Inalienable Rights—Adler
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
A right is either inalienable or it is not -- you cannot have it both ways.
What is being denied by...
Universals
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
I will try, as briefly as possible, to summarize the argument that I think supports the view that the intellect...
Real vs. Apparent Goods
American philosopher Mortimer J. Adler briefly discusses real vs, apparent goods, natural vs. acquired desires, needs vs. wants.
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
The distinction between...
On Aristotle—Adler
Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, properly construed, is the only sound, pragmatic, and undogmatic work in moral philosophy that has come down to us in the...
Emotions—Adler
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
In the tradition of Western thought the word "emotion" is generally misused for feelings and sentiments -- in general, for...
On Situation Ethics
American philosopher Mortimer J. Adler briefly discusses why situation ethics is inadequate and unsound as moral philosophy.
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
Unfortunately, the exponents of...
J.S. Mill’s Utilitarianism
In addition to suffering from the serious defect of its failure to distinguish between natural needs and conscious desires, and between real and apparent...
Conceiving and Defining God
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
We must ask about God's nature before we ask about God's existence. We must have some meaning for the term...
On Eternity, Mortimer J. Adler
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
This word has two meanings that should never be forgotten. Most individuals use the word in common speech to refer...
Exegetical Method vs Higher Criticism, Mortimer J. Alder
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
Scriptural interpretation calls for a special mode of interpretation--the kind of interpretation that the faithful give to scriptures they look...
Adler on Science
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
The word "science" has changed its meaning as we pass from antiquity and the Middle Ages to modern times, especially...
On Ludwig Wittgenstein, by Mortimer J. Adler
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
I read Ludwig Wittgenstein's "Tractatus Logico-philosophicus" (1922) when I was a graduate student at Columbia University immediately after it was...
Descriptive vs Prescriptive
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
A prescriptive statement or judgment is one that asserts what ought or ought not to be done. A statement about...
The End Justifying the Means
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
Does the end justify the means? Can it sometimes be right to use a bad means to achieve a good...
On Justice – Mortimer J. Adler
Adler discusses the two main spheres of interest which are the domain of justice, related philosophical errors, needs and wants in human nature, the...
On Fairness – Mortimer J. Adler
Adler briefly discusses the difference between fairness and justice, equality and inequality, and how various crimes and violations of rights fit in this discussion.
by...
Suicidal Epistemologizing—Mortimer J. Adler
Adler briefly discusses the philosophical which began with Descartes and given effect by Locke, Berkeley, and Hume which he calls Suicidal Epistemologizing.
by Mortimer J....
Kant and Mill on Ethics – Mortimer J. Adler
Adler briefly discusses Immanuel Kant & J.S. Mill on ethics, applies it to moral obligation, rights, the general welfare, and the pursuit of happiness.
by...
Happiness vs Being Happy, Mortimer J. Adler
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
That fact that everyone has a right to pursue happiness suggests that happiness is attainable -- in some degree --...
Kant’s Moral Basis, by Mortimer J. Adler
by Mortimer J. Adler, Ph.D.
Question:
I would like to raise the question of whether it is even possible to act from such a notion of...