Hope (emotion and concept) Hope Hope is an expectation or desire for a positive outcome. This article outlines its meaning, psychological and cultural roles, history, examples, and distinctions from related state…
Hubert Dreyfus American philosopher (1929–2017) known for his interpretations of Heidegger, critiques of artificial intelligence, and contributions to phenomenology, psychology, and philosophy of…
Human Nature: Traits, Origins, and Debates Human nature Overview of human nature: typical capacities, historical and scientific perspectives, the interaction of biology and culture, and central debates about innate traits, development,…
Humanism: principles, history, and influence Humanism Humanism is a worldview that emphasizes human dignity, reason, and ethics based on inquiry and evidence rather than religious authority. This article summarizes its principles, his…
Hume's fork: relations of ideas and matters of fact Hume's fork Philosophical distinction by David Hume separating necessary, analytic truths from contingent, empirical claims; central to debates about induction, causation, and the limits of hu…
Hypermodern (chess school) Hypermodern A 20th-century trend in chess opening theory that challenged classical ideas by controlling and undermining the centre with pieces rather than occupying it with pawns.
Hypocrisy: definition, causes, history, and social effects Hypocrisy Hypocrisy is saying one thing while acting contrary to it. This article explains definitions, psychological causes, historical usage, common forms, social consequences, and distinc…
Hypothetical Imperative A hypothetical imperative is a conditional practical rule — 'if you want X, do Y' — central to Kantian ethics and practical reasoning; it is contrasted with categorical (unconditio…
Idealism (philosophy): the primacy of mind, ideas, and perception Idealism Philosophical idealism holds that reality or our knowledge of it is fundamentally tied to mind, ideas, or values. It includes several schools (subjective, objective, transcendental…
Identity Concept of identity across disciplines: personal and social identity, legal and digital identity, mathematical definitions, uses, history, and contemporary issues like identity the…
Identity (philosophy) Philosophical study of identity: what makes a person the same over time, distinctions between personal and numerical identity, psychological continuity, social and narrative aspect…
Ideology: definitions, types, history and political significance Ideology A structured account of ideology: what it is, common components, major types, historical origins, political uses, and how ideologies differ from strategies and single-issue movemen…
Ignoratio elenchi: the fallacy of irrelevant conclusion Ignoratio elenchi An informal logical fallacy in which an argument, though possibly coherent, fails to address the issue at hand—also called irrelevant conclusion; rooted in Aristotelian theory of r…
Ignosticism Ignosticism holds that theological claims about God are meaningless until a coherent, explicit definition of 'God' is provided; it focuses on conceptual clarity rather than assent…
Immanuel Kant: German philosopher and architect of transcendental idealism Immanuel Kant Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) was a German philosopher whose work on knowledge, metaphysics, ethics and aesthetics reshaped modern philosophy and influenced politics, science and art.
Implication and Inference: Meaning, Differences, and Uses Implication and inference Clear, concise explanation of implication and inference: definitions, differences, examples, their role in language, logic, and communication, and tips to avoid misunderstanding.
Insight: sudden understanding, problem-solving, and cognitive processes Insight Insight is a sudden or deep understanding of a problem or situation, often appearing as an 'aha' moment. It spans psychology, creativity, learning, and problem-solving, with distin…
Intellect: nature, functions, history, and practical significance Intellect An overview of intellect: the mind's capacity for reason, its principal functions, historical development, distinctions from emotion and intelligence, and its role in disciplines a…
Intellectual: roles, characteristics, history, and social impact Intellectual A concise overview of intellectuals: who they are, common roles, historical development, influence on culture and policy, and debates such as anti-intellectualism.
Ipse dixit: the bare assertion and its role in argumentation Ipse dixit Ipse dixit describes an unproven, dogmatic assertion offered as if it alone settled an issue. This article explains its meaning, signs, history, examples and how to respond.
Is the glass half empty or half full? — Meaning, uses, and interpretations Is the glass half empty or half full? A common idiom contrasting pessimism and optimism. Explains meanings, contexts, origins, practical uses, and how the phrase illustrates cognitive framing and attitude in conversati…
Islamic Philosophy: Origins, Schools, and Influence Islamic philosophy Survey of Islamic philosophy: historical development, major schools (kalam, falsafa), leading thinkers, central themes, and its influence on later intellectual traditions.
Jacques Derrida: life, ideas and influence of the founder of deconstruction Jacques Derrida Overview of Jacques Derrida (1930–2004), his development of deconstruction, key concepts (différance, trace), principal works, influence across disciplines and main criticisms.
Jean-Paul Sartre: Life, Thought, and Influence Jean-Paul Sartre Overview of Jean-Paul Sartre, the French existentialist philosopher, novelist, playwright and public intellectual; his ideas, major works, political activity, and lasting impact.
