Saturday, August 24, 2019

Drawing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Drawing - Essay Example It is rather clear that the intention of Kollwitz was to make a connection between near-death situation and the â€Å"actual death†, which is being symbolized by the skeletal hand. The darker shades on her left arm and biceps suggest of a deteriorating body condition – Kollwitz was experiencing the degeneration of her body as death slowly takes her. There is also a great significance on the manner in which Kollwitz positioned her hands, particularly her fingers. Her index finger implies a weakening physical motor functioning. This can be validated by the first three fingers which already narrowed down. Her right arm was rested on her left biceps, nearly touching the skeletal hand. This may mean that Kollwitz, perhaps sensing her very near death, surrendering herself to the hands of death. Technically, the skeletal hand in the lithograph symbolizes the hand of death. It seems like Kollwitz did not erase anything from her original sketch. This can be proven by the somewhat untidy descriptions of the outlines of the drawing. Generally, the lithograph does not look neat but are made of brisk shades. The initial gestures were indeed integral part of the drawing. The gesture represented that of her age – an old, dying woman; and this even show on her facial expressions. The movements of the hands are definitely very slow. You will see in the lithograph that there are no hues of rapid movements. The artists richly used lines and tones to define the scope of her drawing. The semi-thick outlines that formed her shoulders provided a clear description of the motives of the lithograph, that is, to portray a dying woman or person. I used charcoal in my drawing in order to recapture the intentions of the artist in her drawing. I had to make sure that the space is carefully used in a way that would subtly separate the body of the woman from the skeletal hand. By using charcoal, it adds more â€Å"dark† emotions to the paintings, which is very important in order to

Friday, August 23, 2019

Role of Values Based Education in Personal and Professional Life Essay

Role of Values Based Education in Personal and Professional Life - Essay Example The first pillar committed to academic advancement not merely implores the students to gain knowledge, but rather nudges them to evaluate the imbibed knowledge in the laboratory of critical thinking and analytical evaluation. Mere knowledge makes a well informed person, but, approaching knowledge with a critical bent of mind makes a creative and original personality. At Grand Canyon University, the learning styles resorted to are such that they push a student to extend one’s intellect and ingenuity to its limits, thereby shattering all preconceived notions and challenging the inherent biases, prejudices and myths. The outcome of such an approach appears in the form of students who possess an open and inquisitive attitude towards life, resting securely on dependable and time-tested spiritual and moral foundations. Grand Canyon University encourages its students to develop a personality that is just the right blend of grass root practicality and an essentially Christian vision. The second pillar that is Christian camaraderie not only intends to facilitate an interactive and friendly mindset towards society, but also gauds the students to evaluate people not merely on the basis of worthless superficialities, but rather on the criteria of shared values and morals that are quintessentially Christian, yet at the same time, timeless and universal. The modern times defined by a fast paced life and the necessity to make quick decisions require professionals to adhere to a reliable system for understanding people. Isn’t it really great that the young people come to terms with this system while acquiring education, when they could test it in an emphatic and informed environment? Extracurricular activities constitute the third pillar of this hub of knowledge and learning. Really, life is not merely about practice and contemplation, but has as much to do with healthy recreation and a positive sense of humor. One comes across several instances in the New Testam ent when Jesus is shown as playing with children and resorting to good natured bantering with apostles and common people (Sheen, 1977). Extracurricular activities at GCU not only give the students a chance to recharge their batteries, but to many they offer an honorable and satisfying career in professional sports. The fourth pillar of GCU is committed to health and spiritual well being. A healthy body is the repository of a sound mind and an enlightened spirit.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Single Unemployed Mothers (Demographic Paper) Essay Example for Free

