Houston Club tour report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Houston Club tour report - Assignment Example Houston Club understands the importance of having a high number of members in order to keep it operational. In this case, the company has implemented an efficient membership marketing structure that has ensured that the club’s membership segment of golf club approximate 400 members, the country club has about 600 members, and there are about 1,000 members in the club’s dining, sporting, and business segment. In effect, the club appears to be doing well in an environment where some of the clubs were closing down in Florida. However, the club’s main advantage was that there were fewer clubs within its area of operations. For Houston Club, exclusivity is one of the marketing strategies that the company has utilized in order to gain more members than other clubs. In this case, the club has packaged itself as an exclusive Gentlemen’s Club, which is an important strategy of the club in differentiating itself from its competitors. Exclusivity is evident in the club’s facilities ranging from their rooms and other important features such as wine lockers stocked with some of the most expensive wines. The exclusivity makes more members want to join the club and become part of the elite. After identifying the importance of this strategy in gaining more members, the club consequently introduced three segments of membership with these three being golf club membership, country club membership, and the other segment drawing membership from people interested in dining, sporting, and business. In this way, the club has a capacity to market its membership across members with varying interests. Other than membership marketing strategy focusing on the club’s exclusivity, the PR team packaged offers from the club, sent invitations to the city’s law firms, and then focused on the oil, gas, and financial industries by sending invitations to members who were attracted to the packages offered by

An Inspector Calls Character Profile Essay Example for Free

An Inspector Calls Character Profile Essay Arthur Birling Husband of Sybil, father of Sheila and Eric. He is the owner of Birling and Company, some sort of factory business that employs several girls to work on machines. He is a Magistrate and two years ago, was Lord Mayor of Brumley. Gerald Croft Engaged to Sheila. His parents, Sir George and Lady Croft, are above the Birlings socially, and it seems his mother disapproves of his engagement to Sheila. He works for his fathers company, Crofts Limited, which seems to be both bigger and older than Birling and Company. Sheila Birling Engaged to be married to Gerald. Daughter of Arthur Birling and Sybil Birling, and sister of Eric. Sybil Birling Married to Arthur. Mother of Sheila and Eric. Sybil is, like her husband, a woman of some public influecnce, sitting on charity organizations and having been married two years ago to the Lord Mayor. She is an icily impressive woman, arguably the only one of all the Birlings to almost completely resist the Inspectors attempts to make her realize her responsibilities. Eric Birling Son of Arthur and Sybil Birling. Brother of Sheila Birling. Eric has a drinking problem He works at Birling and Company, and his father is his boss. Inspector Goole The Inspector is in his fifties, and he is dressed in a plain dark suit. He initially seems to be an ordinary Brumley police inspector, but (as his name might suggest) comes to seem something more ominousperhaps even a supernatural being. Edna The parlour maid. Eva Smith A girl who the Inspector claims worked for Birling and was fired, before working for Milwards and then being dismissed. She subsequently had relationships with Gerald Croft and then Eric Birling (by whom she became pregnant).

Alchemy -the Predecessor Of Modern Chemistry :: essays research papers

There are many ways to examine the subject of alchemy, including alchemy as a source of symbolism, psychology, and mysticism. It has also been an influence on the world view of various writers, artist, and musicians. The focus of this report is alchemy as a pre-chemistry, which gave a new impulse towards the preparation of medicinal remedies and also was a major influence on today's scientific investigations.Alchemy is an ancient art, practiced in the Middle Ages. The fundamental concept of alchemy stemmed from Aristotle's doctrine that all things tend to reach perfection. Because other metals were thought to be less perfect than gold, it was reasonable to believe that nature created gold out of other metals found deep within the earth and that a skilled artisan could duplicate this process. It was said that once someone was able to change, or transmute a "base" chemical into the perfect metal, gold, they would have achieved eternal life and salvation. In this way, alchemy turned into not only a scientific quest, but a spiritual quest as well. Although the purposes and techniques were often times ritualistic and fanciful, alchemy was in many ways the predecessor of modern science, especially the science of chemistry.The birthplace of alchemy was ancient Egypt, where, in Alexandria, it began to flourish during the Hellenistic period. Also at that time, a school of alchemy was developing in China. The writings of some Greek philosophers may be considered to be among the very first chemical theories, such as the theory that all things are composed of air, earth, fire, and water. Each of these were represented by different elements, such as sulfur, salt, mercury, and, ideally, gold. Other ideas held by alchemists were that each of the known elements were represented by heavenly bodies. Gold was earth's representation of the sun, silver for the moon, mercury for the planet Mercury, copper for Venus, iron for Mars, tin for Jupiter, and lead for Saturn. The typical alchemist's laboratory in Renaissance Europe was a dark, cluttered place that stank of smoke and mysterious chemicals. Many alchemists worked at home, in order to save money and avoid outside interference. Some settled in the kitchen, to take advantage of the cooking fire. Others chose the attic or cellar, where late-night activity was less likely to be noticed by inquisitive neighbors. These small, makeshift laboratories were often filled with a grimy jumble of instruments, manuscripts, skulls, animal specimens, and assorted mystical objects.

Bullying in Nursing

Bullying In Nursing Cassandra Owens Recently, during one of our weekend shifts, the unit was almost to capacity with each nurse having the max number of patients we were allowed to have. Our sister unit is the unit that gets our over flow once we are no longer able to accept any more patients. The charge nurse was a young Army Lieutenant and new to being a charge nurse. When the nursing supervisor called to notify us of another admission, the charge nurse informed her that although we were able to accept two more patients, our sister unit only had five patients.She then asked if the other patients could be directed to the other unit. The supervisor proceeded to yell at her so loud over the phone that we could hear it, stating she would take any admission she directed towards her. Just because she was a new Lieutenant it would behoove her to mind her own floor. Our head nurse was notified and she spoke with the supervisor, but the damage had been done. The nurse is now very hesitant w hen she has to be charge and tries to change shifts so she will not have to do it.Bullying has been receiving a mass amount of attention due to recent horrible acts that have been committed against individuals who are considered helpless and/or weak. From psychological damage to physical harm or even death, bullying is a phenomenon that can be damaging to an individual, group or community. This fact holds true on the professional side as well. Bullying in the nursing profession has been increasingly reported over the past decade. Although bullying behaviors are unfortunately common acts committed by physicians, patients, and patient’s families, nurses also engage in bullying of their colleagues.With this recent increase, it is important to understand the ethical and legal issues associated with this behavior. Considering that the nursing profession has topped the list of the most honest and ethical professions for eleven years in a row, it is concerning that nurses would enga ge in behaviors that have been described as humiliating, intimidating, threatening, or demeaning aimed at their own colleagues (Matt, 2012). There are detailed codes of ethics in place that are supposed to provide guidelines for moral character. Yet, espite these guidelines, nurses engage in the aforementioned behaviors targeting their subordinates and peers. What Is Bullying/Workplace Bullying? Bullying is known by many names; aggression, incivility, mobbing, horizontal or lateral violence and intimidation are some of the synonyms that are associated with the term (Murray, 2009). Workplace bullying is a serious issue affecting the nursing profession. It is defined as any type of repetitive abuse in which the victim of bullying behavior suffers verbal abuse, threats or behaviors by the perpetrator that interfere with his or her job performance (Murray, 2009).Often, workplace bullying involves abuse and/or misuse or power and authority within an organization. Bullying behaviors creat e feelings of defenselessness in the victim and significantly demoralize his or her right to dignity in the workplace (Murray, 2009). Looking back at the example in the introduction, after the nurse spoke with others who have been charge and had to deal with the supervisor, it was found that many of the other nurses were treated the same way. The supervisor only spoke and behaved that way to nurses who were new to the charge nurse position.As it is a requirement for military nurses to act as charge nurse in order to get leadership experience, the supervisor liked to target the newer nurses because she could intimidate them. Nursing leaders must be able to work with others to achieve common goals and be able to assess and develop new opportunities for nurses (Finkelman, 2012). This supervisor creates such a hostile and uncomfortable environment the nurses were hesitant to approach her for any type of guidance for fear of being belittled. Ethical and Legal ConsiderationsThere are seve ral ethical principals, virtues of moral character and codes that are violated by nurses who engage in bullying behaviors. One principal is nonmaleficence, which is defined as requiring one to not engage in infliction of evil or harm on another (Matt, 2012). Since bullying behaviors have the specific intent of humiliating and demeaning another, nurses who bully others violate this principle. Justice is another principle that has many descriptions, but the most basic is fair treatment of all. All workers have a right to a safe and healthy work environment thus bullying behaviors violate the principle of justice.Bullying behavior also violate moral virtues that are associated with nursing. Discernment is the ability to make fitting judgments and reach decisions without being unduly influenced by fears (Matt, 2012). This virtue was definitely violated by my nursing supervisor. Nurses who bully also violate the virtues of compassion, integrity, and conscience; all characteristics that s how the nurse demonstrate weak moral character as well as weak Christian values and characteristics. There are two ethical codes that are violated by nurses who participate in bullying behaviors.The first is the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics for Nurses (Matt, 2012). There are many elements that the code addresses, but when pertain to bullying, the code that is violated pertains to nurses and coworkers. It states that, â€Å"the nurse sustains a cooperative relationship with coworkers in nursing and other fields† (Matt, 2012). Of course, the ANA Code of ethics is violated; specifically provision six which states that, â€Å"the nurse participates in establishing, maintaining and improving healthcare environments and conditions of employment†¦. through individual and collective action† (Finkelman, 2012).Bullying behaviors once again defeat these purposes. Although there are currently no laws in the US specifically targeting workplace bullying, as of May 2011, 16 bills addressing the issue were active in 11 states (The Healthy Workplace Campaign) (Matt, 2012). Violations are also addressed under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Violations of these regulations may result in citations and penalties ranging from temporary closure of a business to fines up to $70,000 per incident if an employer willfully or repeatedly violates the requirements (Matt, 2012).Not only is the employer subject to legal consequences, but the nurse who does the bullying can and will be held accountable as well. No one should be subjected to this type of difficulty while at work. Conclusion Healthcare leaders have a responsibility to employees and the public to provide work environments that are free from abuse and harassment When workplace bullying has been identified it is up to leaders to take appropriate action to ensure the abuse stops, the person is held accountable and steps are taken to ensure it does not happen again.Bullying n ot only affects the healthcare providers who are being targeted, but it affects the healthcare organizations as well. It is reported that bullying in the workplace can cost over $4 billion a year (Murray, 2009). It contributes to increased work dissatisfaction, absence from work and work-related injuries. Hospital administrators, human resource manages and nurse managers must educate themselves to ensure they have a clear understanding of their own responsibilities for providing a safe work environment. Individual nurses must educate themselves as well and not stand for bullying nor participate in bullying behavior.I believe nursing is a blessing and a gift from God; an artistic ability that not everyone is capable of doing. When a person decides to that advantage of this gift and blessing, it is disrespectful to the characteristics of God, which, if studied closely, are directly aligned with the virtues of nursing. I feel the following versus are direct words from God that hold us accountable for our behavior when it comes to nursing and taking care of others, be it our patients or our coworkers: 1 John 3:17 â€Å"But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? ; Philippians 2:4 â€Å"do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. †; and Galatians 6:10 â€Å"So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. † (Society, 1999). How can we say we love God, yet do our fellow man wrong? We have to take a close look in the mirror daily and seek God’s guidance to direct our paths, because if what we do is not pleasing to God, it’s all being done in vain. References Finkelman, A. 2012). Leadership and management for nurses: Core competencies for quality care (2nd ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Matt, S. B. (2012). Ehtic al and legal issues associated with bullying in the nursing profession. Journal of Nursing Law, 9-13. Murray, J. S. (2009). Workplace bullying in nursing: A problem that can't be ignored. Medsurg Nursing, 273-6. Society, I. B. (1999). Comparative Study Bible: King James Version, Amplified Bible, New American Standard, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Introduction to China

