Abstract This paper analyzes the history of illusions and the effect they have had on the intellectual development of the western world. The paper discusses the roots of the problem of the moon allusion in philosophy and the crossover into psychology. An outline is presented of what the moonillusion is, illustrating the issues of size and distance of the moon. The paper provides some of the common responses to the moon allusion by people like Baird and Wagner, Kaufman and Rock, Parks, and Reed. The implications for both science and philosophy for the various outcomes achieved by the researchers are examined.
From the Paper "Open up any philosophical text, from the elementary textbook, Does the Center Hold? by Donald Palmer to the Oxford History of Western Philosophy. The first entry in the book will be Socrates. Even as far back as that, and probably further back than that, people have been concerned with the problems of perception. Idealism, realism, skepticism. How do we know what we know when the world can change so frequently, so fast. If our senses sometimes deceive us, and they tend to deceive us often, how can we rely upon them to tell us about the outside world. Perhaps it was when these questions were first posed that the science of psychology was first born."
Abstract The paper explores depth perception and its application to illusion and addresses color vision, motion vision and higher order visual processes. The paper focuses on Ames' room and the moonillusion and shows how depth perception along with motion based, binocular, and independent motion are integral to the accomplishment of an illusion.
From the Paper "In 1896 Thiery proposed a theory that involved illusion configurations as they applied to depth perception. The theory further suggested that illusions reconfigure pictorial depth cues that allow an audience member to evoke a two dimensional shape in a three dimensional space. The depth cues are also implicit enough to change the constancy scaling for not only the size of a shape and observer might see but also the shape itself (Ward, et al. 1997, p.609). Of the illusions that exist that are prone to depth perception reconfiguration, Gregory (1968) gives a rather compelling study of the Mueller-Lyer figure (Ward, 610). This illusion is presented in dim lighting with a very dark background and uses as its base of depth perception a perception of monocular. This approach lessens textural cues and fulfilled its perception obligation by redesigning the perceived amount of space."
Tags: color, motion, vision, Ames', room, moon, space
A discussion regarding high self-esteem and how it promotes positive illusion in intimate relationships, which, in turn, motivates an approach that will enhance the relationship.
Abstract This research proposal examines the relationship between self-esteem and the quality of romance in terms of the couples' perceived regard and their own satisfaction of the relationship. The paper aims to describe the importance of positive illusion as a mediator of the perception of the intimates. The paper discusses the benefits and drawbacks of such positivity and how it relates to self-esteem. The paper further discusses the impact it has on the relationship quality and whether illusion or reality is more important?
Outline:
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
From the Paper "People with high self-esteem are somehow more motivated to repair their mood and are more likely to take the initiative to action in some way that would make them happier. (Heimpel et al. 2002) High self-esteem beings are more satisfied with their intimate relationships due to protection of self-worth and positive illusions. However, as much as these individuals idealize their relationship with their partner, there bound to be times when the conflict is too perceptible that challenges their belief in a perfect relationship; this should be when high and low self-esteem people differ with each other. If high self-esteem people do indeed have higher motivation to make themselves feel better; the hypothesis is that when positive illusions cannot play a role in repairing the negative feeling towards the relationship because the conflict is too overt, there is a high likelihood for high self-worth individuals to adopt the approach commitment (rather than the avoidance commitment) which is proven to be positively associated with relationship satisfaction. In other words, the reason for the tendency for high self-esteem people be more satisfied with their relationships is that their style of commitment which can enhance the intimate relationship. "
Abstract This paper focuses on Balzac's depiction of urban vs. rural characters in "Lost Illusions". The writer cites examples from the text to support the argument that Balzac believes that Paris is a corrupting influence on the way of life in the rural French provinces. The paper also examines the novel's main characters in order to support this argument.
From the Paper "The problem begins with the provincial characters? fascination with Paris. There is within the provinces a certain inferiority complex that leads its citizens to believe that everything in Paris is somehow better than anything in the provinces. In every realm of life provincials try to emulate their Parisian cousins. Thus, it is in an effort to duplicate Parisian society's elitism with regard to persons from rural areas that Angouleme's "society" looks down on citizens from the lower-class town of L?Houmeau. When Lucien says that he has been invited to Madame de Bargeton's salon, David responds in surprise, ?But there's a wider gulf of prejudice between you and her than if she were in Pekin and you in Greenland!? Because they fully believe in the superiority of Paris to their own home, the provincials mimic the urban culture, oftentimes resulting in the degradation of their ethics."