Single Unemployed Mothers (Demographic Paper) Essay A mother is a tough job at hand, but thinks for a second about a mother who is unemployed as well as a mother with an absent parent; the issue is many within one. The state of Michigan is experiencing an all-time high increase of unemployed people, suffering in poverty. The question at hand is how the demographic issue is affecting the society, relatively the health care market. Identify target population The demographics of the topic; single unemployed mothers within our nation as of 2008 were 84. 5 million and 9.9million were single moms with no help from the absent parent, according to the 2008 Census Bureau. However a single unemployed mother in Michigan has been, and is currently a huge growing issue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the highest unemployed mothers are the minority, African Americans women, and Hispanic women. The report stated which single unemployed African American mothers increase within June till July from 11.8 percent to 12.9 percent; whereas the statistics for single unemployed Hispanics were 11 percent to 12.1 percent. The following statistics is based within the demographic population of the state of Michigan. However when you break the statistics down to a city, the numbers seems closer to reality. In saying you’re able to comprehend the issue at hand a bit more Maternal and Infant Well-Being Michigan. (2011, July 8). Gathered Information about the Population Statistics on single unemployed mothers within in the city of Grand Rapids Michigan reports, from the Institute for Research on Poverty states that the increase of poverty is rising extremely high in Grand Rapids. The League of Human Services states that 40% of births in Grand Rapids are to unwed mothers researched in 2010. However the percentage has increased from 2010 to 2012 by 20 percent. This goes into explaining the demographics further, in which reports out of every 3 births, 2 of which are to an unwed moms aging in her early 20’s Mothers by the Numbers. (2012, September 17). Demographics effects the HealthCare market According to the Kids Count of Michigan, unmarried woman are more likely to give birth into poverty, born in poverty may lead to health problems as well as educational problems. Living within poverty affects the person enduring the process as well as others. Being poor and less unfortunate affects the healthcare economy, by increasing the dollar amount for healthcare coverage. Not only does it increase the dollar amount for covering services/ treatments for those that are not able to afford, but it also puts a demand on the services, the physicians, and providers. The increase of Medicaid is looking as if we may enter a debt that no one is ready for. The demand for healthcare is vital, the government is doing the best to their ability, and however it is making younger people with a job work harder. As a result of them working harder, the taxes they pay into is going to those that are less fortunate. In my opinion to this topic, I’m fearful that the government is paying close a ttention to our debt and healthcare needs, and am totally excluding the attention our education needs. Overall the general effect of single unemployed mothers have on the healthcare market is that, because of the current demographics of the population the healthcare market has to work harder to stay out of debt. Changes in the population may help the healthcare market In 2009 Obama stated that he wanted to set up a plan to target the Department of Education to increase the financial aid packages for unemployed people so that they can get ahead, while still unemployed. The plan was to increase the pell-grant, so that the people that qualify can have extra funds to care for other things such as medical and housing expenses. The pell-grant was to increase from $500 to $5,350 as of May 2009. It three years later and Obama kept his word, however it has not drastically made a difference in Michigan. Michigan has made changes far as programs reaching out to help single unemployed mothers, such as Michigan Works/educational programs, food assistance programs, housing assistance, and also funding to cover child care expenses. Michigan Works is an education program that provides educational job trainings, skill building, it is an overall resource center. The food assistant program provided by the Human Services grant, is a program in which provides an additional funds to those that qualify for more food funding for their child within the school year, as well as the summer. Housing assistant is a program that provides housing expense vouchers, to cover the funding of rent to those that qualify. However this particular program is tedious, the waiting list to receive such a voucher is extremely high, the wait on some list are years behind. So in saying the changes that have been made are not helping the healthcare market by much. Identify HealthCare Related Changes Some changes that have been identified within Grand Rapids due to the issue of single unemployed mothers are longer lines in the emergency rooms, the increase amount of citizens on Medicaid, the increase amount of discrimination from providers because of Medicaid, and lastly the cost of them both. The increase of emergency room visits is due to the fact that so many people lack healthcare coverage, in a result of the E.R visit is due to having no family physician. The second healthcare related change that has been identified is, the increasing amount of citizens applying for Medicaid. The demand of Medicaid is so high, that the government is screening everyone to figure out who needs the assistant the most. Can you imagine someone getting declined for coverage, due to the fact that the government may assume that he or she can afford to pay other healthcare insurance rather than governmental assistance? What if this person is overlooked and their assistance went to an illegal immigrant, but in actuality they really needed the help, but were overlooked! Providers are now discriminating against those that have Medicaid. Providers are screening the intake of