The Cartesian Circle Essay - 913 Words

Descartes’ Cartesian Circle Descartes’ â€Å"Cartesian Circle† has come under fire from countless philosophers because it supposedly commits a logical fallacy with its circular reasoning. In his second Meditation, Descartes attempts to prove the existence of God. He states that clear and distinct perception leads to knowledge, and that God’s existence is apparent and obvious because of things we have come to perceive as knowledge. Furthermore, he asserts that we cannot turn these perceptions into knowledge without the assurance that God exists. Essentially, Descartes claims that God is a necessary condition for knowledge, which in turn requires the existence of God. This circular logic presents a problematic scenario similar to the â€Å"chicken†¦show more content†¦In one publication James Van Cleve writes about a philosopher named Willis Doney who advocates a â€Å"solution† to the Cartesian Circle called the Memory Gambit. Doney’s analysis reveals that â€Å"Des cartes says that if I remember clearly and distinctly perceiving something that I do not now clearly and distinctly perceive, I can be certain of it if and only if I know that God exists† (Cleve, 56). Doney proposes that an atheist can learn and ascertain knowledge about subjects such as math if he clearly perceives them at the time. Whether or not he retains that knowledge or is able to erase doubt regarding that knowledge is entirely dependent on his comprehension of God’s existence. Doney’s interpretation therefore is that the function of God is only to guarantee the accuracy of one’s memory, rather than regulate the transition from a perception to a piece of knowledge. In other words, without a certainty that God exists, one is merely â€Å"trapped in a moment,† and can only be certain of things perceived at any one given time. By denying one of the premises that form the Cartesian Circle, it is possible to circumvent the logical fallacy origina lly committed. Following in the steps of the first defense is one that seeks to disprove Descartes’ second premise: in order to know that God exists, one must first have a certainty that what they perceive is truly knowledge. Van Cleve sheds some light on this byShow MoreRelatedThe Cartesian Circle is Wrong1586 Words   |  7 Pagesdistinct perception, Descartes conveys that God exists. Though his argument seems intriguing, Descartes argument has been treated with dubious standpoints. The reason of doubt, better known as the Cartesian circle, argues that Descartes goes against his own word. The foundation of the Cartesian Circle consists of the argument that Descartes can only know that God exists and is not a deceiver if he knows that his clear and distinct perceptions are true. But he can only know that his clear and distinctRead MoreEssay about Rene Descartes Faith and Reason1292 Words   |  6 PagesDescartes’ philosophy is dominated by his personal crusade for certainty. He thus invoked doubt as a means of attaining certainty. He used many arguments in order to try to achieve this certainty. One of these arguments is known as the Cartesian circle. With the Cartesian circle, Descartes said that no argument to show that God exists could be assured unless one is sure of ones own logic. Conversely, one cannot be certain of ones logic unless one is certain that God exists 5. Because he was a geometricianRead MoreAnalysis : The Representation Of Haar-Like Features915 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Hough transform [16]. The Hough Transform can be defined as the conversion of a point from Cartesian space to the Parameter space depending upon object’s shape. In the case of circular patterns, the equation of the circle can be represented in the following way for the conversion: r^2=ã€â€"(x-a)ã€â€"^2+ ã€â€"(y-b)ã€â€"^2 Where r signifies the radius, a and b signifies to the abscissa and the ordinate of the circle center respectively [16]. To find the circular patterns in an image, modified version of the HoughRead MoreThe Relationship between Mind and Body1005 Words   |  4 Pagesthere are two major branches regard to the mind and body problem, dualism and monism. The first one claim that mind and body are two distinct substances, but the latter argue differently. There are many sub-branches of the two major ones. Such as Cartesian interactionism, epiphenomenalism, and parallelism are attributes to the dualism, and idealism and materialism are for the monism. However, there are certain positions that does not easily fall into those categories. For instance, functionalism andRead MoreProject #2 - Conic Sections Conic sections are the various gemetric figures created by the1500 Words   |  6 PagesSections are the improved curves produced by the intersection of a plane with a cone. For a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cone, a circle is produced. The definition of a cone includes the surface generated by a straight line that moves so that it always intersects the circumfrence of a given circle and passes through a given point not on the plane of the circle. The point, called the vertex of the cone, divides the cone into two halves called nappes. For a plane which is not perpendicular to theRead MoreDiscourse on Descartes Skeptical Method1672 Words   |  7 Pageshuman mind so God exists because the human mind cannot spawn perfection but spawns God. Quite a mess. His two proofs form the oft-debated Cartesian Circle, the idea that Descartes proofs require each other to assure their validity. Descartes’ failure to adamantly adhere to his method is responsible for the we ak links in his reasoning as well as the Circle. His two proofs alone draw interesting conclusions, but they are based on false assertions given the intent of his skeptical method. Descartes’Read More Descartes’ Ultimate Purpose of the Meditations Essay1780 Words   |  8 Pagesof establishing a foundation for the existence of truth, falsity, corporeal things and eventually the establishment of the sciences. When viewed in this light, Descartes is accused of drawing himself into a ‘Cartesian circle,’ ultimately forcing this cosmological proof of God to defy Cartesian method, thus precipitating the failure of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth meditations. This approach to the meditations, in the order with which they are presented, allows me to state that a proof of theRead MoreDescartes s Idea Of God888 Words   |  4 Pagesmain objection to Descartes argument of not only God, but a God who is perfect and true, which is called the Cartesian Circle O bjection, essentially proves that he committed a philosophically illogical error in his argument methods. He challenges to validate God’s existence with the base of his clear and distinct perception of an existing God that he clearly perceives, but, as the ‘circle’ continues, he proves the truthfulness of his clear and distinct perceptions by saying that the perceptions comeRead MoreDescartes Fourth Meditation On The Existence Of God1382 Words   |  6 Pagesplaced false ideas into our minds. The caveat to this counter argument is that in defense of Descartes’ Third Meditation, where he claims that God is not a deceiver, he presupposes the existence of God. This occurs through what is now termed the â€Å"Cartesian circle†. In this reasoning, Descartes claims that the idea of God being perfect is â€Å"true and innate† within him and something that he can access through clear and distinct thought. Descartes continues on to say that anything that he can clearly andRead MoreMedieval Vs. Renaissance Literature1323 Words   |  6 Pagesultimate will. Dante’s Inferno employs figurative and imaginative approaches to give the various classifications of human sins. For instance, according to Dante, sin that is punishable at Eight Circle in eternal damnation is normally worse when compared to those that can be executed at the sixth circle. As such, one may wonder why punishment for bribery should be more severe when compared to the corresponding punishment accorded to the murderer. Basically, this is an absolute deviation from normal

