Abstract This paper discusses Plato's and Aristotle's views on the human soul. The paper makes the basic argument that both philosophers had different positions on the mind-soul relationship, the characteristics of the soul and the origin of the soul. The only thing they agree on is that souls come from other souls.
From the Paper "The human soul has been a common topic of debate for philosophers ever since philosophers have existed. Both Plato and Aristotle theorized about the human soul. In most cases they presented very different arguments on the nature of the human soul. However, there are also a few similarities between their arguments. This essay will look at the arguments that both Plato and Aristotle made about the human soul. The three areas in which these philosophers differ are in terms of the relationship between the body and the soul, the nature of the soul and the ultimate origin of the soul."
Abstract Through the ages, both Greek and Hindu societies have been greatly influenced by the idea of the immortality of the soul, affecting them in their daily lives and approach to death. This paper compares and contrasts both schools of thought and their loopholes and conflicting theories. It examines the writings of famous philosophers and religious texts and evaluates their application to modern day thought and religion.
From the Paper "The very idea of immortality of the soul was not simply a theory but was widely believed among the Greeks in society. This would explain Socrates? unfazed and calm demeanor as he approached death in Phaedo. Now, this brings me to the point of linkage. All these concepts may have had a great impact on Greek society, but where exactly did these great minds find the "spark of inspiration" for their theories? Could it have been Hinduism or vice versa?"
Abstract An analysis of a classic situation of the family dinner, which is at the heart of the movie "Soul Food". The paper offers a perceptive look at how food can unite a family.
Abstract This paper reviews "Saving the Corporate Soul" by David Batstone. It includes a critical analysis of the book and a description of some of Bastone's eight principles of ethical business management.
From the Paper "Every day we are inundated with business news about the latest corporation guilty of financial misconduct or deception. Insider trading fraudulent accounting practices and huge executive compensation plans along with a ..."
Tags: Ethics, business, America, Enron, business principles, Saving the Corporate Soul, David Batstone, ethical principles, profitability
Abstract This paper discusses the concept of humanism in Christopher Marlowe's play "Doctor Faustus" and explains that the central focus of humanism is presented in the combination of Faustus' pride, arrogance and never-ending ambition. The paper points out that, because of Faustus' desire to be more powerful than any other man, he pursues the forbidden attainment of the black arts even though the consequences mean perishing in hell. The paper concludes that the text of Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus" clearly shows that wrongful pride always comes before a fall. Moreover, this character's fall is perpetual, horrifying damnation.
From the Paper "The power of rule is too intoxicating as Faustus ignores the forbidden aspect of dabbling in black magic and through his Latin invocations, begins the process of turning away from the living God to take power instead from the dark god, Lucifer. His faith in this magic is so strong, he thinks he can even make demands of Mephistopheles. But this is Lucifer's agent and he lets the Doctor know that he himself is governed by the higher-ranking devil: "I am a servant to great Lucifer, / And may not follow thee without his leave." "
Tags:ambitionsoul, black magic, mephistopheles bride
Abstract This paper describes the general overall differences in the ways in which Japanese and American society vary in their acceptance of personal ambition. The writer provides a definition of the concept of personal ambition and examines why it is easier to define this concept in the context of Japanese society than American society. It examines the relativity of this concept to these societies.
From the Paper "The question of how ambition as a personality is expressed in two different cultures ? for example, in the United States and in Japan ? is a complex one for a number of reasons. The first is that any cultural entity as large as Japan or especially the United States is bound to have a tremendous amount of intracultural variation amongst people, so much so that the concept of the existence of a single dominant style of expressing a trait such as ambition must be called into question. This is especially true for a culture as diverse as is the United States; it is relatively easier to describe the expression of such a trait in a more homogeneous society like Japan ? or perhaps it only seems so from the perspective of the United States, for surely it is true that cultures always look simpler when seen from afar."
Abstract This paper analyzes the three motifs of clothing used to help explain the ambition within the play 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare. The symbolic use of clothing often helps provide a deeper meaning to why Macbeth seeks to gain the throne and at any cost. The paper further discusses how his ambition is not completely self reliant as his wife, Lady Macbeth, ridicules him and forces him into complying with the murder of Duncan.