Introduction to China Topic: Experience (Likes and dislikes) in China 2011/2012 Introduction I have been in China for more than two years. Early experiences in China and current experiences have a lot of differences. Early days I had so many funny experiences. I am going to start my paper with the funniest experiences. Here it is. When I was coming to China my friends told me that when you meet Chinese people they will say you You should reply the same. Then they will ask you You should reply One day I met a Chinese guy. He told me . I replied the same. Then he asked me I replied And the guy stared at me strangely. At that time I did not know why, but now I know. Another day I went to a restaurant to have my lunch. When I was coming back I met someone and he also greeted me . I replied so. Then he asked me I thought he was asking me whether I have taken my meal or not. So, as usual I said Then he thought for a while and said â€Å"yes, yes I know where the Chifanle country is. It is in Africa, isn’t it? † I said â€Å"No, it was in restaurant† because I thought he asked me where I had my lunch. It was totally a mess. Still now when I remember this I burst out laughing. My likes and dislikes about China: People in the same situation can describe an object positively or negatively due to difference in perception. So, what can be liked by one may be not by another one. However, as I am asked to provide some of my likes and dislikes in china, I am providing it from my perception. My objective is neither to hurt nor to please anyone. If someone is glad to hear my likes it is my pleasure and if someone is hurt I am extremely sorry. My likes * I like the helping tendency of Chinese people. When I came to china I was in trouble in the beginning. I did not find anybody with whom I can speak in English and be understood. But I was really astonished that they were trying to find some way to help me. I was really happy to see the helping tendency. * I like that China has successfully converted its large population into manpower. From an economic point of view, this is one of the major reasons the country have the fastest growing economy in the world. Labor here unlike in the western world is cheap coupled with the availability of technology. Chinese people are hard working in comparison to people in other countries. As I believe that industry is the key to success, so I admire them. * I like Chinese food though most of my classmates complain that Chinese food is spicy. Actually in my country we also eat spicy food. So, I have no problem with spicy food. * China’s natural scenery is unique and famous as one of the most beautiful on the earth. I like the natural scener y of china especially the hills and mountains of china. I also visited some places in china. It’s really wonderful. My Dislikes * I have not yet become fully used to the weather of Wuhan. After coming here I experienced too hot and too cold but it is difficult to tolerate. * I do not like the way Chinese boys and girls fall in love and their frequent change of love. Falling in love is divine and maintaining it is also same, but many are not concerned about maintaining. * Finally I do not like the way the drivers drive cars in China. Most drivers are reckless and won’t give pedestrians chance to cross. I see drivers breaking the traffic rules. Concluding thought China has more ethnic groups and population and has a long enriched history of civilization. If we observe the culture of china and that of my country we see many similarities, and many dissimilarities are also found as well. I respect all the cultural activities of my country as well as China. Before coming to China I was not aware of many of the things that I mentioned in my likes about China and its culture. As the time is passing I am gathering more and more experience about China and its Culture. Now, I like China more and more.

Bush and Gore The Issues essays

Bush and Gore The Issues essays Presidential elections have taken place every four years for more than two hundred years. This year is no exception. The forerunners in the 2000 elections are Governor George Bush (Republican) and Vice President Al Gore (Democrat). These candidates have strong and different views on many issues such as crime, abortion and energy. Crime is a major concern of all American citizens and has been addressed by the majority of candidates in past elections. Voter.com, a web site designed to keep voters informed on the candidates and their stand points on different issues, state that Al Gore believes that there is no more fundamental responsibility than to make Americans safer and more securein there in their homes, on the sidewalks, and in their communities. Gore also helped pass the three strikes and youre out law. This law was designed to keep career criminals off the streets, expands the death penalty to drug lords, and about sixty additional kinds of violent felons (Al Gore on Issue of Crime/Drugs.) George Bushs view on crime is plain and simple, tough love. Bush firmly believes that criminals should suffer the consequences for their actions. The backbone of Bushs view on crime is the death penalty. While Bush was in office more than 134 criminals were executed on Texas Death Row. Bush is quoted, I su pport the death penalty because I believecapital punishment is a deterrent against future violence and will save other innocent lives (George Bush on Issue of Crime/Drugs.) Abortion is another important issue at the center stage of both candidates campaigns. Gore is pro-choice. He believes that women have the right to choose and plans on making abortion safe, legal, and rare. Kate Michelum, President of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, has supported Gore. Michelum stated, Vice Preside ...

Free Essays on Market Researcher

The writer as Market Researcher Interviewing Techniques  · Protect genuine interest do not get defensive with interviewee  · Phrase questions in such a way that the users do not know how you want them to reply Some examples of an out line to follow if you are asking about a specific manual are:  · How frequently do you use this manual  · Under what circumstances do you use it  · When did you last use it  · What tasks are you doing when you use it  · How do you use it? Do you sit down and read it, or do you refer to it while you are doing something else?  · How would you rate it (excellent, Good, fair, poor, awful)  · What do you like best about it?  · What would you change about it?  · Do you have marginal notations in it?  · Who else uses the manual?  · Do you know what they use it for? Some examples of questions to ask about a set of manuals for a product are:  · How easy was it to find the information you wanted? Did you 1. Always find the right manual right away 2. Sometimes try another manual before the right one 3. Almost always try the wrong manual first 4. Hunt through several manuals to find the information 5. Mostly find it.  · When you had the right manual, how easy was it to find information in it? 1. Very easy 2. Pretty easy 3. Took more that three tires 4. Had to leaf through looking 5. Never found it  · Were the titles of the manual 1. Very descriptive 2. Descriptive 3. All right 4. Not very descriptive 5. Not at all descriptive Surveying the audience  · To find out the whole customer group you must prepare questionnaires and surveys representative customers  · A sample of people can include customers chosen at random or it can be representative customers  · Surveys can be done by mail, by telephone or in person  · Mail surveys is the most convenient but the least reliable and the least likely to get responses  · Telephone surveys have a much higher response rat... Free Essays on Market Researcher Free Essays on Market Researcher The writer as Market Researcher Interviewing Techniques  · Protect genuine interest do not get defensive with interviewee  · Phrase questions in such a way that the users do not know how you want them to reply Some examples of an out line to follow if you are asking about a specific manual are:  · How frequently do you use this manual  · Under what circumstances do you use it  · When did you last use it  · What tasks are you doing when you use it  · How do you use it? Do you sit down and read it, or do you refer to it while you are doing something else?  · How would you rate it (excellent, Good, fair, poor, awful)  · What do you like best about it?  · What would you change about it?  · Do you have marginal notations in it?  · Who else uses the manual?  · Do you know what they use it for? Some examples of questions to ask about a set of manuals for a product are:  · How easy was it to find the information you wanted? Did you 1. Always find the right manual right away 2. Sometimes try another manual before the right one 3. Almost always try the wrong manual first 4. Hunt through several manuals to find the information 5. Mostly find it.  · When you had the right manual, how easy was it to find information in it? 1. Very easy 2. Pretty easy 3. Took more that three tires 4. Had to leaf through looking 5. Never found it  · Were the titles of the manual 1. Very descriptive 2. Descriptive 3. All right 4. Not very descriptive 5. Not at all descriptive Surveying the audience  · To find out the whole customer group you must prepare questionnaires and surveys representative customers  · A sample of people can include customers chosen at random or it can be representative customers  · Surveys can be done by mail, by telephone or in person  · Mail surveys is the most convenient but the least reliable and the least likely to get responses  · Telephone surveys have a much higher response rat...

Funny Birthday Quotes to Get a Laugh

Funny Birthday Quotes to Get a Laugh Nothing works better than the gift of laughter. Get a giggle or a guffaw when you send birthday greetings to your friends, family, or business associates. Some people get glum about seeing another milestone birthday, and a laugh can help ease the melancholy. Others are hoping to be remembered on their special day. So, spread the joy with these funny birthday quotes. Make your loved ones birthdays memorable. AnonymousBirthdays are natures way of telling us to eat more cake.Steven WrightLast week the candle factory burned down. Everyone just stood around and sang, Happy Birthday.Samuel JohnsonThe return of my birthday, if I remember it, fills me with thoughts which it seems to be the general care of humanity to escape.Father Larry LorenzoniBirthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.​Robert FrostTime and Tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty.Erma BombeckA friend never defends a husband who gets his wife an electric skillet for her birthday.Mary SchmichLike many women my age, I am 28 years old.George BurnsPeople ask me what Id most appreciate getting for my eighty-seventh birthday. I tell them, a paternity suit.Robert FrostA diplomat is a man who always remembers a womans birthday but never remembers her age.John GlennThere is still no cure for the common birthday.

Positive benefits from cloning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Positive benefits from cloning - Essay Example Reproductive cloning means the creation of a newborn human or other animal that is an exact duplication of an existing person or animal. This involves removing the DNA from an embryo and replacing it with the DNA from a cell removed from an individual. Then the embryo would be implanted in the uterus of a woman with the intent of it developing into a fetus and eventually a newborn whose DNA is identical to that of the original individual. This method has been used to clone a sheep. This method is also known as adult DNA cloning. Therapeutic cloning is also called biomedical cloning, research cloning or somatic cell nuclear transfer. It means the creation of pre-embryos in order to extract their stem cells and create a human organ. It involves the process of somatic cell nuclear transfer in which the nucleus of a cell from a human patient's body is injected into a human ovum which has had its nucleus removed. The goal of therapeutic cloning is to obtain stem cells which can be developed into organs for transplant that have an identical DNA structure to the organ recipient. It does not involve the attempt to create a newborn. (Terminology. First two Paras). As the two terms are causing confusion among the general public, some people have been suggesting that the term 'therapeutic cloning' should be addressed as somatic cell nuclear transfer. The positive benefits Though the issue of stem cell research and cloning are highly controversial, present and further research will only benefit the humanity. Protagonists of cloning argue that there is a great scope for the social, physical and economical progress of the humanity through research in therapeutic cloning. Organ cloning can terminate deadly illnesses and save precious human lives. Its utilities in medical field are immense and innumerable. Some of them are as follows. 1. Progress in this field can help infertile couples have children through cloning. With treatment the infertile couples can develop the ability to conceive. 2. Cloning research in the field can be utilized for replicating skin and nerve cells to repair damaged ones or replace non-existent ones. 3 3. If therapeutic cloning using embryos is successful, then perfectly matched replacement organs could become freely available to sick and dying people. (What are its possible benefits First Para). And that would save countless numbers of lives, and increase the quality of life of countless others. Three possible medical examples of therapeutic cloning are: 1.The use of insulin-secreting cells for diabetes.2. The use of nerve cells in stroke or Parkinson's disease.3. The use of liver cells to repair a damaged organ. Organ development and plantation through therapeutic cloning would have some more benefits when compared to regular organ transplant donated by someone. For any organ transplantation, no other person would have to lose his/her organ. Patients would not have to wait for long for some organ to arrive but at the same time they would have the advantage of having a new

