What is the primary meaning of the Greek term 'nous' in classical philosophy?

In classical philosophy, 'nous' is a concept often equated to intellect or intelligence, referring to the faculty of the human mind that is necessary for understanding what is true or real. It represents a cognitive capacity for grasping fundamental truths.

What are some alternative English terms used in philosophical contexts for 'nous'?

Alternative English terms used in philosophy for 'nous' include 'intellect', 'intelligence', 'understanding', and 'mind'. Sometimes, it can also refer to 'thought' or 'reason' in the sense of the faculty that reasons, rather than the activity itself.

How is 'nous' sometimes described in relation to perception?

'Nous' is often described as being similar to perception, but distinct from it, operating within the mind, akin to the 'mind's eye'. It is a form of intellectual perception rather than sensory awareness.

What basic meaning has been suggested for 'nous'?

The basic meaning suggested for 'nous' is something akin to 'awareness'. This aligns with its role in understanding and grasping truth.

What colloquial meaning does 'nous' have in British English, and how does it relate to its ancient Greek meaning?

In colloquial British English, 'nous' denotes 'good sense'. This meaning is quite close to one of the everyday meanings it held in Ancient Greece, emphasizing practical understanding and judgment.

How did Homer use the term 'nous' in his writings?

Homer used 'nous' to signify mental activities of both mortals and immortals, often referring to what they truly had on their mind as opposed to what they expressed verbally. It was one of several terms related to thought and mental perception.

In pre-Socratic philosophy, how did 'nous' become distinguished from sense perception?

During pre-Socratic philosophy, 'nous' increasingly became distinguished as a source of knowledge and reasoning that was separate from mere sense perception or thinking influenced by bodily states like emotion. It was seen as a more reliable path to truth.

What was Heraclitus's view on the relationship between learning and 'nous'?

Heraclitus expressed a critical view on the acquisition of knowledge, famously complaining that 'much learning does not teach nous'. This suggests he believed true understanding or intellect could not be solely gained through accumulated information.

What radical proposals did Parmenides make regarding 'nous' and reality?

Parmenides proposed that reality as perceived solely by the senses is not the realm of truth because sense perception is unreliable. He argued for a dualism where 'nous' and related terms describe an intellectual form of perception, distinct from sensory perception, which apprehends unchanging and eternal objects.

Who is credited as the first philosopher to explicitly explain the concept of a cosmic 'nous' that arranges the cosmos?

Anaxagoras, born around 500 BC, is credited as the first philosopher known to have explained the concept of a cosmic 'nous' (mind). He proposed that this 'nous' arranged all things in the cosmos, initiated their rotation, and continued to exert some control.

What was Anaxagoras's view on the physical composition of the cosmos and the nature of 'nous'?

Anaxagoras believed the cosmos was made of infinitely divisible matter, with every particle capable of becoming anything. However, 'nous' was also considered matter, but it was distinct, found separated from the general mixture or mixed into living things. He described 'nous' as the thinnest of all things, and while it initiated cosmic motion, its role after that was mechanical.

How did Xenophon record Socrates using the concept of 'nous' in an argument about the order of nature?

Xenophon recorded Socrates using 'nous' in a teleological argument, questioning a skeptical friend about whether the vast and orderly cosmos could have come about through senselessness, implying that an intelligence ('nous') must be responsible for its design.

In Plato's 'Philebus', what did Socrates state about the role of mind ('nous') in the universe?

In Plato's 'Philebus', Socrates stated that 'all philosophers agree... that mind (nous) is king of heaven and earth,' and later confirmed that 'mind (nous) always rules the universe.' This highlights the central role of intellect in Plato's cosmology.

How did Plato, influenced by Parmenides, argue that 'nous' must perceive truth directly?

Plato, drawing from Parmenides, argued that relying solely on sense perception leads only to opinion, not true knowledge. He proposed that 'nous' must perceive truth directly, apprehending unchanging 'forms' or 'ideas' rather than the transient material world.

What is the theory of 'anamnesis' as explained by Plato's Socrates in the 'Meno'?

