Plato - Philosophy Essay Example for Free

Plato Philosophy Essay The Republic is one of Plato’s longer works (more than 450 pages in length). It is written in dialogue form (as are most of Plato’s books), it addresses major issues in almost all of the branches of philosophy. The central theme in the book seems to be the nature of justice, a topic in political philosophy, but Plato also has his characters explore issues in ? philosophical cosmology, ? philosophical theology, ? philosophical anthropology, ? ethics, ? aesthetics, and ? epistemology. The parts of the Republic that are contained in our text (pp. 107-123) focus on Plato’s idea (ideal?) of the Philosopher Ruler. According to Plato, ? the best possible political system (state) ? will be ruled (governed) ? by PHILOSOPHERS! (Is he kidding? ) Our reading selection contains the following themes/sections: ? ? Introduction on the unifying of philosophy politics (107) Why true philosophers would make the best rulers (108-12) †¢ What is true philosophy? (108-11) †¢ Love of wisdom (108) †¢ Knowledge of true reality (108-9) †¢ The distinctions between knowledge, ignorance and opinion (109-11) †¢ How is a true philosopher different from a lover of opinion? (111-12) †¢ Who is best suited to rule the state – lovers of opinion or true philosophers? (112) ? ? Political leadership and knowledge of the Good (112-13) The ascent of the mind to knowledge of the Good (113-123) †¢ The analogy between the Good and the sun (113-15) †¢ The image of the divided line (115-18) †¢ The allegory of the cave (118-123) The selection in the text begins at a point in the Republic after Socrates, Glaucon, other characters have been discussing the nature of justice and the marks of a just political system for some time. So we are coming into the middle of the conversation where Glaucon is pressing Socrates to state whether it is possible for a really just political system to come into existence. Before answering Glaucon’s question, Socrates wonders whether it is worthwhile to What does he say construct a theoretical model of a good political system even if such a system could about this? Do you agree? Why not actually exist. or why not? Back to Glaucon’s original question: Can a really just (or at least approximately just) political system exist? What would make it possible? (It is the separation of philosophy political power. ) And this leads to . . . . unless political power philosophy are brought together those who now pursue either the one or the other exclusively are prevented from doing so -neither our political problems nor our human troubles in general can be ended . . . . † (Text, pp. 108-111) True Philosophy True Philosophers What are the characteristics of a person who is naturally suited to practice philosophy? According to Socrates (Plato), a true philosopher ? loves the whole of wisdom and is satisfied with nothing less; ? recognizes the difference between particular things and the essences (or forms) of which particular things are likenesses (e.g. , beautiful things vs. Beauty itself); and ? knows the differences between knowledge, ignorance, and opinion. Plato argues that someone who really loves something must love that thing as a whole and not just some aspects of it. On that basis, he concludes that a true philosopher (lover of wisdom) must desire wisdom as a whole and not be content with having just some wisdom. Do you agree with this? Do wine-lovers really love all wines? A true philosopher recognizes the difference between particular things and the essences (or forms) of which particular things are likenesses (e. g. , beautiful things vs.Beauty itself). One of Plato’s major metaphysical theories is known as the â€Å"Theory of Forms. † According to that theory, ultimate reality is a realm of forms (essences) not accessible to the senses but only to the mind (intellect). He calls that level of reality the â€Å"intelligible realm† (because it is accessible only to the intellect). The perceptible world (i. e. , the world we perceive through our senses) is a reflection or copy of that higher intelligible world. (The Greek word for â€Å"form† or â€Å"essence† is eidos. ) Do you think it is possible for one thing to be really more beautiful than another thing? Well, how is that possible if Absolute Beauty does not exist? How can â€Å"A† be more beautiful than â€Å"B†? Doesn’t â€Å"A† have to be closer to Absolute Beauty than â€Å"B† is? But how can â€Å"A† be closer to (or â€Å"B† be further away from) Absolute Beauty if Absolute Beauty does not exist? A true