The Aztec religion was characterized by a dualistic view of the world. The universe is divided horizontally into three large areas: the Underworld (Chicnauhmictlan), the Earth (Tlaltícpac), and the realm of the heavens (Chicnauhtopan). The upper heavens are the abodes of the gods, and the lower heavens contain the stars. The earth was imagined as …
Philippe Bénéton, a French political philosopher, offers a profound exploration of political regimes in his seminal work, Les Régimes Politiques. This text delves into the nature, structure, and implications of different forms of government, providing a comprehensive, historically grounded, and philosophically rich analysis. Bénéton’s approach is deeply influenced by classical political theory, particularly the works …
Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716) was a remarkable man. During his life, he made seminal contributions to a wide variety of fields of study, including mathematics, physics, technology, philosophy, theology, philology, politics, library science, and others. Alongside Sir Isaac Newton, he is credited with the invention of calculus, in addition to statistics and binary …
Introduction The difficulty of “What is conservatism?” is not merely a difficulty to navigate amidst a compendium of summaries and views that preserve or defend something that was and still is. As we have come to see, "conservative" is called from the defense of constitutionalism and legality (Aristotle, Blackstone); the defense of kingship by Divine order …
John Edward Williams' 1965 novel "Stoner" warrants careful examination as a reflection of institutional power structures and generational transitions in American academia. The work's portrayal of academic culture and authority raises important questions about how educational institutions navigate change and difference. The text's positioning within academia deserves particular scrutiny, especially regarding its relationship to intellectual …
Introduction The Greek polis and the Roman civitas represent some of the most distinctive forms of political and social organization in history. Yet, they are often misunderstood when examined through the lens of the modern state. Modern conceptions of the state—centralized, bureaucratic, and sovereign—emerged from the intellectual revolutions of the Renaissance and Enlightenment. Thinkers like …
Preface In his speech on the dream of life, Alan Watts narrates of life as a self-created dream, an exploration what it means to exist. Imagine, he says, that you could dream any life you wanted. At first, you would fill this dream with endless pleasures and satisfaction, creating a world of your deepest desires. …
Max Weber's analysis of capitalism has long been celebrated for its depth and insight, but one of his most striking and underexplored assertions concerns the profound Christian origins of capitalism. Weber argued that these Christian foundations were not merely incidental to capitalism's rise but central to its structure, functioning, and ethical constraints. His recognition of …
The doctrine of agape expanded ethical concern beyond immediate kinship groups to encompass all humanity, advocating for a universal sense of brotherhood and care. This shift significantly departed from the exclusive, honor-centric values of earlier pagan traditions, focusing instead on compassion and communal support.
Ferenc Hörcher is a political philosopher, historian of political thought and philosopher of art. He studied in Budapest (Hungary) and Brussels/Leuven (Belgium). He is director of the Research Institute of Politics and Government at Ludovika - the University of Public Service, in Budapest, and a senior researcher at the Institute of Philosophy of the Hungarian …
