| Papers [1-15] of 55 :: [Page 1 of 4] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 —> | Search results on "ONTOLOGY": |
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Ontology and Tattoos, 2002.
An analysis of the art of tattoos through the medium of process and substance ontology.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 5 sources, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper will discuss ontology through the issue of tattoos. By understanding the ideology behind tattoing, we can see how ontological debates range in the substance and process ontology theories.
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Quine?s Ontology, 2002.
According to W. V. O. Quine, whatever ontology best serves the epistemological role in science merits adoption. This paper looks at the nine essays which appear in his "From a Logical Point of View".
2,440 words (approx. 9.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 74.95
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Abstract
This paper specifically looks at two essays by Quine: ?On What There Is? and ?Identity, Ostension, and Hypostasis.? In each of these essays, Quine eloquently, clearly and often humorously lays out the means by which he arrives at his ontological conclusion. The paper examines these essays, comparing their modes of emparting Quine's theories.
From the Paper
"If we imagine trying to teach someone, say a stranger to our language, to what thing the name ?river? refers, we can point to various ?river stages? of the same river, stages which, by virtue of their being spatially spread, adhere to temporal spread as well. ?River? it turns out refers not just to an object but to a process, a conglomeration of an infinite number of river stages spread over time and space. To identify to our new friend only ?this river?, we must assume his prior knowledge of ?river?. But, to give him the notion of ?river? in general, we need only point to numerous river stages of several rivers. Finally, to help our friend?s understanding of ?Ca?ster?, we merely replace ?river? with ?Ca?ster? in our oral repetitions. By means of induction, a stranger can acquire some modicum of awareness of the words we use to identify spatio-temporal concrete objects."
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Sartre Freedom and the Ontology Of Nothingness, 2002.
This paper argues whether Sartre freedom is linked to the ontology of nothingness.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 62.95
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Abstract
Sartre, Camus and De Beauvoir based their notions about freedom on nothingness, absurdity and ambiguity, respectively. The ideas of all three theorists converge, however, and all of them provide the same kinds of notions about a meaningless life without God. It may not have taken them a long time to discover this on their own but they probably never tried to think deep enough.
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The Ontological Argument for God, 2005.
A criticism of Saint Anselm's ontological argument for God by Immanuel Kant.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 4 sources, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This essay looks at the argument for the existence of God, by arguing against Kant's criticism of the Anselmian Ontological Argument in favor of God. It details the Ontological Argument, noting the definitions of the priori, a posteriori, necessary and contingent propositions. It then looks at how Kant built on Aquinas' proofs of the existence of God, and refutation of Anselm's proofs, but then how Kant's criticism fails through his inconclusive argument that God must not exist in order to exist.
From the Paper
"A Criticism of the Ontological Argument for God The Ontological Argument was formulated by Saint Anselm (1033 - 1109), the future Archbishop of Canterbury. He made the influential "A Priori" argument in favor of the existence of God. This argument would later be famously rejected by Saint Thomas Aquinas (c. 1224 - 1274), an accomplished theologian and philosopher, who rejected Anselms' argument with a five point "A Posteriori" argument in favor of God. It would be later Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804) who would launch one of the strongest critiques of Anselm's ontological argument, by arguing that existence is not actually a property of existing things."
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Ontological Argument, 2002.
An explanation of what an ontological argument is (unproven belief in God) and an examination of one famous type of argument.
1,100 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
A definition of an ontological argument is provided - to show that God exists without appealing to any real proof. The paper then introduces Middles Ages Saint Anselm's proposed ontological argument whereby he stated that the thought of God would not exist in the human mind if the potentiality for God?s presence were not already embedded in the human mind.
From the Paper
"The basics of the ontological argument are: God is defined as the being in which none greater is possible. It is true that the notion of God exists in the understanding and in reality, meaning in the mind and as a possible being. If God exists only in the mind and may have existed in reality, then God might have been greater than He is. But if God is a being in which none greater is possible, then it is not possible for God to have existed only in the mind. The conclusion is that God must exist in reality, as well."
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Ontological Argument, 2002.
An explanation of ontological arguments.
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Plantinga's restatement of the ontological argument. It also points out the main criticisms to which his version might be subject.
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Ontological Arguments, 2007.
This paper discusses Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine's "ontological arguments" in favor of God's existence.
920 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 2 sources, APA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the "ontological argument" in favor of God's existence has remained one of the keys to the fundamental notion that the existence of God can be verified through logical argumentation. The author points out that Aquinas introduces the idea of the first, unmovable mover, which is responsible for all of the cause and effect events witnessed today, and investigates what aspects of the world betray the existence of God and why His existence is questioned so readily. The paper relates that Augustine's position is that human beings are positioned so that they can act rightly but that the actions and sins of the past have hindered the path towards God.
From the Paper
"The first sin Augustine characterizes as being like an act of a prisoner who creates false freedom for himself by breaking the rules and intending not to be caught. Obviously, Adam was caught, and all the subsequent sins of man have created a world in which God cannot be found without help; it has become too easy to commit acts of moral evil that those who do so often act out of ignorance. In other words, ignorance of God is not an innate facet of the human condition but is the burden that all human beings carry as a result of past sins."
