Verified Document

Beyond Evidence Reading One William Thesis

Related Topics:

Clifford supports his thesis by telling two stories. In the first, he discusses a man who has doubts that his ships is sea worthy, but assumes that it will make the journey because it has done so many times in the past. After the men die at sea because of the poor construction of the ship, Clifford argues that the ship owner is to blame for their deaths. If the ship does not sink and no men die, however, Clifford's position is that the owner is no less guilty. Instead, a wrong has been committed in simply believing that the ship will be sound with no evidence. In the second story, Clifford suggests that some people of power sincerely believe that others are abusing their power in a horrendous way. Because of this, these people make many publications and accusations regarding those who are believed to be abusing their power. Whether these people are found guilty or innocent, though, is not the matter. Since the people who accused them did so before a formal investigation was had, and before evidence was had, they are wrong, whether they have done a public service or not. Thus, Clifford's thesis is that it is always wrong for anyone to believe without evidence. He supports this thesis by two easy to understand stories or parables.

Reading Three

In his...

James suggests that Clifford is motivated by his fear of error. James writes that Clifford instructs others to "keep your mind in suspense forever, rather than by closing it on insufficient evidence incur the awful risk of believing lies" (282). On the other hand, James, who says he finds it impossible to abide by Clifford's tenants, says that some find the possibility of erring less serious than others. Some, he claims, "are ready to be duped many times...rather than postpone indefinitely the chance of guessing true" (282). The fact that James accuses Clifford of being motivated by a desire to avoid evil coincides with Clifford's worldview. Clifford argues that believing something without evidence is a moral issue, an issue of right or wrong. Faced with the black and white morality of this, it is easy to see why Clifford would fear making a decision that is not based on evidence. James, on the other hand, does not discuss the issue in terms of morality. Instead, he does not see believing in an untruth as the monumental wrong that Clifford does. Thus, Clifford is motivated by a desire to avoid wrongdoing and James is motivated by having "the blessings of real knowledge" (282).

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Reading Improvement of Third Grade Students
Words: 6946 Length: 25 Document Type: Term Paper

Reading Improvement in Third Grade Students Applied Dissertation Proposal for the Degree of Doctor of Education Making resources available to the third grade students and teachers lends itself to the appropriate data, types of instruments, and instructional strategies used to enhance education. Wilson School leaders are getting acquainted with reading resources that are beneficial in order to provide teachers with test data, reading instruments, and specific strategies to assist them in raising

Effects of Sustained Silent Reading on Reluctant Middle School Aged...
Words: 6293 Length: 23 Document Type: Term Paper

Reading is a fundamental part of a child's education. Many techniques have been utilized in an effort to make learning to read and reading comprehension easier for students (McCray 2001). One such technique is Sustained Silent Reading (SSR). The purpose of this discussion is to investigate Sustained Silent Reading as it relates to reluctant middle school aged children. Let us begin our investigation by discussing the theoretical framework of Sustained

Evidence-Based Practice Protocol: Domestic Violence
Words: 8700 Length: 30 Document Type: Research Paper

. Even when the child in a home where DV occurs is not physically harmed, most of the time, these children know about the violence. As a result, they may experience emotional and behavior problems (The Domestic Violence…, N.d.). A victim of DV needs to be reminded: She is not alone. She is not at fault. Help is available. In The physician's guide to domestic violence, P.R. Salber and E. Taliaferro (N.d.). about stress

Psychic Reading in the Professional
Words: 5806 Length: 17 Document Type: Thesis

The connection between the physical world and the metaphysical world was a topic that has fascinated humans for hundreds of years. Aristotle suggested the soul was the seat of psychic activities. He also felt that activities in the physical world first have to occur in the spiritual world (Elders, 2006). This connection is the basis of modern metaphysics and the ideals that are embodied in the psychic's work. Many, such

William James' Idea of Man's Religious Experience
Words: 1341 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

William James' idea of man's religious experience is that man feels God or a spiritual presence in him and that this intuition alone - real as it feels -- is the basis of evidence that a mystical something exists. Congruent to the utilitarianism of James' philosophy, he asserts the cash-value of such belief in that it helps the individual attain a more meaningful life and gives him certain direction

William Renwick. The Content of
Words: 5769 Length: 21 Document Type: Term Paper

The biosphere consists of all living organisms on the planet. The atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere function collectively to provide he environment which sustains the biosphere. These four spheres interact to create ecological systems. These ecosystems, as they are called, are groups of organisms and the nonliving environment which they exist in. In the process of living and working in an area, people modify the landscape to suit their purposes or

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now