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The Church-Turing Thesis, 2008.
This paper discuses the positive and negative implications that the Church-Turing thesis has on both cognitive science and the philosophy of the mind.
1,725 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 3 sources, APA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the Church-Turing thesis holds that problems impossible to solve through any theoretical method of computation also are impossible to solve by human thought. The author points out that, if one accepts the Church-Turing thesis, one must also accept that there are questions for which answers can be shown to exist but which can never be determined or articulated. The paper relates that the Church-Turing thesis matters very much to philosophers, especially existentialists, because it reflects the increasing focus and reliance of Western thought on analytical and rational views. The author underscores that, despite decades of contention, all that has been determined with any degree of finality is that free will and the Church-Turing thesis are not compatible.
From the Paper
"Cognitive scientists and philosophers of mind care about this because if Turing's thesis is correct, then debating the existence and non-existence of effective methods can be replaced throughout mathematics and logic by debating the existence or non-existence of Turing machine programs. The ultimate issue is validation for either philosophers of mind or for cognitive scientists, and the ultimate question is whether intelligence is exclusive to advanced forms of biological life or whether it can be replicated through artificial intelligence."
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Mencius and Xunzi on Human Nature, 2008.
A discussion of the views of two influential Chinese philosophers from the third century B.C., Mencius and Xunzi, on human nature.
3,570 words (approx. 14.3 pages), 9 sources, MLA, $ 99.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the views of Mencius and Xunzi, Chinese philosophers from c. 300 B.C., who belonged to the school of thought of Confucius (551-479 BC). It compares their differing approaches to human nature and relates that while Mencius saw the individual as fundamentally good, Xunzi's viewed human nature as bad and in need of care and correction. The paper addresses the influence of these two extremely influential philosophers, whose contrasting approaches continue to be seen today in Chinese civilization. The paper concludes that their thoughts on human nature are timeless and, thus, they will continue to be reviewed and discussed for many years to come.
Outline:
Introduction
Human Nature as Corruptible
Man as Weak and Bad
Implications over Time
Concluding Remarks
From the Paper
"Mencius spent years moving from court to court and we presume that he had many chances to see how feudal rulers chose to lead. He was a sought after advisor to different rulers towards much thinking on what worked and what did not to restore order, for example, or prevent future troubles. He seems to have come up with something like the Social Contract that shaped Western thinking in the modern era in a model of a decent kind of leadership and attention to the needs of life and protecting citizens to which individuals could adhere. If a decent environment was not provided, then the people should be expected to overthrow those in power towards new leadership. In the view of Mencius, a ruler must show jen in humaneness, humanity and benevolence, as a very old Chinese concept indeed. (Chan Jen) There should also be the yi of righteousness and a sense of duty, if a ruler wanted to see righteousness, cooperation and industriousness amongst his subjects."
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U.S. Government in a Hobbesian Perspective, 2008.
A comparison between Hobbes' theories and the structure of the US Government.
750 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the ideas of political philosopher Thomas Hobbes with the structure of the US Government. It looks at the topic from three different angles in the following logical order: Hobbes's view of human nature, desire and competition for power, and checks and balances or separation of powers (although Hobbes himself made no room for this last category in his philosophy). The paper concludes that the principle of Hobbes which probably would find favor with the founders of the Constitution was his version of the golden rule, "Do not that to another, which thou wouldst not have done to thyself." This is a rule based on mutual self-interest, and does not depend on one particular form of government for its effectiveness.
Table of Contents:
Hobbes' View of Human Nature
Desire and Competition for Power
Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
From the Paper
"In this area, Hobbes' ideal probably comes closest to that of the founding documents of the United States, in which the "pursuit of happiness" is considered a basic goal of citizens, and to make those goals possible requires the creation of an orderly government. However, the nature of this created government is very different in Hobbes' ideal than in that of the United States. For Hobbes, the government which was formed by mutual agreement among the people of a given area (again, only motivated by self-interest against the natural state of competition) would have to be one of absolute sovereignty, i.e. a "Leviathan" or overwhelming force, which he believed necessary to counter all of the other individual forces that would otherwise pull it apart. Then, the natural competition for power among individuals would be forcefully limited by a greater power."
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A Government of Limited Powers, 2008.
This paper discusses Thomas Hobbes' view of government and human nature.
