Divisibility Argument :: essays research papers

DIVISIBILITY ARGUMENT This paper will discuss the dualism’s Divisibility Argument. This argument relies on Leibniz’s Law and uses a different property to prove the distinctness of brain states of mental states. Mary, who is a materialist, presents several objections to that argument. Her main objection corresponds to the first/third-person approach. She believes that Dave presents that argument only from the first-person approach, which is introspection, and totally disregards the third-person approach, which is observation of another mind. Mary’s objections will follow by the Dave’s response on them from the dualist’s point of view. The purpose of the Divisibility Argument is to prove that mental states are different from the brain states. My body, which includes my brain, is divisible. However, I cannot conceive of my mind as divisible. Therefore, my mind is distinct from any part of my body. Descartes was the first who established the Divisibility Argument. He held that the two components which constitute man had an independent origin and are of a fundamentally different nature. The body is divisible, since it can be separated for example, my leg or my hand can be cut off; my brain can be cut on half. However, the idea of the divisible mind is inconceivable. This argument relies on the Leibniz’s Law. It is a principle about identity, which says, â€Å"if an object or event X is identical with an object or event Y, then X and Y have all of the same properties.† So if X and Y have any different properties, then X can not be identical with Y. Divisibility Argument uses a different property to prove the distinctness of brain states and mental states: the property of being indivisible. In this case, the mind has a property and brain lacks it. The body can be divided, however, it cannot be done with the mind. Mary has several objections to this argument. First, she believes that the mind is an entity, which is composed of several mental states: thoughts, beliefs, memories, desires, etc. Mary strongly disagrees with Descartes’ claim that the mind employs itself in its different properties: willing, desiring, understanding, and so on. Secondly, she clarifies the meaning of the word â€Å"conceive† in the Dave’s argument. The term â€Å"conceive† might mean either â€Å"imagine† or â€Å"understand.† Imagining literally involves â€Å"forming an image of† or â€Å"picturing† in one’s mind, whereas understanding is more â€Å"conceptual† and does not require the ability to picture something.

