Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Antisocial Personality Disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Antisocial Personality Disorder - Research Paper Example itful because of, say, consistent lying or stealing; aggressive; irritable; irresponsible toward his duties; and, most of all, does not show remorse over his behavior. This paper is going to discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment of APD. What causes APD to occur has always been in focus. Genetics alone cannot answer it because if this was the case, then the offspring of APD sufferers would essentially carry this disorder. But it is not this simple. Research has suggested that APD is a result of a combination of both hereditary and environmental factors. The latter may include risk factors such as child abuse, substance abuse, neglect, deprivation, having faced prejudice, being involved in animal cruelty during childhood, sexual harassment, reading disorder in children, mental torture, and so on. This disorder is more common among males (Swanson, Bland and Newman). Since there are no clear cut biological causes for APD, we can talk about the risk factors involved in this disease. Amygdala is that part of the brain that deals with the showing of sympathy toward the happy or sad expressions of other people, and also enables one to accept mistakes and learn lessons from them. APD sufferers are said to be having small amygdale with refrains them from understanding or showing regard to other people’s feelings or show remorse. This disease may be passed on genetically but shows itself when it is combined with environment factors as described earlier. An individual with APD breaks laws, deceives others, lies, steals, is disrespectful and violent, and is not at all concerned about safety or feelings of others. This all leads to violation of other people’s rights. A major symptom is that the APD patient is indifferent to what harm he has caused to others due to his criminal behavior and shows no concern about his hurting others emotionally. He is also apt to commit actions that make him liable for getting arrested. For example, he often gets involved in physical

Monday, October 28, 2019

History of philosophy Essay Example for Free

History of philosophy Essay The study of philosophy may deal with every dimension of human life and can raise questions in any field of study or endeavor. Philosophy pursues questions rather than answers. Philosophy is not bound by any particular â€Å"truths† that set limits to the desire to continue asking questions. Philosophy changes historically both in respect to its content and its character. Definitions Etymologically, philosophy is derived from the Greek word philein or philia meaning â€Å"love† or â€Å"friendship† and sophia meaning â€Å"wisdom. † Hence, â€Å"love of wisdom. † The Chinese define philosophy as Zhe-Xue or Che Shueh (originally coined by Dr.Nishi Amane). Zhe means â€Å"wisdom† while Xue means â€Å"study. † Significantly, the Chinese character Zhe bears the emblem of mouth and hand which suggests the inseparability of words and action. This philosophy is the translation of words into action or the application of theory into praxis. Hence, for the Chinese, philosophy singles out a person to live on what he says. For the Hindus, philosophy is Darsana. Darsana means seeing, not only through the eyes but through the whole being of the one that sees. In other words, philosophy for the Hindus means seeing the whole reality through a total advertence and involvement of the looker. Philosophy refers to the field of study of the process which includes standards and guidelines for thought and for logic by which people develop concepts and principles which describe people, things and events, and techniques for using the concept and principles for the purpose of observing, analyzing, understanding, evaluating, organizing, and dealing with themselves and other people, things, and events who/which comprise reality (Kroepel, 2011) Philosophy refers to a human drive in the search of knowledge and wisdom to facilitate the evolution of man. Philosophy studies the fundamental nature of existence, of man, and of man’s relationship to existence. CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY In order to live, a man must act; in order to act, he must make choices; in order to make choices, he must define a code of values; in order to define a code of values, he must know what he is and where he is, he must know his own nature (including his means of knowledge) and the nature of the universe in which he acts. All of this things put together, is the very concept of PHILOSOPHY. Origin of Philosophy Western Philosophy began in Miletus ( accdg.to Reginald Ellen). The radix of the claim lies on Thales: the acclaimed first philosopher. Historically, western philosophy began in Greece. The word philosophy is even derived from the Greek language and means a love of wisdom. Ancient western philosophy had three main branches: ethics, logic, and physics. These three branches have now broken into even smaller sub-sections, covering everything from epistemology to aesthetics. Socrates was a large influence on western philosophy, but there was a pre-Socratic era that covered philosophical topics. Eastern philosophy has its roots in religion, specifically the Abrahamic religions (Islam, Judaism Christianism). It is more concerned with asking questions about God and how the world relates to God. Abrahamic religions (also Abrahamism) are the monotheistic faiths of Middle Eastern origin, emphasizing and tracing their common origin to Abraham or recognizing a spiritual tradition identified with him. They are one of the major divisions in comparative religion, along with Indian religions (Dharmic) and East Asian religions (Taoist). Abraham was said to have lived during the Iron Age sometime after 2000 B. C. E. , in the city of Ur in Mesopotamia. The way eastern philosophers created theories on knowledge and religion has led people to practice the philosophies of certain philosophers without adopting all aspects of that branch. For example, some people may consider themselves believers in the Buddhist philosophy, but they never actually go and worship Buddha. The eastern philosophers historically believed that religion was a large part of the study of philosophy. Contemporary practices of eastern philosophy often remove the religious part. Islam impacted much of what we now consider eastern philosophy, meaning that most branches have a religious aspect. The most common branches of eastern philosophy include: Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Maoism, Shinto, Confucius, and Legalism. Both regions can attribute a large amount of current philosophical thought to some form of religion. The eastern world chose to embrace religion as their main pursuit of knowledge, while the western world broke philosophy into a bunch of different branches. Branches of Philosophy Epistemology This refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of knowledge. It answers the question, â€Å"how do we know? † It encompasses the nature of concepts, the construction of concepts, the validity of the senses, logical reasoning, as well as thoughts, ideas, memories, emotions and all things mental. It is concerned with how our minds are related to reality, and whether these relationships are valid or invalid. Aesthetics refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of art. It answers the question, â€Å"what life can be like? † In philosophy, aesthetics is important because it delves into the reason why art has always existed to reflect and express the desire and need of mankind through the ages to see the world in a different and clear way. It further evaluates art by using the standards of human life, and if whether it accomplishes the job of satisfying man’s intellectual needs, or whether it tends to hurt or make worse of those needs. Metaphysics Literally means beyond physics, this refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of existence. It answers the questions, â€Å"What is out there? † or â€Å"What is real? † As the foundation of philosophy, metaphysics is also regarded as the fundamental view of the world. It encompasses everything that exists, as well as the nature of existence itself. It determines whether the world is real, or merely an illusion. Ethics This refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of action. It answers the question, â€Å"what should I do? † Ethics deals with the proper course of action for man. Specifically, it answers whether or not a human act is good or bad. At a more fundamental level, Ethics can also be defined as the method by which people categorize values and pursue them. Logic It is the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of reason. It answers the question, â€Å"what is correct reasoning? † Furthermore, logic attempts to distinguish a fact from fallacy. Politics It refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of force. It answers the question, â€Å"what acts are permissible? † Under its philosophical perspective, politics is ethics applied to a group of people. Brief History of Philosophy. Pre-Socratic Philosophy Characterized by the rejection of the mythological explanation on the nature and phenomena in the universe. The thinkers under this time period were mainly concerned with the search for the â€Å"true essence of things† and made use of systematic and scientific approach in uncovering the realities in the universe. Pre-Socratic Philosophers Thales (c. 624 – 546 B. C. ) Greek philosopher who was regarded as the first philosopher in western tradition. He became known for positing that water is the single element that comprised all things in the universe. He also made famous the aphorism, â€Å"know thy self. † Anaximenes (c. 610 – 546 B. C. ) A student of Thales who postulated that air is the source of all things in the universe. His major contribution, however, was stating that nothing can be created from nothing. Matter, force, and energy are indestructible. These ideas later reappeared in physics in the laws of the conservation of matter and energy. Anaximander He explained the world as originating in conflicts between contraries, such as hot and cold and wet and dry. The cold partly dried up, leaving the Earth and its water. The hot turned some water into mist and air, while the remainder ascended to form fiery rings in the heavens. Holes in the rings are the sun, moon, and stars. CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHY Classical Philosophy was primarily characterized by the rise of the â€Å"Great Greek Triumvirate† – Socrates, Plato Aristotle. Classical Philosophers Socrates (c. 469 – 399 B. C. ) A Greek philosopher who became known as one of the most prominent philosopher in Ethics. Unlike his contemporaries, Socrates was more concerned with how people should behave rather than how the world works. Plato (c. 428 – 348 B. C. ) A student of Socrates who become known for through his dialogues which contained the presentation of his ideologies and theories in a conversational form. Aristotle (c. 384 – 322 B. C. ) He was the student of Plato and became known as the first thinker to create a comprehensive system of philosophy, encompassing Ethics, Aesthetics, Politics, Metaphysics, Logic and Science. MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY Medieval Philosophy was the period predominantly composed of philosophers who were concerned with proving the existence of God and with reconciling Christianity/Islam with the classical philosophy of Greece particularly that of Aristotle . This period also saw the establishment of the first universities, which became an important factor in the subsequent development of philosophy. Medieval Philosophers Avicenna (980 – 1037) A Persian philosopher, physician and polymath during the Golden Age of Islam. As a philosopher and a devout Muslim, he tried to reconcile the rational Greek philosophy with Islamic theology. St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274) An Italian philosopher and theologian who became a great influence on subsequent Christian philosophies, particularly that of the Roman Catholic Church. EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY Early Modern Philosophy. The rise of Modern Philosophy can be attributed to certain historical and cultural changes that happened between the Age of Reason during the 17th century and the Age of Enlightenment during the 18th century. Among the changes during the said period were the advancement in science, the growth of religious tolerance and the rise of liberalism (promotion of liberty and equality). Early Modern Philosophers Rene Descartes (1596 1650) A French philosopher, mathematician, scientist and writer of the Age of Reason. He has been called the â€Å"Father of Modern Philosophy†, and much of a subsequent Western philosophy can be seen as a response for his writings. He is responsible for one of the best-known quotations in philosophy: â€Å"Cogito, ergo sum† or â€Å"I think, therefore I am† (Mastin 2008). Baruch Spinoza (1623 1677) a Dutch philosopher who was a contemporary of Descartes. Spinoza became famous for his belief that absolutely everything including human behaviour occurs through the operation of necessity, leaving absolutely no room for free will and spontaneity. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646 1716) A German philosopher, mathematician, scientist and polymath who postulated the concept of â€Å"monads† which refers to the ultimate element of the universe from which all things, including human beings and God himself are made of. Immanuel Kant (1724 1804) A German philosopher during the Age of Enlightenment. He is regarded as one of the most famous thinkers in modern philosophy. His contributions in all branches of philosophy are often described as being, â€Å"immeasurable†. Kant’s Copernican Revolution. One of the most popular Kantian theories which states that the â€Å"representation† of an object greatly helps the perceiver to perceive a certain object and not the object per se. To put it more accurately, tangible materials (such as the actual glass) are less important in perceiving the glass. What is important is how we experience the â€Å"glassness† of the glass through experience. Kant believed that the human mind can be compared to a tabula rasa (blank tablet). Examples: It is like a computer with no operating system. A computer with no â€Å"O. S. † should be installed with various programs to function properly. A new born baby should be exposed with positive experiences which may affect his lifestyle and manner on how he/she perceive things. MODERN PHILOSOPHY Modern Philosophy. The modern period of philosophy generally refers to the 19th and 20th centuries. The late 20th Century which is sometimes referred to as the contemporary period, became the venue of major development in philosophy characterized by the rise of new philosophical movements. Modern Philosophers Jeremy Bentham (1748 1832) An English philosopher, political radical and legal and social reformer of the early modern period. He became the founder of the Utilitarianism which refers to the principle that holds that the right action is that which would cause â€Å"the greatest happiness of the greatest number†. John Stuart Mill (1806 1873) An English philosopher and political scientist who was the protege of Bentham and conducted major improvements on the principles of Utilitarianism. Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (pronounced NEE-cha) (1844 – 1900) A 19th Century German philosopher who was known for challenging the foundations of Christianity and traditional morality, famously uttering, â€Å"God is Dead†. EASTERN WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES: AN OVERVIEW Western Philosophy Refers to the philosophical thinking in the Western or Occidental world, particularly in Europe. Historically, it refers to the philosophical thinking of Western civilization, beginning in ancient Greece. Western thought puts more emphasis on individualism, science, math, and politics – hence, rational and materialistic. It can be seen as the triumph of reason and empiricism over faith/religion – a search involving many questions. Eastern Philosophy. Refers broadly to the various philosophies in the Eastern or Oriental world, particularly Asia and some Arab countries. Historically, it is heavily influenced by Hinduism the world’s oldest religion, beginning in India. Eastern thought puts more emphasis on interdependence (of human beings and nature), harmony, unity, and faith – hence, meditative and spiritual. It can be seen as the triumph of faith/religion over science and reason – an answer following realization. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF EASTERN WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES Western Philosophy. Is rational because most western thought focused on refining epistemology and logic. It emphasized that it is the individual using his/her rational ability to deduce the truth about the things around him/her, and this separates the individual as a subjective mind different from objective reality: Nature, God, the Universe. Eastern Philosophy In the East, philosophers have been more concerned with ordaining society in a harmonious manner, finding humanity’s proper place in society and nature, acting and thinking in a way that would promote unity and order in the universe. It does not have to rely on rationality and often tries to transcend individuality itself to reveal a person’s inherent sameness with the universe/nature. Reason is in fact seen as a stumbling block to truly understand reality. It focuses on how to live and tends to accept the way things are. Eastern thought is focused more on the mind and the spirit/soul, tending to offer a different level of internal experience (meditative) from which to draw conclusions. Thus, it would be hard to separate philosophy and religion.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Love in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay -- Shakespeare, Romeo Juli

