An analysis of the themes of predetermination, chance and free will in Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" and Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius' "The Consolation of Philosophy".
Abstract This paper embarks on a comparative study between the works of two giants in their fields: Sophocles, one of the three ancient great tragedians in Greece and Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius, a Christian philosopher of the 6th Century in Rome. The purpose of the study of the two works, i.e., "Oedipus Rex" and "The Consolation of Philosophy", is to determine the differences, if any, in the reconciliation of the concepts of predetermination, chance and free will existing together at the same time in the universe.
Outline
Introduction
Oedipus Rex
The Consolation of Philosophy
Predetermination, Chance and Free Will: Oedipus vs. The Consolation of Philosophy
Conclusion
From the Paper "The narrator of the story (which one can fairly presumed to be Boethius), was contemplating the hopelessness and anguish of his isolation. He was writing his desperate musings, hoping death will come to end his despair. He was despairing with the Muses of Poetry when suddenly appeared Philosophy, his old friend. Philosophy drives away the Muses of poetry and asks Boethius what is ailing him. To Philosophy, Boethius poured out his grief and anguish over his fate, the unjust accusations against him and his utter ruin. Philosophy condoles with Boethius and sets out to calm and sooth his spirit. But first she wanted to know why he has changed so much so she asked him several questions. She finds that Boethius has forgotten his own nature; that Boethius does not know the destiny or direction of the universe, and; third, that he was ignorant of how the world is being governed. "
Abstract By presenting the works and philosophical ideas of ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates and 1st Century Roman philosopher, Boethius, this paper examines how man seems to find consolation at the end of life's journey. The paper looks at Socrates' "The Apology" and Boethius' "Consolation in Philosophy".
From the Paper "The "Apology" gives rise to a number of arguments and defenses that Socrates and others make on their behalf. One of the first arguments made by Socrates is that of his visit to the oracle at Delphi. There the oracle tells Socrates that he is the wisest man and he decides to check the validity of the claim. With that Socrates does in fact find himself to be the wisest man in Athens."
Abstract This essay discusses Lord Byron's poem "Manfred" in terms of Boethian Philosophy. It looks at the ways in which "Manfred" supports Lady Philosophae's claim that poetry is an inadequate consolation for despair. The paper also explores the ways in which Lord Byron may have structured his poem around Boethian concepts. Byron's poem seems to support Boethius' idea that poetry is a detour leading one astray from the path that leads to "ultimate good."
From the Paper "Manfred flees from Philosophy and Reason and moves closer to Passion and evil. His body lives, and his soul dies. "You know, then, that everything that is remains and subsists just so long as it is one, but perishes and dissolves immediately it ceases to be one" (CP 105). There is no true consolation to be arrived upon through Poetry or Philosophy. Catechism and equivocation will keep a mortal alive as long as he has the passion to rebel and the will to argue. There is no divine agent that can alone conquer the ominous fury of despair. In reality and imagination, there is no power that rules destiny and fate quite like apathy and ambivalence. Reaction makes slaves of kings. Resistance makes kings of slaves."
Abstract This paper describes and explains the video game console industry. It provides a brief history of the industry and sets out to examine what the drivers of the industry are, and what is the level of competition.
From the Paper "The video game console industry is a global industry, dominated by three major players - Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. The industry has a history of technological leaps, so consoles are currently in what is known as the seventh generation. Since the first launch of a seventh generation console in 2005 (the Xbox 360), over 64 million units of seventh generation consoles have been sold by the three leading manufacturers. As the industry moves towards an eighth generation (possible in 2010), it is worth examining what the drivers of the industry are, and what is the level of competition.
"There are several strategy-shaping business and economic characteristics of the console segment. These include the intensity of competition, the relationship between console manufacturers and game producers, and global economic health. The major business characteristic that shapes strategy is the competition, combined with the large size of the industry. The market is dominated by three global firms - Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. They are all locked into the same technology cycle, and the dawn of each cycle provides an opportunity for tremendous gains or losses in market share. The strategies of each of these firms are heavily influenced by the competition and the technology cycle."
Abstract This essay analyzes how Boethius tackles the concepts of justice and free will in his work "The Consolations of Philosophy." The writer provides a synopsis of the work and explains its central themes, the concept of justice, the omniscience of God, free will and the problem of reconciling free will with the determinism that follows from God's omniscience. The paper concludes that the crux of the problem is reconciling necessity with free will, two concepts which normally contradict each other, and Boethius surmounts this contradiction by arguing that it exists only in temporal and spatial reality and disappears in the light of the higher reason of God.
From the Paper "The entire question revolves around the concept of justice. Boethius does not believe that he deserves to be stripped of his power, and then thrown into jail and awaiting execution. His own situation leads inexorably to the generalization that evildoers of the world enjoy the privileges of wealth, status and power, while the virtuous natures suffer under their yoke. Lady Philosophy intends to demonstrate to Boethius that this is a false opinion. In the first instance she shows that wealth and power only come to the virtuous, and cannot be appropriated by the evildoers at all. If wealth is determined to be that which enriches one, and cannot be easily taken away, then spiritual wealth is the only one that matters."
