Mysticism in Hinduism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mysticism in Hinduism - Essay Example The essay "Mysticism in Hinduism" talks about the philosophy of Hinduism as an ideal model for understanding the world. The study of mysticism will bring joy to our heart and self-realization to our life. However, we should not give a definition to it and should not try to interpret it, because we will anyway fail. We receive the experience from the science, scientific discovery, history, philosophy, religion. In these experiences, we see the presence of subject and object, essence and existence, vision and sight. But the mystical experience that is the momentary unanimity overcomes all the similar discrepancies. Mystical experience is the unity with something â€Å"out of limits† that always remains inexpressible. It is a valuable experience that can’t and should be rejected. Maya is the illusiveness of existence and the Universe. While Brahman is the only reality, all the rest is the illusion. An ignorant individual can’t see the reality and perceives only the illusory world of suffering. The salvation is received through realization. Brahman is the supreme reality, the soul of the world without any form. It can’t be realized and described; it is a creation and a creator at the same time. The most important achievement for Hinduism is to realize that he is Brahman and he and the Universe is a single whole. We can argue upon the statement of Shankara â€Å"If the universe is true, let it then be perceived in the state of deep sleep also. As it is not at all perceived, it must be unreal and false, like dreams†.

The Dark Knight of a Postmodern World Essay Example for Free

The Dark Knight of a Postmodern World Essay â€Å"The Dark Knight† is a film based on DC comic book character Batman and his fight to protect his home, Gotham City, from the antagonist, the Joker. Director Chris Nolan provides the viewer with not only an action film, but also a thought-provoking masterpiece. The film focuses on the thin line between sanity (Batman) and madness (Joker) and how anyone can easily turn from good to evil, the example being Harvey Dent becoming Two-Face in such a short time. The film deconstructs previous ideas of the â€Å"hero† by portraying Batman not as a hero, but as an â€Å"anti-hero†. He appears to be the hero, but possesses no superpowers and also causes mayhem in his city, much like a villain would. The Joker represents postmodernism because he threatens our â€Å"givens† (Instead of soldiers who are allowed to die, threaten the mayor and hospitals). He makes people question everything, creating chaos. The Joker also represents post-modern beliefs because he challenges our idea of the conventional villain, who is supposed to represent pure evil, by comparing himself to the hero, Batman, using such examples as how they are both freaks to society and how they were both created by one bad day. The most important instance of post-modern values is the Jokers entire character. He believes the average man lives with a bloated sense of humanity’s importance and a frail and useless notion of order and sanity. He sees human existence as mad, random, and pointless and the world as a psychotic carnival of animals that will kill each other at the first chance; â€Å"When the chips are down, these uh, these civilized people, theyll eat each other. Although his beliefs on others are post-modern, his attitude toward himself seems very naturalist-like. In one scene he explains â€Å"You know what I am? Im a dog chasing cars. I wouldnt know what to do with one if I caught it! You know†¦I just do things†¦Im not a schemer. I try to show the schemers how pathetic their attempts to control things really are. † This shows how the Joker just forgoes all planning and thinking and just does what feels right. Another belief the Joker has that I believe represents post-mod ernism is that chaos is fair. This quote challenges our pre-conceived notion that order and civility is fair by presenting a good case for his side throughout the movie. The movie itself confuses the viewer by making the Joker (the villain) the only person who logically acted from a clear set of principles, while Batman and Harvey Dent came off as characters without a clear sense of what their principled core might be. Batman, on the other hand, challenges our idea of what a â€Å"hero† is. Although he is the good side to the Jokers bad side, he is not a hero but an anti-hero. Batman is the â€Å"hero† Gotham needs (â€Å"I can do those things because Im not a hero, not like Dent. I killed those people. Thats what I can be Youll hunt me. Youll condemn me, set the dogs on me, because thats what needs to happen. ), but not deserves, so he is cast out, which is the opposite of what happens to guys like Superman or Spiderman, but Batman, unlike conventional heroes, can BE the outcast because it’s a necessary part of society. The irony in Batman being cast out is that it is exactly how the Joker is treated. Another similarity between the two is that they both create chaos in the city, although for Batman it is necessary for the greater good and the Joker believes living in a world of chaos is a good thing. The similarities between the Joker and Batman intrigued audiences, which may have been what made the film so popular. It presented a loved â€Å"hero† like Batman, and focused on the darker side of him, mainly the fact that he is a vigilante, an ordinary citizen who works outside the legal system for a greater cause. The Dark Knight† created its own niche in American cinema by deconstructing our idea of a hero and making us think about our own grip on sanity as individuals and as a society. Heath Ledger’s death didn’t hurt the movie’s popularity either, of course, he played that role perfectly, and so the fame is well-deserved. I personally am a huge Batman/ Joker fan, and â€Å"The Dark Knight† made me rethink Batman as a character and look at the characters involved closer and differently to find out what they truly represent.

Instrumentalism Theories

Instrumentalism Theories Introduction. The course which I teach within is to prepare new employees for working within a manufacturing environment within a highly regulated industry. All learners are required to show competence on a range of skills ranging from health and safety through to industry specific manufacturing skills. The qualifications may be in the form of a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) or in an industry specific internal training event. Learners ages will range from 19 to 55 and they will come from a wide range of employment backgrounds such as retail, construction or other industrial roles. Ideologies and Theories of Learning. As identified by Scrimshaw (1983) cited by Armstrong et al (2003), â€Å"Instrumentalism: a curriculum delivering a specific product such as the development of a skilled workforce.† The instrumental curriculum is focused on practical skills and is teacher led. This is only one of five educational ideologies identified but is the one most comparable with the course that I teach. (Should I list the others) Curriculum Models. The closest match for my course is the ‘Product model for curriculum development which is closely associated with Ralph Tyler (1971) cited by Armitage et al (2003). Neary (2002) describes the product model as a curriculum which has been entirely designed around the meeting of clear objectives. My course has clear aims and expected outcomes to which methods of learning and assessment are clearly mapped. The evaluation methods are designed to identify any shortfall and for corrections to be made to enable learners to meet the objectives that have been set. As the expected outcomes are clear from the outset it allows for clear design of content and also ensures an accurate and fair assessment process. However as the course structure is rigid it limits creativity both for lesson design but also for learner activities. However as with most models applied to an actual teaching environment there is an element of overlap with one or more of the models identified by Smith (1996, 2000) www.infed.org/biblio/b-curric.htm . Although the ‘Product model is the main influence on my course the ‘Process model must still be a consideration as it is designed around how individuals learn and focuses on teacher and learner activities. By acknowledging the ‘Process model it allows an emphasis to be placed on the learners current and prior experiences. The context of the course will impact substantially on curriculum design, delivery, assessment and evaluation, my own teaching philosophy and profession values will have an effect on the course delivery. As my course is influenced by an instrumentalist ideology and using the ‘Product model for the design the links with behaviourism can clearly be seen; however as previously mentioned this is an over simplification as I do consider the other learning theories and do take a cognitive approach. Critical reflection. As previously recognised there are elements of the ‘Process model within my programmes curriculum; however I feel that it relates most closely to the ‘Product model as the objectives are clearly defined from the outset. To analyse the effectiveness of this model I shall answer the questions set by Tyler (1971) as cited in Armitage et al (2003:201), â€Å"which, he claims, must be answered when developing any curriculum†. 1. What are your curriculum aims and objectives? 2. Which learning experiences meet these aims and objectives? 3. How can these learning experiences be organised into a curriculum programme. 4. How can this programme be evaluated. 1. What are your curriculum aims and objectives? The aim of my programme curriculum is to deliver the necessary learning to satisfy our external regulators and to meet the skills and capabilities required by AWE plc. To meet the requirements of our external regulators we must demonstrate competence in the following element. * General safety. * Mandatory safety * Role specific. 2. Which learning experiences meet these aims and objectives? 2.1 General Safety. This element is delivered by theory based classroom sessions that will include practical tasks where appropriate. 2.2. Mandatory Safety. Delivered as a series of theory lessons and practical tasks within a simulated work environment. 2.3. Role specific. Training delivered in the work area by subject matter experts. 3. How can these learning experiences be organised into a curriculum programme.

The Impact of Destruction Essay -- Japanese Internment Camps, Pearl H

Some tremendous features in the history of mankind have been when one group of people were forcibly relocated to satisfy the needs of a more powerful one. This would encompass the Japanese internment camps in America during the World War II. The Japanese internment camps were overcrowded and provided poor living conditions. Likewise, every person had a unique story to this event, â€Å"A true story, involving an extraordinary episode in American history† (Houston x). In the novel Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston, is a traumatizing story Jeanne experienced and wrote down, to be remembered in the future of a historical context. Manzanar represented different areas of Ko Wakatsuki (Papa) and Jeanne Wakatsuki's unique personalities to bring about both destruction and growth, and simultaneously offer influence in each other's characters. The impact of destruction affected the Wakatsuki family's perspective of life and Manzanar itself, b ecause Papa was separated from the Wakatsuki family, arrived home as a changed man, and tore his family members apart. Papa has lived his life with achievement, until the day he was separated from his family after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Papa was falsely charged by the FBI men and was sent to Fort Lincoln with suspicions of supplying oil to Japanese submarines offshore. Because of Papa's destruction, he burned all remaining items such as documents, papers and the Japanese flag that reminded him of the attack. The narrator describes Papa as a â€Å"dark, bitter, brooding presence† (Houston 65). Prior to the internment, Papa's self-esteem was not destroyed. Papa was very enthusiastic and proud for his dignity and attitude. He was seventeen years old when he move... ... would get us past the heat, and the rattlers, and a great deal more† (Houston 202). With confidence, Jeanne took a last look, left Manzanar behind forever, and continued her precious life. Living in the internment camp slowly ended the closeness of the Wakatsuki family; mainly Jeanne's since she was a seven year old girl, who now is an adult. The internment camp and Papa's capture destroyed the unique personalities of Papa and Jeanne. Throughout Farewell to Manzanar, Papa's identity diminished with his family and it was hard for him to live with happiness. Jeanne made a final decision to start a new beginning of her life, after she had visited the old camp with her new family. It was to convince herself that there is a life outside of the camp that Papa created for the Wakatsuki family and that she had to eventually leave her past and begin a new stable life.