Rewrite Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Rewrite - Essay Example There are different pricing policies of Foodmart, which can be explained by the company’s convenience of retailing and potential profits gained from sale. Therefore, Internet prices differ from prices in the shops of the Company. Under conditions of agreements for online operations, Todd had to pay retail price, which is not indicated in the Internet. Henry Cheeseman states in his book, The Legal Environment of Business and Online Commerce: Business CurrEthics, E-Commerce, Regulatory, and International Issues, (2010) that to enforce a contract, there is a need to follow these requirements: to consider agreement, consideration, contractual capacity, and a lawful object. Todd was ready for agreement, when he agreed upon terms and conditions of online transaction. Todd was also considered about the sum of money, which he had to pay for the sauce. The object of the contract, chocolate sauce, can be considered a legal element. Thus, it is possible to claim that this contract is enf orceable. Todd wanted to buy chocolate sauce at a lower price, which existed in real environment only and was unavailable in online world. The store has a right to sell goods and products in accordance with its real pricing policy. In case a customer is dissatisfied or wants to change any issues of this policy, his claims are irrelevant. Thus, in this case a contract specifies that advertised prices are not applicable for online purchasing, which means that the contract is enforceable and Foodmart wins. Nevertheless, in case Todd did not sign in the contract and he did not mark â€Å"I agree† option online, this contract cannot be enforceable. The clients of online purchasing should agree upon the terms of agreements and contracts, otherwise there is no enforceable power in online purchasing. From another perspective, purchasing in the real world requires that customer

Out of Africa, Biological Adam and Eve Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Out of Africa, Biological Adam and Eve - Essay Example All that we know about Adam and Eve is that they were the first human beings on earth. They were banished from heaven and sent to earth as punishment. Human brain inquires many questions over this small statement. Is this a true tale? Were Adam and Eve really the first human beings? If they were punished or banished from heaven then why are we here? And, is this all a punishment? Theology and science have been into cold war on these topics from the very beginning. This is because science accepts logic and evidences however, religion expects one to believe in whatever is told without any doubts. The aspects of the existence of universe and that of mankind are discussed side by side in this assignment. Adam and Eve are the first two human beings i.e. male and female, created by God. He wanted them to live in heaven and gave them superiority over the other creations of His. He made every possible luxury available to them but ordered them to avoid only one thing. He ordered them to stay away from one tree. That tree is termed as tree of knowledge which contained the knowledge of evil and good in it. Some mythological tales state that the tree of knowledge had â€Å"apples† on it. Satan misguided Eve and made her go near the tree. She being the only companion of Adam convinced him to accompany her. On this act God became angry with them and banished them from garden of heaven. He expelled them from heaven and made them spend their lives on earth. Also, he did not keep their lives free of tension or evil. It is in many mythological tales that God made humans suffer by giving women childbirth pain and by making men face the hardships of earning livelihood and farming etc. It is also found in historic writings and theological information that they were expelled to earth and sent to Africa. This tale is what we all know but how we are connected to Adam and Eve and how our roots connect with Africa is still a mystery. There are many paintings made by people of dif ferent faith over this incident. They all tell something different yet all are common at the point of naming both the humans as Adam and Eve. The topic under discussion throws light over Adam and Eve existence, their expulsion from heaven, their lives on earth, their multiplication and migration. Bombarded with philosophy, theology and science, the questions of human race existence are answered to unravel the facts unknown to most of our generation. Part. 2: Out of Africa, Biological Adam and Eve Adam and Eve were the first human couple due to which we are here today. This is the little piece of information we all have. There are numerous things dwelling between the above mentioned two simple lines. Let us discuss the religious, scientific and logical aspects of this simple story which starts becoming complex as we analyze its different aspects. 2.1 Religious Aspect about the existence of Adam and Eve According to the religious perspective, Adam and Eve were meant to live in Eden an d enjoy God’s bounties without having any unfulfilled desire. God created every luxury in heaven for them. He gave them superiority over other beings and excused them from the hardships of life (House and Grover, 2009, pp.31-36). House and Grover (2009, pp.32) state that Mattew Henry exemplified Eve to be created from Adam’s rib because God did not want him to live alone. The woman created from the rib has the logical justification of not to rule over man, be by his side for his support, to be guarded and loved.

WA 11-12 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

WA 11-12 - Essay Example This is because, in times of crisis a firm would still need an accountant to supervise and manage the company’s cash inflow and outflow. So the job has comparatively lesser risks attached to it. Also, being an accountant one can understand the company’s financial standing and predict the future functioning of the company. So through this information they can stay well informed and make better decisions like investing in stocks and shares or not. The majority of stocks are traded on stock exchanges. Stock exchange is a medium of communication between the buyer and seller. Stock exchange can be a physical place or a virtual place where purchasers and sellers meet up and negotiate on a price of the stock. The main aim of the stock exchange is to lessen the risks linked up with investing and smooth the swap of securities between the buyer and seller. New York Stock Exchange or NYSC is one of the most renowned stock exchanges and it is also known as the â€Å"Big Board†. Huge companies in America like Mc Donalds, Coca Cola, Wal Mart, City Group, Gillette have their stocks in NYSE which has the largest market choice for the biggest firms. The orders are received through the brokerage firms and they stream down to the floor brokers who cover a precise place on the floor where the stocks are traded. This place is identified as the trading post where the person known as the specialist links the buyers and sellers. The NASDAQ is another famous stock exchange. It is a virtual stock exchange and doesn’t have any physical location. The stocks are traded electronically through a complex network of dealers. It serves as a home to the tech masters like Microsoft, Dell, Oracle, Intel, Cisco. The American Stock Exchange, AMEX is another top of the line stock exchange in the U.S and stands third in the ranking. Trading with small cap stocks and their derivatives occurs in AMEX. There

Asian Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Asian Culture - Essay Example Companies such as Toyota, Honda and Hyundai slowly made a name through their efficient and affordable models competing with homegrown brands such as Ford and General Motors. The McDonald’s catchphrase of ‘I’m lovin it’ has seen many translations in different countries to be consistent in each culture. Yes, to an extent there is truth that ‘trade follows manga.’ Personally I have heard of ‘Naruto’ and seen it in passing. I have also seen kids with the same character on some of their things including the head band which the main character wears. I am not quite sure if ‘Pokemon’ is a manga but as a Japanese anime it has been a constant sight in toy stores for years. But I have not bought any similar product nor had been propelled to buy Japanese brands for such reason. Yes, because hybrid advertising is the only way for them to reach out to that audience. It must be noted though that for most of these advertising strategies they target a specific demarcation which may already have in the first place an interest in the product. They do not have to please everybody especially overly conservative members of the population or else they run the possibility of losing the advertisement’s inherent content and message. What is acceptable is a personal conception and differs accordingly. Yes, I think that most countries are more accepting of Japan’s cuteness culture. It must be understood that most of these things cater to children and teenagers although there are still adult followings. What children like they like no matter what nationality they have. This is the same reason Disney movies or television shows are popular across the globe. Things like manga, anime and others are very appealing to particular demographics regardless of their geographical location. 6. As mentioned, new media microblogs are slowly replacing the traditional mainstream media, such as TV and newspapers. What do you think the new media will

John stuart mill (for history of psychology class) Essay

John stuart mill (for history of psychology class) - Essay Example He left Scotland four years later and went to London. James Stuart's London life has been divided into three periods: that of struggle - 1802-1819, the period of his most successful works - 1819- 1829 and the last one, from 1830 to his death, in 1836, when he both enjoyed fame and had been made Head Examiner in the India House. As to his inner life, some features are to be noticed: the negativist attitude towards religion, the strength of character, the critical and analytical spirit - "there is nothing which such a spirit will not analyze, nothing which it will not dare to comprehend" (Courtney, 1888, p.20), the rationality, lack of imagination and sympathy. Rationality and strength of character are to be seen both in his personal life, in his relationship with his children and friends, deprived of all emotion and feeling, and in his literary works. And it's according to the principles of pure logic that his son, John Stuart Mill was educated. We find an important amount of data concerning John Stuart Mill's life in his own autobiography. In the first chapter of his own book, before starting with the presentation of his childhood and early education, Mill states the reasons of his writing this work: "I do not for a moment imagine that any part of what I h... tory, it may be useful that there should be some record of an education which was unusual and remarkable, and which, whatever else it may have done, has proved how much more than is commonly supposed may be taught, and will taught, in those early years which, in the common modes of what is called instruction, are little better than wasted. It has also seemed to me that in an age of transition in opinions, there may be somewhat both of interest and of benefit in noting the successive phases of any mind which was always pressing forward, equally ready to learn and to unlearn either from its own thoughts or from those of others. But a motive which weighs more with me than either of these, is a desire to make acknowledgment of the debts which my intellectual and moral development owes to other persons; some of them of recognized eminence, others less known than they deserve to be, and the one to whom most of all is due, one whom the world had no opportunity of knowing." (Mill, 1944, p.1) As we can see, from the very beginning, John Stuart Mill states the influence that others had on his own development. From the following pages we find out, in the context of the presentation of his first years of life, who these others were. Born on the 20th of May, 1806, the English philosopher started learning Greek when he was three years old. In his book, this piece of information is presented as told by others, as he himself doesn't remember when he took his first Greek class. He reads Greek masterpieces: Herodotus, Socrates, Diogenes Laertius and Plato's writings and, when he is eight years old, he starts learning Latin. It's also during his early childhood that he learns arithmetic but most of his time is occupied with the reading of books - mostly history books. The child makes

Asian Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Asian Culture - Essay Example Companies such as Toyota, Honda and Hyundai slowly made a name through their efficient and affordable models competing with homegrown brands such as Ford and General Motors. The McDonald’s catchphrase of ‘I’m lovin it’ has seen many translations in different countries to be consistent in each culture. Yes, to an extent there is truth that ‘trade follows manga.’ Personally I have heard of ‘Naruto’ and seen it in passing. I have also seen kids with the same character on some of their things including the head band which the main character wears. I am not quite sure if ‘Pokemon’ is a manga but as a Japanese anime it has been a constant sight in toy stores for years. But I have not bought any similar product nor had been propelled to buy Japanese brands for such reason. Yes, because hybrid advertising is the only way for them to reach out to that audience. It must be noted though that for most of these advertising strategies they target a specific demarcation which may already have in the first place an interest in the product. They do not have to please everybody especially overly conservative members of the population or else they run the possibility of losing the advertisement’s inherent content and message. What is acceptable is a personal conception and differs accordingly. Yes, I think that most countries are more accepting of Japan’s cuteness culture. It must be understood that most of these things cater to children and teenagers although there are still adult followings. What children like they like no matter what nationality they have. This is the same reason Disney movies or television shows are popular across the globe. Things like manga, anime and others are very appealing to particular demographics regardless of their geographical location. 6. As mentioned, new media microblogs are slowly replacing the traditional mainstream media, such as TV and newspapers. What do you think the new media will