Jesús Mosterín — Spanish Philosopher Bridging Science and Comparative Thought Jesús Mosterín Concise account of Jesús Mosterín (1941–2017), a Spanish philosopher known for linking science and philosophy, work on Aristotle and Indian thought, writings for the public, and en…
Jewish ethics: sources, development, and contemporary applications Jewish ethics Survey of Jewish ethics: its sources in scripture and rabbinic law, historical development, central principles (justice, charity, sanctity of life), and modern practical concerns.
Jnana Yoga: The Path of Knowledge in Hinduism Jnana yoga Jnana yoga is the spiritual discipline of knowledge and self-inquiry in Hinduism, aiming to realize the true Self through discrimination, study, meditation and the experiential ins…
John Deely: American philosopher and semiotician John Deely John Deely (1942–2017) was an American philosopher and leading semiotician who promoted semiotics as a rigorous philosophical discipline and explored ties between medieval scholast…
John Dewey (1859–1952) John Dewey American philosopher, psychologist, and education reformer whose pragmatist ideas and ‘learning by doing’ approach reshaped progressive education and influenced democratic theory a…
John Hospers: Philosopher and Early Libertarian Leader John Hospers Overview of John Hospers (1918–2011), his work as an American philosopher, involvement with the libertarian movement, 1972 presidential candidacy, relationship with Ayn Rand, and l…
John Perry (philosopher) American analytic philosopher noted for work on situation semantics, indexicals, reflexivity, and public philosophy; professor emeritus at Stanford and UC Riverside and co‑host of…
John Searle: Philosopher of Language, Mind, and Social Reality John Searle Overview of John Searle, his major ideas (speech act theory, Chinese Room, biological naturalism), social ontology, notable works, influence, and common criticisms.
Joy: emotion, meaning, history, and cultural expressions Joy Joy is a basic positive emotion associated with pleasure, well-being, and meaning. This article explains its qualities, origins, cultural roles, and how it differs from related sta…
Juche: North Korea's ideology of self-reliance Juche Juche is the political ideology developed under Kim Il-sung emphasizing national self-reliance, independence in politics, economy and defense, and the central role of leadership in…
Ka (Ancient Egyptian concept of the life-force) Ka Ka: the vital spiritual double in ancient Egyptian thought. A life-force requiring a physical locus and offerings, distinct from the Ba and Akh, central to funerary rituals and roy…
Kalām: Islamic Scholastic Theology and the Practice of Rational Dialectic Kalam Kalām is the Islamic discipline of theological reflection using dialectical reasoning to address questions about God, revelation, and human responsibility; practitioners are called…
Karl-Otto Apel: Transcendental Pragmatics and Moral Discourse Karl-Otto Apel German philosopher Karl-Otto Apel (1922–2017) developed 'transcendental pragmatics', arguing that the presuppositions of communication ground ethical norms and rational argumentati…
Karma: the principle of cause, effect and moral consequence Karma Karma is a religious and ethical concept linking actions and consequences. This entry summarizes its meanings, variations across traditions, practices, and debates in history, ethi…
Karmapa: Head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism Karmapa Karmapa is the title given to the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school, a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism traced to Dusum Khyenpa (1204–1283). The office is known for its line of r…
Kenneth Allen Taylor — American Philosopher and Radio Co‑host Kenneth Allen Taylor Kenneth Allen Taylor (1954–2019) was an American philosopher and public radio co-host best known for Philosophy Talk. He taught philosophy at Stanford and worked to bring philosoph…
Kōan: Paradoxical Teaching Device in Zen Buddhism Koan A kōan is a concise, often paradoxical story, question, or dialogue used in Zen to provoke insight beyond discursive thought. It has historical roots in Chinese Chan and distinct r…
Kōan: Zen Buddhist paradoxical prompt and teaching device Kōan A kōan is a paradoxical anecdote, question, or dialogue used in Zen (Chan) practice to provoke insight, challenge conceptual thinking, and guide teacher–student training.
Jiddu Krishnamurti: Life, Teachings and Legacy Krishnamurti Overview of Jiddu Krishnamurti, an Indian-born philosopher and speaker who rejected organized religion and promoted psychological freedom, education, and dialogue across cultures.
Lateral thinking: creative problem-solving beyond linear logic Lateral thinking Lateral thinking is a set of techniques for generating novel ideas by shifting assumptions and breaking familiar patterns; introduced by Edward de Bono to complement traditional st…
Leap of faith An explanation of the phrase 'leap of faith': its meaning in philosophy and religion, historical associations, everyday uses, criticisms, and distinctions from related ideas.
Legalism (Chinese political philosophy) Legalism Legalism is an ancient Chinese political doctrine emphasizing clear laws, strict enforcement, centralized authority, and pragmatic statecraft. It shaped Qin unification and later a…
Leucippus: Early Greek Philosopher and Originator of Atomism Leucippus Early 5th-century BCE Greek thinker credited with originating atomism and the idea of the void; biographical details and exact authorship are disputed in ancient and modern account…
Lie (false statement intended to deceive) Lie A lie is an intentionally untrue statement made to deceive. This article defines lying, contrasts it with errors, outlines types and development, and reviews uses, detection, and e…
