History Of Philosophy :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Philosophy is a vast field. It examines and probes many different fields. Virtue, morality, immortality, death, and the difference between the psyche (soul) and the soma (body) are just a few of the many different topics which can be covered under the umbrella of philosophy. Philosophers are supposed to be experts on all these subjects. The have well thought out opinions, and they are very learned people. Among the most revered philosophers of all time was Socrates. Living around the 5th century B.C., Socrates was among the first philosophers who wasn't a sophist, meaning that he never felt that he was wise for he was always in the pursuit of knowledge. Unfortunately, Socrates was put to death late in his life. One of his best students, Plato, however, recorded what had occurred on that last day of Socrates' life. On that last day of his life, Socrates made a quite powerful claim. He claimed that philosophy was merely practice for getting used to death and dying.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At first, the connection between philosophy and death is not clear. However, as we unravel Socrates' argument backing up his claim, the statement makes a lot of sense. In order for Philosophers to examine their world accurately and learn the truth accurately, they must remove them selves of all distractions. These not only include physical distractions, but they include mental distractions and bodily distractions as well. Philosophers must get used to viewing and examining the world with out any senses. Senses merely hinder and obscure the truth. Sight for example can be fooled easily with optical illusions which occur normally in nature. Sound can be very distracting as well when a philosopher is trying to concentrate. All of these cloud the judgement, and must therefore be detached from the soul. Socrates argues that philosophers must view the world around them with their souls in order to accurately learn about it. However, by detaching their souls from all bodily functions, philosophers may as well be in an induced state of death. In mortem, the soul wanders free and there are no bodily hindrances.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Socrates also believed that philosophers look upon death with good cheer and hope. This I find hard to believe because if this were true, the philosopher would not be able to love life, and without the love of life, there is no life to examine and learn about.

Hagia Sophia

In chapter twelve the remarkable church known as The Hagia Sophia was discussed briefly and I find it fascinating. I first learned about the Hagia Sophia in my art history class in high school. I have always been interested in the fact that it started as a basilica, was then a mosque and is now a museum that functions as both a mosque and a cathedral. I think that this amazing structure is proof that different religions can coexist and come together to create things that we all can cherish. Hagia Sophia is in Istanbul, turkey which was part of the Byzantine Empire until it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.It was originally built under the rule of Justinian to function as a church in 532 A. D. Justinian had material brought over from all over his empire. Large stones were brought from far-away quarries: porphyry from Egypt, green marble from Thessaly, black stone from the Bosporus region and yellow stone from Syria (â€Å"The Annotated Mona Lisa†). More than ten thousand peo ple were employed during this construction. This new church was immediately recognized as a major work of architecture, showcasing the creative insights of the architects. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture.The church’s decorated interior of mosaics and marble pillars and coverings is massive and takes ones breath away. The dome seems weightless as if held up by the unbroken row of 40 arched windows under it, which help flood the colorful interior with light. All interior surfaces are covered over with polychrome marbles, green and white with purple porphyry and gold mosaics, encrusted upon the brick. This covering hid the large pillars, giving them a brighter look. In 1453, the ottoman turks took over and the Sultan Mehmed II ordered the building to be converted into a mosque.The bells, altar, iconostasis, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many of the original beautiful mosaics that Justinian put in were plastered over. T he Islamic features — such as the mihrab, the minbar, and the four minarets outside — were added over the course of the Ottomans rule. It was used as a mosque until 1935, when it was converted into a museum by the Republic of Turkey. For almost 500 years the Hagia Sophia served as a model for many of the Ottoman mosques such as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Sehzade Mosque, the Suleymaniye Mosque, and the Rustem Pasha Mosque. However the Hagia Sophia is still the most awe inspiring.I believe that if the ottomans had never converted the church or if the church hadn’t been built under Justinian we wouldn’t have the beautiful mix of architectural aspects that we have today. The fact that the church contains the beautiful gold inlayed mosaics of Justinian, the depictions of Christ, and the large medallions with the names of Muhammad and Islam's first caliphs and that they all coexist beautifully is a perfect example of the harmony between the religions. People from all over the world from all backgrounds come to worship or just visit the beautiful structure.