those that have governmental funding due to the fact that the expenses the government is willing to pay, is far from the rate they charge. So in saying when they accept a patient who has Medicaid they are losing money Michigan State Medical Society Legislative Meeting (2013, February 13). A Chronic Disease Wellness Program Conducting a chronic disease wellness program may affect the demographic cost, in a positive way. Most wellness programs are free of charge, so it would not hurt for a single unemployed mom to attend a program of such. The program of educating mothers of such a thing may bring the healthcare cost down. Practicing good eating and exercising habits may bring the emergency visits down, in which will bring the demand of services down. Not only is this programming an incentive for the economy, but it is also a networking incentive for employment. When people gather together you may not know who is among you that can help the next person. Marketing Needs Dealing with such a demographic as this, marketing to this type of population tells us that it would have to be creative. Marketing by telephone or the internet may be tricking, due to the fact that the population is a single unemployed parent. Having a telephone and or the internet is not at the top of the priority list, so in saying many may not posse these things. So advertising and marketing should be by mail, on the news, and visual billboards. Addressing Challenges to the population The society could continue to express the issues about single unemployed mothers. Not only to continue to get the word out about the struggle their enduring but stressing the fact that employment is needed in this area of Grand Rapids Michigan. In conclusion, it is noble to help those in need. Being a mother is a tough job at hand, but think for a second about a mother that is unemployed as well as a mother with an absent parent; the issue is many within one. The state of Michigan is experiencing an all-time high increase of unemployed people, suffering in poverty. The question at hand is how the demographic issue is affecting the society, relatively the healthcare market. The moral of the reading is how can you play a part or how can u be a servant of God and help those who are less fortunate than you? Reference Page Unemployment hits single mothers, minority women hardest. (2010, August 24). Retrieved from MLIVE Grand Rapids Press website: http://www.mlive.com/news/grandrapids/index.ssf/2010/08/unemployment_hits_single_mothe.html Michigan State Medical Society Legislative Meeting. (2013, February 13). Retrieved from Kent County Medical Society Allience website: http://www.kcmsalliance.org/legislative.html Mothers by the Numbers. (2012, September 17). Retrieved from Info Please website: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/momcensus1.html Maternal and Infant Well-Being Michigan. (2011, July 8). Retrieved from Institute of Research Poverty website: http://www.irp.wisc.edu/dispatch/2011/07/08/maternal-and-infant-well-being-michigan

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Investigate the use of internet activities Essay Example for Free

Investigate the use of internet activities Essay ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This research study will neither be possible nor successful without the enduing support of trusted people in the lives of the researchers. We thank them with all our hearts and tears. The researchers would like to thank our thesis advisers Dr. Lita S. Sagun and Professor Melanie Pacho, for their patience and concerns in the accomplishment of this research paper. Also, the researchers extend a sincerest gratitude to Dean Orlando M. Cabigting, Jr. for his warm support in our data gathering, as well as Engr. Michael V. Benavidez and Prof. Albert A. Vinluan for making it possible. To the panel members, ______________________, _____________________, ______________________ for spending their time to share ideas and suggestions through the development of our paper. To our family and friends, who serve as our inspirations in doing our best to improve ourselves and our thesis as well. We thank them in showing full support and understanding to strengthen our hopes to finish this study. And of course, the most trusted of all, the Almighty God, for the blessings, guidance, knowledge and wisdom that He shared to give us enough perseverance and courage to go beyond success. APPROVAL SHEET The thesis paper hereto entitled INTERNET ACTIVITIES AND SLEEP DEPRIVATION, prepared and presented by MARY ROSE M. LEYSON, LES PAUL C. BUSTAMANTE, LEONY B. BOLAÑOS AND APRIL ROSE C. BILLONES, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Psychology is hereby examined for acceptance and approval. _______________________ Thesis Adviser Approved by the Committee on Oral Examination with a grade of _______ on 14th day of September, 2013. ____________________________________________ Member Member ______________________ Member Accepted as partial fulfilment of the requirement needed in Psychological Thesis Writing for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Dr. LITA S. SAGUN Head, Psychology Program Dr. ORLANDO M. CABIGTING, Jr. Dean, College of Arts and Sciences ABSTRACT Title: Internet Activities and Sleep Deprivation Researchers: Mary Rose M. Leyson, Les Paul C. Bustamante, Leony B. Bolaà ±os, April Rose C. Billones Adviser: Dr. Lita S. Sagun Date: 2012-2013 The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of