Clinometer

Clinometer (forestry) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search A clinometer used in forestry The clinometer, known in many fields as an inclinometer, is a common tool used in forestry to measure slope, vertical angles, and – in combination with distance measurements – elevation change or tree heights. How it works A forester using a clinometer makes use of basic trigonometry. First the observer measures a straight-line distance D from some observation point O to the object. Then, using the clinometer, the observer measures the angle a between O and the top of the object.Then the observer does the same for the angle b between O and the bottom of the object. Multiplying D by the tangent of a gives the height of the object above the observer, and by the tangent of b the depth of the object below the observer. Adding the two of course gives the total height (H) of the object, in the same units as D. [1] Note that since multiplication is distributive it is equally valid to add the tangents of the angles and then multiply them by D: A = tan a B = tan b H = (A ? D) + (B ? D) = (A + B) ? D Note also that both angles should be positive numbers (i. . ignore any minus sign on the clinometer's scale). Units of measure There are typically three different units of measure that can be marked on a clinometer: degrees, percent, and topo. When buying a clinometer it is important to make sure it is calibrated to units suitable for the intended use.Tree height measurement Tree height measurement The forester stands at a fixed distance from the base of the tree. The most common distances in the United States are 50  feet (15. 24 m), 66  feet (20. 12 m), and 100  feet (30. 48 m). 2] To obtain accurate readings it is best to use taped measured distance instead of paced distances. For the most accurate readings it is best to use a distance that is not less than the height of the tree being measured. [3], that is, that the clinometer will me asure an angle less than 45 ° (100%). The observer sights to the top of tree, if total height is the desired measurement. If the desired measurement is merchantable height – that is, the height producing timber that can be sold – the observer sights to a point on the tree above which no more merchantable timber is found.The observer then measures to the bottom of the tree, takes the tangents and multiples them by the distance, and adds the two figures together. This will be the height of the tree. The observer must always measure a leaning tree so that the tree is leaning to the left or right. Measurements should never be taken with the tree leaning toward or away from the observer because this will affect their accuracy because of foreshortening. Slope measurement Measuring slope with a clinometerThe clinometer is also commonly used by foresters to obtain the percent slope of terrain. This measurement is based on the same trigonometric principles described above. Sl ope measurements, however, require that both observer and target be a constant height above the ground; thus a range pole or height of measurement (HI) stick is often used in slope measurements. The Clinometer The clinometer is an optical device for measuring elevation angles above horizontal. The most common instruments of this type currently used are compass-clinometers from Suunto or Silva.Compass clinometers are fundamentally just magnetic compasses held with their plane vertical so that a plummet or its equivalent can point to the elevation of the sight line. A better clinometer (I believe) is the Abney hand spirit level or clinometer, where the object sighted and the level bubble can be seen simultaneously, so that the index can be set accurately. An Abney clinometer is shown in the photograph. A spirit level is so-called because it contains alcohol in a tube of large radius, in which the bubble moves to the highest point.Spirit levels are used for accurate surveying, although automatic levels that go back to the principle of the plummet are now frequently found, and are easy to use. The Abney clinometer has a sighting tube with an angle scale reading from -90 ° to +90 °, and a spirit level with a Vernier index that can be moved along the scale while the user looks through the sighting tube. A small mirror and lens makes the level bubble visible in the field of view. When the object is aligned with the crosshair in the sighting tube, the spirit level is rotated so that the bubble is bisected by the crosshair, as illustrated in the diagram.Then, the elevation of the line of sight can be read off on the scale. The Vernier can be read to 10†², but it requires a magnifier to do this. The clinometer can read easily and accurately angles of elevation that would be very difficult to measure in any other simple and inexpensive way. A fairly common use of a clinometer is to measure the height of trees, which is easily done. A point should be marked with a stake as far from the centre of the trunk of the tree as its estimated height, so that the elevation angle is about 45 °, which gives the best â€Å"geometry. This distance D is measured with a tape. The observer then stands over the stake and sights the top of the tree, finding its elevation angle ?. The height H of the tree is then H = D tan ? + HI, where HI, the height of instrument, is the height of the observer's eye. All this is illustrated in the diagram. A useful accessory is a levelling rod, which can be home-made at little expense. Since the clinometer has no powerful telescope, the reading of the rod must be evident from a distance if you use it as a self-reading rod.Alternatively, if you have a rodperson, she can stand by the rod and move a finger or other marker up and down in response to your signals, then measure the distance with a tape. A self-reading rod can be made from a 1†³ x 4†³ x 10†² choice pine board available at Home Depot. A bold patter n that can be estimated to a few centimetres can then be applied by stencil and matte black spray paint. Two examples are shown at the right. Colors can also be used to make distinctions. The determination of the difference in elevation of two points is called levelling, and can be carried out with the clinometer set at 0 °.The place where you stand with the level is called a turning point, TP. Your rodperson holds the rod on the first point, and you make a backsight, BS, by reading the rod. The reading is the HI above the first point. Now the rod is held on the second point, and a foresight, FS, is taken. Foresights and backsights should be roughly equal in distance. The difference in elevation of the two points is BS – FS. This procedure is illustrated at the left. If both points cannot conveniently be viewed from one TP, a chain of turning points is used, with an intermediate elevation between each one.The difference in elevation is the sum of the backsights less the sum of the foresights. If the sights are short, such as those that are practical with the clinometer, the curvature of the earth will be taken into account automatically. Clinometer Clinometers are measuring devices that may be used in several different professions. Also known as an inclinometer, the essential function of the device is to determine accurate measurements as they relate to sloping, height and distance.The clinometer is often used in the profession of meteorology, as well as in forestry and surveying. One of the most common applications of the clinometer has to do with measuring angles as they relate to the slope of natural formations or buildings and other human construction projects. The idea is to measure the angle with an eye toward identifying any amount of slope, with respect to the gravity that is involved. The clinometer may be used to measure both inclines and declines, based on the perspective of the individual calculating the measurements.

Community Corrections Essay

Introduction Probation and parole are two alternatives to incarceration. Many jurisdiction are looking more to probation as an alternative to incarceration and early release through parole to reduce the size of the prison population. Probation and parole officials are there to help offenders return to society and ensure compliance with the terms of the offenders’ release. What are the primary goals of using community corrections supervision for probation as an alternative to incarceration? What are the primary goals for parole or correctional supervision following release from jail or prison? Primary goals of probation. There are many goals for using community corrections supervision for probation as an alternative to incarceration; however, the main goals are to reduce the rate of crime. According to Families against Mandatory Minimums (2013), over 40% of offenders leaving prisons will commit another crime and return to prison within three years. Understanding the problem and getting help for the offender with prevent new crimes. Other goals are: Strengthening families and the community, savings to taxpayers as well as giving the court systems other options for sentencing (Alternatives to Incarceration In A Nutshell, 2013). Primary goals of parole. The primary goal of parole and correctional supervision is to allow individuals to re-integrate into society without any difficulties. Many times after an individual has served enough time in prison, the parole board may determine that an individual may be released. When an individual is released they are given the opportunity to finish serving their sentencing in the community under controlled conditions; parole/correctional supervision is part of the rehabilitation program, it is a mechanism to manage the risk of parolees to the community, and it’s an incentive to continue good behavior. Rehabilitation and re-integration are the main focus to everything. How important is it for offenders who are no longer incarcerated to have the ability to work to support themselves and to support their families? For many years the main focus of correctional systems has been the offenders during incarceration. One major concern now is how the offender will support themselves and their families after incarceration. When offenders are released from incarceration it is very challenging for them to become integrated within the community and families. Many offenders face personal challenges such as  low self-esteem, low motivation, skill deficits, lack of training, mental illness, substance abuse; and lack of stable accommodations. They also face social challenges such as negative peer influence, an absence of family support and poor employment records (Visher, 2005; Rakis, 2005; Graffam, 2004). These challenges can make it difficult for ex-offenders to support themselves or their families. The challenges must be addressed to keep the offender from returning to jail. That is why the system provides alternative programs to assure the ex-offenders a better way to return to society and be productive individuals. Should a convicted offender released from incarceration be eligible for public assistance? Should their family–a spouse and children–be eligible? Public Assistance. Yes, currently depending upon each state, ex-offenders are eligible for different kinds of public assistance. If the assistance is already approved it can be because it was properly studied and evaluated. I consider that public assistance can be provided on a case-by-case basis with restrictions, and be monitored often. Ex-offenders should first participate in a rehabilitation program before they qualify for assistance programs. Some ex-offenders deserve a second opportunity in the community (Serving People from Arrest to Reintegration, 1999-2004). An offender’s family member should not be punished for the crimes of the offender. They should be allow to receive public assistance if the meet the qualifications. Conclusion There are many challenges for former inmates returning to society. Re-entry is the primary focus on parole officer to ensure that the offenders return to society is a productive one. It is important for offenders to have the appropriate resources in order to obtain the necessary training and support upon their release from incarceration to be able to support themselves and their families and become productive members of society. References Alternatives to incarceration in a nutshell (2013).