The theory of 'anamnesis', as explained by Plato's Socrates in the 'Meno', suggests that people are born with innate ideas already within their soul, which they recall from previous lives. This process of remembering is how true knowledge is acquired.

In Plato's 'Timaeus', what role did 'nous' play in the work of the demiurge?

In Plato's 'Timaeus', 'nous' is described as being responsible for the creative work of the demiurge, or the craftsman who brought rational order to the universe. This demiurge imitated the eternal Forms perceived by the 'nous'.

How did Aristotle distinguish 'nous' from sense perception and other cognitive faculties?

Aristotle distinguished 'nous' from sense perception, imagination, and reason, although these faculties are closely related. While sense perception provides images via the 'sensus communis' and imagination, Aristotle believed that only humans possess 'nous', setting them apart from other animals.

What did Aristotle identify as the source of first principles or definitions?

Aristotle identified 'nous' as the source of the first principles or sources ('archai') of definitions. This faculty develops naturally as individuals gain experience and insight.

What is the significance of Aristotle's discussion on the 'active intellect' and 'passive intellect'?

Aristotle's discussion on the 'active intellect' and 'passive intellect' is highly significant, particularly concerning how the human intellect transitions from potentiality to actuality. The debate continues on whether the active intellect is part of the human soul or an independent entity.

What did Aristotle state about the origin of the human 'nous' in his 'Generation of Animals'?

In his 'Generation of Animals', Aristotle stated that while other parts of the soul originate from parents physically, the human 'nous' must come from outside the body. He described it as divine or godly, having no inherent connection to the body's functions.

What was the Epicurean concept of 'prolepsis'?

The Epicureans used the term 'prolepsis' to describe the process by which the mind forms general concepts from sense perceptions. This concept relates to how sensory experiences are interpreted to build understanding.

How did the Stoics view the source of cosmic order and its relation to human reason?

The Stoics believed that cosmic order originated from 'logos', the cosmic reason, which they saw as similar to human reason but divine. This cosmic reason was connected to the reason of individual humans, influencing their understanding.

In Gnosticism, particularly Valentinianism, what is the role and origin of Nous?

In Valentinian Gnosticism, Nous is the first male Aeon, emanating from the Propator Bythos (Forefather Depths) along with his conjugate Aletheia (truth). Nous, along with Ennoia (Thought) or Sige (Silence), forms the primordial Tetrad and is considered the 'Only Begotten'.

According to the Ophites, what entity is referred to as the serpent-formed Nous?

The Ophites believed that the demiurge Ialdabaoth created a son named Ophiomorphus, who is identified as the serpent-formed Nous. This entity is said to have acted under Sophia's compulsion.

What did the 'Gospel of Mary' suggest about the role of 'nous' in vision?

The 'Gospel of Mary' suggests that Jesus articulated that 'where the nous lies, there lies the treasure.' It further implies that vision occurs through the 'nous', which acts as an intermediary between the soul and the spirit.

In Neoplatonism, how is 'Nous' described, and what is its relationship to 'the One'?

In Neoplatonism, 'Nous' (Intellect or Intelligence) is described as God or an image of God, thinking its own contents which are equated to Platonic ideas or forms. It is considered the first principle of existence, emanating from 'the One', which is its prior possibility.

How did Al-Farabi's cosmology differ from earlier philosophers regarding the active intellect?

Al-Farabi was innovative in placing the active intellect at the lowest rank in a hierarchy of distinct transcendental intelligences, unlike earlier philosophers like Plotinus, Themistius, and Alexander of Aphrodisias who placed it near the top of the hierarchy of being.

What was Avicenna's view on the 'material intellect' or potential intellect?

Avicenna viewed the 'material intellect' or potential intellect as incorporeal, a disposition of the soul that exists from birth. He detailed stages of potential for thinking, moving from basic intelligible thoughts to derivative ones.

What controversial doctrine of Averroes regarding the intellect was adopted by Parisian philosophers?

Averroes's doctrine that humankind shares a single active intellect was adopted by Parisian philosophers such as Siger of Brabant. This position was widely debated and often considered heretical.

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, what is the human 'nous' referred to as?