philosopher knows the differences between ? Knowledge, ? ignorance, ? opinion. Plato’s view of knowledge, ignorance, and opinion (Text, pp. 109-111) State of Mind Knowledge Opinion Ignorance Object What is (Being, Reality) What is is not (Becoming) What is not (Nothingness, Unreality) Access Intellect Perception ? (Do you agree with this setup/theory?) Is Plato right about knowledge, ignorance, and opinion? Here’s a different view†¦. What about knowledge? The three basic questions in epistemology ? ? What is knowledge? How does it differ from opinion? How do we acquire knowledge? What are its sources? Rationalism vs. Empiricism. (What about Intuitionism and Revelationism? ) ? What are the extent and limits of knowledge? What can be known, and what cannot be known? A (fairly) standard definition of knowledge (and opinion) ? Knowledge is justified (i. e. , verified) true belief. †¢ To know is to believe. †¢ The belief must, in fact, be true. †¢ The belief must be justified (i.e. , verified, proved) by some standard and generally recognized means. ? Opinion is belief that may be true or may be false but that has not been or cannot be justified (i. e. , verified, proved) by any standard and generally recognized means. Of course, some opinions that are rationally defensible in the weak sense are â€Å"justified† in a limited way. And what about ignorance? Isn’t ignorance basically an absence of knowledge? Of course, opinion is also an absence of knowledge. So perhaps ignorance is a certain or special kind of opinion that is in some sense groundless (in a way based on nothing, as Plato says). ? There seem to be various types of ignorance, including unintelligent ignorance, as when someone asserts dogmatically that a false proposition is true or that a true proposition is false. There is also intelligent ignorance, as when someone does not know X and acknowledges forthrightly that he does not know it, etc. More thought is needed on this matter†¦. ? However, Plato’s view of ignorance as having non-being (nothingness) as its object does not seem correct (or at least not completely correct). ? ? ? Lovers of wisdom (philosophers) they recognize the existence of absolute, transcendental essences such as Beauty Justice in themselves, and they seek knowledge of such absolutes. ? Lovers of opinion -they recognize only particular perceptible things do not believe in the existence of absolute essences such as Beauty itself. So what is the nature of the Absolute Good? (Text, p. 112-113) In approaching the problem of defining the nature of the Absolute Good, Socrates (Plato) sets forth three very famous illustrations of his overall perspective on knowledge reality. These are I The Good the Sun The Good is to the mind as the sun is to the eye, i.e. , just as the sun’s light enables the eye to see in the perceptible realm, so the Good illuminates the mind and enables it to â€Å"see† in the intelligible realm. (See text, pp. 113-115) 2 The divided line (Text, pp. 115-118) States of Consciousness Philosophical Wisdom E Objects of Consciousness The Good Other Forms Knowledge D Intelligible Realm Scientific Knowledge Informed Opinion Delusion C B Mathematical Scientific Objects Opinion Perceptible Objects Images Perceptible Realm A (Text, pp. 118-123) Can you link the images on the following slide to Plato’s depiction of the cave world on pp. 118-121 in the text? Now that the prisoner has â€Å"seen the light,† ? What might happen to him if he were to go back down into the cave-world? (pp. 119-121) ? How does he feel when he looks back down into the cave-world? (pp. 119) ? How does the allegory of the cave illustrate Plato’s overall view of knowledge and reality? (p. 121) More questions: ? What’s the philosophical difference between coming into the darkness from the light coming into the light from the darkness? (p. 121) ? What, according to Plato, does the allegory of the cave tell us about what the process of education should be? (pp. 121-122) there are the big questions: Why should we want philosophers to rule? How are we going to get them to rule? Since we are asking them to come back down into the cave-world, won’t we be doing them harm by making their lives worse rather than better? (Text, pp. 122-123) What do you think of the following statements by Plato (Socrates)? â€Å"The best rulers of the state are those who know the Good, who don’t look to politics for their happiness, who live a higher life than the political life. † â€Å"Political power should be held by those who do not want it. † The End (for now).

