Phil. 101 Metaphysics Essay Example for Free

Phil. 101 Metaphysics Essay Philosophy stemmed from the early Greek religions and myths, in search for answers to their questions about life. From early B. C. till today people still have questions about life and after-life, what is real and what is reality. Philosophy has dozens of subdivisions within it, one being metaphysics. Metaphysics is the study of the nature of reality, and within metaphysics there are three more divisions materialism, idealism, and hylemorphism. Each philosopher fits into one category more then others. I have chosen to write about Aristotle, Plato, and Histories because I feel they each fit into a category with little confusion as to where they belong in metaphysics. Materialism falls all the way on the left of the spectrum. Materialism is defined as all reality is only and ever matter. This is the mindset of nothing happens after death, or if the tree falls and no one hears it there is no sound. I interpreted this as a pessimistic, dull outlook because it left little room for imagination. As I read Aristotle’s piece Metaphysics’ it really opened my eyes to materialism. On page one he says, â€Å" A sign of this is out liking for the senses; for even apart from their usefulness we like them for themselves—especially the sense of sight, since we choose seeing above practically all the others, not only as an aid to action, but also when we have no intention of acting. † If one were to break this down Aristotle says we as humans use our senses not only for the innate purpose, the most used sense is sight because it helps when doing something or nothing at all. This quote showed materialism because I related it the tree falling, because no one used his or her senses to hear the tree fall therefore nothing happened when it fell. Aristotle explains that if one does not know if something is real by using his or her senses then it is nothing at all. Idealism lies on the right of the spectrum as far from materialism as possible. Idealism is defined, as all reality is only and ever the result of my subjective interpretation. As I browsed through Plato’s work I noticed he made many references to god. These references canceled out materialism for Plato because materialists do not believe in god(s), because there has never been a physical god. As I looked more in depth in Plato’s work, the work showed doing good by god and soul for the after life. In Plato’s Euthyphro, Euthyphro stresses piety, a religious devotion, if fact the entire dialogue is based on the pious thing to do. Euthyphro says, â€Å" I would certainly say that the pious is what all the gods love, and the opposite, what all the gods hates, is the impious. † Because the pious thing is what the gods’ love and that is a belief, which shows idealism because it is a belief and not matter. At the end of Plato’s dialogue Apology, Socrates is sentences to death, he makes a reference to when he dies he will meet with all the other men who have died for his the same reason and they share their experiences, but no one truly knows what happens after death except the gods. Idealism is based upon a subjective world, meaning it is what one believes it to be. Plato’s entire story The Allegory of the Cave represents idealism completely. This is a story Socrates based on his view of the education system. It began with prisoners in a cave who only saw shadows of puppets, heard random noises, and the only source of light was a fire. They know nothing other then what they are shown but they were to interpret the puppets in their own way, eventually a prisoner will be freed to leave and will come back because that was all they knew. Although the story is flawed and sad it represented the idealism because the prisoners had the freedom to imagine what the wished even with no knowledge of what it was. In between materialism and idealism, hylemorphism blossoms. Hylemorphism is defined, as all reality is a distinct, non-separable combination of matter and form. This section of metaphysic allows space for matter to change form and a little more room for imagination in general. In A Pre-Socratics Reader I believe Diogenes Laertius and Herodotus to be the most hylemorphism philosophers. As materialism and idealism believe in two completely different experiences after death, I think hylemorphism think that people reincarnate because they believe that forms will change. Laertius tells a story of a man beating a puppy and as he heard the puppy’s cry he asked the man to stop because it was the cries of the soul of a friend of his. Herodotus says, â€Å" †¦ the human soul is immortal, and each time the body perishes it enters into another animal as it is born. † The pre-socratics has dozens of philosophers that have the same thoughts or views as these two men, which represent hylemorphism just as well. As I broken down metaphysics into the three general categories, it can be broken down more and have more philosophers in each category. Philosophy is not set in stone; it is all set upon interpretation. Some may feel completely different about Aristotle’s positions on the spectrum or even Laertius’, philosophers will never true have a set category in metaphysic.

