Abstract The paper explores the role of Bayle as the Father of the Enlightenment, and attempts to explain the enigma of how such unrelenting scepticism can at all have been the "Arsenal of the Enlightenment". It lays forth the Cartesian debate with its origins in the Baconian method of science and Descartes ontology regarding the certainty of empirical knowledge. It also argues that the hidden rationale of the Cartesian debate, was to justify the Bacon's claim that sense experience is the root to absolute knowledge. This attitude of premeditation led the Cartesians into false arguments, confusion and absurdity. It looks at how in the end Bayle espoused a form of scepticism that was so thoroughly honest that it jolted the Western intellect back to its senses.
From the Paper "Cartesian doubt is the process by which Descartes arrived at the prize of absolute certainty of knowledge. The premise is that one should begin with Pyrrhonian doubt, thereby doubting everything stemming from experience, until one is left with consciousness of thought alone, and this, Descartes argues, cannot be doubted because the very process of doubting is also the process of thinking. "Cogito, ergo sum" was the conclusion of Descartes - I think, therefore I am. This is the one solid certainty left after Cartesian doubt. But then he introduces the false argument that God would not deceive him regarding the universe, and thus it is real, and sense experience is true knowledge of it. From this argument emerges the concept of mind and body duality. Thought is taking place in the mind, and this has no material substance or spatial extension. On the other hand the body does have substance and extension, along with everything else in the universe. "
Abstract This paper examines the argument and describes the historical background to Cartesian doubt. It describes Descartes proposal of a method of doubt that, logically carried through, led to absolute certainty in empirical knowledge. It then describes the influence that his claims had on the educated community. The paper goes on to explain how Cartesian doubt was a flawed argument from the beginning and how its faults began to appear.
From the Paper "In the year 1637, through his publication of Le Discours de la Methode (Discourse on Method), Descartes was supposed to have refuted at last the age-old problem of empirical scepticism. At the time of its publication the argument was a resounding success, and seemed to have removed the key obstacle that lay in the way of the progress of science. Fortified by a philosophy of empirical certitude, the enthusiasm for experimentation and science gained a staggering boost, and a direct consequence was the Age of Enlightenment. Only after the demise of the Enlightenment did the flaws in Descartes' argument begin to appear prominent. But by this time the determinist agenda had succeeded and the scientific method had established itself as the backbone to European civilisation."
Abstract This paper discusses the Cartesian mind-body dilemma by analyzing Descartes' "Meditations on First Philosophy". The paper explains that Cartesian dualism intended to moderate between the established religious paradigm of the time and the emerging natural sciences and by positing mind and body as complete substances which refer to nothing but themselves. The paper also looks at how Descartes' theory of mind preserves the religious conception of man as an immortal soul in possession of free will by placing such outside the realm of the physical sciences. The paper points out that Descartes' "Meditations on First Philosophy" seeks to establish two distinct classes of substances in mind and extension, but fails to adequately address the manner in which these two incommensurable substances interact to generate our experience of the world. The writer suggests that Descartes conceives of the body as a 'kingdom within a kingdom' of mind, and is left with the problem of how these kingdoms are able to carry out diplomatic relations with one another.
From the Paper "The cogito, 'I think therefore I am', delimits mind as the substance of thought, the primary existential of being. This is arrived at by proposing that there could be a malicious demon of some sort that may be propagating a vast illusion of experience, generating even our thoughts. Even in this radical scepticism, however, Descartes concludes that there must be something that this hoax is played upon, and no matter what this demon may be able to do, he can never convince something that it is nothing; "...I must finally conclude that this proposition, I am, I exist, is necessarily true whenever it is put forward by me or conceived in my mind" . The cogito, therefore, shows mind to be a substance that is necessarily true without reference to any other substance. It is the essence to which all the modes of thought refer."
Abstract This three-page undergraduate paper discusses Cartesian rationalism, explains what is rationalistic about Descartes' thinking, and reflects upon what Descartes hoped to achieve through philosophical reflection.
Abstract The paper defines the unit circle as a key instrument in learning about trigonometric functions, values and concepts. The paper lists the steps to making a unit circle and provides detailed examples and graphs.
Outline:
What is the Unit Circle?
How Do I Make a Unit Circle?
