Life :: essays research papers

philosophy Before I can go on to lay out the foundations of my belief system, I think it would be helpful to shed some light on the playing field in which these ideas are to be considered. This playing field is constructed of words and statements, of course, but the precise meaning of "words" and "statements" is often left unclear. I will begin by defining these things as I intend to use them. I will also make a cursory attempt to explain the different types of statements we will encounter, the importance of falsifiablity and the role of faith, in addition to a smattering of other definitions that will become important as we proceed. Statements The ultimate building blocks of any philosophical system are statements. A statement is an attempt to communicate that which is true (or perceived to be true) through the symbolic code (words) of a language. All symbols are, of course, inherently limited. There exist various properties in a symbol's object of reference, which cannot b e contained within the symbol itself. An obvious example of this is the property of real existence. We may discuss in detail the various properties of a horse and of a unicorn. Considered only from a linguistic standpoint, a horse and unicorn can be assumed to be virtually synonymous. However, the object of the symbol horse possesses the property of real existence while the object of the symbol unicorn does not. The word/symbol horse, though, cannot convey this property because it cannot be contained by the symbol. True knowledge of this property can only be obtained by finding a real horse and touching it, riding it, getting to know it. The consequence of this is the understanding that there exist incommunicable properties of all real objects. These incommunicable properties are no less real than their communicable counterparts. They simply cannot be conveyed by symbols. Knowledge of these properties can only be obtained by direct experience with the object itself. These properties will hereafter be referred to as existential properties. Please note, however, that acknowledgment of such existential properties does not negate the reality or real importance of those properties, which can be contained and conveyed by the object's symbol. All real objects contain both communicable and existential properties and to disparage consideration of either category is to limit the degree to which we can understand the nature of such objects.

Global Warming Essay -- Environmental Global Climate Change

Global Warming First discovered at the turn of the century by the Swedish scientist Arrhenius, global warming was initially thought to only cause increased greenhouse gases from coal combustion emissions. It wasn’t until fifty years later that the real causes and effects of global warming would be discovered. A British scientist by the name of Calendar correlated the 10% increase of atmospheric Carbon Dioxide between 1850 and 1940 with the observed warming of northern Europe and North America, which began in the 1880's. As for the cause of global warming, scientists generally believe that both the combustion of fossil fuels and other human activities are the primary reason for the increased concentration of carbon dioxide. Human activities such as the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas contribute heavily to global warming. Other major causes include deforestation, methane gas emissions, and the release of nitrous oxide chemicals into the atmosphere. The gasses are released primarily by rice cultivation, cattle and livestock populations, gas pipelines, and landfills. Deforestation is a big problem as far as global warming because trees remove Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere, but release large quantities when burned. Methane gas emissions contribute because they are trapped in the earth’s atmosphere and reflect light, which is usually released in a clean, healthy atmosphere. The energy burned to run cars and trucks, heat homes and businesses, and power factories is responsible for about eighty percent of society's carbon dioxide emissions, about twenty-five percent of U.S. methane emissions, and about twenty percent of global nitrous oxide emissions. The evidence of global warming has been a care and concern ... ...problem will only garner with time. New and more efficient programs need to be developed as well as alternate methods of energy production because the methods now are not efficient enough to be able to cut pollution and waste by a significant amount. Possibly over time, such changes can be made and goals achieved so that we can live in a cleaner, healthier world. Works Cited Cowie, J. (1998). Climate and Human Change: Disaster or Opportunity? New York: Parthenon Publishing Fleagle, R.G. (1994) Global Environment Change Westport: Praeger Publishing World Wide Fund for Nature homepage. Articles written by WWF staff and AP (updated October 13, 1999: site visited October 13, 1999, (Http://www.Panda.org)] United States Environmental Protection Agency homepage. Written by EPA staff [updated April 21, 1998: visited October 12, 1999, (Http://www.epa.gov)]

