Descartes s Cogito Ergo Sum - 1488 Words

During Meditations 2, Descartes establishes a version of his famous ‘cogito ergo sum’. He establishes that despite the fact that we may not know the world around us as well as we think we do, we can know the mind better and the trusting the mind can lead him to the seemingly justified conclusion that he exists. Descartes’ method of arriving at the conclusion is by starting from scratch and considering whether there could be any ground of doubt for his beliefs. He was a rational philosopher who gave reason the utmost importance and led him to realise that many of his current beliefs were in fact based on uncertainty and thus false conclusions. Therefore, in order to avoid this problem and find secure knowledge of on what he can be certain of, he uses the method of doubting everything that he finds reason to doubt and consequently, being justified in rejecting the whole. He will: ‘withhold my assent from matters which are not entirely certain and indubitable than from those which appear to me manifestly to be false’ (Descartes 1641: 6) Firstly, Descartes deals with the issue of empiricism- the theory that our knowledge is derived from our sensory experiences. Since we know from everyday errors that our senses have the ability to deceive us fairly often so making our perceptions to be something that it is not. For example, there are lots of examples of optical illusions and the fact that the train tracks may appear to converge from a distance. Consequently, we ought toShow MoreRelatedDescartes Epistemology1696 Words   |  7 Pages------------------------------------------------- Carefully explain Descartes’ cogito and his attempt to build his knowledge structure from the ground up. (Be as succinct as possible.) Does Descartes succeed or fail in that attempt? Justify your answer in full. Descartes’ Epistemology This essay attempts to explain Descartes’ epistemology of his knowledge, his â€Å"Cogito, Ergo Sum† concept (found in the Meditations), and why he used it [the cogito concept] as a foundation when building his structure of knowledgeRead MoreThe Matrix As Metaphysics By David Chalmers1212 Words   |  5 PagesCartesian â€Å"Brain in a Vat† fable (interchangeable with Descartes own â€Å"Evil Devil†) , used as an epistemological thought experiment, treads in the field of metaphysics rather than epistemology. Chalmers argues that, even if man’s world is dictated by these brains in vats, even if man’s world was ruled by an evil devil who purposely deceives their perceptions, man has largely correct beliefs about the world. This idea, however, defies Descartes original intention of the thought experiment being skepticalRead MoreDescartes Theory Of Reasoning1184 Words   |  5 Pagesexplaining Antoine Arnauld’s objection to Descartesâ⠂¬â„¢ circular reasoning, I will be presenting a response given by Descartes. Then I will attempt to consider, on behalf of Arnauld, if the response is of adequacy, then I shall decide which view offers the best account. I suspect, however, that no matter what kind of response Descartes is to give, nothing will be able to save him from the torment of the so called ‘Cartesian circle’. In objection to Descartes’ reasoning behind his attempt to establishRead MoreAnalysis of Descartes Argument788 Words   |  3 Pagesending of the reading selection.? Reading selection from Descartes Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with the problem of being able to prove his own existence but ends up with an argument proving the existence of God. Read more about the Discourse on the Method located at HYPERLINK http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdf/descdisc.pdf http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdf/descdisc.pdf. In his Discourse on the Method, Descartes essentially asked his famous question: how can we knowRead MoreDescartes Vs. Descartes s Theory Of Certainty1852 Words   |  8 Pagesof the greatest philosophers in history, Renà © Descartes tackles the daunting task of ensuring what is truly certain in life using a systemic thinking process known as methodological doubt in his Meditations on First Philosophy. In order to determine what is absolutely certain, Descartes concludes that the foundation which even reality sits upon is not firm since most of what contributed to its certainty is based on sensory perception. However, Descartes proves that even the senses can be deceivingRead MoreDescartes’ Cogito Argument Successfully Shows the Evil Demon Argument is Unsound888 Words   |  4 PagesDoes Descartes’ Cogito argument successfully show that the Evil Demon Argument is unsound? In this essay I will attempt to show that the philosopher, Renà ¨ Descartes’ Cogito Argument successfully proves the Evil Demon Argument to be unsound. By an analysis of the structure of the arguments and what they prove, I will show the evil demon argument to be unsound. An argument is unsound when the premises as false and the argument is invalid. This analysis of both structure and content will eventuateRead MoreRene Descartes s Philosophy On The Mind3358 Words   |  14 Pages Introduction to Philosophy October 23, 2014 Renà © Descartes Descartes is one of the most influential and well-known philosophers of all time. The idea he is most famous for is his explanation on the mind. Renà © Descartes is often credited with being the â€Å"Father of Modern Philosophy.