These essays have been written between 2002 ans 2006 for the Bacheler of Art degree at Monash University through Open Universities Australia.

Topics in Indian Philosophy

• Karma, Dharma & Moksa: Introduction to the three main aspects of Indian philosophy.
• The Persistence of the Self: Does the Self perish after death?
• The Self in Indian Philosophy: Summary of the major arguments for the existence of a Self.

Descartes and the Defence of Reason

• Certainty and the Cogito: Discussion of Descartes’ famous adage: I Think therefore I am.
• God’s Existence: A look at Descartes’ proofs of the existence of God.
• Descartes’ Sceptical Challenge: How can we slay the Malicious Demon?

Hellenistic Philosophy

• Problems of atomic motion: Overview of Epicurean atomic theory.
• The Stoic theory of universals: What is the connection between the things that are in the world and the content of our consciousnes?
• Epicurean arguments for Hedonism: Is Epicurus’ theory of hedonism defensible?

Ethics

• Relativism: Introduction to ethical relativism.
• Utilitarianism: Some thought about two types of utilitarian ethics.
• Friendship: Can modern ethical theories account for friendship?

Origins of Modern Philosophy

• Innate Ideas: Is our mind a Tabula Rasa or Veined Block of Marble?
• External World: Is our belief in the external world rational?
• The problem of induction: Is Karl Popper’s idea of falsification a solution to Hume’s problem of induction?

Values & the Meaning of Life

• The dangers of philosophy: Is philosophy a dangerous activity?
• Religion and the meaning of life: Can religion provide a solid foundation fo meaning?
• Life after death: If there is no life after death, is this earthly life then meaningless?

Myth, Ritual and the Sacred

• Phenomenology of Religion: Short introduction to the phenomenological study of religion.
• Religious Experience: Summary of the different types of religious experience.
• Initiation Rituals & Rites of Passage: A look at Rites of Passage and how they function in contemporary culture.
• Elements of Shamanism: Brief study on the various elements typical of shamanism.
• Uluru. as a sacred space: Analysis of Uluru. as a sacred space to the Anangu.
• Sacred Spaces in Bendigo: Comparative analysis of the Bendigo Joss House and the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo.

Australian Society

• Sociological Imagination: About the purpose of Sociology in the eyes of C. Wright Mills.
• A Life History: An exercise in the interaction between biography and history.
• Breakfast & Culture: About the cultural content of breakfast.
• Cultural Identity: Are we able to choose our own identity?

Introduction to Psychology

• Hidden Personalities: Sigmund Freud and Carl Rogers on hidden pesonalities.
• Differences in Body Image Between Men and Women: Study into the diffferent perceptions of body image.
• Explanation Models for the Bystander Effect in Helping Behaviour: Research into our preparedness to help other in need.
• Age and Gender Differences in the Appropriateness of Intimate Nonverbal Behaviour Between Children and Parents: What type of behaviour is appropriate between parents and children?

Sociology of Identity

• Goffman and Marcuse on Identity: Analysis of Erwin Goffman’s and Herbert Marcuse’s approach to identity.
• The Influence of Mental Disorder on Identity: How does being labelled with mental disorder impact on identity?

Material Culture & Commodity Culture

• Adult Bookstore: Semiotic analysis of Insight Adult Books in Bendigo.
• The commodification of sexual desire: Analysis of pornography in contemporary culture

Miscellaneous

• Strategic Management: Essay arguing that intuition and luck are equally influential as rational planning methods in strategic management.