Epistemology and Skepticism Essay Example for Free

Epistemology and Skepticism Essay * Epistemology and Skepticism: How does The Matrix illustrate the challenge of skepticism about the external world? Explain, discuss, and critically evaluate the hallucination argument for complete epistemological skepticism. Be sure your essay includes a discussion of either Hospers or Crumley IIs criticism of complete epistemological skepticism. Is complete epistemological skepticism a logically coherent theory? Support your answer with a well-reasoned argument free of any major errors of fact, fallacy or logical contradiction. I. Introduction * The matrix questions the nature of reality * How can we know for certain that the world is how we perceive it and not just a veil over our eyes? * Explain movie- trapped in virtual world believing they are in 21st century * Explanation proposes question, what is real? II. Main Points. * Main Character Morpheus: â€Å"What is ‘real’? How do you define ‘real’? If real is simply what you can feel, smell, taste and see, then ‘real’ is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.† * Consequently, â€Å"How can we be sure our brain isn’t being tricked by some simulation to believe things are real, when they aren’t? This is how matrix proposes the challenge of epistemological skepticism. * Hallucination argument: Modus Tollens, question soundness (valid) 1. If we posses knowledge (K) we must be able to rule out the possibility of systematic hallucination (S). K S 2. ~S (the matrix hypothesis.) (MT 1) 3. ~ K ( MT 1 2) * One arguer against skepticism: John Hospers * Merely verbal * Skeptics take strong sense of the word knowledge, must have proof at all times * Others use weak sense, meaning we only need proof or evidence only when someone is proving otherwise. * Doubt is an empty word * Basic point: once a test has been done to remove doubt we have a good reason to believe it is true, thus we have knowledge. III. Conclusion * Skeptics believe knowledge is unobtainable, in this case the hallucination argument proves the premises are true through Modus Tollens. Although the argument is sound, it is self-defeating because skeptics believe they know that they don’t really â€Å"know† anything. Moreover, complete epistemological skepticism is not a logically coherent view because the argument being claimed would require the person to have knowledge to conduct such argument.

