'Utilitarianism is the best approach to
'Utilitarianism is the best approach to environmental issues.' Discuss There are two main types of utilitarian; rule and act. Rule utilitarian's roughly follow a general rule which incorporates their utilitarian principles. This enables them to establish social order and justice which if followed universally would lead to the greatest happiness for the greatest number. However, act utilitarian's focus on the consequences of an action to determine whether it is good or not. They believe in the greatest pleasure for the greatest number. They often use the 'hedonic calculus' to measure the amount of pleasure against the amount of pain to determine whether an action is good or bad. With regard to the issue of pollution and carbon emissions rule utilitarian's would apply the 'greatest happiness for the greatest number' principle which can be interpreted to mean that pollution isn't necessarily a bad thing because it allows businesses, economies and developing countries to expand which they cannot do without producing high levels of carbon emissions. Allowing economies to expand and countries to develop will make the inhabitants happy and could also produce positive effects for the whole world; e.g producing cheaper raw materials so production of a good with high demand can be increased. This would make people all over the world happy. However, future generations would be left
Are any of descartes' arguments for the existence of god persuasive?
ARE ANY OF DESCARTES' ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD PERSUASIVE? Having established the Cogito as the 'first principle' of Descartes' new and certain philosophy, he is left with the monumental task of reconstructing the system of beliefs that he so mercilessly destroyed in the First Meditation. But rather than launch directly into an attempt to build on this claimed 'firm foundation' of the cogito, he takes what Cottingham describes as the 'curiously indirect route' of seeking first to prove the existence of God. Descartes' motivation behind establishing God's existence before considering the most basic of scientific or natural existences is, he argues, the natural step from the first principles to the establishment of scientific and natural knowledge that cannot be doubted. To construct this new and certain knowledge directly from the basis of the cogito would be near impossible, as at every stage of consideration one would be plagued by obsessive doubts over the truth of our perceptions. If God's existence can be proved, then one may rely on 'clear and distinct perceptions' based solely upon the 'fundamental innate truths which God has implanted in us', and thus a certain and permanent structure of knowledge may be constructed. In the Meditations Descartes offers two arguments for the existence of God: the 'trademark argument' and the 'ontological argument'. It is the
The State and Conditions of Filipino Philosophy.
THE STATE AND CONDITIONS OF FILIPINO PHILOSOPHY So there I was ... polluting the word of God with my own profane language. But, good heavens, if my poor words could not be distinguished from the Revelation by God's own Messenger, then what did that mean? What did that say about the quality of divine poetry? - Salman Rusdie Prologue In the previous student philosophy congress held last year at the University of Santo Tomas, the proponents presented a research paper that made an analysis on the state and conditions of Filipino philosophy as manifested in the undergraduate thesis works in four academic institutions, namely, San Beda College, the University of Santo Tomas, the University of the Philippines, and the De La Salle University. Through the use of statistical data and tabular illustrations, it was observed that there is an emerging trend within these academic institutions that focuses on, and thus contributes to, the arts and literature of the Filipino people- in other words, Filipino culture. Furthermore, these studies reflected the ideological leanings of each institution as readily seen in the titles of each thesis work. A thorough discussion of that paper need not be presented here; suffice to say, it was generally viewed that while Filipino philosophy remained underdeveloped, the initial findings of that paper suggest a promising field for future studies.
What, in your view, is "freedom"? Do you think that an agreement can be reached on its meaning?
Name: Barbara Zieciak Student Number: 204506349 Course: Political Science 1B Tutor: Professor De Kant Date: Friday 17 September 2004 4. What, in your view, is "freedom"? Do you think that an agreement can be reached on its meaning? Justify your answer. Freedom means different things to different people and it is a concept that has been debated by great thinkers, politicians and writers throughout history. It is hard to pinpoint an exact value of the word "freedom" simply because the concept relies ultimately on your stance and outlook. To me, freedom is a utopian ideal of a perfect state of being where one is free from coercion and restraint and everyone can do as they please so long as they do not harm others. It is the free will to set one's own boundaries and not having to compromise one's moral grounds, ethics and beliefs. The utopian freedom is being free of obligations and responsibilities that are not a consequence of one's own choice. I would like to think that freedom means the ability to think for one's self even if this is different from what is considered to be the status quo and to express the ideas. In one of Cat Stevens' songs, the lyrics are ended with, "Say what you mean, mean what you're thinking, think anything." Allowing people the freedom to think is a scary proposition but they must be given that freedom. We must remember that we can make both
"Skeptical scrutiny is the means in both science and religion, by which deep thoughts can be winnowed from nonsense" Carl Sagan
"Skeptical scrutiny is the means in both science and religion, by which deep thoughts can be winnowed from nonsense" Carl Sagan Science and religion are two of a kind in which you look at everything as if it were true until you could verify it. Science is the field of study in which find out knowledge involves systematized observation, experiment and induction. Scientists usually follow the scientific method to find out whether their hypothesis is true or not. The scientific method shows us that scientists have just a hypothesis to believe and the actual fact of the hypothesis is unknown. I believe that science is a subject in which belief and faith plays a very important role in the first few stages of the scientific method. However in religion belief and faith also play a very important role because religion is a branch of life, which cannot survive without the two. Here we can see the similarity between science and religion and how the to have to be proven until every on can say its true. There are many controversial topics which science and religion cannot explain. One of these sorts of topics is the argument on the existence of god. People like Descartes said that if you could think of god the there might be a god to think of. Even people like Descartes could prove the existence of god with the help of science. Science built on hypothesis (something not true until
Is Santayana's vision of a rational society compatible with liberal democracy?