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the human 'nous' is referred to as the 'eye of the heart or soul' or the 'mind of the heart'. It is considered the faculty through which one can attain knowledge of God.

What did Francis Bacon consider the 'intellectus' (understanding) to be in his 'Novum Organum'?

Francis Bacon considered the 'intellectus' or understanding to be a major source of wrong conclusions, as it is biased and prone to over-generalizing. He advocated for methodical approaches in modern science to avoid being misled by the human intellect.

How did Leibniz modify the empiricist principle regarding the intellect?

Leibniz added to the empiricist principle 'nihil in intellectu nisi prius fuerit in sensu' (nothing in the intellect without first being in the senses) by appending 'nisi intellectus ipsi' ('except the intellect itself'). This acknowledged an innate capacity of the intellect beyond sensory input.

What is the 'mind-body problem' as defined by Descartes?

The 'mind-body problem', as defined by Descartes, concerns the distinct nature of the human mind and body. He proposed they are different in kind, with the mind (soul) being a thinking substance separate from the mechanical workings of the body.

How did Blaise Pascal criticize Descartes's philosophy?

Blaise Pascal criticized Descartes for attempting to dispense with God in his philosophy, suggesting that Descartes only invoked God to set the world in motion and then had no further use for the divine. This mirrors Plato's Socrates' critique of Anaxagoras.

What did the 'Gospel of Mary' suggest about the role of 'nous' in vision?

The 'Gospel of Mary' suggests that vision, particularly a 'Moment of Vision', occurs through the 'nous', which acts as an intermediary between the soul and the spirit. It is where the 'treasure' is found.

What was Avicenna's view on the immortality of the soul and the afterlife?

Avicenna believed that all parts of the soul were inherently immortal. However, the level of intellectual development determined the quality of the afterlife, with the highest intellectual achievement leading to a perfect conjunction with the active intellect and supreme happiness.

What is the significance of Aristotle's 'active intellect' in relation to the 'unmoved mover'?

In Aristotle's 'Metaphysics', the active intellect, when engaged in thought, is equated with the 'unmoved mover' of the universe and God. The actuality of thought ('nous') is considered life, and God is seen as that ultimate actuality.

How did Plato's Socrates view Anaxagoras's concept of a cosmic 'nous' in the 'Phaedo'?

In Plato's 'Phaedo', Socrates viewed Anaxagoras's concept of a cosmic 'nous' as a turning point, recognizing it as a cause for the order in things. However, Socrates disagreed with Anaxagoras's materialistic explanation of causation, arguing it missed the true reasons for events.

What did Aristotle state about the origin of the human 'nous' in his 'Generation of Animals'?

Aristotle stated in 'Generation of Animals' that the human 'nous' originates from outside the body, describing it as divine or godly, unlike other parts of the soul which are physically inherited.

What was the Stoic view on 'nous' and its connection to the soul?

The Stoics viewed 'nous' as the soul 'somehow disposed,' with the soul itself being a 'pneuma' (spirit or breath). They considered 'nous' to be the ruling part of the soul.

How did Alexander of Aphrodisias identify the 'active intellect'?

Alexander of Aphrodisias identified the 'active intellect' not with anything internal to humans, but with the divine creator itself. He argued that the potential intellect in humans becomes actual through this external, divine agency.

What did Themistius believe about the nature of the human potential intellect?

Themistius believed that the human potential intellect was wholly unmixed with the body, impassive, and separate from matter. This suggests he considered it an incorporeal substance or a disposition of one.

In Valentinian Gnosticism, what is the role of Nous in relation to Sophia's peril?

In Valentinian Gnosticism, when Sophia (Wisdom) was endangered by her desire to know the unknowable Propator, Nous was the foremost Aeon in interceding for her. Subsequently, Nous facilitated Horos's intervention to restore her.

What is the primary difference between Plato's theory of 'anamnesis' and Descartes's concept of innate ideas?

Plato's theory of 'anamnesis' posits that innate ideas are recalled from previous lives, while Descartes argued that innate ideas are God-given and present from birth, not requiring reincarnation for their origin.

How did the empiricist philosophers like Locke and Hume view the intellect's capacity for absolute knowledge?

