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Soren Kierkegaard's "Fear and Trembling", 2006.
This paper discusses Soren Kierkegaard's masterpiece "Fear and Trembling", which describes the authors notion of faith.
1,255 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 3 sources, APA, AU$ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper relates that, in his book "Fear and Trembling", Soren Kierkegaard considers Abraham's climbing up the mountains to sacrifice his son, even though Abraham could not understand the command, as an act of blind and ultimate faith. The author points out that the concept of infinite resignation---when the tragic hero tries to make major leaps of faith and hopes to get nothing in return because he believes to have submitted to faith---is used by Kierkegaard in rather negative terms. The paper relates that, compared to infinite resignation, a knight of faith believes that acts of faith must be done repeatedly and regularly, feels that these acts must be "made in virtue of the absurd" and considers that the reward comes in the form of "gaining the finite".
From the Paper
"Knight of faith is described as someone who gives up everything for faith but believes to be amply rewarded for all his actions. He is a simple man with an honest and sincere belief that he will be rewarded. Abraham as a knight of faith "The knight of faith is someone who is able to remain fully committed to an absurd action with faith that, as Kierkegaard says, through the absurd the object which was resigned will be granted back through the infinite." Infinite is something that is not within the boundaries of rationale and the phenomenon is unexplainable because when one accepts the repercussions of an action and acts..."
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Reform, 2007.
This paper describes reform efforts of several thinkers, including John Winthrop and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
1,721 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 6 sources, MLA, AU$ 69.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes and compares the outlooks on reform of John Withrop and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The writer looks to their writings to further explain their outlooks. Winthrop's address, "A Model of Christian Charity" is described as containing his vision of a new social order. The address is analyzed and the methods Winthrop used to get his message across to his audience are discussed. The paper then discusses Ralph Waldo Emerson's philosophy, describing it as a philosophy that encouraged independent thinking. Emerson's works are examined as reflecting this philosophy.
From the Paper
"Winthrop is consistently following the same theme i.e. community must follow God's commands and the covenant and concludes, "we shall surely perish out of the good land whither we pass over this vast sea to possess it"(p. 92). Throughout the address, Winthrop was taking about the abode where people would ultimately go. When he talked about the city, it was not just the land the community was to reach at the end of the present journey but the city that they would create for themselves in the thereafter. The title of Winthrop's "A Model of Christian Charity" (1630) explains what the speaker wanted in a model society and what was his definition of reform. The speaker felt that the community is in extreme peril, which obviously generates moral panic among the colonists. This panic helps them acknowledge the need for something bigger and less tangible than physical weapons. J. Gerald Janzen, in "The Terror of history and the Fear of the Lord," offers an explanation for Winthrop brand of reformation..."
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Civil Disobedience, 2006.
This paper argues in favor of civil disobedience.
1,320 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, AU$ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the duty to obey the law has been so firmly ingrained in the societal conscious that anything against this automatically elicits a negative response; however, it is quite clear that duty to obey the law might not always be connected with one's moral duties in all areas. The author points out that philosopher W.D. Ross feels that the duty to obey the law is grounded in the concept of exchange of goods: If a citizen receives certain benefits, he or she should obey the law as a sign of gratitude. The paper concludes that disobedience of law is never desirable but there are times when this is the morally correct action since the claim that the law represents "the moral judgment of the majority and its sense of justice" is not always right. The paper includes some long quotations.
From the Paper
"The concept of fair play is undoubtedly interesting but lacks power to influence or convince us of its validity. If the only reason I should follow the law is so others can benefit, can we also argue that I am allowed to disobey the law if I know others would benefit. The exchange of benefits is the key in this argument. So if the means to achieve this end turns out to be different, do they have a solid argument against my actions? As mentioned in the case of signal violation- if I decided not to break the signal even if it results in the death of the sick woman, how is that benefiting the woman?"
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Wilson versus Richard, 2006.
A review of Edmund O. Wilson's book 'Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge' and Mathieu Ricard's 'The Monk and the Philosopher'.
1,373 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 56.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews and compares the work of Edmund Wilson and Mathieu Ricard. The paper takes a look at Wilson's book, 'Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge' and Mathieu Ricard's 'The Monk and the Philosopher'. According to the paper, Wilson believes that science must win out over more romantic understandings of the purpose of human existence. The paper then goes on to discuss how Ricard suggests the possibility of detachment of the mind from the body through the type of philosophical or religious practice that Wilson regards as futile, or at very least, less interesting and useful than science.
From the Paper
"In contrast, to Wilson, Mathieu Ricard offer the more idealistic but perhaps comforting notion that the physical matter of the brain and mind are not synonymous. Ricard suggests the possibility of detachment of the mind from the body through the type of philosophical or religious practice that Wilson regards as futile, or at very least, less interesting and useful than science. Through meditation and achieving a higher sense of consciousness, the mind can control the physical aspects of the human body, suggests Ricard. Ricard believes that there is more to the brain than neurotransmitters and synapses. The human species cannot be subsumed into the sum total of its DNA. "
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The "Spark' of the Sufi, 2006.
