Moral Instinct by Steven Pinker free essay sample

Steven Pinker argues about the innate moral instincts we possess using his research on brain activity and evolutionary psychology. He believes that different cultures possess different moral mindsets based on variations of the five universal moral spheres- harm, fairness, community, authority and purity. Pinker defends statements that say we act based on our â€Å"different weightings of the spheres. † However, he points out that our moral sense is vulnerable to illusions, just as illusions in our other senses. His argument about the shudder test discusses these very illusions. In the shudder test people quickly â€Å"hit the moralization button and look for villains rather than bug fixes. † People all too often confuse â€Å"practical problems as moral crusades. † He notes that experts say our initial repugnance â€Å"may be the only voice left that speaks up to defend the central core of our humanity. † These experts advise us to â€Å"go with our gut† on such controversies like human cloning or other biomedical technologies. We will write a custom essay sample on Moral Instinct by Steven Pinker or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Pinker, however, argues that this would be cause faulty reasoning, because there are many â€Å"good reasons to regulate human cloning† that we simply disregard on account of our moral senses. He brings up a valid point that â€Å"People have shuddered at all kind of morally irrelevant violations of purity in their culture†¦and if our ancestors’ repugnance had carried the day, we never would have had autopsies, vaccinations, blood transfusions, artificial insemination, organ transplants, and in viro fertilization, all of which were denounced as immoral when they were new. † So, many of our medical advances would have never occurred because moral rationalizations would have gotten in the way. Steven Pinker rationalizes that â€Å"Our habit of moralizing problems, merging them with intuitions of purity and contamination, and resting content when we feel the right feelings, can get in the way of doing the right thing. † He proposes that thorough further understanding of the science of moral sense we can see through these illusions brought on by evolution and culture. I agree with Steven Pinker’s argument about the â€Å"shudder test† because our initial reactions may not be entirely correct. Our gut reactions do not have any rationale behind them besides our innate moral sense constrained the culture we live in. We cannot fully understand a situation by a simple feeling. Pinker mentions how we can be â€Å"blinded by our own sanctimony† and our supposed moral actions are viewed as correct. Even the most vile and ruthless actions can be moralized by our moral compass that our culture and psychological makeup has set for us. Pinker’s rejection of the shudder test as a way to guide our actions makes perfect sense when you refer to all the morally incorrect judgments it has contributed to. In order to avoid such illusions of our innate moral sense like using the shudder test to direct our decisions, we must understand the science behind our moral instinct.

Quick Look Essays - Buddhist Ethics, Buddhist Vegetarianism

Quick Look Essays - Buddhist Ethics, Buddhist Vegetarianism Quick Look Buddha taught that in order to live a life that is free from pain and suffering people must eliminate any attachments to worldly goods. Only then will they gain a kind of peace and happiness. They must rid themselves of greed, hatred, and ignorance. They strive to cultivate four attitudes, loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. The basic moral code prohibits killing, stealing, harmful language, sexual misbehavior, and the use of intoxicants. Morality, wisdom, and samadhi, or concentration form the cornerstone of Buddhist faith. By observing these, lust, hatred, and delusion may be overcome. This is known as Nirvana. It is a realistic goal only for members of the monastic community. The most devoted followers of the Buddha were organized into the monastic sangha. They were identified by their shaved heads and robes made of unsewn orange cloth. Many early monks wandered from place to place, settling down only during the rainy season when traveling was difficult. The Buddhist have lasted because they have the ability to adapt to changing conditions and to a variety of cultures. Monks are expected to live a life of poverty, meditation, and study. They must avoid all sexual activity. They devote themselves to work, study, and prayer. They all dress in special robes. Monks play an important part in preserving and spreading Buddhism.

Impact of stigma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Impact of stigma - Essay Example They react in severely distorted manner, not because of their illness but because of the society's reaction towards their illness. The outlook of the patient changes once they witness their discrimination from rest of the individuals in the social circle. Symptomatic treatment could be alleviated by means of numerous measures encompassing medicines, exercises, physiotherapy, recreational means but the stigma linked with the mental illness may continue for complete life span (Corrigan, 2002). If not treated in a psychological manner, the stigma could culminate into a typecasting, disbelieve, terror or dodging behaviour and be able to pessimistically impact tracking down of treatment, job status and earnings, self-image and relations with those in the family and also with the society. Thus their personalities are projected as feeble willed and capricious. These features retreat patients from their close ones. Individuals with mental illness display an abnormal behaviour and distinguish ing socio-economic status. Education and awareness of parents could control the situation of the child to a greater extent. It is observed that in childhood years if appropriate and timely care is given symptoms could be diminished to a greater extent. ... On one hand they are being bothered about their disease and symptoms and on the other hand they are facing the misunderstandings about themselves, prevailing in their social circle. Accumulating these features provide them a feeling of being stripped off from numerous prospects that classify the excellence of life encompassing high-quality jobs, secure shelter, reasonable health care and association with a varied group of people (Corrigan, 2002). Research studies conducted to understand the impact of psychology, reveals that there are two kinds of stigma that a mentally ill patient views; self-stigma and social or public stigma. Public stigma finds its relation with the kind of cultural atmosphere of the individual. In some countries especially in Asian and African countries, stigma is not very imperative while in Islamic societies, stigma does not finds any place. In western world, public stigma is weighed extremely high. In western countries people have a great terror of being excl uded from their communities. The public stigma seizes the authority of the patient, i.e. the patient is thought to be highly irresponsible in all his/ her actions and pursuits. This takes away his individuality as all the decisions are taken by associates about him and the patient is deprived of taking any decision. Moreover, mentally ill individuals behave like a child due to lack of brain development. The brain of such individuals is just like a child that needs tremendous care, in certain cases they are pampered by those associated with the patient, further deteriorating their development (Lai, 2000). It is observed that people with physical disabilities are accepted in the social set-up as normal individual but those suffering with mental illness are not

