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Morality, Happiness and Duty, 2008.
Explores issues of morality, happiness, and duty through the writings of Mahatma Gandhi, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing and Svetlana Palmer, and Sarah Wallis.
1,380 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper examines and compares Mahatma Gandhi's work, "Hind Swaraj", Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's play, "Nathan the Wise", and Svetlana Palmer and Sara Wallis' book, "Intimate Voices from the First World War", in an effort to explore how these philosophers viewed issues of morality, happiness, and duty. After examining each of the works, the paper poses the question, "is there happiness in fulfilling ones duty?". The paper then answers that each man has to determine that for himself.
From the Paper
"Gandhi was a true believer in the laws of karma. Causation and retribution he believed linked all people together. He believed that through an action there is personal growth and moral awareness. Gandhi firmly believed that man reaps what he sows. One of his most famous quotes reflecting how man should behave is as follows: "An eye for an eye is a terrible way to blind the world." How does this relate to happiness, duty and morality? Morality is easy to see in Gandhi's ideology."
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Mill's Utilitarianism, 2008.
This paper explores John Stuart Mill's approach to utilitarianism.
1,335 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 2 sources, APA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
The paper explains that utilitarianism is based on the pursuit of pleasure. The paper then focuses on Mill's belief that it is not the quantity of pleasure that is important, but rather the quality of that pleasure, both on the individual and the social level. The paper explores the implications of this approach and analyzes its merits and drawbacks. The paper reveals that there are significant flaws in Mill's approach that undermine the effectiveness of the proposal specifically and utilitarianism in general.
From the Paper
"Utilitarianism has become all but synonymous with John Stuart Mill, not surprisingly since he literally wrote the book on the subject. In Utilitarianism, Mill (1861) writes, "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied" (p. 153). This is a central point in Mill's philosophical and ethical approach, one that has significant implications for utilitarianism. An examination of the merits and drawbacks of this position reveals that there exist significant flaws in Mill's approach, flaws that undermine the effectiveness of the proposal specifically and utilitarianism generally."
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Existential Psychology, 2008.
An overview and personal application of existential psychology.
866 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how the existential approach to psychology begins with the recognition that the individual is responsible for his or her own mental state. On a more personal level, the paper looks at challenges the author has faced and how he responded to those challenges.
From the Paper
"Existentialism is related to earlier conceptions of how humans are related to the universe, such as that of Kant, and it can be seen as one aspect of the larger search for meaning in every human life. The overwhelming nature of the universe has always left human beings trying to find a reason for their own existence and some evidence that they matter. Psychology seeks to understand both this search and the processes underlying it, and existentialism is one of the structures developed by the human mind to explain its own importance in the universe."
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Emile Durkheim and Max Weber, 2008.
This paper compares the writings of Emile Durkheim and Max Weber, social theorists who observed the behaviors and idiosyncrasies of groups of people to determine how a modern society can make itself better.
1,100 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, while Max Weber explores the rational for religion and government, Emile Durkheim's biggest concern in his writings is how society can maintain its integrity in the modern era. The author points out that the differences between Durkheim and Weber are few although they did observer society from opposite ends of the spectrum. The paper relates that, while Durkheim focused on the social aspects of society, Weber focused on the economic aspects and bureaucracy. The author underscores that both philosophers felt a need to break away from the traditions that surrounded them, to modernize society and to help it evolve. The paper states that Weber's understanding of the connotations of people's actions gave him insight into the evolution of a modern society; whereas, Durkheim was a Darwinist who believed that basing science on a single hypothesis was not a reliable choice.
From the Paper
"Durkheim is often referred to as the father of sociology. He was concerned that shared religious and ethnic backgrounds prevented society from maintaining its integrity. Along with Herbert Spencer Durkheim broke society up into categories defined by the function they held in society and whether or not they contributed to the health of society. Durkhiem was opposed to Weber's view that society was a sum of its parts. He believed that the action of individual people is what created a healthy society. His theory was called methodological Individualism."
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Charles Lambert's "Social Theory", 2008.
A comparison and contrast of social theory and classical theory.
1,185 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 40.95
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Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts social theory with classical theory, noting that a comparison of the two brings together a modern view that man is his surrounding with the classical view that man makes his own surroundings. The paper outlines the differences between the two theories but also points out that both theories are connected in their basic need for understanding man's relationship with himself and within society and that both theories observe the interactions of man.
From the Paper
"American social theory varies from European social theory in that Americans are self reliant in the observations of their surroundings. We do not look far beyond the obvious. We study our surrounding and base our perceptions on the immediate rather than the past. European social theory takes into account the ramifications of our past colliding with our present. This collision develops into the social theories that govern our actions. In European social theory, there is still a certain about of classical rhetoric that is used to permeate the observances of the present."
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Compatibilism and Free Will, 2008.
This paper argues that compatibilism is a plausible view of free will if one subscribes to soft determinism.
950 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 7 sources, APA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
The paper specifies that, if the reader holds that certain events in life will invariably lead to certain other events but that human beings are allowed the "space" to make decisions for themselves within broad parameters, then determinism and free will are congruent. The author examines key concepts that enter into this discussion and how they "fit" together. The paper utilizes a deterministic story, which allows an array of causal accounts for each event and relates how free will conflict with this story. The paper concludes that compatibilism really can serve as an adequate philosophical theory as long as one accepts the notion of soft determinism and the idea that people can exercise their free will within certain deterministic parameters.
