Exam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Exam - Assignment Example It is the reasoning that one uses when he tries to define certain things and the root values for that reasoning are based in Philosophy. Morality revolves around the personal belief of an individual that would be more concerned with good or bad in comparison to ethics in which the beliefs of the society as a whole are given importance. Values on the other hand can be explained as the belief of an individual that relates to his personal traits. These values can be derived from the cultural beliefs or the opinion of the person himself. Descriptive language revolves around the concept of judging as to what is wrong and what is right. On the other hand normative language is a way through which things are rather done in light of the judgments given. Ethics particularly focus on normative language as the individual is supposed to do the task based on the beliefs and not just accept the facts (Robin 1-9). Philosophers have used eudaimonia to explain a state in which the person accepts the c itizen virtues as instinctive behaviors. This state would mean that the person has reached his ultimate goal in life as explained by the Greeks. I believe that doing the right thing is the most important part in the discipline of ethics. A good life is not all about money but rather revolves around reasoning and functionality of a human being. It is necessary for individuals to be involved in reasoning and functionality as per the virtues to have a good life (Robinson 42-43; Sandel 20-40). 2. What are at least three elements or characteristics of the tradition of Socrates and Plato? What are at least three ways that these two philosophers are in disagreement with the Sophists: Parmenides, Thrasymachus, and Callicles. Do you think that the Socratic/Platonic emphasis on seeking the Good is the best approach? Or, do you think that the Sophists agenda makes sense in that they are training their students for

Case Study on Psalm 121 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case Study on Psalm 121 - Term Paper Example These psalms could also have been written during the days of Hezekiah when the Assyrians were threatening the security of Judea and Jerusalem3. The Psalms of Ascent are called the hymns of the stairs because they were said to have been sung while the pilgrim was going up and down the stairs of the Temple of Jerusalem4. The reason for this is that either the One of these psalms is Psalm 121, or â€Å"a song of ascents†6 which contains metaphors describing Divine intervention at the time of threats in our lives. During the post-exilic period, a new identity of Judaism was emerging and brewing at the Temple in Jerusalem. In Psalm 121, the first-person narrator is the ancient pilgrim who has experienced various human problems and who is now on his way to Jerusalem7. This pilgrim longs for Jerusalem itself8. Psalm 121 employs particular poetic devices that further reveal the message of assurance of God’s protection. The use of the statements, â€Å"He will not let your foot slip,†9 and â€Å"he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep†10 are metaphors that reveal the assurance of God. The first one – â€Å"He will not let your foot slip† – is about God not allowing a human being to put himself in danger. Oftentimes, people do things that put them in trouble and sometimes tend to make choices that would eventually harm them. However, God assures, through Psalm 121, that He will not allow this to happen. This also implies that although God has granted man free will, it does not mean that He would allow man to make choices that will put him in danger. Moreover, the line â€Å"he who watches over Israel will neither slumber. Moreover, the line which says â€Å"he who watches over Israel will neither slumber not sleep† – implies that God sees everything and that He does not blink at all so that He would some small detail escape His sight and scrutiny, and He does this to assure the pilgrim that he is always watched over, guarded and

