Scientific Determinism: Undermines Basic Principles?
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4 pages in length. The nature of scientific determinism is such that people all follow the same path of existence no matter how they are or where they live; their lives are governed solely by the forces of universal law. As such, each individual life is predisposed to the causes that compel him to behave a certain way and make the choices he ultimately does, a finite reality that serves to surrender the fundamental components of a principled existence. Challenging the notion of free will, scientific determinism has been accused of relinquishing man from his inherent moral responsibility as well as placing any reality of the afterlife in serious question. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: TLCsciendeter.rtf

Semiological Analysis of a Television Show -- “Touched by an Angel”
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This 5 page report discusses the semiologic aspects of the prime-time television show “Touched by an Angel.” In contemporary popular culture, television serves as one of the best possible representations of how it is possible to understand larger realities about society and social beliefs via the stories told and symbols presented. The popular prime-time show “Touched by an Angel” illustrates such a process. The show is almost an ancient morality play in which the players learn greater truths about themselves and the world in which they live. The symbols and signals presented as a common denominator in each episode fit into a number of the assumptions made by Western humanity regarding “seeing the light” and personal redemption. Bibliography lists one source.
Filename: BWsemitv.wps

Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and Aristotle’s “Poetics”
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A 5 page paper which discusses the similarities and differences between “Hamlet” and “Poetics.” No additional sources cited.
Filename: RAhamari.rtf

Shunryu Suzuki’s “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind”
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This 3 page report discusses Shunryu Suzuki (1905-1971) who was a direct spiritual descendant of the great thirteenth-century Zen Master, Dogen. Excerpts from his lectures form the basis form the basis of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. Bibliography lists only the primary source.
Filename: BWzenbeg.rtf

Sigmund Freud: The Future of an Illusion
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5 pages. In Freud's book The Future of an Illusion, Freud points out that there are definite arguments between science and religion and that the two could never complement one another. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Filename: JGAfreu.rtf

Skepticism: Hume and Peirce
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A paper which compares the philosophies of Hume and Peirce, with specific reference to the scientific method, empiricism, determinism, and human enquiry into natural phenomena. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: JLempskep.rtf

Songs of Timelessness - The Poetry of Walt Whitman
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A 3-page paper that examines the transcendentalist ideas of infinity and timelessness that are conveyed through the works of Walt Whitman. Included is a discussion of Crossing Brooklyn Ferry and Song of Myself, both of which are included in Whitman's Leaves of Grass and both of which express the central idea of an ongoing cycle of life and death. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: LCSongs.doc

Soul/Body Duality
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A 3 page essay that considers the problem of mind or soul and body duality. The writer argues that the body/soul duality that runs throughout the course of Western cultural tradition is an erroneous concept that can be traced to male anxiety over his position in the natural scheme of things. The desire to separate from their mothers is a primary psychological task for males. Furthermore, they feel compelled by their sex drive to have dominion over women. This creates numerous contradictory yet compelling drives that war in the male mind. The division of the identity--mind or soul versus body--divorces the male psyche from this entire boondoggle of confusion and affords the illusion that the urges of the body are not really him, that is, that his true identity rests solely in the mind. This point is argued. No sources are cited/no bibliography is provided.
Filename: khmbdual.rtf

Space, Time And Relations
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8 pages in length. Martin Buber's concept of relation maintains three specific spheres in which relation takes place: I, Thou and It. Abraham Joshua Heschel's theory of the worlds of time and space holds a special meaning in man's existence with regard to perception. Noting how the world of time is exhibited by the interaction between people and the world of space is one where people interact with nature and other nonhuman entities, one can readily understand the impact such holistic theory has upon the way in which both worlds operate in today's society. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Filename: TLCSpaceTime.rtf

Spinoza's Account of Mind & Body Interaction
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An 11 page research paper that discusses how Baruch Spinoza (late seventeenth century philosopher) addressed the relationship between the mind and body. An examination of Spinoza's philosophy as expressed in his Ethics Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect demonstrates the value of Spinoza's position, which addresses the classic "mind-body" problem. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: khspinmb.rtf

