How Free is the will of the individual within Society Research Paper

How Free is the will of the individual within Society - Research Paper Example At the beginning, she did not comprehend what was happening; however, she now understands all the gifts and outings were crucial in the grooming process. Mallet now 20, filed a civil suit in U.S. District Court claiming the school authorities failed to ensure that she was safe from the predator; thus, the suit was as a result of her ordeal with the assistant principal. Her lawsuit alleges that school officials and teachers understood or were ware about the abuse but did nothing to end it or keep her safe. Mallett consents that she kept quiet because she was afraid no person would believe her; besides, she wanted to reveal her ordeal but did not know whom she would trust; thus, she felt trapped. However, she managed to overcome her fear and embraced the philosophy that promotes embracing what is correct even if it means standing alone; therefore, her past hugely influenced her will to reveal the secret and consequently the lawsuit she filed. She eventually revealed the secret to the s chool chaplain who in return informed the authorities. All through the affair, she considered it wrong; however, the assistant principal would defend the affair by saying that he loved her and she trusted him. She got into this trusting relationship since the predator was good at comprehending what worked for the victim; thus, it was difficult for the victim to see clearly the big picture when sex began. Choice could be free will or determined and has implications on moral conscientiousness Stace argued that free will indicates the absence immediate causal agents like being forced at gunpoint. Therefore, this soft determinism viewpoint never denies internalization of past experiences cognition and emotions that consequently form the basis for a choice. Mallet makes the choice of revealing the secret to the school chaplain through her experience, cognition and morality, as it is certain that â€Å"without free will there would be no morality† (Stace 924) since morality regards what individuals ought to or not do. However, if a person lacks the freedom of choice, it would be meaningless to correct the individual’s act in addition there would a big challenge to punish the individual for what he or she could not help doing. Stace greatly opposes â€Å"hard determinism† pointing out that if free will did not exist, attaining high levels of morality would be impossible. For instance, if an action taken by an individual does not make the individual morally responsible then, encouraging people to embrace moral choices would also be outside the picture. Stace goes a long way to illustrate free acts and unfree acts; for instance, free choices are not compelled by circumstances external to the individual; however, unfree acts are compelled by external forces (928). An example of a free act is an individual starving himself in protest and in this case, Mallet decides to get over her fear and let the secret out despite the way the society may perceive her. Morality drove her to this choice therefore the scenario shows a compatibility take of free will and determinism. Stace state that soft determinism is the absence of coercive external agents that enables an individual to take a certain action freely. Therefore, from this viewpoint, a person’s behavior may be a result of internal psychological states that have causes but the absence of immediate pressing agents that influence behavior ensures that the individual makes a free will (Stace 929). Mallett’

CSR & Ethical Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

CSR & Ethical Practice - Essay Example One advantage of business ethics is that it helps an organisation to achieve competitive advantage (Shaw, Barry, & Panagiotou, 2010). A company that engages in ethically sound business practices improves customer loyalty and trust. In this case, the consumers become loyal to the brand even if the company is facing difficult financial times. Therefore, companies will always set their ethical standards depending on organizational values. In the long run, consumer confidence increases with ethical responsibility. According to Carroll (2013), the underlying assumption is that business ethics benefits the society since it is the main basis for social responsibility among organisations. On the other hand, business ethics leads to more accountability and integrity in the organisation. The implication is that sound business ethics obligate company employees to become more responsible in certain operations like financial reporting (Choi, & Pae, 2011). Another remarkable strength of business ethics is that it makes organisations realise that their success is more than profitability (Carroll, 2013). Some of the models of business reporting like the triple bottom line approach came up as a result of business ethics and corporate social responsibility. In this case, companies focus their reporting on people, planet, and profit (Slaper, & Hall, 2011). Therefore, ethically companies have the obligation to report their financial performance, environmental as well as social performance. The triple bottom line approach recommends that company survival depends on their ability to make profits, encourage sustainable and ethical business conducts (Henriques, & Richardson, 2013). The underlying assumption is that business ethics is a prerequisite for sustaining an investment. Consumers have confidence on the company that protect environment and contribute to the well-being of the society (Choi, & Pae, 2011). On the contrary, business ethics has a negative effect

Le Corbusiers Villa Savoye: Five Points of New Architecture

Le Corbusiers Villa Savoye: Five Points of New Architecture During the 1920s, Le Corbusier was developing his Five Points of New Architecture. The domestic building I am focusing on is Villa Savoye which exemplifies these five points. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3c/VillaSavoye.jpg He believed that these architectural rules should be applied to the design of all domestic buildings. I will relate the architectural innovations of Le Corbusiers Villa Savoye to the ideas of De Stijl Bauhaus. Le Corbusier was a Swiss Architect and a member of the French Avante Garde movement who worked mainly in France. His work from the 1920s and 30s established a language of architecture that has been copied by architects ever since. In his work he explored new industrial materials such as concrete, steel and glass. He was influenced by Auguste Perrets development as well as architectural use of reinforced concrete and worked for him between 1908 and 1909 that was where he learnt the principles of reinforced concrete construction. Other aspects of Le Corbusiers work consisted of town planning and social housing. His architecture reflected the clean cut aesthetic of the machine age which he lived in. As well as this, he was also concerned with the needs and potential of industrial society and with the harmonization of architecture with nature. His architecture in the 20s and 30s established a vocabulary of design which would be much imitated. The Villa Savoye is a private weekend home built in the 1928 (completed in 1931) for the Savoye family located on the summit of a small hill surrounded by trees just outside Paris. It is a building of complex geometry and undecorated white surfaces, which exemplifies the international style as well as Le Corbusiers ideas of purism. It is one of the most recognizable architectural presentations of the modernist movement, which began in the 1880s but came to flourish in the early 20th century. The exterior of the building is of a simple box shaped composition raised on stilts (pilotis). This is so that all of the main rooms are on the first floor allowing a roof terrace above these floors to provide views of the landscape. It is conceived almost like a 1:1 model with no front or back. Beneath the Pilotis is a curved wall allowing cars to drive right up to the building which signifies the influences from the machine age, On three sides the ground floor almost disappears, but on the entrance side, the arrival and departure of cars is celebrated in a T-shape which is an effective sign of welcome. (Benton, 1987:196). http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/france/poissy/savoye/0126.jpg He saw the fore coming importance of the car and this led to design of the free faà §ade: the structure is set back from the faà §ade which becomes simply a light membrane of insulating wall or window freely disposed according to the demands of the interior. Inside there is a masterly handling of natural light through the use of ribbon windows. Natural light played an important role in the development of the Villa, Le Corbusier deployed the four sides of the house in response to the view and the orientation of the sun. The salle faced North West occupying the whole faà §ade. The terrace faced the sun with a sheltered portion at the south east end. (Benton, 1987:195). The free plan of the building frees both walls and windows which can admit daylight into continuous bands without structural obstructions. Interior space flows into exterior: the terrace is on two levels and on one side of the faà §ade the ribbon windows are replaced by unglazed frames that look into the open terrace area. In order to move around the building, a ramp ascending from the ground floor was placed in the structure, as Le Corbusier believed that while a staircase separates one level from another, a ramp links them together. The ramp and floor planes interact with the spiral staircases and curved wall at ground level. Although the structure is rather boxy in appearance, energy and movement is suggested by the handrails and edgings which lead the visitor on. Le Corbusier called this an architectural promenade: this is a flow of space where one room leads through to another creating a sense of continuity, further facilitated through the use of the ramp. Natural light is used to draw the occupant up the ramp and onto the roof garden. This is one of Le Corbusiers five points which is created through the use of a flat reinforced concrete slab. The terrace featured a solarium; the wall of the solarium has a window cut in the middle of it which frames the outside view. Le Corbusier wanted to harmonize the building and its landscape. The idea was to unite the building and its surrounding landscape and make greenery a vital part of the architecture language. Seen from the outside it looks more like the funnel of an ocean liner. (Chami, 2007). The influences for this building are grounded in the modernist movement with Adolf Loos beliefs as foundations for the movement. In his book Ornament and Crime he explained his ideas on the use of ornamentation and the immorality that ties with it. He called for simple, pure, geometrical and unadorned design which stays true to the materials and finish of the structures built (notions of Brutalism). Le Corbusier designed the fixtures such as door handles and built in furniture. Painted interior walls added colour, as did elements like the blue tiled chaise longue that separates the main bedroom from its bathroom. Despite the formal beauty of the Villa Savoye, its flat roof construction was not well suited to the climate and leaked badly. The owners were displeased and soon abandoned it. The French Avante Garde consisted of the three architects Le Corbusier, Auguste Perret and Tony Garnier all of which contributed to the development of modernist architecture. Perret was one of the main figures of the development and architectural use of reinforced or ferro concrete, a material which transformed the language of architecture in the works of Le Corbusier as seen in the Villa Savoye. Due to its tensile strength it enabled architects to build strong structures without the need for load bearing walls, it allowed for architectural flexibility which Le Corbusier took full advantage of as seen in the free flowing faà §ade. The De Stijl and Bauhaus movements in Holland and Germany were both important for the development of the modernist style, rejecting ornaments and historical references and were in favor of clean pure light filled rectilinear architecture which included interior spaces constructed with new industrial materials, all of these aspects are featured in Le Corbusiers designs and in particular the Villa Savoye. A key example of De Stijl architecture is the Schroder house by Gerrit Rietveld. Similar to the Villa Savoye, it featured a flat concrete slab roof, a dynamic rectilinear faà §ade and a free flowing interior which was sectioned off with screens. Much like in De Stijl style paintings, its architecture is reminiscent of painted abstract environment, in which pure colour, free of all figurative associations, was merged with modern architecture to form an encompassing, total work of art. (Troy 1983:3). The Bauhaus building was designed by Walter Gropius and was the base for the Bauhaus school of Art Design. The building exemplified Gropius mastery in building with steel and glass to produce light filled functional structures: The clarity of the design idea finds expression above all in the large area of glass frontage (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) The clear, practical arrangement of the windows and balconies gives the building its own special appearance. (Fiedler Feierbend, 2006:195).   Much like Le Corbusier, Gropius built with practicality and rationality in mind. His commitment to the machine age in which he was working was summed up in his belief that new times demand their own expression. However there was much deliberation on the origins of the design concept for the Bauhaus building: The accusation of formalism was also heard, and there were malicious references to a design concept virtually borrowed from Le Corbusier. (Fiedler Feierbend, 2006:198). This can best be seen through aerial photographs of the Bauhaus building where the interlinking of various functional areas can be easily seen. This particular aspect is what Le Corbusier named the Architectural Promenade, a continuity of space. The Villa Savoye is a key structure which exemplified the International Style. Its features were imitated by several architects in different styles. It is easy see the similarities in the buildings of the Bauhaus and De Stijl movements, features like a flat concrete slab roof, interlinking spaces and rectilinear faà §ade appear in all styles but are most strongly represented in the Villa Savoye. The use of white on walls is another significant aspect of the modernist style also seen in a range of different examples from this period of time. The Villa is full of rich ideas which have and will continue to be imitated in the future. It might now stand as an artifact or museum, but it will still inspire Architects worldwide and will continue to do so in the future.

