racism Essay examples - 763 Words

Racism An underlying problem is promoting racism. It is the fact that a lot of people believe, and try to make they believe, that racism no longer exists. Many people today live their lives oblivious to what is happening in the world around them, often trying to convince themselves that racism is not a problem in their world. Others know all about the problem, but don’t really realize that they themselves could possibly be adding to the problem by discriminating against someone else’s human rights, and at the same time going around saying how open-minded they are. One of the main problems of racism is that many people live in racist conditions, without even seeing it. Often times it’s in their school, workplace, community, or even in†¦show more content†¦Often times these people feel that just because a person is a certain color or race, that they must be a thief or a criminal. This is very typical in today’s society and no one deserves to be prejudged like that. The prejudice of people in the world is disgusting. The worst part of it all is that they don’t even know that they are doing it, often thinking that it is just normal behavior. There are people that don’t realize that they are racist and then there are those people who are ignorant and unaware of racism in the world. They walk down the streets, through the stores and working at their job, completely oblivious. We don’t see what is happening around us because we don’t want to see it. If you take someone and put them in the heart of a racist area, would they notice the problems then or would they still deny or overlook the fact of racism? Those people who do not see that racism is a problem are almost as bad as the racists themselves. This is not to be taken in the wrong way; some people who ignore racism are those people who are trying to push racism out of their own lives and out of the world. However, as long as we have people who are unaware of the problem, it will continue to thrive. In society today people look for an easy way out of problems. Most of the time, they can just blame their problems on other people or other races,Show MoreRelatedRacism : Racism And Racism1544 Words   |  7 PagesTo understand whether or not racism is learnt, we first have to divulge into the nature of racism. It is usually assumed that racism has been a part of civilisation since civilisation started, that it is embedded into how people work and that no matter what, it will always exist. Another assumption is that racism derives from the capitalism of the slave trade by white elitist men seeking to dehumanize people for economic gain, and used racism as a way to mask their financial motives to justify enslavementRead MoreRacism : Racism And Racism1003 Words   |  5 Pagesracism: Racism-â€Å"the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.† Imagine, 5 black men. Singing a church song still faithful for hope. Chained and cuffed together. Flies follow them as they walk by in the dry hot desert. With the white oppressor behind them yelling nasty words that poison their brain. Yet they still sing and wait and keep faith. In some statesRead MoreRacism : Racism And Racism953 Words   |  4 PagesRacism in America â€Å"Racism is a refuge for the ignorant. It seeks to destroy. It is the enemy of freedom, and it deserves to be met head-on and stamped out.† - Pierre Berton Racism is the unjust hate for any people who are simply different for a various array of reasons. It is all around us and always will be, but that does not give us the right to be passive on the subject. This discrimination against culturally diverse people is hurting our â€Å" land of the free†, one racist remark at a time.Read MoreRacism : Racism And Racism1181 Words   |  5 PagesThis issue of racism is popular by name but tends to be sugar coated by the way people see it. In order to truly understand racism you need to take a bite into the topic in order to get a taste of what it is really like. Racism comes in many different forms and can be seen many different ways. But why even care about racism at all? Why does it even matter? One would think that with such a harsh background regarding racism in America it would no longer exist in society today. But sadly that is notRead MoreRacism : Racism And Racism989 Words   |  4 PagesRacism in America Racism discrimination has been one of our society’s most horrible social problems. In the words of the famous Martin Luther King judging an individual by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character can be a very dehumanizing experience that can have lasting effects on an individual life. Racism in America has not come to a cease. Racism promotes negative personal relations between people of different cultures. I believe slavery started around the 1500sRead MoreRacism : Racism And Racism996 Words   |  4 PagesCovert Racism Introduction Racism; ‘the belief that races have distinctive cultural characteristics determined by hereditary factors and that this endows some races with an intrinsic superiority over others’ (Collins English Dictionary 2012) and thus leading to ‘abusive or aggressive behaviour towards members of another race on the basis of such a belief’ (Collins English Dictionary 2012). Over time, racism has transformed from a blatant and overt form into a passive style of prejudice and discriminationRead MoreRacism : Racism And Racism1094 Words   |  5 PagesRacism has been an issue that has caused controversial debates for years. It is a topic that stirs up lots of emotions within people and continues to be an argument for all. When there has been a shooting between a white and a colored or a cop and a colored person, people blame it on racism. They state that since the white cop shot the black man it simply means the cop was racist. Then the people want to speak that justice needs to be served and the cop needs to be put in prison or released fromRead MoreRacism : Racism And Racism1751 Words   |  8 PagesRacism Social Justice Topic Issue Corbin Metz H R – 3013 University of Oklahoma Racism Social Justice Topic Issue Today in our society, racism is a very popular social justice topic issue, which affects many of the lives of those around us on a daily basis. Individuals as well as organizations and institutions widely commit the act of racism and these issues are embedded in their policies, procedures, and practices (Calgary). The first signs of racism beginning to arise in the worldRead MoreRacism : Racism And Racism1971 Words   |  8 PagesRacism has come to be a very important topic in today’s society. Many are talking about the injustices when it comes mostly when it comes to African-Americans and Caucasians in authority. Many have deemed the incidents of Trayvon Martin, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland, Walter Scott, Akai Gurley, Tamir Rice, the Spring Valley High School video, and even the Charleston Shooting to name a few as reactions to racism. Out of the people talking about these events, only a few really know the meaning of racismRead MoreRacism : Racism And Racism2243 Words   |  9 PagesRacism, a topic which has become especially touchy in modern times. It is quite clear that racism is alive not only in the United States, but across the globe. Though the topic is widely talked about, nobody really does anything to stop it. People will be quick to elaborate on the fact that it should be stopped, then make no changes themselves. Yet do they truly understand the concepts of racism and what it really means to be racist? Granted everybody understands that it is racist to hate a group

Monitoring And Control Project Finances - 1554 Words

Introduction The purpose of this proposal is to identify issues that detract from the organization’s ability to optimally monitor and control project finances, make recommendations and describe how the recommendations will improve monitoring and control of project finances. The identification of areas that require new approaches have been discovered by examining historical project documents, gathering information from project finance specialist and interviews with project managers. The three main areas that will allow for better control of project finances are â€Å"measuring, evaluating, and correcting† (Kerzner, 2013). Measuring will allow for better monitoring of project finances, evaluating what was measured allows for better control over†¦show more content†¦This was not so much of a lack of oversight as it was a failure in tracking expenditures due to delays and the timelessness of issuing a new or amending project purchase orders. Measuring project finances with dat a old data while the project is ongoing is not an accurate measure of success and the lack of preliminary finance data from an ongoing project is difficult under the current reporting system. Project finance reporting is inadequate and historically results in projects going over budget when project schedules are at risk. Project managers report project finances quarterly or in most cases at the end of the project. The reporting of a project at the end of a project or in the case of a large project on a quarterly basis gives very little chance of corrective actions to be taken and may result in the project being rebaselined. Evaluating Implementing changes to the way project finances are reported so data can be more effectively analyzed and trends recognized that have an adverse effect on the project. In the past projects were evaluated by the project management office using outdated information reported by the project manager, however due to the lag between the actual occurrence of a problem and the reported data reflecting a problem exists often meant the