Sociological perspectives on deviance

Sociological perspectives on deviance The term deviance is used by sociologists to refer to behaviour which changes, in some way, from a social norm. In this respect, it is clear that the idea of deviance refers to a violation of social norms and refers to rule breaking behaviour. Deviance refers to those actions which go against the norms, values and beliefs of ordinary culture. For example, drinking alcohol at the age of 16. In relation to deviance, the idea relates to all kinds of rule-breaking which involves such things as murder, theft, rape or wearing unsuitable clothing for a given social situation. Many sociologists have given their own definition of deviance. Some sociologist conceive of deviance as a collection of conditions, persons or acts that society disvalue (Sagarin, 1975, 9) There are various perspectives in Sociology such as the functionalist theories and Karl Marxist theories which asks different questions and focuses on different issues regarding deviance. In order to answer the question above it is n ecessary to outline and discuss the sociological perspectives on deviance. I will be discussing the main perspectives of deviance throughout sociology. Functionalism is defined as a Framework that conceptualises society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability (Macionis and Plummer, 1997. p. 19-20).Functionalism has grown through the work of many sociologists including Durkheim and later on by Brown and Merton, The works of these sociologists was based on a biological scientific model called organic system-comparison of social operations to that of a living organism (Giddens, 2001.16) Functionalist theorists, including Durkheim, state crime as having a social role. Others, including Merton, state the strain between socialized aims and reality as the true cause of crime. Functionalist Emile Durkheim believed that societies are held together by shared values and economic dependence. He thinks that society would crumple if principles are not passed from one generation to another. A vital function of society is the preservation of its values, which is done through education and religion. The concept of anomie was introduced by Emile Durkheim which suggested that In modern societies, traditional norms and standards become undermined without being replaced by new ones. (Giddens, 2009, 941). This is the breakdown of society, and will lead to social disorder, deviance and violence. Durkheim also argues that deviance is useful and necessary in society. It helps to strengthen the consensus of values, norms and behaviour of the majority non-deviant population, through the idea of anger at crime which reinforces social solidarity. Other theorists, including Erikson who argues that influential groups within any society are able to impose their views upon the maj ority by a process of ideological manipulation. The excitement generated by the crime quickens the tempo of interaction in a group and creates a climate in which the private sentiments of many people are fused into a common sense of morality.(Bean, 2003, 24). However, Robert Merton criticised Durkheims idea of anomie as being unclear. Merton argued that anomie is a state where the socially approved goals of society are not available to a significant amount of the population if they followed socially approved means of obtaining these goals. According to Merton, people turned to deviance in this state because there is anxiety between what people have socialised to want and what they are able to achieve through legitimate means. Robert Merton, who also accepted the view of functionalists who believed that society, must have certain features to survive. He argues that both goals and constraints on behaviour are socially based, and that desires are socially copied, from socialisation, into cultural goals such as work-related status or financial achievement. Mertons theory on deviance, which is known as the Strain Theory, is a development of Durkheims ideas of anomie and culture. Anomie, in Mertons perspective, can occur when people are not capable to follow the main norms within a society.Some individuals adapt by becoming ritualises, conforming to society norms without any expectations of achieving them. (Clinard, 2001, 5) Merton argues that individuals are socialized into wanting success, wealth, status and power. When they are unable to achieve this, it results in a strain between what we want, and what we can get. One possible response to the strain theory is deviance through innovation (deviant and crimin al behaviour resulting to crime), retreatism (backing out of socially desirable behaviour, for example, alcoholics, drug addicts), Ritualism (ignoring goals of society) and rebellion (rejection of goals and means, but an attempt to replace them with alternative values). Mertons analysis on deviance suggests that deviant behaviour is efficient. First, for the people involved, it allows them to adjust to the situation in which they find themselves in. Merton sees these responses as useful to the society as they help to release the anxiety, therefore maintain the social system stability. However, Merton was criticised by Valier, amongst others, for his importance on the continuation of a common goal in society. Valier argues that there are a range of goals that people struggle to attain at any one time Feminist approach have also criticised functionalism for not explain on conflict, also not considering it to be an integral part of the social world (Dominelli, 1997. p.17). Feminist also argues that this supports and explains structures which have a tendency to be male dominated and in so ignoring the past and women contributions to the society. In conclusion, it can be argued that Functionalist theories do certainly go a long distance in justifying the reasons for Deviance. However, it is overly deterministic in the view of society and the way in which it shapes and forms human behaviour. However, it should argued that Functionalist theories are useful in