College Is Not for Everyone Essay Example for Free

College Is Not for Everyone Essay College is not for everyone, but for these three high school students that is all they believe in. Most students’ think about boys, girls, prom, sports, etc. the list could go on in a teenagers head, nothing about their future or college. So when talking to an uplifting student such as Philippian about her education, it gives hope to educators, and inspires others to take their education seriously. Philippian Chatman a 17 year old senior, who attends Aldine Senior High School, is very passionate about school. â€Å"If you want to pursue your career and goals, college should be one of your main priorities, my parents have instilled in me to go to school and college, they worked hard to provide a life for me so that I can have an opportunity to go to college. † Said Chatman Education is such a big deal to many people but for Chatman it is her main priority. â€Å"I want to major in debate, teaching, and photography. I really like photography because people always see action in movies but photography you can say a lot without words. † Said Chatman. When asking what college’s Chatman was looking into, she had set high standards for her to achieve. â€Å"I would love to go to Duke, University of Texas, or PV. â€Å" Wondering why not Texas Southern University, she said â€Å" It’s a nice campus but just not for me, I would rather go away from home and venture out on my own. † Statistics shows total number of high school drop outs annually is 3,030,000. The numbers increase every year, especially for male students. Education is the future for today’s students, yet little take so seriously. For Edwin Rebollar, a 16 year old senior at Aldine high school, works very hard to make his education his first priority as well. He talks highly about going to college and goes out his way to make good grades. He also speaks highly about his parents pushing to go further with his education. â€Å"I feel like college can open so many opportunities for me, and I want to be something in life. † Rebollar said â€Å"my parents are really strict on my education, if I didn’t go to college they would be very disappointed to let my education go to waste. † Said Rebollar â€Å"I am really interested in films and that is what I want to go to college for. † Rebollar said. Also another great student who attends Eisenhower, is 15 year old McKenzi Pope, who talks nothing but about college, was very excited about what Texas Southern had to offer for their annual high school day. â€Å"I feel like everyone should go to college because it help expresses them, and also it’s a new beginning of getting to know who you are. † McKenzi said. â€Å"My family is so proud of what. I’m trying to do. † My mom always said my speech is going to take me far and I’m trying to let it take me all the way to Harvard University. I want to major in communications, I’m going to become something that my family will be proud of. â€Å" One thing that all students had in common was their passion for their education and the support of their parents to back them up. There is also the educators who always want to teach their students and making sure their retaining all the knowledge that they are giving out. Most teachers feel as though if there is no family support nor the want to learn then the student will be just another statistic and drop out. Omar Peters who is a Media teacher at Jack Yates High school, feels highly strong about his students learning and making sure they are able to go out and use it in the real world. â€Å" I make sure they understand the fundamentals. † I wanted my students to understand this is a very competitive field, and if you do not understand the technical side of this business you will not make. † I have gotten most of my students internships, jobs, e.