Ancient history Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ancient history - Research Paper Example In every sphere of life, the Greeks were accustomed to see women as an addendum to the males. Some Greek medical treatises, which were written by Hippocrates1 and other anonymous Greek authors, reveal that though Greek medical scholars had endeavored to look deep into women’s physical realities from a neutral scientific perspective, they showed a tendency to see women as addendum to male. Consequently, such view seemed to dominate their medical interpretations of women’s physical realities (Pomeroy 34-37). Similarly, in other spheres of life, such as economy, politics, religion, law, etc, they would draw strict demarcations between men’s and women’s status as well as roles. Women’s Socioeconomic Status in Ancient Greece Like all other patriarchal societies, ancient Greeks used to see their women as men’s properties. As a result, the Greeks would not allow their women to inherit property. Also those women could not run business or be involved in earning activities. Traditionally it was believed that â€Å"A good wife's duty 'tis, Nicostratus, not to command, but to obey her spouse; most mischievous a wife who rules her husband† (Philemon pars. 18). ... Ancient Greek women could achieve wealth in several ways such as inheritance (not in traditional sense), receiving dowry and gifts. In fact, inheritance was a legal condition by a woman could inherit property of their deceased males as a mediator, if the legal inheritors of any deceased man or Kyrios were not mature enough. But they were required to transfer it to the legal inheritors of a Kyrios. Women’s Legal Status in Greek Society In that rigidly patriarchal Greek society, women could not enjoy independent individual existence. Instead, a Greek woman was bound to pass her entire life under the custody of a â€Å"Kyrios or male guardian† (Blundell 114), who was supposedly her father or her husband. In this regard, Sue Blundell comments, â€Å"Until she was married, a woman came under the guardianship of her father, or male next-of-kin. On her marriage, her husband took over the role of the role of kyrios.† (Blundell 112) In Greek patriarchy, a Kyrios would hav e to provide food, clothe, protection, etc to a woman who was under his guardianship. Such patriarchal norms of the Greek society necessarily would not allow a woman to be involved in economic activities. As a result, women had to remain economically dependent on their male counterparts and their economic dependence would result into their subservience to men. Consequently, this economic dependency excluded women from most of the outdoor activities; thus they would turn into the mere plaything of their men. The Greek society believed that â€Å"Good Women must abide within the house; Those whom we meet abroad are nothing worth.† (Anonymous pars. 45) Also Greek women were not allowed to occupy a judiciary post, as Sue

Black America Essay Example for Free

Black America Essay I. Introduction A. One significant problem faced among the judicial system is the injustice involving African Americans with sentencing and racial profiling. Not only will the individual and society response be discussed but the expert’s theories and alternative solutions will be included. II. African Americans facing injustice within the judicial system. A. Sentencing for crimes committed compared to other races. 1. Marissa Alexander, a black mother, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after shooting a warning shot to scare her abusive husband. No one was injured in her choice to shoot the warning shoot but Amber Cummings, a 32 year old mother, did not face any jail time for killing her husband who was said to be a white supremacists. 2. Judge Jean Boyd sentenced a young white male, Ethan Couch, after killing 4 individuals while driving drunk, to 10 years of probation and sentence a 14 year old black male to 10 years of prison after punching and killing a man. Ethan Couch prior to the incidents, stole from a store and alcohol level was three times the limit. Neither young men where mentally ill or had justification on the crimes they committed but sentencing was harsher for the young black male. 3. John McNeil, a black father of two, was sentenced to seven years in prison and 13 years of probation in 2005 for murdering a white male that threaten to stab his sons after trespassing on their property while Joe Horn, an elderly white male shot and killed two men that was breaking and entering into his neighbor’s home one night. Horn took it upon himself, even after the 911 operator repeatedly informed him not to interfere in the situation because the cops were on the way, to murder the two men. 2 B. Racial Profiling of African American individuals. 1 Trayvon Martin was a young black teen walking through a neighborhood with a black hoodie and was murdered by George Zimmerman because he believe the young teen was going to commit a crime. George Zimmerman did not serve any jail-time for the murder. 4. African Americans have a higher chance of being stop by police officers when driving and frisking than a White American. Research has found that â€Å"in investigatory stops, a black man age twenty-five or younger has a 28 percent chance of being stopped for an investigatory reason over the course of an year; a similar young white man has 12. 5 percent chance and a similar young white woman has only a 7 percent chance†. (Epp Maynard, 2014, p. 15) 5. African Americans also has a higher chance of being stalked or watched closely in department stores. For example: Barneys, a high-in department store is now under fire for its practices when facing minorities. Two young African Americans have come forward with their issues faced when shopping in Barneys. One young man, Trayon Christian was put in handcuffs after an employee of Barneys called the police to report a fraudulent credit card used by the African American male and later found out the credit card was real. Kayla Philips purchased a 2300. 00 pursed and was later stop by the police upon leaving the store. (Harris, 2013, p. 1) III. Expert’s Opinion on the problem. A. Both David Harris and Randall Kennedy have research and exam research on the topic of racial profiling. 1 David Harris is a law professor at University of Pittsburg School of Law and has found that in 2003, many of the traffic vehicle stops resulted in illegal substances and goods being found by police officers. When Harris calculated the traffic vehicle stops he came across that White Black America vs. the Criminal Justice SystemPage 2 of 8 3 Americans contributed to most of the stops and that â€Å"that racial profiling is a counterproductive law enforcement strategy as well as a controversial one. † (Collica, 2012, chp. 4. 3). 2 Randall Kennedy wrote an article in 2011 title, â€Å"Race and the Administration of Criminal Justice in the United States. In 2006 he research racial profiling in New York City and found that â€Å"55% of African Americans were stopped by the police and that number is twice the representation of Blacks in the local population. † (Collica, 2012, chp. 4. 3) IV. Society response on the problem. A. Citizens are coming together to form rallies for Justice. 1. Ferguson, Missouri citizens have rallied and protest since the death of Michael Brown, a young African American male who was gunned down by a police officer. 2. Many cities, states and countries rallied after the disappointing verdict of the Trayvon Martin case. V. The public policies in place to rectify the problem. A. In May of 2013, Congress put into play the End Racial Profiling Act. 1. This act was set in place to end racial profiling among law enforcement agencies by: Black America vs. the Criminal Justice SystemPage 3 of 8 4 a. â€Å"Grants the United States or an individual injured by racial profiling the right to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief. † (â€Å"End of Racial Profiling,† 2013). b. â€Å"Requires federal law enforcement agencies to maintain adequate policies and procedures to eliminate racial profiling and to cease existing practices that permit racial profiling. † (â€Å"End of Racial Profiling,† 2013) VI. Alternative solutions that can assist with the issue. A. Every police office should have a camera inside of their vehicles or a camera on their bodies at all times. If the rules cannot be followed then the police officer should face disciplinary actions. 1. If the police force use the camera in the car and on themselves at all times this will help minimize police brutality. Police Officers will make sure to use proper force in every situation and will not overuse their power as authority figures. B. If a citizen decides to use deadly force against an individual and that individual is killed, that citizen should face jail time, unless that individual posed a threat to their life or others. 1. Citizens find that they can shoot anyone for anything. Unless this person is trying to cause physical harm to them, citizens should not have the authority to use deadly force against anyone. 2. If someone is in a domestic violence situation and the police is called the individual causing harm should automatically be arrested and charges should be placed on that individual. No more allowing the victim the ability to agree or disagree to these charges. Not only will this allow the abuse to get out of the situation, this will also help with future violence†¦including murder. Black America vs. the Criminal Justice SystemPage 4 of 8 5 C. Police Officers should always use a stun gun or pepper spray whenever they come across an irate individual. 1. Police officers should always use their pepper spray or stun guns when taking down or taking in an unarm individual. Especially if there is more than one officer at the scene of the crime. If someone is resisting arrest use the stun gun or pepper spray to subdue the individual. Let’s stop violence with using more force than necessary. VII. Conclusion A. It has slightly change throughout the years with African American men and women having the right to vote and sit peacefully in a restaurant without being bothered or called names but in all fairness, African American people will always have it hard. Yes, we have an African American president but that does not stop the high numbers of frisking or being stop by the police after purchasing a high dollar amount item because someone believes you could possibly be a thief. Yes, the statistics throughout the years to come might dwindled down but the Black race will be looked down upon and will called criminals because of a few bad apples. The Black race will still continue to be murdered in the streets, unarmed or surrendering with no proper justice because, like the saying, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Black America vs. the Criminal Justice SystemPage 5 of 8 6 References Collica, K. Furst, G. (2012). Crime and Society. San Diego CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. It explains criminology and how society responds to crime. It breaks down crime through age, gender, race, education and living conditions. It shows statistics of crime and types of crime and explains how the statistics are measured. Epp, C. , Maynard-Moody, S. (2014). Driving While Black. Washington Monthly, 46(1/2), 14- 16. Retrieved from http://eds. a. ebscohost. com. proxy- library. ashford. edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? sid=212adf44-d029-44a2-9c35- b2a2e0dc1f07%40sessionmgr4002vid=6hid=4203. This article discussed the statistics involving driving and frisking among all races. It breaks down the measurements through race, age, sex, education and living conditions. It discuss how the African American race will always be prejudice upon. Gabbidon, S. L. , Jordan, K. L. , Penn, E. B. , Higgins, G. E. (2014). Black Supporters of the No-Discrimination Thesis in Criminal Justice: A Portrait of an Understudied Segment of the Black Community. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 25(5), 637. Retrieved from http://cjp. sagepub. com. proxy-library. ashford. edu/content/25/5/637. full. pdf+html This article explains the different methods used to measure the African American response to the criminal justice system. Six hundred African American individuals were surveyed and only 26% believes that the criminal justice system is not prejudice against one race. The measurements are broken down into age, education and living conditions. The older generation of African Americans made up most of the 26 percentage. Harris, D. (2013). Shopping While Black. World News with Diane Sawyer, 1. Retrieved from Black America vs. the Criminal Justice SystemPage 6 of 8 7 http://eds. b. ebscohost. com. proxy-library. ashford. edu/eds/detail/detail? vid=1sid=e32d3682- cdb2-48b8-8a38- a2f84927e979%40sessionmgr198hid=104bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU. %3d#db=bwhAN=91694591 This article not only discussed certain African American individuals views and experience with the high in department store Barney’s but also questions a high profile celebrity on his involvement with the company. They question his beliefs and how he feels about the controversy surrounding the company. Rosich, K. J. (2007). Race, Ethnicity, and the Criminal Justice System. Washington, DC: American Sociological Association. Retrieved from http://www. asanet. org/images/press/docs/pdf/ASARaceCrime. pdf This article explains the many statistics and research data performed on racism and race relations issues. Statistics are measured through, race, gender, age, education, employment, living conditions and other factors. S-1038 – End Racial Profiling Act of 2013. (2013). Retrieved October 26, 2014, from https://www. congress. gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1038? q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B %22end+racial+profiling+act+2014%22%5D%7D This article discuss and explains what the End Racial Profiling Act of 2013 is. This act was introduced in May of 2013 with every action that has taken place with voting, amendments and other act created based off it is documented. Black America vs. the Criminal Justice SystemPage 7 of 8.

History, Language and Post-colonial Issues in Brian Friel’s Translations :: Essays Papers

History, Language and Post-colonial Issues in Brian Friel’s Translations Owen: Back to first principles. What are we trying to do? Yolland: Good question. Owen: We are trying to denominate and at the same time describe . . . † Dun na nGall or Donegal? Muineachain or Monaghan? Same place, same difference? As Owen says about his own name: â€Å"Owen - Roland - what the hell. It’s only a name.† ( Translations ) For the student of post-colonial literature, what transpires in Friel’s play as the British army proceed to map this particular corner of the empire is that like language itself, it is not so much the naming and the changing of names but what that signifies and what those names signify in a particular context, coming from a particular mouth. A simple post-colonial reading could view such events as a violation of geographic space: â€Å"Imperialism after all is an act of geographical violence through which virtually every space in the world is explored, charted, and finally brought under control.† (Said, 10), and an appropriation and subversion of identity. What makes Friel’s play so rich is the way his dialogue plays with the subtle antinomies and nuances of the situation. Can one identify a coherent imperial project, a desire to exterminate subversive Gaelic or is it the inevitable pragmatic impulse of commerce and laissez-faire economics? The practicalities of day-to-day existence are clear in Maire’s desire to learn English so she can work in America. Owen exemplifies engagement with the colonial centre in contrast to his brother, Manus. However, when the play has taken it’s tragic turn it is Owen who suffers ignominy at the command of Lancey who orders him, â€Å"Do your job - translate.† (Act 3) The translations acquire the bitter taste of complicity, betrayal and shame in Owen’s mouth. Owen also serves, potentially, as ‘mimic-man’ in his role as servant of the empire - one who, â€Å" . . .simultaneously reinforces colonial authority and disturbs it.†(Sharpe) His final exit, to find Doalty - be it to help him or hinder him - as a Yeatsian ‘man of action’, potentiates this aspect of the theoretical type. His blend of pragmatism and willingness to engage mark him as, in Saidian terms, a potentially liberating force. Manus in this binarism represents Said’s first stage of Nationalism. Jose Rabasa, in ‘Allegories of Atlas’, discusses the significance of the map in colonial and post-colonial contexts. Functioning as a mirror of the world it offers a conception of ‘a reality’, â€Å" .