Modern Art History Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Modern Art History - Assignment Example The paper "Modern Art History" will explore movements of modern art. The study analyzes cubists, suprematists etc. Some of the characteristics of cubism include openness which involves creating 3 dimensional objects into a 2 dimensional surface. A cubist therefore has to show more than one view at a time. The paintings are not based on precise art but use angles and shapes especially circles and rectangles. Cubism is broken into two spheres which include analytical and synthetic cubism. Analytical cubism involves breaking ofnatural forms and transforming them into little cubes or geometrical form. Synthetic cubism involves creating objects and focussing on the object together. Use of mixed medium is also one characteristic used by cubist as it mixes different mediums to create a composition of one surface. The artists use little cubes to depict a person or object from different views. According to Kazimir Malevich Suprematism is represented by the black icon which is found in almost all his drawings. The square presents suprematism symbol and the circle is a shape originating from the black box. The black box is an icon of suprematism according to Malevich. The black box is also referred to as a symbol creating the 3D dimension. Malevich emphasizes that the black box should not be viewed as monochrome but should be viewed as an infinite symbol of space creating openness into space. The paintings by Malevich and his disciples depicts constellations of algebra and has opened a greatfield of study. in arithmetic and mathematics. Question 3 part1 According to Clement Greenberg (Jeanne), abstract expressionism includes art that depict collective consciousness and is greater than any one nation. The abstract expressionist had difficult time putting their art into view as the world was under war. The artist had the role to turn their spirituality and express it into fine art. The artists had to ask themselves several questions including what and why they should paint a piece of art before starting any artistic piece of art. The abstract artists had to undergo a reformation from the ancient type of art such as modernism and break through to modern type of art. Artistic work from artists such as Marko Rothko shunned the dream of content surrealism hence shifting illustrative art into abstract art. This concept was picked and used by artist such as Rosenberg who depicts existentialism in his painting of ‘American action painters of 1952’. Greenberg further expresses that abstract expressionism redefined the purpose of art from social consciousness to social consciousness. The paintings and pieces of art contained meanings and messages to the society and that the meanings were to be expressed and not directly spoken or explained. The artists had to bring formal innovation and elements into their pieces of art. The use of series of colours was embraced as seen in the case of Malevich and this led to expansion field of painting by use of space line and colour. With this kind of work, abstract expressionist replaced the cult and figurative expression into universal truth as the artists expressed their personality. With the past era discriminating the women into artistic work, the abstract expressionism era embraced women and encouraged them into the artistic field. Greenberg considers Immanuel Kant as the first modernist according to his critique article (Greenberg). Kant was able to criticize different characteristics of artist through

Business Forecasting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Forecasting - Essay Example Business forecasting can be done using two methods as covered in this paper. This method of forecasting depends on the market experts and thus short-term predictions are best situated for this method of forecasting. For the method to work and attain the desired goals of the company, then experts must be involved in financial statements so as to predict and rely on measures that can be followed. If the measures outlined by the experts are followed, then short term goals and success will be accomplished (McKinley and Lee, 2005). The only disadvantage of the qualitative method of forecasting is that the management of the companies relies on the opinions of individuals or the experts who estimate the budget and provide the measurable data that is going to be used in the company. For this method to be successful in any organization then it will involve the following aspects. This simply means that the company will have to conduct a market research relating to the kind of products and services the company offers (Adams, 2000). Well carried market research will involve the number of participants in the exercise and thus it will be showing the potential customers who will use the products or services when it is launched. This method involves experts who carry general opinions and then the experts will compile that data so as to forecast on the trend. For example, the company may look at the competitive advantage over other companies, as well as corporate governance among other aspects. Quantitative model do away with human analysis but solely depends on the data. This method of forecasting also involves other variables which are predicted sales, the gross domestic products among others which are predicted for long term goals (Lawrence, 2010). Quantitative model involves the following tools. The approach depends on some indicators like unemployment rate, and the gross domestic product among others in the company. To get the indicator then a comparison and the