757 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 2 sources, APA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
The paper explores Thomas Hobbes' views of natural human nature as it applies to the framework of the United States government. The paper discusses how Hobbes believed that all men are created equal, but the desire for power will inevitably lead to those that are stronger gaining power. The paper relates that the founding fathers of the Constitution recognized this fact and established a divided government with three coequal branches that had checks and balances over the powers of the other.
From the Paper
"Thomas Hobbes believed that all men were basically created equal; equal in talent, equal in abilities, and equal in power. However inevitably there would be those that are stronger than others, and they would seek to gain all of the power. Hobbes philosophized that the eventual salvation of society would lie in the large government, the body politic, the Leviathan. (Solomon, 2005 p.619) The government being the salvation of the common man is not a foreign idea, and one need not go any further than the evening news to see examples. Hobbes being a conservative monarchist felt that the supreme power lied in the divine right of the king to rule. (Thomas-Hobbes.com, 2004 n.p.)"
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Peter Singer's Views on Infanticide, 2008.
An argument against Peter Singer's justification of infanticide expounded upon in his book "Practical Ethics".
820 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
This paper criticizes Peter Singer's views on infanticide in "Practical Ethics". Singer believes that children should not be considered people until they have existed outside the mother's womb for at least a month and that physicians are morally justified in killing disabled infants. The paper considers this a disturbingly utilitarian approach that weighs human life on the basis of how useful and convenient it is to society and to those who will care for it. The paper claims that this approach offers an intellectual justification for the Nazis' behavior in WWII. At its most dangerous, the paper concludes, Singer's concept of the utility of infanticide may unjustly allow people to determine who should live - and who should die.
From the Paper
"In our western culture, we are very often taught that all human life is precious and that the lives of the very young are particularly precious - not least of all because they represent the future. Controversial ethicist Peter Singer, however, feels otherwise. Specifically, Singer has long held the view that children should not be considered people until they have existed outside the mother's womb for at least a month (thirty days) and that physicians are morally justified in killing some infants "on the spot" if those infants are disabled. In Singer's estimation, are not self-aware (therefore not human) and their lives are certainly of no greater value - actually of lesser value - than that of dumb animals like the chimpanzee or dog (Klusendorf, para.1; Singer, 122-123). Singer proceeds to argue that infants are not rational, self-conscious beings with a desire to live. Indeed, if killing an infant child (most especially a disabled one) will increase the happiness of other parties (principally the parents but, really, anyone who might stand to gain from the death of the infant) than taking the child's life is permissible; it is, in short, a profoundly utilitarian approach that weighs human life on the basis of how useful (and how "convenient") it is to society and to those who will care for it. As a final addendum, Singer insists that infanticide is only objectionable if its commission would bring about unhappiness to the parents (Klusendorf, para.5-8). It is a stunning moral view and a deeply troubling one."
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Karl Marx's Estrangement Theories, 2008.
An analysis of Karl Marx's theory of estrangement and its application to the modern global economy.
1,545 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper explores Karl Marx's theory of estrangement within the context of the contemporary industrial and economic setting. It devotes a considerable amount of time to explicating Marx's conceptions of estrangement and alienation. The paper subsequently looks at how his concept of estrangement can be applied to the modern global economy.
From the Paper
"To begin with, Marx insists that the worker in the capitalist order is the most wretched of beings insofar as his or her power is in inverse proportion to his (or her) creative production. In other words, as Marx argues vehemently, the worker creates and someone else gains the wealth accumulated by the creation of that item. To elaborate a little further, the fruits of labor's efforts (the goods produced by steadfast toil) metamorphose into something that is literally independent of the producer; the laborers lose control over the means of production and the more products he or she produces, the less ability he or she has to consume those goods and the more he or she falls under the dominion of capital (Marx, 30-31)."
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Existence of an External World, 2008.
A critical analysis of the arguments of Rene Descartes and John Locke with regards to the existence of an external world.
1,520 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the arguments of Rene Descartes and John Locke with regards to whether or not we can have knowledge of the existence of an external world. The paper shows that there are fundamental problems with both of their arguments and as such, the paper suggests that we are not yet in a position to demonstrate unequivocally that we can have knowledge of the existence of an external world.
From the Paper
"I thus conclude that neither Descartes nor Locke offer me sufficient proof that I can have knowledge of an external world. Descartes' argument fails on the basis that his argument for the existence of God is circular, and thus we have no particular reason to trust our own reasons. And Locke's argument fails because Descartes' arguments effectively destroy the foundation of Locke's argument. But as I have now have shown that I have no sound reason to trust the evidence of my reason, nor any sound reason to trust the evidence of my senses, it follows that there is nothing left on which I may base any confidence that we can have knowledge of the existence of an external world."