Santayana: identity and laughter: towards a philosophy of modesty Tutorial question: Is Santayana's vision of a rational society compatible with liberal democracy? From 1889 to 1912 Santayana taught at Harvard University. He was Hyde Lecturer at Sorbonne, Paris, in 1905-06. Santayana's lectures on the philosophy of history formed the foundation of THE LIFE OF REASON (1905-06), an interpretation of the role of reason in manifold activities of the human spirit. According to Santayana happiness is the good for humankind and is best secured by the harmonization of our various interests by the use of reason. From this basis he asked "In which of its adventures would the human race, reviewing its whole experience, acknowledge a progress and a gain," and focused his survey on society, religion, art and science. In 1923 he published SCEPTICISM AND ANIMAL FAITH, in which he formulated ideas of scepticism. According to Santayana, all rational processes are expressions of animal compulsion to believe certain things, such as the existence of matter. We have an irresistible urge ('animal faith') to believe in the independence of the external world. Further, Santayana distinguishes between existence and being - the latter has four realms: essence, matter, truth and spirit. Matter is external to consciousness, and all existence is grounded in matter. Spirit and body are realizations of
The Sumerian Lifestyle and Their Contributions to the Modern World.
The Sumerian Lifestyle and Their Contributions to the Modern World By Saad Aqil The world without its greatest invention-the wheel-is a world that does not exist. Imagine what it would be like if such an important invention as the wheel did not come into being? Or, just think how it would be if the concept of writing had not been introduced? I believe that such integral inventions make much of our lives today. The Sumerian civilization was not just a civilization, but also a foundation for many civilizations that followed, which adopted and implemented many of its developments and inventions. What I find ironic is that being one of the first civilizations ever, "having existed from 4000 BC to 2000 BC"1, it was also the innovative catalyst that first introduced certain inventions, such as those mentioned above, that are used in the everyday life of almost every human being today. "It was one that had to struggle for its existence owing to the many floods that often overwhelmed the city of Sumer, which was located between the Tigris River and Euphrates River. However, regardless, life did not cease to exist owing to these deluges for they brought vegetation and agricultural abundance, which attracted its many inhabitants." 2 The skills of the Sumerian-speaking farmers also rouse awe in me for they formed small communities to drain the swamps, and direct the water from
Explain and Assess Descartes Ontological Argument.
Explain and Assess Descartes Ontological Argument Descartes' second argument for the existence of God is similar to one that was used by Saint Anselm. The name of the argument was coined by contemporary philosophers after Descartes passed away. Ontology is defined as the branch of metaphysics that deal with the nature of being. Descartes' Ontological argument of the existence of God is thus based on the nature or essence of God. Descartes was reluctant to use this argument as he thought it might be taken as a sophism. This is because in general, the essence of metaphysical things is separate from their existence. The ontological argument is a priori proof of the existence of God. This means that it does not rely on any effect (like the idea of God) in the third meditation which has to be caused by God in order to prove His existence. Rather Descartes argues that existence is part of the essence of God. Descartes does this by using the triangle as an example. Whenever one imagines a triangle it follows that there are properties attributed to it. For instance it has three sides, the sum of its angles must equal two right angles and its greatest side subtends its greatest angle. These ideas or essence of the triangle are independent of us and are clearly recognised by the intellect whether we want to or not. Likewise Descartes argues that existence cannot be
The evil eye bead
Table of Contents - Abstract..............................................................................................................1 2- Introduction........................................................................................................1 3- Common sense about the evil eye bead.......................................................... ..3 4- The evil eye bead in term of axis of symetrey...................................................6 5- The evil eye bead in term of multiculturalism...................................................9 6- Conclusion........................................................................................................11 7- References........................................................................................................12 8- Appendix........................................................................................................... ABSTRACT This paper explores the evil eye bead, used by many cultures to provide protection from the evil eye,in tems of axis of symetry, multiculturalism and common sense. The evil eye bead is an object which has been developed because of the evil eye bead. Thus, this belief has been focused on this study owing to the relationship of it with the evil eye bead. In this paper, it is suggested that there are three shadows of the evil eye bead; anxiouty abouth
What are the philosophical problems associated with belief in life after death?
What are the philosophical problems associated with belief in life after death? In any discussion of life after death, the relationship between body and soul is crucial. According to one view the soul is active in, but ultimately independent of, the body, and survives when the body 'perishes'. In the other view, the soul and body are made for each other, and eventually become reunited by way of bodily resurrection. The latter view is more in line with biblical tradition, which saw body and soul forming a single unity, and is confirmed for 'believers' in the resurrection of Jesus. Both views are challenged by atheistic materialism, which holds that body and soul are two sides of a single coin, one merely the principle of the other, and that both perish together on the death of the individual. Plato put forward a dualistic account, in which the body and soul are two separate entities. Although they combine in a human life, the soul lives on immortality after the death of the body. Plato's dualism is consistent with his understanding of reality. He gave an illustration of this in his 'allegory of the cave': the majority of us are like prisoners in a cave, where shadows cast by a fire are seen projected on a wall. The prisoners in the cave think that the shadows are the full reality, all there is. Only by making the effort can one escape from the cave and discover the truth.
