Abstract This paper serves as a defense for the "Simple View" of the relationship between intentions and intentional action. In this view, an agent does action X intentionally only if she intended to do X. This view is subject to criticism through examples of actions that were completed intentionally but were not intended by the agent. Such examples are forwarded by Gilbert Harman and Michael Bratman and are used to refute the Simple View. The goal of this paper is to defend the Simple View against the examples presented by Harman and Bratman by showing how Bratman's own definition of "intention" allows for the actions in his examples to be qualified as both intentional and intended. This paper serves as a follow-up to Hugh McCann's ""Settled Objectives and Rational Constraints," which serves to counter some of Bratman and Harman's examples. It continues McCann's effort to defend the Simple View on a wider range of examples.
From the Paper "There are two types of examples that seem to cause all kinds of problems for what Michael Bratman terms the "Simple View" of the relationship between intentional actions and intentions. The Simple View maintains that if an agent does an action A intentionally, then she intended to do A. The two groups of examples of intentional actions that seem to present challenges to the Simple View can be categorized by the nature of the beliefs and desires surrounding them. In the first group are intentional actions that the agent desires to achieve but is fairly or completely certain that she will not be able to do. This includes examples like Alfred Mele's golfer Lydia who is trying to hit a hole in one to win a million dollars. In the second group of examples are intentional actions that the agent believes she will carry out - either as a direct action or as a side effect of some other action - but that she really does not want to do. Let us call this group of actions grudging actions . This group includes examples like Gilbert Harman's sniper who knows he is going to alert the enemy to his presence by trying to shoot his target. In "Settled Objectives and Rational Constraints," Hugh McCann offers a defense for the Simple View against examples from the first group, but he conspicuously does not address examples from the second set, leaving the Simple View vulnerable on this important front. In this paper I will attempt to follow up McCann by offering a reasonable defense for the Simple View for examples of grudging actions under Bratman's definition of intention. First, I will draw a distinction between two types of intentional actions that can fall into this group: direct actions and what I will call side-effect actions. This distinction will allow us to focus on the side-effect examples - which are really the only problematic ones for the Simple View - but it will also reveal an important point about how intentions to do something can hold up in the face of strong or even prevailing negative desires (i.e., desires not to do something). Building from there, I will then attempt to reconcile the Simple View with the side-effect examples and in doing so will consider a strong objection of Bratman's to the labeling of agents in these types of actions as intending these actions. "
Abstract This eight-page undergraduate paper examines Aristotle's view of women. Aristotle held a very repressive view, although he intended most of his discussion in a general way. Feminist responses to his view are included.
Abstract The following questions are answered in a short answer format, 1) Explain the critical comparison of materialism and the theories of the views of the universe and the view of man. 2) Explain Western society's shift from theism to deism that led to naturalism which logically leads to nihilism. Elaborate on how one view leads to another and ends up with nihilism's loss of an abyss for human significance, truth, and moral values. 3) Explain materialism, and with it a statement of some of the reasons why one would choose materialism as a worldview. 4) Explain how to deal with war in the light of the set of materialism. 5) Explain how materialism affects one's actions regarding people in the workplace.
"This paper discusses the advantages and the problems with the resource-based view of the firm (RBV), a concept that is based first on the view that t...
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 0 sources, 2005, $ 26.95
Abstract "This paper discusses the advantages and the problems with the resource-based view of the firm (RBV), a concept that is based first on the view that the firm is made up of a number of resources controlled by the administrators of the firm and useful to those who need these resources as needed. How these resources are constituted and how they are managed determines how effective the individual firm will be and account for differences between firms."
From the Paper The resource-based view of the firm (RBV) has become more prevalent in recent years and has been refined by various theorists. The concept is based first on the view that the firm is made up of a number of resources controlled by the administrators of the firm and useful to those who need these resources as needed. How these resources are constituted and how they are managed determines how effective the individual firm will be and account for differences between firms. Resources may be tangible, including various assets and easily identifiable elements such as personnel, machinery, facilities, and processes. Some resources are intangible, such as patents, vendor relationships, and other business relationships. While the importance of such resources is generally recognized, what has not always been recognized is that the existence of these resources helps identify what makes a given firm unique and so what that firm does best.
The following paper discusses the ways in which American settlers viewed the land in the North and South and looks at their expectations about its proper use.
1,765 words (approx. 7.1 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 56.95
Abstract The following paper refutes the statement that slavery would have developed in the North if adventurers had landed in Plymouth instead of Jamestown by citing the varying ways in which people used the land as causes for either a wage-labor system or a slave-labor system. This paper will also explore the ways in which settlers viewed the landscape of the North and South as well as how the differing properties of each region;s land determined how it would be used by the settlers. Finally the writer discusses the ways in which the settler;s participation in a market economy led to uses of the land that differed from North to South depending on what sorts of crops grew on each type of land.