† This title is justified due both to his break with the traditional Scholastic-Aristotelian philosophy prevalent at his time and to his development and promotion of the new, mechanistic sciences. He wasRead MoreDescartes Influence on Psychology926 Words   |  4 PagesRunning head: DESCARTES INFLUENCE ON PSYCHOLOGY Descartes Influence on Psychology DESCARTES INFLUENCE ON PSYCHOLOGY Renà © Descartes was a famous French mathematician, scientist, and philosopher throughout the mid 1600’s. He is often regarded as the father of modern philosophy; however, his highly influential ideas have also impacted many other scientific fields, including the world of psychology. Descartes contributions in philosophy and biology have had a significant influence on modernRead MoreSimilarities Between Descartes And Nietzsche s View On God s Existence937 Words   |  4 Pagesconcluding there is no God are more compelling. Two ancient philosophers, Descartes and Nietzsche’s have different views on God’s existence. There has been many thinkers in history who have lacked a belief in God. Some ancient Greek philosophers, such as Epicurus, obtained natural explanations for these superior miracles. Epicurus was the first to question the compatibility of God with suffering. In contrast, Descartes proves God s existence as an external reality and that ideas of perfection or infinityRead MoreEssay about Rene Descartes Impact on the Scientific Method923 Words   |  4 PagesRene Descartes Impact on the Scientific Method People have always thought about the world around them. Through the centuries they have wondered about what their surroundings were made of. Modern science has proven to be most effective in explaining our environment. What makes modern science superior to the ancient schools of thought is the employment of the scientific method. The man credited to a great extent with the development of the scientific method is Renà © Descartes, a French philosopher

Social Welfare Beneficiaries on Illegal Drugs - 1256 Words

People who apply for welfare benefits should be tested for drugs and they should be cleared of all illicit drugs before they receive any benefits in the form of cash or food stamps because, the government spends so much money on welfare and rehabilitation programs and screening welfare recipients will help the government save more money to fix the economy. Most employees are tested of illicit drugs before they are employed by their employer so why shouldn’t welfare recipients also be tested of illicit drug before they receive any kind of assistance? The government deducts so much tax out of worker’s earnings of which part of these deductions go to fund welfare programs, therefore welfare assistance like cash should not be used to purchase†¦show more content†¦According to the Weekly Standard, the U.S. government spends about â€Å"3.7 trillion dollars on welfare over the last five years which is almost greater than how much is spent on Transportation, Educatio n, and NASA combined† (par. 3). This clearly shows how important the government value welfare programs. The program has different eligibility requirements depending on the type of welfare you are applying for or your state of residency. However, according to welfareinfo.org, â€Å"all States are required to provide comparable standards† (par. 3). This provides the same regulations for all recipients or applicants of welfare. My research on drugs and welfare programs led me to volunteer at the Great Plains Food Bank, Fargo. Great Plains Food Bank is a program of Lutheran Social Services and one of the biggest food bank in North Dakota that strives to end hunger in the community through partnerships with other social groups for the past thirty years. During my volunteer time, I observed many things about the underclass. I interviewed both the providers and recipients of welfare benefits and I came to a conclusion that people who apply for welfare benefits should be tested for drugs and they should be cleared of all illicit drugs before they receive any benefits in the form of cash or food stamps. During the time I was volunteering at Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo, I interviewed a recipient of welfareShow MoreRelatedThe Welfare System Of The United States3167 Words   |  13 Pagesaid that we refer to as the Welfare system. There is usually a very bad stigma behind the name welfare system but during the 1930 s The Great Depression affected