An investigation into the effect definite and indefinite articles have on memory Essay Example

An investigation into the effect definite and indefinite articles have on memory Paper This experiment is based on an experiment carried out by Loftus and Zanni. In this experiment they showed participants a video of a car crash and asked them to remember the things on it. They then asked the participants questions using indefinite and definite articles. The aim of this experiment was to see how the use of a definite or indefinite article can affect the answers that participants give when asked about what they have seen in a selection of pictures. The alternative hypothesis was that the use of a definite article would in fact produce a different answer from the participants than the use of an indefinite article. It was predicted that the use of a definite article is more likely to return a positive answer from the participant, whereas an indefinite article is least likely to return a positive answer from the participant. The null hypothesis was that the use of a definite or indefinite article would in fact have no difference on the answers given by the participants. We will write a custom essay sample on An investigation into the effect definite and indefinite articles have on memory specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on An investigation into the effect definite and indefinite articles have on memory specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on An investigation into the effect definite and indefinite articles have on memory specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This was an experiment. It used repeated measures. The target population was students over the age of 16 at King Edward VI sixth form in Morpeth in the North East of England. The sampling method was non random opportunity sampling and seven participants were chosen. The mean for a definite article is as follows: Yes = 4.4 No = 2.6 The mean for an indefinite article is as follows Yes = 1.6 No = 5.4 In this experiment the alternative hypothesis was accepted and the null hypothesis was rejected as the results showed that that people make more mistakes is asked did you see the than if asked did you see a therefore this suggests that whether a definite or indefinite article is used in a question can affect the answer given. Introduction Loftus and Zanni (1975) looked at the way in which the psychology of memory and language can be manipulated. Their goal was to find out if there was a difference in the participants response when a definite or indefinite article was used. They selected one hundred participants and showed them a film of a car accident. The participants were then asked to fill out a 22 item questionnaire which contained six critical questions. For half of the participants the six critical questions started with did you see a while for the other half of the students the questions began with did you see the. The a being indefinite and the the being definite. The results showed that 15% of the participants answered yes when the definite article was used and with the indefinite article 7% answered no. This experiment shows that you can change the way that people react to questions just by using definite or indefinite articles in the question. When using a definite article you are misleading the participant as it suggests that what you are saying is actually true. This is unethical as this technique could be used in the court room to make witnesses say they saw something that they in fact did not see. Aim: The aim of this experiment is to see how the use of a definite or indefinite article can affect the answers that participants give when asked about what they have seen in a selection of pictures. Alternative hypothesis: The use of a definite article would in fact produce a different answer from the participants than the use of an indefinite article. It is predicted that the use of a definite article is more likely to return a positive answer from the participant, whereas an indefinite article is least likely to return a positive answer from the participant. Null hypothesis: The use of a definite or indefinite article will in fact have no difference on the answers given by the participants. Design The independent variable in this experiment was whether or not a definite or indefinite article was used. In this case the definite article was the word the and the indefinite article was the word a. The dependant variable was the number of participants that said they saw something that was not actually there just because the question was asked using a definite article rather than an indefinite article. An extraneous variable is something that could affect the results of the experiment. An extraneous variable for this experiment could have been if there was a window in the room then the participant may have been distracted by what was going on outside the room and therefore not be able to concentrate fully on the experiment and therefore having a negative effect on the DV. This was controlled by closing the blinds and doors in the room in which the experiment took place to keep all distractions to a minimum. An ethical issue in this study was informed consent. Informed consent is where the researcher gets the signature of the participants to say that they are willing to take part in the experiment and that they understand what is going to happen in the experiment. The participants were asked for their consent in the brief of the experiment and were asked for their signature therefore making the experiment more ethical as they have given informed consent. Participants: The target population was students over the age of 16 at King Edward VI sixth form in Morpeth in the North East of England. The sampling method used is known as non random opportunity sampling Non opportunity sampling is where the researcher takes advantage of having some participants available to include in the research. This is simply made up of people that are available and willing. The reason that this method of sampling was used is that it is quick, easy and free. It is straight forward as it takes no preparation as the researcher can just pick who they want straight away without having to go through any sort of process. Seven participants were selected using this sampling method. Apparatus and Materials: In this experiment 5 different pictures were used so that questions could be asked about them using the indefinite and definite articles mentioned earlier. Procedure Brief: By taking part in this investigation you are agreeing to partake in an investigation into how the use of definite or indefinite articles in a question affects the answer a participant gives. You will not be deceived in any way during this experiment and it is completely anonymous. You will not be emotionally or physically harmed by taking part in this investigation and you have the right to withdraw yourself and your results at any time. A signature is required for proof of consent however your name will not be used in any way to keep anonymity. Method: The participants were sat down one by one at a table with nothing but a piece of paper and a pen on it. Before the experiment began the participants were given the brief. In the brief it was explained what would be happening in the experiment and since there was no deception involved there was no need for the issue to be addressed. The participants were asked to sign a piece of paper and print their name next to it to say that they gave their consent to participate in the experiment. All blinds in the room were closed and any computer screens were turned off to get rid of any distractions. After this 5 different pictures were shown one after the other (each being held up for 5 seconds) to the participants. Once all of the pictures had been shown the same process was repeated to make sure that the participants had seen all the pictures well. After this the participant was asked five questions containing a definite article and 5 questions containing an indefinite article by the researc her who recorded the answers on the piece of paper. Each question was about whether or not they could recall a certain thing in the set of pictures.