Abstract Wii consoles is an interactive remote console that allows people to interact with each other in a social way utilizing a device that is often used for gaming. Typically Wii consoles are associated with gaming devises including those used for Nintendo gaming stations. However, Wii can also help people engage their friends or family members in conversation, and help them tune into each other even when they are far away from each other. The purpose of this paper is to explore autism and the effects the Wii console can have for improving statistics among people with autism and Asperger's or other diseases along the autism spectrum of disorders.
Outline:
Brief History of Autism
What is Wii
Benefits of Wii Consoles For Autism and Asperger's Patients
Discussion
From the Paper "Students with autistic spectrum disorders including autism and Asperger's syndrome often have a hard or difficult time communicating their needs or desires to others. This may cause other people to feel that they are not as intelligent as they might like. Unfortunately this is not true. More often than not these students are gifted and talented, and have much to offer especially in a global classroom. New technologies provide these students with opportunities to enhance their own knowledge and share information with others in a safe environment. While students with autism may not have the communication skills needed to talk with other peers or teachers on a face-to-face level, they may find using a console a very simple and easy way to communicate their needs or thoughts to others. "
Abstract The paper explores the potential for Starbucks to achieve increased revenue by offering unlimited downloadable computer games for a yearly membership fee to customers visiting their stores. The paper looks at how consoles are the catalyst of game growth and then outlines the demographics of the computer gaming market. The paper concludes that the many challenges Starbucks has of remaining competitive in a turbulent coffee retailing market can be solved by offering additional services.
Outline:
Introduction
Consoles Are the Catalyst of Game Growth
Market Segmentation
Summary
From the Paper "There is significant potential for Starbucks to achieve increased revenue by offering unlimited downloadable computer games for a yearly membership fee to customers visiting their stores. According to the NPD Group, a market research firm specializing in computer games and consoles, the total market size as of 2008 is $30B, growing at 6% per year (Hammill, 2007). By broadening the service to include PS2, PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360 games for a yearly membership fee, Starbucks addresses the entire console and gaming market. Contrary to what many believe, the median age of gamers is 35, with 24% over 50 years of age (Hein, 2007). One of the most rapidly growing demographic segments of the gaming market is women; 38% of gamers in the US are female according to NPD (Hein, 2007). With 96% of the gaming households in the U.S. having a console already, offering unlimited subscription downloads. Offering downloadable games for each platform addresses the majority of the total available market."
Abstract Boethius, in The Consolation of Philosophy, is simply trying to apply his reason to human existence in order to make sense of that existence in a world which seems to champion evil and defy justice and goodness. The author depicts himself as a man torn by the misfortunes of life, finding some relief if not happiness in the pleasures of poetry.
From the Paper "Boethius, in The Consolation of Philosophy, is simply trying to apply his reason to human existence in order to make sense of that existence in a world which seems to champion evil and defy justice and goodness. The author depicts himself as a man torn by the misfortunes of life, finding some relief if not happiness in the pleasures of poetry. Poetry does not help him make sense of his suffering but at least gives him the opportunity to express his pain: "Poetry, which was once the glory of my happy and flourishing youth, is still my comfort in this misery of my old age" (3).
However, immediately, philosophy comes to him in a vision as Lady Philosophy, offering him more than poetry could ever offer, namely the opportunity to make rational sense of the world as a means of transcending his suffering instead of wallowing in it."
Abstract This paper presents the main arguments made by Boethius about the importance of philosophy. It shows how he believed philosophy was valuable for its insights into the way human beings seek solace in asking certain questions and seeking the answers. He saw philosophy as a means of learning more about God and of coming to grips with one's relationship to the rest of creation.
From the Paper "Philosophy is a way of looking at things and a way of examining and relating different things into a whole. Philosophy seeks to integrate the various areas of human interests and activities and in some way to explain life and its relatedness to nature or the universe or some outside construct. Different philosophers will answer the questions of philosophy in a different way, and their philosophy is built from those answers and from the method of thinking that produced those answers. We might ask why we should study philosophy if we are dedicated to practical matters and lack the time and inclination to delve into the kinds of questions philosophy asks, but this question itself assumes certain facts about philosophy that are not accurate. For one thing, philosophy is not something simply removed from the practical world, though philosophy in different eras may be more dedicated to less practical issues than at other times. Philosophy as practiced by the Greeks, for instance, was a precursor to science, as can be seen in the compendium of knowledge offered by Aristotle on issues of physics, astronomy, and nature. Philosophy asks questions everyone asks, questions about meaning, ethics, behavior, the afterlife, and so on. Knowledge in these areas is practical in a profound sense and should not be dismissed as useless, for it tells us how to live our lives and what values to place on our actions."
Abstract This paper examines John Ford's "The Golden Meane" and assesses its place in the canon of renaissance stoicism. The author discusses the role of stoic consolation in the work, and compares Ford's position to contemporaries such as Bacon and Donne.