Human Nature By Mark Twain

Conformity is defined by Zimbardo (1992) as, ‘A tendency for people to adopt behavior, values and attitudes of other members of a reference group.' Mann (1969) identified the two major types of conformity: normative conformity and informational conformity. Normative conformity is caused by a desire to be liked. People conform because they think that other members of their reference group will like and accept them. They also want to avoid embarrassment and humiliation from other group members. It is a desire to be right that forms the basis of informational conformity; people conform because they look to others whom they believe to be correct to give them information. Humanity is questioned by acknowledging that self-approval comes from making your thoughts conform to the majority's belief system. Mark Twain has always been a keen observer of human nature. For example, according to his article â€Å"Corn-Pone Opinions† he wrote about those people who he was surrounded with in his everyday life. Mark Twain's idea that group thinking is inevitable is mirrored. Mark Twain, considered the â€Å"father of American literature†, attempts to define â€Å"Corn-Pone† and prove that it is based on the need for approval by other men of similar mindsets. In the opening, Twain writes about the positive qualities of his friend whom he is listening to without the permission of his mother. Another clear example of how he knows his mother has a reason for not allowing him to listen, based on her conforming to society's belief against black men being equal to white. However, before he finishes he leaves the reader with the knowledge that the friend is in fact a slave. Thus Twain's, Corn-pone Opinions, immediately shows that he too has fallen under the spell of public opinion. Otherwise why would Twain even mention that the friend is a slave. He is saying it is only human nature to believe what others believe and in this case it is the inferiority of the black man. I agree with Twain, he invites the reader to become aware that our opinions are strictly influenced by the actions of others and the acceptance of our peers. Slavery is a perfect example of an accepted belief, â€Å"changes are not reasoned out; we merely notice and conform†¦ As a rule we do not think, we only imitate†. This implies that slavery, itself, was a shared belief that quietly became the norm and thus accepted. Here, Twain was clearly stating he was a supporter of the abolition of slavery.In the short essay, The Corn-Pone Opinions, published after Mark Twain's death in 1910, the great humorist, presents the notion that society's beliefs are affected by social pressures to conform to an agreed upon norm. Basically, people have a natural tendency to conform and be similar to those around them. When a new idea or fad comes along it is first seen as odd and unflattering. As more and more attempt to imitate the new fad or idea it becomes accepted. The new idea or fad is only acceptable because all the others are doing it, â€Å"Even the woman who refuses from first to last to wear the hoop skirt comes under the law and is its slave; she could not wear the skirt and have her own approval; and that she must have, she cannot help herself. † Thus public opinion is based on nothing more that man's acceptance of other's thoughts. However, Twain is not preaching and presents the case through clear examples filled with extensive details and descriptions such as, â€Å"He was a gay and impudent and satirical and delightful young black man†. Similarly, Henry David Thoreau's, Life Without Principles, concludes that man has accepted and conformed to society's opinion and norm of working for wages. His essay includes several examples of how the everyday man is being turned into a slave by the need to work for wages and not live life based on love of life. His arguments are told through a series of stories. Each story illustrates the notion that wisdom and loving life itself are far more valuable than the â€Å"wages† they work so hard for every day. â€Å"To have done anything by which you earned money merely is to have been truly idle or worse. If the laborer gets no more than the wages which his employer pays him, he is cheated, he cheats himself†, beautifully displays Thoreau's belief that being able to enjoy poetry or merely go for a walk in the woods alone, holds much greater satisfaction for the everyday man. Man must be able to see beyond the need to make a living by merely working for a paycheck. The evolution of, Life Without Principles, came out of lectures given in 1854. It was through those lectures that you see Thoreau's philosophy aligning with Transcendentalism. Thoreau is begging man to follow his heart's desire, in order to have a fulfilling and worthwhile life. Henry David Thoreau is stating that the corporeal things around us are beneath the spiritual ideals that perpetuate the universe. Mankind should be more concerned with living life, rather than making a living in order to survive life. Thoreau writes about doing a fulfilling job, one that you can be personally invested in and not just collect a paycheck from its' completion. The fact that the essay was written in 1863 and published posthumously, is hard to believe as it clearly replicates the present day workaholic syndrome so prevalent in our society. It's very similar in fact to the â€Å"rat race of business†. Life is a series of business deals and one is always in search of the almighty dollar as a reward for a good job. For example Thoreau writes, â€Å"This world is a place of business. What an infinite bustle! I am awaked almost every night by the panting of the locomotive. It interrupts my dreams. There is no Sabbath. It would be glorious to see mankind at leisure for once. It is nothing but work, work, work†. Thoreau also attempts to illustrate that you should only work at something you truly love. In fact, hiring someone who does not love his job is also a no-no. Thus, what is it that you can do to discover your passion and calling, meanwhile inspiring others to do the same? The wealth of knowledge is way more valuable if you are working and enjoying what you do on a daily basis. So you can see that both Twain and Thoreau are critics of basic American belief systems. Twain is arguing that there is no such thing as an original opinion about anything. Thoreau argues, that there has never been a time when man wasn't forced to believe in some kind of conformity, such as you must earn a wage by working. The writers' had similar writing styles and used vivid descriptions to illustrate their points. In addition, both Thoreau and Twain were great observers of man and the world around him. Thoreau seems to be more concerned with separating himself from mankind in search of the meaning of life. Twain seems to want to focus on man and the uncanny ability to follow the leader. Either way, both Corn-Pone Opinions and Life without Principle, make you want to question the why in life.

