulio Canella (who after a… -
Revue Neo-Scholastic (REVUE NÉO-SCOLASTIQUE)
REVUE NEO-SCHOLASTIC. - A quarterly journal, founded at Louvain in 1894 by the future Cardinal Desiré Mercier, and published by the… -
Revue of Philosophy (REVUE DE PHILOSOPHIE)
REVUE OF PHILOSOPHY. - Periodical founded in Paris by the Marist Father E. Peillaube, to promote philosophical studies anchored in the… -
Rickert, Heinrich
RICKERT, HEINRICH. - Philosopher, b. in Danzig on 25 May 1863 and d. on 28 July 1936 in Heidelberg, where he had been a professor (after… -
Riehl, Alois
RIEHL, ALOIS. - Philosopher, b. in Bolzano on 27 Apr. 1844, d. near Berlin on 21 Nov. 1924. He taught at Graz (1873), Freiburg i. B.… -
Roger of Marston (RUGGERO DI MARSTON)
ROGER OF MARSTON. - English Franciscan, philosopher and theologian, b. a little before the middle of the 13th century, d. at Norwich ca.… -
Romagnosi, Giandomenico
ROMAGNOSI, GIANDOMENICO. - Philosopher and jurist, b. at Salsomaggiore on 11 Dec. 1761, d. at Milan on 8 June 1835; author of works on… -
Romano, Giuseppe
ROMANO, GIUSEPPE. - Jesuit philosopher and scholar, b. at Termini (Palermo) on 3 January 1810, d. at Constantinople on 27 March 1878. He… -
Rosenkranz, Johann Karl Friedrich
ROSENKRANZ, JOHANN KARL FRIEDRICH. - German philosopher and literary historian, b. 23 April 1805 in Magdeburg, d. 14 June 1879 in… -
Rosmini Serbati, Antonio
ROSMINI SERBATI, ANTONIO. - Philosopher, theologian, founder of the Institute of Charity, b. at Rovereto (Trento) on 24 March 1797 to Pier… -
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques
ROUSSEAU, JEAN-JACQUES. - Philosopher, man of letters, b. June 28, 1712 in Geneva to the Calvinist Isaac R., a watchmaker, and Suzanne… -
Rousselot, Pierre
ROUSSELOT, PIERRE. - Theologian and philosopher, b. in Nantes on 29 Dec. 1878, fell in the battle of the Eparges on 25 Apr. 1915. He… -
Royer-Collard, Pierre-Paul
ROYER-COLLARD, PIERRE-PAUL. - Philosopher and politician, b. June 21, 1763 at Sompuis (Champagne), d. Sept. 4, 1845 at Châteauvieux near… -
Sanseverino, Gaetano
SANSEVERINO, GAETANO. - Neo-Scholastic philosopher, b. in Naples on 7 Aug. 1811, d. there on 16 Nov. 1865. Ordained a priest, he was… -
Santayana (Ruiz), George
SANTAYANA (RUIZ), GEORGE. - Spanish philosopher and writer, b. in Avila on 16 Dec. 1863, d. in Rome on 27 Sept. 1952. Having lived in the… -
Scheler, Max
SCHELER, MAX. - Philosopher, b. in Munich on 22 Aug. 1875, d. in Frankfurt am Main on 19 May 1928. He first taught as a Privatdozent in… -
Schelling, Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph
SCHELLING, FRIEDRICH WILHELM JOSEPH. - Philosopher, b. at Leonberg (Württemberg) on 21 Jan. 1775, d. at Ragaz (Switzerland) on 20 Aug.… -
Schiller, Ferdinand Canning Scott
SCHILLER, FERDINAND CANNING SCOTT. - Philosopher, b. 16 Aug. 1864 at Altona (Germany), d. 7 Aug. 1937 at Los Angeles. He taught philosophy… -
Schlegel, Friedrich von
SCHLEGEL, FRIEDRICH von. - Philosopher, b. in Hanover on 10 March 1772, d. in Dresden on 12 Jan. 1829. He studied philosophy at the… -
Scholasticism (SCOLASTICA)
SCHOLASTICISM. - In its broadest sense it indicates "medieval philosophy" and, in a more precise sense, that doctrinal movement which… -
Schopenhauer, Arthur
