Mid-Semester Exam Essay Example for Free

Mid-Semester Exam Essay Both Heraclitus and Parmenides were obsessed with change. Explain how change fits into each of their philosophical systems. Are there any two similarities in their two accounts? Why are they so important to later metaphysicians such as the particle theorists? Heraclitus believed in the unity of opposites. The succession of the opposites brings out his key notion of change. The successive manifestation of contrary properties in an object is a way of saying that everything undergoes change. All, things, according to Heraclitus, are in a constant flux. Comparing this change to stepping into a river, he says: ‘you cannot step twice into the same river.’ I agree with this proposition considering the fact that the molecular property of a river at an instance is not the same, since it is constantly flowing. The constant flowing of the river suggests a constant movement of molecules so that new molecules interact with objects the river is in contact with. One may return to the same river, but fresh waters have flowed into it, making it different. With this notion of change, it can be said that nothing retains its identity, though it remains the same thing. The object therefore endures, even though it is undergoing constant change and some of its components or characteristics may be lost. I think that the unity of the opposites therefore is a necessity for the existence of equilibrium, so that though in opposition, they maintain a balance and order in an object, and in nature as a whole. This unity which brings about balance and order is what Heraclitus calls the logos. Parmenides’ views are a contrast to those of Heraclitus; a sharp turn around the notion of change. He denies the reality of change, motion and void. For him, change is impossible and incoherent. All existence is permanent, ungenerated, indestructible and unchanging. In his view, there are no opposites, no plurality. For him, change and motion were mere illusions. He favored pure reason as a path of understanding the world and its nature. He argued against the existence of void, equating it with non-being. For Parmenides, what ‘is’ must exist, and what ‘is not’ cannot exist, and is ‘completely unlearnable’. Only two things underlie reality for Parmenides: being and non-being. Anything that can exist and can be thought about must exist. It is therefore impossible to think or speak about what does not exist. Therefore, nothing cannot exist, and nothing can come into existence if it is not. For him, there is no difference between past, present and future. Therefore what is, already exists, and will exist, without change. What is, is therefore necessary. Parmenides names the logos of Heraclitus, being. He opposes two possibilities for thought, being and non-being, and says that being is the only way that can be for thinking. The most non-being could do would be to ‘not be.’ The appearances referred to as illusion or delusion are like what Heraclitus calls the ‘flux and flow’ of reality – beings coming to be and passing away; this permeates all reality; but in Parmenides’ view, they must only and can only return to being at what is perceived as destruction. For particular theorists, atomists in particular, the permanence of Parmenides and flux of Heraclitus are reconciled, and the atomic theory was conceived. I think this is their most important contribution to later metaphysicians.

Simon Bolivar Essay -- essays research papers

THE BEGINNING   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bolivar was born in Caracas on July 24, 1783 to don Juan Vicente Bolivar y Ponte y dona Maria de la Concepcion Palacios y Blanco. Simon received an excellent education from his tutors, Simon Rodriquez and Andres Bello. By the age of nine Bolivar lost both his parents, and was being taken care of by his uncle don Carlos Palacios. At the age of fifteen in 1799 he traveled to Spain to receive a better education. In Spain, Bolivar met Maria Teresa Rodriquez del Toro y Alaysa, they married in 1802. Right after Bolivar and his new wife returned to Venezuela, she died of malaria or yellow fever. Her death greatly effected Bolivar, he vowed not to marry again, and became a political and military figure. In Europe   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Napoleon Bonaparte was the Emperor of France, and was crowned as King of Italy. In 1808 Napoleon conquered Spain and chose his brother Joseph as the King of Spain. This created a large revolt in Spain known as the Peninsular Wars. In Spain many small groups were formed to fight against the new king. On the other hand in S. America the groups were formed to fight against the Spanish King and Joseph Bonaparte. That year Caracas, Bolivar hometown, declared independence from Spain. BACK IN S. AMERICA In 1808 Bolivar, Bello and Mendez were sent to England on a diplomatic mission. It was a failed attempt to gain an alliance. He returned to Venezuela in 1811...

Native Americans in the United States and African American Cowboys Essay

APUSH, DAY-2-2 TO WHOM AND TO WHAT EXTENT WAS THE AMERICAN WEST A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY 1865 – 1890 During the year of 1865 to 1890, the American’s west land was a land of economic development for Native American, white settlers from the east across the Mississippi farmers, miners, ranchers and as well as African American cowboys and immigrants for Irish and Chines, moving west for goal of economic achievement and their position for profit. First, the Native Americans people opened the way of exploitation of the west land naturel environment. The Dawes Act, which turned Indians into landowners and farmers and distributed 160 acres for farming, designed Indians as individual rather than a group of tribes. The railroad made their trip easier, which Pacific Railroad Act was passed in 186, law allowed construction of new transportation systems. The Act also provided grants of land and limited jobs for immigrants’ worker on railroad, especially Chines immigrants worked for a lower wage and discovered millions of gold and silvers. The immigrants worked for a wealthy white settler in the west. Moreover, the railroad opened faster access for transportation for castles, miners and all the peoples, who were making money. Including the Homestead Act was passed; its offered 160 acres of land for any settlers live on the land for five or more years with little registration fees. It helped poor people to achieve economic business and farmers who needed more land, were permitted to purchase of up to 160 acres of land for $2. 50. The farmers took advantage of Westland by doing international market, which mostly depended on railroads for shipment. Even farmers had difficulties of weather conditions, the produced the agricultural business by the Bonanza farm. The farmers were hopes to getting rich soon. Together with the African American cowboys and cattle industry turned into a new marker as well. Because of Indians on to new reservation and the railroad opportunities bring them easier transportation anywhere in urban markets; without the railroads the new business were take a time to make money . In brief, west land was a place of a new beginning for people who were moving for seeking life and opportunities and hoping to get rich. The wealthy white settlers made the most profit in Westland.

