Explain Anselm’s Ontological Argument Essay Example for Free

Explain Anselm’s Ontological Argument Essay Explain Anselm’s ontological argument. The ontological argument was put forth at first as a prayer by the eleventh century monk and philosopher Anselm of Canterbury. In his Proslogion, which means discourse, he presented this argument as a prayer for believers to substantiate their belief in god. Anselm uses ‘a priori’ (which means before experience) reasoning, which conveys that it does not rely or depend on experience and so an argument of this sort is more plausible and likely to intrigue and attract philosophers, by not depending on experience or acquaintances it can be understood and derived purely from logic. Furthermore its truth doesn’t depend on anything apart from logic and can be deduced purely from the meaning of the words used in the argument. The ontological argument uses deductive reasoning, which means its conclusion is contained within the premises presented, and if one accepts these premises to be true then one must accept that the conclusion is also correct; an argument of this sort would be: 1. Men are all mortal. 2. Renà © Descartes was a man. 3. Consequently Renà © Descartes is mortal. From this example if we accept the premises (12) then logically we must accept the conclusion (3) so in some form this argument presents a guarantee of the truth of the conclusion. Anselm’s argument said ‘God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived’, by greater he means perfect and by conceived he means to think of, so we can put in other words: God is that than which nothing more perfect can be thought of. When Anselm first wrote this in the Proslogion, his intentions for this were not for it to be used as an argument to prove God’s existence but just a mere prayer for believers, but due to his reliance solely on reason and logic it has become popular and has overcome the test of time as it is still relevant today and is being studied. The argument can take this form: 1. God is that than which nothing more perfect can be thought of. 2. Even a fool can understand this definition. (By fool Anselm most likely meant someone who does not believe in god, and so he said this to show that  this argument is nothing of a complex sort but of a simple nature which can be comprehended by anyone, even a fool as Anselm said.) 3. This fool says that god ceases to exist in reality, merely as an idea. 4. It is greater to exist both in the understanding and in reality, than essentially just in the understanding. 5. The greatest possible being, for it to be the greatest must truly exist in both modes: reality and understanding. 6. Hence god does exist both in reality and in the understanding; therefore we can also conclude that the fool in reality is actually a fool. (The fool is denying the existence of the greatest possible being, this being must exist for it to be the greatest possible being, and if he wasn’t the greatest possible being then surely we could conceive of something greater.) Anselm starts the argument with a definition, and uses this definition to prove god into existence, however this argument relies on a particular definition and analysis of a particular one. There are two fundamental and paramount facets to this argument: one is the understanding of the definition, this is an integral part of the argument, because the argument arises from this start point, and also that it is greater to exist both in reality and in understanding. Anselm understood god in an analytical sense, analytic sense is where the whole meaning of a word or statement is transferred through the words only, like for example, Tom has a brother, you wouldn’t say he has a brother who is a male because the fact that he is a male is already conveyed through the meaning of the word brother. And so likewise, Anselm understood god in the same way, so it isn’t necessary to say ‘god, you know exists’ the aspect of existence is already given away from the word god, and so in a way could be perceived as inseparable from god. This argument mentioned hitherto was found in Proslogion 2, which tried to prove gods existence. A contemporary of his, Gaunilo of Marmoutier who was a monk and also a theist, replied to Anselm’s Proslogion, with a work titled ‘On Behalf of the Fool’, he was truly also a Christian and had a firm belief in god, but he rejected the jump from the definition that god is the greatest being to the conclusion that he must exist. Gaunilo claimed that through Anselm’s reasoning we can potentially prove anything one wishes into  existence by proposing it’s the greatest thing or maximally perfect in its calibre. He used the example of an Island, that if we were to say that there existed an island which was the most excellent and possessed an inestimable wealth, we can easily understand this; even a fool can comprehend this. And therefore it is the most excellent, and it is more excellent to exist both in reality and in understanding moreover this island must exist. He argued even a fool is right to be sceptical about Anselm’s argument, as evidence is required for a matter as great as god. Furthermore he went on to claim that Anselm’s argument is a ‘reducto ad absurdum’, this is Latin for reduced to absurdity. As Anselm was aware of this criticism during his lifetime, he wrote a Reply to Gaunilo, in this he defends his argument and draws up another aspect. He says ‘God cannot be conceived not to exist†¦ That which can be conceived not to exist is not god’. This introduces another matter; Anselm asks whether a god is greater who can be thought of as not existing or a god which cannot be thought of not existing. Furthermore he claims that it is a contradiction for a god who can be thought of not existing if he truly is the greatest possible. Anselm created a dichotomy between the concepts of things: necessary and contingent existences. Anselm himself didn’t use these aforementioned terms himself but were later applied by philosophers but Anselm did split the two as he described the island as physical and therefore he could easily propose that it could cease to exist due to other physical causes like for example the sea levels rising could eradicate the island completely. However he said that it is impossible to imagine the greatest being not existing or ceasing to exist, and then surely it would not be the greatest being. Necessary existences do not depend on any other thing for it to exist, as it is the greatest thing so it is not predisposed to anything else. On the other hand, contingent existences do depend on other things and also there was a time when they didn’t exist, like for example humans, who are a perfect example of a contingent being. However Anselm argued that god was a necessary being, and it cannot be thought of as not existing, it has always exists and always will. It is rather hard to conceive of another necessary being or existence  apart from this. Anselm put forward this proposition in Proslogion 3, that god has a necessary existence, and this is the type of god that he is, in this way Anselm shows that Gaunilo was a fool as he didn’t understand the type of god that Anselm discussed.

