The purpose that HR serves in the organization and to society also Research Paper

The purpose that HR serves in the organization and to society also encourage an understanding of one HR practice - Research Paper Example However, for a company to benefit and manage its resources accordingly there is a need to have human resources department to oversee the organizational management process and procedure (Bogardus 26). In an organization, there are three main organs, which must coordinate in order to achieve the organizational goals; the shareholders, management and employees. The shareholders are the top leadership who recruits the management to run the organizational programs on their behalf; the employees are the junior staff and sources of labor to handle the organizational operations as scheduled by the management (Gaspar 19). Through the human resources management department, employees are assigned duties that must be monitored to affirm that the employees are working in accordance with the terms and conditions that they accepted during the recruitment process (Kamoche 40). In order for a strategy to be implemented in an organization, the human resources management department must be involved being the management consultants employed by the executive leadership of the organization to hire, monitor employee performance and keep the best workforce and fire the unproductive workforce leaving the employees who would work towards the accomplishment of organizational objectives (Price 44). The mandate of the human resources management is to ensure that the organization is operational meaning that the set return goals and objectives are met with adequate investment returns (Armstrong 06). However, according to the requirements of an organization, the human resource management should be well vast with company laws and regulations in order to implement the same on the employees and reduce cases of unnecessary claims hence shaping the whole organization towards the management process (Price 85). Any organization does not only benefit the employees and workers; the community and society are also able to

Management insight Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Management insight - Research Paper Example This brand is mainly sold in the UK. Blue Charge: this is an energy drink produced in the United Kingdom. It competes with products such as Powerade and Red Bull. It is mainly used as an alcohol mixer by the students and British youth culture. The name of the manager: Gerald Penser The title of the manager: Chief Executive Officer Challenges facing the Gerald Penser as the CEO of Cott One of the biggest challenges that face Gerald is ensuring that the company remains relevant in the soft drink industry, which is dominated by very strong competitors such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola companies. This is quoted as follows â€Å"Gerald Pencer, a Canadian entrepreneur who came up with a new strategy for competing against these powerful differentiators.† (Gareth and Jennifer 263). Penser has a reason to fear his competitors because they can use their enormous budgets to bring Cott on its own knees. This is quoted as follows â€Å"Indeed, in 2010 both these companies announced a plan to bu y back their bottlers at a cost of billions of dollars†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Gareth and Jennifer 263). Reasons why pencer is facing these challenges The fact that Coca-cola and Pepsi are house hold names throughout the world, and since their brands are strongly entrenched in the minds of many customers means that Penser and his team have a very challenging task of devising unique strategies. Although Cott is its own bottler, which helps them pursue a low-cost strategy, Penser is still presented with a lot of challenges because his competitors can make some slight moves rendering their competitive strategy irrelevant. For example, both Coca-cola and Pepsi announced to buy back their bottlers in 2010, a move that can endanger Cott’s competitiveness. The most relevant managerial task In order to counter the strong competition from Coca-cola and Pepsi, Penser has undertaken a well calculated strategic decision. This strategy is aimed at producing â€Å"a high-quality, low-priced cola, manufactured and bottled by the Cott Corporation†¦but to sell it as the private-label house brand of major retail stores such as Walmart and supermarket chains such as Kroger’s, thus bypassing the bottlers† (Gareth and Jennifer 263). Through this strategy, Penser will ensure that the products of Cott corporation are bought because of they are low price; therefore, the company will still survive in the industry that is dominated by two companies with huge budgets. This strategy will make it possible for Cott to sell its products at low prices because they do not need to spend much on advertisements, since such a role is played by the retailers. Since Cott’s competitors have a presence at every corner of the world, Pencer ensures that his low-cost strategy is implemented in other countries beginning with the most strategic ones such as the United States. The theory or concept in the chapter The issues discussed in this chapter can be described by Michael porte r’s theory of competitive advantage. In this theory, strategies that are used by businesses to maintain their competitive advantage are explained. These strategies can be classified into three categories including market segmentation, differentiation, and cost leaders. The firms with high market share such as coca-cola and Pepsi are highly profitable, but those with small market share can play their cards well and make huge profits, as well. According to porter, firms with high m

Reflection on Pregnancy and Childbirth

Reflection on Pregnancy and Childbirth Explain Why the Critical Factors Influencing the Course of Pregnancy Including Several Dimensions such as Social, Biological and Psychological Factors The period in the uterus before conception is a standout amongst the most pivotal stages in an individual lifes compass. Throughout the normal 280 day period, organic establishments are made that will impact a great part of the person’s developmental potential over his or her lifetime. Guaranteeing a great starting for a youngster is basic throughout this period of human advancement. Fables about pregnancy empowered the conviction that very nearly everything a pregnant lady would eventually influence the creating kid. Physical absconds in an infant were accepted to be brought about by maternal encounters. Case in point: pigmentations were thought to come about because of the mother spilling wine or consuming an excess of strawberries throughout pregnancy. It was accepted that if a pregnant lady read a considerable measure of established writing, the kid would have solid abstract propensities. these illustration represents the conviction that arbitrary occasions could for all time impact the unborn kid, which put lost blame upon the mother if something happened throughout pregnancy (Ventura, et al 2011). Explain Why Prenatal Care Includes Planning For The Pregnancy Before Conception And Describe Aspects To Be Considered In This Planning Process. Before advanced medication, numerous moms and their children did not survive pregnancy and labour. Today, great pre-birth forethought can altogether enhance the nature of the pregnancy and the result for the child and mother (Forray, et al 2010). Great pre-birth forethought incorporates: Great sustenance and wellbeing propensities before and throughout pregnancy Successive pre-birth exams Routine ultrasounds to locate issues with the child Routine screening for: Pulse issues Blood classification issues (Rh and ABO) Diabetes Hereditary issue Invulnerability to German measles (rubella) Sexually transmitted contaminations Urine protein Ladies who plan to proceed with a pregnancy to term need to pick a social insurance supplier who will give pre-birth consideration, conveyance, and baby blues administrations. Family human services suppliers or maternity specialists can help you in the event that you have an ordinary pregnancy and conveyance. Anyway if there is an issue, your specialist will elude you to a master (Athukorala, et al 2010). The objectives of pre-birth forethought are to: Screen both the mother and child all through the pregnancy Search for changes that may prompt a high-hazard pregnancy Clarify nourishing necessities throughout and after pregnancy Clarify movement suggestions or limitations Examine normal pregnancy grumblings, for example, morning ailment, spinal pains, leg ache, incessant pee, blockage, and acid reflux and how to oversee them, ideally without prescriptions Offer backing to the pregnant lady and her gang Describe the current trends in childbirth management and why they have signifiÂÂ ­cantly reduced birth trauma, as well as infant and mother mortality. The support of maternal self-consideration, including the usage of satisfactory sustenance, activity, stress administration, and shirking f medications will have a positive result the diminishment of the case of conception trauma. The utilization of conception office that the mother is agreeable with and planning conception arrangement will comfort the mother. Safe parenthood starts before origination with great sustenance and a sound lifestyle. It proceeds with proper pre-birth mind and forestalling issues on the off chance that they emerge. The perfect result is a full-term pregnancy without unnecessary intercessions, the conveyance of a sound infant, and a solid baby blues period in a positive environment that backing the physical and passionate needs of the mother, child, and gang. Pregnancy and labour have an enormous effect on the physical, mental, passionate, and socioeconomic strength of ladies and their families. Pregnancy-related wellbeing results are affected by a ladys wellbeing and different components like race, ethnicity, age, and salary (Forray, et al 2010). Explain some of the contributing factors as to why some mother do not access medical support during prenatal and perinatal care Unintended pregnancy blocks assumption guiding, and predisposition mind, and deferrals start of pre-birth mind. In unintended pregnancies, pre-birth consideration is start later, and is less sufficient. This unfavourably influences wellbeing of lady and of tyke, and the lady is less planning for parenthood. Delay from unintended pregnancy is notwithstanding that from other danger components for deferral. Ladies with fewer than 12 years of training are at high danger of underutilizing or needing access to satisfactory pre-birth forethought administrations. Generally, Black and Hispanic pregnant ladies have fewer years of formal instruction, which starts a domino impact of outcomes identified with pre-birth mind. An absence of formal training brings about less learning about pregnancy proper pre-birth human services all in all, fewer openings for work, and an easier level of wage all through their grown-up life (Ventura, et al 2011). Explain The Emotional Consideration Accompanying Pregnancy And Childbirth Bringing an infant into the world could be a passionate thrill ride. Throughout the nine months of pregnancy, sentiments can wax and fade between fervour, happiness, apprehension, and dissatisfaction. At last, for most ladies it is a superb or in any event, a remunerating, knowledge. Notwithstanding, how youll feel throughout pregnancy is one and only part of deduction things through precisely before getting pregnant. The choice to bring a kid into the world is one that requires deliberately attention, with the full aim to recognize all the obligations that this accompanies(Athukorala, et al 2010). Describe The Effect Of Public Awareness Regarding Postpartum Depression And Sudden Infant Death Syndrome And How These Issues Are Currently Addressed? Anticipation endeavours are pointed atevaluating ladies for danger elements and interceding right on time to diminish the risk of PPD and other negative wellbeing conclusions. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) prescribes screening for IPV as a component of routine forethought, and ACOGs Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women issued an announcement in 2006 underwriting screening of IPV as a major aspect of exhaustive pre-birth mind in light of the high predominance and unfavourable wellbeing conclusions of roughness. The ACOG additionally proposes the utilization of accepted screening devices for PPD in perinatal human services visits, and the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) prescribes widespread screening of PPD after conveyance (Forray, et al 2010). References Athukorala, C., Rumbold, A. R., Willson, K. J., Crowther, C. A. (2010).The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women who are overweight or obese.BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 10(1), 56. Retrieved: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/10/56/ Forray, A., Focseneanu, M., Pittman, B., McDougle, C. J., Epperson, C. N. (2010).Onset and exacerbation of obsessive-compulsive disorder in pregnancy and the postpartum period.The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 71(8), 1061-1068. Retrieved: http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/20492843 Ventura, S. J., Mathews, T. J., Hamilton, B. E., Sutton, P. D., Abma, J. C. (2011). Adolescent pregnancy and childbirth—United States, 1991–2008. CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report—United States, 2011, 60, 105. Retrieved: http://www.naddssw.org/pages/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/MMWR-health-disparities-Report-2011.pdf#page=107

Chicagos Negro :: Free Essays Online

Chicago's Negro When studying urban living spaces, one question that always comes to mind is how a particular urban space or neighborhood came into existence. I have grown up on the South Side of Chicago for the past 19 years in a community known as Pill Hill. My neighborhood, a middle-class Chicago neighborhood, came to gain its name because of all the doctors and health-care professionals who resided in the neighborhood in the 1960’s. In addition, I have also had the opportunity to live outside of the city in a northern suburb known as Highland Park: Along the lakefront of Chicago are some of the most affluent communities in the United States. In both median household income and per capita income, Northbrook, Highland Park, and Wilmette and among the nation’s ten wealthiest communities with a population of about 25,000 or more. There are other salient characteristics of these three communities: they are virtually all white and they have virtually no subsidized housing. (Squires 117) The rigors and din of the city are all but removed from life in Highland Park. Nevertheless, Highland Park, IL has faced its own share of trouble in the past decade for the discrimination that the corrupt local government has plagued minorities with. The living conditions in Highland Park are drastically different from those of the South Side of Chicago in that the average property value of a home in the year 2000 was $662,755 while the average home in Pill Hill sold for $180,323. (Citizens United for Justice) Nevertheless, Highland Park is just a single example of Chicago’s many affluent northern suburbs that developed in the 1850’s. Growing up in the city my entire life and having lived in different socio-economic conditions, I have grown immune to the extraordinary degree of racial segregation present in Chicago. As an African American, I have always felt comfortable living on the South Side of Chicago and not until I had the opportunity to live in both Highland Park and a neighboring suburb, Lake Forest, did I truly know what it felt like to be a minority. Nevertheless, this was not always the case for most blacks. From the early 1900’s, blacks resided on the South Side of Chicago, not by choice, but because of strict discriminatory housing laws that forbade the sale of homes in certain areas to blacks.

