Plastic Bags - Good or Evil free essay sample

You should be disgusted by your actions, by what you’re throwing, by what you’re using. Plastic bags are the reason why New Zealand will soon not be referred to as the clean, green and environmentally friendly country. Do you know how many plastic bags you consumed after 3 trips to the supermarket? I’ll tell you†¦On average you collect 60 bags. May I ask you, what are you going to do with all these bags? You’re probably thinking†¦ I’m just using plastic bags what’s the big deal, what’s the problem. Today I’ll educate you on why not to use plastic bags, why marine life is in danger and what you can do to help the environment. Firstly, what is the problem in using plastic bags? Plastic bags are made from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource. This makes every plastic bag you throw away, a WASTE. We will write a custom essay sample on Plastic Bags Good or Evil? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The plastic bags aren’t the only thing you’re wasting, you’re wasting the resources it is made from. Can’t plastic bags be burned down? They can be burned down, emitting lots of toxic gases in the atmosphere leading to air pollution. Therefore burning plastic bags isn’t safe. Plastic bags are photodegradable. What is photodegradable? When something is photodegrading it means it is being broken down into smaller pieces with the help of sunlight. This process can take 500 years for only 1 plastic bag to be broken down. Did you know New Zealanders use around three million plastic bags a day and this leads to 1 billion bags each year! Hence I strongly suggest plastic bags aren’t the most environmentally friendly way of carrying objects. In other words plastic bags should be banned in New Zealand. Secondly, Marine life suffers because of what you do! You litter, waste and don’t take responsibility of your actions. When the process of photodegrading takes place the plastic is broken down. Subsequently the small pieces now pollute the soil, lakes and rivers. Marine life gets poisoned because they choke on the little bits of plastic as they are very gullible. They mistake the plastic as food and sprint to eat it that causes deaths. When a plastic bag is littered it ends up in water, when this happens marine life gets caught in the bag and ends up in suffocation and DEATH ! Now do you think the use of plastic bags should be banned? Thirdly, what can you do to help the environment and marine life? Whenever you go anywhere for shopping always carry eco-friendly bags. When you go to the supermarket and an employee asks you, â€Å"Hello sir, good morning madam, would you like me to put your shopping in plastic bags? † what can you say†¦. NO THANKS, we’ve got eco-friendly bags! The next thing that you can do is try not to break the handles of your previous plastic bags, instead use the same plastic bags over and over again. Lastly, whenever you throw away a plastic bag think of the marine life that die because of your actions, think about the environment that gets polluted because of your ignorance on the use of plastics. Don’t forget to use eco-friendly bags wherever you go and say NO to plastic bags. I hope I have convinced you in thinking the way I think in taking care about the environment and marine life. I hope you agree that we should ban the use of plastic bags in New Zealand!

Using Spanish Infinitives as Nouns

Using Spanish Infinitives as Nouns The infinitive is the most basic of the verb forms. Unlike the conjugated verb forms- the ones used most often in speech- an infinitive standing alone says nothing about how many people or things are performing the verbs action or when. In Spanish, the infinitive is the verb form that appears in dictionaries. The infinitive always has one of three endings: -ar, -er or -ir. Standing alone, the infinitive is usually translated to English as to followed by the verb. For example, ver is usually translated as to see, hablar as to speak. But as we shall soon see, in sentences the Spanish infinitive can be translated a number of ways. Fast Facts Infinitives often function as singular masculine nouns.As nouns, infinitives can act as subjects or predicates of sentences as well as objects of verbs and prepositions.The most common translations of infinitives as nouns to English are to verb and verb -ing. Infinitives Can Fill Most Roles of Nouns In this lesson, we look at instances where the infinitive functions as a noun.  When used as a noun, the Spanish infinitive is always masculine and almost always singular. Like other nouns, it can be the subject of a sentence, a predicate nominative (usually a noun that follows a form of to be or ser) or the object of a verb or preposition. The infinitive noun sometimes retains the characteristics of a verb; it sometimes is modified by an adverb rather than an adjective and can sometimes have objects. It is often translated into the English gerund (the -ing form of the verb). Infinitives used as nouns are always masculine and singular. Some infinitives can become nouns in their own right when they are made plural, however. For example, seres humanos (from ser, to be) refers to human beings. Here are some examples of the infinitive being used as a noun: As a subject: Nadar es el mejor remedio para el dolor de espalda. (Swimming is the best remedy for a backache.)As a subject: Es prohibido botar basura. (Dumping garbage is prohibited. Note that in Spanish, unlike English, it isnt unusual for the subject to follow the verb.)As a subject: Beber puede conducir a la intoxicacià ³n e incluso a la muerte. (Drinking can lead to poisoning and even death.)As a subject: No me gusta cocinar. (I dont like to cook. Literally, the sentence would be translated as cooking doesnt please me.)As a predicate nominative: La vida es un abrir y cerrar de los ojos. (Life is an opening and closing of the eyes.As a predicate nominative: La intimidad es un hablar honesto y profundo de lo que se siente y se piensa. (Intimacy is speaking sincerely and deeply about what one feels and thinks.)As the object of a verb: Yo preferirà ­a salir. (I would prefer to leave.)As the object of a verb: Odio estudiar algo que creo que no necesito. (I hate studying something I believe I dont need.) As the object of a verb: Te vi andar entre los rboles. (I saw you walking among the trees.)As the object of a preposition: Pienso de salir contigo. (Im thinking about leaving with you.)As the object of a preposition: Ten moderation en el comer o el beber. (Show moderation in eating or drinking.)As the object of a preposition: Al entrar al Sistema de Salud, usted y su empresa recibirn enormes beneficios. (Upon entering the Health System, you and your business will receive great benefits.) Using the Definite Article El With Infinitives As you may notice, the definite article el is not consistently used with the noun infinitive. Although there are no hard and fast rules, here are some guidelines. A very common way of using el is as part of the contraction al, for a el. It typically as the meaning of on or upon meaning at the time of: Al encontrar a mis padres biolà ³gicos logrà © una estabilidad. (I found some stability upon finding my biological parents.)El is usually used when the infinitive is modified by an adjective or a phrase acting as an adjective: El respirar rpido puede ser causado por varios desordenes. (Rapid breathing can be caused by various disorders.)The article is option in many situations, but when it is used it may give the sentence a more personal or informal sound.

