Plato’s Epistemology and Metaphysics an Example of the Topic Literature Essays by

Plato’s Epistemology and Metaphysics The philosophical investigation of human knowledge and science were the fore front of Grecian philosophers Plato and Aristotle. Plato's ideal of human knowledge is we are born with knowledge, but have to investigate through our lifetime in order to remember. Interestingly, Plato also found that forms are real, but the material objects around us are not through his scientific studies. Although Aristotle completed some studies with Plato, his views on the nature of change and his concept of the physical universe differ. Need essay sample on "Platos Epistemology and Metaphysics" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Plato's Epistemology Plato's epistemology thought contained that we could only have genuine knowledge of things that are perfect and unchanging. We can have knowledge about the forms, but not about material objects. We can have only beliefs or opinions about the material world. Part of Plato's belief dealt with the soul. The Platonic school of thought set forth that before we are born our souls live in a realm of forms and have complete knowledge of the forms. When we are born, we still have this knowledge but we do not realize it. We can recollect this knowledge only with difficulty. This leads to the Socratic method of teaching which consists in asking the right questions so that the student recovers his or her knowledge of the forms as illustrated in the Meno. From the Meno, "Socrates: And if the truth about reality is always in our soul, the soul must be immortal, and one must take courage and try to discover that is to recollect what one doesn't happen to know, or more correctly remember, at the moment"(Jowett). Socrates feels this demonstration gives us hope that we can find knowledge through the Socratic method and that the Eristic Dilemma, or puzzle of knowledge, is mistaken because knowledge goes through stages rather than being only two options; there is more to it than either knowing or not knowing University Students Frequently Tell EssayLab professionals:I'm not in the mood to write my essay online. I want to spend time with my girlfriendProfessional writers recommend:Get Academic Writing At Reasonable Price With UsBuy College Papers Online Affordable Papers Review Cheap Writing Service Reviews Cheap Reliable Essay Writing Service Plato's Metaphysics Plato's principal work touching on scientific questions, the Timaeus, bluntly states the world, "in very truth is a living creature with soul and reason."(Jowett). To this viewpoint Plato accords an unconditional primacy even in matters of detail. Thus when he discusses the working of the human eye, he deplores the fact that "the great mass of mankind regards the sole causes of all things. " Against this he opposes the classification of causes into two groups: the accessory or mechanical causes that are "incapable of any plan or intelligence for any purpose," and those that "work with intelligence to produce what is good and desirable."(Jowett). A great observation of Plato's theory in science was the metaphysical study of forms. Plato's theory of form was intended to answer the following 3 questions: Why do objects have the properties they do? How should objects be classified? What makes an object good of its kind? The answers Plato proposed were based on his theory of forms. Platos theory was a form is an ideal object. Forms are perfect, eternal, and unchanging. There is a form for each property or characteristic an object could have. There are also forms for abstract objects and concepts; for example numbers. Forms are real, but the material objects around us are not. This lead to the following answers to Plato's questions: An object has a characteristic because it participates in the form for that characteristic; for example, an object is round because it participates in the form of roundness. Objects belong together in a category when they participate in the same form; for example, all round things belong together because they all participate in the form of roundness. An object is better of its type because it participates in a relevant form to a greater extent; for example, an object is more round than other things because it participates in the form of roundness to a greater degree. Aristotle's Concept of Change Change is a fact that all observe. While Plato wanted to go beyond the world of change to the unchangeable ideas, Aristotle studied change itself. Change has a pattern that we can understand. There are four causes of motion or change. First is the material cause the matter out of which something is produced. Second is the efficient cause or the active, producing cause. For example, Aristotle used the illustration of parents who produce children where the seed is the material cause. Third is the formal cause, or the technique or way of doing something. The fourth is the final cause. In other words the goal or purpose intended. For Aristotle, everything in nature had an end or purpose. There is a goal toward which everything is moving; for example, a kitten to become a cat, or an acorn to become an oak. The final cause is the cause of causality in the other causes. As with