Foucault and Subjectivity
An examination of Foucault's complex conception of the human subject.
Term Paper # 45283 |
2,498 words (
approx. 10 pages ) |
4 sources |
MLA | 2003
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$ 49.95
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Abstract
Michel Foucault rejected the vast majority, if not all, of political and social theory. Foucault was inspired by Nietzsche's conception of the human world, but thought that "power" could not only explain the individual's condition, but also that of social life. Foucault's ideas on individuation, subjectivity, disicipline, sovereignty and power are all carefully explained, focusing on the relationship between body and subject.
From the Paper
"One of the most striking aspects in the work of Michel Foucault is his relationship between power and subjectivity. Foucault strongly rejects the notion of psychoanalysis, that human beings are individual subjects first and social agents second. Foucault believes that such a claim is far too simple. Human beings are neither individuals nor social agents, but individualised through power, beyond the specifics of sociological study. However the power that Foucault explores does not exist in and of itself. Rather, it is a relationship between institutions and bodies, extracting, harnessing, destroying and creating certain forces and drives in bodies. This process changes human beings from physical bodies into subjects. That is not to suggest that the process of individuation is uniform and generic. The opposite is in fact true. Foucault looks at several modes of subjectivication and while they are not mutually exclusive, nor are entirely independent, it is important to note and examine their differences. Different methods of applying power to bodies results in different individuals being produced. It is against this backdrop of subjectivication where we will begin our exploration. Originally, this essay will carefully consider Foucault's estimations of sovereign and disciplinary power, both as separate structures and in contrast with each other. From that point, we can proceed into making an evaluation of Foucault's explanations, with note as to the advantages and disadvantages of Foucault's striking conception of the human subject."
Tags:discipline, individuation, liberalism, nietzsche, power
'The Golden Rule' of Jesus as a Moral Maxim
An argument which asserts that the golden rule of Jesus "in everything do to others as you would have them do to you" is too narrow to sum up morality.
Argumentative Essay # 1026 |
975 words (
approx. 3.9 pages ) |
1 source |
2001
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$ 19.95
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From the Paper
"In Matthew 7:12, Jesus famously promotes the Golden Rule, saying, "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you." The Golden Rule defines morality as just this: one should treat others as one wishes to be treated. Because the Golden Rule purports to summarize the whole of morality, a person acts morally if and only if he treats others the way he wants to be treated. By its nature as a moral theory, The Golden Rule must intend to yield the good, and is therefore invalid insofar as its dictums do not, in fact, yield the good. "
Tags:argument, confucius, jesus, justice, morality, plato, socrates
The Meaning of " Utopia"
This essay examines the various reasons why Sir Thomas More wrote the novel, "Utopia".
Analytical Essay # 4812 |
1,165 words (
approx. 4.7 pages ) |
6 sources |
MLA | 2002
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$ 29.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the political and social climate in which Sir Thomas More lived, and how it influenced him to pen his idea on how a perfect society should be in his novel "Utopia". The author also provides a brief biography on More.
From the Paper
"More than anything else, the author used Utopia to criticize the society he lived in, and to offer up hope of what could be if everyone lived up to the true Christian ideals. Knowing that communal living was not a true possibility, he nevertheless continued to mention it as an ideal way to live. The More character continued to criticize the idea, but just that fact that it is brought up in such detail gave the reader a hint at Thomas More s influential monastic experience."
Tags:16th, century, church, politics, religion, christian, society, corrupt, hythloday, ideal
Cartesian Dualism
Discusses Descartes' theory that mind & body are two distinct entities.
Analytical Essay # 10989 |
1,350 words (
approx. 5.4 pages ) |
1 source |
2001
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$ 29.95
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From the Paper
"Dualism has become so associated with Ren? Descartes that it is usually referred to as Cartesian dualism, as if this were the defining approach to the issue. Dualism is the theory that the mind and the body, that mind and matter, are two distinct things. Descartes considered the issue of the location of the mind and found that the mind was separate from the body. He says that he is a subject of conscious thought and experience and thus cannot be nothing more than spatially extended matter. The mind, or the essential nature of the human being, cannot be material but must be non-material. This non-corporeal entity may be intimately associated with the body, but it is not itself a material entity as is the body. Descartes offered several arguments for this belief, one of which was the conceivability argument which necessarily involves a degree of tautology. Descartes says that..."
The Problem with Evil
Addresses the question of what is the problem with evil and how might it be solved
Term Paper # 3114 |
1,700 words (
approx. 6.8 pages ) |
1 source |
2001
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$ 39.95
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Abstract
This paper is an intriguing philosophical approach at solving the problem with evil. It discusses the conversations and writings of Philosopher Swinburne and the antitheodicist. Arguments are presented between Swinburne and the antitheodicist and an attempt is made to answer the question; does Swinburne succeed in solving the problem?
From the Paper
"There shouldn't be any evils that are not caused by men, such as plagues, earthquakes, natural disasters, AIDS, cancer, and disease to name some of them. Swinburne explains that these tragedies and misfortunes allow men to do noble acts. The September 11th tragedy is a classic example. The entire city of New York came together and sacrificed lives, money, time, and effort to help others. Their crime rates dropped to the lowest ever of that city."