Political Philosophy and Plato Essay

Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, he is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of later classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon, and the plays of his contemporary Aristophanes. Many would claim that Plato’s dialogues are the most comprehensive accounts of Socrates to survive from antiquity. Through his portrayal in Plato’s dialogues, Socrates has become renowned for his contribution to the field of ethics, and it is this Platonic Socrates who also lends his name to the concepts of Socratic irony and the Socratic method, or elenchus. The latter remains a commonly used tool in a wide range of discussions, and is a type of pedagogy in which a series of questions are asked not only to draw individual answers, but also to encourage fundamental insight into the issue at hand. It is Plato’s Socrates that also made important and lasting contributions to the fields of epistemology and logic, and the influence of his ideas and approach remains strong in providing a foundation for much western philosophy that followed. As one recent commentator has put it, Plato, the idealist, offers â€Å"an idol, a master figure, for philosophy. A Saint, a prophet of the ‘Sun-God’, a teacher condemned for his teachings as a heretic. † Yet, the ‘real’ Socrates, like many of the other ancient philosophers, remains, at best, enigmatic and, at worst, unknown. Perhaps his most important contribution to Western thought is his dialectic method of inquiry, known as the Socratic method or method of â€Å"elenchus†, which he largely applied to the examination of key moral concepts such as the Good and Justice. It was first described by Plato in the Socratic Dialogues. To solve a problem, it would be broken down into a series of questions, the answers to which gradually distill the answer a person would seek. The influence of this approach is most strongly felt today in the use of the scientific method, in which hypothesis is the first stage. The development and practice of this method is one of Socrates’ most enduring contributions, and is a key factor in earning his mantle as the father of political philosophy, ethics or moral philosophy, and as a figurehead of all the central themes in Western philosophy. To illustrate the use of the Socratic method; a series of questions are posed to help a person or group to determine their underlying beliefs and the extent of their knowledge. The Socratic method is a negative method of hypothesis elimination, in that better hypotheses are found by steadily identifying and eliminating those that lead to contradictions. It was designed to force one to examine one’s own beliefs and the validity of such beliefs. In fact, Socrates once said, â€Å"I know you won’t believe me, but the highest form of Human Excellence is to question oneself and others. † Philosophical beliefs The beliefs of Socrates, as distinct from those of Plato, are difficult to discern. Little in the way of concrete evidence exists to demarcate the two. The lengthy theories given in most of the dialogues are those of Plato, and some scholars think Plato so adapted the Socratic style as to make the literary character and the philosopher himself impossible to distinguish. Others argue that he did have his own theories and beliefs, but there is much controversy over what these might have been, owing to the difficulty of separating Socrates from Plato and the difficulty of interpreting even the dramatic writings concerning Socrates. Consequently, distinguishing the philosophical beliefs of Socrates from those of Plato and Xenophon is not easy and it must be remembered that what is attributed to Socrates might more closely reflect the specific concerns of these thinkers. The matter is complicated because the historical Socrates seems to have been notorious for asking questions but not answering, claiming to lack wisdom concerning the subjects about which he questioned others. Socratic Paradoxes Many of the beliefs traditionally attributed to the historical Socrates have been characterized as â€Å"paradoxal† because they seem to conflict with common sense. The following are among the so-called Socratic Paradoxes. †¢No one desires evil. †¢No one errs or does wrong willingly or knowingly. †¢Virtue—all virtue—is knowledge. †¢Virtue is sufficient for happiness. The phrase Socratic paradox can also refer to a self-referential paradox, originating in Socrates’ phrase, â€Å"I know that I know nothing noble and good†. Knowledge One of the best known sayings of Socrates is â€Å"I only know that I know nothing†. The conventional interpretation of this remark is that Socrates’ wisdom was limited to an awareness of his own ignorance. Socrates believed wrongdoing was a consequence of ignorance and those who did wrong knew no better. The one thing Socrates consistently claimed to have knowledge of was â€Å"the art of love†, which he connected with the concept of â€Å"the love of wisdom†, i. e. , philosophy. He never actually claimed to be wise, only to understand the path a lover of wisdom must take in pursuing it. It is debatable whether Socrates believed humans (as opposed to gods like Apollo) could actually become wise. On the one hand, he drew a clear line between human ignorance and ideal knowledge; on the other, Plato’s Symposium (Diotima’s Speech) and Republic (Allegory of the Cave) describe a method for ascending to wisdom. In Plato’s Theaetetus (150a), Socrates compares himself to a true matchmaker (promnestikos), as distinguished from a panderer ( proagogos). This distinction is echoed in Xenophon’s Symposium (3. 20), when Socrates jokes about his certainty of being able to make a fortune, if he chose to practice the art of pandering. For his part as a philosophical interlocutor, he leads his respondent to a clearer conception of wisdom, although he claims he is not himself a teacher (Apology). His role, he claims, is more properly to be understood as analogous to a midwife ( ? ? maia). Socrates explains that he is himself barren of theories, but knows how to bring the theories of others to birth and determine whether they are worthy or mere â€Å"wind eggs† ( ? ? anemiaion). Perhaps significantly, he points out that midwives are barren due to age, and women who have never given birth are unable to become midwives; they would have no experience or knowledge of birth and would be unable to separate the worthy infants from those that should be left on the hillside to be exposed. To judge this, the midwife must have experience and knowledge of what she is judging. Virtue Bust of Socrates in the Palermo Archaeological Museum. Socrates believed the best way for people to live was to focus on self-development rather than the pursuit of material wealth. He always invited others to try to concentrate more on friendships and a sense of true community, for Socrates felt this was the best way for people to grow together as a populace. His actions lived up to this: in the end, Socrates accepted his death sentence when most thought he would simply leave Athens, as he felt he could not run away from or go against the will of his community; as mentioned above, his reputation for valor on the battlefield was without reproach. The idea that humans possessed certain virtues formed a common thread in Socrates’ teachings. These virtues represented the most important qualities for a person to have, foremost of which were the philosophical or intellectual virtues. Socrates stressed that â€Å"virtue was the most valuable of all possessions; the ideal life was spent in search of the Good. Truth lies beneath the shadows of existence, and it is the job of the philosopher to show the rest how little they really know. Politics It is often argued that Socrates believed â€Å"ideals belong in a world only the wise man can understand†, making the philosopher the only type of person suitable to govern others. In Plato’s dialogue the Republic, Socrates was in no way subtle about his particular beliefs on government. He openly objected to the democracy that ran Athens during his adult life. It was not only Athenian democracy: Socrates objected to any form of government that did not conform to his ideal of a perfect republic led by philosophers, and Athenian government was far from that. It is, however, possible that the Socrates of Plato’s Republic is colored by Plato’s own views. During the last years of Socrates’ life, Athens was in continual flux due to political upheaval. Democracy was at last overthrown by a junta known as the Thirty Tyrants, led by Plato’s relative, Critias, who had been a student of Socrates. The Tyrants ruled for about a year before the Athenian democracy was reinstated, at which point it declared an amnesty for all recent events. Socrates’ opposition to democracy is often denied, and the question is one of the biggest philosophical debates when trying to determine exactly what Socrates believed. The strongest argument of those who claim Socrates did not actually believe in the idea of philosopher kings is that the view is expressed no earlier than Plato’s Republic, which is widely considered one of Plato’s â€Å"Middle† dialogues and not representative of the historical Socrates’ views. Furthermore, according to Plato’s Apology of Socrates, an â€Å"early† dialogue, Socrates refused to pursue conventional politics; he often stated he could not look into other’s matters or tell people how to live their lives when he did not yet understand how to live his own. He believed he was a philosopher engaged in the pursuit of Truth, and did not claim to know it fully. Socrates’ acceptance of his death sentence, after his conviction by the Boule (Senate), can also be seen to support this view. It is often claimed much of the anti-democratic leanings are from Plato, who was never able to overcome his disgust at what was done to his teacher. In any case, it is clear Socrates thought the rule of the Thirty Tyrants was at least as objectionable as Democracy; when called before them to assist in the arrest of a fellow Athenian, Socrates refused and narrowly escaped death before the Tyrants were overthrown. He did however fulfill his duty to serve as Prytanis when a trial of a group of Generals who presided over a disastrous naval campaign were judged; even then he maintained an uncompromising attitude, being one of those who refused to proceed in a manner not supported by the laws, despite intense pressure. Judging by his actions, he considered the rule of the Thirty Tyrants less legitimate than the Democratic Senate that sentenced him to death. Contributions of Socrates One: Awakened thinkers to the need to examine and reexamine their political, moral, and philosophical views in order to discover and root out errors and misconceptions that impede progress. Socrates accomplished this task by demonstrating, through cross-examination of people he encountered, that many accepted precepts, conventions, and beliefs were based on faulty logic or outright errors. A quotation attributed to him states: â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living. † In other words, a human being must not be complacent and self-satisfied; instead, he must be ever probing, exploring, and reconnoitering his soul in order to discover ways to improve. Two: Effectively rebutted a central tenet of the Sophists, traveling teachers who charged fees for educating young men. This tenet maintained that the guiding principles of a society, such as justice and truth, were relative concepts–that is, they changed according to the needs of men in a particular time and place. What was considered right and just in Athens was not necessarily right and just in another society, the Sophists maintained. One man’s virtue could be another man’s vice. Three: Pioneered the use of inductive reasoning to draw logical conclusions. According to Aristotle, Socrates founded the â€Å"scientific method. † Four: Demonstrated that wrongdoing results from ignorance. If a man lies, Socrates might have said, he does so because he does not understand the benefits of telling the truth. Five: Inspired philosophers in his own time and in later times to pursue the truth through rigorous analysis of available, facts, opinions, and so on. Two of the most important philosophers in the history of the world, Plato and Aristotle, both esteemed Socrates as a supreme thinker and infused their philosophical systems with Socratic thought. Plato was a pupil of Socrates, and Aristotle was a pupil of Plato. Six: Showed the world the meaning of integrity and moral commitment by accepting a death sentence rather than recanting his principles. Seven: Made clear that a human being is more than his appearance. Socrates was ugly, wore old clothes, and walked barefooted through the streets of Athens. But his mind and the words he spoke were beautiful. The trial of Socrates The Trial of Socrates refers to the trial and the subsequent execution of the classical Athenian philosopher Socrates in 399 BC. Socrates was tried on the basis of two notoriously ambiguous charges: corrupting the youth and impiety. More specifically, Socrates’ accusers cited two â€Å"impious† acts: â€Å"failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges† and â€Å"introducing new deities. † A majority of the 501 dikasts (Athenian citizens chosen by lot to serve as jurors) voted to convict him. Consistent with common practice, the dikasts determined Socrates’ punishment with another vote. Socrates was ultimately sentenced to death by drinking a hemlock-based liquid. The accuser Meletus swore before the Archon, a state office-holder with primarily religious duties. Having decided that there was a case to answer, the Archon summoned Socrates to appear before a jury of Athenian citizens, to answer charges of corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety. Athenian juries were drawn by lottery from a group of male citizen volunteers. Unlike trials in many modern societies, majority verdicts were the rule rather than the exception. Neither Plato nor Xenophon mentions the number of Socrates’ judges, though Plato’s Apology 35a-b does suggest some definite boundaries: that if just thirty of the votes had been otherwise then he would have been acquitted, and that (perhaps) less than three fifths voted against him After the vote on Socrates’ guilt, Socrates and his prosecutor suggested alternative sentences. Socrates, after expressing his surprise of the little amount he needed to be have been found innocent, jokingly suggested free meals at the Prytaneum, a particular honor held for city benefactors and winners at the Olympic Games, then offered to pay a fine of 100 drachmae, which was a fifth of his property and a testament to Socrates’ poverty. Finally he settled on the sum of 3000 drachmae, put forward by Plato, Crito, Critobulus, and Apollodorus, who guaranteed the payment. His prosecutor proposed the death penalty. The jury voted for death as the penalty – the larger majority showing (Diogenes Laertius 2. 