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The Democratic Polis, 2007.
This paper examines Socrates' "Republic" and his ideas of democracy.
1,326 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
The paper attempts to uncover the reasons behind Socrates' disapproval of democracy. The paper examines the characteristics of the degenerate polises; timocracy, oligarchy and democracy. The paper focuses on the human desires that a polis' inhabitants may experience, namely appetitive, spirited and rational. The paper looks at the kallipolis, the most effective and the favoured city of Socrates.
From the Paper
"In The Republic, Socrates understood that there were four corrupt polises or cities, that of the timocracy which emphasizes the virtues of honour and reputation; then oligarchy, which places individuals in government on the basis of property assessment; following this, democracy emerges, underlining legal equality and freedom to all; and finally comes the tyrannical constitution, whose characteristics of slavery are an adverse reaction of the freedom that the democratic constitution enjoyed."
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Marx and Weber, 2007.
This paper examines the differences in Max Weber and Karl Marx's ideas about the economic structure of modern capitalism.
720 words (approx. 2.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 25.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses how Max Weber and Karl Marx disagreed in basic ways with regard to the origins, dynamics and future of capitalism. The paper explains that Karl Marx saw capitalism and all of human history in primarily economic terms. The paper compares this to Weber who saw the origins of capitalism as lying in particular cultural attributes of Calvinism and Puritanism.
From the Paper
"Karl Marx saw capitalism, and all of human history, in primarily economic terms. From this perspective, the origins of capitalism lay in a process of conflict and economic progress that spanned all of human history. As Marx saw it: "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggle" (Marx 473). This did not mean, however, that capitalism had existed throughout all of history. Marx saw capitalism as a relatively recent stage of development in human economic history that was associated with the rise of the bourgeois class as the dominant ruling class in society. Capitalism came about as the bourgeois class began accumulating more and more capital and, with it, control over the means of production society. As an inevitable result of this process, Marx saw that the bourgeois were reducing all other classes in society that had previously existed into one proletariat which was subjugated and control by the bourgeois (Marx 475)."
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Marx, Weber and Capitalism, 2007.
This paper critically examines Karl Marx and Max Weber's differing views on capitalism.
1,298 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses how Karl Marx and Max Weber differ significantly in their views upon the origins, dynamics and future of capitalism. The paper relates that while Marx's and Weber's views on capitalism contain some points of general similarity, Marx is exclusively economic in his analysis, while Weber is willing to balance economics with culture.
From the Paper
"It should be noted that while Marx and Weber disagree about many of aspects of capitalism, they are in agreement with respect to a few main points. For example, it is clear that both regard capitalism - as least within their own periods of writing - as a modern European phenomenon. However, their explanations for this are very different. Marx views capitalism purely in economic terms, and regards it as being predominantly a European phenomenon because Europe was the most economically advanced society of his time. In Marx's The Class Struggles in France he even indicates how national and regional differences in economic development necessarily determine the rate at which European societies are progressing towards revolutionary conditions (Marx 593)."
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Philosophy of Mathematics, 2007.
An analysis of the universal nature of mathematics and developments in the philosophy of mathematics.
1,899 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 6 sources, APA, $ 60.95
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Abstract
This paper considers some of the major developments in the philosophy of mathematics regarding the capacity of mathematics to be universally valid and applicable. It presents some of the basic arguments and schools of thought of the philosophy of mathematics. The paper then analyzes whether, at its foundation, mathematics can have a legitimate claim to be universal.
Table of Contents:
The Problem Of The Ideal And The Real
Math As Logic
Math As Structure
Application And Universality
From the Paper
"This problem, Russell's paradox, proved to be an intractable problem for Frege which, after it was pointed out to him, he could not overcome. The impact upon the philosophy of math was major. An important attempt to boil math down to logical principles had proven unsuccessfully, and eventual efforts to rescue the project by Russell and others were unable to develop a logicism that showed math as both consistent and complete. Therefore math cannot be said to be universal by appeal to logic alone."