roughly sixty percent of families who were barely living and it was not because of bad choices. (Jensen, C., 2014). During The Great Depression the welfare system was a useful tool the many modifications to the structure over the years has not changed the focus of the systems main focal points. The Welfare system can be divided into twoRead MoreWhy Do People Commit Crimes?1145 Words   |  5 Pages Throughout centuries many theories have been studied to understand why people commit crimes and why they engaged in anti-social behavior. It may sound simple but scientist and criminologist have struggled to answer this question. There is not a central reason that leads a person to engage in a criminal behavior but there are numerous of factors that contribute for one person to break the laws. Several theories have been analyzed and studied byRead MoreDrug Testing During The Vietnam War2271 Words   |  10 PagesDrug testing through urinalysis was first used on military personnel coming home from the Vietnam War and on people receiving treatment for drug abuse issues. Since then, drug testing has been done on a wide array of populations, including criminals, parents, children, pregnant women, and employees. â€Å"Drug testing is most prevalent in the United States, where drug enforcement and punishment are primary strategies to address drug use in society† (Mac donald et al., 2001) Policymakers have increasinglyRead MoreHuman Trafficking: Searching for a Solution1437 Words   |  6 Pageswhere factory owners assure that they have a job for them. Factory owners then move these men around until they are told and tricked into believing they owe a large amount of money and are then put to work on these ships as illegal workers. If the government can stop the illegal immigrants then they might be able to decrease the amount of men trafficked on these boats. To improve human trafficking and decrease the immigrated men, the neighboring nations need to work together to improve laws and economicRead MoreWelfare Reform : The Welfare System1367 Words   |  6 PagesWelfare Reform What would happen if the government made changes to the welfare system? There are approximately 110,489,000 of Americans on welfare. Many people benefit from what the system has to offer: food stamps, housing, health insurance, day care, and unemployment. Taxpayers often argue that the individuals who benefit from the system, abuse the system; however, this is not entirely true. Many of the people who receive benefits really and truly need the help. Even though some people believeRead MoreBlack Money1302 Words   |  6 Pagesmoney,  as it is legally allowed.   In the two examples above, black money is generated from normal legal transactions. However, huge amounts of black money are generated by illegal, immoral, and anti social transactions. Most of these have criminal nature,like drug trafficking, organised prostitution, bribery and illegal gratification, and Havala i.e unauthorized parallel foreign exchange transactions.Where the huge amounts of Black money is kept? Naturally as it is black money, the owners ofRead MoreWelfare Reform: A Matter of Public Debate2503 Words   |  10 PagesWelfare reform has been a matter of public debate for decades. Welfare is a result of America’s values to support one’s fellow man, but with the stark decline of the economy every state is feeling pressure and looking for new ways to save money. This pressure is manifesting as changes to welfare that are theorized to improve the quality of life for poor families, create a stronger workforce, and save taxpayers money. Theory, however, is one thing, and practice is definitely another. This paper willRead MoreGovernment Should Not Drug Testing Welfare Recipients3447 Words   |  14 Pages Public welfare is the term which stands for the variety of tax-supported programs that provide cash assistance or services to residents who are not able to financially take care of themselves (Hansan, 2011). This program was started in the 1930’s during the Gr eat Depression. There are several types of welfare including health care, food stamps, child care assistance, cash aid, and housing assistance. Medicaid is considered to be one of the welfare programs; it is a medical care that provides cashRead MoreEssay on Capitalism Vs. Socialism1805 Words   |  8 Pagesconclusions. Fifteen years of transition to capitalism is more than adequate time to judge the performance and impact of capitalist politicians, privatizations, free market policies and other restoration measures on the economy, society and general welfare of the population. Economic Performance: Growth, Employment and Poverty Under communism the economic decisions and property were national and publicly owned. Over the past 15 years of the transition to capitalism almost all basic industriesRead MoreEmployee Welfare Programs4038 Words   |  17 PagesRunning head: EMLOYEE WELFARE PROGRAMS Employee Welfare Programs Dawn Hook Baker College of Cadillac Human Resources and Employment Law HRM401R Sally Randall June 8, 2010 Abstract This research will provide basic information regarding three employee welfare programs signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. The programs included in this research paper are the social security program, the workers’ compensation program, and the unemployment compensation program instituted

