Abstract
Three different approaches to philosophy are the Sophist (speculation about subjects such as law, morality, ethics, politics and human rights), Platonic (on issues such love, the soul, virtue, justice, ethics and politics) and Aristotelian (an in-depth and scientific understanding of reality) approaches. By considering these three approaches in turn, this paper shows how they differ and how they show a trend in philosophical thinking. This overview of the three approaches are concluded by a consideration of which of these views most closely resembles the author's own approach to philosophical thought.

From the Paper
"Comparing these three theories shows one significant trend that occurs with the philosophical approaches. The earliest theory of Aristotle is based on a scientific and theoretical approach that attempts to determine the underlying principles of philosophy. Plato's philosophies combine this theoretical approach with a focus on considering more meaningful issues in real life, such as love and ethics. The Sophist view then continues the trend actually rejecting the theoretical and scientific view and focusing directly on those issues that have a direct relevance to human life."

Tags:Plato, Aristotle, Sophism, ethics, Greek, morality

Abstract
This paper discusses the concepts of virtue from the perspective of Aristotelian philosophy and Confucian philosophy, based on these two philosophers' writings. Particularly noted is the effort both spent considering the concept of virtue and the good life and how to achieve this state. The paper explains how for Aristotle it required the understanding of virtue and for Confucius it required the understanding of propriety.

From the Paper
"Aristotle, as his philosophical progenitors before him, Socrates and Plato, spent considerable energy defining or discussing what it means to be a good or a virtuous man. While it is arguable that a definitive answer is ever identified by him or any other philosophical writer, this particular intellectual pursuit seems to have been an inquiry that spans cultures as well as ages. In his "Ethica Nicomachea," or the "Nichomachean Ethics," Aristotle speaks of three types of lives: 1) the life of enjoyment, 2) the political life and 3) the contemplative life (Mckeon). In this categorization of the styles of lives that people may follow, Aristotle hopes to lead his reader to the conclusion that virtue in association with the first two is a shallow pursuit and lacks sincerity."

Tags:aristotle, confucius, virtue

Abstract
The paper demonstrates how the premise of the greater good in Aristotle's eudemonia provides a foundation for the inspirational acts committed by Lance Armstrong, Pat Tillman, and Josh Hamilton. The paper discusses the individual goals of these icons to constantly challenge themselves in their own sporting events during adversarial times, and shows how they rose above their illnesses and weaknesses and strove for the greater good of their society.

Tags:leadership, plato, winning

Abstract
Plato and Aristotle both had similar views on imitation in art. But they differed in key ways as well. As we will see, Plato viewed mimesis as a kind of paradox. All in all, Plato's view of mimesis seems generally negative, for all the danger it presents to morality. Aristotle more or less adopted Plato's main points, as we will also see, but redefined some of the rather strict Platonic ideas about art and its uses, making it much less 'alarming' and potentially corrupting. This paper will explore the areas of overlap in the Platonic and Aristotelian views of mimesis, as well as the differences, making a case for a similar, yet profoundly different view of it in the conclusion. It begins by outlining both theories of imitation, and follows by discussing the respective strengths and shortcomings of both before concluding.

Tags:platonic, aristotelian, theories

Abstract
This paper is an attempt to support the thesis that "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" is an example of an Aristotelian tragedy. There are several elements that need to be present in a story in order to make it an Aristotelian tragedy. These elements include a tragic hero's character flaw, the plot, use language in a variety of artistic methods, a radical change in the direction of the storyline, a tragic conclusion and a purge of emotions. This serves as the basis for Aristotle's definition of a tragedy in literature. The author sites several passages from the story to support the thesis that this is indeed an Aristotelian tragedy.

From the Paper
"An Aristotelian tragedy must use language in a variety of artistic methods appropriate for the specific parts of the story and, more importantly, to reflect the nature of the characters. Valmont's letters, especially those to the Marquise, portray his high level of education; he often makes allusions to mythology to explain his view on the art of seduction and his actions towards Madame de Tourvel. The tone of his letters to Madame de Tourvel, however, have a more dramatic nature. Here his letters possess a desperate tone, full of emotion, in order to convince her of his love. This also causes her to feel even more guilt for not yielding to him. Valmont tells Madame de Tourvel, Never have I enjoyed writing to you so much; never have I felt whilst doing so such a tender, yet keen emotion (Laclos 95). The different language used in his letters to Madame to Tourvels and the Marquise thus reveals his character."