Types Of Tenders And Tendering Process Construction Essay

Types Of Tenders And Tendering Process Construction Essay A tender can be said as an offer to do work or supply goods at a fixed price. Initiating step of a tendering process in which qualified contractors are invited to submit sealed bids for construction or for supply of specific and clearly defined goods or services during a specified timeframe. The tender process is designed to ensure that the work to be done for client/government is given out in a fair way. For example in Malaysia, there are a number of policies known as procurement policies which guide government of Malaysia on how to make decisions on which tender to accept. Although price is very important in the decision on which tender or bid to accept, it is not the only factor taken into account. Once client/government accepts a tender, it is binding on both parties. This means that the person or company that won the tender has to provide the goods or services in the manner agreed to and at the price offered, and client/government must pay the agreed price at the agreed time. In other words, once accepted, a tender is a binding contract. 2.2 Types of tendering When talk about tendering, it is involved some kind of complicated process and procedure. Before any tendering process can be done, professional team and employer must make sure all necessary tender documents have been prepared, checked and approved. The source of the funding also must have been identified and the project financing put in place. The procedures for subsequent stages should have been established with the express consent of the employer to ensure the tendering process will go smoothly. What types of tendering that employer want to choose is depends on nature of contract, complexity of the construction, expertise needed and several reasons. But usually for the government project all over the world, is tend to make open tender to ensure the procurement and works to be done in fairly manner without prejudice. As the researcher mention before, open tender is one of the types of tendering that commonly used in this world. Actually there are several types of tender including open tender, selective tender, negotiated tender, serial tender and term tendering. 2.2.1 Open tender Open tendering is the main tendering procedures employed by both the government and private sector. The client advertises the tender offer in the local newspaper giving detail and key information of the proposed works and inviting interested contractor to tender. In the legal sense such tender notices constitute invitation to treat, a mere request by the employer for suitable contractor to submit their bids or offers. If the pre-requisite to tendering on the form of possession of the necessary registration has been identified in the tender notice, then the advertisement is directed to only that particular class of the public having the said qualifications. In order to reduce number of enquiries, earnest money is deposited (for private project). Until the receipt of a bone fide tender selected then it will be returned. Although price is very important in the decision on which tender or bid to accept, it is not the only factor taken into account. Client does not bind to accept the lowest or any offer. The advantages and disadvantages of open tender are stated below: Advantages Disadvantages It allows any interested contractor to tender. Therefore it gives opportunity for an unknown contractor to compete for the work. The tender list can be long as too many contractors tendering for one job. Allowing the tender list to be made without bias. Client will obtain the bargain possible. No favouritism in selecting contractors. Uneconomic use of source. Ensuring good competition not obliged to accept any offers. Public accountability may be questioned if the lowest offer is not accepted. Traditional method of tendering, familiar to all sector of the engineering and construction industry. Does not attract reputable and established contractor unless they are forced to, due to lack of work. Selective tender Selective tendering is the one alternatives developed to address the limitations of the open tendering procedure. In this method, a short list of contractor is drawn up and they are invited to submit tenders. The purpose of the elective tendering are to improve the quality of the bids received, to ensure that contractors with the necessary experience and competence are given the opportunity to submit the necessary bids, due to urgency work involved, for specific reasons of the employer, eg security reasons in government projects. etc. and to make the tendering procedure more manageable and less a burden on the parties involved. Such list may be prepared through recommendation from the Clients professional adviser whom have knowledge of the Contractors undertaking the work in the past or advertisement through the newspaper (prequalification). The advantages and disadvantages of the selective tendering are stated below. Advantages Disadvantages Only the competent contactors were invited to tender, then the lowest can be accepted. Reduces the availability of work for other contractors especially new contractors. It reduced the cost of tendering (economic use of resources, reduced tender documentation, shorter tender periods, better management of the tender process, etc.) Tender Price may invariably higher than would have been in open tendering. Greater chance of collusion. Tendering period longer because it involved two distinct stages. Favoritisms may occur in the short listing. Two Stage Selective Tender Two stage selective tendering combined elements of competition and negotiation into a formula where the employer could utilize the contractors expertise at an early stage of the project cycle so as to maximize innovation, ingenuity and quality and simultaneously optimize cost, time and resource input. A contractor is selected competitively early in the design process. The tender documents contain approximately quantities of the major value items. As design and planning proceed, the final tender is developed from cost and priced data supplied with the initial tender. Two stage selective tendering was very popular in developed countries. It was different from selective tendering because has two (2) distinct stages namely: Selection of suitable contractor This involves the selection of a suitable contractor and the establishment of a level of pricing for subsequent negotiations. The objective is to select suitable contractor as early as possible is to work together with the professional team and to establish a level of pricing for subsequent negotiation. The criteria for short listing is normally confined to items such as technical and financial capability, experience in similar works and extent of resources (manpower, plant and equipment). The pricing document should be flexible enough to cater for adjustment of price fluctuation for the period between two stages and the pricing of the second stage. In selecting a suitable candidate, a basis for pricing the subsequent second stage should be established accordingly. Determination of Contract Price Once a suitable contractor is selected, he will work together with the project team start contributing to the pre contract process in his capacity as unbiased but independent construction expert. This contractor will contribute the following: Contribution as a Technical Advisor to the Design Process Practical Skills and Buildability Minimization of Project Delay During this stage, a negotiation to reach an agreement on the final contract price is undertaken and the pre contract process is perfected. If no agreement being reached, the employer has an option to abandon the tendering exercise and re-tender the works using any other tendering procedure. The application of two stage selective tendering might be appropriate where the works are a very complicated nature, where at the time of selection of the contractor, the magnitude of the work may not be known with sufficient certainty and where it is an essential pre-requisite for works to be finished by an early completion date. Table below are some advantages and disadvantage of two stages selective tendering. Advantages Disadvantages Benefit of the contractors expertise in buildability, specialist knowledge in proprietry systems, project scheduling, etc resulting in value for money. Its application requires a high level of familiarity and commitment on the part of employers and contractors. Early commencement