SCHOPENHAUER, ARTHUR. - Philosopher, b. in Danzig on 22 Feb. 1788, d. in Frankfurt am Main on 21 Sept. 1860. Educated in France and in… -
Schultze, Gottlob Ernst
SCHULTZE, GOTTLOB ERNST. - Known under the name of Aenesidemus, German philosopher, b. at Heldrungen (Thuringia) on 30 Aug. 1761, d. at… -
Science (SCIENZA)
SCIENCE. - By the term s. (Lat. scientia = knowledge, Gk. ἐπιστήμη) has always been meant a knowledge (v.) different from and more perfect… -
Scientism (SCIENTISMO)
SCIENTISM. - It is the conception according to which science (v.), as a type of knowledge distinguished from philosophy (v.) as well as… -
Scotism (SCOTISMO)
SCOTISM. - Since the Scotist synthesis is found under the entry Duns Scotus (v.), what is treated here is Scotism taken in the sense of the… -
Scoto Eriugena, Giovanni
SCOTO ERIUGENA, GIOVANNI. - Philosopher and theologian, b. in Ireland (in Celtic Eriu, also called Scotia Maior; whence presumably the… -
Scottish School (SCOZZESE, SCUOLA)
SCOTTISH SCHOOL. - Also called the school of "common sense," whose founder and leader is T. Reid (v.) and, after him, his best disciple D.… -
Secretan, Charles
SECRETAN, CHARLES. - Philosopher, b. in Lausanne on 19 Jan. 1815, d. there on 20 Jan. 1895. He taught philosophy there for about thirty… -
Self-Consciousness (AUTOCOSCIENZA)
SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS. - Consciousness, awareness of self. Whereas consciousness (v.) indicates rather the awareness of the subject's acts in… -
Seneca, Lucius Annaeus
SENECA, LUCIUS ANNAEUS. - Roman philosopher, son of Annaeus Seneca the rhetorician, born at Cordova, in Spain, between 4 and 8 A.D., died… -
Sensation (SENSAZIONE)
SENSATION. - From sensus, sensatio, Gk. αἴσθησις, it is the original and fundamental manifestation of psychic life, whereby there occurs… -
Sensism (SENSISMO)
SENSISM. - A philosophical system or tendency that admits sensation (v.) as the sole source of knowledge and resolves into it all the forms… -
Sentiment (SENTIMENTO)
SENTIMENT. - A distinction is made between feeling [sentimento] and the simple "sensing" of external or internal sensibility, in that while… -
Sertillanges, Antonin-Gilbert
SERTILLANGES, ANTONIN-GILBERT. - Dominican philosopher, theologian and sacred orator, b. at Clermont-Ferrand on 17 Nov. 1863, d. at… -
Sextus Empiricus (SESTO EMPIRICO)
SEXTUS EMPIRICUS. - Skeptical philosopher and physician, who lived in the second half of the 2nd century AD. He belonged to the school of… -
Sidgwick, Henry
SIDGWICK, HENRY. - Philosopher, b. May 31, 1838 at Skipton (Yorkshire), d. Aug. 28, 1900 at Cambridge. He studied at Cambridge. A Fellow of… -
Sign (SEGNO)
SIGN. - In a broad sense a sign (Gr. σημεῖον) is anything (reality, image, object) that manifests another: «quodcumque notum in quo aliquid… -
Signorello, Nuncio (SIGNORIELLO, NUNZIO)
SIGNORELLO, NUNCIO. - Neo-Scholastic philosopher, b. in Naples in 1831, d. there on 11 Oct. 1889. A pupil of Sanseverino (v.), and like him… -
Sigwart, Christoph Wilhelm
SIGWART, CHRISTOPH WILHELM. - Philosopher, b. 27 March 1830 at Tübingen, d. there 4 Aug. 1904. He studied philosophy, mathematics and… -
Simmel, Georg
SIMMEL, GEORG. - Philosopher, b. 1 March 1858 in Berlin, d. 26 Sept. 1918 in Strasbourg. He was a professor at the Universities of these… -
Simplicius (SEMPLICE)
