George Ukagba

David Hume's notion of impression and idea distinguishe between two types of mental content. Impressions are direct, vivid sensory experiences, such as seeing a bright light or feeling pain, while ideas are weaker copies of these impressions that appear in memory or imagination. This work explores fundamental questions about human perception, knowledge, and reality. Hume's distinction between impressions and ideas challenges traditional views on how we acquire knowledge, making it relevant to debates in philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science. The analytic method in philosophyfocuses on breaking down complex ideasinto simplercomponents toachieve clarityand precision.The critical methodin philosophyinvolves evaluating and questioning existing beliefs,ideologies,and assumptions.This topic addressesthe problem of howhumans acquire knowledge and the reliability of our thoughts and perceptions. Hume's distinction between impressions and ideas challenges the notion of innate knowledge, arguing that all ideas stem from experience. This project employs analytic/critical method critical, The method in philosophy involves evaluating and questioning existing beliefs, ideologies, and assumptions. the finding of this project is that the empiricist stancecan be summarizedwithout toomuchcaricature in two simpleslogans rooted firmly in the sensory realm“seeing is believing” and “noting in the mind that is not first been in the senses

This project is a defense of natural law, grounded in the philosophical framework of Thomas Aquinas. As a philosopher who seamlessly integrated Aristotelian thought with Christian theology, Aquinas' synthesis has been a profound influence on my intellectual journey. Initially, my passion lay with the study of law, but as I delved into philosophy, I discovered an unexpected affinity for the subject. Now, my appreciation for law has evolved, informed by the philosophical insights gleaned from Aquinas' works. This project employs a dual- methodological approach, combining the hermeneutic method and the critical method. The hermeneutic method, a philosophical approach centered on interpretation and understanding, is utilized to examine and elucidate the meanings embedded in Thomas Aquinas' texts, symbols, and cultural artifacts. Complementing this, the critical method was applied to scrutinize and analyze the underlying assumptions, beliefs, and values that inform Aquinas' natural law theory. By integrating these two
methods, this project aims to provide a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of Aquinas' philosophy.

My interest in medieval philosophers, particularly Thomas Aquinas, has challenged the common notion that philosophers are inherently atheistic. Contrary to this view, my studies have revealed a rich tradition of philosophical thought that integrates faith and reason.

Furthermore, despite some scholars' dismissive views on
natural law, I firmly believe that natural laws represent fundamental principles that govern the world and are inherently part of human nature. This project seeks to reaffirm the validity and significance of natural law, and to provide a robust defense of its relevance in understanding human existence. Through this project, we hope to have achieved the following: gaining proper insight into the concept of natural law, evaluation of the relevance of Aquinas ideas to modern interpretation of law of the relationship between faith and reason and finally contributing to the ongoing debates and discussions in philosophy and beyond.