A mom before the Prom Essay Example for Free

A mom before the Prom Essay Teen pregnancy has been gravelly increased in the last few years. Bad media influences (Many programs at TV programs or sexual content movies as well as other mediums) can be the factors that teen girls nowadays are getting a wrong advice that teen motherhood can a common way to live. Partners and friends’s bad influence is making them think that is right to have sex at a young age and will make them feel more popular. In that regards, this essay by Cristina page is restating the issue that more forms of bad media and wrong people’s influences are available today than ever before and consequently teens girls are much more exposed to a lot of information and these sometimes switch teen girl’s mind to do something wrong when they think is totally normal and it also has made teen girls to believe that having children at a young age might be beneficial because they think giving a child for adoption might improve their fortune giving them away for millions of dollars , so it can’t ruin her adolescence too but in reality it can really affect them. Personally I can share the view of the author in this essay: Teen pregnancy is in reality one of the most difficult experiences a teen girl might ever face when that can interrupt her education or other plans such as getting a better career or maintain fathers with them, but most of the time it doesn’t work and that’s when the situation gets worse. Children usually grow without a father figure when their parents have them at a very young age or sometimes they don’t even live with both parents because they can’t take care of them or support them economically. So when this children start to live without a parental guide , they grow adopting a bad behavior and getting the wrong advices from other bad people and turned into criminals , stealers, or other people of bad reputation because they live in a poor ambient without having a parent who can guide and help them to raise their levels of education. Most of the time, when teen moms decide to have a baby, teen girls don’t really take care of their babies when they are still formatting inside their body as old mothers and because of their immaturity, sometimes they don’t realize the huge damage they cause to their babies if they start smoking and drinking or working so hard because now they need to support themselves economically carrying heavy stuff when they have to rest the most during their pregnancy. Children are tending to born prematurely, with a disease, a mental retardation or even born death. Usually we think that there’s not any difference of acquiring the same standards of education or a good life when a kid’s parents are so young and the other’s parent are more mature. The children of teen parents can suffer more of abuse at home and at school or disregard from their parents and grow more with farness or adopt a bad behavior, so that implies that they could not do so well at school, they could get lower grades and repeat their classes or drop out from High School without completing their education. This might increase the raise of poverty in families with young parents too and this leads society into decreasing its economy too. I really enjoyed reading this essay because it deals with a controversial issue and restates the causes of why teen pregnancy is becoming a worldwide problem, it must be thought in class so we can share our own viewpoints about it. 10-) – I encourage people to consider more this issue because if we want a better life for our

Beauty of Nature as appreciated by Wordsworth

Beauty of Nature as appreciated by Wordsworth Beauty of Nature as appreciated by Wordsworth Poetry, which came much before prose in human history, has been a vehicle for the spiritual and social progress in man. The natural world with its great beauty and mystery has long been a source of inspiration to poets. The Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Keats, who were active in the nineteenth century, experienced the most inspiration through nature, which they captured in their poetry. William Wordsworth, especially, in his poetry, uses descriptions of nature to raise the mind to mystic heights. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the attitude of people changed from an awe of nature to a desire to harness everything natural for the benefit of man, which the Romantic poets viewed with concern. In his poems â€Å"The World is Too Much with Us† and â€Å"Nutting†, William Wordsworth makes use of the portrayal of the beauties of nature to deplore the greed of man who is mindlessly exploiting nature. Written in Germany, the poem â€Å"Nutting† evokes Wordsworths remembrance of turbulent feelings he had when he had gone nutting as a boy. William Wordsworth writes about a beautiful, pristine wood whose beauty and purity he had destroyed by his greed to gather the nuts .Continuing in the same vein, in â€Å"The World is too much with Us†, the poet laments the heartlessness of humankind, which has come under the sway of unfathomable avarice, and which no longer is moved by the beauty of nature. Wordsworth describes the secret, unexplored place he went to after clambering over rocks and stepping over tangled ferns in â€Å"Nutting†. It is a place of perfect peace where the poets heart experiences great joy. He describes the nook where he sits down among the flowers under the trees The poem conveys a deep sense of peace and meditation attained by man by connecting with nature. The final lines of the poem convey the spiritual feeling that the beauty of nature inspired in the poet. The symbolism of the plentiful hazelnut clusters which cover the trees alludes to the bounty of nature. The tattered old clothes the boy wears symbolizes the poverty of spirit of man. The poet describes how the unsullied nook is ravaged by the violent acts of the boy. Although he is now rich with the nuts he came to gather, he feels a twinge of guilt and pain when he gets a final glimpse of the virgin nook he has destroyed. The symbolism of the earth being exploited mercilessly and violently by man is evident in this poem. He tells us to cultivate a ‘gentleness of heart ‘and exhorts us to be gentle with nature so that we are in harmony with it. Wordsworth continues to regret the crass, materialistic attitude of man in his Petrarchan sonnet, â€Å"The World is too much with us.† He cries out that we waste our resources by consuming too much. He states that we are not in tune with nature any longer as we have become too insensitive. Using the powerful imagery of howling winds which are gathered up like flowers, the poet conveys a sense of urgency in his poem. By portraying the sea as laying bare its bosom to the moon, he alludes to the connectedness of every great and small thing in nature.. He feels angry that the beauty, mystery and force of nature have no effect on the insensitive soul of man, who is out of harmony with nature. The mercenary goals of man disgusts him so much that he wishes he were born as a pagan, who would have had a better communion with the sea and the land. For Wordsworth, nature is not something to be consumed and exploited, but nature is something that leads man to the universal soul. He makes use of his great descriptive talents to portray that humanity is losing its connected feeling with nature by following the materialistic ideals of getting and spending.