From the Paper "By seeing the land as something to bring mankind benefit and profit to individuals, the settlers used to its fullest capacity and ended up causing serious soil depletion. Each farmer sought to make the greatest profit so that he and his family might have the luxuries that they desired. They weren"t so concerned with the preservation of the forests and wildlife as Henry David Thoreau was. Their view that nature was a hostile force to be conquered, subdued and profited from contrasted with his when he wrote, ;Before we can adorn our houses with beautiful objects the walls must be stripped, and our lives must be stripped, and beautiful housekeeping and beautiful living be laid for a foundation: now, a taste for the beautiful is most cultivated out of doors, where there is no house and no housekeeper; (Thoreau, 31)."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the characters within "A Room with a View" by E.M. Foster and "Jacob's Room" by Virginia Woolf. The characters Lucy and Jacob both represent two different classes of people in their contrast, but invariably present similar instances of independent lifestyles that stray from societal norms.
From the Paper "In this literary study a character analysis in the novels A Room with A View by E.M. Foster and Jacob's Room by Virginian Woolf will be examined. The two characters Jacob and Lucy will be brought forth to reveal comparing and contrasting elements of class differentiation and their perceptions of life. While Jacob and Lucy both represent drastically different classes of people; they invariably reflect similar characteristics in how they achieve independence in their lives. In the novel Jacob's Room the main character Jacob represents a middle class individual who has a yearning desire to experience life. However, his middle class upbringing reveals the hardships of his life that he will ultimately face, especially due to his inexperience as a youth."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses point of view, the perspective from which a story is told. The writer maintains that the first person point of view helps to develop the story and add to emotional impact. The writer notes that it is often that a point of view defines a story as a critical element, and this is the case in both John Updike's "A&P" and William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily." The writer points out that both stories share the first person point of view, meaning that one view is intimately related to the reader, and this view is perhaps biased from the perspective of the narrator, not the author. This contributes to the story, as in both Updike's and Faulkner's short stories, the perspective of the narrator helps to illustrate the themes and concepts of the story that would not otherwise be possible from a third person point of view. The writer concludes that in both the stories discussed, the narrator becomes a character through his or her point of view, and the power of this element of literature regardless of the particular point of view is demonstrated.
From the Paper "In comparing the use of the narrator between these two short stories, the varied possibilities of the use of point of view are clearly evident, but very different. Faulkner's use of point of view allows the reader to make conclusions, which is contrast to Updike's use of the first person in which Sammy tells the reader what he has learned. Sammy is also an actor in the story, and while the narrator of Faulkner's work participates, but does not partake in any action that directly impacts the plot of the work. As both of these short stories use point of view to accomplish their point, they do so in a highly contrasting fashion which illustrates the flexibility and power of point of view, in particular that of the first person."
"The use of the first person point of view in both stories, albeit different, allows the author's to accomplish things that would not otherwise be possible. The narrator becomes a character and takes on a persona, either that of an entire town over many years or of one individual in a short given amount of time."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze three literary works: "The Country of the Pointed Firs" by Sarah Orne Jewett; "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin; and "My Antonia" by Willa Cather. Specifically, it shows the development of the complexity or the straightforwardness of the point of view. Point of view is often as difficult to pinpoint as the characters of great novels. Sometimes, the point of view in a novel can shift and change, but the bottom line is point of view is a compelling way to keep the reader interested in the story, while telling more about the characters The paper shows that the point of view is a central part of the telling of a tale and that is one of the most important techniques a writer can use to get a point across to the reader.
From the Paper "In "The Awakening," the main character, Edna Pontellier, is as detached from her life as the narrator is from telling her story, which is one reason Chopin uses the third-person narrator to relate the story. Edna is an unhappy and unfulfilled woman, and as the narrator relates her tale, it is easy to see why. She spent her life walking the "daily treadmill" of Victorian life, and had no sense of herself as a woman, and so the reader must struggle to find a sense of her too, through the third person."
Abstract This paper examines many of the different cultural views on marriage that exist today. It specifically examines the differences in views on the role of women, the legalization of same-sex marriage, views on multiple partners and the relationship between marriage and religion. The paper concludes that views on these issues can vary greatly between cultures.
From the Paper "As noted previously, issues of religion often play a large role in the various views towards different aspects of marriage found in cultures (Erber & Erber, 2001). Religion is responsible, for example, for many of the differences in opinion concerning same-sex marriage. In addition, religion also can dictate the role a woman plays in marriage, and the extent to which religion guides the laws of the land often influences the laws concerning women in marriage. Thus, countries with more singular religions, such as Muslim countries, often have all of their legal laws dictated by a single religion, and as such, their laws often prohibit certain behaviours within marriage, such as the empowerment of women, divorce or same-sex marriage (Erber & Erber, 2001). On the other hand, some religions permit even more 'liberal' views of marriage, and if these religions form the law of the land, often times it is possible find the legalization of multiple partners, or polygamy. However, polygamy often acts in favour of men, with men being allowed to take multiple wives but women not being allowed to have multiple husbands. It is clear that often a culture's views on marriage are determined by the culture's relationship with religion."
