| Papers [1-14] of 100 :: [Page 1 of 8] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 —> | Search results on "HISTORICAL MATERIALISM SOCIETY": |
|
|
Historical Materialism and a Just Society, 2004.
A paper on Marx's theory of Historical Materialism as applied to libertarian economic theory.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 0 sources, MLA, £ 33.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
In this paper, the theory of Historical Materialism (Marxism) is applied to libertarian economic theory. The paper identifies strengths and weaknesses in libertarian theory, the weakness being failure to recognize that real-world markets are imperfect. The paper examines the implications for development of a more just society.
From the Paper
"If a society is to be just, a requirement as fundamental as justice itself is that the society be able to work. That is it must function as a society in a material sense; feeding, housing, clothing, and otherwise providing for the needs and wishes of its people. If a society cannot meet these needs, it will die off or change into some other kind of society and not necessarily a just one anymore. It is therefore useless to pursue..."
| |
|
Historical Materialism, 2004.
An analysis of Karl Marx's historical materialism.
779 words (approx. 3.1 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 19.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper contends that, in discussing Karl Marx's basic tenets in the inherent presence of class conflict in a modern, capitalist society, it is inevitable that his method of historical materialism be included to explain how this concept of class conflict emerges. The paper explains that, prior to presenting his thesis of the emergence of class conflict and oppression in a capitalist society, Marx initially discusses how historical materialism made possible his analysis of human societies over time.
From the Paper
"Historical materialism can also be understood for what it is not-that is, by comparing it with other methods adopted by philosophers and social scientists to explain significant phenomena that occur in the modern capitalist society. Historical materialism is very much different from the idealist perspective of analyzing culture, history, and society. In the idealist perspective, all that humans feel and experience are not products of sensory experience, but of the mind itself, where all human experiences are generated from the mind. Thus, in the idealist perspective, consciousness about one's status in life and perceived expression of oppression exist and develops only in the mind of the individual. Thus, one only feels oppressed if s/he thinks that s/he is indeed oppressed."
| |
|
Marx?s Historical Materialism, 2001.
An examination of the theories of capitalism and materialism according to Marx. Focusing on the modes of production.
1,019 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 4 sources, APA, £ 25.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
Through the theory of historical materialism. Marx illustrates that social organizations are not natural, they are shaped by modes of production. This paper explains how he identifies five changes in the mode of production: The primitive community, the slave state, the feudal state, capitalism and socialism. It argues that the class struggle is particular only to the existing capitalist system. Historical materialism explains why class societies and class struggles arose in history and why they will disappear in the future.
From the Paper
"Through the theory of historical materialism Marx illustrates that social organizations are not natural, they are shaped by modes of production. He identifies five changes in the mode of production: the primitive community, the slave state, the feudal state, capitalism, and socialism. Therefor class struggle is particular only to the existing capitalist system. Historical materialism explains why class societies and class struggles arose in history, and why they will disappear in the future. According to Marx when humanity evolves into the final stage, socialism, social relation/organization will be transformed. The ruling class will not shape reality, because it will be the end of a class society. This would also be end to the state itself because everyone would be "morally pure". The authors. envisioned the dictatorship of the proletariat, as an instrument for assuring the transition from class society to classless society and supervising its own disappearance. Therefore, communism would be a society without an exchange economy, class, or state where nobody has one exclusive sphere of activity but each can become accomplished in any branch he wishes."
| |
|
Marxism and Historical Materialism, 2002.
Notes several aspects of Karl Marx's ideology dealing with class formation due to capitalism and the exploitation of the lower classes.
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 3 sources, £ 18.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
Karl Marx's strongest contribution was in writing an economic history of Europe that paid close attention to social classes, the formation of new classes due to capitalism and their different relationships to economic phenomena. Marx noted the different lots of particular social classes, however, in this regard with the rise of a strong capitalism in Europe and seeing that lower classes were indeed exploited by those who gained from the system.
| |
|
Materialism and Mental Health, 2002.
A persuasive paper about how materialism has taken over society.
