Locke Essays (2480 words) - Empiricists, Empiricism, Epistemologists

Locke I. General Notions Francis Bacon and Thomas Hobbes were not truly conscious of the phenomenalistic consequences of their theory of knowledge, which was based on empiricism. Both considered sensation as phenomenal presentations and also as representations of reality. Thus they still had something upon which to build an absolute metaphysics. With Locke gnosiological phenomenalism enters its critical phase. By considering sensations merely as subjective presentations, Locke gives us a theory of knowledge of subjective data devoid of any relation with external objects. Hence Locke is the first to give us a logic for Empiricism, that is, for sensations considered as phenomena of knowledge. Such an attitude excludes any consistent metaphysics of objective reality. Locke, however, overlooking everything he has established in his solution to the problem of knowledge, gives us a metaphysics which is not greatly different from the scholastic. He even appeals to the familiar principles of Scholasticism, showing how difficult it is for man to withdraw from the philosophy of being. Berkeley, first, and then David Hume went all the way and reduced being to the status of a subjective phenomenon. In so doing, these two philosophers merely drew the logical conclusions of the gnosiological phenomenalism proposed by John Locke. II. Life and Works John Locke was born in 1632 at Wrington, Somersetshire, England. He studied philosophy and the natural sciences at Oxford, and received his doctorate in medicine. Having entered into the graces of Lord Ashley, who later became the Earl of Shaftesbury, Locke held several political offices. Thus he had the opportunity to visit France, where he made the acquaintance of the most representative men of culture. In 1683 he went into exile in Holland; there he participated in the political movement that placed William of Orange upon the throne of England. After the accession of William of Orange, he returned to England, retired to private life, and dedicated himself to his studies. He died in 1704. Locke is a representative of the English culture of his time. With a mind open to the most varied problems, Locke was a philosopher, a doctor of medicine, and educator, a politician and a man of action. Locke's principal works, in chronological order, are: Treatises on Government; Essay Concerning Human Understanding (his masterpiece); Thoughts on Education. III. Epistemology: Origin of Knowledge Descartes had admitted that some some ideas are innate in the intellect. Locke dedicated the first book of his Essay Concerning Human Understanding to a refutation of Descartes' innatism. If we had innate ideas, says Locke, we would be conscious of having them. But it is an undeniable fact that children, savages, the unlearned, are not conscious of having innate ideas; they acquire knowledge during the course of a lifetime. It is impossible that anyone should have knowledge of something of which he is not conscious. Furthermore, experience teaches that certain moral principles and the notion of God, far from being innate, vary with different people and at different times. Hence there exists no innate idea; our intellect, at the first moment of its being, is a tabula rasa, a clean sheet of paper on which nothing has yet been written. All impressions we later find thereon (which for Locke are ideas) come from experience. Locke's ideas are not to be confused with Aristotle ideas, but are to be taken in the sense of representations, or better, of presentations. Locke explains that experience is twofold: external and internal. ? External experience, called sensation, gives us ideas of supposed external objects, such as color, sound, extension, motion. etc. Locke says supposed objects, since their existence has not been proved. (In a theory of knowledge limited to the experience of mental content, such as that of Locke, it is utterly impossible to prove the actual existence of these supposed objects.) ? Internal experience, called reflection, makes us understand the operation of the spirit on the objects of sensation, such as knowing, doubting, believing and so forth. In regard to the ideas furnished by sensation, it is necessary to distinguish the primary qualities (solidity, extension, figure, number, motion, etc.), which are objective, from the secondary qualities (color, sounds, etc.), which are subjective in their effect and objective in their cause. In other words the secondary qualities are powers for producing various sensations in

Body Essay Preparation

Mind/Body Essay Preparation Mind/Body Essay Preparation Some students may believe that writing an essay is relatively simple and doesn’t require much effort. This assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. Writing requires a lot of time and energy. Like most activities that require effort (exercise, working, cooking), writing an essay requires some preparation for both mind and body. Here are some tips to mentally and physically prepare yourself to write: Get organized Gather research materials and organize them before buckling down to write. When it comes to gathering sources from different publications, write each of them on a piece of paper and summarize the key points you wish to include in your essay. This helps save time and prevent clutter on your workspace. Minimize distractions If you are working in a public library and prefer to listen to music to concentrate, use a pair of earphones and lower the volume of your device to prevent distracting others. If you enjoy working in silence, use a pair of noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions. Clear your mind of lingering issues or concerns; plan to deal with them after you finish. Eat in advance Avoid eating unhealthy snacks before writing and switch to brain-boosting foods like eggs, nuts, or yogurt to aid your concentration and focus. Remember to drink enough water. Inspiration/Dedication What motivates you to write this essay? Is it to earn a good grade? If so, focus on what you want to achieve and remember to set deadlines for yourself. Motivate yourself to begin, but forge on with discipline. If you’re not well-rested or fed, writing an essay can be more time-consuming than it needs to be. Take time for yourself and the writing will flow more easily. understands the importance of writing essays and other academic papers on a deadline. Whether you are in a high school, undergraduate, masters, or doctoral program, we offer academic writing services to help you achieve your goals. Our team of accredited writers can provide quality and original writing and use anti-plagiarism tools and resources.