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)product had been widely anticipated all over the world, since Sony ran a teaser ad campaign, and put posters up everywhere in the international Electronic Entertainment Expo in the Los Angeles Convention Center. The writer points out that the PS3 has more than any other games machine has ever had. With features almost too numerous to mention, it looks confidently at commanding the future. Yet the writer notes that there is a quandary over the fact that the PS3 is difficult as a development platform. The writer concludes that the Sony PlayStation 3 may be the most expensive game console available today, and though its game titles are not impressive, its futuristic design and list of features make it worth the price.
From the Paper "However, others believe that the game is over for Sony. Cynics around the world have predicted that, despite Sony defeating the odds in past years, this year Sony will have a hard time dominating the market, as it once did, competing against the technologically superior Xbox and GameCube. They recall that Sega was once a market leader in games, but now, ten years later no longer even makes consoles. Sony built its market base on satisfying hardcore gamers with providing innovative new experiences to widen console gaming's reach beyond traditional audiences. Having caught up on technology does not guarantee its lead. Many people were waiting to hear the price of the PS3 before they decided whether to buy an Xbox 360. Now they probably will buy that Xbox."
Abstract The paper explains that Nintendo created the three new target consumer groups of non-gamers, family members and the health and fitness industry with the development of the Wii. The paper discusses how being the first to launch a radically different console gave the company its competitive advantage which it then translated into its promotional strategy. The paper emphasizes how Nintendo's approach is disruptive because its strategy of attracting the non-gamers was changing the rules on which the competitive rivalry was based. The paper concludes with recommendations for Nintendo to capitalize upon this new brand equity.
From the Paper "Nintendo's two major competitors in the industry were Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo's experience showed that the games must strike a balance and not be too complex which would alienate certain segments of the market. These considerations led to the launching of the Wii which facilitated the implementation of a disruptive strategy in catering to non-traditional customers. There were three main segments: non-gamers, family members and the health and fitness industry."
Tags: target, market, non-gamers, consoles, competitiveness, brand, equity, Sony, Microsoft
Abstract This paper examines Neoplatonism in Boethius' treatise from the sixth century. The paper then compares Boethius' Neoplatonism to the Manicheism of Augustine's pre-conversion life, and to Augustine's "Confessions," written after his spiritual awakening. The paper concludes that despite Boethius' non-Christian attitude, his work shows greater authenticity about the nature of the soul than Augustine's.
From the Paper "Augustine ? at least the Augustine who wrote the Confessions ? would not have approved of the version of Christianity and the vision of the meaning of life that Boethius, the Christian philosopher, diplomat and author of the De consolatione philosophiae wrote. Boethius composed De consolation philosophiae in the sixth century A.D. while awaiting death by torture, condemned on a charge of plotting against Gothic rule, which he protested as manifestly unjust. And while a Christian, Boethius wrote about the true end of life as the soul's knowledge of God, and consoled himself with the tenets of Greek philosophy, not with Christian precepts."
Tags: Meippean, Satire, neoplatonism, Manicheism, Gnosticism, paganism, piety, holiness, church
Abstract This paper discusses the use of metaphors of light, darkness and shadows in Tennyson's work. The use of these images are paralleled with grief, death and loss of a loved one. The paper shows how the shadow imagery not only embodies the depths of Tennyson's emotional response to unspeakable grief, but aids in revealing the consolation Tennyson finds in his belief in spiritual communion, reincarnation and immortality.
From the Paper "The first use of the word shadow does not appear until section XVI. The word shade, however, occurs in the Prologue. Since the poem was written over a nearly twenty year period and not originally intended to be brought together as one entity, it is probable that the Prologue, known to be written in 1849, was intended to help unite the poem thematically. With the use of the word shade here Tennyson initiates the light/dark contrast. When he says "Thine are these orbs of light and shade;" he is contrasting not only life and death, but also bright shining faith in the "immortal Love" of the "Strong Son of God," with dark despairing doubt. His prominent use of light and shade here at the start is meant to give notice to the reader that these images are to be significant to the work as a whole. He is stating that it is by "faith alone" that we trust that we are not "made to die." Much of Tennyson's dark doubt comes from the fact that he must believe that this is a "just" God, the giver of life and the reaper of death who has his foot on the very human skulls that he created."
Abstract According to a recent survey, nine out of ten U.S. households with children have rented or owned a video or computer game and nearly a third of the Top 100 video-console games for the first quarter of 1999 had at least some sort of violent content. This paper looks at the effect these games have on the emotional, moral and social well-being of children. The paper covers issues such as the gradual changing of the 'bad-guys' from monsters and imaginary characters to real people, thus legitimizing violent behavior, as well as looking at the link between violent video games and events such as the Columbine High School shooting. Finally, the paper looks at the possibility of banning these video games and the difficulties involved.
From the Paper "Opponents of violent video games usually argue that games such as Doom or Quake help break down the natural inhibitions we have against killing and in the U.S. the military has begun using Doom-like games to improve so-called fire rates ? encouraging soldiers to pull the trigger in battle. Only about one-fifth of U.S. soldiers in combat in World War II fired their weapons, a rate that the military pushed up to 95% by the Vietnam War, in part through the use of simulations meant to make shooting at humans seem more routine and "normal" (Slatalla)."
