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Historical Materialism, 2004.
An analysis of Karl Marx's historical materialism.
779 words (approx. 3.1 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 19.95
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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."
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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
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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..."
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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
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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."
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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
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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.."
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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
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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."
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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
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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."
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Materialism Vs. Spirituality, 2005.
A discussion on the elements of materialism and spirituality.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 6 sources, £ 43.95
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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 ..."
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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
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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). "
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Science or Dogma; An Examination of Dialectical Materialism, 2000.
A critical paper on the nature of Marxist philosophy on materialism and an examination of whether or not the theory is of a 'scientific' nature as it claims.
3,051 words (approx. 12.2 pages), 10 sources, £ 63.95
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Abstract
This critical paper illustrates in a number of ways that dialectical materialism is arrived at through a process of scientific inquiry. The author gives a distinct definition of the meaning of what it is that warrants the description of a theory as ?scientific?. Next, she applies this definition to Marx?s historical theory and shows how it corresponds to this description. Finally, she reflects and responds to some of the ways that Marx?s critics are in disagreement with her argument that dialectical materialism is, in fact, a study of history that is based on scientific theory and objectivity.
From the Paper
"As a student of history, I believe that there is validity in Marx?s ?scientific? postulation. The study of history is very important, I believe, in discovering what lies ahead of us and how best to avoid repeating past mistakes. Although there are no ?concretes? in history, and at this point, I diverge from Marxian historiography, there must be an objective way of looking at the past in order to theorize about how we have arrived at our current situations. Although I do not believe Marx?s theory of history to be entirely correct, I do argue that this theory is arrived at objectively and scientifically."
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Materialism in "The Great Gatsby", 2006.
An analysis of the theme of materialism in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
2,352 words (approx. 9.4 pages), 6 sources, MLA, £ 51.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the book, "The Great Gatsby", by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Specifically, it discusses how Fitzgerald comments on the ill effects of materialism in the 1920s across multiple socio-economic classes by using the character, Nick Carraway's observations. The paper discusses the paramount themes for Fitzgerald in his classic American novel, of materialism and the American dream.
From the Paper
"History is also an intriguing part of the novel, as another critic notes. Harold Bloom writes, "Fitzgerald makes this parallel between Gatsby's history and America's history explicit on the last page of the novel" (Bloom 35). Bloom refers to the last line of the novel when Nick remarks, "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past" (Fitzgerald 182). Gatsby has always believed man can repeat the past and sustain a significant moment in time. This constant looking back, instead of looking forward is another way materialism corrupts in the novel. Gatsby is so obsessed with the past, when Daisy might have loved him for an instant, he cannot go forward into the future. He cannot, and that is ultimately the end of him."
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Materialism and Greed Result in 'The Hobbit', 2007.
This paper discusses that materialism and greed result in death and destruction in 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien.
1,533 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 35.95
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Abstract
In this article the writer maintains that an underlying theme of materialism and its negative effects on people is present throughout the novel 'The Hobbit'. The writer points out that by bringing about the downfalls of all of the novel's selfish characters, Tolkien demonstrates that greed and materialism lead unerringly to suffering, and that true happiness can be found only through selflessness. The writer notes that the consequences of greed can be seen in a multitude of characters, even some who are normally viewed as moralistic, although they are most prevalent in characters such as Gollum and Smaug.The writer concludes that at the end of the novel, one finds that all of the characters who allowed greed to consume them are either dead or in a state of constant suffering.
From the Paper
" On the contrary, Bilbo never demonstrates this mixing of good and evil; he is entirely untainted, and represents self-sacrifice at its finest. One of the things that makes Bilbo such a heroic character is his incredible selflessness, which is seen throughout the novel. He aids Thorin and his Company repeatedly, without any reason for helping them besides a desire for adventure and the fact that he helps those in need. He attempts to infiltrate the camp of trolls, rescues the Dwarves from the spiders in the Mirkwood, frees the Dwarves from the Elvenking's hold, and confronts Smaug face to face. All of these are acts that put Bilbo directly in harm's way, but he does them because he feels that he cannot stand idly or turn the other way; he takes direct action when necessary, whether it benefits him or not."
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Materialism, 2002.
A discussion on Chalmers' views classifications of materialism.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 3 sources, £ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how Chalmers distinguishes type A, type B and type C materialism, analyzes how Chalmers classifies Armstrong's "causal theory of mind", and critically discusses Chalmers views of materialism. The author also incorporates Micheal Tye's views into the paper.
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The Conflict Between Idealism and Materialism, 2005.
A discussion of the conflict between idealism and materialism in the field of physiological psychology and how this conflict is at the very basis of one of the fiercest controversies in this field.
2,000 words (approx. 8.0 pages), 26 sources, APA, £ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the philosophical conflict between materialism and idealism in the field of physiological psychology. The analysis of each of these ideas offers the possibility to determine with greater accuracy which are obstacles to the development of physiological psychology and which help the process. The study favors materialistic monism, but without making any strong statements.
The conflict between materialism and idealism
Classifications
Mentalism
Psychophysical parallelism
Organicism
Phrenology
Psychoanalysis as a form of mentalism
Pure behaviorism as a form of mentalism
Psychophysical complementarism
Discussion on the advantages/ disadvantages of the abovementioned
approaches
From the Paper
"Mentalism, for instance, is based on the thought that any reference to the nervous system is not necessary in explaining mental events, which can be causally explained by psychodynamic concepts. The brain and mind are seen as distinct and independent from each other, which equals with a dualistic perspective. The opposite perception is purely monistic, and states that mental events are simply neural events. This approach, named materialist monism presupposes the existence of a single dimension - the neural one. This way of viewing things is enhanced by the appearance of organicism, which claims that mental events are caused by a particular portion of the brain, specific for each class of neural events. The basic idea of materialist monism is kept and taken one step further, by particularizing each mental event in relation to its source. "
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Macbeth and Materialism, 2007.
This paper examines the concept of materialism in works of art, concentrating on William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
1,297 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 4 sources, MLA, £ 30.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer explains that in Shakespeare's world, extreme wealth and comfort were enjoyed at their ultimate peak generally only by royalty. The writer relates that people today, like Macbeth in Shakespeare's play, are realizing that material wealth is, after all, not the ultimate pathway towards true happiness. The writer discusses that Macbeth wants the power of being king so badly that he would do anything to fulfill the prophesy, even if it means sinking to levels that are out of his character. The writer concludes that while spirituality takes a different form in the modern-day world than in Shakespeare's time, there is still the separation of pure materialism from the higher, inherently human values.
From the Paper
"True to the prophesy of the above words, Macbeth destroys both his security and power by succumbing to the illusion of security. The appearance of extreme wealth and power blinds him to the true danger around him and to the false promises of the witches. In this way the play acts as a warning for the audience: wealth and power are likely to bring more grief and danger than they are worth. They also destroy any meaningful connection that might exist between the human being and the divine."
"In modern-day works of art, the same warning is issued, although in a more light-hearted, redeeming fashion. Furthermore, material wealth and the divine come closer to each other than in Shakespeare's play, suggesting a new paradigm of wealth and its relationship to divinity. Aristotle's assertion in terms of modern humankind may therefore hold less truth than may have been the case for the average Shakespearean audience."
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