SIMPLICIUS. - It is that which has no parts and is therefore not divisible. Since indivisibility is unity ("nihil enim est aliud unum quam… -
Simplicius (SIMPLICIO)
SIMPLICIUS. - Neoplatonic philosopher of the 6th century AD. Biographical information is scarce. He was a native of Cilicia, and had as his… -
Singular (SINGOLARE)
SINGULAR. - In the metaphysical sense, a singular is the subsistent individual, that is, the "primary substance" (οὐσία πρώτη, as opposed… -
Skepticism (SCETTICISMO)
SKEPTICISM. - From the Greek σκέπτομαι, I look, observe, reflect, meditate, investigate, it is the attitude — and the systematic position —… -
Slavophilism (SLAVOFILIA)
SLAVOPHILISM. - I. LITERATURE. - The Slavophile movement represents in Russian culture a reaction of a national and spiritual character… -
Soave, Francesco
SOAVE, FRANCESCO. - Scholar and philosopher, b. at Lugano on 10 June 1743, d. at Pavia on 17 Jan. 1806. A Somascan religious, he dedicated… -
Socrates (SOCRATE)
SOCRATES. - One of the greatest philosophers of ancient Greece and one of the greatest personalities of all time. Born in Athens in 469… -
Solovyov, Vladimir Sergeevich (SOLOV'EV, VLADIMIR SERGHĚEVIČ)
SOLOVYOV, VLADIMIR SERGEEVICH. - The greatest Russian philosopher, b. January 16 (28), 1853 in Moscow, d. July 31 (Aug. 13), 1900 near… -
Sophism (SOFISMA)
SOPHISM. - In primitive usage σύφισμα (from σοφία, wisdom) is every contrivance or invention of thought (inventum, scitum). After… -
Sophists (SOFISTI)
SOPHISTS. - Representatives of a vast cultural and philosophical movement that flourished in Greece, particularly in Athens, in the 5th and… -
Sorel, Georges
SOREL, GEORGES. - French sociologist, b. at Cherbourg on 2 Nov. 1847, d. at Boulogne-sur-Seine on 30 Aug. 1922. He practiced the profession… -
Soul (ANIMA)
SOUL. - «The a. is the principle by which we primarily live, feel, and understand» (Aristotle, De anima, II, 2, 414a, 12-13). SUMMARY: I.… -
Space (SPAZIO)
SPACE. - In the common acceptation it is the place in which bodies and movements are imagined. It involves certain fundamental… -
Spaventa, Bertrando
SPAVENTA, BERTRANDO. - Philosopher, b. at Bomba (Chieti) on 26 June 1817, d. at Naples on 20 February 1883. A pupil at the Seminary of… -
Spedalieri, Nicola
SPEDALIERI, NICOLA. - Apologist and publicist, b. at Bronte (Catania) on 6 Dec. 1740, d. at Rome on 26 Nov. 1795. He completed his early… -
Spencer, Herbert
SPENCER, HERBERT. - English philosopher, b. at Derby on 27 April 1820, d. at Brighton on 8 December 1903. Belonging to a cultured family,… -
Spengler, Oswald
SPENGLER, OSWALD. - Philosopher, b. May 29, 1880 at Blankenburg, d. May 8, 1936 at Munich. He studied mathematics and philosophy at Munich… -
Spinoza, Baruch de
SPINOZA, BARUCH de. - Philosopher, b. in Amsterdam on 24 Nov. 1632 to a Jewish family of Portuguese origin, d. at The Hague on 21 Feb.… -
Spirit (SPIRITO)
SPIRIT. - Corresponds to the Greek πνεῦμα and νοῦς, and to the Latin spiritus and mens. Etymologically it means "breath," "vital breath"… -
Spiritualism (SPIRITUALISMO)
SPIRITUALISM. - An ambiguous philosophical term whose meaning is not easily definable, given the variety of its acceptations. Moreover,… -
Steward, Dugald
