Philosophy of Human Nature Essay Example for Free

Philosophy of Human Nature Essay Evil can be used in two ways- when someone has done evil and when someone has suffered evil. Since God is good, God does no moral evil; however, because God is just, God punishes the wicked and thus causes the evil of punishment. People are the cause of their own evildoing. Furthermore, because learning is good a thing, we do not learn evil. It is people’s inordinate desires that drive their evildoings. There are two laws- eternal law and temporal law. Both laws are good and guarantee people to live perfectly. To live perfectly and well, we need to know that we are alive, that we live with reason and understanding. And when the impulses of the soul are guided by reason, a person is perfectly ordered- eternal law. However, it is possible that the reason or mind does not rule. According to Augustine, this can only happens if a person’s own will and free choice make the mind a companion of cupidity. It is up to us to decide whether we want out will to be good or bad, and whether we desire things we can lose or we can’t lose. Thesis (What is the central point of the reading? Use no more than three sentences. ): Augustine claims that people do evil by the free choice of our will. Your questions So if God is all good and omnipotent, then why will God allow anyone to do evil by the free choice of their will? If we are images of God, and God is all good and omnipotent, shouldn’t we be all good and not act in ways that conflicts with God’s image?

Brave New World: Can Man Create Utopia? :: Brave New World

Brave New World:  Ã‚   Can Man Create Utopia?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Brave New World, a novel by Aldous Huxley, was published during the time, socialism and dictatorship were the key concepts of the day. These governments believed that having total power would engender a perfect society. Karl Marx (Bernard Marx), and Nikolai Lenin (Linina), are two men who decide to pursue this concept. Through examples of these characters, it is demonstrated that a government that completely controls a nation will fail. Many of the ideas that the governments thought would contribute to success were the cause of their failure. Although technological advances, sexual promiscuity, and conformity contribute to the success of a Utopian society, these aspects are also the reason for downfall. Throughout the novel, Huxley uses Bernard Marx, a young man who is â€Å"deformed by the government† (Huxley, page #) to underline the idea that a Utopian Society cannot exist. The advancement of technology has enabled this â€Å"Utopian Society† to create human life. Although the entire society is based on technology, it remains supervised by humans. No matter how â€Å"advanced† this technology may be, if humans are directing it, mistakes will be made â€Å"They say somebody made a mistake when he was still in the bottle... and put alcohol into his blood- surrogate. That’s why he’s so stunted† (Huxley, 46). The outcome of what happened to Bernard forced him to see that mistakes were one reason a Utopian Society could not exist. The Character Bernard Marx is an example of human imperfection, not because he was referred to as deformed, but because the person who created him messed up. Individuals were decanted according to specification. Any deviation was evidently the result of some mistake, a mistake made by a human. These technological developments weren’t advanced enough to create such a perfect society. Bernard was an example of this undesired reality.   He was deemed an outcast due to his imperfection. Being an outcast, however, allowed him to see the world differently. He was able to realize how everything was being manipulated and he was able to discern that it was wrong. Bernard noticed the manipulation of Lenina. Lenina wanted to have sex with just one person, but she wasn’t allowed. â€Å"Everyone belongs to everyone else† (page #) was one of the world state’s mottoes. Sexual promiscuity eliminates emotional tension. By eliminating tension and anxiety the World State was able to better control its citizens.