Jealousy and Self-Love in My Last Duchess by Robert Browning Essay

Robert Browning's dramatic poem "My Last Duchess" defines how extremely a person may lose touch with reality, as a result of jealousy and self-love. Â  This central thought is achieved through an aristocrat's conversation with a visitor concerning a painting of his ex-wife; within the conversation, the aristocrat--Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara--reveals that he has been a key figure in the murder of his late wife. Â  The Duke's sense of reality and his misuse of power stand as important facets within the fabrication of the central idea. The Duke almost seems to be encouraging the reader to focus on the fact that his sense of reality is defective. Â  He begins pressing this notion to the reader within the early stages of the poem, while talking to the visitor about a portrait of his murdered wife: "I call that piece a wonder now: Fra Pandolf's hands worked busily a day, and there she stands"(Browning 695-696). Â  Upon reading this so early in the Duke's conversation, the reader is taken back; how could an individual be more interested in the quality of work in a piece of art than his dead...

Do We Define Our Lives Essay

Over the last decade or so people have begun to make a shift into accepting a new way of looking at the world that we live in – the belief that is making this impact is that you create your own life and, in some respects, you are in charge of your own destiny. This system of beliefs became known as the â€Å"New Age Movement†, however it’s really not all that new. The â€Å"law of attraction†, as it’s also known, has been around perhaps nearly as long as humans have been able to have reasonable thoughts. In fact, there’s a quote from Buddha saying, â€Å"All that we are is a result of what we have thought.† This law of attraction has only gained popularity recently because of the emergence of books like The Secret into popular culture that seemed to take the world by storm. As with anything that becomes hugely popular, it has varied from being widely accepted to being strongly criticized. There are numerous authors who have written boo ks instructing readers how to â€Å"tap into the universe† and use the law of attraction to bring things into your life that you want. Conversely, there are just as many who criticize this new way of thinking as being lazy, selfish, and causing people to not take responsibility for the actual work needed to achieve their goals. Perhaps the biggest criticism of the New Age movement comes unsurprisingly from the Christian community, who claim that the idea of you being in control of your own life takes away from the teachings that are portrayed in the Bible – that God is is ultimately in control and that we should leave things completely up to Him. However, even in books guiding people to understand the law of attraction, they use quotes from the Bible or use the name â€Å"God† to describe the force that is helping people achieve their best lives. It’s hard not to get caught up in something that claims that we can â€Å"attract† great things into our lives with little or no effort, or to get caught up in the argument that it’s selfish of us to want certain things in our lives and to pursue them. Ultimately, I think what it comes down to is what you find that works for you. I believe the biggest influence on convincing people that the law of attraction works is participation in the act of defining what you want out of your life instead of floating thorough it aimlessly, and in doing so, you cause yourself to put in motion the actions that will make those things happen. My English professor, Dr. Janet Smith, expressed it best when she said, â€Å"You can’t control other people and you can’t control the world, but to some extent you can control your own life.† Another influence from the law of attraction is actively changing your perspective on the events that are happening in your life. Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, â€Å"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be† and I have to say that I agree whole-heartedly with him. To begin to understand the law of attraction and the effect that it’s had on the world and even on your own life, the first thing that you should look at is the book The Secret written by Rhonda Byrne, released in 2006. The book actually came out some time shortly after the movie that shared the same title and is basically a way of reiterating the main thoughts that were presented in the film, but in a text version that could be easier used for referring back to. The book begins by introducing the idea of the law of attraction by saying, â€Å"When you focus your thoughts on something you want, and you hold that focus, you are in that moment summoning what you want with the mightiest power in the Universe† (Byrne 14). The book actually takes the liberty of describing the law of attraction as a definable law of nature as is seen when Byrne states, â€Å"The law of attraction is a law of nature. It is as impartial and impersonal as the law of gravity is. It is precise, a nd it is exact† (Byrne 27) and also, â€Å"Just like the law of gravity, the law of attraction never slips up† (Byrne 36). The Secret then goes into describing how a person can tap into the law of attraction and bring about the life that they’ve envisioned for themselves. The book highlights â€Å"gratitude† and â€Å"visualization† as being key components to receiving what you seek. Byrne takes an example from her own experience and says, â€Å"With all that I have read and all that I have experienced in my own life using The Secret, the power of gratitude stands above everything else. If you only do one thing with your knowledge of The Secret use gratitude until it becomes a way of life† (Byrne 76). Visualization is described as, â€Å"†¦ powerfully focused thought in pictures†¦ When you are visualizing, you are emitting that powerful frequency out into the Universe. The law of attraction will take hold of that powerful signal and return those pictures back to you, just as you saw them in your mind† (Byrne 81). By using these two powerful forces of attractio n, supposedly you can bring about whatever it is that you desire to have in your life. However, the most important thing to notice here is that by using gratitude in whatever circumstances you find yourself in, you are forcing yourself to change your perspective of how your life appears; and by visualizing what you want out of your life, you are defining clear goals that you want to work to achieve and your subconcious begins to take actions to make that happen for you. One of my good friends, Mark Aspiazu, defined life as a Plinko game: â€Å"The coin is basically going along the path that your life is taking, and each peg is a decision that you make, every day, every hour, every minute, etc. If you have unclear goals, the coin just bounces along and goes wherever. If you define your goal, you find yourself making decisions that push the coin one way or the other; and if you find yourself off the path and then remember your goal, you can bring the coin back to where you want it. Sometimes you meet your goal, sometimes the goal changes, but your decisions never stop pushing the coin (your life) along the path.† – Mark Aspiazu, President of Herzing University (New Orleans campus) A book that I read recently, The Alchemist, written by Paolo Coelho in 1988, is another novel that introduces readers to the idea of the law of attraction and the universe helping people to achieve what they set their minds to. However, in The Alchemist, rather than having personal desires fulfilled by the Universe and the law of attraction, we are introduced to the idea of having a predetermined path that will make our lives complete, should we make the decision to follow it. Paolo Coelho lays out his teachings through the story of a young shepard boy named Santiago who discovers his life path, or â€Å"personal legend† as the author refers to it, through a recurring dream. He then takes bold measures to pursue it and loses everything he has at least twice in the process. But along the way, he meets key people who instruct him on the practice of following your personal legend and lead him in the right direction to follow his own. One of the first, and most influential people that Santiago meets is an old king who introduces him to the idea of personal legends and says, â€Å"†¦ when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it† (Coelho 22). The biggest thing that Santiago is taught to look out for is omens that come from God in various shapes and sizes, â€Å"In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that He left for you† (Coelho 30). However, following the omens can sometimes be intimidating because it’s a step that you have to take that pushes you out of your comfort zone and into unknown territory. This is where the idea of having the courage to follow your personal legend really comes into play – â€Å"Courage is the quality most essential to understanding the Language of the World† (Coelho 117). This isn’t a foreign concept to anyone and is brought up throughout history, one quote being by Basil King circa 1900, â€Å"Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid†, and another more recently by the former owner of the New Orleans Hornets, George Shinn, â€Å"Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known into the unknown.† Santiago succeeds and manages to follow his personal legend to the end, even though he regretted it and wished to return to his sheep several times along the way. Though sometimes it may seem as if he’s strayed off the path, God and the universe continue to push him and gently guide him in the direction that he’s meant to go. At every crossroad, he’s given the option to turn back or move forward, and though he’s afraid, he perseveres remembering, â€Å"†¦people need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want† (Coelho 76) and eventually finds success and happiness. The idea that Coelho introduces through his simple story is one of choosing to follow a predetermined fate and having God (and therefore, the universe) conspire to help make that a reality. It introduces the law of attraction in a way that would maybe be easier to swallow for those who were most opposed to it. The biggest argument against the uprising movement that The Secret inspired came from the Christian community, and with good reason – it seems to go against the very basic fundamentals that are taught in the Bible, to follow God’s will unfalteringly and let Him handle everything, no questions asked. At first glance, they could be seen as being right. But when you look at the supposed dilemma through the eyes of Coelho’s young shepard boy, you see someone making choices, yes, but choices to follow a path that has been laid out for them. There’s no denying that God has a designated a path for you, for He himself says, â€Å"For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future† (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). While The Secret can be seen as bordering on herecy according to some Christians, it actually claims to follow the formula that’s demonstrated in the Bible on how to receive what you’re looking for and uses the passage to display this, â€Å"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours† (Mark 11:24 NIV). Jesus also says, â€Å"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you† (Matthew 7:7 NIV). However, these can be considered to be taken out of context. The dilemma that’s causing the real issue here is: Is what you’re asking for what you want for yourself or is it what you believe God wants for you? Christians believe that God gave us free will, and if that’s the case then He gave it to us for a reason – and part of that involves making the decision to follow His path for us or to attempt to forge our own. The Bible says, â€Å"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him† (1 John 5:14 NIV). So if you’re following the will of God, then you are surely asking for what God would want for you, and will therefore receive it. In The Alchemist we have the idea that God gives you signs and conspires to help you to find what you’re seeking for, but only if you’re following your personal legend (or your predetermined path). This aligns neatly with the Puritanical views of predestination and the Christian views of following God’s path that’s laid out for you, but it still demonstrates the â€Å"Universe† complying to the law of attraction and giving you what you visualize yourself receiving. Though both novels are demonstrating the law of attraction with equal clarity, because of the different approaches that they took, The Alchemist could be easier for someone coming from a Christian background (who would normally be opposed to the law of attraction) to accept. Getting caught up on religious specifications and the different titles that people use to define â€Å"God† may be the biggest obstacle holding multitudes of people back from discovering the actual potential that their lives hold. In some cases perhaps it’s better to separate yourself from religious restrictions that confine and limit your beliefs and allow yourself to be open to new possibilities that present themselves to you. To quote Abraham Lincoln once again, â€Å"When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion,† – this is maybe the approach that more people should be willing to take. As Paolo Coelho shows in his novel, it is entirely possible to believe in following the will of God and to have the law of attraction work in your favor to help you achieve it. It all relies on your perception of how you view your life and how you choose to bring about what you want from it. One of Eleanor Roosevelt’s most well-known quotes is, â€Å"Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be† and this rings true in every aspect. The key to achieving real success in your life is to clearly define what you want and to appreciate the things that you have. Ultimately it all comes down to you. William Ernest Henley wrote it best in the concluding lines of his poem, Invictus – I am the Master of my fate: I am the Captain of my soul. There is no herecy in accepting your God-given right as a human being to decide on the path that you wish to walk; and know that no matter which way you choose, always keep a clear visualization of your end goal in mind, and be grateful for every step that you are able to take. Byrne, Rhonda. The Secret. New York: Simon & Shuster, 2006. Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. New York: HarperCollins, 1993. New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986