Love. In all its facets and colors, love is understood and accepted as a concept by even the most primitive cultures. But what is love? Many writers have debated this subject. Many works have been produced detailing the understanding individuals had of the concept of love.   Ã‚  Ã‚  The more accepted conception of love is usually found in Romeo & Juliet. Many people refer to it as love at first sight, in French, â€Å"le coup de foudre†, as if you had just been struck by a lightning bolt. This interpretation dates back to the courtly love tradition which manifested during the late Middle Ages, first through chivalry and then more openly among the nobility. In fact, many references to the courtly love tradition are found in the play, for example, Juliet's famous line: â€Å"I'll prove more true than those that have more cunning to be strange.† Here, Juliet is obviously talking about the other women, those who know to be coy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  The courtly love tradition is, however, best expressed in all the works I have chosen by â€Å"The Miller's Tale†, Chaucer's recalling of tales supposedly told in his time period. In this story, we witness the amorous liaison between Alyson, the carpenter John's wife, and Nicholas, a student of astronomy and courtly love. The lovers engineer a stratagem which will allow them to consume their passion without fear of retribution, but only after much insistence on the part of Nicholas.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Then Nicholas began to plead his cause   Ã‚  Ã‚  And spoke so fair in proffering what he could   Ã‚  Ã‚  That in the end she promised him she would.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  It seems strange that, in both stories, there seems to be some resistance to the tradition of courtly love. Both stories were written during the Middle Ages, two hundred years apart. We can ... ....   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Everyone always thinks they hold the truth. The Word of God can be a convincing argument for those who rely on faith to survive. The word of man, however, makes a stronger point, as it demonstrates how foolish and artificial our beliefs can sometimes be, and how they can change and evolve with time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Who is to say what love will be a hundred years from now? What will they write when they speak of us, of our own courtship rituals, of the looseness of morals we sometimes manifest? Will they see our behaviours as evil or good? Or will they see us as people who acted according to the values set in the culture in which we lived?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Or is it better not to think of the future, and just love each other, as we always have, regardless of everything else ? Works Cited: Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. London: Cambridge University Press, 1959.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Free Essay on Ecology of a Cracker Childhood :: Cracker

Free Essay on Ecology of a Cracker Childhood      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   By reading Ecology of a Cracker Childhood, it is safe to assume that Janisse Ray, the main character, author, is one who doesn't conform and has a stubborn nature. For instance, when Ray wants to play football with the boys in her class at recess she gets angered when they tell her no she can not play with them; so instead of accepting their reply she jumps in the game anyway and tackles the boy with the football.   The boys angry with the fact that their friend, a guy, got tackled by a girl went chasing after her. Why did Ray feel the need to make a statement by taking down the boy with the football? Perhaps it was her feminist nature, driving her to show the boys that just because she was a female didn't mean that she was not able to do as they did. Whether or not it was feminism, Ray, still has the heart of a revolutionary.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ray suspected that the boys' rejection was due to the fact that she was a girl, but her suspicions were repudiated when she saw a girl playing with them. The only difference between Janisse and the other girl was that the other girl was not wearing a dress.   The Ray family's religious convictions required the females of the family to wear a dress, providing for the boys uneasiness when it came down to allowing her to play with them. Janisse, dress or not, felt capable of partaking in the sport. It is women like Ray, who will not take no for an answer, that has brought equal rights to their gender in sports, jobs and even around the house.    America was founded, and has been very successful because of people like Ray, who want to leave their backgrounds or use them to learn from them in order to better their lives in the future; the kind of people that will do anything, whether it is leaving their homeland for a foreign soil in search of a new life and freedom, or tackling the boy with the football. Things have been changed, invented, and made better by people that will not take no for an answer. Free Essay on Ecology of a Cracker Childhood :: Cracker Free Essay on Ecology of a Cracker Childhood      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   By reading Ecology of a Cracker Childhood, it is safe to assume that Janisse Ray, the main character, author, is one who doesn't conform and has a stubborn nature. For instance, when Ray wants to play football with the boys in her class at recess she gets angered when they tell her no she can not play with them; so instead of accepting their reply she jumps in the game anyway and tackles the boy with the football.   The boys angry with the fact that their friend, a guy, got tackled by a girl went chasing after her. Why did Ray feel the need to make a statement by taking down the boy with the football? Perhaps it was her feminist nature, driving her to show the boys that just because she was a female didn't mean that she was not able to do as they did. Whether or not it was feminism, Ray, still has the heart of a revolutionary.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ray suspected that the boys' rejection was due to the fact that she was a girl, but her suspicions were repudiated when she saw a girl playing with them. The only difference between Janisse and the other girl was that the other girl was not wearing a dress.   The Ray family's religious convictions required the females of the family to wear a dress, providing for the boys uneasiness when it came down to allowing her to play with them. Janisse, dress or not, felt capable of partaking in the sport. It is women like Ray, who will not take no for an answer, that has brought equal rights to their gender in sports, jobs and even around the house.    America was founded, and has been very successful because of people like Ray, who want to leave their backgrounds or use them to learn from them in order to better their lives in the future; the kind of people that will do anything, whether it is leaving their homeland for a foreign soil in search of a new life and freedom, or tackling the boy with the football. Things have been changed, invented, and made better by people that will not take no for an answer.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Culture debasing Essay

