Teaching the Philosophy of Science with Non-Scientific Examples Essay

Teaching the Philosophy of Science with Non-Scientific Examples ABSTRACT: This essay explores the benefits of utilizing non-scientific examples and analogies in teaching philosophy of science courses, or general introductory courses. These examples can help resolve two basic difficulties faced by most instructors, especially when teaching lower-level courses: first, they can prompt students to take an active interest in the class material, since the examples will involve aspects of the culture well-known to the students; second, these familiar, less-threatening examples will lessen the students' collective anxieties and open them up to learning the material more easily. To demonstrate this strategy of constructing and employing non-scientific examples, a lengthy analogy between musical styles and Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions is developed. Without a doubt, one of the most difficult tasks in teaching undergraduate philosophy courses is motivating the students to take an active interest in the abstract and complex issues normally presented. One obvious method of overcoming this dilemma is to provide numerous historical examples and analogies of the relevant philosophical problem, since concrete instances are frequently less complicated than general descriptions, articulate the main points more clearly, and have the added bonus of being more "personal" and relatable. Thus, if one were presenting, say, Imre Lakatos theory of scientific research programs, describing the conflict between the Ptolemaic and Copernican views would serve as an excellent backdrop for the introduction of Lakatos' ideas. Nevertheless, if the students are unfamiliar and/or bored by the kinds of examples employed, the strategy will, of course,... ...eme be introduced in the development section? // (rock) Can the song last for more than three minutes? 4) Techniques for answering questions (and standards of success): (class.) Yes, but as long as it doesn't undermine the recapitulation. // Yes, but don't expect much radio air play, or video exposure. 5) Exemplars (successful previous application of theory): (class.) a sonata form movement by one of the acknowledged master, such as Haydn, Mozart, etc. // a hit song by one of the great rock bands, such as Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc. 6) Incommensurability: 'theme' in classical sonata form is designed for maximum development capacity, and is (usually) in either tonic or dominant key // 'theme' in rock music is usually designed for maximum melodic capacity, must allow lyrics to be set to the theme, and may not strictly follow the tonic-dominant tonal scheme.

Compare and Contrast the spread of Christianity and Buddhism Essay

Both Buddhism and Christianity from their origins to the sixth century C. E. had similarities in that the diffusion was attributed through missionary work and conquest. Meanwhile, Christianity spread through the down fall of Rome and Buddhism spread by Ashoka who sent monks to share the teachings of the Buddha. Christianity and Buddhism both spread through missionaries. Specifically, Buddhism, towards part of South and Southeast Asia and, Christianity the Middle East through Europe. Buddhism’s missionaries were in forms of monks that lived in monasteries and taught the Buddhist’s beliefs. On the other hand, Christianity, was spread through the downfall of Rome by groups of missionaries, like Paul, that taught to European and Middle Eastern cities. The diffusion by conquest was different with Christianity than Buddhism in tactics used to convert the religion. German tribes such as Saxons, Angles, and Jutes were impacted by missionary workers in the Western empire spreading Christianity and overtime they adopted the religion. When the tribes invaded and conquered most of England, they made the conquered convert to Christianity. Meanwhile, Buddhism is stationed on the belief of non-violence. Ashoka was a Hindu when he was younger and after witnessing many bloody battles and becoming troubled by the effects of wars on humanity, he decided to convert to a life of non-violence. Ashoka being a king made him be able to adopt the religion of Buddhism and he sent monks to surrounding territories to share the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism and Christianity had several similarities in how they diffused. However, they each had different roots and beliefs. Buddhism began in India in the late sixth century B. C. E, while Christianity began several centuries later in Israel and started spreading from Jerusalem. Buddhism shared some beliefs with Hinduism and soon became rooted in China. Meanwhile, Christianity shared roots with Judaism and Islam. While both religions spread with the help of missionaries, Christianity also spread when Constantine converted. Buddhism believed in nirvana and Christianity believed in heaven and hell. All in all, Buddhism and Christianity have many different beliefs and roots that each contributed to their diffusion. Buddhism and Christianity are two of today’s major world religions, but they each gained followers in many different ways. Spreading from Eastern Asia to Europe, both religions influenced a variety of people and groups as they spread their beliefs. With the help of missionaries, they each continued to impact people from their origins to the sixth century C. E.

Jane Austen s Emma And Clueless Comparison - 1655 Words

Alex Escribano Professor Klingensmith 4 April 2016 ENGL Emma and Clueless Comparison Jane Austen’s Emma can be categorized as a bildungsroman, better known as a coming-of-age tale, in which the reader follows the title character as she comes to terms with her position in the world during the Regency period. However, looking beyond the titular character, one can look at Emma as a satirical work regarding the restrictions and conventions of 19th century society. This satirical element later went on to inspire Heckerling’s interpretation as she adapted the story of Emma into the cult film, Clueless, which goes on to highlight the phenomena of cliques amongst the youth of America. Both works use the element of exaggeration in order to explore the gender stereotypes and expectations placed upon society during their respective eras. Heckerling effectively takes the novel Emma and thrusts it into the world of Beverly Hills, keeping the underlying themes while engaging a more modern audience. Emma Woodhouse was the first heroine in Jane Austen’s novels to be free from financial concerns. She is introduced to the reader as being, â€Å"handsome, clever, and rich† as well as having â€Å"the power of having rather too much of her own way and disposition to think too well of herself† (Austen 1). Despite this description of a spoiled young woman who too often gets her way, she is not taken by personal vanity and is often genuinely compassionate to the poor. Despite being an exception to theShow MoreRelatedSummary Of Emma And Amy Heckerlings Clueless1369 Words   |  6 Pagesto Jane Austens  Emma  and Amy Heckerlings  Clueless. 1300-1500 words Texts and their appropriations presents the ways of thinking and the values existent within their societies. When comparing Jane Austen’s Regency novel Emma and Amy Heckerling’s adaptive feature Clueless, it is evident they offer diverse perspectives significant to understanding the composer’s contexts. In differentiation, Emma highlights the significance of matrimony, whereas this value is cast aside in Clueless. Clueless alsoRead MoreJane Austen s Clueless 1949 Words   |  8 PagesIn Emma, the character Jane Austen presents in the novel is the type of person who likes to meddle in other people’s lives. In the film Clueless, Cher is an impersonation of Emma’s character. She also manipulates the situation, meddles in people’s lives because she feels she can manage them better than they can. In this particular adaptation of Emma, Emma is portrayed through the character Cher. Cher is also a meddler in other people’s lives. This se ts the film up for an interesting and developingRead MoreJane Austen s Novel Of The Novel Emma2107 Words   |  9 PagesIn this particular film adaptation of the novel Emma, the character Jane Austen presents in the novel is the type of person who likes to meddle in other people’s lives. In this particular adaptation of Emma, Emma is portrayed through the character Cher. Cher is also a meddler in other people’s lives. This sets the film up for an interesting and developing plot. Cher Horowitz illuminates Emma Woodhouse because they both exist in that precarious realm where lovable threatens to tip over into loathsomeRead MoreTechniques1400 Words   |  6 Pagesway that you draw on your own experience of texts. These references need not have occurred to the composer and can in fact be drawn from texts composed at a later period. For example, our reading of the original Emma by Jane Austen is affected by the fact that we have seen the film Clueless. JARGON refers to the language or technical terms specific to a particular subject. HYPERBOLE a deliberate exaggeration for dramatic effect and not intended to be taken literally eg. ...the endless cry