internet activities that may affect the sleeping hours of a person or else cause of sleep deprivation. The research aims to provide some possible solutions to utilize the cause of sleep deprivation. It is also conducted to the beneficiaries of the study including the students, parents, teachers and future researchers. In order to gather data and information, researchers used the descriptive method through the use of instruments such as survey questionnaires and interview. The interview is conducted to a sleep specialist, Dr. Instrella of Capitol Medical Center to further understand about sleep deprivation. Survey questionnaires are administered to Computer Science students of New Era University as the respondents of the study. For data presentation, statistical treatments are percentage and weighted mean. Researchers also used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to determine the sleepiness of the respondents after using the internet. Researchers’ objective is to give awareness for the possible cause and effect of sleep deprivation to the students in using internet so as to be the starting point of letting this usual thing to us. This study provides information to the parents and teachers about the risk of having sleep deprivation amongst students. This study was conducted at New Era University in Computer Science Department with 207 respondents. Through random selection, there are 126 male respondents and 81 female respondents. According to age, there are 49 participants in 15-16, 83 participants in 17-18, 57 participants among age 19-20, and 18 participants from age 21 and above. The study found out that male respondents are more likely to have sleep deprivation if they continue not to control their time facing the internet every night than female respondents. Based on the results, researchers recommend limiting the time of using the internet, have a time-management, use of library books or any printed material for doing assignments and also provide a comfortable room to sleep with. TABLE OF CONTENTS Title pagei Dedication.ii Acknowledgement..iii Approval Sheet.iv Abstract..v Table of Contents..vii CHAPTER 1. The Problem and Its Background1 Statement of the Problem4 Assumptions5 Significance of the Study..6 Scope and Delimitation 7 Definition of Terms.7 2. Review of Related Literature..12 Theoretical Framework..23 Conceptual Framework.26 3. Research Methodology.28 Research Design .28 Respondents..28 Research

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Hybridity Concept In Postcolonial Studies Cultural Studies Essay

Hybridity Concept In Postcolonial Studies Cultural Studies Essay Introduction This chapter seeks to examine key concepts that underpin this study. Hybridity, otherness and stereotyping in postcolonial studies are discussed in relation to the central argument of this thesis which is the roles teachers and students play at aiming for the construction of shared Malaysian identity in multicultural classrooms. The intention of this literature review is to identify the significance of hybridity, otherness and stereotyping in post colonial studies to my research and how Bhabhas notion of The Third Space helps to formulate the establishment of collective identity in students zone of development (Gutierrez, Baqudano-Lopez and Tejeda (1999). Hybridity concept in Postcolonial studies The flow of information and the movement of people in this ever evolving, interconnected and interactive world have been a profound reason in the creation of new cultures in the form of mixing of local and foreign ideas and values. This kind of mixing is a tiny part of the loose and slippery meaning of hybridity. The term hybridity is used in many areas such as hybrid economy (the mixture of private enterprises and government active participation in global economy) (Koizumi,2010); hybrid cars, hybrid language (creole and patois), and most importantly in relation to this study is in the arena of hybrid cultures (Tomlinson,1999; Coombs Brah,2000). Easthope (1998) contends that hybridity can have three meanings; in terms of biology, ethnicity and culture. In biological science, hybrid could mean the composition of genetic component in human being, animals or plants. In the second and third definitions, hybridity can be understood to mean an individual who possesses two or more ethnic and cultural identities. However de Toro emphasises that the meaning of hybridity in modern cultural theory has nothing to do with the biological and zoological origin of the term (de Toro, 2004). Hutnyk (2005) on the other hand reveals that the term hybridity and syncretism seem to serve the inner cultural aspects of colonialism and the global market. Several key thinkers in the realm of hybridity includes among others Homi Bhabha, Robert Young, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Stuart Hall and Paul Gilroy, who draw upon related concepts from Deleuze, Derrida, Marx, Fanon and Bakhtin to name a few.