The Formation of the Union of South Africa

The Formation of the Union of South Africa The politicking behind the scenes for the formation of the Union of South Africa allowed the foundations of apartheid to be laid. On May 31,  1910, the Union of South Africa was formed under British dominion. It was exactly eight years after the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging, which had brought the Second Anglo-Boer War to an end.   Color Bans Allowed in New Union of South Africa Constitution Each of the four unified states was allowed to keep its existing franchise qualifications, and Cape Colony was the only one which permitted voting by (property owning) non-whites. While is it argued that Britain hoped that the non-racial franchise contained in the ​Constitution courtesy of the Cape would eventually be extended to the whole of the Union, it is hardly likely that this was truly believed possible. A delegation of white and black liberals traveled to London, under the leadership of the former Cape prime minister William Schreiner, to protest against the color bar enshrined in the new constitution.​ British Want Unified Country Above Other Considerations The British government was far more interested in creating a unified country within its Empire; one which could support and defend itself. A union, rather than a federalized country, was more agreeable to the Afrikaner electorate since it would give the country a greater freedom from Britain. Louis Botha and Jan Christiaan Smuts, both highly influential within the Afrikaner community, were closely involved in the development of the new constitution. It was necessary to have Afrikaner and English working together, especially following the slightly acrimonious end to the war, and the satisfactory compromise had taken the last eight years to reach. Written into the new constitution, however, was a requirement that a two-thirds majority of Parliament would be necessary to make any changes. Protection of Territories from Apartheid The British High Commission Territories of Basutoland (now Lesotho), Bechuanaland (now Botswana), and Swaziland were excluded from the Union precisely because the British government was worried about the status of the indigenous populations under the new constitution. It was hoped that, at some time in the (near) future, the political situation would be right for their incorporation. In fact, the only country which may have been considered for inclusion was Southern Rhodesia, but the Union had become so strong that white Rhodesians quickly rejected the concept. Why Is 1910 Recognized as the Birth of the Union of South Africa? Although not truly independent, most historians, especially those in South Africa, consider May 31, 1910, to be the most appropriate date to be commemorated. South Africas independence within the Commonwealth of Nations was not officially recognized by Britain until the Statute of Westminster in 1931, and it was not until 1961 that South Africa became a truly independent republic. Source: Africa since 1935, Vol VIII of the UNESCO General History of Africa, published by James Currey, 1999, editor Ali Mazrui, p108.

MGT-4530 exam 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

MGT-4530 exam 2 - Assignment Example the task of dividing both the issues, SWOT analysis tends to identify if the information obtained is vital to help the firm in achieving the objectives or if it indicates a barrier that needs to be overcome or lessen for the purpose of accomplishing the required results. It is the SWOT analysis that assists the firms in evaluating the industry and therefore prepares strategies in order to gain competitive advantage. It is the strengths possessed by companies that assist them in achieving strong competitive positions. With the help of the SWOT model an entrepreneur is capable of making new strategies and the companies are capable of framing the short-term as well as long-term missions of the organizations (Kumar, â€Å"Entrepreneurship Development†). The main challenges faced by the researchers in conducting the SWOT analysis are the lack of sufficient data available with them. The task becomes easier if there is sufficient data available with respect to the competitors. The other challenge faced is related to the identification of the opportunities in the near future. It can be mentioned that in order to comprehend the favorite flavor of Aggie Ice-cream of USU students any form of scale can be used. However, the data obtained from all the three scales i.e., ordinal, nominal and interval scale would be different. Taking into consideration the statistical point of view, the shortest level of measurement that can be utilized is known as nominal scale. In case of nominal scale the data are placed into categories and there is no structure or order. The data obtained from nominal scale can be divided into certain categories. In case of ordinal scale, there is ranking of the â€Å"individuals†, â€Å"attitudes† as well as â€Å"items† according to the range of the features that is being scaled. In case of interval scale, the distance that exists among the numerous categories tends to be equal that remains distinct in nominal scale and ordinal scale. Interval scale