of work at site even when the magnitude of the works is not known with sufficient certainty at the time of site possession. Owing to a relatively smaller element of competition, but on the other hand higher negotiations content, the tender process is relatively more expensive and longer than other common procedures. Savings of time due to the overlap of the design and tendering stage. Should the second stage be deadlocked or result in no acceptable agreement being reached, the tender process has to be initiated all over again, albeit, through a different route. This incurs a time and cost penalty to the project as a whole. The procedure utilizes the best aspects of both competition and negotiation to arrive at the most favourable arrangement at an optimum firm price before work commences. This procedures requires a high level of commitment, integrity and good faith on the part of both sides which sadly is usually lacking, hence the apparent failures encountered to date. Since the contractor is part of the project team at a very stage of the project, this results in better communication and information flow. Generally there will be fewer claims and disputes in the post contract award stage due to the contractors involvement at the design / pre contract stage. Experience has shows that the contractor has a clearer understanding of the requirements and a better appreciation of the intricacies of the design and contract documentations. Negotiation Tender Negotiation tendering is extensively used in the engineering and construction industry commencing from tendering till dispute resolutions, i.e. under the styles of pre-contract negotiations and post contract negotiations. Usually with single contractor but may be up to three contractors. Negotiation process involves are as follows: Identification by the employer of a suitable contractor to negotiate with. The contractor can be selected either from the employers own list of preferences or on the advice of the professional team. The contractor being apprised of the workscope. The selected contractor is issued with details such as the scope of work involved, relevant drawings, design and /or information to enable him to appreciate the extents of obligations and the employers actual needs. Some employers prepare and issue to the contractor proper tender documents inclusive of a nominated bills of quantities to assist contractor in pricing the works for the forthcoming negotiations. Negotiations can be applied to the following type of contract: In Partnering type of contracts under the so called win-win formula. Where the employer has a long term business relationship with the contractor. In situations where the parties are in a relationships of holding and subsidiary companies. Where the contractor is involved in the financing of the project. In situations where the employer finds it advantages to employ the same contractor to continue an initial or existing contract for the new works Where there is a pressing need to have a very early start of work on the site and to complete the works on a fast tract basis. In special circumstances e.g. Security reasons, emergencies etc where it is expedient to secure the services of a particular contractor only. Where there is only a single contractor who is the only one available or with ether the special skill or resources to carry out the particular works. The employers resources are either limited or constrained thereby making the use of the other tendering impractical. Advantages Disadvantages Only reputable contractor are invited for negotiation. The cost work is likely higher than competitive tender. The Contractor can contribute his expertise during design stage. Reduces the availability of work for other contractors. Early Commencement of work on site. It shortens the period involved in appointing the contractor. Should the negotiations be deadlock or prove eventually unsuccessful, this causes wastage of valuable resources on both sides and loss of time for the employer, thereby delaying the overall selection of suitable contractor. Reduce risk of failure Best alternatives for the employer to adopt is special circumstances such as emergencies, security reasons and etc. Experience has shows that contracts let out this basis result in fewer disputes and claims during the construction stage. Term Tender Term tendering normally used on major maintenance projects. It may be awarded to a contractor to cover a range of different buildings in different locations. It is often limited to a fixed time scale, although the needs of the client may often require this to be extended. It is like a standing offer to undertake a loosely defined extends of work usually within a fixed time period. The type of work is usually specified and priced in a schedule of rates. The contractor will initially be offered the work to cover a number of different trades usually on the basis of prices contained in a schedule prepared by the client.Where the client supplies the rates for the work, the contractors are given the option of quoting a percentage addition or deduction from these rates depending upon their desire to win the project. The contractor offering the most advantageous percentage to the client will then be awarded the contract. An indication of the amount of work expected over the specified period of time will assist the contractors in the consideration of the percentage to be quoted. 2.3 Conventional Tendering Process As the researcher mentioned before, this chapter will focus on conventional tender while the next chapter will focus on electronic tendering. Therefore readers will see clearly background on conventional tendering and electronic tendering. Conventional tendering process will involve pre-tender stage, tender advertisement stage, closing of tender, tender opening process, tender evaluation process and finally tender award. 2.3.1 Pre-tender Stage At pre-tender stage, when the clients have an idea, client will appoint consultant to discuss further about the project. Consultant will do their job, advising, managing the tender and contract, and also transfer the idea into the drawing. At this stage client and consultants will brainstorming about the scope, time to complete and budget that client willing to allocate. Researcher believes that pre-tender stage is most crucial matter because it will initiate the next step of a project. If the pre-tender stage is failed, the project will not successfully complete. 2.3.2 Tender Advertisement Tender advertisement also called tender notice. The conventional tender notice will advertise in local newspaper. In tender notice, basic requirement should be appearing are: Title of the project. Class of contractor, head and subhead needed. Location, date, and time to obtain the tender document. Fees for tender document. Location, date and time for submission of tender doc. 2.3.3 Closing of Tender In tender notice will mention the time and date of tender closing process. If the contractors fail to submit their bids within specific time and date, it considers the contractors refuse to bid for the tender. At that time also tender validity period is started. At this period, contractors can withdraw back their bids if they are no more interested to fight for the tender. Consultant use this period to make assessment and evaluation each of the offers. 2.3.4 Tender Opening and Evaluation Process Quantity surveyors usually will handle tender opening process. In order to preserve the integrity of the competitive process, it is imperative that the evaluation of proposals is undertaken objectively, consistently and without bias towards particular suppliers.   Tenders are usually evaluated against a pre-determined set of criteria. The evaluation of the tenders shall be prepared the soonest possible after the tender opening. A report prepared by the Quantity Surveyor will describe the findings of the said evaluation and it will be supported by tables and graphs. In the end, the Quantity Surveyor will recommend which tenderer, who in his opinion, is the most suitable to undertake to execute the project. 2.3.5 Tender Award An evaluation team will examine each tender received and make recommendations as to which tender represents best value for money.   Once the contract has been awarded, both the successful and unsuccessful tenderers will be notified. Once the final decision has been made on the tender award, the tender administrator creates the tender results notification which is in letter form, and then sent to all participating contractors.