A mystical experience debate regarding the Sufi.
1,059 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 3 sources, MLA, AU$ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the 'spark' of Sufism, defined by the Qur'an as that which God placed into man or breathed into man. According to the paper, Sufism is the part of man that desires to return and unite with the Universal Spirit. The paper reports that the origin of the name Sufi is the Arabic word "suf" which means wool, or the Persian word "saf", which means pure.
Outline:
Introduction
Mystical Experience Defined
The Debate Surrounding the Sufi Experience
Neurotheology - Biotheology
The Two Views Debated
Science Provides the Proof
Conclusion
From the Paper
"The work of Syed includes studies that have located the regions of the brain that are stimulated during certain experience. For instance, the middle temporal lobe has been proven to the "linked to emotional aspects of religious experience, such as joy and awe." (Syed, 2006) The lower temporal lobe is stimulated during the "viewing of sacred images such as candles or crosses..." (Ibid) The "juncture of three lobes" or the Broca's region is stimulated when the individual is stimulated through a "response to language". Finally, when the individual enters a state of deep spirituality or mystical experience the region of the brain that finally "quiets down" and signifies that the person has entered the place where they may "feel at one with the universe" is the region of the brain which is called the "parietal lobes". (Syed, 2006)"
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Confucian Thought, 2007.
An analysis of Confucian thought and its influence on pedagogy today.
1,885 words (approx. 7.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, AU$ 75.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the history of Confucian thought. The paper explains Confucius' theory that advocated the creation of a common community of moral teaching, rather than stressing the individual in isolation. It suggest that his influence is felt in the modern educational system today and describes ways in which this is true. The paper also explains the background of many of the cliches about Confucian thought that we have in society today.
From the Paper
"According to the Confucian scholar Tu Wei-ming, Confucius even has a great deal to say to persons involved in the modern debates revolving around multiculturalism. Despite Confucius' place in his own Chinese tradition as a transmitter of culture and a teacher of long-shared values, Wei-ming stresses that "to truly find one's roots, to find inspiration in one's ethnicity and cultural tradition, one must go beyond a closed ethnocentrism or a narrowly conceived culturalism," because cultivation of li, or right teaching is never mere-navel gazing. It is locating the immediate and ancestral family and tradition as part of a greater world community. (Wei-ming, 2006) Knowing family history alone is not enough. Rather, a student must know the collective history of the nation and the world, to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, and to replicate the right moral teachings of his or her ancestors. This is underlined in every good civics class in America today, even if avoiding historical mistakes can be difficult."
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'Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee', 2006.
A review of the book 'Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee', translated by Robert Van Gulik.
1,968 words (approx. 7.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 78.95
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Abstract
This paper takes a look at the book 'Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee', translated from Chinese to English by Robert Van Gulik. The paper discusses Judge Dee's unquenchable thirst for finding the truth, when solving legal cases. The paper further discusses how the Judge Dee novels are grounded in large societal ethical hermeneutic of Confucian and Taoist morals, where finding the truth is a sacred duty of Judge Dee's office and great dishonor would fall upon the head of any judge who accidentally condemns an innocent man.
From the Paper
"There are some features of Dee's detection are similar to modern police work, and do not cause a non-Confucian reader to raise an eyebrow. Dee deploys psychological insight and observation to come to the root of a mystery, noting that, good Confucian he is, he has studied carefully the ancient handbooks of detection, which values the importance of knowing the character, daily life and habits of the victim and that personality supplies the clues to solve the crime. Know a person's ethics, and know the man or woman. Know the person's place in society, and know how they 'should' behave. Having an upright character is also an essential component to being a good, that is, an ethical Confucian, and defects in character must be scrutinized and used as clues, as they leave a person open to the danger of becoming a victim."
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A Tendency toward God, 2007.
A discussion on Man's tendency to lean towards God or some other presence in this world.
1,041 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 3 sources, MLA, AU$ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the natural tendency of human beings to lean towards God or some other force or presence in the world. The paper describes the infinite nature of God. It discusses this concept as it relates to the concepts expressed in quantum physics and then discusses it from the point of view of Christianity and spirituality.
From the Paper
"If God is Mind and infinite, there can be only one Mind. Human beings are turning to it all the time for good ideas. It is logical that human beings would sense and want to know intimately the source of their existence. Religions and rituals have sprung from this natural desire. I believe that all human beings wonder at one time or another about the nature of existence. Some have more confidence that they can eventually understand it than others do, and that accounts for those who seem disinterested. They may have given up, or they think and wonder about God rarely. Or they have come upon an explanation for existence that satisfies them, at least, superficially, but doesn't include a concept of Creator. Even so, these same disinterested people are sometimes "converted" as a result of experiencing God's presence, and they end up turning to a whole new way of life."