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Descartes' Ontological Argument, 2001.
This paper focuses on Descartes' ontological argument in the "Meditations".
1,298 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper first outlines Descartes? argument for the existence of God as set forth in Meditation V. The writer then addresses the two most prominent objections to this argument: First, Kant?s objection that Descartes' argument is valid but unsound because it contains a false premise, and second, Caterus? objection that the argument is invalid because the conclusion does not logically follow the premises.
From the Paper
"Having established that clear and distinct perceptions are true, Descartes then asserts that he has a clear and distinct perception of God. ?Clearly the idea of God, that is, the idea of a supremely perfect being, is one I discover to be no less within me than the idea of any figure or number.? (M., 368) Additionally, this perception of God includes the concept of existence. ?It is obvious to anyone who pays close attention that existence can no more be separated from God?s essence than [a triangle] having three angles equal to two right angles, or that the idea of a valley can be separated from the idea of a mountain.? (M., 369) Descartes then combines this concept with his first premise to complete the argument. Since clear and distinct perceptions about the nature of a thing are true, and the idea of existence is inextricably linked with the idea of a God, Descartes concludes that a God must therefore exist."
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Care as the Pre-ontological Structure of Dasein, 2007.
An examination of care as a pre-ontological structure of Dasein in Martin Heidegger's work "Being and Time".
1,540 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how Martin Heidegger, in "Being and Time", examines the existential structures with which Dasein (being) interacts in order to reveal their unification as a structural whole. The paper points out that the phenomenon of 'care' underlies the structural totality of Dasein's being-in-the-world as the fundamental interpretation of itself, through which it is disclosed as being-ahead-of-itself. Furthermore, the state-of-mind of anxiety discloses Dasein's turning away from itself in its 'fallenness' into the world, only to turn back toward itself to realize the possibility of authentic being, as opposed to the inauthentic being provided by the everyday interpretation of Dasein. The primordial interpretation of Dasein's being as care allows the primary differentiation of possibilities, which are enacted through a care structure that both underlies and inhabits existence, facticity and 'fallenness'. The paper concludes that these existential structures are unified through the care structure to delimit an essential definition of the basic state of that entity to which Being is an issue.
From the Paper
"The phenomenon of 'care' underlies the structural totality of Dasein's Being-in-the-world as the fundamental interpretation of itself, through which it is disclosed as being-ahead-of-itself. Martin Heidegger, in Being and Time, examines the existential structures that Dasein, as that entity to which its Being is an issue, interacts with to reveal their unification as a structural whole, within which Dasein manifests as a Being-possible. The state-of-mind of anxiety discloses Dasein's turning away from itself in its 'fallenness' into the world, only to turn back toward itself to realize the possibility of authentic Being, as opposed to the inauthentic Being provided by the everyday interpretation of Dasein. The actualization of any possibilities requires that Dasein exist ahead-of-itself in projecting its Being into those possibilities. The primordial interpretation of Dasein's Being as care allows the primary differentiation of possibilities, which are enacted through a care structure that both underlies and inhabits existence, facticity and 'fallenness'. These existential structures are unified through the care structure to delimit an essential definition of the basic state of that entity to which Being is an issue."
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Anselm?s Ontological Argument, 2002.
A study of theologian and philosopher, Anselm's argument for the existence of God, known as his Ontological Argument.
1,200 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
The writer of this paper shows how Anselm (1033-1109), philosopher, theologian and church leader presented an argument for the existence of God that has been debated by philosophers and academicians for centuries. The paper shows that from the beginning, Anselm?s argument has been met with criticism, appreciation and interest by philosophers such as Kant, Descartes and Spinoza. The writer is of the opinion that, after studying the argument, although interesting, it has certain basic flaws, which he attempts to bring out in this paper.
From the Paper
"While analyzing Anselm?s argument and focusing on its weaknesses, the obvious question arises: Why has the argument fascinated so many philosophers over the years, if it was such a weak argument? The answer probably is that it is difficult to prove Anselm?s argument wrong logically. Even Kant?s argument that ? existence is not a predicate? has been challenged by others who have argued that there are senses in which existence is a predicate. So the controversy of and fascination with Anselm?s argument is far from over and is likely to continue."
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The Ontological Argument, 2006.
This paper analyzes the arguments, attempting to prove the existence of God, of philosopher Rene Descartes and Saint Anselm of Canterbury.
2,534 words (approx. 10.1 pages), 10 sources, APA, $ 76.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the the age old argument of who or what is God, what qualities does God have and can God even be defined. The writer of this paper explains and defines in detail the ontological arguments as given by Saint Anselm and Rene Descartes.
Topics covered in this paper include:
Introduction
Anselm's Version
Descartes' Version
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper
"Another counterargument to Anselm's ontological argument is that it assumes that God in reality must be something that is greater than what can be conceived. In this case, however, "God," first of all, could not be conceived of, thereby making the argument useless. Also, even if God could be conceived of, what would be greater than what could be conceived of would be unintelligible. Being unintelligible, it could be that no theory that man could ever formulate might be able to be applied to "God."