The Benefits of the Death Penalty Essay -- Cause Effect Capital Punish

   Fifty-nine criminals were put to death by means of the death penalty in 2004. Whether it had been by lethal injection, electrocution, gas chamber, hanging or even the firing squad was it the correct thing to do? This is a commonly asked question concerning this controversial topic. Should these criminals, murders, and rapists have be put to death? Is the death penalty a proper form of punishment? As Sellin stated, "Whenever hurt is done you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth..." (9). Is the death penalty morally wrong? Anti Death penalty advocates argue life is "so" sacred that we shouldn't even be taking the lives of murderers, but what about the innocent people that died because of that murder. Steven D. Stewart, Prosecuting Attorney for Clark County, Indiana, put it best, " I believe life is sacred. It cheapens the life of an innocent murder victim to say that society has no right to keep the murderer from ever killing again. In my view, society has not only the right, but the duty to act in self defense to protect the innocent" (12). Another controversial topic rendering to the death penalty is cost. Is it really more expensive to keep a criminal in prison for life or is it worth while to sentence them to death? Statistics show that the cost of sentencing an individual to life imprisonment and sentencing an individual to the death penalty are generally equivalent to one another. It is the actual act of the execution that raises the costs. To many people the costs seem strange and useless, but to those who lost a loved one to that criminal find it relieving knowing that there is no way he will ever return. In fact, in a survey conducted in 1995, 74% of people support capital punishment even if th... ...ential.org.dpic/feddp.html 8.) "Innocence and the Death Penalty." Death Penalty Information Center [Online]. November 9, 1999. Available: http://www.essential.org/dpic/innoc.html 9.) Kamis, Theodore. "Capital Punishment on Trial: Which Side is Corect?" [Online]. November 9, 1999. Available: http://users.hsonline.net/beamer/cappun2.html 10.) Paper Presented Before the House of Parliament. "The Death Penalty Will Discourage Crime, 1701." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press, 1986. 11.) "Pragmatic Arguments Against The Death Penalty." [Online]. November 9, 1999. Available: http://pages.prodigy.com/DC/vortex/prag.html 12.)Stewart, Steven D.. "The Death Penalty: A Message from the Procecuting Attorny." Office of the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney [Online]. November 9, 1999. Available: http:www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death.htm

William Wilberforce: the Christian Politician: a Look at How His Faith Influenced His Career and the Abolishment of Slavery

