... as existent, we in reality make no addition to or alteration on our first idea. [Anscombe, G. E. M., (1981). Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Mind, Oxford Univ. Press: Oxford] REALITY IN EXISTENCE OF THE SELF: Rene Descartes has been one of the most profound influences in metaphysical and analytical ... How would you convince yourself that this is not true, that you are indeed awake? This question encompasses one of the most fundamental mysteries of philosophy and the science of psychology in general i.e. How can one make oneself believe whether or not one is asleep and dreaming when in...

• Word Count: 2636
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

... intensity of both pleasure and pain as well as its duration or effects of other pleasure or pain that could ensue from an action. Utilitarianism, at its core, is a political philosophy and as a result is applied in relation to the common good or the greatest good. Utility did away with universal norms of morality and made a balance system that said one ... was one of the first founding fathers to further this new system in England. Utilitarianism was introduced by the British theologian William Paley in his Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy and by the British jurist and philo...

• Word Count: 3279
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill is an act-utilitarian and is most likely to support an act as right if it is likely to produce the most good for the most people. On "don't kill", it would depend on the situation. If a lot of people would be happy from the killing of one person then this rule can be broken. If very little or no happiness would come from this then the rule should be followed. For example, letting a patient die because he/she is an organ donor and an organ is needed would be ok as compared to one person killing another for personal reasons between the victim and the killer. Cheat...

• Word Count: 2842
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate