Platos Philosophical Significance (in Regards to Metaphysics, and Ethics Essay Example for Free

Platos Philosophical Significance (in Regards to Metaphysics, and Ethics Essay Philosophy spans the reaches of the human mind in countless topics, but is often divided into three main branches: metaphysics, the study of the nature of existence; epistemology, the study of knowledge and truth; and ethics, the study of morals. One of the first philosophers to look at these fields is Plato (427BCE-347BCE), whose writings are incredibly influential. Plato’s work lays the fundament for philosophy because of his cohesive contributions to the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Firstly, Plato’s work with Forms greatly influences metaphysics. He contributes the idea of the Forms which exist as â€Å"eternal and perfect ideals that exist in an unchanging, perfect heaven (via Velasquez, 2002, p. 84). [2] The Forms contrast with worldly matter; this contrast leads to Plato’s next contribution to metaphysics, his concept of â€Å"Two Worlds. † Plato divides reality into the worlds of senses and forms, the latter of which he considers to be true reality and where the soul resides. Finally, Plato’s description of the tripartite human soul greatly influences St. Augustine’s religious work on Christianity 800 years later. Therefore, Plato’s Forms helped shape metaphysics. Secondly, Plato’s Forms and myths built the foundation for epistemology. Plato argues that due to the souls unchanging nature, the process of â€Å"learning† is the soul’s recollection of knowledge. He also provides two myths, both closely related to his metaphysical works. In the first, the Chariot Allegory, Plato describes a charioteer en route to heaven, in which there exists â€Å"true reality [the forms] with which real knowledge is concerned (as cited by Velasquez, p. 84). The journey is impeded by an unruly horse that represents ignobility. The concept of the journey’s difficulty is mirrored, finally, in the Allegory of the Cave, which discusses ignorance and the escape thereof. Thus, Plato’s myths form the basis of epistemology. Finally, Plato’s work in ethics regarding justice is among the first and most influential. Firstly, he defines justice as the balance between the three parts of the tripartite soul. Thus, his justice theory states that justice in both the state and the individual is defined by â€Å"harmony between the various parts for the good of the whole† (Velasquez, 2002, p. 630). This justice theory shows cohesiveness with Plato’s tripartite theory of the soul. Finally, Plato associates justice with merit: individuals are treated proportionally to their talents and accomplishments. Hence, Platos philosophies regarding justice form the starting point for the field of ethics. In conclusion, Plato’s writings act as a basis and connection for the three main branches of philosophy: metaphysics, through his Forms; epistemology, through his myths; and ethics, through his justice theory. His influence on philosophy and society is expansive and, as such, Plato is one of the most significant philosophers. That his ideas are still being taught to modern day shows the true nature of philosophy: to pose questions so profound that they cannot be answered 2500 years later.

Social Male Behaviors On Sundays Essay -- essays research papers

There are many misconceptions about Sundays and its effect on people. I’m here to clear it up from the male’s perspective, and to show women how to deal with these behaviors. Many women believe that Sunday is a sacred day, a time to be together with the one you love most and go to church . This is true, but Sunday is also the time for sports, testosterone driven activities, and for males to hang out with the other males. Sundays seems to bring out a primal instinct inside us men that lays dormant through out the week. These instincts are brought out by the excitement of sports and the surrounding. So here are some insights into our behaviors, eating habits, and our rituals to let you understand us better during these times.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the main rituals on Sundays is gathering of us male species at various places to be with others like us. One of the places the male species often go to are called bars. These places are like heaven to the male specie. I myself have had first hand experiences with these places. Last Sunday I decided to go to a local bar call Hooters with some of my buddies to observe these ritual behaviors for myself. Upon entering the bar, I knew that it was truly a place for us males to hang out. The walls were filled with sport memorabilia, and on all twelve television sets where either football games or other sport related things. Another thing that made it a true guys’ hang out were the good food and the waitresses. All of the waitresses were all shaped nicely, wearing provocative clothing which made them truly candy for the eyes. Another one of these places that we male species like to socialize is their own dwellings or another’s. When the male specie hang out they don’t like to do it alone, and so others males would join in on the fun. There are also requirements in order for the visiting males to be included in this ritual; they must present a â€Å"Gift of Flavor† upon the visit. Although we male species will consume almost anything that might be digestible on most days, Sundays on the other hand we male species will follow a strict diet. The diet states that, only food products that contain either great amount of salt, cheese, meat, or sugar may be consumed. Also that each serving of these foods must contain no less than 2 grams of fat, otherwise the food is considered sacrileges. Also the most essential part of... ... primal instincts will go away but there are time frames when these behaviors will start to decrease. People have noticed that they start to decrease after the last post game show on television had ended and football too is gone for the day. But some scientists believe that availability of alcohol plays a major part in the decrease, because the party is over when the drinks are gone. The only way that you can make it easier on you during these times is to just go with the flow. Be lazy too or fix things, by doing this you will notice that the time will fly by. Or you can pick up our hobbies, like football, drinking beer and hot wings. Because if we see that you’re cool we will invite you to our gatherings. But if think that doing these are not for you, you can just stay the hell away from us. Go to your parents’ house, girl friends’, or siblings’ and do your feminine activities. We won’t interfere with your rituals. But please understand it’s not our fault, we don’t do this because we want to, it just that it is part of being a man. And I hope in reading this you have learned and understand more about the men in your life. And that it’s up to you to decide how it will affect you.

