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Adorno's "Addendum" To Practical Reason, Michael Walschots
Adorno's "Addendum" To Practical Reason, Michael Walschots
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis is a discussion of Theodor Adorno's concept of the "addendum". In contrast to Immanuel Kant who claimed that free and moral action amounts to pure reason alone being the cause of action, Adorno believes that a physical impulse is required for action to take place. This thesis begins by discussing Kant's philosophy in the first chapter and moves to a discussion of the addendum in the second. In the third chapter I discuss the addendum's place in Adorno's moral philosophy. In that there is always a physical component involved in action, Adorno believes that some materially motivated action …
Perfect Duties In The Face Of Human Imperfection: A Critical Examination Of Kant's Ethic Of Suicide (Immanuel Kant)., Ryan S. Tonkens
Perfect Duties In The Face Of Human Imperfection: A Critical Examination Of Kant's Ethic Of Suicide (Immanuel Kant)., Ryan S. Tonkens
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this work is to offer a critical examination of Immanuel Kant's ethic of suicide. Kant's suicidology marks an influential view regarding the moral stature of suicide, yet one that remains incomplete in important respects. Because Kant's moral views are rationalistic, they restrict moral consideration to rational entities. Many people who commit suicide are not rational at the time of its commission, for they suffer from severe mental illness. Because of this, Kant's suicidology devastatingly excludes certain human demographics from moral consideration, current Canadian statistics indicating that such people mark one of the highest populations at risk of …
The Problem Of Relevance., John W. Davie
The Problem Of Relevance., John W. Davie
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
My project is a systematic inquiry into the problem of relevance, which has been identified as an enduring difficulty in, for example, informal logic and information science where it plays a fundamental role in argument and information searches, respectively. My first task involves determining exactly what the problem of relevance is. To achieve that, I collected problem statements from the literature but I also analysed literature on relevance to discover further problems. The key problem that I investigate concerns the question, 'What is relevance?', which I take to concern the meaning and occurrence of relevance. Concerning the semantic question, I …
Latent Memory: An Extrapolation Of The Structures Of Memory At Work In Kant's "Critique Of Pure Reason" (Immanuel Kant)., Michael Bruder
Latent Memory: An Extrapolation Of The Structures Of Memory At Work In Kant's "Critique Of Pure Reason" (Immanuel Kant)., Michael Bruder
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The following thesis is an attempt to find a role for the faculty of memory in Kant's account of the structures of consciousness in the Critique of Pure Reason. The very core of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason is the importance of an unchanging structure of consciousness to which thoughts and experiences can be attributed across time: the transcendental unity of apperception. If it is true, as I maintain, that Kant's project is fundamentally an epistemological, rather than metaphysical one, it follows that the anchor of this project shall be the subject, as one who can know his world in …
The Mystification Of Hume's Compatibilism (David Hume)., Panteha Yektaeian
The Mystification Of Hume's Compatibilism (David Hume)., Panteha Yektaeian
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The traditional reading of Hume is that he is a regularity theorist about causation and a compatibilist on the issue of human freedom and moral responsibility. I argue that these readings are mutually exclusive---i.e. endorsement of the one entails the rejection of the other---as they diverge on a fundamental premise, namely, the truth of causal determinism. Relatively recent "New Hume" scholarship has claimed that he is a causal realist---i.e. that he believes in the objective (mind-independent) existence of necessary connections or causal powers. I argue against this "new" reading and offer analysis in support of one type of the traditional …
The Poverty Of Pedagogy: From A Liberal University To A Liberating University, Joshua Paul
The Poverty Of Pedagogy: From A Liberal University To A Liberating University, Joshua Paul
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The modern liberal university is based upon a philosophical framework first conceptualized by John Dewey in his seminal book Democracy and Education. Although Dewey's philosophy was instrumental in reforming the university, it possesses an inherent contradiction that has proved problematic for the manner in which the modern North American university functions. While Dewey's theories were aimed at democratizing the university and allowing for the pursuit of critical freedom, his main goal was to bring the university in line with the economic realities of industrial capitalism. Herein lies the contradiction: the student is free to study whatever she may wish, but …
