Scientific method Essay Example for Free

Scientific method Essay Outline and illustrate three characteristics of sense-data. (15 marks) Anticipate the following characteristics: †¢ We are immediately/directly acquainted with sense-data, (from which we infer a mindindependent reality). †¢ Sense-data are (usually) mental or mind-dependent. †¢ Sense-data exist only as they are perceived. †¢ Reports regarding sense-data are incorrigible. †¢ Sense-data are nothing other than how they appear – they have no hidden depths. †¢ The sense-data I experience will vary according to the conditions in which I perceive an object. †¢ Sense-data, unlike physical objects, can have indeterminate process. †¢ Sense-data and physical objects/distinguishing sense-data. Illustrate examples are likely to differ depending on the points being made and can be drawn from various sources: Illusions and delusions (e. g. bent sticks, mirage, hallucinations), perceptual relativity (the real shape of the coin, the real properties of the table), phenomenology (apparent and real speckled hens) or time-lag arguments (seeing the ‘sun’) that distinguish between the way the world appears and the way it is. Consider the claim that the weaknesses of representative realism outweigh its strengths. (30 marks) Knowledge and Understanding Anticipate the following outline of representative realism: There is a material reality independent of our perception of it – an external world – from which experience originates. But our perception of material objects is mediated via ‘ a veil of perception’. Our immediate awareness is of an ‘internal’ non-material something – ‘ideas’ or sense-data – that we take as representative of mind independent external reality. The claim that there is an external world is a hypothesis. Interpretation, Analysis and Application Possible strengths †¢ Unlike common sense, representative realism can account for illusions/hallucinations by proposing we experience ideas/sense-data. †¢ Representative Realism gets the epistemological project right: I have to start from my own ‘experience’ and work outward to an external world. †¢ Representative Realism acknowledges the scientific claim that mind-independent reality is not as it appears to us (and the primary/secondary qualities distinction might be used here to articulate this point.) †¢ Representative realism acknowledges a distinction between appearance and reality but it is able to counter scepticism: it is reasonable to suppose that there is a mindindependent reality that impinges upon me in systematic ways, not subject to will, which my experience ‘represents’ in ways similar to your experience. Possible weaknesses †¢ Representative Realism is incompatible with Empiricism because it makes claims about mind-independent reality that transcend any possible experience: it makes empty assertions devoid of empirical consequences (e.g. ‘a something we know not what’); it illegitimately draws inferences from familiar experience (e. g. observations of casual relations) to support judgements regarding a reality that ‘must be strange’ (Russell). †¢ The apparatus employed by representative realism cannot avoid scepticism: a veil of perception intermediate between object and perceiver opens up an unbridgeable gap. †¢ Representative Realism (at least in its ‘pure’ empiricist form) does not have the resources to escape solipsism. †¢ The scientific appearance/reality distinction need not have any exceptional ‘philosophical significance regarding what there is; it just regulates what counts as relevant/irrelevant when scientists do science (c. f. demarcation issues like ‘Are we doing psychology or sociology? ’ ‘Is that a philosophical point of history? ’). †¢ A candidate might compare representative realism with other positions (e. g. idealism) just as long as the comparison highlights possible strengths and weaknesses of representative realism. †¢ Appeals to Occam’s Razor. Both direct realism and idealism are ontologically parsimonious contra representative realism. Assessment and Evaluation A candidate could argue for the following conclusions: †¢ The weaknesses outweigh the strengths †¢ The strengths outweigh the weaknesses †¢ The strengths and weaknesses balance out, more or less. †¢ Drawing out the implications of ‘something we know not what’ as Berkeley was to do. †¢ Support of direct realism e. g. exceptions can be allowed if they can be explained, correction by other senses. †¢ Presuppositions of recognising deceptions, †¢ Reid’s criticism of phenomenal variability – we can explain and predict. †¢ External world seen as hypothetical, but is this like a scientific hypothesis? Verification issues. †¢ How could we have the concept of a representation if we are only aware of representations. Analysis of how the concept works. †¢ If we cannot know physical objects, then neither can we know their causal powers. †¢ The external world could never be more than a probability. But how do we do the calculations needed for such a claim?