Save the Planet Earth

Our planet is in great danger. For the last one hundred or so years, the people of earth have wasted and misused the natural recourses of earth. Several plans have been developed to stop the abuse of earth. Some of these plans I will discuss in this essay, many of which can be executed by any one. Environmental problems have become so complex that many individuals feel they can have no effect on them.Problems like oil spills, hazardous waste, loss of rain forests, endangered species, acid rain, the ozone layer, the municipal waste crisis can feel out of our control. At the very least, these problems require group and corporate action or government intervention. However, there are some things the individual can control. Our waste reduction and recycling activities can make a difference. That's why so many communities began voluntary recycling programs.There are some household items that are dangerous if they are just thrown away with the regular garbage these items can damage the envi ronment and injure plant and animal life some of these may include moth balls, spot removers, aerosol cans, fluorescent light tubes and shoe polish. Your local waste management agency has information on how to properly dispose of these items.A compost bin may be set up in your yard. Compost bins return plant and some food materials to the soil through decomposition so it can be used as a natural soil additive, called compost. Compost improves soil texture, increases the ability of soil to absorb oxygen and water. Compost also suppresses weed growth and reduces the need to add chemicals and pesticides to plants, which may be harmful to the environment.Keeping recycle bens in the kitchen may help to stop people from accidentally throwing into the trash an item that could have been recycled. Some recyclable items include glass, paper, and most types of mettle. You want to be sure that glass, paper and mettle are all separated into different bins. Once these bins are full of recyclable materials they can be given to your local recycle center.Solar panels are a series of mirrors that transform sunlight into solar energy. Solar energy can help heat water and power home appliances. Solar energy is a great source of clean, non-polluting energy.The home is not the only place wear people can pitch in and help the environment. School playgrounds can use recyclable materials for play equipment and to make the play ground safe for the children. Old rubber tires can be made into a recreation area where kids can crawl in and out. Sports coaches may also use old tires, by having the kids run through them, to test the kids stamina and agility. Jungle gyms, slides and swing sets can be made from recycled mettles.The school and public libraries are great examples of the reuse of materials. Books can be barrowed, read and returned instead of every one who wants to read a certain book going and purchasing a copy. The reuse of these books saves thousands of trees that would be used to make copies of books. The library also offers computers that can be used for research, by using the Internet, by taping the local or global newspaper web sights and other research centers around the world. Receiving information through the Internet saves paper and energy consumption is reduced.By taking school buses or car pools to school instead of individual vehicles, students can not only save fuel but also reduce both traffic and air pollution. People may also try to invest in electronic vehicles, which do not pollute. People should make sure to keep maintenance up on their vehicles to prevent unnecessary toxins from entering the environment.The idea of a landfill is a great one, but it won’t work if people continue to believe it is a place for all trash. A landfill is a big divot dug out of the earth for garbage disposal.We need to make sure we don’t put chemicals or non-biodegradable substances into these landfills because they are harmful to plants and anima ls, they may also contaminate our drinking water. A few of these chemicals include antifreeze, insecticide, batteries and Styrofoam, for proper disposal of these items contact your local waste management agency.You can help save natural resources by taking your old belongings that are no longer needed to a second hand store or the Salvation Army. A second hand store is a place where people can purchase donated items at a cheaper price than if they were to buy it brand new. The Salvation Army is much like a second hand store, but the items are free. Most items found at a second hand store or The Salvation Army are articles of clothing. The benefit to donating old items is that when people find what they need at a second hand store or The Salvation Army fewer items are manufactured which means you are saving natural recourses.We can help, over the last twenty to thirty years we have been trying every thing in our power to conserve energy and natural resources, many plans have been dev eloped as to what should be done all of which are very good ones. The problem with these plans is that not every one contributes to the efforts to reduce pollution and waste, in fact most of the people I know believe recycling is a waste of time and they by them selves cannot make the difference.In some cases, I have found myself questioning my efforts. However, it is still important that we don’t quit. If only every one in every home would decide to do their part and help to keep our air clean, our water unpolluted and our wild life safe. The Earth is our home and we need to protect it.

Hilcrest Auto Case Essay - 976 Words

Hilcrest Auto The Importance of Quality Issues Hilcrest Auto is a manufacturing company specialized in producing specific parts for automobile assemblers. Hilcrest Auto is currently facing quality control issues, possibly leading to financial issues or threats of losing future contracts. Quality control has been an essential concern for most manufacturing industry. Low-quality control in the manufacturing process could increase the cost of good manufacturing and returns from customers. However, quality control is especially critical in the automotive supply industry. One reason is that there are only limited numbers of consumer firms dominated by Ford, GM, and Daimler-Chrysler. Producing parts that are not â€Å"up-to-spec† could result in†¦show more content†¦This discrepancy would be significant to Hilcrest Auto, which is not considering overtime or third shift under the current circumstance. There are several potential solutions for Bailey, the quality manager and business unit manager of the Small Parts Divisi on of Hilcrest, under this circumstance of the quality issue and shortness of supply. First, Bailey is considering imposing an immediate improvement in quality control. Bailey is also considering adding the third shift or purchasing a new machine to increase productions. Immediate Improvement Bailey is considering adding two more steps to the production for Hilcrest in order to improve the quality of heater core tubes: the re-shaping process and the gauging inspection. The re-shaping process takes seven seconds per tube, which is not constrained by capacity. The gauging process, on the other hand, will take virtually no time, but scrap five percent of finish parts. On a â€Å"good day† level of production, Hilcrest will reject 65 tubes per shift, resulting 650 units deduction in the weekly supply. Bailey is facing a situation to sacrifice production level in order to ensure quality control. In addition to that, Hilcrest is required to hire an additional full-time operator for $48,000 to supervise new operating processes. Third Shift In order to meet the market demand, Bailey can also add a third shift to increase the production level. By