Abstract
This paper explains that, on first glance, the atmosphere of the ancient Mesopotamian epic "Gilgamesh," Homer's "Odyssey," the Egyptian songs for the dead and the medieval allegory "Everyman" seem quite foreign to our modern culture and sensibilities since the works depict heroes grappling with the gods in a one-on-one fashion, and valor and might are the ultimate determinants of a man or woman's prowess. The paper then argues that the issues these heroes must deal with, however, are also basic human issues common even today and that because of this, these pieces are not simply curiosities, but still resonate as vital works of literature.

From the Paper
"The plea for companionship in the face of death "Everyman" takes on a transcendent power because of its universality and the desire for home in "The Odyssey" gives the work a timeless quality, and makes the amoral protagonist sympathetic. Likewise, in "Gilgamesh," the protagonist's sorrow about losing his beloved best friend makes him sympathetic, even though like King Odysseus, King Gilgamesh is often violent, deceitful, and cruel. When he is punished by the gods, like Odysseus, it is not in an especially just fashion, but simply because he has been cursed for killing the evil demon Humbaba of the Cedar Forest, when provoked and attacked. Instead of Gilgamesh losing his own life, his dearest friend Enkidu is taken to the cruel place in the underworld, which like Homeric conceptions, is a terrible place, regardless of how morally one behaves in life."

Tags:Odysseus, gods, heroes, valour

Abstract
In this study of "The Death of Ivan Ilych" by Leo Tolstoy, the writer notes that the book is very relevant today because of its message concerning living an empty life, one that is filled with pursuing all the wrong things. The writer points out that Tolstoy gets straight to the truth about life and how it should be lived, in this story about a very ordinary man that realizes he has wasted his life. The writer discusses that Ivan shows how people can become manipulated by egotism, falsity, and hypocrisy and waste their lives chasing these things in vain. Further, the writer demonstrates that the story is pertinent today, because we find many individuals living the same kind of life that Ivan did without even knowing it. In addition, the writer discusses that death is inevitable and instead of chasing after empty ideals, man should think of life beyond death. The writer concludes that through this point of view, one sees how Tolstoy was a severe realist, which allows his message and social commentary to remain just as significant today as ever.

From the Paper
"The phsyical death that Ivan endures is "merely the last phase of mortality" . From this perspective, we can see how Tolstoy inserts his belief that all things in life are coverings for the reality of death. In short, death is inevitable. How Tolstoy approaches this particular death forces us to think about the meaning of our own lives. Death is more than death. When we see Ivan's attitude change, we see a ray of hope that we can life a life that is right, good and satisfying, if we choose. What we must realize is that the choices are difficult and sometimes not always clear. This is the truth of Ivan's life.
This notion leads us to another concept that Tolstoy supported, which was that one must listen to his or her own inner voice. This is a problem our society struggles with today because we are constantly bombarded with messages from every angle. If we do not find our own voice and find our own way, we will surely be lead atray by meaningless efforts."

Tags:death, material, suffering, ordinary

Abstract
This essay considers the traditional argument for pro-life choices which indicate to abort a fetus at any stage after conception is murder. By demonstrating that neither the pro-life or pro-choice can identify when personhodd starts, the paper states that there is always the potential for murder. Because life and personhood fall on a continuum, one cannot isolate its beginning and therefore any abortion is always a potential murder, something that is quite immoral from the start.

From the Paper
Thank you for purchasing a customized research paper from Essay Experts LLC. We strive to deliver to our customers the most accurate and up-to-date research each and every time we prepare a custom work. Your Writer ID: # 971 Order ID: # C25835 Topic: Abortion Disclaimer: This document was written by one of our independently contracted writers. The writer who researched and composed this document is under contract with Essay Experts LLC to produce 100% custom written work each and every time he or she writes for us. This document should be

Tags:abortion, pro, life, philosophy

Abstract
This paper is a look in to the improbability of extra-terrestrial life. The writer discusses the nature of extra-terrestrial life, SETI's inability to find any intelligent messages, the improbability of life on other planets outside of our solar system, and the improbability of life on planets within our solar system. This paper is designed to deny the existence of extra-terrestrial life, not affirm it.

From the Paper
"The search for extraterrestrial life has piqued the interest of humans for ages. Scientists have long looked for it, and the U. S. Government funds many searches. However, the only reason that scientists have for their search is probability--there is no hard evidence to support a possibility of life, only supposition. The actuality of extraterrestrial life is minimal for three key reasons: the inability of SETI to find any significant sign of life after years of searching, the improbability of life on planets outside of our solar system, and the improbability of life within our solar system."

Tags:extra, terrestrial, life

Abstract
This paper looks at how life on Earth is defined, which stars are likely to have habitable planets, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, humanity's search for extraterrestrial life, and how astronomy is validated, updated and perfected by continuous astronomical research.

From the Paper
"The search for extraterrestrial life goes on, though so far none has been found. This does not mean it never existed or will not exist in the future. It may exist now, but in galaxies too far away from this one for us to detect. This paper will look at some of the methods being used to explore the universe and search for possible habitable planets and signs of extraterrestrial life. The properties of life on Earth differ depending on..."

