In cold blood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

In cold blood - Essay Example I loved the pie, but had no idea that the pie was going to be the last supper I would ever have with my bosom friend. In the book, In Cold Blood, (Capote) has not once, but several times discussed the last day events and activities of Clutters. For example, â€Å"Now, on this final day of her life, Mrs. Clutter hung in the closet the calico housedress she had been wearing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Capote 35). It seems like Capote and I have the same way of recapitulating the memories of the gone. I believe that the idea presented in the book that mental illness inculcates criminal tendencies in people is totally right. In the book, Perry and Dick are shown to be suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and brain damage respectively. Their criminality has been attributed to their mental abnormalities. I approve this concept because I know a neighbor who was known to be suffering from brain tumor. The tumor developed in his brain over the years, and he transformed from a gay and obedient child to a violent adult with the passage of time. He was imprisoned for the charge of having killed his girlfriend. I am not sure if this is right to trace the roots of his criminality in his brain tumor, but the story of the book approves the existence of some kind of relationship between mental disorder of any type and criminal tendency.

The Creature in the light of this argument Essay Example for Free

The Creature in the light of this argument Essay When I reflected that they had spurned and deserted me, anger returned, a rage of anger. Shelley had very open religious beliefs, and it is notable that alienation happens in society because of religion. At the time the novel was written Catholicism was a very oppressive faith, and Shelley was very strongly opposed to the idea. I think that Shelley is making an important point about oppressive faiths: Victor plays God, and as a result, his people (the creature) are miserable and unfortunate. Also, as ideas such as the principle of life were arising at the time, Shelley is voicing a remarkable argument: Because technology was fast approaching before humans had developed enough to know how use it, it was extremely worrying that any faith or religion which survives the mechanization of the world, provides no moral code for science. The creature is isolated by his behaviour. He is alone in the world and lives like primitive man. He eats berries from the trees and seeks shelter from trees and caves, and other natural forms. He later realises that the embers he discovers produce fire, which in turn provides him with the three necessities of life: light, heat and food. It is essential for the sustenance of life on earth. Before this discovery, the daemon was isolated by his means of living and his primitive behaviour. In this instance, he is like the elderly today. They are uneducated, or not well enough informed of new techniques that improve the standard of living. Many dont have anybody to help them or to explain new concepts and discoveries, just as the creature doesnt have a parental figure for guidance. I think Shelley is informing us of the ongoing problem of alienation in any society, whatever age. The creature has no nurturing and no teacher, but above all, Frankenstein fashioned him repellently different from all humans so he is solitary in his appearance. Blindly, Frankenstein introduces an unsightly being into a discriminative world. On reflection of the creation of the daemon, Frankenstein says: I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God! When confronted by his reflection, the creature says: I had admired the perfect forms of my cottagers their grace, beauty, and delicate complexions; but how was I terrified when I viewed myself in a transparent pool! Alas, I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this deformity. The fact that individuals are alienated by their looks is timeless. Discrimination is apparent in all time periods. This element in the novel of the creatures isolation is unchanging and significant to all who read it. By incorporating this narrative, Shelley is successfully portraying the ageless theme of alienation, and touching upon the discrimination always found in the world. I believe that this strong sense of loss exemplified in the creature portrays Mary Shelleys own losses throughout her life. Growing up motherless, at the age of sixteen she ran away to live with the twenty-one year old Percy Shelley, the unhappily married heir to a wealthy baronetcy. She was cast out of society, even by her father. Shelley also lost her sister to suicide, as well as losing three of her own children to miscarriage and early childhood deaths. In 1822 her husband drowned in the Gulf of Spezzia, and she was left, twenty-five years old, with only one remaining son. She remained unmarried and died in London in 1851. The creature is also a victim of alienation due to social class. This is also a common problem today; however his is much worse, as he has no place in society whatsoever: Was I then, a monster, a blot upon the earth? He is solitary in looks, stature, and endurance. He is stronger than man, and more agile: When I looked around I saw and heard of none like me. This is utterly devastating to the daemon, who longs for companionship. Yet another of todays causes of alienation is a difference in learning abilities. The family in the cottage teach him civilisation what his father should have taught him he masters the science of words alone, by watching, listening and learning the things a new born child does for a long time before he eventually speaks. The creatures development is very rapid, yet he is cut off from society whilst learning this difficult task: I easily perceived that, although I eagerly longed to discover myself to the cottagers, I ought not to make the attempt until I had first become master of their language. He realises that he must be able to communicate with the family fluently for him to have a chance of describing his feelings, and this urges him to push on with his learning. I agree that Mary Shelleys Frankenstein is indeed a study of alienation; the concept is reflected in all characters and with all problems described in the book. I think the gothic typicality in the novel made her aim acceptable at the time: it fitted in with the literary requirements. The gothic descriptions also compliment the real fear of alienation it makes Shelleys point more terrifyingly real. I think Frankenstein is a very moralistic novel. Shelley has made her point very clear and we must be more aware that no matter how scientifically advanced society gets, there will always be those who are left behind and alienated from the rest because of the ignorance of others; whether because of social class, religion, behaviour, learning abilities or looks some things will never change.