Victimology Example

Victimology Example Victimology – Coursework Example Discuss victimology and how technology changes over the past 20 years have created circumstances that can increase a persons chance of being victimized:â€Å"Victimology is the study of relationships among perpetrators, victims and the criminal justice system† (Czaja, 2010). Apart from the study of the interrelationship among these, victimology also offers an insight to the influence made by changing business scenario, social and cultural norms and the media upon the society in general. Here, it is customary to describe victims. Victims may not necessarily be encountering criminals. Instead, any person whose rights have been subdued in any way is a victim. People’ chance of being victimized has tremendously increased since the early 1990s with the rise in technology, particularly which relates to computers. Use of computers became widespread almost all over the world since the 1990s. Along with computers came internet, that opened doors to new ways of crime and peopleâ €™s verisimilitude of being victimized grew noticeably. â€Å"†¦internet access became more available and economical throughout the late 1990s† (Fusco, n.d., p. 12). Internet has conventionally been employed as a means of networking. Because of the quick access to people, many people have conducted severe frauds through internet. Internet frauds include but are not limited to blackmailing, puffery, and promotion of gay/lesbian marriages without individuals getting to know of it. People have conventionally hidden their original identity on internet, and a lot of gay marriages have taken place online, without the consent of individuals being victimized. In addition to that, Facebook, Twitter and Orkut have provided criminals with access to personal information about people, as a result of which, people have then been victimized in various ways. References:Czaja, J. (2010). Victimology Theory. Retrieved from ehow.com/facts_7185129_victimology-theory.html. Fusco, M. (n.d .). An Analysis of the Competing Business Models in Online Journalism. Michael Fusco.

The Aztec Triple Alliance

The Aztec Triple Alliance The Triple Alliance (1428-1521) was a military and political pact among three city-states who shared lands in the Basin of Mexico (what is essentially Mexico City today): Tenochtitlan, settled by the Mexica/Aztec; Texcoco, home of the Acolhua; and Tlacopan, home of the Tepaneca. That accord formed the basis of what was to become the Aztec Empire that ruled Central Mexico and eventually most of Mesoamerica when the Spanish arrived at the very end of the Postclassic period. We know quite a bit about the Aztec Triple Alliance because histories were compiled at the time of the Spanish conquest in 1519. Many of the native historical traditions collected by the Spanish or preserved in the towns contain detailed information about the dynastic leaders of the Triple Alliance, and economic, demographic, and social information comes from the archaeological record. The Rise of the Triple Alliance During the late Postclassic or Aztec Period (AD 1350-1520) in the Basin of Mexico, there was a rapid centralization of political authority. By 1350, the basin was divided into several small city-states (called Altepetl in the Nahuatl language), each of which was ruled by a petty king (Tlatoani). Each altepetl included an urban administrative center and a surrounding territory of dependent villages and hamlets. Some of the city-state relationships were hostile and plagued by nearly constant wars. Others were friendlier but still competed with one another for local prominence. Alliances between them were built and sustained through a vital trade network and a commonly shared set of symbols and art styles. By the late 14th century, two dominant confederations emerged. One was led by the Tepaneca on the western side of the Basin  and the other by the Acolhua on the eastern side. In 1418, the Tepaneca based at Azcapotzalco came to control most of the Basin. Increased tribute demands and exploitation under the Azcapotzalco Tepaneca led to a revolt by the Mexica in 1428. Expansion and the Aztec Empire The 1428 revolt became a fierce battle for regional domination between Azcapotzalco and the combined forces from Tenochtitlan and Texcoco. After several victories, the ethnic Tepaneca city-state of Tlacopan joined them, and the combined forces overthrew Azcapotzalco. After that, the Triple Alliance moved quickly to subdue other city-states in the basin. The south was conquered by 1432, the west by 1435, and the east by 1440. Some longer holdouts in the basin include Chalco, conquered in 1465, and Tlatelolco in 1473. These expansionist battles were not ethnically-based: the bitterest were waged against the related polities in the Puebla Valley. In most cases, the  annexation of communities simply meant the establishment of an additional layer of leadership and a tribute system. However, in some cases such as the Otomi capital of Xaltocan, archaeological evidence indicates that the Triple Alliance replaced some of the population, perhaps because the elites and commoner people fled. An Unequal Alliance The three city-states sometimes operated independently and sometimes together. By 1431, each capital controlled certain city-states, with Tenochtitlan to the south, Texcoco to the northeast and Tlacopan to the northwest. Each of the partners was politically autonomous. Each ruler king acted as the head of a separate domain. But the three partners were not equals, a division that increased over the 90 years of the Aztec Empire. The Triple Alliance divided booty recovered from their wars separately. 2/5 went to Tenochtitlan, 2/5 to Texcoco, and 1/5 (as the latecomer) to Tlacopan. Each leader of the alliance divided his resources among the ruler himself, his relatives, allied and dependent rulers, nobles, meritorious warriors, and to local community governments. Although Texcoco and Tenochtitlan began on a relatively equal footing, Tenochtitlan became preeminent in the military sphere, while Texcoco retained prominence in law, engineering, and the arts. Records do not include reference to Tlacopans specialties. Benefits of the Triple Alliance The Triple Alliance partners were a formidable military force, but they were also an economic force. Their strategy was to build on pre-existing trade relations, expanding them to new heights with state support. They also focused on urban development, dividing the areas into quarters and neighborhoods and encouraging an influx of immigrants into their capitals. They established political legitimacy and fostered social and political interactions through alliances and elite marriages within the three partners and throughout their empire. Archaeologist Michael E. Smith argues that the economic system was taxation, and not tribute since there were regular, routinized payments to the Empire from the subject states. This guaranteed the three cities a consistent flow of products coming in from different environmental and cultural regions, increasing their power and prestige. They also provided a relatively stable political environment, where commerce and marketplaces could flourish. Domination and Disintegration The king of Tenochtitln soon emerged as the supreme military commander of the alliance  and made the final decision on all military actions. Eventually, Tenochtitln began to erode the independence of first Tlacopn, then that of Texcoco. Of the two, Texcoco remained fairly powerful, appointing its colonial city-states and able to fend off Tenochtitlns attempt to intervene in Texcocan dynastic succession right up until the Spanish conquest. Most scholars believe that Tenochtitln was dominant throughout most of the period, but the effective union of the alliance remained intact through political, social, and economic means. Each controlled their territorial domain as dependent city-states and their military forces. They shared the expansionist goals of the empire, and their highest-status individuals maintained individual sovereignty by inter-marriages, feasting, markets and tribute sharing across alliance borders. But hostilities among the Triple Alliance persisted, and it was with the help of Texcocos forces that Hernan Cortes was able to overthrow Tenochtitln in 1591.

Assisted Suicide Mercy Or Murder Essay Research

Assisted Suicide: Mercy Or Murder? Essay, Research Paper Assisted Suicide: Mercy or Murder? It is good recognized that there are ethical, moral and legal differentiations between assisted self-destruction and mercy killing. Like abortion or racism, mercy killing is a hot issue that is long debated. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. There are many factors driving the assisted self-destruction argument. Should people be free to make up ones mind for themselves if they wish to decease? Does the patient have the right to do that determination for himself? In Oregon, mercy killing has been accepted morally and lawfully. Western Torahs have by and large # 8220 ; considered the act of assisting person to decease a signifier of homicide topic to legal countenances. Medical moralss have been stuck in the center of this het argument, as physician assisted self-destruction is incompatible with the doctors function as a therapist. For physicians, # 8220 ; the lone option to allowing the patient to decease is to coerce intervention on them. # 8221 ; Euthanasia is non a simple or individual issue, but really involves four distinguishable state of affairss: voluntary active mercy killing, nonvoluntary active mercy killing, voluntary passive mercy killing, and nonvoluntary inactive mercy killing. This paper will concentrate on voluntary active mercy killing, peculiarly assisted self-destruction. I think the job with aided self-destruction is that many people are unnecessarily losing their lives, hence assisted self-destruction should be illegal.For the intent of treatment, it is critical to specify footings. Euthanasia # 8220 ; besides mercy killing # 8221 ; , is the # 8220 ; pattern of stoping life so as to let go of and single from incurable disease or unbearable suffering. # 8221 ; Assisted suicide # 8220 ; the proviso of aid ( medicine, kiping pills, deadly injection, etc ) with the purpose that the patient will utilize these agents to perpetrate suicide # 8221 ; , this can be done by a doctor, household member , or some other individual. Many terminally sick patients, who encourage assisted self-destruction, experience that the right to take aided self-destruction should be based on freedom of pick, such as the right to acquire married or have an abortion. Every individual does merit the right to do picks for themselves. # 8220 ; Peoples have an involvement in doing of import determinations about their lives in conformity with their ain construct of how they want their lives to go. # 8221 ; Possibly if the attention of these patients becomes more efficient, the patients would non experience like such a load to society. The patients could perchance hold less subjective believing about self-destruction. Some terminally ill besides feel that when they are faced with decease they want to be involved in the determination of how their decease will come approximately. The argument of this peculiar issue is will the patient be able to do a rational determination, will their province of head ( f or illustration, are they depressed ) let them to do a clear opinion. Is the deceasing individual able to warrant their petition for decease? It is hard to happen grounds to find if the patient is being rational or irrational. I do non believe that agony is good in itself. The terminally ailment should be spared hurting every bit far as possible. This includes the power of drugs. Much more can be done, and should be done to extinguish the hurting of those who are deceasing. Given these considerations it is urged that aided self-destruction is unneeded. At the nucleus of this issue, What does the Bible state? If slaying and self-destruction were incorrect, would help suicide be incorrect? The first commandment # 8220 ; Thou shalt non kill # 8221 ; is the most basic of God-orientated commandments. Before building a hierarchy of human value, we must see, what is God # 8217 ; s sentiment? In his eyes, are people # 8217 ; s lives, no affair how short or hard is life worth populating? Principles that are of import in this statement are value of human life , death, pain and pain relief, and compassion and mercy. Though we are not directly told God’s view of the whole issue, it is obvious that any form of euthanasia is condemned in the Bible. It comes down to the value of human life, and as a Creator and Sovereign, God alone has the ultimate prerogative of giving and taking human life. The worth of each human being is determined by its intrinsic God-given nature, the fact that it is created by him and in his image. Unfortunately today, we live in a somewhat secular society. Not everyone believes in God, therefore if you do not believe in God, this argument is irrelevant. With this in mind, remember that death is still a universal experience of mankind. To me every person is an image and likeness of God, entrusted by God with the gift of life, and sustained into being by the action of God. In view of these principles we have examined regarding God’s sovereignty over life and death, however, the relief of pain could never justify actively taking a human life. Assisted suicide is wrong because it infringes on clear biblical principles. Life is a valuable gift that has been bestowed on all living creatures we must respect it and be thankful. To think that we should be able to write the script of our whole life is to deny God’s commandment: â€Å"I am the Lord your God.† In birth and in death we follow the Lord. To follow the crucified Lord means give us trustfully into God’s hands. After all God freely accepted a death that he did not choose, and he showed us the path to life. It is important to recognize that if pain is controlled, as it can be in virtually all cases, very few terminally ill people ask to be put to death. The patients benefit by having a shorter pain-free life rather than a longer, even more painful life. â€Å"The greater good for the patient is relief of pain, and the lesser evil is loss of life† , â€Å"a person has worth in and of itself and is not mer ely a means to an overall balance of others goods over evils in the person’s life.† To me a request for assisted suicide is a cry for help, a call for assistance to positive alternatives as solutions for very real problems. Modern medicine has the ability to control pain, and should be used to help ease the pain of a dying patient. Helping a patient kill themselves is to claim that we are a law unto ourselves, and that every possible choice is good as long as we choose it. It is to consecrate â€Å"choice† and to make it God. There are some life decisions that are not ours to make. A wise man once told me, life is not always fair, and what appears to be fairer is not always right, therefore one should protect the soul. That includes living the life that God has chosen for us, and accepting our natural death. While it is not for me to judge, if it were my life I would feel obligated to with these factors, even if they were somewhat pragmatic, in my decision. We mu st not simply act on our subjective feelings of what seems to be merciful and what does not. It is important to be objective, after all we are dealing with people’s lives. References†Euthanasia† Microsoft ? Encarta ? 98 Encyclopedia. 1993-1997 Microsoft Corporation.†Euthanasia, Voluntary† Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 1996 Robert Young La Trobe University.†Voluntary Active Euthanasia† D. Brock. Hastings Center Report 22. No. 2(1993) pg.10-22.†A Right to Choose Death?† F. M. Kamm. Boston Review. 1993-1998.†Causing Death or allowing to die? Develops in the Law† Pamela R. Ferguson. University of Dundee Scotland. 1997 pg. 368-372.†A Rational Approach to Rational Suicide† Joseph Richman, Ph.D, Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, Vol 22, 1992. The American Association of Suicidology.†The Holy Bible†By Tanya L. Vissia