STEWARD, DUGALD. - English philosopher, b. 22 Nov. 1752 in Edinburgh, d. there 11 June 1828. He taught at the Universities of his native… -
Stirner, Max
STIRNER, MAX. - Pseudonym of the philosopher Johann Caspar Schmidt, b. 25 Oct. 1806 at Bayreuth, d. 25 June 1856 at Berlin. He studied… -
Stöckl, Albert
STÖCKL, ALBERT. - Neo-Scholastic philosopher and theologian, b. 15 March 1823 at Möhren (Middle Franconia), d. at Eichstätt on 15 Nov.… -
Stoicism (STOICISMO)
STOICISM. - Philosophical school founded in the "Stoa" (Portico) of Athens by Zeno of Citium around 300 B.C. Its successors were Cleanthes… -
Subconscious (SUBCOSCIENZA)
SUBCONSCIOUS. - A term brought into vogue in psychology by psychoanalysis (v.) and in theology by modernism (v.) to indicate the psychic… -
Subject (SOGGETTO)
SUBJECT. - The term s. has several acceptations. In current usage one speaks of the s. of a proposition, of a discussion, of a work, of a… -
Subjectivism (SOGGETTIVISMO)
SUBJECTIVISM. - Opposed to objectivism (v.), it is properly used in relation to modern philosophy as a tendency to overvalue what exists in… -
Subsistence (SUSSISTENZA)
SUBSISTENCE. - It generally indicates the consistency and sufficiency of reality that substance (v.) obtains through the possession of its… -
Substance (SOSTANZA)
SUBSTANCE. - It can indicate both actual and concrete, that is, singular reality (the "primary substance" of Aristotelian terminology), and… -
Sufficient Reason (Principle of) (RAGION SUFFICIENTE (PRINCIPIO DI))
SUFFICIENT REASON (PRINCIPLE OF). - It expresses the "rationality of the real" insofar as everything, both in the realm of being and in… -
Superman (Ger. Übermensch) (SUPERUOMO (TED. ÜBERMENSCH))
SUPERMAN (Ger. Übermensch). - A term coined to indicate a conception of humanity superior to its normal or typical form, but free from… -
Syllogism (SILLOGISMO)
SYLLOGISM. - From the Greek οὐν-λόγος, λογισμός, it indicates a connection of ideas, discourse. The term, already used by Plato (Theaet.,… -
Symbolic Logic (LOGICA SIMBOLICA)
SYMBOLIC LOGIC. - It is the study of formal logic by means of symbols, also called ideographic logic, mathematical logic, logistics.… -
Sympathy (SIMPATIA)
SYMPATHY. - In a general sense, it indicates that phenomenon whereby a given modification in any being comes to be reproduced in another… -
Talamo, Salvatore
TALAMO, SALVATORE. - Neo-Thomist philosopher, b. in Naples on 6 Sept. 1854, d. in Rome on 21 Feb. 1932. A disciple of Sanseverino (v.) and… -
Taparelli d'Azeglio, Luigi
TAPARELLI D'AZEGLIO, LUIGI. - Jesuit philosopher, b. in Turin on 24 Nov. 1793, d. in Rome on 21 Sept. 1862. Prospero (such was his… -
Teleology (TELEOLOGIA)
TELEOLOGY. - From τέλος, end, and λόγος, discourse, it indicates the science of ends. The term goes back to Ch. Wolff (Philosophia… -
Telesio, Bernardino
TELESIO, BERNARDINO. - Philosopher, b. at Cosenza in 1509, d. there in 1588. In 1518 he was in Milan with his uncle Antonio, from whom he… -
Theism (TEISMO)
THEISM. - From Θεός, God, it is in general the religious or philosophical attitude that admits as the first principle of being a superior… -
Themistius (TEMISTIO)
THEMISTIUS. — Orator and philosopher of the 4th century A.D. (ca. 520-90). Son of Paphlagonian parents, and born probably at… -
Theophrastus (TEOFRASTO)
