Abstract This paper explores Bertrand Russell's fifteenth chapter of "The Problems of Philosophy" entitled "The Value of Philosophy", as a means of assessing the rationale of the study of philosophy and its value within the lives of human beings. The paper explains how the Russell describes his concepts of philosophy as a mental endeavor and as a worthwhile subject of study. The paper demonstrates that the value of philosophy for Bertrand Russell consists of the enlargement of human capacity. The paper also discusses how Russell believed that the human being is confined by the rigors of life and often allows these to affect his decision-making processes. The paper also looks at how Russell suggests that philosophy is unique in that it reduces the human's influence and ability to control, thus transforming all efforts to participate in philosophical discovery to a state of pure spiritual achievement.
From the Paper "Russell made a distinction between efforts that enriched the self materially and those that enriched the self mentally and spiritually. This theme is seen not only in his attitude towards government and the treatment of citizens by their governments, but also can be seen in his perception of philosophy as a worthwhile endeavor for study. He identifies that "practical" men are those whom merely frame the world in terms of "material needs," where each decision made is used to advance a personal agenda that increases his wealth, resources, or stature (Russell, 114)."
Abstract This paper explores the small and poor economy of the nation of Haiti. Specifically the paper analyzes the work, "Eyes of the Heart: Seeking a Path for the Poor in the Age of Globalization" by Jean-Bertrand Aristide. It discusses the book as if explaining it to a friend who had not read the book, so they would be able to understand it without having to read it. Jean-Bertrand Aristide's "Eyes of the Heart" is a compelling look at a country so low on the economic scale that it barely exists.
From the Paper "Author Jean-Bertrand Aristide was the President of the Republic of Haiti, a Catholic Priest, and a dedicated humanitarian, which makes him an expert in the lives of his people, and those residents of other third world countries. His democratic presidency was overthrown by a military coup, and he was deposed for 1,111 days. When he returned to Haiti after the coup, he continued to serve his country until the next election. He then formed the humanitarian foundation, the Aristide Foundation for Democracy, which works to get the Haitian people involved in their own government, and supports literacy for all Haitians."
Abstract "The Eyes of the Heart: Seeking a Path for the Poor in the Age of Globalization" by Jean-Bertrand Aristide, is an important book, written not just for Haiti and its people, but on behalf of all people living in developing countries. The paper shows that the book is a cry for social justice for the poor of the world and in the book, Aristide uses his experiences of poverty and development in Haiti to lay bare and to berate the morality of a world that can allow situations, such as the one Haiti has lived through (and indeed continues to live through), to occur and to continue. The paper includes a short synopses of the life of the author and the history of Haiti in order to appreciate the significance of the book.
From the Paper "All in all, Aristide's book is a hymn to the strength of people in Haiti, to all people in the developing world, who, even under repression, under conditions that no-one in developed countries could even imagine, let alone have the strength to be able to live under, can have the strength to carry on, and to have hope that things will change, that things will get better. His book is intended as a manifesto for change, as a strength-giving sermon for those people. The book is also aimed at those people who hold the power to change the developing countries- developed countries imbalance that he writes about so powerfully."
Abstract This paper is a full examination and critique of the book, "Race, Rock, and Elvis" by author Michael T. Bertrand. This book promotes the theory that Elvis, as well as rock and roll itself, worked to deconstruct racism in American in general and in the South in specific. The paper critiques the book in terms of organization and theme.
Abstract Janet Lewis's novel, "The Wife of Martin Guerre," takes place in the isolated French village of Artigues. The writer discusses how the novel is set in 1539, a time in which the patriarchal system was still to be found operating in villages, such as Artigues. It looks at this system, which was designed to give collective security to a household through obedience, though it meant relinquishing individual independence. This system, though comfortable at times and secure, was inhibiting, and the restrictions and limitations for both the men and the women play an important role in developing the central characters in the novel, Bertrande and Martin, as well as influencing and controlling their actions and decisions.
From the Paper "The man Martin Guerre, firstborn son of the Guerre household is a good example of the ways in which the patriarchal system influence characters lives. From birth his role in life is defined for him. He is to unite the houses of de Rols and Guerre, work under his father, contributing to the prosperity of the household and eventually become the cap d'hostal. Unfortunately, although Martin is said to "be capable of all that is required of a man" he finds the restrictions of the patriarchal system more than he can stand to live with. From a young age we can see that his born power of women gives him a childish arrogance, demonstrated with the assault on his new wife at their wedding ceremony. His feeling of superiority, encouraged by the tradition of male dominance develops into a stern dislike for authority. Bertrande notes soon after the birth of Sanxi that Martin sometimes felt "impatience at this inferior position." Martin finds the authority of his father so stifling that he appears unable to resist following his own whims on two notable occasions. This first, the bear hunt, results in a severe physical punishment from his father, which though Martin accepts it unquestioningly, appears to have little effect on his independent streak. To continue to live under his fathers rule while continuing into manhood provokes Martin so forcefully that he appears unable to help himself when he defies his father once again, this time escaping punishment. The restrictions imposed upon him by society further influence him to remain absent from his family, as he apparently "found the experience of liberty sweet' and preferred power over his own actions to the company of his wife and child."