The mass media is constantly around us, through newspapers and magazines, the internet, television and film etc. these are used by us everyday in our spare time and academic work. So are we influenced by this form of secondary socialisation in our lives to create a ‘mass culture’? And does this ‘mass culture’ debase ‘ordinary culture’? In this essay I will use secondary research and my own opinion to answer this question. The media itself plays a big part in creating images through the way they report and advertise consumer products and moral panics. I feel that the type of media presentation demonstrated influences different subcultures into believing that what they are seeing is true, hence the change in their attitudes to different topics, music and fashion. Especially young people today can be nai ve and believe everything they see or hear on television or the internet, which could cause primary socialisation to change for the children, because of these views. This ‘mass culture’, I believe could destroy and make an ‘ordinary culture’ into extinction through too much influence of â€Å"babble† and consumer products on television. Although you could ask what is ordinary and normal? Normal does not have a clear definition; as no one is completely normal, but ordinary seems to be defined as routine or customary, so an ‘ordinary culture’ is considered the norm way of living. So what is mass culture? An extra- ordinary way people live, or is it a negative perception of some people’s choice of life? By using the textbook ‘seventh edition Sociology Themes and Perspectives’. I found that the â€Å"development of the media was debasing the culture of ordinary people, which could cause problems for western societies†. This comment could back up my opinion of a negative effect of media through a mass culture which could destroy the traditional thoughts and practices of western life. Dwight Macdonald had a theory about mass culture. He claimed that mass culture was very different from high culture and folk art. He states that mass culture is standardized and a commercial kitsch (popular culture which could be considered worthless) used by business to create a profit. This shows that Macdonald as well as I believe that mass culture is â€Å"kitsch†- worthless babble used to sell products, which also influences or â€Å"brainwashes† people into believing that anything merchandised is right or â€Å"sick† as teenagers of today say. Dwight also stated that mass culture takes ‘less mental effort’ and that it ‘tended to undermine high culture’. So basically he is saying that mass culture is maybe for a different class of person.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Phil Spector and the Murder of Lana Clarkson

Phil Spector and the Murder of Lana Clarkson On February 3, 2003, police went to Spectors Los Angeles mansion after receiving an emergency 9-1-1 call. As stated in the police reports, police found the body of the 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson sitting slumped in a chair in the foyer. She had been shot in the mouth and a blue-steel .38 Colt revolver with a two-inch barrel was found on the floor near her body. The Investigation Clarkson was an actress and also working as a hostess in a VIP lounge at the House of Blues in West Hollywood on the night that she met 62-year-old Spector and left with him in his limousine. His driver, Adriano De Souza, told the grand jury that he waited outside after the two went into Spectors mansion. Almost immediately after the two entered the home, Spector returned to the car and got a briefcase. About an hour later De Souza heard a gunshot, then observed Spector going out the back door with a gun in his hand. According to De Souza, Spector said to him, I think I killed somebody. Spector is Charged With Murder After police arrived to the scene, a small struggle incurred when Spector was asked to show his hands, which were jammed inside his front pockets. He fought off police and was eventually subdued after police used a Taser stun gun on him then tackled him to the ground. I Didnt Mean to Shoot Her Inside the home, police found nine additional firearms and a blood trail throughout the house. Transcripts of grand jury testimony in the case show that Spector first told police he accidentally shot actress Lana Clarkson, then later said she had committed suicide. When police officer Beatrice Rodriquez arrived at the scene, Spector told her, I didnt mean to shoot her. It was an accident. After an investigation lasting over six months, Spector was officially charged in November of 2003 for the murder of Lana Clarkson. The Trial Spectors attorneys tried unsuccessfully to have the damaging statements suppressed, but on October 28, 2005, the judge ruled the statements could be used against Spector in trial. A retired police officer who had worked at times for Joan Rivers as a security guard, testified during the trial that he ejected Spector from two Christmas parties for brandishing a gun and making violent and threatening statements about women. One Attorney, Two Attorneys, Three Attorneys Spector hired and fired three attorneys. Defense attorney Robert Shapiro represented Spector at his arraignment and early pretrial hearings, and arranged for his release on $1 million bail. He was replaced by Leslie Abramson and Marcia Morrissey. Bruce Cutler, the former long-time lawyer of New York City mafia boss John Gotti, in turn, replaced them.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Marriott International Business Analysis Essay