Ethical Issues and Financial Analysis Case Study †Free Samples

Question: Discuss About the Ethical Issues and Financial Analysis? Answer: Introducation Through this report, various case studies have been analyzed with reference to their ethical position, financial information and disclosures, ethical dilemmas and the review of an article mentioned in the Business review. The aim of the report is to confine the readers and the users with knowledge and meaning of the concept of ethics and finance. The report has been framed with the executive summary summarizing the start of the report and the major aim of preparing the report. Then the brief introduction has been given for whole of the report detailing the structure of the report. Then the first case study has been discussed with respect to the questions asked and it deals with the ethical and governance issues. The second case study has been discussed which deals with the financial analysis of the annual report of the company namely David Jones Limited. The third case study is dealt with the decision about whether to do or not do something as to whether the company shall engage the particular accounting firm or not and what are the requirements of getting the same selected. Then in the fourth case study the ethical issues have been discussed with auditing issues and scope of the work of audit committee and that last case study is the literature review of any article published in the Business Review Weekly. With these considerations, the report has been bifurcated in different sections and headings followed by the adequate and proper conclusion and recommendation. Etihics and Governance Each person shall follow some code of conducts either defined by the law or defined by the religious statutes or defined by the inner morality of the person dealing with many situations. If no person follows the ethics then he or she will face the difficulty of doing any kind of work in an effective and efficient manner. The Governance is related to the world which means that all the activities of individuals those working in the company or working in their day to day life shall be governed in the proper manner and it shall be so governed by the top management of the organization or the inherent code of conducts which has been provided by the relevant laws or statutes (Dandino, 2016). Thus, the concept of ethics and governance are inter related and have to be worked simultaneously. It is so said in the sense that if ethics are there without the governance system then no one will be ready to follow the ethics and in other sense if governance system was there but without ethics then the purpose of having the governance will be futile. Thus, ethics and governance needs to be worked simultaneously (Andrews, 2011 and Arjoon, 2016). In the given case, Vicky have to go home and have given her friend Becks to buy the accounting text book on her behalf and she has given $100 to him and said that keep the balance after returning from home. The market price of the text book is $85. After few days Becks went to the shop and finds that the book seller was engaged in selling the second hand book for $65 to the students. This second hand book is really in new frame and looks like it is the new one. By seeing this, he has purchase the accounting text book for $65 and thought that he will be able to gain $20 and giving the $15 back to his friend Vicky and Vicky would not find it possible to identify whether it is the second hand book or the new one. In respect of the above case study, the following have been answered: Stakeholders in the situation - Stakeholders are the persons who have the requisite interest in the matter in which they are dealing. For instance in case of the organizations stakeholders are the persons who have interest in the affairs of the organization like shareholders, financial institutions and other lenders, employees and government, etc. In the given case study stakeholders are Vicky and Beck. Vicky is regarded as the stakeholder in the sense that she has given the amount of $100 to her friend Becks in the view that he will purchase the best accounting text book for her which is available in the market at $85 and remaining $15 she will obtain from Becks after she returns from the home. Beck is regarded as the second stakeholder in this situation in the sense that the he has to purchase the accounting text book on the behalf of her friend and is liable to return the balance amount along with the accounting text book to her (Fontaine, 2016 and Philips, 2014). Involved Ethical Issues Ethical issues means that whether the ethics involved in the case study are positive in nature or negative in nature. As per the case study, the ethical issues are involved in the terms of finance, compliance and personnel. Ethics in the terms of the finance includes the manipulation with the available funds of the Vicky as the same has been given in the view that the accounting text book as bought will be new but opposite has been happened. Beck has knowingly bought second hand book in the urge of having the financial gain of $20 and hence manipulated the financial figures to Vicky. Ethics in terms of the compliance is involved in the sense that Beck has not complied with the defined stipulations of buying the new accounting text book and hence has violated the issues. Ethics in personnel includes the situation where Beck has not maintained the transparency and fairness of the transaction so entered. Our View If I would have been in the situation of Becks, then I would have purchased the books as per the requirement of Vicky and in case she finds herself okay with second hand book then I would have purchased that and have returned the remaining amount to her without any motive of cheating her or making any gain out of the work so done (Weisul, 2012). Financial Analysis The financial analysis of the company David Jones Limited has been made with reference to annual report of the company for the year ending 2013 in view of the following parameters: Main activities and operations - The company is registered and listed in Australia and is engaged in the business of up market departmental store since its inception. It is the subsidiary of Woolworths Holdings Limited which is also engaged in the business of departmental store and is one of the leading companies in Australia. David Jones limited was founded in the year 1838 in Australia by Mr David Jones thereafter it has been expanding since then. In today scenario the company has 43 stores in Australia. The business operations of the company have been bifurcated in the four segments namely fashion and beauty, lifestyle, home and food and electrical appliances. Each segment of the company provides various products ranging not only for the adults or teenager but also for the kid and children and even new born babies. They have the online shopping model where you can place the order and track it till the order is received. Also they have their different stores where everyone can go a nd buy the products as per the defined needs and expectations. They have also opened the financial model where the financing is also being given to their customers (David Jones Limited Official Website, 2013). Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer - As per the annual report of the company for the year ending 2013, Paul Zahra is the Chief Executive Officer of the company and Brad Soller is the Chief Financial Officer of the company (David Jones Limited Official Website, 2013). Important Financing and Investing Decision - As per the Notes to the accounts of the financial statements, the company has hedged its currency exposures by holding the derivative instruments. These derivatives include the futures, options and derivative contracts. The major investment decision that the company has taken is that to get itself merged into the Woolworths Holding Limited and in the forthcoming year ending 2014 the company has been merged into the Woolworths Holding Limited (David Jones Limited Official Website, 2013). Directors Declaration in relation to the Information in the Financial Statements Following declarations have been made by the directors in their report that That the directors are fully responsible for the preparation and management of the financial statements and the notes to the financial statements and the annexed schedules if any. That the financial statements so prepared shall be for the interest of the shareholders as well as the stakeholders That the financial information so contained shall be provided with full set of the financial statements to the external auditors of the company That the external auditors of the company are required to take an independent examination in accordance with the relevant accounting standards and auditing assurance standards duly standardized by the Australia accounting standards board. That the financial statements containing financial information are prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards and the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001. That further declaration is made that the financial statements containing the financial information so prepared with the application of the going concern assumption and the material respect of prudence (David Jones Limited Official Website, 2013). Compliance with the ASXCGC In the annual report of the company it has been mentioned and declared under the heading Statement of Compliance that the company has complied with the Australian Securities Exchange Corporate Governance council, corporate governance principles and recommendation and the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001. Also the companies in its Statement of Corporate Governance have laid down the eight principles and have mentioned its compliances. Independent Auditors Report Following have been addressed in accordance with the independent auditors report- Companys audit firm is Ernst and Young Global Limited and audit partner was Graeme Mc Kenzie Statement of Auditors in relation to Accounting Information That the responsibility of the auditors are to express their opinion of the financial statements of the company in the form of auditor report That the company and its management is fully responsible for the preparation and management of the financial statements including the notes to accounts That the audit has been conducted with the Auditing Standards of Australia (David Jones Limited Official Website, 2013) Statement in relation to Independence That the audit opinion so formed on the financial statements is totally independent and is free from any bias or any error. That no contraventions have been observed in relation to auditor independence within the requirement of the Corporations Act 2001 (David Jones Limited Official Website, 2013). Money other than Audit fees received by the Auditor As per the note detailing the auditor remuneration, it has been observed that apart of $495500 received for the auditing and reviewing of the financial statements, the amount of $163568 have been received on account of Assurance related services and the taxation services (David Jones Limited Official Website, 2013). Decision Analysis List of factors for selecting the accounting firm: The accounting firm shall process all the bills, invoices, payment and receipts in the timely manner The firm shall have adequate staff which can fulfill the requirements of the company The firm shall have competent staff that shall be able to handle the accounts and financials of the company. That the accounting firm shall give the competitive rates. It shall not be too much low and shall not be too much higher. List of services for selecting the accounting firm: Daily maintenance of books of accounts Reviewing the bills and invoices Follow up with parties for making and receiving the payments Relationship with the banks Compliance with the requirements of the different and applicable laws for the time being in force. Reconciliation with the bank and parties accounts Ethical Dilemma As per the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 along with Australia Prudential Ethical Standards 110, the management of the company, board of directors, is required for the preparation of the financial statements of the company and the auditors are required to express their opinion on the financial statements of the company by applying their judgment and full independence. Further the audit committee is responsible for ensuring that all the compliances as listed in acts or laws or any standards have been made and have been properly discussed and disclosed appropriately (Arthur, 2016 and Metzger, 2013). The chief executive officer of the company is not in the picture of ensuring the compliances as the same work have been entrusted to the audit committee. In the given case the member of the audit committee raised the question that the impact of financial crisis in the year 2009 has not been mentioned in the agenda to the meeting of the audit committee. The clarification that he has received from the other member is that the Chief Executive officer of the company has said that the same has not any type of effect and thus its not useful to introduce as the agenda and also the compliance audit is also not required to be done. If I would be in that situation, then it would have been discussed in the meeting of the audit committee and have properly laid down the duties and responsibilities that lies with the chief executive officer and the relevant instructions shall be made to do the compliance audit and make the report thereon. Critical Thinking Marketing is tool for a business to express about its products and services to its prospective client to have revenue by selling goods and providing services to these clients by the company. The marketing is done by marketing department of the company in the forms of slogans, packet design, involvement any celebrity and other social media activities. For example making a feedback call, writing a thank you mail to customers are some marketing tools commonly used by the company now a days. The marketing is depend on four P elements which are known as Four Ps of marketing that are Price, Promotion, Product and Place. Before planning of marketing strategy by marketing department these factors are always taken into account to get good returns from the marketing. Marketing Strategy in Recession In an economy, when the economy is growing at a good pace, the quality products and services provided by the company are their marketing tools for attracting the customers and main focus of the companies are to have increased volume of revenue in addition to reduced expenditure on marketing. But in case when economy is going towards recession, every company and its management is getting concern about the revenue to be earned and then the management put pressure on the marketing division to identify new marketing strategy from which they can attract customers even if the purchasing power of the customer is reducing. The Finance division managers generally do non-sense things at the time of pressure on them in recession. This involves firing of employees at lower levels to reduce the cost and increase the margins, new products and services are initiated in the markets, cutting the costs related to marketing without knowing wants and requirements of the customers present in market at the time of recession. Most analysist says that the best time for doing the marketing is the recession time. In the recession time revenue is dropping and if the good marketing strategy applies at the time with full focused to gather the customers attention on the products and services, the company can do wonders. Following are the things which require to be done at the time recession by the company:- If the company has monopoly in the market, then only company should launch new product in the market to get the attention of the customers. And if the company has no monopoly then the company should focus on its key bran product and services which are already in the market and liked by the customers. For example, in case of Samsung, during recession of 2010 and 2011, the company shifted the focus to its galaxy brand and able to sustain in the market. The advertisements in recession times should be more attractive, lucrative, and creative and sometimes includes funny things to attraction the attention of customers in down time. Taking a feedback in bad times plays a major key role at the time of recession in marketing. People have a tendency of not taking feedback at the time of their low period but feedback at this time is very necessary to know whether there is any positive things in the negative feedback can be extracted. And if this could able to do by manager then company can use that positive point and can do miracles. Thus, in order to conclude, the bad time is good time for creating and establishing the exiting brand to deeper into the market and in the minds of customers. Conclusion The report has laid down different cases study and their analysis. In the first case study, it is observed that the act of Beck is unethical. In the second case study, the annual report of the company has been analyzed. Third case study has detailed the factors required from an accounting firm and requirements to appoint accounting firm. Fourth case study has described the responsibility of audit committee and Last case study has reviewed the marketing strategy. Thus, its recommended to follow the guidelines as prescribed and follow ethics in any kind of work. References Andrews K., (2011), Ethics in Practice : Managing the Moral Corporation, Harward Business Review School Press. Arjoon S. , J. Gopal, (2016), Ethical Orientation for Future Managers : The Case of Trinidad, Social and Economic Studies, pages 98-114. Arthur, (2016), Whats wrong with Tread way commission report?, Journal of Business Ethics, pages 183-193. Dandino P. (2016), Corporate Governance : Something for everyone, Franchising World, pages 40-41. David Jones Limited Official Website, (2013), Annual Report available on https://www.davidjones.com.au/Jones accessed on 07/05/2017 Fontaine C (2016), The Stakeholder Theory available on https://www.martonomily.com/sites/default/files/attach/Stakeholders%20theory.pdf accessed on 07/05/2017 Metzger M (2003) The Organization of Ethics and Ethics of Organization : The case for Expanded Organizational Ethics Audits Business Ethics Quarterly, pages 27-43. Phillips R., (2014), Some key questions about Stakeholder Theory, IVEY Business Journal . Weisul K., (2012), You mean cheating is wrong? Business Week Iss

Woodrow wilson Analysis Essay Example For Students

Woodrow wilson Analysis Essay The turn of century was an important time for pre-WWI America. National andinternational affairs were in full swing, just as ever. America was trying hard to remainwith its Isolationism, yet could in no way thoroughly do so. Yet with this isolationisticstance, that was deteriorating daily, much emphasis was put onto national affairs of theUnited States by the government. Woodrow Wilson, the third president of this newcentury, also had great concern with the national affairs of the U.S. Elected in 1912,Wilson strongly believed in a government more concerned about human rights thanproperty rights (Comptons). Through these strong idealistic views, Wilson was in factthe president of the common people. He proved this through his efforts for farmers andother laborers. This also seen through his New Freedom basis of government, asopposed to President Roosevelts New Nationalist form of government. On top of this,Wilsons flood of social welfare legislation proved that he was definitely presid ent of theOne thing must be known about Wilson before anything else. That is the fact thathe was a strong idealist. He had great visions of how to make the U.S. a better nation forall. This is illustrated trough his many Acts that he sent through congress. He put in placemany systems that help benefit all the common people. Though he did not always followall the way through with his plans (he more or less put them in place and left them), hisstrong devotion to the common people being treated equally cannot be overseen. The factis that Wilson truly cared about the farmer and the working man. For example, it isknown that he promised to return state government to the people (Bailey 703). Hebelieved in the struggles of people as a whole, rather than individually. One act that he putinto place was the Federal Farm Loan Act. Here, Wilson made credit very easilyaccessible to those farmers in need. This law divided the country into twelve regions andopened a Federal Land Bank inn each one o f these regions (McDuffie 139) Wilson alsomade the rate of interest towards these farmers very low and affordable. Wilson realizedthe importance of the farmer upon American society, a fact that many other politicians ofthe time easily ignored. So with his idealistic visions, Wilson brought a little ease upon thefarmers of America. In 1916, Wilson helped get the Warehouse Act into effect. This actauthorized loans on the security of staple crops (Bailey 709). Both of these acts were inessence Populist ideas that the Populists wanted into effect for some number of years. And it was only President Wilson who brought these issues to light and made a differencefor these common people.It is obvious that Wilson was concerned of the farmers and hetherefore acted upon the concerns and made life that much easier for them. We will write a custom essay on Woodrow wilson Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Wilson was also very concerned with the average workers of the U.S. His flood ofsocial welfare programs was clearly send and felt by hard working American citizens allaround the country. The combination of new acts being put in place targeting business ingeneral, along with those targeted specifically for the betterment of the welfare of workingAmericans. In 1916, Wilson imposed the Workingmans Compensation Act. Under thisAct, assistance was given to federal civil service employees in the time of disability. Also,Wilson put into place the Child Labor Act in the same year. Though this law was declaredunconstitutional in 1918, it was a definite step in the right direction. For it did not allowthe shipment of products that had been made by those under the age of fourteen or the ageof sixteen (the age limit was different for different products). Also in that same year, theAdamson Act was put into effect. This law required a maximum of no higher than aneight hour work day. This law was ma inly meant for railway workers. This law wasconsidered a major victory for railroad unions, a averted a railroad strike in SeptemberWilsons whole form of government during his first term was based on his NewFreedom. In this New Freedom, Wilson put in effect a program to liberate Americaneconomic energies by drastic tariff reduction, strengthening the antitrust laws, andreorganizing of the banking and the credit system (Cink). This was in opposition toTeddy Roosevelts New Nationalism which looked toward sweeping extension offederal