explaining and deviance, In terms of civil theories or triangulation and procedural pluralism to stable out the problems and challenges linked with Functionalist theory. Sub cultural theories on deviance were developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s from the Albert Cohen and Richard Cloward. They stressed that people respond to forces which are outside to them. This therefore leads them to behave in different ways. Their behaviour is explained by social causes. Sub cultural theorists have tried to seek the causes of these differences. Subculture theories claim to have recognized break downs in the social order. These break downs are seen to be rectifiable by dissimilar types of social engineering e.g. Social reform, social welfare and education. According to interactionist theories of deviance, they make fundamental ideas of deviance in terms of there being no such as deviant act. They place firm importance on reaction. Interactionist put forward useful idea such as labelling, self-fulfilling prophecy, and mortification and primary and secondary deviance. They are significant of the functionalist and subculture theories of deviance. Interactionists argue that human action is original. Humans create roles in relation to and adjustment to others. American Sociologist Edwin Lemert, argues that public reaction is a cause of deviance. Lemert starts by explaining between primary and secondary deviance. Primary deviance is deviance before it is openly labelled; it has a number of likely causes and is not worth looking at given that the samples are unfair and it has no impact on the individual, therefore it does not strain status or activities. The general factor among deviants, argues Lemert, is the process of labelling. The public response to the deviant leads to secondary deviance, the response of the deviant to public labelling. Lemert claims that secondary deviance should be the focal point of study because of its result on the individual. The vital idea is that societal reaction can in fact cause deviant behaviour. The Labelling theorists are another approach in sociology which views the point of seeing deviance from the view of the deviant individual. They claim that when a person becomes known as a deviant, and is expected to have deviant behaviour, it is to do with the way they have been labelled, as the deviant act they are said to have committed. The labelling theory realises that certain acts labelled as deviant are more than likely to be carried out by certain types of people. If society labels a person as a criminal or as deviant there is much evidence that this label sticks with the person to the extent that he believes that they are deviant. So to satisfy society they carry out the role of a deviant to the degree that they are fitting in with what they observe is their role in life or in the society. This makes a great impact on their life, as they need someone to help them to see that they are not deviant or a criminal. If a person becomes a criminal then society need to recognise this and help the person to overcome this, by offering support or counselling to make it aware to the person that this behaviour is not acceptable and if they continue it will lead to them not achieving. However the main criticism of labelling theory is that it is deterministic, and that it makes the person as if they were not human, which then leads to certain behaviour by the act of labels being given to it, and following behaviour patterns as a result of behaviour patterns that go with it.. The Marxist approach has been one of the most vital approaches in explaining deviant behaviour. They mostly base their ideas and theories on how the powerful people control the society which influences how the society works today. The definition of deviance from a Marxist perspective is a conflict between powerful and less powerful groups. Definitions of deviance then emerge from class conflicts between powerful groups and less powerful groups. (Clinard, 2002, 118) Marxists believes that working class males of a younger age commit most crime mainly due to the media which emphasize ideas of greed into people. Therefore, results in a materialistic capitalist system that may force working people of a lower class to commit crime as they have a lower income and may not be able to afford certain equipment such as clothes like the rest of the society. Marxism criticizes a capitalist society where by the productions are owned by the ruling class and the lower class. The bourgeoisie are the ruling class, whilst the proletariats are seen as the lower class. The bourgeoisie act as a societies ruling class. The proletariats, on the other hand, fill the ranks of the ruled end of society. (Clinard and Meier, 2008, 77) The idea of deviance came when Marx attempted to look for something in the world that caused conflicts. He found it in the idea of class struggle. Throughout the past, we have fought against each other for the control of food, shelter, money. Marxists mainly focus on the class distribution and empathises that the ruling class control the norms and values of the society. Therefore, it will not be classed as deviant unless the bourgeoisie say so. The bourgeoisie will only class deviant unless it is committed by a working class person. However, the Marxist approach in terms of explaining deviant behaviour is only consistent to some degree. Along with the challenges from other perspectives, it shows that improvements can be added to their ideas. Marxists mostly focuses on the class distribution and argue that they the ruling class manage the norms and values of the society. It will not be classed as deviant if the bourgeoisie say so and they will not say so if a working class person commits it. Finally In conclusion to sociological perspectives of deviance, they all give an account of some explanation to deviance and give their point of view. However, it varies depending on the various approaches. For an act to be thought to as deviance it varies from place to place and from time to time