Marriott International Business Analysis Essay Marriott International Inc. Business Analysis Essay Marriott International Inc. Business Analysis Essay Marriott International, Inc. is a leading global lodging company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Marriott International, Inc. has over 4,200 properties spread across 79 countries (â€Å"About Marriott International†). Besides, the company owns 19 brands that are grouped in five business segments, which include the North American Full-Service Lodging, North American Limited-Service Lodging, International Lodging, and Luxury Lodging and Timeshare (Marriott Jr. 15). Besides franchising and operating the hotels, Marriott International offers services to home and condominium owner associations for projects related to one of its brands (Marriott Jr. 28). Marriott International uses unique strategies aimed at achieving effective market share and good profitability. MARRIOT INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT The company is guided by Marriott family for almost 90 years (â€Å"About Marriott International†). The initial idea of the founders of Marriott International, Inc. was to open a root beer stand in Washington (Marriott Jr. 12). The company’s first hotel, founded in 1927, was a major achievement for Marriott family. Marriott International has become a world leading business due to its main focus is on customer relationship, growth efficiency, service offering as well as its capability to provide effective customer promotions for the hotels. The paper aims at analyzing the Marriott International Inc. and its environment. Employees Marriott International understands the importance of employees for the success of the business. Thus, the company provides a supportive environment to help its employees grow in the current job positions and build a sustainable career (Gallagher par. 1). The company follows the principle of putting people first. The company is known to be offering competitive compensation and benefits to its employees. In Marriott International, there are over 200,000 hotel employees. Together with those in the franchised properties, there are 361,000 (Gallagher par. 6). The company’s employees are not concentrated on a cool campus, but rather scattered all over the world. Owners The founder of Marriott International was J. Willard Marriott. Today, the company is led by his son, Bill Marriott, the Executive Chairman, in conjunction with Arne Sorenson, the Chief Executive Officer (Marriott Jr. 12). The Marriott family owns 30 percent of the company. The company hosts an Ownership Educational Summit twice per year to encourage hotel ownership and educate potential owners on the hospitality and tourism industry as well as the ways of attaining Marriot’s ownership and the significance of contracting strong brands for the company. Board of Directors. The board of directors of Marriott International consists of qualified personnel as discussed below (Aspen Publishers 56-77). Marriott International’s Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board is W. Marriott Jr., the son of the founder, Willard Marriott. Customers Marriott International has a broad target market (Marriott Jr. 44). However, the company’s most important target group are the business travelers or people in the business world. The company understands that people in the business industry have to travel around the world for business reasons. Thus, Marriott International offers such brands as Fairfield Inn Suites, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, and SpringHill Suites for its business clientele (Marriott Jr. 47). Competitors Marriott International faces strong competition both as a franchisor and as a lodging operator. There are approximately 872 lodging management companies in the US, with 9 of them operating over 100 properties (Marriott Jr. 56). The operators are mainly private management companies, but also include some large national chains that operate own hotels and franchise own brands. Marriott International ranks second in the market share (5.6 %) after Hilton Hotels Corporation (7.2%) (Marriott Jr. 57). Other major rivals of Marriott International in the industry include Starwood Hotels, Resorts Worldwide, Inc., and Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, which have the same market share (3.4%) (Marriott Jr. 57). Other competitors include Accor at 1.7% and the Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC, whose market share is 0.8% (Marriott Jr. 57-58). Though all the hotel properties offer similar facilities, the Hilton Hotels Corporation, the largest competitor in the industry, incorporates more leisure facilities. Secondly, Hilton Company operates its own loyalty program. Besides, unlike Marriott, Hilton has taken environmentally friendly efforts to maintain its market position (Marriott Jr. 60). Suppliers. Marriott International maintains strong relations with businesses owned by minority groups in the areas of its operation across the world, and these relations continue to grow and strengthen ( «Marriott Enlists more Diverse Suppliers† par. 1). In the past decade, the company spent 4 billion dollars with diverse suppliers ( «Marriott Enlists more Diverse Suppliers† par. The company’s suppliers from different industries include: Berman Purchasing Inc., Jupiter, Fla. (furniture, fixtures, and equipment seller); Carter Brothers, Atlanta, Ga. (security and fire alarms distributor); Eagles Koinonia Corporation, Brandon, Fla. (janitorial/cleaning services); Fairmont Designs Hospitality Group, Buena Park, Calif. (furniture designs); Garys Seafood, Orlando, Fla. (seafood distribution); Hospitality Staffing Solutions, Marietta, Ga. (temporary staffing); Land-Ron Inc., Orlando, Fla. (constructions for the company); Tronex, Parsippany, NJ. ( disposable gloves and products); Ty, Ty, Ty Inc., Miami, Fla. (takes care of the rooms/linen); TG Constructors Inc., Orlando, Fla. (constructions for the company) ( «Marriott Enlists more Diverse Suppliers† par. 3). Distributors Marriott International has one of the strongest distribution systems in the industry. The system is integrated with the revenue management, customer loyalty, ecommerce, global distribution systems, and property management systems of the company (Marriott Jr. 66). The company’s foodservice distributors include the Red Lobster restaurants, Darden Restaurants Olive Garden, and Garys Seafood, Orlando, Florida (Marriott Jr. 66). Strategic Allies Marriott International has entered a number of strategic alliances with strong world consumer brands to increase customer awareness as well as revenue and share value (Marriott Jr. 67). The company’s strategic allies include Visa USA, which entered an agreement with the company to develop novel products for leisure and business travels, joint sponsorships, and consumer and trade promotions. Next is the Rugby Football Union. The alliance with Marriott International was meant to enhance the existing relationship between the two firms (Marriott Jr. 77). Unions and Employee Associations. Of the total number of employees working for Marriott International, 11,000 of them are protected by unions (Gallagher par. 6). These organizations ensure that workers receive the right treatment at their workplaces and are equally compensated. Some examples of the unions is the International Labor Organization and Hotels, Restaurants Cafà ©s in Europe (Marriott Jr. 70). Local Communities As a recognized company that operates managed and franchised lodgings, Marriott International has various stakeholder groups that include hotel owners, shareholders, customers, suppliers, associates, industry associations, community organizations as well as governmental and non-governemntal agencies (Marriot 92). The company’s stakeholders are diverse and operate globally. Marriott has an understanding that the stakeholders are important and that their opinions, desires and needs drive the company’s stategy. Therefore, the company’s stakeholders are highly valued and are accorded utmost respect because they shape the sustainability strategy (Marriot 92). Lenders Marriott International is financed by the local commercial banks in the US (Marriott Jr. 102). However, in case of a financial crisis in the home country, the company can borrow money from a bank in the country it wishes to operate. Government Regulators The regulations encountered by Marriott International are with regards to the environment, tax, and employees (Marriott Jr. 108). In every country where Marriott International is executing its operations, there are particular rules that guide its interactions with governmental agencies and officials. The rules mainly focus on lobbying, political contributions, trade restrictions etc. Special Interest Groups Special interest groups are formed to enable members to share information related to hospitality and tourism. Marriot International is a member of special interest groups (Marriott Jr. 103). What is more, one of the chairmen of the special interest groups, Allan Tuttle, is the member of the company. Marriott International is a member of the Hospitality and Sales (SIG) group (Marriott Jr. 103). Mass Media Marriot International uses mass media to reach out to its clientele (Marriot 36). The company uses the social media such as Twitter and Facebook to create awareness of any changes in the company. Besides, it uses flyers to communicate its programmes to its customers. Lastly, the company uses utility bills such as eGifts to enhance its customers’ experiences (Marriot 36). GENERAL ENVIRONMENT Economic Forces Marriot International is affected by economic factors such as recession and ecomomic turmoil in Europe (Marriott Jr. 75). Events such as debt crisis have reduced the buying power of customers and their ability to travel. This affects Marriott International heavily, as its operations depend on travelling trends. Another economic problem facing Marriott International is that the US dollar faces high exchange rate overseas (Marriott Jr. 75). This discourages foreign visitors from travelling to the US. The high exchange rates discourage business travels as well. Sociological Forces. The demand for the products in the tourism and hospitality industry is influenced by sociological factors. In the modern world, people enjoy travelling and exploring new places. Due to technological advancements and improvements in the transportation system, travelling has been made easy. The desire to attain a distinctive atmosphere has become an important concern for managers in the hospitality industry. Employees in the industry offer personal services to customers so as to retain them (Sung Chon and Yu 77). Marriott International is characterized by its strategy of ensuring customer satisfaction to guarantee a return visit (Renner 7). It is also is expanding its travel network across the world (Marriott Jr. 72). Demographic Forces The demographic forces entail characteristics such as age, gender, religion, education, income, among others. The hotel industry targets people of all ages (Marriott Jr. 55-56). The company targets the highly paid in the society; however, it also takes into consideration the lowly paid who have a passion for travelling (Marriott Jr. 54). Marriott International has to ensure that it has a tier to every income group so as to remain competitive in the industry. The company has ranks of hotels in specific areas that rely on the wants and needs of the customers of all groups. For example, the company’s brands such as Fairfield Inn Suites have free Wi-Fi and business centers with PC and printing services to help its customers to remain entertained and productive. Besides, the rooms are fitted with accessible high-speed Internet, guest rooms with a conducive work area, and separate living and sleeping areas. The brand SpringHill Suites is spacious, has style, and is affordably price d to attract both the high and low income earners (Marriott Jr. 57). Political/ Legal Forces Marriott International operates in a country that remains politically stable. Further, the growing prosperity of its populace continues to provide a concrete foundation for sustained growth that will prompt the confidence of investors in the hotel industry that results in investments for the company (Marriott Jr. 87). Research indicates that developments in the hotel industry result in stable taxes for the government. In turn, it becomes easy for foreign investors to get licensed to operate in the country. The unpredictable and volatile situations in the political environment of a host market increases risk and uncertainty, thus pushing potential investors away. There are laws and regulations that control business operations in every country. Marriott International understands the role of such rules, and it has acted accordingly both in the past and currently. The company understands that every political system is different and it needs to be addressed. Marriott International is reported to have always followed the set of rules specific for certain countries such as policies concerning low-fat food, smoking policies etc. (Marriott Jr. 87). International Forces Today, the world of business is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. Evidently, all decisions facing international managers regarding whom to hire, which technologies to adopt, how to market their products locally and internationally among others are influenced by the business environment of the country in which a company operates. Marriott International has had to confront the legal, cultural and political issues specific for the countries of operation in developing strategies to enter the local market (Marriott Jr. 115). The issues include encouraging government’s fiscal policy, a conducive environment for business that offers investment incentives, effective and sustainable marketing and promotions, as well as policies that are in agreement with the local communities and cultures. Marriott International has been able to succeed in business because it not only complies with the rules of its home country, but also with the laws and regulations of the host countries in which it operates. The international laws have influenced the markets that the company can serve, the prices it should charge for the products, as well as the costs of inputs such as labor, technologies, and raw materials (Marriott Jr. 115). Besides, the political environment and the legal system in the international market have affected the location of hotel suites for Marriott International. SWOT ANALYSIS SWOT analysis is defined as a structured planning technique used for evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats involved in a business venture. For Marriott International, SWOT Analysis presents the actual picture of its business operations. Strengths Marriott International is a universally recognized leader in the hospitality industry. The company has strong brand equity with an Internet presence and sufficient IT solutions. The company has been attentive to specialized market segments and brand differentiation. Marriott International has a strong market position because of its expanded and diversified business across the globe. Marriott International has a large market share in the industry as it provides a wide range of high-quality products and services to its customers. Marriott International boasts a strong customer relationship. Its ability to offer satisfying products and services to its clientele has helped the company earn customer loyalty. Weaknesses The Marriot International Company is over-dependent upon luxury brands in the United States’ market. The company lacks low-cost lifestyle brands that are now gaining popularity in the developing nations. As a result of its huge expansions in business, Marriott International is becoming weak in its management system. Marriott International is facing backwardness in infrastructure, especially in management of information technology. Due to its huge debts, the market share of Marriott International is declining. Marriott International operates in a highly concentrated industry. As such, there is a high rate of competition, and customers have a variety of substitute products. Opportunities Marriot International can try to merge its firms and businesses across the world, particularly those in the European countries. Joining the businesses together will help the company regain its power in the market. Studies reveal a considerable growth in the tourism industry and Asian travel. The low-cost market segment is trending, and Marriot International can benefit from capturing the segment through investment. Environmentally friendly operations and eco-tourism can have significant success in helping Marriott International gain its position in the marketplace. Marriott International has the opportunity to enhance its business and grow its services in the market to achieve more customers’ loyalty. Marriott International should take the necessary steps to grow in the market. For example, the company can improve its direct marketing plans such as in the advertisement to ensure its content for the ads is relevant to capture more customers. Threats In the contemporary world, the element of timeshare is losing its charm. Economic problems in Europe are affecting consumer spending. This is because the crisis have affected the travelling ability and purchasing power of the customers. The risk posed by political instabilities in some countries and government involvement are creating tensions for the company because of its hotels operating in the countries. The economic recessions in some countries may pose a threat to the company, since this will influence the prices that the company should charge for its products as well as the cost of labor, technologies, and raw materials. MISSION STATEMENT â€Å"To enhance the lives of our customers by creating and enabling unsurpassed vacation and leisure experiences.† (Marriott Jr. 6). VISION STATEMENT â€Å"To become the premiere provider and facilitator of leisure and vacation experiences in the world.† (Marriott Jr. 6-7). COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES In its primary line of operation, Marriott International employs strong competitive strategies that have enabled it to maintain its competitive advantage over its rivals in the mature hotel industry (Renner 5). Since it has been established, Marriott International has believed in a continued long-term success achieved by over 80 years of experience, customer preference, strong brands, as well as an effective business model. As mentioned earlier, the portfolio of the company consists of over 4,200 properties in more than 80 countries across the world (†About Marriott International†). By 2009, about 137,000 employees had been part of the company’s workforce that helped generate sales of 11 billion dollars, a figure that was projected to continue increasing in subsequent years (Renner 9). Irrespective of the many challenges faced by Marriott International such as the global recession, inflation and international forces that have cut back on travel, the company has been able to remain on top through the use of extraordinary customer service. Marriott International focuses on the use innovative technical programs and technology to enhance the customers’ experience (Marriott Jr. 98). By so doing, Marriott International has been able to differentiate itself from its rivals and attain a strong competitive position. Besides, the company owns a center piece programme, Marriotts Automated Reservation Systems for Hotel Accommodations (MARSH), which ensures customers receive personalized attention (Marriott Jr. 98). In a nutshell, Marriott International’s competitive strategy is a hard mode of operation that rivals in the industry strive to match. Marriott international is a globally recognized brand that manages and franchises lodgings and hotels. The paper has performed an analysis of the company and its environments. From the analysis, Marriott International operates in a highly concentrated industry where completion is quite high. The main competitor for the company is Hilton Hotels Corporation. Despite the competition in the industry, Marriott has been able to maintain its position and become a world leading business through the use of its unique competitive strategies. The company’s main focus has been excellent customer service and growth efficiency.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Marshal Michel Ney - Napoleonic Wars Biography