Benefits and limitations of airport security scanners Essay

                  The security and welfare of people is very important in a society. In order to ensure that people are secure and safe, some measures may be employed although they may be controversial. The example of airport security scans represents such a circumstance. The full body scanners are used detect objects that are on the body of an individual for security reasons without requiring the individual to remove their clothes or have physical contact with the device. Statistics indicate that as of December 2013 an estimated 740 scanners (full body scanners) these devices were in use at more than 150 airports in the United States (TSA). They are effective in identifying suspicious objects that a person may be carrying. However, there are concerns whether use of the full body actual really is a necessary precaution or a practice that invades the privacy of travelers.                  The devices are effective in detecting suspicious objects that may be concealed including both metallic and non-metallic objects. As opposed to metal detectors which identify objects that are made of metallic materials, the scanners used in airports detect both metal and non-metallic objects. They uncover objects that a physical pat-down would reveal but fail to be identified by a metal detector such as chemical explosives and plastic explosives. The device therefore performs the function of both a metal detector and a physical pat-down in revealing various dangerous devices at airports. People who have sinister motives or who desire to break the law by moving illegal items through airports would therefore not be able to succeed in perpetuating their plans because of the presence of the scanners. The primary objective of the scanners is hence achieved and safety of passengers as well as national security is secured.                   The fact that it performs the duties of both a physical pat-down and a metal detector means that the device facilitates time saving and is cost effective (TSA). Regardless of the high costs incurred in purchasing and installing it, the device would replace two security guards responsible for physical pat-downs (one guard for each gender). The airport using the device would hence save on wages for two people and less time would be consumed compared to the time used during a physical pat-down.                   Physical pat-downs are considered by various people to be intrusive and full body scanners provide a better alternative that is not as intrusive as pat-downs and that is more thorough. However, since they still examine the body of an individual in-depth, they still make people to feel that their privacy has been invaded. In order to further protect the privacy of people undergoing such scans, screeners are located in a different room from the individual where they can view images without exposing the identity of the person undergoing the scan (Tessler). In addition, security officers entering the viewing room are not allowed to enter with mobile phones, cameras or any gadgets that can take images and store or transmit them (Tessler). Still, fears remain that such images may be stored and used in other platforms such as uploading them to the internet. Authorities provide counterarguments such as the assertion that functions that are responsible for storag e or transmission are not active but rather that they are disabled prior to the installation of these devices in airports. This, though, does not overrule the possibility of technicians managing to enable such functions. Furthermore, it is not quite clear the reason behind inclusion of such functions in the device yet they get disabled prior to installation.                The costly nature of full body scanners is a major limitation that raises the costs of startup for people wishing to enter the aviation industry. Much as they are costly, they fail to reveal objects that are hidden in body cavities and are not capable of revealing objects that are of low density. It is therefore apparent that full body scanner despite of the significant popularity they have gained in combating security threats and illegal practices are incapable of combating drug smuggling that is executed through concealment of drugs in body cavities (Tessler).                   Full body scanners create a potential for harassment or embarrassment of specific groups of people. The device can detect medical equipment that may be connected to body parts such as catheters and it may necessitate further examination to confirm the identity of the object detected (Gartner et al). This would embarrass the victim who would feel that they have been singled out because of their medical condition. Transgender people are also susceptible to such embarrassment as the scanners are capable of detecting prosthetics such as testicles and breasts and the need may arise to further examine individuals whose images indicate the presence of both breasts and testicles as one of the two body features may be an improvised tool to conceal weapons, drugs or other illegal objects or objects not allowed through airport security (Gartner et al). Conclusion                   Full body scanners are recommended to improve airport security and only few loopholes are existent like the inability to detect objects in body cavities. Although much criticism has been directed at the devices, much of it is only based on assumptions and not factual information. On the contrary, the benefits of the device are validated by real life examples therefore full body scanners are largely beneficial. References Gartner M., Heyl M., Holstein A. and Thewalt A. What can the ‘naked’ scanner really see? Bild. 22 July 2010. Web. 8 April 2014 Tessler, Joelle. Airport full-body scanners have benefits, and limits. The Denver Post. 31 December 2009. Web. 8 April 2014 Transportation Security Administration, TSA. Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT). 12 February 2014. Web. 8 April 2014 Source document