Persuasive Speech: Solar Power -- Persuasive Speech

Specific Purpose Statement: To persuade my audience that that solar power should become the main form of alternative energy in the Unites States. Introduction: Attention Getter: Let’s look ahead fifty years and see what the world is like. Imagine a world that is in total war with no end in sight. The cause behind this war is simple, oil. Everyone is fighting over those last few reserves of oil. How can this future be prevented? The answer is solar power. Claim: Solar power has the potential to become the United States main supply of energy and replace are needs for more conventional and harmful forms of power generation. Significance: The United States must face the fact that the world is running out of oil and with today’s rising oil prices, economic and political instability in regions where the United States gets the majority of its oil, this country must begin looking into alternative means of energy to replace oil and end our dependence on foreign powers. Preview: Today I will discuss the potential that solar power has to become this country’s main supply of energy and the latest research that can make solar power more efficient and cost effective. I will also present the environmental benefits that come with using solar power over other and more harmful forms of energy. Body: I. With the world’s supply of oil running dry the Unites States must begin looking into new sources of energy, and the most promising is solar power. A. Scientists predict that in the next several decades the world will run out of oil. According to the article How Fast is the World Running out of Crude Oil by Umut Newbury accessed from the EBSCO Host database states that â€Å"world oil production o... ... must be universally adopted, and solar power is the key to unlocking that bright future. Works Cited Clayton, Mark. "The Cost of Solar Energy Will Soon Compare with the Cost of Coal." Coal (2011). Print. 18 November 2014. David, Leonard. "Proposed Satellite Would Beam Solar Power to Earth." 6 April 2012. Space.com. Website. 18 November 2014. Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc. EMISSIONS OF HAZERDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FROM COAL- FIRED POWER PLANTS. Environmental Report. Needham, 2011. Print. 18 November 2014. Hamer, Glenn. "Solar Power Can Help Fuel the Future." Energy Alternatives (2006). Print. 19 November 2014. Newbury, Umut. "How Fast is the World Running out of Crude Oil." Mother Earth News October 2004: 28. 18 November 2014. Rotman, David. "Finding a Solar Solution." Technology Review 2 (2012): 48-51. Print. 22 November 2014.

slavery in 18th century Essays -- Slavery Essays

slavery in 18th century Despite the horror of the word slavery we have to admit that slaves have played a big role in rising big empires. For example the Egyptians used slaves to build their majestic pyramids, the Chinese and Indian used slaves for large-scale construction and agricultural and the Hebrews also used slaves. Slaves were brought from Africa to the British American colonies to work in agriculture and farming, which among other factors made the British colonies in America become so strong and prosperous. The slaves of the British American colonies were mainly from African west coast. It is important to note that slavery was present in African communities long before white traders sent African slaves to Europe and America. Slaves in Africa were those tribal people captured in confrontations between tribes and sold to Arab traders. The first traders to introduce slaves to the American colonies were the Portuguese who were later followed by the Spanish. Brought from Africa by way of different routes but in particular, the "Middle Passage" or directly from Africa to the Indies, slaves would travel in ships packed like sardines and under the most horrible conditions. Perhaps the most logical reason to try to explain the boom of slavery in America and anywhere is it was a very profitable business. In the case of America, the first slave trades were done for mere profit but then it became a necessity because of the increasing demand for working hands in the ...

