Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Greek

Descartes' Quest for Certainty Through Doubt

René Descartes, through his Cartesian method, aimed to demonstrate that human reason is capable of discovering fundamental evidences (born from doubt) to construct knowledge. Therefore, his method would be doubt, and his objective, the search for truth. "Doubt is the epistemological procedure to arrive at certainty."

The Cartesian Method: Four Rules

1. Criterion of Evidence: To accept nothing as true unless it presents itself clearly and distinctly.
2. Analysis: To divide each difficulty into as many parts as possible for a thorough study.
3. Synthesis: To conduct thoughts in an orderly fashion, starting with the simplest and easiest to know, and gradually ascending to the more complex.
4. Enumeration: To make enumerations

A

527 Organization

A political group organized under section 527 of the IRS.

Amicus Curiae Brief

Literally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.

B

Boycott

A form of pressure or protest – an organized refusal to purchase a product or service.

Bundling

A tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals (each limited by campaign finance laws) and present them to a candidate or political party as a "bundle," thus increasing the PAC's influence.

C

Campaign Assistance

Interest groups have additional strategies to use in campaigns, including recruiting and training candidates, and getting out the vote.

Climate Control

The... Continue reading "Interest Groups in Politics: A Glossary of Terms" »

English Vocabulary Essentials

Nouns

• Ancestor - Ancestro
• Ban - Prohibición
• Belief - Creencia
• Freedom - Libertad
• Manners - Modales
• Misconception - Idea equivocada
• Owner - Propietario
• Path - Camino
• Request - Petición
• Roots - Raíces
• Stereotype - Estereotipo
• Traditional costume - Traje regional

Verbs

• Attempt - Intentar
• Come back - Volver
• Consider - Considerar
• Find out - Encontrar
• Ignore - Ignorar
• Miss - Perderse algo
• Refuse - Rechazar
• Stay behind - Quedarse
• Surround - Rodear

Adjectives

• Appropriate - Adecuado
• Customary - Habitual
• Disturbing - Inquietante
• Forbidden - Prohibido
• Gigantic - Gigantesco
• Narrow-minded - Cerrado de mente
• Open-minded - Abierto de mente
• Proper - Adecuado
• Treacherous - Peligroso
• Typical - Típico

Expressions

• Culture shock - Choque cultural
• Keep... alive - Mantener

Birth of Iberian Christian Kingdoms (8th-10th C.)

The Cantabrian and Pyrenees regions were the origin of new Christian kingdoms formed in the northern Iberian Peninsula between the 8th and 9th centuries.

The Kingdom of Asturias and León

The Kingdom of Asturias emerged in the first half of the 8th century. In 718, Visigoths elected Don Pelayo (Pelagius) as their king. This king confronted the Muslims in the Battle of Covadonga (722). The court was established in Oviedo. Its maximum expansion coincided with the reign of Afonso III (866-910). In the 10th century, the capital was moved to León, and it became known as the Kingdom of León.

The Rise of Castile

Castile was a border zone defending against Muslim incursions from the Ebro Valley. It was... Continue reading "Medieval Iberian Christian Kingdoms: Formation & Society" »

Chapter 9: Hester's Plea

Hester speaks with Roger and insists that he reveal his true identity to Dimmesdale. Believing it's time to unburden Dimmesdale, she reveals Roger's secret. Meanwhile, Pearl questions her mother about the scarlet letter, but Hester tells her that some things are beyond a child's understanding.

Chapter 10: A Secret Revealed

Determined to help Dimmesdale, Hester arranges a meeting in the forest. There, she reveals Roger's true identity as her husband.

Chapter 11: A Moment of Freedom

During their conversation, Hester removes the scarlet letter, feeling a sense of liberation. She introduces Pearl to Dimmesdale as her father, expressing her love for him. They plan to escape to Bristol by ship. Dimmesdale, though unwell, refuses... Continue reading "The Scarlet Letter: Chapters 9-12 Summary and Analysis" »