The Long March, Undertaken By The Red Army Of China, Is A Tale Of Extr Essay Example For Students

The Long March, Undertaken By The Red Army Of China, Is A Tale Of Extr Essay aordinary adventure against impossible odds. Yet, it was completely unnecessary. The Fifth Extermination Campaign was a failure. Also, there were at least two ways for them to establish themselves in Shanghai without marching all the way to Yenan. Even though the Long March helped the Communist Revolution, they did not have to undertake a mission which would kill so many of their people. It is true that if the Long March had not taken place, China might not be a Communist nation, and a capitalist society would be a good thing for China. This march, no matter how wonderful it seems, was a huge mistake in history. The Fifth Extermination Campaign was launched in October 1933. The Nationalists had many more men and arms than the other four campaigns, which explains why all the other campaigns failed. This campaign had a strategy of caution and patience as they marched on Kiangsi and met the Red Army. While diversionary troops sacrificed themselves in delaying actions elsewhere on the front, the main body of Communist forces broke through a comparatively weak point in the Nationalists’ encirclement and escaped toward southwestern Kiangsi. Around five o’clock in the evening, Mao and about twenty others left Yutu by the North Gate, and then turned to the left towards the river, which was all yellow, roaring and foaming, as though calling on the enemies to advance. Soon the sun set, and the gusts bitter cold wind chilled us. The Chairman wore a gray cloth uniform and an eight-cornered military cap, with no overcoat. He walked with enormous strides around the river bank. ‘When we were some miles beyond Yutu, we saw flashing lights and heard strange sounds coming from the distance. Chuang Fu-wu, the male nurse, was puzzled, and asked what was happening. â€Å"’They’re our troops,† the Chairman said. ‘I was puzzled, for I remembered I had not seen a single soldier on the road from Yutu, and how could so many soldiers have appeared from nowhere?‘We found a bridge made of barges spanning the river, and the Red Army was crossing over, waving myriads of torches so that they resembled fire dragons. Their laughter mingled with songs and shouts, echoing backward and forward along the line. â€Å"’How is it there are so many?† I asked the Chairman. â€Å"’Oh, that’s not many,† he replied. â€Å"There are far, far more ahead of us.†Ã¢â‚¬ËœSo we walked over to the floating bridge, crowded with Calvary and foot soldiers, porters and peasants who had come to say good-bye. The Chairman would step aside to let them pass. At midnight some peasants shouted,†They are going to capture Kupo and Hsingtien soon!† and when daylight came the news was confirmed. We were very pleased, because both t these towns had salt wells, and salt was lacking where we had come from. We had won the first victories of the Long March.†12No one knew where they were going. They set out in 1934, but they did not know that they would be in Yenan (which was 6,000 miles away) by the end of 1935. â€Å"If you mean, did we have any exact plans, the answer is that we had none. We intended to break out of the encirclement and join up with the other soviets. Beyond that, there was only a very deliberate desire to put ourselves in a position where we could fight the Japanese.† Mao said.3The Zunyi Conference was held in January 1935. Policies of twenty-eight Bolsheviks were repudiated, and Mao Tse-tung was installed as effective leader of the Party. â€Å"Mao was not so powerless before the Conference, nor did he become so powerful after it.†4When the Communists reached the Wu River in Kweichow they found themselves surrounded by Nationalists. They had already crossed the river, but the enemy waited on both banks, waiting to spring forth. At that time, the Communists had a firm belief in the power of one man to win a battle. They sent one soldier out at night after they had silenced the guns with mortars. The swimmer acquired a boat hidden against the shore and brought it back. The boat was sent backward and forward with the Red Army all through the night and a beachhead was established. It was at that point that the boats were all captured, the Red Army surprised the Nationalists, and had a glorious victory. Further along the march, the Red Army decided to capture Tsunyi to make it a base of operations against the province of