(Ref) In particular, Bhabha has developed his concept of hybridity from literary and cultural theory to describe the construction of culture and identity within conditions of colonial antagonism and equity (Meredith, 1998; Bhabha, 1994; Bhabha, 1996). In socio-cultural milieu, hybridity is used as an explicative term and hybridity became a useful tool in forming a discourse of racial mixing which was seen as an aberration in the end of 18th century. The kind of hybrid during this era was largely referring to inter marriage of black and white and the offspring were identified as the hybrid product. It has also been referred to as an abuse term in colonial discourse for those who are products of miscegenation or mixed-breeds. Papastergiadis in Werbner Modood (2000) on the other hand asserts that the positive feature of hybridity is that it invariably acknowledges that identity is constructed through a negotiation of difference and that the presence of fissures, gaps and contradictions is not necessarily a sign of failure. (ibid:258). Therefore hybridity can be seen in both negative and positive forms. Ashcroft, Griffiths and Tiffin (2006) assert that hybridity occurs in post-colonial societies as a result of economic and political expansion and control and when the coloniser diluted indigenous peoples (the colonised) social practices and assimilate them to a new social mold. They also further explain that hybridity extends until after the period of imperialism when patterns of immigrations from rural to urban region and from other imperial areas of influence; such as Chinese and Indian labourers coming in into the Malay Peninsula during the labour intensive period. However, with the end imperialism, with the rising of immigration and economic liberalisation, the term hybridity has profoundly been used in many different dimensions and is one of the most disputed terms in postcolonial studies. It can take many forms including cultural, political and linguistics. It is important to note that hybridity can be interpreted in many different accounts from a slight hybrid to the extreme of culture clash. In the postcolonial studies the term hybrid commonly refers to the creation of new trans-cultural forms within the contact zone produced by colonisation (Ashcroft et al.,2003). One other dimension of this term is the hybrid talk which is associated with the emergence of postcolonial discourse and its critique of cultural imperialism.(elaborate) Easthope (1998) on the other hand asserts that in his discussions of hybridity, it has no fix definition except in relation to non-hybridity: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦that the opposition between difference and absolute presence needs to be relativised by introducing more than one concept of identity, that a coherent, speaking subject cannot live in the gaps between identities. (p.347). Pieterse (2001:221) maintains that New hybrid forms are significant indicators of profound changes that are taking place as a consequence of mobility, migration and multiculturalism. In addition, cultural diasporization (Hall, 1990) signifies a new form of identity as a result of interculturality and diasporic relations (Anthias,2010). However, Anthias (ibid:620) postulates that: If hybrid social identities are now the characteristic identities of the modern world, then struggles over cultural hegemony and the underlying mechanisms that support it, become increasingly empty signifiers; merely to occupy the space of the hybrid constitutes an emancipator human condition. In addition, de Toro (1991,1996a) contends that hybridity is always inherent to culture, identity and nations but it is the object of reflections and definitions of different settings and also applied in very different fields. Correspondingly, de Toro suggests that one has to understand the notion of hybridity in a broader metacontext and has to see hybridity as mixing systems at the base of the combination of different models and processes. The discussion of hybridity in this study focuses on the contemporary debate about culture, ethnicity and identity which underpins de Toros model of hybridity as a cultural category. The main argument of this study is the problematic nature of managing the differences of cultural, ethnical and religious groups in Malaysias plural society in the quest for the construction of shared Malaysian identity. The discussion of hybridity in the Malaysian context in this study therefore is not about finding a midway to the solution of differences in cultures and identity but to identify a space where cultural, religious and ethnic difference can be celebrated. In as much the arguments in the succeeding sections deal with ethnicity, culture and religion, this study does not attempt to explicate an in depth discussion of the cultural theory concept. However, cultural theory will be reviewed at a surface level. In the linguistics setting, Bakhtin (1981) puts forward the notion of linguistic hybridity. He, according to Young (1995) delineates the way in which language, even within a single sentence, can be doubled-voiced. Bakhtin affirms that linguistic hybridity mixes two social languages within the limits of a single utterance but differentiated by other factors of those social utterances. Simplistically, it describes the ability to be simultaneously the same but different (ibid:20). Young further postulates that for Bakhtin, hybridity describes the process of the authorial unmasking of anothers speech, through a language that is double-accented and double-styled. Bakhtin (1981) divides his linguistic hybridity into two; intentional hybridity and unconscious or organic hybridity. The former occurs when a voice has the ability to ironise and unmask the other within the same utterance. The organic hybridity , on the other hand occurs when two languages fused together: . the languages change historically primarily by hybridization, by means of a mixing of various