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."
Abstract This paper discusses the ideal of being able to develop awareness of the world around oneself. It goes into detail about the factors that make this awareness possible. It discusses a willingness to subject oneself to new ideals and release internal beliefs about what it means to be conscious or aware. It looks into the need to forgo one's reliance on factual information and instead come to recognize the symbolism apparent in every day activity. Finally, the paper explores how one's own perceptions are biased and often rely on factual or idealized versions of what is real, versus what is perhaps, unreal.
From the Paper "Nabokov (2000) interestingly asserts that "common sense" reveals that we exist and reminds us of our existence, but is only a "brief crack of light between two extremities of darkness." Like Keller he asserts that true consciousness does not arise from mere experiences or perceptions of experiences alone. The author suggests that the collective conscious is often directed by rigid rules of society, and one have but reach out and tap into their own self and identity to awaken their conscious and perhaps begin to capture a glimmer of true awakening. Inner knowledge comes from perception that is not tainted by memory but rather open to new revelations that should not result from reflexive acts but rather new experiences. This is much as Keller would suggest, that mankind could raise his awareness or conscious if only he stopped relying on the obvious and instead takes a moment to explore that which is not obvious or that which is unusual and new."
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."
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."
A discussion regarding Lev Vygotsky's theory of "zone of proximal development", as researched by Amy Chak in her study entitled, 'Adult Sensitivity to Children's Learning in the Zone of Proximal Development'.
Abstract This paper takes a look at the theory of "zone of proximal development" (ZPD), the well-established model originally launched by Lev Vygotsky. According to the paper, the role of adults in the process of a child's learning and development will be greatly enhanced through the thoughtful application of ZPD. This paper reviews the research, 'Adult Sensitivity to Children's Learning in the Zone of Proximal Development' by Amy Chak, which talks in-depth about ZPD.
From the Paper "The Vygotsky influence has recently had an impact in a university environment in New Zealand. Indeed, the application of the ZPD model in New Zealand moved well beyond just another theory for "old school" teachers to bravely tackle, and has actually become a "common sense" approach to learning and development. This information comes through another peer-reviewed research article ("Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development and Problem-based Learning: linking a theoretical concept with practice through action research"). In the piece, the author explains that students had been employing "problem-based learning" (PBL) methods to develop "relevant content knowledge and the metacognitive skills that will enable them to become good learners and problem-solvers..." (Harland, 2003)."
Abstract This paper discusses the life of pioneering American psychologist and philosopher, William James. It analyzes his life according to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. The paper looks at five stages of James' life, describes events in his life at those points, and then analyzes their meaning according to Erikson's theories on psychosocial development.
Table of Contents:
Infancy / Early Childhood (0-6 Yrs)
Middle Childhood (6-12 Yrs)
Adolescence (12-20 Yrs) And Young Adulthood (20-40 Yrs)
Late Adulthood To Death (60 Yrs +)
Conclusion
From the Paper "William James' central conflict, as one biographer saw it, was between his "Promethean" and "mystical" selves: one manifested itself in the philosopher's pragmatism and democratic ideals; the other manifested itself via his long fascination with metaphysics, psychical research, higher consciousness studies, and the like (Raposa 2001). This dichotomy may be overly reductive, but it does show something of James' divided (yet highly functional) self. Observers agreed in describing William James as "tolerant, manly, liberal, romantic, impetuous, mystical, generous, anti-traditionalistic, sensitive, brilliant, kind, eloquent." They saw him, despite his self-confessed depressive states, as optimistic, anti-fatalistic and very sociable. Like all great men, William James possessed a complex, even contradictory nature, which he utilized to his advantage to create and push himself to higher levels of accomplishment, even in the face of depression and self-doubt."
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 revitalising 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 acknowledgement of the slippery relationship between poetry, self-fashioning and delusion, and Astrophil becomes an image of the poet simultaneously inspired and paralysed by an awareness of this relationship."
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 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)."
Abstract The paper reviews the book "The Illusion of the Conscious Will", where Daniel Wegner brings into question whether or not human beings exercise free will. The paper outlines Wegner's main arguments and highlights how they are based on a series of assumptions. The paper asserts that in order for this work to become an important part of the academic world, Wegner's experiments and research would have to incorporate techniques to prove many of his empirical theories.
