Abstract
The paper highlights a news topic on Katie Holmes that discussed how fantastic she was, in order to determine the motivations behind this report. The paper then looks at the work of Neil Postman and Steve Powers entitled "How to Watch TV News" that highlights the lack of objectivity in a press release, since the company has a profit motive in mind. The paper shows that to discern the the true meaning and motivation behind the news, one has to consider the reasoning behind the news and the language chosen in its expression.

Outline:
Introduction
Discerning the Meaning of the News
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to Neil Postman and Steve Powers in their book How to Watch TV News, a number of principles are presented which the authors advance are "an essential part of the analytical equipment a viewer must bring to any encounter with a news show" (Postman; Powers, p. 98). News must not simply be accepted as stated fact without any consideration, as the news is not entirely innocent of its own agenda. The stories presented on news programs are done so to ensure that the viewers see that which the news network, or its parent company, desires. The motivation behind this is not necessarily to provide the people with the best possible news program available, as these organizations are for-profit corporations, not philanthropic non-profits like WGBH or PBS."

Tags:objectivity, interest, reporting

Abstract
This paper takes the position that Descartes does not create a vicious circle when he argues that a non-deceiving God exists and that clear and distinct perceptions are true because of this existence. To prove this argument, the writer examines Descartes' third meditation. The paper concludes that, by controlling the will and remembering a previous clear and distinct perception of God, Descartes theory of perception avoids the vicious circle of perceiving God to recognize a corporeal object. Thus, Descartes proves anything in his meditations that everything except God can be fallible.

From the Paper
"In this argument, Descartes disproves the skeptics' claim that minds can perceive corporeal objects as independently existing for the simple reason that minds perceive themselves as existing independently. Descartes explains that thinking substances, namely minds, cannot clearly and distinctly perceive extended substances and matter, for the simple reason that mind and matter are two categorically different substances that do not share properties. The mind is res cogito, a thing with the property of thought, and matter is res extensa, a thing with the properties of extension, shape, position, and motion."

Tags:counter-argument, mind, proof, perception, telescope

Abstract
The "dream argument" may have been a truly-lived expression of doubtfulness during Descartes's era. This paper notes why Descartes and his contemporaries may have been truly puzzled, given the state of scientific understanding at that time. Today, one cannot even get to the point in which proving or refuting Descartes's dream argument would make any sense. One cannot simply lift the dream argument out of those circumstances and transplant it to our times. The paper shows that what may be appropriate is to look at computer technology today and ask whether computers can think, dream, and be deceived by their dreams.

From the Paper
"One can first begin with the question of whether computers can really play chess. Over thirty years ago it would have been very apparent that chess game software (and the corresponding hardware) had a challenging time competing with someone who was a decent chess player. When the question was asked over thirty years ago, it was possible to answer the question in the negative by way of showing the essential differences between how a human makes a move in chess versus how a computer performs the same operation."

Tags:dreyfus, outside, world, technology

Abstract
The paper examines the factors in Shakespeare's play "Othello" which made it possible for Iago to make Othello believe that Desdemona had been unfaithful to him. It looks at how the jealous Iago took advantage of Othello's naivete, lack of perception and vanity and Desdemona's overtrusting nature. The paper also looks at how Emilia's loyalty and Cassio's concern about what other people think helps Iago to deceive Othello.

From the Paper
"In fact, Othello's naivete about the nature of love leaves him very vulnerable to Iago's manipulation. From his statements and the descriptions given by the other characters in the play, it is clear that Othello is not romantically experienced. He seems to believe that love has some type of supernatural power, as evidenced by his telling Desdemona, "Perdition catch my soul/ But I do love thee! And when I love the not,/ Chaos is come again" (Othello, III.iii, 90-92). Othello seems to have the genuine belief that Desdemona's love is what is keeping him from descending into chaos. It is almost as if Othello, weary of the life of a soldier, found Desdemona's love to be the thing saving him from himself, and he simply cannot contemplate life without her. In fact, when confronted with Iago's evidence that Desdemona has been unfaithful, Othello does not act as a jealous man would."

Tags:literature, play, trickery, lies, characters

Abstract
Othello is a noble man who is deceived, as well as outwitted, by Iago, who immorally uses his wit in order to do so. This paper shows by which methods Iago was able to succeed in bringing about the downfall of Othello.

From the Paper
"English literature has seen many great writers throughout its? time. However, one as great as William Shakespeare has not been seen. Amongst the many great plays of Shakespeare's time, Othello has captured the hearts of many. In this play, the main character, Othello, is outwitted by the villan, Iago, who is very jealous and deceiving. He represents a vague image of a puppet master. Iago's role-playing with the different characters gives him the power to control his victims' fates. He is filled with so much jealousy and hatred through which he destroys everyone. Othello, on the other hand, is a tragic hero with both greatness and weakness. An honest, loyal, true and honorable man, Othello is destroyed during the course of this Shakespearean drama."

Tags:tragic, hero

Abstract
This paper explains that the most popular task associated with plagiarism is using another person's words or ideas without giving credit, with the intent of deceiving the audience into thinking that the work is one's own. The author points out that many universities trying to combat Internet plagiarism and cheating services are turning to websites ,such as plagiarism.org and turnitin.com, to compare student papers with information and commercial papers available via the Web. The paper stresses that the first step towards the elimination of this problem is a zero-tolerance policy against plagiarism in all its forms.

From the Paper
"Many students inadvertently commit plagiarism simply through carelessness. They do not use proper citation for their research and do not attribute their sources properly. For example, a student who uses Harold Bloom's analysis of a Shakespearean play may fail to use in-text citation to identify which paraphrased ideas come from Bloom. Because of this, it may be confusing for the reader to identify which points are made by Bloom, and which ones are being made by the student."