Woman, Not Womb: A Feminist Examination Of In Vitro Fertilization., Janice Hemani. Perera
Woman, Not Womb: A Feminist Examination Of In Vitro Fertilization., Janice Hemani. Perera
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Women's choices over their reproductive parts and destiny (as some may call it) were controlled in the past by men, and while many believe that reproductive power presently resides in the hands of women, I believe that this is not the case. In this thesis I will examine the reproductive technology, in- vitro fertilization (IVF) and its effects on women. My intention is to bring to the forefront the social factors responsible for a woman's desire to bear children, and how these factors shape and determine her happiness and self-worth. I believe that the medical description and treatment of infertility …
Traditional Argumentation Broadened., Linda. Carozza
Traditional Argumentation Broadened., Linda. Carozza
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis addresses whether it is a mistake to limit the traditional conception of argument to that which is explicitly verbalized. Frans H. Van Eemeren and Rob Grootendorst's Pragma-Dialectical theory of argumentation (1984, 1992, 1993) is used as an exemplar of the verbal-oriented approach, since it is recognized as being influential in the field of argumentation. A challenge is presented to the theory by introducing and discussing two modes of argumentation that tend to divert from the use of language, specifically the visual and the emotional. A "visual argument" gets its strength primarily from a visual image. A visual argument …
Liberalism: An Insufficient Medium For Our Relational Need., Viola-Cleo. Bradshaw
Liberalism: An Insufficient Medium For Our Relational Need., Viola-Cleo. Bradshaw
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
To understand human nature, one must also understand what is required to maintain autonomy and satisfy human need, two features of human nature. This thesis contrasts two views of human nature. First, I will argue that the liberal view contains the values and principles of individualism. Based on their ontology, liberals often claim that their socio-political structure can enable autonomy because it too is individualistically centred. However, by privileging individualistic values, the relational need feature of human nature is marginalized and this, in turn, can hinder people from choosing and pursuing relational need fulfilment. Yet I will argue that relational …
Stasis Theory And Arguers' Dialectical Obligations., Takuzo. Konishi
Stasis Theory And Arguers' Dialectical Obligations., Takuzo. Konishi
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis investigates from a rhetorical perspective a theory of an arguer's dialectical obligations to deal with objections and alternative positions. Ralph H. Johnson argues that, besides offering a good reason to support the thesis advanced, an arguer is obliged to offer a dialectical tier, an added level in which the arguer responds to objections or alternative positions. In developing a theory of an arguer's dialectical obligations, argumentation scholars from an informal logical perspective do not seem to have a guiding theory that helps to specify which objections and alternative positions the arguer is obliged to address. This thesis examines …
Morality, Law, And The Needs Of Future Persons: A Study In Environmental Philosophy., Anthony Italo. Fabiano
Morality, Law, And The Needs Of Future Persons: A Study In Environmental Philosophy., Anthony Italo. Fabiano
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Over the last fifty years or so, the concern for the condition of the natural environment has come within the foreground of world thought. Environmental problems, such as overpopulation, and resource depletion, have prompted philosophers, environmental activists, and policy-makers to consider the needs of future generations. Several thinkers have tried to establish a basis for considering the needs of future generations and for having a responsibility to provide for those needs. The notion of having a responsibility towards future generations has now become a moral issue. This thesis considers the idea of granting a moral status to future persons. I …
The Application Of Feminist Insights In Communication And Argumentation To The Practice Of Argument., Jessica Lee. Shumake
The Application Of Feminist Insights In Communication And Argumentation To The Practice Of Argument., Jessica Lee. Shumake
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In Chapter One, I discuss some of the characteristics and limitations associated with the traditionally oriented models of argumentation and communication that are the subject of critique in this thesis. In Chapter Two, I explore the idea that the socially and culturally defined attributes associated with one's gender identity carry over into our communicative and argumentative interchanges. In Chapter Three, I argue that because our perceptions and attitudes are effected by the limits of our social and cognitive environments, we should eliminate the predominance of adversarial connotations that surround the discourse of argument. In Chapter Four, I interpret and critique …