How To Find Coordinates
How To Find a Reference Angle
Negative Values
In Conclusion
From the Paper "Well, to first understand the Unit Circle, you must first understand basic graphing, because the Unit Circle is based off the circular graph x2 + y2 = 1. The Unit Circle is a circle whose values are counted counterclockwise starting from the point (1,0). Then the values- in degree and radian measure (don't worry all of this will be further explained later, so don't worry if your lost)- are used to solve trigonometry problems and equations. The values on the Unit Circle are used to find sine, cosine and tangent values as well as to find compliment and supplement angles. Overall, the Unit Circle is one of the most helpful things to know when doing the ever so complicated trigonometry. An easy was to think of the Unit Circle is that the Unit Circle is a box of primary colors, it's your red, blue and yellow. With this Unit Circle/primary color box you are able to make and understand all sorts of other colors and concepts."
Abstract While many companies have argued that quality circles have resulted in dramatic cost savings, a large body of research suggests that quality circles have generally failed in the majority of companies that have implemented them. This study examines the nature of quality circles and asks whether or not they are effective mechanisms for organizational improvement.
From the Paper "This paper aspires to examine the following question: are quality circles effective mechanisms in organizations? Proponents of quality circles have long hailed their reported benefits; often defined as team oriented work performance groups, quality circles were envisioned as a tool that organizations could utilize to enhance worker productivity, motivation and performance. Detractors of such circles have argued however, that quality circles are more "quick fix schemes" adopted by hurried managers seeking out a quick fix solution to long standing corporate dilemmas. There are many organizations that have claimed great success using quality circles; studies suggest however, that in a large majority of companies that have implemented quality circles, the failure rate is greater than 50%. This paper intends to ascertain whether or not quality circles are truly beneficial or wasteful in organizations."
Abstract The historical and intellectual background of inter-war Europe is mentioned and the formation of the Vienna Circle explained. The main aims and philosophies of the Circle are discussed - the main philosophy being logical positivism which is explained that any conclusive or meaningful statement must be based on observation and experimental evidence. Any assertion that is impossible to prove or disprove is scientifically useless. Problems with this are mentioned and the nature of scientific knowledge discussed.
From the Paper "In order to properly discuss the Vienna Circle I must first briefly describe the social, scientific and philosophical situations that led to its formation and greatly influenced the views of its supporters. I will then outline the reasons for its formation, its general philosophy (one of empiricism and logical positivism) and some of the ideas put forward by its members regarding the nature of scientific knowledge. Many problems (both practical and semantic) arose from new ideas of what constituted "scientific knowledge" and I shall try and discuss these before concluding."
Abstract This paper analyzes two films, "The Circle" by Jafar Pahani (Iran) and "Memories of Underdevelopment" by Tomas Alea (Cuba). It discusses the theme and circular construction of "The Circle". The paper also describes the key character's representation of the status of underdevelopment in "Memories of Underdevelopment".
From the Paper "The Circle" is a series of episodes concerning women in Iran. The first is the shortest but it succinctly sets up the theme of the film. It also provides the starting point for the circular structure of the film. In this first ..."
Tags: The Circle , Jafar, Pahani, Memories of Underdevelopment , Tomas, Alea
Abstract This paper presents a case study of Full Circle Health, which is a mental health treatment organization that attempts to treat the needs of a community mentally, physically and spiritually. The paper discusses the aims and mission of the organization and how it attempts to achieve its objectives. The paper also discusses how the organization functions in today's era of managed care.
From the Paper "The ultimate solution is comprehensive mental health coverage, a solution which must be achieved on a political level. Full Circle Health is already striving to do so, as part of its political advocacy work. However, until then, one possible solution would be to employ individuals specifically to work helping patients negotiate the complex health care bureaucracy and to work with insurance agencies, government organizations, and private charities to ensure funding. Ideally, these individuals would be paid staff members, employed to work as advocates for funding and to work with insurance companies, to help with paperwork and to submit appeals, when necessary, if funding was threatened. If there is no budget for additional paid staff, volunteers could be employed, however the issue of confidentiality regarding mental health care records must be strictly observed. Paid and volunteer positions would be trained in the health care insurance industry's language, and provide needed and vital administrative support in the increasingly confusing red tape surrounding this issue."
Abstract This paper details Descartes's philosophical attempt at an ontological "proof" for the existence of God. Included is an outline of the intellectual and political times in which Descartes wrote, with a brief discussion of the possible impact this had on Descartes's arguments and focus. The history of ontological arguments and their validity is also discussed, as are the criticisms of such arguments.