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Communication Theory, 2006.
A definition of communication considering its epistemology, ontology and general traditions as well as theories.
4,323 words (approx. 17.3 pages), 15 sources, MLA, $ 114.95
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Abstract
This paper deals with the epistemological foundation of communication studies. It is presented as though it were in the form of a communication theory lecture to undergraduate students of communication science. The epistemology of communication studies is a large section of understanding in communication science and needs to be addressed and fully understood by all students of communication. In order to explain the epistemology of communication studies, important concepts are discussed in order to obtain a complete understanding.
Outline
Introduction
Epistemology
Characteristics of Communication
Process
Transactional
Symbolic
Theory
Purpose of Theory
Empirical Problems
Conceptual Problems
Practical Problems
Perspectives on Communication Theory Development
Positivist Perspective
Interpretive Perspective
Hermeneutics
Phenomenology
Symbolic Interactions
Critical Perspectives
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
Qualitative Content Analysis
Quantitative Content Analysis
Communication Traditions
Rhetorical Tradition
Semiotic Tradition
Phenomenological Tradition
Cybernetic Tradition
Socio-Psychological Tradition
Socio-Cultural Tradition
Critical Tradition
Conclusion
Sources Consulted
From the Paper
"Positivism is divided into two schools of thought, classical and logical positivism. According to Comte (1970), knowledge is required to be accepted in three intellectual stages. The three stages are that of the theological, the metaphysical and the scientific stage. This is based on the understanding that a theological and metaphysical explanation is of less quality and credibility in comparison with scientific explanations or evidence. Classical positivism is therefore based on the idea of knowledge being gained from the use of observations and reasoning (Comte, 1970). "
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The Philosophy of the Existence of God, 2004.
This paper explores extensively the ontological, cosmological, and
teleological arguments as to the existence of God.
12,175 words (approx. 48.7 pages), 24 sources, MLA, $ 235.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that all the great philosophers, from the ancients to the moderns, proposed and developed the concept of God. The author points out that the ontological arguments seek to establish the existence of God on the basis of logic. The paper relates that the most common and ancient among all the traditional classical arguments is the teleological argument, which attempts to prove the existence of God within the systematization of universe.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Ontological Arguments
Cosmological Arguments
Teleological Arguments
Conclusion
From the Paper
"There was a shortcoming in the view of Descartes which was sorted out through an attempt of Gottfried Leibniz. Leibniz argues that the arguments of Descartes are not perfect as it has not been shown that the concept of the being which is Supreme and perfect is coherent, or that it is possible for a supremely perfect being to exist. He then argued that perfections cannot be analysed and thus it cannot be shown that perfections are not compatible, and this led him to conclude that all the perfections can exist simultaneously in one entity. The arguments of St. Anselm, Descartes and Leibniz have interesting connections to the recent arguments of Godel, Plantinga and Malcolm. Among these, the most interesting are the arguments of Godel and Plantinga. At the same time, it is difficult to say whether the claims of these authors really lead to any further proofs of the prevalence of God."
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Descartes' Views On God, 2002.
Examines his ontological argument (a priori) and 'a posteriori demonstration of God's existence.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 31.95
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Abstract
His ontological argument (a priori) and 'a posteriori demonstration of God's existence. Concept of perfection. Proofs of God's existence. Examining the reality of God. Descartes' belief in God the Giver and Creator. Free will of man as proof. Differences between existence of God & essence of God. Flaws in Descartes' reasoning.
From the Paper
"Descartes and God
"More consequences for thought and action follow from the affirmation or denial of God than from answering any other basic question" (Hutchins 543). It is a fact that, long before Descartes, Man often thought of himself as the supreme being of the Universe, and still obedient to, or believing in, or trusting some superhuman Being called God.
While for millennia, philosophers have debated the idea or ideas of God, Descartes states that "ONE idea alone, becomes the basis for such an inference. He supplements his a priori or ontological argument with what he calls 'a posteriori demonstration of God's existence from the mere idea that God exists in us'" (Hutchins 554). God exists, Descartes writes, because "He possesses every sort of perfection…(and) existence is one of them" "
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The Philosophy of Johann Gottlieb Fichte, 2002.
The philosophy of Johann Gottlieb Fichte who believes in the absolute ontological priority of morality.
960 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper explains Fichte?s three fundamental principles. The author states that the ethical idealism of Fichte?s theory of knowledge and reality appears more clearly in his moral philosophy. The author concludes that, according to Fichte, even white lies are taboo since with these we exchange a right principle for expediency and seeming advantage.
From the Paper
"Fichte traced reality from the self-affirmation of the absolute Ego to the subject-object integration achieved by the moral will. The will, by striving and pursuing unendingly the ideal, expresses both its limited character as an empirical ego and, through moral activity, its oneness with the infinite Ego. Our essential life does not lie in the blind drive of empirical impulses but in the higher self-insight and self-commitment to a moral life. ?Divinity itself enters again into thee, in its first and original form, as life, as thine own life that thou shouldst live and wilt live.?"
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