Abstract
This paper looks at postmodernism in the study of history.The writer particularly balances arguments by Keith Jenkins and Richard J Evans while providing an examination of the effects and consequences of postmodernist thought on the study of history and historiography.

From the Paper
"Postmodern historians have essentially come to view history as a study of images, thoughts, language and feelings about society and the past. In short that history is simply discourse and no particular discourse is in essence truer than another. According to postmodern ideas, what actually happened is no longer the historian's primary concern, in fact what happened can never really be known. Instead, what is important is what people thought happened."

Tags:epistemology, foucault, hermeneutic, historiography, history, ideas, ideology, intertextuality, kagan, language, methodology, philosophy, postmodernism, postmodernist

Abstract
This paper shows how Descartes, in two meditations, contemplates the nature of existence and knowledge. It discusses the question that prompted Descartes in pursuing his two meditations "How can we know what is real?" It shows that Descartes' problem lay within connecting the properties created by God, the mental and the physical.

From the Paper
"Descartes examines the nature of existence itself, through analyzing the senses, the line between the real and imaginary and the questions basis on which we claim knowledge. In his conclusion of these meditations he only surfaces with one clear statement of which he can be entirely certain of: "I am, I exist" suggesting that an ability to think, reason, believe and doubt proves that we must exist on some level for this process to occur, even if there is no outside world beyond our own mind."

Tags:philosophy, real, knowledge, mental, physical

Abstract
This paper explains that the skeptical arguments of the First Meditation avoid doubting rational belief and knowledge. This paper states that the belief in God is an important part of Descartes? defense of dualism and presents itself as a truth in the First Meditation. The author believes that Descartes makes several statements that would lead one to conclude that it is possible just to know things versus knowing things for certain.

From the Paper
"In the argument from dreaming, it is possible to doubt composite things in the dream, but he states that he cannot doubt the simple and universal parts from which they are constructed such as shape, quantity, size, and time because these are derived from real experience, much like paintings that draw on real things. Therefore, we cannot doubt studies based on simple things such as arithmetic and astronomy, but can doubt studies based on composite things such as medicine, astronomy or physics."

Tags:belief, knowledge, truth, think, dream

Abstract
This essay is an excellent introduction to the basic social theories underpinning Marxist and Weberian thought. Discussion of economic production, surplus value, infrastructure, class, stratification, verstehen, class consciousness, and basic communism is included.

From the Paper
"Karl Marx believed that all societies are based on the organization of economic activity and that each society is determined by its individual mode of production (Jones, 1985: 43). Marx theorized that in capitalist-based modes of production, economic activity centers around two distinct groups of people those who own the means of production and those who do not (Jones, 1985: 44). Those who own and control the means of production, the bourgeoisie, pay those who do not own the means of production, the proletariat, only a percentage of the market-value of their productive effort and therefore profit more than the workers from the workers' own labor (Jones, 1985: 47). This "surplus value" (in the form of property/ money/ time) generated by the proletariat but appropriated by the bourgeoisie is what Marx believed created a dialectically exploitative relationship between the two groups and thus established economic classes within society (Jones, 1985: 44, 47)."

Tags:class, communism, verstehen

Abstract
A look at Immanuel Velikovsky's theories of the justification of 'miraculous' events which he claimed had been caused by major astronomical event. The author focuses mainly on the claims outlined in his popular book, "Worlds in Collision".

From the Paper
"Immanuel Velikovsky, author of Worlds in Collision, was very well read when it came to the texts of ancient cultures. In his book he argues that our solar system has changed dramatically within the last few millennia, impacting considerably on the course of history on Earth. I will attempt to show that his statement, based on these ancient writings, is flawed. He does not question the veracity of the texts and takes everything said as literal, leaving them greatly open to interpretation. I will also illustrate how Velikovsky's theory is disproved by geographic evidence, which he fails to investigate."

Tags:ancient, bible, collision, interplanetary, mars, miracles, worlds

Abstract
After defining 'consciousness' in this paper, the author shows that the very fact that we all have privileged access to our consciousness and cannot analyze it from an outsider's point-of-view is a major reason why consciousness remains so mysterious. In addition, he puts forward his view that inevitably, a scientific explanation of consciousness will be possible.

From the Paper
"It is very hard to find an analogy to describe consciousness. We know nothing in the scientific world that draws a parallel with it. Consciousness is unable to be measured or analyzed because at present we know of no connection between itself and the physical body, even if there happens to be a portion of the brain where consciousness is localized. We all experience privileged access to our own consciousness, yet how can we determine for sure that other people and creatures are also conscious beings when there is no sure-fire way to prove this? How do chemical reactions and neural processes in the body trigger conscious events? This is what makes consciousness so mysterious. We take it for granted and all regard ourselves as conscious beings, yet very rarely do we actually stop to think about what it is and how it came to be."