A Stranger Looking in my House Would Probably Think...

A stranger looking in my house would probably think my life is society’s definition of normalcy: a father, a mother, a daughter, and a son, all living in one house. We eat from the same refrigerator, use the same den to watch television, and swim in the same pool. One big happy family, right? Wrong! Behind closed doors, chaos emerges. Unless you were my friend, or a resident of my town, you probably wouldn’t realize that my parents are in the midst of a hectic and painful process: signing divorce papers. My father resides in a guest room downstairs. My parents take turns with days they choose to look after my brother and me. After all, being in the same room together is not always the most pleasant experience. One could even say that what split my parents apart is the fact that they are complete opposites. Although 50% of marriages end in divorce, in my small town, divorce isn’t that common an occurrence. My mom, being the social butterfly that she is, has made it known, publicly, that she and my father have become separated. One might assume that I might be bothered by this part of my life being out in the open; surprisingly, I’m really not. The truth is, I was never â€Å"Daddy’s Little Girl,† making divorce a not-so-hard pill to swallow. Having been brought up in Russia, my father has a completely different mindset from my mom, as well as me. He is shy, stubborn, and maintains completely opposing political views. These days, my dad and I could go on for hours arguing about President Bush’s actions, and it would be considered normal. If you went back a year or two, the situation with my father would be extremely different. I was always somewhat fearful of him; I would never challenge his opinions, and if he and my mom fought, I would sit in silence. The man who was supposed to be the most positive influence on my life made me think that men were pigs, a nd were allowed to treat women like dirt. Ever since my parents began their split, almost a year ago, I have continued to learn that women should not only be treated with respect, but should demand respect as well as demand to have their own opinions heard. My father’s opinion is not the only one which matters in the divorce court, and he has no right to expect more respect than my mom. Yes, I sound harsh, but I, like my mother, deserve and demand respect. Today, when in a situation with my father, I am able to voice my opinion, because it matters. Sometimes, I actually want to thank him thank him for making me a wiser person, and for making me appreciate my own opinion.

How does income affect health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How does income affect health - Essay Example This paper discusses how level of income affects health from the narrow perspective of considering its effect to an individual to the broader perspective of considering income inequality as a major determinant of standard of public health. The World Health Organization or WHO (2010) considered income and social status as the number one determinant of health, conveying that higher income and social status are linked to better health where the greater the gap between the richest and poorest people, the greater the differences in health. People with higher income have the ability to maintain health and wellness as they can afford to buy even the expensive foods (but rich in nutrients), vitamins, and supplements; they can engaged in various recreational activities and sports requiring membership fees, personal equipments, and rental fees of equipments; they can afford to pay private medical or health insurance to cover their medical expenses. Moreover, people with good income can afford education and in school they learn more about health and wellness, thus health awareness is broadened through knowledge. With educational qualification, finding work is easy, thus increasing one’s source of income and consequently i ncreasing access to health beneficial activities and programs. Many researchers and analysts support the idea that there is a strong direct correlation between level of income and health. According to Levison (2007), â€Å"How much money you make helps to determine how healthy you will be†¦ Having higher income levels provides us with access to fitness centers, better choices for our eating patterns, and better medical care.† Christensen (2010) also supported the idea that money can save lives, as she mentioned that a child living in a developing country may die due to unavailability of antibiotic or incapability to buy medicines, which for many developed

