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Urban Sociology, 2008.
This paper discusses the term and the concept of urban and looks at how the urban setting directly impacts the social relations that are conducted within it.
1,207 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
In this article the writer looks at the meaning of the term urban and discusses the extent that the urban setting shapes the social life which occurs within it. The writer notes that these issues are closely interrelated. This paper argues, the term "urban" must be understood as a sociological concept whose characteristics fundamentally define the social relations that occur within the urban space. The writer concludes that models of human social behaviour, such as civility, are developed in urban settings as a means of coping with the stresses of population densities as well as a cultural production that is deeply intertwined with economic and emotional relationships of humans as groups and as individuals.
From the Paper
"The relationship between the urban setting and the social life that occurs within it is thus complex but clear. The population densities and uses of space that physically characterize urban settings lead to a range of impacts upon social relations that, in many cases as in the cultural realm, seem indirect and would likely not be predicted. To use a metaphor, within a physical setting human population densities increase until a "critical mass" is attained, at which point "urbanity" comes into existence with an explosion of social and cultural forms that are distinct to urban life.
"Consider, for example, the arguments of some urban sociologists that the urban setting has led to a radical revisioning of fundamental human social interactions."
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Carl Sagan on Abortion, 2008.
A critical article review of "Abortion: Is it Possible to be Both Pro-Life and Pro-Choice?" by Carl Sagan.
1,390 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper provides a critical look at Carl Sagan's article "Abortion: Is it Possible to be Both Pro-Life and Pro-Choice?", which provides both sides of the religious and scientific arguments that are currently part of the abortion issue in American society. The paper points out that Sagan provides a two-fold analysis of the science and theological definitions of life and how this acts within the social conflict between pro-life and pro-choice factions in their differing objectives for legislation on abortion. The paper also points out that Sagan seeks to promote the importance of why compromise and balance between these two factions are important in American society and for the creation of legislation on this issue. The paper concludes that, although Sagan provides a mastery of the scientific facts that are part of modern research of life in the womb, he is decidedly biased in his reliance on science.
Outline:
Summary
Discussion and Analysis
Conclusion
From the Paper
"The central issue for Carl Sagan is understanding the debate between the religious (pro-life) and the secular scientific (pro--choice) factions that currently debate the issue of abortion. Sagan argues for the issue of pro-life arguments that determine that the life in the womb is 'alive' at first conception, which Sagan refutes by imposing a more scientific point of view that life is not an issue related to conception, but that there is a longer history for human life since the beginning of the Earth, nearly 4.6 billion year ago (201). Yet with science, the clarity of these issues do not always refer a more valid sense of where and how life is determined within religious values. For pro-lifers in the American Christian culture, the idea of conception takes on a human characteristic that must also be taken into account due to missing details of current incomplete scientific evidence that equally philosophize on the nature of life."
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Identity Theory vs. Functionalism, 2008.
A comparison between identity theory and functionalism.
960 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper explores functionalist theory and identity theory. Specifically, the paper briefly describes each, outlines their similarities and differences, discusses the relative shortcomings and strengths of each, and briefly advances which one is preferable. The paper concludes that, while it may be argued that functionalism is a more persuasive approach to understanding the human mind than is identity theory, ultimately neither philosophical school is entirely persuasive when it comes to explaining the activities of the human brain.
From the Paper
"At the same time, the computer analogy outlined above is infelicitous in the sense that, suggesting the "high-level" functions of the brain are shaped by the "hardware" of the brain, can raise some confusion in the minds of novice students. To wit, if "the software is a function of the hardware" ("Functionalism: How is functionalism different?" Para.2), then can it not be argued that the software is really more akin to the hardware than functionalists would have people believe? In other words, if there is such a dependency, then the difference between functionalism and identity theory is not very great, indeed; in fact, it may really not exist at all."
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Individual Vs. Collective Rights, 2008.
This paper discusses the rights of the individual in light of the rights of the collective community.
851 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 3 sources, APA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
The paper argues that the rights of the individual are most likely to deteriorate in societies that are plagued by excessively high birthrates and by high population density. The paper explains the utilitarian reasoning behind this principle as well as the simple fact that something of which there is a lot is going to be of lesser per capita value than something of which there is very little. The paper shows how over-population logically brings about a diminution in individual rights.