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Leon Tolstoy's "What is Art?", 2006.
This paper argues against Leon Tolstoy's conclusion in his famous book "What is Art?".
1,205 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 3 sources, APA, AU$ 51.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Leon Tolstoy in "What is Art?" argues that
art is not the manifestation of an abstract and absolute idea, such as beauty, God or simply something created to give pleasure, as generally purported by most of the thinkers and philosophers, but rather is intimately connected with the religions and moral values of every age and of every people. The author points out that both art and religion can reveal a different, absolute reality; but it cannot be agreed that good art should strictly follow religious and moral values. The paper stresses that saying art is only supposed to express the religious idea of good denies the most important quality of art--- imagination. The paper includes several quotations.
From the Paper
"As you say it yourself, art can serve to unite people and to realize that brotherhood of man, just like religion, through its ideas of goodness and morality. But it is likewise obvious that good art can give an account of the varied human experience and if it speaks, as you say, of nudity, sexuality or adultery, it does nothing more than to relate about human passions or emotions. I think the subject of a certain piece of art should not be confused with its final purpose. And it is to be noticed that a piece of literature, for example, which is replete with "immoral" ideas can produce the same state of elevation of the soul, just like the one that praises moral or Christian virtue. I think the most important fact is that art can reveal the truth and it does this by means of an aesthetic revelation, no matter its particular nature."
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Personal Identity, 2007.
A comparison of the personal identity theories of John Locke and David Hume.
1,120 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 3 sources, MLA, AU$ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts John Locke and David Hume's conceptions of personal identity. It discusses each of their theories and discusses the contemporary philosopher's views on the theories and how they may support or reject them. The paper also establishes some of the common points between Locke and Hume's approaches.
From the Paper
"A common point between the two philosophers is their diachronic view of personal identity. With Locke, the same soul or thinking substance is neither necessary not sufficient for personal identity over time and for Hume also, time is important in what concerns identity. However, there is also differentiation point: for Locke consciousness remains the same in the transition between thinking substances, and for Hume identity is shaped by perceptions, in the course of time. Only the large temporal frame is common, the approaches to identity in time differ."
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The Socratic Method, 2006.
This paper discusses the Socratic Method as a contemporary teaching method.
1,255 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, AU$ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses, as an example of the Socratic Method, section 336b of Plato's "Republic" in which Thrasymachus argues the nature of justice. The author points out that, in this section, Socrates aims at finding the truth regarding Thrasymachus' hostile outburst by using the most powerful way of conducting a question-answer sequence of teaching, which stimulates learning from other people in addition to the teacher. The paper relates that, by asking learners questions, teachers give them the opportunity to find the truth of the matter for themselves and to learn critical thinking, which is an essential skill in the professional world.
From the Paper
"Socrates, however, does not counter Thrasymachus' outburst with an outburst of his own. Instead, by agreeing with everything that Thrasymachus says, he remains wise and calm in the face of the other's anger. It is clear however that he has been affected by Thrasymachus' tone and style, as there still is a "hitch", but only a slight one, in his voice when he asks his opponent to forgive any shortcomings in himself and Polymarchus when conducting their debate. He argues that they have been arguing in a manner that would most likely bring them to the truth regarding the nature of justice."
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Thomas Paine, 2007.
An analysis of the philosophies of Thomas Paine and what made them so successful in his time and today.
4,898 words (approx. 19.6 pages), 14 sources, MLA, AU$ 155.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the political, religious and social philosophies of Thomas Paine and describes the impact that they had on the world then and continue to have today. It discusses the role that he played in both the American and French revolutions, while simultaneously attempting to garner the budding revolutionary movements within England. The papers also looks at why his ideas were so successful.
From the Paper
"Paine's essays and speeches still hold their compelling power today. Much of the reason for this is that he was not a philosopher who attempted to build his theories of justice, morality, knowledge, and society from the ground-up; instead, he held several appealing principles, from which he was capable of deconstructing the morally reprehensible institutions around the world. These principles included equality, freedom, belief in God, charity towards others, and the gift of reason. Altogether, these were very attractive concepts in his time, and remain so to this day. For the most part, they are ideas so intuitively pure and beautiful, that they do not require rigorous philosophical investigation to believe that they should probably be sought after. So although David Hume may have been successful in debasing the belief that we can ever truly know what morality or justice are, Paine was able to indicate exactly what they should be. He was a great man not only for this, but for convincing millions of people that these values exist as something worthy to build society upon. Though they could potentially be logically invalid, it would be a mistake to fight for anything other than what Thomas Paine fought for."
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Comatose Awareness, 2007.