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Strategic Management - Essay Example In 1998, ‘Somerfield’, a supermarket group acquired Kwik Save in a transaction worth ?473 million (Somerfield, n.d.). They had faced huge competition when super store Tesco and Sainsbury launched their own brands. In addition, other two discounters Lidl and Aldi had also entered the retail market. Several stores were closed around the United Kingdom and as a result the company went under administration. They also sold a few stores to Fresh Xpress but it was also under administration and ultimately all the stores were closed. Eventually, the entire of stores of Kwik Save closed in 2007 (Docstoc, 2010). Kwik Save had closed down 79 stores in order to survive in market. Kwik Save also sold its stores to Somerfield in 2006, and since then more problems aroused which resulted in lay off of several outlets, collapsing of sales as well as suppliers refusing to supply goods (Earth Times, 2011). The management of Somerfield realised that the outlook and inner look of Kwik Save st ores would not fit well with the brand of Somerfield. They had warehouse style of inexpressive wooden shelving, space-saving undersized checkouts and thin passageway which needed to be changed by Somerfield. Subsequently, Somerfield decided to maintain and fully renovate the 102 best stores although the remaining 248 stores were fixed up for closure (Somerfield, n.d.). ... The market share of Kwik Save cut down from 1.2 % in April 2006 to 0.2% in 2007 (Docstoc, 2010). 2.0 Causes of Strategic Problems The company was focussing more on acquisition rather than improving the existing operation. Poor thinking as well as decision-making has been the prime cause of their strategic business failure. The store was not achieving their target since it was established (White Lane, n.d.). Firm’s Strategic Positioning Kwik Save was a successful grocery discount supermarket chain around the United Kingdom. They had developed the strategy to sell branded product in a cheap rate to attract maximum numbers of customer. This strategy led to an amalgamation of low fixed cost as well as severe central control. All this were the outcome of network of above 870 conveniently located and unpretentious stores located around the UK. It adopted a â€Å"no nonsense† approach for grocery retailing. The customer money was provided importance thus they were charged low rate for the products. But in 1970s and 1980s, the entrance of super stores hindered their growth and they could not compete with those retail stores. Firm was successful in strategy positioning when no other highly discount based retailers were present but due to the emergence of superstore they were left behind. The superstores were providing importance to leisure, comfort; excitement in the store but Kwik Save with its simple design, could not gain competitive advantage (Reference for Business, 2011). Firm’s Managers Analysis of the Environments of their Industry Andersen Consulting was appointed by the managers of Kwik Save in order to conduct ‘root-and-branch’ strategic review. Kwik Save was one of the â€Å"Britain’s number one discounter† but became

