...Philosophy 101 PAPER # 1 The book The Republic by Plato, was written in Athens around 380 B.C. Around that time Plato wasn’t so happy with the conditions in Athens. This book is focused on the conception of justice and what it is to be just. This theory has been presented differently by each of the characters in the book, which are Cephalus, Polymarchus, Thrasymachus, and Glaucon. However, Socrates is the one who is given a challenge: to prove that justice is good and desirable. The book starts off with Cephalus giving his own conception of justice, which he believes to be “justice is nothing more than honoring legal obligations and being honest”. However, Socrate’s counterexample is “returning a weapon to a madman”. You owe the madman a weapon therefor you are being just and giving him back what he owns, yet this would also be considered an unjust act because you are landing back a weapon to a crazy man that might lead to him taking one’s life away. Polymarchus , Cephalus’ son then takes over with another idea of justice “justice means you owe a friend’s help and your enemies harm”. Polymarchus and his father share a similarity on their suggestions. Socrates, on the other hand reveals another counterexample and points out that sometimes we often are mistaken about who we call friends and who we call enemies because “we are not always friends with the most virtous individuals , nor are our enemies the scum of our society.” This all leads to Thrasymachus getting angry...
Words: 733 - Pages: 3
...Philosophy Paper My name is Jim Smith, and I was born December 23th, 1976 in San Angelo, Texas. My experiences have played an intricate part to my perspectives and beliefs on how I live my life. I am person who defines my existence by my ability to better those people around me. I enrich my life by what I do to enrich those around me. My life experiences that have brought me to these beliefs originate from the events that have taken place in my life, and most importantly what I have taken from them. The keys events that have shaped me are broken into four time periods are will be labeled as the childhood, teenage years, early adulthood, and today. We will take a look at some of the events that occurred, and what I have taken from them that define me. I grew up in and around central Texas. I am the oldest of four children, with a 17 year gap between the first and second set of siblings. My eldest sister and I are close in age separated by only 18 months. We lived in modest homes growing up, and did not have a lot of typical financial benefits. My parents did open us up to many different experiences. My father changed employment fields several times during my childhood, causing us to move around a lot, and live in may different settings. He was not ever completely satisfied with his line of work, and did not stay with anything very long. He worked in offshore drilling, for the IRS, horse ranching, owned a small grocery store, and is now a school principal...
Words: 788 - Pages: 4
...Philosophy Paper What should really be blamed for terrorist incidents? The article written by Deepa Kumar and the debate between Ben Affleck and Sam Harris mainly discuss the issue of Islamophobia, whether it is justified or not by the liberals. The article depicts how the author critiqued the trend against Islamic religion due to the terrorists and warfare in four ways. The author stated that the Islamic religion should not be blamed for violence just because of a few terrorists. All the religions have a similar history of violence, so that even a barbaric history could not be the reason to claim the whole religion is violent and evil. Otherwise, all the religions should be classified as inherently violent. Furthermore, the author stressed that there should be no distinguishment among different religions. The intrinsic value for all religions is similar, which is to give people belief. Neither the Catholicism nor the West is superior because the strong power of the western countries and desires to gain resources according to the author. The aim of the author is to point out the Islamophobia is not justified, and it accounts to the discrimination and racism towards Islam and Muslims. Similar views can be found in the debate, although the debate is more focused on the recent ISIS issue rather that the Iraq war. Ben Affleck holds the view that the terrorist activities should be only associated with few extremists in the religion, and it is nothing to do with the religion and...
Words: 1199 - Pages: 5
...The most interesting part about being on the wound care specialty rotation was learning about the hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber. The nurse was very kind in explaining everything about the purpose of the chamber. The therapy involved breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized room or “chamber”. This therapy is like scuba diving is subject to decompression sickness if not done correctly. The oxygen therapy also treats serious infections and aids in helping heal wounds that won’t heal as a result of disease conditions like diabetes. It helps to heal the wounds by killing off the germs associated with that wound. The therapy also helps promote angiogenesis. There are extreme risks associated with this therapy such as risk of fire since there is 100 % oxygen involved. There is also risk of combustion. There is static electricity, but for it to be harmful it must have three sources, oxygen, fuel source, and an ignition source. The RN told me there were only two fires in the US ever. Also, the patients entering the hyperbaric chamber must only be wearing pure cotton (usually scrubs that the facility provides) because it must not have any type of ignition source on it and the patient must not have any batteries on them or have used lotion on their bodies that morning. These are questions in the admission process that must be asked every session. The session usually lasts about two hours long. As for the rest of the day, we got to take vital signs and assist in...