Memory - Our Version of History :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Memory - Our Version of History How the memory works in the human mind continues to fascinate those who look. It has the ability to take in everything that our senses can give to it, store all of that information, and then recall both recent and past recollections upon our request. Patricia Hampl discovers in her own personal recollection "an unsettling disbelief about the reliability of memory, a hunch that memory is not, after all, just memory" (131). Psychiatrists, psychologists, and writers continue to study the mystery in the relationship between the mind and the memory: the objective past, the invention of our own version of history, and the symbolism in personal memories with respect to self-reflection. Hampl reflects to discover she invents in her memoir of the piano lesson. Returning thirty years later to a special place in his memory, Stephen Jay Gould "had conflated the most prominent symbol of my old neighborhood, the tennis stadium, with an important personal place" (116). I can see how this happens when a person sometimes adds a little color or excitement in retelling a story to keep the attention of the audience in everyday life. But these accomplished authors are writing memoirs, not fiction, and their memories are still partial untruths. Could my written memories contain untruths as their written memories do? The only way I may find the answer is to write about the first memory I remember as a child. It is a long time ago and I remember that I am three years old. Daddy is holding me near his shoulder and I have my arms around his neck. We are in Sacred Heart Church by ourselves. Daddy just keeps looking straight ahead. His glasses are resting on his nose that protrudes so far from his face. I think about his nose because we always play "noseys" before I go to bed at night. His tinted glasses are hiding his eyes that always smile at me. I want to see his smiling eyes but right now I can see the top of his head better. Daddy does not have much hair on the top of his head. It reminds me of when he says, "The beard on my face makes up for the lack of hair on my head." I laugh to myself and remember telling him to move his beard to the top of his head but to leave his mustache where it is.

Negotiation Jujitsu

What if They Won’t Play (Use Negotiation Jujitsu) Getting to YesNegotiating Agreement Without Giving In By Roger Fisher and William Ury Vikas Singh Ed Hill What if They Won’t Play †¢ Theymaystatetheirpositioninunequivocal terms †¢ Concernedonlywithmaximizingtheirowngains †¢ Theymayattackyouinplaceofattackingthe problems Three Basic Strategies †¢ What you can do †¢ What they can do – Negotiation Jujitsu †¢ What a third party can do – One Text Mediation Procedure Negotiation Jujitsu Three Basic Maneuvers Asserting their position forcefully †¢ Attacking your ideas †¢ Attacking you Don’t attack their position, look behind it †¢ Neither reject nor accept the position †¢ Treat it as one possible option †¢ Look for interest and principles behind it †¢ Think of ways to improve it Don’t defend your ideas, invite criticism and advice †¢ Invite criticism, instead of resisting it †¢ As k them what is wrong with a particular idea or an option †¢ Use their criticism and advice to find out their underlying interests and principles †¢ Rework your ideas in light of what you learnRecast an attack on you as an attack on the problem †¢ Resist the temptation to defend yourself or attack them †¢ Listen to them †¢ Understand what they are saying †¢ Recast their attack on you as an attack on the problem Ask questions and pause †¢ Use questions instead of statements †¢ Silence One-text procedure Call in a third party to: †¢ Separate the people from the problem †¢ Direct the discussion to interests and options †¢ Suggest impartial basis for resolving differences †¢ Separate invention from decision making How does a third party do this Asksabouttheinterestsratherthanpositions †¢ Learnallabouttheirneedsandinterests †¢ Suggest a provisional solution/recommendation †¢ Askthemtocritiqueitorsuggestimprovements †¢ Improvisetherecommendationinlightofinputs †¢ Presentthefinalsolution Getting them to play: The case of Jones Realty and Frank Turnbull †¢$600 rent per month †¢Apartment under rent control†¢Max rent at $466 per month †¢Mrs. Jones reimburses after several long principled negotiation sessions Stock Phrases †¢ â€Å"Please correct me if I’m wrong. † †¢ â€Å"We appreciate what you’ve done for us. †¢ â€Å"Our concern is fairness† †¢ â€Å"We would like to settle this on the basis of Independent standards, not of who can do what to whom† †¢ â€Å"Trust is a separate issue† Stock Phrases (cont. ) †¢ â€Å"CouldIaskyouafewquestionstoseewhether my facts are right? † †¢ â€Å"What’stheprinciplebehindyouraction? † †¢ â€Å"LetmeseeifIunderstandwhatyou’resaying† †¢ â€Å"Letmegetbacktoyou† †¢ â€Å"Let me show you where I have trouble following some of your reasoning Stock Phrases (cont. ) †¢ â€Å"One fair solution might be. † †¢ â€Å"If we agree.. If we disagree. † â€Å"We’d be happy to see if we can leave when it’s most convenient for you† †¢ â€Å"It’s been a pleasure dealing with you† â€Å"Please correct me If I’m wrong† †¢ Establish dialogue based on reason †¢ Invitation to participate†¢ Good probability you won’t â€Å"lose face† †¢ Opening