Artificial Birth Control Essay Example for Free

Artificial Birth Control Essay Artificial birth control methods have been used for thousands of years. The hieroglyphics of ancient Egyptians show a figure of an Egyptian male wearing a device around the penis to help prevent pregnancy during intercourse. And there are other cultures which use condoms made of linen or animal intestines. Until now, historians and researchers are still debating on whether the condoms are for ritual purposes or not. Artificial Birth Control is most commonly heard in relation to religious teachings on family planning. Many sectors especially religion encourage the use of natural family planning as opposed to artificial birth control because they believe that using artificial contraception is opposite to Gods will. But there are also non-religious people who preferred not to use artificial birth control for personal, ethical or medical reasons. Artificial birth control can be defined as any product, procedure or practice that uses artificial or unnatural means to prevent pregnancy. Barrier methods such as condoms, Intra uterine Devices (copper), diaphragms, cervical cap, and sponge, hormonal methods such as the pill, IUDs (hormonal), and emergency contraception. There are also injections, spermicides, and surgical sterilization procedures such as tubal ligation and vasectomy which are all considered to be artificial birth control methods. This paper includes the different types and examples of artificial birth control and their advantages and disadvantages. Condoms A condom is a device made of fine rubber (latex). It avoids unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS and HIV. The use of condoms is one of the easiest, most reliable and effective methods. But one should take few precautionary measures before using it; they must ensure that it is not torn or ruptured and that they are using it before the expiry date. For a male condom, the man covers his penis with a condom during sexual intercourse in order to prevent the sperm from entering the vagina. A female condom is also made if fine rubber (latex) that when used it must be entirely aligned to vagina. The two types of female condom are the FC or FC2 female condom and the VA w.o.w. Condom Feminine. The FC female condom is a 17 cm (6.5 inches) in length. There is a flexible ring at each end. At the closed end of the sheath, the flexible ring is inserted into the vagina to anchor the condom in place. While at the open end, the ring stays outside the vulva at the entrance to the vagina. The VA w.o.w. Condom Feminine when not stretched is around 9 cm (3.5 inches) – though it is very elastic. It has a rounded triangular frame at the open end and a sponge inside the closed end, which helps to hold the condom inside the vagina. Condoms are easily obtained, cheap, very effective, it protects against sexually transmitted disease, and it possibly reduces risk of cervical cancer. But it interrupts the foreplay, it reduces sensitivity for both or either partner, it requires great care, and it sometimes causes allergy. Intra uterine Devices (IUD) – Copper IUD is a birth control device made of soft plastic and has the shape of the English letter T and is placed in the uterus. It is a long-term method that prevents pregnancy for 3-5 years. Copper is wound on the lower part and on the tip of the T are the two threads. With the help of the threads, women can check if it is inserted properly. Copper T does not create any problems during copulation and it can be used immediately after childbirth. But unlike condoms, it does not protect the user from AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Diaphragm Diaphragm is a thin rubber dome with an elastic and flexible rim. It is inserted into the vagina and fits over the cervix that is hold in place by vaginal muscles. The diaphragm holds spermicide in place over the cervix; spermicide kills sperm and prevents fertilization. Diaphragms are 86-94% effective as birth control. It is cheap, the female partner is the one that takes the responsibility, there is no interruption during intercourse, there is no loss of sensation for either partner, it reduces of bacteria related STDs, couples may feel less inhibited when the woman is menstruating, and pre – malignancy and cervical malignancy are reduced. But it is uncomfortable to insert and remove from vagina, it requires a doctor to fit and check it, it requires preparation, some male partners are aware of the cap and may not like it, there is no protection against viral conditions such as herpes simplex or HIV, it sometimes cause allergy, and it cannot be fitted before first intercourse, if there is a vaginal septum or utero-vaginal prolapsed. Cervical Cap Cervical cap is a device inserted into the vagina that fits over the cervix to blocked the sperm from entering the uterus and prevents fertilization. After intercourse, it should be left in place for 8 hours. Cervical covers are 84-91% effective at preventing pregnancy for women who have never given birth and 68-74% effective for women who have given birth. Cervical cap can be inserted many hours before sexual intercourse, it is easy to carry around, it is comfortable to use, it does not alter menstrual cycle and affect future fertility, and it may help the user to better know her body. But cervical cap does not protect against HIV or AIDS, it requires a fitting in a clinic, it is difficult to insert or remove, it can be dislodged during sexual intercourse, and there can be possible allergic reactions. Birth Control Sponge The birth control sponge is made of plastic foam that contains spermicide. It is soft, round, and about two (2) inches in diameter. It has a nylon loop attached to the bottom for removal and it is inserted deep into the vagina before sexual intercourse. The sponge avoids pregnancy by keeping sperm from joining with an egg. The sponge may cover the cervix and blocks the sperm from entering the uterus or it can continuously release a spermicide that keeps the sperm from moving. The birth control sponge can be carried in pocket or purse, it can’t be felt by either partner, it has no effect on a womans natural hormones, it does not interrupt sex play, and it can be used during breastfeeding. But it may be difficult for some women to insert or remove the sponge, it may cause vaginal irritation, and it may make sex too messy or too dry because sponge requires too much liquid. Contraceptive Pills Most hormonal birth control methods contain the hormones estrogen and progestin, although some contain progestin only. Hormonal contraceptive pills work by preventing females from ovulating or releasing eggs from their ovaries each month, and by thinning the lining of the uterus to keep a pregnancy from implanting. Without an egg to be fertilized by sperm, pregnancy cannot occur. Contraceptive pill is a very effective birth control but there are also side effects like significant mood swings and decreased libido. Intra uterine Devices (IUD) – Hormonal Hormonal uterine devices sometimes called Intra Uterine Systems were first introduced in 1990. It releases levonorgestrel, a progestogen, and may be used for five years. Hormonal Intra Uterine Devices do not increase bleeding as inert and copper-containing IUDs do. Rather, they reduce menstrual bleeding or prevent menstruation altogether, and can be used as a treatment for menorrhagia (heavy periods). The use of Intra Uterine Systems results in much lower systemic progestogen levels than other very-low-dose progestogen-only hormonal contraceptives; they might possibly have some of the same side effects like loss of libido, possible cervical cancer, vaginal infection, anxiety and nervousness, and pain in lower abdominals. Emergency Contraception The emergency contraception is also known as the morning-after pill. It is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. It can be started up to five days or 120 hours after unprotected intercourse. The hormone in the morning-after pill prevents pregnancy by thickening a womans cervical mucus and by thinning the lining of the uterus. The mucus blocks sperm and keeps it from joining with an egg which could prevent pregnancy by keeping a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. Injections Injections are 99% effective that is scheduled every 3 months. Depo-Provera ®, one of the two types that are now available, contains progesterone that is similar to what the body produces. It prevents release of the egg from the ovary and causes changes in cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus. The second one is the Lunelle ® which contains two hormones like the pill, so it has the same side effects as the pill. Spermicides Spermicides can come in different form like cream, gel, foam, film, and suppositories. Most spermicides contain nonoxynol-9 which is a chemical that kills sperm. Spermicides immobilize and kill the sperm before they are able to swim into the uterus. To be effective, the spermicide must be placed deep in the vagina, close to the cervix. Creams, gels, and foams are squirted into the vagina using an applicator. But spermicides are more effective when used with another method of birth control, such as a condom or diaphragm. Spermicides are only effective for an hour, not all women can use it and some have an allergic reaction to the substances. Sterilization Sterilization is a form of birth control and all the procedures are meant to be permanent. For females (Tubal Ligation), a minor operation that blocks a womans fallopian tubes, the tubes that carry the egg to the uterus; female sterilization works by blocking the egg from reaching sperm. For males (Vasectomy), requires minor surgery on the scrotum to cut the vasa deferentia, the tubes that carry sperm. This operation keeps sperm from mixing into the semen when men ejaculate. Without sperm, fertilization of an egg cannot occur and pregnancy is prevented. Sterilization provides permanent birth control, allows sexual spontaneity, requires no daily attention, does not affect pleasure, and it is also not messy. But it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, it is not immediately effective, it requires minor surgery in a clinic and a possible regret if the couple wish to have one or more child. References: http://www.avert.org/female-condom.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device http://www.tarahaat.com/health_ABC.aspx http://www.livestrong.com/article/201512-types-of-artificial-methods-for-family-planning/ http://www.modernmom.com/article/what-is-the-meaning-of-artificial-birth-control http://www.ehow.com/facts_5004780_what-meaning-artificial-birth-control.html http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/diaphram.htm