Tags:character, emotions, conclusion, language, methods, literature, storyline, plot, valmont, tourvel, madame, marquise, personality, traits

Abstract
In his writings, Baruch Spinoza translates the metaphysics of the dualistic Aristotelian tradition into a more rational, mathematical language. This paper examines how Spinoza's ideas of substance and mode are directly inspired by Aristotle's which form the foundation of all western metaphysics. This is a simple explanation of the foundation of Spinoza's metaphysics, which predates his work on ethics. In particular it looks at revolutionary nature of his thoughts on the subject of rational interaction with the divine and how this would influence the Jews of Haskalah, who would discover reason as a way not only to God, but also a means by which they would enter into the rational, secularized Europe.

From the Paper
"It becomes evident in a system in which human beings are revelations in themselves, that revelation through traditional means in Judaism is not the most effective way to make contact with their source. We are modes, consulting other modes for information about the substance. Think of fans of a famous musician at a concert. All of them have met this musician at some point, but a long time ago. No one has a completely reliable memory of this or that meeting. But rather than meet at length with the musician, they can only gossip among themselves to feel close to this musician, which of course not a direct, or reliable means to make a true connection. Such is the way Jews who rely solely on revelation, fail to penetrate the truth of God's essence, but can only glimpse bits and pieces of it. "

Tags:enlightenment, god, haskalah, judaism, medeival, proof, rationalism, spain

Abstract
The paper explains how according to Aristotle, a tragedy must imitate life through events and words, and the plot must evoke certain emotions from the audience such as fear, pity, or sympathy. The paper then examines how "Othello" imitates life with its display of human emotion, and it evokes sympathy for Desdemona and Othello and fear of the jealousy, anger and hate. The paper clearly shows how "Othello" is a tragedy according to the Aristotelian definition.

From the Paper
"Shakespeare's play, Othello, is an excellent example of a tragedy according to Aristotle's ideas for what constitutes a true tragedy. The play imitates life through basic human emotions such as jealousy and rage. In addition, Othello is far from being a perfect character - another quality that meets Aristotle's requirements. Othello also matches Aristotle's ideas of tragedy because our Othello realizes the error of his ways, inducing sympathy from us. If we carefully examine the third scene in the third act, we can see how Othello fits into Aristotle's definition of tragedy. This passage reveals how much Othello has deteriorated as far as his ability to reason or consider things with Desdemona logically. Humanity seems to unravel in this scene as we watch Othello experience a myriad of emotions that only push him closer to the proverbial edge. We feel fear, sympathy, and pity as we watch the man transform before our eyes."

Tags:fear, pity, sympathy, jealousy, anger, hate

Abstract
In this article, the writer provides a comparison and contrast of a number of elements in the theories of knowledge offered by Plato and Aristotle respectively.

From the Paper
"In many ways the theories of knowledge offered by Plato Socrates and Aristotle are quite similar but Plato believes there is only one reality behind all of the phenomena in the world the realm of the Ideal Forms. Aristotle in contrast argued there are a series of realities. At each level the individual gets closer to the relationships that reveal true knowledge. This analysis will compare and contrast the theories of knowledge offered by Plato and Aristotle in their respective works."

Tags:Myth of the Cave, Divided Line, truth, knowledge, soul, substance, belief, opinion

From the Paper
"William Shakespeare's Othello presents the title character as a tragic hero in a way that illustrates the definition offered of the tragic hero by Aristotle. A comparison of the character in the play with the description of the tragic hero offered by Aristotle shows the similarities and also shows where Shakespeare may have differed from Aristotle.

F.L. Lucas writes about the characters of tragedy as Aristotle has delineated them and notes that they must be "good" but not perfect, appropriate or true to type, and consistent or true to themselves. Lucas says that "good" in the context in which Aristotle uses it means noble or fine, and thus the characters appropriate to tragedy are elevated characters, because "tragedy in Aristotle's theory represented men as finer than they are.". More correctly, Aristotle holds that human ..."

Abstract
The paper discusses how the change from Aristotle's world view to Newton's ideas was slowed down by the religious backlash of the time and a lack of technology. The paper rhwn explains how the transition happened and relates that when the change occurred, it was perhaps the most dramatic shift in view that mankind has ever known. The paper points out that at the same time, every step along the way was logical and fit the standard scientific method almost perfectly.

From the Paper
"The Aristotelian world view was unique when compared to previous views of the universe because "it furnished a complete physical description of the universe and the forces acting within the universe" (Hetherington 177). His cosmology was a coherent chain of thought that was "closely interwoven" (Hetherington 177) with his version of physics. While his view of the cosmos managed to maintain for around two millennia, it was purely philosophical and did not provide any quantitative basis on which to make predictions for various observed phenomena, such as the retrograde movement of planets. For this reason, Ptolemy's astronomical work must also be included in the discussion of the Aristotelian world view, despite its contradictions with Aristotle's claims."

Tags:Galileo, Copernicus, religion, technology, laws, of, motion