Three types of destruction myths Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Three types of destruction myths - Essay Example According to them, the world will face a time of destruction and at that time, the Gods will have a battle against all the evils and giants of the world. According to the myth, the world will have three consecutive winters whereby conflict will arise in all parts of the world. People will start fighting amongst themselves, families will break, and all codes of morality will be broken. The wolf skull will destroy the moon and his brother Hati will eat the moon, which will push the world into complete darkness leaving no stars in the sky. Three cocks will be found who will crow to the giants, Gods and the dead. Natural calamities such as earthquakes will destroy the world and these will free the wolf known as â€Å"Fenrir† (Lindemans, 1999). A serpent will twist the seas and make his way to the land where he will spread his poison and will crash the waves against a ship called Naglfar and all the giants will come towards the battlefield. The dead will rise again and the inhabita nts of hell will return. A giant called the Surt will set the world on fire. Meanwhile, a horn will be blown inviting all the Gods and the giants to the battlefield. The Gods, evils, and giants from all over the world will gather to fight and the battle will begin. The poison of Surt will be spread and kill many Gods like that of thunder.

Attachment Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Attachment Disorder - Essay Example When we examine the word 'attachment', it provides us a vision in the realm of socio-emotional development and measures the security of infant-mother attachment that proves equally successful in documenting systematic associations between development at the end of the first year of life and subsequent functioning as late as the early school-age years (Belsky & Nezworski, 1988, p. 4). Attachment theory as defined by Bowlby from its beginning was concerned with the implications of atypical patterns of attachment as well as the formation and course of normal infant-parent relationships. In order to explain the theoretical part of attachment disorder, Bowlby formulated his ideas of personality development to explain the link between early emotional deprivation and later pathology as a guide for the diagnosis and treatment of emotionally disturbed children and families. Thus, 'attachment' acts as a tool that exists in between psychopathology and normal development. Investigations carried out in a number of laboratories suggests that infants whose relationships with their mothers can be characterized as secure as opposed to insecure using the Strange Situation paradigm generally look more competent as toddlers, preschoolers, and even as children beginning public school. This does not indicate that individual differences in the security of attachment are deterministic of later development, but rather that theoretically meaningful associations between development in infancy and later functioning have been repeatedly established in studies focusing upon socio-affective functioning. The meaning of attachment disorder associated on the basis of attachment theory stipulates that feelings of security and control when grow out of the infant-mother relationship contribute to the regulation of 'attachment affect' or 'disorder' where the establishment of other social relationships, and the child's negotiation of subsequent developmental tasks evaluate the extent to which the child is affected from the disorder. Many researchers argue that misconceptions attributed to attachment theory do not support the basic assumption of guiding attachment research in context with the relationship between mother and infant. Reactive Attachment Disorder The diagnosis of attachment disorder is based upon the scientific enquiry and is described as ICD-10, Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD that marks the severe disorders of attachment affecting children. RAD takes place whenever the process of developing relationships starts perturbing, thereby finding it very difficult to maintain social relations. The RAD analyzes disorders that evolve from distortions in the adaptive functioning of anxiety in early development. Anxiety serves as indicator to this disorder that prompts infant distress signals and proximity-seeking behaviour that, in turn, elicits regulatory assistance from the caregiver, reducing the likelihood of harm. Thus in order to avoid RAD, separation distress may be adaptive in the context of responsive, sensitive care giving. Clinical implications of attachment disorder provide significant insight into the common foundations of typical and atypical development which can be described at multiple levels. On the

Global Warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Global Warming - Essay Example Forests remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so when we cut them down, we allow carbon dioxide to thrive. Our drastically increasing population is also adding to the carbon dioxide, which is a result of billions of humans exhaling the gas. Of all the causes of global warming, the increasing human population is one that cannot be immediately resolved. As such, tending to the remaining factors becomes even more dire. To prevent these causes from increasing the effects of global warming, we need to create alternatives to vehicles that require fossil fuel and find construction locations that do not require cutting down entire forests. While alternate-fuel and electric vehicles are available, few people are taking advantage of them. Furthermore, little is being done to prevent the destruction of forests; we demand more buildings, and with little land available to us, we resort to destroying nature to get what we want. There are debates about policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for two reasons. The first reason is that those who can create and enforce policies are unconvinced about global warming. Though there is evidence that global warming is taking place, many people doubt its existence. As such, they are reluctant to make changes. The second reason is that creating policies would require asking humans to alter how they live. As a technologically-thriving people, changing our vehicles or locations of construction are unappealing. Science can help resolve the debate by proving that global warming is taking place and that the longer we ignore it, the worse it will become. Science can also show how the changes required to slow global warming doesn’t mean compromising the way we live; indeed, these changes would improve not only our world, but our lives as

The concept of lifelong learning has always been central to adult and Essay

The concept of lifelong learning has always been central to adult and vocational education - Essay Example According to the concept of lifelong learning, being knowledgeable and acquiring new and latest knowledge continually is not a preserve of children or classroom surroundings. Instead, lifelong learning emphasises that people should learn throughout their lifetime, their circumstances notwithstanding (Wang, 2008). There are numerous reasons for which lifelong learning has been rather interesting subject in the last five decade. For instance, the role of the currently observed technological and scientific innovations in necessitating lifelong learning among professionals has been extensively debated in recent times. In fact, as a result of the technological and scientific advances realised in different spheres of life, the professional and learning needs of people have continued to change every other day (Wang, 2008). That is, there is no longer a restricted or preferred age, time or place for learning and related activities. In fact, school is no longer the only place people can obtai n knowledge in as more people resort to acquiring knowledge and skills at the workplace. Today, people learn even by the mere interaction with others around them who are not necessarily their teachers or instructors. This paper explores the purposes and conceptions of lifelong learning, vocational education and the relationship between lifelong learning and vocational education. Purposes and Conceptions of Lifelong Learning The many contexts within which the term â€Å"lifelong learning† is used imply that there are quite a number of conceptions by which the term is regarded. That is, the exact meaning of the term is prone to a lot of debates depending on the circumstances in which it is used. These meanings, however, expand beyond the traditional concept of schooling. The first type of lifelong learning is home schooling in which learning takes place in informal settings and patterns. The second type of lifelong learning is adult learning (Wang, 2008). In this category, life long learning entails the acquisition of knowledge and work skills in later life. The third category of lifelong learning is referred to as continuing education in which extension courses are offered in higher learning institutions. Fourth, lifelong learning could refer to on-the-job training or work knowledge in which learners seek to develop their skills and professions. The other meaning of lifelong learning is self-directed/personal learning in which an individual applies a variety of techniques and tools such as the Internet/E-learning. The success and applicability of the above meanings of lifelong learning depend on the professionals such as a coach, a trainer, a consultant, a mentor, a curriculum designer, a competency assessor or a training project manager that oversees their implementation (Wang, 2008). There are several reasons for which people increasingly resort to lifelong learning. Generally, this is a knowledge generation and peoples’ capacity to use the right knowledge in executing tasks is a skill that can no longer be ignored. Peoples’ professional success depends on the effective application of the right knowledge in task implementation. By acquiring more and divergent knowledge, people are able to approach issues with different perspectives and fascinating arguments, making the workplace more