Power In Death And The Maiden English Literature Essay

Power is defined as a ownership of control, authorization or influence over others. Power unfairnesss have been in being throughout the history of humanity and the ways of manifestation evolved from utmost to subtle, subjugation. This thought can be seen in the dramas Lysistrata by Aristophanes and in Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman. In Lysistrata, the supporter, Lysistrata, does n't desire to see Greece rupture itself apart while in Death and the Maiden the supporter Paulina wishes to take retaliation on person she believes tortured her many old ages ago. Both Lysistrata and Paulina find themselves experiencing powerless within a society which sees them as something to be conquered. Through the usage of gender, both adult females are able to derive power and utilize it to asseverate themselves within society nevertheless, whether or non they reach their ends is dependent on what issue characters wish to work out, an issue with society or an issue with themselves. Both Paulina and Lysistrata believed that they required power to make their ends, ends that could ne'er be achieved in their former place in society, a 2nd category citizen. In Death and the Maiden, Paulina wishes to penalize who she thinks tortured her, Roberto. She required power in order to pull strings her hubby, Gerardo, to play along with her â€Å" game † and she believed that the power to instil fright in Roberto would convey her strength to penalize him and convey closing to her life. However, Roberto keeps seeking to state her that killing him will ne'er convey the closing that she wanted. The deductions from slaying him will farther attest the job and the emotions that come with it. Paulina responds be stating â€Å" And why does it ever have to be people like me who have to give, why we are ever the 1s who have to do grants when something has to be conceded [ aˆÂ ¦ ] † ( Dorfman 66 ) . She keeps inquiring the inquiry â€Å" why? † and this shows the audience all the emotions that have been bottled up over the old ages are rupturing her apart. This is a major turning point for her as a character, whether she will forgive Roberto, kill him, or allow him travel. Either manner she understands that with or without her power, no affair what she tries to make she will ne'er hold a piece of head. On the other manus Lysistrata is able to accomplish her end through the usage of her gained power. After the dialogues she declared â€Å" Well gentlemen, so it ‘s all merrily settled. [ †¦ ] And allow us for the hereafter all endeavour Not to reiterate our mistakes, ne'er of all time! † ( Aristophanes 191 ) . Lysistrata was successful at making her ends utilizing the power she had gained because she had the support of all the adult females in Greece while Paulina merely had herself. Lysistrata ‘s declaration is anticlimactic and unlike Paulina ‘s duologue. Although Lysistrata reached her end of doing peace, s he simply falls back into her function of being a adult female nevertheless throughout the drama Lysistrata used a more serious tone than the other adult females and is portrayed as being smarter than the other adult females. Unlike in Death and the Maiden, Paulina is portrayed as weak, baffled, and interrupt up emotionally. Paulina ‘s bravery seen in the drama stemmed from choler. This simply created an semblance of a strong and powerful individual. Whether the adult females reached their ends or non, the dramas shows the reader that power to command and pull strings others will ne'er be able to work out struggle and hurting from within oneself nevertheless power to assist a big group in society will decidedly hold an ageless impact. Both Paulina and Lysistrata are able to derive power and utilize it to asseverate themselves within society nevertheless, Paulina was non able to make her end because power can non wipe out memories and emotions that everlastingly changed us. However, Lysistrata wants to assist society as a whole and this allows her to derive support from the adult females of Greece. Paulina was merely a tattered individual seeking the terminal a chapter of her life that she will ne'er bury while Lysistrata wanted to stop a war that had no terminal in sight and taken countless lives. By understanding the ends of the characters every bit good as their mentality, we can do proper opinion on our ain society. If a homo is given the proper environment to develop and boom, people wouldn`t be seeking retaliation on those that did them wrong. Besides people wouldn`t have to contend for their sentiments to do an influence in society because society would accept them. Humans experience growing in different way s at peculiar points in our lives but the chief underlining similarities allows the species to assist one another advancement through the adversities faced in life. Otherwise every individual would merely decompose in the shadows of what they could hold been and what they wished they had done. By understanding the power plays with the supporters, it can be applied to heighten the developments of our ain characters and hopefully society. Word Count: 1320