Maupassant; you choose Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Maupassant; you choose - Research Paper Example He said, â€Å"I predict that in our lifetimes astronomy will be talked about in the market-places. Even the sons of fishwives will go to school. For this city people seeking after novelty will be glad that this new astronomy now lets the earth move freely.†(Brecht 4) For his views, Galileo had to spend his life under house arrest. Some masterpieces of literature emerged out of Maupassant pen, which contained revolutionary ideas. He chiseled beautiful characters, but a Black Hole in his personality did much damage to him as an individual. Maupassant died at the young age of 48, as he suffered from serious ailments. Efforts have been made in this paper to discuss his great displeasure about the social conditions prevailing in France in 1870s, the political trends, the influence and dominance of Church on the lives of the people, corruption and predominance and duplicity of the bourgeoisie etc. Maupassant is not a porn writer. When he creates a character, he seems to know each a nd every molecule of its physical and psychological personality. He criticizes the Fourth Estate, the press—the defenders of freedom— that indulged in too-cozy relationships with politicians. He brought to the open platform, behind-the-curtain scenes pertaining to various social institutions, with sincerity of purpose. His worst enemies can not say a word against his extraordinary literary skills. He creates stories literally out of nothing! "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.† (Shakespeare, Act II, and Scene V) Maupassant belongs to the second category. His literary snapshots through short stories are profound and they say everything about the French history of his era. The conclusion mentions about the conditions obtaining in Paris in the late 19th century, and the historical and sociological contribution of Maupassant

Traditional Values In Now Essay Example for Free

Traditional Values In Now Essay In the 1950’s, the family was portrayed as consisting of a father, a mother and their children who were most preferably boys. Rarely were there any girls in the shows that were brought on television. The men were supposed to work and earn money that would then be used to bring home what was needed in the house for the women to cook in other words the men were seen as bread-winners while the women were the bread makers. There was also a lot of racism and the difference between colored and white people was clear-cut-interracial. Marriages were unheard of and those people who did so were discriminated against and even suffered being labeled as outcasts in the society. There were also areas that were segregated specifically for the different races and they could not mix. One was not allowed to live in such areas unless they belonged to the specific race that was allowed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One was labeled a social misfit if found to be a gay or a lesbian. The society went out of its way to discourage such behaviors and practices. It was not so much as preventing the occurrence of such behavior but to hide it from the society. There were benefits provided to married people that were denied the unmarried because they wanted to ensure that they avoided having homosexuals in the society. Since it was a form of deviance there was a cure recommended for it and this was marriage and children. If this failed then one had to pretend that it was working (http://www-mcwilliam.com). Due to the huge number of young pregnant girls, there was a lot of adoption happening in the 1950’s. Women were beaten up by their husbands and also sexually mistreated and it was always depicted that it was their faults   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the current practice of non-traditional family values, one finds a lot of single parents and also gay and lesbian marriages in which they adopt to complete the family set-up recommended by the traditional family values. Most of the social problems that are to be found in the current society have been blamed on this breakdown of traditional family values. The presence of families headed by single mothers has been blamed for the increased rate of unemployment, juvenile crime, school dropout and poor health. (http://www.scu.edu). Most families that are led by single women are mostly black families just as was previously during the traditional family value days. They were usually separated from their husbands and it is still happening up to date.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Up to now, the women are still not seen as equals with men although there have been huge strides taken towards this opinion. Women are still discriminated against economically and also in terms of employment. Although there has been an increased awareness of the homosexual marriages, it is still frowned upon by society. This has led to the formation of various protest groups that intend to justify their way of life and demand to be respected regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. However, one finds that these people are still not free to express themselves, as they tend to face violent incidences when come across people who do not conform to the changes taking place.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In America, a huge percentage of black men render themselves unable to perform the traditional male roles in the family and hence become irrelevant. They are usually involved in drug abuse and various forms of violence and more often than not end up being imprisoned thus increasing the number of households headed by black women. The problems that the black community faces are blamed on their departure from the traditional family values but the more they are blamed the more remote their chances for returning to the traditional family values become. Nowadays, there is an increase in the number of single white mothers and there is increased concern over this new phenomenon yet when it was about black mothers not much was done to prevent its increase.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The traditional value of having a nuclear family that includes two parents and children is being exercised even in homosexual unions. They have gone so far as legalizing their unions through marriages and in the recent years they are even wedding in church. Due to the various advances made in the scientific field, these couples can end up having their own children and if this is not desirable or possible for them, they adopt a child from the welfare system (http://bad.eserver.org). In trying to show that homosexuals are not really normal, they are depicted even by the media as people with awkward traits like men who have feminine traits and women who strive to look and behave like men.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Although society is accepting some of the changes taking place in the society, some parts of the society are still very much attached to the values that were to be found in the society are very much attached to the values that were to be found in the traditional families. These are usually those who benefited from the practice of such values. These people include mostly white, married heterosexual men. They are the people who fight most for the reintroduction and reinforcement of the traditional families values. In the traditional family values, men and especially white men were treated differently from other people and also treated other people differently. The traditional values were racist and sexist and favoured the white men who looked down on the white women and other races as being inferior to them (Leed D. H. Schaninger C. M. pg 3-6)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There has been an increase in the number of interracial marriages and they are becoming accepted although some are still staunchly against them. This has affected the family structure in that there is now the introduction of children who are not purely of one race. This then makes them unable to be able to look down on any race, as they do not belong to any specific race. Among these group of people racism is very minimal if any and this is a huge improvement in regards to social cohesion. It has led to the melting pot theory in the United States. The adoptive strategy that was practiced in the traditional family when a girl got pregnant out of wedlock has reduced, as more women prefer to become single parents instead of giving their children up for adoption.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   By empowering women financially, it has liberated them to be able to make choices on how to lead their lives. Previously women were supposed to listen to their husband’s wishes and do their best to help them achieve their dreams. This has changed to enabling women to achieve their dreams and to succeed where men had dominated before. It has allowed them to make decisions to live their lives even in the absence of a man in their lives. By incorporating some traditional values in the non-traditional families there is a sense of stability introduced in the society and also liberation of people like marriages. When some disruptive values like racism are abandoned it leads to increased harmony in the society and the issue is striking the right balance between the two ways of life.                      Reference: Barlow A. Probert R. 2004 Regulating Marriage and Cohabitations: Changing Family Values and Policies in Europe and North America- An Introductory Critique Law Policy pg 1-11. Lee D.H. Schaninger C.M 2002 Altitudinal and Consumption Differences Among Traditional and Non-traditional Childless Couple Households Henry Stewart Publications New York USA Mc William peter 1996 Ain’t Nobody’s Business If You Do Traditional Family Values Retrieved on 17th October 2007 from http://mcwilliams.com/books/aint/404.htm Perry T.L 2007 Family Values, Race, Feminism and Public Policy Retrieved on 17th October 2007 from http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/other/lawreview/familyvalues.html Sandell J. March 1994 issue 12 The Cultural Necessity of Queer Families To a Certain Extent 1993 really was the year of the queer. http://bad.eserver.org/issues/1994/12/sandell.htm