languages co-existing within the boundaries of a single dialect, a single national language, a single branch, a single group of different branches, in the historical as well as paleontological past of languages. (Ibid:358). The language hybridity phenomenon is one of main discussions in this current study as the multicultural society evolves in Malaya then Malaysia respectively, languages evolve in tandem. The discussion involves the emergence of Malaysian English or Manglish in social interactions of the populace within ones own ethnic community or with the other communities at large. This is argued in the discussions and findings chapter of this current study. The section that follows discusses in greater detail of hybridity in the light of Bhabhas (1998) work on cultural diversity and cultural difference. Understanding Bhabhas concept of hybridity in relation to cultural diversity Bhabhas conception of hybridity is developed from literary and cultural theory by which he identifies that the governing bodies (coloniser) translate the identity of the colonised (the other) in tandem with the essentialist beliefs. This action of translation however does not produce something that is known to the coloniser or the colonised but essentially new (Papastergiadis, 1997). Bhabha believes that it is this new blurred boundaries or spaces in-between subject-position that are identified as the locality of the disruption and displacement of predominant influence of colonial narratives and cultural structures and practice. Bhabha (1994) claims that the difference in cultural practices within different groups, however rational a person is, is actually very difficult and even impossible and counterproductive, to try and fit together different forms of culture and to pretend that they can easily coexist. As he affirms: The assumption that at some level all forms of cultural diversity may be understood on the basis of a particular universal concept, whether it be human being, class, or race, can be both very dangerous and very limiting in trying to understand the ways in which cultural practices construct their own systems of meaning and social organisation (ibid:209) There is truth to a certain degree to the statement above in terms of the universality of cultural diversity applied in many pluralistic countries including Malaysia. However, to a larger extent, this present study, at a later stage would render the limitations of that statement amidst difficulties and multitudes of problems in inter-ethnic relationship; Malaysian society has proven its ability to be one of the select few which are able to prove that the differences in cultural practices could be the catalyst not hindrance or counterproductive amongst different groups to coexist. This concept of the third space is central and useful in analysing this current study in terms of its interstitial positioning between cultural and ethnic identity with that of a negotiated identity (shared identity) in the Malaysian context. Bhabha believes that the process of cultural hybridity gives rise to new and unidentifiable, a new era of negotiation of meaning and representation. For him controversies are inevitable and unavoidable in a multicultural society as negotiations happen almost in all circumstances including socio-politics and economy down to minute affairs such as in classrooms context. The implication of western colonial legacy which had changed cultural ideology of a former colonised nation is central to the modern discourse of negotiation and instead of questioning the legality of certain cultural status assigned to immigrant cultures, it is inevitable but to accept, admire and celebrate diversity in ways which are appropriately befitting the society as a whole. The significance of the hybridity concept Post-colonial cultural politics assertions: integration and assimilation to unification As a result of hybridisation, dominant culture becomes diluted and more dispersed; less integrated and can then be negotiated. The process of cultural hybridisation allows greater opportunity for local culture to be emphasised thus presents a greater likelihood for more people to feel the sense of belonging. (Canclini,1995;Pieterse,2004). Hybridity needs to be considered as a continuous transaction of renewals and compromise of the practices of identity A more analytical perspective that reviews the assumption about culture and identity from us-them dualism to a collective sense of both. Therefore acceptance and conciliation of both difference and similarity. 5.0. The Third Space Appropriation of The Third Space to the study Otherness Stereotyping in Post Colonial Studies 9.0 Applying hybridity, otherness and stereotyping to the construction of shared identity Identity in Plural Society Propagating and espousing a new conception of shared identity New opportunities, new challenges to develop a collective sense of identity Identity is multiple, overlapping and context-sensitive (Kwame Appiah in Koizumi) New conception of self hybrid self rejects singular identity and adopt a fluid context-dependent identity Classification of identity formation: inherited and acquired (social and psychological) The Construction Malaysian Identity Summary

Outlines of a Value Typology Based on Decision Theorys Social Motives :: Philosophy