Responses to classmember Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Responses to classmember - Assignment Example It is also surprising as to how indifferent most people are on how to conduct an Internet search. Without the tips laid down in this Chapter on how to find online information, most of us would still be conducting Internet searches incorrectly. Therefore, these tips help in efficiently conducting Internet searches and finding valuable information that would be important in writing a research paper. Indeed this Chapter explains how an effective research needs to be supported by reliable information; Bovee and Thill have laid out a process on how to get better results when searching for information. This informative Chapter describes the most effective way to conduct a research as well as explains how to evaluate the credibility of any source of information. An analytical report is important for analyzing, understanding or explaining a problem or opportunity and drawing conclusions from the research. Therefore planning for an analytical report is crucial since it minimizes the chances of wasting time and improves the results of the research. Analytical reports can be used to assess the risks, opportunities and the decisions and actions that are required to be undertaken. By so doing through analytical reports, one can be able to analyze a risk or opportunity and come up with the decisions that will be of benefit to the organization. A research has to contain information that is collected first hand even though regrettably most research papers nowadays only contain secondary information. I concur with you that one of the best ways to collect primary information is through interviewing the appropriate parties. Interviews offer the researcher the opportunity to interact with the interested party and acquire information that is directly related to the research being conducted. This is particularly important since most secondary information that can be obtained does not relate to the topic of research and is therefore not of benefit.

Ethics and the Role of Nurses Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Ethics and the Role of Nurses - Article Example This group of professionals is required to make critical and delicate decisions in the performance of their day to day duties. The decision s they make in most cases determine the care or treatment a patient is going to receive, hence, they determine the final outcome of the treatment process. The making of the right decisions is an action that strongly requires the application of ethics (Butts & Rich, 2013). It is true that by understanding one’s own ethical behavior, one is able to through the professional assessment; one is able to know and understand those of others. This makes it important for nurses to understand their ethical behavior not just in terms of their relationship with patients, but also with that of colleagues, employers, and junior staff as well as the community. According to Guido (2006), understanding the importance of ethics is a crucial component of specialized health care delivery. Ethics makes part of every aspect of nursing and nursing care. For nurses to be able to act according to the expected ethical standards there is need for them to analyze and comprehend the various ways through which they can assess ethical behavior (Butts & Rich, 2013). This view is further supported by Chaloner (2007) who is of the opinion that it is important for individual health care givers and teams to perform an ethical analysis, based on their knowledge, skills and experience, in their continuous professional practice. This according to the author is an important element to an informed process of making decisions. The ethics self assessment is one important way through which one can identify the various ethics. It was therefore a right choice of means for you to assess your ethical behavior. It is true that through the assessment one can be able to identify one’s strengths and weaknesses and as a result be able to identify the various areas that need improvement.