Active Versus Passive Mind Debate Essay Example for Free

Active Versus Passive Mind Debate Essay Étienne Bonnot de Condillac an 18th-century French philosopher contended that the senses are the foundation for all ideas and other functions carried out in the mind. Another prominent French philosopher, Renà © Descartes supported the Rationalistic theory; an explanation of behavior based on logic that has nothing to do with the senses. Condillac’s Sensationalism premise and Descartes theory of Rationalism serve as fuel for the classic active versus passive mind debate. The passive mind theory suggests that all learning occurs through the experience of sensations, in the absence of voluntary mind control processes, while the active mind theory claims the exact opposite; that individuals actively focus certain mental processes on the subject matter and the senses play no part in the process. Descartes also believed that sensory data was inclined to be false and was therefore useless, suggesting that mathematical deduction was the only path to the truth. Justin Skirry 2008 I believe that both theories have some validity. The problem arises for me with the use of the word all by Condillac, and the use of the word only by Descartes, which is what takes the theories from the moderate part of the continuum to the extreme. Sensory learning is of course a proven fact, but it is also a fact that active learning occurs as well. It is not unusual for a philosopher to be both a sensationalist and a rationalist at the same time. I tend to trust my deductive powers of reasoning more than my senses, because many outside forces can alter the senses. Take emotion for instance, I am aware of the role unchecked emotions can play in faulty decision-making. I have learned not to make important decisions when I am in a highly emotional state.

An Analysis of the Television Sitcom, Different Strokes :: Media

An Analysis of the Television Sitcom, Different Strokes Different Strokes a comedy sitcom, first aired in 1978, and lasted until 1986. This sitcom consisted of a widowed Manhattan millionaire, Phillip Drummond , who adopted two orphaned brothers. Arnold who was 8 years old and Willis who was 12. The boys' mother was Drummonds housekeeper who became very ill, so Drummond made a promise to her that he would take care of her two sons after she passed away. Drummond treated the two boys like his own. He also lived with his daughter, Kimberly, who was 13 years old, and his current housekeeper. This sitcom showed typical life lessons in growing up, and social problems that were occurring during that time. Some of the aspects of this show were both positive and negative. Positive Aspects In this sitcom there are several different ways in which minorities are positively portrayed. For instance, even though Arnold and Willis were two brothers of another ethnic background and race, Drummond who was a Caucasian millionaire still took these boys in. Another example of positive portrayal is that Drummond also called Arnold and Willis his â€Å"sons† not just his adopted children. He raised them as if they were his own children. The third example of a positive portrayal is that in this sitcom they showed evidence of social problems, such as racial discrimination. They realized that it did exist and that it was a problem. Finally, this sitcom also showed how blacks and whites could live equally and be happy together. These four portrayals are definitely positive and show how two minorities were portrayed in â€Å"Diff’rent Strokes†. Negative Aspects Different Strokes, which was first televised November 3, 1978, was one of the better, most influential shows of that time. This show was a perfect example of how minorities were portrayed to be unable to support themselves. The African American family characterized in this show was a single mother family, leading to the belief that most African American children were without a father in their lives. In agreement with the stereotypes of the time, their income was also low because the mother was a housekeeper. The audience may presume that she had no other skills than housekeeping which leads to the negative belief that African Americans have no job skills. In addition to these family problems and income issues, the children spoke slang and were even referred to as ghetto.

Chris Herren Unguarded: American Dream or American Tragedy?