Free topic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Free topic - Research Paper Example The cultural as well as religious identity related to Hinduism is considered as quite broad. In Hindu mythology, there are more than 330 million role models that are most likely to validate the person’s identity who have been framed in pace with the developing mankind since ancient times (Doyle, â€Å"Hindu Mythology†). Two short stories have been considered in the discussion henceforth, i.e. the Story of Yayati and the Incarnation of Vishnu as a Fish with the sole intention to obtain a better knowledge regarding the linkage of cultural values, philosophies and beliefs perceived by Indians with Hindu mythology. Hence, the chief objective of the discussion will be to obtain a better in-sight to the rudiments of Hindu mythology. According to the Satapatha Brahmana, a Hindu sacred text determining account of Vedic rituals, the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu on earth is known as Matsya Avatar. The story narrates that when Hari, who was considered to be the preserver of the universe, discovered the deed of the prince of the Danavas, became bound to take the shape of the fish which was known as Saphari or Matsya (Wilkins 134-141). According to the myth, Brahma was sleeping one day when Hayagriva, a horse-headed demon, took away the holy Vedas that helped God in creating life. The demon ran away and concealed inside the deep oceans which obstructed Brahma from nurturing the establishment of the universe. Owing to the fact that He was incapable of doing so, Brahma called Vishnu for assistance. It was during that time when Vishnu took the form of fish in order to get the Vedas back from the demon. Consequently, Vishnu took the avatar of Matsya, a one-horned fish, and swam into the hands of Satyavrata, who has also been the king of ancient Dravida-desa and renowned as Manu. Lord Vishnu, in his Matsya avatar then asked Manu for shelter from the predators in the ocean. In order to save the life of the fish, Manu took it

Global Warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Global Warming - Essay Example Forests remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so when we cut them down, we allow carbon dioxide to thrive. Our drastically increasing population is also adding to the carbon dioxide, which is a result of billions of humans exhaling the gas. Of all the causes of global warming, the increasing human population is one that cannot be immediately resolved. As such, tending to the remaining factors becomes even more dire. To prevent these causes from increasing the effects of global warming, we need to create alternatives to vehicles that require fossil fuel and find construction locations that do not require cutting down entire forests. While alternate-fuel and electric vehicles are available, few people are taking advantage of them. Furthermore, little is being done to prevent the destruction of forests; we demand more buildings, and with little land available to us, we resort to destroying nature to get what we want. There are debates about policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for two reasons. The first reason is that those who can create and enforce policies are unconvinced about global warming. Though there is evidence that global warming is taking place, many people doubt its existence. As such, they are reluctant to make changes. The second reason is that creating policies would require asking humans to alter how they live. As a technologically-thriving people, changing our vehicles or locations of construction are unappealing. Science can help resolve the debate by proving that global warming is taking place and that the longer we ignore it, the worse it will become. Science can also show how the changes required to slow global warming doesn’t mean compromising the way we live; indeed, these changes would improve not only our world, but our lives as

Free topic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Free topic - Research Paper Example The cultural as well as religious identity related to Hinduism is considered as quite broad. In Hindu mythology, there are more than 330 million role models that are most likely to validate the person’s identity who have been framed in pace with the developing mankind since ancient times (Doyle, â€Å"Hindu Mythology†). Two short stories have been considered in the discussion henceforth, i.e. the Story of Yayati and the Incarnation of Vishnu as a Fish with the sole intention to obtain a better knowledge regarding the linkage of cultural values, philosophies and beliefs perceived by Indians with Hindu mythology. Hence, the chief objective of the discussion will be to obtain a better in-sight to the rudiments of Hindu mythology. According to the Satapatha Brahmana, a Hindu sacred text determining account of Vedic rituals, the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu on earth is known as Matsya Avatar. The story narrates that when Hari, who was considered to be the preserver of the universe, discovered the deed of the prince of the Danavas, became bound to take the shape of the fish which was known as Saphari or Matsya (Wilkins 134-141). According to the myth, Brahma was sleeping one day when Hayagriva, a horse-headed demon, took away the holy Vedas that helped God in creating life. The demon ran away and concealed inside the deep oceans which obstructed Brahma from nurturing the establishment of the universe. Owing to the fact that He was incapable of doing so, Brahma called Vishnu for assistance. It was during that time when Vishnu took the form of fish in order to get the Vedas back from the demon. Consequently, Vishnu took the avatar of Matsya, a one-horned fish, and swam into the hands of Satyavrata, who has also been the king of ancient Dravida-desa and renowned as Manu. Lord Vishnu, in his Matsya avatar then asked Manu for shelter from the predators in the ocean. In order to save the life of the fish, Manu took it

