Friday, May 22, 2020

Life Worth Living By William James - 994 Words

Term Paper There are many philosophers who have views supporting or like William James’. However, there are other concepts holding positions that are in opposition to what James has to say. In this paper, I will answer James’ question in his essay, Is Life Worth Living, by arguing affirmatively that life is worth living. Premises The main argument that William James provides in his essay is that life is worth living. The main supports for this argument are religion, belief, and faith. Another defense James offers is optimism, although he knows this cannot be true for everyone. According to James, optimism is the way of approaching his question. He states that there would be no need to ask questions such as this one if optimism were true†¦show more content†¦The first principle is that when people make decisions they are to be ethical and to consider both the consequences and the intentions of our actions. With Kant, the take away is that individuals are to be concerned with the right intentions as well as the right principles. Kant also describes that â€Å"Everything in nature works according to laws† (Twenty Questions, page 595). The Utilitarian Argument poses that there are for steps: â€Å"recognize the problem, consider options and consequences, and select the outcome† (TJ Consequ ences Outline, 2017). In Kant’s Utilitarian View individuals are to add up the good and bad consequences and subtract the bad consequences from the good consequences. This will then lead to an overall choice. After reading the article â€Å"Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals,† I find that Immanuel Kant suggests that people should be treated as â€Å"ends† rather than â€Å"means.† People deserve respect and everyone has value therefore life is worth living. Kant’s prospective is widely based on practical reason rather than the focus of feelings. From what I understand from Kant, life is worth living but it is widely based on the aspect that everything is based on a fundamental law. Objections Some individuals believe that there is more meaning and promise in their death than the life that they are currently living on earth. Many religions, Christianity included, believe in eternal life. No one except for Christ (i.e. God) knowsShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of William James829 Words   |  4 Pages William James was an American philosopher and psychologist who specialized in Pragmatism and philosophy related to such. He led a philosophical revolution in the USA and would make the philosophy known as  ¨Pragmatism very well known. In his book  ¨The Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy, William explains different philosophical beliefs while also challenging them and supporting the right to believe in a religion or even life itself. William James style of writing is moreRead MoreMovie Analysis : Hurt Locker 1231 Words   |  5 Pagesis a drug.† This quote comes from the book ‘War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning,’ by Chris Hedges, a r eporter for The New York Times. I believe this message is the main theme of this movie as depict through the character Sergeant First Class William James played by Jeremy Renner. The focus of this film established its ability to emulate the truth about the chaos and catastrophic events of not only war but also the addition to war. The dirty truth of this statement echoes throughout the movie. MostRead MoreThe Hurt Locker By Film Maker Kathryn Bigelow1273 Words   |  6 Pagesof battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug.† (Hedges) The film s greatest achievement is its ability to communicate the underlying truth of this quote consistently throughout the movie. Sergeant First Class William James, played by James Renner, captures this message through his job description, dialogue, and demeanor, which is presented his obstinate/erratic behaviors. The creative selective style of slow motion effects, instability of camera movement, and the intenseRead MoreMovie Analysis : The Hurt Locker 1344 Words   |  6 Pagesrush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug.† (Hedges)The film s greatest achievement is its ability to communicate the underlying truth of this quote consistently throughout the movie. Sergeant First Class William James, played by James Renner, captures this message through his job description, dialogue, and demeanor, as well as his obstinate/erratic behaviors. The creative selective style of slow motion effects, instability of camera movement, and the intense sound/visualRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book A Hitchhikers Guide On The Galaxy 1463 Words   |  6 PagesThe meaning of life is a question that people have been asking for decades. Some believe that the meaning of life comes from a variety of reasons, such as religion, hope, or simply just living life. In the book, A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy , this famous question is posed, and many wait for thousands of years in order to find the answer, which turned out to be â€Å"42†. For some, this may be a disappointing answer but for others it may be relieving. People have been struggling with this questionRead MoreWilliam Clifford s Ethics Of Belief Essay1451 Words   |  6 PagesBorn in 1845, William Clifford was a mathematician and philosopher famed for his philosophy of science and quest for answering ethical questions through scientific evidence (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). Clifford recognized several difficulties in Emmanuel Kant’s argument related to philosophy, which inspired him to begin a search for answers related to innate belief, personal responsibility of guilt, and overall creation. In the Ethics of Belief, Clifford asserts that it is always wrong to believeRead MoreEssay about Hoarding: Attempt of Affluence, Reality of Affliction 1300 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam James, known as the â€Å"phil osopher of America† (Kaila Kovailanen, 2011), had his own perspective on ownership. In 1918 he described acquisitiveness as â€Å"an instinct, something that is part of human nature, present at birth and with us throughout life. This instinct contributes to our sense of self. What is ‘me’ fuses with what is ‘mine,’ and our ‘self’ consists of what we possess† (Frost and Steketee, pp. 48). It seems that even this brilliant mind, who has been considered the father ofRead MoreThe Effects Of Fracking On The United States1650 Words   |  7 PagesLife: Twenty Years Later In 2026, life in Dimock, Pennsylvania was a lot different than how it was twenty years ago. This is evident by all the new advances in technology within the two decades. However, what changed the town the most was the hydraulic fracturing boom back in the mid-2000s. The town has experienced many ups and downs because of all the gas companies coming in to extract the natural gas from the Marcellus Shale, that lies underneath the land. Dimock had received a lot of attentionRead MorePsychology, Religion, And Religion1397 Words   |  6 Pages as Camus proposes, the meaning of life is the only thing stopping you from committing suicide right now, then religion serves a psychologically useful role in providing meaning and relieving anxiety. This view is reflected by William James in his Varieties of Religious Experiences. James is largely pragmatic in his attitude towards religious experiences. Whereas Freud considered religious experience merely an illusion and not independently verifiable, James considers religious experience realRead MoreFigurative Language in Do No Go Gentle into That Good Night by Dylan Tomas772 Words   |  3 PagesWilliam James, an American philosopher and psychologist once said â€Å"believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.† Life, regardless of how close it lies to death, is worth keeping. The poem â€Å"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night†, by Dylan Thomas is a son’s appeal to a fading father. He shows his father that men from all walks of life confront death, however, they still war against it. Thomas uses figurative language to classify men into four different categories to

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Becoming A World Class Engineering Student Essay - 1118 Words

Introduction A world-class engineering student, also known as a â€Å"master of learning,† is distinguished by the ability to take command of their learning process, engagement in the learning, with constant drive and discipline while always keeping a goal set for the future. The life of an engineer is inherently mentally arduous due to the sheer amount of knowledge that must be learned from generations of knowledge building in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. The life of an engineer can be one of the most rewarding as a pupil gains knowledge from the work of people like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, etc., changing the world in their own way. This process of learning can become bearable, manageable, and can to become effortless by taking the time to first learn how to become a world-class engineering student. To become a world-class engineer takes large sums of time and consistency. To become a world-class engineering student, I must pinpoint where I am in the aspects of setting goals, personal development, academic development, and career development, where a world class type of engineering student would be in each of those areas, and what I must accomplish to turn into a world-class engineering student. Goal-Setting Goals are an essential part of life that allows an individual to be in real action mode. The act of goal setting is the first step in the pursuit of becoming a world-class engineer. Goal setting is crucial to anyShow MoreRelatedBecoming A World Class Engineering Student1791 Words   |  8 PagesMany students come into an engineering program without a strong commitment to stay in an engineering course and to progress with an engineering degree. For students to achieve the puzzling goal of graduating in engineering requires a strong obligation, and behaviors and attitudes to follow through that obligation. To brace the commitment of the freshman engineering students an innovative project has been developed. The project dares students to develop their process to become a World-Class EngineeringRead MoreBecoming a World-Class Engineering Student Essay3196 Words   |  13 PagesA world-class engineering student, also known as an â€Å"expert learner,† is characterize d by taking charge of their learning process, being active in their approach to learning, being motivated and disciplined as well as setting specific goals for themself. Becoming a world-class engineering student is a process that takes time and diligence. In order to become a world-class engineering student, I will have to identify where I stand currently in terms of goal setting, community building, academicRead MoreWhy I Am An Engineer1576 Words   |  7 PagesEngineering is a field of boundless possibilities that makes everything that we do possible. Ranging from bridges field with civil engineering and medical field with biomechanical engineering to the oil industry with petroleum engineering, engineering is a vast field of