Values and their Collisions: Outlines of a Value Typology Based on Decision Theory's Social Motives ABSTRACT: Several years ago, I outlined a project to delineate ideological and scientific elements of our knowledge about values. I began by studying the typical configurations of values, their typical collisions, and some typical world-view-related standpoints as theoretical background. I now present the theoretical premises of my inquiry, the applied methods, and some of the results. I have tried to support the choice of variables used, make sensible the reliable limits of the findings, and underline some interconnections as well as some collisions between moral and/or ideological standpoints. Among values, and apart from the aesthetic (artistic) values, we can distinguish between ideological and moral ones. The ideological values (or social-political ones) concern and/or regulate the coexistence of larger groups of humans, while those considered moral ones are realized in the immediate interpersonal relationships. But there are weighty arguments suggesting their treatment in common or in parallel: (i) In the case of some systems of thought, the separation of moral values from the social political ones seems quite artificial (e.g. Aristotelian, Christian, utilitarian, liberal); (ii) Recent psychological research in the direction inaugurated by Piaget and Kohlberg supports the hypothesis that the lower phases of the moral development are constant across societies and ethic groups, while in the superior phases there is a culture-(respectively, society-) related differentiation. Higher level moral attitudes seem significantly related to the accepted political values (Kurt Bergling, 1981 (1) ). (2) (iii) In the case of many historical systems of thought (philosophies) the moral world-view is axiologically more elaborated than the political one. (The conceptions about the ontology of values, values' social functions and effects or values' acquirement are much more evident in the former.) Further, the moral inquiry is more nuanced in the elaboration of typologies and it is more concerned with the relations between cognitive sphere and values than the social-political thinking is. II I would distinguish 3 levels in approaching the moral phenomena: (i) Moral (of object-language) The level of valuations (good-wrong, just-unjust etc.) and norms, including laic knowledge about rewards and punishments, or about value legitimising and the metaphysical nature of good and evil. This can be considered the everyday moral conscience of the society, the object of anthropological, sociological, historical descriptions. (ii) Ethical (of meta-language) The level of categories introduced by ethics to study and to compare the specificities of moral systems, of the auto-reflection and self-defending argumentation of value hierarchies.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Is Google Making Us Stupid?, by Nicholas Carr Essay example -- Is Goog

With the rise of technology and the staggering availability of information, the digital age has come about in full force, and will only grow from here. Any individual with an internet connection has a vast amount of knowledge at his fingertips. As long as one is online, he is mere clicks away from Wikipedia or Google, which allows him to find what he needs to know. Despite this, Nicholas Carr questions whether Google has a positive impact on the way people take in information. In his article â€Å"Is Google Making Us Stupid?† Carr explores the internet’s impact on the way people read. He argues that the availability of so much information has diminished the ability to concentrate on reading, referencing stories of literary types who no longer have the capacity to sit down and read a book, as well as his own personal experiences with this issue. The internet presents tons of data at once, and it is Carr’s assumption that our brains will slowly become wired to bett er receive this information. The article begins with the depiction of a scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey in which the astronaut Dave Bowman unplugs the supercomputer HAL. Carr uses this to tie in his feelings that, like HAL, someone or something is toying with the wiring of his brain. This is a strong emotional appeal. Carr intends to quickly gain his audience’s attention with the feeling of being â€Å"unplugged†, and possibly to gain the sympathies of readers who have felt a similar feeling. Carr proceeds to talk about how he can no longer become absorbed in an article or book, saying â€Å"my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages.† Again, this works as a strong emotional appeal. English buffs - Carr’s likely primary audience - who read this article may agree... ...echniques employed are persuasive and subtle, and this allows Carr to take advantage of all emotional arguments at his disposal. In conjunction with sources pertinent to the topic, Carr’s emotional appeals seem to get his audience thinking, and from the article it is easy to agree with the points he has made. Carr’s use of logos and pathos does bring into question his ethos, however. Fortunately, Carr’s ethos should not be questioned, as he has written several books and articles on the topic. This does not excuse his bias, but it does permit him to speak on the topic at hand. Carr definitely presents himself as a strong literary figure, and his views on the internet are reasonable as well as relatable. This combination of ethos, pathos, and logos successfully allows Carr to write as an expert in this field, and his article and thoughts are not to be taken lightly.