to correction and persuasion sets the tone â€Å"We appreciate what you’ve done for us† †¢ Through support, separate people from problem †¢ Defuses self-image threat †¢ Other side now has something to lose: – Praise and support â€Å"Our concern is fairness† †¢ Take basic stand on principle †¢ Remain open Both ends and means to accomplish ends are principled â€Å"We would like to settle this on the basis of independent standards, no of who can do what to whom† †¢ Don’t lose temper- and thus, control †¢ Bring negotiation back to merits †¢ Good example of negotiation jujitsu †¢ Reinforces principled negotiation â€Å"Trust is a separate Issue† †¢ Slip out of corner†¢ Remain firm on the principle â€Å"Could I ask you a few questions to see whether my facts are right? † †¢ Statements of fact can be threatening, questions are better †¢ Phrasing info as questions allows open participation Lays foundation for agreed upon facts â€Å"What’s the principle behind your action? † †¢ A principled negotiator neither accepts nor rejects other side’s opinion †¢ Leads other side to search for reasons †¢ Negotiation continues on principle â€Å"Let me see If I understand what you’re saying† †¢ Principled negotiation requires good communication †¢ Other side more l ikely to listen and be more receptive â€Å"Let me get back to you† †¢ Good negotiator rarely makes important decisions on the spot †¢ Timeanddistancehelptoseparatepeoplefrom problem Goodnegotiatorscomestotablewithcredible reason for leaving †¢ Allowsdiscussionwithconstituents(Paul)†¢ Freshcommitmenttoprinciplednegotiation â€Å"Let me show you where I have trouble following some of your reasoning† †¢ Present reasons before offering proposal †¢ Proposal first will often lead to other side not listening to reasons – Considering counterproposals â€Å"One fair solution might be. † †¢ Proposal not as yours, but as fair option †¢ Proposal not as only solution, but one fair solution â€Å"If we agree.. If we disagree. † †¢ Try to make it easy for other side †¢ Trickiest part is to communicate the alternative Use of third party – Creates distance, thus, separation of people from problems†¢ Don ’t always reveal BATNA â€Å"We’d be happy to see if we can leave when it’s most convenient for you† †¢ Incorporate other side’s interests †¢ Allows for other side to â€Å"save face† †¢ Other side feels good about agreement â€Å"It’s been a pleasure dealing with you† †¢ End on a good note †¢ Reestablishes principle of separation of people from problem †¢ Relationship maintained Summary †¢ You can get the other side to play principled negotiation, even if they don’t want to at first †¢ Principled negotiation, negotiation jujitsu, or a third party all work

US Soldiers and Their Relationship With Society in...

US Soldiers and Their Relationship With Society in America After the Vietnam War Imagine playing in the NCAA National Championship game in front of 50,000 people and millions of others watching via their televisions at home. After an intensely fought game the final score indicates that a loss was suffered. Hopes and dreams of winning a National Championship are gone and one can only contemplate what could have gone the other way and what may be in store for next season on the journey home. Once arriving to campus the cheers and mass distributions of congrats are heard by those in the surrounding society for the effort and hard work exhibited by the players on the team. Although defeat was endured, positivity still lingered amongst†¦show more content†¦A complete history of Vietnam from an individual perspective Discomfort on the part of the society of America began to become more apparent and on October 15, 1965 one of the first demonstrations against the war occurred in New York City. More than 25,000 people attended the event of protest. World War II veterans against the war at Vietnam began getting harassed by supporters of the war and the negative image Vietnam would portray started coming into focus (2). The rallies of those against the war continued throughout the nation during the entire length of the war and from 1969 to 1973 â€Å"the original negative image of the Vietnam veteran was born† (3). A division amongst society quickly became apparent in those against the war and those for or fighting in the war at Vietnam. Avoiding the draft was practiced by numerous individuals who did not want to be succumbed to the negativity of America. American citizen, Adam Edwards said of the draft situation, â€Å"As I look back at it now, I would have postponed my schooling and gone with my initial feeling of joining the war. I was not in fear of what could happen in Vietnam but rather how much the community around me would have disapproved of my participating (4). As the end of the war approached in the North Vietnamese’ surrounding of the US embassy at Saigon, the tally of American lives taken by the war exceeded 50,000 people. The actual conflict was never definedShow MoreRelatedThe Vietnam War Was A Long And Bloody1502 Words   |  7 Pages The Vietnam War was a long and bloody one. The war began on November 1, 1955 and ended on April 30, 1975. The war lasted nearly 20 years. Over this period, 9,087,000 men from United States were deployed, 58,220 were killed and more than 300,000 were wounded. The war also killed an estimated 2 million Vietnamese civilians, 1.1 million North Vietnamese