The Human Body - Data Made Flesh Essay Example for Free

The Human Body Data Made Flesh Essay The title of this essay derives from the words uttered by the protagonist, Henry Case, in William Gibson’s novel ‘Neuromancer’ (1984). This metaphor, which equates the human body as mere data turned into flesh encompasses the theory that in an age of increasing focus on information technologies and the ways in which people interface with them, the boundary distinguishing an individual from their surroundings becomes blurred, if not shattered entirely. As University of Chicago’s William Fulton attests, we exist simply as information systems that happen to inhabit the material instantiation of our bodies, (Theories of Media, 2007). However, one cannot enter discussion about the above topic without first alluding to the particular school of thought which harbours critical theory of this ilk. Exponents of this style of dictum would usually come under the banner of ‘Posthumanists’. The term itself, ‘Posthumanism’, is steeped in hyperbole in that it carries with it an ominous sense of foreboding in contemporary culture, where there is a strong case for the premise that society is becoming less ‘human’, as we retreat behind the veil of technology. To draw upon the direct translation of ‘post’ as ‘after’ would infer the meaning, ‘after-human’ which in some respects gives us a clearer understanding of the concept, as it tends to deal with the modern development of the integration of technology and biology and the human body. It is basically a notion that we, as humans are becoming increasingly embedded in technology and the technological environment that, in a sense, the paradigm of the ‘natural’ human being has shifted in meaning. Juxtaposed with this is the idea that as humans are more and more subsumed in technology, technology is becoming more and more human with advances in science and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Fukuyama advanced the concept of Posthumanism as a negative case: that of ‘anti-humanism’ or absence of humanism. He bemoans the transgression of â€Å"crucial moral boundaries† that have eroded the ethical distinctions between therapy and technological enhancement (Our Posthuman Future 2002). Gordijn Chadwick describe a posthuman as a being that has at least one posthuman capacity i.  e. a general central capacity greatly exceeding the maximum attainable by any current human being without recourse to new technological means (Why I Want to be a Posthuman when I Grow Up, 2006). Mc Luhan did not use the exact word but he predicted a future that dovetails succinctly with posthuman theories surrounding ‘cybernetics’ when he foretells a society whereby to paraphrase Hayles’ theory of ‘reflexivity’ (1999) that which has been used to generate a system is made to become part of the system it generates. McLuhan alluded to the ‘cybernetic’ possibility of human beings interfacing and entangling with machines on a neurological and functional level. Just as binoculars are an extension of the eye and clothes are an extension of the skin, then information technologies become McLuhans extension of the mind. In this respect, the term ‘post-humanism’ has only really worked itself into contemporary critical discourse in the humanities and social sciences since the mid 1990s, over a decade after Mc Luhan’s death. However, it may be traced back to the Macy conferences on cybernetics from 1946 to 1953 and the invention of systems theory (What is Posthumanism? , Wolfe, 2010). At these conferences they converged on a new theoretical model for biological, mechanical and communicational processes that removed the human and Homo sapiens from any particular privileged position in relation to matters of meaning, information and cognition. The term ‘cybernetics’ had been coined by Wiener in the 1940s to denote â€Å"the entire field of control and communication theory, whether in the machine or in the animal.† Even at this early stage of technology there was a definitive study underway into the correlation of information between machines and living creatures. In the 1960s this theory was modified into the concept of ‘reflexivity’ alluded to above. Systems re-entangle with themselves, and become referential to themselves blurring the traditionally accepted borders imposed on the world between subject and object, object and environment, or in other words between the organic and the natural and the technological and the cultural, a principal tenet of modern posthumanist thought. In current popular use, Fulton describes cybernetics as most often associated specifically with the development of artificial intelligence, virtual technology and cyberspace. He attests, â€Å"cybernetics in the context of technology is only a limited part of a greater whole, which deals with the study of information systems and the media in which they exist, both inorganic and organic. † Further and further extension of the idea leads to a model of the world in which media serve as a series of â€Å"irrelevant substrates† through which pure information freely flows. This situation ties in with many of Mc Luhan’s ideas about media in society but most especially with his ideas about the extension of the mind, extending human beings’ central nervous systems into electromagnetic technology, a topic, I will consider later in the essay. There is much critical opinion to support Gibson’s notion of humans as information systems just like a machine or computer. Clark (Natural-born Cyborgs, 2001) believes that it is by virtue of our intrinsic ability to merge with external resources to perform even the most rudimentary of calculations that we are designed to walk hand in hand with technology in a posthuman future. He offers the example of how we utilise pen and paper to work out moderately complex mathematics, storing the immediate results outside the brain and then repeating the pattern until the larger problem is solved. â€Å"It is because our brains, more than any other animal on the planet, are primed to seek and consummate such intimate relations with non-biological resources that we end up†¦ capable of abstract thought. †¦we are natural-born cyborgs forever ready to merge our mental activities with operations of pen and paper and electronics†¦. † (Clark, Natural-born Cyborgs, 2001) Wiener asserted that we have to become technophiles to operate in a technological world (1954). He noted that because we have modified our environments so radically it is now necessary to modify ourselves in order to exist in this new environment. Furthermore, he equated the now routine breakdown and repair of the human body with that of replacing a faulty part in a machine. With contemporary advances in technology allowing us to alter or perfect many undesirable parts or areas of our bodies with a specifically manufactured replacement it begs the questions, what does it mean to be human and what does it mean to be a machine in the 21st century? â€Å"If corneal implants are part of us, why not contact lenses? If contacts, why not eyeglasses? If eyeglasses, why not automated telescope? If a telescope, why not the computer interfaced with it? (Hayles, Designs on the Body: Norbert Wiener, Cybernetics and the Play of Metaphor, History of Human Sciences, Vol, 3 No 2) Mc Luhan’s adjunct to this concept is: if a telescope can be the extension of the eye, then information technologies can become extensions of the mind. He stated that after extending or translating â€Å"our central nervous system into the electromagnetic technology, it is but a further stage to transfer our consciousness to the computer world as well.† The Internet clearly serves as the next step in this process of extension. By connecting all computers as part of a pervasive, global network of information, man is not only able to extend his nervous system to interface with technology, but is able to use that mediation to directly connect with the nervous systems of other human beings, also tapped into the network. Present day studies are also showing human’s capacities to monitor their bodies in the same way that one might monitor a car for potential faults. With one report (The Quantified Self: Counting Every Moment, 2012 ) attesting that more people are using smartphone and tablet applications to monitor their health in an effort to sustain a healthy life-style but also, in many instances, as a substitute for the much more expensive trip to the doctor. As populations age and health-care costs increase, there is likely to be a greater emphasis on monitoring, prevention and maintaining â€Å"wellness† in future, with patients taking a more active role an approach sometimes called â€Å"Health 2.0† (The Quantified Self: Counting Every Moment, 2012 ). Allied to this is the plethora of people who are undergoing voluntary surgical procedures in order to modify particular parts of their body for a number of different reasons, in the same way someone might change the wheels on their car or update the driver in their personal computer. Converse to the problem of humans becoming more like machines is the question also raised of machines becoming more like humans. If human identity has been reduced to an information system that happens to inhabit the body as medium, whats to say that another information system inhabiting a computer, or the Internet, couldnt be perceived as being equally as â€Å"human? † In a recent article (Mind vs. Machine, The Atlantic, 2011) Brian Christian describes an annual contest between the world’s most advanced artificial-intelligence programs and ordinary people. The contest, known as the Turing Test(, endeavours to find out whether a computer can act â€Å"more human† than a person and Christian discovers that the march of technology is not just changing how we live, it is raising new questions about what it means to be human. He realises that convincing the judges that you are human â€Å"is about more than simply showing up [and being yourself]†. It is something that has to be â€Å"worked at. † This notion has certain resonance for society as a whole. With this in mind, I recall a report (Makwana Irwin-Brown, We’re the Kids in Austerity, 2012) I came across some months ago which stated that 57% of 7-15 year olds in the UK find it easier to talk with friends online than in person, 56% find it easier to talk by SMS than in person. These figures represented for me a sea change in the emphasis on ‘natural’ human interaction, and in what it means to be a ‘natural’ human in today’s society. Perhaps, we are envisaging a new beginning for society one where children feel more comfortable interacting with technology than they do with their fellow human beings. To understand why our human sense of self is inextricably linked with computers, it’s important to realise that computers used to be human. From the mid-18th century onward, computers, many of them women, were on the payrolls of corporations, engineering firms, and universities, performing calculations and numerical analysis. In the mid-20th century, as the ‘digital computer’ developed, it was said to be â€Å"like a computer. † In the 21st century, it is the human mathematical whiz who is â€Å"like a computer† (Christian, Mind vs. Machine, The Atlantic, 2011 ). In a strange but significant turn of events, humans are said to be â€Å"like† something that used to be â€Å"like† us. By this reasoning, one could assume that the modern-day computer is so-called because it is intended to carry out any operations which could be done by a human computer. During the same period that gave rise to the human computer, there too, was much debate amongst philosophers surrounding the idea of what it was to be human. French philosopher Julian Offray de la Mettire (1747) suggested that human beings are only complex animal-machines. This suggestion was, in no doubt, inspired by Descartes uttering in the 16th century that the body was essentially like a machine, pointing out that the only thing not reducible to mechanism is the human mind. Furthermore, the notion of man as a machine or machine-like was something that resonated during the Industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries. Ferguson describes the perception of the plight of the factory worker in these times: â€Å"Many mechanical acts require no intellectual capacity. They succeed best under a total suppression of sentiment and reason†¦..  Manufacturers, accordingly, prosper most where the mind is least consulted, and where the workshop may, without any great effort of the imagination, be considered an engine, the parts of which are men. † (Ferguson, An Essay on History of Civil Society, 1767) The question of human identity being reduced to an information system that happens to inhabit the body as medium has been a driving force for the study of artificial intelligence, and has manifested repeatedly. As Christian puts it some people imagine the future of artificial intelligence as a kind of heaven: â€Å"Rallying behind an idea called â€Å"The Singularity,† people like Ray Kurzweil (in The Singularity Is Near) and his cohort of believers envision a moment when we make smarter-than-us machines, which make machines smarter than themselves, and so on, and the whole thing accelerates exponentially toward a massive ultra-intelligence that we can barely fathom. † Such a time will arrive in which humans can upload their consciousness onto the Internet and get assumed—if not bodily, than at least mentally—into an eternal, imperishable afterlife in the world of electricity (Christian, Mind vs. Machine, The Atlantic, 2011 ). Others imagine the future of computing as a kind of hell, an almost Terminator style apocalypse. Machines black out the sun, level our cities and enable an atmosphere that destroys all living things. There is no doubt that technology has become an integral part of human lives and will only become increasingly so. We have already made the first step into the realm of the posthuman or the cyborg, common examples include the athlete Oscar Pistorious who has prosthetic blades for legs, anyone who has undergone a sex change, or anyone who has modified their bodies with artificial implants for cosmetic reasons. I do not believe there is any going back but I feel technology and humans certainly have the capacity to complement each other and work side by side as we look to the future. It remains to be seen if this synergy will come to pass but there certainly is the capacity for it. And as the human race faces up to some of the toughest questions that have been put to us heretofore I would cautiously back us to prevail To paraphrase Wiener, humans can continue to modify themselves to keep up with the modifications of the environment they find themselves in.

