Philosophy Final

Essay #1

When attempting to discuss a subject philosophically a process needs to be considered. First and foremost, the ability to reason and in turn provides adequate argumentation. Within the reasoning process one must have the ability to use logic as well as critical and analytical thought. Without this process we are simply left with bias opinion.

When engaging in philosophical debate it is imperative to provide an explicit argument; whether it is positive or negative, basis and conclusion are vital. When approaching a negative argument or objection either the reasoning or the premise need to addressed, often times the premise is unjustified or inadequately supported, leading to a lack of reasoning to support the argument. This is where we run into some of the major fallacies when attempting to reason out an argument; formal and informal fallacies which can lead to problems such as illogical thinking, hasty generalizations, questionable cause, questionable conclusion, appeal to authority or emotion, false analogy or dilemma, and slippery slope.

In order to avoid an inconsistent or poorly supported argument it is essential that our premises are able to provide an adequate and supportive conclusion. This can often get tricky in philosophical debate due to the fact that our innate feelings about a topic can often get in the way and skew ones judgment. In truth many philosophical arguments are based simply in belief, often without adequate or sufficient proof of this belief being true. It all comes down to who can best support their argument either with reason or simply eloquent speech; if one wants to be honest. But it is a mistake to let faulty thinking get in the way of any philosophical debate; it is always best to speak on subjects that you are educated in and to use supportive logic.

Not all arguments in philosophy are based in fact, many are ideas or beliefs based on intuition and faith, they just have well thought out and educated arguments to support them. In truth this is one of the wonderful things about philosophy; it challenges ones original belief systems and encourages them to think beyond their normal boundaries. There is often more than one plausible option in any debate, and the simple act of exploring these differences can be a mind expanding experience. One is able to analyze an issue and reason in a way that creates clarified interpretations through abstract thought and flexible problem solving. It may not be easy to challenge one's own belief systems or thought processes, but often times it's these preconceived notions and ideas that are the least developed and truly lack clarity until challenged. The act of opening the mind to new ideas can change the entire dynamic of how one thinks or looks at life in general. This type of critical and analytical thinking can easily be a way to open the mind to new possibilities and experiences in life. Without engaging the mind the experience of life in general would remain mundane, people have the inherent ability to develop their minds in ways that may have never seemed possible, until experienced.

Essay #2

Many believe that the soul lies at the core of our existence; it is our essence of self, what dictates who we are. Is the health of our soul what drives us to be good? Plato would argue that our soul's health is based entirely on moral virtue; that the soul, much like the body, has a state of health. While this may seem like an interesting correlation, I can't help but agree that our wellbeing is dependent on mind, body, and soul. Our bodies work as a system, and it is critical for all to function in harmony to achieve a state of balance and true health.

What is moral virtue? White describes it as the moral character of our actions. In essence the things we choose to do or the way we behave has an immense effect on our character and hence the health of our souls. There are times in life where the negative actions we involve ourselves in hurt us more than anyone else. Anyone with a conscious knows deep down that these are the things in life that haunt us, they perpetuate negativity in our lives. We live with our regrets forever, and they influence us consciously and unconsciously. Plato believed that by living a life of virtue the mind remains clear and one is able to keep a positive view in life and see things for what they truly are. One will have the capability to be objective when it comes to judging right and wrong. It can give one the freedom to make clear and decisive decisions, which gives one a sense of freedom and enlightenment; Plato called this the "strength of will." Without the moral character necessary to develop this strength, one is often led by their fears and behaves in a way that does not speak of virtue or morality.

How is the health of the soul maintained? Plato believed it was through the balance of intellect, physical being, and spirit or emotions. Without the mind to control our actions people often allow their emotions guide their physical needs. They may focus too much on one aspect of their being, allowing the others to be neglected. This imbalance is precisely what leads to poor judgment and ultimately an unhealthy soul. The mind provides reason and self-control, giving us the guidance necessary to live in moderation without neglecting the other aspects of our being.

It is easy to allow one's emotions or physical drives to overpower their thought process, creating poor judgment which often results in unethical behavior. I was so emotionally driven in high school, I gained and lost friends by giving in to behavior that got me nowhere and hurt others. I sometimes wonder if I even engaged in a thought process, or just operated on complete emotional or physical initiative. I was quick to act, got into a lot of fight, and engaged in risky behavior numerous times. Giving in to these drives often perpetuated a negative outlook, which in turn changed my entire perspective on life and acceptable behavior. The more I began to act unethically, the easier it became to give into physical desires and emotional or irrational responses to any situation. This type of consistent behavior completely changed me as a person; no longer using logic or reason when reacting to a given circumstance; pride, jealously, anger, and insecurity created a loss of control.

I believe this is what Plato refers to as an unhealthy soul. It is when the soul of the person becomes so blinded by desires and emotions, that clear thought is no longer a consideration. Impulsivity begins to rule one's life instead of self-control and logical behavior. Human beings are naturally emotional and physically driven creatures; however, we obtain the ability