West Virginia, My Home :: Personal Narrative Writing

West Virginia, My Home Where is home? Home is West Virginia, where spring flowers grow, summer nights are cool and calm, and fall leaves change colors as they blow across the ground. The three things I love most about West Virginia is the beautiful seasons, the recreational activities, and the fact that all my family live here. West Virginia is a recreational state, filled with beautiful seasons and strong family values. The number one reason I love West Virginia is because all my family lives here. Moving away would mean missing out on those Sunday lunches at grandmas’, and the annual holiday gatherings. My family is a close knit family who enjoy spending time together even though we do argue. West Virginia as a whole prides itself on their strong family values. I as a West Virginia citizen, have adopted these family values and could never leave the people and state I love the most. The number two reason I love West Virginia is the fun recreational activities it has to offer. In the spring I can go watch a baseball game, or take a relaxing walk through the beautifully flowered gardens. In the summer I may enjoy a soothing swim, or white water raft down the New River. Also in the fall I can walk through Grandview State Park and see the various colors of the leaves. After my walk I could stop by the theater and take in a production of Annie. These are just a few of the recreational activities that I enjoy every year in West Virginia. The third reason I love West Virginia is because we are blessed with a variety of seasons. These beautiful seasons include; spring, summer, fall, and winter. In the spring I love to watch nature as life renews itself all around me. In the summer I love the warm weather as I take a dip in the calm lake. During the fall I love to watch the leaves change colors as I walk through the woods.