This paper explores the state of comatose awareness.
3,115 words (approx. 12.5 pages), 9 sources, MLA, AU$ 112.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer points out that cases like those of Terri Shiavo and Robert Kenneth Durksen put the moral quandaries regarding comatose victims to the forefront of the public's mind. The writer notes that only by fully understanding the condition, and answering questions such as whether or not there is awareness in comatose patients, can the public make informed decisions, when sensitive situations occur. This paper provides an overview of the comatose condition, followed by a review of literature regarding awareness in comatose patients. The writer then presents conclusions drawn from this information, in hopes of shedding further light on such a delicate topic.
Outline:
Introduction
Comatose Overview
Literature Review Regarding Comas and Coma Awareness
Analysis of Findings
Conclusion
From the Paper
"The medical term comatose is derived from the Greek word koma, meaning a deep sleep. A comatose patient is in a deep state of unconsciousness that is characterized by the loss of reactivity to external stimuli and absence of spontaneous nervous activity, and cannot be awakened. Coma victims have usually experienced injury or disease of the cerebrum."
"The origin of the injury affects the different patterns of coma. Losses of consciousness for short durations may be caused by concussions, whereas the lack of oxygen, or anoxia, may lead to a coma that lasts for several weeks or is fatal. Sudden loss of consciousness in some patients may be caused by a stroke, which is a rupture or blockage of the vessels that supply blood to the brain."
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Aristotle's Definition of the Tragedy, 2006.
This paper analyzes Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" according to Aristotle's definition of the tragedy.
965 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 0 sources, AU$ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, in Aristotle's definition of the tragedy, the most important element is that the medium in which the events occur is a drama rather than a narrative. The author points out that Sophocles' "Oedipus the King' is a tragedy that is demonstrated through the unity of events. The paper rates that thought, which relates to the ideas behind the tragic events in the drama, and diction, which refers to the expression of meaning through words, are other important tragic elements that Aristotle defines as important in a tragedy. The author discusses Sophocles' use of the chorus, which coincides with Aristotle's fifth important element of tragedy---song or melody.
From the Paper
"The second important element of the tragedy is a strong main character, who supports the plot of the drama. In this, the main character's motivations and fears interlink with the plot elements in the movement towards the climax of the tragedy. The main character, according to Aristotle, should not only be a person of great importance and prosperity in society, but he should also have admirable personality traits. The combination of material and spiritual prosperity will then make the outcome all the more tragic. This is certainly so in the case of Oedipus."
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Business Ethics, 2007.
This paper discusses the issue of ethical principles within the business world.
1,206 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 5 sources, MLA, AU$ 51.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer maintains that the business person must be clear about his ethical principle or philosophy on money matters and this should be the foundation of his business. The writer states that wants can be considered needs and a person can learn and grow up to pursue wants and desires and never get satisfied. The writer then points out that this tendency can dominate a person and spill over to his adult life or business. Further, the writer notes that the pursuit of material acquisition can become the essence of a person's ethical decisions in business. The writer discusses that a person in business may not have to choose between principle and profits by developing the proper perspective or viewpoint regarding money and therefore observe his ethical principle while making fair profits.
From the Paper
"Unprecedented major changes in society have been modifying the way people view the good life and among the forces shaping that view are globalization and the resulting cultural differences, new communication technologies rapidly transmitting information worldwide, the increasing gap between the rich and the poor, and the decreasing autonomy of national governments. More and more people expect business corporations to take the responsibility of addressing current social issues. Findings of studies revealed that there is a place for principles and profits and corporations have become more aware of their social responsibility. More and more businesses see that the key elements to competitiveness are employee productivity and innovation, when employees become most enthusiastic, productive and creative in evolving new ways of doing things. This requires an entirely new vision expressed in a mission statement, which details the values and principles to guide the organization."
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Marx and Engels, 2007.
This paper examines the philosophical outlooks of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
2,000 words (approx. 8.0 pages), 4 sources, APA, AU$ 79.95
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Abstract
This paper explores the historical and economic influences that spurred Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels to create their philosophical theories and writings. The author elaborates on their innovative perspectives, especially Marx's view of the bourgeoisie oppressing the working class. Several quotes are included to illustrate this point. The paper also cites how Marx and Engels influenced socialist and communist thought as well as why their belief systems were so difficult to fully achieve in society.
From the Paper
"Society, during that era, was composed primarily of individuals who retained the vast proportion of wealth, who Marx called the bourgeoisie, and the workers, whom Marx titled the proletariat. Marx was vehement in his total disdain for the bourgeoisie. The Communist Manifesto states; "The bourgeoisie keeps more and more doing away with the scattered state of the population, of the means of production, and of property. It has agglomerated population, centralized means of production, and has concentrated property in a few hands." (Marx 1988 pp 213-214)."
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