Szechuan. Under rain and mist, they overran an enemy outpost in a village ten miles south of the town in which they killed nearly all defenders. From the survivors they found out the plans of the Kuomintang. At night, during heavy rain, a party of Red Army soldiers in borrowed Kuomintang uniforms crept up to the town, claiming to be survivors from the battle in the village and begged to be let in. Then a voice from the gate tower ordered the heavy wooden gates to be opened. They were let in, and by the end of the night, they had slaughtered every man, women, and child in the town. It was the first large town to be captured on the march. The Meeting of the Political Bureau was held at Tsunyi. It was to decide the course of the march, strategy, tactics, the nature of command, and the nature of their aims. Mao dominated the meeting. In his view they had reached a state of crisis. It was necessary to reconsider the whole basis of Chinese Communist philosophy. As he saw it, they were still dominated by the philosophy of Li Lisan. During the Long March, Mao Tse-tung worked at night pouring over newspapers, books, and captured documents, making important passages in red pencil. He kept everything he had in a knapsack which he carried over his shoulder. It was divided into nine compartments: one for maps, one for newspapers, one for books, etc. He regarded his knapsack as his most valuable possession so he liked to have it in view. During these times he came up with three major disciplines:â€Å"Obey orders in all your actions†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Do not take a single needle or piece of thread from the masses†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Turn in everything captured†5The Yangtse River, in Yunnan, is known as the Gold Sand River. The Kuomintang had removed all the ferryboats to the northern shore, while the Communists made a forced march in three columns across the plain until they reached the river. A fourth column was sent moving backward and forward between Kunming and the river to distract the enemy. The enemy was in no hurry. The first column covered forty-five miles in a single day. They found a boat tethered on the south side of the river and they boarded it disguised as civilians. When they reached the river crossing at Chouping, the Reds found a tax officer and said that they were Kuomintang troops in disguise. They ordered him to send the boats over to the south bank with food and fuel. They also got invited to dinner with the local landlords. That night, the Red Army troops were ferried over to the north bank where they camped the night. They were attended by the landlords who provided them comfort and offered them a feast. Pest Analysis EssayAfter an ordeal of such importance, one has to assume that there were major psychological effects. For Mao, the Long March reinforced his faith that men with the proper will, and spirit could conquer all obstacles and mold historical reality in accordance with their ideas and ideals. For survivors, it gave rise to a renewed sense of hope and a deepened sense of mission. There were also Maoist virtues that came out of the Long March: unending struggle, heroic sacrifice, diligence, courage, unselfishness, all of these known as â€Å"the Yenan spirit†. This psychological legacy went into the making of Yenan Communism. What is also important to point out, is the political significance of the Long March. It was a testimony not only to the validity of the mission, but also to the policies and wisdom of the leader. Out of this the Cult of Mao Tse-tung was formed. Mao was a prophet who had led the survivors through the wilderness. In 1937, Edgar Snow reported that Mao had acquired a reputation of â€Å"a charmed life†. 10 Contemporary Chinese accounts present the Long March as a great victory which guaranteed the inevitable victory of the revolution. Finally, Mao’s appraisal of Communist fortunes at the conclusion of the Long March bleak and accurate. The Long March was the prelude to the Chinese Communist Revolution. Mao Tse-tung had achieved effective control of the Chinese Communist Party, and political domination in defiance of Stalin. After the establishment of the People’s republic in 1949, people who survived the Long March became the leaders of New China. â€Å"The Long March is the first of its kind ever recorded in history. Since P’an Ku divided heaven from earth and the Three Sovereigns and the Five Emperors reigned, has there ever been in history a long march like ours? For twelve months we were under daily reconnaissance and bombing from air by scores of planes; we were encircled, pursued, obstructed, and intercepted on the ground by a big force of several hundred thousand men; we encountered untold difficulties and great obstacles on the way, but by keeping our two feet going we swept across a distance of more than twenty thousand ‘li’ through the length and breadth of eleven provinces. Has there ever in history been a long march like ours?†11Bibliography :Bianco, Lucien. Origins of the Chinese Revolution. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. London: Oxford University Press. 1971. Meisner, Maurice. Mao’s China: A History of the People’s Republic. The Free Press. 866 Third Avenue, New York, New York. 10022. London: Collier Macmillan Publishers. 1977. Payne, Robert. Mao Tse-Tung. Weybright and Talley, Inc. 3 East 54th Street New York, New York, 10022. 1950. Roberts, J. A. G.. Modern China. Sutton Publishing Limited, Phoenix. 1998