What is the role and impact of trade in developing countries

What is the role and impact of trade in developing countries Subject: How realistic is free trade in the real world? Critically examine the competing perspectives about the role and impact of trade in developing countries. Explain why you might be pessimistic about the prospect for global growth and development in the future?. The history of free trade is a history of international trade focusing on the developments of open markets and it is common to hear that todays world economic system as being free trade or globalization. Theoretical rationalization as to why a policy of free trade would be beneficial to nations developed over time. Free trade agreements are established to enhance free trade of goods and services, in the belief that they will bring beneficial for all parties involves and lead to further economic develop and growth. But in realistic in real world it is not benefits for developing countries. That make many recession and pessimistic for growth of global in the future. Free trade is a system in which goods, capital, and labor move freely between nations, without barriers hinder the trade process. Many countries have free trade agreements, and many international organizations promote free trade between their members. A number of barriers to trade are removed in a free trade agreement (taxes, tariffs, and import quotas, subsidies and other forms of support to domestic producers), restrictions on the flow of currency are also lifted. Put simply, free trade help foreign companies to trade efficiently, easily, and effectively as domestic producers. There are many free trade agreements around the world, some of which have come into being after much controversy, protest and debate such as: WTO- The World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. NAFTA -The North American Free Trade Agreement. The goal of NAFTA was to eliminate barriers of trade and investment between the US, Canada and Mexico. APEC- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries (styled Member Economies) that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region. AFTA- ASEAN Free Trade Area is a trade bloc agreement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations supporting local manufacturing in all ASEAN countries. CAFTA- The China- Asean Free trade area. Touted as the worlds biggest Free Trade Area. In realistic, free trade between equal partners may be mutual benefits. But between a strong country and weaker or between a developed country and a developing country, the developed country tend to get more benefit as they have the capacity to sell whereas the developing country in unable to make use of the increased market access. This is so even in agriculture, where developing countries have comparative advantage. After the North American free trade agreement (NAFTA) was signed, Mexico increased exports fruits and vegetables by 50% to the US. But Mexico also increased imports tripled for corn and over 500% for soybean, wheat, poultry and beef from the US. It can see that Mexicos agricultural imports increased more than its exports, so 1.7 million rural jobs have been lost. The reason is very simple, after NAFTAs signing, Mexico reduced its tariffs to zero but the US still did not reduced its subsidies and many agriculture product of the US could sell at lower prices than the production cost. Thus the USs agriculture product swamped the Mexico market. Similar, Australia could not get extra sugar quota in free trade agreement with the US (AUSFTA- The Australia- United States free trade agreement). On beef, it only obtained 18.5% increased in its quota, confined to manufacturing grade beef spread over 18 years or extra half a cow/farm/year. And, in free trade agreement with china (CAFTA- China- Asean free trade area), from 2005 to 2008, Indonesia increased imports by over 150% from china and exports to China increased by around 77%. Moreover, the growth of Indonesians exports to China was mainly driven by raw materials, such as mineral fuels and ores, while the growth of Indonesian imports from China was due to increasing Chinese manufactured goods, ranging from electronics/electrical products and iron/steel products to furniture and textile items. Besides, between the developing countries and developed countries, explicit barriers especially Tariffs have come down but countries find other ways to block goods from other countries, if they are trying to protect domestic jobs or something like that. Or if there is some industry group that has political power and can get special protections for their business. Developed nations tend to do this for labor intensive goods which is exactly what many developing nations are trying to export. Recently Vietnam has faced barriers for selling shoes to the EU, and catfish to the United States. Anti-dumping taxes have been imposed by the US Department of Commerce on Vietnamese frozen catfish exports to the US since August 2003. Vietnamese exporters will be charged at the rate of 63,88 per cent on catfish exports to the US. The decision was made on the basis that American catfish producers claim that Tra and Basa fish imported from Viet Nam were being sold below market rates. Vietnam has prove n that it was not dumping catfish, and the tariff will lift for Vietnam on March 21, 2011. But Vietnam has to face with the new tariff for selling shrimp to US until 2016. For developing countries, instability of domestic economy increases from international trade and economies depends on global trade. Economic of America and EU go down, it would be very hard for developing countries to recover. For instance, recession in the USA led to the increase in unemployment in USA and decrease demand for Australian exports, leading to falling export incomes, lower GDP, lower incomes which leads to lower domestic demand and increased unemployment in this country. From the financial crisis in USA in 2008 which was caused by real estate bubble and under-standard lending operation with the consequence of high inflation and unemployment, lower growth. Massive action in money in the US creates pressure on US dollar, this makes US dollar depreciate against other strong currencies (EUR and Yen), which reduces competitiveness of exports of these countries, forcing the government of these countries to depreciate the domestic currencies by expanding money supply. This lea ds the currency war, causing turbulence in the currency markets and international trade, increasing inflation and restricting the consumption, lower production, lower income and decreasing growth rate of the economy, pushing back the process of the global economy recovery. As a result of the financial crisis in 2008 (the credit crunch for poor households and a decline in housing price), unemployment in USA increases strongly (8.9%) and is predicted not to improve in 2011. According to FED, the growth rate of USA is forecast about 3.4%-3.9% while the prediction of unemployment rate is from 8.8%-8.9%. Economists calculate the growth rate gains 5%, which reduces the unemployment by 1%. This means that its difficult for America to reduce the unemployment rate in the near future. This is also the main reason causing personal consumption declined. Consumer spending, which accounts for 70% of the US economy, will be hampered by unemployment when the need to save more. Moreover, deficit sit uation is estimated to gain 1,480 billion USD in 2011, equivalent with 9.8% GDP of this country (Financial Times), the highest deficit level in the history. However, the USA government still has no action to improve this situation but keep easing monetary policy. In Europe, public debt crisis is the most serious problem in these countries. As a result of global financial crisis, nations fell into deficit state due to borrowing to cover for their spending so much. But the main cause is still the excessive spending and inappropriate financial policies that lead to this situation. Firstly is the rescued package of IMF and EU of 110 billion EUR to save Greece from default threat, next is 85 billion EUR for Ireland and accompanied with tight monetary policy as increasing tax which Ireland has advantage to gain strong growth over past years, reducing spending and saving 15 billion EUR in 4 years to lessen the budget deficit rate from 32% to 3% with GDP. This threat of public debt crisis c an spread Spanish, Portugal and even Italy. Unemployment increases highly in these countries. But one question is raised that when rescued packages expire, whether the effort of IMF, EU and the government can prevent default of many nations and banks. With the total public debt can increase about 100% in the early of year 2014 in Europe, economic growth only gained 2% in 2010 and 1.5% in 2011 and unemployment rate can rise up to 8.3% (Vietnam Plus). The ability of collapse of common currency in this area may occur if this state is not improved. With the approximate rate of 20% global GDP from now to 2014, EU plays an important role in the world, if there is any breakdown in EU, it will be a detrimental consequence for global economy. In Asia, excessive growth in China leads to strong increase of inflation with predicted CPI is 10% and inflation rate is 5% in 2011 (Chinese Statistic Department). Real estate market developed excessively, landing price went up strongly, the landing pri ce in some places increased more than 20 times, even 100 times from the original price. Furthermore, the ease of fiscal and monetary policy with excess in issuing money leads to depreciation and high inflation, which raises the primary commodity price. Not for China, inflation tends to increase in other Asian countries. In the next year, to prevent inflation, the governments need to have tight monetary policies. If the money supply is tightened so much, it can lead to slow growth. But if keeping ease monetary policy, it can cause more inflation and leads the economy to overheat growth. One problem in developing countries is that fluctuations in the currency market is also creating macroeconomic instability threat even more detrimental to recovery process global economy So it is easy to see that economics of some developing countries may fall into recession and growth of developing countries will slow in 2011 and in the next few years. And the growth of global economy will growth very slow, according to World Bank predicts growth of global economy is at 3.3% in 2011 and 3.6% in 2012. Moreover, the recent Japans disasters (Earthquake and Tsunami) cause a big loss for the world economy in the short term. Japan is the place attracting the majority of FDI to some regions in Asia. Japan is the most important trade partner in Asia. Therefore, trade between Japan and other countries in the region will decrease strongly in the short term, accompanying with high inflation, the growth rate of Asia will slow down. Moreover, the economy of America will also be affected by Japans disaster. Export occupies by 10% GDP of America in which exports to Japan occupy by 5%, so this detriment on the USA economy is not small (Info TV). This calamity also affects the count ries which have big export turnover to Japanese market. One threat of the global inflation is that the increased oil price due to instability of Middle East and Africa, anxious psychology of violent prospect spreading out everywhere, the oil supply cant meet the recovery of the world economy, big demand of imported fuel of China and India (CNN, Foxnews). Economists worry about the possibility of the oil price increasing in some years, which causes a big pressure of increased price for most commodities in the world, decreasing the global growth, increasing inflation. That is reason why might be pessimistic about the prospects for growth and development in the future.