Midevial Cooking :: essays research papers fc

Cooking in the medieval times was performed on very big scale, and food was cheap and plentiful. Foreign goods had to be bought at the nearest large town. Food trade was a primary business. It was also a way of determining class. The nobles would eat meat, white bread, pastries, and drink wine. This sort of diet caused many health problems, such as skin troubles, digestive disorders, infections from decomposed proteins, scurvy, and tooth decay. A peasant would eat porridge, turnips, dark bread, and in the north they would drink beer or ale. Women were the expert cooks, and they seasoned their food heavily with pepper, cloves, garlic, cinnamon, vinegar, and wine. They paid close attention to the appearance of their meal. For instance, they might spread the feathers of a peacock that they are serving. Also, if a the eggs of a batter didn’t make it yellow enough, they would add saffron (saffron is orange of yellow powder obtained from the stigmas of the saffron flower). Meat was expensive, so it was considered a luxury. This made butchers prosperous. The most common and least expensive was sheep. They would also eat birds: gulls, herons, storks, swans, cranes, cormorants, and vultures, just to name a few. Animals were cut up immediately after killing and salted to be preserved. Most meat was boiled because it the animals were wild, and the meat was sure to be tough. Also, almonds were often cooked with the meat for flavor. Fish was also popular. Part of this was because the church required that you eat fish on Fridays. Fish was often cooked in ale. People spent more on bread and grain then anything else, even though England had a national bread tax, which fixed the price of bread. Pastries were expensive because sugar was an import. Because medical opinion advised that fruit shouldn’t be eaten raw, it was preserved in honey and cooked into pastries. Almonds were often cooked into pastries as well. Fruit was more wild back then than it is today, so it may have been more flavorful. Most people grew their own vegetables. Also, many people owned their own cow and made cheese with its milk. They would sell most of the cheese at the local market. Only gentleman had wine, which was often diluted with water or mixed with honey, ginger, or cinnamon to sweeten it. The only hot drink that they had in those days was mulled wine, and that was served only at festivities.

Governmental and Non Profit Essay

1. Certain core services are provided by most general purpose governments – those related to the protection of life and property, public works, parks and recreation facilities, and cultural and social services. Governments must also incur costs for general administrative support of its service departments. Core governmental services, together with general administrative support, comprise the major part of what GASB refers to as governmental activities. The measurement focus and basis of accounting for these activities is on the flow of current financial resources on the modified accrual basis in the governmental funds and on the flow of economic resources on the accrual basis in the Governmental Activities column of the government-wide financial statements. 2. The business-type activities of a government include public utilities, transportation systems, toll road and bridges, hospitals, parking garages and lots, liquor stores, golf courses, airports, and swimming pools, among other activities. Many of thses activities are intended to be self-supporting by charging users for the services they receive. Focusing financial reporting on economic resources recognized on the accrual basis of accounting allows the government to determine whether charges for services are sufficient to cover the full cost of the activity. This measurement focus and basis of accounting allows the government to determine whether charges for services are sufficient to cover the full cost of the activity. This measurement focus and basis of accounting is the same used for reporting governmental activities in the government-wide financial statements, but quite different from the current financial resources measurement focus and modified accrual basis of accounting use d in the governmental funds. 3. Fiduciary activities of a government involve the government’s discharge of its fiduciary responsibilities, either as an agent or trustee, for parties outside the government. For example, a government may serve as agent for other governments in the administering and collecting of taxes. Fiduciary activities are accounted for in agency funds, investment trust funds, pension trust funds, and private-purpose trust funds. Fiduciary activities are reported only in the fund financial statements and not in the government-wide financial statements because these resources belong to external parties, not the government. Fiduciary funds use accrual accounting and focus on economic resources, as do business-type activities. However, reporting for fiduciary activities differs from that for governmental funds since the latter funds focus primarily on the budget and current financial resources. 4. The three categories of funds are governmental, proprietary, and fiduciary. The fund types included in each category are the following: Governmental (general fund, special revenue funds, debt service funds, capital projects funds, and permanent funds), Proprietary (enterprise funds and internal service funds) and Fiduciary (agency funds, investment trust funds, pension trust funds, and private-purpose trust funds.) These categories correspond the three activity categories with the exception that financial information for internal service funds is generally reported in the governmental activities column of the government-wide financial statements. However, if an internal service fund predominantly serves an enterprise fund, its financial information is reported in the Business-type Activities column. 5. As a fiscal entity, a fund has its own resources and can incur liabilities to be repair from the fund resources. As an accounting entity, the fund has its own self-balancing set of accounts. 6. Governmental funds focus on the flow of current financial resources. Consequently, these funds use the modified accrual basis of accounting. Under modified accrual revenues are recognized if the inflow is measurable and available to pay current period obligations. Expenditures are recognized as incurred if they will be paid from available resources.

Project Life cycle

Project management plays an important role in achieving a successful project as it manage the project according the schedule and budget. According to Schwalbe (201 1), project life cycle defined as a collection of project phases, development, implementation and close-out. There are five important steps in developing project life cycle namely defining project goal, planning project, executing project, closing project and lastly, evaluating the project (refer to Figure 1 in Appendix). Firstly, project manager define the project goal.Project goal is the first step as it set the objectives and purposes of the project. The goal focus on provide business value to the organisation. The goal should give a clear focus and drives the other phases for the project team. Moreover, in this phase, project manager identify the business problem and define a solution regarding it. According to Westland (2006), business case includes a detailed description of the problem, the availability of alternativ es solutions, analysis of business benefits, costs, risks and issues, a preferred solution and an implementation's summarized plan.Then, a feasibility study is run to assess each alternative solution option and its benefits, also reasonable forecast cost, risks nd identified issues are discussed. After approval of previous task, term of references are created and established. It define the vision, objectives, scope, and deliverables of the project and identify any risks, issues, assumptions and constraints. Then the project team is decided. This task is important as a successful project rely on the project team.Project manager plays role by creates a detailed Job description and choose project team based on their skills and knowledge. From the project goal, a project can be determined its success based on given time, money and resources invested. After defining the project goal, project manager plan the project. Project planning is crucial as the performance throughout the project i s based on it. First, a project plan is created based on work breakdown structure (WBS). In WBS, the resources are allocated, provide detailed project scheduled and sequence the activities and tasks.After the project team has been decided, the team discuss the project based on things to do, how to make the project runs smoothly, cost assumption, type of resources need and time taken to complete the project. After that, deliverables, tasks resources, and time of completion of each tasks for each hase are defined. During planning phase, project team must agree upon the list of scope, schedule and budget. The team then create a resource plan to identify the labour, equipment, materials, software and hardware use in the project.To achieve a successful project, financial plan is important as it need to be within the budget given and enables the project manager measures the forecast spend of the project. At this point, potential risks and actions need to be taken in risk plan to avoid any error and solve a problem later in the next phase. Furthermore, the project must meet user requirements to gain user acceptance. To inform the stakeholders progress of the project, team member need to decide communication in communication plan and for each of the team member to distribute information.Lastly, a contract with suppliers is a need for having a clear idea of suppliers' role and delivery expectation. The third stage in developing project is to execute the project plan. During this stage, work out the project in accord to the gran ed t task and activities in earlier stage. According to Schwalbe (201 1), the output of project such as product or services are produced and presented to the customer for sign off and the xecution phase is typically the longest phase in the project as it consumes the most effort and most resources.A good project is aimed at achieving the project aims and need, on time and within budget. Thus, aspects such as scope, schedule, budget and resources are properly handled throughout the phase. In the interim of plan execution, the project manager need to carry out a range of management processes such as identified the change management, risks management and issues management, assured the deliverable quality and measuring all the deliverable produced against the listed criteria (Westland, 2006). Subsequently, established the comparison of the product and baseline plan in earlier stage.After that, document the information and handed the report to the project manager through the regular team meetings. With these steps finished, a phase review is undertaken where the reported information are analysed carefully by the project manager. This is a checkpoint to make sure the product and services has achieved the goals and customer need before proceeds to next stage. The fourth step in developing project is to close the project. This stage includes a formally documentation and implementation of a project close report. Before the project closure, project checking is carry out as an extra insured.Westland (2006) stated that the, project close out is include ensuring all the project completion criteria have met and identified any outstanding project activities, task, risks or issues. Next, present the products to the sponsor and obtains formally acknowledge of acceptance on the delivered product or services. Finally, the project checking is completed. Based on the report, the project manager need to create the project closure report which consist of specifically document on all undertaken activities and delivered to the clients for approval Schwalbe, 2011).Once, the activities stated in the report are approved, the granted activities are execute. The project closure report is ended only when all the propose activities are fully implemented. Finally, the project closure stage ended when the project manager hand over the project documentation to the business, cancelling all suppliers' contracts, releasing staff, equipme nt and resources, and lastly inform the closure of the project to all stakeholders and interested parties.In the final stage, the project is evaluated. After the project has been close, post-mortem is conducted to evaluate the overall project. The projects are evaluated in two categories: project team evaluation and project evaluation. The project team evaluation is performed by passing a team and peer evaluation form to the team member and each of them are required to Judge the other team member. The rate are based on the overall attitude and contribution of the member in the project.The evaluation result will be used as a revised is used as a revised of payroll. On the contrary, Schwalbe (2011) stated that the project is evaluated based on how well the product or services performed against the stated objectives and conformed to the management processes outlined in the lanning phase. Lastly, Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development (2005) suggested that a review of on the pr oject should be conduct to reflect the mistake and identify impact and lessons learnt for future projects.