Spinoza's Treatment of Religion Compared to that of the Medievals:
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This 4 page paper refers to Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise in order to compare and contrast the similiarities and differences between the treatment of religion by Spinoza and that of the medieval philosophers. This paper highlights the naturalistic influence of the medievals upon Spinoza as well as many of their specific differences. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Filename: GSSpinza.rtf

Spirituality
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A 20 page research paper that investigates the topic of spirituality. The philosophical perspective of postmodernism has left people feeling adrift and rudderless in a world that has no meaning or purpose. In answer to this situation, many people, including scholars, have turned to the topic of spirituality and religion as a means for charting a new and purposeful course into the future. Examining this sociological trend reveals that it has evolved organically out of Western culture's history and also relates to specific features that are characteristic of human religious expression as a whole, that is, encompassing Eastern religious orientations. This examination attempts to find common threads between the thrust of Western spirituality, which is primarily Christian spirituality, and how this aspect of religiosity relates to theology, mysticism and fits within the legacy of postmodernism. Bibliography lists 15 sources.
Filename: khsprmys.rtf

Spirituality and Ralph Waldo Emerson
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A 3 page discussion of Emerson's philosophies and accomplishments. The author of this paper emphasizes that while Emerson is perhaps remembered most for his nature writings and back-to-the land philosophy, he should equally be remembered for his spirituality. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Filename: PPemersn.rtf

St. Augustine And Free Will
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This 5 page paper presents a discussion of Augustine's thoughts about free will. The paper discusses this specific premise: "The creature who sins with free will is more excellent than the creature who does not sin because he has no free will." The writer then incorporates these questions in the discussion: Why does Augustine make this kind of statement? What are his underlying assumptions? Are the assumptions always true? What problems emanate from assumptions and how would Augustine respond to the problems? Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: PGaugswl.rtf

St. Augustine And The Existence Of God
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This 4 page paper briefly explains Augustine's a priori and an a posteriori arguments to prove the existence of God. The essay also outlines Augustine's seven statements to demonstrate there is just one God. The writer also comments on how Augustine approached the issue of evil. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: PGaugus.rtf

St. Augustine and the Trinity
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A 14 page paper which discusses Augustine’s theology and philosophy concerning the Doctrine of the Trinity. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: TGaugtrin.rtf

St. Thomas Aquinas
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In this 3 page paper, the author overviews St. Thomas' thoughts on politics, power and law. The author also comments on who influenced Aquinas and why specific writings are compared to a gothic cathedral. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: PGaqun.rtf

St. Thomas Aquinas On Autonomy And Freedom
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A 6 page paper that discusses whether or not Aquinas successfully argued for the existence of man's autonomy and freedom. The essay discusses mostly Proof Three, Questions 3, 14 and 19. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: PGaqfrd.RTF

St. Thomas Aquinas on Natural Law:
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This 5 page paper discusses the contributions of St. Thomas Aquinas in terms of Natural Law doctrine. Description of Natural Law is included as well as other Aquinas philosophies and background. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Filename: GSAquina.rtf

Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali
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A 6 page critical review of the story by D.T. Niane. Briefly relates this age-old story from Western Africa. Emphasizes that this brief story manages to incorporate many critical aspects of culture, of conflict, and even of sorcery and magic. It is a story of friendship, of interpersonal relationships and a story of destiny. It is also a story, however, which provides an interesting basis for the question of whether an individual is responsible for their own destiny. In "Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali" we have a situation in which oral tradition proves to be a ready target for a contemporary theoretic approach to the subject of destiny. No additional sources are listed.
Filename: PPsundia.wps

Swinburne/Existence of God
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A 4 page essay that examines Swinburne's text and argument, which the writer argues is basically the cosmological argument for the existence of God. However, while Swinburne's argument is impressive in its detail and overall logic structure, it still suffers from the classic flaws that can be found in all standard cosmological arguments. This examination of Swinburne's text presents a brief summary of his argument and then offers rebuttal to his basic premise, which does necessarily mean that God does not exist. No additional sources cited.
Filename: khswineg.rtf