1984 Oppression Essay

In the dystopian novel 1984, George Orwell portrays a society where betrayal is not only acceptable, but it is actively encouraged through the use of psychological manipulation, which demonstrates the weakness of the individual to resist oppression. The party has built the society in such a way that when Parson is turned in by his daughter to the Thought Police he reacts with â€Å"sort of a doleful pride† (233). Parson is an example of the unthinking masses of the society; he has been oppressed for so long his ability for individual thought has been greatly diminished. He doesn’t even question if he truly committed treason against Big Brother, he does not take into consideration that his seven year old daughter may be lying. Parsons doesn’t show any anger toward his daughter that betrayed him, his response is the exact opposite he is proud that his daughter is doing what is best for the party. The party’s oppression of the individual begins at birth, through methodical thought conditioning. The party transforms the children of the society into model citizens that are willing to betray their own flesh and blood. See more: Foot Binding In China essay Through the party’s use of psychological manipulation the framework of the society urges its citizens to pursue the enemies of Big Brother. This further cements the Party’s power. The party dehumanizes them so that their inhibitions are only showing loyalty to the party. Through the domination of thought the party ensures that its citizens are completely loyal to Big Brother. The telescreen is a tool for the party; the citizens of Oceania live in constant fear of being monitored by the screens that they end up betraying their thoughts through their body language. â€Å"The smallest thing could give you away. A nervous tic, an unconscious look, a habit of muttering to yourself-anything that carried with the suggestion of abnormality†(79). Oceania’s citizens don’t know when they are being watched, the byproduct of this is the citizens policing themselves, giving the Thought Police the ability to completely control them. The fear produced by the telescreens lead the people expose themselves to the eyes of the party, which ultimately leads them to betray themselves .The party overwhelms the minds capacity by a constant stream of propaganda coming out of the telescreen at all hours of the day allowing the party to completely dominate the minds of the people, taking away the potential of individual thought. Betrayal in the society George Orwell created in 1984 was expected. Through the domination of the individual thought, and their inability to resist that oppression, betrayal of one’s comrades was only natural. Individual thought was so greatly overshadowed by the party’s constant stream of propaganda in the novel that there was no place for it in the minds of the citizens. The psychological manipulation that the party inflicted on its citizens everyday made it impossible for the individual to resist oppression.

Power in Animal Farm

Animal Farm One of America’s most famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln, once said, â€Å"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. † This statement stands through all of history as countless world leaders have abused their power constantly. This also shows in the novel by George Orwell, Animal Farm. The pigs in power, and especially Napoleon, tend to constantly abuse their power and be corrupted by it. Three ways power affects the novel are the corruption of power with Napoleon, the pigs taking advantage of their power, and the eventual outcome of the book.As soon as Napoleon had some power he began to scheme to fully take it. â€Å"Nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. † Napoleon had raised dogs since they were little and readied them so he can one day take over the farm. Napoleon then used these dogs to ensure his power multiple times, especially when an uprising was boun d to happen. Napoleon became corrupted with power and used it to do his biddings. It is also seen that the dogs wagged their tail in a similar manner as they used to for Jones.Along with Napoleon, all the other pigs, who were regarded as the most intelligent of animals, soon began to corrupt their power too. â€Å"The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership. † The pigs seemed to have the greatest amount of food and all sorts of luxuries. The pigs would even break the Seven Commandments when they wanted to and used Squealer, Napoleon’s right hand man(pig), to explain to the animals what has happened and take advantage of them. The pigs began to sleep in beds and become more and more humanlike as well.The final outcome of the book is also influenced by the pigs corruption of power. â€Å"Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No questio n, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which. † The pigs began to abuse their power so much they started becoming almost completely humans. They drank alcohol, slept in beds, and walked on their hind feet. With this final transformation into humans, the fate of Animal Farm has been destined for destruction.The pigs will continue fighting for power and then once a rebellion occurs the next animals shall too. Power is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Once obtained the individual or party grows to become more attached to this power and eventually corrupted with it. â€Å"Power Corrupts. Absolute Power corrupts absolutely. † (Lord Acton. ) The animals on Animal Farm felt the effect of corruption in power when the pigs started to constantly abuse it. It is truly hard to find a good leader when power does these horrid effects to most people in control. â€Å"Power Corrupts. Absolute Power corrupts absolutely. †

ISO 14000 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ISO 14000 - Essay Example ISO 1400 series are grouped on the basis of two major categories; one is from the perspective of the organization, while the other focal point being product. A few of the standards from the 14000 series are: The ISO 14001 focuses on the specifications of the standards and the guidance for use. The ISO 14002 focuses on the principal systems and supporting techniques, the ISO 14011 has guidelines for the Environmental auditing procedures (Cheremisinoff, 2001). Following the ISO standards it helps the organizations to minimize the harmful or dangerous impact of the procedures that they are using for product manufacturing or service providing, and also the services and products will be produced with a more consistent quality. The standards compliance is an ongoing process; first the policy is created, then according to the policy, planning is done, the plans are then implemented, after the standards are put into practice there has to be a constant check and proper audit

Ethel Parker Scholarship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethel Parker Scholarship - Essay Example Reflecting back on my educational goals, I feel glad that I have decided for myself a Masters degree in culinary/nursing as it will be the cornerstone of achieving much success in the years to follow. Some of the more significant challenges that I have had during my lifetime includes one that sees me as a Healthcare Administrator for a period of 16 years. It also included my role as a Food Service Supervisor for the hospital domains. I have learned from this role immensely and it would be fair to comment that with the learning that I have had over the years, it has made me go back to school and attain a degree all over again. The motivation to get back to school is still there which makes me feel at ease with my own entirety. I am inclined to achieve a Masters degree as it echoes my true feelings. Even though it would be something that is deemed as late on my part, I am more than confident that if given a chance, I will be able to showcase excellence through hard work and commitment towards educational realms. Quoting a leadership experience, I have seen that attaining a role of significance has always been a source of inspiration for me. I once assumed the role of an educational mentor for the students who were junior to me. I mentored them regarding their career aspirations and what they wanted to discern from life as they made their way through. This allowed me to understand the finer nuances of life and what each one of them wished to achieve within their respective domains. This leadership experience was phenomenal because I found out that I was able to lead people quite easily. In fact the whole process came about quite naturally, which was much to my surprise. This experience taught me the true value of empathy and how to spend time within the boots of others. It was a very fascinating experience as I dictated their entireties in more ways than one. I was able

Plato and a More Definitive Understanding of Art and Philosophy Essay

Plato and a More Definitive Understanding of Art and Philosophy - Essay Example Plato bases his argument upon several highly subjective and controversial premises: a) art in the Republic should first be didactic with the purpose of inculcating the virtues of being a good person, b) Those who merely seek the reflections of the forms and not the forms themselves are not artists and c) Most people view illusions as reality; only the artists/philosophers see the light. Naturally, theses statements not only represent a great range of issues, they encourage detractors to focus upon the inherent flaws and weaknesses that are therein represented. In this way, the following essay will seek to provide the reade with an informed understanding of the inherent weakness of Plato’s approach to the issue of art/philosophy. Naturally, the first level of argument which can be discussed is with regards to how Plato defines virtue. As one might expect, many pages and indeed entire passages of Plato’s work have been concentric on defining virtue in the means through wh ich it can be maximized within our world. However, with that being said, it must be understood that virtue within the specific delineation of what defines arts and how it should be represented to the populace is ultimately a subjective understanding. In such a way, by promoting the belief that art should only be exhibited if it entails the possibility of fostering virtue and promoting the â€Å"goodness† of the person is something that cannot be defined by a single understanding and should not be presented as the benchmark by which art should be manifested. By providing something of a tangential analysis, the author can point to the fact that Nazi Germany fostered what they understood to be a â€Å"virtuous† society that fostered the goodness of the stakeholders that they deemed fit to be included within such a definition. Moreover, the totalitarianism of the Third Reich was not only visited upon the way in which ethnic minorities were treated, it also was expanded to the way in which political ideology, philosophy, and indeed art itself was presented. It does not take a great deal of historical analysis to point to the fact that the third right was heavily involved in promoting its own version of what art and artistry should entail. So much was the Third Reich interested in this specific understanding of redefining art that they even presented their own populace a traveling art exhibit which was dubbed as â€Å"degenerate art†. The ultimate purpose for referencing the third right within this understanding of Plato’s virtuous end good definition of art is with respect to the fact appointed to the ultimate subjectivity that a society and/or an individual may ascribe with regards to the way that art can and should look. Such inherent weakness points to the fact that an all-inclusive and simplistic definition of how art should be manifested should be shined and the individual should seek a more realistic delineation of the way in which art is defined and represented within a particular society/group. Another noted shortcoming with regards to Plato’s definition of art/philosophy and the means by which it should be integrated with the populace is with respect to the fact that he denotes that those who merely seek the reflections of the forms and not for themselves are not artists. Although it is with great respect that this author approaches the writings an understanding of Plato, it must also be understood that what is being referenced within this particular definition of what art should and should not be is a highly personal view upon what defines this genre. Ultimately, the definition of who is responsible for reflecting these forms and not focusing upon the form itself is a definitive right of the philosopher/artist to represent the subject matter in the

Management of Change Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Management of Change - Assignment Example The company earned big profits in depression years and recently the earned profits were $ 22 million in 2006, $ 32 Million in 2007 and $ 45 Million in 2008. Due to technological revolutions of 21st century, the new CEO is interested in making the company a major player in communication arena. The company has changed focus from water-based civil projects due to dwindling revenue opportunities and is currently bidding the National Broadband Network. H&J lacks fundamental business systems unlike competitors like Foxtel and Telstra. Shareholders are unhappy and fear lack of strategic direction and loss in market share. The consultants have found that H & J failed to plan for the change. I believe the company should conduct a more orderly move in to communications. After assessing the scope of the change through identifying the change requirements such as the number of new staff required, the processes and technology, H & J can utilize John Kotter’s model of change management in moving to the communication arena. The following eight steps are critical in the change management process. This step will entail outlining the need for the change. The step entails developing a shared view of current business situation and ensuring a shared vision for the future. The management must be capable must outline the current scenario of declining opportunities in water-based projects and outline the opportunities that exist in the communication arena due to technological advancements. The management must examine the opportunities, threats and conduct honest discussion with stakeholders about the proposed change (Kotter 1996). The management must identify a team of influential people in the organization such as committed shareholders who can drive the change. This stage requires good leadership skills and emotional commitment of the leaders of the various stakeholders in the company.

Capital Budget. Disney park in River County Research Paper

Capital Budget. Disney park in River County - Research Paper Example The activity center will be the major area of operation for workers and where equipment will be stored. Also, from this place, daily operations involved running and management operations will be conducted. The center is also expected to generate revenue of approximately $500, 000 dollars annually once it has been fully constructed. This center is also expected to offer services like restaurants and hotel resorts, swimming pools, natural scenery viewpoints among other luxurious services (Finkler, 2010). It has been stated earlier on that Disney Park in River County was abandoned a long time ago. What remains are obsolete structures, the bulldozer will therefore be used to demolish those structures as plans for construction of a new activity center. The lifespan of the bulldozer, 8 years, makes financial. This is because it will be used to do heavy duties and as a result it is prone to wear and tear than the other assets. The two garbage trucks are expected to serve for 10 years. It is expected that these trucks, costing $300, 000, will enable the attainment of the project’s purpose. In addition to that, they will also be used in maintaining the cleanness of the County (Bierman, Harold & Seymour, 2005). Furthermore, River County can lease or rent the trucks to private organizations leading to generation of revenue. It is therefore expected that within a period of 10 years the trucks will have served purposes worth of their purchase.