El Bien y la Felicidad Según Aristóteles Essay -- filosofía, ideolog

Los humanos, al igual que los animales y las plantas, cumplimos un ciclo vital que bà ¡sicamente es nacer, crecer, reproducirse y morir. Pero lo que nos diferencia de los animales y plantas es que nosotros, a lo largo de los aà ±os, nos hemos preguntado  ¿cuà ¡l es el objetivo de nuestras vidas?  ¿Quà © es aquello que buscamos alcanzar y para quà © hacemos todo lo que normalmente se hace en la sociedad? Segà ºn Aristà ³teles, estamos en busca del bien y la felicidad. (Aristà ³teles, 1998). Este ensayo se enfocarà ¡ en la ideologà ­a de Aristà ³teles para explicar quà © es el bien y la felicidad para el hombre, con el apoyo de ciertos textos de Bauman y Mill. Desde nuestro nacimiento, los primeros meses de nuestras vidas nuestros padres nos enseà ±an las cosas mà ¡s bà ¡sicas y elementales. Posteriormente, a medida que vamos creciendo, aprendemos muchas cosas nuevas. Nos damos cuenta que algunas de nuestras acciones brindan sufrimiento, tristeza, dolor y algunas todo lo contrario: felicidad, risa, emocià ³n; y nos damos cuenta de esto basà ¡ndonos en la reaccià ³n de los demà ¡s. Finalmente, cuando somos adolescentes y vamos a la universidad, lo hacemos con el objetivo de obtener un tà ­tulo, para despuà ©s obtener un trabajo que nos guste. A medida que llegamos a esto, nos preguntamos  ¿por quà © todos nuestros compaà ±eros y conocidos hacen lo mismo?  ¿Cà ³mo saben que eso es lo que les va a hacer felices? Pues no lo saben, sino que confà ­an en las experiencias de los demà ¡s y en lo que la sociedad nos dicta, y la sociedad nos dice que debemos acabar la escuela y el colegio para despuà ©s ir a la universidad, obtene r un trabajo o crear uno, y asà ­ obtener un constante ingreso econà ³mico, generar respeto, confianza y poder, y con ello lograr la felicidad. La felicidad es un bien por s... ...rà ­a piensa, sino que nos trajo nuevas costumbres, mejorà ³ varias tà ©cnicas de agricultura y produccià ³n, nos impartià ³ una religià ³n que hoy felizmente la mayorà ­a creemos y mejorà ³ la raza. Works Cited Referencias: Identidad humana: Aristà ³teles. (1998) Ética Nicomà ¡quea Ética Eudemia: Sobre la felicidad. Madrid: Gredos. Bauman, Z. (2006) Comunidad: La Agonà ­a de Tà ¡ntalo. Madrid: Siglo XXI. Mill, J. (2008) Sobre la libertad. Madrid: El libro de bolsillo. Identidad mestiza: Watson, P. (2013). La Mente "INDIA": las ideas en el nuevo mundo. En IDEAS "HISTORIA INTELECTUAL DE LA HUMANIDAD". Espaà ±a: EGEDSA Apolo, M. (2011) Los mestizos ecuatorianos y las senias de identidad cultural. Madrid: Tramasocial. Tomaselli, L. (2008) Ciudadanos vs canibales: la construccion de la identidad mestiza. Echeverrà ­a, B. (2011) Discurso Crà ­tico y Modernidad. Bogotà ¡: desde abajo