42). Perhaps Socrates had lost support by his slighting and unapologetic tone. Socrates’s followers encouraged him to flee, and citizens expected him to do so and were probably not averse to it; but he refused on principle. Apparently in accordance with his philosophy of obedience to law, he carried out his own execution, by drinking the hemlock provided to him. Socrates died at the age of 70. Most scholars see the conviction and execution of Socrates as a deliberate choice made by the famous philosopher himself. If the accounts of Plato and Xenophon are reasonably accurate, Socrates sought not to persuade jurors, but rather to lecture and provoke them. The trial and execution of Socrates produced the first martyr for free speech. PLATO Plato 428/427 BC – 348/347 BC), was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the foundations of Western philosophy and science. In the famous words of A. N. Whitehead: The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato. I do not mean the systematic scheme of thought which scholars have doubtfully extracted from his writings. I allude to the wealth of general ideas scattered through them. Plato’s sophistication as a writer is evident in his Socratic dialogues; thirty-six dialogues and thirteen letters have been ascribed to him. Plato’s writings have been published in several fashions; this has led to several conventions regarding the naming and referencing of Plato’s texts. Plato’s dialogues have been used to teach a range of subjects, including philosophy, logic, ethics, rhetoric, and mathematics Plato’s philosophical views had many societal implications, especially on the idea of an ideal state or government. There is some discrepancy between his early and later views. Some of the most famous doctrines are contained in the Republic during his middle period, as well as in the Laws and the Statesman. However, because Plato wrote dialogues, it is assumed that Socrates is often speaking for Plato. This assumption may not be true in all cases. Plato, through the words of Socrates, asserts that societies have a tripartite class structure corresponding to the appetite/spirit/reason structure of the individual soul. The appetite/spirit/reason stand for different parts of the body. The body parts symbolize the castes of society †¢Productive, which represents the abdomen. (Workers) — the labourers, carpenters, plumbers, masons, merchants, farmers, ranchers, etc. These correspond to the â€Å"appetite† part of the soul. †¢Protective, which represents the chest. (Warriors or Guardians) — those who are adventurous, strong and brave; in the armed forces. These correspond to the â€Å"spirit† part of the soul. †¢ †¢ †¢Governing, which represents the head. (Rulers or Philosopher Kings) — those who are intelligent, rational, self-controlled, in love with wisdom, well suited to make decisions for the community. These correspond to the â€Å"reason† part of the soul and are very few. According to this model, the principles of Athenian democracy (as it existed in his day) are rejected as only a few are fit to rule. Instead of rhetoric and persuasion, Plato says reason and wisdom should govern. As Plato puts it: â€Å"Until philosophers rule as kings or those who are now called kings and leading men genuinely and adequately philosophise, that is, until political power and philosophy entirely coincide, while the many natures who at present pursue either one exclusively are forcibly prevented from doing so, cities will have no rest from evils,†¦ nor, I think, will the human race. † (Republic 473c-d) Plato describes these â€Å"philosopher kings† as â€Å"those who love the sight of truth† (Republic 475c) and supports the idea with the analogy of a captain and his ship or a doctor and his medicine. According to him, sailing and health are not things that everyone is qualified to practice by nature. A large part of the Republic then addresses how the educational system should be set up to produce these philosopher kings. However, it must be taken into account that the ideal city outlined in the Republic is qualified by Socrates as the ideal luxurious city, examined to determine how it is that injustice and justice grow in a city (Republic 372e). According to Socrates, the â€Å"true† and â€Å"healthy† city is instead the one first outlined in book II of the Republic, 369c–372d, containing farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and wage-earners, but lacking the guardian class of philosopher-kings as well as delicacies such as â€Å"perfumed oils, incense, prostitutes, and pastries†, in addition to paintings, gold, ivory, couches, a multitude of occupations such as poets and hunters, and war. In addition, the ideal city is used as an image to illuminate the state of one’s soul, or the will, reason, and desires combined in the human body. Socrates is attempting to make an image of a rightly ordered human, and then later goes on to describe the different kinds of humans that can be observed, from tyrants to lovers of money in various kinds of cities. The ideal city is not promoted, but only used to magnify the different kinds of individual humans and the state of their soul. However, the philosopher king image was used by many after Plato to justify their personal political beliefs. The philosophic soul according to Socrates has reason, will, and desires united in virtuous harmony. A philosopher has the moderate love for wisdom and the courage to act according to wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge about the Good or the right relations between all that exists. Wherein it concerns states and rulers, Plato has made interesting arguments. For instance he asks which is better—a bad democracy or a country reigned by a tyrant. He argues that it is better to be ruled by a bad tyrant, than be a bad democracy (since here all the people are now responsible for such actions, rather than one individual committing many bad deeds. ) This is emphasised within the Republic as Plato describes the event of mutiny onboard a ship. Plato suggests the ships crew to be in line with the democratic rule of many and the captain, although inhibited through ailments, the tyrant. Plato’s description of this event is parallel to that of democracy within the state and the inherent problems that arise. According to Plato, a state made up of different kinds of souls will, overall, decline from an aristocracy (rule by the best) to a timocracy (rule by the honorable), then to an oligarchy (rule by the few), then to a democracy (rule by the people), and finally to tyranny (rule by one person, rule by a tyrant). Plato went on to study with Socrates. He learned to reason and debate through Socrates. Plato was very close to him, and when he watched Socrates’ trial and murder in 399 BC, it disillusioned him greatly. He no longer trusted the government of Greece; so he decided to open a school in Athens instead of going into politics like everyone in his family had. Plato’s school for philosophers was started so that he could train those who would some day be his leaders of cities. His most famous student was Aristotle who later tutored Alexander the Great. Plato promoted ideas that would eventually effect even Thomas Aquinas who changed Catholic Doctrine to make it conform to the works of Aristotle. Plato’s ideas have greatly influenced the thinking of modern governments such as in the founding of the American system. For example, Plato stated, â€Å"Unless philosophers bear kingly rule in cities or those who are now called kings and princes become genuine and adequate philosophers, and political power and philosophy are brought together . . . there will be no respite from evil for cities. † – Plato and â€Å"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men. † From these first democratic societies of the Greeks, Plato’s teaching has not neccesarily been proven over time. The political philosopher, Hilter, for example, was democratically elected by an intelligent populace who were very concerned with public affairs. Plato’s thoughts about perceptions of reality are still of interest today. One allegory went something like this: Suppose a few men were captured when they were born, and made to live in a cave. They are chained by their neck and feet so that they cannot move at all. The men are facing a wall of stone. Behind them burns a fire. In front of that is a wall along which their captors walk with puppets in their hands. The only truth they know is that of what shadows look like and muffled sound echoing throughout the hall. They know not what a true boat looks like, just the shadow of a boat. They make words for the objects they see. One day one of the men breaks free and gets out of the cave into the world. He sees the fire and the puppets and knows that all he has known all his life was just a piece of all he knew. He got to the outdoors and was blinded by the sun. He had to re-learn what the world really was like. He learned what true boats looked like and found that they were not at all like their shadows. He decided that his friends in the cave should also know that what they saw was not real, but was just an image cast from a wavering fire. When he went down and told them, they laughed at him and told him he was wrong. They said ‘Look! Can you not see the wall? That on the wall is a boat. ’ He persisted in his story of the light, and they eventually killed him. This great analogy can apply to what we know about heavens. As it is written in 1 Corinthians 13:12, â€Å"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. † Plato sensed that there was a reality apart from his perception as many had sensed before him. The wisest man that ever lived, Solomon, acknowledged in Ecclesiastes 1 that â€Å"there is nothing new under the sun†. Indeed, centuries before Plato, it was recorded in Job 12:22, â€Å"He [God] reveals mysteries from the darkness and brings the deep darkness into light. â€Å" The mysterious shadows of life can only be brought to the light of understanding by God as explained by the Apostle in John 1:5 â€Å"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. † And they killed what they didn’t understand as they were afraid of the reality of their sins and crucified the Light. Plato knew of this human fear factor, â€Å"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. † –Plato Although Plato died in 347 BC, but his teaching continues to influence governments systems and even doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Most philosophers from antiquity up to today have stood on Plato’s broad shoulders attempting to use what he offered and see beyond the cave’s shadows. ARISTOTLE Aristotle (b. 384 – d. 322 BCE), was a Greek philosopher, logician, and scientist. Along with his teacher Plato, Aristotle is generally regarded as one of the most influential ancient thinkers in a number of philosophical fields, including political theory. Aristotle was born in Stagira in northern Greece, and his father was a court physician to the king of Macedon. As a young man he studied in Plato’s Academy in Athens. After Plato’s death he left Athens to conduct philosophical and biological research in Asia Minor and Lesbos, and he was then invited by King Philip II of Macedon to tutor his young son, Alexander the Great. Soon after Alexander succeeded his father, consolidated the conquest of the Greek city-states, and launched the invasion of the Persian Empire. Aristotle returned as a resident alien to Athens, and was a close friend of Antipater, the Macedonian viceroy. At this time (335–323 BCE) he wrote, or at least worked on, some of his major treatises, including the Politics. When Alexander died suddenly, Aristotle had to flee from Athens because of his Macedonian connections, and he died soon after. Aristotle’s life seems to have influenced his political thought in various ways: his interest in biology seems to be expressed in the naturalism of his politics; his interest in comparative politics and his sympathies for democracy as well as monarchy may have been encouraged by his travels and experience of diverse political systems; he criticizes harshly, while borrowing extensively, from Plato’s Republic, Statesman, and Laws; and his own Politics is intended to guide rulers and statesmen, reflecting the high political circles in which he moved. Political Science in General The modern word ‘political’ derives from the Greek politikos, ‘of, or pertaining to, the polis’. (The Greek term polis will be translated here as ‘city-state’. It is also translated as ‘city’ or ‘polis’, or simply anglicized as ‘polis’. City-states like Athens and Sparta were relatively small and cohesive units, in which political, religious, and cultural concerns were intertwined. The extent of their similarity to modern nation-states is controversial. ) Aristotle’s word for ‘politics’ is politike, which is short for politike episteme or ‘political science’. It belongs to one of the three main branches of science, which Aristotle distinguishes by their ends or objects. Contemplative science (including physics and metaphysics) is concerned with truth or knowledge for its own sake; practical science with good action; and productive science with making useful or beautiful. Politics is a practical science, since it is concerned with the noble action or happiness of the citizens (although it resembles a productive science in that it seeks to create, preserve, and reform political systems). Aristotle thus understands politics as a normative or prescriptive discipline rather than as a purely empirical or descriptive inquiry. In the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle describes his subject matter as political science, which he characterizes as the most authoritative science. It prescribes which sciences are to be studied in the city-state, and the others — such as military science, household management, and rhetoric — fall under its authority. Since it governs the other practical sciences, their ends serve as means to its end, which is nothing less than the human good. â€Å"Even if the end is the same for an individual and for a city-state, that of the city-state seems at any rate greater and more complete to attain and preserve. For although it is worthy to attain it for only an individual, it is nobler and more divine to do so for a nation or city-state† (EN I. 2. 1094b7-10). Aristotle’s political science encompasses the two fields which modern philosophers distinguish as ethics and political philosophy. Political philosophy in the narrow sense is roughly speaking the subject of his treatise called the Politics. For a further discussion of this topic, see the following supplementary document: 2. Aristotle’s View of Politics Political science studies the tasks of the politician or statesman (politikos), in much the way that medical science concerns the work of the physician (see Politics IV. 1). It is, in fact, the body of knowledge that such practitioners, if truly expert, will also wield in pursuing their tasks. The most important task for the politician is, in the role of lawgiver, to frame the appropriate constitution for the city-state. This involves enduring laws, customs, and institutions (including a system of moral education) for the citizens. Once the constitution is in place, the politician needs to take the appropriate measures to maintain it, to introduce reforms when he finds them necessary, and to prevent developments which might subvert the political system. This is the province of legislative science, which Aristotle regards as more important than politics as exercised in everyday political activity such as the passing of decrees. Aristotle frequently compares the politician to a craftsman. The analogy is imprecise because politics, in the strict sense of legislative science, is a form of practical knowledge, while a craft like architecture or medicine is a form of productive knowledge. However, the comparison is valid to the extent that the politician produces, operates, maintains a legal system according to universal principles (EN VI. 8 and X. 9). In order to appreciate this analogy it is helpful to observe that Aristotle explains the production of an artifact in terms of four causes: the material, formal, efficient, and final causes (Phys. II. 3 and Met. A. 2). For example, clay (material cause) is molded into a vase shape (formal cause) by a potter (efficient or moving cause) so that it can contain liquid (final cause). One can also explain the existence of the city-state in terms of the four causes. It is a kind of community, that is, a collection of parts having some functions and interests in common. Hence, it is made up of parts, which Aristotle describes in various.