The Roaring Twenties in Colorado Essay - 851 Words

The Jazz Age which is also referred to as the Roaring Twenties began after World War I took place and lasted until 1929, when the Great Depression began. The 1920s opened up a world of change to Americans; some did not approve and others, especially those in the big cities, celebrated with music and dance every day. There were numerous inventions that were being created throughout the 1920s and because of nationwide advertisement; people all over America were able to buy all the same stuff as one another. But unfortunately, times were different for those that lived in Colorado. The Roaring Twenties approached and the citizens in Colorado were facing rough times. In 1920, many people such as farm owners, manufacturers, and even miners†¦show more content†¦They were slowly becoming displaced from work and strikes were beginning to form. These miners were going on strikes because of wage cuts and poor working conditions that they were being required to work with (Hard Times: 19 20 – 1940). People all over Colorado were suffering; in Pueblo, Texas Creek, Westcliffe, and many more places. Mines were closing due to lack of production and money. Even railroads that were once operated daily by numerous people were being shut down and taken apart. Colorado was not flourishing in the 1920s. The 1920s for Colorado was not full of celebration, music, and dance like it was for much of the major cities across America. Colorado was experiencing lack of employment, little to no money for the middle and lower class, as well as increased levels of hatred, racism, and prejudice. During the 1920s, Colorado became known for being the Ku, Klux, Klan breeding ground. Colorado is just full of different ethnic groups and has such a variety of cities that it really opened the door for the KKK to participate in Klan activities. Their activities consisted hatred towards any ethnic group other than white, burning crosses, and threats to others (Hard Times: 1920 – 1940 ). Even though there was not any injuries or deaths related to the KKK practices that were taking place in Southern Colorado, the KKK really brought Colorado and its people down. Colorado was experiencing a grim time in the 1920s when it was supposed toShow MoreRelatedThe Rise Of The Great Depression1283 Words   |  6 Pagesin an economic drought causing most banks to foreclose for good. Most banks had to liquidate loans just to try to stay in business, but this had failed. Before the stock market crash people were in prosperity in the â€Å"Roaring twenties†, but the â€Å"roaring twenties† were not so roaring for some. In the early 20’s most people were poor, so many that being poor was a norm. This led people to stop buying which led to production of products to come to a halt. When production lines came to a halt more peopleRead More The Impact of the Great Depression Essay926 Words   |  4 Pagesfor a decade when nature conspired against the country to exacerbate the Great Depression. From 1931 through 1939, severe winds tore through the Dust Bowl – the region composed of the western parts of Kansas and Oklahoma, parts of New Mexico and Colorado, and the Texas panhandle. These winds stirred up the dust of a landscape already devastated by draught and continuous, exhaustive farming practices. These dust storms threatened people’s health and destroyed whole crops (MAP). Impoverished tenantRead MoreAnti-Drugs Policies in the 1960s Essay1006 Words   |  5 Pagespolicies have been dumping billions upon billions of dollars in prevention, punishment, and rehabilitation. From the roaring twenties, to the prohibition, drugs have always been fought (Bailey). Most times, the drugs start off as medicines and end up being harmful (Morris). 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During the years 1919 and 1920 the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Amendments were passed; the outlaw of alcoholic beverages and the right for women to vote, which ones of the many reasons society was turningRead MoreSemester A Unit 3 Lesson 31626 Words   |  7 Pageswagon, when Barn White woke to come bad news. One of his horses was dead. It was the nineteenth-century equivalent of a flat tire, except this was the winter of 1926. The Whites had no money. They were moving from the high desert chill of Las Animas, Colorado, to Littlefield, Texas, south of Amarolly, to start anew. Barn White was a ranch hand, a lover of horses and empty skies, at a time when the cowboy was becoming a museum piece in Texas and an icon in Hollywood. Within a year, Charles Lingbergh wouldRead MoreSocial and Racial Tension in 1920s America Essay1704 Words   |  7 PagesThe roaring twenties was a decade of excitement. 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