Firearms in America essays

Firearms in America essays Firearms in America: An Invitation to Murder Every 2 years since 1988, more Americans are slayed due to gunshot on their own soil than the entire number of American casualties during the Vietnam War. The time has come that we realize the fact that firearms are unnecessary to civilians and should be forbidden. While many pro-gun activists allege that firearm issues need not be dealt with at this time, that everything is fine, they are gravely mistaken. With an estimated two hundred fifty million firearms currently circulating in America, attributed to over thirty-six million deaths per year, it is our obligation as citizens of humanity to put an end to the needless deaths, while we have the chance. These pro-gun activists, such as the NRA (National Rifle Association), are convinced the right to bear arms is inalienable and an important part of the American culture, and should not change. They will also argue that having many guns in a country acts as a deterrent to crime; having iron bars on a window and car alarms can be likened to guns, all being means of protection. In a last attempt to win their argument, one may plead that the simple fact is not that the firearm is bad, but rather the media, which glorifies and ennobilizes the use of firearms against each other. Controversely, any human being possessing a faith in the mental stability of our race would take time out to think and realize that these activists make sense only to the ill-minded. The Amendments to the United States Constitution were written in 1791, and the lifestyles of Americans have made day to night changes in the past two hundred years. In this day and age, when nearly all people live in urbanized areas, the chance of attack by an animal is nearly non-existent. Furthermore, prior to the day when guns became an everyday item, bank robberies did not exist. The minute guns were invented, murder became all the more easy, gi...

How to Spell Pendulum

How to Spell Pendulum How to Spell Pendulum How to Spell Pendulum By Maeve Maddox A Facebook comment alerted me to a misspelling of the word pendulum that I’d never seen before. Once I began looking, I found thousands of examples. I wasn’t too surprised to find the word misspelled in social media, but it did seem strange to see pendulum spelled â€Å"pentulum† on sites selling clocks. Here are a few examples of this misspelling of pendulum: The pentulum swings. Public opinion will out in the end. (Facebook) In some countries, [the] political pentulum can swing wildly between opposite extremes. (political blog) I plan to start researching ideas to re-enter [the market] when the pentulum swings back to oversold. (stockmarket site) The one-day weight-driven movement has brass and steel gears that swing the pentulum. (clock merchant’s site) Pendulum is from the Latin adjective pendulus, â€Å"hanging down.† Literally, a pendulum is a weighted rod, cord, or wire suspended from a fixed point. The word is most closely associated with the pendulum that regulates the movement of a clock. Figuratively, a pendulum is anything that swings back and forth from one extreme to another. For example, one may speak of â€Å"the pendulum of public opinion† or â€Å"the pendulum of fashion.† English has several â€Å"pend words† that derive from the idea of hanging down or hanging from. See Hanging Words. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:10 Rules for Writing Numbers and NumeralsTime Words: Era, Epoch, and EonA Yes-and-No Answer About Hyphenating Phrases

Profile of the Scandinavian Explorer Erik the Red

Profile of the Scandinavian Explorer Erik the Red Erik Thorvaldson (also spelled Eric or Eirik Torvaldsson; in Norwegian, Eirik Raude). As the son of Thorvald, he was known as Erik Thorvaldson until he was dubbed the Red for his red hair. Notable Accomplishment Founding the first European settlement on Greenland. Occupations LeaderExplorer Places of Residence and Influence Scandinavia Important Dates Born: c. 950 Died: 1003 Biography Much of what scholars understand about Eriks life comes from Eirik the Reds Saga, an epic tale written by an unknown author in the mid-13th century.   Erik was born in Norway to a man named Thorvald and his wife and was thus known as Erik Thorvaldsson. He was given the name Erik the Red because of his red hair; although later sources attribute the moniker to his fiery temper, there is no clear evidence of this. When Erik was still a child, his father was convicted of manslaughter and exiled from Norway. Thorvald went to Iceland and took Erik with him. Thorvald and his son lived in western Iceland. Not long after Thorvald died, Erik married a woman named Thjodhild, whose father, Jorund, may have provided the land that Erik and his bride settled on in Haukadale (Hawkdale). It was while he was living at this homestead, which Erik named Eriksstadr (Eriks farm), that his thralls (servants) caused a landslide that damaged the farm belonging to his neighbor Valthjof. A kinsman of Valthjof, Eyjolf the Foul, killed the thralls. In retaliation, Erik killed Eyjolf and at least one other man. Rather than escalate a blood feud, Eyjolfs family instituted legal proceedings against Erik for these killings. Erik was found guilty of manslaughter and banished from Hawkdale. He then took up residence further north (according to Eiriks Saga, He occupied then Brokey and Eyxney, and dwelt at Tradir, in Sudrey, the first winter.)   While building a new homestead, Erik lent what were apparently valuable pillars for seat-stocks to his neighbor, Thorgest. When he was ready to claim their return, Thorgest refused to give them up. Erik took possession of the pillars himself, and Thorgest gave chase; fighting ensued, and several men were killed, including two sons of Thorgest. Once again legal proceedings took place, and once again Erik was banished from his home for manslaughter. Frustrated with these legal wranglings, Erik turned his eyes westward. The edges of what turned out to be an enormous island were visible from the mountaintops of western Iceland, and the Norwegian Gunnbjà ¶rn Ulfsson had sailed near the island some years earlier, though if hed made landfall its not recorded. There was no doubt that there was some kind of land there, and Erik determined to explore it himself and determine whether or not it could be settled. He set sail with his household and some livestock in 982. The direct approach to the island was unsuccessful, due to drift ice, so Eriks party continued on around the southern tip until they came to present-day Julianehab. According to Eiriks Saga, the expedition spent three years on the island; Erik roved far and wide and named all the places he came to. They didnt encounter any other people. They then went back to Iceland to convince others to return to the land and establish a settlement. Erik called the place Greenland because, he said, men will desire much the more to go there if the land has a good name. Erik succeeded in convincing many colonists to join him on a second expedition. 25 ships set sail, but only 14 ships and about 350 people landed safely. They did establish a settlement, and by about the year 1000 there were approximately 1,000 Scandinavian colonists there. Unfortunately, an epidemic in 1002 reduced their number considerably, and eventually, Eriks colony died out. However, other Norse settlements would survive until the 1400s, when communications mysteriously ceased for more than a century. Eriks son Leif would lead an expedition to America around the turn of the millennium.