Human Perfectibility And Social Communication: A Study Of William Godwin's "Political Justice"., Mark Alan. Barrett
Human Perfectibility And Social Communication: A Study Of William Godwin's "Political Justice"., Mark Alan. Barrett
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
British philosopher William Godwin (1756--1836), in the tradition of the French Enlightenment, held a supreme faith in the power of reason and truth to improve Society and the human condition. In an Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and its Influence on Happiness and Morals, Godwin searched for the most effective method of attaining the general happiness. His investigation included both public and political forms of society. Through these inquiries he concluded that the improvement of individuals offered the best hope for improving society itself. Moreover, Godwin linked the prospect for individual improvement with a communicative practice based on sincere and rational …
Jus Bellum: The Classical Just War Doctrine Today?, Kenneth Ronald. Webb
Jus Bellum: The Classical Just War Doctrine Today?, Kenneth Ronald. Webb
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The classical just war doctrine has had a significant influence upon the way in which we think about war and morality. First set forth by St. Augustine, it was more fully developed and arranged in a systematic manner by St. Thomas Aquinas. Philosophers and theologians who followed in this tradition, such as Vitoria and Suarez further developed the implications of the doctrine and applied its principles to concrete situations. I discuss in this essay the principles and criteria which constitute the classical just war doctrine as developed by these thinkers, and argue that it is a way of thinking about …
An Examination Of A. J. Ayer's Phenomenalist Solution To The Problem Of Perception., Yinlai. Yang
An Examination Of A. J. Ayer's Phenomenalist Solution To The Problem Of Perception., Yinlai. Yang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study examines A. J. Ayer's solution to the problem of perception. The problem of perception, as understood by Ayer, is the problem justifying our belief in the existence of those physical objects which it is commonly taken for granted that we perceive. This examination is based on Ayer's Language, Truth and Logic, The Foundation of Empirical Knowledge, The Problem of Knowledge, and on the article entitled "Phenomenalism." It covers the development of Ayer's ideas concerning a phenomenalist solution to the problem of perception through a process of acceptance, development and abandonment. The most striking characteristic of Ayer's earlier attempts …
Caring, Virtue Theory, And The Nurse-Client Relationship., Marilyn Ann. Sutton
Caring, Virtue Theory, And The Nurse-Client Relationship., Marilyn Ann. Sutton
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this essay is to investigate the use of caring as an ethical grounding for the nurse-client relationship. In the first chapter, some of the crucial components of an effective relationship are identified. Applying these components, three models of nurse-client interaction are reviewed: parental, technical, and contractual. Although all three are found wanting, the contractual approach is deemed the most workable, because it recognizes the values of both nurse and client. However, its view of them as equal partners in a non-legalistic agreement is not realistic, and is somewhat impersonal in its approach. Caring theory, which accommodates the …
Nietzche, George Grant And The Response To Modernity (Friedrich Nietzsche)., Dominique J. Poulin
Nietzche, George Grant And The Response To Modernity (Friedrich Nietzsche)., Dominique J. Poulin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Nietzche and Grant both challenge us to make a clear choice about what we believe the world and human beings to be, while describing clearly the consequences of such a choice. This thesis attempts to clarify the choice with which they confront us, by examining what they say about three key topics: modernity, history and morality. In doing so, its aim is to highlight what it is that differentiates them and why. The thesis draws two conclusions, one about the fundamental difference between Grant and Nietzsche and the other about the possible bases for a choice between their world views. …
A Criticism Of Popper's Argument Against Induction And Justificationism In Science (Karl Popper)., Salim. Murad
A Criticism Of Popper's Argument Against Induction And Justificationism In Science (Karl Popper)., Salim. Murad
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
An overall depreciation of scientific thought is the converging point of almost all the trends in post-positivist and post-modern philosophy. However, the lowering of scientific methodology and scientific modes of thinking in general, along with the scientific ideals of objective truth, progress and development, is no hidden issue in the post-modern philosophy: it thrives on such criticism and openly declares its discontentment with scientific modes of thinking and criteria of reasoning. But the strategy adopted by at least some of the post-positivist trends, is somewhat misleading. These trends launch attack on science under the guise of demolishing the positivist conception …