hydropower :: essays research papers

Renewable Energy (Hydropower) The first time hydropower was used was in 1880 to generate 16 lamps at a wolverine chair factory in Grand Rapids Michigan. In the United States, hydroelectric plants opened near Appleton, Wisconsin on the Fox River on September 30, 1882. At that time, the only fuel used to make electricity was coal because of its abundance and low cost. People knew about hydroelectric power but the only places you could do that is by a water source. Hydropower became more popular when technology could send electricity long distances. To make hydropower, you have to direct moving water into pipes known as penstock. The swiftly flowing water in big rivers determines the energy produced or waterfalls, like the Columbia River or Niagara Falls. After the moving water is directed into the penstock, it pushes against the blades in the turbine to spin a generator that produces electricity. The other way to get hydropower is a storage system where water is collected by dams and will direct water into the penstock to turn the generator when the demand for electricity is high. The water being held back by the dam becomes lakes used for boating and fishing. The rivers beyond the dam become whitewater rafting and kayaking spots. An example of this is the Hoover dam, made in 1936 between Arizona and Nevada. This dam created lake 110 miles long called Lake Mead, offering water sports and fishing. Almost all of the hydroelectricity made in the United States is made in nine states, Washington, California, Oregon, New York, Tennessee, South Carolina, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Nevada. Hydropower is an ideal fuel because it is renewable and almost free, having no waste products, and does not pollute the water or air. A negative about hydropower is how it changes the environment and alters the natural habitats. An example of the negative effect on nature by a dam was when the salmon was blocked from their spawning grounds upstream.

