Jessica Smith Prof. Anderson PHIL 3741-001 31 January 2013 “Non-Cartesian Sums: Philosophy and the African-American Experience” Response In his article “Non-Cartesian Sums” Charles Mills claims how black philosophy differentiates from western (white) philosophy. My view on Charles Mills “Non-Cartesian Sums: Philosophy and the African-American Experience” is that here is a man who is trying to break down what African American philosophy is to the college student. I feel like this is much need;
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The Relationship Between Certainty & Doubt Phelps’ view that “certainty” enables one to “accomplish virtually anything” seems in conflict with Russell’s belief that opinions should be measured with “some sense of doubt”. Upon closer examination what is best when making life decisions is a matter of perspective. When weighing certainty versus doubt in the construct of important choices‚ it is irrefutable that they are different sides of the same coin; without one there cannot be the other. Absolute
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Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt is no less than a perfect example of film noir. Low-key lighting‚ dramatic shadow patterning‚ and camera angles are all expertly used to foreshadow and portray the emotions and psyche of the characters. Hitchcock uses sets and props to mirror scenes‚ creates characters that are remarkably similar but simultaneously conflicting‚ and emphasizes emotions that offer contradictions. The sense of duality and contradiction in the film demonstrates how darkness can take
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particular political situations and circumstances‚ often leading to unpredictable catastrophes. This rational political actor has its origins in the Cartesian‚ ahistorical‚ self-conscious subject—a subject capable of using the "light of reason" to guide its epistemological and even political judgments. Even much of modern political discourse borrows from this Cartesian legacy by presupposing an ahistorical and even mechanistic "science of politics" A pertinent counter to this naively optimistic
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Analyse the theme of doubt in Hamlet. In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet‚ doubt is one of the most important themes. In fact‚ the whole play is based on the story of a ghost who claims to be Hamlet’s father‚ and nobody can be sure if what he says is the truth. In this essay‚ I am going to focus on the theme of doubt throughout the play. I will first speak about the opening scene‚ and then I will talk about the ghost‚ which is a supernatural element used by Shakespeare to create doubt in the play. I will
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Patricia Churchland is a well-known philosopher who has denounced the notion of Descartes’ method on doubt and Cartesian dualism. She believed that we are just physical objects and that there is nothing amazing about the mind or the soul. Churchland is a elimistist‚ meaning she eliminates the mind/ soul from the equation of the body. One of her main points is that society cannot hold the science of philosophy at a different stance than the natural sciences. Philosophy needs to have data and empirical
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Doubt in Macbeth The play Macbeth contains doubt in many different ways. In the beginning of the play‚ we are struck by a very insecure Macbeth. He is indeed curious about what would happen if he were to take Duncan’s place and become the king of Scotland. If it were done when ’tis done‚ then ’twere well It were done quickly. If th’assassination Could trammel up the consequence‚ and catch With his surcease success: that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all‚ here‚ But
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Cartesian Skepticism to Existentialism The nature of our reality and existence has been a topic of debate since at least the ancient Greeks. Do we exist? Why do we exist? Does it even matter? These are questions I will attempt to address thoroughly. Answers may not be comfortable or satisfactory‚ but it’s better to rip that band-aid off now than continue blindly in the dark. Rationalism and Empiricism have both attempted to prove existence‚ but at their most extremes they fall apart. Using
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some sort of doubt. This conflict between optimism and doubt is most importantly meant to be kept balanced. This balance of doubt and optimism can be seen in the real world in many ways such as in sports or school. When Phelps said that we need to have an “absolute sense of certainty‚” he meant a setting your mind to it mentality. If you can imagine it then you can do it. This however‚ is not healthy and must be counteracted by Russell’s statement by always having “some measure of doubt.” When the
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Because doubt often takes over in our minds‚ therefore it can stop us from accomplishing tasks that we are certain we can do‚ since certainty comes through our minds and easily exits leaving us in doubt about what could have been. On the other hand‚ certainty gives confidence to people who become so overwhelmed with doubt. Certainty is what allows us to have more confidence to accomplish anything that other people may believe is the impossible. More than likely there have been many cases in history
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