A Model of Christian Charity Essay

In 1630, John Winthrop led a fleet of 17 ships and a thousand puritans from England to the Massachusetts Bay. With a new place to call home, John Winthrop and the puritans hoped for a fresh start in the new world. The main reason for this new beginning was due to the fact that they had broken apart from England’s Church and had declared to start their own church. They believed that starting a new church was ordained by God and that the Massachusetts Bay area was given to them by God in order to start the Church. With a plan to start a new Church, John Winthrop created, â€Å"A Model of Christian Charity† to help set guidelines. These guidelines were a mix of logic and Biblical teachings that would be used to help start the new Church. Without these guidelines the new Church surely would have not been very successful. Winthrop was essential to the foundation of the new Church, and without him, the Church would have surely failed. John Winthrop’s writing gives a foundation in which the puritans can build the Church. A main point that John Winthrop wrote is that Christians need to start serving the Lord with all of their heart and try to increase the body of Christ. Increasing the body of Christ meaning that the puritans would influence others to trust in Christ and grow the population of Christ followers. The body of Christ means the community of those who follow Christ, and the doctrine that Winthrop wrote told the puritans that they need to profess themselves as followers of Christ. They need to be able to show others the Christ in them. Winthrop says that Christians are bound together by the love of Christ, and that love is unbreakable. Another main point that Winthrop mentions is that they need to go against the crowd, the crowd meaning the English Church. Since the puritans are breaking away from the English Church, then it would be wrong to copy the English Church. That would be too easy, instead they need to do what they feel is right and go against the English Church entirely. These main points of Winthrop’s covenant were vital to the foundation of the new Church. At the end of his covenant, Winthrop discusses what will happen if the puritans were to break the covenant. If the puritans were to break the  covenant then the Lord will strike them down for not keeping the covenant. Winthrop explains that Massachusetts would be a city on a hill in which people would admire and look up to. Not one that breaks the covenant and disobeys God, rather one that praises him. The puritans need to be a beacon of light to the world and show others the way to Christ. After the puritans had landed in Massachusetts, they began the new Church and succeeded in doing so. Later in history, people use Winthrop’s ideas to say that God had chosen the United States as a beacon of democracy and freedom for others to follow, just like people followed the puritans.

Jfk Assassination Essays - Single-bullet Theory, Warren Commission

Jfk Assassination Essays - Single-bullet Theory, Warren Commission Jfk Assassination Conspiracy or Single-gunman? Adolf Hitler, the Nazi dictator of Germany during World War II, once said, The bigger the lie, the more people will believe it. Although this may sound absurd, we can see many examples of this in the world's history. One example would have to be the John Fitzgerald Kennedy assassination. For over thirty years the people of the United States were led to believe that a single gunman had shot and killed Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963, at 12:30 p.m... However, in this paper, I will dispute the ancient analization of the facts that show a single gunman was involved, and try to show that a conspiracy must have taken place. According to the old facts regarding the case of the JFK assassination, Kennedy was killed by a single gunman. On November 22, 1963, at 12:30 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time), Kennedy was riding in an open limousine through Dallas, Texas. At this time, Kennedy was shot in the head and neck by a sniper. He was then taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Later, police arrested Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, at a nearby theater. By the next morning, Oswald was booked for the murder of President John F. Kennedy. Two days later, Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, while he was being moved from the city to the county jail. At a glance, the above story sounds as if this should be an open-and-shut case. After all, according to the facts above, Oswald must have killed Kennedy. However, you must take a deeper look into this case. Many people who witnessed the murder of John F. Kennedy dispute the facts above, saying that they heard shots from places besides the book depository, and other things that may contradict what is stated above. One of these witnesses, Abraham Zapruder, captured the entire assassination on his Bell and Howell video camera. This movie, cleverly called the Zapruder Film, is the single best piece of visual evidence in this case. In order to more clearly understand the Zapruder Film, it is necessary to break it down into frames. The particular Bell and Howell movie camera that Zapruder was using ran at about twenty frames per second. When using this frame system, you must remember that all shots were actually fired several frames before the number that is assigned to them. For example, the fatal heart wound, called Z313, was probably fired at Z310, since it took 2-3 frames at about twenty frames per second for the bullet to reach the victim. Also, you must remember that sound travels very quickly at an impossible speed. When keeping this in mind, it is expected that witnesses heard the shot at some point after the bullet passed. The following shows a break down of the frames of the Zapruder film: The Presidential limousine first comes into view at frame 133 (the starting point of this timeline.) The first shot at (or just before) Z187 would have passed through both Governor Connally and the President. The second shot, which passed above the limousine at Z284, missed the President and hit the curb near witness James Tague. This caused his minor wound. At Z313, the fatal shot occurs, which blew out major portions of the Presidents brain and skull. - A fourth shot occurred at Z323 (slightly 1/2 second after the fatal wound at Z313). Due to the proximity of this report to the one at Z313, as well as it's more distant origin, most witnesses were unable to hear this shot. Therefore, the above is when the bullets hit either Kennedy or Connally, or passed through the frames of the Zapruder film. Of the one-hundred seventy-eight witnesses at Dealey Plaza, one-hundred thirty- two said that they hear exactly three shots. If Oswald was a single gunman, it would have taken him at least 2. 3 seconds to reload his Mannlicher Carcano rifle. However, the general consensus of the witnesses is that they heard a single shot, followed by silence, with the second and third shots bunched together. For example, Lee Bowers, one of the witnesses, testified, I heard three shots, one, then

Dont Be Negative About Negatives

Dont Be Negative About Negatives Don’t Be Negative About Negatives Don’t Be Negative About Negatives By Mark Nichol A site visitor called attention to a sentence in one of my recent posts and asked, because it has two negatives, whether it is grammatically correct. The sentence in question? â€Å"In case you hadn’t heard, I couldn’t care less.† The reader confused the appearance of two negative words with the concept of the double negative, which is not the same thing. In the sentence I used, each negative is located in a separate clause: Hadn’t appears in the dependent clause, and couldn’t is in the main, independent clause. Therefore, they don’t contradict each other. But even if they did, would that be wrong? Not necessarily. Two forms of double negative exist. One, referred to as two negatives resolving to a positive, is also known as litotes (LIE-tuh-tees), a rhetorical device in which emphasis is conveyed by understatement. For example, â€Å"I do not disagree,† a form of two negatives resolving to a positive, is an effective way to convey lukewarm concurrence. â€Å"He is not unattractive,† likewise, is not the same as â€Å"He is attractive.† By using the double negative, the writer intends to damn with faint praise. The double negative carries the euphemistic connotation that the man in question is only merely pleasant looking rather than handsome. The other form of double negative, known as two or more negatives resolving to a negative, is the one we associate with the grammarian’s admonition to avoid double negatives. Here are some examples of double negatives that are not considered specimens of proper English usage: â€Å"I ain’t no fool.† â€Å"She didn’t do nothing.† â€Å"They ain’t going nowhere.† â€Å"We don’t never go out.† â€Å"You don’t have no money.† Related examples employ a minimizing adverb instead of a negative: â€Å"I can’t hardly tell.† â€Å"He couldn’t barely see in that fog.† But are these sentences grammatically challenged? Not really. They aren’t exemplars of Standard English, but they’re seldom unclear, and they are appropriate in context, to authentically convey the substandard usage of uneducated speakers of English. To review, â€Å"In case you hadn’t heard, I couldn’t care less† is unimpeachable, â€Å"I do not disagree† and â€Å"He is not unattractive† are eloquent equivocations, and â€Å"I ain’t no fool† and similar constructions are entirely acceptable as expressions of dialect or of jocular usage. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:7 Classes and Types of Phrases5 Lessons for Mixing Past and Present TenseHow Verbs Become Adjectives

