Ontology

In the introduction to his book Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience, geographer Yi-Fu Tuan defines his concepts of space and place, writing that “undifferentiated space becomes place as we get to know it better and endow it with value” (Tuan p.6). By using this language Tuan creates a dichotomy between the unknown and intimate with a clear preference for the latter. Earlier in the chapter, he writes that “place is security, space is freedom” (p.3) and in his chapter on the homeland,…

Plato’s Imitation Attributes of Music– Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin Plato stated that his view of art is the imitation of reality, which is an imitation of the ultimate reality known as the Forms that exist in a heaven-like realm. Therefore, Plato believes that artists only imitate an object, which is an imitation of the Forms. As a result, the artist does not truly understand the object they are imitating because they lack the knowledge of the reality of objects.…

Introduction The argument whether or not the mind and the body are distinct substances raises a still on-going debate. In this essay, I proceed to give evidence as to why the Cartesian dualism theory is flawed. First, I am going to introduce a few of Descartes’ arguments and his position on the matter. Then, I will try to pick his most appealing argument and put it up against logical reasoning and other philosophers’ viewpoints. Finally, I am going to conclude how Rene Descartes proposes…

This paper offers an analysis of Jean-Paul Sartre perspective of ‘existential humanism’ in order to argue that this view of existential is very optimistic and it poses a problem for individuals. The central theme in Sartre’s work is that man is born into a void where there is nothing, including God. As a result, man creates the self and his essence. The free choices he makes. In making choices, man is not only committing to himself but to all of mankind. In Sartre’s existentialism, “existence…

George Berkeley, A treatise concerning the principles of human knowledge In this essay I will be discussing a few sections from George Berkeley, A treatise concerning the Principle of human knowledge. I will explain the arguments being set out by Berkeley within the text, then I will proceed to make an objection of my own, which I will respond to on behalf of Berkeley. George Berkeley starts off introducing us to his theory “to be is to be perceived”. Within the first few paragraphs of the…

The mind and body are entities whose characteristics are strictly exclusive, yet together, they form a relationship that is the basis of the existence of humankind – and, by consequence, is one of the most classic and debated dualisms in philosophy. This dualism is described as the mind-body problem. The mind indicates one’s mental faculties such as thoughts, emotions and sensations, while the body indicates the physical processes and entities that allow one to function physically. While both…

Zayd Boucaud Professor Sarah Allen Philosophy December 4, 2017 "Cleanthes' Argument from Design" This essay will divulge into the deeper meaning of Cleanthes’ argument from design, with an explanation of not only his views, but the opposition’s as well (with a further understanding about why his argument may be proven invalid.) Cleanthes’ premises (leading to his valid conclusion) will have further, more simple explanations that will show his own reasoning in favor of God’s existence.) Flaws in…

In this essay I will be outlining and critically assessing Kripke’s ‘Humphrey’ objection to Counterpart Theory. To first understand the ‘Humphrey’ objection, it is crucial to understand the Counterpart Theory. This theory has the core belief of individuals only existing in a specific world, however they have similar counterparts in other possible worlds. Kripke’s ‘Humphrey’ objection is in light of the Counterpart Theory. Stephen Yablo’s Aboutness helps illustrate issues which arise in the…

Gottfried Leibniz, a German mathematician and philosopher, offers a theodicy to show that God’s goodness, omniscience, and omnipotence are all consistent with the existence of evil in the universe. His central argument, which will be discussed in detail in the next paragraph, is that we are actually living in the best possible universe. I disagree with his theodicy because it is logically flawed, it says that God is not omnipotent, and evil is not necessary for us to appreciate the good that…

The two proofs I am going to compare are Augustine’s argument for God’s existence and Aquinas’ 5 Ways argument for God’s existence. I don’t think either of them prove that God exists, but I think Aquinas’ argument is more effective than Augustine’s. Aquinas covers many different reasons why God exits but not all of them are as good as each other. The arguments about there had to be something that started the movement of the universe and everything in it has a good point that there almost had to…