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Creationism versus Evolution, 2008.
A comparison of the evolutionary and creationist paradigms of history.
922 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper investigates the irreconcilable differences between evolutionary and creationist paradigms. The paper begins by describing the evolutionary paradigm and the creationist paradigm separately. It then contrasts the two views and discusses their differences. The paper concludes by suggesting that the ultimate argument between these two perspectives is a contest of faith versus fact.
From the Paper
"Creationism is a philosophical perspective that intends to keep specific social systems and conventions alive. However, Creationist beliefs display a blatant disregard for acknowledged scientific premises. Their ultimate argument is a contest of faith versus fact, and because of their refusal to incorporate credible evidence into their theories they can not destabilize the normal science of evolution. Even though the prevalence of Christian, Judaic, and Muslim religions might lend some credence to Creationist claims (given that all holy texts confirm the existence of a divine creator), the modern world is driven by evidence, details, and specifics. Their paradigm continues to influence people with unbreakable conviction in fundamental scriptural laws, but the scientific world remains unshaken."
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Plato's "Symposium", 2008.
An analysis of the nature of Eros in Plato's "Symposium".
1,813 words (approx. 7.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 58.95
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Abstract
Plato's "Symposium" is an account of an Athenian drinking party, attended by some of the leading cultural figures of classical Athens, in which the core of the discussion of those in attendance revolves around the nature of Eros or love. This paper explores this discussion, with particular reference to the speech of Socrates on the nature of Eros. The thesis is argued that Socrates' explication of the nature of Eros is reinforced by Alcibiades' speech, which illustrates how Socrates' philosophical position in this regard translates into his real life practices in regards to love and its pursuit.
From the Paper
"Of course, not all of the participants in the discussion agree about the nature of Love, or even follow the same theme. This being said, the speech of Pausanias is particularly interesting for how he discusses contemporary Athenian legal and moral perspectives on homosexual love and, in particular, on the love of older men for young boys. Pausanias' speech is significant as it reveals that there was not a "blanket" acceptance of all homosexual relationships in Athenian society, and that there is only one way in which such a relationship would not be reprehensible: in which the relationship is oriented towards a pursuit of goodness. "
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Action and Inaction in Freud and Foucault, 2008.
An exploration of Sigmund Freud's and Michel Foucault's theoretical models in relation to action and inaction as the core of civilization.
1,813 words (approx. 7.3 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 58.95
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Abstract
This paper explores how action and inaction with regard to Eros and its control or containment is at the core of civilization and has profoundly shaped Western models of the state and social order. The paper makes reference primarily to the works of Sigmund Freud and Michel Foucault in its discussion. It concludes that action and inaction can be seen as the key issues underlying both Freud's and Foucault's respective theoretical models of human social relations and Western civilization.
From the Paper
"From this perspective, the exploration of aspects of action and inaction in Freud and Foucault lead us to understand how each thinker, although in clearly different ways, conceived of the roles of erotic impulse and its repression as a core element of human civilization. As we have seen, while Freud regarded this collective repression as being analogous to the individual repression of erotic desire and action that leads to neuroses, Foucault extended this to a deeper historical understanding of this apparatus of sexual and social control, and also how this apparatus reveals the possibility of resistance. In this analysis, action and inaction can be seen as the key issues underlying both Freud's and Foucault's respective theoretical models of human social relations and Western civilization."
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Freedom in Berger and Kant, 2008.
This paper focuses on the issue of freedom in the works of Peter Berger and Immanuel Kant.
2,427 words (approx. 9.7 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 74.95
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Abstract
The paper studies passages from Peter Berger's "Invitation to Sociology" and Immanuel Kant's "Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals". The paper argues that there is a common theme of the importance of freedom in both passages. The paper shows how for both thinkers, freedom is an inalienable quality that is central to our identities as rational human beings.
From the Paper
"The passage from Berger's text revolves around the concept of "bad faith". Berger defines this concept as the pretence that "something is necessary that in fact is voluntary" (Berger 143). However, while this concept is central to the passage and is repeated and defined in several different ways, in actuality its primary role is to serve as a opening through which Berger can explore the core idea of his text: human freedom."
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