opportunities. The buildings we work at, the cars we drive, the technology we use have all been made possible by the work of engineers. That is the main reason why I desire to be an engineer. I want to work in a field that I willRead MoreStatement of Purpose for an Education in Mechanical Engineering1247 Words   |  5 Pagesto design my process to become a World Class Engineering student. This will help me become a better engineering student and In this report I will discuss my goals and plans to become a better engineering student. My goal is to earn a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and then find a career as a mechanical engineer. In order to achieve my goals I will have to have a plan and then work hard to stay on track in order to be successful engineering student. I will also have to continuouslyRead MoreThe Physics Of Mechanical Engineering924 Words   |  4 Pagesthey were before. How do planes fly in the sky? How do cars accelerate? I chose the major mechanical engineering to answer all these previous scientific questions. The definition of mechanical engineering is the system that applies the principles of engineering, physics, and materials science for the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical system. It is a branch of engineering concerned primarily with the industrial application of mechanics and with the production of toolsRead MoreMy Career As A School Teacher1586 Words   |  7 Pagesback in my country of birth, Nepal. Then, became college lecture before moving to the UK in 2005. Since 2005, I have been involved in the higher education (HE) practice in the UK in different capabilities, first as a postgraduate student, followed by a research student (PhD), then a post-doctorate researcher and finally a lecturer. I am now involved in delivering a number of undergraduates and postgraduate modules as well as module leader for a postgraduate module on digital image and signal processingRead MoreEssay about Civil Engineering930 Words   |  4 PagesCivil Engineering The need for Civil Engineers is rapidly growing from day to day. Civil Engineers are vital to the advancement of society. Civil Engineering is the combination of common knowledge and practical planning to the layout of the cities, towns, and communities being developed today. Civil Engineers are involved in the designing and building of the new structures surrounding us, as well as keeping them maintained. Also, Civil Engineers are responsible for finding efficient methodsRead MoreTeaching Methods Can Affect Young Children s Initiative961 Words   |  4 PagesWaikato With a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and three years’ work experience in one of the top corporations in China, China Southern Power Grid, I have developed my knowledge and skills in engineering, mathematics, rational thinking and cooperation. Even though I am gaining ground on my engineer career path, my aspiration to teach young children is becoming increasingly stronger. Having seen many children’s unwillingness to study, I am acutely aware of how teaching methods can affect youngRead MorePursuing A Master s Project Management853 Words   |  4 PagesOver the past four years in my career, I have been a member of a rotational technical development program in which I have been offered accelerated learning experiences in manufacturing, including tactical engineering, project management and supervision. Throughout these experiences I have worked at 3 different manufacturing plants across the U.S. I have learned the strengths and opportunities at each facility and learned a great deal about myself as a leader and about the career path I want toRead MorePersonal Statement Of Purpose Of An Organization942 Words   |  4 Pagesmust add something which cannot be bought or measured with money† –  Sir M. Visvesvarayya I am MR.DARSHAN NARAYANA, an undergraduate in Civil Engineering and a graduate in Construction Technology, would like undergo the PhD program in Civil Engineering / Construction Engineering / Construction Management at your esteemed I hail from an upper middle class family that lays very strong emphasis on education. Both my parents, who are Advocates by profession, my sister and brother-in-law, who are

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Nelson Mandela Essay Free Essays

The world leader I have chosen to write about is Nelson Mandela:  Nelson Mandela’s rise in the political arena can be traced back to his years as one of the leading members of the African National Congress, otherwise known as the ANC, beginning in 1944 (Mandela, 2009). The ANC was one of the oldest South African civil rights unions. The union’s primary purpose, the freedom and equal rights of all black citizens from the practice of apartheid–South Africa’s then legalized form of racism–was a natural draw for Mandela. We will write a custom essay sample on Nelson Mandela Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Mr. Mandela describes in his own words the deciding moment when he joined the ANC: I had no epiphany, no singular revelation, no moment of truth, but a steady accumulation of a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moments, [that] produced in me an anger, a rebelliousness, a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people (Mandela, 2009). Mandela’s desire and drive helped sustain him in the difficult years ahead. After joining the ANC and creating its first youth league (Mandela, 2009). Mandela went on to organize many nonviolent protests and civil disobedience demonstrations throughout much of the country. Growing in popularity, these campaigns were eventually deemed illegal by