Biotech foods :: essays research papers

In Michael Pollan’s essay, â€Å"Playing God in the Garden†, we are introduced to the New Leaf Superior, a genetically engineered potato. This is not the first of its kind, for it is only one of the many foods that are products of an emergent development here in the United States. Monsanto and other giant transnational companies are carrying out a dangerous global experiment by introducing large numbers of genetically engineered foods into our diet. Genetic manipulations can result in unanticipated harmful effects, and because genetically engineered foods are not sufficiently tested, this experiment not only jeopardizes the health of individuals, but also affects the natural flow of nature.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pollan writes, â€Å"genetic engineering overthrows the old rules governing the relationship of nature and culture in plants.† He argues in his essay that the â€Å"old rules†, or natural (organic) ways of farming are no longer being valued, but rather overthrown and replaced by this new technology. We get the impression that Pollan does not trust this genetically engineered food because it is completely unnatural.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are numerous benefits to genetic cultivation as well as many farmers who agree with and practice this way of life. Biotechnology food produces its own insecticide, and its final product is better looking than that of organically grown food. Due to genetically modified food’s unique and unknown nature, however, there is potential for adverse health side effects. On page 467, Pollan writes: â€Å"When I called the E.P.A. and asked if the agency had tested my Bt potatoes for safety as a human food, the answer was . . . not exactly. It seems the E.P.A. works from the assumption that if the original potato is safe and the Bt protein added to it is safe, then the whole New Leaf package is safe . . . the original potato is safe, so that left the Bt toxin, which was fed to mice, and they ‘did fine, had no side affects’†. Pollan here implies that it is unknown whether or not these foods are safe. The fact that these products were tested on mice does not mean that they are safe for people. Maybe genetically engineered food does not harm people in any way, but no one knows for sure. It is impossible to predict the impact of genetically engineered food; it is a matter of waiting for and observing future consequences.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Genetically modified food farmers, such as Dan Forsythe and Steve Young, all agree that this new gene technology will supply plentiful amounts of food, but they themselves would not eat these foods.

A Comparison of Social Classes in America vs. 1984 :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Social Classes in America vs. 1984 If you have ever read the book 1984 by George Orwell, then an interesting topic may have crossed your mind. The way the classes of people break down can be quite similar, and very different at times. In the United States, we have classes like the lower class, the working class, and the middle class. In 1984, there were such classes as the Proles, the Outer Party, and the Inner Party. The way the classes are broken down in 1984 reminds me a little bit of my old history class. When I studied medieval times and the classes back then were broken down into the nobles, the bourgeois, and the serfs. It is really interesting to break down the separate classes and find their similar details and their different details. Obviously the differences are greater in number and some of them fairly extreme. But that is to be expected. In my opinion, the way Orwell wrote the book makes his world seem more like a dystopia than a utopia. The only community that I have seen that I would even consider calling a utopia is "Star Trek." I just can't see Oceania as being a perfect vision of happiness. Everyone is constantly being watched, people aren't allowed to have their own thoughts, their past history is entirely made up. I don't see how it could get much worse than that. Unless you are a member of the Inner Party. They can have their own thoughts and aren't watched all the time. The lowest class in Oceania, the Proles, can also have their own thoughts. But "Nobody cares what the proles say"(Orwell, p11). So their thoughts never really get heard or paid any attention to at least. The Inner Party basically runs things and they only do what they want. They have no reason to listen to the proles. To more clearly describe the classes in 1984, I will describe some of the characteristics of the three parties. Each member of the Outer Party had a telescreen in their home that monitored every move they made. The telescreen could not be turned off. They were forced to wear an expression of quiet optimism when facing the telescreeen (Sheppard). The party members had to wear blue overalls and were given a limited number of coupons to trade for clothes, food, and other things such as that.