human beings, nothing in nature is done without a purpose. For Aristotle purpose was immanent, not transcendent. An example given by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is the four causes seen in the work of a sculptor: the marble on which he works is the material cause; the sculptor himself is the efficient cause; the pattern for the statue is the formal cause; and the purpose for which the work is undertaken is the final cause Aristotle comes close to Plato when he considers the underlying factor responsible for the movement of all things. This factor is their form, or eidos, which is the mover. Everything has in itself a power. Only in the act it's self is the thing perfect. The goal toward which the activity moves is the complete rarity of that thing. The perfection of things is immanent in them, and they move toward actuality. Aristotle's Concept of Motion on the Universe According to Science World Aristotle held that the universe was divided into two parts, the terrestrial region and the celestial region. In the realm of earth, all bodies were made out of combinations of four substances, earth, fire, air, and water. Heavy material bodies like rocks and iron consisted mostly of earth with small parts of the other elements. Less dense objects were thought to contain a larger mixture of the other elements along with earth. For instance, humans consisted of a complex mixture of all the elements: earth, which gave material strength and weight; fire, which provided warmth; water, which accounted for blood and other bodily fluids; and air, which filled the lungs and provided the breath of life. Aristotle's theory holds that the sun, planets, and stars were made of quintessence, a pure, perfect substance, quite unlike the elements found on Earth. The Moon, marking the boundary between the sublunary earthly region and the superlunary heavenly region, was mostly quintessence, but because of its proximity to Earth it was contaminated with a small mixture of earthly elements, which accounted for the visible imperfections on its surface. Science World establishes the fundamental assumption in Aristotelian physics was that the natural state of sublunary matter is rest. Earth, air, and water must seek their natural place at rest in the center of Earth unless stopped by an impenetrable surface like the ground or a table. The natural place of rest of the element fire is somewhere above us, but well below the Moon. The air we see around us is a mixture of the elements air and fire, so its behavior is complicated by the competition between the tendency for fire to rise and air to fall. Aristotle's model provided a simple, compelling explanation for falling rocks, rising flames, and the circulation of the air. However, it was less successful in explaining "violent motion" such as when an object is hurled from a catapult. To see why this would be a problem for the Aristotelian worldview, imagine the following experiment as defined by The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Find a cat, and put it from a siege machine. You would observe that the cat continues to travel through the air (before landing safely on its feet) even after it was no longer being pushed by the arm of the machine. If the natural state of motion of the cat is rest on Earth, why didn't the cat drop to the ground immediately on leaving the pult? (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Here, Aristotelian physics had to say that this kind of motion is different because it is "violent," and had to invent some mechanism to keep the cat in the air during violent motion. All of the mechanisms fall under the technical description "hand waving." One of the most popular explanations was that the air in front of the cat became disturbed by the movement of the cat and swirled behind the cat and pushed it along. Thus, in Aristotelian dynamics, there was a distinction between "natural" downward motions. For example, a rock falling to the ground when dropped and unnatural violent motion not directed toward the center of earth, such as that resulting from a catapult. In concluding, to review the variances in Plato and Aristotle's designated schools of thought one may find the following: Plato was a man of reasoning, due to he believed we had knowledge before birth, but through question in life remembered the knowledge we were born with. Plato and Aristotle differed in their ideas of change due to Plato believed that for were unchanging and Aristotle's view was a form changed to meet its end purpose. For Aristotle the motion of the universe was a contrast to earthly motions. In the superlunary regions of the heavens the natural state of motion was circular, because circles were considered to be the perfect geometric figure. Thus the planets would travel forever in circular orbits without the intervention of any force. Works Cited Jowett, Benjamin. "Meno". The Internet Classics Archive. 2007. 2007, June 4. Jowett, Benjamin. "Timaeus". The Internet Classics Archive. 2007. 2007, June 4. Science World. "Classic Metaphysics". Science World. 2007. 2007, June 3. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. "Plato's Timaeus". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2007. 2007, June 3.