Chris Herren is a star and an icon of achievement that America has had. This young man has made remarkable strides in bringing American dream to come true. This is a dream that dictates that every American should not just strive to seek for what the nation can do to them but rather they should bring something to the state. Herren is doing these things through the organization that he has formed as discussed in the paper. However, coming to recognition and an appreciation as to whether Herren is an America Dream or American Tragedy is a matter of discussion.This paper analyzes this dilemma by examining the life of Herren right from high school; and how he has pursued his dream (Reynolds, 90). The paper brings and discusses the bad influence that this young man has had in the country. Hreen has been recorded to be one of the players that have been in constant use of drug for a long time. This paper however depicts Herren as a productive man to the United States of America. Herren, a yo ung man with a predictable bright future joined Durfee School, which is located in Fall River.The young ambitious gentle man started the journey of his life and everybody who knew him saw light and life in him. Like any bright chap, he passed his final exams, which made him to be recognized among students. This made him to be awarded scholarship at the University of Kentucky and Duke University. It is in the America dream to invest into the education of its citizens. Through education, America empowers human resource to come up with a stronger society. This is a nice move to make for any government. This is why the American government invests in the education of young fellows like Herren.Herren was indeed a star that the government had while he was in high school. However, the young man had a different influence from his childhood. Herren was living with his family in Durfee. In Dufree, this family was deeply engrossed in basketball as a game. The culture of this family had influenc e in the life of Herren. The young man developed strong passion for basketball that he made decisions to follow his passion. One of the key ways through which one becomes self actualized is to follow one’s passion and achieve what one so desire (Elsemann, 54).This pursuit of basketball as career made Herren to overlook and turn down the scholarship offer that he from Duke University and Kentucky and Boston College. Herren seemed to be a disappointment to the desires of the nation, which yearn to have all its citizens educated. Herren seemed to be a disappointed to the government but his choice was yet to bring him to the light of stars. Herren is an icon of faith and an inspiration of pursuit of one’s goals. Fortunately, because his dreams were aligned to the major of Boston College, he joined the college purposely for basketball.His performance were marked by excellence that his name dominated the Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated of Boston. He worn many trophies a nd brought pride to the nation. His victories were recognizable achievement that could not be ignored. Everybody was happy with his achievement. However, this recognition and honor did not last for long. Herren apparently fail several drug tests. This is a disappointing episode in Herren’s life. Nobody could admire to associate with his name in spite of his achievement. Drug is a very destructive thing more so cocaine and marijuana whose tests he failed.As a star and an icon in basketball, this could act as a means of perpetuating drug abuse. This is because people like identifying with stars especially his funs. In the event followers realize that their star is in drugs, chance are that they would start using the same drug that their star is using. This is a bad influence to the American community. This is destructive and this shutters the dreams of the U nited States of America. Having such kind of stars and celebrities in a country who do not honor the rules of the land is not of any benefit but agents of destruction.The law requires none to break the laws. When one is a star but does not honor the constitution, then such a person ceases to be the pride of a nation but rather a burden and a lose to the state. Heroes never give up after a tragedy has befallen them. They rise up again and continue with the pursuit of his desires. After Herren had been suspended from school, he did not just sit back. He never gave up. He sought other means and he decided to dream again to enable his talent to be utilized. The young man joined Fresno State University purposely to join the basketball team and become a star.While playing at Fresno State University, Herren broke his hand: a tragedy that made him to take a period of three years to heal. Immediately after healing Herren was taken for taste to confirm his medical status. Unfortunately, Herren failed another drug test. This was disappointing especially to a star. As an admirable person, he could not be left jus t to handle himself, rather he was taken to the rehabilitation center where he was taught and helped to overcome the use of drugs. This aspect of accepting a personal weakness is a thing that has killed many people.It takes courage to accept ones’ present condition to adopt a brand new life. This is good for a nation because there are people who are struggling with addiction but cannot open up. Herren is a good example to those who are under the influence of drugs. After the Herren had returned from the rehabilitation centre, he joined the team and he skillfully worn many trophies. He made his team to be proud of him and the nation esteemed him as an astute player. Recognizing a weakness and accepting intervention measures is a good thing to do in life when one has the intent of changing.While at the Fesno State University, Herren made remarkable achievements in his basketball career. He excelled well that every club wanted to hire him. In advancing his career, he opted to jo in NBA Draft. This team selected him because he was an excellent performer. Herren entered Denver Nuggets with 33rd overall pick in the second round. While in the team, he played 70 games of which he helped his team to bring victory home. After he was released by the Celtic, Herren opened up his world and opted to advernse his career further. The young man opted to play for various clubs.He played for teams in Italy, Poland, Iran Turkey, and Turkey. While in these countries, Herren made remarkable achievements in his basketball career that he became an icon in basketball. He became a figure of emulation and an icon of inspiration. Whenever he was playing, thousands of people could throng the coat because of his professionalism in the game. The man was so skillful; and while he was a broad, he maintained his identity like an American without betraying his country. The country was proud of him because of the international face and values he brought to the country (Zapata, and David , 321).Herren comes out to be a man who does not get discouraged in spite of the challenges in life that he has passed through. He does not allow his dark past to blur his vision and the continuous desire to be a star. Herren is one of the key figure that the nation can point at and make a declaration that surely dreams that people often have can actually come to pass. Herren in real sense, has been related to the abuse of drugs of all kinds. Sometimes, it would be very difficult to celebrate his achievements because it could be true that he was propelled, and motivated by the drugs.It is not possible to relate national pride to a drug addict. Herren had had several felnies directly linked to drug deals. This could be dangerous for the upcoming generations as well as the young people who look up to him as an icon of emulation. Herren has even been charged with the crime of possession of heroin. This act is not acceptable to the state and by the state. While he was advancing his career at NBA for the Boston Celtic, he embarked on the use of painkillers like OxyContin, and Percocet. Herren even became a careless person who could not control his rationality after using drugs.He had been noted driving under the influence of drugs: a thing that made him cause accidents along the city highways (Dell'Orto, 231). This depicted a bad picture of him. He was not a person of a perfect example in spite the excellence of his performance in basketball. This young player was in the verge of destroying himself and destroying the lives of other. He has become a bad example to his funs and a destructive person to humanity. By abusing drugs, he promotes the sale of illegal drugs and by using them openly; he is directly influencing others into the same.This disqualifies him from being in the spheres of the American dream to the tragedy of America. Herren had had series of counseling which were purposed to help him quite drugs and just be a free man sober and rational in thought and in everything, he does. He thus joined an intensive program of recovery, which demands discipline to adhere to the schedule. It is appreciable accoding to the Art Papers( 46) It is good news to here that even those who have been abusing drugs stubbornly can recover from the abuse and be people who can be admired in life. Herren became one of these people who have undergone rehabilitation and made great  strides of change.Since August 2008, Herren has been drug free and he is in a serious move campaigning against the abuse of drugs. He is not ashamed of his past but rather he is categorically telling people the harmful effects of drug abuse and addiction. Other than advancing the mission of drug awareness campaign, Herren desires to share his life and talent with other young people who have passion in basketball. He thus launched the â€Å"Hoop Dream with Chris Herren† an organization that trains young basketball players in the court and off the court (Frankfurt, 76).He desi res to raise basketball stars in America who can advance the dreams of American as a victorious nation in all industries. Herren has released a documentary giving the detailed account of his life on and off the court. He has talked extensively of his life and the struggles that he has undergone as a person. This documentary has greatly influenced the thought of Americans on drug abuse and addiction. This has propelled him to the table of American admiration. Herren now has something to offer to Americas.He is an asset to the state he is a person of great value to the great nation in spite of his dark past. Life needs people who do not stick to their paste however much dirty they may be (Slone, and Friedman 154). Life is proud of people who desire to change and contribute to the well being of other. Success; real success requires one to leave those who would advance what has been started. This is a good gesture to the Americans. Herren is exactly in the America dream though he starte d it on a bad note of hurt hacks and great disappointments.