iSLAM :: essays research papers

Islam began when Muhammad went away and saw the angel Gabriel. He told Muhammad that he was Allah’s; it is how Muslims call god, Prophet. At first people didn’t believe he was the Prophet of Allah. It was until after Muhammad died did Islam start to truly spread. Islam also teaches that there is only one God. Muhammad calls all people to worship Allah, because He is merciful and fair. On Judgment day, he will come and judge everyone according to his or her actions. It is pretty much like the Catholic Church teaches. If you do good things for others you will be rewarded and if you don’t you will go to hell as a punishment. â€Å"And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise." (Al-Baqarah 2:228) Muslims also have different perspectives on certain issues particularly in treating females and males the same way. Men are allowed to have four wives but must treat them with care and love. Men can divorce their wife/wives at any time they wish. Unfortunately, women aren’t allowed to do the same. Muslims have Five Pillars of Faith which explain five major parts of Islam. The first on is on faith and says that there is no god except god and everyone can have. A message of guidance has come through a man like us. Salat are the prayers that are prayed five times a day which brings up the second one, Prayer. Muslims believe that the principles of Islam are only made by god and that money is up to humans only. Just like we have Lent and fasting, Muslims have dates similar to these. During the month of Ramadan Muslims must fast during the daylight. After the fast, it is followed by a feast to only the ones who stayed true to the fasting. And finally, the fifth one is the pilgrimage or the Hajj. Every year, Muslims travel to Mecca, if they can afford it or are in good condition, and it is believed that it gives a preview of Judgment day.

Black Death and Middle English Word

Why does Chaucer dwell more on the pardoner's love of money than on any other aspect of his character? He was not supposed to have worldly procession he is supposed to be a man of God but does not live the life style 2. Imagine that the pardoner where alive today. What might he do for a living, and how would that profession reflect his character?Anointing oil, Bibles, Tapes cad's of Preaching he might sell these things. He's money hungry that is his goal. WORDS TO OWN Avarice 1 . From the old French word meaning â€Å"to crave† Abominable 2. From the Latin word meaning â€Å"Inhuman† Sauntered 3. From the Latin word meaning ‘to loosen† Carouses 4. From the middle French word meaning â€Å"to drink completely† Covetous 5. From the Latin word meaning â€Å"to desire† Blasphemy 6. From the Greek word meaning â€Å"to speak evil of† Pallor 7. From the Latin Absolution 8.From the Middle English word meaning â€Å"to muse or meditate† S uperfluity 9. From the Latin word meaning â€Å"to overflow' Transcend 10. From the Latin word meaning â€Å"to climb across† Re-write 5 sentences above in your own words Avarice 1 . From the old French word meaning â€Å"to desire† Abominable 2. From the Latin word meaning â€Å"godly' Sauntered 3. From the Latin word meaning â€Å"to walk gaily' Carouses 4. From the middle French word meaning â€Å"drunken† Covetous 5. From the Latin word meaning â€Å"to want† After Reading Questions 1 .What events prompt the three rioters to seek Death? Set out to find Death after becoming drunk at a bar. Their intoxication makes them believe that they can find and kill death itself. 2. What way is the rioter's discovery at the old tree unexpected? They find gold coins and excited about their newly covered treasure, subsequently forget about Death 3. Describe the events that directly lead to their deaths. The three men draw straws to see who among them should fetch wine and food while the other two wait under the tree.The youngest of the three men drew the shortest straw. The two men who stay behind secretly plot to kill the other one when he returns, while the one who leaves for the town poisons some of the wine with rat poison. When he returns with the food and drink, the other two kill him and drink the poisoned wine ? also dying (and finding Death) 4. Where you able to correctly anticipate everything? No, I was surprised by how some events developed. 5. What theme about corruption do you think Chaucer conveys through the selection? Greed is the root of evil.The three young men, who first show their lack of restraint or self-discipline by being drunk early in the morning and then make the mistake of going in search of Death (rather like looking for trouble), quickly lose their loyalty to one another when they find gold (in the place where a mysterious old man told them they would find Death) and are then separated. Two plots to kill one, t he one contrive o kill the two, and all three find what they initially went looking for. 6. A foil is a character that provides a striking contrast to other characters.In what way does the old man serve as a foil to the three rioters? He is a foil to the rioters in that he represents the wisdom of old age. Unlike the rioters, the old man is calm, sober, and respectful; he understands that human beings have no control over death. 7. Cox Irony Example(s) from â€Å"The Pardoner's Tale 1 . Verbal irony occurs when someone states one thing and means another. The Pardoner makes a speech at the end of the selection, when he tries to sell organizers; by his earlier admission, he doesn't believe in the church's teachings about sin, forgiveness, and damnation. . Situational irony is a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. The rioters expect to find Death under the tree; instead they find gold, which leads to their death. 3. In dramatic irony, the readers kno w more than the characters do. The reader is aware that the older rioters have conspired against the youngest. 9. During the mid-14th century, the Black Death – a massive epidemic of the bubonic plague – swept through Asia and Europe. In Europe alone, one-quarter of the population died.In what way might these circumstances have made people vulnerable to the tricks of the Pardoner and other unscrupulous clergymen? Christians would have feared dying without forgiveness for their sins, as doing so would have meant eternal damnation. The outbreak of the plague would have led many to seek forgiveness in the form of indulgences. They might also have looked to the supposed power of his relics to keep them healthy. Vocabulary in Context 1. False 2. True 3. True Vocabulary Strategy 1. Debonair 3. Piquant 4. Nuance 5. Echelon Vocabulary Study 1. Meting: parley 2. Greed : Avarice .Criticized: Castigated 1. Critique 2. Encore 3. Genre 4. Souvenirs 5. Repartee 6. Most African Ameri can males have brunette hair 7. The finale to the festivals was a ground display of fireworks 8. Women often use rouge cosmetics to color their checks and lips. Vocabulary Practice 1. Parley 2. Avarice 3. Castigate 4. Avarice 5. Parley 6. Castigate 7. The Pardoner's tale is a satire of a man who preaches to people about the evils of money, claiming ‘The love of money is the root of evil. ‘ This phrase was taken directly out of the Bible. In effect, the Pardoner is guilty of his own avarice actions, making