Free Will and Fate free essay sample

Everything in life happens for a reason, may it be the choices made or the destiny fulfilled. Along the way though many people offer advice that affect choices made, was it fate that they gave their input? Is it free will to take or not to take that advice? Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey demonstrates that despite warning, characters often use their free will to make choices that in the end actually fulfill their fate. Primarily Aegisthus’s refusal to acknowledge the gods warning, serves as the first example of mankind using her own free will to bring her destiny to fruition. Hermes tells Aegisthus not to sleep with Clytemnestra and not to kill Agamemnon, but he does so anyway, and so Orestes kills Aegisthus as revenge. Aegisthus received warning from the gods, they told him â€Å"far in advance†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢don’t murder the man†¦ don’t court his wife†¦ revenge will come from Orestes’† (Homer 1. We will write a custom essay sample on Free Will and Fate or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 45-48) and the predicted outcome came true –Aegisthus was killed. The Gods warned Aegisthus of what his fate held, and in utilizing his free will he chose to ignore this advice and his fate became reality. It is â€Å"with [each characters] own reckless ways heir pains [are compounded] beyond their proper share† (Homer 1. 39-40); meaning that committing reckless actions will result in possible calamitous outcomes. Aegisthus chose to kill Agamemnon, he chose to court Clytemnestra, he chose to ignore the advice from the gods, and so he ended up destroyed fulfilling the fate of receiving pain thanks to his own reckless behavior. Likewise, Homer clearly comments on the tendency of humans disregarding warnings of potential hazards, through his inclusion of The Phaecians’ decision to ignore their prophecy and aid travelers resulting in fate fulfillment. The Phaecians’ were forewarned in a prophecy that â€Å"Poseidon was vexed with [them] because/ [they] escorted all mankind and never came to grief / [and]†¦ one day a well built ship of [theirs]†¦ [would be crushed]† (Homer 13. 196-200); Alcinous’s father received this prophecy years ago and gave no acknowledgement of the prophecy when time came to ship Odysseus back to Ithaca. As a result of The Phaecians’ seeing blind of the prophecy and escorting Odysseus back to Ithaca, their ship got crushed and mountains surrounded the port. When Odysseus determined that it was time for him to sail back to Ithaca, Alcinous had no hesitation in assisting him. Alcinous â€Å"knew [that Odysseus] wouldn’t be driven /off†¦course, [that] nothing could hold [him] back† (Homer 13. 5-7), but what he knew and ignored was the free will choice he made to neglect the prophecy and allow the fate of himself and his fellow Phaecians to end in destruction just as it was destined to be. Similarly, Amphinomus reflects the human quality of free will leading to fate as he acquired purposeful advice from Odysseus (the beggar), yet he continued his pursuit of Penelope, and ended up dead. Amphinomus received potentially life saving advice from the one that ended up killing him, Odysseus, but his ignorance of the ‘vagabond’ and how insightful he was made him assume that he would â€Å"never suffer affliction down the years†¦ affronting the loyal wife of a man who won’t be gone†¦long† (Homer 18. 153-168) and so in the spirit of free will he continued to attempt to court Penelope all under the nose of Odysseus. Therefore, as Odysseus began his revenge Amphinomus was â€Å"fraught with grave forebodings†¦. /but not even so could he escape his fate†¦ Athena had bound him fast to death /at the hands of Prince Telemachus and his spear† (Homer 18. 77-179) as it had been destined to be. Cause: Amphinomus ignoring advice given to him that would potentially save his life Free Will†¦ Effect: Amphinomus is killed Fate. All in all, Homer’s The Odyssey display’s the idea that regardless of warning fate is decided by free will and vice versa. Aegisthus, The Phaecians, and Amphinomus all received warning, and utilizing their free will they all chose to take a separate path one that led to ultimate fate. ‘Fate leads him who follows it, and drags him who resists. ’

History or Japanese textiles essays

History or Japanese textiles essays The oldest extant Japanese textiles date from the Nara Period (710-785AD) and impressions of cords have been found on earthenware pots from the Jomon period of Japanese History (10,000-300 BC). Apart from these examples, very little is known of Japanese textiles prior to the 8th Century. However, Japanese textiles were strongly influenced by Chinese and Korean textiles from their inception and we can follow the evolution of Japanese textiles by studying the history of early Chinese and Korean textiles. The textile industry in China and Korea dates back to around 5000BC with woven textiles found in archaeological sites from this period. The raising of silk worms in captivity (sericulture) became widespread around 4000BC. The traditional use of textiles in these countries was for clothing, furnishings and ceremonial purposes such as alter clothes and ceremonial robes. The main fibres used for textiles in the China/Korea region were hemp, ramie, cotton and silk. The Chinese followed strict codes of dress according to classes and introduced strict sumptuary laws to enforce these codes. These laws dictated what fabrics, colours and designs should be worn by different classes of people. Royalty wore mostly silk and clothes decorated with embroidery. Commoners wore hemp, ramie and course cotton clothing. Tapestry, the use of weft threads that do not extend across the entire width of a piece of fabric but individual colours used in discrete areas, was introduced during the Sang Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Japanese textiles throughout the ages The oldest textiles in Japan can be found in a collection at the Shoshoin Temple in Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, near modern day Kyoto. These probably come from China and Korea because they were produced on a draw loom and it is not believed that the Japanese wove used draw looms in the 8th Century. Among this collection of textiles can be found Nishiki which is a textile with a ...

W 9 Chemicals and Pests- Discussion- environmental Essay

W 9 Chemicals and Pests- Discussion- environmental - Essay Example As for ants, we either flush them away with cold water or we wipe the ants up in a damp rug and rinse the rug in order to wash the ants down the drain. Since my mom has been growing a small pocket garden in the front of our house for a number of years now, I do not really mind the use of fertilizers in gardens and lawns since it helps to ensure a good plant growth. However, my mother uses organic fertilizers for this purpose and not chemically treated fertilizers. The only chemical that she uses on her plants is something called Malathion which, I have to admit, has a rather offensive smell once it is sprayed on the plants. I believe that fertilizers are a necessary evil in the development and aesthetic development of plant growth. Does its aesthetic benefits outweigh the negative effects? I would have to say that it does not because it directly affects my health. However, these negative effects only come into play when using artificial fertilizers. The same does not apply when using organic

Discuss the weaving together od induction and deduction with imperical Essay

Discuss the weaving together od induction and deduction with imperical evidence in the scientific method. - talk about the scientific method, then use examples to - Essay Example The products included an expanded body of knowledge, tools and techniques† (The dawn of Science, p.26). The nature itself was the tutor for the ancient human being. He has learned many things from the nature by observations, testing and analysis. He has devised many methodologies and formulated many concepts based on his experiences with the interaction of nature. Though he was unaware of many natural phenomena at that time, his interaction with nature has made him aware the common patterns associated with all the nature’s activities such as day and night and summer and winter. The scientific method has emerged through these careful observations and analysis of nature’s activities. General principle and scientific principle have lot of differences. General principle may not have any scientific evidences. For example sun is believed to be rises in the east. But east, west, north, south concepts are relative and all such things are mere assumptions and have no Scientific method of inquiry usually associated with gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. Scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation. These data will be used to formulate hypothesizes. From these hypothesizes, conclusions will be made. Scientific method is the method adopted by scientists in their investigation of various phenomena. It is a systematic and orderly method of solving problems. Whatever be the nature of the problems, the scientists adopt a cautious and methodical procedure that helps him to acquire valid and verifiable conclusions. Sensing of the problem is the first step in scientific method followed by the research. The research will provide lot of data which will be used for generating various hypothesizes. These hypothesizes will be tested and then the conclusion will be made which will lead to the formulation of laws. Such formulated laws

Challenge Workplace Diversity Essay Example for Free

Challenge Workplace Diversity Essay As with anything that requires a change in established attitudes and behavior, achieving true diversity in the workplace can be a challenge. The challenges of diversity in the workplace are often the result of a combination of different factors, but resistance to change on the part of both employees and employers continues to be the primary underlying issue. One of the challenge workplace diversity is communication. This is because an organization trying to adopt a more inclusive environment is assimilation for any member outside of the dominant group. Without proper communication, barriers that exist between groups of people due to actual or perceived differences and pre-conceived notions cannot be effectively broken down. The purpose of diversity training in the workplace, among other things, is to improve communications between diverse social groups. Besides that ,the challenge is refer to diversity management. Related to the challenge of policy implementation, diversity management must be properly delegated and enforced in order to be effective. If no one person or department is in charge of enforcement and implementation of any type of policy, it goes without saying that the policy will most likely not be effectively followed or enforced. Diverstiy management also want to face many problem when their worker giving different opinions and should find the good solution to solve from different etnic. Managing diversity is more than simply acknowledging differences in people. This is an additional challenge that diverse organizations face, maintaining a culture which supports the idea of employee voice especially for marginalized group members. When the organizational environment is not supportive of dissenting viewpoints, employees may choose to remain silent for fear of repercussions or they may seek alternative safe avenues to express their concerns and frustrations such as on-line forums and affinity group meetings. By finding opportunities such as these to express dissent, individuals can begin to gather collective support and generate collective sense-making which creates a voice for the marginalized members so they can have a collective voice to trigger change.