THE OPIUM WARS OF CHINA Essays - Economic History Of China

THE OPIUM WARS OF CHINA By: Inaan Damaraju Tuesday May 9, 2016 Mrs. Linda Doolittle The Opium Wars of 1839 to 1842 and 1856 to 1860 marked a new stage in Chinas affiliation with the West. Chinas military failures in these wars forced its rulers to sign treaties opening a great number of ports to foreign trade. The restrictions enforced under the Canton system were nullified. Opium, despite imperial restrictions, now became a regular item of trade. As opium choked the Chinese market, its price dropped, and local consumption of the drug increased swiftly. The drug infiltrated all levels of society, from the peasant to the nobles. In the new treaty ports, foreign traders worked together with a greater variety of Chinese merchants than under the Canton system, and they ventured deeply into the Chinese interior. Missionaries brought Christian values and teachings to villagers; the diplomatic rights obtained under the treaties protected them. Popular hostility to the new foreigners began to rise. The Opium wars are rightly named, as it was not trade, but rather unrestrict ed drug trade, the countries addiction to opium, weakened military and antagonism between the locals and foreigners that brought China down. Under the system enforced by the Qing dynasty to manage and control trade in the 18th century, Western traders were allowed to conduct trade only through the southern port of Canton (Guangzhou). They were restricted, and forced to reside in the city within a limited space, including their warehouses. They were prevented from bringing their family along, and they could not stay there more than a few months of the year. Qing officials closely watched over trading relations, allowing only approved merchants from Western countries to trade through a monopoly guild of Chinese merchants called the Cohong. Western merchants could not contact Qing officials directly, and there were no formal relations between China and Western countries. The Qing emperor regarded trade as a form a tribute, or gifts given to him personally to honor his greatness. Western traders, for their part, conducted trade through licensed monopoly companies, like Britains East India Company and the Dutch VOC. Despite th e great many restrictions, both sides found a way to make the situation favorable by learning how to make profits through cooperation with each other. The Chinese Hong merchants, the key middlemen between the foreign traders and the officials, developed close relations with Westerners, instructing them on how to conduct their business without bothering the Chinese bureaucracy. As the volume of trade grew, however, the British demanded more and more access to Chinas markets. Tea exports from China grew exponentially from 92,000 pounds in 1700 to 2.7 million pounds in 1751. By 1800 the East India Company was purchasing approximately 23 million pounds of tea per year all at a cost of of 3.6 million pounds of silver. Concerned that the China trade was draining England of all its silver, the British searched for a equivalent asset to trade for tea and porcelain. They found it in opium, which they planted in large quantities after they had taken Bengal, in India, in 1757. In 1816, Lord Ge orge Mcartney went on a mission to the court in Beijing in 1793 that was aimed to promote British trade by creating direct ties between the British government and the emperor. After his failure in 1816, the British were convinced that force as to only way to get China to open up its ports. The major Indian source of British opium pledged for China was in Patna, Bengal, where the drug was processed and packed into large 140-pound chests. The annual flow to China was approximately 4,000 chests by 1790, and a little more than double by the early 1820s. Imports began to increase at an astonishing rate in the 1830s, however, as free trade agitation gained strength in Britain and the East India Companys control over the Chinese international trade approached its termination date (in 1834). The Company became more dependent than ever on the revenue generated through opium. While private merchants hurried to increase their stake in the enticing trade. On the eve of the first Opium War, the British were shipping around 40,000 chests to China annually. By this date, it was