Free Essays on Graduation Speech

â€Å"Time sneaks up on you like a windshield [does] on a bug,† said the celebrity John Lithgow. For the student, our first day of school here at the Lewis F. Cole middle school seems like only yesterday. In only two short years, we have accomplished so much more than we thought we could on that first day when we were all strangers in a strange new world. But maybe fate decided how we would end up, and maybe it was fate that dictated to what extent we would be successful in achieving many of our goals. Perhaps it was also due to fate that we all made the mistakes we made. And conceivably, it may be fate that I was chosen to stand here addressing you the students, your parents, and our teachers. Before I go further, I should first congratulate the class of 2003 on surviving their two year crash course in social growth and express our classes’ deepest thanks to the devoted teaching staff who patiently guided us through all those academic thickets. We are who we are. I choose no more to be male than my mother did to be female. Perhaps fate controlled my life in its course so far, and perhaps it is fate that I have made it this far in life. Yet I believe fate is not in total control of my life; it has merely provided me with loose guide lines for getting through these two short but memorable years at the Lewis F. Cole Middle School. As students, we are constantly evolving. We are who we are, but we can change who we are through our actions and our values. As students, we changed not only ourselves, but also changed and affected many of those around us. In only two years, many of us have greatly matured socially and as such have become different people. Maybe fate had in store what we choose to change. I have developed what you might call a love-hate relationship with our middle school. I love this school for its competition, while I hate it for that very reason at the same time. The student competition here at the Lewis F. Cole middle s... Free Essays on Graduation Speech Free Essays on Graduation Speech â€Å"Time sneaks up on you like a windshield [does] on a bug,† said the celebrity John Lithgow. For the student, our first day of school here at the Lewis F. Cole middle school seems like only yesterday. In only two short years, we have accomplished so much more than we thought we could on that first day when we were all strangers in a strange new world. But maybe fate decided how we would end up, and maybe it was fate that dictated to what extent we would be successful in achieving many of our goals. Perhaps it was also due to fate that we all made the mistakes we made. And conceivably, it may be fate that I was chosen to stand here addressing you the students, your parents, and our teachers. Before I go further, I should first congratulate the class of 2003 on surviving their two year crash course in social growth and express our classes’ deepest thanks to the devoted teaching staff who patiently guided us through all those academic thickets. We are who we are. I choose no more to be male than my mother did to be female. Perhaps fate controlled my life in its course so far, and perhaps it is fate that I have made it this far in life. Yet I believe fate is not in total control of my life; it has merely provided me with loose guide lines for getting through these two short but memorable years at the Lewis F. Cole Middle School. As students, we are constantly evolving. We are who we are, but we can change who we are through our actions and our values. As students, we changed not only ourselves, but also changed and affected many of those around us. In only two years, many of us have greatly matured socially and as such have become different people. Maybe fate had in store what we choose to change. I have developed what you might call a love-hate relationship with our middle school. I love this school for its competition, while I hate it for that very reason at the same time. The student competition here at the Lewis F. Cole middle s...

Sodium Element (Na or Atomic Number 11)