the National Party–the white supremacist government in power at the time–and ultimately led to the imprisonment of Mandela in 1962 (Mandela, 2009). Although many people advocated for his release throughout the years, it was from his own prison cell twenty years later when Nelson Mandela finally negotiated his own freedom and began the long, tedious, yet peaceful process of creating a new government for the South African people. Working together with South Africa’s new president, F.W. de Klerk, Mandela negotiated heroically in the creation of a new and non-discriminatory government. The two men made history on September 26, 1992 when they signed the Record of Understanding, a document formalizing their agreement to create a new, non-racial, democratic government freely elected by the people (Mandela, 2009). Nelson Mandela went on to become the first freely elected President of South Africa and continued the hard work of rebuilding his country. He served his presidency for five years, stepping down from politics in 1999. Although removed from public office, Mandela continued to  advocate for issues important to his country; issues such as AIDS, poverty, and human rights. Again, Nelson Mandela worked tirelessly on behalf of his people, receiving numerous rewards throughout the years, until he formally retired from public life in 2004 (Mandela, 2009). As a result of his life’s work, Nelson Mandela forever changed the social view and practice of apartheid in his country. Politically, his efforts resulted in the first non-discriminatory, democratic (majority rule) government for South Africa. Therefore, I find these to be the two most significant social and political changes that occurred as a result of Nelson Mandela. Task B.The individual I have chosen to write about is Martin Luther King, Jr.:  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was known as a religious reformer and civil rights activist who rose to greatness during the civil rights movements of the United States. Dr. King began his career as a civil rights activist in 1956 (About Dr. King, n.d.) when he was hired as a spokesman for the Montgomery Bus Boycott; a campaign organized and fully supported by the black community of Montgomery in protest of the segregation of the city bus lines. This boycott, which lasted for 381 days, ended successfully with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling declaring racial segregation in public transportation unconstitutional (About Dr. King, n.d.). This landmark protest would prove to be but one of the many successful campaigns Dr. King would lead throughout his lifetime. In 1958, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) elected Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as their president (About Dr. King, n.d.). The SCLC’s mission of providing guidance to the growing civil rights movement (occurring throughout much of the south) served as the perfect platform for Dr. King’s message. From here, Dr. King would go on to organize many campaigns, most of them occurring in Birmingham, Alabama, then described â€Å"as the most segregated city in America† (About Dr. King, n.d.). Drawing from the nonviolent teachings of Mohandas Gandhi, Dr. King’s peaceful protests and civil disobedience demonstrations were televised in stark contrast to the brutality of Birmingham’s police force. The televised beatings of young black protesters proved too much for the nation to bear, prompting congress  to begin legislation on behalf of the civil rights movement in 1962 (About Dr. King, n.d.). Although the Birmingham demonstrations led to the writing of his open and now famous â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail;† an articulate, well written manifesto of Dr. King’s beliefs and actions (About Dr. King, n.d.), time would show that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s greatest moments were still to come. In 1963 Dr. King gathered more than a quarter-million people to Washington D.C.’s National Mall for the â€Å"March for Jobs and Freedom,† now commonly referred to as the â€Å"March on Washington† (About Dr. King, n.d.) It was here that Dr. King delivered his legendary â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech, firmly placing himself on the world stage as a social and political leader, as well as becoming the youngest man–30 years of age– to receive the Nobel Peace. As a result of all the publicity Dr. King drew to the civil rights movement, congress soon passed the historical 1964 Civil Rights Act, and soon after the 1965 Voting Rights Act (About Dr. King, n.d.); sweeping legislation declaring it illegal to discriminate against blacks or any other minority people, and removing any obstacles obscuring blacks of their right to vote. After the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Dr. King carried on with his work, choosing to focus on economic justice and international peace. Tragically, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated while visiting a motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968 (About Dr. King, n.d.). Through his work, Dr. King introduced our country to the practice of â€Å"nonviolent† demonstrations, socially changing the way many people participate in protests even today. Due in part to his nonviolent campaigns, Dr. King’s efforts resulted in the passing of the Civil Rights Acts, one of the most significant political changes occurring in the history of our country. Therefore, I find these to be the two most significant social and political changes resulting from the actions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. How to cite Nelson Mandela Essay, Essays