Internal and External Environmental Analysis - Barnes and Nobles Essay

Internal and External Environmental Analysis - Barnes and Nobles - Essay Example Barnes and Nobles are the industry leader in the book industry. Being the market leader in any industry is considered a strength due to the fact that the market leader generates the most amounts of revenues. The firm has been very innovative throughout its history including becoming the first bookstore to advertise on television. At the turn of the 21st century, Barnes and Nobles realized that e-commerce was a major trend that affected everyone in the retail industry. The firm today is the internet’s largest bookstore with a product selection of over 1 million titles. Two years ago the company also became a leader in e-books with over 1 million e-books to choose from. The management of the firm is highly qualified and over the years they have made a lot of smart decisions that have helped the firm become the best in the industry. The product selection in both the e-books and printed books is beyond what any other company can provide. The dominance in the e-book marketplace was achieved through the 2009 acquisition of Fictionwise. The tremendous selection of books has helped the company retain a lot of customers because the firm can satisfy the customer’s reading needs. Another strength of the company is its branding value. The firm was able to capitalize on its ability to generate customer traffic by diversifying into other products. The firm offers its customers a selection of over 60,000 blue ray DVD titles. The firm’s music store was categorized as the best on the net by Forbes.... The firm has been very innovative throughout its history including becoming the first book store to advertise on television. At the turn of the 21st century Barnes and Nobles realized that ecommerce was a major trend that affected everyone in the retail industry. The firm today is the internet’s largest bookstore with a product selection of over 1 million titles. Two years ago the company also became leader in e-books with over 1 million e-books to choose from. The management of the firm is highly qualified and over the years they have made a lot of smart decisions that have helped the firm become the best in the industry. The product selection in both the e-books and printed books is beyond what any other company can provide. The dominance in the e-book marketplace was achieved through the 2009 acquisition of Fictionwise (Barnesandnoblesinc, 2011). The tremendous selection of books has helped the company retain a lot of customers because the firm can satisfy the customer†™s reading needs. Another strength of the company is its branding value. The firm was able to capitalize on its ability to generate customer traffic by diversifying into other products. The firm offers its customers a selection of over 60,000 blue ray DVD titles. The firm’s music store was categorized as the best on the net by Forbes (Barnesandnoble, 2011). The location of the firm’s bookstores is another strength the company has. Barnes and Nobles operates 705 retail bookstores strategically located in regional shopping malls, major strip centers and other freestanding location, and the firm also owns 636 college bookstore placed near major university campuses (Barnesandnobleinc, 2011). One of the strengths of the college book operation is

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 17

English - Essay Example She worked as a school teacher for several years, but decided to further her education in western New York. After a year, she moved to New Jersey and established New Jersey’s first free public school. She was removed from her position at this school simply because she was a woman, prompting her to begin a personal quest for equal rights for women (National Park Service). Clara moved from New Jersey to work in the U.S. Patent Office as a clerk. While there, wounded soldiers began to stream into Washington D.C. She saw that the supplies the surgeons and doctors needed to adequately care for the wounded were not available. She was determined to do something. Barton solicited funds for supplies by advertising the plight of wounded soldiers in papers and magazines in New England. The effort was so successful, Clara Barton was appointed Superintendant of Nurses in 1861 and granted permission to travel to war zones to deliver supplies and care for the wounded (Faust). Clara Barton’s efforts during the Civil War were not limited to nursing. At the end of the war, 13,000 soldiers were still unidentified. She worked tirelessly to investigate who these men were so their families could receive word of their deaths. This daunting task left Clara exhausted physically and emotionally. She was sent to Europe to recuperate and to rest. While there, however, she witnessed the plight of civilians resulting from the Franco-Prussian War. A new chapter of caring was about to begin in Clara Barton’s life. While in Europe, Clara was introduced to a new organization known as the Red Cross. The Red Cross cared for the victims of war. Clara Barton returned to the United States eager to start the Red Cross here. She tried for many years but was unsuccessful because most Americans could not imagine fighting another war after the Civil War. After seven years of effort, the first American Red Cross chapter was opened in

Self regulation of the press Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Self regulation of the press - Essay Example , private bodies feel the need to regulate itself for whatever reasons whether to respond to consumer demand, to carry out its ethical beliefs, to enhance industry reputation, or to level the market field. Press is also regulated by a separate, non-statutory body, Press Complaints Commission (PCC). It manages the code of practice and complaints of investigation. Any journalist who is said to breach the codes is found guilty; however, the PCC has no status or power to punish the journalists for these breaches (Keeble, 2005, p273). The clauses that the PCC includes in the codes to follow is the accuracy level, the respect for privacy, the interests and protection of children, harassment, incursion into shock or grief, breaking into hospitals, the report of crime and many more. The journalists have to investigate and publish reports keeping these clauses in mind. Yet, the journalists and press does not realize the importance of respecting these clauses and thus statutory control on the framework of these journalists is recommended (Bromley, Tom OMalley, 2009, p115). At first, the statutory control on the press was considered as unreasonable as it subjected to restriction on press freedom and their freedom of speech. However, there have been some activities seen in the press by the irresponsible journalists; moreover the weakness of the PCC led many to reconsider the thought to impose statutory control over the press. Although, the threat to pass on legislation on the press has lightened the irresponsible work of the press and encouraged good practice, there is still serious thought that has to be given on a statutory control of the press (Franklin, 2008, p128). Self-regulation of the press itself has many disadvantages because of which the idea of legislation strengthens. Where there are acknowledgements on the fact that government may not possess the expertise as compared to the private companies, but the major issue is that whether these private companies will

Family Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Family Law - Essay Example However, many feel that family law does not deal with disputes adequately. This is because not only does family law fail to adequately consider areas such as equal parental rights over children, it fails to deal with unmarried couples that have a relationship and do not live together. It also fails to deal with heterosexual cohabitation, same sex cohabitation, etc. Family law needs to accommodate these types of structures as well because these arrangements are growing in number. In order for family law to deal with the changing nature of family, it has to recognize and accommodate the fact that family structures now vary. In order to develop a general understanding of the reasons why family law has to be amended in order to become more accommodating in its approach, one has to consider the areas family law encompasses1. Family law deals with the following areas that are all family-related: All the three points above appear to be quite broad and encompassing. However, there are family structures today that may not necessarily be encompassed by them. This particularly refers to cohabiting couples. These may be heterosexual or same sex couples. It must be noted that same sex cohabiting relationships, however, have been recognized since 2004. It took a slow process for this type of relationship to be recognized2. Also, with cohabiting couples, cases may be more complicated because of them having children. Along with considering cohabitating heterosexual couples, a look at Figure 1 in the Appendix provides one with the trends of Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in the UK3. These indicate perhaps an increasing trend towards families that do not consider marriage. A broader view of cohabitation is addressed later in this paper. New Family Structure [The Single Parent Family]: It is known that now marriage is becoming less significant to family structure, and parenthood is taking its place. Parenthood may be in the form of two parents or a single parent. Single parenthood may emerge from different situations. In many cases it emerges from a couple dating and having no commitments4. A dating couple that does not live together or does not even plan to get married may end up with a child accidentally. Therefore, they might feel forced into remaining together as a family. Since, in many cases, there is no commitment on either side, the mother decides to keep the child and raise it alone. In such a case, there can be little demand for child support from the father. This is because there is no civil union or any such family law that could compel the father to pay towards the child's upbringing without the existence of marriage. It must be noted here that a father becomes legally bound to pay for child support if he is married to the mother of his child. In many cases, the mother does not want to continue her relationship with her partner5. If no marriage exists, a father does not have to pay for child support, but he may also not be able to see his child. Therefore, there is every chance that the child will grow up without knowing or seeing his or her father. Figure 2 in the Appendix shows the percentage of single parents in the

Multi-Layer Machine Learning Approach to FOREX Thesis Proposal

Multi-Layer Machine Learning Approach to FOREX - Thesis Proposal Example According to Gearman and Freund, the ADT approach helps to select the best combination of rules derived from well known technical analysis indicators and we shall be in a position to select the best parameters of the technical indicators. The online learning layer will combine the output of several ADTs incorporated into the system and may eventually suggest a position that will be either short or long. We shall also have a risk management layer that will responsible for the validation of the trading signals at the instance it exceeds a predetermined specific non-zero threshold. The FOREX market is now having most of its transactions being conducted electronically therefore transforming it into a typical electronic market. Many of their customers within the currency exchange market who seek its services are now relying on automated trading systems in order to process large amounts of information and make instantaneous investment decisions regardless of where they are within the global. Performance of technical trading strategies may try to exploit statistical measurable short term market opportunities such as trend spotting and momentum in the foreign currency exchange. Lo, Mamasky, and Wang in their study, used non parametric regressions in order to recognize the technical patterns of large stocks in the trade market. Their findings were that technical indicators usually provide increased information for investors enabling them to compare the unconditional empirical distribution of daily stock returns to the conditional distribution on specific technical indicators. This plays a big role in helping them make informed decisions based on the identified market trends. M. Dempster, T. W. Payne, Y. Romahi, and G. Thompson (2001) in their study did a comparison of some four methods that are applicable in foreign exchange trading which included reinforcement learning, genetic algorithms,

Maritime and Port Security Initiatives by Federal Agencies Research Paper

Maritime and Port Security Initiatives by Federal Agencies - Research Paper Example With the rise in terror threats, containers ships have become the area of security scrutiny as security agents view them as vulnerable to terrorist attacks and activities. Annually, seaports in the US host at least nine million marine containers hence provoking the need for them to undergo intense security checks so as avert terrorist infiltration. In order to raise security standards within ports, Congress passed into law the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 that has come into scrutiny over its relevance and impact in serving this purpose. With this background information, this essay will delve on the Maritime and seaport security initiatives as applied by federal agencies, either in the US or by agencies across its international borders. Ideally, most of the cargo handling in the US is through major cargo hubs because of the quality of infrastructure available hence creating traffic for these hubs by cargo shipping firms. Further, the handling of energy related products is by certain ports while the US also has over one thousand harbors spread across its coastline. Other than US owned and crewed ships, foreign ships also call at this nation’s ports, which has been instrumental in influencing trading relations with other trading partners. The trading also spreads to cargo containers, which is one of the areas that attracted the concerns of both state and federal security agents to be keen on securing this area of commerce. In essence, a large container has a high load capacity and can safely ferry more than three thousand containers while offloading some of them at different ports. Mostly, these containers transport consumer goods that may include clothing, toys, shoes, electronic devices, automobile spare parts, among a list of other goods which characterizes the imports on containers. On the other hand, the containerized

