"The Paradigm Of Change" #2

19th Century Romanticism was greatly dominated by 'German Idealism'. Influenced by the almighty power of the Prussian State, it produced such philosophers as Immanuel Kant who declared that "not everything can be known" - the idea that certain knowledge of the world is beyond our understanding.

His philosophy went on to influence the likes of Hegel, Byron and Schopenhauer at a time when British Empiricism was thriving.

HCJ Seminar Paper (20/03/12)

Max Weber (1864 – 1920)

Weber’s political philosophy appeared towards the end of the Enlightenment, a time of Social Radicalism that called for a revolt between the two main classes; the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. British Empiricism was at a standstill and the rise of the German state secured a more conservative way of thinking.

Following on from Karl Marx’s (1818 – 1883) political philosophy, Weber’s beliefs were wholly Kantian. He believed “The essence of politics is struggle" (Kilcullen, 1996, [Online]). He describes how power is obtained through political struggle; therefore there is value in conflict. Kant describes an “internal struggle against wicked desires” (Robinson and Groves, 1998), whereby we perform a duty in order to become virtuous.

The “Innocence” Project: Warner Case

On 22^nd July 1989, an elderly couple were murdered in their home on Gibson Road, Easthampton.

Mr Pool was found in the upstairs hall. He had been stabbed no less than 23 times to the chest and abdomen. A blood smeared knife was found with the body, but was not considered to be the murder weapon.

Mrs Pool was found in the upstairs bedroom. She had been stabbed 11 times in the chest and neck, and it was later revealed that she had been sexually assaulted. Saliva recovered from her left breast was inconclusive.

In March 1991, Neil Warner was convicted of murder at Easthampton Crown Court.

He appealed against his conviction and was refused twice due to “formidable” evidence against him.

Fingerprints were lifted off the dining room window, the supposed point of entry, as well as the drawing board of the kitchen unit. All prints matched Warner’s, who, in his initial statement claimed he never entered the house, but later admitted it as a “drunken intention to steal”.

A footprint found on a chair near the dining room window was said to have matched the pair of brown leather shoes Warner was wearing on the night of the murder.

No blood was found in or around Warner’s caravan where he lived with a Mr Knox. Mr Pool’s checked shirt, which was stolen from the scene, was recovered. Knox claimed the suspect was wearing it when he came home at around 2:45 am.

Warner appealed to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) in June 2003 with the defence that no blood was found on his clothes or in/around his caravan. There was also no evidence suggesting he had gone upstairs.

Under Section 19 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995, the CCRC requested the use of new forensic techniques to help identify the finger and palm prints lifted from the scene.

They concluded that:

Porch Front Door matched Martin Edward Smith, a witness who claimed to see a man matching Warner’s description acting suspiciously on Gibson Road at 12:30am on the night of the murder. Further investigation revealed inconsistencies in his statement that produced important evidence against Warner. The location of the print also raised suspicion on him as a potential suspect.

However, he had no obvious connection to the victims and there was no evidence to suggest he’d ever been inside the house.

With Warner later admitting that a V-neck jumper found at the scene was his, “indistinguishable” fibres, found on Mrs Pool’s bedsheets, suggested that he could have been in contact with items recovered upstairs, producing strong evidence against his appeal. It was once again, rejected.

The effectiveness of the CCRC is their determinism to approach every case with Scepticism. Under Section 19, they are able to follow other possible leads in a case, using forensic techniques that may not have been available during the time of the trial. In Mr Warner’s case, this evidence made him appear guiltier rather than proving his innocence.

Radio News Bulletin.

"A History of the World in a Hundred Objects"

The Typewriter



First developed as a tool for recording the written word, the Typewriter was “clunky” and “dirty” relying on a dial rather than keys to function. It emerged towards the end of the Industrial Revolution, meaning it would have been in direct competition with other technologies, such as the Automobile or the Telephone. Its “Q-W-E-R-T-Y” keyboard, first developed in the 1870’s, made it a commercial success and was later adapted by other manufacturers.

Radio News.

#1

Local Trade Unions surrounded Elizabeth II Court in Winchester today protesting against Public Sector Cuts.

Hampshire County Council are said to be cutting £100m from the local budget over the next two years, which could cost many people their jobs.

One council employee commented:

In: "You know I'm obviously seeing..."
Out: "... and this is a National problem."

Duration: 33 seconds.

#2

Hampshire Police have joined forces with Stonewall's "It Gets Better Today" Campaign to help those suffering from homophobic bullying.

The decision was made in response to growing reports of homophobic and transphobic incidents over the past months. 255 reports were recorded between April 2011 and January 2012 - 146 said to have been hate crimes.

For more information visit: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/

Source: http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/news/releases/It+Gets+Better+Today.htm (06/02/2012)

#3

It has been revealed that Twitter can selectively "censor" tweets by country.

The announcement follows SOPA's Blackout Campaign against Internet Censorship which could jeopardize the right to freedom of expression, affecting 100 million users worldwide.

In: "In response to Twitter's decision..."
Out: "... of communicating with distant family."

Duration: 38 seconds.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16753729 (27/01/2012)

"A Tale Of Two Revolutions" #1

THE ROMANTIC MOVEMENT (page 615)

The Renaissance brought about a new respect for architecture, literature and the sciences. Romanticism, however, was of German influence and consisted of a 'revolt' against the current ethical and aesthetic standards brought about by the Italians.

ROUSSEAU (page 623)

"Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains"

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was said to be the 'father' of the Romantic Movement. He was a sinister man who glorified violence (with the contempt of traditional morals) and his 'anarchic tendencies' led to the questioning of the State's authority - Characteristic of 'German Idealism'.

The 'Principle of Nationality' eroded, as Idealists such as Rousseau, sought disruption throughout France. 'Sensibility' took the place of existing values as he longed for Liberty; it was 'absolute'. He believed himself to be superior, like that of a God, therefore, refused to be controlled by the State.

His "Discourse on Inequality", published in 1754, establishes how man is 'naturally good' but is made bad by the State. (Men are conscious of their submission and are "forced to be free"). Anarchy would be seen as 'heroic' in the eyes of Rousseau as it was his philosophy that you "follow feeling rather than reason to be virtuous" - "Emile" (1762)

Much like Plato, he claims reason to be on the side of religious belief. To Rousseau, religion was 'difficult' and 'abstruse'. There is nothing outside our own emotions, he claims, and therefore, anyone who believed was branded 'ignorant'.

"The heart has its reasons, of which reason is ignorant" (page 629)

His concept of the 'General Will' outlined the belief in a Totalitarian State, whereby the individual is branded 'powerless' by the "passive" institution.

CURRENTS OF THOUGHT IN THE 19TH CENTURY (page 652)

'German Idealism' dominanted in France and 'British Empricism' in England, producing various 'men of science', such as Immanuel Kant and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.

With literary influences like William Cobbett, there remained a belief in Utilitarianism - 'Happiness is a pleasure and the absense of pain'. This is reminiscent of Locke's "blank slate", in which our sensory perceptions determine our reactions to certain external objects. We often seek short-term pain for long-term pleasure and therefore, happiness is considered a 'virtue'.

Naturalist Charles Darwin also helped to determine this increase in the sense of human power. He was a liberal who believed in a world of 'free competition' and the growing power of the State - "Theory of Evolution". He introduced 'scientific optimism' into the minds of the people, suggesting nature was biological rather than mechanical.

It was now believed that you could achieve anything using scientific method. The idea of 'natural beauty', characteristic of the Renaissance, vanquished and 'scientific propaganda' ruled.

All quotes sourced from:
Russell, Bertrand "The History Of Western Philosophy" (2009)