The Basic Theory Of The Arbitrage Pricing Theory Finance Essay

The Basic Theory Of The Arbitrage Pricing Theory Finance Essay The Arbitrage Pricing Theory is an asset pricing theory that is derived from a factor model, using diversification and arbitrage arguments. The theory describes the relationship between expected returns on securities, given that there are no opportunities to create wealth through risk-free arbitrage investments. APT is one of the most influential theories in the stock pricing which is initiated by the economist Stephen Ross in 1976. It predicts there is a linear relationship between expected return and risk which can be linked by SML. APT suggests that the assets return to investors could be influenced by many independent macro-economic variables. It does not require the existence of true market portfolio and demand less restrictive assumptions compare the other asset pricing model such as the CAPM. Arbitrage arises if an investor can construct a zero investment portfolio with a sure profit. APT relies on three propositions: (i) the security returns can be described by a factor model (ii) idiosyncratic risk can be diversified away (iii) arbitrage opportunities are eventually diversified away. Since no investment is required, investors can create large position to secure large level of profit. However, profitable arbitrage opportunities disappear in efficient markets. The APT formula is as following: E(Ri) = Rf + b1*(E(R1) Rf) + b2*(E(R2) Rf) + K+ bn*(E(Rn) Rf) Rf = Risk free interest rate bi = Sensitivity of the asset to factor i E(Ri) Rf) = Risk premium associated with factor i where i = 1, 2,n Multi-factor model and many relevant researches to basic financial factor has developed since Ross (1976) raised the arbitrage pricing theory, such as the three factor model of Fama and French (1993). Fama and French (1993) continues the research method of Fama and Macbeth (1993)Aand conclude that the APT has explain better the return of the stock than the CAPM . Fama and French (1996) argue that the CAPM does not explain the patterns such as size, book-to-market equity, earnings/price etc. in average return on common stock. And these anomalies are captured by the three factor model of Fama and French (1993). The three factor model is as following which indicates that the three factors, (Rm ? Rf), SMB and HML are used to explain the returns of stocks : SMB = Small Minus Big; returns on small stocks in excess of returns on large stocks HML = High Minus Low; returns of stocks with high BTM ratio in excess of returns on low book-to-market ratio According to the equation above, Fama and French (1993) states that the pattern in the HML slopes does not predict the continuation but the reversal for future returns. Therefore, the continuation of short-term returns documented by Jegadeesh and Titman (1993) is left unexplained by the three Vfactor model (Fama and French). The three-factor model in the above equation captures much of the cross-sectional variation in average stock with the reversal of long term returns documented by DeBondt and Thaler. The results of the empirical tests were taken by Fama French]1996^are consistent with APT asset pricing. Fama and French argue that it is an equilibrium pricing model, a three-factor version of APT (Ross 1976) due to the empirical successes. Fama and French (1996) conclude that the three-factor model is a good model although it does not explain the expected return on all securities and portfolios. But it captures the anomalies on the portfolios formed on size and book Vto market equity, earnings/price etc. On the other hand, Roll and Ross (1995) conclude that The APT approach to the portfolio strategy decision involves choosing the desirable degree exposure to the fundamental economic risks that influence both asset returns and organizations. Roll and Ross (1995) states that APT can be adapted to special situation comparing to many traditional approaches because of its flexibility and it will be well-suited to the management of huge amount of funds. Later on, Chen, Roll and Ross (1986) examined the validity of the APT in the US stock markets. The test is based on the APT and suggests the multi-factor model .Chen, Roll and Ross (1986) found that the set of macroeconomic variables including: industrial production, changes in the risk premium, twists in the yield curve etc. are found to be significant in explaining the expected stock returns. The result of their research is consistent with the APT (Ross 1976) which implies that APT is valid. They believe that the multi-factor of APT captu res more risk factors and explains better of the asset returns, therefore, it is more useful than the CAPM. In conclusion, Arbitrage pricing theory (APT) is a valuation model as it does not required the existence of true market portfolio and fewer assumption is used which is more rational comparing to the CAPM. APT relates the individual asset price to the variety of unanticipated events driving it rather than rely on the measuring of the market performance. Beenstock and Chan (1986) found that the multi-factor APT has a better explanation than the single factor CAPM in the UK stock market through the Non-Nested Test. Also, Fama and French (1996), Chen, Roll and Ross (1986) have consistent results with the APT and therefore support APT over CAPM. However, there still many ambiguities hide in the model. Shanken (1982) challenge to testability of the APT as theory has been silent about which economic state variables are likely to influence all assets and there is a complete ignorance to the identity of the relevant factors that explains different returns. Also, the economic variables are not yet determined that which are responsible to the asset prices. Reinganum (1981) found that his results are inconsistent with the APT and according to the Roll and Rosss study, they conclude that although the evidence generally support the APT, acknowledged that their empirical tests were inconclusive. Therefore, due to the complexity of and dubiosities of the APT, companies choose to apply the CAPM instead. In view of this, more researches and improvements should be made to the APT in order to increase the usefulness of it. BibliographyG Beenstock, M. and Chan, K. 1986, Testing the Arbitrage Pricing Theory in the United Kingdom, Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Vol. 48, No 2, pp.121-141. Eugene F. Fama and Macbeth, J, 1973, Risk Return and Equilibrium: Some Empirical Tests, The Journal of Political Economy, Vol.8, pp.607- 636 Eugene F. Fama and Kenneth R. French, 1992, The cross-section of expected stock returns, The Journal of Finance Vol.47, pp.427-465 Eugene F. Fama, and Kenneth R. French, 1993, Common Risk Factors in the Returns on Stocks and Bonds, The Journal of Financial Economics, Vol.33, pp.3-56 Eugene F. Fama, and Kenneth R. French, 1996, Multifactor Explanations of Asset Pricing Anomalies, The Journal of Finance, Vol. 51, (Mar.,1996), pp.55-84 Nai-Fu Chen; Richard Roll; Stephen A. Ross, 1986, Economic Forces and the Stock Market, The Journal of Business, Vol. 59, No 3 (Jul., 1986), pp.383-403. Reinganum, Marc, 1981, The Arbitrage Pricing Theory: Some Empirical Results, The Journal of Finance, Vol.36, No.2, (May,1981), pp.313-321. Richard Roll and Stephen A. Ross, 1995, The Arbitrage Pricing Theory Approach to Strategic Portfolio Planning, The Financial Analysts Journal, January-February 1995. Shanken, Jay, 1982, The Arbitrage Pricing Theory: Is It Testable, The Journal of Finance, Vol.37, pp.1129V1140. Stephen A. Ross, 1976, The arbitrage theory of capital asset pricing, The Journal of Economic Theory, Vol.13, pp341-360. Zvi Bodie, Alex Kane, Alan J.Marcus, 2009, Chapter 10, Arbitriage pricing theory and multifactor models of risk and return, Investment

Bell LaPadula

In recent years, the Bell-LaPadula model has been employed more and more in scientific Since publication, the Bell-LaPadula model has helped in the advancement of science and technology by providing a mathematical basis for the examination of laboratory security. Moreover, this model is a major component of having a disciplined approach to building secure and effective laboratory systems.The Bell-LaPadula model can also be used to abstractly describe the computer security system in the laboratory, without regard to the system's application.The goal of modern security research is to facilitate the construction of multilevel secure systems, which can protect information of differing classification from users that have varying levels of clearance. There are some deficiencies inherent in the Bell and LaPadula model, and there have been efforts to develop a new approach to defining laboratory security models, on the basis that security models should be derived from specific applications. Project Aims and Objectives:The objective of this research is to ascertain the ways in which the bell-lapadula model can be applied to Laboratory Information Management Systems. Laboratory automation occurs when the application of technology is used to reduce the need for human intervention in the laboratory. This makes it possible for scientists to explore data rates that otherwise may be too fast or too slow for proper scientific examination. Moreover, the research was also aimed to investigate the possible practical applications of the Bell-Lapadula model in library information management systems (LIMS).The main intention of this modern security research is to facilitate the construction of multilevel security systems, which can protect information of differing classification from users that have varying levels of clearance. Since publication, the Bell-LaPadula model has helped in the advancement of science and technology by providing a mathematical basis for the examination of l aboratory security. Moreover, this model has been major component of having a disciplined approach to the building of effective and secure laboratory systems.Project Outline: Literature Survey: The use of the Bell and LaPadula Model has been successful in modeling information that is relevant to security, even though this success might be responsible for the vagueness of the model about its primitives. This vagueness can also be examined with respect to the theory that the Bell and LaPadula Model and Noninterference are equivalent. Laboratory automation makes it possible for scientists to explore data rates that otherwise may be too fast or too slow to properly examine.Therefore, an automated laboratory reduces the need for human intervention and creates a more efficient environment in which human beings and technology can interact to produce a great deal more information and accurate data that was not possible prior to automation. Its approach is to define a set of system constrain ts whose enforcement will prevent any application program executed on the system from compromising system security.The model includes subjects, which represent active entities in a system (such as active processes), and objects, which represent passive entities (such as files and inactive processes). Both subjects and objects have security levels, and the constraints on the system take the form of axioms that control the kinds of access subjects may have to objects. (http://chacs. nrl. navy. mil/publications/CHACS/2001/2001landwehr-ACSAC. pdf)While the complete formal statement of the Bell-LaPadula model is quite complex, the model can be briefly summarized by these two axioms stated below: (a) The simple security rule, which states that a subject cannot read information for which it is not cleared (i. e. no read up) (b) The property that states that a subject cannot move information from an object with a higher security classification to an object with a lower classification (i. e. no write down). (http://chacs. nrl. navy. mil/publications/CHACS/2001/2001landwehr-ACSAC. pdf)These axioms are meant to be implemented by restriction of access rights that users or processes can have to certain objects like devices and files. The concept of trusted subjects is a less frequently described part of the Bell-LaPadula model. Systems that enforce the axioms of the original Bell-LaPadula model very strictly are often impractical, because in a real system, a user might need to invoke operations that would require subjects to violate the property, even though they do not go against our basic intuitive concept of laboratory security.For instance, there might be need in the laboratory to extract an UNCLASSIFIED paragraph from a CONFIDENTIAL document for use in a document that is UNCLASSIFIED. A system that strictly enforces the properties of the original Bell-LaPadula model might prohibit this kind of operation. As a result, a class of trusted subjects has had to be included in the Bell-LaPadula model, and is trusted not to violate security, although they might violate the property.Laboratory systems that are based on this less restrictive model usually have mechanisms that permit some of the operations that the property would normally not allow. It should also be noted that a number of projects have used the Bell-LaPadula model for description of their security requirements, although strict enforcement of the Bell-LaPadula axioms without the implementation of trusted subjects turns out to be overly restrictive in these projects. Thus, there has been widespread introduction of these trusted processes to implement the concept of trusted subjects.There are also some limitations involved in the use of the Bell-LaPadula model, including an absence of policies for changing user access rights. With this model, there can be secure and complete general downgrade, and is it is intended for systems that have static security levels. The Bell-Lapadula model would b e a suitable idea for Laboratory Information Management Systems because the model focuses on data confidentiality and access to classified information, in contrast to some other models that describe rules for data protection and integrity.Clear and concise access rules for clinical information systems spells out by this model. Furthermore, it reflects current best clinical practice, and it’s informed by the actual threats to privacy, its objective is to the maximum number of records accessed by any user, and at the same time the number of users who can access any record and this has to do with controlling information flows across rather than down and at the same time a strong notification property should be enforced.I will also discuss its relationship with other existing security policy models available, and the possibility of its usage in other applications where information exposure must be localized, which ranges from private banking to the management of intelligence data , and much more. Another area in which laboratories could benefit by using the Bell-Lapadula model is the multi million dollar drug industry, which requires a high level of security and confidentiality since drug research sensitive, and results or findings in an ongoing research may sometimes need to be kept from unauthorized persons.Description of the Deliverables: This research will be conducted by investigating the possible practical applications of the Bell-Lapadula model. This would be conducted and tested physically and objectively. A prototype will be built in order for it to be properly tested, since it is practical. The testing stage will involve programming codes for different levels of security and the objective is to find out if security can be breached at any stage. Evaluation Criteria Evaluation of the involve the Resource Plan:The equipment, software, and other materials necessary to complete the project, how they are to be provided, and what the financial costs will be, such as travel. Project Plan and Timing: Anticipated milestones and interim deliverables. A detailed timetable (schedule) of the stages, including the estimated finishing date, is a must. Stages will be reviewed with the sponsor and Dissertation Advisor. Don’t simply list the stages of the project and their timetables, but supply information what is done in each of them with special emphasis on the last stage of the project.Risk Assessment: A description of what obstacles may arise and contingency plans to meet them. One aspect that should be considered here is the availability of the software and hardware you intend to use and, if you need to interface several pieces of software, whether this is known to be possible. Quality Assurance: How progress on your project will be monitored and how success at each stage will be assessed. This may include, but should not be limited to, the formal project assessments.