HR Consultant An Organization Education Essay

HR Consultant An Organization Education Essay Working as a HR consultant an organization has approached you for consultancy, you are given the task by the senior management present the theoretical background of learning theories and learning styles. You will develop a presentation which should address the different learning styles, learning theories and their contribution in planning and what is the importance of ensuring transfer of learning in workplace Grading Statement Pass Merit Distinction P1 differentiate between different learning styles M1 a range of methods of presentation has been used D1 capacity for innovation and creative thought has been used P2 analyze learning theories and explain their contribution to the planning and design of learning events M2 it is appropriate for familiar and unfamiliar audiences P3 explain the implication of the learning curve and the importance of ensuring the transfer of learning to the workplace Outcome 1 Tasks for P1 Discuss the different learning styles including (activists, reflectors, theorists, pragmatists) Tasks for P2 Discuss the learning theories e.g. behaviorist, cognitive The impact of the learning curve and transfer of learning to the work place, Tasks for P3 Discuss the impact of the learning curve and transfer of learning to the work place. Tasks for M1 You should include relevant figures, diagrams, tables in the presentation to justify your point. Your presentation should look interesting and professional Task for M2 You should consider that the language and concepts are appropriate for your audience and you have considered that management may not know the theoretical backgrounds therefore appropriate level of language and examples are incorporated. Task for D1 Table of Contents preface 5 summary 6 Introduction à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.7 learning styles 7 honey and Mumford learning styles 7 David Kolb learning styles 8 Learning theoriesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. 9,10 Learning curve and transfer of learning to workplaceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ 11, 12 . Bibliographyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ 13 Preface Being HR consultant, we have developed a report for our client. In which we discussed the theoretical background of learning theories and learning styles. We hope our work will be appreciated. Summary Being HR consultant we have developed a report for our client. First of all we have discuss that how learning theories can help organization during human resource development. After discussing its importance we discuss the different learning styles of learners that how individual learns. We discuss the theories of David Kolb and honey and Mumford learning styles. Furthermore we explain and discuss the three different learning theories such as cognitive, behaviorist learning theories. Beside this we have also define the impact of learning curve and transfer of learning to work place. In order to complete this assignment we collect data from our course book human resource development and employee relation and similarly from different websites. All the references can be seen at the end of report. Task for P: 1 Discuss the different learning styles including (activists, reflectors, theorists, pragmatists) As we know that there are different type of learning styles developed from Psychological and educational research. According to these researches different people learn differently from one another. According to (http://www.ics.heacademy.ac.uk) these learning approaches help trainer to understand an individual learning preferences, so s/he effectively convey his training. Further they explain that some student may prefer to learn from visual effects while some may prefer or enjoy learning from listening lectures. There are many researcher and psychologist which contribute to this subject such as Kolb Learning Cycle, Honey and Mumford styles. (www.jivepartners.org.uk) Honey and Mumford styles: Activist: Activists learn best when they personally involve themselves in activity. They are called activist. They enjoy the here-and-now and often thrive in short-term crisis situation. According to our course book of (human resource development and employee relation.) Such kind of people get bore with long term implementation and consolidation. Activist learners are open-minded, not sceptical, and this tends to make them enthusiastic about new work. They think that they can do anything, beside this activist first act and then think. Reflectors: According to our course book (human resource development and employee relation.) Reflectors are the learners which learn best from activities where they are able to stand back, listen and observe. They like collecting information and being given opportunity to think about it. Reflectors learn less when they are rushed into things without the opportunity to plan. Before starting any activity, first they analyze the situation from all angles. Pragmatist: Pragmatists are keen on trying out ideas, theories and techniques to see if they work in practice. They positively search out new ideas and take the first opportunity to experiment with applications. They are the type of people who return from courses brimming with new ideas that they want to try out in practice. They like to get on with things and act quickly and confidently on ideas that attract them. (human resource development and employee relation.) Theorist: Its mention in our (human resource development and employee relation.) Course books that theorist like to understand the theory behind the actions. Such kind of learners need model. Concepts, and fact in order to learn they like to analyze and synthesis, and feel uncomfortable with subjective judgment. Further its mention that they learn best when an activity is backed up by ideas and concept that form a model system or theory. Such kind of learner learns least when activities are unstructured or ambiguous. Kolbs learning styles inventory: According to (http://www.ics.heacademy.ac.uk) David Kolb published his learning style model in 1984. The model gave rise to related term such as Kolbs experiential learning theory. In his book he also acknowledged the work of previous scholars such as Rogers, Jung and Piaget. He has done great work in this field and still acknowledged by teachers, trainer and managers. According to Kolb and other researcher that effective learning proceeds around a cycle. The below diagram clearly mentioned that how it processed. (http://bsspdl.wordpress.com/) According to article written by (kendra cherry, 2012)Psychologist and educational theorist DavidHYPERLINK http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesal/p/david-kolb.htm HYPERLINK http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesal/p/david-kolb.htmKolb present a four-stage learning cycle designed to describe how learning by experience takes place. Further she explained that the experientialHYPERLINK http://psychology.about.com/od/educationalpsychology/a/experiential-learning.htm HYPERLINK http://psychology.about.com/od/educationalpsychology/a/experiential-learning.htmlearning cycle have four different stages, concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. From these stages four learning style have been identified, accommodator, divergers, assimilator and converger. Accommodator relies on concrete experience and active experimentation learns from hands on experience and more rely on other people for information. Divergers learn from concrete expe rience and reflective observation. Assimilator combine abstract conceptualization observation; understand a wide range of information and more interested abstract ideas and concepts. Task for P 2 Discuss the learning theories e.g. behaviorist, cognitive etc: Behaviorist theory: In an article written by (kendra cherry, 2012) its mentioned that the term behaviorism refers to the school of psychology founded by John B. Watson based on the belief that behaviors can be measured, trained, and changed. Beside this there are some other scientists which contribute a lot to the field of psychology. The concept or theory of behaviorism is very exciting. According to our course book (human resource development and employee relation.)Behaviorism is a theory of learning and it believes that all behaviors are acquired as a result of conditioning. Conditioning happen after a  person interacts with his environment. There are two type of conditioning classical conditioning and operant conditioning. In 1904 Ivan Pavlov a Russian scientist researched on dogs. His researched proved that dog salivated at the sight of dry food. If a buzzer sounded just before the dogs were given sight of the dry food they still salivated at the sight of the food. After the two were associated a number of time, the dog salivated at the sound of the buzzer, even before the food appeared. Therefore, it can be claimed that the dog had learnt to salivate at the sound of buzzer. Pavlov called the presentation of the food unconditioned stimuli and the salivation the unconditioned response. He regarded the association of the food with buzzer as conditional stimulus. Cognitive theory: According to article written by (kendra cherry, 2012)Cognitive psychology is the branch of psychology which deals with mental processes including how people think, perceive, remember and learn. There are different people which done a lot of work on cognitive theory such as jean Piaget, Wilhelm Wundt and many more. There are a lot of differences between behaviorist and cognitive theory for example behaviorist generally ignores the internal dynamic of learning while cognitive learning theory stress on the importance of what goes on inside the learner. Cognitive theory is assumed to be comprised of a number of sub theories and is widely used in educational and counseling. The key to learning and changing is the individuals cognition (perception, thought, memory and way of processing and structuring information). Cognitive learning a highly active process largely directed by the individual, involve perceiving the information, interpreting it based on what is already known, and then recognizing the information into new insight or understanding. Cognitive theorist, unlike behaviorists, maintains that reward is not necessary for learning. More important are learners goal and expectation, which create disequilibrium, imbalance, and tension that motivate them to act Social learning approach: According to article written by (kendra cherry, 2012) there also another theory proposed by psychologist alburt bandura His theory suggest that children learn new behavior from observing other people There are three primary principles at the center of public studying concept. First is the concept that people can learn through observation. Next is the concept that inner psychological declares are an important aspect of this procedure. Lastly, this concept identifies that just because something has been discovered; it does not mean that it will result in a change of behavior or actions. The below diagram will help us in understanding these theories and how these help us during training and development of human resource. There are different methods through which we learn. Task for P3 Discuss the impact of the learning curve and transfer of learning to the work place. The learning curve definition: A learning curve is a graph showing the relationship between the time spent in learning and the level of competence attained. Hence it describe the progress and variable pace of learning (it is common for people to say that they are on a steep learning curve when they have to acquire a lot of new knowledge or skill in short period of time. (human resource development and employee relation.) Explanation: From the above definition its clear that learning curve is a concept used to determine how quickly a skill can be perfectly understood. The learning curve is represented through graph which shows the connection between learning and its duration. It also shows that how much skill or knowledge is improved of individuals from training. There is also concept of flat curve or gradual learning curve. Its important to say that on flat curve learner gain knowledge slowly. Flat curve subjects take a long time to gain complete mastery over, but provide ample time to truly imprint the procedures or skill components on the brain. Subjects with a gradual or flat curve are often very difficult to learn, as they do not provide the rewards of quick, usable knowledge. According to our course book (human resource development and employee relation.)Learning curve also used to plan the size of the chunks to be taught in one session or stage of learning. Further it explains that learning curve can also go up and down. This happen normally when trainee become unable to practice or forget newly acquired skill or knowledge. Transfer of learning: Definition: According to our course book of (human resource development and employee relation.) Transfers of learning refer to the extent to which newly learned information or skill has been transferred from the learning context to the application of a specific task. Explanation: Transfer of learning mean that how much an individual or trainee effectively able to apply the skill or knowledge on the job, which s (he) learned from training. In a situation where trainee effectively transfers the learning to task is called positive transfer; on the other hand in a situation where trainee didnt effectively transfer the learning to the application of task, will know as negative transfer.

The Character of Cholly in The Bluest Eye Essay -- Bluest Eye Essays

The Character of Cholly in The Bluest Eye Morrison has divided her portrayal of a fictional town of blacks, which suffers from alienation and subjugation, into four seasons. I believe that her underlying message is to illustrate the reality of life's travails: the certain rhythms of blessings and tragedies. Some blacks understand and acccept this philosophy and Morrison's use of the seasons portrays and echoes the bible verse, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven"(Ec. 3.1). Perhaps this is a fatalistic approach or as Darrow says, Man is the product of heredity and environment and that he acts as his machine responds to outside stimuli and nothing else, seem amply proven by the evolution and history of man. Every process of nature and life is a continuous sequence of cause and effect (156). This theory is particularly evident in Morrison's development of Cholly, the man who raped his daughter. She could have portrayed him as a degenerate akin to Soaphead, a slimy character, who leaves us with a feeling of revulsion. Instead, step-by-step, she leads us through Cholly's life and experiences; so in the end, instead of hating him, we feel his pain. Cholly is introduced in the first chapter. He is the father of Pecola. Because of his actions, the whole family has been put out of their home. It was a miserable apartment, as ugly in appearance as the family. Except for Cholly. In his youth he had been big strong long limbed and full of his own fire. Now his behavior was his ugliness. Years of despair, dissipation and... ...ft pregnant with his child, and pushed to madness by these terrible circumstances: she finds her beauty in the bluest eye. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time for every purpose and for every work (Ec. 17). Morrison draws a sympathetic picture of Cholly. She blurs the reality and covers him with emotional longing for the love he knew in the past. Cholly has nothing more to lose. His life is a tragedy. Works Cited Darrow, Clarence."Crime and Free Will". Introductory Readings in Philosophy. Ed. Marcus G. Singer and Robert R. Ammerman. New York: Scribner, 1962. 156-57. Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. New York: Plume: 1994. The New Chain Reference Bible. Ed. Frank Charles Thompson. Mt. Morris, N.Y: Chain Reference Bible Publishing. 1929.

Antigone †Strong and Powerful or Spoiled and Stubborn? Essay -- Antig

Antigone – Strong and Powerful or Spoiled and Stubborn? Of the tragic figures in Antigone, Creon is the most obviously evil because his motives are self-serving and his fate the worst. As the play begins, we learn that Antigone has defied Creon's royal decree by performing sacred burial rites for her exiled brother, Polyneices. Polyneices has been declared an enemy of the state by Creon. The sentence for anyone attempting to bury him is death by stoning. Creon has become King of Thebes by default, as a result of Oedipus' fate as previously predicted by the Oracle at Delphi: Oedipus murders his father and unknowingly marries his mother. Jocaste, his mother and wife and Creon's sister, commits suicide upon learning the truth. Between Oedipus' two sons, Creon sides with Etocles in his claim for Oedipus' throne and exiles Polyneices. Polyneices, in exile, raises an army against Thebes, attempting to seize the throne for himself. The two brothers fight and slay one another. Etocles is awarded an honorable burial by Creon for bravely defending the city, but Polyneices is denied any burial because of his act of treason. Denial of a ritual burial was damming and nearly sacrilegious to the ancient Greeks. Creon is enraged to discover his decree has been disobeyed. When he learns it is Antigone, his niece, he asks her if she has heard the decree. She says yes, that the decree was declared publicly and openly -- she answers that she understands the consequences. Creon further asks Antigone if she is blatantly defying him. She replies that she is answering and obeying a higher law. Creon condemns her, and in doing so violates the unspoken law of loyalty to the family. Creon's will be done! Creon: Do you want me to show m... ...th her death. Chorus: You has passed beyond human daring and come at last Into a place of stone where justice sits. I cannot tell What shape your father's guilt appears in this. Antigone: You have touched it at last: the bridal bed Unspeakable, horror of son and mother mingling: Their crime, infection of all our family! Your marriage strikes from the grace to murder mine. I have been a stranger here in my own land: All my life The blasphemy of my birth has followed me. (Sophocles 4,33-44). Perhaps this self-sentencing is her noble moral cause, or the very extreme of evil indulgence in self-pity and stupidity; self absorption at the eminent loss of human life, including her own. Maybe she's just spoiled and stubborn. Works Cited Sophocles. Antigone Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984.

