Marx and Habermas Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Marx and Habermas - Research Paper Example A belief or theory may produce successful predictions, as in the case of Newtonian mechanics, and yet not be true; that is, rationally justifiable in the long run. Indeed, Thomas Kuhn's study of scientific revolutions, which Habermas cites, indicates that the most basic propositions of a scientific theory are worked out in advance of evidential confirmationThis happens in conversations between scientists about what counts as a pressing problem, how such a problem ought to be conceptualized, and so forth. Such propositions are irreducible to empirical predictions. For it is only when they are taken in combination with one another that they yield testable hypotheses. Consequently, their truth would have to be captured in terms of an ideal consensus. Thus, true propositions are those which anyone would agree to in the long run, given sufficient time for rational reflection. (Deborah 2004) The fact that scientific truth presupposes the existence of a communicative community leads Haberma s to consider the categorical framework in which intersubjective meaning, value and validity are constituted. It is obvious how predictive science is related to the context of instrumental action. (Allen, 2009) It is also obvious that the anthropological usefulness and transcendental validity of science resides in its successful satisfaction of a technical interest. However, it is unclear what, if any, interest is satisfied by communication. Equally unclear is the relationship between communication and those sciences of man associated with history, literature, cultural anthropology, etc. Nevertheless, Habermas will argue that the kind of textual interpretation preferred by these sciences is essentially related to communication. The latter, in turn, will be shown to satisfy a practical interest in procuring intersubjective agreement, regarding shared norms and values. This is a necessary condition, not only for the creation and maintenance of personal and social identity, but also fo r the achievement of individual freedom. Peirce provided the necessary link connecting the logic of causal explanation to Marx's notion of labor as an activity underlying self-realization and world constitution. (Moore and Robin, 1964) Dilthey provides a similar link connecting communication and symbolic understanding to Hegel's master-slave dialectic. This dialectic shows how one's identity is defined and confirmed through recognition by other. For Dilthey, this dialectic is as essential to the methodological grounding of history, philology, and literary criticism-sciences concerned with understanding the spiritual life of humankind—as causal explanation is to the methodological grounding of the natural sciences. The method of understanding grounding the human sciences is none other than the circular interpretation of textual wholes in terms of their parts, and the interpretation of these parts in terms of more inclusive wholes. This circular dialectic also encompasses the i nterpreter. The interpreter is responsible for much of the meaning contained in the text. At the same time, the text is responsible for opening up new meaning for the interpreter. Stated somewhat paradoxically, text and interpreter mutually constitute one another as meaningful identities. This activity of symbolic reproduction, Habermas will argue, is capable of advancing moral knowledge. Yet, it can do so only to the extent that the dialectic between text and interpreter assumes the form of a simulated dialogue. (Habermas, 1872) According to Dilthey, the understanding of the past, or the interpretation of an ancient text, is an elaboration of the sort of retrospective self interpretation that an individual continually engages in, while reconstituting the continuity of his or her life history--the very substance of one's unique identity. (Hodges. 1944) To begin with, the generation and maintenance of a stable, personal identity involves assigning one's

An Active and a Passive Student Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

An Active and a Passive Student - Essay Example The present research has identified that there are a lot of people who think that active students are better learners as compared to the passive students. Active students pay more attention in the class. They are not only physically present in the class but are also mentally present there. Active students take interest in the lecture and ask the teachers questions if they have any doubts. Active students tend to apply the concepts learned in the class on their personal experiences and share any useful insights with the rest of the class to promote the culture of learning and sharing. Active students tend to grab the concepts rather than cramming things up and are always up to date with the latest lecture because they have paid attention throughout the previous lectures. There are certain people who think that passive students learn no less than active students. Although they do not pay much attention in the class, yet they make sure that they do cover up the contents of the lecture w hen they get back home. Besides, in the present age, when the sources of learning are omnipresent, it is not a big deal for a passive student to acquire the knowledge if he/she did not listen to the teacher carefully in the class. Today, most students have full-time access to the Internet and can access any kind of knowledge they want to. If the passive students deliver their assignments on time, there may be no difference between the academic and professional achievement of an active and a passive student at all.The researcher states that active students are better learners as compared to the passive students. A student who does not pay attention in the class shows lack of interest in studies. Such passive students are unlikely to go that extra mile to cover up the contents of the lecture on their own when they get back home. In fact, most of the passive learners approach their friends when little time is left in the exams. Their friends cannot teach them as nicely and sincerely as their teachers can. Accordingly, the quality of learning declines. In addition to that, since passive students tend to learn things when just a little time is left in the exams, the knowledge stays with them for only a short while and they tend to forget everything in the long run.