1,370 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 3 sources, £ 32.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This article discusses the situation of mental health and illness in today's society. The author argues that materialism, fame and fortune have taken over society and that as a result society has forgotten to give meaning to life.
From the Paper
"Good mental health is a fundamental aspect of life, but, as we are aware, a huge proportion of our society, around 25%, will at some stage suffer from a form of mental illness. We must realize the enormity of this problem. Stalin once said, ?The death of one person is a tragedy, the death of a thousand is a statistic.? (Stalin). This means that we as humans, are unable to digest all the information that comes our way everyday and numbers are just that: numbers. 25% means that in every four people, one is likely to experience mental illness. Mental illness is a problem of the everyday, of the streets, of the ordinary man and woman that experience the joys, the sorrows, the trials and the tribulations of life."
| |
|
Marxian Model of Society, 2003.
Examines his concept of historical materialism.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 3 sources, £ 27.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
Discusses the rise of the capitalist society of divided classes and alienated individuals. Explores the concept of class conflict and alienation leading to violent revolution, dictatorship of the proletariat, and the formation of the ideal socialist society.
From the Paper
"The Marxian model of society is based on the concept of historical materialism, which gives rise eventually to a capitalist society of starkly divided classes and alienated individuals whose relationships are based on the mode of production. Marx sees ..."
| |
|
Karl Marx and Society, 2002.
Examines the Marxian model of society as set forth by German political philosopher, Karl Marx.
1,173 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 3 sources, MLA, £ 28.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The Marxian model of society is based on the concept of historical materialism, which gives rise eventually to a capitalist society of starkly divided classes and alienated individuals whose relationships are based on the mode of production. The paper explains that Marx sees society as a material entity which evolves from crude to more refined means of production, with ever greater gaps of wealth and power between the owner and worker classes, with individuals suffering from greater alienation as they become commodities themselves in the means of production. The paper shows that the alienation and class conflict eventually becomes so severe that violent revolution occurs, led by enlightened workers, resulting in the dictatorship of the proletariat, which gives way to the ideal socialist society.
From the Paper
"Marx focuses more on his critique of capitalistic society than on the socialist utopia. Among his most important ideas was that "existence determines consciousness." Most fundamentally, this phrase means that Marx believed that human individual and social consciousness was shaped by the conditions of the environment, the class conflicts, the means of production, the forces of alienation at work in capitalism."
| |
|
Materialism, 2007.
This paper discuses the concept of materialism, which has long roots in the Western philosophical tradition.
1,545 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 5 sources, MLA, £ 35.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper explains that materialism is based on the concept that matter is the essence of reality and that it is matter that creates the mind. The author differentiates between cultural materialism, which relates to understanding human societies through its material conditions such as geography, and dialectical materialism, which explains human processes such as art. The paper argues that materialists demonstrate that all aspects of the world have material causes; but these causes do not change the fact that decisions are made and responsibilities can be taken. The author concludes that the traditional concept of free will is a holdover from pre-Enlightenment desires for a spiritual component to the world that is uninfluenced by the material world.
Table of Contents:
Varieties of Materialism
Materialism and Free Will
From the Paper
"There may be, though, a way to reconcile materialism with the concept of free will. Free will requires that human actions are dictated by choices made individually by human beings, that responsibility for any action can be traced back to the individual. But this may be an incorrect epistemological approach, one that prevents free will enthusiasts from recognizing that free will does not have to be at odds with materialism. Superficially, there doesn't seem to be anyway around the matter of being able to find a fundamental material cause for every human decision, once attributed solely to free will. If prime mover status cannot reside with the human mind, then how can free will exist? This is the quandary faced by those who would reconcile these concepts."
| |
|
Economics In Modern Society, 2008.
A review of the book "Small is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered", written by Ernst Friedrich Schumacher.