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The Existence of God, 2007.
A look at the arguments for and against the existence of God.
1,101 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
Many philosophers have attempted to prove rationally that God exists. Other philosophers have reacted to this by trying to prove that it is not possible to prove that God exists. This paper critically discusses the evidence for and against the existence of God, referring to the traditional arguments: ontological, cosmological, and teleological.
From the Paper
"Another common argument for the existence of God is the teleological argument - also called the Design Argument. This argument essentially states that it is rational to believe that God exists, based on the evidence of the complex world we see around us. It is surely more logical to deduce from this world that an intelligent being designed it, than to think that it somehow managed to accidentally make itself. "
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Transcendence and Immanence, 2007.
An analysis of the concepts of transcendence and immanence in terms of Simone de Beauvoir's feminist analysis.
1,389 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper explores the concepts of transcendence and immanence in terms of Simone de Beauvoir's feminist analysis. In this context, it argues that Beauvoir's use of these concepts to describe how the lives of women and men in society are distinctly culturally gendered, is not only substantiated when considered in its own historical context, but also illuminates our understanding of gender roles in Western society in the early 21st century.
From the Paper
"In conclusion, while it may justly be said that Beauvoir is "biased" in her use of the concepts of "transcendence" and "immanence" as descriptive models of the structures that support the oppression of women in everyday life, and in her objectives to subvert this oppression and promote the liberty of women, it cannot be said that her work display "gender bias" in this area. This term implies a level of "prejudice" that potentially undermines the value of a work given the particular interests or agenda of the author. Given the extraordinary care and attention of Beauvoir in her use of these concepts to reinforce her arguments with respect to the oppression of women in Western society, and the fact that these arguments have withstood the text of time and the critique of leading authorities and scholars over the past half-century, Beauvoir's use of "transcendence" and "immanence" cannot be represented as displaying "gender bias"."
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Marx's Early Writings, 2007.
This paper analyzes Karl Marx's early thinking regarding the needs for a German revolution.
1,333 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
The paper examines Karl Marx's "Introduction to A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right" where he developed his early thinking regarding the needs for and means of a specifically German revolution. The paper shows Marx's beliefs that would later be developed into his wider philosophy of political economy. The paper is of the opinion that Marx is stronger here in his critique of the historical reality of his era than he is in positing a positive argument for how society can right itself.
Outline:
The Illusion of Religion
The Truth of the World
The Work of Philosophy
Critical Analysis
From the Paper
"Marx begins his argument by analyzing the role that religion plays in modern society. He makes an initial presentation of his famous argument by claiming that religion is "the opium of the people" (1). This is because religion is a type of false conscience, based upon a set of lies that man has created for himself. Marx writes that "Man makes religion, religion does not make man" (1). Religion only has relevance, according to this argument, because humanity itself has not realized itself for what it is. And yet religion does hold sway over people, and Marx wants to apply criticism to it - to make man give up his illusions regarding it, but more importantly to make man "give up a condition that requires illusions" (1)."
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Epicurus, Nagel and Death, 2007.
This paper compares the views of Thomas Nagel and Epicurus about whether death should be feared.
1,144 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 39.95
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Abstract
The paper examines the Epicurean view that death should not be feared and comparesit to Thomas Nagel's view that death is indeed something to dread. The paper argues that Epicurus' view is a more compelling one simply because death is an inevitability and Nagel expects human beings to assume a despondent, hopeless approach to human existence that pushes aside getting the most one can out of life. The paper concludes that while Nagel and Epicurus both share a love of human life and what it offers, Epicurus is unwilling to allow that existence to be shaped by gloomy thoughts.