Oppressiveness of Society Exposed in Emily Jane Brontes Wuthering Heights :: Emily Jane Brontes Wuthering Heights

Oppressiveness of Society Exposed in Emily Jane Bronte's Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights, the creation of Emily Jane Bronte, depicts not a fantasy realm nor the depths of hell. Rather, the novels focuses on two main characters' battle with the restrictions of Victorian Society. Societal pressures and restrictive cultural confines exile Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff from the world and then from each other. The story commences in the desolate moors of Yorkshire, home of the estate Wuthering Heights. True to its setting, the novel develops Catherine and Heathcliff as mischievous children who wander the isolated bogs, separating themselves from the activities of Wuthering Heights. Catherine^s childhood exile stems from her lack of compliance with the rules concerning the conduct of a Victorian lady. As a child, her father was too ill to reprimand the free spirited child, ^who was too mischievous and wayward for a favourite.^(33). Therefore, Catherine grew up among nature and lacked the sophistication of high society. Catherine removed herself from society and, "had ways with her such as I never saw a child take up before; she put all of us past our patience fifty times and oftener in a day;...we had not a minute^s security that she wouldn^t be in mischief. Her spirits were always at high-water mark, her tongue always going--singing, laughing, and plaguing everyone who would not do the same. A wild, wicked slip she was--"(37). Catherine further disregarded social standards and remained friends with Heathcliff despite his degradation by Hindley, her brother. ^Miss Cathy and he [Heathcliff] were now very thick;^(33) and she found her sole enjoyment in his companionship. Catherine grew up beside Heathcliff, ^in the fields. They both promised to grow up as rude as savages; the young master [Hindley] being entirely negligent how they behaved,^(40-41). During her formative years Catherine^s conduct did not reflect that of a young Lady, ^and one of their chief amusements [was] to run away to the moors in the morning and remain there all day,^(41). Thus, Catherine^s behavior developed and rejected the ideals of an oppressive, over-bearing society, which in turn created an isolation from the institutionalized world. The two existed on their private island unchecked until Catherine suffers an injury from the Linton^s bulldog. Forced to remain at Thrushcross Grange, the Linton^s home, after her injury, isolates Catherine from Heathcliff and her former world of reckless freedom. Living amongst the elegance of the Lintons transforms Catherine from a coarse youth into a delicate lady. However, sublimation into Victorian society does not fit her

