Part of Thought
Philosophy & Ethics
Schools of thought, theories of knowledge, moral principles and the questions of how to live.
Concepts
- Act of ExistenceThe act of existence is the name the author of the Agency editorial gives, in his own philosophical draft, to existing as something one does and answers for, not…
- Action and Non-ActionAction and non-action represent complementary philosophical states governing human agency, existential responsibility, and systemic intervention within the world. While…
- Active PresenceActive presence is a mindfulness and philosophical discipline that emphasizes full sensory and mental immersion in the immediate moment rather than measuring life solely…
- Aesthetic PerceptionAesthetic perception is the human faculty of apprehending, feeling, and evaluating beauty, balance, and expressive harmony within objects, art, and environments. It…
- Aesthetic SubjectivismAesthetic subjectivism is the philosophical view that beauty, artistic merit, and design quality reside entirely in the observer's subjective feelings rather than…
- Affective CogitoThe affective cogito is a philosophical reformulation of Descartes' foundational maxim, expressed as I am affected, therefore I exist. It establishes that subjective…
- Affective EpistemologyAffective epistemology is the philosophical perspective asserting that emotional resonance, bodily affection, and visceral feeling precede and enable rational…
- AgalmaAgalma is an ancient Greek concept denoting a precious offering, sacred statue, or interior treasure that inspires reverent desire and aesthetic devotion. In classical…
- AI EthicsAI ethics is an applied multidisciplinary field dedicated to identifying, evaluating, and mitigating the ethical, social, and existential risks posed by artificial…
- AkrasiaAkrasia is the philosophical phenomenon of acting against one's own better judgment while being fully aware of what is right. It describes the frustrating psychological…
- Alan WattsAlan Watts was an English writer and speaker known for presenting Buddhism, Taoism and other Eastern traditions to Western audiences. The Agency editorial names him…
- AlcibiadesAlcibiades was an Athenian statesman and general of the fifth century BCE, and one of the speakers in Plato's Symposium. Issue.13 names him in its retelling of that…
- Algorithmic BiasAlgorithmic bias refers to systematic and repeatable computational errors in computer software and artificial intelligence models that generate unfair outcomes, such as…
- An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingAn Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding is a book by the Scottish philosopher David Hume, first published in 1748. The Agency editorial takes from it the example of…
- AnankeAnanke is the ancient Greek personification and philosophical concept of necessity, inexorable fate, and the fundamental constraints of natural reality. It denotes an…
- Artificial ConsciousnessArtificial consciousness is the hypothetical state of subjective awareness, qualitative experience, and phenomenal sentience within an engineered computational system. It…
- Association of IdeasThe association of ideas is an epistemological principle stating that human thoughts, mental impressions, and concepts connect systematically through observable…
- Atemporal KnowledgeAtemporal knowledge is the body of fundamental philosophical, aesthetic, and strategic principles that preserve intellectual validity and practical utility across diverse…
- AtemporalityAtemporality is the quality of transcending historical time or remaining valid and meaningful across diverse eras. In communication and art, it refers to archetypal…
- Baltasar GraciánBaltasar Gracián was a Spanish Jesuit writer of the 17th century, author of The Art of Worldly Wisdom, a collection of maxims. Writing.1 quotes him once, in a quotation…
- Biblical HermeneuticsBiblical hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpreting biblical texts through linguistic, historical, and philosophical analysis. It investigates how…
- Carl SaganCarl Sagan was an American astronomer and science communicator, the presenter of the series Cosmos and the author of The Demon-Haunted World. The Agency editorial names…
- Cartesian RationalismCartesian rationalism is the epistemological and metaphysical system founded by René Descartes that establishes the thinking ego as the primary certainty of existence. It…
- Categorical ImperativeThe categorical imperative is the foundational concept of Immanuel Kant's deontological moral philosophy, commanding that one should act only according to maxims that…
Terms
- Abyssnoun
- A deep or seemingly bottomless chasm, either in physical geography or metaphorical psychological depth. It evokes feelings of unfathomable emptiness or existential peril.
- aestheticsnoun
- A set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, artistic taste, and style.
- Affectnoun
- An expressed or experienced emotion, feeling, or visceral response to a stimulus in psychology and philosophy.
- Agapenoun
- A selfless, unconditional, and altruistic form of love often associated in theology with divine charity.
- Ambiguitynoun
- The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness or uncertainty of meaning.
- Ambiguousadjective
- Open to more than one interpretation; lacking definitive clarity or certainty in meaning, intention, or moral alignment.
- Antithesisnoun
- A person, thing, or concept that represents the direct or exact opposite of another.
- Authenticitynoun
- The quality of being real, genuine, and true to one's own character or stated origins.
- Autonomousadjective
- Possessing the freedom and self-governance to act independently without external dictation or continuous supervision.
- autonomynoun
- The condition or power of self-governance, independent decision-making, and freedom from external control.
- Axiomnoun
- A proposition or statement accepted as true without proof, serving as a premise for further reasoning. In logic, it forms the foundation of deductive systems.
- Bifurcationnoun
- The division of something into two separate branches, directions, or parts.
- Braverynoun
- The moral quality or mental disposition that enables a person to encounter danger, difficulty, or acute pain with resolute courage, composure, and firmness of purpose.
- Characternoun
- A metal block engraved with a letter used in letterpress printing, as well as the intrinsic moral quality and strength of a person.
- Compassionnoun
- Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the genuine desire to alleviate their distress and provide solace.
- constructnoun
- A complex idea, mental framework, or artificial system deliberately built from simpler elements.
- Cynicaladjective
- Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; expressing distrust, sarcasm, or skepticism regarding human sincerity.
- Decorumnoun
- Behavior in keeping with good taste, propriety, and established standards of dignity.
- Detachmentnoun
- The state of being emotionally objective, aloof, or free from clingy psychological attachments to outcomes, possessions, or dogmas. In Eastern philosophy, it represents spiritual liberation.
- Dialecticaladjective
- Relating to the logical discussion of ideas, opinions, or the dynamic interplay of opposing forces.
- Dichotomynoun
- A division or contrast between two things that are represented as entirely opposed or mutually exclusive. In cultural discourse, it often oversimplifies multifaceted realities.
- Dignitynoun
- The quality of being worthy of honor, esteem, and ethical respect; a composed, self-respecting conduct under adversity.
- Discernmentnoun
- The ability to judge well, perceive keen distinctions, and grasp obscure psychological or practical truths.
- Discursiveadjective
- Proceeding by reasoned argument or sequential exposition rather than by immediate visual intuition.
Editions that deal with this area
- Writing.2 - AphorismsRead the edition
- Issue.10 - NumbersRead the edition
- Issue.13 - AûsubRead the edition
- Research.1 - PermeabilityRead the edition
- Issue.20 - Truth?Read the edition
- Writing.1 - The Titanic TheoryRead the edition
- Creative.11 - Thiago PatriotaRead the edition
- Issue.12 - SemioticsRead the edition
- Issue.26 - PharmakonRead the edition
- Issue.6 - Time & Consumer Psychology In CrisisRead the edition
- Issue.14 - ZephyrRead the edition
- Issue.25 - Interfaces as CosmologyRead the edition