Marshal Michel Ney - Napoleonic Wars Biography Michel Ney - Early Life: Born in Saarlouis, France on January 10, 1769, Michel Ney was the son of master barrel cooper Pierre Ney and his wife Margarethe. Due to Saarlouis location in Lorraine, Ney was raised bilingual and was fluent in both French and German. Coming of age, he received his education at the Collà ¨ge des Augustins and became a notary in his hometown. After a brief stint as an overseer of mines, he ended his career as a civil servant and enlisted in the Colonel-General Hussar Regiment in 1787. Proving himself a gifted soldier, Ney swiftly moved through the non-commissioned ranks. Michel Ney - Wars of the French Revolution: With the beginning of the French Revolution, Neys regiment was assigned to the Army of the North. In September 1792, he was present at the French victory at Valmy and was commissioned as an officer the next month. The following year he served at the Battle of Neerwinden and was wounded at the siege of Mainz. Transferring to the Sambre-et-Meuse in June 1794, Neys talents were quickly recognized and he continued to advance in rank, reaching gà ©nà ©ral de brigade in August 1796. With this promotion came command of the French cavalry on the German front. In April 1797, Ney led the cavalry at the Battle of Neuwied. Charging a body of Austrian lancers that were attempting to seize French artillery, Neys men found themselves counterattacked by enemy cavalry. In the fighting that ensued, Ney was unhorsed and taken prisoner. He remained a prisoner of war for a month until being exchanged in May. Returning to active service, Ney participated in the capture of Mannheim later that year. Two years later he was promoted to gà ©neral de division in March 1799. Commanding the cavalry in Switzerland and along the Danube, Ney was wounded in the wrist and thigh at Winterthur. Recovering from his wounds, he joined General Jean Moreaus Army of the Rhine and took part in the victory at the Battle of Hohenlinden on December 3, 1800. In 1802, he was assigned to command French troops in Switzerland and oversaw French diplomacy in the region. On August 5 of that year, Ney returned to France to marry Aglaà © Louise Auguià ©. The couple would be married for the remainder of Neys life and would have four sons. Michel Ney - Napoleonic Wars: With the rise of Napoleon, Neys career accelerated as he was appointed one of the first eighteen Marshals of the Empire on May 19, 1804. Assuming command of the VI Corps of the La Grand Armà ©e the following year, Ney defeated the Austrians at the Battle of Elchingen that October. Pressing into the Tyrol, he captured Innsbruck a month later. During the 1806 campaign, Neys VI Corps took part in the Battle of Jena on October 14, and then moved to occupy Erfurt and capture Magdeburg. As winter set in, the fighting continued and Ney played a key role in rescuing the French army at the Battle of Eylau on February 8, 1807. Pressing on, Ney participated in the Battle of Gà ¼ttstadt and commanded the right wing of the army during Napoleons decisive triumph against the Russians at Friedland on June 14. For his exemplary service, Napoleon created him Duke of Elchingen on June 6, 1808. Shortly thereafter, Ney and his corps were dispatched to Spain. After two years on the Iberian Peninsula, he was ordered to aid in the invasion of Portugal. After capturing Ciudad Rodrigo and Coa, he was defeated at the Battle of Buà §aco. Working with Marshal Andrà © Massà ©na, Ney and the French flanked the British position and continued their advance until they were turned back at the Lines of Torres Vedras. Unable to penetrate the allied defenses, Massà ©na ordered a retreat. During the withdrawal, Ney was removed from command for insubordination. Returning to France, Ney was given command of the III Corps of the La Grand Armà ©e for the 1812 invasion of Russia. In August of that year, he was wounded in the neck leading his men at the Battle of Smolensk. As the French drove further into Russia, Ney commanded his men in the central section of the French lines at the Battle of Borodino on September 7, 1812. With the collapse of the invasion later that year, Ney was assigned to command the French rearguard as Napoleon retreated back to France. Cut off from the main body of the army, Neys men were able to fight their way through and rejoin their comrades. For this action he was dubbed the bravest of the brave by Napoleon. After taking part in the Battle of Berezina, Ney helped hold the bridge at Kovno and reputedly was the last French soldier to leave Russian soil. In reward for his service in Russia, he was given the title Prince of the Moskowa on March 25, 1813. As the War of the Sixth Coalition raged, Ney took part in the victories at Là ¼tzen and Bautzen. That fall he was present when French troops were defeated at the Battles of Dennewitz and Leipzig. With the French Empire collapsing, Ney aided in defending France through early 1814, but became the spokesman for the Marshals revolt in April and encouraged Napoleon to abdicate. With the defeat of Napoleon and restoration of Louis XVIII, Ney was promoted and made a peer for his role in the revolt. Michel Ney - The Hundred Days Death: Neys loyalty to the new regime was quickly tested in 1815, with Napoleons return to France from Elba. Swearing allegiance to the king, he began assembling forces to counter Napoleon and pledged to bring the former emperor back to Paris in an iron cage. Aware of Neys plans, Napoleon sent him a letter encouraging him to rejoin his old commander. This Ney did on March 18, when he joined Napoleon at Auxerre Three months later, Ney was made the commander of the left wing of the new Army of the North. In this role, he defeated the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Quatre Bras on June 16, 1815. Two days later, Ney played a key role at the Battle of Waterloo. His most famous order during the decisive battle was to send forward the French cavalry against the allied lines. Surging forward, they were unable to break the squares formed by the British infantry and were forced to retreat. Following the defeat at Waterloo, Ney was hunted down arrested. Taken into custody on August 3, he was tried for treason that December by the Chamber of Peers. Found guilty, he was executed by firing squad near the Luxembourg Garden on December 7, 1815. During his execution, Ney refused to wear a blindfold and insisted upon giving the order to fire himself. His final words were reportedly: Soldiers, when I give the command to fire, fire straight at my heart. Wait for the order. It will be my last to you. I protest against my condemnation. I have fought a hundred battles for France, and not one against her... Soldiers Fire!† Selected Sources Napoleonic Guide: Marshal Michel NeyNNDB: Marshal Michel NeyTrial of Marshal Ney

Saturday, October 19, 2019

The Impact of Unemployment on the Economy Term Paper

The Impact of Unemployment on the Economy - Term Paper Example The success of a business relies on not only the own particular market and its own decisions but also the macroeconomic environment it operates within. The macroeconomic environment has a direct effect on the profitability and success of a business. This paper aims at dealing with one of the essential aspects of the macroeconomic environment of business, i.e. unemployment. This paper will deal with unemployment in detail and will include aspects like the meaning of unemployment, and the costs of unemployment. Also, a focus will be on the labor markets and unemployment. The study will also touch upon the two main types of unemployment, i.e. Disequilibrium unemployment and Equilibrium unemployment. Here an attempt will be made to explain the two types of unemployment and the various subcategories of these will also be touched upon. However, before moving on, it is essential to understand the meaning of a few terms like labor force, number unemployed, unemployment rate, and unemployment . Claimant Unemployment: This refers to the people who receive unemployment-related benefits (Sloman and Sutcliffe). This mainly measures all those who receive the unemployment-related benefits and claim the benefits to cover their expenses until they have a job. Standardized Unemployment Rate: This is an unemployment rate that is used by the International Labor Organization and the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (Sloman and Sutcliffe). Here unemployed refers to people of the working age and who are without work. b) Costs of unemployment: Unemployment leads to numerous costs and these costs do not only influence the person unemployed but others as well. There are three main costs that are involved with unemployment are as follows: i) The first and most obvious costs involved are that incurred by the unemployed themselves.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Formal Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Formal Analysis - Essay Example Nevertheless, he also paid attention to other living on the peripheral of the world. Of particular concerns were Allerinas seen in his dances, resting, or perhaps performing. From this group, Edgar learned much and was a impressed by the dancing. In this particular sculpture, it speaks volume about the Spanish Dance, at that time. The pose and line illustrate the moves of the dance. Edgar Degas’ sculpture stands out among the art mainstream of 19th century French sculpture. He did not have any intentions of making public monuments and it was until his death that most of his sculpture were casted and displayed in national museums. Most of his sculptures were modeled using wax to maintain an acute pose. One of his works that appeared in public limelight is â€Å"Little Dancer of14 years† though it was faced with criticism and never did he again publicly exhibit his work. The rest of his works remained private; similar to the sketches and drawings on small range of subjects that seemed to fascinate him (Guggenheim 2015). The sculpture on human figure often repeated the same subject with varying composition or change of muscular tension with the body. Edgar had a ready source of inspiration from ballet dancers of the Opera, from Paris. Others sculpture recorded images of women in nudity when washing and drying their body. Edgar Degas was born in 1843 from an affluent banking family and had his education in the classics including Greek, Latin and ancient history in Paris. His father realized his son artistic gift and helped him develop his career by often taking him to museums. Through many interactions, Edgar started to develop his artistic skills. He trained in Louis Lamothe studio who taught him on traditional academics style with a major concern in line and insistence on the draftsmanship. One of his trips in Italy, he was attracted to the frescoes he saw there and made sketches and drawing about them in his notebook. Upon Edgars’ death