Case: Siemens AG †Global Development Strategy Essay

Siemens is a huge 155 year old international $77 billion German based companionship operating from side to side 16 big business units by means of one of the world’s main infrastructure, electronic and engineering corporation and 1200 fully merges supplementaries in additional than 190 countries, which are sprint by 484,000 workers. All Siemens businesses are part of a medium organization that combines a central strategic compass reading with decentralized business and local responsibilities. As worldwide entrepreneurs, Siemens’ Operating Groups are independently accountable for their universal businesses. Each Group has its own Executive Management, which is accountable for organization Group commerce in accordance with corporation policies distinct by the Managing Board of Siemens AG. The Operating Groups decide how their resources will be second-hand. They develop their possess strategies, manage their possess assets and generate pay in their respective marketplace segments. Siemens: Vision, Strategy & Principles. According to the expert analysis a company likes siemens with so a group of people, production sites, products and associates all over the world – needs a solid base of lawful and ethical principles. Siemens: Corporate Principle†Siemens is a productive innovator and a strong actor in the global commerce stadium. The information, skills and dedication of our populace are crucial to our sustained achievement as a corporation.†Source: Siemens Corporate Responsibility Report 20021.We strengthen our CUSTOMERS – to keep them spirited. 2.We push INNOVATION – to form the prospect. 3.We enhance corporation VALUE – to open new opportunities. 4.We empower our PEOPLE – to achieve world-class performance. Our workers are the key to our success. We work jointly as a global network of knowledge and knowledge. Our corporate civilization is defined by variety, by open  conversation and mutual admiration, and by clear goals and important leadership. 5.We embrace business RESPONSIBILITY- to advance civilization. Although every Group of Siemens determines their possess strategies base on these principles. Siemens One is novel company-wide strategy to improve marketplace diffusion and drive enlargement in new fields by ornamental cooperation across the whole association. â€Å"Excellent Employees Guarantee Success†Siemens needs the most excellent and the brightest populace in order to attain outstanding business consequences. Siemens want to be the company of option for extremely capable applicants and offer them exceptional long-term possible by emphasising on staffing, training, sustained education, incentive and development opportunity by means of in the business. Key strategies. 1.Service Provision: To give staffing programmes responsiveness to the require of the department in some business unit of any collection of siemens and transports to the highest probable standards of superiority. 2.Employee as entrepreneur within the organisation. Employee is conscious of the overall objective. Agreed and loyal and responsible for the human being/group goal location. 3.Employee Orientation/ Developing employees and leaders: has a long tradition at siemens. It includes advanced preparation at all levels of association and Life-long knowledge. Systematic development of youthful high-potentials. 4.Diversity. Diverse teams transport them significant benefits. Teams are able of considering difficulty from dissimilar perspectives throughout the corporation. Diversity in siemens is on the foundation of age, gender,  civilization, faith and people. 5.Employment Oriented Policies. Cooperation in the siemens-one strategy is extremely well applied with the guidelines for HR distinct in the Corporate Citizenship account 2001. Best Practice/Harvard model of HRMSituational Factors:-1.Work Force CharacteristicsSiemens had 430000 employees(in 2004) universal. Employees World wide Worker QualificationThis research focused on this truth that the above diagrams demonstrate the Employees worldwide and worker requirement respectively in the year 2004. Siemens has in a job employees as of all over the globe and populace with different experience. The proportion of women workforce is 27% of total worldwide labor forceSiemens HR Planning Model uses â€Å"SYSTEMS† approach. The process of corresponding prospect organisational requirements with the provide of properly capable, committed and knowledgeable staff in the right put at the right occasion. These staff can be haggard from both the interior and outside labour markets. Recruitment & SelectionSiemens recruitment/selection procedure is based on a number of principles similar to the potential of the applicant has to be senior than the requirements of admission job, No cooperation in assortment and Professional Selection skills. Human Resource DevelopmentHuman resource growth is the main key achievement of the siemens association. Siemens is a knowledge and innovation base corporation so constant HRD is having to for siemens. Siemens has a put of strategy and principles for innovation, excellence, customer armed forces and compass reading and preparation. Siemens’ Distributed Organizational Structure And Offshore Project Development Strategy†¢Siemens exhausted more than Euros 500 million in economic year 2004. â€Å"Siemens- a worldwide network of novelty comprising more than 400000 people-offers ground-breaking crop, solutions and armed forces spanning the whole field of electronics and electrical manufacturing. Our success is based on a well-focused commerce collection, a truthfully global attendance and an international labor force of highly qualified and extremely aggravated managers and workers.† Source: Siemens annual account Reference http://www.siemens.com.br/responsabilidade_2003_template3.asp?canal=5459&parent=5434&CanalParent=5434&Grupo=2http://www.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?cid=101&sortby=comp&docid=53022http://www.br.siemens.com.br/siemens/po/empresa/citizenship/download/pdf/corp_cit_report_2001_en.pdfhttp://www.siemens.com.br/responsabilidade_2003_template1.asp?canal=5438&parent=5387&CanalParent=5387&Grupo=2