From the Paper
"It is sometimes asserted that the rights of the "common" - the community or the collective - will eventually impinge upon the right of the individual as the population in already-overcrowded nations and globally continues to spiral upward. This sort of statement can be interpreted in many ways and undoubtedly will be interpreted in many ways by people coming from different socio-economic and socio-political backgrounds. Be that as it may, this writer chooses to interpret the initial sentence in this paragraph as follows: as populations grow more massive, the competition for finite resources among individuals becomes more intense."
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Descartes' Argument of Mind over Matter, 2008.
An analysis of Rene Descartes' argument of mind over matter in his "Meditations".
850 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Descartes' argument, outlined in his "Meditations", that the mind is more easily understood than the physical world. The paper point out that, at first, it might seem that the physical world should be more easily understood, for we can see it, touch it, and otherwise perceive it with our senses. However, the paper shows how Descartes makes a compelling argument based on everyday evidence that suggests that the mind is much easier to understand than the physical world. To conclude, the paper asserts that Descartes' argument ultimately hinges on the matter of trust.
From the Paper
"When one attempts to understand the nature of an object in the physical world, it necessitates the use of one's mind. This is inevitable. Yet, at the same time, Descartes also freely admits that he--like everyone--has experienced instances when his senses have played tricks on him. In fact, with perhaps a bit of tongue in cheek, Descartes even goes so far as to say that there's little way for him to know if his sense aren't being actively tricked by mischievous or malevolent force. The ultimate point to consider is that sensory perceptions cannot be fully trusted, since we have all had experiences in which they have misrepresented the world. This misrepresentation can take the form of sensory hallucinations or inaccurate memories. In either case, our understanding of the physical world is already hampered because it can only be experienced indirectly through the senses, which Descartes confirms is a questionable medium at best."
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The Reconciliation of Faith and Science, 2008.
This paper discusses that science and religion or faith are thought to be irreconcilable; however, recently some scientist and religionists have attempted to reconcile these arenas.
2,505 words (approx. 10.0 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 76.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that religion is an experiential based field that relies on faith alone and is therefore highly subjective in its world view; whereas, in contrast, science is experimental but anchored in observation and has an objective interpretation of facts and events. The author underscores that both science and religion are based on faith and have as their common objective the quest for a formalized type of truth that can be applied universally to the human condition. The paper contends that achieving some sort of balance between science and religious faith is critical if mankind is going to continue to advance as a species. The author points out that, for Albert Einstein, the melding of science and religion was not a conundrum at all but rather, for him, the real problem lay in how man consistently chose to interpret both scientific and religious concepts and particularly religious concepts.
From the Paper
"One of the primary points of contention for the religious proponents has been the view that science attacks religious precepts and undermines religion's doctrine. Many scientists have patently disproved this argument as being somewhat disingenuous since much of their activity has been centered only on illuminating the specific characteristics of systemic phenomena in the physical world and make no judgment at all on the origin, necessarily, of these phenomena per se. Science and scientists almost as a collective unit admit that while they can understand many of the systemic processes in the physical world they are at a loss as to how many of these highly complex processes could have simply evolved out of the molecular fabric of space."
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Bennett and Lennon on Locke, 2008.
A comparison of the views of Jonathan Bennett and Thomas Lennon, concerning John Locke's conception of ideas and qualities.
1,230 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how John Locke's distinction between ideas and qualities, outlined in his "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding", would become a point of contention between Jonathan Bennett and Thomas Lennon. In particular, the paper takes a look at Bennet's book "Learning from Six Philosophers" and Lennon's critical article "Bennett on Ideas and Qualities in Locke's Essay". The paper concludes that Locke can be confusing at times because the distinction between ideas and qualities is not always clearly drawn in the text, but the ideas are more clear when closely examined by later thinkers.
From the Paper
"In 1996, Jonathan Bennett offered his own version of a standard objection raised against Locke, that the distinction between ideas and qualities is ill-formed and exposes a fundamental confusion about ideas and qualities that runs throughout Locke's An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Bennett says that Locke tends to use the word "idea" to mean "quality." Bennett also says that the distinction is intended to be clear and that Locke addresses it by stating that whatever the mind perceives in itself is an idea, while qualities are those "ideas" that are produced I the mind by sensation of the object and quality in question. Locke uses a snowball as an example and says the snowball itself produces the ideas of white, cold, and round. These are qualities because they are ideas that are in the snowball and then imparted to the mind as the mind experiences the snowball."