Tags:cerdit, deceiving, internet, zero-tolerance, carelessness

Abstract
This paper argues that Descartes does not commit a vicious circle when he argues that the clear and distinct perception that a non-deceiving God exists and that clear and distinct perceptions are true because a non-deceiving God exists. It also reviews Descartes' arguments for clear and distinct perception with respect to God's existence in the third meditation as well as Descartes arguments for a non-deceitful God, also in the third meditation. Before synthesizing these arguments and showing that Descartes' theory of perception does not commit a vicious circle, the paper uses Descartes arguments in the fourth meditation to show that error in the mind's reasoning is not the fault of God, but the fault the mind's will or recollection.

From the Paper
"So, the question now arises in the third meditation as to what has the ability to give the mind a clear and distinct perception of matter, if the mind cannot derive a clear and distinct perception of matter by referring to its own properties as a thinking substance. Descartes answers this question by stating, "I understand by the name 'God' a certain substance that is infinite, independent, supremely intelligent, and supremely powerful, and that created me along with everything else that exists--if anything else exists" (Ariew and Watkins 38). So, because the mind does not have the properties within itself to directly perceive matter, God must exist because only God has infinite independence, power, and knowledge with which to create two separate, distinct, and independent substances. "

Tags:third, meditation

Abstract
This paper examines the 17th-century French philosopher Rene Descartes' work, "Meditations," in which he addresses the question of the existence of God. The writer shows that "Meditations" is a skeptical hypothesis on certain inalienable truths. Descartes strives to prove God's existence and show that God is not a deceiver, and he ultimately concludes with the existence of a non-deceiving God as a perfect and Supreme Being.The writer explains that the only way to support all of Descartes' theories of knowledge was to affirm the existence of an all-loving God; almost everything Descartes claims is dependent on God's existence and his nature as a non-deceiver.

From the Paper
"In the third Meditation, Descartes attempts to prove the existence of God, defined as a being of perfection. God's existence explains causality; as the world exhibits systematic causal sequences, something had to start it all. Descartes' hypothesis begins with the idea of a God who is eternal, infinite, omniscient, omnipotent, and perfect. Descartes believes that these qualities could not have originated from inside him, so God must have given him these ideas. Descartes' argument does not make sense; just because he thinks that God possesses these qualities does not mean that God must possess these qualities. If God causes everything, then what causes God Himself? Is He exempt from this rule? One of the main perfections that Descartes attributes to God is 'self-existence.'"

Tags:actuality, epistemological, perfection, moral, mathematical, truth, logical

Abstract
This paper analyzes Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shalott" according to Plato's philosophy of mimesis, and the deceiving nature of poetry. The paper ultimately determines Plato's philosophy to be circular in that it predetermines the interpretation of poetry.

From the Paper
"In his philosophical texts Ion and The Republic, Plato expresses his disdain for the lack of original thought and truth in poetic expression. Giving it the label mimesis, or imitation, he dismisses poetry from his ideal State, insisting that it leads to false knowledge. It attempts to copy truths, but perverts these truths by appealing to the sensuous faculties of the mind, rather than the reasoning faculty. He concludes that poets do not create but imitate, thus their imitations do not necessarily correspond to truth. As a result of poetry's distance from truth, Plato deduces that poetry leads to the miseducation of youth, teaching them bad characteristics and habits. Ultimately, they will develop into bad citizens. Plato's philosophy of poetry, however, affects the interpretations of poems, almost forcing them to assume a negative meaning that may not necessarily exist. Alfred Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shalott" demonstrates this change in meaning when interpreted according to Plato's philosophy, transforming the solution of the problem presented in the poem. Instead of pointing towards literature as a way to escape solitary isolation, insanity serves as the only solace from isolation. This change in the interpretation directly results from Plato's establishment of poetry as an unreliable source of truth, which further results in proving Plato's notion that poetry promotes characteristics which negatively affect the well-being of the State. In the case of the Tennyson poem, insanity presents itself as the only solution to overcoming isolation. This interpretation of the poem emerges after assuming that the poem does not aim at truth. Thus, Plato makes poetry harmful to the State through his own notion that poetry betrays truth."

Tags:mimesis, philosophy, poetry, truth, betrayal

Abstract
This paper looks at the beneficial facets of the placebo effect, and presents the placebo effect as an effective, ethical treatment. It maintains that the placebo effect is an effective and safe therapeutic practice for ailing patients, rather than a deceiving scheme of doctors. The term 'placebo' is defined and the ethical dilemma of using the placebo effect is discussed. Results of studies that show the effectiveness of the placebo effect are examined and the writer offers a personal opinion on the matter.

From the Paper
"The philosophy of the mind continues to attract fans in this modern age of psycho-enlightenment. Alternative medicine, including Western medicine, has slowly permeated into the vessel of the United States Health Care System (USHCS). New treatments for diseases are constantly being tested in clinical trials, and a lot of patients pay close attention to their results, hoping to learn about the latest medication that will change their lives. Moreover, the data from these trials is easy to misinterpret, and it can lead to unnecessary fears or false hopes. The manifestations of therapeutic placebos and its' ethical infringements are of no strangers to the antagonistic views of its skeptics. The skeptics, essentially patients and opponents of the USHCS, feel that it is a doctor's moral commitment to inform to them whether the medication administered is simply that a placebo or else wise. It is quintessential not to generalize that all patients are skeptics to the placebo effect."

Tags:alternative, medicine, treatment, cure