Nanking

The signing of the Nanking treaty proved to be an important catalyst in the eventual shift of ideas and principles concerning colonialism. Such document proved to be the instigator for the change in political ideals that affected countries in East Asia in their view of Western powers. In the end, the image of these legal codes served as an instrument in creating and paving for colonialism in East Asia. It can be argued that there has been an evolution of ideas when the Nanking Treaty was signed. This was evident not only among Western ideals but also among countries in East Asia as well (Japan). One thing that can be argued here is the creation of these legal documents to promote the exploitation of natural resources which is brought about by one factor – colonialism. Here we see the creation of colonial knowledge’s that served as an instigator to promote colonialism, particularly in East Asia. Wagoner (2003) says that colonial knowledge is â€Å"forms and bodies of knowledge that enabled European colonizers to achieve domination over their colonized subjects around the globe.† One such example is legal codes inscribed in every treaty that gives privileges to states to practice such concept. The Nanking Treaty serves as one component in legitimizing the practice of colonialism in China. There are several provisions in the treaty that exhibits such idea and creates the grounds for exploitation. Treaty of Nanking (1842) provides that â€Å"it being obviously necessary and desirable that British subjects should have some port whereat they may [maintain] and refit their ships when required, and keep stores for that purpose.† Such idea raises the question of equality of application in the mentioned treaty. Looking at it, there seems to be an evident discrepancy in the area of equality as far as the treaty is concerned. The mentioned treaty provides more benefits to the winning side (Great Britain) and penalties for the losing faction (China). Treaty of Nanking (1842) says that â€Å"His Majesty the Emperor of China cedes to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, &c., the Island of Hong-Kong, to be possessed in perpetuity by Her Britannic Majesty,† This created a different perspective in the political environment especially in China. Prior to the Opium wars and signing of the Nanking Treaty, Chinese status in the realm of World Politics was regarded to be of high regard. After the defeat from the British, Chinese grasp slowly diminished as it lost control over certain privileges enjoyed by the state. It is through this, that other Western states also used such weakness for their personal gains. Bond (2007) mentions that â€Å"Sensing blood France, Russia and the United States all piled in with similar treaties granting similar access.† Such legal codes proved to be an instrument for inequalities and semi-colonial relationships. Realizing its extent, it can be argued that such event created a shift in the societal level as people and other traits begin to exhibit traits comparable to their colonizers. Wagoner (2003) says that â€Å"indigenous intellectuals in reality contributed actively to the process, and that colonial knowledge was thus produced through a complex form of collaboration between colonizers and colonized, and an attendant process of epistemic confrontation and adjustment between European and indigenous knowledge systems.† Though such treaty may promote ‘equality before the law’, realistically it showcases a different treatment among Chinese counterparts. Treaty of Nanking (1842) stipulates â€Å"Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, &c., will appoint Superintendents, or Consular officers, to reside at each of the above-named cities or towns, to be the medium of communication between the Chinese authorities and the said merchants, and to see that the just duties and other dues of the Chinese Government,† Lastly, such issue created a justification for other rising powers to exhibit the same ideology promoted by Western States as far as colonialism is concerned. Japan, for one, evolved from its isolationist ways and started to practice and exhibit the colonialist ideals. To conclude, the Nanking Treaty proved to be a catalyst for political and economic changes in East Asia. These legal codes provided the justification for colonialism and exploitation as it greatly affected the way other states both in East Asia and the West perceive China. Work Cited Bond, David. Silk Road or Silver Road. 2007. accessed March 14, 2008 Wagoner, Philip B. Precolonial Intellectuals and the Production of Colonial Knowledge in ‘Comparative Studies in Society and History 2003 45 (UK; Cambridge University Press) pp.783-814 ‘Treaty of Nanking’ 1842 accessed March 14, 2008 from