Euthanasia

Topic: Euthanasia General Purpose: To Persuade Specific Purpose: I want to persuade my audience to be against euthanasia. Thesis: Legalizing Euthanasia Central Idea In Hippocratic Oath, Hippocrates as a father of medicine swears, â€Å"I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan† (National Library of Medicine, p. 6).In other words, Hippocrates was against euthanasia. According to the Dictionary. om the definition of euthanasia is â€Å"the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, especially painful, disease or condition† (Dictionary. com, p. 1). It is also called a mercy killing, some people think that this is a good decision and some don’t. I personally, believe that this is not right; an individual should go into the afterlife naturally. 1. On one side there are people that justify this act as helping a terminally il l individual end his/her sufferings.For example, when an individual was in a house fire and burnt sixty percent of his skin and is going to die but he chooses euthanasia in order to stop the pain. In that case he will die eventually and there are many painkillers that can soothe his pain and help him spend more time with his family. Another case is when a person has been in vegetative state for a long time and eventually the relatives decide to turn the machines off and let the individual die.This is a very sensitive case because if a person didn’t want to die but didn’t have a living will, legally their spouse can pull the plugs off even if the person’s parents would be against it. And let’s not forget that technically if a brain shows a minimum of activity, the person is still considered alive. I consider turning off the machine is same as giving up on a person. 2. On the other side, there are people that are against it, including me, I consider it as m anslaughter, even though an ill person is agreed to die.It is also against my religion, all humans are made in God’s image and God gave us life so we should respect it. At this moment, euthanasia is illegal in every state in the U. S. , not counting two states like Oregon and Washington. In Oregon they have an act called Oregon Death with Dignity Act and in Washington State they have the same act, except it is called the Washington Death with Dignity Act. (Wikipedia, p. 19).I am against legalizing euthanasia because there are some people that are not in sound mind, they may have suicidal thoughts and they will ask their doctor or people around them to help them stop their pain. If euthanasia will be legal some people will be forced to sign their consent to death, when he/she doesn’t know what he/she is signing; for example, a man in a nursing home that cannot read, or hear anymore is asked to sign the consent to his death, he will do it because he will trust people aro und him, people that take care of him.He will go along the process because he wouldn’t even understand what is going on. The reason why people would do that is when they are tired of him or they spend too much money on him so they will try get rid of him, I know it sounds awful but you will be surprised what people are capable of doing because of the money. Also, like I mentioned before, euthanasia is against Hippocratic Oath that every doctor takes before they get their license, in other words, it is against doctor’s moral responsibilities.When we think about euthanasia being legal in every state there would be many horrible cases that we cannot even think of. 3. You probably have a question on where it started. Well according to the History. com Adolf Hitler came up with this idea (History. com, p. 1). He ordered to kill all handicapped and mentally ill children. In addition, after that he moved on to adults and senior population. Hitler called it mercy killing becau se supposedly he was helping people to get out of their â€Å"misery† but it was a way of saving money.I believe that euthanasia is not right, no matter from what angles you look at it, it is manslaughter and as a human being I would not follow Hitler’s way of dealing with sick and dependant people. We should respect life that was given to us by God and end it in a natural way because this is how we were made.ReferencePage North, Michael. â€Å"Greek Medicine | Hippocrates | The Oath. †Ã‚  National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Health. 24 June 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://www. nlm. nih. gov/hmd/greek/greek_oath. html> â€Å"Euthanasia | Define Euthanasia at Dictionary. com.Dictionary. com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary. com. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/euthanasia>. â€Å"Hitler Suspends Euthanasia Program — History. com This Day in History — 8/18/19 41. â€Å"History. com — History Made Every Day — American & World History.A&E Television Network. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://www. history. com/this-day-in-history/hitler-suspends-euthanasia-program>. â€Å"Suicide Legislation. †Ã‚  Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 4 Nov. 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Suicide_legislation>. Euthanasia Good day to the teacher and my fellow learners, my speech topic for today is on legalising euthanasia. Imagine yourself being unable to walk, unable to see, and can barely breathe let alone speak. You are in such unbearable pain that you can’t even cry. Your life was well lived all those years before but now, there is no way that you could function without assistance. You think and feel as if your life has no meaning. Although your family is there for your every step of the way you begin to think, could ending your life be the answer to the pain? Well in all reality this isn’t something anyone needs to imagine. This is a real situation for many, many people. These people should be able to make their own choices and have control of their own lives. Everyone has the right to choose how they want to live and die. First of all, deciding if you want to be alive or not is a personal decision. Neither the doctors nor the government has the power to decide if you should live or not. Since it is not their life and they are not in your situation, they cannot make that kind of decision for you. It might sound like suicide, but again, that is our problem, not theirs. They give us the liberty to decide our job, our family, our religion, and even our sex preference. Why should they not give us the right to decide if we want to live or not? That should be the first right before all the ones I have mentioned. It is not logical that we can choose in all those other decisions if we cannot first choose to live or die. It has been argued that for people on life support systems and people with long standing diseases causing much pain and distress, euthanasia is a better choice. It helps in relieving them from pain and misery. In cases like terminal cancers when the patient is in much pain and when people associated with them also are put through a lot of pain and misery, it is much more practical and humane to grant the person their wish to end their own life in a relatively painless and merciful way. Everyone has the right to choose how they want to live and die. Euthanasia is perceived by other people as the answer to their want of a quality life. Spending the rest of your life on a hospital bed, unable to walk, and unable to do the things you normally do, doesn’t define a good quality of life. After all, it is the patient who got to decide how he or she wants to live his life. Euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide is the best thing a doctor can offer to a dying patient since he or she cannot offer a patient something that’ll make his condition better. How can say that your life is not worth living anymore? No one but you can decide on this matter. Life and death is a personal decision. Your family, friends, the doctors, and even the government can’t help you decide. Death is a final decision, a final destination. Think about it, euthanasia is about giving people the right to choose how they want to live and die and it also stops the person from having a bad quality of life. Goeie dag vir die onderwyser en my mede-leerders, my toespraak onderwerp vir vandag op te wettig genadedood. Verbeel jou nie in staat is om te loop, nie in staat om te sien, en kan skaars asemhaal laat staan praat. Jy is in so ‘n ondraaglike pyn wat jy kan nie eens huil. Jou lewe was goed geleef al die jare voor, maar nou is daar geen manier wat jy kan funksioneer sonder hulp. Jy dink en voel asof jou lewe het geen betekenis nie. Hoewel jou familie is daar vir jou elke stap van die manier waarop jy begin om te dink, kan die beeindiging van jou lewe wees om die antwoord op die pyn? Wel in alle werklikheid dit is nie iets wat iemand nodig het om te dink. Dit is ‘n werklike situasie vir baie, baie mense. Hierdie mense moet in staat wees om hul eie keuses te maak en om beheer oor hul eie lewens het. Elkeen het die reg om te kies hoe hulle wil leef en sterf. Eerste van alles, besluit of jy wil om te leef of nie, is ‘n persoonlike besluit. Nog die dokters en die regering het die mag om te besluit of jy moet leef of nie. Want dit is nie hul lewe en hulle is nie in jou situasie, kan hulle nie maak dat die soort van besluit vir jou. Dit mag dalk klink soos selfmoord, maar weer, dit is ons probleem, nie hulle s'n. Hulle gee ons die vryheid om ons werk te besluit, ons familie, ons godsdiens, en selfs ons seks voorkeur. Hoekom moet hulle nie gee ons die reg om te besluit of ons wil om te lewe of nie? Dit moet die eerste reg voor al die mense wat ek genoem het nie. Dit is nie logies dat ons kan kies om in al die ander besluite as ons kan nie eers kies om te leef of sterf. Dit is aangevoer dat vir die mense op die lewe ondersteuning stelsels en mense met ‘n lang siektes veroorsaak baie pyn en kommer, genadedood is ‘n beter keuse. Dit help met die verligting van hulle van pyn en ellende. In gevalle soos terminale kanker wanneer die pasient in baie pyn en wanneer mense wat verband hou met hulle ook gestel word deur ‘n baie pyn en ellende is, is dit baie meer praktiese en menslike aan die persoon verleen hulle hul eie lewe te eindig in ‘n relatief pynloos en barmhartige manier. Elkeen het die reg om te kies hoe hulle wil leef en sterf. Genadedood is waargeneem deur ander mense as die antwoord op hul gebrek aan ‘n kwaliteit lewe. Die besteding van die res van jou lewe op ‘n hospitaal bed, nie in staat om te loop, en nie die dinge wat jy gewoonlik doen om te doen, definieer nie ‘n goeie gehalte van die lewe. Na alles, dit is die pasient wat het om te besluit hoe hy of sy wil he dat sy lewe te lei. Genadedood of geneesheer-geassisteerde selfmoord is die beste ding wat ‘n dokter kan bied aan ‘n sterwende pasient sedert hy of sy kan nie ‘n pasient iets wat sal maak sy toestand beter te bied. Hoe kan se dat jou lewe nie die moeite werd is nie? Niemand, maar jy kan besluit oor hierdie saak. Lewe en dood is ‘n persoonlike besluit. Jou familie, vriende, die dokters, en selfs die regering kan nie help om te besluit. Die dood is ‘n finale besluit neem, ‘n finale bestemming. Dink daaroor, genadedood is oor gee mense die reg om te kies hoe hulle wil leef en sterf en dit het ook tot stilstand kom die persoon van ‘n slegte gehalte van die lewe.