Tags:brain, dennett, flanagan, mind, nagel, science, scientific, thinking

Abstract
This essay takes a look at the definition of art. It discusses the purpose of art throughout the ages. The works of Monet and other Impressionists are examined and contrasted with the later work of Alfred Gockel. The impact of society on art as well as art on society is highlighted.

From the Paper
"What is Art? Every person has a philosophy of art, or at least a definition. There is no correct answer, just an opinion, and for every person there is an individual opinion. Thus there are over 6,234,250,387 opinions on what art is. Throughout the ages, Art has been a form of recording history, expression oneself, immortalizing people, gods, landscapes, and depicting beauty in countless ways. Art is perceived differently to all, as the old adage states "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder". Certain Art Forms are appreciated by some, and rejected by others. "Art is the creation of works that are in form, content, and execution, aesthetically pleasing, and meaningful, as in music, painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, dance etc" states the Webster's Dictionary. What many definitions forget to leave out is emotion. As with almost any piece of art, the artist's raw emotion goes into it, the creation of the work is often a result of dealing with a life crisis. For some a diary lets out their build up of emotion, for artists, it's their hands."

Tags:design, photography, lithograph, beauty, Manet, Pissarro, Auguste

Abstract
This essay explains Bentham's reasons for developing utilitarianism as both a social and political framework. It examines utilitarianism in an individual and private environment, as well as its workings in a more widespread and universal atmosphere. The latter part of this essay focuses on the viability of utilitarianism in the public sphere, and whether it provides appropriate guidance for government policy-making. The main objective of this part of the essay is to determine whether Bentham's principle of utility is appropriate as the foundation of a political structure. Thusly, it focuses on the attributes and failings of the principle of utility as a public philosophy.

From the Paper
"Bentham's theory of utilitarianism was a result of deficiencies in government institutions in his country, and their failing to adequately serve the general satisfaction of its population. The principle of utility is based on intrinsic facts that motivate individuals, namely pleasure and pain. It is human nature to pursue pleasure and to avoid pain. Therefore what we ought and ought not to do is determined by these two "sovereign masters". The element of pleasure or pain involved in an action determines whether or not an individual, or group of people proceed with that action. All forms of utilitarianism are consequential. In every circumstance or action, a consequence is identified and then compared with the consequence of inaction.Whichever produces the greatest happiness is what ought to be done."

Tags:bentham, political, principle, theory, utility

Abstract
Michel Foucault rejected the vast majority, if not all, of political and social theory. Foucault was inspired by Nietzsche's conception of the human world, but thought that "power" could not only explain the individual's condition, but also that of social life. Foucault's ideas on individuation, subjectivity, disicipline, sovereignty and power are all carefully explained, focusing on the relationship between body and subject.

From the Paper
"One of the most striking aspects in the work of Michel Foucault is his relationship between power and subjectivity. Foucault strongly rejects the notion of psychoanalysis, that human beings are individual subjects first and social agents second. Foucault believes that such a claim is far too simple. Human beings are neither individuals nor social agents, but individualised through power, beyond the specifics of sociological study. However the power that Foucault explores does not exist in and of itself. Rather, it is a relationship between institutions and bodies, extracting, harnessing, destroying and creating certain forces and drives in bodies. This process changes human beings from physical bodies into subjects. That is not to suggest that the process of individuation is uniform and generic. The opposite is in fact true. Foucault looks at several modes of subjectivication and while they are not mutually exclusive, nor are entirely independent, it is important to note and examine their differences. Different methods of applying power to bodies results in different individuals being produced. It is against this backdrop of subjectivication where we will begin our exploration. Originally, this essay will carefully consider Foucault's estimations of sovereign and disciplinary power, both as separate structures and in contrast with each other. From that point, we can proceed into making an evaluation of Foucault's explanations, with note as to the advantages and disadvantages of Foucault's striking conception of the human subject."

Tags:discipline, individuation, liberalism, nietzsche, power

Abstract
This paper begins by stating the argument Descartes gives for a version of mind/body dualism. It then considers two objections to Descartes' argument and finally assesses the validity of Descartes' argument in light of those objections.

From the Paper
"Much of the intellectual history of psychology as well as philosophy has involved the attempt to come to grips with a dilemma of mind and body. This dilemma was eventually broken into main two opposing views: one view (dualism) proposes that our universe contains two very different and equally fundamental types of entity: mental/spiritual and physical/material items. Most followers of this view hold that human mind (or soul) is to survive the annihilation of the body. The contrasting view, materialism, on the other hand, affirms that everything in our universe is composed of mass-energy, minds and bodies included."

Tags:philosophy, soul, energy