From the Paper "In this drama study, the theme of ambition will be analyzed in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. By analyzing three motifs of clothing within this tragedy, the theme of ambition will be revealed in how Macbeth yearns for power as the King of Scotland. By observing Shakespeare's use of symbolism in clothing, one can realize the message that is being presented throughout the play that realizes the greed for power that Macbeth desires. In essence, the motif of clothing will bring forth the theme of ambition within this Macbeth by William Shakespeare."
Abstract This paper explores two possible ways of reaching the concept of the soul as a constituent or determiner of personal identity; a) as a result of empirical evidence, and b) as an assumption on which a theory of personal identity can be built. Both pose problems for the soul criterion of personal identity. Firstly, the paper argues that a posteriori concept of the soul is invariably tied to psycho-physical continuity, making the soul useless in determining identity beyond the scope of psychological and physical analyses of personal identity over time. Secondly, the paper suggests that an a priori definition of the soul constitutes ad hoc for the personal identity problem. Finally, the paper assesses whether a sensible view of the soul might be reached through the theory of subjective or "flexible" survival and the use of faith rather than logic.
Outline:
A Posteriori Soul A Priori Soul Desire and the Unobservable
Conclusions
From the Paper "The position against unobservability can be found through faith. Theists could make the claim that even though God cannot be observed through the senses, we can be aware of its existence and perhaps even its nature. Why, then, should we be oblivious to the nature of the soul, if it seems to have similar properties? This could be explained in terms of a "sixth sense", a kind of "soul detector". The claim of being able to perceive "auras" or "spirits" are not uncommon, albeit usually discredited. A case could be put forward in which "faith" is the inherent quality that human beings have to observe or experience otherwise unobservable things. This view, however, leans towards ad hoc. Nonetheless, the claim that belief in the soul criterion, as is the case with the belief in God, is a matter of faith and not of logic is widely held, particularly by religious people."
Abstract "Macbeth", written by William Shakespeare, is the tragic tale of Macbeth, a virtuous man, corrupted by power and greed. This desire leads him to murder the king but also leads him to insecurity. This paper analyzes his uncontrollable ambition and how these desires take control of his actions which lead to his ruin.
From the Paper "Throughout the play, Macbeth's character grows stronger as Lady Macbeth's will regresses. It even gets to where Macbeth will not include his wife in his villainous schemes, where at one time, it was Lady Macbeth who was implementing these schemes in his head in the first place. In a sense, the two characters switch roles. The turning point for Lady Macbeth is when she learns of her husband's slaying of Macduff's family. She realizes that this is all a result of her greed for power, power that led to the corruption of her husband and allowed her to create a monster out of a once, at least, worthy man. In this state, she turns to sleepwalking, which reveals her guilt. ?Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One, two. Why, then "tis time to do't... The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now" What, will these hands ne'er be clean?...? This guilt and paranoia eventually leads to Lady Macbeth's violent death at her own hands."
Abstract "Macbeth", possibly one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays, is most well-known for its striking portrayal of a decorated Scottish general and his wife and their quest for absolute power. This paper focuses on the topic of evil combined with unrestrained ambition in Shakespeare's "Macbeth". It considers possible explanations for Macbeth's murders and analyzes the text to determine why Macbeth turned to evil.
From the Paper "MacBeth, possibly one of Shakespeare's most well known plays, is most well known for its striking portrayal of a decorated Scottish general and his wife and their quest for absolute power. Shakespeare's shortest tragedy is also known for its study of human nature, namely, the conflict between the forces of good and evil in the human psyche. Like all tragic heroes, Lord MacBeth has a fatal flaw: ambition. This flaw consumes him throughout the course of the play leading to his inevitable downfall at its conclusion. However, MacBeth is not simply Shakespeare's study of ambition; its focus is much more precise. MacBeth is a study of the evil to which ambition leads when unrestrained by morals."
Abstract This paper examines the philosophies of Plato with those of Aristotle with an emphasis on the differences between each philosopher's view of the soul and knowledge. The writer shows how Aristotle's view of the soul is superior to Plato's view of the soul because it deals with a more complex soul.