The Development Of Psychology As A Scientific Discipline Philosophy Essay

The Development Of Psychology As A Scientific Discipline Philosophy Essay One of the most notable figure in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline is RenÄâ€Å" Descartes, a French philosopher and mathematician. Descartes was most recognized as a proponent of dualism which supported the idea that all reality can be divided into two vivid and distinct entities: mind and matter. Descartes distinguished himself from other philosophers in that he proposed an existing link or interaction between mind and matter called interactionism. This was the key development in psychology as a scientific discipline because it led to two key principles in psychology introspectionism and behaviourism. Despite Descartes emphasis on the rationalism which is the pursuit of truth through the process of reasoning, John Locke, the British first empiricist, suggested that empiricism which involves the pursuit of truth through observation and experience is the preferred method of investigation. Being the pioneer to define self through a continuity of consciousness, Locke postulated that the mind was a blank slate of tabula rasa. Contrary to Descarts cartesian philosophy, he believed that we were born without innate idea and that the knowledge is instead measured only by experience derived from various sense perceptions. Yet, some of the information attained from our senses is subjective and non-trustworthy while some are objective and trustworthy. He put great emphasis upon the belief that our knowledge of complex experiences were made up from the links between simple and primary sensations. This idea was further developed by David Hume, a Scottish philosopher, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and scepticism. Yet, there was a slight difference from Lockes argument. While Locke wrote of innate ideas, Hume introduced the concept of perceptions which consisted of impressions and ideas and strove to develop a total naturalistic science of man that examined the human nature on a psychological basis. To Hume, impressions were the most important perceptions because they were derived directly from observations. He strongly believed that only empirically derived content are valuable and trustworthy. Thus, he developed positivism the philosophy of science rooted on the view that data derived from sensory experience and that logical and mathematical analysis of such data produce all authoritative knowledge. In contrast to the empiricists, George Berkely, an Anglo-Irish philosopher proposed that our knowledge comes from the inferences derived from experience through our senses instead of simply coming from direct experiences. His notable achievement of the advancement of the theory called immaterialism or subjective idealism which denies the existence of material substance. In contrast, this theory contends that objects are only ideas in the perceivers minds hence cannot exist without being perceived. A Scottish philosopher, Kames Mill then further developed on the idea and moved the focus from animism to materialism which is a belief that truth can be founded only after a thorough understanding of our physical world. The assumption that Mill insisted was that humans and animals were basically the same that both were entirely physical in their outer look and were totally subjected to the physical laws of the universe. Though agreed in essence with Descartes primary approach in understanding the human body, Mill was against the concept of an immaterial mind. Later on in the mid-1800s, a German physiologist, Wilhelm Wundt, used scientific research methods to investigate reaction times and his book, Principles of Physiological Psychology illustrated many of the main connections between the science of physiology and the study of humans thought and behaviour. The opening of the worlds first psychology lab at the University of Leipzig in 1879 marked the official beginning of psychology as a distinct scientific discipline. Wundt maintained that psychology is a study of humans consciousness and intended to apply as many experimental methods as possible to investigating and understanding internal mental processes. Though his use of introspection is seen as a non-trustable and non-scientific method today, his early work during the days helped to kick-start a stage for future experimental methods and hence was significant in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline. One of the Wundts most famous student, Edward B.Titchener went on to develop amd found psychologys first major school of thought and proposed the idea that human consciousness can be broken down into smaller parts via introspection. He was one of the most prominent structuralist. While structuralism was notable for its emphasis on science research, its methods were less convincing, unreliable, limiting and subjective. The concept essentially died when Titchener passed away in 1927. In response to structuralism, functionalism, an American perspective which was largely influenced by the work of William James and the evolutionary theory of Charles Darwin emerged. Functionalists sought for explanation for the mental processes in much systematic and accurate way. Instead of focussing on the elements of consciousness, they focussed on its purpose. This brings psychology a step closer to scientific discipline by placing great emphasis on systematic research method. In early 20th Century, another major school of thought known as behaviourism rose to dominance. It was a significant change from the past theoretical views. In fact, it was aimed to transform psychology into a much scientific discipline by solely emphasising on observable behaviour. It was started by Ivan Pavlov and two of the strongest advocates were John B.Watson and B.F. Skinner. However, behaviourism does not encourage scientific psychology. Among all, the concept of empiricism developed by philosophers John Locke and David Hume was the most significant leap in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline.