This paper addresses five questions from the views of classic philosophers. Human nature and human advantages can be investigated according to the theories of various philosophers, yet in many respects the views of a specific philosopher can best be used
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper addresses five questions from the views of classic philosophers. Human nature and human advantages can be investigated according to the theories of various philosophers, yet in many respects the views of a specific philosopher can best be used to define and describe a particular circumstance. This paper first presents the five questions and then addresses these questions according to the two theories that best suit that given circumstance.
Tags: PHILOSOPHY / COMPARATIVE PHILOSOPHY, five question philosophers
This in-depth paper defines and analyzes the effects of power during the modern and postmodern eras, while focusing on the views and opinions of sociologist Max Weber and philosopher Michel Foucault.
Abstract This well-researched paper examines the post-modern shift in sociology and culture that has evolved, due to the effects of modern thought. This paper defines the term power, as perceived by sociologist Max Weber during the modern era, while Michel Foucault's philosophical views and opinions relate to the postmodern era. According to Weber, modernity was a particular set of ideas and modes of thought that, like any other set of facts, possessed a history. This paper discusses Weber's research and writings which cited that human society was as scientific as any other aspect of the natural world. The writer of this paper contends and explains how and why Weber viewed power as a triumphant rationalism and that all of existence could be reduced to theory and experiment. The writer also details the views and opinions of Foucault, who contends that everything in the universe is relative. This paper examines Foucault's ideas, which relate primarily to his definition of power as "the possession of dominion over others." According to Foucault, in the postmodern era, money is the primary source of power.
From the Paper "If you receive deference, you are more powerful than the individual who gives you that deference. It all sounds so simple and straightforward. Max Weber's definition of power as a matter of relative prestige is the Modernist Definition of Power... right? Yes, "right" if the author of this composition is solely responsible for defining a Modernist definition of anything versus a Postmodernist definition of the same thing. Obviously, the problem is not to so clear cut, nor so easily resolved. The terms "Modern" and "Postmodern" are as much relative distinctions as those found to exist between the words "short" and "tall." At bare minimum, a working definition of the terms "modern," and "Postmodern" would probably hinge on the most common, generally, and widely accepted meanings of the two terms - but not necessarily.
However, much as Rene Descartes proclaimed, "I think therefore I am," we too shall attempt a specific definition of our two terms of comparison."
Tags: philosophy, view, opinion, power, money, theory
Abstract The discusses whether viewing films in a movie theatre is a better experience than seeing them at home. The paper contends that while generally agreeing with this thesis, there are circumstances where home viewing might be preferable.
From the Paper "The issue of whether viewers prefer to watch a first run film in a theatre or wait until it's released on DVD and watch it at home is very much on the minds of movie moguls today. The billion dollar question in Hollywood these days is what to do ..."
Abstract The paper discusses Aristotle's view of Spartan women, that they constituted a formidable challenge to the patriarchal ideal. Aristotle expressed two main objections to Sparta: the city's failure to curtail women's freedom and to regulate women's ownership of private property. The paper further discusses how Sparta, in his view, represented a failure because it did not conform to his hierarchy of gender relations. The paper explores other sources that provide an image of Spartan women, which illustrates not just their equality with men in all domains, but their superiority over men as well.
Abstract The paper explains how Aristotle maintained that men are naturally superior to women and that the women of Sparta were permitted too much freedom. He also believed that the women of Sparta were the cause of the city's downfall. The paper examines how Aristotle's views represent a direct contrast to the views expressed through other sources. Plutarch, for example, held that the women of Sparta were courageous and also were supportive of their men. The paper explains that even though Aristotle's views were negative, they are valuable as a source of evidence that Sparta was marked not only by equality for women but also by superiority for women.
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that statistics on television viewing in the United States indicate that an average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day. The writer points out that it is obvious that an activity carried on for such long periods would have a profound influence on the person's life and on the society in which he lives. Whether the effect of television viewing is predominantly negative or positive has been a subject of intense debate for a long time and valid arguments can be found on both sides of the fence. The writer concludes that there is an urgent need for parents in particular to establish healthy television viewing habits in their homes, so that excessive TV watching does not replace other important healthy activities necessary for the balanced development of their children.
From the Paper "Another disturbing and well-researched negative effect of television viewing is the link between violence in television content and aggressive behavior. Research shows that two-thirds of all television programming contains violence, an average hour of TV viewing contains four to five acts of violence, and children's programming , such as cartoons, average 20 to 25 violent acts every hour. If we add all these violent acts together, it would indicate that the average American child has seen 100,000 acts of violence and about 8000 murders on television by the time they leave elementary school. What is worse, many TV shows glamorize violence with violent acts being depicted as a fun and effective way to get what one wants and without consequences. Since most children imitate what they see, watching violent TV programs teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to solve problems in real life. The effect of TV violence does not remain restricted to children: for example, a study that tracked about 700 boys and girls for 17 years also revealed that aggressive behavior induced by watching TV violence at an early age persists well into adulthood. Moreover, repeated and constant exposure to TV violence makes children desensitized to real world violence and the human suffering it causes. It can also traumatize young children as they cannot fully distinguish between fantasy and reality and can come to view the world as a mean and scary place."