Economic and Environmental benefits of Green walls

IntroductionGreen wall and its necessityThe life, organic systems characterized by green walls, are integrated with the inorganic and exanimate constructions are ruling modern architecture and holds the promise of a new type of ‘living ‘ architecture. Green walls are by and large walls that are portion of the Building covered with flora. They are similar perpendicular garden largely formed with creeper system on the exterior wall with the roots on the land or with free standing vertically framed wall with different native workss grown on the surface. They are besides termed as bio walls or populating walls since they act as natural air-conditioner as they purifies and cools the ambient air to a big extent making a healthy environment. The deepest menace of planetary heating is the rapid urbanisation and deforestation. There is a considerable addition of co2 emanation and heat transportation. This impact is utmost in the urban status where the vegetation/ verdure are sparse. Besides in the urban conditions largely all the edifices are glazed and air-conditioned with out any ways of neither thermic insularity, nor are they shaded with thick environing landscape. This is fundamentally due to the infinite restraints and optimisation. In such ambitious instances Green wall is the best option which acts as a good shading device against heat addition and energy losingss, pollution etc. Hence, Green walls are must in urban conditions.Economic and Environmental benefits of Green wallsThe economic and environmental benefits are many. They result in significant energy nest eggs, extension of constructing life, CO2 gaining control, acoustics and Aestheticss.Energy Conservation: Vegetation on walls can help in chilling edifice s in summer and insulating them in winter. Decrease of thermic lading to edifices consequences lower warming and chilling costs which in bend lowers carbon emanations. Jacklyn Johnston and John Newton ( 2004 )Health: These mounting workss on green walls filter out dust and other pollutants. Jacklyn Johnston and John Newton ( 2004 )Decrease of heat island consequence consequences in less reflected heat.Air purification: workss filter pollution particularly when used inside edifices.Noise fading: It acts as sound barrier ensuing in quieter edifices and streets.Green walls can roll up over 30kgs per M2 of rainwater.Increased urban biomass.Jacklyn Johnston and John Newton ( 2004 ) clears the fact that ‘There is a widespread belief that workss are unfriendly to construct constructions, rending out howitzer and prying isolated articulations with their roots. The grounds suggests that these jobs have been greatly overdone, except where decay has already set in and so workss can so sp eed up the procedure of impairment. ‘ There is small grounds that workss damage walls. In fact in most of the instances the exact opposite is true, with workss covering the wall helps in protecting the wall from harmful elements, solar radiation which in bend reduces the thermal tensenesss within the construction.Autochthonal sustainable elements and their benefitsAutochthonal sustainable elements are the simple elements which are locally available and considered as waste or least prioritized. For illustration, the coconut shells in the state like India which are available in copiousness are merely disposed or burnt to ashes even though they have high thermic coefficient and suitableness for insulation/ acoustics. Similarly, stuffs like Clay, Bamboo, Jungle/ Pine/Rubber wood, Cork etc carry untarnishing consequence in the field of sustainable Architecture when used suitably. Apart from their interesting feature they are besides economic.RESEARCH QUESTION/OBJECTIVE:Department o f energies green palisade demand to be green?The realistic aim of this research is to make more gratifying greener metropoliss which in bend bring legion benefits to the environing environment. In the about all the Urban locations of the universe where the CO2 emanation is highly high due to assorted factors have barely any good flora to command environmental pollution. Unfortunately, in such locations the construct of sustainability like ‘Green wall ‘ gets relegated to the 2nd topographic point due to building and care cost. The thought is to turn to to these countries and besides to heighten the benefits of â€Å" Green walls ‘ with some medicative value. This needs to be achieved by placing native herbal workss and besides, to analyze and introduce in the country of low cost autochthonal elements like coconut shells, bamboo, cane, Jute, cork, ect as building stuffs to supplement to sustainable design.LITERATURE REVIEW:Green walls are easy deriving value and are considered valuable for chilling the Urban infinite than green roofs in states like Japan. But the green wall is still new to states like India and China. Jacklyn Johnston and John Newton ( 2004 ) states that ‘This is a great commiseration, because even in those metropoliss comparatively good endowed with greenspace many countries can justifiably be regarded as comeuppances in biological footings. ‘ Nigel Dunnett and Noel Kingsbury ( 2004 ) Green wall is widely practiced in Europe and it is rather common in France and Germany to see house covered in Virginia creeper or vines which are influenced by Mediterranean clime. Jacklyn Johnston and John Newton ( 2004 ) states that ‘We necessitate appropriate development which incorporates an ecological attack to edifice and landscape. ‘ This means that the land lost in the building of edifices and roads should be replaced with a bed of workss on the difficult surfaces. By this manner green tegument can be strategical ly added to make a new web of flora associating roofs, courtyards, walls and unfastened infinites.Different types of green wallsThere are two different types: Green frontages and Living wallsGreen facades: are wall systems where workss cover back uping constructions rooted at the base of the construction. Supporting construction can either be a bing wall or built as freestanding constructions. Populating walls: ( besides called bio walls or perpendicular gardens ) composed of pre-vegetated modular panels that are fixed to a structural wall or freestanding frame. Modular panels comprises of polypropene plastic containers, geotextiles, irrigation system, turning medium and flora. Populating walls can be installed on the outside of a edifice in full Sun, shadiness, and inside of a edifice. They grow good in both tropical and temperate clime. Due to immense assortment of workss used, populating walls require more intensive care than green frontages like regular lacrimation, adding foods and fertilisers.Different types of green facade support constructionsThe two primary types areModular treillage systems: Panels which are stiff and lightweight are installed vertically as wall-mounted or freestanding. They can besides be used on tall edifices along side with intermediate plantation owners. Modular treillage systems are indispensable where the physical growing of mounting workss is restricted.Freestanding constructions: are stiff panels such as green columns or canopy signifiers that can be placed on either on edifice walls where either the infinite is limited or burden is restricted. The panels can besides be used as shading devices for a unfastened parking country.Cable and rope wire systems: this system consist high-tensile steel overseas telegrams, wire treillages, spacers, and extra equipment. Vertical and horizontal wires are connected through cross clinchs to organize a treillage system of coveted sizes and forms. Stainless steel wire-rope cyberspace is supported on flexible or stiff frames to cover big countries.Best works types to utilize for green wallsJacklyn Johnston and John Newton ( 2004 ) Sing the relationship between the types of works used and the facet of the walls where they will turn is besides a really of import facet. Deciduous workss are the most suited on the south side of a edifice. In the summer their dense leaf shields the edifice from sunshine and creates chilling consequence. In winter foliages are shed, leting sunshine to make the surface of the wall so assisting to warm the inside of the edifice. Similarly on a west-facing wall it is reasonable to utilize evergreens to protect the edifice from rain and supply a shock absorber of air to assist insularity. North confronting walls are best for back uping native herbs and wider scopes of workss. East walls may fall into either class. Plants used on exterior edifice walls are exposed to harsher climactic milieus than those of indoors. Hence for edifice that intend to make great highs, more stalwart species of workss should be selected. Similarly, for less works friendly climes, climbers that are tolerant for air current and heat should be selected. Nigel Dunnett and Noel Kingsbury ( 2004 ) On wooden walls and other constructions, species with really heavy growing or a thick ramification wont should be avoided, as the construction may non be able to back up the weight. Plant choice will hold major impact on the design of the back uping system. For case, a denser and faster turning works will necessitate a larger infinite between supports than less aggressive works species. The denseness of works life further impacts the implicit in construction. Greater the leaf surface country, the more impact rain will hold on the weight of the system.Green wall installing and careJacklyn Johnston and John Newton ( 2004 ) Small herbaceous species are able to turn on walls by taking root in the substance of the wall itself. But other species are of course adapted to mounting up and over obstructions such as stone faces, trees and bush. Some sort of support construction is indispensable for these workss to turn successfully. For illustration, climbers such as hops support themselves by gyrating upwards around an object. They will necessitate lumber battings, trellis work, steel overseas telegrams or plastic ropes. Although some creeper can cleave straight onto wall s by their roots, they require a unsmooth surface to enable them to make so. Ramble oning workss such as bramble and mounting rose need wide-meshed grid constructions to which they can be attached. A 50x50cm fretwork of treated lumber mounted on wooden stations ( or an tantamount construction utilizing overseas telegrams, rope or sacking ) will supply an equal support for a scope of species. Whenever possible it is reasonable to go forth small spread between the facade of the edifice and the supporting construction to maximize the effects of summer chilling and winter insularity. The constructions help in administering the weight of the workss across the supporting construction and wall. In overseas telegram and rope wire systems, ground tackles and turnbuckles have to be installed at the terminal of each overseas telegram for fastening and accommodations as and when required. Jacklyn Johnston and John Newton ( 2004 ) Polypropylene cladding tiles incorporates rainproof membranes and their ain irrigation system. Plants could be established on these and so hung on the exterior of a edifice. Depending on species, mounting workss by and large require a good supply of H2O and occasional pruning. Supporting constructions require less care, with lone occasional monitoring of the supporting construction. Jacklyn Johnston and John Newton ( 2004 ) For mounting workss the land should be prepared merely like for any tree or bush by making a cavity and adding in some compost to the top 30cm.Pre-grown panels for populating walls needs 6-12 months for workss to turn prior to bringing and installing. The panels are grown horizontally until it is shipped to the site after which it can be mounted vertically. Climbing workss should be selected that do non supply a nutrient beginning for unwanted plagues and insects. Excessive growing or dead wood should be removed sporadically and standing H2O should be avoided.LEED points for utilizing green wallsLEED has several credits for green walls when used in edifices.Sustainable Sites Credit 7.1: Landscape Design that Reduces Urban Heat Islands ( 1 point ) . Solar coefficient of reflection of a edifice is greatly reduced by exterior green walls, therefore cut downing the urban heat island consequence.Water Efficiency Credits 1.1, 1.2: Water Efficient Landscaping ( 1 to 2 points ) . Harvested stormwater can be used for irrigating the workss of the green walls. Use merely collected, recycled, or nonpotable H2O may besides add on to this recognition.Water Efficiency Credit 2: Advanced Wastewater Technologies ( 1 point ) . Green walls can move as a medium for utilizing effluent intervention.Energy and Atmosphere Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance ( 1 to 10 points ) . Building ‘s mechanical systems use can be reduced greatly by green walls which acts as extra insularity for the construction and besides provides natural chilling.Invention in Design Credits 1-4: Invention in Design ( 1 to 4 points ) . Green walls can lend to innovative effluent direction or airing systems.KNOWLEDGES AND GAPSWhat is the consciousness on Green walls in the states like India?Green Building Movement in India – Catalysts and Course India is witnessing unbelievable growing in substructure and building sector. The building industry in India happens to be one of the largest economic activities. As this sector is turning quickly, continuing the environment poses batch of challenges and at the same clip nowadayss chances. The building sector hence needs to lend towards environmental duty. Green wall constructs are at emerging phase in India chiefly due to high initial cost and deficiency of a native merchandise to turn to the same. But still it offers great potency which asks for greater apprehension and germinating an autochthonal merchandise by Indian Architects/ Landscape interior decorators.How cost witting developed states are and how it is of import?Most of the developed states are focused on the engineering of future and the art of modern architecture plays critical function where the value of simple autochthonal elements gets neglected. In that instance, even in the name of modernisation most of the development states are besides acquiring inspired by the developed states. Cost effectual design ever carries value at the clip of crisis and recession. It besides speaks its untasted appeal as they are formed largely with natural elements.Invention:An Indian based Agriculturist who tried organic agriculture ‘elunkathir pannai ‘ with the protection of bio fencing created with the native herb teas and workss. The consequence proved to be amazing and achieved good output. The interesting secrete behind it is, all the air born plagues are filtered and killed by of course available herbal marauders. This inspires and even strengthens the construct of Green walls for the urban infinites besides. And that is one of my enterprise and portion of the research utilizing native herb teas to accomplish medicative benefits.Sustainability is mostly being practised in assorted Fieldss. But in most of the instances they are non cost effectual. The other portion of my invention is to accommodate low cost sustainable design with simple autochthonal elements like Coconut shell, Clay plaster, Cork, Bamboo, Jungle/pine wood etc. at appropriate countries.DATA AND INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED:Detailss of Green wall construction/installationSupports and framesPlants species for indoor and out doorIrrigation system inside informationsLighting inside informationsCareSamplesHow to roll up informations and How to analyze it?Already garnering information from the service suppliers of assorted topographic points on green wall building and care facets.In the procedure of acquiring associated with a Horticulturalist/ Agriculturalist to acquire inside informations on the workss species and their behavior.Apart from the above, I have collected sufficient literature to travel frontward. Besides, analysis of each component will be carried out through theoretical accounts and tools by roll uping all the needed samples from the mentioned resources.PlanningThe construct of green wall has to be incorporated in design and the same will be detailed and fine-tuned towards the research subject as a survey theoretical account. As portion of advanced design the use of autochthonal sustainable elements will besides be adopted. Features of the autochthonal elements available in the underdeveloped states like India are tremendous. Will be after them suitably in design specification based on their features and besides, following with ergonomic criterions.POSSIBLE ResultSing all the urban infinites which are wholly responsible for the expletive ‘Global warming ‘ on this female parent Earth, as a responsible Architect would work towards through my thesis to attest and turn out Green walls and other simple autochthonal stuffs as low-cost solution for all the Urban conditions and warrant the use of green wall for a infinite which is non-Air-conditioned. The other issue which is endangering the universe is the recession which besides calls for advanced cost effectual practise in the building and specification. Initiative to accomplish the same with cost effectual autochthonal stuffs is a challenge yet it will be proven possible. â€Å" It is ever better to be after and protect, instead than repent and fix †Bibliography:Property World- August 2009The Hindu-Elunkathirpannai- Arunachlam-Thursday,2008The Architects Journal, Building LibraryGet downing with Plants-Dougherty, DavidGreen walls Austrialia Pvt ltd.www.greenscreen.comhypertext transfer protocol: //www.greenscreen.com/home.htmlhypertext transfer protocol: //www.bdcnetwork.com/article/379033-6_Things_You_Need_to_Know_About_Green_Walls.phpGreen Building Movement in India – Catalysts and Course