Padre Pio :: essays research papers

Padre Pio, whose real name was Francesco Forgione was born on May 25, 1887 in Pietralcina, a small town in southern Italy. Every since he was a child he has always showed love towards the religious life. It is said that at the age of 5 Padre Pio had already dedicated his life to God. He had an extreme love for prayer. At the age of sixteen he entered the ‘Capuchin Friars’ which are a religious order in memory of St. Francis of Assisi. From the first time Padre Pio had entered into the Friary he was already recognized by his teachers as someone special. â€Å"There was something which distinguished him from the other students, whenever I saw him he was always humble and silent†, one of his peers had said. What struck them most was Padre Pio’s love for prayer. In the year 1910 at the age of 23 Padre Pio had been ordained a priest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Besides the Mystery of God taught by Padre Pio, he had his own mysteries. After celebrating a Mass on September 20, 1918, he had received the â€Å"Stigmata†. His hands, side and feet were scarred with the same wounds of Christ; he was the first priest ever to have received the gift of Stigmata along with other gifts which later declared him a Saint. The news of this spread all over the world and people flocked to witness this miracle. Scientists had examined the wounds over and over but could never come up with an explanation. He had performed many miracles which included curing a blind little girl without pupils in her eyes to see again, and she is still alive today to tell her story. Padre Pio was also rewarded by God with other magnificent gifts such as bilocation which was Padre Pio’s ability to visit and needy in far places from where he was without ever leaving, also the gift of perfume which was the beautiful odor of roses that marked Padre Pio’s presence , and the gift of conversion which was his ability to make remarkable conversions of peoples choices or views.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Throughout the life of Padre Pio, God was no mystery to him because it seemed as if he already knew the mystery of God. He once said â€Å"the pivot of perfection is love, he who lives in love lives in God, because God is love, as taught by the apostles†, which simply those who do not love cannot be completely connected to God.

