Literary Movements: Puritan Plain Style to Positivism
Puritan Plain Style
”Plain” does not mean ”rustic” or ”rude”, much less ”artless”. It means ”unadorned” by elaborated figures of speech and learned references just as the church building, services and the ministers themselves must be unadorned. Literary conceits and classical allusions were a sign of human vanity. Puritans favored simple, short words rather than long, fancy ones. They got to the point immediately, no exaggerated descriptions. It is based on directness and clarity.
Satans
Read MoreExploring the Conflict of Values in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World
Analysis: Chapters 9–10
In these chapters, the interlude at the Reservation ends, and John’s life in the World State begins. The conflict between John’s values and the social mores of the World State starts to become obvious. The shift of setting, from the Reservation in New Mexico to the World State in England, foreshadows the shift that is about to take place in the lives of both John and Bernard.
John’s character is revealed more fully in his confrontations with World State culture. His
Read MoreCultural Relativism: Understanding Moral Differences Across Cultures
Introduction
In his travels, Darius encountered a variety of cultures with diverse practices. This led him to believe that a comprehensive understanding of the world requires an appreciation for such cultural differences.
Claims of Cultural Relativism
Cultural relativism asserts that:
- Different societies have distinct moral codes.
- There is no objective standard for judging one code as superior to another.
- Our own society’s moral code holds no special status.
- There is no universal moral truth.
- A society’
The Art of Persuasion: A Guide to Effective Rhetoric
Chapter
1
concession: rhtorical jujitsu that uses your oppenent’s move to your advantage. (let’s tweak it)
manipulate= instruction
the ancients considered rhetoric the essential skill of leadership-knowledge so important that they placed it at the center of a higher education.
amplification= its a form of an essenntial rhetorical tactic that turns up the volume as you speack (informerciales)
great argument does not always mean elaborate speech; thought the most effective rhetoric disguises is art.
argument’
Read MoreRené Descartes: Method, Substance, and the Existence of God
The Cartesian Method
Descartes’s method, known as the Cartesian Method, is a set of rules designed to achieve certainty in knowledge. The four rules are:
- Evidence: Accept only what is clearly and distinctly perceived.
- Analysis: Break down complex problems into simpler ones.
- Synthesis: Deduce complex truths from simpler ones.
- Enumeration: Review the steps to ensure nothing has been omitted.
Substance
Descartes defines substance as”that which exists in such a way that it needs nothing else to exist” He identifies
Read MoreDescartes’ Philosophical Method: A Comprehensive Guide
Historical-Philosophical Context
René Descartes, born in 1596, hailed from a lower-nobility Catholic family in The Hague. He studied Aristotelian texts and graduated in law before pursuing mathematics and a military career in Holland. During his travels, he conceived the method of deductive reasoning and esoteric study but was ultimately disappointed.
Descartes found military life unfulfilling and joined the army to travel, believing that exposure to different cultures would enhance his learning.
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