Abstract
The main point of this paper is that consciousness is not something that is specific to human beings; but that man is likely the only species that truly does not understand the depth and intensity that animals possess in their special consciousness. It analyzes various ways in which man acts towards animals that shows how insensitive we are to other living creatures' consciousness - they are used for experiments, as a food source, in labor, etc. The paper argues humanity has taken advantage of the animal kingdom, while at the same time given nothing back in return with regard to a level of appreciation for nonhuman sentience. It examines research in the field which proves that animals do have definite levels of consciousness and different animal species are compared to each other to determine their level.

From the Paper
"What is consciousness if not the awareness that one exists and, therefore, acts upon that knowledge as a means by which to maintain survival? Just because animals do not outwardly possess the prerequisites of consciousness set down by man's definition does not mean they do not exhibit their own consciousness in various other -- and significantly more elusive -- ways. When science has taken to task the issue of animal consciousness, it has typically pitted several species against one another as a means by which to establish some semblance of conscious behavior. Results from these types of research methods have consistently demonstrated a considerable divergence between and among species residing at varying rungs upon both the evolutionary and supraliminal ladders."

Tags:anthropomorphism, communicator, consciousness, experiment, humanity, rights, science, sentience

Abstract
This essay looks at two works that attempt to deal with the problem of consciousness. These works are "Minds, Brains, and Programs" by John R. Searle and "Facing up to the Problem of Consciousness" by David J. Chalmers. The writer points out that there are many similarities between these works. However, there are also a wide range of differences. It is argued in this essay that Chalmers provides the better explanation for consciousness. The writer maintains that this is because he uses a non-reductive method to try and explain the nature of consciousness based on the idea that experience is a fundamental.

From the Paper
"Consciousness is one of the most problematic concepts in philosophy, psychology, neurobiology and a wide range of other disciplines."

Tags:the, problem, consciousness

Abstract
This paper focuses on Starhawk's philosophy that language shapes consciousness and consciousness shapes reality. Within the paper it is shown that Starhawk's belief is that language can have a deciding factor on a person's perception of themselves, and through this perception they develop concepts of reality in their consciousness. Therefore, this perception then shapes their reality.

From the Paper
"Reality, according to Starhawks, is a state in which we must find definition. It is how we define reality within our consciousness that ultimately determines the type of power that will control our lives. As individuals, what we perceive to be real will be. What we believe to be true will happen. The key to discovering a harmony in life is to come to the realization that people do have a final say in how their lives will be lived, and through the consciousness every individual can make that choice. To understand how this is possible the individual must first comprehend that there are powers in the world. Starhawks contends that there is the "power-over" which is any power that comes from outside of the individual that is controlling."

Tags:starhawk, reality, consciousness

Abstract
In this article, the writer reviews a 2003 article that discusses various frameworks of consciousness. The writer explains neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) and looks at the general nature of neural activities. Further the writer discusses how NCC functions and why it is private rather than universal.

From the Paper
"This analysis examines a study by Crick and Koch on the hard problem of qualia the most difficult aspect of consciousness. It explores previous research on the NCC. It offers a framework for studying the NCC which synthesizes previous research in the field. It offers recommendations for future research.
"Crick and Koch offered an explanation of the neural correlates of consciousness in the hope that when it is possible to explain the NCC in causal terms this will make the ..."

Tags:consciousness, neural correlates, NCC, brain, neurons

Abstract
This paper explores the philosophy of consciousness and how it is understood through reductive and non-reductive strategies. The concepts discussed include eliminativism, dualism, physicalism and materialism, behavior, folk psychology and the belief-desire thesis. The philosophers mentioned include Descartes, Stich, Place, Jaegwon Kim and the Churchlands.

From the Paper
"Reductive & Non-Reductive Perspectives on Consciousness: There are many theories that attempt to explain and model human consciousness, some of which focus on biology, others on psychology and there are others as well. The "belief-desire thesis" is a form of "folk psychology" that says the brain can only desire something that we believe is possible or true, whether we are conscious of that belief or not and that our beliefs and desires are based on our experiences of actual tangible sensations (Stich 4)."

Tags:reductive, non, reductive, consciousness

Abstract
This paper discusses the traces of Sidney's self-consciousness in "Astrophil and Stella" and the tension between his insistence on sincerity and his use of rhetorical and poetic figures. It then looks at Sidney's growing awareness and anxiety about poetry's capacity to persuade and manipulate and links this to the relationship between poetry and violence in Shakespeare's "The Rape of Lucrece".