| William Wilberforce: The Christian Politician| A Look at How His Faith Influenced His Career and the Abolishment of Slavery| | â€Å"They took me in the night, ripped me away from my family. Tried my wrists and took my dignity. I was sold for coins like we sell cattle; my ‘owner’ led me to a ship with hundreds more like me, I was cuffed to another, feet to wrists to neck. We were forced on board and sent in between decks and into apartments.As we set out for sea and the days pass, at night I lay in my own waste and during the day I feel nothing but pain and hear nothing but the splash of the waves and the moaning of the others† (Falconbridge 1788) (Ioan Gruffudd 2006). This account of the experience of a slave does not come close to enforcing the reality of the brutality of what these slaves went through. This is, however, what William Wilberforce spent his entire political career, and until his death, to abolish.Through his faith and prominence in the British g overnment in the late 1700s through to the early 1800s he was determined to end this brutality against fellow human beings. In the film Amazing Grace, Wilberforce’ political career was depicted as a great success by his belief in God, his determination, ability to speak in public persuasively with prominence and passion, and the support of his friends and wife; and in this success he was able to fulfill his dream and calling to forever abolish slave trade in the British Empire.In the 2006 film Amazing Grace, director Michael Apted, tells the story of William Wilberforce and his journey from becoming an evangelical Christian and politician, through his movement in parliament for the abolishment of slavery to his success in the abolishment and his death. His character and career is beautifully depicted through his acts and in the way works his way through British parliament in order to fulfill his dream (or calling) of ending the transatlantic slave trade. The film also depicts the influence different people had in his life as a Christian politician.Since his birth in 1759 he lived in pre-Victorian England until his death in 1833. He was actively taking part in parliament from 1780 to 1825, which was time where the upper-class expressed outward Christianity, but also took part in gambling and duelling (White 2008). In 1787 was when Wilberforce seriously started to take part in government; wrote in his diary: â€Å"God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners† (Windschuttle 2008) (Colson and Morse 2007); these are the two things he would eventually make a great difference in.At the start of his career in 1780, Wilberforce was just like the other upper-class men in high positions. He visited gentleman’s clubs almost every night, gambling and drinking late into the night. He also became famous for singing at the parties he went to and had a good singing voice (Windschuttle 2 008). Wilberforce converted to evangelical Christianity at the age of twenty six. â€Å"He underwent a process of self-examination, doubt, agony and awakening† (Windschuttle 2008). In the film, he was sitting in a field behind his house early in the morning.He was confused, but sure that faith was the path he was supposed to take, and he professed this in a letter to his good friend and soon to be Prime Minister of England, William Pitt (Ioan Gruffudd 2006). Pitt wanted Wilberforce on his side in government, so he introduced him to some people, including Thomas Clarkson, a slave trade abolitionist all over the world, and Olaudah Equiano, an African who was taken into slavery as a child, bought his freedom and wrote an account of his own experiences in his autobiography called The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equian.This introduction would be the beginning of the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. It was this new committee that opened Wilberforceâ €™s eyes to the possibility of combining his new found faith in evangelical Christianity with his passion for politics. A key belief of evangelism was the idea of providence; that God in involved in every aspect and event in life, no matter how small. For Wilberforce, God gave him a seat in parliament for a reason: â€Å"God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners† (Windschuttle 2008).With these two visions in mind he set out with his team to end slavery for once and for all, but it would not be an easy journey, as is depicted in the film. Wilberforce spent over twenty years on this mission, fighting both members of opposition parties in the House of Commons as well as illness and bad physical health (Colson and Morse 2007). Wilberforce also sought out the advice of John Newton, a previous slave ship captain and the writer of the inspiring hymn â€Å"Amazing Grace†. The song itself was quite pr ominent in the film.Not only because it is the title of the film, but also because it can be seen as the anthem for anti-slavery. The song was an inspiration, and a symbol of a new beginning; it can be heard in its lyrics and it can be seen in the events of the film. At the first meeting with Newton, Wilberforce was looking for the advice of a troubled man, one who was â€Å"†¦in the company of twenty thousand Africans† (Ioan Gruffudd 2006) and haunted by his past, yet unable to speak of the horrors he caused.Although Newton did not share his experience with Wilberforce, he did encourage him to take on the challenge that God has set before him by saying â€Å"you have work to do† (Ioan Gruffudd 2006), â€Å"Newton calmed Wilberforce and strengthened his resolve, urging him to combine his new religious beliefs with his existing political career† (Windschuttle 2008). With this conformation of what to do, Wilberforce was ready to take on the abolition of the s lave trade. Wilberforce’s character was attractively depicted in the film.Stating out with his love for animals early on in the film, even in his form of ill wealth, he was willing to get out in the rain to defend a horse that was being beaten (Ioan Gruffudd 2006). His love for animals can be seen throughout the whole film, including multiple dogs and a rabbit. The passion Wilberforce felt for animals, though, does not come close to what he felt for the rights of human beings. A glimpse of this can be seen when Prince William, the Duke of Clarence calls his slave into the club where they were gambling.This inhumanity offended Wilberforce to the point that he could not be in the same building as the Duke and ended the game (Ioan Gruffudd 2006). This was also where he had his revelation of what he should fight for, who he should fight for. To change society is to change the minds and actions of the public. For Wilberforce the key to this layed in the concept of evangelical Chri stianity; â€Å"Evangelicals also believed Christian principles should be applied to all areas of life. Worldly indulgences were to be avoided and leisure was an opportunity not for entertainment but personal renewal† (Windschuttle 2008).This then, left no room for the things that Wilberforce himself once indulged in such as gambling and drunkenness. Britain’s upper-class morality was in decline, so Wilberforce had a proclamation issued by King George ?, with the help of his friend and Prime Minister Pitt and the Archbishop of Canterbury, denouncing impiety and extravagance (Windschuttle 2008) and organized the organization called â€Å"Society for Giving Effect to His Majesty's Proclamation against Vice and Immorality†.This would be the first steps he took towards his goal of the Abolition; Wilberforce needed to â€Å"purify† the minds of society, before he could open their eyes to the inhumanity of the transatlantic slave trade because only when they ar e moral beings with value for life, will they understand the horrors their indulgences (such as sugar) cause. â€Å"It was Wilberforce’s aim to reform the middle and upper classes, and thus end slavery and improve morality† (White 2008).In the film Wilberforce introduces the â€Å"Madagascar†, a slave ship, to a group of upper-class philanthropists as part of his quest to reach out to people about morality and slavery, urging them to open their minds and hearts to the suffering of the slaves being transported in these ships. He shows them the shackles and explains the smell coming from the ship as â€Å"the smell of death† (Ioan Gruffudd 2006). Although, this scene may not be historically accurate in that it may not have happened, the truth is distorted in order to show the importance of reaching the upper-class and the opening of their eyes and minds to the pain their luxury caused.In 1797 Wilberforce wrote a book called A Practical View of the Prevailin g Religious Systems of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country Contrasted with Real Christianity whose message spread like wild fire among the middle and upper class society. His rhetoric as well as his writing transformed the way society thought of social matters such as slavery and human rights (and animal rights too! ). Throughout his ventures in reaching out to the public, Wilberforce always kept in mind the will of God, and the goals that He has set before him.And in doing so, he realised, that one task cannot be done without the other as one member of the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade said (in the film) â€Å"If you make the world better in one way, it becomes better in every way†, a statement that is bold, and yet, have truth to it. Change in the world may not always come easy or with immediate results, but no matter how small or big the change, someone will benefit or experience some form of loss from it. For Wilberforceà ¢â‚¬â„¢ society, â€Å"culture needed to change if politics were to change.And only in this cultural change would a society have hope for its future† (White 2008). Wilberforce’s wife, Barbara Spooner, was a great source of inspiration to him in finishing his work for the Abolition. As portrayed in the film, Wilberforce seemed to have given up, until he met the younger Miss. Spooner. She urged him to talk and share his thoughts about the slave trade and ultimately convinced him to give the Abolishment another try (Ioan Gruffudd 2006). She was also there for him during the worst times of his sickness, and the mother of his children.Perseverance was another aspect that pushed Wilberforce to continue. The lawyer James Stephen proposed a change of tactics for the abolitionists. â€Å"Cheating†, according to the film was the new tactic. They would propose a different bill as a start to soften up to House members: The Foreign Slave Trade Bill. This bill would ban the B rits from helping or participating in the slave trade to the French colonies. This was a clever move since the majority of British ships were raising American flags and supplying slaves to foreign colonies with who Britain was at war with (Ioan Gruffudd 2006).The ban would decrease the profits of the captains and various business men and negatively affect the investors who were also involved in the House of Commons. Following this bill was The Slave Trade Act, â€Å"in 1807, Wilberforce finally succeeded in passing a law to end the slave trade. But, his work came to full fruition only in the year of his death, 1833, when all slaves in the British Empire were emancipated† (White 2008). The film makes a great point of the importance of determination and passion for success.These factors are of great importance for promoting positive social change, whether is it the abolition of slave trade or saving child soldiers in Uganda. No cause is small enough to ignore or give up on when it involves the life of a living, breathing being. The film places a great amount of emphasis on the role of Wilberforce in the abolition because he can be seen as a wonderful role model and example for leaders and humanitarians. Although Wilberforce was certainly not the only person nvolved in the abolition of the slave trade, there is surely something to be learned from him. They can learn from his passion, commitment and also from his love for all living things, and made a difference in society, not with a hidden agenda, but with an open heart and mind, the way a Christian should. God sat two tasks before Wilberforce: to reform society, back to one with proper Christian morals and values, and the abolishment of the slave trade. Without a doubt Wilberforce succeeded in both of these tasks, but it was not an easy road to success.Fighting through chronic illness and parliament he fought for about fifty years to complete his calling, but he did not do it without help. His talent for rhetoric and public speaking was his gateway to success, and with the help of many friends including Clarkson, Pitt, Newton, his wife Barbara and the Will of God, he was able to put a stop to the inhumanity of the transatlantic slave trade and the horrors that came with it. He was able to die in peace, knowing that he fulfilled the tasks that he was destined to. Bibliography Colson, Charles, and Anne Morse. The Wilberforce Strategy: Britain's great abolitionist worked to change society's values, not just its laws. † Christianity Today, 2007: 132-318. Falconbridge, Alexander. An Account of Slave Trade on the Coast of Africa. London: James Phillips, 1788. Amazing Grace. Directed by Michael Apted. Performed by Albert Finney, Michael Gambon Ioan Gruffudd. 2006. White, John. â€Å"Christian Responsibility to Reform Society: the Example of William Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect. † Paternoster Periodicals, 2008: 166-172. Windschuttle, Keith. â€Å"William Wilberforce: The Great Emancipator. New Criterion, 2008: 17-24. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. I made this viewpoint up, with the help of the contents in â€Å"An Account of the Slave Trade from the Coast on the Africa† as well as Olaudah Equiano’s account in Amazing Grace. [ 2 ]. It was important for them to connect with the upper-class because that’s where the money and power was, both in terms of authority and of trend. Lower-classes were also reached by Wilberforce and his team and showed great success in changing their society (White 2008).