List of Greek Words in the English Language

List of Greek Words in the English Language List of Greek Words in the English Language List of Greek Words in the English Language By Michael After French, Latin and Viking (and Old English of course, but that is English), the Greek language has contributed more words to modern English than any other perhaps 5%. Many Greek words sprang from Greek mythology and history. Knowing those subjects was evidence that a person was educated, so dropping a reference to Greek literature was encouraged even into the 20th century. From Greek mythology, we get words such as atlas, chaos, chronological, erotic, herculean, hypnotic, muse, nectar, promethean, and even cloth. But most Greek-origin words in English did not come straight from ancient Greek. Many are modern, not ancient, combinations of Greek root words. For example, you probably know the telephone was not used by the ancient Greeks. But the word itself is all Greek, made up of the Greek words for distant and sound. Besides tele and phon, common Greek roots include anti, arch, auto, bio, centro, chromo, cyclo, demo, dys, eu, graph, hydro, hypo, hyper, logo, macro, mega, meta, micro, mono, paleo, para, philo, photo, poly, pro, pseudo, psycho, pyro, techno, thermo and zoo. Among others. Comparing the original and the modern meanings of Greek words that became English words sometimes shows not only how much language has changed, but how much culture has changed. idiot Someone of very low intelligence. For the ancient Greeks, an idiot was a private citizen, a person not involved in civil government or politics. Related: idiosyncracy, idiom, and other individualistic words. metropolis The Greek roots of this word are â€Å"mother† and â€Å"city. Socrates, convicted in court of corrupting the youth with his philosophy, was given a choice between drinking poison or exile from his mother city of Athens. He chose poison because he wasnt an idiot, in the ancient sense. If you chose exile, you might be an idiot in the ancient sense, but you would be a live idiot. acrobat This circus performer who demonstrates feats of physical agility by climbing to the very top of the rope gets his name from the Greek words high and walk, with the sense of rope dancer and tip-toe. bacterium From a Greek word that means stick because under a microscope (another Greek word), some bacteria look like sticks. cemetery The Greek word koimeterion meant sleeping place, dormitory. Early Christian writers adopted the word for burial ground, and thats why college students stay in the dormitory and not in the cemetery. dinosaur You may have heard this one before. Our word for these ancient reptiles is a modern (1841) combination of the Greek words for terrible and lizard. hippopotamus The ancient Greeks called this large, moist African animal a hippopà ³tamos, from the words for â€Å"horse† and â€Å"river.† In other words, river horse. rhinoceros Continuing our African theme, this large, dry African animal is named after the Greek words for nose and horn. Horns usually dont grow on noses. history The Greek word historà ­a meant inquiry, record, narrative. dialogue A monologue has one speaker, but a dialogue doesnt necessarily have two speakers (that would be a di-logue, but theres no such word). Dialogue comes from Greek words that mean across-talk, and more than two people can do that if they take turns. economy The Greek word for â€Å"household administration† has been expanded to mean the management of money, goods, and services for an entire community or nation. But economical still refers to personal thrift. metaphor In ancient times, this word meant â€Å"transfer† or â€Å"carrying over.† When my grandfather called my grandmother a peach, metaphorically speaking, he used a figure of speech that transferred the sweetness of the fruit to his sweet wife. planet The ancient Greeks get blamed for everything wrong with astronomy before the Renaissance, but they were astute enough to notice that while most stars stood still, some wandered from year to year. The word planet comes from the Greek word for wandering. schizophrenia People with this mental disorder have been described as having a split personality, and the name comes from Greek words for split and mind. Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech. technology This word was not limited to industry or science until the mid-19th century, during the Industrial Revolution. Originally it referred to technique (same Greek root) or the systematic study of an art or craft – the art of grammar, at first, and later the fine arts. grammatical Speaking of grammar, the Ancient Greek word grammatike meant â€Å"skilled in writing.† Now it means correct in writing. syntax A combination of Ancient Greek words that mean â€Å"together† and â€Å"arrangement.† Syntax is how words are arranged together. sarcasm Though it was used to describe bitter sneering, the Greek word sarkazein literally meant to cut off flesh, which you might feel has happened to you when subjected to cutting sarcasm or critical humor. sycophant Not a word that Ive ever used, but you might like it. It means servile, self-seeking flatterer. In ancient Greek, it meant one who shows the fig. That referred to an insulting hand gesture that respectable Greek politicians wouldnt use against their opponents, but whose shameless followers could be encouraged to do so. telescope Another all-Greek word that wasnt invented by the Greeks, but perhaps by the Dutch around 1600. Its roots mean far-seeing and Galileo Galilei was one of the first astronomers to use a telescope to see faraway things. As you can see, Greek is deeply woven into modern English. To prove it, in the late 1950s, Greek economist Xenophon Zolotas gave two speeches in English, but using only Greek words, except for articles and prepositions. The results were rather high-sounding, but mostly comprehensible. As you become more familiar with Greek words, English will be easier to understand. And probably, more colorful. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:When to Capitalize Animal and Plant NamesUse a Dash for Number RangesWhat is an Anagram?

Risk Mitigation and Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Risk Mitigation and Planning - Essay Example Mitigation, according to Helmuth von Moltke (2004), is a type of long term, pre-disaster planning wherein sustained expenditures on structural as well as non-structural efforts are involved to reduce or eliminate future risks. In practice, mitigation plans and activities are usually medium to long term and since it is an example where thinking ahead pays off in the long run mitigation is the cornerstone of emergency management. It is related concepts of long-term planning such as: 1) reconstruction which means repair or rebuilding; and 2) preparedness which means getting ready or practicing to respond. In addition to that mitigation, based on Molte (2004), â€Å"means to lessen the effects or take action toward the building and putting together of certain structures as well as plans in order that the impact of any future disaster will be ameliorated or if possible, eliminated.† To change things for the better and impact can be understood as consequences, is the meaning of amel ioration. An emergency manager might do these simple mitigation activities, which includes the following: flood insurance promotion, urging structural redesigning of buildings, raising or moving homes from flood zones or make sure that appropriate building codes, within the certain communities are present. An assessment of the threats that the community is facing is involved in mitigation planning, such as terrorist attack, as well as an assessment of possible targets. However â€Å"terrorist mitigation is somewhat controversial phase, wherein it implies special plans and to supplement an all-hazards approach is needed in practices for terrorism† (Bullock et al., 2005). In addition to that, mitigation planning is an on going process, and to ensure proper preparedness continual reassessments is necessary. Some experts argued that there is a post-disaster mitigation. Moreover a pre-disaster mitigation ought to be called prevention. According to Alexander

The Need for Bachelor Prepared Nurses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Need for Bachelor Prepared Nurses - Essay Example Evidently, there are a number of benefits of preparing nurses in this way and therefore society definitely has a need for bachelor prepared nurses. The first important argument for having bachelor prepared nurses is that they may be more capable in dealing with certain patients. This means that people in hospital are less likely to die from preventable causes in the hands of bachelor prepared nurses. Aiken, Clarke, Cheung, Sloane & Silber (2003) found that, in a study of hospitals in Philadeliphia, nurses with a bachelor degree had 5% less patient deaths and failure to rescue incidents than non-bachelor prepared equivalents. This was found even after adjusting for the different illnesses that the nurses were dealing with. Sasichay-Akkadechanunt, Scalzi, & Jawad (2003) found in their large study of nurses in Thailand that in-hospital deaths were reduced when patients were treated by bachelor prepared nurses. Bachelor prepared nurses may also be more qualified in basic scientific knowl edge that can be useful in their career. Thornton (1997) found that nurses who had biological and psychological knowledge from their bachelor degree were more capable and more understanding (as evaluated by co-workers, patients and the nurses themselves). These nurses were also more qualified in dealing with a wide-range of situations. This may be because nurses who had only received minimal training and had more vocational-style education may have had their experience in one or two hospital areas, and therefore were not familiar with a number of the cases in areas where they did not have training. Bachelor preparation covers a lot of ground. Manias & Bullock (2002) found that bachelor prepared nurses also had a superior knowledge of pharmacology, which is inevitably helpful when dealing with patients who need medication. Another benefit to having bachelor prepared nurses is that they can often have a better patient manner and be qualified in a number of different areas, not just be cause of their increased scientific knowledge. White, Coyne & Patel (2001) asked members of the Oncology Nursing Society to specify whether they thought that bachelor prepared nurses were adequate for end-of-life care. Not only did the nurses in the society feel that they had gained enough from their degree that they could apply in this situation, but the general feeling was that patients responded better to these nurses because bachelor preparation includes modules about talking to patients and communication. Patients often prefer and feel safer with nurses with a good bedside manner, and so this is a huge advantage to have in a nurse. There are suggestions that nurses do not need to study in formal education because their career is so practical and essay writing and research are not often used in the profession (Gurney, Mueller & Price, 1997). Although this claim may have some truth to it, in that it recognizes the nature of the profession, there are suggestions that these researc h skills can actually be useful to a nurse. Carroll et al (1997) found that nurses did use research techniques and many used them to find out more about conditions as well as take part in scholarly nursing research. If nurses were only prepared on a vocational basis, they may not have the research skills that a bachelor’

ECONOMICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ECONOMICS - Essay Example The price of coffee in Cote d’Ivoire will tend to be high locally while in Vietnam, the prices will be low as much will be imported. 2. (a) The law of one price will hold in the case of rice traded freely in U.S and Canada. For the law of one price to hold, the market should be free from any trade barrier. The relative price is less than one. (1/1.04=0.9615) (b) The law of one price will not hold in the case of sugar traded in Mexico and the U.S. This is due to the imposition of quota by the U.S government o imports. The relative price is less than one. (1/93.05=0.0107) (c) The law of one price will hold in the case of Big Mac sold in the U.S and Japan. This is due to the fact that the good is identical. The relative price is less than one. (1/12.93=0.0773) (d) The law of one price will not hold in the case of haircuts in U.S and the U.K due to the fact that there is no good being traded internationally. The relative price is greater than one. ... .12 Canada(C$) 1.04 1.09 -0.05 1.16 -0.02 Denmark(Krone) 5.17 8.26 -3.09 5.34 -0.17 Eurozone(euro) 0.69 0.93 -0.24 0.72 -0.03 Japan(Yen) 93.05 89.6 3.45 92.6 0.45 Mexico(peso) 12.92 9.24 3.68 13.8 -0.88 Sweden(Krone) 7.14 10.9 -3.76 7.90 -0.76 The change in exchange rates is not consisted with the PPP implied exchange rates. The failure of the Big Mac Index to correctly predict changes in the nominal exchange rate between July 2009 and Jan 2010 can be attributed to the fact that, the demand for the big Macs products is not uniform in all the countries. The price of the big Mac varies significantly from country to country due to the difference in commercial costs such as advertising and transportation costs. 7. (a) Korea Japan Rate of Inflation Rate of Inflation 12/6=2% 2/1=2% (b) The expected rate of depreciation will be, (2.5-2.0)/2.0=0.25% (c) New inflation rate in Korea 15/6=2.5% (d) The increase in money supply will lead to a decrease in the price level and an increase in the exc hange rate. (e) Suppose the bank of Korea want to maintain an exchange rate peg with the Japanese Yen, they will have to choose a money growth rate of 14% to keep the value of the won fixed relative to the Yen (f) In order for Korea to implement a policy that will ensure appreciation of the won against Japanese Yen, they need to set a growth rate between 12% and 16%. This is because the range will allow for a steady growth with low rate of inflation. 11. (a) Importance of having a nominal anchor. Nominal anchor such as exchange rate is that it provides a simple approach that can easily be understood by all members of the public. It also provides a quick means of curbing high inflation rate. A major drawback according to Obstfeld and Rogoff, (1996) is that it leads to loss in the independent

Comparison of Credit Cards and Paying with Cash Essay

Comparison of Credit Cards and Paying with Cash - Essay Example Measuring the benefits of cash against credit cards is highly individual and dependent upon circumstances. People often use credit cards for convenience. This is good if they pay the bills before interest is incurred, called the â€Å"grace period†. Businesses are also charged for accepting credit cards, so they raise prices. However, interest is high if the grace period is missed and it does not apply to cash on credit. A credit card is easy to use online, but care must be taken to check the transactions as one might see recurring payments applied from the fine print they did not read. Online purchases are much harder to make without a credit card, and generally, incur fees for a payment service. One often overlooked benefit for using credit cards is to build one’s credit rating. In today's’ world getting a mortgage or buying a car with no credit rating can be difficult and may cause the buyer higher interest. Some places have a chip sensing machine that only requires waving or tapping the card on a surface to register the purchase, making it even easier, but that ea se of use may encourage overspending. Cash may lower the price of items or services, but then the buyer must store the receipts and carry that cash, which is not as safe since it can be spent by anyone. When getting cash on credit the cost can be up to 29% and it accumulates at the time of purchase until that balance is paid, so running one’s self out of cash is also not good. Online purchases are much harder to make without a credit card, and generally, incur fees for a payment service, but debit cards that have a credit logo often work. Credit cards are fast and very easy to use. The major drawbacks to using credit cards are also what that makes them tempting to use: deferred payment and convenience.  Ã‚  

Gem Infosys Incident-Response Policy Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Gem Infosys Incident-Response Policy - Coursework Example The first is the initial evaluation/assesm1ent.This entails determining whether an incident exists or not so that appropriate response established. The second policies involve defining the communication channel that will be followed to inform the leaders that an incident has identified. The third policy is risk/damage minimization. This is where the risk of self-replicating warms may be minimized by making sure that the workstation is disconnected from the hub to prevent further replication of warms. The fourth policy involves determining the severity of the warms attack as well as exact point of origin where those warms are coming from so that they can be contained. The fifth policy entails protecting the other systems against the identified security threats to avoid further losses. System security against warms may be enhanced by installing firewalls as well as transmitting organization data via secured networks. The sixth policy involves system recovery. This is where; the data an d information that was damage through network breakdowns may be recovered using special software such as Acronis. The seventh policy involves assessing the cost and damages caused by the incident for proper responses. Lastly but is updating the policies on a regular basis so that they remain relevant to organization needs (Shimonski, 2003). In order to prevent future network breakdowns, Gem Infosys should carry out the following activities namely: reduce the number of systems severity, integrate the activities of Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), damage control, and having a well-defined incident response plan. The Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) should formulate and monitor the incident response plan.  