Religious beliefs Essay

In What Pragmatism Means, James writes that the central point of his own doctrine of truth is, in brief, that â€Å"truth is one species of good, and not, as is usually supposed, a category distinct from good, and coordinate with it. Truth is the name of whatever proves itself to be good in the way of belief, and good, too, for definite, assignable reasons. † Richard Rorty claims that James did not mean to give a theory of truth with this statement, and that we should not regard it as such; though other pragmatism scholars such as Susan Haak and Howard Mounce do not share an instrumentalist interpretation of James. Bruce Kuklick, (Kuklick, tells us that, â€Å"James went on to apply the pragmatic method to the epistemological problem of truth. He would seek the meaning of ‘true’ by examining how the idea functioned in our lives. A belief was true, he said, if in the long run it worked for all of us, and guided us expeditiously through our semi-hospitable world. James was anxious to uncover what true beliefs amounted to in human life, what their â€Å"Cash Value† was, what consequences they led to. A belief was not a mental entity which somehow mysteriously corresponded to an external reality if the belief were true. Beliefs were ways of acting with reference to a precarious environment, and to say they were true was to say they guided us satisfactorily in this environment. † In this sense the pragmatic theory of truth applied Darwinian ideas in philosophy; it made survival the test of intellectual as well as biological fitness. If what was true was what worked, we can scientifically investigate religion’s claim to truth in the same manner. The enduring quality of religious beliefs throughout recorded history and in all cultures gave indirect support for the view that such beliefs worked. James also argued directly that such beliefs were satisfying—they enabled us to lead fuller, richer lives and were more viable than their alternatives. Religious beliefs were expedient in human existence, just as scientific beliefs were. † William James gave a further direction to pragmatism, developing it as a theory of truth. True ideas, according to James, are useful â€Å"leadings†; they lead through experience in ways that provide consistency, orderliness, and predictability. John Dewey was another leading pragmatist whose influence on educational and social theory is still prevalent in American society. We learn from (American Pragmatism I), that â€Å"James elaborated his theory of pragmatism in works such as Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking (1907) and The Meaning of Truth: A Sequel to Pragmatism (1909). He considered pragmatism to be both a method for analyzing philosophic problems and a theory of truth. He also saw it as an extension of the empiricist attitude in that it turned away from abstract theory and fixed or absolute principles and toward concrete facts, actions, and relative principles. James considered philosophies to be expressions of personal temperament and developed a correlation between â€Å"tough-minded† and â€Å"tender-minded† temperaments and empiricist and rationalist positions in philosophy. Theories, he felt, are â€Å"instruments† that humans use to solve problems and should be judged in terms of their â€Å"cash value† or practical consequences for human conduct. Reference American Pragmatism I. â€Å"Pragmatism†. Adventures in Philosophy. James, William. (1902-1920). â€Å"What is Pragmatism†. The Library of America. Lecture II Kuklick, Bruce. â€Å"William James†. The Introduction to William James’s Pragmatism. Wikipedia, The Free Dictionary.

