Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at the characters in 'Death of a Salesman' by Arthur Miller and 'The Crying of Lot 49' by Thomas Pynchon. The writer discusses how the characters suffer the loss of the certainty in the definite truth of their lives. The writer notes that ultimately, the characters find a truth in their lives; however, it is not the same as the Truth that they each believed in initially. This paper examines the loss of certainty in definite truth in these works, through the context of the influence of the American Dream on their lives.

From the Paper
"The characters in both Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and Thomas Pynchon's 'The Crying of Lot 49' suffer the loss of the certainty in the definite truth of their lives. Willy has seen his certainty erode over a lifetime, only to be forced to face the truth that nothing is as it has seemed, or as he wanted it to be, as the play draw to a close. Oedipa, however, is thrust into a situation which turns her world uncertain, and which requires her to look for the truth. Ultimately, both of these characters find a truth in their lives; however, it is not the same as the Truth that they each believed in initially."

Tags:certainty, definite, truth

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that in John Locke's "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding" and David Hume's "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding", both philosophers examine the theory of knowledge and the aspects of ideas, relationships, and certainty. The writer notes that Locke used the different types of knowledge (intuitive, demonstrative, and sensory) to discuss the level of certainty of ideas based on their degree of probability and margin of error. The writer then points out that Hume, on the other hand, did not believe that anything outside of the sensory field, such as metaphysical discussions, could be considered certain. The writer concludes that Hume's theory was that certainty was only found in factual elements which were based on sensations of objects which had spatial, sequential or mathematical relationships, whereas Locke used deductive reasoning and degrees of probability to discuss with a level of certainty, the existence of objects and ideas outside of the sensory range.

From the Paper
"Locke's degree of certainty, which was more highly associated with intuitive and demonstrative knowledge, and different than the degree of certainty linked with sensitive knowledge, did present some disagreement at the time by critics, even though his theory led to the idea of solipsism (the idea that only the self can be known to exist). Contrary to their criticisms, he did not dismiss knowledge which had been derived through sensory experience. What Locke did suggest however, was that knowledge resulting from sensory experience could not be extended to general truths and in fact had a different, and not as strong, degree of certainty as those of intuitive and demonstrative knowledge. Certainty, for Locke, was based on degree, which increased or decreased depending on the probably and the margin of error which was allocated to each element (Wolff, 2006). In addition, he did not dismiss aspects of knowledge which did not have less than perfect certainty but rather placed the degrees of certainty in a hierarchy."

Tags:evidence, knowledge, ideas, reasoning

Abstract
This paper answers the question "Is it possible to know anything with absolute certainty" by using Descartes' proof of human existence and his theory of deduction to show that there are things human beings can know to be true with absolute certainty.

From the Paper
"One of the biggest questions to occupy philosophers throughout time is whether human beings have the capacity to know anything with absolute certainty. If we look at the philosophy of Rene Descartes it is apparent that there are some things we can know with absolute certainty. However, to determine the absolute certainty of a thing, we must measure them against Descartes' rigorous standards. This analysis will provide an explanation of Descartes test for the absolute certainty of...

Tags:God, mind, body, spirit, evil demon, dream conjecture, philosophy, axiom, logic

Abstract
This paper analyzes the greater certainty of mind over the physical external world in the philosophy of Rene Descartes. It discusses how by understanding the origins of thought in the mind, the presence of external objects are only perceived through this organ of the human body. It looks at how therefore, Descartes viewed the external world as unknowable by the mind because he viewed the human conscious as an internal and separate distinction from reality. In essence, the paper shows how Descartes provides a philosophical argument that provides a greater certainty of the mind over the external physical world in his "Meditations on First Philosophy. "

From the Paper
"This describes the inherent sense of unknowing that pertains to understanding the physical body that the unreasoning human mind cannot grasp on its own. Descartes uses the example of the human body to determine the nature of the external world outside of the mind to logically deduce that the mind is a limited tool for discerning what is real and what is not. This provides the premise that although Descartes is able to feel and know the human body, the whimsical nature of the human mind often prevents logical reasoning to bring light to external realities. "

Tags:origins, of, thought

Abstract
In this article, the writer examines various aspects of death that are portrayed in three poems "Despair", "On a Death's Head", and "To___". The writer discusses that the authors Singer Rowe, Tollet, and Carter use a variety of techniques to convey the theme of the certainty of death.

From the Paper
"Life and death are on a continuum, and death is a natural part of life. Feelings and thoughts about death also can be observed on a continuum, in terms of anticipation of death or reactions to another person's death. Grief can be healthy and liberating or it can result in such an obsession with death that it becomes pathological. All of these aspects of death are demonstrated in the three poems "Despair", "On a Death's Head", and "To___". "

Tags:death, grief, life

Abstract
The paper describes Cervantes' "Don Quixote" as a groundbreaking satire, critique and novel on the understanding of the power of deception. The paper also examines "Meditations on First Philosophy" where Descartes believes he must doubt everything that might deceive him. The paper illustrates how both writers are acutely aware of the power of deception, as humans can easily be deceived. The paper explains that despite the recognized deception in the world, Descartes and Cervantes both maintain that one thing can be known for certain and that is the existence of the self.