Lab Report- Neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses Essays

Lab Report- Neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses Essays Lab Report- Neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses Paper Lab Report- Neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses Paper Neurons (also known as neurons, nerve cells and nerve fibers) are electrically excitable and the most important cells in the nervous system that functions to process and transmit information. Neurons have a large number of extensions called dendrites. They often look likes branches or spikes extending out from the cell body. It is primarily the surfaces of the dendrites that receive chemical messages from other neurons. One extension is different from all the others, and is called the axon. Although in some neurons, it is hard to distinguish from the entries, in others it is easily distinguished by its length. The purpose of the axon is to transmit an electro-chemical signal to other neurons, sometimes over a considerable distance. Longer axons are usually covered with a myelin sheath, a series of fatty cells which have wrapped around an axon many times. They serve a similar function as the insulation around electrical wire. At the very end of the axon is the axon ending. It is there that the electro-chemical signal that has traveled the length of the axon is converted into a chemical message that travels to the next neuron. (Dry. C. George Before, 2009). Axons are what make up nerves. A nerve is a bundle of neurons fibers or processes wrapped in connective tissue that extends to and/or from the CONS and visceral organs or structures of the body periphery (Marine Mitchell, 2009). In this experiment we will work with a nerve The action potential we will see on this experiment reflects the cumulative action potentials of all the neurons in the nerve, called a compound nerve action potential. Although an action potential follows the all-or none law within a single neuron, it does not necessarily follows the all-or-none law within an entire nerve. When you electrically stimulate a nerve at a given voltage, the stimulus may result in deportation of most of the neurons but not necessarily all of them. To achieve deportation of all of the neurons, a higher stimulus voltage may be needed ( Marine Mitchell, 2009). Seaplanes in the body all begin with the resting membrane potential. This is the natural state of a nerve before it is presented with a stimulus (Martini, Nathan Bartholomew, 2012). Resting membrane potential is important because it is necessary in order for a synapse to occur (Marine Mitchell, 2009). This resting Tate stands at -map because of three factors. First the ionic composition of the extracurricular and intracellular fluid varies in their charge. The Extracurricular fluid has a negative charge because of the An+ ion that exist, just as the intracellular fluid has a negative charge because of K+ ions and negatively charged proteins (Martini, Nathan Bartholomew, 2012). Second the cells have an uneven distribution because of the existence of sodium and potassium leak channels. This allows the creation of an electrochemical gradient, which ultimately is the force that guides the conduction of an action potential. The electrochemical gradient is created by sodium-potassium pump which is responsible for exchanging 3 An+ ions out while bringing in 2 K+ ions (Martini, Nathan Bartholomew, 2012). Third, the resting membrane potential varies in permeability based on the type of ion. Membranes are more easily permeable by K+ ions because of their size, which is responsible for the negative charge during the resting state (Martini, Nathan Bartholomew, 2012) Without a resting potential, we would not have a threshold to conduct an action potential. When a stimulus is presented, it requires a certain excitability, or popularization level of at least map to map (Martini, Nathan Bartholomew, 2012). The action potential depends on the threshold stimulus because of the all or none principle. This states that if a stimulus does not break the required threshold level, no action potential will occur (Martini, Nathan Bartholomew, 2012). However, if a threshold does uphold this principle, an action potential is created and a synapse begins. When membrane is exposed to a certain chemical, its response is either excited or inhibited. When a membrane is excited deportation begins. When the membrane depilatories the resting membrane potential of -70 NV becomes less negative. When the membrane potential reaches 0 NV, indicating there is no charge difference across the membrane. The sodium ion channels start to close and potassium ion channels open. By the time the sodium ion channels finally close. The membrane potential has reached +35 NV. The opening of the potassium channels allows K+ to flow out of the cell down its electrochemical gradient ( ion of like charge are repelled from each other). The flow of K+ out of the cell causes the membrane potential to move in a negative direction. This is preferred to as revitalization. ( Marine Mitchell, 2009). As the transmigrate potential comes back down towards its resting potential level and the potassium channels begins to close, the transmittance potential level goes just below -map, causing a brief period of hyperventilation (Martini, Nathan Bartholomew, 2012). Finally, as the potassium channels close, the membrane turns back to its resting potential until it is excited or inhibited again. In this experiment we will be dealing with two chemicals that intend to inhibit a nerve impulse. Curare is a toxic substance that interferes with the neural remission between motor neurons and skeletal muscles. Curare competes with acetylenes -or Ach- for receptors on muscle cells. Acetylenes is a chemical messenger that normally transmits nerve impulses and activates muscles receptors. Schaeffer, 2010). Loading is a chemical substance that inhibits the transmission of nerve impulses by blocking An ion flux across nerve membranes. In other words Loading is a local anesthetic that blocks voltage- gated An channels at low concentrations, it would make it harder to reach the threshold for firing action potential at high concentrations, and it would stop the action potential entirely. Materials/ Methods This experiment was conducted using the lab manual Human Anatomy Physiology by Marine Mitchell, 2009. Exercisers neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses on Physiology 8. 0 page 131 The activities that were used in this exercise were o Activity 6- testing the Effects of curare page 131 o Activity 7- Testing the Effects of Loading page 131 Results Effects of Curare versus Loading on a Nerve Voltage (NV)Action Potential Notes Curare 2. 0 NV Inaction potential begins at 3. NV Amplitude increases by very little and remains constant soon after. 3. 0 NV Yes 4. NV yes Loading 2. 0 NV No No action potential is recognized 3. NV No 4. NV No Using a frog nerve, two inhibitory chemicals were place onto the nerve to determine what inhibitory properties were seen after stimulating at the threshold voltage for this nerve. Discussion To have a better understanding of the respond to a stimulus and action potential of a nerve (In this case a frog sciatic nerve) we executed this experiment, and realized that numerous physical and chemical factors can impair the ability of a nerve to function. On the first exp eriment we used Curare that at 3. NV created an action attention on the nerve. At the neuromuscular junction, the action potential occurs in the presentation motor neuron, which releases acetylenes during an action potential. Synapses is a junction between two neurons. The presentation neuron terminal is the one that releases a neurotransmitter in response to an action potential. The posthypnotic neuron is the one that receives the neurotransmitter and may undergo an action potential (and become a presentation to the next nerve cell) if the neurotransmitters stimulate the cell enough. When curare is present, it will block acetylenes from binding to its acceptors on the muscle fiber, in turn stopping the muscle from contracting. They key point is that this effect is exclusively post synaptic. The presentation neuron still fires the identical action potential with or without the drug, it still release neurotransmitter. When curare is present, only the downstream effect is blocked. Loading showed success by having an inhibitory effect on a nerve impulse. With a range of electrical voltages from 2. NV to 4. 0 NV, no action potential was shown. This is what an inhibitory chemical intends to do inhibit any response by binding to the axon terminals of the presentation neuron. Specifically, it blocks the voltage-gated sodium channels that allow the influx of sodium when the nerve reaches the threshold voltage thus preventing an action potential. No action potential means no nerve impulse. A nerve must be stimulated and that stimulation must meet or exceed the threshold le vel required for activity to follow. Then as an impulse occurs, such as the nerve with loading being stimulated there must be either a period of inhibition or excitement that causes the membranes permeability to change. If a stimulation was intended to be excitatory the process of generating an action potential would occur, followed by revitalization and hyperventilation. However, in inhibitory responses, the goal is to see no action potential. If the intention is to prevent a stimulus from occurring, creating an action potential is not desired. It is important to understand the properties of substances such as these to better understand their intended effect. In order for them to be used properly one must know what intention of these substances to then provide a proper use for them. For example, one WOUld not propose to administer loading to someone who has regular heart function, because that would suppress their art levels below the threshold level. In conclusion nerve impulses all begin with a stimulus that either causes excitement or inhibition from a certain stimulus (Marine MitcheIl, 2009). If a nerve is excited the process of creating an action potential follows in order to achieve a chemical synapse. In other words, when a nerve is stimulated certain messages able to be transported in and out of the cell. However, in an inhibitory response such as the one witnessed with loading. This experiment determined the difference in excitatory versus inhibitory stimuli in a nerve. It allowed us to visualize the synaptic activity occurring based on a certain chemical which allows us to better understand the effects certain substances have on nerves.