Tags: characterization, illusions, city, corruption, province
Abstract The paper describes the geology of the moon as determined by samples brought back from the moon and gravitational and magnetic studies carried out by the Apollo and Lunar Prospector missions. It describes the types of minerals found on the moon, and how the various geologic features were formed.
Abstract This paper discusses the moon imagery in Shelley's novel and as it relates to her personal life. By associating these ideas of nature, society and man with their respective symbols of the moon, societal traits and the monster, Shelley connected the story of "Frankenstein" to her life. It shows how the moon is used to pinpoint important ideas of "Frankenstein" in relation to the popular opinions during Shelley's time and to indicate her personal connection to characters in the story.
From the Paper "The Romantic authors considered nature to be pure, void of corruption by society. Although society caused corruption, individuals, at birth, were also pure entities. These ideas existed before the Romantic era, delineated by John Locke during the late seventeenth century. Locke addressed a hypothetical situation: ?man in the state of nature.? He concluded that, before despoiled by society, man's mind is a "tabula rasa" or blank slate (Palmer 307). The monster, when he initially emerges from Frankenstein's house, is the perfect embodiment of purity. When the monster discovers the moon, he exists in a world of indistinct chaos, feeling only "light, hunger, and thirst, and darkness" (Shelley 88). The monster's elemental existence is a reproduction of the ideas of man's untainted state at birth."
Abstract This paper analyzes William Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways", which is an account of his journey along the back roads of the United States. The papers relates that Heat Moon's writing style is so compelling that the reviewer feels as if he is riding along in the passenger seat. A central theme of the story is that, even in Heat Moon's search for his ancestral roots, the only thing that is constant is change.
Table of Contents:
The Adventure
Change: A Constant Theme Throughout
From Beginning to End and Past to Present
From the Paper "It seems that the looming issues in Heat Moon's life were a major influence on his decision to set out on this journey. After losing his wife to another man and losing his job, he decided to head out on a search for forgotten parts of America and the American experience by traveling the old back roads through old towns. This is an attempt to see passed the superficial nature of modern American culture by connecting with himself and nature by admiring idyllic, and not so idyllic, landscapes."
Abstract This paper discusses one of the most important and nation altering events to occur in the 1960s, the Apollo astronaut program, specifically, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren's successful walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. It analyzes how space flight stimulated the nation's growth in myriad ways. It looks at the many technological advances came from the Mercury and Apollo programs and beyond, from lightweight metal alloys to smaller and smaller computer guidance systems which eventually turned into desktop computers so extremely prevalent in the world today. It evaluates how if we had not gone to the moon, our lives today might be much different and so would many of our institutions. Space flight stimulated technological growth, national pride and the notion that we can still "reach for the stars."
From the Paper "First came the Mercury project, where America put men in space. On May 5, 1961, Major Alan Shepard, a Naval academy graduate and test pilot, climbed aboard the Freedom 7 capsule atop a Redstone rocket and became the first American in space. Shepard's flight was sub orbital and lasted only 15 minutes, but it showed America we could still be vital in the space race (which the Russians were winning at the moment), and it kindled spirit and passion in the minds of Americans. The Mercury program ran from 1958 to 1963, and satisfied all its objectives. The Gemini flights between 1965 and 1966 were designed to transition between the Mercury exercises and the Apollo moon missions. The Gemini flights were to teach us how maneuver a spacecraft by maneuvering it in orbit, rendezvousing in space, docking with other vehicles, perfecting methods of entering the atmosphere, and landing at a preselected point on land."
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes the feasibility of colonizing the moon. The discussion includes the kinds of technology colonists would need to establish a permanent presence on the Moon, what they would need to survive, and what commercial aspects would be involved.
This paper addresses the historical context of the book Disappearing Moon Caf by the author Sky Lee. In this book, the lives of several generations of Chinese women living in Canada are torn apart by a refusal to accept the customs of their new country.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 2 sources, 2002, $ 62.95
Abstract This paper addresses the historical context of the book Disappearing Moon Cat by the author Sky Lee. In this book, the lives of several generations of Chinese women living in Canada are torn apart by a refusal to accept the customs of their new country. While this book is Lee's demonstration of how separate cultures must blend together in order for those living within them to survive, this novel also demonstrates how this concept is not a clear- cut situation. The historical setting of Disappearing Moon Cat is found in the turmoil that was found among the peoples of Canada at the turn of the Twentieth Century.
