Humanities

During the first five weeks we have been using a group of texts to explore the whole question of what we know (metaphysics) and how we know it (epistemology).We have seen that there are several possibilities to consider in both areas; we have also seen that it is possible to doubt anything.It seems that in order to function in the world we have to take something “on faith,” whether it is reason (rationalism), the evidence of our senses (empiricism), or some authority (idealism).(Are there other sources of knowledge?)

We are also concerned in this course with how thinking, reading and writing give form and order to what we know and believe, as witnessed in the texts studied and in our own responses to these texts.

For the first essay, discuss the texts we have studied and what they show us about human knowledge in general.Obviously, the first step is to understand what the texts are actually saying and to give the ideas a fair hearing.A good part of the paper should be devoted to summarizing and synthesizing the information in the texts.Then try to apply these understandings to your own search for knowledge and understanding—and happiness.Once again, that’s (a) demonstrate an understanding of the ideas, and (b) apply the ideas.

As far as length is concerned, bear in mind that since there are only four major papers in this class, I expect each one to be the result of your best efforts in thinking and writing.I would be surprised if this could be managed in less than 1000 words. That would be a minimum of 4 pages, typed, double-spaced. Avoid easy answers, and try to bring your own thinking about what you know and believe to a new level of clarity and consistency.

i put the files we read during this

Writing

1). Who is Chris Langan, and how did growing up in poverty affect his life chances? (99)

Chris Langan was an intelligent man who lacked social interaction skills to speak up for himself for he was not taught how to socialize with people by his parents, who, seemly would make decisions for him but sadly failed to actually take responsibility of their parental role. Which, resulted him to suffer poverty for no one helped him or taught him socialization and other vital information he needed to know to succeed in life. Additionally, growing up in poverty affected his life chances because he was submissive to whatever the school or systems says and would not speak up or challenge the authorities.

2) What is a “McJob?” Should people who work in these jobs get paid higher wages – why or why not? (127-128)

A McJob is a slang that represents a low paying job that acquire minimum skills and slim to none in pertaining to advancement. In my opinion, I do not believe that people who work teenage related jobs should received higher wages, if they simply have an opposition with the job pay, then it’s better to find another job that pays higher, simple as that. Working fast food, should be an expectation of low pay since many people including adults, and teenagers do the job. Indeed, if fast food were to increase in higher wages, I believe more people would become lackadaisical than ever.

3) What is USAS, and how have they tried to make social change? (214-215)

The USAS is the United Students Against Sweatshops that opposed work factories that do not treat workers who help fabricate brands and clothes fairly. Indeed, many major popular industries today such as Nike, forever 21, have workers around the world who work in horrible conditions for an unfairly low pay to survive such as 1$ a day to make company brands, and thus many companies try to hide this or keep it in discreet. Vitally, the USAS have advocated and done protests to help bring about awareness, created a monitor to oversee working conditions in US and internationally and established campaigns. Overall, I believe this is a remarkable organization for many do not know such harsh and inequality against workers are taking place among these underhanded companies that we delight the most and buy our products from.