Tags: arnaud, bertrande, france, guerre, martin, patriarchal
A discussion of how Janet Lewis's novel, "The Wife of Martin Guerre," illustrates the concept that in an authoritarian society there is no regard for the interests and needs of individuals.
1,204 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 0 sources, 2005, $ 41.95
Abstract This paper discusses how Lewis demonstrates effectively, in her novel, by means of several major characters, such as Monsieur Guerre, Martin Guerre, and Bertrande, how the restrictive nature of the patriarchal system impacts negatively on individuals. It also shows how the clearly defined roles assigned to both women and men led to great difficulties on a personal level, which then have consequences that affect the community as a whole.
From the Paper "The role of men in the authoritarian society of rural France was both a powerful and frustrating one. The character of Monsieur Guerre is used effectively by Lewis to demonstrate the negative effects of the restrictions placed upon the male individual by society. The position of cap d'hostal is an extremely important one in the structure of the society. His supremacy is so complete that any actions not first approved by him are considered illegal, he has a great power over all members of his household and can expect complete obedience from them at all times. However, with this power comes a great burden. He is responsible for the welfare of all those under him, and so he must always act in a manner that will benefit the mesnie as a whole. As a result of this he is allowed little emotional freedom and expression. We can see the effects that the role of cap d'hostal has on the individual in Monsieur Guerre. Although a natural authoritarian figure, Monsieur Guerre harshness is accentuated by the burden of his position. On two occasions we can see the extent to which Monsieur Guerre must go to consider the welfare of his household. The first of these is the bear hunt which a young Marin takes part in. as Martin has not asked permission to go on the hunt; Monsieur Guerre is required to punish him."
Tags: arnaud, authoritarian, bertrande, france, guerre, martin, patriarchal
Abstract In chapter V of his book, "The Problems of Philosophy," originally published 1912, Bertrand Russell examined how mere humans perceived the world and how this perception occurred. This paper provides a brief biography of Russell. This is followed by a review and discussion of his analysis in "The Problems of Philosophy" to identify how he distinguishes between 'Knowledge by Acquaintance' and 'Knowledge by Description'. The paper also identifies how Russell's theory presents a plausible account of representative realism. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "To help elaborate on this component of his view, Russell says, "We shall say that we have acquaintance with anything of which we are directly aware, without the intermediary of any process of inference or any knowledge of truths." According to Russell, only the objects of immediate experience are known by acquaintance, through our direct awareness of them. Other things are known only by description, through the mediation of our apprehension of true propositions about them. For instance: "I am in a state of hunger now" may be known through acquaintance, but "Eating a pizza will relieve the state of hunger" can be known only by description. In spite of this apparently narrow extent, Bertrand maintains that knowledge by acquaintance provides the foundation for further knowledge by description, discussed further below. "
Abstract This paper examines how, in Janet Lewis's "The Wife of Martin Guerre", the character of Martin possesses a cold and unforgiving nature and how his cruelty is evident in the pain he causes his wife, Bertrande, in both his absence and his presence.
From the Paper "Martin's presence is commonly regarded as a blessed time in Bertrand's tortured existence, with the vivid descriptions of there happiness together, "she kissed him on both cheeks feeling the warmth of the sun upon his flesh", overpowering the earlier descriptions of Martin's cruelty towards Bertrande, the displays of his cruel nature; "he cuffed Bertrande soundly upon the ears". The beautiful imagery used to describe the village of Artigues and the later happiness of Martin and Bertrande causes the reader to forget the coldness of Martin towards Bertrande earlier in the book, his first signs of affection towards his wife do not occur until she earnestly defends his rebellious acts against his father, then becoming his only confidant."
Abstract This paper presents a counter-argument to the paper, "Why I am Not a Christian" by Bertrand Russel. It examines excerpts from his essay and shows the author's personal beliefs on the subject which go against the ideas presented by Russel. The paper is written from a pro-Christian perspective.
From the Paper "Bertrand Russell then reminds us that the Privy Council of the Catholic Church has recently ruled out the necessity for the belief in hell. Excuse me, but since when has the Privy Council had the authority to determine what a Christian must believe in? Russell blatantly commits the fallacy of Argumentum ad Verecundiam. The Privy Council doesn't have the authority to make judgments about the beliefs of Christians any more than Bertrand does. He has set up a false authority to prove his argument. Unfortunately for him, appeals to authorities are the weakest kind of argument and his really does nothing for him. If there is a heaven, as I am sure all Christians believe, then there must be a Hell."
Abstract The paper explains the basic concepts behind Bertrand Russell's ideas of the conflicts between religion and science. The paper looks at some of the reasons Russell gave for his disagreement with much of Christian theology and the damages that he believed religion caused to the world. The paper also discusses Russell's problems with using science to justify religion.