troops, and 200,000 South Vietnamese troops. The Vietnam War was the first war America ever lost and this lost would lead to a heavy impact on theRead More Sweetheart of the Song of Tra Bong as Metaphor Essay1150 Words   |  5 PagesSweetheart of the Song of Tra Bong as Metaphor  Ã‚   The Vietnam War is a strange and unexplainable event in American history. The controversies surrounding the American involvement in Vietnam and the need for Vietnam veterans to tell their stories of the war are prevalent in the post-Vietnam culture of America. The stories that will last forever are those that swirl back and forth across the border between trivia and bedlam, the mad and the mundane(89). The story of the sweetheart of the SongRead MoreHow Were The Us Soldiers Affected By The Vietnam War?1281 Words   |  6 PagesBailey Stout Connolly US History Date How were the US soldiers affected by the Vietnam War The war in Vietnam was a war against communism that tore apart the US. The United States of America plunged together with its allies and played a tremendous role as far as fight against communism is concerned. A huge number of American soldiers were deployed in Vietnam a practice that coupled with much unpreparedness. The soldiers were not aware what exactly they were up to in Vietnam. Most Americans at theRead MoreThe Things They Carried By Tim O Brien1459 Words   |  6 Pages1950’s, the Vietnam War turned to be the modern pinnacle for battles resulting in the deaths of 58,000 American soldiers and millions of Vietnamese death. It saw the viable destruction of modern technology such as the newly fashioned M-16 rifle and the Apache, a helicopter made for mass destruction. For the soldiers experiencing Vietnam, it was truly an experience which would shape their hearts and minds forever. As evidenced in Tim O’ Brien’s The Things They Carried, The Vietnam Wa r was an emotionalRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Miss Saigon Essay1310 Words   |  6 Pagesyear old war orphaned prostitute, Kim and a US GI Soldier, Chris who are torn apart during the fall of Saigon. Set in the Vietnam War these characters are constantly challenged while the city explodes with conflicting cultures matched with the horrors of war and the ever changing effects of the power of love. Chris meets Kim in the nightclub where she works and from that moment to two fall in love but however regardless of the fact that Chris helps to get a Kim a visa out of Vietnam when the US militaryRead MoreThe Discovery of a Time Capsule1640 Words   |  7 Pagesthe other hand, there are a few times in history that are shaped by famous personalities and known as their age. 1960 was a major year in the political history of America as we know through internet sources. Yet, the time capsule we recently found shows us much more than that. It tells us things besides the stats and numbers. It tells us about the thoughts, feelings and emotions of people as well as their culture. It cannot be said for sure who buried the time capsule and for what purpose. TheRead MoreThe War Had A Deep Impact On The American Veterans And Our Society2096 Words   |  9 Pageswomen served in Vietnam (va.gov). The war had a deep impact on the American veterans and our society. Prior to Vietnam, Americans have traditionally supported the military and have shown respect for soldiers (Moffett). Soldiers were viewed as heroes. Unfortunately, soldiers returned from the Vietnam War were treated with disrespect by the American public. In turn, disillusioned veterans returning from the war developed serious physical and psychological problems. American society subsequently lostRead MoreAmerica s Exit From Vietnam And Our Current Withdrawal From Afghanistan Essay1665 Words   |  7 PagesThe similarities that can be drawn if we were to compare America’s exit from Vietnam and our current withdrawal from Afghanistan will be: Resources, Politics and Public Opinion, and Role of the Press, Purpose of War and Military Campaigns, and lastly, Effective Counterinsurgency, and Vietnamization. Like Vietnam, the American involvement in Afghanistan became a long-term phenomenon transcending several presidential administrations. However, the Vietnamese conflict left a specific, some might sayRead MoreWhy Do Ficers Consider Kurtz Unsound?1009 Words   |  5 Pagesmilitary supported, and drifted from it. This is evidenced by his decision to join the Green Berets, in which he would have low likelihood of increasing in rank. This began to alienate Kurtz from his superiors, and eventually, after taking action of his own accord in Vietnam, they realized his reality contradicted theirs. In an effort to protect their reality, they felt the need to destroy that contradicting factor. The way to achieve this was to kill Kurtz. The truths, mores, and general realityRead MoreThe, And Deep Inside Me1693 Words   |  7 Pagesbut these are his first thoughts after his dad dies. Though it would have been easier to let his father go, it was his responsibility for him to see a new day. The quote is a beautiful example of how much stress man will persevere through to fulfill his duties. The sense of responsibility influences man to perform selfless and courageous acts. Men have always had the responsibility of protecting his family, even at the cost of another’s life. Similarly, America has been has been responsible for