What Drives Chinese Into Buying Luxury Goods in the 21st Century Dissertation

What Drives Chinese Into Buying Luxury Goods in the 21st Century - Dissertation Example The fact that the demand for luxury goods by the Chinese population is increasing rapidly has become a theme of discussion in the international market. This research incorporates qualitative as well as quantitative research to identify the factors that influence patterns of buying decisions of the Chinese consumers regarding luxury commodities. According to Vickers & Renand (2003) have said that China is one of the top three markets for luxury products in the worldwide economy. China has acquired the top position in demand for a variety of consumer goods, among which luxury goods occupy 19 percent of the demand (Stalk and Michael, 2011). In the demand a large range of other consumer goods China is the second position holder in the world. The consumers in China are steadily becoming brand conscious. It puts significant effect on their decision making about purchase of luxury goods. Their addiction to brands is allowing the Chinese market to make place for itself in the international luxury market and also helping the global luxury brands to increase their influence on the Chinese customers. What are the factors that influence the buying behaviour of Chinese consumers, leading them to purchase luxury goods? Research Hypothesis, Aims, and Objectives Hypothesis The economic growth in China has influenced the buying behavior of Chinese consumers, driving them to buy more luxury goods, brought about by an increase in their purchasing power. Aim This research aims at identifying factors that influence patterns of buying decisions that make Chinese consumers to increase their level of luxury goods consumption over the years. Objectives of the study The objectives of research are different for different individuals and organizations (Srivastava, 2011). The objectives of this study are mentioned below: To explain the phenomenal

Thursday, October 17, 2019

The Three C's Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Three C's - Essay Example Known as great hunter-gatherers, American Indians are recognized as the legend of metallurgy. Their craftsmanship and knowledge in metallurgy enabled them to devise the latest and pliable tools for hunting. Also, being skillful hunters allowed American Indians to become substantial keepers of livestock which helped them to grow economically through the Columbian Exchange which they participated in the product barter with the use of their animals as trade currencies. Their involvement in the Columbian Exchange elevated the social status of the American Indians as their economy continuously stabilizing. But, such luxury was revealed to be short-lived since the Columbian Exchange, the very reason of their loft, has also been the means to their own fall. Through the Columbian Exchange, animal and human resource trade signaled the spread of communicable foreign diseases which affected all the potential livelihood resources for the American Indians. Thus, their chiefdom immediately fell ba ck to the hinters.

Medical Apartheid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Medical Apartheid - Essay Example Admittedly, remedial steps are being taken on the government level to counter barriers mentioned above.A study was carried out by the National Institute of Health to recheck why disparity occurred in this drug’s efficacy for blacks and Asians but not whites. This research concluded that this was most likely a result chance. Even if there was a small possibility that this drug actually did hold some hope for HIV patients, especially blacks, it definitely called for further research and testing. The reason mostly given for not carrying out further research is that blacks are resistant to being subjects for testing, especially for HIV. However, many researchers have been successful in recruiting a large number of blacks for their work. This clearly implies that there is need for more trust and empathy for blacks to cooperate. It is the right of the African Americans to have more research conducted into AIDSVAX as they do represent the majority of sufferers of this disease. Furthermore, if this drug does indeed prove to be primarily applicable to blacks, these differences will most likely be environmental; even if the differences are determined to be somewhat racial, one successful drug could be made adaptive to whites with further work. The world indeed sits in wait of a miracle drug that could cure the ‘incurable’ AIDS. So far, AIDSVAX is the only drug that has come closest to being it. Our country has a battle with itself right now of overcoming this discrimination against race and color for common good.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

The Three C's Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Three C's - Essay Example Known as great hunter-gatherers, American Indians are recognized as the legend of metallurgy. Their craftsmanship and knowledge in metallurgy enabled them to devise the latest and pliable tools for hunting. Also, being skillful hunters allowed American Indians to become substantial keepers of livestock which helped them to grow economically through the Columbian Exchange which they participated in the product barter with the use of their animals as trade currencies. Their involvement in the Columbian Exchange elevated the social status of the American Indians as their economy continuously stabilizing. But, such luxury was revealed to be short-lived since the Columbian Exchange, the very reason of their loft, has also been the means to their own fall. Through the Columbian Exchange, animal and human resource trade signaled the spread of communicable foreign diseases which affected all the potential livelihood resources for the American Indians. Thus, their chiefdom immediately fell ba ck to the hinters.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

History midterm essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

History midterm - Essay Example However, scholars and official argued that for real strengthening to be realized in China, the country should develop basic western institution, including the western government organization and education. The reforms give rise to techniques and military technologies. On the other hand, another reform movement was initiated on 1898 after china was defeated in the Sino-Japanese war. Self-strengthening movement and Hundred Day’s Reforms have some common similarities and differences based on the objectives, achievements and targets. Both reforms advocated for introduction of western education to be introduced in China. Self-Strengthening Movement was more successful because they had foreign language schools, which led to turning foreign languages to Chinese. The reforms enabled Chinese to read and understand foreign languages and there was introduction of education missions, which included navigation and study shipbuilding. Approximately, 120 Chinese were sent abroad between 1872 to 1881. Although the Hundred Days Reforms emphasized on education, the conservative officials banned it. However, the reformers abolished the conservative officials and turned the content of the examination from classical knowledge of current affairs. Education gave a mixture of both Eastern and western studies. Just like the Self-Strengthening reforms, Hundred Days Reforms encourage members of the royalty to go abroad on learning trips. The old eight-legged essays were eliminated and students were to take classes on politics, current affairs and Chinese classical volumes. The self-Strengthening Movement was more successful in developing a relationship with the foreign powers. In this perspective, it led to the construction of the Zongli Yamen in Beijing with the objective of managing the affairs with powers. This reform was a tremendous step for China in embracing diplomatic relationship with

Modern Language Association Essay Example for Free

Modern Language Association Essay The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is the most used format in doing papers especially with Liberal Arts and Humanities subjects (Purdue Owl). This format is based primarily on the author’s name and page number format. But before we start discussing how to cite sources, we must first learn how to properly format the paper using MLA. According to the OWL at Purdue website, the paper size should be a standard 8. 5 x 11 inches with 1-inch margin on all sides. The paper should be double-spaced using a formal font style such as Times New Roman in 12 pts. On all pages of the paper, a header that includes the last name of the owner of the paper and page numbers should be placed. The first lines of the paper should be indented to the left and one line apart: First and Last Name of the owner of the paper, name of professor, Subject/Course, and the date. Once these things are set up, the paper could now be officially started; the title of the paper should be at the center one line following the date (Purdue Owl). There are two basic ways of doing an in-text citation using MLA format. The first is using signal phrases — naming the author first in the sentence and then placing in parentheses the page number where the citation came from after the cited words. The second is including the last name of the author in the parenthetical citation, written before the page number and without any marks between them. If a particular source has no author mentioned, there are also two ways on how to properly cite the material. First is to use the title of the work as a signal phrase or place a shortened version of the title in the parenthetical citation. In case of sources where an organization can be used as the source, use the name of the organization as if it was the author. If page numbers are missing, like in web sites, just include the name of the author, again, either as a signal phrase or a parenthetical citation (â€Å"MLA in-text citations† 2).