From the Paper "British philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote on many topics concerning religion, ethics, morals and society, but remained an atheist despite some of his arguments that agreed with religious perspectives. Although Russell had a religious upbringing, he was completely against religion and had many issues with it that he expressed in many of his writings. Russell's primary objections to religion were that it impeded knowledge and learning, promoted fear and superstition, was responsible for much of the war and suffering in the world and the fuzzy illogic and mysticism of religious beliefs. Russell believed that religion's impediment to knowledge and learning was in direct conflict with the study of scientific and rational learning."
Abstract The paper explains Bertrand Russel's theory of atomism, which emphasizes logical analysis and its consequences for metaphysics. The paper describes how Russel explains the structure of the external world and discusses how pluralism, rather than monism, is the logical force behind the philosophy. The paper also looks at the many arguments against Russell's theory of logical atomism.
Outline:
Introduction
The Structure of the World
Russell's Logical Atomism
Logical Atomism - Realistically Logical?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Bertrand Russell, author of the theory of atomism, was a philosopher whose emphasis was primarily on logical analysis and its consequences for metaphysics. The traditional philosophical problem of the external world, which is based on the fact that external qualities can only be drawn inferentially, was explained by Russell (1910) as a distinction between "knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description" (Irvine, 2003). Russell's 1918 work on logical atomism was based on the argument that the world is comprised of logical atoms, which he described as "little patches of colour", and their properties (ibid). Together these properties, according to Russell, form the atomic facts which are thus combined to create logically complex objects. Therefore what is normally explained as inferred entities, such as enduring physical objects, are actually logical constructions created from immediate entities of sensation, which Russell identified as "sensibilia" (ibid)."
Abstract The paper discusses theism, the belief that God exists, through the beliefs of the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the author Leonard Tolstoy. It shows how of all the anti-theism philosophers, Bertrand Russell is probably one of the most well known as he does offer several pieces on the existence of God, or, in this case, the lack of the existence of God, by refuting five major arguments for God's existence. These views are contrasted with those of Tolstoy who's arguments are very Cartesian. If God does not exist, then we wouldn?t be here.
From the Paper "The second argument that Russell offers against theism is the argument against what he refers to as the "Natural Law" argument. In this argument, Russell points out that there are some things we might take to be natural laws, but are really a matter of definition. For example, three feet is always equal to one yard. This is the case everywhere, but it is not because it is some irrefutable axiom, it is because the definition of a yard is that it is that measurement which is equal to three feet. "
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses whether or not the study of philosophy leads one to become a lover of wisdom. The writer studies the Bertrand Russell's views on philosophy. The writer makes use of Bertrand Russell's work "The Value of Philosophy" to support the ideas raised.
From the Paper "In "The Value of Philosophy", Bertrand Russell maintains that philosophy's real value is not open to those individuals who focus only on goods for the body or materials goods. It is exclusively among the goods of the mind that the value of philosophy is to be found. Yet Russell maintains that philosophy is not practical in the sense that the practical individual recognizes only material needs which philosophy does not provide. Even so, the study of philosophy leads one to become a lover ..."
From the Paper " Review of Bruce Duffy's The World As I Found It.
The title of Bruce Duffy's book suggests the path Duffy will take to illustrate the life and times of the intellectually curious Ludwig Wittgenstein. The title suggests a pre-existing world community into which Wittgenstein enters, and this is indeed how Duffy chooses to introduce and explore the temporal characteristics and intellectual attributes of the world in which Wittgenstein lived and on which he left his mark.
Ludwig Wittgenstein was born in 1889 in Vienna, Austria. His father, Karl Wittgenstein was a wealthy steel magnate who also patronized the arts. He fathered seven children with his wife, Poldy, of whom Ludwig was the youngest. Although the family's heritage was Jewish, the Wittgensteins had been baptized Protestant and Catholic. The children were baptized in to.."
Abstract The question of immortality is an ancient one and is key in philosophy and religion. Man lives a span of years and then dies, and probably from the very beginning of the human race men and women have wondered if there is something beyond death. Ashley Montagu writes: "Man, we reasonably assume, is the only living creature who entertains the idea of immortality" (Montagu 1).
From the Paper "The question of immortality is an ancient one and is key in philosophy and religion. Man lives a span of years and then dies, and probably from the very beginning of the human race men and women have wondered if there is something beyond death. Ashley Montagu writes: "Man, we reasonably assume, is the only living creature who entertains the idea of immortality" (Montagu 1). Much of religion is concerned with the notion of the afterlife, and many philosophers have considered the nature of the soul and the question of whether it precedes or outlasts the body. Many ancient peoples showed their belief in immortality through burial customs that sent the departed individual to the afterlife with many of his or her possessions, presumably so they could be used there as well. Plato offered his view that the soul and body were not one and that the soul existed before the..."