Words: 255 - Pages: 2
...Philosophy 220 The Life You Can Save “Acting Now to End World Poverty” I will first explain Peter Singer’s argument on how he wants us to donate to the developing countries where 1.4 billion people live in extreme poverty around the world. Peter Singer argues that people who live in developed nations like the United States should act now to end world poverty. Peter Singer’s argument is that there are 1.4 billion people in the world who live in extreme poverty and barely making it to meet their most basic human needs such as food, house, and water. Based on his research the poorest people live on $1.25 a day. He argues that our obligation to the poorest people in the world is not only to donate an amount of $200 but also to donate as much as we can; but not to the point of sacrifice our own child’s life to save a child in the developing countries. Children die in the poorest countries because of the lack of sanitation and no safe drinking water from diseases such as measles, malaria, and diarrhea. In developed nations these diseases are almost never fatal. Then, why children die from diseases that are curable? The answer is that their parents can’t afford to health care. Children are malnourished and are the most vulnerable from these diseases. Peter says we spent money on things we take for granted and we don’t even noticed if they were there or not. He adds that the life you can save of a child in a developing country by donating $200 is not just enough as you might think...
Words: 1450 - Pages: 6
...UCOR 2500-01 12-7-15 Ideals of Living The ancient philosophers present differing views on how a life should be lived. Both Socrates and Confucius prescribe a way to live the best life, but their reasons for doing so vary. Socratic philosophy is based on the pursuit of wisdom leading to the separation of the soul from the body. Confucian philosophy describes the path to become an exemplary person, which draw on the lessons of history and community. In comparing their beliefs, we can learn life lessons that are of benefit in the here and now and others that are more esoteric. In the Socratic philosophy of soul and body separation, Socrates maintains that the separation of the soul and body is the end goal of a philosopher’s life. He goes so far as to say that a philosopher ought to welcome death, as it is the culmination of one’s life. He is then asked why suicide is not an option, if a philosopher welcomes death. Socrates rebuts by saying that we are the possessions of our creators, “…would you not be angry if one of your possessions killed itself when you had not given any sign that you wished it to die.” (P. 99) Socrates continues to expand his philosophy by supporting why a philosopher would welcome death. He states that in death, “…I should go first to other wise and good gods, and then to the men who have died and are better than men are here. Be assured, that as it is, I expect to join the company of good men.” (P. 100) Socrates argues that a philosopher who has...
Words: 1736 - Pages: 7
...PHILOSOPHY ESSAY PHIL 201 JUNE 9, 2015 BRITTANY MICHELLE HUGGINS LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE In this life sometimes we dream so clearly, that is it hard to distinguish what was real, and what was not. Sometimes we dream of things that could not possibly happen. But then sometimes we dream of a love one who has passed on before us, or dream about something that could be happening in real life. It takes us to another place. How do we know that what we believe to be real life is not a dream? In the movie, The Matrix Mr. Anderson, a computer programmer/hacker also known as Neo questions if the life he lives is real, or if they are all being programmed somewhere by a machine. Neo meets Morpheus who shows him that people are under a computer program called The Matrix. Cypher has been shown this as well but tries to forget what he has seen and move on with his life. This task is not so easy. We see also in “The Allegory of the Cave” that the task to forget what you have seen, and lived for so long is a lie. Socrates presents to Glaucon a scenario of men who could only see shadows and that what they saw was their life. Just like in The Matrix, people believed that their day to day life, was all there was, and all that was happening. The men in the scenario think that it is their only reality, just as the people in The Matrix. Then one day in Plato’s excerpt, one man see’s real like just like, Neo. At first it id hard to believe. Then you start to think that, that...