Thank you letter Essay Example

Thank you letter Essay Example Thank you letter Essay Thank you letter Essay HER Shared Services Bon Course Health System Norfolk, VA, US Dear Ms Coleman: I am writing to you with sincere appreciations for your time and consideration for interviewing me on behalf of the coder II central coding position within your Bon Course Health system facility. To reiterate my interest in this position, I am confident that I exhibit equivalent medical coding knowledge that is essential to performing my Job professionally and efficiently. I have complete of the MM Encoder ND Soft-Med systems, posting co-pays, verifying Information for accuracy. Along with a keen eye for detail needed when reviewing patients information. As we discussed, I demonstrated effective knowledge of Interpreting ACID-II and CPA coding perfectly. As I stated, although my experience within the healthcare field is limited, I am especially familiar with the universal medical billing practices, health insurance policies, pertinent legal and regulatory Issues and the differences In reimbursement methods. With my sharpened Interpersonal skills, computer skills, accurate data entry skills, and my excellent attention to detail and follow up skills, I believe I would development the acquired experience along the way. Lading me In learning effectively and promptly within the giving position. My gratitude for your time and for considering me Is measurable. I would love to be a part of the Bon Course Health System team and feel I will be a valuable asset to the company. I look forward to your response and decision soon. Thanks once again. Sincerely, [emailprotected] Mom thank you letter By Lenore] and Soft-Med systems, posting co-pays, verifying information for accuracy. Along with demonstrated effective knowledge of interpreting ACID-II and CPA coding perfectly. Policies, pertinent legal and regulatory issues and the differences in reimbursement methods. With my sharpened interpersonal skills, computer skills, accurate data development the acquired experience along the way.