From the Paper "In The Apology and The Phaedo, Plato uses his mentor Socrates to express his views about many different philosophical ideas. These two scenes occur during the trial of Socrates and during the time before his death. In The Apology, Socrates is on trial and is defending himself against his accusers, which charge him with corrupting the youth and not believing in the Gods. It is during this time that Socrates agues for the existence of the soul and the body. Plato develops his idea of the soul further in The Phaedo, which presents the scene of Socrates's death. He uses this scene to discuss the topics that were raised earlier in The Apology. Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics develops his ideas of the soul. The soul's complexity, for Aristotle, demonstrates better how the soul relates to knowledge justly, particularly when compared to Plato's justification of the knowledge the soul has."
Abstract Metaphysics has long been concerned with soul-body relation and generated more questions than answers. Plato sees the soul and body as separate and transiently united. The soul is immortal and exists in an eternal form. Departing from this idea, Aristotle contends that the soul is as inseparable from the body as form is from matter. Objectivism rejects the dichotomy altogether and argues that man is an entity of physical and psychological states
Abstract This paper discusses soul music, focusing on its sound, its history, some of its composers and artists, and its cultural background. Soul music has become the anthem of African-Americans, and it is a unique and satisfying blend of blues, gospel, and rhythm and blues, that has become an important part of American music and culture. The paper shows that soul music is no longer simply a "black" thing; it is an American style of music that has become popular all over the world and has influenced many other types of music. The paper argues, however, that true soul still faces prejudice and an uphill battle for acceptance in white popular music.
From the Paper "Some music critics believe soul branched into two areas ? soul for blacks, and rock and roll for whites, but this theory is only one of several regarding soul. Soul music remains a bit mysterious because it is a black phenomenon, and so, many other races either do not relate to the music, or do not care to. However, soul jumped the boundaries of race, and became popular in white circles as well as black because of the entertainers, the lyrics, and the driving and catching beat of soul music. Soul was (and is) played on white radio stations, and soul artists appeared on the classic television show "American Bandstand" regularly, which also helped bring the music into the mainstream. One of the reasons that Bandstand featured so many soul artists is because the city where it originated, Philadelphia, was a hotbed of soul artists."
Abstract This paper examines how Egyptian mystics were the first to conceptualize a coherent theory of the human soul and how remarkably, their theories also bear many striking resemblances to modern theories of the conscious and subconscious. It shows how being both ancient and relevant, it is no surprise that Egyptian mythologies and theoretical constructs have had a great influence on many artists. It looks at how among artworks bearing an obvious debt to Egyptian theories of the Soul are those of the founder of the Cruxshadows, an American-based artist who is wildly successful in Germany. It evaluates how despite the fact that Egyptian soul theories have influenced the entire course of modern thought, particularly in their influence on Greek and Hebrew thought, they remain immensely confusing to modern researchers.
From the Paper "The Cruxshadows are an independent musical group primarily consisting of an artist named Rogue and his accompanying musicians. (Incidentally, "Rogue" is the only name by which the artist in question is known, having used it exclusively since early childhood.) In America they are not particularly well known, due to the highly academic nature of some of their work, however they have reached super-star status in much of Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. Much of Rogue's work deals with mythological and classical tradition applied to futuristic concepts, and he is particularly concerned with Egyptian mythology and history. According to the Book of Cruxshadows (an independent organization devoted in part to the scholarly study of "Cruxshadowian" lore), the entirety of Rogue's available work deals with a single over-arching story called the Angel Cycle."
Abstract This paper examines how in a curious and prolonged interchange, soul music developed through innovations made by both Britons and Americans--blacks and whites--to emerge as the colorful, powerfully emotive style music fans treasure today. It traces the evolution of soul from its African roots in antebellum America to the British Invasion of the early 1960s, following its transatlantic path several times over as the blues of Mississippi and Memphis influenced the Beatles and the Fab Four subsequently inspired the songs of Otis Redding. The musicians of the Stax-Volt imprint are featured, as well as the British subcultural phenomenon of Northern soul.
From the Paper "The musical style known as "soul" has its roots in the southern experience in the United States, descending from an artistic lineage that began with the Negro spirituals of antebellum slavery. The spirituals, in turn, developed from the musical traditions of Europe and Africa, as the imported cultures of slave and master converged to create distinctly new song forms. A prominent example of this cultural fusion is the African bondsman's practice of adopting English balladry, wherein black songsters adapted British compositions to fashion their own renditions of Old World standards."