Mideast Conflict essays

Mideast Conflict essays As America faces another showdown against Iraq, the Mideast conflict is possibly the single most important factor for our countrys war against terrorism. To fully understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one must know the history of the region. This paper will attempt to provide an objective view on the situation and offer a plan for lasting peace in the region. An individual might begin this discussion in early times (3000 B.C.). However finding solid, factual data from this period is challenging, and often the facts vary depending on from which perspective the data is written. Obviously, this land has been contested since the beginning of time. Following is a rough timeline of events that shaped the current Middle East situation. Statements in a standard font are generally facts, which both sides agree upon. Statements in bold type are comments that are generally neutral. Statements in red type are the Palestinian, Arab viewpoints. Statements in blue type are the Jewish, Israeli viewpoints. 1. Jews and Arabs pray to a different God. Both sides claim that the West Bank is the center of their homeland. 2. In World War I, Britain gained control of the land of Palestine with Arab aid. After Britain gained control of the region, they promised Jewish leaders a national home in the land of Palestine. Britain also promised the creation of an independent Arab state. Both sides generally agree to this statement. 3. The British mandate officially began in 1922, which was approved by the League of Nations. The White Paper (1922) stated Britains policy of aiding Jews return to their homeland. Additionally, there were limits placed on the number of Jewish immigrants that should be admitted into the region. This statement is also generally agreed upon. But, the number of Jewish immigrants was supposed to be limited to 25,000, but the actual number of immigrants was closer to 50,000. This ...

Team Project Evaluation Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Team Project Evaluation Paper - Essay Example The group would thereafter indicate how these attributes compare to those of a larger group. In this regard, the group work will show how the larger group’s development is more complex, how they have less freedom to operate, how they use complex communication, how they receive lower satisfaction, how they make slower decisions, how they develop sub-teams, how they have a higher turnover, how they have higher absenteeism, and how they expand the group knowledge. The case scenario that will be used to achieve the above-mentioned objectives is about aliens landing on the planet Earth, first in a small group and then in large group. The study will explore how these different groups act differently and the differences in their behavior based solely on the number of members in each group. In the representation of aliens, the study will use action figures, dolls, and stuffed animals, among others. By doing this we can alter the numbers much easier than if we used real people. Also I believe these â€Å"actors† will be able to have a stronger personality and be able to switch more easily between a small group and a large group since it is only their voices, which will be used, and hence I feel everyone will not be holding back with shyness as much. The genre of the video will be strictly comedy. Therefore, the objective of the video is to make people laugh since we do not want our audience falling asleep and this is another reason why we used things like toys to represent human beings. We are going for a PG 13 to R rated Toy Story vibe based on how intense we can get. There will be a lot physical and verbal comedy based on random actions. For example, in the small group the aliens might be smoking marijuana because they have more freedom to operate, but in a large group you will see that there is less freedom to operate so if an alien starts smoking they will probably be fired. Performance Norms Effort In normal sense it is required that every group membe r should put in a 100 % effort, but as we know this is usually not the case in most group projects. However, the group leader is guaranteeing to put too much effort, to an extent that it will not matter if a few members of the group start to slack. The ideal situation is to have constant communication since this is the most important thing in a successful working relationship. We expect for everyone to text each other back as soon as possible after they receive a text from any group member and if any group member takes longer than a twelve-hour period or the member does not text back at all, he or she will be called upon to explain the lack of communication. We will ensure we stay on the set time schedule by working on a one single concept and this would eliminate the need to reshoot the scenes a bunch of times. We will get the filming portion done all in one day so there will be no chopping of certain scenes during the editing process and the plot of the comedy will remain consiste nt. It is expected that everybody will put their best effort in on that day and no one will be absent during this crucial day. We will not accept any excuses from our members for poor attendance. In addition, enthusiasm and initiative will be expected during the filming stage since failure will not be an option but nevertheless overall A effort is expected from everyone and anything less is frowned upon. Output It is expected th

Ethics paper Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethics paper - Case Study Example I would like to provide the reasoning for that decision and would also like to point out the ethical issues that have risen for the company. The company being one of the large automobile manufacturers of the world produces two different types of vehicles, one being the SUV’s and the other being the light trucks. Of late, the company has faced issues remaining profitable for its shareholders. There are about 1,000,000 of these types of vehicles on the road and all of them having a good reputation amongst its customers. The engineers in the company have found some balancing issue in the vehicles and due to that the company had to face five law suits lately. All those law suits had to be settled amounting to $500,000 in total. To fix the balancing issue in the vehicle, it would cost $180 per vehicle after all the vehicles would be recalled. The main ethical issue that is to be considered is the knowledge of the defect in the vehicles not been conveyed to the customers. Although the company has faced five different legal proceedings, it has dealt with them with any disclosure made to the public at large. This issue of not disclosing the information to the public may cause severe damages as all the customers using the vehicles face the risk of death in an accident. This may cause the drivers of the vehicles to face severe accident which may life threatening or may cause any other disability to the drivers of the vehicles. Recall the vehicles; this would cost the company around $18,000,000 but in such a drastic period where profits have been deteriorating, the shareholders would not agree to this. This $18,000,000 would be a major cost that the company would have to bear and because of this cost the other stakeholders that might get affected are the employees. The employees would have to be paid extra for the additional work to be done, this would further upset the shareholders as the profits would further diminish and have a negative

