S/P/325. Compare and evaluate essentialist and social constructionist views on identity

The paper examines how we construct our identity critically reviewing the theories of essentialism and social constructivism. Philosophical approaches to identity are discussed including Freud's views on the unconsciousness, racist perspectives on essentialism, etc. and arguing a dialectic approach to the relations between essentialist and social constructionist understanding of identity.

S/P/338. Is there a genuine distinction between (i) acting with a will that is free and (ii) acting of one's own free will?

The paper examines the concept of free will with reference to the ideas of Harry Frankfurt discussing his views on the conflict between 'first-order' desires and 'second-order' desires, the struggle against addiction in individuals, and the issues of moral responsibility for our actions. Frankfurt's approach to the difference between acting freely and a free will is critically examined.

S/P/340. Do we have any moral duties towards animals? If so, what are they?

The paper examines the view of Immanuel Kant on duties towards animals comparing it with those of Jeremy Bentham and Peter Singer and arguing the existence of moral separation between humans and non-humans. It is stated that needless cruelty towards animals should be abolished.

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/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/351. What do you understand by 'relativism'? To what extent, if at all, is the social scientist obliged to be a relativist?

The paper examines the methodology of relativism used in social science. Epistemological and ontological forms of relativism are described reviewing criticism of the relativist thesis. The implications of cultural relativism as a scientific approach are considered.

S/P/298. In what way does academic psychology depend upon a certain conception of the self? To what extent is this conception justifiable?

The paper looks at the concept of the self examining the views of Descartes, Foucault, Rose, Hume, etc. The development of the 'self' conceptions is considered arguing that the understanding of the self lies on the boundaries between sociology, political theory and psychology.

S/P/286. One Theory of Modernity holds that 'nothing remains stable, nothing is consensually accepted; there is dissent about everything everywhere. This is modernity'. Discuss.

The paper examines the concept of modernity from a historical perspective reviewing the theories of modernity suggested by Berkley, David Hume, John Locke, Karl Marx etc.

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