Distinguishing Bipolar and Bpd Disorders

Distinguishing Bipolar and BPD Disorders Tonjanika Boyd North Carolina Central University Introduction Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder are mood and personality disorder respectively, that have had many challenges amongst psychiatrist in differentiation. Not only does the two disorders share several symptoms and associated impairments, there is also continuing debates in the psychiatric literature about whether the two disorders actually represent different conditions (Hatchet, 2010).The following paper compares and contrasts Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorders and discusses implications of differential diagnosis of the disorders that can lead to long-term effects for the patient due to the fundamentally different treatment each disorder needs. Comparison of Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder Bipolar Disorder According to the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorder, 4th edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), bipolar is a recurrent mood disorder fe aturing one or more episodes of mania or mixed episodes of mania and depression (Antai-Otong, 2008).The bipolar disorders include, bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic, and bipolar NOS disorders. Bipolar I disorder includes one or more manic or mixed episodes, usually with a major depressive episode. Bipolar II disorder includes one or two major depressive episodes and at least one hypomanic episode. Cyclothymic disorder includes at least 2 years of hypomanic periods that do not meet the criteria for the other disorders. Bipolar NOS, does not meet any of the other bipolar criteria. The etiology of Bipolar disorder has been researched and documented for many years and has many theories and perspectives.Causative factors include psychodynamic, existential, cognitive behavioral and developmental and complex biologic and genetic factors (Antai-Otong, 2008). Signs and Symptoms (s/s) of Bipolar disorder varies from the type of episode they patient is experiencing. Major de pressive episodes include a depressed mood or lose of interest for at least 2 weeks and five or more of the following: Significant weight loss or gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue, worthless feelings or inappropriate guilt, problem concentrating or recurrent thoughts of death.Manic episodes s/s includes, persistent elevated irritable mood of more than one week, increased self-esteem, decreased sleep, increased, increase talk and pressured speech, racing thoughts and ideas, distractibility, extreme goal-directed activity, excessive buying, sex and business investments (Pederson, 2012). In order to have successful treatment of bipolar disorder, a holistic approach is the best therapy. This includes, pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions. Pharmacologic include mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics and electroconvulsive therapy.There has been a controversy with the use of anti-depressants for treatment due to its effec t with mood stabilizers. It is not a mainstay, but is still prescribe when they are not sure if it is unipolar or bipolar, but becomes dangerous when switching from a depressive episode to a manic or hypomanic episode (Antai-Otong, 2011). Electroconvulsive therapy is the last resort if the mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics fail or when an immediate intervention is needed. Psychotherapeutic intervention is mostly where the nursing care is used more frequently.Psychosocial and behavioral intervention, both fall under the umbrella of psychotherapeutic treatment and are important for more positive treatment outcomes. If a patient is in the acute phase, the nurses’ main focuses are safety and maintain a therapeutic milieu that facilitates resolution of symptoms and minimizes complications. The nurse also educated the client and family about medications, treatment options and other psychotherapies (Antai-Otong, 2011). Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)BPD originated in the 19 30’s, when it was used to describe patients who were on the â€Å"border† between neuroses and psychosis. It is the most common complex and severely impairing personality disorders. According to DSM-IV, it is a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, affect and marked impulsivity (Swift, 2009). The etiology of BPD includes, genetic predisposition, family history of mood disorders and maybe related to bipolar disorder, physical and sexual abuse. About 2% of the population experiences BPD and mostly female.The symptoms of BPD are maladaptive behavior learnt to make sense of the world and to manage the persistent negative messages received (Eastwick & Grant, 2005). Signs and symptoms, consists of patterns of unstable interpersonal relationships, fear of abandonment, splitting (love or hate), impulsiveness in sex, substance abuse, binge eating and reckless driving, suicidal gestures, such as self-mutilation, intense mood changes that last for hou rs, chronic emptiness, intense anger and transient paranoid ideation (Pedersen, 2012).Managing BPD is challenging and can be emotionally and physically draining for the nurse involved and other members of the healthcare team. The nurse-patient relationship is frequently confrontational due to the patient difficulty with interpersonal relationships and dysfunctional emotional regulation, which results in aggression towards the nurse. Evidence has shown that people experiencing