From the Paper
"All that has been discussed thus far leads to the inclusion of a deterministic story that allows for an array of causal accounts for each event. In this case, a man with limited schooling loses his job; he finds himself broke and desperate; with his life crumbling, he turns to crime to sustain himself. A deterministic view would hold that the man's fate was sealed from the beginning because of his lack of education or his lack of mental acuity. Consequently, his options were limited from the start and he was compelled to make the decisions he made."
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The Meaning of Life, 2008.
A research study on the meaning of life.
1,969 words (approx. 7.9 pages), 20 sources, APA, $ 62.95
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Abstract
This paper provides an adequate research methodology to outline how age and different characteristics or measurement criteria affect the general notion of how an individual accounts for his existence. The paper explains that the meaning of life ,in this study, is analyzed outside the realm of philosophy. The paper then points out that psychology is one of the few social sciences that provides the necessary objective rather than subjective analysis of such a loaded question. The paper then explains the research design and all the variables.
Outline:
Research Questions
Literature Review (Background Research)
Study Design: Variables
Results: VAR Frequencies: Analyzing Meaning of Life Categories for Age Cohorts; Non-Parametric Test (Spearman's Correlation); Independent Samples Test (t-test for Equality of Means)
Discussion
From the Paper
"As it relates to the idea that specific sources of meaning in life are different in younger compared to older persons; this study proves that this is not the case, in fact, there is a great degree of consistency across age cohorts, as it relates to the categorizations of meaning of life between the two groups (see figure 1 above). What is even more interesting is the similarities between the relative VAR frequencies between the two groups.
"Commitment to meaning in life and the degree of meaning did not have a strong linear relationship; this shows that irrespective of age criterions, individuals associated the relative meaning in life independently from commitment."
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Role of Women in the Church, 2008.
This paper discusses whether female egalitarianism in the Church is undermining the leadership of the Church by contradicting the scriptures of the Bible.
2,968 words (approx. 11.9 pages), 21 sources, MLA, $ 87.95
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Abstract
In this study, the writer presents a critical review of the arguments surrounding the egalitarian position of women in church. Ideally the idea is to get an understanding of whether the necessary hypothesis is grounded in the scriptures of the Bible. More importantly, the writer maintains that there has to be a critical review of whether the egalitarian approach is simply an adaptation of changes in society as it relates to gender roles. The writer questions if the Church is imitating how society treats women. If this is the case, the writer argues that it should be that society imitates the church's value and leadership structure. The writer discusses what the Bible has to say about the issue.
Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Working Outline: Structure & Dissertation Categories
From the Paper
"The egalitarian position as presented by Datu is that, since the Bible teaches that all people are created and should be equal, then the Church has a duty to advocate gender equality and equity in churches, and more so in church leadership . Many theorists ground the general egalitarian movement in the foundations and teachings of Jesus Christ, and other New Testament principles. Datu highlights the fact that female egalitarianism is a necessary prerequisite for the success of the church, since the role of women cannot be undermined. Datu also shows that the current opposition of the movement is due to societal pressure and that the historical process shows that female egalitarianism and female leadership in the church was not uncommon in past periods, however cultural prejudices and defined gender roles in society, have created an atmosphere that not affects female leadership in the church."
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Social Choice Theory, 2008.
This paper looks at three social choice theories and argues in favour of Robert Nozick's theory.
1,229 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses three different types of social choice theory; John Rawls' theory, basic utilitarianism and Robert Nozick's theory of libertarianism. The paper argues that Nozick's theory of emphasizing human dignity and autonomy is the greatest of the three social choice theories because it secures the freedoms and prerogatives of all individuals.
From the Paper
"In its simplest form, Social Choice Theory is fundamentally concerned with the "aggregation of individuals' preferences into a collective preference; based on this social preference a collective decision can be taken" (Haake, para.1). To elaborate a little more fully on what can be quite a complex topic, social choice theory is a branch of decision theory preoccupied with the process and outcome of a social choice procedure to which all affected parties agree to be bound (Davies, para.2). In summation, social choice theory is about making the best choice globally for everyone. Suffice it to say, John Rawls, utilitarian theory, and Robert Nozick have their own differing views on the considerations that should be borne in mind when assessing how social choices can be made."
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The Philosophy of David Hume, 2008.
The paper provides a brief overview of David Hume's theories and beliefs.
1,354 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
The paper looks at Hume's examination of causation and the problems inherent in it, his theory of perception, his theory of knowledge or what he might call "inner perception" and finally his theory of the self. The paper also offers a brief look at his ideas on morality and religion. The paper concludes that the fact that Hume's "metaphysical microscope" continues to be found a provocative source of thought and philosophical contemplation three centuries after its author's death, is a testimony to the power of Hume's work.
From the Paper
"David Hume remains one of the most well-known and influential of British philosophers due to the broad scope of the ideas and the depth of analysis that are exhibited throughout his voluminous writings. His philosophical outlook has been described as something of a syncretism between naturalism and skepticism, and he builds upon the work of predecessors such as Berkeley and Locke while going beyond them on a number of levels. He is known for a profoundly skeptical epistemology in which he dissects and invalidates received wisdom and "common sense" about various topics including the nature of causation, the self, and religion; as a result, he was often denounced as "atheistic" by contemporaries, but his thought was a vital influence on later thinkers such as economist Adam Smith and philosopher Jeremy Bentham, not to mention (in the 19th century) Charles Darwin ("David Hume" 1.)"
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