Thermal Physics :: essays research papers

Thermal Physics – 340  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Exam #1 Due Monday, February 18th, at the start of class As discussed in class, submission of your solutions to this exam will indicate that you have not communicated with others concerning this exam. You may use reference texts and other information at your disposal. Do all problems separately on clean white standard 8.5† X 11† photocopier paper (no notebook paper or scratch paper). Write on only one side of the paper (I don’t do double sided). Staple the entire solution set in the upper left hand corner (no binders or clips). Don’t turn in pages where you have scratched out or erased excessively, re-write the pages cleanly and neatly. All problems are equally weighted. Assume we are working with â€Å"normal† pressures and temperatures with ideal gases unless noted otherwise. Make sure you list all assumptions that you use (symmetry, isotropy, binomial expansion, etc.). 1. A container has one wall which contains many small holes, and outside the container is vacuum. If the container is filled with He at pressure Po, it is found that after one hour the pressure inside the container is Po/2. The container is now filled with an equal number of He and Ne atoms to a total pressure of Po. (a). Calculate the ratio of the number of Ne to He atoms left in the container after one hour. (b). Would this problem be more difficult if the atoms were initially C and H? Explain from two standpoints, the realistic standpoint and the physics-land standpoint. The latter explanation should invoke the assumptions made in the ideal gas model, the former something you know about chemistry. (c). Explain why such a container might be useful in the case of isotopes, especially a series of such containers set up so that what comes out of the first goes into the second and so on. 2. A He and H atom collide elastically in a head-on collision. (a). If they have the same kinetic energy (KE) to begin with, which one gains KE? Answer this by calculating the amount gained and lost for both, relative to their initial value. (b). Suppose the atoms had the same mass but different kinetic energies? Do not do a detailed calculation here, but instead make a physical argument as to why the â€Å"slower† thus â€Å"cooler† atoms would slow down the faster, hotter atoms. This is one process for the moderation of hot neutrons in a nuclear fission reactor by the water used as its coolant. Thermal Physics :: essays research papers Thermal Physics – 340  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Exam #1 Due Monday, February 18th, at the start of class As discussed in class, submission of your solutions to this exam will indicate that you have not communicated with others concerning this exam. You may use reference texts and other information at your disposal. Do all problems separately on clean white standard 8.5† X 11† photocopier paper (no notebook paper or scratch paper). Write on only one side of the paper (I don’t do double sided). Staple the entire solution set in the upper left hand corner (no binders or clips). Don’t turn in pages where you have scratched out or erased excessively, re-write the pages cleanly and neatly. All problems are equally weighted. Assume we are working with â€Å"normal† pressures and temperatures with ideal gases unless noted otherwise. Make sure you list all assumptions that you use (symmetry, isotropy, binomial expansion, etc.). 1. A container has one wall which contains many small holes, and outside the container is vacuum. If the container is filled with He at pressure Po, it is found that after one hour the pressure inside the container is Po/2. The container is now filled with an equal number of He and Ne atoms to a total pressure of Po. (a). Calculate the ratio of the number of Ne to He atoms left in the container after one hour. (b). Would this problem be more difficult if the atoms were initially C and H? Explain from two standpoints, the realistic standpoint and the physics-land standpoint. The latter explanation should invoke the assumptions made in the ideal gas model, the former something you know about chemistry. (c). Explain why such a container might be useful in the case of isotopes, especially a series of such containers set up so that what comes out of the first goes into the second and so on. 2. A He and H atom collide elastically in a head-on collision. (a). If they have the same kinetic energy (KE) to begin with, which one gains KE? Answer this by calculating the amount gained and lost for both, relative to their initial value. (b). Suppose the atoms had the same mass but different kinetic energies? Do not do a detailed calculation here, but instead make a physical argument as to why the â€Å"slower† thus â€Å"cooler† atoms would slow down the faster, hotter atoms. This is one process for the moderation of hot neutrons in a nuclear fission reactor by the water used as its coolant.

Movie Review-Sydney White Essay

â€Å"Sydney White† is a story about a tomboy named Sydney White, who was raised up by her foreman father and a group of construction workers since her mother died nine years ago. In this movie, Sydney White is set to be a freshman in a college. She is a happy go lucky girl. When it was the age for Sydney heading to the college, she decided to enroll and joined her late mom’s alma mater sorority which her mom proud and cherished much. She believed that by doing so, she will get closer to her mom and have the chance to experience the life which her mom went through before. As a legacy, Sydney was successfully chosen to be one of the Kappas in the college. On the first day, Sydney met Dinky, a nice, cute kappa legacy as her roommate. While both of them were on the searching to Kappa sorority house, Sydney’s naive, sincere and her candour had stole Tyler Prince’s attention, which is the president of Beta sorority house. He is a good-looking and smart man. He was then kind enough to offer himself to be the guide for both of them to the Kappa sorority house. Sydney had a great chat with him and this was seen by Rachel Witchburn, the princess president of the Kappa sorority house. Rachel is a pretty and confident girl, and is very conscious on her appearance and fame in the college. Sydney who had been in the limelight since the very first day had boosted her jealousy and as a result, Sydney had some confrontation with her. This is followed by kicking out Sydney from Kappa sorority house by giving the excuses that Sydney did not fulfill the condition to be a kappa. Sydney ended up living in the Vortex, a soon-to-be demolished house and also the home to seven great geeks or dorks in the college. However, Sydney had never give up for what she had received. In fact, she found some kindred spirit with the seven dorks. Her altruism made her felt that they, the resident of the Vortex have the same right as the Kappas and Betas in the college, she then rallied the seven dorks, asked them to stand up and voice out their rights by joining the student council. With the determination and cooperation from the seven geeks, plus some helps and supports from Tyler and schoolmates, in the end, Sydney was successfully been elected to be the new president of student council in the college. The movie â€Å"Sydney White† is an idea taken from the story â€Å"Snow White and the seven dwarfs†. Sydney White is the new and modern version of Snow White. I personally like the plot of the story. It is great and well arranged. Despite the good messages, determination, tolerance and the success of the hard work, the story also put in some problems that might be faced by the people especially students nowadays. For example, discrimination to the geeks, bullying, lack of confident in handling problems and confrontation. The story taught the people how to face and handle the problems and obstacles in our life. As we know that, life is not always smooth and easy, people need to learn how to handle it. Sydney White’s determination in facing the problems and confrontation between her and Rachel had been a good example and indication that we must not easily give up something in our life. Overall, it was a nice movie and I enjoyed watching it very much.