The New Calendar Essay Example for Free

The New Calendar Essay As time changes, so does the calendar. In 1793, the Gregorian calendar was replaced by a new one. Dates were moved, months renamed and the number of days in a week increased. The reason for a new calendar in France was to change and fix what was wrong in the original calendar. People who were with the new calendar approved it, for it provided more work and and a better resting day. For those who were against the new calendar, claimed that it made working life more difficult and that it was against nature. The adoption of a new calendar was a major change during the French Revolution. The calendar was created by skilled astronomers and was believed to be correct. The new calendar was created to correct all the problems that were passed down to them for many generations. Many believed that the Gregorian calendar was corrupt and the vices should be corrected (Doc 9). The new calendar showed the character of the revolution. Exactness, simplicity, reason and philosophy was used to create the new calendar. They believed that the new calendar will soon increase commerce and trade through uniformity of weights and measures. The arts and history will need new measurements of time. All errors of routine, which have been passed down, will now be erased (Doc 5). They also believed that it would make farming much easier if the year was split up by seasons (Doc 4). This is bias because the people who created the new calendar probably were high class citizens and don’t know how hard labor was for the farmers and the affects of more work days. Many people were in favor of this new calendar and were strong supporters. Many believed that the church calendar was brought upon ignorant people and that its main purposed was to mark the progress of fanaticism, debasement of nations, persecution and disgust. Also that as time creates new history it needs to be written in a different way (Doc 2). Many supported the Tenth Day of the week. People enjoyed reciting deeds, reading republican accomplishments, and honoring the memory of generals who became martyrs. They claimed they gained virtue on their day of rest (Doc 6). Some where thankful for extra days of labor and less day of rest for the active people (Doc 9). This is bias because if you have an easy job you would want to go to work but if you were raised and worked as a farmer who has do endure ifficult days of hard labor, you would be against the new calendar. Most of the people were not in favor of this new change. Many believed that the new calendar makes it much harder to connect with neighboring countries and with the centuries before them. It creates an obstacle too difficult to overcome (Doc 3). This is bias because even though the countries may have some similarities, their traditions and customs will always be different. Farmers complained about having more days of labor and less days of rest. In the ten day weeks, nine days are work days and one day is a rest day. They said that it was unbearable work and that they need more rest days from the harsh labor (Doc 7). Some say that the new calendar was forced upon the people as an act of despotism and that the holidays and festivals were based on it and were detestable (Doc 8). They also complained that there weren’t enough days of worship and that the extra days of worship should be reduced so Sunday is more holy and that the prayers are accepted by God. This is bias because even if they turn that calendar back to the original, there is only one day of worship, the same as the new calendar. When the National Convention adopted the revolutionary calendar, there were many different reactions to this change. The reason for the new calendar was to create a change and fix all the errors with the Gregorian calendar. Many people thought the new calendar provided more work and production of goods and a better rest day. Those who were not in favor of this new calendar were against it because it created harder labor and less time for rest and worship. This ne calendar lasted through the republican era but was erased by Napoleon I in 1806.

