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.
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