| Papers [1-15] of 100 :: [Page 1 of 7] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 —> | Search results on "PARADOX CHARACTER FATE": |
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The Paradox of Character and Fate, 2005.
An analysis of the paradox of character and fate in Sophocles' "Oedipus the King", John Skot's "Everyman" and Calderon de la Barca's "Life is a Dream".
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 3 sources, $ 62.95
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Abstract
The paper examines three noteworthy plays and points out how fate and especially human character are often paradoxical entities. It focuses on Sophocles' "Oedipus the King", John Skot's "Everyman" and Calderon de la Barca's "Life is a Dream". The paper emphasizes how the noble qualities of King Oedipus' character, when taken to excess, lead him to ruin. It also reviews how it is the virtue of Good Deeds, a "companion" forsaken by every man throughout his life, which paradoxically allows every man to find his salvation."
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"The Ravens' Paradox", 2004.
This paper analyzes one of the most well-known paradoxes in philosophy, "The Ravens' Paradox".
2,685 words (approx. 10.7 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 80.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Nicod?s criterion of confirmation is one of the most important evidences around which the "Ravens' Paradox" revolves. The author points out that the "Ravens' Paradox" itself seems to revolve around two elements. The first is that the observation of a purple cow really has nothing to do with the generalization of the statement ?all ravens are black?, and the second is that such an observation also proves that ?all ravens are white?. The paper concludes that Hempel?s solution to the problem resides in the fact that he manages to fit in both Nicod?s criterion and the equivalence condition by introducing probabilities.
Table of Contents
Nicod's Criterion of Confirmation and the Equivalence Condition
The Paradox of the Ravens
From the Paper
"Carl Hempel was the first to publish the paradox of the ravens in Theoria, a Swedish periodical, in 1937, and ever since, the paradox has been a source of numerous controversies. In his paper, Hempel concludes that the generalization of a simple statement, such as ?all ravens are black? can be confirmed by another simple observation, such as that of a purple cow. The observation of a purple cow would, in Hempel?s opinion, increase, even slightly, the probability that all ravens are black. Briefly summarizing his paradox, Professor Hempel notes that the statement ?all ravens are black? is logically equivalent to the statement that ?all non-black objects are not ravens? (this is a true logical equivalence). Therefore, finding a purple cow weakly confirms the statement that all ravens are black, because it confirms its logical equivalent that all non-black objects are not ravens."
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The Paradoxes of American Nationalism, 2002.
This paper reviews Minxin Pei's article "The Paradoxes of American Nationalism" and discusses the two paradoxes Pei has identified regarding American nationalism.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 1 source, $ 71.95
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Abstract
Nationalism in the United States is somewhat a blurred idea in the political arena. In the article "The Paradoxes of American Nationalism" Minxin Pei identifies two paradoxes of American nationalism at a general level and at the policymaking level. First, the United States is a highly nationalistic country but it is not regarded as nationalistic. Second, on a similar count policymakers in the United States have a very poor appreciation of the power of nationalism.
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Fate and Tragedy, 2000.
This paper examines the theme of fate throughout the works of Sophocles, Aristotle and Euripides.
1,000 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 3 sources, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper tries to determine whether Greek tragedy supports or refutes the idea of fate through looking at the plays of Sophocles and Euripides, and the writings of Aristotle. The author examines how Aristotle is used to set up the question, and give an algorithm for finding the answer. By looking at Sophocles, it appears that fate is being fought, and by looking at Euripides, it looks like fate is upheld.
From the paper:
"Throughout the course of time, many cultures have held the belief that events happen for a reason, and that peoples? lives are predestined. This concept is a controversial one, and there is no good way to prove that fate is actually a force that acts upon people. Some argue that life is what people make of it, others contend that it is impossible that life is completely random and something out there is controlling the outcome of all that humans do. When analyzing tragedy, it is difficult to determine whether or not fate plays a role."
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Fate in "Job" and "Oedipus Rex", 2005.
An analysis of the themes of fate and destiny as represented in the "Book of Job" and Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex".
1,244 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 0 sources, $ 42.95
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Abstract
Classical literature is filled with stories of capricious deities playing with human lives as if they were only pawns and the Greek tradition of tragedy is based upon celebrating this very aspect of the nature of the pantheon of Greek gods. This paper examines how Sophocles finds a perfect example of this celebration of fate, in the tragedy "Oedipus Rex". In comparison, it looks at how the story of Job uses the dramatic tension of a "wager" between God and Satan on the sincerity of Job's devotion to God. It shows that where Oedipus' life is bound up by fated situations and their fated outcomes, Job's story is one of choice in the midst of supernaturally imposed difficulties. While both strive to teach resignation to the will of God, they each espouse quite different attitudes in resignation.
From the Paper
"In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles presents a view of life fixed by fate. This fate, predetermined by the gods, is the sole factor in deciding human destiny. Tiresias expresses his understanding of the unchangeable fate of Oedipus, laid out by the gods, as he argues with the King about revealing the truth of all the Theban troubles. When Oedipus, frustrated by the lack of cooperation, insults Tiresias, he responds "I pity you, flinging at me the very insults / each man here will fling at you so soon."(p 628) An interesting and important aspect of this Greek notion of fate is the utter helplessness of the human players. No matter the choice made by the people involved in this tragedy, the gods have determined it and it is going to come to pass."
