Friday, January 31, 2020

Confusion misconception Essay Example for Free

Confusion misconception Essay In real life, we encounter many arguments designed to gain our approval. But it is dangerous not to critically analyze these arguments for they may be fallacious. According to â€Å"A fallacy is a type of argument that may seem to be correct but which proves upon examination not to be so†( Copi 72). Fallacious arguments can mislead or deceive people into accepting or believing that an idea /opinion is true/correct or an action is right when in fact, they are not. Ideas/opinions influence our reasoning, that influences our actions, and which in turn directs our destiny. If we have false ideas/opinions then we are more likely to commit wrong actions or give wrong judgment. Therefore, it is important to recognize fallacies for our own sake. On the other hand, knowing fallacies also helps a person how to express his ideas clearly and concisely, having confidence that he was not being misunderstood for he know that what he was trying to say was clearly delivered, having avoided the pitfalls of fallacious reasoning. It also enhances his skill in using the right terms or language to avoid confusion or misconception ( Copi 72-73 and101). The ability to recognize fallacies makes a person a better thinker for then he will be able to use correct reasoning to weigh the â€Å"truthfulness† or â€Å"wrongness† of an idea, opinion or action and hence he will be able to avoid the negative consequences associated with erroneous reasoning. Knowing fallacies therefore, help our thinking abilities, for then it enables a person to â€Å"formulate arguments rigorously and to scrutinize them critically† with the use of logic (Copi 101). Part 2. I agree with the author above that it is important to know fallacies for it will help me to be more cautious and critical in evaluating or accepting an opinion /idea thrown in my direction from various sources. It will help me not to be deceived to agree or to commit an act that at first glance may be right but in the end is fatally wrong. Moreover, I agree with what the author stated that recognizing fallacies makes me a better thinker for, with the use of correct method of reasoning, I will be able to recognize errors in the presentation of arguments. Lastly, I agree with the author’s conclusion that knowing Fallacies enhances my thinking ability for it helps me to be logical, and therefore, not being easily swayed by the opinions of others.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Wittgensteins Children: Some Implications for Teaching and Otherness :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays

Wittgenstein's Children: Some Implications for Teaching and Otherness ABSTRACT: The later Wittgenstein uses children in his philosophical arguments against the traditional views of language. Describing how they learn language is one of his philosophical methods for setting philosophers free from their views and enabling them to see the world in a different way. The purpose of this paper is to explore what features of children he takes advantage of in his arguments, and to show how we can read Wittgenstein in terms of education. Two children in Philosophical Investigations are discussed. The feature of the first child is the qualitative difference from adults. Wittgenstein uses the feature to criticize Augustinian pictures of language which tell us that children learn language by ostensive definition alone. The referential theory of meaning is so strong that philosophers fail to see the qualitative gap and to explain language-learning. The second child appears in an arithmetical instruction. Although he was understood to master counting numbers, he sudd enly shows deviant reactions. Wittgenstein argues against the mentalistic idea of understanding by calling attention to the potential otherness of the child. This could happen anytime the child has not learned counting correctly. The two features show that teaching is unlike telling, an activity toward the other who does not understand our explanations. Since we might not understand learners because of otherness, the justification of teaching is a crucial problem that is not properly answered so long as otherness is unrecognized. As long as we ignore otherness, we would not be aware that we might mistreat learners. Ludwig Wittgenstein is a philosopher who often uses educational situations to examine philosophical puzzles. Asking how a word is taught is one of his philosophical methods. He invents imaginary situations in which children learn language, and describes how they learn there. He investigates the possibilities of concepts by considering how children could learn the concepts. The purpose of this paper is to explore what features of children he takes advantage of in his philosophical arguments, and to show whether and how we can read Wittgenstein in terms of education. Some scholars have expected Wittgenstein to contribute to pedagogy and educational research directly. Bartley claims, for example, that Wittgenstein is involved in child psychology. (1) Hardwick looks for pedagogical conclusions in Wittgenstein's philosophy. (2) Those scholars are likely to say that Wittgenstein merely suggests what empirical studies discover about language learning. Wittgenstein's Children: Some Implications for Teaching and Otherness :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays Wittgenstein's Children: Some Implications for Teaching and Otherness ABSTRACT: The later Wittgenstein uses children in his philosophical arguments against the traditional views of language. Describing how they learn language is one of his philosophical methods for setting philosophers free from their views and enabling them to see the world in a different way. The purpose of this paper is to explore what features of children he takes advantage of in his arguments, and to show how we can read Wittgenstein in terms of education. Two children in Philosophical Investigations are discussed. The feature of the first child is the qualitative difference from adults. Wittgenstein uses the feature to criticize Augustinian pictures of language which tell us that children learn language by ostensive definition alone. The referential theory of meaning is so strong that philosophers fail to see the qualitative gap and to explain language-learning. The second child appears in an arithmetical instruction. Although he was understood to master counting numbers, he sudd enly shows deviant reactions. Wittgenstein argues against the mentalistic idea of understanding by calling attention to the potential otherness of the child. This could happen anytime the child has not learned counting correctly. The two features show that teaching is unlike telling, an activity toward the other who does not understand our explanations. Since we might not understand learners because of otherness, the justification of teaching is a crucial problem that is not properly answered so long as otherness is unrecognized. As long as we ignore otherness, we would not be aware that we might mistreat learners. Ludwig Wittgenstein is a philosopher who often uses educational situations to examine philosophical puzzles. Asking how a word is taught is one of his philosophical methods. He invents imaginary situations in which children learn language, and describes how they learn there. He investigates the possibilities of concepts by considering how children could learn the concepts. The purpose of this paper is to explore what features of children he takes advantage of in his philosophical arguments, and to show whether and how we can read Wittgenstein in terms of education. Some scholars have expected Wittgenstein to contribute to pedagogy and educational research directly. Bartley claims, for example, that Wittgenstein is involved in child psychology. (1) Hardwick looks for pedagogical conclusions in Wittgenstein's philosophy. (2) Those scholars are likely to say that Wittgenstein merely suggests what empirical studies discover about language learning.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Self Control