Teleological and Mechanistic World Views
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A 5 page paper which discusses the teleological and mechanistic world views and discusses how the define, or involve, God and/or purpose in life. They are discussed briefly as they involve ontological arguments, and then presented in relationship to how three separate philosophers fit in to one particular view or another. The philosophers are Frankl, Descartes, and Nietzsche. The works discussed are, respectively, "Man's Search for Meaning," "Meditations," and "The Antichrist." No additional sources cited.
Filename: RAteleolog.wps

The "Argument from Design" Position
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This 5 page paper presents Hume's views on God as well as an exploration into his works where he looks at both sides of the argument. His Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion is the focus of the paper. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: SA046Hme.wps

The Absence of Proof in the Arguments of Thomas Aquinas
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This 5 page paper looks at the structure and format of the five arguments that are put forward by St Thomas Aquinas for proof of the existence of God. The writer then goes on to examine his second argument, discussing the flaws and potential errors in the logical of Aquinas due to his assumptions and omissions. The bibliography cites 3 sources.
Filename: TEaquin1.wps

The Afterlife: Possibilities of Life After Death
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A 5 page discussion of the religious belief of an afterlife, the existence of consciousness and human experience past the point of physiological death. This paper uses logical analysis to demonstrate the validity of the concept of an afterlife. Dissects the theorem into several basic postulates or axioms which are self evident and self-proving. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: PPaftrlf.rtf

The Battle Between Freewill & Determinism / Arguing In Favor Of Freewill
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In 7 pages the author discusses the age long battle between the doctrines of freewill and determinism. The writer posits that mankind does, indeed, have freewill. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Filename: Battlefd.wps

The Compatibility of Evolution and Christianity:
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This 3 page paper examines whether or not Christianity is compatible with the theory of evolution. This paper conludes that with the exception of fundamentalist Christian groups, the theory of evolution is indeed compatible with Christianity. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: GSScievo.rtf

The Concept of Evil
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A 6 page examination of evil as it relates to an all-powerful God. This paper explains evil using Richard Swineburg’s writings and extensively references the Bible itself. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: PPrlgEvilGodAllPowerful.rtf

The Concept of Hierarchy in the World View of Thomas Aquinas
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A five page paper which considers the way in which Thomas Aquinas’ hierarchical cosmology was reflected in the social order and academic disciplines of the medieval era, and the consequent inter-relationship of religious and secular law and methodologies. Bibliography lists 4 sources
Filename: JLaquin.wps

The Convergence of the Systematic, the Biblical, and the Pastoral in a Unified Christian Belief
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This 6 page report discusses The Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) and its call for unity. The Council and its outcomes resulted in major changes in the Church and the ways in which the Church was understood as well as the Church’s own definitions and recognition of the fundamental theological constructs. Three such constructs or unique areas of theology considered are the systematic, the biblical, and the pastoral and the ways in which such areas must converge in order to attain the goal of unity. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: BWsecvat.wps

The Cosmological Argument
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This 4 page paper examines two of the forms the cosmological argument takes; it follows the premise-objection-rebuttal format. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: HVCosArg.rtf

The Design Argument For The Existence Of God
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An 8 page paper. Does the design argument prove the existence of God? The writer uses William Paley's Statement of the Argument to present the design argument and then, cites Hume's criticisms of the argument. The writer brings St. Thomas Aquinas' argument about the designer into the discussion and concludes the design argument can prove the existence of God. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: PGhumpl.rtf

The Determinism Philosophy of Baron d'Holbach vs. the Free Will of William James
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A 5 page paper which contrasts the philosophy of determinism, advocated by Baron d'Holbach (Paul Henri Thiry) with William James' freedom of the will. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: TGholjam.wps

The Development Of Natural Law
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A 3 page paper that begins with a definition of natural law. The writer then explores thoughts on natural law from Socrates, Plato, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: PGntrlw.rtf