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Zeno's Paradoxes, 2005.
This paper discusses the life of philosopher Zeno of Elea and his paradoxes and compares his work with the philosophy of Empiricism.
1,610 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that most of the information known about Zeno, who explained and developed the philosophical system of his mentor Parmenides, is based on the writings of Plato and from other works by Aristotle. The author explains that Zeno wrote forty different paradoxes based on the assumptions of plurality and motion. The paper relates that Empiricists' doctrine, which states that knowledge must be the result of experience, sees Zeno's doctrine as a form of Monism and therefore the paradox's on motion and pluralism fail as a philosophical theory.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Who was Zeno?
Zeno's Paradoxes
Empiricism
Compare the Empirical Argument with Zeno's Paradoxes
Conclusion
From the Paper
"Zeno's argument regarding the idea of not being able to exist without magnitude revolves around adding a thing with no magnitude to something else does not make the receiving thing larger and subtracting a thing of no magnitude will not make the receiving thing smaller. This then entails that since the magnitude-less items do not make things bigger or smaller then the thing of no magnitude most be nothing. Although Zeno's pluralism here is perplexing at the least, his ideas of motion are even more complicated."
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Fate in "Oedipus the King", 2005.
An analysis of the role of fate in "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles.
920 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper considers the role of fate in "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles and suggests that fate is ultimately a force that cannot be defeated. It looks at Sophocles' depiction of fate as an unalterable force in the lives of the characters of the play.
From the Paper
"In Sophocles' play Oedipus The King the title character has been given a glimpse of the bleak future that Fate has in store for him. Oedipus refused to accept that this prophecy must become a reality and fought to ensure that he would not murder his father .."
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Kant's Paradox, 2006.
This paper discusses Immanuel Kant's seemingly paradoxical views on morality and free-will.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Immanuel Kant's "Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals" focuses on the study of morality and tries to give a clearer understanding of moral principles so that people can learn to avoid the distractions offered against true morality, claiming that "a free-will and a will subject to moral laws are one in the same." The author argues that, although Kant's linking of morality and freedom is not paradoxical on the shallow level, on the deeper level, Kant is defying his separation of determinism and free will with his ideas on rationality, which is indeed paradoxical. The paper relates that the way to disprove this paradox would be to show that all moral questions have been answered in the same way, which is not possible, because different cultures have different moral beliefs.
From the Paper
"The first paradox in the above quote is easily explained away with look into Kant's ideas of imperatives. Kant supposed all rational beings act in obedience to objective principles determined by practical reason, act in accordance to a law. However, a rational being will also have subjective impulses--desires and inclinations that may contradict the dictates of reason. So we experience the claim of reason as an obligation, a command that we act in a particular way, or an imperative. Such imperatives may occur in either of two distinct forms, hypothetical or categorical."
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"Man's Fate", 2006.
A review of the French writer, Andre Malraux's "La Condition Humaine" or "Man's Fate".
1,353 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how Malraux's experiences of the oppression and communist popularity affected him deeply and the 1927 revolution came to serve as an inspiration for his novel, "Man's Fate". It shows that Malraux did not focus on the revolution alone but tried to discuss other related issues as well. It highlights how the author wanted his readers to understand how these political forces worked and the impact they have on the human condition. The paper expands on the main theme of the book, focusing on the oppressive nature of Fate and man's repeated struggles to fight destiny and create some hope for himself. In conclusion, it show that "Man's Fate" is not one person's view on the episode but rather an impartial third person narrative.
From the Paper
"However Communists were not to stay silent and shortly after the victory of nationalist party, the conflict between two factions gripped the nation. This civil war lasted a whole decade in which communist party was repeatedly suppressed with the help of United States that had reportedly invested $3 billion to strengthen nationalist party and stem the growth of communist elements in the region (Stoley: 117). Chiang tried to establish a nationalist government based on constitutional laws (Duiker 211) and wanted to incorporate the tradition principles of accountability, decency and moral uprightness (Duiker 214). However years of political instability and internal conflicts had left the social and political infrastructure in tatters."
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The meaning of fate in "The Illiad" and "The Odyssey", 2005.
This paper discusses if it was fate that pre-ordained the paths of Achilles and Odysseus or if their lives were self-determined.
1,215 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the recurring theme of fate in "The Illiad" and "The Odyssey." The author examines the role of fate to determine whether Achilles and Odysseus, the main characters in Homer's "The Illiad" and "The Odyssey," were the victims of an omnipotent god or of their own poor choices. The writer concludes that both characters are presented with choices of right and wrong and if they would have chosen wisely, they could have saved themselves from the barbarity of fate.
From the Paper
"Is fate preordained by an omnipotent god, or is fate created by the tragic flaws of man? For centuries, man has pondered this question, thus making fate a major theme of such great works of literature as Homer's epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey. By applying the question of fate to the various characters in these two epics, Homer makes clear that although fate is blamed on the gods, fate is actually created in its entirety by man's own hand."