Imagine a world where a school aged child can step out of their school and walk into a McDonalds. A world where soda companies make millions of dollars a year by placing pop and candy machines in schools, a world where more than 30 percent of the adult population is considered to be obese, or a world where obesity kills close to as many people per year as smoking. What if I told you that this is the world today? One’s lifestyle with regard to diet is regarded as a personal problem, and most believe that it should be treated as such in that there should be no intervention, people should be left to deal with it on their own. People who lead unhealthy and inactive lifestyles have generally speaking already displayed a lack of self control. Whether this is due to other constraints in their lives (time, chronic health problems, mental disorder, etc) is nobody’s business, but through outside intervention these people’s lives could be drastically improved. Based on the prevalence of junk food in today’s society, the government needs to step in and take action to protect Canada and its citizens by discouraging the purchase and consumption of foods that have a high processed sugar and fat content, by educating the public about the affect of unhealthy choices and by imposing a tax on those foods that are deemed to be detrimental to one’s health. Sugar laden, fatty foods are very harmful to one’s health. Over consumption of these foods are the direct cause of many health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, gall bladder disease and hypertension. What makes these foods even more harmful is the ease of access we as Canadian citizens have to them. Junk food is everywhere, on every street there are fast-food restaurants; wherever large amounts of people congregate, there is generally a vendor selling quick fix meals (e. g. McDonalds in Wal-Mart or Harvey’s in Home Depot). The majority of food sold in†¦ The on going issue of battling obesity in America continues to haunt us. It has become a national epidemic and a major topic for controversy. The suggestion of implementing a junk food tax was proposed by several experts. The purpose of the tax was to decrease the consumption of unhealthy foods. This tax would also generate revenue earmarked for relevant causes, such as; improving diet, obesity prevention, and nutrition education. The underlying purpose is to focus on maximizing health benefits. It has sparked controversy on the levels of additional bureaucracy, interfering with personal liberties, and freedom of choice. Junk-Food Taxes Introduction. For years health experts have been warning Americans to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Over time obesity rates have tripled. It is obvious we are losing the battle against obesity. Combating obesity and its numerous illnesses will not require more drugs to lower cholesterol, diet books, or workout videos. It will require rethinking our environment. Other measures need to be taken to tackle this national epidemic. Addressing this issue is no easy task. Several experts have suggested implementing a junk food tax. This would provide funding to regulate junk food, its advertising, and many other areas improving our health. This idea has sparked a wide controversy in regard to the obesity issue, the benefits of such a tax plan, and our cherished individual freedom that health is our own responsibility. The Obesity Epidemic It is no wonder obesity is such an epidemic in today’s society. Temptation is everywhere. A fast food restaurant is located on every corner. They are now open at all hours of the night and day. You can purchase an entire meal for less than five dollars. You can not turn on the television without seeing a dozen junk food commercials. Hanna Rosin, a reporter for the Washington Post, addresses this issue with the opinions of Dr. Kelly Brownell, a Yale professor. Dr†¦. [continues] For years health experts have been warning Americans to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Over time obesity rates have tripled. It is obvious we are losing the battle against obesity. Combating obesity and its numerous illnesses will not require more drugs to lower cholesterol, diet books, or workout videos. It will require rethinking our environment. Other measures need to be taken to tackle this national epidemic. Addressing this issue is no easy task. Several experts have suggested implementing a junk food tax. This would provide funding to regulate junk food, its advertising, and many other areas improving our health. This idea has sparked a wide controversy in regard to the obesity issue, the benefits of such a tax plan, and our cherished individual freedom that health is our own responsibility.

Monday, January 6, 2020

Mental Disorders And The United States - 1370 Words

Many people completely misunderstand mental disorders and don’t bother trying to correct mistakes made by themselves or others. Depression is no exception. Although it is one of the most common mental disorders categorized in the United States, how is it still such an issue? Although it is so common many people do not recognize the signs in others due to media portrayal, gender stereotypes, and the many misconceptions about this serious mental disorder. People s moods never stay the same, they change depending on your life s current events. Normal mood variations, such as sadness, euphoria, and anxiety, are time limited and are not usually associated with significant functional impairment. (Boyd, pg. 401) The criteria for a mood†¦show more content†¦Spouses, children, parents, siblings, and friends experience frustration, guilt, and anger when a family member is immobilized and cannot function. It is often hard for others to understand the depth of the mood and how d isabling it can be. (Boyd, pg. 405) It can be difficult to live with a depressed person, and the lack of understanding can even go so far as to lead to abuse. Depression may affect a person s ability to lead productive lives, care for those under their protection, or even care for themselves. The first way to help someone suffering with depression is to recognize when a person might be depressed. People may not realize it, but gender stereotypes can play a large role in people s views of depression. Although women are more likely to get depression, many seem to think that depression is just a woman s disease . However, that s not the case, anybody can be affected. Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Each year about 6.7% of U.S adults experience major depressive disorder. (Depression) Stereotypes can play a huge role in not noticing depression as a factor for severe mood change in men. A new study suggests that both genders are less likely to view men as being depressed and in need of help from professionals, even if the symptoms are identical to a woman s. It’s a well-known fact that men and women who behave the same way in the exact same situation—whether it’s a job interview, a