The Ethical Theories of Immanuel Kant: Description, Application and Criticisms
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This is a 12 page paper discussing the ethical theories of Immanuel Kant. German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) proposed categorical imperatives in his theories of ethics which disregarded aspects of the theories of utilitarianism and instead advocated the importance of rationality, morality and preservation of human dignity in the justification of moral decisions. In this way he ventured that individuals should act in ways in which their actions would be willed into universal law and these same actions would apply to everyone and in the vital treatment of humanity should be considered as an end in itself in actions and decisions. The justice behind Kant’s theories provide a basis for moral decision making which are still applied across many disciplines today through the promotion of human dignity and universal application. Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Filename: TJKante1.rtf

The Existence of God: Aquinas and Hume
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A 5 page paper which examines Aquinas and Hume’s arguments concerning the existence of God. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: RAgodhme.rtf

The Existence of God: Presentation of an Atheist and Theist Argument
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This is a 10 page paper presenting an argument about the existence of God from an atheist and theist standpoint ending in favor of the theist. Generally the arguments for the existence of God center on five different approaches: the argument of contingency, the argument from design, the ontological argument, the argument as a presupposition of values and morals, and the argument for proof by religious experience. The argument of design of the universe, or teleological arguments based on science are those most often proposed by atheists (A) although theists (T) do have comparable arguments as rebuttal and the arguments of morals and values provide the most sound base. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: TJdiGod1.rtf

The Fool Argument
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This 10 page paper contemplates the argument of the Fool in Chapter XV of Hobbes' The Leviathan. Many quotes are included. No additional sources cited.
Filename: SA445foo.rtf

The Free Will Problem
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This 5 page paper examines the problem of freedom and determinism. Compatibalism is discussed as a solution. This is written on a level suitable for a high school student. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: SA813fre.rtf

The Great Chain of Being
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This 7 page paper describes this concept in philosophy. It then goes on to explore the ideas of Pascal, Descartes and Spinoza and how their concepts apply. Proofs of God's existence are explored. Chaos theory is also defined and included in the discussion. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: SA350gcb.rtf

The Gulf Between God's Epistomology and Human Epistomology:
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This 7 page paper disagree's with the assertion that we cannot understand God and He cannot understand us. This paper asserts that born-again Christians can indeed understand God through the Bible and that He can understand us because He is omnipotnent. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: GSGulfGd.rtf

The Ideologies of David Hume
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An 8 page overview of Hume’s approach to logic. This paper explores Hume’s perceptions of the concepts of “similar impressions”, “inductive verses deductive reasoning”, “a priori statements”, “cause and effect”, “free will”, and “miracles”. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: PPhume2.rtf

The Immortality of the Human Soul: A Defense of Platonic Thought
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An 8 page discussion of Plato’s contention that the soul is immortal. Outlines Plato’s view of the soul (including several quotes from the “Phaedo”) and presents his arguments justifying that view. Notes that these arguments have been the point of much contention among those that disagree with Plato. Presents examples of arguments designed to disprove Plato’s concept of an immortal soul. Points out the errors in each concluding that the soul is intangible but that just as molecules, whether those molecules comprise hamburger meat, cardboard, or water, continue to exist past the point that they are intermixed either with themselves or other material, the soul persist immortally. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: PPplatoS.wps

The Influence of Religion on American Education
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(5 pp.) When we try to break down the influence of religion on American education, it would almost seem easier to try and determine those times that religion did not have an influence on the education system in the United States. This discussion will look at historical influences of religion on American education, and project some possible reconsiderations. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: BBinflre.doc

The Intention Of The Holy Ghost ……
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A 3 page paper. The initial stimulus for the paper is a comment reported by Galileo: "the intention of the Holy Ghost is to teach us how one goes to heaven, not how heaven goes." The meaning of this statement is discussed in terms of Scripture versus Science. The essay also comments on some of Machiavelli's political writings. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: PGgaleo.RTF