From the Paper
"Given his status as prominent courtier and self-styled defender of poetry, it is hardly surprising that artistic self-consciousness is so prominent in the work of Philip Sidney, particularly in the sonnet series Astrophil and Stella. Throughout the series, Sidney seems determined to prove the worth of English as a poetic language capable of revitalizing tired poetic conventions, and his self-conscious attention to style can be seen simply as the manifestation of this aim. However, in exploring poetry's nature both as a means of expression and a force particularly suited to teach and delight, Sidney also acknowledges its darker side, its potential as a vehicle for self-deception and manipulation. This too is illustrated in Astrophil and Stella, through Astrophil's decline into self-deluding attempts to make reality cohere with poetic vision and to shape himself into a courtly lover. The failure of such attempts amounts to an acknowledgment of the slippery relationship between poetry, self-fashioning and delusion, and Astrophil becomes an image of the poet simultaneously inspired and paralyzed by an awareness of this relationship."

Tags:consciousness, renaissance, rhetoric, stella

Abstract
In this article, the writer studies how certain major events in life can effect national consciousness. The writer chooses particular events and discusses their effect on the people. In this paper, the writer uses as examples events such as Pearl Harbor, the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr, and 9/11.

From the Paper
"It is often said that we do not truly appreciate what we have until it is taken from us. Loss and tragedy certainly have the power to change the way that we view ourselves and the world around us. Sometimes these events trigger a sense of fear and panic as we view our surroundings with an eye awakened to danger and true peril. But sometimes, if we are fortunate, it is in the darkest of hours that we are truly made aware of the strength and courage of ... "

Tags:tragedy, national consciousness, september 11, assassination, patriotism

Abstract
This paper attempts to answer the question "what are the various concepts the term "consciousness" picks out" It outlines six different notions of consciousness, self-consciousness, minimal consciousness, perceptual consciousness, phenomenal consciousness, access consciousness and higher order consciousness and shows why they are not equivalent. It examines how every one of these concepts of consciousness is problematic in that they have all alluded a complete scientific explanation and how phenomenal consciousness and perceptual consciousness are more likely to allude scientific analysis than the others.

From the Paper
"Matters are different, however, when it comes to phenomenal consciousness (and therefore perceptual consciousness, for remember that perceptually conscious mental states are a subset of the phenomenally conscious ones). To be sure, phenomenally conscious mental states can and do represent the world and play an important role in producing behavior. That's why so many mental states are both phenomenally conscious and access conscious. But an explanation of the functional role phenomenally conscious states play in can never be a complete explanation of those states. For such an explanation will inevitably leave something out of the picture. What will it leave out? An explanation of the subjective quality of the experience something that can differ from individual to individual."

Tags:self, minimal, perceptual, phenomenal, access, higher, order, behavior, awareness

Abstract
This paper examines W.E.B Dubois literary piece "Double Consciousness" about the conflict focusing around the life of colored people and their struggle to live life bound by the intense realms of racial injustice in a prejudicial American society. It looks at how Dubois shows how blacks had to live their life on a day to day basis, thinking of themselves with a ?double consciousness.? In one consciousness, colored people looked at themselves with an allegiance and pride of their African culture and its traditions and in the other were coerced to look at themselves in the way that the dominant culture perceived them to be. It shows how Dubois uses such techniques like mighty phrases of repetition, symbolic structures and unique narrative tone in order to convey his concept of ?double consciousness? into the mind of the reader.

From the Paper
"Furthermore, Dubois utilizes more elements of structural devices that enrich his essay. In the third paragraph of Dubois? literary piece, his tone is quite unique in relaying a message to the reader. In this last paragraph, Dubois places no periods until nearly the end of the paragraph. Indeed, the author does this for it provides the structure of the essay with a unique rhythm that overwhelms the reader with a series of ideas and vital conceptions. The narrative technique here raises the tone of the literary piece while formulating tension and surprise, which coerces the reader to keep reading to see how this immense tension will resolve."

Tags:blacks, culture, prejudice, racism, society

Abstract
After defining 'consciousness' in this paper, the author shows that the very fact that we all have privileged access to our consciousness and cannot analyze it from an outsider's point-of-view is a major reason why consciousness remains so mysterious. In addition, he puts forward his view that inevitably, a scientific explanation of consciousness will be possible.

From the Paper
"It is very hard to find an analogy to describe consciousness. We know nothing in the scientific world that draws a parallel with it. Consciousness is unable to be measured or analyzed because at present we know of no connection between itself and the physical body, even if there happens to be a portion of the brain where consciousness is localized. We all experience privileged access to our own consciousness, yet how can we determine for sure that other people and creatures are also conscious beings when there is no sure-fire way to prove this? How do chemical reactions and neural processes in the body trigger conscious events? This is what makes consciousness so mysterious. We take it for granted and all regard ourselves as conscious beings, yet very rarely do we actually stop to think about what it is and how it came to be."

Tags:brain, dennett, flanagan, mind, nagel, science, scientific, thinking