Berkeley's Theory Of Vision: Optical Origins And Ontological Consequences (George Berkeley)., Giovanni Battista. Grandi
Berkeley's Theory Of Vision: Optical Origins And Ontological Consequences (George Berkeley)., Giovanni Battista. Grandi
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In the present work Berkeley's theory of vision is considered in its historical origins, in its relation to Berkeley's general philosophical conceptions, and in its early reception. Berkeley's theory replaces an account of vision according to which distance and other spatial properties are deduced from elementary data through an unconscious geometric inference. This account of vision in terms of "natural geometry" was first introduced by Descartes and Malebranche. Among Berkeley's immediate sources of knowledge of the geometric theory of perception, a key role was played by the treatise of dioptrics of William Molyneux, Dioptrica Nova. Berkeley's understanding of "natural geometry" …
Feminist Ethics And David Hume's Concept Of Sympathy: Moving Towards A New Morality (Virginia Held)., P. Tamara. Sugunasiri
Feminist Ethics And David Hume's Concept Of Sympathy: Moving Towards A New Morality (Virginia Held)., P. Tamara. Sugunasiri
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis is the culmination of two different areas of interests that I have had, First, I have long been interested in the progress feminist thinking has made in the field of ethics and morality. Secondly, having read A Treatise on Human Nature by David Hume, I was impressed with his insights into human nature and human morality. The impetus for bringing together these two interests came from a work by Annette Baier which identified Hume as a women's moral theorist. Her comments were based on the findings of Carol Gilligan in In a Different Voice. One of Gilligan's main …
Being-In-The-World And Technology: An Exposition Of The Philosophy Of Martin Heidegger., Ted. Inkmann
Being-In-The-World And Technology: An Exposition Of The Philosophy Of Martin Heidegger., Ted. Inkmann
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Technological advancement in the modern world has given rise to discussion and debate. These discussions concern numerous aspects of technology: for example, the notion that technology is self-correcting, and the ethical debate about the implementation of certain technologies. While some of the discussions only make sense to those with a very specialized knowledge, others are readily accessible to the lay person. The thinking of philosopher Martin Heidegger on technology seems to fit somewhere in the middle of this spectrum, being both specialized yet accessible to non-philosophers. The 1927 ground-breaking work by Martin Heidegger entitled Being and Time marks his particular …
Religion And Morality In The Philosophy Of David Hume., Terry Walker. Myers
Religion And Morality In The Philosophy Of David Hume., Terry Walker. Myers
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Though the relation between religion and morality is mentioned in almost every major work Hume wrote, he never dedicated a work to examining this relation. Moreover, his treatment of the subject, where it does appear, is unsystematic. Unfortunately, looking to the secondary literature for help in understanding Hume's thought on the relation between religion and morality is of little help, since past writers have largely neglected this area of Hume's thought. The purpose of this thesis, therefore, is to systematize Hume's thought on the relation between religion and morality. In my introduction I begin with a brief presentation of the …
A Framework For Conflict Resolution Within The Theory Of Critical Thinking., Allan W. Kidd
A Framework For Conflict Resolution Within The Theory Of Critical Thinking., Allan W. Kidd
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
By comparing numerous views regarding Critical Thinking (CT), a clearer understanding of conceptual and structural similarities and differences among theories emerges. This meta-theoretical perspective reveals a relatively small set of complex issues dividing opinion, a framework of issues for characterizing the theoretical conflicts regarding CT. Facione (1990) identifies four of the key issues dividing his panel of fifty CT experts, issues concerning the components of CT, the relation of CT to the CTer, and the function of the term, 'CT'. Johnson (1992) reveals important points of discord, identifying four central issues concerning the relation of CT to other phenomena, the …
Parmenides' Conception Of Being (Pythagoreanism)., Geoff Scott. Bowe
Parmenides' Conception Of Being (Pythagoreanism)., Geoff Scott. Bowe
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis examines the fragments of Parmenides' poem "On Nature". I attempt to determine the referent of "what is" or Being in the extant fragments, and to resolve a dispute between thinkers who consider Parmenides to be a materialist and those who hold that he is an idealist. My position is that Parmenides Being is an abstract unitary totality which represents the $\rm\kappa o\sigma\mu o\varsigma$ when thought about correctly. The only way to correctly understand Being is to think unitarily, and to deny the validity of material characterisations of Being. Being cannot be thought of as an aggregate of corporeal …