Capital Punishment And The Death Penalty - 2429 Words

It is argued that the death penalty does not contribute to the deterrence of crime, but rather raises the crime rate. Countries use the death penalty for reasons regarding their legal, political, and religious belief systems. Capital punishment is used to prevent possible crimes, letting possible would-be-criminals be aware that they would be put to death if they committed a very offensive treason against the government. It is the ultimate warning against all crimes. If someone is thinking of committing a severe crime, he or she would be more apprehensive and hesitant in committing it due to the fact that they know that the justice system will not spare their life. The threat of being put to death is greater than the threat of being put†¦show more content†¦Some countries use the death penalty because of religious influences such as the Shari’ah from the Quran and the Hadith. Whether or not the death penalty works or not is heavily debated. The death penalty in countries that have not abolished them is said to be discriminatory and is used unfairly against the poor, minorities, and members of racial, ethnic, and religious communities. The cost for the death penalty is also astronomically expensive, as this includes the costs for criminal investigations, lengthy trials, and appeals. Iran is a constitutional Islamic Republic, a sort of a mix between theocratic and democratic elements, governed under the constitution of 1979. The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on Islamic principles and rules, sets forth the cultural, social, political, and economical institutions of the people of Iran and is a reflection of the fundamental desires of the Islamic people. Their political structures and foundations for organizing society are on the basis of acceptance of religion, that devout men have the responsibility for government and the administration of the country. Offices and bodies, appointed rather than elected, hold the real power in the government. There is a supreme leader who serves as the head of state, appointed by the Assembly of of Experts, an Islamic religious advisory board. The Supreme Leader oversees the military and judiciary and appoints members of the Guardian Council and Expediency

