Platos Reflection on Metaphysics Essay Example for Free

Platos Reflection on Metaphysics Essay A combination of the Greek word, meta, which translates to â€Å"after,† â€Å"beyond,† â€Å"along with,† â€Å"among,† and â€Å"behind,† and the Latin term, physica, that simply means the science of matter and physical properties. Philosophers refer to this term to theorize about the different elements of the world in which we live and the world that truly exists. One of the most prominent philosophers is Plato, who set the foundation for many modern philosophers on their perspective of reality through reason. Plato believed in two separate realities; the physical and the immaterial. He claimed that a dividing line existed between the two worlds, and the immaterial or intelligible is of more importance in the discovery of truth than the physical properties of our world. Comprised of intangible properties but that can be seen through logic, the immaterial world is grasping the reason behind the idea of an object and separating those elements from the subject. Plato explicates the physical world as anything or objects that is identified by one of our five senses. Within the physical world are two subsets, image and tangible object. Image refers to the shadow or reflection of the image. In addition, the physical object is self explanatory; the object distinguished by touch, taste, smell, or sight. Although primarily disconnected, the two worlds cannot exist without each other and the knowledge that pertains to both. For example, Plato utilizes a ball as the subject to form an analogy of the collaboration between the two realities. From childhood, we are taught that a ball is a ball based on others perception and knowledge of it; not our original thought. The ball exists in the world of appearances, physical. However, its intangible properties such as, roundness, exist on a parallel plane. Plato describes that plane as the world of Forms. In an effort to further enlighten us, Plato sets guidelines for the properties to forms. First, forms are objective; ideas exist through reason and not experiential. Objects that we perceive are reliant upon our experiences and verbal confirmation of the object and not the actual perspective of the object. Therefore, one can surmise that our senses are isleading, and the reality in which we live is different from others and the true reality. Next, forms are transcendent. The property remains true in spite of time and space. Third, forms are eternal. As aforementioned, Plato believes forms are unchanging; true concept behind an object is unchanging, redness. The form is separate from our subjective image. True comprehension lies in individually analyzing each separate form that comprises the object an d identifies it as what we perceive it as. Forth, forms are models; truest essence of an idea to which an object copies the form and combines it with other elements to create a copied version of a sample of the form. Fifth, forms are intellectual species; can only be determined through reason separating the being from the object. Lastly, forms are perfection. In its purest state, a form is a singular entity. A material object collects bits of forms and its perfection making the object itself impure. A material object cannot be perfect in its existence because it is but an imitation of several forms that only alone are perfect. Plato’s concept of reality or the simultaneous existence of the two realities are at best intriguing and worthy of exploring. However, as he himself stated, we can never come in direct contact with the immaterial world. Therefore, how can true knowledge be acquired or ascertained? Once again, it is not until we are no longer part of this world that we may finally discover the truth behind this vast universe and the world or worlds in which we reside.

Frankenstein, Community, and the Individual Essay -- Literary Analysis

Many innovations throughout the modern world have made life significantly easier, safer, of higher quality, and are said to be done for the "greater good of humanity". However, these accomplishments come at a cost, as expressed through the concepts of creation and responsibility that lie at the core of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It is through these concepts that Shelley explores how society has changed during Romanticism and the Industrial Revolution, with lessening importance on shared knowledge and the "public sphere" and more emphasis on individual achievement and identity, leading to a fractured and isolated society. In this paper I argue that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein criticizes the impacts of Industrial Revolution and Romantic era-inspired individualism on the community and individual, using Victor Frankenstein's disruption of the reproductive process and subsequent relationship with his creation as examples of potential negative consequences. To begin our analysis, I will look to how Mary Shelley positions Victor Frankenstein's motivations to create life against natural laws within the ideas of individualism, as Victor can correlate directly to the educated human at the center of Enlightenment, Industrialism, and Romanticism values. With the burgeoning interest in scientific discovery during the Industrial Revolution "transform[ing] British culture" and "changing the world"(Lipking 2065), many concepts of society were also changed, which Shelley looked to explore through Victor's actions. Rooted in the scientifically curious spirit of Industrial England, Victor's attempt to create life can show many examples of how an importance of the individual acquisition of knowledge and accomplishment can disrupt society. Victor's... ...athetic Community In Frankenstein And 'The Structure Of Torture'." Science Fiction Studies 36.2 [108] (2009): 205-216. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 9 May 2012 Hogsette, David S. "Metaphysical Intersections In Frankenstein: Mary Shelley's Theistic Investigation Of Scientific Materialism And Transgressive Autonomy." Christianity And Literature 60.4 (2011): 531-560. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 9 May 2012. Lipking, Lawrence I, Stephen Greenblatt, and M H. Abrams. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Volume 1c. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2006. Print. Melton, James V. H. The Rise of the Public in Enlightenment Europe. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Print. Stillinger, Jack, Deidre Lynch, Stephen Greenblatt, and M H. Abrams. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Volume D. New York, N.Y: W.W. Norton & Co, 2006. Print. .