IT & Entrepreneurship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

IT & Entrepreneurship - Essay Example Intranets are utilised in order to find along with organise information, which resides within various organisations. Intranet fundamentally acts as front-end to great source of knowledge (ODI, n.d.). Based on this aspect, in the essay, I would discuss about the thoughts concerning the building of pedagogical principles into an intranet. About Pedagogical Principles Pedagogy principles are often regarded as methods of teaching and learning. They are recognised as theoretical procedures for achieving certain goals. The most vital characteristics of pedagogical principles are that they are quite pertinent in nature and equipped with theoretical influence. Pedagogical principles can be used in intranet such as in e-learning for better management of knowledge and better teaching experience. According to my opinion, every teacher has certain unspoken pedagogy, representing teaching method or philosophy. The pedagogy can be derived from evaluating the functions of a teacher (Rubens & et. al ., 2005). From reviewing the work of various authors, I have learnt that the task of a good pedagogical design is to ensure that there are no irregularities prevailing between the prospectus taught and the application of teaching approaches. Thus, in order to accomplish complete consistency, there is need to examine the key assumptions at every phase of teaching and to support them in learning. Hence, in order to build pedagogical principles, there is the requirement to begin with planned learning outcome. Then, there is the necessity of selecting certain effective teaching functions that would support students to accomplish their respective learning outcomes. Ultimately, there is need to develop evaluation activities that can genuinely examine whether the outcome have been accomplished or not. This procedure is simple to describe, but is quite difficult to build on intranet (Monty, 2005). This can be better understood with the help of the following pictorial illustration. Source: ( Mayes & Freitas, 2004). Pedagogical Principles into an Intranet Essentially from various works, I have understood that intranet provides a sophisticated way for teaching and learning. In learning environment, intranet comprises instruction delivered through every internal electronic media. The effort for utilising intranet in learning eventually moves towards complete automation of controlling the teaching and learning procedure by way of several applications. Although use of intranet in learning is recent phenomenon, but the underlying principles of learning, i.e. pedagogical principles have not been included in this technology. Most of the pedagogical principles that are utilised in traditional learning experience can be built into intranet based learning (Govindasamy, 2002). By understanding various concepts of pedagogy, I can define that constructivist pedagogy is often associated with intranet based learning. In this regard, constructivist pedagogical principles inspire learner s to establish their own knowledge based on personal experience and utilise those principles in various fields. In such pedagogical principle, the concentration is on learning, rather than teaching in the social procedure. Constructivism is often regarded as an ideal pedagogical principle for intranet, as it draws on determining the strengths of the medium and overwhelming the weaknesses (Gulati, 2004). Constructivist pedagogy observes students as the core participants of the learning

Gem Infosys Incident-Response Policy Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Gem Infosys Incident-Response Policy - Coursework Example The first is the initial evaluation/assesm1ent.This entails determining whether an incident exists or not so that appropriate response established. The second policies involve defining the communication channel that will be followed to inform the leaders that an incident has identified. The third policy is risk/damage minimization. This is where the risk of self-replicating warms may be minimized by making sure that the workstation is disconnected from the hub to prevent further replication of warms. The fourth policy involves determining the severity of the warms attack as well as exact point of origin where those warms are coming from so that they can be contained. The fifth policy entails protecting the other systems against the identified security threats to avoid further losses. System security against warms may be enhanced by installing firewalls as well as transmitting organization data via secured networks. The sixth policy involves system recovery. This is where; the data an d information that was damage through network breakdowns may be recovered using special software such as Acronis. The seventh policy involves assessing the cost and damages caused by the incident for proper responses. Lastly but is updating the policies on a regular basis so that they remain relevant to organization needs (Shimonski, 2003). In order to prevent future network breakdowns, Gem Infosys should carry out the following activities namely: reduce the number of systems severity, integrate the activities of Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), damage control, and having a well-defined incident response plan. The Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) should formulate and monitor the incident response plan.  

No name Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

No name - Essay Example This means that these elements have to be shared by all the members of society, and when in short supply can lead to scarcity. Within this â€Å"economic pie† is the element of resources, which can be divided into its three components of natural resources, people, and capital. It is the people that convert the natural resources in an economy into products, while capital provides the means to do so. However, all these resources are limited providing the defining finite aspect of resources. The limitation of these resources and through that the production acts as a limiting factor on the wealth of a nation. That is the why the term Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is of such importance in the economics of a nation. More importantly lowering of production also leads to scarcity in income, which can cause poor distribution of resources, whereby the individuals with better wealth or power have better access to resources than the economically disadvantaged and the needy. Economic growth reduces scarcity. However, for economic growth, the right economic policies to make proper use of economic resources have to be put in place. In the absence of economic growth, scarcity looms larger, reducing the â€Å"economic pie† and the availability of economic resources appropriately among members of

Philosophy Saul Kripke Naming And Necessity Philosophy Essay

Philosophy Saul Kripke Naming And Necessity Philosophy Essay He is best known for his attack on the descriptivist (Fregean, Russellian) theory of reference with respect to proper names, according to which a name refers to an object by virtue of the names being associated with a description that the object in turn satisfies. He gave several examples purporting to render descriptivism implausible. The key features of Kripkes contribution to the philosophy of language are (1) his account of names as rigid designators and not clusters of definite descriptions; and (2) his view that there are necessary a posteriori and contingent a priori truths. Both these claims are contentious and continue to be debated vigorously. In Naming and Necessity Saul Kripke argues against type-type-identity theory by the use of an argument from philosophy of language. Kripke wants to demonstrate that if one believes in the identity of mental- and brain states, one needs to accept the theorys full consequence, namely that there cannot be brain states which are not mental states or vice versa. To defend identity theory one would thus be in a need to prove not only empirical (e.g. by scientific research), but analytical a priori, that neither brain states without mental states, nor mental states without brain states could exist. This is quite hard, if not impossible, to do since on the one hand mental states are intuitively independent from the physical domain (Cartesian intuition) and on the other hand zombies are conceivable. Kripke introduces two types of designators (namings) of entities, namely rigid designators and non-rigid (flaccid) designators. Rigid designators refer to the same entity in every possible world, if the designator has any reference at all. For example, the rigid designator Anthony Flemming refers to the same entity in all conceivable worlds. Flaccid designators may refer to different entities in different possible worlds. For example, the author of this essay is Anthony Flemming only in this very world. Flaccid designators refer to entities only by use of contingent properties (e.g. X is the author of this essay). Identities between two rigid designators that name the same entity are necessary. The proposition that they are identical is trivially a priori true (you do not need any experience to prove it). If not both designators that are claimed to be identical are rigid, this identity is contingent, if it is true. The identity might be true in this world, but this has to be proven empirically since one could conceive a non-rigid designator referring to some other object. Kripkes strategy is to show, that identity theorists could not argue mind-brain-state identity to be a contingent identity. He demonstrates that both, the term mental state and the term brain state that are claimed to refer to one and the same entity are rigid designators. As an example Kripke uses the proposition pain is c-fiber stimulation. The term pain is a rigid designator because you could not imagine it to refer to something else than the sensation pain in another world. According to Kripke one could transfer this example to every other mental-state and the brain state, which is said to be identical with it. Identity theorists have asserted, the mental states are brain states identity was contingent just like the heat is molecular movement identity is contingent. Kripke replies, even the latter identity was not a contingent one at all, but necessary. It only seems to be contingent, for one confuses the physical property heat with the sensation of feeling heat. But the name heat could either mean the one or the other thing, since the physical property heat is not identical with the sensation heat (There is heat, namely molecular movement, when there is nobody to perceive the sensation caused by it). If the designator heat names the physical property, it is a rigid designator and the identity is necessary. If the term heat names the feeling there is no identity at all. Eventually Kripke reasons from this, that type-type-identity has to be necessary, if true, which connotes that every mental state is identical with a specific brain state in every conceivable world. But mental states without brain states and brain states, that are not mental states, either the conception or identity theory has to be false. Kripkes argument seems to be some sleight of hand at first glance, because it is that astoundingly convincing and still it seems at least imaginable that mental processes are really brain processes and nothing over and above in this world. This might just be, because he does not have any idea how to solve the mind-body problem himself. Moreover Kripkes argument is a very strong one indeed. It is very difficult to defeat because its core structure is logically sound: If it is: a) true that the terms for both mental- and brain-states are rigid designators, and b) they are identical, then c) the identity has to be necessary. The only way to attack the argument is to challenge the framework of semantics it makes use of. The excerpts contain less information on this topic. Important questions would be for example: Which contingent identities could we know a priori, if any? Is a possible world really identical with a conceivable world and what does this denote to rigid designators? It is obvious that this is too far-reaching to be examined in this paper. Kripke is a peculiar man with a sharp intellect. He talks fast and he thinks perhaps even faster. One is still stricken by the fact that he does not seem vitally concerned about applying philosophy to social issues. His ideals do not seem to be those of the visionary public intellectual, like Sartre, Russell, Chomsky or Cornel West. Kripke is one of Americas most respected philosophers, still he is not significant in public debates. For many he is a living legend.

Undersatnding People Essay -- essays research papers

Different people see the world from different perspectives. In our society, there will always be misunderstandings between people and those people’s reactions will differ. Some choose to mope, groan, and even get angry about the way that themselves or others are treated while some decide to try and do something about it. Still, there are others who think to themselves that maybe the best way to deal with the issues among people is to try and comprehend what they mean and just live by them. As Benedict Spinoza put it, â€Å"I have striven not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, nor to hate them, but to understand them.† Authors now try to understand actions that people make instead of ridiculing them. The following explains these authors and how they have been able to identify with others.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Under the Influence† is an essay written by Scott Russell Sanders. In this writing he tells how he grew up with an alcoholic as a father. His life was not at all easy. He had to deal with issues that young children should not have to deal with. In this essay he makes the reader understand what an alcoholic is and how the actions of one person who has this disease can affect himself and so many other people. Sanders does this by explaining the horror that he and his family had to go through during the years of his father’s problem. The family was never sure whether they would be happy at the sight of the father or horrified by his presence. As a child, S...