Multi-Layer Machine Learning Approach to FOREX Thesis Proposal

Multi-Layer Machine Learning Approach to FOREX - Thesis Proposal Example According to Gearman and Freund, the ADT approach helps to select the best combination of rules derived from well known technical analysis indicators and we shall be in a position to select the best parameters of the technical indicators. The online learning layer will combine the output of several ADTs incorporated into the system and may eventually suggest a position that will be either short or long. We shall also have a risk management layer that will responsible for the validation of the trading signals at the instance it exceeds a predetermined specific non-zero threshold. The FOREX market is now having most of its transactions being conducted electronically therefore transforming it into a typical electronic market. Many of their customers within the currency exchange market who seek its services are now relying on automated trading systems in order to process large amounts of information and make instantaneous investment decisions regardless of where they are within the global. Performance of technical trading strategies may try to exploit statistical measurable short term market opportunities such as trend spotting and momentum in the foreign currency exchange. Lo, Mamasky, and Wang in their study, used non parametric regressions in order to recognize the technical patterns of large stocks in the trade market. Their findings were that technical indicators usually provide increased information for investors enabling them to compare the unconditional empirical distribution of daily stock returns to the conditional distribution on specific technical indicators. This plays a big role in helping them make informed decisions based on the identified market trends. M. Dempster, T. W. Payne, Y. Romahi, and G. Thompson (2001) in their study did a comparison of some four methods that are applicable in foreign exchange trading which included reinforcement learning, genetic algorithms,

Alcohol Abuse Essay Example for Free

Alcohol Abuse Essay Alcohol abuse is perhaps one of the biggest problems in the United States today. It is not only a personal problem that dramatically affects an individual’s lives, but moreover those that surround such a life. In the essay â€Å"Under the Influence† by Scott Russel Sanders, he expresses his emotions through a poem. â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† by Theodore Roethke. â€Å"The whiskey on his breath could make a small boy dizzy; but hung on like death; such waltzing was not easy. † (258). This poem is one of many effective devices that Sanders uses to clearly and decisively convey to us the readers of how profound the effects of alcoholism are. Sanders reflects back to his childhood and explains his complex relationship with his alcoholic father and the after effects now that he is a grown up. One of Sanders memorable comments in his essay is when he states his father â€Å" He would not hide the green bottles in his tool box, would not sneak off to the barn with a lump under his coat, would not fall asleep in the daylight, would not roar and fume, would not drink himself to death, if only I were perfect† (255). What a strong point of view in a little boys mind; to think, â€Å"if only I were perfect† his father would not drink! Sanders tell us how our children experience the burden, of the effects of alcoholism. Sanders said, â€Å"Father ‘s drinking became the family secret. While growing up, we children never breathed a word of it beyond the four walls of our house† â€Å"I asked my mother if she ever spoke of his drinking to friends. ‘No, no, never’ she replied hastily. ‘I couldn’t bear for anyone to know’†(257). It must be very difficult for a family and, especially for a child not to be able to communicate their suffering to others. Sanders as a chills wasn’t able to be honest; he was force to live a lie. Another comment from Sanders was, â€Å" I hated also the Gallo brothers, Ernest and Julio, whose jovial faces shone from the labels of their wine†¦Ã¢â‚¬  †I meant to go out there and tell Ernest and Julio what they were doing to my father, and then, if they showed no mercy. I would kill them† (259) Sanders contrast the jovial faces on the wine label to the reality of his father’s fuming. character. Sanders closes with, â€Å"I still do- once a week, perhaps, a glass of wine, a can of beer, nothing stronger, nothing more. I listen for the turning of a key in my brain† (266). Sanders is comparing his drinking to his father’s drinking as an alcoholic. Unlike his father, Sanders is not an alcoholic and has the ability to control his drinking. Work Cited Sanders, Scott Russel. â€Å"Under the Influence† Fifty Great Essays Editor. Robert Diyanni. Pearson. 2011 Pages 258, 255, 257, 259.

Social Classes Of The 19th Century Sociology Essay

Social Classes Of The 19th Century Sociology Essay What would it be like to live in a world where everyone is put into separate groups based on nothing more than gender, what family you were born into and how much money you make (Victorian England: An Introduction 3-4)? Theories of social class were not fully recognized until the nineteenth century from that point forward the idea of social classes has been discussed by many famous philosophers and theorists (Social Class 1). In England, long before the Victorian Age, Aethelberht set down a code of laws known today as social class (United Kingdom 1). In many parts of the world throughout history social classes have been commonly broken down into three groups, but in the British Empire of 1814 there were as many as eight (Jane Austens World 1-2). Social groups were usually divided by race and stereotypical by gender (Turpin 1). One of the most common means of dividing people into social class is financial income (Scott 2). All social groupings regardless of location and era are based to some degree upon gender, kinship and economic status. The history of social class in England began before England was even a country when Aethelberht reigned over the Anglo-Saxons (United Kingdom 1). He set down a code of laws where the most important bond was kinship; every freeman depended on his kin for protection (United Kingdom 1). Since then philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau further elaborated on the idea by discussing the issues of social inequality and stratification (Social Class 1). These ideas were later passed on to Henri de Saint-Simon, who put forth the argument that a states form of government corresponds to the system of economic production (Social Class 1). Later his successors introduced the theory of the proletariat, or working class, as a major political force, which greatly influenced the development of Karl Marxs theory of class, which has dominated later discussions of the topic (Social Class 1). Social class has been divided into three different groups in many countries and governments throughout history (Victorian England: An Introduction 3). Those three are usually upper, middle and lower or working class (Victorian England: An Introduction 2). The upper class in the Victorian Age were the royalty, lords spiritual and temporal and great officers of state many of whom did not work and received most of their wealth from there inheritance (Victorian England: An Introduction 4 and Jane Austens world 1). Middle class men did most of the white collar work such as business, commerce, and politics they were paid monthly or annually (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). Now, last and unfortunately least, the lower class men and women did the physical labor and were paid daily or weekly wages (Victorian England: An Introduction 3). Men and women were also separated in society (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). The women were assigned the private sphere and the men were assign ed the public sphere of business and commerce (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). A majority of the time there are three social groups but some have found there to be up to eight specific groups in England during the nineteenth century (Jane Austens World 1-2). There were the highest orders which are put into the generic upper class of royalty and the rich, the second class which seems to be a mix between the upper and the middle class in that they are prestigious but not of royal blood (Jane Austens World 1). Also the third class which contained the doctors, clergy and merchants which can be put into the middle class, the fourth class consists of many of the same people as the third class just on a lesser scale (Jane Austens World 1). Fifth class is where the shopkeepers were placed along with the publicans and people with miscellaneous occupations (Jane Austens World 1). The sixth class is where the lower or working class of people are found (Jane Austens World 2). Members of this class included working mechanics, artists, craftsmen and farmers or agricultural l aborers (Jane Austens World). The people that were in the seventh group were either a paupers, vagrants, gypsies and criminals (Jane Austens World 2). The army and the navy had their own social class, which includes officers, soldiers, marines and pensioners (Jane Austens World 2). Economic status also played a big part in the development of the social classes because of the economy the people were grouped by their income (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). The upper class or aristocrats usually had about 30,000 pounds of annual income, which is around 41,000 dollars in America (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). Bankers and merchants made around 10,000 pounds a year while the middle class including doctors made anywhere from 300 to 800 (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). Head teachers, journalists and shopkeepers who were considered to be lower class at this point in time only made 150 to 300 pounds per year (Victorian England: An Introduction 4)! Skilled workers and domestic staff made even less than the teachers with only 40-75 pounds a year and soldiers scraped the bottom of the barrel with a grand total of 25 pounds annually and that rounds out the list (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). From the late eighteenth century, class has been seen as the key to understanding modern society (Scott 1). This idea went virtually unchallenged, despite the fact that people have been arguing what defines it ever since it was introduced, until the last third of the twentieth century (Scott 1). Challenges to the class system have grown even stronger due to the fact that some have argued that social class was made extinct by the postmodern social process (Scott 1). Nevertheless some have interpreted social class to be a powerful and active variable today but a common factor is found in both sides of this argument (Turpin 1 and Scott 1). Both agree that the social class analysis is not thorough enough and that it should be based on more specific things than just money and gender (Scott 1 and Turpin 1). Apparently the social system wasnt perfect then and it isnt perfect now because it is a futile human attempt to categorize people by trivial earthly possessions (Turpin 2). So what would it be like to live in a world where everyone is put into separate groups based on nothing more than gender, what family you were born into and how much money you make (Victorian England: An Introduction 3-4)? Other than the obvious, like technology and entertainment, the same way it was in the Victorian Era, everyone would be separated into groups by things that dont necessarily matter and that wouldnt change until someone questioned it (Victorian England: An Introduction 3-4 and Scott 1).