Empiricist philosophers like Locke and Hume generally believed that absolute knowledge was impossible. They argued that the intellect develops from sensory experience and interpretation, and that attempts to gain knowledge beyond empirical data are logically problematic.

What is the significance of the phrase 'nihil in intellectu nisi prius fuerit in sensu' in empiricism?

The phrase 'nihil in intellectu nisi prius fuerit in sensu' ('nothing in the intellect without first being in the senses') is considered the guiding principle of empiricism. It emphasizes that all knowledge originates from sensory experience.

How did Kant propose that the intellect makes sense of sensory information?

Kant proposed that the intellect ('Verstand') possesses 'a priori' or innate principles that precede sensory experience. These principles allow the intellect to structure and make sense of the incoming sensory data.

What is the Eastern Orthodox Christian understanding of the 'nous' as the 'eye of the heart'?

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the 'nous' is understood as the 'eye of the heart,' the innermost aspect of the soul. It is considered the organ of contemplation and the center where true, spiritual knowledge is validated and where one can potentially 'see God's uncreated Light'.

What did Aristotle consider the soul ('psyche') to be?

Aristotle considered the soul ('psyche') of a body to be what makes it alive and its actualized form. Thus, every living entity, including plants, possesses a soul.

How did Plato's 'Republic' describe the source of intellectual illumination?

In Plato's 'Republic', the source of intellectual illumination, analogous to the sun's light for eyesight, is referred to as the Form of the Good. This concept suggests an external, higher source that enables clearer perception for the intellect.

What was the general focus of post-Aristotelian classical theories concerning 'nous'?

Post-Aristotelian classical theories, until the early modern era, largely focused on interpreting the doctrines of Aristotle and Plato regarding 'nous'. However, materialist philosophies like Epicureanism remained influential.

Nous Wiki: The Labyrinth of Intellect: Unveiling Nous

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The Concept of Nous

Etymology and Core Meaning

The term Nous (νοῦς) originates from Ancient Greek philosophy, often translated as intellect, mind, intelligence, or reason. It denotes the faculty of the mind essential for comprehending truth and reality. In colloquial British English, it can also signify "good sense," aligning with an everyday meaning in Ancient Greece, where it functioned akin to intuition.

Distinctions in Thought

Nous is frequently distinguished from mere sensory perception, imagination, and even the activity of reasoning itself. While closely related, it represents a higher cognitive capacity, enabling direct apprehension of fundamental principles and truths, often perceived as distinct from the changeable world apprehended by the senses.

Philosophical Significance

Across philosophical traditions, Nous has been central to understanding consciousness, knowledge acquisition, and the nature of reality. Its precise definition and function have evolved, from a cosmic organizing principle to the highest faculty of the human soul, capable of grasping eternal truths.

Ancient Philosophical Roots

Pre-Socratic Foundations

Early Greek usage, notably in Homer, employed nous for the mental activities of both mortals and immortals, distinguishing inner thought from spoken words. Pre-Socratic philosophers began to isolate nous as a source of knowledge distinct from sensory perception. Heraclitus lamented that "much learning does not teach nous," highlighting its unique nature. Parmenides' philosophy centered on nous as the means to perceive true reality, distinct from the unreliable senses. Anaxagoras posited a cosmic Nous as the organizing principle that initiated and governed the universe's order, though his view was corporeal and mechanistic.

Socratic and Platonic Developments

Xenophon recorded Socrates employing a teleological argument, suggesting the universe's order implies an intelligent design or cosmic nous. Plato, in dialogues like the Philebus, declared nous "king of heaven and earth," asserting its universal governance. He linked nous to the goddess Athena, deriving her name from "god's mind." In the Phaedo, Socrates critiqued Anaxagoras' materialism, advocating for a teleological understanding of causation driven by the Good. Plato argued that true knowledge comes not from senses but from nous directly perceiving eternal "Forms," possibly through recollection (*anamnesis*) or divine illumination.

Plato's Vision of Nous

The Ruler of Existence

Plato consistently elevated nous, describing it as the supreme faculty that governs the cosmos and the individual soul. In the Republic, through the Analogies of the Sun and the Divided Line, nous is depicted as the rational part of the soul, illuminated by the Form of the Good, enabling the apprehension of true reality beyond sensory experience.