Lizabeths Experiences in Marigolds by Eugenia Collier Essay -- essays

'Marigolds' is a story written by the author Eugenia Collier. It is considered a 'coming of age story.' A coming of age story is a story where the protagonist becomes an adult through experiences, knowledge, or an adventure. Throughout the story the main character, Lizabeth, goes through experiences that upset her. These experiences teach her to have compassion and not to be afraid of hope and beauty. 'For all the smoldering emotions of that summer swelled up in me and burst-the great need for my mother who was never there, the hopelessness of our poverty and degradation, the bewilderment of being neither child nor woman and both at once, the fear unleashed by my father's tears.' This quote from the story explains what was troubling Lizabeth. As a child her mother wasn't around often...

Crash Human Nature Essay

* Human nature is The general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioural traits of humankind, regarded as shared by all humans. * Crash directed by Paul Haggis presents to us an intertwining story set within the streets of LA, confirming and challenging racial stereotypes and at the same time reflecting the ever existing good and dark side of human nature. * Human nature drives us all to view â€Å"the other† as bad, evil and untrustworthy, it is complex and every man, despite differences holds the underlying values buried deep into our subconsciousness * In the film crash, Haggis has successfully portrayed the truth about human nature through the conventions of dialogue, camera shot and symbolism, confusing us as viewers, but also giving us an intruging insight into the reality of each and every one of us despite differences in race and background. * Haggis has successfully evoked feelings of uneasiness, confusion, anger and empathy at through the making of the film crash. * Human nature drives us to fear the unknown, the â€Å"other† in our eyes is seen as evil and that we should steer away from any communication. It may be in relation to race, ethnicity, age, gender or beliefs but in reality each one of us does not have the ability to fight this automatic discrimination against those who are different. * Haggis has successfully reflected this dark aspect of human nature through the convention of dialogue. * In one scene a Persian man is attempting to purchase a gun from a white American. The salesman calls the man â€Å"osama† and then continues to talk about 9/11, he then is aggressively told to leave the shop. * The white American man displays his fear of â€Å"the other† by racially discriminating him through his dialogue, he has his own racist, stereotypical image of this man in his mind automatically relating him to 9/11 and due to his human nature sees him as â€Å"the other† and as untrustworthy to be in his shop telling him he â€Å"has no right to buy a gun here† * In another scene a Hispanic locksmith is changing a white American couples locks on their door after their car had been hijacked. The American woman makes assumptions that this locksmith is going to sell their key to his â€Å"homies† purely because of the way he looks and his race and demands to get her locks changed again in the morning. * The American woman views the locksmith as â€Å"the other† and due to her human nature she fears him, and does not trust him to be in her house. Her judgement is not on personality or individual traits it is based upon the automatic assumptions she makes about him due to his tattoos, dress sense and skin colour. Little does she know that the Hispanic locksmith was in many eyes the only character in crash seen as completely innocent, but due to her ignorance she believed the opposite. * Through dialogue Haggis has successfully positioned the viewer to feel anger at both of these scenarios and causes us to question our own human nature and our own classification of â€Å"the other†. We are positioned to feel guilt as we feel partly responsible for these racial stereotypes as we too, through our human nature, instinctively stick to our own. * Human nature is complex, values at polar opposites could exsist in the same man, particular beliefs could be compromised and in reality no one can ever truly understand the extent of complexities embedded within each person. * Racsim and nobility can exsist in the same man. Haggis has successfully portrayed this idea of human nature through the narrative conventions of camera shot and dialogue. * In one scene a cop pulls over a black couple, he abuses his power and shows extreme racism seen through the convention of low camera angle while he molests her. * In another scene the same cop shows nobility while is seen rescuing the same black woman he molested, he ironically says things to her such as â€Å"im not going to hurt you† * The camera angle in the first scene is a panning low angle displaying the police officers hand stroking up the womans leg, emphasizing his sickening racist actions. In the second scene the camera angle is a close camera angle focusing on his remorseful worrying facial expression. The shot of the hand in the first scene could represent â€Å"a mans hand† where the shot of his face in the second scene presents him, and therefore suggests that although his racism and dark side of his human nature exsists the good side of his human nature is a representation of his true identity and we begin to question the reasons behind his actions. * These two scenes In the movie crash display to us that humans are extremely complex. A man can live a life full of sin but then commit a noble act just as a man can be a criminal but then save a life. * The concept of human complexities is hard to grasp, an individuals identity can determine why they act a certain way or do certain things. The cop in the film displayed racism due to the fact that a black woman would not help his sick father, but does this excuse particular values and behaviours? * Through the convention of camera angle Haggis has effectively positioned the viewer to feel both disgust and awe at the same man. We begin to question what drives humans to be so complex and we wonder whether it is ever possible for a man to be seen as completely innocent. * Instinctively human natures drives us to protect and stick to our own, just as we repel those who are seen as different. * This universal value embedded inside each and every human is represented by Paul Haggis in the film crash through utlising the narrative convention of symbolism. * Crash follows the story of a Hispanic locksmith and unconditional love of his.