Thomas Edisons Invention Factory in Menlo Park

Thomas Edison's Invention Factory in Menlo Park Thomas Edison was behind the formation of the first industrial research laboratory, Menlo Park, a place where a team of inventors would work together to create new inventions. His role in forming this invention factory gave him the nickname the Wizard of Menlo Park. Menlo Park, New Jersey Edison opened a research laboratory in Menlo Park, NJ, in 1876. This site later become known as an invention factory, since Edison and his employees worked on several different inventions at any given time there. It was there that Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, his first commercially successful invention. The New Jersey Menlo Park laboratory was closed in 1882, when Edison moved into his new larger laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey. The Wizard of Menlo Park Thomas Edison was nicknamed The Wizard of Menlo Park by a newspaper reporter after his invention of the phonograph while at Menlo Park. Other important achievements and inventions that Edison created at Menlo Park included: A carbon button transmitter (aka microphone) and the induction coil that greatly improved the telephoneAn improved bulb filament and successful incandescent light bulbThe first underground electrical systemA prototype electric railway was constructed at Menlo ParkThe founding of the Edison Electric Light CompanyChristie Street in Menlo Park became the worlds first street to be lit by incandescent light bulbs.In fact, Menlo Park became a tourist attraction because of the novelty of lighting.Edison applied for over 400 patents for inventions made at Menlo Park. The Land of Menlo Park Menlo Park was part of rural Raritan Township in New Jersey. Edison bought 34 acres of land there in late 1875. The office of a former real estate company, at the corner of Lincoln Highway and Christie Street, became Edisons home. Edisons father built the main laboratory building on the block south of Christie Street between Middlesex and Woodbridge Avenues. Also built was the glass house, a carpenters shop, a carbon shed, and a blacksmith shop. By the Spring of 1876, Edison moved his full operations to Menlo Park.

Individual Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Individual - Assignment Example The company cannot achieve its mission with engaging adequately strategies to ensure development and maintenance of superior quality products and services, maintaining affordable prices for the products, ensuring consumer have adequate knowledge about the products, strategies to outcompete the rivals, etc. (Steers et al., 34). Improving the productivity of workers can help the company to reduce the cost of production, increase quality of products and improve productivity of the company (Schreck 24). I recommend Starbucks to focus on streamlining the workforce in order to ensure the competent workforce. Furthermore, the company should motivate employees by giving them better remunerations and other benefits in order to reduce workers turnover and cost of replacing the employees who have already left the organization. Well-motivated employees are more productive and will take more time to improve the quality of services and products offered by the organization (Wetherly & Otter 253). One of the core objectives of Starbucks is to produce quality products and services to the consumers (Ahlstrom & Bruton 9). The company should obtain feedback from the customers regarding what users need in order to devise strategies that can lead to better products and services. In the recent, the company has increased its presence in the society through social media (Bicky & Kwok 201). Therefore, the Starbuck management should ensure consider the consumers information and engage them in providing accurate information that can increase product improvement. The company should research on various product designs needed by consumers through effective communication and ensure they offer innovative products to the customers in order to provide increase client’s satisfaction (Wetherly & Otter 267). Starbucks experience stiff competition from other companies

Has Football Become a Global Game Dissertation

Has Football Become a Global Game - Dissertation Example In a more progressive deregulated world of football, the organizations that generate spectator sports championships are being focused on and privatized under the pressures of an established market growth. This ideology for globalizing football and its promotion to Southeast Asia has been the momentum for new location approaches that influence all the different parties in football, private and public investors, governing bodies, public authorities, the common public and the leagues themselves. The features of each country's entertainment football industry are emphasized and employed to discard light on a social development that is underway since the inferences of global alteration in sports certainly go beyond football. The examination of developments football in Southeast Asia, in fact, seems to be a suitable means to gain insight into wider society and culture. After presenting the development and professionalization of football in Southeast Asia, this study will also examine the future plans of Fifa in Asian football industry. The study will then look at the significance of Southeast Asian football industry to the globalization of football as sports. The first part of the study is the literature review which features the different published materials regarding the changes in Football since 1990, the different football association like the Manchester United, TV coverage of European football across Asia, and Fifa’s plans in Southeast Asia. The second part will be the research methodology, after the data gathering, the data were analyzed in the third part that has given a strong conclusion in the final part. In the 1990’s Asia has its six countries participating in the football league and these are China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan and yet in football terms, only two Asian countries, Japan and Korea, are in the top 50 countries of the world (Kang, 2002).