BPD are more likely to harm themselves than others (Swift, 2009). Treatment of BPD requires an integrated psychobiologic approach that includes, pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions.This combination is called psychopharmacologic therapy. There have been many variations of drugs used to treat BPD, due to limited success. There has been limited success in the use of psychotropic medications in clients with borderline personality disorder. Mood stabilizers, anti-depressants and anti-psychotics are onl y effective in providing relief in the symptoms of difficulty controlling behaviors, impulsivity, self-injurious behaviors and depression (Antai-Otong, 2011).Diagnostic Dilemma of Bipolar and BPD Disorder According to the criteria outlined in the DSM-IV-TR there is a systematic difference between patients with BPD and bipolar disorder. It was found that patients with bipolar II exhibited mood swings that varied between euthymia, elation and depression and mood swings with BPD rotated between euthymia, anger and anxiety. A diagnosis between the two boiled down to how the emotional and behavioral instability exhibited by a client is conceptualized.In other words, a counselor must decide whether the symptoms are best attributed to an acute mood disorder or they are just the latest manifestations of a more chronic problem (Hatchett, 2010). The challenge is not the case of being able to rule out acute episodes of mania, but when assessing the possibility of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder or a mixed episode. The actual definition of rapid cycling is often misunderstood in the mental health community and ruling out mixed episode is even a greater test in distinguishing between bipolar and BPD, due to many patients not having an accurate history of their symptoms.This is important because, according to DSM-IV-TR (2000) â€Å"The individual experiences rapidly alternating moods (sadness, irritability, euphoria) accompanied by symptoms of a Manic Episode†¦and a Major Depressive Episode† (p. 362). It becomes difficult and nearly impossible to distinguish a mixed episode from the chronic anger and dysphoria common to those with BPD. Repercussions for differentiating between the disorders for treatment are evident for counselors who are responsible for creating and implementing treatment plans. Accurate diagnosis is fundamental for effective treatment.A diagnosis of Bipolar disorder is treated with psychoactive medication, whereas for BPD patients, that is not effective as a mainstay of therapy. When BPD is appropriately diagnosed, it encompasses a more holistic approach of intervention strategies, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Those who consider BPD to be a variant of bipolar disorder contend that treatment should proceed with mood stabilizers and atypical anti-psychotics and those on the other side of the debate recommend an intensive psychotherapy model, such as DBT (Hatchett, 2010).Conclusion Careful consideration to distinguish more accurately the difference between an acute mood disorder and a more chronic and pervasive personality disorder through the diagnostic process is essential. A mood disorder is discerned by distinct episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression that continue for specified periods and a personality disorder is characterized by persistent and rigid patterns of maladaptive behavior and intrapersonal experience that influence areas of functioning.I feel the debate between differential diagnosis of t hese disorders can at least shift towards a solution by considering an overhaul in the definition and placement of mood and personality disorders in Axis I and II. Through Axis II was developed to encourage clinicians to consider more enduring personality characteristics that may impact treatment, as Fowler et al (2007) pointed out, some Axis I disorders are actually more chronic than many Axis II disorders, which are more likely to remit than is commonly believed.Also, I noticed through my research that maybe there needs to be another type of assessment tool created when assessing patients for mood or personality disorders or specific training on how to distinguish between BPD an bipolar disorder to ensure more accurate diagnosis. For the DSM-V now being drafted, proposals have been made to either eliminate personality disorders altogether or integrate theme into Axis I. In that scenario BDP might be reclassified as a mood or impulse control disorder (Hatchett, 2010).Distinguishing between Bipolar and BPD disorder is significant for the patient, treatment teams, family and mental health community, due to the major difference in the treatment plans for each disorder. Recognizing which disorder the patient has is fundamental in positive outcomes as they progress through the proper comprehensive psychopharmacologic therapy. References American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed. , text rev. ). doi:10. 1176/appi. books. 9780890423349.Antai-Otong, D. (2008). Psychiatric Nursing: Biological and Behavioral Concepts, 2nd ed. , Thomson, Delmar Learning. Hatchett, G. T. (2010). Differential Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder from Bipolar Disorder: Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 32:3, 189-205. Pederson, D. D. (2012). Psych Notes: Clinical Pocket Guide, 3rd ed. , F. A. Davis Co. Philadelphia. Swift, E. (2009). Borderline personality disorder: aetiology, presentation and therapeutic relationship: Mental Health Nursing, 13:3, 22-25.