Monday, October 14, 2019

Principles of Musharakah and Mudarabah

Principles of Musharakah and Mudarabah Musharakah and Mudarabah written in the books of Islamic fiqh generally means contracts which are formed for starting a joint venture in which all partners participate in the business from starting till end when assets are liquidated. The books of Islamic fiqh were written in an environment when there were only small trades and no large scale businesses took place. The principles of Musharakah and Mudarabah can be applied to small as well as large scale commercial enterprises. The basic principles of Musharakah and Mudarabah are as follows: Musharakah and Mudarabah financing is not interest based Financier /investor must share loss to the extent of their investment Profit is distributed according to the agreed ratio with their mutual consent, but the sleeping partner cant claim more than the ratio of his investment Loss suffered by partner is exactly according to the proportion of his investment For financing a project, the traditional method of Musharakah and Mudarabah can be easily applied. If a Financier wants to finance the whole project, he can use Mudarabah financing and if some parties want to finance the project jointly, they can adopt Musharakah financing. It is very easy to evaluate the capital if the Musharakah or Mudarabah have been effected since inception of the project. In case of Musharakah if any partner wants to withdraw from the business, the other partners can purchase his share at an agreed ratio. The partner can thus either fully own the business on his own or can sell the share of the partner who withdrew his capital to other person who can substitute the withdrawing financier Securitization of Musharakah Musharakah financing can be securitised easily, in case of big projects a huge sum is required which a few people cant afford. Every person investing is given a Musharakah certificate which represents the amount of money he has invested in business. After the start of the business and buying non liquid assets, the certificates can be treated as negotiable instruments which can be sold in the secondary markets. However, if all the assets of Musharakah are in liquid form, buying and selling of these certificates is not allowed because as all the assets are in liquid form and exchange of such assets means exchanging money for money, and for exchanging money for money both must be equal. Access from any side is Riba, which is prohibited in Islam In case if the money invested is invested in non-liquid assets as land, machinery etc. the Musharakah certificate will represent the portion of ownership in those Assets. In this of assets being in non-liquid form, it will be allowed by the shariah to sell certificates in the secondary market on any price agreed upon by the parties with their mutual consent In case the assets in the business are a mixture of liquid and non-liquid assets most of the schools of thoughts including shafii have allowed trading only if the size of non-liquid assets in the whole business is more than 50%. However, if the Hanafi view is adopted, transaction if valid even if the non-liquid assets are less than 50% but the amount must be greater than liquid assets and non-liquid assets must not be negligible Financing of a single transaction The principles of Musharakah and Mudarabah can be easily used for financing a single transaction. It can be applied for fulling day to day needs of small traders as well as for import and export transactions. An importer can approach financier for financing him for importing goods for a single transaction. Banks can also finance for importing goods. If the letter of credit has no restrictions, Mudarabah can be followed and if the letter of credit has restrictions, Musharakah suits for such case. After selling the imported goods, the sales proceed can be shared by the financier and the imported on an agreed ratio When finance is required for working capital of a already running business, the principles of Musharakah can be applies in the following ways Before investing in the running business the capital of the business can be evaluated by the mutual consent. As according to Imam Malik, non-liquid assets can also form a part of capital so, this view can be applied here. The value of the already running business will be the share of one partner and the amount of investment by the financier will be his share. The profit given to the financier is agreed upon by both the parties which should not exceed the amount of his investment. The Musharakah can be for a limited period of time like 6 months, one year, two years, after the completion of the term both the liquid and non-liquid assets are evaluated again and profit may be distributed on the basis of evaluation Sharing of gross profit Financing by the method above can be very difficult in case the business is big and has large number of fixed assets, because the valuation of the assets, their appreciation or depreciation may create accounting problems which can cause disputes among partners. In this case Musharakah may be applied in another way In this scenario, difficulty arise due to calculation of indirect expenses like salary of staff, depreciation of machinery etc. For solving such problem only direct expense like raw material, labour, etc. Shall be borne by the Musharakah. It means all the indirect expenses shall be borne by the industrialist and instead of net profit, gross profit shall be shared among the partners. In order to compensate the industrialist, the percentage of his profit may be increased Running musharakah account on the basis of daily products Most of the financial institutions finance working capital by opening a running account from where the client draws the money at different intervals and returns surplus money. This process of credit and debit goes on and up to date of maturity. interest is calculated on the basis of daily products For making such arrangement possible for Musharakah Financing, following procedure may be suggested A portion of the actual profit must be used for management of the business A portion of the profit must be used for paying the investors Loss must be borne by the investor in the exact ratio of their investment in the business The average of the contribution made to the musharakah account on daily basis must be treated as the share capital of the financier Profit earned at the end of the term must be calculated on daily product basis, and must be distributed among the partners accordingly If parties allow such arrangement, it does not seem to violate any principles of Musharakah However, this needs to be looked into by the experts of Islamic jurisprudence. Practically, it means the parties have agreed to the principle that the profit earned at the end of the agreed time will be divided by the capital utilized per day. Which will lead to average of money earned on daily. The amount of money earned per day will then multiplied by the total number of days the money is invested by the partner for the calculation of his actual profit Some of the scholars do not allow this method as this method does not reflect the calculations of the actual profit earned by a partner of the Musharakah. The business may have earned a huge profit during the time a partner had no investment at all or share of his investment would be negligible but he will be paid at par with the other partners who had invested a huge sum of money. Similarly, the business may have suffered a great loss when a particular partner had invested huge amount of money and he will pass on loss to the other partners despite of their no investment during the loss or having invested negligible amount of money The answer to the argument is that it is not necessary for the partners in Musharakah that they earn profit on the amount of their investment only. Once the Musharakah takes place the profit earned by the business are earned by all the partners despite whether their money in invested in the business or not. This is generally true for the Hanafi school of thought,ÂÂ   which does not make it necessary for a Valid Musharakah that the money invested by the partners are together mixed up

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Thomas Hardy and His Religious Beliefs Essay -- Biography Biographies

Thomas Hardy and His Religious Beliefs Thomas Hardy was born into a very active Christian family. He was the son of Orthodox Christians who made sure that he regularly attended services. Many of Hardy's relatives were involved in the church. Some were members of the clergy and some were musicians at the local church. Hardy, a member of the Stinsford parish, taught a Sunday school class when he was a young man. He even had aspirations of becoming a member of the clergy himself. He became very familiar with the teachings of the Bible and even memorized the psalms. Because Hardy was exposed to such devout faith in his youth, he acquired this faith as well. From the period of 1840 to 1860, the "Oxford Movement", a spiritual movement involving extremely devout thinking and actions, began to spread to Dorset. The supporters of this movement believed in a God who is near to man and transcends the natural order of things. This movement helped to reinforce Hardy s faith. In the 1860's On the Origin of Species and Essays and Reviews became widely circulated. These works led to a q...

Friday, October 11, 2019

The Banning of Capital Punishment Essay examples -- Papers Death Penal

The Banning of Capital Punishment Capital punishment is a brutal, antiquated concept that must be abolished in the name of civilized society. A humane culture cannot abide the organized extermination of human beings in the name of justice. In the United States, dozens of people are put to death every year like stray animals, only perhaps in less humane ways. The methods of capital punishment vary greatly, but none are publicly accepted as humane. Society's support for the death penalty is waning, but there is still enough support in the United States to keep it legal in many states. The death penalty exercises only the most primal instincts to kill and extract revenge in an organized fashion. This is why the death penalty must be abolished entirely: to allow society to function in a civilized manner in which every person has the right to live. Capital punishment is hypocritical, selection is arbitrary and biased, and the practice itself is cruel and inhumane. By allowing the organized extermination of living human beings the government is telling the public that they have the right to extinguish anyone they think is a murderer. The very idea of killing another for killing is inherently hypocritical. By enforcing capital punishment, the government is telling the public that it is okay to kill as long as you have more power than the person you are killing. This is of course a very cut-and-dried interpretation, but it is what the message boils down to. The problem with such a hypocritical notion as an eye for eye, is its fundamental inconsistency. In order to practice; what they preach, the courts would have to find a way to steal from thieves, betray traitors, and rape rapists. This is obviously ludicrous. Besides the cen... ... government to kill those deemed "deserving". Consequently, there are laws in place that allow the punishment of murder, by murder. Society's integrity is diminished every time a criminal is executed. The very tenets of modern organization are opposed to the notion of capital punishment, yet this is constantly defied and ignored by the American legal system. If no changes are made and the death penalty remains an acceptable form of punishment, it is inevitable that this correctional method will bleed throughout the American legal system and be utilized for "potential murderers" and small-time thieves. The mentality that encourages organized murder in the name of justice is doomed to devour the society that supports it, creating a totalitarian culture governed by paranoia. Society must voice its opposition to capital punishment before it pays dearly for a for it.

Frankenstein – the role of Safie in the novel

Written in 1816, when the writer M.Shelley was just nineteen her novel â€Å"Frankenstein†, a Sui Generis dramatized the potential of life begotten upon a laboratory table. M.Shelley merges many forms of writing- the memoir, the journal, the letter novel, the picaresque to produce themes as romantic myth making, the gothic project, contemprory history and politics and the discourse of gender. In the novel, one also witnesses two families working on opposite set of ideologies. On the one hand, where Frankenstein's family represents vision pattern of political inequality and injustice, the De Lacey family represents vision of a social group based on justice, equality and mutual affection. The structure of De lacey's family constitutes M.Shelley's ideal, an ideal derived from her mother's â€Å"A Vindication of the Rights of Woman†. Infact, it is the character of Safie, the beloved of Felix De Lacey which best exemplifies to it which shall be discussed in the following paragraphs. Safie, the daughter of the Turkish merchant is appalled by her father's betrayal of Felix and by the Islamic oppression of women he endorses. Therefore, she decides to escape from the clutches of her father and flees from Turkey to Switzerland, seeking Felix. This incidence gives a sense of M.shelley's oblique reference of looking at Turkey within the dimensions of the â€Å"east†. Moreover, when the readers are first introduced to Safie ,the description of her as a â€Å"lady dressed in a dark suit covered with a thick black veil† makes one aware of a culture very different from the west. It is for this that critic Kornisaruk goes to the extent of calling Safie as being â€Å"oriental†. Hence, echoing Edward Said's theory of the orientalism as now one witness's construction of Safie as the â€Å"Other†. M.shelley at the same time is quick to shift her stance of Turkey-the east, established in reader's mind as a place which culturally occupies a lower place in hierarchy. This is because she now portrays the product of east-Safie in a positive light. This is evidenced by frequent parallels of Safie with Eve of Paradise Lost who is chaste,pure. Also, the author consciously decides to choose the name Safie meaning â€Å"wisdom† which is symbolic in itself. Safie's desire to acquaint herself with the language which becomes a mean to break the cultural barrier justifies to her attribute of wisdom. It also reveals her as a person who is class conscience as she wishes to be merged within the upper strata of the society. Moreover, Safie emerges as the only independent well educated, self supported, wisdom imbibed woman in the novel. By doing so, the author not only questions the position of women in the 19th century but also brings into focus her rejection of east as a supposedly hierarchically inferior place as discussed earlier. It is because of her alternative role model identity that well renouned critic Rubinstein decides to call her â€Å"subtly androgynous† combining the standard feminine â€Å"angelic beauty† with a masculine energy. Yet, the author decides the disappearance of Safie and De Lacey's family giving them little involvement in the plot. Thus, establishing that such characters had no or little place in the harsh world of 19th century Europe experienced by M.Shelley. Therefore, justifying the novel as a realistic fiction. Finally, one can conclude, it is from her own mother that Safie learns â€Å"to aspire to higher powers of intellect and an independence of spirit†.So, flouting her father's â€Å"tyrannical mandate† against marrying Felix.Indeed, it's for this that critic A.K. Mellor notes Safie as â€Å"the incarnation of M.Wollstonecraft in the novel†.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Always Running Chapter Essay