Maslow s Hierarchy Of Needs - 1295 Words

What is the idea behind Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (p. 379 in EP)? Outline each level and discuss how it relates to motivation. Abraham Maslow was born in 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. He originally studied law because of the influence of my parents, but after marrying his first cousin, Bertha Goodman, and moving to Wisconsin, he became interested in psychology. After achieving his Masters in Psychology, Maslow moved back to Brooklyn and started teaching at a school there. â€Å"One of the many interesting things Maslow noticed while he worked with monkeys early in his career, was that some needs take precedence over others. For example, if you are hungry and thirsty, you will tend to try to take care of the thirst first. After all, you can†¦show more content†¦Before a student s cognitive needs can be met they must first fulfil their basic physiological needs. For example a tired and hungry student will find it difficult to focus on learning. Students need to feel emotionally and physically safe and accepted within the classroom to progress and reach their full potential. (Saul McLeod)† Despite the studies and reasonings behind the hierarchy of needs, there are many psychologists and theorists that do not agree with the science behind the hierarchy. For example; A person without a home, or physiological safety, could achieve relationships with people around them, or love and belonging. However agreeable the hierarchy is, it can be incorrect at times. The first level of Maslow’s hierarchy is physiological needs. This level deals with food, shelter, warmth, water, sex, and bodily functions. According to Maslow, if a person does not have stability in any of these areas, they would be anxious and unable to proceed into the next level of human needs. The second level of Maslow’s hierarchy is safety needs. Safety includes order, routine, safety of job, a family safety, and reliability of government/society. These are all related to consistency. If a person does not have a consistent paycheck or place to live or person to be around, they would be unable to p rogress into the next level of human needs. However, when stability is achieved, the individual can proceed to the next level. The third