The Meaning of Lives Essay Example for Free

The Meaning of Lives Essay In her article The Meaning of Lives, Susan Wolf, a moral philosopher and philosopher of action, investigates whether meaning can exist in lives without postulating the existance of God. Wolf establishes her position on this philosophical question from an agnostic perspective and rationally argues that such a question can in fact â€Å"fit within a negative or agnostic view about the meaning of life† (Wolf 63). With this paper, I will first summarize the prominent points of Wolf’s article then highlight and expound upon areas of her argument that contradict her line of reason. Lastly, I will introduce the theistic perspective on meaningful lives along with presenting Wolf’s reason and argument as supporting evidence for the theistic view. In the Meaning of Lives, Susan Wolf opens briefly with an evaluation of the philosophically ambiguous question, â€Å"What is the meaning of life? † She argues this particular question is impossible to rationalize because it dependents upon a postulation for the existence of God. Wolf claims it is necessary to postulate the existence of God in order to argue this original question because if God does exist, then He â€Å"may have created us for a reason, with a plan in mind†(Wolf 63). Thus, if God exists then there would be purpose and meaning to human existence dependent upon the creator God. Wolf does not deny the existence of God; she simply suggests that a divine existence is improvable. Therefore the question of a grand purpose and meaning in life is an unnecessary and an improvable argument to find an answer to, due to the improvable nature of God. However, she does believe that meaning in lives is not contingent upon the existence of God stating, â€Å"Meaningfulness is an intelligible feature to be sought in life† and that â€Å"a positive view about the possibility of meaning in lives can fit with a negative or agnostic view about the meaning of life†(Wolf 63). She expounds on this argument in three distinct sections. The first part of Wolf’s argument observes three different examples of meaningless lifestyle. Wolf articulates that learning from three paradigms of meaningless lives, one can construct an understanding for meaningfulness. She begins with a lifestyle she labeled the Blob. The Blob is defined by a lifestyle that â€Å"is lived in hazy passivity†¦ unconnected to anyone or anything, going nowhere, achieving nothing† (Wolf 64). Wolf deduces from the Blobs meaningless lifestyle, that in order to attain a meaningful life one must be engaged in a project, which can include relationships. The second meaningless lifestyle, in contrast to the Blob’s lifestyle of passivity, is regarded as the Useless life; â€Å"a life whose dominant activities seem pointless, useless or empty† (Wolf 65). After reviewing the lifestyle of the Useless life, a life void of worth, to achieve meaning â€Å"one must be engaged in a project or projects that have some positive value† (Wolf 65). The final category of a meaningless life would be the lifestyle of the Bankrupt, â€Å"someone who is engaged or even dedicated, to a project that is ultimately revealed as bankrupt, not because the person’s values are shallow or misguided, but because the project fails†(Wolf 65). Ultimately, Wolf concludes that in order to achieve meaningfulness one must not only be engaged in a project of positive value but that project must be in some way successful. After providing a working definition for a meaningful life, Wolf raises the question as to what constitutes â€Å"positive value† and who has the right to objectively determine value. Similarly to Wolf’s construction of meaningfulness, she argues reasons for why an individual is incapable of objectively determining positive value. This incapability for determining objective value is due to the individual’s subjectivity and â€Å"interest in living a life that feels or seems meaningful†(Wolf 66). Therefore, because an individual is incapable of distinguishing objective positive value from interest, it is unlikely that the individual can distinguish what is required for a meaningful life. She argues that objective value is determined and achieved through observing value in other people’s lives. Wolf clarifies that the objective good she is referring to is not compared to moral goodness, â€Å"benefiting or honoring humanity† (Wolf 67). Wolf claims that meaningfulness is not contingent upon moral value. Instead, Wolf suggests that while there are examples of lives exhibiting great moral value, such as Mother Teresa and Gandhi, that are full of meaning; there are also examples of other lives, such as â€Å"artists, scholars, musicians and athletes†, that possess great meaning, not based upon their moral value. These lives are considered valuable and meaningful due to their ability to â€Å"develop our skills and our understanding of the world† which â€Å"give meaning to our lives- but they do not give moral value to them †(Wolf 67). A greater understanding of our own worth and the Universe is what Wolf constitutes for lives to have meaning. The final stage in Wolf’s argument poses the question â€Å"what is the good, after all, of living a meaningful life†(Wolf 67)? Wolf does not wish to define goodness, but rather discusses the advantages for living a life full of meaning. Wolf makes the final stand, that in order to grasp meaningfulness and understand how one can achieve it in their life; an individual must become enlightened to their status in the world as â€Å"a tiny speck in a vast universe† (Wolf 69). This description of where an individual lies in relation to the vastness of the Universe, provides the reality that meaning in lives cannot logically be contingent upon the desires and benefits for the individual, due to humanities insignificance. It seems illogical to Wolf, that a person who seeks to find meaning in their life could conclude that is dependent upon their independent happiness claiming, â€Å"to devote oneself wholly to one’s own satisfaction seems to me to fly in the face of truth, to act as if one is the only thing that matters, or perhaps, more, that one’s own psychology is the only source of (determining) what matters† (Wolf 70). The truth, to which Wolf refers, is the reality that individuals have very little significance in relation to the value of the vast Universe. It is because of this truth that a self-center and egocentric life goes against of logic after such a truth is realized. Wolf argues that instead of egocentric priorities to achieve meaning, an individual should alternatively be focused on the needs of the Universe and others. She understands that â€Å"you are just one person among others, equally real- is the source of practical reason-in this case, it gives you reason to take the pains of others to constitute reasons for action†¦reason to care about the pain of others that is grounded, not in our own psychologies, but a fact about the world†(Wolf 70). In this section, I will address three areas of Wolf’s reasoning I find to be inconsistent with her argument as a whole. A concern that I have regarding Wolf’s argument is her use of the word â€Å"meaning†, in regards to the meaning of lives. A very different connotation of the word â€Å"meaning† suggested by the philosophical question, â€Å"What is the meaning of life? † Wolf states that the question, â€Å"What is the meaning of life? † requires an individual to postulate the existence of God because it implies their ultimate aim â€Å"to find a purpose or a point to human existence†(Wolf 63). However, Wolf also argues, â€Å"whether or not God exists, the fact remains that some objects, activities and ideas are better than others. Whether or not God exists some ways of living are more worthwhile than others†(Wolf 72). At the beginning of Wolf’s argument about the meaning of lives, suggests that she neither denies nor rejects the existence of God. She argues this as true because she believes the question behind the meaning in lives can be answered as â€Å"an intelligible feature to be sought in life and that it is at least sometimes attainable but not everywhere assured†(Wolf 63). Wolf reduces the meaning of lives to that which can be determined by human reasoning a finite measurement of this transitory world. Thus Wolf, who has neither denied nor rejected the existence of God has unreasonably eliminated the question of origin of lives, as irrelevant to meaning in lives. She focuses how certain types of lives merit significance in existence and consequently refers to the word â€Å"meaning† as synonymous with value. Finally, Wolf argues that there is value in human lives that â€Å"can fit with a negative or agnostic view about the meaning of life†(Wolf 66). This statement is far less controversial than her attempts to argue that meaning in lives is achievable without the postulation of God. Logically, to explore meaning in lives, one must consider the beginning of life, which must have been constructed either by accident or by a creator. Meaning cannot be cited as more or less significant at a particular point in an individual’s life. Thus, the point that one comes into existence must be regarded for defining meaning within an individual’s life. The second problem in Wolf’s argument comes in her evaluation of what is considered a project of positive value. An individual who is engaged in a project of positive value is central to Wolf’s definition of a meaningful life. Although, projects of positive value can add to meaning in an individual’s life, Wolf’s reasoning as to â€Å"who is to decide which projects have positive value† is vague and inconsistent with her earlier positions (Wolf 66). Wolf concludes that individuals are incapable of objectively deciding what has positive value, due to subjective interests, which skew their understanding of objective value. Wolf deduces that in order for an individual to understand projects of positive value, which will eventually adds meaning to heir lives, they must experience an â€Å"epiphany†¦ to the recognition that our life to date has been meaningless† (Wolf 66). This comment is completely inconsistent with Wolf’s fundamental goal to acquire an understanding of meaning in lives from an intelligible process of reason. The understanding for projects of positive value through an epiphany is inconsistent with her pervious arguments because it depends she suggests that understanding meaning comes from an unintelligible source of knowledge. Who is to say that that epiphany is not guided by a supreme higher being? The irony of Wolf’s conclusion about the necessary epiphany, is that her statement â€Å"It is the sort of experience that one might describe in terms of scales falling from ones eyes†, compares closely to the allusion found in Acts 9:18 (Wolf 66). The verse reads â€Å"And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized† (NIV 1000). The language of scales falling from the eyes in order to gain true understanding is regarded in both versions as an act depended upon a supernatural entity enabling the change. This very interesting comment by Wolf, suggests that understanding how an individual recognizes truth through epiphany is beyond the capabilities of human control and intellect. Her attempted arguments about how a meaningful life is realized are sound up until the point about epiphany. Lastly, Wolf’s argument for meaning in lives lacks any discussion of immortality as a necessary property for meaning. Wolf reasons that there are certain lifestyles that are more meaningful than others. This argument for certain lifestyle having greater meaning has limited relevance because as she rationalizes, lives are finite and temporary as are the lives of others whom we must focus in our acknowledgement of the truth that we are just a â€Å"speck in the vast Universe†(Wolf 69). Wolf does a fine job at articulating the insignificance and temporary state of human life. However, she fails to recognize that in her attempts to construct a logical framework for meaning in finite lives she disregards the possibility for immortality to give further meaning to lives. Thus, she reduces the idea of meaning as an avoidance of an egocentric lifestyle and recognizes insignificance and meaning within an individuals’ life alone. Wolf’s claim that meaning is attainable through certain actions only satisfies temporary lives for a finite amount of time. This argument surrounding meaning as dependent upon an inward realization of insignificance manifesting into outward actions, is simply a cycle of meaningless people helping other meaningless people, and causes only a temporary impact. In an argument for the importance of immortality to meaning in lives, Gianluca Di Muzio states, â€Å"If a human being dies and her actions have no lasting effect, because the world itself perished, then her life was meaningless. If, in the end, all comes to nothing, then it does not matter in the first place whether a particular person existed or not† (Di Muzio 2). In order for actions and lives to be meaningful, they must have a lasting impact or something to gain, and provide for others in a way that is not reducible to the finite and temporary world. Thus, achievable immortality must exist for meaning to be possible. Although she attempts to determine the meaning in lives for an agnostic world, I would argue that Wolf’s argument actually supports many theistic views regarding the meaning of lives. Though many of Wolf’s arguments do not adequately provide understanding for meaning in lives from an agnostic perspective, many of her points parallel to the theistic view of â€Å"purpose theory. † Before I expound on these similarities, an understanding of the theistic view regarding the meaning of must be addressed. According to Borchert, the theistic view argues that, â€Å"life is meaningful insofar as one fulfills a purpose that God has assigned† (Borchert 295). In â€Å"Confession†, Leo Tolstoy discusses meaning in life from the theistic perspective and claims â€Å"now I see clearly that my faith-my only real faith-that which apart from my animal instincts gave impulse to my life- was a belief in perfecting myself† (Klemke 2). Tolstoy sought such perfection in artistic achievements and loving his family. In trying to find meaning in family and people, Tolstoy ultimately realizes that â€Å"My family — wife and children — are also human. They are placed just as I am: they must either live in a lie or see the terrible truth† (Klemke 10). In other words, Tolstoy realizes that if meaning resides in the finite and temporary nature of humanity, meaning too will die along with the life. Tolstoy further suggests that meaning cannot reside within artistic modes when he writes Art, poetry? Under the influence of success and the praise of men, I had long assured myself that this was a thing one could do though death was drawing near — death which destroys all things, including my work and its remembrance; but soon I saw that that too was a fraud† (Klemke 10). This declaration further supports Tolstoy’s theistic belief that everything of and in this world cannot be the ultimate source of meaning in lives. Although, the substance of this world may increase value within life, it cannot supply ultimate, enduring meaning. Tolstoy finally declares, â€Å"To know God and to live is one and the same thing. God is life- Live seeking God, and then you will not live without God† (Klemke 11). This passage concludes with his theistic assertion that without a â€Å"divine plan for the world, then all efforts come to nothing, because everything comes to nothing. Hence our lives are meaningless without God† (Metz 293). Though Wolf attempts to support an agnostic view for the question, â€Å"is there meaning in lives? † her central points mirror those of the theistic view and supports many of its claims. This final section will concentrate on central points within Wolf’s argument that support a theistic view for understanding meaning in lives. To begin, she claims that a life has meaning insofar as it is â€Å"engaged in a project or projects that have some positive value† (Wolf 65). Although this statements seems logical, Wolf fails to provide an intelligible source for acquiring knowledge about whether or not a project has positive value and which projects do not. She betrays the agnostic attempt to provide an understanding of meaning in lives through reason, by suggesting that realization of projects with positive value relies upon an epiphany. The concept of an epiphany for realization is inconsistent with her attempts to rationalize. However, when Wolf’s definition is placed against the theistic view, it is logically consistent with theological beliefs. Theists believe that an individual must be actively engaged in positively affecting peoples lives with in the world, while ultimately contributing to God’s divine plan in order for their lives to have meaning. This concept is articulated beautifully in Gianluca Di Muzio’s argument: Theism and the Meaning of Life, in which he states, â€Å"In order to have meaning, our lives must make a difference to a higher scheme. And theism sees human action as doing a sort of double duty. On one hand, they affect other people and events in this world, on the other, they further or hinder God’s ultimate plan† (Di Muzio 2). This statement suggests that humanities actions in projects have the ability to have two different forms of significance, both relative and ultimate. Relative significance refers to the theistic perspective that, â€Å"actions and events have relative significance when they only influence other actions and events†(Di Muzio 3). Ultimate significance is when our actions and events â€Å"contribute to God’s plan† (Di Muzio 3). Both of these forms contribute to theistic view, however Wolf’s argument focuses solely on relative significance. The theistic understanding of relative significance is paralleled to Wolf’s understanding of meaning in lives. She believes that when individuals realize their insignificance and begin to seek beyond themselves for meaning by actively engaging in projects of positive value, they can acquire meaning. Though this insignificance is transient, it supports the theistic belief that, â€Å"human beings have access to value† without having to postulate the existence of God, because â€Å"existence affords the opportunity to attain the kinds of goods that make a human life worthwhile and fulfilling† (Di Muzio 5-6). Wolf’s profound point that human life is just a â€Å"speck in a vast universe† lays the foundation for the theistic belief in ultimate significance (Wolf 71). Theists believe that there is A fundamental disproportion between aspirations and reality is a powerful source of the idea that our lives are absurd and meaningless. We think we matter, and yet we don’t. The world is not intoned with our hope, desires and projects. The possibility of out destruction looms everywhere; and human suffering, however enormous, seems to be nothing but a passing accident, a byproduct of the presence of sentient creatures in a world that merely tolerates them for a short time. (Di Muzio 9) This understanding of human insignificance plays a vital role in the theistic belief that despite human fragility, purpose and significance are achievable within the most tragic circumstances. Wolf’s recognition of our insignificance implies our need to look beyond our own lives for meaning. If a life of meaning depends upon recognizing the truth about our insignificance and continuing to be â€Å"actively engaged in a project of positive value†, and one cannot perform these projects due to tragic circumstances, then within Wolf’s reasoning their life can not have meaning. Wolf’s understanding of meaning depends upon individual human performance. In trying times of suffering, whether great or small, this concept of looking outside of ones own circumstances is hard to accomplish and in some circumstances impossible, thus in such cases meaning cannot be unachieved. The theistic view of ultimate significance provides a hope that a life of suffering can have meaning and purpose too in that, â€Å"the idea of God and hope for immortality can help us look again at the world and our fragile lives as meaningful†(Di Muzio 9). The project of participating in God’s divine plan is the only project that has lasting and unwavering value for meaning in lives. Wolf’s central argument concerning meaning in lives provides many logically convincing and sound points. However, Wolf’s definition of a life of meaning is both disconnected from her original argument and lacks a consistent, authoritative source and process for achieving meaning. She attempts to suggest that meaning is an â€Å"intelligible feature to be sought in life†, then provides the solution for achieving this insight of through the unintelligible source of epiphany. Secondly, Wolf’s argument for the realization of insignificance as the truth, unlocks the need for an individual to look beyond serving his or her own self-centered desires for meaning. However, though her point about insignificance seems valid, Wolf fails to provide examples or an understanding of how an individual can objectively determine how to look outside of themselves. In total, Wolf produces an understanding of meaning that depends upon an individuals abilities to undergo an epiphany and properly manifest their understanding of the need to look outside one’s self and recognize Universal needs. The problem with this stance is that focusing on the Universe provides no lasting impact, or meaning to a particular life because the things of this Universe are finite and temporary. The individual’s life will eventually end along with the actions and events they affected. Though existence can provide an opportunity for value, as understood in Wolf’s argument and the theistic view, meaning is dependent upon a infinite being whose performance can not be temporary. An individual must not be reliant on their personal performances and finite experiences to obtain meaning, but rather is actively engaged in an eternal project of positive value, determined by an infinite and constant authority, God. Works Cited Borchert, Donald M. Theism. Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2nd ed. 10. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Web. 25 Apr 2012. Di Muzio, Gianluca. Theism and the Meaning of Life life’s meaning? Ars Disputandi . 6. (2006): 1-12. Print. Klemke, E. D. â€Å"The Meaning of Life†. 2nd. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. Metz, Thaddeus. â€Å"Could God’s purpose be the source of life’s meaning? † Cambridge Journals. (2000): 293-311. Print. Wolf, Susan. The Meaning Of Lives. 62-73. Print.