Evolution of Gender Essay

The evolution of gender issues ever since man can remember, when most societies used to regard women as inferior to men. It is no secret that from the first century up to the 21st century women roles have changed with time although the change is minimal. In not long time ago, women were regarded by customary law as people who used to take up their roles as wives and matters subserviently and any deviation that a woman showed from these roles was unheard off and was considered an outcast in the society. After the world wars, education, politics, warfare, business and other form of violence were territories of men, a few women joined men in these venture. The society looked these women with amazement and wonder. Early the 1950’s and 60’s change started hitting the world especially in the Chinese environment where women became advocates of women empowerment. (Haslanger, Sally, and Nancy Tuana,2004). In the 1970’s and 80’s women started taking their roles seriously enabling them to evolve very fast. Women confronted men’s duties with a lot of courage and men started accepting the fact that women wanted to carry out the roles. Although some men gave women cruel attention but they have persevered and gone ahead with the quest for change in the roles. Haslanger, Sally, and Nancy (Tuana Haslanger, Sally, and Nancy Tuana,2004). The question about women regarded as wives and mothers who are incapable of bringing any change in the society have been brushed aside by many countries giving women top most jobs in the country. England and Pakistan have shown the way which shows that today in England and Pakistan women are almost equal to men in terms of respect and all aspects. Women are now free to take up riles which were previously considered a dominance by men. But one thing remains clear that total equality will not be achieved since it is not easy to kill the illusion that women are inferior to men (KateChopin. org. ,2008) Matters such as education, politics, warfare, business, and almost anything non-domestic were the territories of men where only a few and daring women ever ventured. However, as times changed more and more women became advocates of women empowerment. In relation to this, the writer wishes to state that the purpose of this paper is to present a work regarded as one of the pioneers in feminist literature. Women evolution is not only a core element of development in the world today but also a strong indication of strong families. Women empowerment puts wealth in the hands of women which enables these women to be able to succeed in ensuring their families are successive. The development of women in the societies is proving to be failing in some countries with backward leadership such as Zimbabwe and development will remain lagged behind. Statistics show an upward trend for change of roles of women in the society at a whole. Although change is not such effective it is felt. Statistics demonstrate that in Europe, Africa, Asia, America actually there is evolution in the way women are viewed. Although in some rural areas there are alarming number of domestic violence instances reported and they relate to ability or the demand for women to be empowered. In the late 1800 significant events occurred which changed the roles of women in the society. One of such event was first international women’s conference which was held in France in 1892 which highlighted the achievements of women and their rights. Since then women have achieved much in trying to change their lives. In the story of Silk Road of china relating to women capability of growth there has been change of women roles especially entry into the business world although some are being used into the business circles as objects. (KateChopin.org,2008 and Haslanger, Sally, and Nancy Tuana,2004) Works Cited Chopin, Kate. â€Å"The Story of an Hour. † www. pbs. org Public Broadcasting Service. 14 Jun 2008 . Haslanger, Sally, and Nancy Tuana. â€Å"Topics in Feminism. † plato. stanford. edu 15 March 2004. Stanford University. 14 Jun 2008 . KateChopin. org, â€Å"Kate Chopin â€Å"The Story of an Hour†. † www. katechopin. org. 2008. Kate Chopin International Society. 14 Jun 2008 .