Building Defects

Introduction: Decay and deterioration can happen in a building for any number of reasons. The first being poor repair and maintenance of the building over its life by users or those responsible for its maintenance such as a landlord etc. It can also mean that there were original problems with the building that impair its ability to function as intended, these may not have been uncovered during the snagging process at the end of the construction stage.These building problems are referred to as defects, depending on the type of contact most contracts have a 12 month defect period, this enables the users (and funders) to live in the building through the different seasons and see if any problems occur. A latent defect is after the 12 month defect period has lapsed and the new building shows signs of problems that are so significant that they can stop its functionality (a latent defect period can last up to 12 years on some contracts). Please find below some common reasons for defects: * Design IssuesDesign professionals (such as architects or engineers) could perhaps specify material or equipment that cannot perform as intended. For example: a geological survey that does not cover enough areas on a site could mean that the subsoil is not consistent across the site and therefore could eventually cause subsidence in the building. The architect’s motivation for the design may be with the building form, function or aesthetics but the completed design could result as a defect as any cost considerations or value engineering if not well planned, managed and coordinated could result in a defects.The use of inferior building materials can cause problems such as windows that leak or fail to perform and function adequately, even when properly installed. Leaking windows are a common defect and prevention requires good workmanship. * Site supervision during construction period Poor supervision during the construction period can result in poor quality and sub standard wor kmanship. For example: this can often manifest in water infiltration through some portion of the building structure (cracks in oundations, floor slabs, walls, dry rotting of wood or other building materials), electrical and mechanical problems, plumbing leaks and back-ups, lack of appropriate sound insulation and fire-resistive construction between adjacent housing units, etc. The above can prevented with a good Quality Assurance process in place that ensures that all trades are well supervised on site, accurate records are kept on workmanship (this can include pictorial evidence) and guidance is given to all staff on the quality expectations that have to be achieved on site.The traditional role of Clerk of Works should also be used to ensure that all measures are met on site level. * Maintenance No building lasts forever. Day to day planned maintenance of a building is required to ensure that it prevents any problems in the future. Poor planned maintence can cause defects to occur in buildings that would have performed well had they been cared for properly. For example: a master plan for the buildings mechanical and electrical (M&E) equipment to be replaced (such as Boiler replacements, lighting upgrades, ICT Category cabling upgrades etc. also phased window or roof replacement schedule to ensure that all that entire building envelope is protected to protect from the elements. If maintenance of buildings are not kept up to date then in some contracts ‘latent defects’ would not be honoured as the users have not maintained the works that were carried out in line with the contract therefore the contractors would not be obligated to rectify any defective works. * Service installationSome equipment requires regular servicing under the terms of its guarantee. For example: If a boiler that has been installed with a 10 year warranty is not annually serviced then the manufacture can advise that the user did not meet their obligations and therefore any replacement in the 10 year period would fall to the user to fund. Common Defects found in Low-Rise Housing: Please see below mock defects sheets in relation to the defects outlined in ‘Common Defects in Low-Rise Housing’.These outline the defect, the cause of the defect, the remedy required to rectify the defect and finally any supporting building regulations/guidelines that support this process. STAGE:A| WORKS/JOB SHEET NO. 6| LOCATION:South Wall| DATE:26th May 2010| BRE REF NO. Defect Action Sheet 116| DEFECT: Insufficient wall ties below Damp-proof Level | CAUSE: Poor design and specification | FUNCTION:A wall tie is a small piece of metal generally made of steel that is installed between a cavity wall void or between two adjoining walls. The purpose of this is to keep both walls together at all times.A wall tie allows slight movement for expansion but if correctly fitted stops each wall acting independently of one another so therefore keeps the building strong and stable. | DEFECTIVE AREA: * Corroded and show signs of de-laminating (this is when the metal starts to peel and splinter) * Corroded due to water egress (decaying of the tie means loss of strength) * Corroded show signs of ferrous oxide (this is when the metal bubbles and expands) this can cause lifting and cracking the brickwork * Cavity walling that is blocked with decayed mortar that bridged the DPC. Poorly fitted wall ties (this means that it does not function as originally intended) * Incorrect wall ties used (there are 4 different types of wall ties – each tie has its own best area for use)| DEFECTIVE CORRECTION REQUIRED: * Ties should be placed at 900mm centres horizontally and 450mm vertically * Sufficient lap of Damp proof course is required all round * Wall ties to be of a minimum size 5/m2 * Ensure that ties are as specified and are of the correct type * Use BS or BBA Certificated ties of length and type suitable for cavity width and purpose * Space ties in accorda nce with BS 5628: Pt 3: 2001.For example: the cavity width should be 50 to 300mm, number of ties 2. 5 per m2, 900 mm horizontally 450mm vertically and provide extra ties adjacent to openings * Check that there is a row of ties at every sixth course of bricks * Ties should be staggered and evenly distributed * Check that the horizontal spacing’s have the correct number of specified ties per m2 * Check that ties are at every block course within 225mm of opening | RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARD:| * BS:5628 Pt 3. 2001 | | | | | STAGE:A| WORKS/JOB SHEET NO. 1| LOCATION:Rear externals| DATE:26th May 2010| BRE REF NO.Defect Action Sheet 96| DEFECT: Mature trees too close | CAUSE: Poor design and specification | FUNCTION:Movement where a building is in close proximity of a mature trees. This is a common problem found generally in the following species Oak, Poplar, Ash, Plane, Willow and Elm although any very large mature tree close to a building can spell disaster. These trees require a c onsiderable amount of water to grow much of this is taken up by their root system. For example: a mature poplar can take up to 50,000 litres of water from the sub-soil each year.The more mature the tree the greater amount of water it requires. The outcome of the site survey and soil investigation should inform the decision on the type of substructure to be used for the proposed buildings in relation to soil type, saturation levels and lay of land e. g. sloping etc. It is recommended that buildings be built at least a distance equivalent to the tree’s height away from that tree to protect both the tree and the building although in some cases of Willow, Poplar and Elm the root radius can be twice that of the tree height. DEFECTIVE AREA: * The trees potential root radius has not been calculated correctly * Poor choice of substructure for the new building| DEFECTIVE CORRECTION REQUIRED: * Repair works require the retrospective installation of a root barrier (see attached diagram) . This means detailed surveys are required to identify were the tree roots are. If the tree has a Tree preservation order (TPO) on it then any damage to its roots could mean an appearance in Majesties court and a fine up to ? 20,000| RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARD:| * BS:5837 * Approved Document A & C * Tree Preservation Orders: A Guide to the Law and Good Practice 2000|STAGE:A| WORKS/JOB SHEET NO. 22| LOCATION:Flank wall| DATE:26th May 2010| BRE REF NO. Defect Action Sheet | DEFECT: Poor Mortars, Bricks, Blocks in sub-structure| CAUSE: Poor design and specification Poor site supervision| FUNCTION:Mortar is used a bonding agent to secure brick and block work. These three elements used together ensure that the building is sound, secure and water tight. | DEFECTIVE AREA: * Poor specification of an inferior brick and blocks that are engineered to support the loadings of the finished building is poor design planning.A poorly specified mortar could also be the reason that water could ingr ess the building this could lead to significant problems later for the building. * Poor site supervision of this area could mean that the mortar is poorly laid or not given enough time to set, or could even have been laid in the wrong temperatures such as Frosty weather. | DEFECTIVE CORRECTION REQUIRED: * The building may require additional support. For example: underpinning externally could support the substructure sufficiently enough to take the load away from the problem areas. The best method in this case is to pile and beam. This method stabilises the existing substructure by using piles installed either side of  an existing wall. A small excavation is made below the ground level and a reinforced concrete needle beam is used to connect the piles and support the wall. * Reducing the distance between needle beams can accommodate very high loads. | RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARD:| * | STAGE:D| WORKS/JOB SHEET NO. 24| LOCATION:Internal/External various locations| DATE:26th May 2010| B RE REF NO.Defect Action Sheet | DEFECT: Notches and holes for services mis-positioned and oversized| CAUSE: Poor design Poor site supervision| FUNCTION:The location of holes and notches for services is very important in relation to the functionality and quality of finish to the end building. A misplaced large hole could lead incorrectly fitted lighting, heaters, light switches etc. | DEFECTIVE AREA: * Poor design drawings that are sent to site with the wrong measurements could mean that the location and shape of the holes for services are installed as per the drawing. It is more lightly that this defect would be down to poor site supervision. This could mean that the inappropriate person has been tasked to carry out this work such as a labourer that does not have the skill to read drawings but was asked to install holes for services rather than an electrician or electrician’s mate (i. e. being supervised by the trade lead at all times)| DEFECTIVE CORRECTION REQUIRED: * If cau ght early enough this should not be a great problem to resolve on site.However, if this was left to practical completion were the building is being handed over to the user/occupier then the works to rectify could be much greater and could include the following: * Re-routing electrics and mechanical pipe works to suit correct dimensions * Repositioning of all electrical and mechanical equipment * No direct connection to main sewer therefore re routing all connections to bathrooms, kitchens and any sinks etc| RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARD:| * | STAGE:D| WORKS/JOB SHEET NO. 30| LOCATION:Door No. GF32| DATE:26th May 2010| BRE REF NO.Defect Action Sheet | DEFECT: Lintels in external walls: missing, damaged, bedding, insulation| CAUSE: Poor design and specificationPoor site supervision| FUNCTION:A Lintel is a piece of steel or concrete that is used as a support in walls. These are generally used above openings (such as windows or doors) in the wall to support the load above. Lintels are usual ly supplied with load bearing at each end for 100mm openings up to/including 1000mm, 150mm for openings up to/including 3000mm and 200mm for openings over 3000mm. For spans in excess of 1200mm, it is good practice to provide temporary support such as an Acro at every 1200mm point. DEFECTIVE AREA: * Poor design could mean that the location window or door opening is in a difficult position to properly fit the correct size lintel * Poor specification could mean that a concrete lintel is specified when the location requires a small and compact steel lintel * Poor site supervision could mean that the area were the lintel is to be installed in not supported prior to installation and therefore the floor above is already sagging with the load. Also installation of the wring lintel in time will show on the exterior and interior of the building. DEFECTIVE CORRECTION REQUIRED: * Lintels should be carefully bedded on a full mortar joint * Wall ties should be positioned in accordance with curren t building regulations * A damp proof course should be used for all lintels in external walls, and must be fixed in accordance with building regulations * In cavity construction, it is recommended that both internal and external leaves are taken up uniformly * It is good building practice to insert a flexible joint between the lintel and the top of the frame| RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARD:| * BS:12 * BS:882|STAGE:E| WORKS/JOB SHEET NO. 20| LOCATION:| DATE:26th May 2010| BRE REF NO. Defect Action Sheet 73 & 74| DEFECT: Floor joist quality and installation: not graded or marked, bowing and twisting, high moisture content and wet rot| CAUSE: Poor specification Poor site supervision| FUNCTION:A floor joist is a beam of wood that stretches from one side of the sub-floor to the other bridging the floor load bearers. They are the essential component to the foundation of each floor level and floor boards are laid onto of them to give a foundation to any floor covering.Wood should be marked Top/Bottom, be graded (for the load) and have a kite mark or brand number referring to BS: EN 14250. | DEFECTIVE AREA: * Poor specification of a floor joist can mean that the wood used is not the correct grading to support the load. This can mean that the floor in time will show effects of overload bowing and twisting are one of the signs. * Poor site supervision of this area could mean that the wood has not been stored correctly on site meaning that it is now warped and twisted and has high water content. If wet rot occurs it is generally at the bearings of timber joists in external walls.For example: the sole or head plates rather than in the studs. | DEFECTIVE CORRECTION REQUIRED: * An assessment on if there is any ‘dead air’ within the cavity between the joists and the floor board. If so, then air bricks (to BS:493) can be installed into the external walls to allow air flow. If wet rot is localised in small area then minor repairs can be made * If poor ungraded wood has been installed then the floor will have to be taken up and reinstalled with the correct graded wood to ensure it complies with current building regulations. | RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARD:| * BS:EN 14250 * BS:493|Area H: Defect| Drains below foundations| Reason for Defect:| * Broken or damaged pipes * Failure to washout subsoil leading to foundation settlement; * Lack of clearance to debris or materials * Lack of flexible joints. * Non compliance with Approved Document H * Non compliance with the Public Health Act revised 1985 * Non compliance with Building regulations C part 2 * Incorrect type and size of pipe used for subsoil drainage * Drainage not laid to correct gradient| Specification Issue:| * Possible poor quality drainage pipes specified| Design Issue: | No|Site Supervision Issue:| * Compliance with Approved Doc H * Compliance with Public Health Act 1985 * Compliance with Building regulations C part 2 * Correct size and type of pipe use for each type of drainage identifie d e. g. foul, rainwater, soil type. * Ensure movement joints are in place * Ensure drainage meets the required gradient * Ensure pipes are clear from obstructions * Check pipes are not broken or damaged prior to installation. | Maintenance:| No|Responsible area:| The above defect is due to poor management on site on manual labour workforce| Image:| Ref: Image taken from NHBC Good Craftsmanship Guide for Drainage| Area H: Defect| Installation of DPC and DPM| Reason for Defect:| * DPC pointed or rendered over * DPCs bridged by mortar droppings * DPM punctured * DPCs and DPMs not lapped * Fill and paving not kept at least 150mm below DPC * DPM should comply with BS CP 102, Section 3, and Building Regulations Approved Document C. | Specification Issue:| No| Design Issue: | No|Site Supervision Issue: | * Check that edging of DPM projects enough to lap later with the DPC * Sheet should be sealed with adhesive tape and any punctures patched with an overlap of no less than 150mm * Use polye thylene sheet not less than 500 gauge and should carry a BBA certificate or is to the PIFA standard| Maintenance:| No| Responsible area:| The above defect is due to poor management on site on manual labour workforce| Image: | Ref: Image taken from http://www. bricksandbrass. co. uk/images/walls/damp. gif| Area H: Defect| Damp walls |Reason for Defect:| * No DPC installation in walls * Poorly installation of DPC in walls| Specification Issue:| No| Design Issue: | No| Site Supervision Issue:| * A responsible contractor should understand the importance of DPC within the external walls * If just poorly installed retrospective DPC injections can be used to back fill in areas that require additional waterproofing * If no damp proof course is in place then Electro Osmosis method can be used this is when a low voltage steel stake is placed intermediately around the external walls as long as the unit is on it will keep the damp at bay | Maintenance:| No|Responsible area:| The above defect is due to poor management on site on manual labour workforce| Image: | Ref: Image taken from www. petercox. co. uk/prevent| Area J: Defect| No lintel above the window and doors | Reason for Defect:| * No installation of lintel above window and door openings| Specification Issues:| * Possible incorrect lintel specified * | Design Issue: | * For an architect to exclude lintels from the design, it means that they have not complied with building regulations.This is not only a design floor but a dangerous and hazardous way to leave the building| Site Supervision Issue: | No| Maintenance:| No| Responsible area:| The above defect is due to poor design management by the design team and should have been picked up by various professionals along the process including Building Control| Image: | Ref: Image taken from http://www. bancroftcentre. org/images/eco/insulation. bmp|Area J: Defect| Plaster break up on internal walls and ceilings| Reason for Defect:| * Bond failure between plasterwork and plasterboard due to ‘watering down’ of bonding agent * Plaster itself poor quality or poorly mixed together (plasterer should have a mate to mix for them as plaster can ‘go off’ quickly) * Cracking due to movement * Drying out period hurried and room artificially heated to increase drying time| Specification Issue:| * Poor quality bond or plaster | Design Issue: | No| Site Supervision Issue: | * Remove poor quality plaster, apply a thick oat of Unibond allow to dry and then re-applying a suitably mixed plaster (plasterer should have a mate to mix for them as plaster can ‘go off’ quickly) * Ventilate and allow to naturally dry out| Maintenance:| * Poor maintenance of internal finishing can make plaster work decay and break up * Poor ventilation or extreme weather (if no heating) then plaster can become brittle and break up| Responsible area:| The above defect is due to poor management on site on manual labour workforce and/or poor maintenance by the occupier/users| Image:| Ref: Images taken from Google images ‘plaster work’|Area J: Defect| Shrinkage to wooden floor joists| Reason for Defect:| * Temperature to install to extreme * Stored poorly on site allowing water to penetrate – Part C of the Building Regulations â€Å"Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture† * Area needs better ventilation| Specification Issue:| No| Design Issue: | No|Site Supervision Issue:| * A responsible contractor should have the knowledge and experience to know at what temperatures they can have to install after the installation * Air bricks may need to be installed in the external walls tp improve under floor ventilation * All materials should be stored off the ground and well covered in accordance with building regulations| Maintenance:| No| Responsible area:| The above defect is due to poor management on site on manual labour workforce| Image:| Ref: Image taken from Google images ‘defective timber joists’|Area K: Defect| External wall movement| Reason for Defect:| * Incorrect substructure * Restraints missing from wall to floor| Specification Issue:| No| Design Issue: | * Substructure must be designed following an accurate soil survey, bore holes are taken from the proposed site and are inspected in laboratory condition. * The soil samples are tested and categorised in accordance with their load value * Then detailed calculations are erformed by structural engineers to establish the most suitable substructure for the proposed building * Below a ‘tell tale’ is a measuring device that can check how much a crack is moving over a period of time| Site Supervision Issue: | No| Maintenance:| No| Responsible area:| The above defect is due to poor design management by the design team and should have been picked up by various professionals along the process including Building Control| Image:| Ref: Image of a ‘tell-tale’ taken from Google images|A rea K: Defect| External wall movement| Reason for Defect:| * No cavity tray installed to discharge water outwards * No weep hole specified in brickwork at lowest tray * No flashing identified, Lead or a suitable substitute should be installed in accordance with BS 1178 * All roof tiles to Part C of the Building Regulations â€Å"Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture†| Specification Issue:| No| Design Issue: | No|Site Installation & Supervision Issue | * A responsible contractor should install cavity tray to ensure water is discharged correctly * Ensure appropriate weep hole is installed in the brickwork at the lowest tray level * Install appropriate flashings where required * Ensure tiles and drainage is compliant with Building Regulations Part C| Maintenance:| No| Responsible area:| The above defect is due to poor management on site on manual labour workforce| Image:|