Othello’s Evil Character Essay -- Othello essays

Othello’s Evil Character  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   William Shakespeare’s Othello gives the audience a full measure or dose of evil, mostly in the person of the sinister Iago, whose evil influence penetrates the lives of the victims around him.    In The Riverside Shakespeare Frank Kermode explains the type of evil peculiar to the ancient:    Over the ancient figure of the Vice – a familiar shape for abstract evil – Iago wears the garb of a modern devil. Iago’s naturalist ethic, as expounded to Roderigo at the close of Act I, is a wicked man’s version of Montaigne, an instance of the way in which men convert to evil the precepts of a common sense supported by no act of faith. (1200)    Even the imagery in the drama has its evil aspect. Kenneth Muir, in the Introduction to William Shakespeare: Othello,   explains the instances of diabolic imagery in the play as they relate to the infecting of the Moor by the ancient:    The same transference from Iago to Othello may be observed in what S. L. Bethell called diabolic imagery. He estimated that of the 64 images relating to hell and damnation – many of them are allusions rather than strict images – Iago has 18 and Othello 26. But 14 of Iago’s are used in the first two Acts, and 25 of Othello's in the last three. The theme of hell originates with Iago and is transferred to Othello only when Iago has succeeded in infecting the Moor with his jealousy. (22)    In his book of literary criticism, Shakespearean Tragedy, A. C. Bradley gives an in-depth analysis of the brand of evil which the ancient personifies:    Iago stands supreme among Shakespeare’s evil characters because the greatest intensity and subtlety of imagination have gone to his making, and because ... ...enneth. Introduction. William Shakespeare: Othello. New York: Penguin Books, 1968.    Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.    Wayne, Valerie. â€Å"Historical Differences: Misogyny and Othello.† The Matter of Difference: Materialist Feminist Criticism of Shakespeare. Ed Valerie Wayne. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1991.    Wilson, H. S. On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy. Canada: University of Toronto Press, 1957.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p.: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957.

The Allegory of the Cave?? in Different Perspectives :: essays research papers

 ¡Ã‚ §The Allegory of the Cave ¡Ã‚ ¨ in Different Perspectives  ¡Ã‚ §The Allegory of the Cave, ¡Ã‚ ¨ written by Plato, is an interpretation of a conversation between Socrates, Plato ¡Ã‚ ¦s mentor, and Glaucon, one of Socrates students.  ¡Ã‚ §The Allegory of the Cave ¡Ã‚ ¨ can be interpreted several different ways. Imagine men in a cave chained up by their necks and legs, forcing them to only look forward at a wall. An opening behind them lets the light in. Above the burning fire and chains, there is a road. Have these chained men ever seen anything else of themselves or others beyond the cave ¡Ã‚ ¦s shadows made by the fire? Some people would say the truth is only perceived by the shadows seen on the walls of the cave. What if one of these men ¡Ã‚ ¦s chains were taken off and he was free to leave? Would the man feel pain when seeing the real world? Would he be confused on believing what is real? Would it make a difference if the chained man was briefly educated about what he was going to see first? Perhaps he would understand and not be confused about what is real. Will the man think what he saw before was much more real than what he sees now? Questions like these will bring different opinions and meaning to  ¡Ã‚ §The Allegory of the Cave. ¡Ã‚ ¨ Whose interpretation, if any, is correct when explaining the meaning of  ¡Ã‚ §The Allegory of the Cave ¡Ã‚ ¨? Does it have mathematical meaning, explain a vision of the whole world, or is it just a comparison to the field of social work? I personally feel that  ¡Ã‚ §The Allegory of the Cave ¡Ã‚ ¨ is a great explanation of how people in the world live. People are just like the men chained inside the cave, people only know and believe what he or she might have seen. Outside of the cave is the world around us. People are very narrow minded beings, a persons perception on life is only from their own experiences. When the chained men are let free is when people finally realize what is going on in the world and not just what is around them.  ¡Ã‚ §The Allegory of the Cave ¡Ã‚ ¨ can be interpreted with different meanings, such as Michael O ¡Ã‚ ¦Leary ¡Ã‚ ¦s theory of the cave being a place away from the world. Michael O ¡Ã‚ ¦Leary believes  ¡Ã‚ §The Allegory of the Cave ¡Ã‚ ¨ is Plato ¡Ã‚ ¦s explanation of the education of the soul towards enlightenment.

Financial Engineering Essay

University of Stratchclyde is amongst one of the top ranking universities in the United Kingdom. The university is located right at the heart of Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city. The University of Stratchclyde was founded in 1796 when John Anderson, Professor of Natural philosophy at Glasgow University left instructions in his will to establish a university which should be a place for useful learning for everyone. His vision was realized when Anderson’s university opened later in the same year he died. The university developed rapidly since its inception and by the 1890s, had become a major technological institution with a wide reputation for research and learning. This rapid expansion meant that there was a need of raising more finances for opening up a new building for the university. For this purpose, a fundraising campaign was started by the governors and as a result a, the Glasgow and West of technical college building, now the Royal College Building was opened in George street(strath. ac. uk. ,n. d. ). The primary focus was on science and engineering, though it also offered some courses in management. The college was known for producing some of the best scientists and engineers of its time. In 1964, the Royal College was granted the Royal Charter and thus became the University of Strathclyde. In 1993, the University of Strathclyde merged with Jordan hill College of Education, which is Scotland’s Premier teacher training college(strath. ac. uk. , n. d). This new faculty offers teacher training alongside courses such as speech and language pathology, social work, sport and outdoor education. At the time the University received its Royal Charter, it had some 4,000 full-time students and only a single block of buildings fronted by the Royal College. Today University of Strathclyde has become the third largest university in Scotland.