Plato posited that the intellect (nous) perceives immutable, eternal Forms, which are the true reality, unlike the transient world of sensory experience. This direct intellectual apprehension is crucial for achieving genuine knowledge, distinguishing it from mere opinion derived from the senses.

Cosmic Mind and Soul

In the Timaeus, Plato presents the nous as instrumental in the work of the Demiurge, the divine craftsman who shapes the universe by imitating the eternal Forms. The human soul, too, is structured with nous as its highest, rational, and potentially immortal component, guiding the lower faculties.

Plato's tripartite soul includes nous (reason/intellect), thumos (spirit/passion), and phren (appetite/desire). Nous is naturally suited to rule, directing the soul towards wisdom and virtue, aligning with the cosmic order.

Aristotle's Framework of Intellect

Perception and Intellection

Aristotle, while acknowledging the connection between intellect (nous) and sensory perception, distinguished them. He proposed that sensory perception provides images to the nous via the *sensus communis* and imagination. Unlike other animals, humans possess nous, enabling them to grasp intelligible forms (*species intelligibilis*) beyond mere sensory data.

Active and Passive Intellect

Aristotle's most debated concept is the distinction between the passive (or potential) intellect and the active intellect. The passive intellect receives intelligible forms, while the active intellect actualizes this potential knowledge, analogous to how light makes potential colors visible. The nature and separability of the active intellect remain subjects of intense philosophical inquiry, with Aristotle suggesting it might be divine and external to the individual.

Aristotle's theory of the four causes (material, formal, efficient, final) informs his view of nous. The active intellect, as a divine principle, acts as a final cause, guiding towards understanding. He also linked the active intellect to the Unmoved Mover, the ultimate cause of motion and existence, representing pure actuality and eternal life.

Medieval Interpretations

Classical and Islamic Synthesis

Following Aristotle, philosophers like Alexander of Aphrodisias and Themistius debated the nature of the intellect, particularly its potential immortality and relationship with the divine. Alexander argued for the material nature of the passive intellect and the separability of the active intellect, leaning towards the soul's mortality. Themistius proposed a more incorporeal view of the passive intellect. These ideas profoundly influenced Islamic philosophers such as Al-Farabi, Avicenna, and Averroes, who integrated Aristotelian and Neoplatonic concepts into sophisticated cosmological and psychological systems, impacting Jewish and Christian thought.

Christian and Orthodox Perspectives

In Western Christianity, thinkers like Augustine and Boethius, influenced by Neoplatonism, equated divine intellect with God. Scholastic philosophers, notably Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas, adopted Aristotelian frameworks, affirming the intellect's immateriality but maintaining the soul's overall immortality. Eastern Orthodox Christianity views the nous as the "eye of the heart," a divine gift capable of perceiving God's uncreated light after purification through ascetic practices like hesychasm, leading to spiritual knowledge and union.

Nous in Gnosticism

Emanations and Cosmic Order

Gnosticism, a diverse set of religious ideas emerging in early Christianity, frequently features Nous as a primary divine emanation. In Valentinianism, Nous is the first male Aeon, paired with Aletheia (Truth), forming part of the Pleroma, the divine totality. He is the "Only Begotten," the source of subsequent Aeons and the intermediary who knows the unknowable Propator (Forefather).

Diverse Roles and Interpretations

Other Gnostic traditions assign varied roles to Nous. The Ophites describe a serpent-formed Nous. Basilideans identify Nous with Christ, sent to save humanity. Simon Magus presents Nous as the first "root" emanating from the primal Fire. The *Gospel of Mary* portrays Nous as the faculty that perceives divine visions, situated between soul and spirit. Mandaeism uses the term *mana* (akin to nous) for a treasure or mind connected to the Great Life.

Plotinus and Neoplatonism

Hierarchy of Being

Plotinus, the founder of Neoplatonism, synthesized Platonic and Aristotelian thought. His metaphysics describes a hierarchy of hypostases emanating from "The One": first, the Nous (Intellect/Mind), described as God or an image of God, containing the Platonic Forms as its thoughts; second, the Soul (psyche), which actualizes its own thoughts and creates the material cosmos; and finally, Matter. The Nous is the foundation of existence, the highest activity of life.