Challenges for Professional Care of Advanced Dementia

Challenges for professional care of advanced dementia The research purpose of this study was clear, as it was intended to report on the challenges for health professionals in caring for people with advanced dementia living in long term care facilities. This study used a qualitative methodology based on action research. â€Å"Action research collects information from key stakeholders and provides ongoing feedback to participants, thereby facilitating change that improves practice. † (Chang et al. , 2009, p. 42). The essence of the study aimed to expose the challenges for key professional providers of care for people with advanced dementia. â€Å"Descriptions of these challenges provide professional carers and policy makers with insights into the unique needs of the person with advanced dementia†. (Chang et al. , 2009, p. 42) Participants were selected from professional providers in Australia from 2003-2006. All of the participants cared for patients with advanced dementia in their profession. They brought a comparative perspective to the success of the study. There were several focus groups compiled that included general practitioners, palliative care speciality staff, palliative care volunteer managers and volunteers, aged or dementia specialist health care professionals, and residential aged care facility staff. All participants were highly qualified with all having more than ten years experience in their field. The sample was non-random, interviewing 13 participants that were recruited from staff of 10 residential aged care facilities. There was a total of 20 in-depth interviews. Within the sample, five of them large high care facilities, two medium-sized high care (51-74 beds), one small high care (< 50 beds), one medium sized low care (hostel) facility and one small low care facility. The Director of Nurses nominated the the staff for the interviews. â€Å"The sampling was purposive, with expertise in palliative dementia care of the selection criterion†. (Chang et al. , 2009, p. 43) The data collection process was adequately described. It may have been beneficial with respect to gaining deeper personal insight, if the researchers had sought to answer more probing questions in the approach. The researchers used semi-structured questions with focus groups that lasted 1. 5-2 hours. The role of the researcher was to find question that were critiqued by an expert panel. The questions seemed to be based on pre-defined information given to the researcher agreed on by the panel. The information was gathered by interview questions in the focus groups. The uestions seemed to be based on pre-defined information given to the researcher agreed on by the focus groups. The ethical considerations of participants were followed using standard procedures and approved by area health service ethics review committee. Informed consents were used as well as anonymity of patients and participants. â€Å"The data analysis was by constant comparative method†. (Chang et al. , 2009, p. 43). They used five focus groups (total n = 24) and 20 follow-up individual interviews (Chang et al. , 2009, p. 41). The concepts collected were organized and compared with other ideas that emerged from the data. Regarding the background of the study, it was noted that there are many behavioural symptoms and comorbiditics associated with advanced dementia. In the last 12 months of life, it also was noted that many symptoms occur that need to be managed by decision makers such as family members. The researchers noted that during this time, the complex care decisions, such as whether to administer antibiotics and whether to place the patient in a facility or hospital are important decisions that must be validated. There are a number of other factors that could effect the study, yet were not addressed by the researchers. The catagories, themes and findings presented a whole picture and yielded a meaningful picture of the study by attesting to the complexity of caring for people with advanced dementia living in residential aged care facilities, and the challenges of professionals. Participants did agree that assessing a verbally non-communicative person is difficult. Physicians found that examining patients also was difficult. Skills deficit were noted. One-third of participants noted a reluctance to use appropriate amounts of analgesia regarding pain. There was a clear connection between the data and the participants regarding the management of dementia-related behaviors. The data collected did attest to the complexity of caring for patients with advanced dementia who reside in residential care facilities and the challenges that they bring to health care professionals. Researchers identified the philosophical and theoretical basis for the study. Educating aged care professionals about early palliation might improve care outcomes for residents†. Aged care staff need a strong rationale for their decisions. † (Chang et al. , 2009, p. 45) This study highlighted the challenges in meeting the demands of caring for patients with advanced dementia who reside in residential care facilities. The researchers found there was a number of factors that could effect the aged care of residents with advanced de mentia; however challenges will always remain. All of the participants found that is was very difficult to assess patients with advanced dementia. They found that these patients were unable to report symptoms such as pain and exhibited many different behavioral issues. There were study limitations regarding the sample size and the non-random sampling. The sample size was small and not representative of a population owing to that size. Other challenges and limitations may have been noted if different questions had been asked of the patients. In conclusion, the researchers found that it may be crucial to use continuity of care when caring for these patients. According to some of the participants, their lack of knowledge about palliative care was limited. This study did highlight the challenges that key professional care encounter when caring for patients with advanced dementia. Increase in education will provide a better understanding of the needs of patients with advanced dementia. Key professional will be able to initiate an appropriate care plan if the clinical progress of dementia is described.