Of mice and men †dreams and hope Essay

Hopes and dreams help people survive even if they never become real. How true is this for the characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’? The novel ‘Of mice and Men’ was written by John Steinbeck and is set in Salinas and Soledad California in the 1930s when life was hard for so many people because of the great depression. A major theme of John Steinbeck’s novel ‘of mice and men’ is the American dream and the drive to attain it. There are two major themes in ‘of mice and men’ novel that is foreshadowed by the reference to Robert Burns’ poem called â€Å"To a mouse† the word mouse within the title means loneliness and dreams. (BBC Bitesize, 2014:2) This poem contains the lines, â€Å"The best laid plans of mice and men/ often go awry† Most of the main characters in â€Å"Of Mice and Men† harbour dreams and have plans that never come true. George, Lennie, and Candy all share a doomed dream of buying their own f arm and living off the land. George often thinks about how his life he could have had as an unrestricted bachelor and free of the burden of caring for Lennie. â€Å"If I was alone I could live so easy,† he says. (Steinbeck, 1965:12) However, Lennie has his own private dream of living in a cave with his own rabbits but Curley’s wife regrets the missed chance to become a movie star. The main theme throughout this novel is that people must learn to reconcile their dreams with the reality to accept that everyone’s best laid plans often die. Each of the characters plans go askew not because they give up on them but because the forces beyond their control destroyed each one of them. Due to the bleak economic outlook of the Great Depression coming to terms with your broken dreams was the reality nearly everyone in America faced. The American Dream is written into the Declaration of Independence: â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.† â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.† With these protections, any American, regardless of class, religion, gender, and eventually race, could always strive—and even sometimes succeed—at improving himself via wealth, education, or labour. (SparkNotes, 2014). George and Lennie’s dream about owning a farm and living off the â€Å"fatta the lan† (Steinbeck, 1965:16) symbolises this dream. In the novel â€Å"Of Mice and Men† shows that the American Dream became an illusion and a trap for the poor migrant workers during the Great Depression. Every single one of the ranch  workers in the novel dream of life, liberty and happiness but not one of them ever gets is. When Crooks hears of George and Lennie’s dream of owning their farm he says â€Å"Nobody ever gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.† (Steinbeck, 1965:84). Although the ranch workers dreams may not be realised, the novel suggest that in order for a person’s life to be full and meaningful it has to contain some sort of dream. At the end of the novel George and Lennie never achieved their dream but it did hold their remarkable friendship together throughout the story, for them this dream was real even if it was just there imagination because kept Lennie happy and it stopped George from becoming a mean and lonely guy like the other ranch workers. The dream gives them life, even if life never allows them to achieve their dreams. This novel explores the changing aspects of male friendship during this period this is shown when Lennie asks George to tell him why they are not like the other ranchers; George tells him â€Å"we got a future Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place†¦.With us it ain’t like that. We got a future†¦. An’ why? Because†¦because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why.† (Steinbeck, 1965:15) this is George’s way of sayi ng he and Lennie are different to the other workers. It could also be suggested that the word ‘future’ could be a metaphor for something bright and so much greater then what they have got now, which could be linked to their version of the American Dream and to ‘live off the fatta the lan’. (Steinbeck, 1965:16) this could almost suggest a biblical meaning like a promised land where all their dreams could come true. This dream helps George and Lennie to endure the hardship they face each day and to help them not to give in to despair. Usually the men who worked on these ranches would have no family, friends so therefore no future. Their friendship strikes the other ranch workers as odd due to their dependency on each other. This makes the boss and Curley suspicious and Slim observes that ranch workers rarely travel together because they’re scared of each other. Although most of the men in the novel are completely alone they still all crave true friendship. As Crooks, perhaps the novel’s most solitary character because of his black skin puts it, â€Å"A guy needs somebody—to be near him.† (Steinbeck, 1965:82) All the characters in the novel long for friendship and kindness but yet they all live in fear of one  another. This is shown with the tough shooting of Candy’s dog which makes it clear that during the Great Depression if you are useless, old or weak you will certainly be destroyed because the strong and the useful will fight for survival. All the workers on the ranch would constantly try to make themselves look strong especially if they feeling weak. The fear of the weak being overrun by the strong could explain why Curley likes to fight a larger men then he is â€Å"Curley’s pretty handy. He done quite a bit in the ring. He’s a light weight and he’s handy† (Steinbeck, 1965:29) and it could also be why Crooks tells Lennie that George is going to abandon him. Then Curleyâ₠¬â„¢s wife threatens to have Crooks lynched. Each of these characters tries to appear strong by asserting power over one another. This fear of being the strongest explains why the other characters in novel find it hard to understand George and Lennie’s friendship because they see being the strongest as a fight for survival. In ‘Of Mice and Men’ it has two different visions of women in it the first is the male character view and the second is the novel’s view of women. The male characters view on women which is they tend to view the women with fear and negatively labelling them as dangerous sexual temptresses. The male workers often referred to Curley’s wife with insulting words like a â€Å"tart† (Steinbeck, 1965:31) and â€Å"jail bait† (Steinbeck, 1965:36). George and Lennie have a friend in prison â€Å"on account of a tart† (Steinbeck, 1965:63) plus they have had their own troubles twice as a result from a woman. The first the women from Weeds and the second is Curley’s wife. Although she plays into her role as sexy temptress throughout the novel until the last part of it where is a victim. Curley’s wife craves the attention of the men on the ranch because she’s desperately lonely so she flaunts her power over the men because she h erself feels weak. There are a number of symbols within the novel that have different meanings these are George and Lennie’s farm, the rabbits that Lennie keeps talking about, Candy’s old dog and also Lennie’s puppy. The dream of owning a farm for George and Lennie is a symbol of the American Dream. This fantasy of owning their own farm leads George, Lennie and the other ranch workers such as Candy and Crooks to indulge in the dream of living â€Å"off the fatta the lan† (Steinbeck, 1965:16). George’s rich description of the farm’s lavish plants and animals also makes it seem like a symbol of paradise. While Lennie dreams of tending to the rabbits on the farm that he and George hope to own  one day. This dream forms Lennie’s complete innocence. Lennie enjoys touching anything that has a soft fur such as rabbits and mice due to this love of touching soft things leads to his fate. This symbolise not just innocence but also Lennie’s downfall of innocence in the harsh world that he lives. The next symbol is Candy’s old but once powerful sheepdog. For Carlson killing Candy’s dog makes it clear that during the Great Depression those who was strong would only survive. The way that Carlson kills Candy’s dog in the back of the head with just a single gunshot is foreshadowing how George will kill Lennie in the end. The link between Lennie and Candy’s dog is that they are powerless, innocent and doomed from the start. The symbol of Lennie’s puppy shows how dependent Lennie is on George, just as the puppy is dependent on Lennie. The puppy symbolise the fate of the weak in the face of the strong.