Tags: LITERATURE / WOMEN IN LITERATURE, roles chinese women
Abstract This paper briefly describes the functions of the moon. It looks at the magnetic forces and fields and how these impact the solar system. It also discusses the history of the development of knowledge that scientists have about the moon.
From the Paper "The lunar crust is composed of a variety of primary elements, including uranium, thorium, potassium, oxygen, silicon, magnesium, iron, titanium, calcium, aluminum and hydrogen (Korotev, 2004). When bombarded by cosmic rays, each element bounces back into space its own radiation, in the form of gamma rays. Some elements, such as uranium, thorium and potassium, are radioactive and emit gamma rays on their own. However, regardless of what causes them, gamma rays for each element are all different from one another - each produces a unique spectral "signature", detectable by a spectrometer."
Abstract This paper provides a review of the relevant and scholarly literature to determine the feasibility of such a Moon colony. It uses realistic budget figures and self-sustaining technologies, followed by a summary of the research and salient findings in the conclusion.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Potential Resources on the Moon Specific Lunar Colony Requirements
Tables
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "One approach for a permanent lunar colony advocates such settlements as being early stages in human colonization of the solar system as well as much of interstellar space; indeed, a permanent colony on the Moon has long featured in science fiction but it is now seriously considered by proponents in the United States, Japan and Russia, who foresee a permanent presence of people there within the next decade or two (Lindberg, 2004)."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes "Jude the Obscure," by Thomas Hardy and "Lost Illusions," by Honore de Balzac. Specifically, it compares the theme of illusions in these two texts, citing textual evidence. The author discusses how the two protagonists, Jude and Lucien, are spurned into action because of their illusions; however, along their journeys of becoming a poet and a scholar, Lucien loses his illusions, whereas Jude does not. The writer concludes that although there is nothing wrong with illusions, the works both seem to say that when you use them to dominate and rule your life, you will ultimately fail.
From the Paper "Poor Jude, he is a tragic victim of his illusions from the first page of "Jude the Obscure" until the last. Everything he has sought in his life has been nothing but an illusion. From the moment his teacher leaves Marygreen and tells him about the university in Christminster, Jude is doomed. He longs to study at the university, and this is his first illusion, that Christminster is the wonderland where his future will become complete. His aunt adds to the already growing illusion, by telling him he should have gone with the schoolmaster, and education runs in the family."
Tags: thomas, hardy, jude, lucien, honore, balzac, victim, obscure, lost
Abstract This paper analyzes one of William Shakespeare's most celebrated comedic plays, "A Midsummer Night's Dream". The author examines how the throughout the play the characters attempt to find a way to understand the mechanism of love in a rational way and experience self-alterations that they believe to be a dream in the end. The paper also looks at how the recurring reference to the ever-changing moon parallels the transformation of the characters in "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
From the Paper:
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" brilliantly expresses the profound human uncertainty about love. Dream world and reality merge undetectably so that the characters are not sure themselves in which sphere they move, nor whether what they have experienced has been imagination or truth. What seems to be a fantasy or a dream for the characters in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is actually reality. However, the dreamlike atmosphere of the play accentuates the fact that the lovers appear to be quite removed from any criteria applicable to reality."
Abstract This paper details of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War and how and why it was a show of power and superiority. The author looks many different aspects of the space race including, its purpose, how it was used to show the other country its weaknesses, how it enabled both countries to explore the uncharted vastness of space and find for it new military and how they attempted to use the moon as the ultimate propaganda tool.
From the Paper "Even though Sputnik had no direct military impact, it showed the progress of the USSR in science and military and prompted the US government to pay more attention to its own missile operation (McGhee 331). The media played a major role in spurring the government to take action. Sputnik was front-page news on all the papers and it had all of America wondering how something like that could happen without anyone knowing (Schefter 23). At first the US government was not impressed by the Soviet's accomplishments. President Eisenhower felt that the U.S. people had acted like children and that no response to Soviet actions was necessary (Burrows 200). He felt that the US needed to toughen up for a long war they may have in the future and did not see the US as being in any competition with the Soviets (Burrows 200). He even went so far as to congratulate the Soviets on their accomplishments (McGhee 330)."