Female circumcision in other states

Female circumcision in other states An estimated 100 million to 140 million girls and women worldwide have undergone female gender mutilation/cutting (Population Reference Bureau, 2008). This figure is enormous and unsurprisingly, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is an extremely controversial topic within the international sphere. Whilst some may argue that it is simply natural and a general norm within certain areas and cultures, others, largely from the Western world, believe it to be an infringement of a basic human right and so many concerns and condemnations of the practice emerge from an ethical and humanitarian perspective. Engaging with this debate involves studying the works of two academics, Martha Nussbaum and Yael Tamir, both providing counteracting views towards such a complicated debate like this one. This essay examines the practice of female circumcision, arguing that it is legitimate for states like the UK to attempt to bring them to an end, thus agreeing with the argument made by Nussbaum, namely that we should be ashamed of ourselves if we do not use whatever privilege and power has come our way to make it disappear forever (Nussbaum, 1996). My argument however is one of states only being able to legitimately intervene where FGM is being practiced against the will of females, yet if the practice is warranted and women, of adult age, consent to it, then it is not as permissible for states to intervene. Cultural opinions and determination are not valid enough reasons to allow such a horrific process to continue, specifically due to the medical implications of the circumcision procedure as a whole. The Capabilities Approach by Nussbaum (1999) is examined within this essay therefore, in terms of arguing that females should have the choice of whether or not to go through with the act of FGM as this procedure removes their opportunity to fulfil their full capabilities as both human beings and as women. Thus this goes hand-in-hand with the argument that states are legitimate in interve ning to allow capabilities to be satisfied. Finally, a series of policy recommendations are made with respect to the ways in which states, such as the UK, can intervene legitimately to prevent such practices occurring in future years, the key one being education. These measures will therefore protect the human rights and social welfare of females across the world, along with other institutions i.e. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). FGM is commonly performed on young girls as a rite of passage to womanhood (Rahman and Toubia, 2000, p.3). Since the early 1990s, FGM has gained global recognition as a serious health and human rights issue. Often this act is committed for social and cultural values as opposed to medical ones and so it is very difficult to begin a process of change as in order to do this, as the whole thinking of society and its actors would need be adjusted. Largely conducted within African countries, the practice, although having decreased in recent years, still poses a threat to the rights and capabilities of women in such areas. The fall in numbers of females undergoing such circumcision coincides with numerous global efforts to target excisors, medical professionals, and families who perpetuate the practice (Population Reference Bureau, 2008). Political will and implementation of such legislation however is the key hurdle to achieving this. FGM poses severe health risks, both physical and psychological in both the immediate/short-term and also the long-term. Some of these medical problems include: haemorrhaging, infections, septicaemia, shock from the severe pain and loss of blood, risks during childbirth, and in extreme cases, death (Slack, 1988, p.451). Other side effects include: infertility, cysts and abscesses, urinary incontinence and psychological and sexual problems (Population Reference Bureau, 2008). Intense trauma is often caused as many of the females who undergo this operation are of an incredibly young age, held down by force and circumcised with little, if any, anaesthesia (Slack, 1988, p.454).These medical consequences for women who undergo genital mutilation are unbearable to even think of, let alone experience, yet still the practice continues due to the myths which surround the issue i.e. females being sterile until they have been excised and so the procedure will supposedly increase fertility (Slack, 1988, p.447) and other myths that the clitoris is incredibly dangerous to women so if not excised will be harmful to the foetus, physically and spiritually (Slack, 1988, 460). Such myths are of course based on fictitious information but due to social pressures are not questioned but preserved, as has been the case for many years. The following map illustrates where FGM is at its highest and thus such areas are the first which need to be aided through state intervention to stop it. Statistics have shown though, that although the practice is still occurring, largely within third world countries, the number of women undergoing FGM has actually fallen and so this is indicative that some level of progress towards eradicating FGM is occurring. African countries, specifically Egypt, Mali, North Sudan and Ethiopia are (according to 2009 figures) experiencing the highest rates of female circumcision procedures. In international relations, both high priority and low priority political issues need to be addressed, seeking global communication, negotiation and interaction. Globally, greater interconnectedness and increasing multicultural societies are leading to both domestic and international issues being discussed at a global level. This is indicative of states helping other states in terms of economics i.e. through increased trade and assistance during globalisation, and politics i.e. through the exchange of political ideologies and support. The argument here posits that if it is legitimate for states to intervene in economic and political issues, is it not also legitimate for states to intervene, when and where necessary, to improve social welfare and quality of life of the less fortunate? This does of course refer to intervention to stop FGM and resultantly improve the social welfare of women across the globe. Governments duty to take action against practices like female circumcision is e mbedded in international human rights treaties and thus states must comply with this (Rahman and Toubir, 2000, p.44). FGM is therefore a violation of a fundamental human right, and as the process cannot be reversed, the consequences are horrific. Bleeding profusely, reproduction problems, and even death are the terrible repercussions that those who undergo the process will endure. Hence these are serious medical implications and these are medical explanations for stopping the practice, as opposed to the usual moral explanations often spoken of within international ethics theory (Jaeger, Caflisch and Hohlfeld, 2009, p.31). Tamir (1996) however, makes the argument that before looking at other countries, we should look at our own countries as they are highly unlikely to be perfect. I disagree with this to some extent, particularly in relation to the issue of FGM. Countries where this occurs may simply believe this to be a custom or norm, something that is a normal and unquestionable pa rt of a females life. Without being educated and increasing awareness though, this disturbing process will continue. The people living in such small communities view FGM as normality, relying on myths on which to base the rest of their lives. Thus, it is the duty of those more educated i.e. in the West, to use education as the catalyst to bring about change and in turn stop this practice from occurring against the will of females. So why is it that FGM is seen as disgraceful whilst male circumcision is not seen with such unacceptability? A key reason for this relates to religion i.e. in Islamic teachings, male circumcision is natural and compulsory for all Muslim males. Male circumcision is not as harmful in any way when compared to FGM is and men are still able to fully function both physically and sexually whereas women arent. Male circumcision outside of Islam is often undertaken for hygiene reasons and so all of these reasons clearly display the picture that within most societies around the world, male circumcision is widely accepted as a type of norm. The term female circumcision seems to suggest an analogy with male circumcision yet in actual fact, the degree of cutting in female circumcision is anatomically much more extensive (Rahman and Toubia, 2000, p.4). In addition to this, FGM is seen as a way of sexually controlling females and although in current political debate this may seem to be rather liber al in appearance, references to cliteridectomy commonly reveal a patronizing attitude toward women, suggesting that they are primarily sexual beings (Tamir, 1996). Thus many advocates of cliteridectomy are concerned with corruption i.e. that the operation will restrict female sexual desires and in turn this will make them chaste wives and mothers (Tamir, 1996). The issue here though is that sexual enjoyment from women is not an openly discussed matter, but rather a taboo in many traditional communities, and so cliteridectomy is in itself symbolic of repressing female sexuality. Such non-Western cultural practices like FGM often symbolise resistance to the dominance of the West i.e. in Kenya, whereby cliteridectomy gained life as a political tool between British Colonials and African Nationals (Brown, 1991, p.262, cited in Jaggar, 2005, p.577/578). The counter-argument to this though lies within the hypothetical example given by Tamir (1996): mutilation enables women to be free of their reliance on men and thus they are able to function fully in order to follow social and political aspirations. The more common argument however is one of cliteridectomy and similar practices being corrupt in nature, restricting women and not allowing them to break free of the imposed barriers with respect to sexuality. All of these issues relate back to cultural and traditional values and so it often impossible to think beyond ones own culture. Nussbaum, a liberal feminist, provides an almost world-view which encourages people to think outside their own cultural box, raising the argument that just because something is done i.e. FGM, this does not mean that we cannot question it or interrogate it for the greater good. Her concerns therefore lie with issues of morality, freewill and choice. Nussbaum (1996) responded to Tamir (1996), focusing primarily on three points: (1) it is unfair to criticise another culture without being prepared to accept criticisms of ones own culture, (2) one cannot criticise another cultures acts without the certainty that their own culture is free of any evils, and (3) FGM is morally similar to dieting and body-shaping as within American culture. Nussbaum (1996) agrees with the first point, disagrees with the second and believes the third point to be egregiously wrong, con tending that the damage caused to women from extreme dieting and surgery can be undone in most cases, yet genital mutilation cannot be and so this is why it is of the greatest concern. The third critique Nussbaum (1996) makes is of greatest relevance as FGM is often compared cosmetic surgery and enhancements and so on by many theorists. It is often seen as the opposing argument, but as stated in the article, the eight differences between FGM versus dieting and surgery explain why Vogue is not illegal, whereas FGM is illegal in many of the countries where it occurs (Nussbaum, 1996). Nussbaum (1999) later built on Amartya Sens theory of Capabilities and this is of great relevance when examining the controversial topic of FGM. She understands capabilities to characterise each human life and is interested in ensuring that all persons have these capabilities to perform central functions, an explicitly Universalist standpoint. Her argument affirms that within the political arena, human beings exhibit moral capabilities which can in future be developed, yet such capabilities are deprived of the nourishment that would transform them into high-level capabilities (Nussbaum, 1999, p.236). Hence without these capabilities Nussbaum (1999) argues human beings are useless. With regards to FGM, the Capabilities Approach largely frowns upon the deprivation of individuals to have the opportunity to choose to be sexually active or indeed celibate (Nussbaum, 1999, p.238). Capabilities require constant development to be able to function fully. With respect to Nussbaums work, ten ce ntral human function capabilities are identified (Nussbaum, 1999, p.235). FGM breaks two of these capabilities, namely bodily health and bodily integrity (Nussbaum, 1999, p.235). Hence according to these, states are legitimate in intervening and influencing other states where practices like female circumcision are taking away the capabilities of their citizens. Resultantly, the Capabilities Approach is demonstrative of an accurate framework to use where the matter of states, like the UK, legitimising actions, such as FGM, is concerned. This Capabilities Approach was later put into action by the United Nations Human Development Reports, arguing that GDP per capita was not a true reflection of this and instead, Sen argued that how people live their lives and other similar economic indicators, need to be examined. Tamir (1996) opposes such points, arguing that there is much to criticise about ones own culture before one is able to criticise another. So common Western practices such as cosmetic surgery, in her argument, would be open to the same criticisms from non-Western countries as FGM is for people within the West. In her critique, states are not legitimate in intervening in other countries before they have addressed all issues of a similar nature within their own home country. With respect to this argument though, the fact of the matter remains that those individuals who undergo surgery and other cosmetic enhancements are usually doing so out of their own personal choice and so this raises other concerns as to why people feel the need to do this, as opposed to intervening to stop it. Other theorists are generally more reluctant for intervention to occur i.e. Walzer, who would argue that intervention of any kind would only be necessary if a clear case of genocide was being demonstrated whe re thousands of victims were losing their lives. In my critique of this though, the practice of FGM, although maybe not as severe as genocide, is indicative of female oppression and so causes a predictable number of deaths which could have been prevented had the right systems been put into place through state intervention. The factor specific to FGM which makes it appropriate for outsiders to intervene and attempt to halt it is that of women not being given a choice of whether or not to undergo the procedure. Women should be able to decide for themselves whether or not they wish to be circumcised, with no pressure from external forces, yet before such a decision they must be made aware of the implications in terms of health and future capabilities. This is what Nussbaum (1999) is referring to in her Capabilities argument as outlined previously. As prosperous developing countries, it is the obligation and duty of states like the UK to intervene to stop FGM when it occurs against the will of women, at least until sufficient change is seen and this change fosters sustainability. The following section therefore examines the ways of doing this. Since the early 1990s, FGM has been recognised as a global human rights issue and so numerous efforts have been made to end it or to at least reduce the number of cases of it occurring. Initiatives such as the annual International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation on February 6th, introduced by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2007, demonstrates this, calling for greater government commitment to programmes preventing the practice (Obaid, 2007). Although female circumcision is a heavily criticised practice in many developed countries, it is not feasible to simply condemn the practice as this suggests that Western culture is paramount. Understandings of cultural relativism need to transpire but more importantly, a process of change needs to be instigated. Nussbaum (1996) is correct in critiquing Tamir for this (suggesting cultural relativism is a valid argument), explaining how it is difficult to morally decide whether or not intervention should be committed in terms o f local or distant acts, and although individuals will legitimately prioritise about these decisions, this does not mean that we should not intervene. Poor education and low levels of income among women in African countries, coupled with inadequate governmental support (Wakabi, 2007, p.1069) are the key issues regarding the eradication of FGM and only when such problem areas are addressed, can progress begin to occur. Rahman and Toubia (2000, pp.58-68) identify three types of measure to be implemented in order to tackle the FGM issue: legal, regulatory and policy measures. It is important to note from the very beginning though that no single measure will be feasible if states are to intervene, but rather a series of combined approaches and changes must be adopted. Legal measures involve ratifying human rights arrangements to ensure that rights within such treaties are upheld and also carefully considering the imposition of criminal sanctions to dissuade people from committing the circumcision operation (Rahman and Toubia, 2000, pp.59-61). With regards to regulatory measures, suggestions have been made of disciplining those medical professionals who engage in the practice and removing their licences if they persistently offend (Rahman and Toubia, 2000, p.68). Finally, but most importantly, policy measure areas are discussed, these being: education, the media, empowering women and increasing access to reproductive welfare services (Rahman and Toubir, 2000, pp.68-71). The primary way of states intervening legitimately, in my argument, is through the process of education. By educating those within the countries where the practice of FGM takes place, the root cause of the problem can be targeted. This has previously been done through NGOs and alike, yet states too can intervene to promote adequate social welfare for the women within countries where FGM is a severe issue. Older generations need to be approached and made to understand the deficiencies associated with the practice and thus ultimately this will feed through to younger generations. Simultaneously though, younger generations too need to be targeted as t hey are the future and by educating them, forthcoming generations of females will be protected against such a painful practice. Governments need to begin devoting resources to providing FGM practicing countries and communities with information about the negative effects of the procedure and about human rights as important. Such information however must emphasize the potential psychological and physical impact[as well as] examine the history and purpose (Rahman and Toubir, 2000, p.68). If we now examine the media, the argument made is one of facilitating public dialogue and discourse about FGM along with the promotion of women to be free from FGM by various media outlets (Rahman and Toubir, 2000, p.69). This is a very good suggestion, yet in my critique, isnt feasible due to the fact that media within FGM practicing countries is relatively low, if at all existent. Thus this policy recommendation is good in theory yet in practice may not be as simple as first assumed. Empowering women is the third suggestion, self-explanatory in nature yet the ways of doing this include reforming policies which prevent women from improving their status i.e. social, economic etc, ensuring women can work alongside men and that issues of equal pay are addressed (Rahman and Toubir, 2000, p.70). Again this poses potential difficulties in that in certain rural communities, women are not seen as employable and do not have the opportunity to go out to work and more importantly have not been educated enough to undertake even the most low-skilled job positions. Hence such a recommendation is reliant on the previous policy suggestion of education, as only when communities are educated will the women within them be able to start working legitimately. The final proposal is that relating to reproductive services for females within the communities where female circumcision is occurring. These services are critical in providing women with accurate information about FGM as a whole in terms of th eir reproductive health (Rahman and Toubir, 2000, p.71). This is a great service as it is well-known that women who have been circumcised require regular medical attention and so this would address this issue and make it a more widely recognised initiative. Hence the ideal outcome of this is that women, who understand the severity of the practice for their health, will be less likely to make their daughters go through with it (Rahman and Toubir, 2000, p.71). This is ideal and would be the best possible solution but, Rahman and Toubir (2000) fail to consider the impact of community, religious, cultural, family and social pressures on women who do not undergo the FGM operation. Thus reproductive services although being an invaluable resource, are not as simple and easy in terms of changing social attitudes immediately. In the long-run however, reproductive services do have the potential scope to be a success. Other suggestions for intervention include: withholding aid to those countries where FGM is continuing to happen along with working with local groups to support advocacy efforts promoting negotiated, verbal intervention as opposed to plain physical intervention. The critique of this though relates to speaking but taking no action and some theorists would argue that an issue like FGM can only be tackled by head-on intervention that doesnt pussyfoot around the topic but rather stops the practice for the horror it causes, and rightly so. It can be argued by many that these policy recommendations are too simplistic and idealistic yet the fact of the matter remains that before any of these can be implemented, government structures need to be changed. In places like Somalia, several humanitarian organisations have launched campaigns to stop the spread of FGM, yet the widespread insecurity and absence of a central administration have only handed minimal success to their efforts (Wakabi, 2007, p.1070). A case study of Mali however informs us of the positive impact of NGO based intervention, working alongside local communities and governments. The initiative here used a mobile cinema travelling from village to village to encourage the open discussion of womens health issues and once trust had been established, discussed FGM more openly in an attempt to change social attitudes towards it (Good, 2010). This programme has increased awareness about FGM amongst the Malian community, and is beginning to get positive results in M ali, where women are deciding against their daughters being circumcised (Good, 2010). Kenya too has undertaken programmes, the key one being Ntanira Na Mugambo which translates to Circumcision by Words (BBC News, 1998). This week long programme secluded women from males, informing them about FGM in a subtle manner i.e. referring to anatomy, reproduction, self-esteem building, dealing with peer pressure and respecting adults (BBC News, 1998). Thus this type of programme didnt abhor FGM outright but rather tackled the issues surrounding it, offering an alternative view yet allowing the women to make up their own minds. Another project was employed in Uganda where an Outreach Plan was created, targeting leaders of rural communities who commit the practice of FGM. Such a plan provided local community leaders with economic incentives to stop the process i.e. that those women who undergo FGM find it incredibly difficult to work and thus their contribution to the workforce is trivial (Rahman and Toubia, 2000, p.78). Such intuition prevents women from being forced to be circumcised whilst also positively impacting upon productivity and as a result increasing economic efficiency. Outside pressure does still exist though and experts on FGM believe it is vital to actively engage with communities to ban the practice and penalise those who still conduct it. Thus as said before, education, although the most important element of this process of instigating change, cannot simply be the only solution, but rather must be combined with a series of other strategies. To conclude, FGM is a practice heavily debated about within international relations due to the ethical concerns it raises and ultimately infringes. Cultural relativist positions would argue that is necessary to understand the behaving of different groups due to cultural backgrounds, yet the stance that we should simply accept differences is highly critiques where FGM is concerned. In my critique, the practice is one worthy of severe condemnation, yet through little fault of the people continuing it but rather the myths and general history surrounding it. Hence, ultimately it is these myths and historical factors that need to be eradicated in order to promote the safety of women across the globe, particularly in less-developed countries. Thus this essay has agreed with and supported the argument put forward by Nussbaum that it is legitimate for states like the US and UK to intervene to bring the practice of FGM to an end yet this is relative to the situation. My core argument however remains that if women are being forced to undergo genital mutilation, then it is acceptable for states to intervene through the measures discussed previously. However, if the procedure if consented to and women are voluntarily wishing to go through with it out of their own freewill, then states are not legitimate in intervening. Intervention thus is dependent on the factor of choice towards FGM, yet women and men alike should be educated about the medical and psychological consequences of it. Additionally, such education should enlighten communities about the falsities of the myths they cling on to and how they are in actual fact untrue. The Capabilities Approach is fundamental to this process of education as it informs the public of how FGM can harm and worsen the capabilities of women. Education however will not work alone and must be accompanied by a series of other policy measures, namely legislation, regulatory policies and reproductive services. It is therefore legitimate for states like the UK to intervene to halt practices like FGM, according to the circumstances outlined in this essay and through the policy recommendations suggested. Bibliography BBC News (1998) Female genital mutilation [online] Available from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/medical_notes/241221.stm [Accessed 25th November 2009] Good, H. (2010) Mobile cinema helps change attitudes about female genital mutilation/cutting in Mali [online] Available from: http://www.unicef.org/health/mali_52714.html [Accessed 21st March 2010] Jaeger, F., Caflisch, M. and Hohlfeld, P. 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