In Plotinus' system, the human soul functions analogously to Aristotle's potential intellect. It perceives the material world, reflecting the intelligible order contained within the divine Nous. Later Neoplatonists further elaborated on the distinct levels and activities of the intellect.

Modern Philosophical Currents

Empiricism vs. Rationalism

Early modern philosophy saw a divergence. Empiricists like Bacon, Locke, and Hume emphasized sensory experience as the sole source of knowledge, viewing the intellect as a tool for processing data or a source of bias. They largely rejected innate ideas and the possibility of absolute knowledge. Conversely, Rationalists such as Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, and Kant argued for the intellect's inherent capacity to grasp truths independently of or prior to sensory input, reintroducing concepts like innate ideas and *a priori* principles.

The Mind-Body Problem and Beyond

Descartes famously framed the mind-body problem, distinguishing the thinking substance (mind/nous) from the extended substance (body). While he saw nous as distinct and potentially immortal, his successors offered varied interpretations. Spinoza viewed mind and God as aspects of a single substance, while Leibniz maintained the intellect's innate structure alongside sensory input. Kant synthesized empiricism and rationalism, proposing that the intellect possesses innate categories that structure our experience of reality.

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References

This is also discussed by him in the Posterior Analytics II.19.

See Metaphysics 1072b.

Generation of Animals II.iii.736b.

De anima 84, cited in Davidson (1992), p. 9, who translated the quoted words.

Translation and citation by Davidson (1992) again, from Themistius' paraphrase of Aristotle's De Anima.

Clement of Alexandria, Strom. iv. 25.

Encyclopedia of The Study in Philosophy (1969), Vol. 5, article on subject "Nous", article author: G.B. Kerferd

From ShifÄ': De Anima 45, translation by Davidson (1992), p. 96.

See, for example, the many references to nous and the necessity of its purification in the writings of the Philokalia

A full list of references for this article are available at the Nous Wikipedia page

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This is not professional philosophical advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for rigorous academic study or consultation with qualified philosophers or theologians. Always refer to primary sources and scholarly analyses for a comprehensive understanding of complex philosophical concepts.

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The Labyrinth of Intellect

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

The Concept of Nous 🧠

💡 Etymology and Core Meaning

⚖️ Distinctions in Thought

📜 Philosophical Significance

Ancient Philosophical Roots 🏛️

📜 Pre-Socratic Foundations

🗣️ Socratic and Platonic Developments

Plato's Vision of Nous 📜

👑 The Ruler of Existence

🏛️ Cosmic Mind and Soul

Aristotle's Framework of Intellect 🦉

🧠 Perception and Intellection

⚙️ Active and Passive Intellect

Medieval Interpretations 📚

🌍 Classical and Islamic Synthesis

⛪ Christian and Orthodox Perspectives

Nous in Gnosticism ✨

🌌 Emanations and Cosmic Order

🐍 Diverse Roles and Interpretations

Plotinus and Neoplatonism 🌟

🌳 Hierarchy of Being

Modern Philosophical Currents 💡

🔬 Empiricism vs. Rationalism

🤔 The Mind-Body Problem and Beyond

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

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References

📜 References

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To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Concept of Nous

Etymology and Core Meaning

Distinctions in Thought

Philosophical Significance

Ancient Philosophical Roots

Pre-Socratic Foundations

Socratic and Platonic Developments

Plato's Vision of Nous

The Ruler of Existence

Cosmic Mind and Soul

Aristotle's Framework of Intellect

Perception and Intellection

Active and Passive Intellect

Medieval Interpretations

Classical and Islamic Synthesis

Christian and Orthodox Perspectives

Nous in Gnosticism

Emanations and Cosmic Order

Diverse Roles and Interpretations

Plotinus and Neoplatonism

Hierarchy of Being

Modern Philosophical Currents

Empiricism vs. Rationalism

The Mind-Body Problem and Beyond

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice