S/P/382. Sartre's positive account of imagination

The paper examines the ideas of Jean Paul Sartre focusing on the concepts of imagination and existentialism. Pictorial and perceptual cognitive models are discussed with reference to Sartre's philosophy arguing whether the consciousness of imagination is weaker than the consciousness of perception.

S/P/378. Analysis of David Wood's essay "What is Ecophenomenology?"

The paper presents a review of David Wood's work on Ecophenomenology, a bridge between phenomenology and naturalism, discussing whether these two ideologies can correlate with each other. The key concepts of phenomenology and naturalism are considered including intentionality and causality.

S/P/379. Book Review: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels: 'The Communist Manifesto'

The paper reviews 'The Communist Manifesto' by Marx and Engels discussing their ideas about class struggle, the features of the proletariat and bourgeoisie, their attitudes to the means of production, etc.

S/P/369. State of Nature in Hobbes and Locke: What is the Contemporary Relevance of these Thinkers?

The paper examines the ideas of 'state of nature' philosophers John Locke and Thomas Hobbes discussing their contribution to the modern theory of international relations. Definitions of the natural state are reviewed with reference to the historical periods of the philosophers' lives and comparing the state of nature with the state of war, the rule of law, etc. Modern day examples of the 'state of nature' are presented.

S/P/327. Critically evaluate Michel Foucault's influence on the conception of the self

The paper examines Michel Foucault's views on the social construction of self identity in the context of human history. Philosophers' opinions about his genealogical method are reviewed addressing the problem of creating a conception of one's own self in a societal mold.

S/P/341. Should Hume be interpreted as Maintaining a Regularity Theory of Causation?

The paper examines the views of David Hume on the links between cause and effect known as 'regulatory' theory and 'modified necessity' theory. Philosophical understanding of causation is discussed arguing the amount of experience sufficient to establish the cause and effect relationship between phenomena.

S/P/342. 'Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law' (Kant). How effective is this principle for identifying our moral obligations?

The paper examines Kant's principle of categorical imperative looking at its foundations in Kant's philosophy and discussing his understanding of morality and the inherent conception of 'goodness'. The rational nature of moral duty is argued.

S/P/343. Critically assess Berkeley's claim 'esse est percipi'

The paper examines the principle of Berkeley's idealism 'to be is to be perceived' providing an overview of the philosopher's interpretation of the world, his rejection of Locke's materialism, the argument for the existence of God, etc. Objections to Berkeley's immaterialism are considered.

S/P/344. Is it possible that Judas might not have betrayed Jesus?

The paper addresses the dilemma of God's omnipotence arguing whether evil could be prevented in the best possible world of benevolence. The approach of Gottfried Leibniz to the dilemma is considered explaining why it was impossible for Judas to have not betrayed Jesus.

S/P/345.Critically analyse Locke's account of volitions

The paper examines John Locke' ideas about the causative relation between the volition to perform an action and the action itself. Criticism of his theory is provided; the qualities of volition are identified; the existence of 'volitional determinism' is argued.

S/P/346. What insights did Marx have about the nature of work? How relevant are his insights for our own time?

The paper examines the approach of Karl Marx to the nature of work as a response to the human needs and the way to realise our creative potential. Critique of Marx's theory is presented reviewing the ideas of Giddens and other modern philosophers.

S/P/347. Is it a mistake to think of Mind and Body as Two Distinct Substances?

The paper addresses the problem of whether mind and body are two different substances examining Descartes' concept of dualism, religious views on the problem, etc. It is argued how can a mental thought lead to a physical outcome if they are two entirely different things.

S/P/348. How plausible is Nietzsche's critique of conventional morality?

The paper examines Nietzsche's views on good and evil discussing his accusation of Christian ethics as 'slave morality'. Critique of his understanding of conventional morality is reviewed.

S/P/349. What provides moral motivation? A discussion with reference to egoism in Plato

The paper examines the views of Plato on the motivation behind moral behaviour discussing the modern understanding of the psychology of empathy and arguing whether moral motivation stems merely from egoism and the need to provide satisfactory life for oneself.

S/P/350. Discuss the merits and the demerits of Rawls's incorporation of a 'veil of ignorance' into his account of the 'original position'

The paper looks at the debate around John Rawl's social contract theory examining his understanding of justice and arguing whether all humans are non-altruistic by nature and act under the 'veil of ignorance'. It is discussed whether absolute equality and freedom can exist in social and economic circumstances.

S/P/352. Explain Sartre's belief that 'life begins on the other side of despair'

The paper examines existentialist ideas of Sartre discussing his principles of categorical imperative, law of utility, etc., and arguing whether, according to Sartre, there are no moral absolutes and no avoidance of the anguish of freedom. Critique of Sartre's theory is presented touching on the concepts of self-deception and bad faith.

S/P/353. Why does Sartre believe that the authentic writer has freedom as his aim?

The paper examines Sartre's understanding of the task of a writer discussing the interdependence of the writer and reader, the nature of literature as a method of communication, the responsibility of the writer for what he writes, the freedom of self manifestation in the acts of writing, etc.

S/P/354. Why does Meursault wish to be hated on the day of his execution?

The paper analyses the protagonist of 'The Outsider' by Camus presenting the gist of the story and looking at the philosophy behind Camus's 'outsider' concept and the absurd meaninglessness of human existence.

S/P/355. In Huis Clos, how do objects contribute to the construction of hell?

The paper analyses Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist drama 'Huis Clos' describing the general features of the existentialist movement and Sartre's philosophy of 'being-for-itself' and 'nothingness' reflected in his play.

S/P/357. What are the advantages of Spinoza's conception of the relation between mind and body compared to that of Descartes?

The paper examines philosophical approaches to the relationship between mind and body comparing Descartes' dualism with the ideas of Spinoza. The problems around the dualism of mind and body are discussed arguing that material phenomena cannot originate from mental ones if they are entirely different. Spinoza's isomorphic approach to the problem of interaction is reviewed.

S/P/358. What is Spinoza's concept of substance? Can there only be one substance?

The paper examines Spinoza's metaphysical understanding of the concept of substance as equivalent to God or Nature. Logical inconsistencies of his theory of substance monism and self-causation are highlighted; criticisms of Spinoza by Descartes is reviewed.

S/P/365. Can the Cartesian Principle of causal adequacy be used to construct a convincing argument for the existence Of God?

The paper examines the principle of causal adequacy used by Descartes as an argument for the existence of God reviewing philosophers' opinions about whether the cause of ideas proves the existence of these ideas. The difference between 'efficient' causes and 'material' causes is discussed.

S/P/366. Critically evaluate Descartes' mind/body dualism in the context of sociological debates about identity

The paper examines the theory of the dualism of mind and body by Rene Descartes discussing the possibility of self-knowledge and arguing whether a person's identity is independent of social and material relations. Philosophic views on the interaction between body and mind are discussed.

Page 1>Page 2>Page 3>Page 4>Page 6>