College or University Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commence

Members of the faculty, parents, guests, and graduates, have no fear. I am well aware that on a day of such high excitement, what you require, first and foremost, of any speaker is brevity. I shall not fail you in this respect. When we arrived at State College, all was new to us and we walked around looking up at everything in awe. As we have been preparing to leave, we were given the chance to see State College from the top of the tallest building, looking down on everything with nostalgic familiarity—inspecting the tiny people that bring State College to life, trying to imagine the countless buses we squeezed to get on, and the hours spent talking to friends. State College has meant something different to each of us, the good, the basketball. The thing about State College is that everyone is so excited to be here that the energy is palpable. There is a vibrancy and newness and sense of possibility, that carries us as students, motivates you as teachers and staff, and makes an impression on those watching us—and indeed we know there are many people watching us, looking out for the good, the bad, the basketball. We are a community diverse in thought and background: the kind of terrain that is never easy to navigate. Take it from my own experience, as I have spent my whole life learning to walk through such terrains—through countries, and communities, and schools that are divided and diverse and marked by difference—so I know how challenging and uncomfortable and sometimes exhausting that process can be—but I also know that it is remarkably rewarding, and powerful, but most of all, necessary. I know that graduation speeches are notorious for trying to impart grand messages on a sea of overwhelmed and overheated people, ... ...moment since we were born. When we left for college, they knew that we were still kids at heart. Now they look at the young men and women we’ve become and find themselves as speechless as we are. For lack of words, just turn around and blow your parents a kiss, give them a wave; it’s Mother’s Day after all, and they know the gratitude and love that these simple gestures mean today. Our families held us up when we were learning to walk, while we were learning to become adults, and amidst the uncertainties of moving on, they once again become our ground and the arms that keep us steady. The best friends we’ve made have become our family too and they will be with us through this uncertainty and others. For now, savor the goodbyes and welcome the new beginnings and remember that four years ago, we were doing the same exact thing—and everything has turned out fine.

Minor Characters With Major Influence Essay

Addie Bundren was a strong but mysterious woman. She had many children that loved her dearly that would do bizarre things for her. She was a minor character in William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying but she played a major role in that she affected the actions of the characters of the Bundren family. Jewel is Addie’s third child but not Anse’s child. Jewel is the product of an affair that Addie had with Whitfield, the town minister. Addie spoiled Jewel because he was a symbol of her happiness with Whitfield. Jewel constantly pushes his luck with Addie, getting into all the trouble he can possibly think of, but he loves his mother. Jewel just wants Addie to be able to die in peace and quiet without Cash sawing away at her coffin where she can see and Dewey constantly fanning the air away from Addie’s face (Faulkner 15). Jewel’s love for his mother is more openly expressed when he runs into the barn to save her coffin from the burning barn (Faulkner 222). Anse is so determined to carry out Addie’s final wish and bury her with her relatives in Jefferson. It takes the Bundren family nine days to deliver Addie’s dead body to her final resting place. During the journey Darl tries to destroy the coffin in a barn fire (Faulkner 219). Darl loves Addie just like Jewel and can not bear to see her memory desecrated by this long journey so he tries to burn the body. By this time Darl seems to have started to go insane. Really Darl is the only sane person on that whole trip. He tried to get rid of the putrid corpse and let his mother be remembered with her name still intact. Cash labors day and night over his mother’s coffin, cutting each board carefully and showing them to Addie basically saying ‘Look at the wonderful job I’m doing for you’. Cash even continues on the journey after he broke his leg while saving Addie’s coffin. Even after his leg begins to fester and swell, he never complains about it paining him. Cash’s selflessness is unwavering as he makes this journey for Addie and his family to lay Addie to rest. Cash even refused medical attention until there journey was complete because of his devotion to Addie and her wishes. All in all Addie Bundren is a very important in William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying even though she is rarely heard throughout the novel. She is a major influence on her family. She had the most influence on Darl, Jewel, and Cash, her older sons. Her influence causes her family to do bizarre and dangerous things for her to honor her memory. Works Cited Faulkner, William. As I Lay Dying. New York: Random House Inc., 1990. Print.