From the Paper
"To begin with, Nagel starts by pointing out that death would be an indifferent affair if people were simply to expire after a long, coma-like state. For Nagel, life is fundamentally about being "alive", about being ambulatory and able to do certain things that lie within our power to do; in effect (although Nagel does not say so explicitly) life is - or can be - essentially an expression of human autonomy, efficacy, and self-actualization. In a real sense, Nagel posits that human beings lose something or have something taken from them when they die. To put it another way, while a dead corpse is but a corpse, the real tragedy lies in the fact that the experiences, sensations, thoughts and feelings of life have been stripped from a deceased person."
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Computers as Clever as Humans?, 2007.
This paper opposes Marvin Minsky's argument that artificial intelligence can be compared to human intelligence.
912 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
The paper explains Minsky's argument, that artificial intelligence is essentially plausible and attainable because it is little understood in the same way that the human mind is, in certain respects, little understood. The paper agrees that, while perhaps humans must redefine the concept of intelligence as it applies to artificial intelligence, the basis of Minsky's rationale, when he argues that artificial intelligence might be comparable, now or in the future, to human intelligence, is flawed.
From the Paper
"Minsky's first dimension of human intelligence that is reexamined is creativity and what typically characterizes creativity. Minsky says that, "...we ought to be annoyed by our ignorance of how we get ideas - and not just our "creative" ones. We're so accustomed to the marvels of the unusual that we forget how little we know about the marvels of ordinary thinking" (par.7). What the author hopes to establish is that creativity is nothing more than a restructuring of qualities that everyone possesses relevant to the capacity to think. By extension, he hopes to establish the fact that artificial intelligence can be characterized and developed in the same manner; that is, by developing standardized process and procedures that redefine what characterize intelligence itself irrespective whether it is human or artificial."
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Socrates and Justice, 2007.
This paper analyzes the theme of justice in Plato's "Republic".
2,013 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 63.95
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Abstract
The paper evaluates the theme of justice within the dialogues that Plato brings forth between Socrates and the opposing factions of Thrasymachus and Glaucon. The paper explains the two aspects of Thrasymachus and Glaucon's objections to Socrates' notion of justice. The paper then describes how Socrates answers these arguments.
From the Paper
"Socrates responds to Thrasymachus in a way that defies the notion of justice as being merely for those in power. Much to the disagreement of those that are arguing with Socrates, he argues that Thrasymachus's argument about injustice is being represented as a virtue. Furthermore, he argues that injustice cannot be a virtue, simply because it is devoid of wisdom. The idea around these objections to Thrasymachus's immoral stance on the issue relates to the idea of justice serving the greater good of the city-state, rather than the commonly held view that justice is for the rich or powerful."
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The Baroque Era, 2007.
An analysis of the key aspects of baroque era philosophy and painting styles.
986 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the key aspects of baroque philosophy and painting, which became manifest during the 17th and 18th century. It describes the works of various artist from this period and examines how realism, a strong appeal for decoration and humanism are the key aspects of Baroque painting styles and philosophical discourse. The paper describes the key aspects of the painters and important thinkers of the baroque period as seen in their major works.
From the Paper
"In conclusion, the baroque era offers various styles of painting that are unified in their reality, details, and the most important aspect of the era: humanism. The underlying reality of life after the medieval period showed signs of the classical revival of Platonic thought and realness, which was previously dominated by the mythic sensibilities of the 16th century and earlier. These three aspects of baroque painting and history define the historical revival of classical thought in this period of European history."
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Death, Life and Meaning, 2007.
This paper compares Thomas Nagel's and Epicurus' philosophical visions of death.
1,033 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses Thomas Nagel's understanding of the significance of death as being bad in contrast to Epicurus who does not consider death as bad. The paper argues that Nagel's argument is the more sound of the two as he recognizes the fundamental asymmetry in our valuations of life and death. The paper attempts to show how Epicurus' argument is invalid in its basic premise given its limited conception of the meaning of death.