The Image of Fire in Faulkner’s Short Stories, Barn Burning and Shingles for the Lord :: Barn Burning Shingles

The Image of Fire in Faulkner’s Short Stories, Barn Burning and Shingles for the Lord The image of fire was very prominent in Faulkner’s short stories â€Å"Barn Burning† and â€Å"Shingles for the Lord.† Throughout the two stories, fire emerged as a destructive device. The production of fire directly or indirectly destroyed property and the image of the characters, Snopes and Pap. Fire symbolized the character’s deceitful ways and destruction of his identity in society. The fathers present in the two stories possessed deceitful natures. In the story â€Å"Barn Burning,† Snopes’ ill manner erupted into arson. He appeared as the defiant worker. After destroying the landowner’s expensive rug, he refused to pay the ten bushels of corn and burned the landowner’s barn (18-21). His resort to fire symbolized his derogatory ways. Fire was his most destructive tool to facilitate his revenge. In comparison, in â€Å"Shingles for the Lord,† Pap indirectly produced fire. In his misleading plot, he tried to outsmart a fellow worker by removing shingles off the church roof at night. However, the lantern he used for light created a fire in the church (39). His accidental manufacture of fire was a result of his deception toward his fellow worker. Fire was an ultimate consequence of his behavior. Each character used fire as a destructive weapon and ultimately destroyed himself. In â€Å"Barn Burning,† Snopes’ use of fire in the beginning of the story presented him as an outcast. At a trial for arson, the judge told Snopes, â€Å"I can’t find against you, Snopes, but I can give you advice. Leave this country and don’t come back to it† (5). Snopes’ use of arson destroyed his self-image in front of societal figures. He was banished due to his actions. In â€Å"Shingles for the Lord,† Pap’s destruction of the church by fire destroyed society’s perception of him. The use of fire labeled him as an arsonist, a reduced man, and an untrustworthy individual. The preacher, Whitfield, told Pap, â€Å"If there is any pursuit in which you can engage without carrying flood and fire and destruction and death behind you, do it. But not one hand shall you lay to this new house until you have proved to us that you are to be trusted again with the powers and capacities of a man† (41). Pap’s arson destroyed society’s respect for him and labeled him as an outsider among the people. Faulkner’s use of fire signified the father figure’s deceitful ways and the ultimate deconstruction of each father’s presence in society.

Martin Luther :: essays research papers

The Renaissance marked new interests in the discovery of the natural world through art and the sciences. In art, the discovery of perspective brought a revolutionary realism to painting, architecture, and exploration. This led to the Europeans’ discoveries of new lands, such as Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Because of the Renaissance’s deviance from the thoughts of the medieval age, an opportunistic view of humanity developed. Many began believing that man was capable of doing anything, as long as they had the will.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Society developed a man-centered thought, somewhat departing from the God centered thought of the medieval period. The educated leader, soldier, and artist were revered, whereas the bishop, priest, and monk took a back seat. The artists and humanists of the Renaissance era would help establish this age as one of individualism and creativity Renaissance thinkers appealed to a combination of Christianity and Humanism, by referring to Genesis 1:26 (â€Å"And God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness’†) and Genesis 1:28 (â€Å"Have dominion over [earth]’†). Because man is made in God’s likeness and has dominion of Earth, Humanists believed they were divine creations of God living on Earth. The Renaissance helped secularize Europe. Man was now the creator of his own destiny.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The exploration during this era brought more centralized monarchies. The flood of silver and gold made many nations money hungry, as they raced to discover more lands. Also, this era could be considered a scientific one, as Copernicus published his De Revolutionibus, which culminated into the growth of universities. Also, the printing press had created the ability to produce books cheaply and in more quantities. And this was important, as the Renaissance created a literate public eager for whatever was freshly published.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Renaissance occurred for many reasons. One main reason could be with the dissatisfaction with the Church. There was a shift from group salvation to a more personalized view on life, due to the Humanistic movement. People wanted an individualized way of salvation. The sacraments became devoid of meaning. The papacy lost much of its power, due to the secularization of many cities. People were able to congregate among themselves and discuss ideas and thoughts. Many people noticed the wealth of the papacy. The poor resented this wealth, while the rich citizens envied it. At the same time, the popes were still selling indulgences and high offices. The clergy had become lax and corrupt.

Levering Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

This article sheds light on how some companies approach diversity and inclusion training from a standpoint that may be doing more harm than good. The article speaks to what not to do or say as it relates to diverse groups of employees. Mainly to ensure no lawsuits occur or any laws are broken. However, a recent study by researchers from Harvard University, University of California at Berkeley and the University of Minnesota showed that diversity training that emphasizes the threat of lawsuits actually had a negative effect on diversity. In addition, attitudes about diversity showed no measurable changes after such training. The research showed that the problem with negatively directed diversity training was that it emphasized differences rather than similarities. The training tended to group people according to characteristics, such as color and religion, rather than individual preferences. Noting that race and religion, being such a â€Å"touchy† subject, put managers in a position where they felt they were being intrusive or encroaching on employees freedoms. Getting one step closer to breaking laws or having impending lawsuits. This article was written to suggest an alternate way of presenting diversity and inclusion as it relates to the work place. They suggest that training should focus more on similarities of diverse group members and non-diverse group members. This creates an open line of communication and appreciation that although a difference exists among them they still share common ground. They suggest that the key to successful training and in breaking down stereotypes is to focus on exercises that allow people to relate as individuals. Instead of using words like â€Å"diversity† or even â€Å"similarity,† turn the employee’s thoughts to â€Å"individuality. † At even the basic level all people can relate to being an individual. This individuality is generally more widely accepted than thinking of someone being a part of a â€Å"diverse† group. The major goal in addressing diversity from this stand point also shifts management’s mindset from what not to do to what they can do as it relates to positive diversity and inclusion training.