1,156 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 27.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper discusses the book "Small is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered", which is a collection of essays written by Ernst Friedrich Schumacher on the topic of economics in modern society. The paper explains that, although this "modern society" refers for the most part to the outlook from 1973 (when the book was first written), these concepts still have relevance today in our increasingly technological, material society. The paper looks at how Schumacher analyzes economics not in the staid, scientific manner of college professors, but from a viewpoint of heart, wit, humor and originality. The paper also notes that the titles of many of the essays give a clue to the types of perspectives showcased - essays such as "Buddhist Economics", "Technology with a Human Face" and "Nuclear Energy: Salvation or Damnation?", indicating that the collected essays demonstrate a fairly liberal, humanistic view of modern economics
personal and passionate, particularly regarding the academic take common to the arena of economics at the time (the 1970s). The paper further explains that the book aims to analyze macroeconomics in terms of micro examination and that the thesis statement, or main proposition reiterated throughout the book, is that our economy is an unsustainable one, and that we are using up our natural resources.
From the Paper
"In closer detail, topics covered include the modern world and the problems of production, peace and permanence; global resources, and how this relates to nuclear energy, technology, industry resources, land use and consumer education; the third world and its relation to global development, technology, village-style life and unemployment issues; and organization and ownership, which includes an analysis of theory of large-scale organization, socialism, ownership, and emerging new patterns of ownership. The ground covered is not anything particularly new, at least not for our society. At the time of initial publication, Schumacher's sentiments no doubt reflected growing concerns in terms of globalization - the environment, overuse of natural resources, materialism over humanism and lack of proper organization and preparation on a global scale. Today, these issues are so contemporary and current that their highlighting seems commonplace."
| |
|
Culture & Society, 2002.
A study exploring the inter-relationship between the individual, culture and society.
3,750 words (approx. 15.0 pages), 3 sources, £ 73.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper explores the true meaning and distinct definitions of culture and society. It defines culture as the set of beliefs, values, behavior and material objects constituting a people's way of life, and society as a set of cultural rules. The paper examines the paradoxical relationship between who forms who: the individual on society, or vice versa, the society is molded by individuals. The author uses the example of this process by looking at tobacco use in our society, from cultural ban to outlawed societal ban. The author writes that people bring about change by influencing others first in small groups and then in society at large by enlisting the assistance of groups, the government, and the media.
From the Paper
"Consider the idea of culture more fully. "Culture" is a label for an abstraction encompassing the total way of life for a group of human beings. Culture can also refer to the shared patterns of belief, feeling, and adaptation which people carry in their minds as guides for conduct and the definition of reality. Culture helps define such things as values, symbols, language, and norms and how they will be viewed and utilized in society. A value is a belief upon which an individual acts by preference, and the clarification of values is a cognitive act leading to specific and related behavior. Behavior is determined for the individual by what he or she values. Decision-making is governed by values. This is an ongoing process whereby individuals are continually evaluating alternatives and making decisions based on the values they hold and the degree to which the various alternatives open to them fulfill and serve those values. Culture helps define how people view these issues and how they make these decisions. All societies place a high value on the inculcation of values in the young, for this is the means for perpetuating certain cultural norms and thus values from generation to generation. Clearly, values may differ from one society to another, from one culture to another, even from one region within a society to another. Every society has a set of core values are to be transmitted from generation to generation. Other values may be associated with common practice, religious beliefs, or a basic world-view that is prevalent in the given society and culture, and these are also elements of culture itself. "
| |
|
Cultural Materialism, 2007.
This paper discusses the concept of materialism and specifically the theory of cultural materialism.
1,334 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, £ 31.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper explains that one of the most persuasive theories in its analysis and relationship with empirical understanding is the theory of cultural materialism. The paper attempts to dissect cultural materialism to give a broader contextual understanding of why this theory is the most plausible explanation for current socio-cultural events and environments. The paper focuses on the theories of Marvin Harris.