Symbolism In Emily Dickinson - 733 Words

Emily Dickinson once said,  ¨The Soul selects her own Society- Then- shuts the door- To her divine Majority- Present no more- ¨. Emily Dickinson is a famous American poet who lived most of her life in complete solitude, often times only interacting with family and attending Church. In her time alone, she wrote poems about how others acted with each other, and her own beliefs about life. Emily Dickinson utilizes symbolism and imagery in the poems  ¨Im Nobody! Who are you? ¨,  ¨Hope is the thing with feathers ¨ and  ¨Because I could not stop for Death ¨ to share her views on societys beliefs. In the poems,  ¨Im Nobody! Who are you? ¨ and  ¨Hope is the thing with feathers ¨ Dickinson uses symbolism to her make her views stronger. In  ¨Im†¦show more content†¦In â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death† the speaker of the poem creates an image, â€Å"We passed the School/ We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain-/ We passed the Setting Sun-/† (Lines 9-13). Dickinson used those words to create a mood and an image while reading it. It set a very calm and peaceful image, as well as tone. A school full of children is usually associated with laughter and happiness, a field usually correlates with wind blowing and fresh air that is full of calmness, and a setting sun is a sign of peacefulness and closure. Dickinson incorporated those lines to show that the pathway to death is calmer than what most of society thinks. In â€Å"‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers† the speaker includes, â€Å"Ive heard it in the chilliest land-/ And on the strangest sea/† (9-10). This creates an image of a lifeless and barren land, somewhere where things are not expected often. Dickinson includes this to say that hope is everywhere, even in places where it is not expected to be, it just never reached her. Dickinson used powerful words to emphasize her point of view by creating images in the minds of others. Her goal was t o create images that were strong and sent a strong message about death and why hope is not going to reach everyone. Dickinson used primarily imagery and symbolism to validate her own beliefs in the poems â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death†, â€Å"‘Hope’ is the thing withShow MoreRelatedSymbolism of Death Used in Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Emily Dickinson and â€Å"Home Burial by Robert Frost879 Words   |  4 PagesIn the poems â€Å"Because I Could Not Stop for Death†, by Emily Dickinson and â€Å"Home Burial†, by Robert Frost, literary elements are used throughout both poems to get the message the authors are trying to portray. One main important literary element that is used to entice the reader, is symbolism, because it helps the authors describe something without actual describing it. Symbolism is also used because it shows how significant an object is. Characterization is also an important literary technique becauseRead More Literary Analysis of Emily Dickinsons Poetry Essays1053 Words   |  5 PagesLiterary Analysis of Emily Dickinsons Poetry   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Emily Dickinson is one of the most famous authors in American History, and a good amount of that can be attributed to her uniqueness in writing. In Emily Dickinsons poem Because I could not stop for Death, she characterizes her overarching theme of Death differently than it is usually described through the poetic devices of irony, imagery, symbolism, and word choice.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Emily Dickinson likes to use many different forms of poetic devicesRead MoreSymbolism in Emily Dickinson’s Poetry918 Words   |  4 PagesSymbolism in Emily Dickinson’s Poetry Kevin Hardy Jr. English 215 Dr. Maxwell Poems have many different interpretations, but let it be known that different people could see poems in many different ways. In Emily Dickinson’s poetry, she uses interpretations that refer back to mortality because of her past experiences throughout life that influenced her to write. But, there are other hidden facts that you would be able to see Dickinson’s poems, she uses symbolism of immortality, death, sorrowRead MorePersonification Of Death859 Words   |  4 PagesI could not stop for Death† by Emily Dickinson, she uses personification, symbols and metaphors to portray death as a person. In the poem, â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death†, Emily Dickinson personifies Death. In the first line, â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death†, the author characterizes Death as a proper noun giving death a character form in this poem. Reading lines one and two, â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death -He kindly stopped for me ¬Ã‚ ¬ †, Emily Dickinson continues to personify death asRead MoreBitterness: Poetry and World1016 Words   |  5 Pagespresent, there have been numerous poets who have composed similar pieces to those of other poets. In 1859, Emily Dickinson produced Success is counted sweetest. In1923, Robert Frost wrote Fire and Ice. That same year, Wallace Stevens created Gubbinal. These three poems share much in common. They contain many of the same elements of poetry, such as connotative meaning, imagery, symbolism, and tone. First, the three famous poems all possess a connotative meaning . Within the poem GubbinalRead MoreDying For Meet Death By Emily Dickinson1199 Words   |  5 PagesDying to Meet Death Emily Dickinson’s reputation made her appear to most people as a reclusive woman captivated by death (â€Å"Emily Dickinson† 1001). This is reinforced in many of her poems, specifically â€Å"Because I Could Not Stop for Death.† In Contrast, Dylan Thomas, the poet who created â€Å"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night,† was well known for his over-the-top personality and iniquitous lifestyle (â€Å"Dylan Thomas†). Emily Dickinson creates the persona of an older woman, who has been called upon byRead MoreEmily Dickinson : The Point When A Reader1749 Words   |  7 PagesHorieh Introduction to Literature Professor Knoernschild November 27, 2015 Emily Dickinson At the point when a reader hears the name Emily Dickinson, they consider a female who composed verse that has been surely understood for a considerable length of time and years. Much to their dismay that Emily Dickinson established American Literature, and began an entire unrest of verse. The procedure Dickinson used to keep in touch with her verse was at no other time seen and was the foundationRead MoreEmily Dickinson s Poems Are About Death1239 Words   |  5 Pages It’s no secret that many of Emily Dickinson’s poems are about death and this poem is no exception. Many scholars believe that Emily Dickinson actually dealt with lots of emotional and mental issues such as agoraphobia, anxiety, and depression. Because I could not stop for Death is all about a woman’s journey to death. Emily Dickinson was a very figurative, but at the same time very literal, poet. She often used symbolism, personification, repetition, and alliteration. For example, in BecauseRead MoreAnalysis Of I Heard A Fly Buzz And Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night ``997 Words   |  4 PagesFly Buzz]† and â€Å"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night†, by Emily Dickinson and Dylan Thomas respectively, an underlying theme is mortality. While Dickinson uses her poem to explore things about death, Thomas uses his poem to show the inevitability of death. Both poets use poetic devices such as imagery, repetition, and symbolism to show the struggle of life during the capture of death. The poem â€Å"[I Heard a Fly Buzz]† by Emily Dickinson, is a sixteen line poem that consists of four quatrains (groupingsRead MoreEmily Dickinson s Death Of Life873 Words   |  4 Pageselegant and thought provoking poems on a wide range of topics: from self reliance to the turmoils of war, Emily Dickinson remains a pillar of talent and inspiration to this day. While most, if not all, poets reveal elements of themselves within their works Dickinson seems to lay herself bare before her readers; leaving very little left to the imagination. Dickinson achieves this by combining symbolism, allegory and often nimble punctuation within her stanzas. One of the poets most discussed themes seems