Epic Hero Comparison(Beowulf and The hobbit) Essay

An epic hero is a larger than life character who has legendary skill and prowess. An epic hero has to perform heroic deeds. An epic hero is thought of having traditional charm and charisma. He has very strong ethics morals and a code of conduct. The epic hero is always thought of as a male as the tradition of the epic hero originated in the Anglo Saxon culture which was a male dominant society. A perfect example of an epic hero is Beowulf. He kills Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon all of which are heroic deeds that no one else was able or willing to take on. The foes that Beowulf fought were all beyond human strength and capabilities and required superhuman abilities to bring down. In Bilbo’s case he takes down the spider by himself and tries to face up to challenges that he would normally never have done in his comfortable hobbit home. This shows a hero putting the need of the many against the need of the few. The heroic tradition in literature has definitely moved from epic heroes, the creation of larger-than-life characters that had legendary strength and physical characteristics, to the move towards anti-heroes, which particularly developed in the 20th and 21st centuries, with the focus on leading protagonists who lack certain heroic qualities such as idealism courage and generosity. In both stories, the concept of vengeance is the first to appear. In Beowulf, vengeance is what drives the entire plot of the poem, as one action is carried out in response to a former action – to seek vengeance for a prior wrong. It is Beowulf, introduced as a strong, powerful character from the start, whose own heroic code compels him to seek vengeance against Grendel for deeds the monster committed against Hrothgar. Beowulf himself is an epic hero who even before arriving at Herot has already built for himself a tremendous reputation that goes before him and is based on acts that no mere mortal could accomplish or achieve. He arrives at Herot as a fully formed character. When considering Beowulf as a character, it is clear that his exploits and fame confirm his as a character whose strength is certainly out of this world, and more powerful than any other character alive today. This shows he is definitely a hero in the epic hero tradition. Bilbo by contrast starts the novel as a quiet, peaceful and unadventurous hobbit that sometimes goes through periods where he wonders what on earth he is doing on this adventure with dwarves and a wizard. Bilbo is called upon to do more than he imagines himself capable of. He does not like to travel, preferring the safety of his hobbit-hole, but he has inherited a streak of adventurousness from his mother’s side, the Tooks. His adventurous Took side and his comfort-loving Baggins side are in conflict throughout much of the story. It is clear from his early attempts to sneak up on enemies, such as with the trolls that he has a lot to learn and his early failures show that he is much more of a dynamic character than Beowulf is in the way that he learns heroism and courage and refines his skills as time goes by. Near the beginning of their journey, Bilbo was quite vulnerable to the dangers and was frequently rescued by the others. As the adventure continues and Bilbo shows his worth and value first in the Misty Mountains and then secondly with the Elves and then finally the spiders, Bilbo becomes a hero in his own right. As he progressed through the quest, he went on his own little adventures which helped him become braver and wiser. Bilbo willingly forfeits his own claim to the treasure in order to secure peace. Bilbo shows himself to not just be a hero in terms of his skills and qualities but a hero in his character as well which is something arguably that Beowulf does not show as he seems to risk his own life against the dragon knowing that his death would be disastrous for his own people. Finally, his heroic status is secured when he delivers the Arkenstone of Thrain to the Elvenking and Bard in order to secure a peace between the dwarves and the elves and humans.

Personal Essay Essays - 9, Music Industry, Music, Free Essays

Personal Essay Essays - 9, Music Industry, Music, Free Essays Ace Personal Essay My name is Annie Chapman and I am sixteen years old. I started my life in 1983, in Los Angeles, actually in a suburb called Culver City. From the hospital I moved into a house on Lucerne Ave with my father Alan Berftman, my mother Mary Lee Chapman, and my older brother by four years, Ace. I spent just short of ten years in that same house. While I lived in Culver City I attended a Spanish emersion elementary school called El Rinclon. There I learned to speak Spanish as a second language. A month before my tenth birthday my parents decided to move to the small town of Little Stone. They took ownership of an old hotel called the Winnemucckah. So into the Winnemucckah we moved. I began third grade at the local school called Oten Valley after Christmas break. After living in the big city I was amazed at how small Little Stone was compared to Los Angeles. After three years of living in the hotel my parents got a divorce. My father then moved back to Los Angeles with an old Army-buddy. Once my father left, my mother, brother, and I moved into a house only a block from the hotel. I was going into I think 7th grade at this time, and Ace was going to Youngton High School as a sophomore. The summer before 8th grade I decided to become a Christian. This was the most important decision Ill ever make and I made it made it because I believe. While in Junior High I participated in a lot of sports such as basketball, volleyball, and snowboarding. It was in these areas that I really got to know the three girls who would someday become my very best friends-Christine Grossman, Emily Whitman, and Robin Otanza; they all played sports with me and were also in my classes. In 8th grade Robin started to go to Youngton as a freshman, but our friendship remained. Ace graduated in 1996 from Youngton School. He went on to Loyola Marymount College for three weeks after which he dropped out and joined the Marine Corps. I was proud of Ace the whole time and while he was in the Marines our relationship grew form fighting siblings to respected friends. When I was a freshman I truly grew to love my brother. All throughout my freshman and sophomore years I continued to snowboard but stopped playing team sports due to a disease in my knees. I really found a love in snowboarding which I still have. When I snowboard I feel free and without any boundaries. I started to snowboard more than the usual once every other week. I would find ways to go on the weekend too, and whenever someone would drive me. It has become a passion of mine. Throughout high school Ive managed to remain friends with Christine and Emily. I had every class with them and would do things with them everyday after school was out. I love spending time with them; its one of my favorite pastimes. Theyve supported me in such things as the Lions Club Speech Contest and 4-H and whatever else I would try to do. They are now more like my sisters because I see them everyday. This year Im going to a different school then two of my best friends which so far is really weird. I miss seeing them in every class and at lunch. Today was only my first day of school and they were both sitting on my couch before they even had to get up so they could see me off to Lone Pine. I plan on keeping these two friendships the rest of my life. Along with close friends, I have a close-knit family. I see my father about twice a month at least and the same with my grandma, especially now with my grandpa gone. I love to spend time with my aunts and their families. We always have a blast. My brother and I have maintained our close friendship and even with him overseas we talk a lot more than some of my friends who have their brothers in the house. Hes a great guy. In my sixteen years Ive been able to