Essay on Opinion on Abortion - 1141 Words

Opinion on Abortion My own opinion of abortion is very varied. There are so many different reasons for abortions. Every woman who has had one will have had reasons. I am sure they wouldnt have decided in a few minutes that they were going to abort their baby. They would have thought long and hard about what to do. I put myself in the position of someone else. If I got pregnant now would I really be able to keep it. I would, for one, have to stop school and miss out on the education I would need to bring up a child. I probably wouldnt be able to cope with the emotional pressures and cope with the pain of giving birth. It all seems so easy before you see it through someone elses eyes. Women†¦show more content†¦Today, abortion is illegal in very few countries-even those with religious beliefs and traditions. During the 1960s and 1970s many governments relaxed their abortion laws and made it easier for women to terminate unwanted pregnancies. In a few countries such as the Soviet Union abortion is seen as an alternative to contraception. In China women are forced to have abortions because of the one-child-per-family policy. This policy is aimed at reducing the countrys overpopulation problems. Reasons for abortions with different circumstances If you are thinking that there are no valid reasons for abortion, just imagine a fourteen year old girl who has been raped. How can she be expected to get on with her life and ever recover if she has a baby? How can she receive a full education? Every time she looks at the baby, she will be reminded of her terrible experience. In some countries, for example, Russia and China, there is an absence of family planning. Abortion is used as a form of birth control. In Russia, a woman has on average four or five abortions in her lifetime. In China there are over ten million abortions annually. I think that the amount of money spent on abortions in these countries could be better spent on promoting contraceptives and family planning. I do not agreeShow MoreRelatedA Opinion On Abortion And Abortion897 Words   |  4 PagesEveryone has a different opinion on abortion. According to the Merriam- Webster dictionary, an abortion is â€Å"the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus, spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation, induced expulsion of a human fetus, expulsion of a fetus by a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy.† Abortion is, and always will be a controversialRead MoreOpinion on Abortion Essay1156 Words   |  5 PagesOpinion on Abortion Abortion is when a foetus is expelled from its mothers womb before the pregnancy reaches full term (usually 40 weeks). The abortion act says that a woman can have an abortion if the pregnancy would put her in danger, or if the baby was so handicapped that it could not survive independently and it would have no quality of life. The act also says that these reasons for abortion are accepted whereas a woman who simply did not want another child wouldRead MorePolitical Opinions on Abortion Essays1223 Words   |  5 PagesAbortion is one of the most hotly contested social issue’s in American politics. It has been used as a political tool by the Republicans (conservative Right) to mobilize its opponents as a strong voting block within the party. On the other side, the Democrats (liberal Left) has use their pro-choice stance over the issue to mobilize women voters, along with other proponents who believe that abortion should be a viable option for pregnant women. It is in this context in which the political debate ofRead MoreA Literature Review of the Popular Opinion on Abortion1651 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Literature Review Popular Opinion on Abortion Abortion has long been a source of acrimonious and controversial debate. It touches upon key ethical, moral, philosophical, biological, and legal issues. Opinions about abortion tend to be rooted in fundamental personal values which are unlikely to change. Many people, especially Christians, regard abortion as murder. Such people oppose abortion in varying degrees, calling their position Pro-Life. Others regard abortion as an excruciating yet criticalRead MoreReligious Opinions and Views on Abortion Essay1407 Words   |  6 PagesReligious Opinions and Views on Abortion In examining religious opinions on abortion, one must find common ground on which to form a foundation of comparison. With most of the religions to date, that common ground lies on the argument of whether or not a fetus is an actual person. Some religions protest by saying a fetus isnt a conscious being -- therefore there is no loss in doing away with it. But for those religions that do believe there is a life -- or any spiritual being -- in a fetusRead MoreAbortion Is Wrong: An Opinion Essay2433 Words   |  10 PagesAbortion is Wrong The argument should abortion be legal or illegal? can be argued both ways, and where I stand is somewhere in the middle. I am Catholic, and believe strongly that abortion is a sin because it constitutes the murder of human life. However, I also believe that abortion should be allowed for women who were raped. An accidental pregnancy, however, is not an excuse to have an abortion. The practice of carrying the child to term sometimes wakes up the woman to the possibility of motherhoodRead MoreSocietal Attitudes Toward Abortion : Public Opinion Varies Based On The Situation Surrounding The Pregnancy1606 Words   |  7 PagesSocietal Attitudes Toward Abortion Public opinion varies based on the situation surrounding the pregnancy. Whether it may be an unplanned pregnancy or a rape, the topic of abortion always receives different extremities of reactions. In situations where a privileged couple gets pregnant and simply does not have time for a baby and gets an abortion, the public may react differently than from a situation where a 15 year old girl is raped by her stepfather and gets pregnant. There appears to be a spectrumRead MoreArgumentative Essay On Abortion1546 Words   |  7 Pagesmother.† Abortion is the way of ending pregnancy by removing the fetus or embryo before it can survive outside the matrix, which can also allow women to choose whether they want to become a mother or not. However, people have developed the controversy about abortions. Abortion debate is an ongoing debate which has involved moral, legal, biological and religious status of the induced abortion. In this controversy, there are two groups emerged. The gro up of people who hold the opinion that abortion shouldRead MoreAmerican History: Fighting for the Freedom of Choice763 Words   |  3 PagesAbortions being made illegal in the late 1880’s created a lot of â€Å"underground† abortion procedures. The abortions performed were not safe, they were expensive, and often time’s male doctors would force women to have intimate relations with them before the procedure. In the 1950s, about a million illegal abortions a year were performed in the U.S., and over a thousand of those women died each year as a result. It wasn’t until the civil rights and antiwar movements in the 1960’s that women began toRead More Abortion Essay1082 Words   |  5 Pages ABORTION Abortion, in my opinion, has been one of the largest debataable issues in American Society. There are so many aspects and views to examine before one can even begin to form their own opinion. In order to discuss an important issue such as abortion, we must first understand what it means. Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before the fetus has developed and grown enough to live outside the mother. When abortion happens naturally before the 20th week it is called a spontaneous abortion