Words: 650 - Pages: 3
...Meditations on First Philosophy 1. Reconstruct the 3 stages of doubt as motivated by Descartes’s epistemological constraint? Descartes’ epistemological constraint is “if I know that P then that P cannot be doubted.” According to Descartes “undermining the foundations will cause whatever has been built upon them to crumble of its own accord (pg.14)” which is a big part of Descartes’ beliefs. This method leads to the first stage of doubt which is the fallinist argument, the argument against the senses. “I have noticed that the senses are sometimes deceptive (pg.14). “The senses aren’t always correct. However the senses don not deceive you when you are next “To the fire, wearing my winter dressing gown (pg. 14).” Your senses aren’t always deceiving you in this situation unless you were crazy or maybe have mental problems. This rejoinder leads to the second stage of doubt, which is the dream argument. This argument explains how “there are no definitive signs by which to distinguish being awake from being asleep (pg. 14).” Sometimes in our dreams we feel pain and pleasure the same way as in reality. Sometimes we can’t even tell the difference between dreams and reality. However in a dream or reality the limitation is arithmetic and geometric. Whether you’re awake or asleep “two plus three makes five and a square does not have more than four sides (pg. 15).” So this concludes the math and geometry is always right whether in a dream or reality. This leads to the third stage of doubt...
Words: 1495 - Pages: 6
...Edgar Venegas November 25, 2014 Philosophy 310 Professor Schubert Final Essay High school students are not learning and passing a course due to how the teaching material is organized. Teachers follow and teach their material to students by following what the book says. Due to the fact, that students learn exactly what is taught from the book, their teachers believe the student is capable of answering their own questions based off the book. Furthermore causing the student to score poorly in that class, due to not teaching the student personally and effective. In my point, I believe teachers need to stop relying on the students to learn by themselves using the book, and change their teaching material by personally teaching the student based on the teachers knowledge of the material. Given this argument, I will introduce a pro and con statement that will provide two different standpoints about my argument. After proving both pro and con statements, I will provide how John Stuart Mill will choose either statement by using his moral perspective theory. As a pro statement, teachers who teach their students the correct material upon their own knowledge, without consulting a book as guidance in their class, will have successful passing students. Most high school teachers who have received degrees don’t teach students upon themselves, but depend on book. Unfortunately, when a student needs help, they have to consult to the book, and rely on the practice problems the book provides...
Words: 1299 - Pages: 6
...Introduction: In this paper, I will argue that Plato’s reply to Glaucon’s first objection, that justice is no more than a compromise is not a valid statement in the following three points. First, I will briefly explain the objection of Glaucon, that justice is no more than a compromise. Secondly, I will explain Plato’s reply to Glaucon’s first objection. Next, I will show the weaknesses on Plato’s claim based on one of the three parts of soul that he stands, desire. Thirdly, I will convince that Plato’s view of justice is indeed too narrow since his definition of justice is only limited to human beings. Finally, I will argue on Plato’s idea of rule of reason would lead to result of no more internal conflict. In this paragraph, I am going to state about Glaucon’s objection that justice is no more than a compromise and briefly explain Plato’s reply on Glaucon’s objection. The statement of “justice is no more than a compromise” comes from Glaucon’s second class of good: good that “are onerous but beneficial to us, and we wouldn’t choose them for their own sakes, but for the sake of the rewards and other things that come from them” [357C]. This illustrates the idea that people might do “just” things (according to the mainstream of that time, law, conventions) while they have outweigh the consequence of doing the “unjust” thing. Which Glaucon concludes that it is just a compromise of being just instead of its initial goal was to be just. People could act unjustly if they could...
Words: 1560 - Pages: 7
...From the time we are born we have expectations in society to abide by. Girls are put in “girl” colors; boys are put in “boy” colors. If you ask someone why those are “girl” colors or “boy” colors the response is generally “because they are”. Who decided that those colors have a gender preference? Who even decided those are those colors? This class led me to question society itself and realize we give things an identity based on what we are told. The most important thing I learned was the inverted spectrum. I am going to define what the inverted spectrum is, explain what it is, and provide examples how it applies to everyday lives. Then I will explain that the inverted spectrum is important to me because in reality no one can understand my mental state no matter how I explain it, I learned to think for myself, and perception is our reality even though it may be completely false. I will then explain some counter arguments against my reasons such as knowing someone’s mental state because of a similar event or emotion and that we believe what we believe based on facts that are then passed down from person to person. Then I will explain how the counter arguments are incorrect. Finally, I will conclude my argument. The inverted spectrum suggests things are not just input, output because of our own experiences. We do not learn through input and output such as mathematics but our experiences. What this means is someone could pick up a pink crayon but see black but are always told...