From the Paper
"Descartes, from the very beginning of his Meditations on First Philosophy makes clear the power of deception. In the first meditation he reflects on how "we may doubt in general of all things" and further expounds on the ability for the senses to deceive (Descartes 7). This seems to hint that we cannot know things for certain; because how can we know things for certain if our senses will deceive us? To Descartes, he must doubt everything and he cannot trust his imagination, for instance. Things he thought he knew for certain must be doubted, and this hints to suggest that Descartes not only believes in the power of deception, but also that things cannot be known with certainty."

Tags:senses, imagination, doubt, self, existence

Abstract
The paper discusses how Simon Schama, in "Dead Certainties", tells a fascinating story that combines two deaths. The paper examines how the story is reminiscent of historical mysteries, like "The Plague Tales" and "An Instance of the Fingerpost". The paper further analyzes how Schama has imparted a literary dimension to the bare facts of history, revisiting the story of Wolfe, the British hero of the 1700s on the 'Heights of Abraham'.

From the Paper
"The novel can be read as a story of death. Schama has a serious point to make by writing in this accessible style. The historical events are often highly ambiguous; that the records are often contradictory, and that writing history requires historians to provide the continuity by interpreting the past subject. The second half deals with the case of Parkman's mercurial Uncle George--exacting landlord, physician, authority on insane asylums--whose dismembered body parts were found at Harvard Medical College one week after he disappeared on Thanksgiving Day, 1849. Although a genial, expansive Harvard chemistry professor was hanged for the crime, the conflicting testimony presented here casts doubt on the verdict. Schama ( Citizens ) blends fact, speculation and fictitious dialogue in a chronicle as gripping as a good detective novel."

Tags:Quebec, prejudice, historiography, Dr, Webster

Abstract
The paper examines both the article "On the Climate Change Beat, Doubt Gives Way to Certainty," by William K. Stevens, and the intergovernmental report "Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change," that Stevens' article is based on. The paper relates that Stevens' article is focused on the personal level, while the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report deals more with international policy on the issue. The paper shows how Stevens' article is much more accessible, while the report from which he draws is long, can be tedious to read, and is difficult to understand.

From the Paper
"Stevens begins his article with an anecdote of life in the Times newsroom. He recalls that whenever a cold front would hit, other reporters would spend some humor on the climate change reporter, saying something to the tune of ``so much for global warming.'' Stevens comments that a joke like that would probably not be heard today. He worked for the paper until 2000, when a minority of people were convinced that global warming was a result of humans' actions. Today, he argues, little doubt exists that humans have a serious impact on global warming. One of the primary arguments that Stevens uses to support this claim is the vast amount of political attention that the issue receives. For instance, Stevens notes the attention paid to global warming in the 2008 election, especially recalling the importance that conservative Republican John McCain assigned to the issue. A similar scene ``back in the day'' would have been ``unimaginable,'' according to Stevens. In addition to the politics and widespread attention paid to the issue, Stevens cites the most recent publication of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change, in addition to its progression of reports."

Tags:global, warming, international, policy, greenhouse, gases

Abstract
This paper is a detailed analysis of two texts by Ludwig Wittgenstein. "Tractacus Logico-Philosophicus" and "On Certainty" are each discussed in relation to particular biographical information that relates to the content of the books and the changing philosophical ideas that are represented in these writings.

Abstract
This paper explores Ludwig Wittgenstein's foundationalist approach to mainstream scepticism. It examines how it appears that one may, at first glance, equate his response with that of Moore (for example); the very person whose position he wishes to dismiss, however, this paper unearths from within Wittgenstein's last major work, "On Certainty', an altogether innovative an ingenious approach to scepticism.

From the Paper
"What therefore are the implications of Wittgenstein's critique of Moore's claim to knowledge? To answer this question it may be worth referring once more to the primary excerpts (151), i.e. "regarding it [e.g. "here is a hand"] as absolutely solid is part of our method of doubt and enquiry". Now, to his credit, Moore recognized the fundamental importance of such assertions, but what he failed to identify were the special roles that these "truisms" play within our whole system of knowledge, or the part they play in our whole "method of doubt and enquiry". Indeed, according to Wittgenstein, fundamental claims such as "my name is C.P." "there is a tree" or "here is a hand", are the "hinges" upon which our arguments turn (655), "if I want the door to turn, the hinges must stay put" (?343)."

Tags:games, knowledge, language, moore