Brian Martin, in Striking a Needle into Science Essay

Brian Martin, in Striking a Needle into Science stresses the role of partisanship, intervention made in the course of analyzing a case, its impact on the case study and how it affects the views and opinions of the readers. In particular, he made this point by presenting both sides of the controversy, without having to make the conclusion himself. Along this paper will be seen how he argues both for the rejection and acceptance of the theory proposed by Pascal and the supposed publication of the same. Martin utilizes the theory of Pascal in illustrating this point. Pascal made a vast research on the origin of HIV (both HIV 1 and HIV 2) and on the basis of the same and of his knowledge stated that the virus originated from the cultivation of the polio vaccine, particularly cultured through monkeys’ kidneys. The mass vaccination among Africans is said to have started this all and its spread all throughout the countries was made possible through different modes of transfer. The outcome of the said research however was not placed in publication; it was rejected by scientific societies for a reason. Scientific journals refused publication of any of Pascal’s researches and investigation for different reasons. It can be noted however that a few publicists entertained the thought of giving it a chance, considering that Pascal made a thorough investigation stressing his point clear, well supported by appropriate empirical evidence. Martin had been able to collect information both for and against the publication of the same. The point of the analyst in presenting the case is to convey both sides of the controversy; the controversy being the appropriateness of the non-publication of Pascal’s theory by science advocates. In so doing, he gathered evidence and justifications which support the non-publication thereof, obtaining evidence by interviews, written documents and the like of those who support the proposition. In the same way, he gathered pieces of evidence which support the view for the publication of the theory. This is an effective way of presenting a case study. It is to be noted that the analyst never emphasized his own opinion on the appropriateness of the non-publication or the publication of the same, instead, he presented with preciseness and absoluteness the ratiocination of the proponents of both sides, showing the least, if at all, any biases. While the analyst presents the theory supporting the respective claims of the proponents of both sides, he has a different purpose in making the paper. In the course of the discussion, he emphasizes though the relevance, importance and significance of being a non partisan and without intervention in making the paper. In making the case study, he utilizes the modes of interviews, correspondence, gathering of written evidence and documents and particularly makes use of social connections to obtain the necessary information supporting both propositions. In supporting his proposition on non-intervention and his being non-partisan, that is, by presenting both sides of the story, he stresses both the advantages and disadvantages of the controversy. Limiting or supporting one side of the controversy, let say, being a partisan in the course of the case study, Martin opined that this may lead to limited sources of information and thus the impossibility of obtaining a more learned opinion and unbiased statements. Moreover, along the course of the investigation, Martin implicitly stated that in order to satisfy the purpose for which the case study is written, the same must be open to all avenues of discussing the controversies and allowing further studies on the matter when proper. Before proceeding to the next topic, it is important to note at this point of the discussion, the difference on what the analyst wants to convey to the reading public in general, and what his point is. With respect to the public who reads or who will attempt to read his works, he has fulfilled the duty of presenting the controversy, that is, whether or not the theory of Pascal and everything that supports thereto, should be published. Both sides of the controversy are presented by resorting to the ratiocinations and justifications of the proponents of each side. On the other hand, by being the analyst, he presented a different mode of approaching the paper. Initially, he discusses the controversy that he wants to convey to the reading public. Thereafter, he discusses the relevance of obtaining information by resorting to all possible means of doing the same. He indeed, has access to different sources of information and avails of all these in coming up with the case study. His point may not have been understood in the point of view of the readers considering that the readers may understand it as emphasizing and supporting the theory of Pascal, however, his point as the analyst here is the emphasis of non-partisanship in able to present a case study that answers both sides of the controversy. Intertwined with the case study, Martin discusses the relevance and social implications of the controversy. Many science advocates have refused the publication on the theory of Pascal as to the origin of the HIV and how it spreads throughout the various countries in the world, on the other hand, a few of them have supported that indeed there is a need to effect the publication of the work. Among the relevance and social implications of is the medical awareness, health and security among peoples. True, and admittedly, there has been a call for the solution of HIV as a killer disease. By allowing a publication of such kind, taking account further on the qualifications of Pascal and the extensive research he has made on the issue, it opens the possibility of allowing an in-depth and more thorough investigation of the sources, causes of the killer disease to save lives of the people and provide sufficient remedy that is within reach of those afflicted and a mode of prevention to the rest of the world. In addition, Martin’s move of collating all pieces of evidence to support both propositions opens the gate for further scrutiny on the matter at hand. The dissemination of the existence of the theory of Pascal and the discussion made by Martin on it arouses the doubts and such other questions that my have relevance on the veracity of the issue. In this regard, science advocates are thus given the opportunity to refute such an extensive research made by Pascal. Consequently, more researches will be made, a more extensive one basing on more advanced technology and information towards the discovery and even the cure of HIV today. By publication, a researcher or scientist at that is given the opportunity to inform the public of the outcomes and status of current events and their implications on society. In the same way, the discussion on the case study made by Martin had opened the gates of scrutiny of reason to come in allowing a closer look on the veracity and truthfulness of what has been discussed by Pascal in his theory. In the manner of presenting the case study, the author is reflexive in discussing point by point his argument. He considers all possible points that may be argued by some who have opposing views on his discussion. In particularly, being aware that his attempt to explain to publish the theory of Pascal would receive both criticisms, appreciation and approval, by including it in the present case study, Martin presents the arguments of those who have rejected the idea of publication and likewise those who have approved the same. This is an attempt to counter in advance possible oppositions that advocates on the controversy may interpose. From the discussion, it can be seen his awareness to defend all at the same time the theory of Pascal, which is not only because of his superb qualifications on the matter at hand but also on the basis of the extensive research and knowledge of the author on the issue; and likewise the arguments for or against the publication. This did not however effectively foreclose the possibility of further investigation and research considering that every controversy particularly where social relevance is high is involved. In sum, the case study is both an attempt to publish what otherwise would not have allowed publication as in the case of the theory of Pascal; and at the same time an attempt to discuss the relevance of being able to obtain all information possible to stress the point. The case study is a combination of scientific investigation as a matter of substance and as a matter of procedure. Martin, as the analyst, stresses both points by ensuring a thorough discussion on the substantive aspect of the scientific proposition of Pascal and on the relevance of being able to gather information for or against the same. From the case study, it is observed that Martin had attained these two goals at the same time by the presentation of conflicting arguments on a single issue stressing at the same time the social relevance of HIV not only in a number of places in Africa but all throughout the world. In the point of view of the readers, the case study has a scientific relevance, that is, the discovery of the origin of HIV and the subsequent cure of the same (although recently, medical science experts have offered a cure of it). On the other hand, in the point of view of the analyst, the case study comes in two parts, that is, the presentation of the scientific relevance of the then medical controversy (which is currently already deemed curable) and the emphasis of being able to obtain all information possible to obtain such information. Being a non-partisan indeed allows access to both sides of a story, and as an analyst, Martin has just effectively done it!