Tags:extrqaterrestrial life, solar system, planets, stars

Abstract
This paper explores the experience of family members who are engaged in decision-making related to the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining interventions from another family member. It explains that the methodology used consists of a sample of four to five families who are contacted through ICU family conferences in one or two hospitals in which the conferences are concerned with the withholding or withdrawal of life support from a family member. The paper looks at how certain factors may be identified from family members' experiences that help to determine why the decision-making process is subject to wide variation.
The paper also notes that it is expected that certain family members engage in more effective decision making than others and that particular families engage in more effective decision making than other families. The paper highlights the fact that family decisions are rendered easier or more problematic by such variables as the person's prognosis, whether an acute or chronic illness is involved, perceived quality of life, degree of suffering, and the presence of an advance directive. The paper concludes that preparation for death most especially needs to be based in a team approach, and the emphasis should be upon the relationship between nurses and families and that the future needs of the family should be proactively considered once death has occurred.

From the Paper
"Nurses and other healthcare providers normally initiate the discussion that lead to withdrawal of life-support but patients and families make the final decision. The experience of decision making is different for family members when an acute illness is involved from a situation of chronic illness. After a period of denial, families of patients with acute illness or injury can recognize the need for withdrawal of support much more quickly (McHale Wiegand, 2006). Certain behaviors by healthcare providers can increase the level of distress experienced by the patient's family."

Tags:euthanasia, nurse, life-sustaining, healthcare, providers, ICU, chronic, illness

Abstract
This paper examines psychosocial stages of life in the context of a 1992 interview with a 68-year-old woman. It discusses influences of her cohort, gender, Jewish identity and major and secondary themes in her life. The author concludes that she is in Erikson's life stage of Integrity versus Despair.

From the Paper
"A Psychosocial View of a Life. Rose a Jewish woman who lived much of her life in the Midwest was years old when interviewed. Her life course is both distinctive and typical in many characteristics of her generation the parents of the baby boomers her ..."

Tags:life stages

psychosocial, Erikson

erikson

Abstract
An unexamined life is a life that is assuming, conventional, and unchallenging. People who live unexamined lives are content with what they were taught and accept these teachings as knowledge. They do not question authority, and they do not ponder why things are. This paper encompasses the theories expressed by the Greek philosopher, Socrates, and his view of what he called the "unexamined life".

From the Paper
"There needs to be a middle ground between claiming to have knowledge and knowing that you do not have knowledge but being unhappy about it and dedicating your existence to the quest for truth. If we realize that we, in actuality, do not have any knowledge, we have taken the first step in having knowledge. We may then question subjects until we find answers that vary from person to person. This is not knowledge -these are simply beliefs. Beliefs are an essential part of life. Having beliefs relates to living an examined life. They allow us to expand our minds and think beyond what we know as possibility and modify these beliefs to somehow realistically apply to our lives. This can give us a sense of fulfillment."

Tags:life, socrates, unexamined

Abstract
This paper discusses the philosophy of good life given by the great thinker Aristotle. It looks at Aristotle's view that there are certain external and internal goods available to man, and it is through the attainment of internal goods that man is able to live a life that can be identified as a "good life".

From the Paper
"Aristotle was the prized student of Socrates and his works though are not widely available are still considered to be of great significant to the world of euphemism. The philosophical thought is incomplete without the works of Aristotle as his contribution is huge and some of his views are studies even today by the students of philosophy. Aristotle's theory of a good life is based one certain actions and virtues which fall in the realm of ethics. It was the view of Aristotle that good life means a man should act while in possession of certain external goods. By this it means that one should possess all moral and intellectual virtues in order to qualify as someone with a good life. The moral virtues to him were prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. All these virtues are based on reason and it was the Aristotelian view that reason and logic should be given precedence over passion. Intellectual virtues are based on pure theoretical contemplation and they cannot be considered very practical as they seem to arise from Aristotle's views on logic and a Stoic philosophy which meant that man must first not act purely on impulse or passion but should think carefully before acting."

Tags:aristotle, socrates, life, happiness, intellect, soul, politics, passion, external, internal

Abstract
This paper attempts to assess Plato's obsession with the role of philosophy. The author argues that Plato sees philosophy as the purpose in life and provides reasons for this such as Philosophy's ability to provide clarity to to all discussions of fundamental values and principles so important to human life. This paper examines Plato's concepts and principles.

From the Paper
"Everyone knows that for Plato, philosophy is the summit of human life and achievement. Socrates, the grandfather of dialectics, gadfly to Athens, made no bones about it in the Republic: the philosopher is flatly superior to all other men. Why? Socrates formulates the same thought in many related figures. Only the philosopher sees the invisible realities obscured by visible facts. Others see the Many, the philosopher sees the One. Others are beguiled by shadows, the philosopher gazes into light. Others are taken in by simulacra viewed as being in constant motion, but the philosopher knows the unmoving essences that underlie all appearances. For Socrates-Plato, then, the philosopher not only epitomizes man at his finest (there is never a question of women becoming philosophers, not even so much as a murmur - one can only imagine the outburst of sardonic laughter the idea might have provoked from Socrates and his entourage), but also ought to be the ruler of the ideal State. Concomitantly, those who are not philosophers deserve to be classed among the ruled. My question, in this short paper, will be: Does Socrates, as quoted by Plato in The Republic, make his case for these claims convincingly, or does he leave the reader feeling dubious?"

Tags:life, human, concepts, clarity, values, moral, ethics, direction, socrates