Rene Descartes :: essays research papers

While the great philosophical distinction between mind and body in western thought can be traced to the Greeks, it is to the seminal work of Renà © Descartes (1596-1650) [see figure 1], French mathematician, philosopher, and physiologist, that we owe the first systematic account of the mind/body relationship. Descartes was born in Touraine, in the small town of La Haye and educated from the age of eight at the Jesuit college of La Flà ¨che. At La Flà ¨che, Descartes formed the habit of spending the morning in bed, engaged in systematic meditation. During his meditations, he was struck by the sharp contrast between the certainty of mathematics and the controversial nature of philosophy, and came to believe that the sciences could be made to yield results as certain as those of mathematics. From 1612, when he left La Flà ¨che, until 1628, when he settled in Holland, Descartes spent much of his time in travel, contemplation, and correspondence. From 1628 until his ill-fated trip to Sweden in 1649 he remained for the most part in Holland, and it was during this period that he composed a series of works that set the agenda for all later students of mind and body. The first of these works, De homine [1] was completed in Holland about 1633, on the eve of the condemnation of Galileo. When Descartes' friend and frequent correspondent, Marin Mersenne, wrote to him of Galileo's fate at the hands of the Inquisition, Descartes immediately suppressed his own treatise. As a result, the world's first extended essay on physiological psychology was published only well after its author's death. In this work, Descartes proposed a mechanism [see figure 2] for automatic reaction in response to external events. According to his proposal, external motions affect the peripheral ends of the nerve fibrils, which in turn displace the central ends. As the central ends are displaced, the pattern of interfibrillar space is rearranged and the flow of animal spirits is thereby directed into the appropriate nerves. It was Descartes' articulation of this mechanism for automatic, differentiated reaction that led to his generally being credited with the founding of reflex theory. Although extended discussion of the metaphysical split between mind and body did not appear until Descartes' Meditationes, his De homine outlined these views and provided the first articulation of the mind/body interactionism that was to elicit such pronounced

Write a Properly Referenced Essay on the Treatment and Management of a Patient with Corns

This essay will discuss the different types of corns. This requires looking at the possible causes, treatment and management of a patient with corns. According to SMAE Institute (2012), the different types of corns include Heloma Molle (soft corn), Heloma Durum (hard corn), vascular and neuro-vascular helomata. Hard corns are described by Carlson et al (2004), as thick hardened patches of dead skin and are a result from repeated pressure or friction occurring underneath the foot, on top of the smaller toes, or the outer side of the little toe. Badly fitted shoes may contribute to this as they rub onto the area causing friction. Hyperkeratosis is described by the SMAE Institute (2012), as the thickening process of the skin, a protective response due to the area becoming over stimulated due to pressure or friction. Hogan (2012), describes soft corns as being softer due to moisture in between the toes and more commonly found in between the fourth and fifth toes. According to Goldman (2011), the soft corn consists of a ring of hardened skin and has no nucleus. Treatment should be carried out by a professional such as a podiatrist or a foot health practitioner and requires the gentle removal of the outer ring using a scalpel. The application of astringent or powder to close the pores, reduce sweating and an application of Benzoin compound can be used to harden the skin. The patient should be given advice on appropriate footwear and the use of a gel toe separator to avoid the toes from rubbing together. The SMAE Institute (2012) state the hard corn normally occurs on top of the toes and contains a nucleus. Treatment should include disinfecting the foot and the gentle removal of the thickened skin and the nucleus. A padded dressing should be applied to the area to alleviate pressure and the patient should be advised on suitable footwear. If there are any mechanical causes these should be identified and corrective orthotic devices should be prescribed. As described by The SMAE Institute (2012), the treatment for vascular and neuro-vascular helomata requires enucleation with a scalpel. If this is not successful then silver nitrate or salicylic acid may be used to soften the area and eradicate the heloma. It may take several attempts to be destroyed. If a corn is left untreated it may become ulcerated and as a result may become infected. This will need draining if it contains liquid or pus and/or a course of antibiotics from the General Practitioner may be required. To conclude this essay it is important that an initial assessment is carried out by a podiatrist or health foot practitioner to determine the cause of the problem, so that early treatment can be given to prevent further discomfort. Once the initial treatment is given by the practitioner, regular visits should be maintained and home care advice adhered to. This will maintain the feet in a healthy condition. References: The SMAE Institute, (2012), Module 6, The Skin, Available: www.opencollege.podiatry.com. Last accessed 7th January 2013 Carlson J.K, Eisenstat, A.S, Ziporyn D.T (2004).  The New Harvard Guide to Women’s Health. USA: President and Fellows of Harvard College. 38. Hogan. (2012).  treatment.  Available: Hogan (2012), available from Medscape.com/article/1089807-treatment. Last accessed 7th February 2013. Goldman C. (2011).  corns.  Available: Goldman C. (2011), available from weblink: www.footpad.co.uk . Last accessed 3rd february 2013 Bibliography: Emedicine.medscape.com/article/1089807-treatment, (accessed 30/8/2012)www.webmd.com/†¦treatments†¦/calluses-and-corns-treatment-overv†¦(accessed 30/8/2012) www.feet for life.org, (accessed 31/08/2012)www.epodiatry.com/corns-callus.htlm, (accessed 09/02/2013)