THEOPHRASTUS. - Peripatetic philosopher and scientist, b. at Eresos on Lesbos, between 372-68 B.C., d. between 288-85. He succeeded… -
Theosophy (TEOSOFIA)
THEOSOPHY. - From θεός "God" and σοφία "wisdom," it is the knowledge of God, and generally of divine things, obtained not so much through a… -
Thought (PENSIERO)
THOUGHT. - From the Latin pensare, to weigh, to ponder (the Greek νόμος, διάνοια has a different derivation), the term preserves its… -
Time (TEMPO)
TIME. - It is, in general, the interval between two successive events and is often imagined as a homogeneous and immutable flux, in which… -
Tindal, Matthew
TINDAL, MATTHEW. - English philosopher, b. at Beer Ferrers (Devonshire) in 1656, d. at Oxford in 1733. Having converted to Catholicism, he… -
Tocco, Felice
TOCCO, FELICE. - Historian of culture and philosophy, philologist, b. at Catanzaro on 12 Sept. 1845, d. at Florence on 6 June 1911. A… -
Toland, John
TOLAND, JOHN. - The most notable of the English deists (Collins, Tindal, Morgan), b. at Redcastle near Londonderry (Ireland) on 30 Nov.… -
Tongiorgi, Salvatore
TONGIORGI, SALVATORE. - Philosopher, b. in Rome on 25 Dec. 1820, d. there on 12 Nov. 1863. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1837. He was… -
Traditionalism (TRADIZIONALISMO)
TRADITIONALISM. - It is the philosophical-religious doctrine according to which a primitive revelation was absolutely necessary for the… -
Transcendentals (TRASCENDENTALI)
TRANSCENDENTALS. - In traditional philosophy these are the notions which, because of their maximum universality, apply to all things and… -
Trendelenburg, Friedrich Adolf
TRENDELENBURG, FRIEDRICH ADOLF. - Spiritualist philosopher, b. at Lutin on 30 Nov. 1802, d. at Berlin on 24 Jan. 1872. From his… -
Trivet, Nicholas
TRIVET, NICHOLAS. - Humanist, historian, philosopher and Dominican theologian, b. at Norwich, ca. 1258, d. between 1328-30. Bachelor in the… -
Truth and Falsehood (VERITÀ E FALSITÀ)
TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD. - Just as the Greek ἀληθής in the literal sense of the word means the "unhidden" or "he who conceals nothing," so the… -
Ubaghs, Gerhard Casimir
UBAGHS, GERHARD CASIMIR. - Filosofo belga, n. a Berg-le-Jaquemont il 26 nov. 1800, m. a Lovanio il 15 febbr. 1875. Ordinato sarcedote,… -
Überweg, Friedrich
ÜBERWEG, FRIEDRICH. - Philosopher, b. 22 Jan. 1826 at Leichlingen in Rhenish Prussia, the son of an Evangelical pastor, d. at Königsberg on… -
Ultimate End (FINE ULTIMO)
ULTIMATE END. - It is the supreme good toward which every nature tends in its action, and above all the spiritual nature that acts… -
Universal Consent (CONSENSO UNIVERSALE)
UNIVERSAL CONSENT. - It is the general agreement of human thought concerning truths of fact and first principles of immediate evidence, or… -
Universe (UNIVERSO)
UNIVERSE. - It is the totality of everything that exists in space and time; also called "world," which in itself means a part of the U. In… -
Urráburu, Juan José
URRÁBURU, JUAN JOSÉ. - Jesuit, scholastic philosopher, b. at Ceánuri (Biscay), 20 May 1844, d. at Burgos, 10 Aug. 1904. Having entered the… -
Useful (UTILE)
USEFUL. - Utility, according to its very etymology, indicates that instrumental good which a subject perceives as a means of satisfying its… -
Utilitarianism (UTILITARISMO)
