Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge Essay Example

Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge Essay Name: Tutor: Course: Date: We will write a custom essay sample on Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge Knowledge is the information understood and applied by people through various concepts. The acquisition of knowledge by people depends on their ability to internalize concepts. The origin of knowledge is unknown since most people do not know the true source of the information they have, and that which they disseminate. Over the years, many ideas have been developed to understand what it means to possess knowledge. Research by Cahn describes the differences between assumptions and actual knowledge (74). In the article, Appearance and Reality by Bertrand Russell, he argues that all information known to humans is subject to doubt. He explains further that skepticism yields a closer understanding of various occurrences in life, but not knowledge. Skepticism is the nature of being doubtful of ideas. He tries to show that the daily occurrence and appearance of a setting is unknown. According to the article, the existence of specific items leads to the assumption of their knowledge. He evaluates the concept of skepticism, and its effect on general information. Skepticism gives rise to the assumptions made on a daily basis through doubting the existence of tangible items in a setting. In the article, What Can I Know? by Dewi Zephaniah Phillips, the author argues that in order to have information about an event or occurrence in a setting, extensive research should be done. He shows that people need to have prior information to a case before claiming that they have knowledge. The information should be self-gathered by the person seeks knowledge. To support his argument, he compares religion to philosophy. He questions the existence of God and relates it to philosophy. Russell gives an example of waking up and sitting on a chair and table of specific shape and color. On the table, he sees printed papers and other images. On the other hand, Phillips makes comparison of religion and philosophy. Both arguments have similarities in that; they use philosophy to discard knowledge. They are also similar because they use the occurrence of natural situations to take a stand. While Russell questions the difference in shades of color that affect the appearance of the table and the contents on it, Phillips questions the existence of God. This shows different ways of arguing by both writers, but the perception of knowledge is the same. The two arguments also have differences in relating their positions and challenging assumptions. Russell relates the general color of the table to the changes brought up by the different lighting conditions. This challenges the initial assumption of the color of the table. The explanation describes the different views of how things are perceived. Introducing the concept of lighting to describe the appearance of the table shows doubt. The example of this setting establishes his argument of doubting the existence of knowledge. On the other hand, Phillips dismisses the beliefs of God’s existence without seeing Him physically. As generations passed, this idea has formed different religions that had various definitions of God’s existence. Phillip states that people should discover God by themselves. This shows that people need further information in order to acquire knowledge. In support of his claim, he outlines the way he should know all other believers better than his perception of God, to acquire knowledge of his existence. His argument shows the difference between knowledge and belief. The relationship between religion and philosophy shows how assumptions affect the information that people perceive. He also shows the relevance of doing further research in order to convert an assumption to knowledge. Reasons That Make Russell a Skeptic Russell is skeptical due to his confusion because of philosophy. He does not believe in the existence of knowledge because of difficulties in tracing the origin and purpose of matter. His skepticism developed because he lacked valid explanations and proof of the occurrence of general settings. He says that personal ideas originating from the mind without any information elsewhere are most probable. He is also skeptical because he believes that there is a difference between reality and appearances. Therefore, he dismisses philosophy because it does not have conclusive answers to the arguments raised. Works Cited Cahn, Steven M. Exploring Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print

Marx and Weber1 essays

Marx and Weber1 essays Both Carl Marx and Max Weber wrote extensively on capitalism, its origins, and its future. Although, they agreed on a few very small points, for the main part, they strongly disagreed. Only through the analysis of their main differences in the two ideologies can a stronger and broader understanding of capitalism be reached. Marx believed strongly in what he called dialectical materialism, that is, that everything is material and that change takes place through the struggle between classes. He believed that men make their own history and transform their natural habitat to fit their changing needs. Men begin to distinguish themselves from animals as soon as they begin to produce their means of subsistence. . . In producing their means of subsistence men indirectly produce their actually material life. Throughout history men transform nature to make it better serve their own purposes. According to Marx, all societies go through five stages of history and capitalism is simply a necessary stage between feudalism and the final step of communism. The way in which men create their social organization is based on modes of production. Changes within these societies occur because as the mode of production changes, it no longer fits the present social organization (p. 157). Therefore, a new class and hence a new form of society emerges. During Feudalism merchants were inferior. Nevertheless, as cities grew the number of merchants grew as well. With their increase in number came an increase in economic power. When the state was unwilling to change to their needs, they formed a revolution resulting in capitalism. Weber has a different perspective on why and how capitalism came about. Rather than just focusing on how capitalism came about, he focuses on finding an answer to the question of why capitalism happened where and when it did. When he looked for differences in the capitalist cultures and non-capitalist c...

Social intelligence Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Social intelligence - Case Study Example The motivational task in the given context evidently requires careful planning due to several factors. Among those factors, diversity of age and sex seems the most crucial one despite the small size of the firm. Another important factor is that the business is a family owned firm that can be vulnerable to sentimental issues, cultural factors, traditions, and conventional way of business operations. However, considering all such matters I would prepare a motivation plan that may include but not limited to the following strategies. 1. The primary step is to ensure that all members are made aware of the specific goal the team has to attain within the stipulated time. 2. Assigning right individuals on the right positions is another part of team motivation. A wrong individual can spoil the entire team work if the team composition is not right. 3. According to the progress (or flaws) of the whole project, goals of each individual has to be set or reset on a regular basis. 4. I would also e nsure that the team is aptly provided with growth opportunities in a way their competencies are being enhanced. 5. I would give the team on time constructive feedback, and would recognize their outstanding performance. In a family business setting, paying higher attention to the needs and requirements of non-family employees also is vital for the sustainability of the firm. Attention in this regard not only refers to the financial compensation but also intrinsic rewards, for these strategies are the integral aspects that motivate and retain these valuable employees. Each team member will be helped to identify their potential in terms of professional as well as personal growth. The logic here is that a growing employee will stay with the firm longer and will let the firm grow as they are learning new skills and working smarter. In this context, an inclusive definition is relevant, Social Intelligence is the capacity to understand and respond effectively to the emotions, social cues a nd needs of others in a way that furthers our own values and demonstrates respect for others at the individual, team, organizational and global levels† ( Hughes & Terrell 2011). 2. The age spectrum of employees is getting wider these days more than ever before due to several factors like delayed retirement and professional durability. This has dramatic effects on the workplace aspects including organizational culture, recruitment, retention, and interaction between colleagues. Internal work teams and mentoring arrangements are required to attain cross-generational collaboration in the given context. In order to enhance personal relationships and to overcome misconceptions team leader requires greater flexibility and diplomacy. The senior employee in the given case values wisdom gained through years of experience and does not want to make further mistakes whereas the new employees who are innovative believe that the world needs new solutions to address the changes and subsequen t challenges. Resisting to the conflict would worsen the condition regardless of its intensity. Therefore, speaking it out is important because solution to the problem may be easier than what was expected. For instance, in the given organizational context, the senior member can be given more autonomy in terms of how they proceed with the project whereas the young members of the team may be asked to provide frequent updates in turn.