From the Paper "Ren? Descartes was born in 1596 during a period of great scientific and religious upheaval. Scientific theories which had stood at the very core of society for over thirteen hundred years were being challenged by scientists such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei. They argued against the traditional Ptolemaic model of the Universe proposing instead a heliocentric model which suggested the Earth was not central but, along with other celestial bodies, circled the sun. Not surprisingly, this theory directly conflicted with Church doctrines which propagated the centrality of mankind in God's eyes and, consequently, a wide-spread conflict ensued between religion and science. The implications of this conflict led to a rise in speculation during these times regarding man's place in the world and God in relation to man."
Abstract This paper analyzes Descartes's theories in his "Meditations on First Philosophy", as well as provides some criticism and weak links found within his theories of philosophy and theology.
From the Paper "Rene Descartes is now considered the father of modern philosophy. In his Meditations on First Philosophy, he threw out the Aristotle view of knowledge in that all knowledge comes from the senses. He asserted that truly justified knowledge comes from mathematical reasoning that can only be found in the human mind and that the senses are deceiving; his theory is groundbreaking at that, but does all knowledge truly come from inner thinking?"
Abstract This paper explains that Rene Descartes used doubt to prove his beliefs to be true as presented in his most famous work "Meditations on First Philosophy" in which he enters into his most radical phase of methodological doubt when he introduces his evil genius hypothesis. The author points out that Descartes uses the evil genius hypothesis to help illustrate his total abandonment of his old beliefs, but he does not start at scratch when he tears down his thoughts; he decides to adopt the opposite of the ones he held before he started his experiment. The paper relates that Descartes proves the existence of God by deciding that everything he clearly and distinctly perceives as true must be certain because having ascertained that he exists and that he is a thinking thing.
From the Paper "There is however, the difficulty raised with the case of deception by God, an example of this being geometry and arithmetic. These truths seem clear and distinct to Descartes, but there is still the possibility that he is deceived with respect to them. If God can deceive him of his clear and distinct perceptions, perhaps even the cogito can be cast back into doubt. Descartes seems to want to escape the problems involved in clear and distinct perceptions by relying on God's existence to make them true. However, Descartes also seems to want to prove God's existence by claiming it as a clear and distinct perception. Welcome to the Cartesian Circle."
Abstract This paper covers both Descartes's ontological argument and cosmological argument for the existence of God as well as their counter arguments. It also looks at other philosophers such as Kierkegaard to Kant and their arguments for the existence or non-existence of God. The CartesianCircle is also discussed along with the 'free will defence argument' and self-originating principles.
From the Paper "The reasoning behind why Descartes decided to try to prove the existence of God stems from his need to do so. Descartes needed to prove the existence of God in order to back up his theory of logic and reasoning and in particular his notions of 'clear and distinct ideas'. These clear and distinct ideas that Descartes has stem from his statement that if he can "perceive something very clearly and distinctly" , then he "can not but believe it to be true" . Indeed Descartes wants God "as a guarantor of the truth of any proposition that anyone...find indubitable while having it distinctly in mind" . Furthermore, Descartes is compelled to try to prove the existence of God because he is incredibly doubtful of everything around him in the exterior world. In fact Descartes' rationalism and constant doubting of his knowledge as a form of his logical reasoning leads hims to the conclusion that he cannot actually imagine an exterior world. "
Tags: cosmological, ontological, Kant, Kierkegaard
Abstract This essay explores Cartesian aesthetics as they relate to mind and body. The author traces the history of how the mind and body relationship is treated by the authors Eric Cassell and David Morris, particularly as it relates to Cartesian aesthetics. This is a critical, argumentative essay.
From the Paper "The design of this essay is to explore the positions of Eric Cassel and David Morris on the issue of pain and suffering. First, each author is in turn examine in general, after which attention is turned to specific issues they in tandem address, which include the definition of pain and the interconnectedness of pain and suffering to an entire human being. What will be revealed is how both authors reject both the contemporary definition of pain and the Cartesian dualism that is associated with the differentiation between mind and body."
Abstract In this paper the author examines the very basis of Cartesian philosophy;what can we really know? He expresses his opinions of Cartesian philosophy and in some cases denounces it by stating that human beings experience the world not as it "actually is" but rather only as a version of their own interpretation. The author concludes with his own arguments supporting his personal opinion that human beings cannot truly experience the world as it is.
From the Paper "One sense can even fool other senses into misinterpreting what they should be telling the mind. For example, if you are sitting in a stationary car next to stationary train, it is common to get the sensation that your car is rolling backwards only to discover that the train has begun to move forward. When this happens, the momentary misinterpretation of reality is not simply a visual one. You will actually feel your entire body moving backwards up until the moment you realize that it was only the train."
Tags: truth, philospphy, mind, body, sensory, reality, truths, union