Aig Accounting Scandal

Guidelines for Memos A list of resources for good business writing appears at the end of this document. It is strongly recommended that any serious business person consider owning writing resources. Written communication is often the distinguishing factor in determining career success in any business or government environment. The following are general guidelines intended to assist the student attempting to write a business memo for the first time. A memo (short for memorandum which is latin for thing to be remembered) is used extensively for internal business communication.Every company or government has its own format but typically there is a centered heading â€Å"Memorandum† at the top of the page, followed by left indented sub-headings â€Å"To:† (followed by â€Å"CC:† where appropriate), â€Å"From:†, â€Å"Date:† and â€Å"Subject:†. Note that CC is short for Carbon Copy – individuals who are receiving a copy of the memo for in formation purposes only. Typically memos are written to announce, clarify, respond, question or address any important issue within the entity. Memos are brief – few are longer than a page – so writers must choose their words carefully.Since they will be read by colleagues, managers, subordinates, etc. , a sloppy or inaccurate or long-winded memo can result in readers questioning the competence of the author. The addressee, any copied recipients and the sender are all identified only by name and title, e. g. John Smith, Manager, Internal Control. Telephone extension numbers or e-mail addresses can also be included, optionally. The Subject line should tell the reader exactly what the memo is about in as few words as possible. Examples are: â€Å"New Delivery Schedule for C-920†, â€Å"Policy re. Car Pooling†, â€Å"Christmas Shutdown Dates†, etc.The body of the memo need not be as formal as a letter since the recipients all work for the same company. Having said that, the more senior the audience, the more formal the style. However, in-house jargon and/or acronyms are acceptable (e. g. â€Å"as per CLQ regs. † or â€Å"this is consistent with RM-30†). Further, an informal or conversational style with short forms is also acceptable, particularly when the memo is being written to a colleague. Note that the reason for communicating by memo rather than by phone or personal visit, is so the sender and recipient have written evidence concerning the subject at hand.Therefore, the language chosen must be clear enough that there is no doubt as to how the subject will be treated and what course future actions will take. The reality is many memos are written to protect the writer rather than inform the recipient. Business Communication Resources Alred, G. J. , Brusaw, C. T. , & Oliu, W. E. (2006). The business writer’s handbook (8th ed. ). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Guffey, M. E. , & Almonte, R. (2013). Esse ntials of business communication (7th Canadian ed. ). Toronto: Nelson. (includes sections on resumes, cover letters, speaking skills and career search) Guffey, M. E. , Loewy, D. , Rhodes, K. Rogin, P. (2013). Business communication : Process and product (4th Brief Canadian ed. ). Toronto: Nelson. (includes sections on resumes, cover letters and career search) Locker, K. O. , Kaczmarek, S. K. , Braun, K. (2010). Business communication: Building critical skills (4th Canadian ed. ). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson. Harty, K. J. (2008). Strategies for business and technical writing (6th ed. ). New York: Pearson Longman. Lindsell-Roberts, S. (2006). 135 tips for writing successful business documents. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. Davis, K. (2010) The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course in Business writing and Communications.New York: McGraw-Hill. Hogue, A. (2004) The Essentials of English: A Writer's Handbook. White Plains, NY. : Pearson Education (lots of grammar/punctuation resources) Strunk Jr. , W. & White, E. B. (1999 or 2011) The Elements of Style. New York: Pearson Longman (brief classic guide to common writing mistakes and corrections) Zinsser, W. (2006) On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Non-Fiction. New York: Harper (another very brief classic guide considered helpful by most writers) Online Writing Lab at Purdue University: http://owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/ (arguably the best online resource, covering a broad range of useful topics) Aig Accounting Scandal Guidelines for Memos A list of resources for good business writing appears at the end of this document. It is strongly recommended that any serious business person consider owning writing resources. Written communication is often the distinguishing factor in determining career success in any business or government environment. The following are general guidelines intended to assist the student attempting to write a business memo for the first time. A memo (short for memorandum which is latin for thing to be remembered) is used extensively for internal business communication.Every company or government has its own format but typically there is a centered heading â€Å"Memorandum† at the top of the page, followed by left indented sub-headings â€Å"To:† (followed by â€Å"CC:† where appropriate), â€Å"From:†, â€Å"Date:† and â€Å"Subject:†. Note that CC is short for Carbon Copy – individuals who are receiving a copy of the memo for in formation purposes only. Typically memos are written to announce, clarify, respond, question or address any important issue within the entity. Memos are brief – few are longer than a page – so writers must choose their words carefully.Since they will be read by colleagues, managers, subordinates, etc. , a sloppy or inaccurate or long-winded memo can result in readers questioning the competence of the author. The addressee, any copied recipients and the sender are all identified only by name and title, e. g. John Smith, Manager, Internal Control. Telephone extension numbers or e-mail addresses can also be included, optionally. The Subject line should tell the reader exactly what the memo is about in as few words as possible. Examples are: â€Å"New Delivery Schedule for C-920†, â€Å"Policy re. Car Pooling†, â€Å"Christmas Shutdown Dates†, etc.The body of the memo need not be as formal as a letter since the recipients all work for the same company. Having said that, the more senior the audience, the more formal the style. However, in-house jargon and/or acronyms are acceptable (e. g. â€Å"as per CLQ regs. † or â€Å"this is consistent with RM-30†). Further, an informal or conversational style with short forms is also acceptable, particularly when the memo is being written to a colleague. Note that the reason for communicating by memo rather than by phone or personal visit, is so the sender and recipient have written evidence concerning the subject at hand.Therefore, the language chosen must be clear enough that there is no doubt as to how the subject will be treated and what course future actions will take. The reality is many memos are written to protect the writer rather than inform the recipient. Business Communication Resources Alred, G. J. , Brusaw, C. T. , & Oliu, W. E. (2006). The business writer’s handbook (8th ed. ). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Guffey, M. E. , & Almonte, R. (2013). Esse ntials of business communication (7th Canadian ed. ). Toronto: Nelson. (includes sections on resumes, cover letters, speaking skills and career search) Guffey, M. E. , Loewy, D. , Rhodes, K. Rogin, P. (2013). Business communication : Process and product (4th Brief Canadian ed. ). Toronto: Nelson. (includes sections on resumes, cover letters and career search) Locker, K. O. , Kaczmarek, S. K. , Braun, K. (2010). Business communication: Building critical skills (4th Canadian ed. ). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson. Harty, K. J. (2008). Strategies for business and technical writing (6th ed. ). New York: Pearson Longman. Lindsell-Roberts, S. (2006). 135 tips for writing successful business documents. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. Davis, K. (2010) The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course in Business writing and Communications.New York: McGraw-Hill. Hogue, A. (2004) The Essentials of English: A Writer's Handbook. White Plains, NY. : Pearson Education (lots of grammar/punctuation resources) Strunk Jr. , W. & White, E. B. (1999 or 2011) The Elements of Style. New York: Pearson Longman (brief classic guide to common writing mistakes and corrections) Zinsser, W. (2006) On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Non-Fiction. New York: Harper (another very brief classic guide considered helpful by most writers) Online Writing Lab at Purdue University: http://owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/ (arguably the best online resource, covering a broad range of useful topics)