The Dangers of Underage Drinking - 775 Words

Teens under the legal minimum age of alcohol should not drink, nor should it be lowered. Researchers say that giving alcoholic beverages under 21 could create a lethal addiction and would not have the responsibility to drink. If teens drink a certain amount of alcohol it could be lethal by alcohol poisoning. â€Å"Alcohol can enter the blood stream; binge drinkers can ingest a fatal dose of alcohol before passing out.† (â€Å"Binge Drinking Can Be Fatal†). The legal minimum age should not be lowered, teens under 21 don’t have the responsibility to get intoxicated and those include car accidents, homicides, suicides, and other injuries. I’m going to tell you why minors should not drink, how alcoholic beverages effects teens, and why the legal minimum†¦show more content†¦First of all, alcohol is a depressant, in other words it controls how slow your body functions. It could alter with a person’s movement, emotions, and vision. Alcohol impede s messages that your brain is trying to receive. You are more relaxed depending on how much you drink. The more you drink the more intoxicated you are and the more sick feeling you could get. Depending on the person, you could either be an angry, friendly or maybe a sad drunk, making you act not yourself. When you drink, you react to things slower, that’s why people should not drive intoxicated. Consuming too much alcohol in a short period of time can have a result of alcohol poisoning; the first symptom is usually vomiting. Resulting more symptoms such as extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, low blood sugar, unconsciousness, or even death. Furthermore, there are aftereffects, known as a hangover, in other terms, it’s what happens after heavy drinking. An alcohol withdrawal can usually happen after just four or five drinks to get a hangover, which typically happens several hours after your last drink. These symptoms include headaches, nausea, fatigue, muscle pain, or mild anxiety. â€Å"When teenagers do use alcohol they may not just be affecting their brain for that night or weekend, but for the next 80 years of their life.† (â€Å"Henry Wechsler, PhD and Bernice Wuethrich†). The legal minimumShow MoreRelatedThe Dangers Of Underage Drinking2195 Words   |  9 Pagesgrowing issue. One of the largest problems that all researchers, which started studies of underage drinking, needed to know why young kids start drinking in the first place. The answer given by a large number of kids has to do with the environment they are in and the acceptance of their peers. Yet an environment where underage drinking is allowed, or taking place, is dangerous, not only for the teenager drinking but also for everyone around them as well as society as a whole. This is evident by theRead MoreDo You Know The Danger Of Underage Drinking?1770 Words   |  8 PagesDo you know the danger of underage drinking? 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This expression opened the eyes of American people that often struggled to make this truthRead MoreUnderage Drinking And Teenage Drinking1584 Words   |  7 PagesAlex Wilmore Joshua James, Instructor ENG 111 07 July 2015 Underage Drinking â€Å"With such compelling information, the question is why haven t we been able to do more to prevent the crisis of underage drinking? The answer is: rising the age to 25† is what Lucille Roybal-Allard once said, a U.S. Representative for serving in Congress since 1993. This statement has brought many to speculate of issues and debates. This expression opened the eyes of American people that often struggled to make this truthRead MoreProblem And Solution Of Underaged Drinking1553 Words   |  7 PagesKendra Gallos English III Sean Meisner 4/6/17 Problem and Solution of Underaged Drinking in America One of the major problems facing America s youth today is underaged drinking. This is simply defined as the consumption of any commercial alcoholic beverage while under the legal age restriction of twenty one. A solution is in dire need, as the problem causes exponential harm to many teen’s health. Underaged drinking has been the underlying cause of numerous fatalities over the past several decadesRead MoreDrinking Age1395 Words   |  6 Pagesanother is good or bad, helpful or hurtful. Some debates are simple with no major side effects such as would drinking gatorade or water better maximize the performance of athletes. Other debates involving drinking are not as simple, these debates involve alcohol drinking age. Both arguments can have different viewpoints, the difference is the significance in the argument. What should the legal drinking age in the United States be? Consuming alcohol has been done for many years. Unlike a typical beverageRead MoreThe Minimum Drinking Age Act Of 19841407 Words   |  6 Pagesthe United States Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. Signed by President Ronald Regan, which requires that states prohibit people under the age of 21 from purchasing or publicly process alcoholic beverages as a condition of receiving State highway funds. Initially intended as a comprehensive approach to reduce the number of alcohol related deaths on the nations highways. Not prohibiting a person under 21 from drinking under certain exceptions some such as religious purposes