From the Paper
"The concept of materialism can be broadly understood as the general theory that the "ultimate constituents of reality are material or physical bodies, elements or processes". It is a principle that holds everything in existence is reducible to a material or physical nature. Materialism directly contradicts dualistic theories which claim that body and mind are distinct entity and also directly attacks philosophical idealism which denies the existence of matter. The direct implication of materialism in general, is that the diverse qualitative experiences we have are reducible to quantitative changes in objects or our physiological functioning."
| |
|
Materialism Vs. Spirituality, 2005.
A discussion on the elements of materialism and spirituality.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 6 sources, £ 43.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper looks closely at the elements of materialism and spirituality. It contends that materialism takes the more significant role in our daily lives. The paper firstly looks at the ideas of psychology, Marx and Nietzsche to prove that materialism is central to our human nature. The author explains that writings negative to materialism usually only deal with the excess of materialism, not materialism itself, to finally conclude that spiritually is important but not vital to existence.
From the Paper
"This estrangement between the two spheres of life, the relationship between materialism and spirituality, is as central a divide as one can imagine. From the remains of our earliest writings, these concepts have been illuminated for us by religious figures, philosophers, novelists, and literary critics, amongst many others. The two concepts, however, are often inextricably linked. In our daily lives, it is clear that materialism remains dominant, and it is vital to our survival as a species. Substance, then, is the true reality of the world, as it is used for the medium of explanation. Spiritualism, too, has been shown to play an important role in our lives as well, as faith has been illustrated as a guiding construct for people daily. The following will address the concepts of materialism and spirituality, analyzing the importance or vitality of acknowledging our material nature while allowing that spirituality too has a place ..."
| |
|
The Cross-Cultural & Historical Study of Religion, 1994.
Evaluation of problems of researchers & students imposing their own categories & values on religious material. Discusses types of historical & cross-cultural distortions, focus is on East-West distortions.
2,475 words (approx. 9.9 pages), 9 sources, £ 61.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
From the Paper
"The Cross-Cultural and Historical Study of Religion
Introduction
In the study of religion, even more than in other fields, a problem arises when the researcher or student imposes his or her own categories and values upon the material. What results is a distortion of the actual beliefs and practices of the religion, since the student is seeing through an inappropriate lens, or filter. Yet, since religion is so fundamentally about what is most important to us, and what we believe to be the most true of reality, it is difficult to avoid this kind of distortion.
For example, in her book, Encountering God, Diana Eck (1993) noted that most of the Christian movement still does not accept a truly pluralist perspective in regard to the world's religions. In general, the most liberal viewpoint still remains inclusivist by.."
| |
|
Historical Particularism vs. Functionalism, 2008.
A comparative analysis of the schools of thought of historical particularism and functionalism
1,527 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 6 sources, MLA, £ 35.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts historical particularism and functionalism. The paper first discusses how historical particularism was a school of thought which concentrated on a holistic historical approach to the study of cultures and civilizations, from the development of their language to their physical appearance. Historical particularists believed in concentrated study of a people and their languages to gain a full understanding on their culture. The paper then discusses functionalism and explains that it sought to be a corrective to the excesses of the evolutionary and diffusionist theories of the nineteenth-century and the historicism of the early twentieth century. Functionalism concentrated all of its resources into describing the material, psychological, physical, and social structures of a civilization. The paper concludes with a brief summary of the differences and similarities of the two schools of thought and notes that they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
From the Paper
"Historical particularism and functionalism are related in the way that they both concentrate on details and pre-existing conditions. These methods were demonstrated in the various essays by Franz Boas and A. L. Kroeber for historical particularism, and Bronislaw Malinowski and A. R. Radcliffe-Brown for functionalism. Specifically, Boas, in The Methods of Ethnology, argued against the various traditional evolutionary theories proposed by Lewis Morgan, Karl Marx, Sir Edward Tylor, and Herbert Spencer. He criticized the theory of the nineteenth-century evolutionism as non-scientific and claimed historical particularism to be free from preconceived ideas. Stating simply that these theories had a particular resilience, but lacked any sort of empirical evidence, Boas argued that the evolutionary theory was based on the counterfactual assumption that our culture was the most advanced and all others were merely following us (Boas 1920). "
|
|
|