Words: 3935 - Pages: 16
...Moraine Park technical college | Philosophy of Quality - | [Quality Philosophy Paper] | ------------------------------------------------- Jessica Gallo Managing for Quality (196-192) ------------------------------------------------- Moraine Park Technical College February 1, 2013 ------------------------------------------------- Jessica Gallo Managing for Quality (196-192) ------------------------------------------------- Moraine Park Technical College February 1, 2013 | Philosophy of Quality Introduction Organizations and people are in competition with one another, therefore having quality is vital to its success. Quality can be defined by me and others as a business that makes reliable products that are made to last or a business that makes a product at reasonable price to its consumer. Quality can also be defined by receiving...
Words: 1936 - Pages: 8
...Educational Philosophy Paper Beliefs about Teaching and Learning A teacher should know student’s psychology and should be dedicated toward the job. She should have sufficient knowledge about her subject and set challenging tasks for students. Final and most important teaching is such a vast field of study that a teacher should also keep on learning. On the other hand, a student learns best when learning is authentic. To enhance student learning, the school’s environment should be based on students’ s emotional and educational needs. A teacher should maintain positive relationship with the student and seek different methods to help the students to learn. Students usually learn best when they know they can. Beliefs about Students Each student has different needs. To make the students learn teachers need to engage them actively in learning. Teachers need to teach them from their point of view that is how they can learn better? We need to use different instructional methods. Beliefs about Knowledge The area of knowledge is very vast so a teacher must have the knowledge of whatever she will teach. Knowledge comes from information. So as many as sources a teacher has for information, she will have better knowledge of her field. But knowledge does not end if one has enough knowledge about something but also the way she delivers knowledge. Beliefs about What is Worth Knowing It makes worth...
Words: 1021 - Pages: 5
...Asian Philosophy and Literature ENG/301 February 1, 2015 Jacob Kolander Asian Philosophy and Literature Asian American literature flourished mostly after the 1930’s and a significant rise came after the 1970’s when Maxine Hong Kingston published several of her books. Asian literature did not emerge earlier as Asian scholars and diplomats were not brought to America; individuals that did come into this new land were solely to work on railroads or mines. This literature mostly refers to the hardships of adjusting to living in America and keeping their cultural origin. The Confucius philosophy is highly significant to the Asian culture and it is reflected in the literature in one form or another. The readings selected are Mother Tongue, by Amy Tan, The Youngest Daughter, by Cathy Song, and How I Got That Name, by Marilyn Chin. These stories reflect the difficulty of adjusting to the American culture as well as maintaining their Asian culture. The Confucius philosophy is not a religion but a system that is based on social and ethical foundation that establishes kindness, respect, and appreciation to others. Through this philosophy, each individual is expected to be kind to the younger, the older, and every human being. In Asian American literature, many of the text includes either the mother, father, grandparents, or a relative that they care for or continue to live with. Aside from including a family member, it writes about the difficulty of mastering the English language...
Words: 1070 - Pages: 5
...Philosophy paper Introduction to teaching 1301 By:Magaly Berumen My philosophy is that an educator is the most valuable resource our country has. Of all the jobs or careers in this world none of them would be possible without teachers. There are two main points to my philosophy, why teachers are important and who teachers are. Teachers are very important in our society because we need them to provide our youth with the knowledge and social experiences they will need to improve their future and the future of the entire planet. Teachers are more than just people who relay information about a certain subject. Who teachers are, they are anyone and everyone. Teachers are grandmothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters. For anything to be learned it must be taught. I remember many times my mom and dad sitting me down to talk about some situations that might come about and telling me ways to deal with them. Classroom teachers especially in the early years are the people that those students will see most throughout the course of the day and will learn social skills and manors from. I feel that teachers are role models weather they want to be or not, it comes with the job. As a teacher I hope to be able influence many lives and help students understand what education can do for them and their future. The purpose of education is to help students gain knowledge to be used in their career, social, and personal lives. Education is important in teaching students the past and helping them...
Words: 990 - Pages: 4