UTILITARIANISM. - It is the doctrine that posits utility as the foundation of morality, maintaining that actions are good to the extent… -
Vacherot, Étienne (VACHEROT, ETIENNE)
VACHEROT, ÉTIENNE. - Philosopher, b. at Langres, 29 July 1809, d. at Paris 28 July 1897. He taught philosophy at the École Normale and at… -
Vaihinger, Hans
VAIHINGER, HANS. - Philosopher, b. at Nehren (Württemberg) on 25 Sept. 1852, d. at Halle on 12 Dec. 1933. He taught philosophy at the… -
Vailati, Giovanni
VAILATI, GIOVANNI. - Mathematician and historian of the philosophy of science, b. at Crema on 24 Apr. 1863, d. at Rome on 14 May 1909.… -
Values, Philosophy of (VALORI, FILOSOFIA DEI)
VALUES, Philosophy of. - It indicates an orientation of contemporary philosophy which, in its many strands, affirms first of all: a) the… -
Ventura di Raulica, Gioacchino
VENTURA di RAULICA, GIOACCHINO. - Publicist, orator and Theatine philosopher, b. at Palermo on 8 Dec. 1792, d. at Versailles on 2 Aug.… -
Vernia, Nicoletto
VERNIA, NICOLETTO. - Philosopher, b. in Chieti ca. 1420, d. in Padua in 1499. He taught in Padua from 1465. Trained in the Venetian school… -
Vicious Circle (CIRCOLO VIZIOSO)
VICIOUS CIRCLE. - A fallacy in reasoning into which one falls when, needing to prove two propositions together, one is proved by means of… -
Vico, Giovanni Battista
VICO, GIOVANNI BATTISTA. - Italian philosopher, b. in Naples on 23 June 1668, d. there on 22 Jan. 1744. I. LIFE. - Born to a modest… -
Vitalism (VITALISMO)
VITALISM. - In a very broad sense it comprises the scientific and philosophical doctrines that affirm the irreducibility (both from the… -
Volkelt, Johannes
VOLKELT, JOHANNES. - Philosopher, b. at Lipnik (Galicia) on 21 July 1848, d. at Leipzig on 8 May 1930. He studied at Vienna, Jena and… -
Voluntarism (VOLONTARISMO)
VOLUNTARISM. - In contrast to intellectualism (v.), it indicates in general the superiority attributed to the will over the intellect in… -
Voluntas (VOLONTÀ)
VOLUNTAS. - It is the faculty of tending toward the universal good, proper to spiritual creatures. I. PHILOSOPHY. - Known by the intellect,… -
Weber, Joseph
WEBER, JOSEPH. - Philosopher, b. 23 Sept. 1753 at Rain (Upper Bavaria), d. at Augsburg on 14 Feb. 1831. He studied theology at Augsburg and… -
Weisse, Christian Hermann
WEISSE, CHRISTIAN HERMANN. - Philosopher of the Hegelian right, b. in Leipzig on 10 Aug. 1801, d. there on 19 Sept. 1866. In Leipzig he… -
Whitehead, Alfred North
WHITEHEAD, ALFRED NORTH. - English mathematician, scientist and philosopher, b. at Ramsgate (Kent) on 15 Feb. 1861 and d. at Cambridge,… -
William of Alnwick (GUGLIELMO DI ALNWICK)
WILLIAM OF ALNWICK. - English Scholastic, Franciscan, d. 1332. He follows Scotist doctrines, though with a certain independence. He is the… -
William of Conches (GUGLIELMO DI CONCHES)
WILLIAM OF CONCHES. - Scholastic, b. at Conches (Normandy) in 1080, d. in 1145. He belongs to the school of Chartres. His principal works… -
Willmann, Otto
WILLMANN, OTTO. - Philosopher and noted educationist, b. at Lissa (Posen) on 24 April 1839, d. at Leitmeritz on 1 July 1920. He studied at… -
Windelband, Wilhelm
WINDELBAND, WILHELM. - Philosopher and historian of philosophy, b. at Potsdam on 8 May 1848, d. at Heidelberg on 22 Oct. 1915. He studied…