Antegone by Sophocles

Antegone by Sophocles Antegone by Sophocles is a tragedy which states the problem of relationships between relatives, family traditions, and the duty of a governor. It may be really complicated to combine the responsibilities of those two social characters as being a governor may mean to betray some family traditions that leads to betrayal of government responsibilities and obligations incase family is supported. The play under consideration clearly identifies this problem having presented a specific example.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Antegone by Sophocles specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The main points which should be discussed in the paper are as follows, no matter which position one occupies, family traditions must be followed as it is forever while the position in the government may be temporary. People should praise their roots and do not forget about their human qualities while running the country. Antegone by Sophocles is a good example when a governor has forgotten his roots. Polyneices had to be given burial rituals in accordance with the family tradition. If the burial ceremony was followed, the situation would be absolutely different and would not lead to those disasters. Additionally, those who buried Polyneices in defiance of state should not be punished as well as Creon does not have the right to be entitled to the throne. Polyneices should have been buried in accordance with the specific rituals inherent to the family tradition. Family is a sacred place, no one can destroy it or try to question its peculiarity. Creon has tried to put the priorities of the government under the priorities of the family. This is wrong. Who are always near? Who will never betray? Who will do all possible to protect in case of problems? There is only one correct answer – family! Only the family will help in complicated situations and the failure to follow the family tradition means betrayal. This is exactly w hat Creon did by refusing to meet the family tradition and bury Polyneices in accordance wit the rules. Traditions which are followed from generation to generation bear great significance. The connection with all the relatives, spiritual link to generations is felt via traditions and rude violation of the latter is inadmissible. It is impossible to ignore the reasons why Creon refused to bury Polyneices in accordance with particular family traditions, but he had a choice. People always have the right to choose what is more important for them. Creon’s decision cannot be justified as well as it cannot be explained by means of reasonable arguments. Family should be at the first place for everyone and no matter which surrounding conditions make a person to change his/her attitude strong and self-assured people will never do that. They will remain faithful to their families, to people who spent much time on their up bringing. Thus, it may be stated that Creon’s decision as a betrayal and it is inadmissible to judge those who have decided to correct that terrible mistake.Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Those who buried Polyneices in defiance of state should not be punished as they tried to follow the call of their heart and correct the biggest mistake in Creon’s life. As it has already been stated, family ties are highly developed among many people and there is nothing strange that the wrong action wanted to be corrected. Other family members of Polyneices did not pay attention to Creon and his power and did all possible to protect their dignity and secure family traditions. The question is whether these people should be punished or not. On the one hand, the direct order of the governor was violated; but on the other hand, people just wanted to remain just. The situation is rather complicated as on the one hand, the governor should listen to his heart and understand the reaction of other relatives who just wanted to follow traditions. On the other hand, having made a decision once a good governor should not change it. The family relations are involved, therefore, it is impossible to remain objective. But family is not something that can be either supported or not. Moreover, it is inadmissible to judge a person who wanted to keep the tradition and not to allow Creon to remain careless in the relation to his relatives. The actions concerning punishing those who buried Polyneices were inadmissible as Creon should be heartless to do so. Reading the play, it is impossible to miss the careless attitude and heartless relation to those who tried to secure tradition of the family and the great name of the dead person. Creon does not have the right to be entitled to the throne as he does not correspond to the number of particular features. Thus, being a ruler of the country Creon has to be powerful. Is it possib le to run the country without having the power to protect a member of the family, to perform the final will and to bury Polyneices with other relatives? The violation of the government rules is not that criminal like the violation of the family tradition. To be entitled to the throne, a person should have a dignity. I am not sure that a person who dared to betray a family can be respected. Family is sacred and a family of a ruler should be even more protected. And what does Creon do? He makes all possible to show the people of his country that he does not respect his family. Governor’s family is a reflection of his reputation. Looking at the present times, the history of the families of the political leaders are carefully searched and discussed. The history should be clear. Even though the times considered in the play are much earlier, the rules are unchangeable. Only a person who can be respected by the whole society has the tight to be entitled to the throne. A person who n ot only violates the tradition of the family, but who is able to betray the family cannot be respected. He cannot be trusted. Therefore, the actions conducted by Creon and the consequences those actions led to does not show Creon as a good leader.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Antegone by Sophocles specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In conclusion, it should be stated that that Creaon’s actions directed at the burial of Polyneices cannot be justified. He violated all the moral and ethical norms, showed himself as a person which cannot be trusted and respected. It is impossible to give a person an opportunity to be entitled at a throne who cannot keep the most honored and sacred institution, the institution of the family. Family is everything for a person and the inability to organize family relations in an appropriate manner, the failure to remain connected with the roots should be considered as the inability to run the country.