Marjorie Lee Browne Black Woman Mathematician

Marjorie Lee Browne, an educator, and mathematician, was one of first  black women  to receive a doctorate in mathematics in the United States, 1949. In 1960, Marjorie Lee Browne wrote a grant to IBM to bring a computer to a college campus; one of the first such college computers, and likely the first at any historically black college. She lived from September 9, 1914 to October 19, 1979. About Marjorie Lee Browne Born Marjorie Lee in Memphis, Tennessee, the future mathematician was a skilled tennis player and singer as well as showing early signs of mathematics talent. Her father, Lawrence Johnson Lee, was a railway postal clerk, and her mother died when Browne was two years old. She was raised by her father and a stepmother, Lottie Taylor Lee (or Mary Taylor Lee) who taught school. She was educated at local public schools, then graduated from LeMoyne High School, a Methodist school for African Americans, in 1931. She went to Howard University for college, graduating  cum laude in 1935 in mathematics. She then attended graduate school at the University of Michigan, earning an M.S. in mathematics in 1939.  In 1949, Marjorie Lee Browne at the University of Michigan and Evelyn Boyd Granville (ten years younger) at Yale University became the first two African American women to earn Ph.D.s  in mathematics. Brownes  Ph.D. dissertation was in topology, a branch of mathematics related to geometry. She taught in New Orleans for a year at Gilbert Academy, then taught in Texas at Wiley College, a historically black liberal arts college, from 1942 to 1945.  She became a mathematics professor at North Carolina Central University, teaching there from 1950 to 1975. She was the first chair of the math department, beginning in 1951. NCCU was the first public liberal arts school of higher education in the United States for African Americans. She was rejected early in her career by major universities and taught in the South. She focused on preparing secondary school teachers to teach new math.  She also worked to include women and people of color in careers in math and science. She often helped provide financial assistance to make it possible for students from poorer families to complete their education. She began her math career before the explosion of efforts to expand those studying math and science in the wake of Russias  launching of the Sputnik satellite. She resisted the direction of math towards such practical applications as the space program and instead worked with mathematics as pure numbers and concepts. From 1952 to 1953, she studied combinatorial topology  on a Ford Foundation fellowship  at Cambridge University. In 1957, she taught at the  Summer Institute for Secondary School Science and Mathematics Teachers, under a National Science Foundation grant through NCCU.  She was a National Science Foundation Faculty Fellow, University of California, studying computing and numerical analysis. From 1965 to 1966, she studied differential topology at Columbia University on a fellowship. Browne died in 1979 in her home in Durham, North Carolina, still at work on theoretical papers. Because of her generosity to students, several of her students began a fund to enable more students to study mathematics and computer science