Understanding Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder

The term passive-aggressive is used to describe behavior that expresses defiance or hostility indirectly, rather than openly. These behaviors can include deliberately forgetting or procrastinating, complaining about a lack of appreciation, and a sullen demeanor. Passive-aggressive personality disorder (also called negativistic personality disorder) was first officially described by the U.S. War Department in 1945. Over the years, the associated symptoms changed; later, passive-aggressiveness was declassified as a formal diagnosis. Key Takeaways The term passive-aggressive refers to behavior that expresses defiance or hostility indirectly, rather than openly.The term passive-aggressive was first officially documented in a 1945 U.S. War Department bulletin.Passive-aggressive personality disorder is no longer classified as a diagnosable disorder, but is still considered relevant in the field of psychology. Origins and History The first official documentation of passive-aggressive personality disorder was in a technical bulletin issued in 1945 by the U.S. War Department. In the bulletin, Colonel William Menninger described soldiers who refused to comply with orders. Instead of outwardly expressing their defiance, however, the soldiers behaved in a passively aggressive manner. For instance, according to the bulletin, they would pout, procrastinate, or otherwise behave stubbornly or inefficiently. When the American Psychiatric Association prepared the first edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the association incorporated many phrases from the bulletin to describe the disorder. Some later editions of the manual also listed passive-aggressiveness as a personality disorder. However, by the time the third edition of the manual was released, the disorder had become controversial, as some psychologists believed that passive-aggressive behavior was a response to specific situations rather than being itself a broad personality disorder. Subsequent editions and revisions of the DSM expanded and changed the diagnostic requirements for passive-aggressive personality disorder, including symptoms like irritability and sulking. In the fourth edition of the manual published in 1994, the DSM-IV, passive-aggressive personality disorder was renamed â€Å"negativistic† personality disorder, which was thought to more clearly delineate the underlying causes of passive-aggressiveness. The disorder was also moved to the appendix, indicating the need for further study before it could be listed as an official diagnosis. In the DSM-V, released in 2013, passive-aggressiveness was listed under â€Å"Personality Disorder – Trait Specified,† emphasizing that passive-aggressiveness is a personality trait rather than a specific personality disorder. Theories on Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder Joseph McCann’s 1988 review on passive-aggressive disorder lists a number of potential causes of passive-aggressive personality disorder, divided into five distinct approaches. However, McCann noted that many of the writings are speculative; not all of them are necessarily backed by research. Psychoanalytic. This approach has roots in Sigmund Freud’s work and emphasizes the role of the unconscious in psychology. For example, one psychoanalytic view suggests that when individuals exhibit passive-aggressive behavior, they are attempting to reconcile their need to be seen as agreeable by others with their desire to express a negative attitude.Behavioral. This approach emphasizes observable and quantifiable behaviors. The behavioral approach suggests that passive-aggressive behavior occurs when someone has not learned how to assert themselves, feels anxiety about asserting themselves, or fears a negative response to their assertive behavior.  Interpersonal. This approach emphasizes the associations between two or more people. One interpersonal approach suggests that passive-aggressive people may be both quarrelsome and submissive in their relationships with other people.Social. This approach emphasizes the role of the environment in influencing human behavior. One so cial approach suggests that contradictory messages from family members during someone’s upbringing can cause that person to be more â€Å"on guard† later in life.Biological. This approach emphasizes the role of biological factors in contributing to passive-aggressive behavior. One biological approach suggests that there may be specific genetic factors that would cause someone to have erratic moods and irritable behaviors, as may be seen in passive-aggressive personality disorder. (At the time of McCanns review, there was no research to solidify this hypothesis.) Sources Beck AT, Davis DD, Freeman, A. Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. 3rd ed. New York, NY: The Guilford Press; 2015.Grohol, JM. DSM-5 change: Personality disorders (Axis II). PsychCentral website. https://pro.psychcentral.com/dsm-5-changes-personality-disorders-axis-ii/. 2013.Hopwood, CJ et al. The construct validity of passive-aggressive personality disorder. Psychiatry, 2009; 72(3): 256-267.Lane, C. The surprising history of passive-aggressive personality disorder. Theory Psychol, 2009; 19(1).McCann, JT. Passive-aggressive personality disorder: A review. J Pers Disord, 1988; 2(2), 170-179.