Tags:evil, paper, philosophy, problem, swinburne
Natural Law According to Thomas Hobbes and St.Thomas Aquinas
The following essay discusses the existence and meaning of natural law.
Comparison Essay # 4804 |
1,380 words (
approx. 5.5 pages ) |
2 sources |
APA | 2000
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$ 29.95
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Abstract
The following paper examines why many theorists reject the existence of natural law as well as why many agree to its being defined as a set of innate moral principles which are common to all human beings. It is the aim of this paper to identify and discuss the important similarities and differences that exist between the two theories making reference to the theories of Thomas Hobbes (1588 - 1679) and St.Thomas Aquinas (1224/25 - 1274).
From the Paper
Aquinas proposed that the essential quality setting human beings apart from the rest of the animal world was that of reason. In a development of Aristotle s theory.Aquinas asserts that all men naturally possess an internalized divine spark of reason,which serves as the guide to an autonomous and responsible decision making process.
Tags:academic, world's, influential, thinkers, ideas, theories, natural, law, Aquinas, drawing, equality, methods, forces
A study in the structure of roman medicine and medical practitioners.
Essay # 65519 |
2,809 words (
approx. 11.2 pages ) |
17 sources |
MLA | 2005
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$ 59.95
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Abstract
This paper considers whether or not one can say that any kind of profession existed in the Roman world concerned with medicine. Areas considered are the social and legal status of the medicus, patient perceptions and training, as well as the philosophical basis of medicine and how these interacted with traditional Roman society.
From the Paper
"One's conclusions as to what extent there was a Roman medical profession will vary greatly depending on which geographical half of the empire is studied. As early as the 1720's historians have observed a significant distinction between medicine in the Greek east and medicine in the Latin west. Conyers Middleton, responding to a publication by Richard Mead in which it was claimed that doctors in ancient Rome were educated men who held high social status, claimed that 'whatever the situation in Greek Smyrna, the Doctor in Rome and Italy was often a slave or ex-slave.' "
Tags:Pliny, the, Elder, Caracalla, Galen, Hippocratic
The Philosophy of Socrates
This paper critically examines Socrates' most well known concepts about happiness, freedom and God's will.
Analytical Essay # 2120 |
1,545 words (
approx. 6.2 pages ) |
2 sources |
2001
|
$ 39.95
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Abstract
A critical analysis of the philosophies of Socrates. The author discusses Socrates' ideas and concepts about true happiness and pursuing God's will. It includes criticism and application to today's society.
From the Paper
"Socrates' philosophy has existed since before the birth of Jesus Christ. He recorded his thoughts concerning personal and political issues, giving his detailed and amazingly well thought out positions on each. He questioned everything around him, and discussed them with his friends and students, an exercise known as philosophizing. Socrates deemed that a truly happy man does not require material goods. He argued that it would be in one's best interest to consult a wise person before making an important decision, and that we should each comply with God's intentions above all others?. These arguments have been debated for centuries by many, and should be considered still, since they are important and relevant today, more than 2,000 years later."
Tags:apology, ethic, ethical, history, literature, moral, philosophy, plato, republic, western, wisdom, greek
Mind/Body Dualism
An analysis of Descartes' mind / body dualism concept.
Analytical Essay # 45230 |
1,375 words (
approx. 5.5 pages ) |
7 sources |
APA | 2003
|
$ 29.95
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Abstract
This paper begins by stating the argument Descartes gives for a version of mind/body dualism. It then considers two objections to Descartes' argument and finally assesses the validity of Descartes' argument in light of those objections.
From the Paper
"Much of the intellectual history of psychology as well as philosophy has involved the attempt to come to grips with a dilemma of mind and body. This dilemma was eventually broken into main two opposing views: one view (dualism) proposes that our universe contains two very different and equally fundamental types of entity: mental/spiritual and physical/material items. Most followers of this view hold that human mind (or soul) is to survive the annihilation of the body. The contrasting view, materialism, on the other hand, affirms that everything in our universe is composed of mass-energy, minds and bodies included."
Tags:philosophy, soul, energy
An in depth look at several evolutionary theories and their relevance.
Research Paper # 2452 |
4,000 words (
approx. 16 pages ) |
7 sources |
2001
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$ 69.95
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An article about various theories which describe the origin of the universe. The author investigates each theory: steady state theory, geometric theory, small bang theory and big bang theory and provides a personal opinion about the relevance of each.
From the Paper
"Since the dawn of intelligent man, humanity has speculated about the origins of the universe. There is evidence, which indicates that the universe started around 15 billion years ago. This is probably the greatest discovery imaginable; however, the universe still seems to be a very controversial subject. Most scientists agree that there was a beginning but there is a lot of speculation of how it (the universe) actually started. The much-celebrated Greek philosopher, Aristotle, denied the fact that there ever was a beginning. He and his associates believed in the eternal existence of the universe, they also tried to prove that the universe was static, and was unchanging in time. However, there is evidence, which suggests that the universe is changing with time."
Tags:evolution, bang, geometry, physics, science, world