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Rene Descartes and the Certainty of Mind, 2008.
A look at the argument of the certainty of the mind over external physicality in Rene Descartes' "Meditations on First Philosophy".
938 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the greater certainty of mind over the physical external world in the philosophy of Rene Descartes. It discusses how by understanding the origins of thought in the mind, the presence of external objects are only perceived through this organ of the human body. It looks at how therefore, Descartes viewed the external world as unknowable by the mind because he viewed the human conscious as an internal and separate distinction from reality. In essence, the paper shows how Descartes provides a philosophical argument that provides a greater certainty of the mind over the external physical world in his "Meditations on First Philosophy. "
From the Paper
"This describes the inherent sense of unknowing that pertains to understanding the physical body that the unreasoning human mind cannot grasp on its own. Descartes uses the example of the human body to determine the nature of the external world outside of the mind to logically deduce that the mind is a limited tool for discerning what is real and what is not. This provides the premise that although Descartes is able to feel and know the human body, the whimsical nature of the human mind often prevents logical reasoning to bring light to external realities. "
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Socrates and the Just Life, 2008.
This paper examines Socrates' view of the just life and why such a life is better than the unjust life.
1,410 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper presents Socrates' discussion of why the just or "good" life far exceeds the unjust or "bad" life that is given over to the rapacious pursuit of material and corporeal gratification. The author points out that the core of Socrates' moral philosophy is the emphasis on the ability of human beings to think rationally and to use moral precepts to arrive at a means of living and a way of life, which allows them to be proper citizens as well as contented and balanced individuals. The paper relates that, in this view, the soul can only be made peaceable and agreeable if a person seeks out only moral or "pure" pleasures and eschews bad actions. The author concludes that, generations later, Socrates' work continues to serve as a remarkably didactic and important contribution to the western philosophical tradition.
From the Paper
"When reviewing Socrates' "Crito", it must be said that one of the chief arguments which arises is the argument that the just life is one means - perhaps the ultimate means - by which a man (or woman, though women were not discussed as possible philosophers by Socrates or by the other ancient writers) can maintain individual freedom and not fall to the debased status of a slave. Specifically, a man or woman is not truly free unless she applies human logos (the gift of the critical, inquiring mind) to the difficult question of what is truly just and proper within a particular situation."
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Socrates, Forms & Epistemology, 2008.
This paper looks at Socrates' argument concerning forms or ideal structures and epistemology.
1,114 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
In this article the writer discusses that Socrates accomplishes much of his rational argument based on establishing that forms or ideal structures only result in knowledge and he argues that sophists make of knowledge nothing but a commodity. The writer points out that Socrates' ultimate demise is well-known through the reproduction of his argument by his star pupil, Plato and it is to Plato that most Socratic researchers must rely on to gain a better understanding of Socrates because he never wrote anything at all. The writer notes that it is Socrates' use of forms as a paradigm for epistemological study which has freed philosophical pursuits from simple contemplation of knowledge and moved it to the application of insight and wisdom. The writer maintains that for Socrates, the world of forms was useful as a rational construct upon which to make his philosophical points; that is, knowledge to Socrates was only the starting point for philosophical debate whereas for others such as the sophists, knowledge and the pursuit of it were the ultimate goal or pursuit.
From the Paper
"However, the force of Socrates' renunciation of sophist thought and doctrine comes through so clearly in Plato's work that it is clear that Plato relied on Socratic opinion almost exclusively for the foundation of his most renowned works such as the Republic which contains a series of Plato's works. Therefore, were this last the case then Plato would be known almost exclusively as the father of philosophy rather than Socrates and Socrates would be a mere footnote. Yet, the marvel of Socrates' fame and his foundational position in the philosophical body of knowledge is that through him philosophy was given a greater conception of itself as separate from pure knowledge which Socrates demonstrated was relatively invaluable without the more important qualities of moral justice, wisdom, and restraint.."
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