Kids and Mobile Phones

Kids and Cellphones Cell phone users are growing every minute in every part of the globe and the user is getting younger. The cell phone and service provider advertisements are increasingly being targeted at the children, teens and young adults. European governments have cautioned parents about the health hazards children face with the use of cellphones before they are16. But, countries like Britain, already have half their children using mobile phones and the number of users between ages 4-9 is fast increasing.Cell phone manufacturers are now targeting this age with friendly colourful mobiles with only 4 buttons and of upto 20 phone numbers to be stored. Parental controls and GPS locator are added features. The very reason you are going through this hub is probably because you have to make an important decision, whether your child is ready for a cell phone of her own. Well, let us weigh the pros and cons of giving her one. At what age are kids ready for their own cell phone? At what age do they really ‘need' one? Every child, whatever the age-toddler, tweens, teens, today wants a mobile phone.Tweens and teens see the use of a cell phone as becoming independent and flaunting it as a status symbol, in addition to keeping up with the peers. A toddler or a preschooler just wants to imitate what adults do. But, it is more the parent who seems to want to know what the child is upto and also keep up or one step above their friends. So, how useful is it going to be? Schools have banned the use of mobile phones as it is a constant source of distraction among students, whatever the age. Some teenagers have even cheated on tests using cell phones.Parents arguments that they need to know what their child is upto, does not hold water because the student is not permitted to use it during school hours. So, having one does not serve any purpose. If your school allows the student to bring a cell phone but makes it mandatory that it be put on silent mode during school hou rs, then probably you could know whether your child reached her swimming or music lesson after school. If a regular transport has been arranged for your child, it hardly matters whether he has a cell phone or not.Yes, in times of emergency, such as school leaving early or a basketball session finishing late, it would help you as parent make necessary alternate arrangements for transport. It is this sense of security, safety and convenience, most parents give in to the plea of a mobile phone for their child. A phone with GPS is seen as a must for some parents who want to know their child's whereabouts at any given time. Of course, the child will argue that he would like a mobile phone because his friends have it, he can keep in touch with them and collect missed homework.Some parents see the need to give their little one a mobile phone if she is allergic to something or asthmatic, or going on a school trip. The Cons of Giving Your Child A Mobile Phone The safe, convenient way to cons tantly be in one-button touch communication gives a parent the sense of security concerning the child. But, if the child is under 12, he should be under the supervision of an adult at all times anyway. And in most cases, the child would know how to use a regular phone or the cell phone of the one who is supervising.Researchers have often cited cell phone usage as being hazardous to health, more so in the case of children. The ongoing research suggests that the more one spends time on one's mobile phone, electromagnetic radiation emitted can be the cause of Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, cancers ,etc. The developing tissues of a young child can be affected, but the more recent studies show that there is no connection between radiation from cell phones and brain cancer. Well, the debate is still on, and it is certainly beneficial to limit the use of a mobile phone, whatever the age.Children have been seen to be impulsive if they are allowed the use of a cell phone, according to a recent study. Because of the texting on cell phones, they learn to quickly retort/reply. These children are seen to be faster in IQ tests, but very inaccurate, since messaging between peers makes them quicker-on-the-draw, but without time for ample thought. SMSing friends takes up most of their time and most teens and tweens are losing sleep texting away into the night. Spellings take a back seat as well, since they learn to use shortcuts in messaging away to friends.Increased independence gives children the courage to skip more time from family life. They also learn to be totally dependent on a mobile phone, which comes to light when the said phone is either lost or confiscated. Depending on whether the phone is internet enabled, you will be exposing your child to unwanted MMS , youtube videos, emails from spammers, or simply calls from unwanted tricksters. Which brings us to the subject of MONEY Cell phones can be expensive. Your child may not agree to what you show her- a basic c ell phone to make and receive calls.You will have to talk to her first in order to know what exactly she wants and why she â€Å"needs† it, before you even agree to purchase one. Talking to her friend's moms or the teacher can give you a benchmark. A basic plan for your child's cell phone can be a good thing until you are hit by extra charges for those additional â€Å"awesome† ringtones, textmessaging, internet usage,and of course additional talktime. So, it certainly pays to have a good talk with your child before you settle on buying a mobile phone on the do's and don'ts as well.Some kids get into the habit of losing their cell phones often when they know their parents will replace them without a whimper, simply because the latest model has arrived in the market. Most parents realize that the cell phone is mainly used for SMSing, downloading games, ringtones,and music videos which can be an additional burden on the family budget. So, are you upto it? And of course, as time progresses, they are busy messaging friends or speaking to them, even during family outings. I have seen mothers admonishing their teenagers busy on heir phones in restaurants and in shopping malls and worse, they turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to their surrounding which can be detrimental, particularly if they are driving or about to be accosted by strangers. Many accidents happen and unwanted injuries take place because a teenager ignores warning signals as he is busy talking on the phone. Thieves love to snatch the trendiest of cell phones even as you speak, so beware of flaunting it in public. Cell phone etiquette is important, an should be taught to your child as well.Excusing oneself to take a call, ignoring a prankster and reporting him to the parent or teacher, and never be party to pranks themselves. What is good and what's not is to be dealt with by the concerned parent, before it gets out of hand. Cell phones also put your child at risk for getting in trouble for : sexting – sending or receiving nude pictures prank calls – which can get your child in trouble if someone starts pranking other people from your child's phone LG Optimus Elite Prepaid Android Phone (Virgin Mobile) Amazon Price: $115. 00List Price: $129. 99 Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, Blue 16GB (Sprint) Amazon Price: $699. 99 Brand New Sidekick LX 2009 SHARP PV300 GSM Unlocked – T-Mobile (Carbon Black). This phone does not have internet capabilities. Amazon Price: $54. 99 List Price: $149. 99 Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, Blue 16GB (Verizon Wireless) Amazon Price: $699. 99 HTC One V Prepaid Android Phone (Virgin Mobile) Amazon Price: Too low to display List Price: $199. 99 Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, White 16GB (Verizon Wireless) Amazon Price: $699. 99NEW Version Ultra-thin Quad-band Watch Mobile Phone FM/MP3/MP4 2M Camera Amazon Price: $99. 00 Best Course Of Action Each parent has their own views and the schools their children go to, play a big part in whether to give a cell phone to their child or not. A hand-me-down or a new handset is your decision as well, provided your child agrees. You could categorize it into one or a couple of the following. a necessity a luxury a fad an invasion Making the right choice of cell phone is necessary as well-whether you want a basic version to just make and receive calls or one that needs to be internet enabled and with Mp3.Once the decision is made, make sure you know that it is definitely going to cut into your monthly expenses,whether you have a talk with your child or not. So, is your child ready to take on this responsibility and sticking to a basic plan. Or will you need to pay extra for all the additional downloads and textmessaging. Some points worth considering: Prepaid monthly plans offer the ability to control exactly how much your child can spend in any given month. Some handsets offer unique parental controls to monitor and restrict activity which is a good thing.Some phones also let you limit who can call the phone and who your child can call. Consider giving the phone only when she is in the shopping mall or on a school trip. Discuss the do's and don'ts of important issues such as cyberbullying, pranksters, cell phone ettiquette, the dangers of driving while on the cell phone, adhering to the cell phone rules of the school,etc. If you feel the need, get one that has a GPS locator, so you will know exactly where the child is at any given time. Stress that there is a responsibility attached which needs to be adhered to, strictly.