Summary: Luis describes his life as part of the gang, saying that he and his friends are in a vacant lot they had claimed as their own, furnished with old sofas and covered by plastic to keep off at least some of the rain when an old car comes by. Two of the group go to the street to get a better look and one, Clavo, is shot in the face. Clavo loses an eye in the shooting. Luis and Rano do many jobs, ranging from cleaning houses, lawns, pools and garages to paper routes. They give all the money to their mother and Luis notes that there is always a need to for more. As a teenager and after Clavo leaves the neighborhood, Luis becomes friends with a young man named Claudio Ponce, known as Yuk Yuk because of his distinctive laugh. It’s Yuk Yuk who introduces Luis to stealing. With Yuk Yuk leading, meet a man named Jandro Mares, who has the teens steal specific cars on order, drive them back to Jandro’s garage and strip them down. They also steal bikes, jewelry, electronics and other items for a man named Shed Cowager who pays cash for almost anything they can steal. They soon graduate to residential burglary and robbing convenience stores. There is race trouble at the beginning of every school year. During one incident, the police arrive to break up a fight, the whites leave without a problem and the Mexicans arrested or expelled. Luis’s mother is finally fed up with pulling him out of jail and watching him in trouble, and kicks him out of the house. Luis suffers a hernia and has to have surgery. Luis describes, in great detail, the effects of a high from â€Å"sniffing† intoxicants including various sprays and gas. Luis begins dating Wilo’s younger sister, Payasa. Soon after he breaks up with her, she is admitted to a rehabilitation center for additions. Later, Wilo and Payasa leave the Barrior for what they hope is a better life.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Work Place Diversity ( Gay & Lesbian) Research Paper

Work Place Diversity ( Gay & Lesbian) - Research Paper Example While everybody politely welcomed his partner, I later noticed negative reactions ranging from gossip to homophobic propaganda amongst my workmates. I was deeply concerned as I support Michael’s decision to confess his sexual orientation publicly, and as a workmate who is privileged to have learnt about workplace diversity in college, I have decide to address the issue with both the staff and management. I would like to explain to my workmates that sexual orientation is not a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed as it emerges in early adolescence without the individual having any prior sexual experience. It is estimated that 5% of the over 300 million Americans are LGBT and are estimated to contribute over $835 billion to the consumer market in the US annually. I am concerned that his decision to come out might affect his future prospects as evidence from research indicates that gay men earn 10 to 32% less than similarly qualified heterosexual men. There is proof that discrimination diminishes productivity, job satisfaction, and mental and physical health of all employees (Mucciaroni, 2008). It is clear that Michael is a victim of heterosexism as he is being subjected to stigmatisation based on his subscription to nonconformist behavior, identity and relationship. The gossip amounts to exclusionary behavior towards him meant to gang-up and isolate him. Isolation is associated with mental distress and might, therefore, jeopardise his mental health. Several researchers have associated heterosexism with suicidal tendencies, psychological distress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. Heterosexism is negatively related to the satisfaction with life and self-esteem which in turn impact productivity (Mucciaroni, 2008). The reputation for discrimination can negatively impact our organizations ability to attract and retain clients and customers as well as staff. Research by Harris Interactive has demonstrated that over 70% of gays and over 40% of

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Omega Craft Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Omega Craft - Case Study Example In my opinion the biggest reason for the problems that the company is facing with its kit car division is the lack of research that went into the planning stages of the product development. Manufacturing fiberglass hulls for boats and making fiberglass parts for a car are two entirely different things and Omega Craft made the mistake that many bigger names had made; they didn’t devise a proper product development strategy and did not test market their fiberglass car components. As a result, the lack of research that went into their car components is evident in the low quality of these products. The boats that the company has been manufacturing have been perfected over the years but the kit car components should have been tested sufficiently before their production was started. A very good option for Omega craft would be to employ vertical dis-integration and look to form a virtual corporation. It would result in a number of benefits for the company. Outsourcing parts of the kit car would mean that the company could be able to provide better products at a better price. Locating manufacturers whose specialty is this particular line of products and working with them will result in improving the final product that the company intends to sell to its customer. The company can carry out extensive research and upon deciding the kind of product that they want, they can get it manufactured from another small scale manufacturer, so that it can maximize their economies by specializing. Given that Omega Craft sets rigorous standard production specifications, this arrangement can give their Kit car parts the needed touch of expertise. The costs will also be certainly less if Omega Craft only looks to manage the supply network, market these kit car components and to uptake sales and post sales services while getting the actual products manufactured by someone else. However this arrangement can be problematic as well.  

Monday, October 7, 2019

State and local week 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

State and local week 3 - Essay Example As well, as limits the age contribution of up to 25 dollars. Chapter 55 section 7A elaborates further on the individual’s contribution to candidates, as well as penalties and event expenditure controls. The state offers partial financing to the matching grants program. The state also set electronic disclosures requirements for the candidate and committees of all contributions. Regulation of the campaign financing is an area where the state could consider putting the requirements for donor disclosure. Additionally, change the very public financing for campaigns is paramount. Having a preliminary vote for approval of a party or candidate, for example, enroll 5% of the state members to the party can also help. The state could also drop the campaign finance. It could also eliminate or review disclosure exemptions for donations as it will help detect fraudulent schemes. Reforming the federal elections commission will also serve to change the

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Ionian and Pythagorean schools Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ionian and Pythagorean schools - Case Study Example The Pythagoreans on the other hand, with their basic conception of abstract form and permanence, stressed deductive reasoning or theory to arrive at conclusions. However, both Greek schools of thought round out the basics of what constitutes science - providing both for observation and theories as both essential to scientific knowledge. The Ionians and Pythagoreans moved away from the divine explanation of things --- that is, pointing to religion as key to understanding the world and its phenomena. Although, like them, the Egyptians and Babylonians were excellent scientists and mathematicians, the Greek philosophers did not view religion as supreme and sacred when it came to the pursuit of knowledge. For the Greeks, mysticism and reason could be separated (although Pythagorian school was said to be a religious sect which practiced abstinence, clean living, certain dietary preferences, and Pythagoras believed in one God as the source and cause of the order of the universe). Thus the Greek philosophers had a The Ionians were primarily concerned with what goes on with the physical world. Their school was focused on what are observable in nature, thus the followers were called "phusikoi" or natural philosophers . The word physics was derived from the Greek word for nature, "phusis". The Ionians, most of whom were born in Ionia in the 6th to the 5th centuries B.C. were interested in the origins of the universe, the causes of natural phenomena and the materials that compose the universe. On of their most important contributions to scientific knowledge was their search for the basic substance that makes up the universe, which can be said to have led to modern-day pathways to chemistry's identification of elements and substance, and the basic physical configuration of the universe in the notion of atomic particles. The Ionian philosopher Thales and Anixamander conceived of water or air as the basic matter that explains the seemingly clash of opposites in nature. Thus, they theorized on how ea rth and life formed on earth - out of the action of heat on moisture or water. They somehow correctly antedated the accepted scientific theory in biology and in particular evolution that life most likely was first formed in the oceans before appearing as life forms on land. Heraclitus added a significant impetus to the Ionian school when he focused on why and what moves observable phenomena of which chaos and strife are all too evident. He posited that fire, not air or water constitutes the basic form of the universe. Balance or equilibrium is always achieved by the upward and the downward paths of "fire". Fire here was defined Ionian and Pythagorean views by movement, not just as basic matter -- thus it can be understood as energy or movement. According to Heraclitus, fire or energy moves and unites the working of the natural world - antedating modern scientific findings on the laws of thermodynamics, that energy can be changed from one form to another but cannot be destroyed. In Einstein's theory of relativity, early Ionians position on matter and Heraclitus' energy or fire would again be unified - with matter and energy being the same. Pythagoras and

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Environmental Racism, Climate Change, Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Environmental Racism, Climate Change, - Essay Example The only remedy to address environmental racism is through environment justice, which promotes environmental, social, and economic justice. In my view, environment justice is better because it advocates for public policy to be based on justice, and mutual respect for all regardless of color. Legal Pragmatism is a philosophical approach that tries to infuse methods, and precepts of Pragmatic thinking to the legal theory. The pros of legal pragmatism include, the attitudes and methods of pragmatic thought are good for public environmental decisions making; it focuses on the accomplishment of social ends and social justice through advocating for judicial adherence to the interpretations of environmental statutes; it focuses on innovation and experimentation to problem solving (Singer, 2002). The cons of legal Pragmatism include, it lacks certain marquee values because of its insistence on practicability, recognition for social needs and innovation and sensitivity to facts. Either because for its insistence on pluralistic, experimentation, and experiential learning it can fail to provide the right answers to good disputed environmental questions. Environmental Pragmatism tries to connect the methods, and precepts of philosophical Pragmatism to find a solution to the real world environmental issues. In view of this, there is thus an intersection with legal pragmatism in that they both advocate for methods, and precepts of philosophical Pragmatism. In my view, a pragmatic perspective would have a better outcome given its insistence on experimentation, concrete facts, flexibility, and practical, workable solutions combined with democratic consensus can offer better outcomes. Stephen Gardiner gives the problem of environmental climate change a different approach. He considers the problem as ethical failure due to failed action by humans to confront this catastrophe. He identifies the storms or temptations that make human vulnerable to