Excel Hygiene

Excel Hygiene is a new start-up enterprise, specialized in the management and disposal of bio-medical waste. The company has been established by a team of biotechnologists with core technical competence in the degradation of organic material using microbes especially naturally occurring bacteria. All health care facilities and institutions need to manage their medical wastes, which include body parts, metallic and plastic disposable parts and aids, as well as waste of both organic and inorganic origins.Large hospitals have incineration and compacting facilities of their own, but clinics and small nursing homes lack economies of scale to operate their own waste management facilities. Though bio-medical waste management and disposal is the intended core of the enterprise, medical institutions expect comprehensive hygiene services comprising removal of pathogenic loads, rodent, crawler, and vector control as well. The new company will therefore have to provide these ancillary services a s well.Personnel training and efficient logistics are the keys to success in this business. Hospitals and clinics will have no hesitation in terminating contracts if waste if not removed in time, or if their infections rates soar. Waste must be compacted and incinerated only in designated areas, and must be collated at these sites before degradation is advanced. Therefore the new company has decided to limit its operations to an area of about one thousand square kilometers.The present market for hygiene services in this area has been estimated to be just about $50 million, but a three fold increase is expected in the next 5 years, as environmental consciousness spreads. Biotechnology is a relatively new field and the number of players is limited in this segment. The business offers superior growth and profit potentials for new start up companies . This kind of enterprise has high social values as well.

Housing Affordability Is A Growing Concern For Many...

Housing affordability has become a growing concern for many Australian citizens in the past decade. The median Australian house price has risen substantially in the past ten years and has increased at a rate that has exceeded the median income. Between 2012 and 2014, the median house price rose by $76,700, and income rose by $4113.20. Putting those numbers into perspective, the average income in 2014 rose by merely 2.3% in comparison to house prices which rose by 9.23%. Australia’s housing affordability crisis is further highlighted by the International Monetary Fund, who stated, â€Å"Australia has the 3rd most expensive housing market on the planet†. In addressing the issue currently, the Australian government has a combination of policy and†¦show more content†¦The Australian dream of home ownership is under threat, and currently, the nation is facing a serious long-term structural problem in relation to the availability of affordable housing within the cou ntry. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that since 1982, citizens aged between 25 and 34, who are able to afford their own property have fallen from 56% in 1982 to 34% in 2011, a 30 year low. If this figure is not damning enough, an Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Income and Housing revealed that between 1982 and 2011, the percentage of home buyers that spent more than 30% of their gross income on housing costs, increased from 10% to 21%. This figure in itself demonstrates the problem of rising house prices within the nation, especially when income is not growing at the same pace. The growing problem of housing affordability has many serious long-term structural implications, and so, in order for any response to effective in addressing the issue, it is important that the government understands the factors that have contributed to the lack of affordable housing in Australia, both in the supply side and the demand side. Although there are several underlying reasons for the increasing house prices, the main catalysts behind the skyrocketing property prices stem from the demand side of the issue. Australia’s lack of affordable housing is a result of a rapidly growing