Plato’s Concept of Justice

Aside from â€Å"reason,† the concept of justice is a common topic in every dialogue of Plato like in â€Å"Parmenides† and â€Å"Timaeus†. However, it is in â€Å"The Republic† that the concept of justice is intensively argued, scrutinized, and differentiated. Specifically, the dialogue on the essence of justice in â€Å"The Republic† is largely brought up by the challenging inquiries of Glaucon and Adeimantus. Glaucon, spoken as devil’s advocate, classified justice similarly to the goods chosen, not for the goods themselves, but for the other things that they may bring. Glaucon argued that people do not want anyone to obstruct their unceasing desire for everything and only act in such a way that they avoid unjust treatment. As an analogy, he used the story of Gyges' ring, the ring that gives magical invisibility to its bearer. Anyone who becomes a possessor of that ring can hardly resist the temptation of becoming like a god among others. He or she, unrestrained by justice, will use the ring to satisfy his desires for everything. On the contrary, Socrates pointed out that justice, both in itself and what it brings is good while injustice, even unnoticed, is injurious. Thus, to confute the impressive challenge of Glaucon, Socrates it is imperative to understand the essence of justice before one can really know whether justice is good in itself or it is good due to the things which come from it. However, to expound the Plato's concept of justice, the different gaps in his arguments are needed to be filled with the missing premises. Historical Background In the ancient time, Greeks conceive justice through the poets' ideas like those of Hesiod. Hesiod described justice by conforming to certain set of acts; to avoid Zeus' punishment and achieve his rewards, man must act in accordance with Zeus' will. However, this concept of reward and punishment has lost its credibility during the late period of the fifth century. As people came to observe that most unjust men flourish as good citizens continue to suffer hardships and trials, they denounced the pre-conceived notion that rewards are given to the good doer while punishments are inflicted to the unjust. Consequently, as democracy in the Athenian society evolves, few Athens can hardly see to give importance on the afterlife and the questions on the essence of justice became a great controversy. This controversy was exacerbated by the Sophists who act as hired tutors for wealthy students. Sophists denied the existence of the standards or objective truth concerning right and wrong. They rather treated morality and law as the bases of truth. For instance, Antiphon publicly declared that one must choose to be unjust for it is an advantage. Hence, Plato decided to defend justice against the Sophistic challenge. The Argumentation Thrasymachus claimed that justice is merely an advantage of the stronger citizens. In Book I, he argued that the societal norms and mores are merely conventions which serve as constraints for those who abide with them while others who ignore them are benefited. Whereas the unjust people gain power, become strong and rulers in the society, the weak conform to the justice which places them in a disadvantaged position. Thrasymachus then believed that the justice's norms and mores are merely conventions promulgated by the strong, powerful people and the rulers to protect their own interest and keep the weak into the state of oppression. On the other hand, the second book presented Thrasymachus' challenges not only to the standards of right and wrong but also on the Socrates' method of searching for the truth, the method of elenchus. The Socrates' method of finding the truth commences by building up ideas from the people's beliefs. Thus, if Thrasymachus is impeccable with his notions, truth about justice is merely imposed by rulers. This gave a great task to Socrates to assert that justice is both good and desirable and it is more than conventions; rather, it is connected to the standards of morality and it is our advantage to adhere with it. In the progression of the argumentation in Plato's â€Å"The Republic,† justice was discussed and described in different ways. Some of these ideas were rejected for they inaccurately described justice. Hence, in the end, the argumentation does not only lead to what justice is but also defined what it is not. By analogy, the conception of justice was compared to the political structure of the city and the components of an individual. â€Å"Justice emerges from the relation of these parts in both the city and the individual. † Although justice, in form, is not identical to the structure of the city or the form of the soul, the manner of the various parts of the soul or city must function imply the harmony that the justice could bring. Justice in the city and the individual’s soul is the relating and functioning of parts in a systemic way to produce a graceful harmonious result. † In its comparison with the city, â€Å"justice is everyone doing one's part into the best of what he or she can and not meddling in others business†. On the other hand, justice results when the three compone nts of the soul function in a graceful manner. Thus, as the individual parts of the soul and the city work properly, the resulting harmony is excellence in their function. This resulting excellence then is justice. In the case that one of their integral parts does not function well, the entity or individual suffers resulting to the lack of justice. Justice then for the individual is internal as he or she tries to align it from the soul with his or her body's external actions which in turn directly affected by the external world; hence, a just person will not commit unjust actions. In such way, the internal justice of the person is directly affected by the external world. Moreover, Book I presented the conception of justice as an internal virtue and external quality with more complexities and implications. The discussions of such can be directly seen from the propositions of Thrasymacus, Cephalus and Polemarcus which scrutinized by Socrates. Cephalus perceived justice as telling the truth and paying one's debts while Polemarchus proposed that â€Å"justice is giving each what is owed to them. † Socrates told is not always true as perceived by Cephalus for it could create disastrous results like in returning weapon to a mentally-defective person who could harm others and even herself or himself. Even the conception of Polemarchus is defective for it signifies the intention to help friends and to do harm to enemy. Socrates argued that a just person must not do anything harm to anyone for he or she must do good things and doing harm to anyone is not good. Nevertheless, Thrasymachus conceived justice as â€Å"the advantage of the stronger and obeying the rulers,† which was contradicted by Socrates due to its insufficiency. Thrasymachus' notion can also be stated as â€Å"advantage of the stronger,† which requires a deeper interpretation. In this way, Thrasymachus suggested that justice can only be fully understood by a person in power. So as to become powerful and ruler, that person must possess knowledge in producing justice and ruling for his or her favor. If the ruler has knowledge and knowledge is good, this goodness will lead everyone to happiness while happiness is ultimately justice. Looking gain at the proposition of Thrasymachus, he pointed out two essential things between the ruler and the ruled. First, the ruling group or person who will create laws is stronger and advantageous. Then, these laws inflict punishments to the ruled group which place them in a disadvantageous position. Thus, justice is compliance with the laws made by the rulers. As such, in the ideal world of Thrasymachus, the rulers pass laws for their favor and entirely for their own benefits. On the other hand, the ruled group is mandated to obey the laws in order to avoid punishments and to achieve the collective good. By implementing this, the ruler helps the ruled group to attain internal personal justice as well as to help the city in pursuing justice for â€Å"the individual justice echoes out to effect the city as a whole. † Therefore, compliance with the laws is also justice. The â€Å"good† for Thracymachus is doing what perceived to be good. Eve though there is no standard good, one must do things which bring profits and benefits to self. On the other hand, the powerful can act the way they want for the laws are made for their own favor. Meanwhile, the soul's function is living. Everything that functions has excellence and justice is the excellence of the soul. As well, the achievement of justice will eventually lead to the well-living and the happiness of a person. As justice leads to happiness and â€Å"just† person is also a happy one, the person has happiness if he or she has the sense on justice and the person is only â€Å"just† when he or she has happiness. Therefore, Thrasymachus believed that happiness is the end goal. Furthermore, Thrasymachus added that justice is only advantageous for the stronger and it is better to be unjust than just. Since getting more things bring happiness, it is better to get more in life. He suggested that if it is possible to act without the consequences of one's actions, anybody would transgress the set obligations and legal standards. Since laws are merely created to benefit the stronger, anybody may probably choose to act in a way which benefits him or her. In this manner, the person acts unjustly if in this way he or she will be benefited. By living then in unjust manner the person will be benefited and eventually will attain happiness. These propositions of Tharsymachus were largely shaped by his position as a sophist with no morality standards or objective truth belief. Man is capable of pretending just externally but internally unjust. For Thrasymachus, this ability is an advantage because the person can obtain the external reward of pretending as just while simultaneously avoiding the consequences of being unjust internally. In addition, the unjust man can take the advantage of the â€Å"just† man in a similar fashion. Thrasymachus set the example of a man who is a good tax payer and a law-abiding citizen as compared to the unjust tax evader who violated the law due to the belief that laws are not beneficial to him or her. For Thrasymachus, this situation necessitates a special skill or craft which can be perfected through practice. That is, an individual can possibly perfect the skills of being unjust while simultaneously pretending as a just person. Originally, it was Polemarchus who assumed that justice is a craft or skill which was debunked by Socrates but in the same argument Thrasymachus has fallen. Hence, by using the same analogy as with Polemarchus, Socrates was able to refute the proposition of Thrasymachus. Finally, at the end of Book I, Thrasymachus agreed with Socrates that a just man attains happiness while the unjust man falls into the trap of misery. As Thrasymachus retracted his previous propositions, Socrates further explained that the unjust man is unwise and ignorant. A wise man seeks the trail of other wise men that existed and made a path of wisdom; knowledge and wisdom must be achieved by a man to become just. Furthermore, Thrasymachus ideas of justice contradicted the Socrates’ a band of thieves’ analogy. As injustice brings hatred, each member of the band of thieves will come to a moot point where they could hardly trust one another which eventually lead to misunderstanding and separation. If injustice results to such worst ending, we may say then that only justice can preserve love and unity among individuals. Thus, justice is again associated with the â€Å"good† while the injustice is to unbeneficial which denounced the notion of Thrasymachus that injustice is beneficial than justice. Therefore, Thrasymachus ultimately believed that the soul directs the person’s life. This means that an individual with a good soul lives a good and beneficial life while an individual with a bad soul has a miserable life. In connection to this, Socrates firmly stated that a just man has a better life than the unjust for â€Å"justice is the peculiar excellence or virtue of the soul. † Plato’s â€Å"The Republic† presented a systematic analogy of the soul and the city. Plato proved that the human soul has various parts that work harmoniously. On the other hand, the city has different structures that work for the common good in order to attain peace and order and to avoid civil war. Whereas the social structures of the city must collectively work for the common good, the components of the soul must maintain harmonious relationships for the achievement of a collective functional excellence. As the soul functions justly, it is working with excellence which is the utmost functional goal of the soul itself. The Nature of Actions As discussed above, man’s action is a basis of justice. Man acts in way to attain happiness and to avoid pain. As such, Plato believed that the supreme good is the ultimate goal of every human endeavor. What then is the â€Å"good† for a man that can be possibly attained through his endeavors? It is happiness but relatively defined; vulgar men associated it with pleasure while people with refined character ascribed it to honor. While these things are pursued to achieve happiness in one’s self, but â€Å"good† should be pursued not only for happiness but for the â€Å"good† itself—as an end. The â€Å"good† brings happiness and is associated with function or activity. For instance, if you are a behest pianist then, you are good in playing piano for you are functioning well. The well-performance of your function creates happiness not only for yourself but also for the others, thus, giving you a unique identity. In the same line of reasoning, soul is an aspect of humans that differentiated them from the rest of the animals. Thus, man’s function concerns the soul. The rational component of the soul controls man’s impulses, thus, makes him virtuous. Therefore, â€Å"human good turns out to be an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, and if there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best and most complete. † Meanwhile, the nature of man’s actions was classified as voluntary, nonvoluntary and involuntary. Involuntary actions are done against one’s disposition; voluntary actions are in accordance with the disposition; and nonvoluntary actions are accidentally done due to ignorance. Since virtue governs one’s disposition to act in accordance with the â€Å"good,† the primary basis then of a virtuous action is the goodness of choice. For an action is always a product of premeditated choice of an individual for the attainment of one’s purpose, it is therefore voluntary. This also satisfies the conditions that Plato believed are necessary for virtue: knowledge, volition, and doing. On the other hand, if an individual was forced for a certain action, although seem involuntary, he is still responsible for that action for he has a choice for not doing. Meanwhile doing things because of ignorance is involuntary if at the end, one recognizes ignorance while failure to do so, makes it nonvoluntary. For instance, if a drunkard is addicted to liquor due to inability to discern virtuous things, the person then is guilty of ignorance and the action is nonvoluntary. If at some point of time, the person realized his ignorance, the action then becomes involuntary. With these, only ignorance can excuse an action to be called a vice but has limitation. If after realizing virtuous things, the person has continued to be a drunkard, then the action is voluntary and he is therefore vicious. It is common sense to us, for example, that insufficient food and water taken into the body results to poor nutrition while a balanced diet ensures good health. â€Å"So too is it, then, in the case of temperance and courage and other virtues. † Avoidance of fears leads to timidity while extreme braveness endangers one’s life; absolute abstinence creates insensibility while hedonism shapes one’s indulgence. Since wrong doings are committed due to pleasure and noble character is avoided due to pain, pleasures and pain then are subjects of every virtue. Just and temperate actions are done by a man who has the sense of justice and temperance. â€Å"But if the acts that are in accordance with the virtues have themselves a certain character it does not follow that they are done justly or temperately. † Several conditions are necessary for the conduct of every virtuous action: knowledge of virtues; disposition for virtuous actions; and power to do virtuous actions. Hence, knowledge on virtues is not enough to become virtuous; rather, the disposition to put virtues into actions is a must. Limitations of Human Judgment Through the hierarchy of things here in the world, we perceive that several creatures are much better, thus, higher than the others: creatures that are alive are better than inanimate objects; living organisms that have senses are much better than plants; and humans that are alive have senses, and have the gift of reason are much perfect to the rest of the creations. However, even if we are the highest form of living organisms, we are not capable of an absolute understanding of reality. For we judge reality based the way we perceive things, beauty, truth or evil. In order to perceive, we make use of definite criteria that if are correct, entails the veracity of our judgment. Can we absolutely perceive the truth? In judging, we are guided by the truth but we do not judge the truth. The truth therefore is higher than us. Nonetheless, in perceiving the truth, we must grasp with something that does not change (solid basis). For if our basis changes, the left over is just a part of the truth. This is also true in perceiving the real essence of justice. In trying to explain free choices through other things may limit the rationale for the true justice. For different things may require different explanations. Hence, in trying to conceive for the real sense of justice, this may lead us to a perilous situation that is substituting vagueness to its real essence.

Value of a college education Scholarship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Value of a college education - Scholarship Essay Example The greatest achievement of education lies in the percolation of thoughts and implementation of those thoughts into our daily lives. And the exact value of college education lies there. College education does not fall under compulsory education. The term, ‘college education’ is a huge umbrella term and might indicate the areas like graduation or post-graduation. College education falls under the broad head of higher education and essentially indicates the attainment of perfection in any precise field after receiving the formal education in school. College education falls under tertiary or third stage of education and mainly includes undergraduates and post-graduate courses. Vocational education and training also falls under this broad head. The value of college education is immense. It helps to perfect the fundamental knowledge and excel the quest of knowledge that one is set off to receive in any particular field. In college education, the choice of the subject depends upon the interest of the candidate pursuing or intending to pursue any particular course and this enables to open up a wider and enlightened vista pertaining to that subject. The college education helps to find the path; the way out through which the education received at that level can be implemented or percolated through menial chores of life.