Albert Camus the Plague Essay Example for Free

Albert Camus’ the Plague Essay ? Can God possibly exist in a world full of madness and injustice? Albert Camus and Samuel Beckett address these questions in The Plague and Waiting for Godot. Though their thinking follows the ideals of existentialism, their conclusions are different. Camus did not believe in God, nor did he agree with the vast majority of the historical beliefs of the Christian religion. His stance on Christianity is summed up most simply by his remark that â€Å"in its essence, Christianity (and this is its paradoxical greatness) is a doctrine of injustice. It is founded on the sacrifice of the innocent and the acceptance of this sacrifice† (Bree 49). Camus felt that Jesus Christ was an innocent man who was unjustly killed. This does conflicts with all of Camus’ values. However, Camus did not believe that Jesus was the son of God. Camus’ inability to accept Christian theology is voiced in The Plague by Riex and juxtaposed against the beliefs preached by Father Paneloux (Rhein 42). Paneloux’s attitude toward the plague contrasts sharply with Rieux’s. In his first sermon, he preaches that the plague is divine in origin and punitive in its purpose. He attempts to put aside his desires for a rational explanation and simply accepts God’s will. In this way he is not revolting and therefore falls victim to the plague. Father Paneloux’s belief that there are no innocent victims is shaken as he watches a young boy die of the plague. Camus purposefully describes a long, painful death to achieve the greatest effect on Paneloux: â€Å"When the spasms had passed, utterly exhausted, tensing his thin legs and arms, on which, within forty-eight hours, the flesh had wasted to the bone, the child lay flat, in a grotesque parody of crucifixion† (215). Paneloux cannot deny that the child was an innocent victim and is forced to rethink his ideas. During his second sermon, a change is seen in Father Paneloux. He now uses the pronoun â€Å"we† instead of â€Å"you,† and he has adopted a new policy in which he tells people to believe â€Å"all or nothing† (224). Father Paneloux, as a Christian, is faced with a decision: either he accepts that God is the ultimate ruler and brings goodness out of the evil that afflicts men, or he sides with Rieux and denies God. The conclusion formed by Camus is that because this is a world in which innocent people are tortured, there is no God. Samuel Beckett does not necessarily deny the existence of God in Waiting for Godot. If God does exist, then He contributes to the chaos by remaining silent. The French philosopher Blaise Pascal noted the arbitrariness of life and that the universe works based on percentages. He advocated using such arbitrariness to one’s advantage, including believing in God. If He does not exist, nobody would care in the end, but if He does, a believer is on the safe side all along, so one cannot lose. In this play, either God does not exist, or He does not care. Whichever is the case, chance and arbitrariness determine human life in the absence of a divine power. This ties in with the two tramps’ chances for salvation. As one critic observes, â€Å"For just as man cannot live by bread alone, he now realizes that he cannot live by mere thinking or hanging on in vain to a thread of salvation which does not seem to exist† (Lumley 203). This explains Vladimir and Estragon’s contemplation of suicide after Godot remains absent for yet another day. One could also argue, in the absurd sense, that each man has a fifty-fifty chance of salvation. One of the two prisoners who were crucified with Jesus was given salvation. This element of chance for salvation can also be extended to Pozzo and Lucky in Waiting for Godot. When they come across the two tramps, Pozzo is on his way to sell Lucky because he claims that Lucky has grown old and only hinders him. In this way Pozzo is trying to draw that fifty-fifty chance of salvation for himself. One of the ways in which Lucky hinders him is that Lucky could be the one to be redeemed, leaving Pozzo to be damned. Even Lucky’s speech is concerned with salvation: Given the existence†¦ of a personal God†¦ outside time without who from the heights of divine apathia divide athambia divide apaia loves us dearly with some exceptions for reasons unknown†¦ and suffers†¦ with those who for reasons unknown are plunged in torment. (28) After removing all of Lucky’s nonsensical meanderings, the gist of his speech is that God does not communicate with humans and condemns them for unknown reasons. His silence causes the real hopelessness, and this is what makes Waiting for Godot a tragedy Albert Camus’ the Plague. (2018, Nov 08).

Implant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Implant - Essay Example A 10 year prospective clinical research study by Karoussis et al (2004) evaluated the periodontal and peri-implant conditions in a cohort of 89 edentulous patients (mean age 58.9 years) in order to assess the environmental, physiological and radiographic changes in the dental implants over a long period of time post-implantation. The rationale for this clinical research study involves the need to establish reliable data relevant to the use of dental implants in patients who have had tooth extractions. These types of data are difficult to obtain since they require long term assessments of patients who have received dental implants. These longitudinal single subject studies also require recruitment of large patient cohorts and need to address physiological and environmental factors that affect long-term success rates for dental implant procedures. The study participants were evaluated at one year and again at 10 years post implantation to evaluate the changes periodontal peri-implant c onditions in individual patients. This study also incorporated an evaluation of risk factors associated with sub-optimal patient outcome post-implantation. Patients recruited in this study had previously been treated for periodontal disease and also had received prosthetic structures such as fixed partial dentures and crowns. ITI dental implant system was used in all patients enrolled in this study. Within this cohort a total of 179 implants were assessed; the same number of control natural teeth were included as a basis of comparison. In addition, all remaining teeth were examined in these patients. Patient behavioral risk factors, particularly cigarette smoking, were also evaluated in this study. The data parameters assessed in this study included plaque index (PI) for teeth and modified plaque index (MPI) for implants, gingival index (GI) for