Do Aircraft Engineer of Oman air believe Inadequate training in Research Proposal

Do Aircraft Engineer of Oman air believe Inadequate training in aircraft Engineering sector of Oman is the main cause of low standards in maintenance of Oman Air aircraft - Research Proposal Example For example, training and development lead to the development of new skills and expertise of employees. However, in some sectors, training and development are necessary for performing the regular activities. Training and development activities present prime opportunities to expand and enhance the knowledge base of the employees. Even so, some employers find the same to be expensive and hence, financial loss of the company. For example, employees often miss out on work timings while attending the training and development sessions and this might delay the completion of project (Kenny & Reedy, 2007, p.121). Despite the potential drawbacks of training and development activities, companies consider these to be a core functional activity (Burke, 2010, p.13). Some of the key benefits of training and development are addressing weaknesses of the employees, improving performance level of the employees, managing consistency in the performance levels of employees and enjoying increased level of employee satisfaction. The significance of training and development cannot be distinguished on the basis of the sector. Hence, irrespective of the nature of business or size of the organization, the significance of training and development is the same all over (Burke, 2010, p.15). This study seeks to investigate the importance of training and development in the aviation sector of Oman. However, the prime thurst will be on the rational behind standard of maintainence. The topic that will be evaluated is: An assessment of the drivers of low standards in the maintenance of Oman Air aircraftin relation to training provision. Therefore, the principal aim of this project is to get an insight into the perception of Aircraft Engineers of Oman, pertaining to inadequate training in aircraft engineering sector, which is responsible for low standards in maintenance of Oman Air aircraft (FICCI, 2012). The objective of the study will be fulfilled by conducting a questionnaire survey among the

Agency's law and ethics of hiring a diverse workforce Essay

Agency's law and ethics of hiring a diverse workforce - Essay Example This paper analyses the various laws that regulate personnel management at UCSIS. It also analyzes a case law that was solved out of a dispute in relation to the rights of an employee. The case law under consideration is applicable to the management of personnel at UCSIS. According to this law, it is illegal for any individual to hire or recruit unauthorized immigrants, and it requires employers to verify the immigration status of its employees. This law directly affects the personnel management of USCIS because it establishes the guideline in which any agency within United States of America can employ people. On this basis, USCIS cannot employ anybody whose immigration status is not valid as according to the laws of America. If USCIS violates this law, dangers are that it will be fined approximately $ 10,000 of fine (Doak, 2012) . Another law that will affect the operations of personnel management of the agency is the worker adjustment, and retention notifying act. According to this law, employers with more than 100 employees must provide a sixty day notice in case they plan to conduct a mass lay off, or there is an intention of closing a plant. On this basis, this law directly affects USCIS because it has an employee base of more than 100 employees. Offices of USCIS are stationed in almost all the states of the country, and some selected embassies around the world. On this basis, in case the organization intends to lay off its employees it must notify them at least for a period of sixty days.A case law that defines how workers and employees should relate is the 1994 case law on Waters vs. Churchill. This was a case that concerned itself with the first amendment on the rights of public employees within a work place. According to this case, the Supreme Court held that if an employee of a organization engages in a manner that will threaten and disrupt the activities of an organization, then the given organization has a right to dismiss the named employee. In thi s case, a nurse was dismissed for uttering contents that the hospital under consideration believed would affect its operations (Tischauser, 2012). The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the hospital, denoting that if Churchill had uttered words that would affect the operations of the hospital, then the hospital had a right to dismiss Churchill. On this basis, the Supreme Court referred the cases back to the lower courts so that they may interpret what Churchill exactly said. Personnel Recruitment and Hiring Practice: The organization has enacted programs whose main aim is to facilitate the recruitment of a diverse workforce, as well as a high caliber of employees. This is a strategic priority within USCIS because of the benefits that comes with employing a diverse work force. These benefits include ability to attract various experiences and skills from different people, of different cultures. For example, there are some experiences that black people have passed through, that might be b eneficial to the organization. While interacting with customers of their origin, blacks might know of what their needs are. The same happens to Caucasians, or even employees who are Hispanics (UCSIS, 2007). The organization also aims at reinforcing and supporting the achievements of its various employees through career development and training. When the organization recruits, it has a policy to train its employees through on job training, or through class room training. This is for purposes of orienting them on the various cultures of the organization, and how they can improve on their work