Sodium Element (Na or Atomic Number 11) Symbol: Na Atomic Number: 11 Atomic Weight: 22.989768 Element Classification: Alkali Metal CAS Number: 7440-23-5 Periodic Table Location Group: 1 Period: 3 Block: s Electron Configuration Short Form: [Ne]3s1 Long Form: 1s22s22p63s1 Shell Structure: 2 8 1 Discovery of Sodium Discovery Date: 1807 Discoverer: Sir Humphrey Davy [England] Name: Sodium derives its name from the Medieval Latin sodanum and the English name soda. The element symbol, Na, was shortened from the Latin name Natrium. Swedish chemist Berzelius was the first to use the symbol Na for sodium in his early periodic table. History: Sodium does not usually appear in nature on its own, but its compounds have been used by people for centuries. Elemental sodium was not discovered until 1808. Davy isolated sodium metal using electrolysis from caustic soda or sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Physical Data State at room temperature (300 K): Solid Appearance: soft, bright silvery-white metal Density: 0.966 g/cc Density at Melting Point: 0.927 g/cc Specific Gravity: 0.971 (20  °C) Melting Point: 370.944 K Boiling Point: 1156.09 K Critical Point: 2573 K at 35 MPa (extrapolated) Heat of Fusion: 2.64 kJ/mol Heat of Vaporization: 89.04 kJ/mol Molar Heat Capacity: 28.23 J/mol ·K Specific Heat: 0.647 J/g ·K (at 20  °C) Atomic Data Oxidation States: 1 (most common), -1 Electronegativity: 0.93 Electron Affinity: 52.848 kJ/mol Atomic Radius: 1.86 Ã… Atomic Volume: 23.7 cc/mol Ionic Radius: 97 (1e) Covalent Radius: 1.6 Ã… Van der Waals Radius: 2.27 Ã… First Ionization Energy: 495.845 kJ/mol Second Ionization Energy: 4562.440 kJ/mol Third Ionization Energy: 6910.274 kJ/mol Nuclear Data Number of isotopes: 18 isotopes are known. Only two are naturally occurring. Isotopes and % abundance: 23Na (100), 22Na (trace) Crystal Data Lattice Structure: Body-Centered Cubic Lattice Constant: 4.230 Ã… Debye Temperature: 150.00 K Sodium Uses Sodium chloride is important for animal nutrition. Sodium compounds are used in the glass, soap, paper, textile, chemical, petroleum, and metal industries. Metallic sodium is used in manufacturing of sodium peroxide, sodium cyanide, sodamide, and sodium hydride. Sodium is used in preparing tetraethyl lead. It is used in the reduction of organic esters and preparation of organic compounds. Sodium metal may be used to improve the structure of some alloys, to descale metal, and to purify molten metals. Sodium, as well as NaK, an alloy of sodium with potassium, are important heat transfer agents. Miscellaneous Facts Sodium is the 6th most abundant element in the Earths crust, making up approximately 2.6% of the earth, air, and oceans.Sodium is not found free in nature, but sodium compounds are common. The most common compound is sodium chloride or salt.Sodium occurs in many minerals, such as cryolite, soda niter, zeolite, amphibole, and sodalite.The top three countries that produce sodium are China, United States,  and India. Sodium metal is mass produced by electrolysis of sodium chloride.The D lines of sodiums spectrum account for the dominant yellow color of the un.Sodium is the most abundant alkali metal.Sodium floats on water, which decomposes it to evolve hydrogen and form the hydroxide. Sodium may ignite spontaneously on water. It does not usually ignite in air at temperatures below 115 °CSodium burns with a bright yellow color in a flame test.Sodium is used in fireworks to make an intense yellow color. The color is sometimes so bright it overwhelms other colors in a firework. Sources CRC Handbook of Chemistry Physics, (89th Ed.).Holden, Norman E. History of the Origin of the Chemical Elements and Their Discoverers, 2001.â€Å"National Institute of Standards and Technology.†Ã‚  NIST.

Current Macroeconomic Situation in the U.S Research Paper

Current Macroeconomic Situation in the U.S - Research Paper Example This paper is one of the best examples of the thorough analysis of the macroeconomic situation and the most pressing economic issues in the US. The 2007/08 economic downturn culminated in major socioeconomic problems all over the world. The United States was affected in a similar way like other countries globally. The economic recession of 2007/08 culminated in a number of macroeconomic problems. The United States was grappling with issues of increased inflation and unemployment. The two stood at approximately 4% and 10% respectively. The increased administration cost has been blamed for the challenge. The ministry of defense has for instance been said to spend billions of dollars annually putting more pressure on the economy.. The country is still grappling with issues of increased mortgage loans which have denied citizens an opportunity to own houses. However, the gross domestic product (GDP) has remained fairly stable despite changes in the economy. Two main monetary policies will be used to address the issues of unemployment and inflation. The expansionary and contractionary monetary policies are used in the mitigation of unemployment and inflation respectively. Apart from monetary policies, fiscal policies may be used as well. This mostly refers to the government’s revenue collection and spending which latter affect the economy. For instance, increased inflation would force the government to apply the contractionary fiscal policies. Under this, the spending of the government would be under check

Trifles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Trifles - Essay Example Mrs. Hale when she was Minnie Foster was a member of the choir but in the passing of time, became like bird caged in her own home, with no social relationship with her neighborhood. The primary culprit to this conflict is the husband who, though has been known to be a good man paying his debts and keeping his words, was also a hard man. The other character contributory to the conflict was Mrs. Hale who was the only person who could have at least been a friend and confidant of Mrs. Wright but chose not to be with the woman because her place has always been gloomy. She then realized the need she was not able to meet in the life of her neighbor after the discovery of the dead canary with its neck wrung, similar to how Mr. Wright died for she somehow knew what happens in a home, which are almost true for everyone, only in different ways. The investigators representing the men in general, contributed to the problem through their reactions towards women in general. They have shown contempt over the things women busy and worry themselves with and have highlighted what could have been happening in the house of the couple between themselves before the murder.