Various Subsections of Anthropology

Various Subsections of Anthropology Studying humanity journey Introduction Anthropology is the study of human beings in time and space. The central theme of anthropology is to trace the development that has occurred to the human race from the past to the present in different geographical locations. In fact, it uses both scientific and humanistic means for its data analysis that is gotten from various studies and researches that are conducted on the human race and its close relatives.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Various Subsections of Anthropology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Anthropology explores various issues that pertain to the existence of life for humans and the physical, biological as well as geographical differences exhibited by the human race. From time in memorial, humans have evolved to display the differences that they have among themselves and other animals which share the same ancestral origin. For ease of study, anthropology as a discipline is divided into various study categories such as physical or biological anthropology, cultural anthropology and forensic anthropology among other sub-sections. Each of these sectors studies a certain aspect of human life aimed at bringing a clear and concise understanding of the human race. This paper aims at explaining the various subsections of anthropology and the role they play in enhancing the understanding of the value of anthropology. The value of studying human evolutionary sequence Of interest to anthropology is the idea of evolution which is pivotal to the explanation of emergence of different forms of life. Evolution theory can be traced back to the work of Charles Darwin who introduced it to modern biological and evolutionary thought. Physical anthropology as a branch deals with evolution of biological characteristics observed in human beings. Evolution can be described as the process by which living organisms have developed mostly through adaptation, natural selection and survival for the fittest to be what they are today. This theory uses genetical adaptation and inheritance to explain why some organisms have survived while others have become extinct (Thompson 1). The study of anthropology has helped in many ways both in understanding human beings and solving various problems that persistently arise. Physical anthropology understanding is crucial in the field of medicine.Advertising Looking for essay on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Most scientists believe that biological evolution can help in preventing and inventing cures as well as getting the local population to change their attitude towards medication. It is evident that many problematic diseases have their roots from the genetical inheritance that has occurred from the past. Medical researchers in this field need to study evolutionary biology to trace and get the cure of these early diseases. Evolu tion has played a key role in shaping the current anatomy, physiology and behavior that either exposes us to diseases or provides an immune system against the infections. Natural selection has acted through nature to eliminate mal-adapted organisms through diseases and other natural calamities. In the process, various organisms might have either survived or passed on defective genes. Major emphasis is laid on diseases and conditions that are passed through genes, from parents to offsprings which may need inference from biological evolution (Downie 3). Through studying humankind journey via evolution, we are able to understand the position of man in the current world of organisms. It sheds light on why humans are more developed than other organisms although origin of life seems to have been at similar interval. Past human activities that are recorded by archaeological undertakings help to explain the current changes in both humans and the environment we live. It is apparent that thro ugh beings evolution, archeologists have had great impacts on the natural environment by altering it to suit them (Brunet et al 146). Archaeology brings forth information from the ancient life and helps to reconstruct the extent to which human beings have changed. Adaptation to environment is a major tool used by human beings to survive and propagate. Humans globally exhibit different characteristics and behavior as per their geographical regions. These perceived differences are due to the influence of the geographical regions and cultural differences. Human variation (HV) studies the various differences exhibited by human beings namely behavior, color, genetical differences and adaptation measures. HV has evolved from the past through adaptive means to what is currently perceived. Through it, scientists are able to deduce whether humans have the ability to continue adapting successfully to the fluctuating environmental conditions or not. From this kind of data obtained from genetic pools of various past and present humans, scientists are able to advise human beings on potential dangers (Becks et al 989).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Various Subsections of Anthropology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Further, HV helps to explain disease prevalence in certain communities or geographical regions as opposed to others. For example, where the malarial disease has high prevalence, certain genetic traits are also prevalent. The study of HV shows that it is important in maintaining adaptive populations, biological variance for the functioning individual communities and ecological systems. Loss of HV may cause instability in human communities, negative effects in innate systems and genus viability (Becks et al 995). Archaeology is an anthropological discipline that is concerned with the history of people and their extinct cultures. It relies on the remains of left objects and materials called artif acts for the study and analysis. Archaeology is devoted to the search and excavation of the material remains