Hume, Miracle Reports, And Credibility (David Hume)., Hendrik. Van Der Breggen
Hume, Miracle Reports, And Credibility (David Hume)., Hendrik. Van Der Breggen
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this thesis is to gain an accurate appreciation of the force of David Hume's arguments against reasonable belief in the truth of miracle reports (in particular, reports concerning the alleged resurrection of Jesus). To avoid the possibility of misrepresenting Hume's arguments, which are found in his essay "Of Miracles," I expend considerable effort in attempting to interpret them fairly and charitably. Because an important claim in Part One of his two-part essay is understood by Hume in private correspondence to mean something significantly different from its obvious meaning; because Hume does not bother to change the claim …
Ojibwa World View And Environmental Ethic: An Investigative Study., Peter H. Woboditsch
Ojibwa World View And Environmental Ethic: An Investigative Study., Peter H. Woboditsch
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Often throughout history, the Native North American people have been regarded as highly skilled in the ways of nature. To be more specific, these people are sometimes referred to as the first ecologists, or conservationalists. As a resident of Northern Ontario, I encountered many such presuppositions about the Ojibwa people. Is this label a result of a an apparent mystic relationship they seem to have with nature or is it a much more empirical, scientific approach? What is it about the Ojibwa that lends itself to such an interpretation as being almost an environmental specialist? In other words, what is …
The Absence Of Aristotelian Teleology In Some Modern European Philosophers Of Nature., Darko. Piknjac
The Absence Of Aristotelian Teleology In Some Modern European Philosophers Of Nature., Darko. Piknjac
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Beginning with Aristotle, many philosophers have for centuries thought it important to consider the ends to which things, whether living or non-living, tend by nature. These ends have come to be known as final causes of things. But in the early decades of the seventeenth century we find some philosophers who think it undesirable to consider final causes in physics. Two such philosophers are Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes. In order to find out why they are of this opinion, we will consider and critically evaluate the reasons they give for maintaining their position. Before we do, however, it is …
The Purity Of Kant's Ethics In Light Of His Doctrine Of The Summum Bonum., Sandra. Orsini
The Purity Of Kant's Ethics In Light Of His Doctrine Of The Summum Bonum., Sandra. Orsini
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Immanuel Kant demands a "pure" ethics. The moral law is based, "not in the nature of man, nor in the circumstances of the world in which man is placed, but"a priori solely in the concepts of reason." The incentive to moral action ought to be reverence for the law itself; yet Kant introduces the concept of the summum bonum as a necessary extension of morality. This concept originates from the demands of practical reason which seeks not only virtue for its own sake, but also seeks the reward of future happiness in proportion to worth. Several critics have charged Kant …
The Effect Of Wittgenstein's Criticisms On Russell's Theory Of Knowledge., Raymond E. Boggs
The Effect Of Wittgenstein's Criticisms On Russell's Theory Of Knowledge., Raymond E. Boggs
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
It has long been thought that criticisms that Ludwig Wittgenstein raised against Bertrand Russell's theory of knowledge manuscript caused irreparable damage to the arguments in the manuscript and forced Russell to abandon the project. Recent speculation on the precise nature of these criticisms and how exactly they undermine the manuscript has been used as evidence to support the claim that Wittgenstein forced Russell to give up the positions defended in the theory of knowledge manuscript. Regardless of the accuracy of the speculation on the nature of Wittgenstein's criticisms, the argument developed in this thesis is that the effect of Wittgenstein's …
Premise Relevance: Informal Logic And Legal Theory Compared., Michael Douglas. Kasurak
Premise Relevance: Informal Logic And Legal Theory Compared., Michael Douglas. Kasurak
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis is an investigation dealing with premise relevance. Specifically, I am interested in the question: what makes a premise relevant in the context of an argument? My method of approaching this matter is twofold: First, I survey the literature of three informal logicians to see if they agree as to what constitutes relevance. Second, I look to the classical legal literature to determine whether they are agreeable as to how relevance is defined and whether their work is beneficial to the logical enterprise. The informal logicians are: Douglas Walton, Christopher Tindale and James Freeman. I argue that although each …