Theseus Athens Great Hero :: essays research papers

Theseus Athens Great Hero At birth Theseus an unknown father. His mother , Aethra , was friendly with both Poseidon and Aegeus (Hunt 3-6). Before Theseus was born Aegeus said to Aethra ." If we are to have a son , when he is grown have him take my sword and sandals from under this boulder to me ," then he was off to Athens. Theseus was born in a small town called Troezen and grew up there, in a normal way. When Theseus was old enough Aethra took Theseus to the boulder where the sandals and sword were and told him what Aegeus had said. Theseus lifted the giant boulder with ease and immediately wanted to go to Athens. He insisted on going by land even though it is much more dangerous for there are thieves and he did not want to heed his mother's warnings. So he was off to Athens on foot to meet his father. On the journey Theseus met many thieves and out whited every one of them from asking to see there nice weapons and using them agents the thieves to seeing what they were trying to do to him and using that to hurt or usually kill them. Either way Theseus showed courage and wisdom in his quick thinking that would make him a great hero that would be remembered for many years to come. The first day in Athens Theseus started looking for Aegeus' castle but what he did not know was that Aegeus was ,at the time, under the power of a sorcerer by the name of Medea. She could see the power in him from afar and saw that he would take her power so she told Aegeus to kill him. At this time either Aegeus nor Theseus knew that they were related. Media told Aegeus to invite Theseus to a party or ball coming in the near feature and to poison his drink. Aegeus poisoned his drink and gave it to Theseus. Just before Theseus drank the wine Aegeus dashed the glass to the ground for he had just recognized his sword. Aegeus and Theseus became good friends and lived together for a time. One day Theseus saw ships with black sails coming and heard that there were taking 20 people to the labyrinth where they would be killed by a monster called the Minitor. Theseus had to stop this annual occurrence and went on the boat and promised if he lived to change the sails from black to white to tell Aegeus that Theseus was alive.

Mobile Phones Should Be Prohibited in Public Places Essay

Mobile Phones Should Be Publicly Banned Less than ten years ago, only a few people ran around with a cell phone as an essential body part. Now there is an estimated of 80 million people who own and use wireless telephones, and 85 percent of these people use their phone while driving. However, these handy devices are not just used in cars. They are ringing in the theaters, trains, and during Sunday mass. The phones sing the arrival of a meal and chirp while people seek some quiet moments in the park. Mobile phones in public areas like restaurants, theaters, churches, and trains should be turned off for common courtesy and proper mannerism of surrounding individuals. Banning the use ofmobile phones in some public places is becoming more common, but enforcement is not so easy. A growing number of mobile-free zones have cropped up in recent years. These include; theaters, libraries, museums, casinos, and even some train operators are now operating mobile-free carriages. Then there is the separate safety issue of people using hand-held phones in cars. Several communities have banned the use of cell phones while driving. Neverthel Speak softly, in a conversational tone. Support for banning the use of mobile phones in certain public venues confirms that many users and non-users alike feel that mobile  phone usage can be irritating and they agree to see measures taken to limit intrusion. Mobile phones, granted need to be used periodically for certain incidents and is a very useful commodity when traveling or for emergencies. â€Å"Cell yell† is alarmingly widespread, despite being technologically unnecessary. Ring tones, which are considered unpleasant or obtrusive, are frequently the main cause of dislike towards users of mobile telephones on trains. A mobile telephone also provides some comfort or assurance, in that it is always accessible for contacting the emergency services or for being contacted, should one be needed in an emergency. â€Å"No Cell Phones† signs are popping up all over. Ring tones, along with people talking loudly as if they were having a conversation with someone in the same room as them, are the causes of this â€Å"noise†. An obvious example is at the occurrence of a delay or the missing of a train or connection, because of which, one would have to contact any persons expecting one at the destination. It is rude to give the cell phone call precedence over people you are with. Excuse yourself when it  comes, and be brief. They might state it is against their Freedom of Speech Amendment and they have a right to say what they want, when they want. Some tips for proper mobile phone etiquette are, turn off your phone or set it to vibrate in public. The technology may be modern, but cell phone etiquette is mainly good old-fashioned manners: respect others.