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The Fate of the Bengal Tiger, 2005.
A look at whether poaching is a significant factor in the fate of the Bengal tiger.
1,798 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 10 sources, APA, $ 57.95
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Abstract
The paper describes computer simulations of four poaching scenarios. The simulation examines the fate of the Bengal tiger under each of these scenarios. The author surveys the potential problems for the survival of the tiger throughout India, focusing on the Khana N.P. reserve. In the paper, the author investigates the fate of the tigers in the Khana N.P. under the tiger conservation plan scheme, in which poaching is prohibited, and contrasts the findings with the fate of the same population under minimal to no protection at all.
From the Paper
"The Indian, or the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris), is one of the most magnificent predators that ever walked our earth. The Historical habitat of this subspecies that ranged throughout India (Damania et al, 2004) is now reduced to isolated patches that many of them contain no more than 30 individuals (Siedensticker et al, 1999), that occupy only 5% of the available habitat (Karanth, 2001). The overall population numbers is estimated at 3,600 individuals, which is only 5% of the population only 100 years ago (IUCN, 2000)."
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Fate in "Oedipus the King", 2002.
A discussion on the way Sophocles addressed the concept of fate in "Oedipus the King".
1,300 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper includes examples and source references supporting most fate oriented topics in the text. It shows how Sophocles shed great light on the role of the gods and how the society interacted with its religion and each other. Because the audience already knew the story of Oedipus and his doomed fate, it allowed Sophocles to create irony, and to demonstrate the futility of resisting the Fates.
From the Paper
"The Ancient Greeks, as with many societies always put great emphasis on the past and the future. Their religious ceremonies were to gain the favor of the gods, honor the past, and ask for a good future. The more extravagant the festival, the more honor to the god. The Greek people would want to carry the god?s favor for many reasons. The gods knew the future, the past, and the present and they embodied many important human characteristics such as jealousy, rage, and vengeance. The gods could protect them from famine, and just as easily expose them and their descendants to the worst things imaginable. No one quality exemplifies the power of the gods more than their control of one?s fate. They place a human on a linear line of life, and set them in the straightaway motion of living. This goes against a basic backbone of many other societies, the existence and practice of freewill. The Greek gods deprived its people of this and effectively made people the playthings of the gods. These powers vaulted the gods to a stature that could inspire fear, and also instill reverence for the ceremonies and festivals that were such a large part of Greek life and history."
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Race, Group Identity and Fate, 2002.
Discusses fate within a racial/cultural context, with reference to the ideas of Arthur Ashe and Theodore Reik.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 1 source, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper uses the ideas of Arthur Ashe and Theodore Reik to dissect the idea of fate in a racial and cultural context. To what extent is one's fate determined by one's racial or cultural or religious membership? The paper concludes that fate is not wholly up to the individual, but that regardless of cultural or racial dynamics, the individual must struggle against barriers to his or her motives.
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Kierkegaard's Paradox, 2005.
This paper examines Kierkegaard's philosophy about a paradox between Reason and Passion.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 0 sources, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper describes Kierkegaard's basic paradox between Reason and Passion and its ultimate expression. The paper explains that this is the attempt to describe the existence of God, which is the name he gives for the Unknown. The paper illustrates how according to Kierkegaard, it is impossible for human Reason to know or describe the Unknown, yet it is the ultimate goal of Reason. The paper shows how this is what creates the paradox.
From the Paper
"The 19th century Dutch philosopher Sen Kierkegaard believed that paradox was integral to a philosopher or thinking man, because it created passion and without both of those, philosophy and thought was meaningless. This created a paradox for the serious philosopher, because reason being a matter of thought and intellect is the opposite of passion, being of feelings and emotions. He believed that paradox created passion, but without passion the thinker could not be inspired to create his philosophy, but that at some point there would be a "collision" of Reason and passion, and that this would be the undoing of one or both of them, because it is in the nature of the paradox of Reason and passion to try to destroy each other. Kierkegaard said, "The supreme paradox of all thought is the attempt to discover something that thought cannot think.""
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"The Abilene Paradox"--A Review, 2007.
A discussion of the dangers of groupthink as described in Jerry B. Harvey's essay "The Abilene Paradox."
951 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses a phenomenon of groupthink gone out of control known as "The Abilene Paradox." The author combines a review of Jerry B. Harvey's essay of the same name with a detailed analysis of the phenomena. The paper examines the symptoms of the paradox and the need for effective leadership within an organization to avoid it. The paper also discusses the need for organizations to make free expression part of their culture, so that individuals feel comfortable challenging ideas. The writer summarizes Harvey's goal, suggesting that even within the most comfortable organizational culture, no worker loses his or her essential individuality or personal sense of responsibility to ethics and truth.
From the Paper
"At the heart of the paradox, however, is another paradox. On one hand, to prevent a bad group decision from going through, effective leadership is needed. A leader must resist the pressures to go along with the group and speak up, contrary to 'going with the flow,' that a change is needed. However, to gain a sense of what is the right decision, all members of the organization must have some input, and channels of communication must be kept open, so that everyone can volunteer evidence about the real situation, not just ideas that confirm management's assumptions."
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