From the Paper
"Nagel's argument that death is bad is rendered particularly strong by his willingness to address opposing views from the outset, and thus carefully establish the boundaries of his argument. For example, Nagel decides to leave aside the complex debate over whether we are "immortal" in some fashion - immortality implying continuation of consciousness in one form or another - and define death as being the absence of any "conscious survival" (Nagel 31). Similarly, he is equally careful to restrict the valuation of life to one's subjectivity instead of viewing it in an objective sense. This removes complications that may come from an "objective" viewing of the valuation of life from the perspective of others (Nagel 31). Having thus carefully framed the boundaries of his argument, Nagel presents his key contention with regard to the "asymmetry" in our understanding of the significance of death versus life."
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Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, 2007.
This paper compares the philosophies of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
1,083 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
The paper examines the similarities present in the beliefs of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The paper looks particularly at their logic and argumentation, their views towards knowledge and how best to acquire it, what love signifies for them and their definitions of existence. The paper shows how while the similarities between the three are significant, Aristotle appears to be the non-conformist in the group in some important respects.
From the Paper
"About Socrates' logic and argumentation many things can be said. For one thing, it appears as though he proceeds from generally-accepted facts to general conclusions based upon those facts. Like Plato, it appears as though Socrates believes that real knowledge could not be achieved through the human senses but only through philosophical inquiry into metaphysical items. By comparison, Plato viewed logic (and, within that, argumentation) as being similar to a mathematical proof inasmuch as the terms being used to arrive at a higher state of understanding must be clearly defined and the procedures by which one may define terms and/or deconstruct "figures" - so that the relations between their parts may be clearly established - must be clearly defined, as well (White 2002; please see Hogben 1999)."
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Christianity and Western Philosophy, 2007.
An analysis of the impact of Christianity on western philosophy from the time of the Roman Empire.
1,085 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews the rise of Christianity during the time of the Roman Empire, its contributions to western philosophical thought over the last fifteen hundred years, and some significant philosophical issues of the present day that have been "Christianized" and/or deeply influenced by Christianity. In particular, the paper contends that a case can be made that the works of Thomas Aquinas and Saint Augustine helped popularize Aristotelian and Platonic philosophy and laid the groundwork for the "man-centered" philosophical leanings of the early modern, Renaissance period.
From the Paper
"Similarly, the philosophical rise of Christianity in the first centuries after the death of Christ was helped immeasurably by the fact that its early adherents went to considerable lengths to defend the "logic" of Christianity and to link it to Neo-Platonism. One Christian theologian and philosopher of the late-second and early-third centuries AD, Origen, became especially influential by showing how Christianity had its philosophical antecedents in not only Neo-Platonism but in Greek and Roman Stoicism, as well. In the end, Christianity came into intellectual acceptance in part because its focus upon the existence of a "unified and perfect being" residing at the center of the transcendent world was comprehensible to educated Romans reared on the dictates of Neo-Platonism (McGill 2005). "
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"The Cambridge Quintet", 2007.
A review of John Casti's work "The Cambridge Quintet: A Work of Scientific Speculation" and Ludwig Wittgenstein's arguments.
1,338 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews John Casti's work "The Cambridge Quintet: A Work of Scientific Speculation". It describes Casti's clear bias towards Alan Turing's views and suggests that he did not give Ludwig Wittgenstein the opportunity to argue as strongly as he might. The paper then suggests what Wittgenstein could have been allowed to say in order to strengthen his position.
From the Paper
"While on the surface the reader's immediate inclination may be to agree in spirit with Wittgenstein, his reliance on such metaphorical terms within the construct of human language is a disingenuous and vacuous platform. The terms he employs that refer to emotion are terms that humans themselves often have difficulty agreeing on both in context and in substance. Upon further reflection the rational reader realizes that a machine, just as any human does, can be taught the textbook definition of these terms which forms the foundation of their use. Yet, beyond such topical conceptions, both humans and machines are likely to vary greatly in both degree and application of how these emotions are conceived and used. In that way, machine logic would be no different than typical human communication patterns in conveying meaning."
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