From the Paper "What Wegner argues for is the fact that the conscious mind is an illusion and he does so by presenting a number of different ideas that attack the idea that we make individual decisions based on logic, rather than determinism. One of the ideas that he attacks is the idea of a metaphysically free will. This idea has been around for centuries, and many different philosophers throughout history have presented this idea in different forms. Basically it means that we are free to make our own decisions and we do so based on what we have learned from our past experiences. The problem is that Wegner does not come up with his own philosophical ideal for this, but rather just bases his argument on a series of assumptions."
Abstract This paper discusses James Midgley's book, "Social Development: The Development Perspective in Social Welfare." The paper discusses Midgley's arguments and concludes that his means do not seem to justify his ends, as he fall short in comprehensively expounding and discussing the framework and conceptual dynamics of how exactly social development and policies in social welfare development can be integrated to have a mutually reinforcing effect and role with economic development.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Overview and Structure of the Book
Discussion and Review
Conclusion
From the Paper "The term "development" has been widely used in the last couple of decades. Its meaning for most people, involves a general idea of progress and change accompanied by industrialization and improvement in social wellbeing, and in effect, an enhancement in people's income, educational levels, housing, and health care. Mostly though, regard development as economic development. And in the decades following World War II, there have been significant levels of economic development with adoption of economic development prescriptions as in the Martial Plan, and subsequent application of principles to the third world. With this, levels of social welfare have also improved significantly compared to the situation at the end of the nineteenth century. But the social achievements of the recent decades have been mixed with grinding poverty, and homelessness, and lack of education, characterizing the lives of billions of people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This is what James Midgley terms distorted development; pointing to the need for social development to counteract this phenomenon."
Tags: social development, social welfare, social philanthropy, economic development, public administration
Abstract This paper examines how economic development of any country promotes the trade and business and how free trade and liberalization in trade policies, on behalf of the governments, help the businesses to flourish and effectively compete in the world market. The writer covers the issues related to the economic development of the developing nations and discusses the aspects that have caused hindrance in the economic development of these countries. Finally the paper cites the example of a developing country (India) and discusses how liberalization in trade has helped it in making remarkable achievements with respect to economic growth and to bring improvements in its industry and trade.
From the Paper "In an era of increased globalization and advancements in technology, it has become increasingly important for all of the nations of the world to keep bringing improvements in their economic infrastructure and to expand their businesses on the global scale. It has been observed that without a reasonable level of economic development any country cannot gain a competitive position in the world market. This is the dilemma faced by most of the developed nations of the world."
Abstract The aim of employment development is to assist certain groups and individuals to cope with job markets and changing economic development. This paper explains community economic development and small business development--two contemporary approaches to employment development.
Abstract In this paper, the writer describes the importance of the function of market research. The writer then considers differences in conducting market research in developing or emerging economies and developed economies.
From the Paper "Market research is an increasingly important function in many organizations. Companies are seeking ways to find out about the needs desires and demand characteristics of their markets, as well as how to identify new markets for products and services. Traditionally, market research has been conducted in the home market of organizations or in those markets that are similar to the home markets. This is due to the overwhelming emphasis on domestic sales historically and the difficulties inherent in moving into the ... "
Tags: marketing research, market research, globalization, developing/developed countries
This essay examines the part that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) plays
in the assistance and development of under-developed countries.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 4 sources, 2005, $ 53.95
Abstract This paper discusses the role that the Canadian International Development Agency plays in the development of under-developed countries. CIDA's involvement includes measures to reduce poverty, decrease infant mortality rates, and increase political and economic development. CIDA signed an agreement with other donor nations that emphasizes international involvement in the pursuit of global equality, access to health and education, and improving basic living standards.
From the Paper " Although the triumph of democracy post cold war helped trigger the global economic boom, developing democracies have benefited least from trade and investment. It is crucial for the international donor community to address potential problems of new policies for promoting democratization of developing countries, otherwise risk losing financial and strategic investments between donors and under-developed countries. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) values social justice, peace and humanitarianism."