Motivation and Prentice Hall Free Essays

Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 10/e Stephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge Chapter 5 Motivation Concepts Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. We will write a custom essay sample on Motivation and Prentice Hall or any similar topic only for you Order Now Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-1 After studying this chapter, you should be able to: 1. Describe the three key elements of motivation. 2. Identify four early theories of motivation and evaluate their applicability today. 3. Compare and contrast goal-setting theory and selfefficacy theory. 4. Demonstrate how organizational justice is a refinement of equity theory. 5. Apply the key tenets of expectancy theory to motivating employees. . Explain to what degree motivation theories are culture bound. Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-2 What Is Motivation? The processes that accounts for an individual’s intensity, direction, and persistence of effort toward attaining a organizational goal ? Intensity – the amount of effort put forth to meet the goal ? Direction – efforts are channeled toward organizational goals ? Persistence – how long the effort is maintained Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentic e Hall 5-3 Early Theories of Motivation Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory †¢ McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y †¢ Herzberg’s Two-Factor (Motivation-Hygiene) Theory †¢ McClellan’s Theory of Needs (Three Needs Theory) Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-4 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory Self-Actualization Upper Esteem Social Safety Psychological 5-5 Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Lower Douglas McGregor’s X Y Theory X Theory Y †¢ Inherent dislike for work and will attempt to avoid it †¢ Must be coerced, controlled or threatened with punishment View work as being as natural as rest or play †¢ Will exercise self-direction and self-control if committed to objectives 5-6 Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory Not Dissatisfied Satisfied Motivation Factors †¢ Quality of supervision †¢ Pay †¢ Company policies †¢ Physical working conditions †¢ Relationships †¢ Job security Hygiene Factors †¢ Promotional opportunities †¢ Opportunities for personal growth †¢ Recognition †¢ Responsibility †¢ Achievement Dissatisfied Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Not Satisfied 5-7 McClelland’s Theory of Needs †¢ Need for Achievement (nAch) The drive to excel †¢ Need for Power (nPow) The need to make others behave in a way they would not have behaved otherwise †¢ Need for Affiliation (nAff) The desire for friendly and close interpersonal relationships Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-8 McClelland’s High Achievers †¢ High achievers prefer jobs with: ? Personal responsibility ? Feedback ? Intermediate degree of risk (50/50) †¢ High achievers are not necessarily good managers High nPow and low nAff is related to managerial success Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-9 Contemporary Theories of Motivation †¢ Cognitive Evaluation Theory †¢ Goal-Setting Theory ? Management by Objectives †¢ Self-Efficacy Theory †¢ Equity Theory †¢ Expectancy Theory Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-10 Cognitive Evaluation Theory †¢ Proposes that the introduction of extrinsic rewards for work (pay) that was previously intrinsically rewarding tends to decrease overall motivation Verbal rewards increase intrinsic motivation, while tangible rewards undermine it Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-11 Goal-Setting Theory †¢ Goals increase performance when the goals are: ? Specific ? Difficult, but accepted by employees ? Accompanied by feedback (especially selfgenerated feedback) †¢ Contingencies in goal-setting theory: ? Goal Commitment – public goals better! ? Task Characteristics – simple familiar better! ? National Culture – Western culture suits best! Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-12 Management by Objectives (MBO) †¢ Converts overall organizational objectives into specific objectives for work units and individuals †¢ Common ingredients: ? ? ? ? Goal specificity Explicit time period Performance feedback Participation in decision making 5-13 Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Self-Efficacy or Social Learning Theory Individual’s belief that he or she is capable of performing a task Self-efficacy increased by: ? Enactive mastery – gain experience ? Vicarious modeling – see someone else do the task ? Verbal persuasion – someone convinces you that you have the skills ? Arousal – get energized Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-14 Equity Theory †¢ Employees weigh what they put into a job situation (input) against what they get from it (outcome). †¢ They compare their input-outcome ratio with the input-outcome ratio of relevant others. My Output My Input Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Your Output Your Input 5-15 Equity Theory and Reactions to Inequitable Pay Employee reactions in comparison to equitably-paid employees Employees are: Paid by: Piece Time Will produce more Produce less output or output of poorer quality 5-16 Will produce Over-Rewarded fewer, but higherquality units Produce large Undernumber of low Rewarded quality units Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Equity Theory: Forms of Justice Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-17 Expectancy Theory Three key relationships: 1. Effort-Performance: perceived probability that exerting effort leads to successful performance 2. Performance-Reward: the belief that successful performance leads to desired outcome 3. Rewards-Personal Goals: the attractiveness of organizational outcome (reward) to the individual Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-18 Global Implications Are motivation theories culture-bound? ? ? ? ? Most were developed for and by the United States Goal-setting and expectancy theories emphasize goal accomplishment and rational individual thought Maslow’s Hierarchy may change order McClelland’s nAch presupposes acceptance of a moderate degree of risk concern for performance Equity theory closely tied to American pay practices Hertzberg’s two-factor theory does seem to work across cultures 5-19 ? Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Implications for Managers †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Look beyond need theories Goal setting leads to higher productivity Organizational justice has support Expectancy theory is a powerful tool, but may not very realistic in some cases †¢ Goal-setting, org anizational justice, and expectancy theories all provide practical suggestions for motivation Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-20 Keep in Mind†¦ †¢ Make goals specific and difficult †¢ Motivation can be increased by raising mployee confidence in their own abilities (self-efficacy) decisions, especially when the outcome is likely to be viewed negatively 5-21 †¢ Openly share information on allocation Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Summary 1. Described the three key elements of motivation. 2. Identified four early theories of motivation and evaluated their applicability today. 3. Compared and contrasted goal-setting theory and self-efficacy theory. 4. Demonstrated how organizational justice is a refinement of equity theory. 5. Applied the key tenets of expectancy theory to motivating employees. 6. Explained to what degree motivation theories are culture bound. Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-22 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. Copyright  ©2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 5-23 How to cite Motivation and Prentice Hall, Papers

Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka Essay Example For Students

Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka Essay Franz Kafka is a writer that has had a great influence on the literary world, but before becoming an eminent individual, he was fairly unknown. Franz Kafka was born on July 3, 1883. He was the first child of Julie and Hermann Kafka, a middle-class Jewish family. Kafka had siblings, most of which died in the Nazi concentration camps. He assumed the role of the oldest brother when two of his brothers died in their infant years. He didnt have a strong relationship with his mother, but hes relationship with his father is one that overshadowed not only his life, but his literature as well. If most of Kafkas stories are analyzed, it may be concluded that most of his stories included detailed aspects of his life obscured by the use of metaphors. The novel opens with Gregor in his monstrous state, late for work. He infers that his job as a traveling salesman is very consequential, yet he is growing tired and frustrated, The upset of doing business is much worse than the actual business in the home office, and, besides, Ive got the torture of traveling, worrying about changing trains, eating miserable food at all hours, constantly seeing new faces, no relationships that last or get more intimate. To the devil with it all! Gregor has a great amount of fury towards his job, which eventually led to his anger towards society as a whole. The fact that his office manager showed up at Gregors house plays an immense role in creating trepidation and anxieties in Gregors mind. Gregor feels strangled by his job and is too weak to tolerate the pressure. In addition to the pressure created by his office manager and society, the Samsas, especially Gregors father, take advantage of him. Gregor earns the basic income to support his family. But of course he actually could have paid off more of his fathers debt to the boss with this extra money, and the clay on which he could have gotten rid of his job would have been much closer, but now things were undoubtedly better, the way his father had arranged them. The superficiality of the Samsas has put Gregor in a difficult position, which is a component causing Gregors metamorphosis. Gregors family in general, had given him the attitude he has on life. They took advantage of him to the point where he was the means of the familys survival. After Gregors metamorphosis, when he could no longer attend work, his family begins to treat him as the vermin he has become. They no longer consider him as a human being, or a member of their family. Gregor seemed to be waiting for his family to give up hop e in him so he could end his life. He thought back on his family with deep emotion and love. His conviction that he would have to disappear was, if possible, even firmer than his sisters. Following this quotation, Gregor Samsa commits suicide. He felt he was no longer needed, as a salesman, a son and brother, or a member of society. Were the anxieties, inner terrors, and cynicism of human life all factors expressing the metamorphosis of Gregor Samsa? Gregor died of a broken heart. His family and society had a major part in bringing Gregor to his final state. Kafka used Gregors metamorphosis into a vermin as an allegory for Gregors transformation in which he alienated himself from everything and most importantly, from himself.