Emile Durkheim My Sociological Theorist - 1332 Words

1. I chose Emile Durkheim as my sociological theorist for my article because I find his views very relevant to today’s society. Durkheim believed strongly in the division of labor and the idea of the body social, or functionalism. Both ideas we, the modern world, use to an extent due it becoming the best way to succeed economically. 2. The article I chose was published in The Atlantic on Sept. 19, 2015, and is titled, What America Lost as Women Entered the Work Force by Emma Green. This article discusses the reasoning behind why women joining the work force may not have been the best idea from the era of women’s rights to modern day. This article argues how women working endless hours and being underpaid was not worth it and how women would’ve been more happier being stay-at-home mothers and wives. 3. Emile Durkheim was a theorist who strongly believed in the division of labor. He wanted everyone to find a labor that they could specialize in, independent of economic status, and move forward in contributing to society in a positive way. For example, someone who is a farm laborer can move to the city to specialize in ironwork and become a contributor to the industrialization era. He would’ve wanted women to join the work force, not because they would move forward in the work field, but because they would be contributing to society. However, I feel that he would approve of women actively engaging in any activity that contributed to society in a positive manner. 4. InShow MoreRelatedClassical Sociological Theorist Past1044 Words   |  5 PagesClassical Sociological Theorist Past Well well well, Barrack look at what has happen now in Wall Street. You are the President of the United States you need to take charge and change society to improve it. Dropping 2,000 points is a lot but this could get worse if there is no change, Barrack make change not war. Tonight you will be visited by three ghosts throughout the night, in the morning you will decide what you want to do next. These three ghosts will be the classical sociological theorists thatRead MoreA Study Of Human Social Relationships And Organisations Essay1691 Words   |  7 Pagesbusiness(p.147). This would appear to suggest that according to both social theorists there is a connection between education and social inequilty. The educational system helps ypung people to prepare for the ecomnice system. The structure of the education system helps them with displaine and to prepare them to enter the workforce. As regards to my CA brief I will be discussing what sociologh is. Before I will addressing my main topic which is ,I have been asked to look at the early years sector fromRead MoreI Am an Individual986 Words   |  4 PagesAre we individuals? According to Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), â€Å"society has a strong influence on the individuals who need to adapt themselves to and already determined fixed society† (Frazaneh, 2008, p. 1).Max Weber (1864-1920) on the other hand states that, â€Å"the response or reaction of the individual is a determining factor that constantly and consistently shapes and molds society itself† (Frazaneh, 2008, p. 1). Emile Durkheim was a French sociologist, who is cited by some as the principal architectRead MoreA Sociological Study Of Religion1159 Words   |  5 PagesReligion is one of the most difficult topics in life, not to mention the oldest. People look for the ultimate truth to religion, which in my opinion leads to misguidance and a slant of science. I think this helps true believers find their way to a faith; it certainly helped me. Science does get carried away at times; however, it is good that people are questioning stories from the bible because then we can see how corrupt the world is. 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My preferred theorists view’s on Religion is Karl Marx’s as I feel his ideas are more relevantRead MoreAlfred Herbert Radcliffe-Brown : Understanding Of The Sociological Paradigm761 Words   |  4 PagesFor this sociology class assignment is to present my understanding of three historical sociological paradigms by using three contemporary sociological theorists of color. The three major Sociological Paradigms are Structural Functionalism, Social Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist. The Structural Functionalism sociological theorist that I will be focusing on will be Alfred Reginald Radcliffe-Brown, a British sociologist. The Social Conflict theorist will be Ralf Gustav Dahrendorf, a German sociologistRead MoreEmile Durkheim vs. Karl Marx1689 Words   |  7 Pages------------------------------------------------- Emile Durkheim vs. Karl Marx Durkheim vs. Marx Introduction: For so many years, authorities from each field have deliberated normative theories to explain what holds the society together. Almost each specialist, from structural functionalism, positivism and conflict theory perspective, had contributed their works trying to illustrate main problematic to our society. In one way, one of the Emile Durkheim’s famous work is â€Å"division of labor† whichRead MoreSuicide Rates Among Active Duty Personnel Decreased1551 Words   |  7 Pagesintegral role in the suicide rate of both Active and Reserve components in the military. Service members, especially Guard and Reserve, are at increased risk of suicide with job and combat stress of the military and already existing life stressors. A Sociological Perspective The problem of military suicides is nothing new. Throughout the history of the United States there have been wars and as a result of the trauma and aftermath caused by war, suicide has always occurred in the military. Historically,Read MoreSociological Aspects1584 Words   |  7 PagesSociological Aspects of Education SOC 101 April 24, 2010 Sociological Aspects in Education The growing diversity in our society has helped to broaden the scope of what and how we educate our children. The scientific study of social behavior and human groups, also known as sociology, has benefitted society with its impacts from different theories (Schaefer, 2009). Education is the foundation of any society and establishes the social and economic wealth for their future. We will explore educationRead MoreCriminological theories - Durkheim, Beccaria, Lombroso1944 Words   |  8 Pagesaccording to the positivists Emile Durkheim and Cesare Lombroso, and the classical criminologist Marcese de Beccaria. The theories were developed as a response to the industrialisation and the modernisation of the societies in the 18th and 19th centuries and were aiming to create a rational society and re-establish social solidarity (Vold et al 2002, p.101). The criminological perspectives of crime and punishment will be discussed in a form of dialogue between the three theorists exploring the relevance