to reveal the history of people and reconstruct their early life. It produces visible evidence to support the evolution theory. Historical archeology also relies on material culture and its exploitation but combines it with perspectives in anthropological field to bring an understanding of early lives of various groups of people whose material culture has been excavated (Paynter 169). Archaeology provides vital information on various issues that pertain to the extinct population. Information on diseases, cultural way of life, eating habits and other important aspects of human life can be gotten from archaeological analysis. Importance of understanding anthropological sub-fields Understanding the various sub-fields of anthropology has great importance in the life of individuals and that of the complete society. It is a common phenomenon for people to have a biased approach on others due to their differences in culture, color, eating, dressing habits and various aspects of community life. Countless conflicts occur due to the misunderstanding generated by difference in cultures (Brunet et al 148). Through understanding various topics, the prevention of such conflicts is possible. Besides, it prepares an individual for any occurrences that require great understanding of human dynamics.Advertising Looking for essay on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conclusion Anthropology offers important scientific and humanistic knowledge on human beings. Anthropological information traces the descent of mankind from primitive forms to the developed forms that offers insight into the unobserved and observable characteristics which are helpful in a wide-range of scientific and humanistic application. Despite curricula importance, anthropological knowledge has wide individual application in real life. Archaeology and Palaeo-anthropology Introduction Archaeology is the humanistic and scientific study of ancient form of human beings through the use of material culture obtained via recovery and analysis. Material culture are the remains of environmental objects left by the ancient form of human beings including artifacts, building remains, biological remains namely plants, bones, ashes and other archaeological records. Archaeology traces human descent from the first primitive form of human life up the evolution ladder to the present form of human life which takes several million years ago. From paleolithic era to the development of complex human life, archaeology provides information on human evolutionary journey (Renfrew and Bahn 13). Palaeo-anthropology is the study of human fossils in support of evolutionary theory of human beings. However, fossil are the hardened parts of a human body that have been preserved for a long time through the action of nature such as in snow, burrows and in caves. It incorporates intelligible cultural practices like burial practices that man acquired in the process of evolution. Palaeo-anthropology uses both paleontology and physical anthropology to study human fossils. Indeed, physical anthropology is concerned with evolution based on biological inherited characteristics that are essential in the maintenance of human evolution path. Paleontology conversely studies the prehistoric life to determine the evolution and the interactions that occurred among early human beings which might have resu lted into the exchange of cultural practices evident in excavated human remains. Paleontology provides an extensive evolution view of the primary forms of life which are found within the context of early human life (Laudan 58). Human evolution Existing human beings are as a result of a long chain of evolutionary processes that has seen them develop from primitive forms to complex form. The study of their evolution is attributed to palaeo-anthropological studies that get their raw data from archaeological excavations. In the evolution sequence, human beings have adapted biologically to changing environmental conditions. Humans are believed to share a common ancestry with the apes but developed and adapted differently resulting to the differences observed between the ape family and human beings. Mutually, these species share various common and similar characteristics both genetically and cultural although apes display primitive form of human behavior (Laudan 59). The earliest form of human life is traced back to the appearance on the face of earth of an upright walking ape, approximately 6 million years ago. The human species were named hominid and was differentiated from that of the close human like apes named the chimpanzee on traits of uprightness and the use of opposable thumb. This difference is attributed to the use of tools that required the big finger to move constantly to allow for the gripping of the tool. These fossils are dated 7 million years ago. Further excavations yielded other fossils closer to human beings and were classified under the genera Australopithecus and Homo (Renfrew and Bahn 16). Through biological evolution initiated largely from the effects of environmental fluctuations, the general homo developed to Homo sapiens which are associated with the current day human beings. Fossils have been excavated all over the world bearing characteristics that have enabled archaeologists and palaeo-anthropologists to rank them accordingly in the hum an evolution sequence. From the earliest sahelanthropus species, humans have evolved through various stages each with different adaptations that have helped it to survive the torrid natural environment which has been changing from time to time. Natural selection in these species has determined which species were to prosper and propagate while others perished. Through nature, environment chose the best adapted forms of species to pass on to the next level to human evolution. The earliest fossils that had resemblance to human beings were discovered at Taung, near Kimberley in South Africa and were assigned to the genus Australopithecus (Dart 196). This hominid form was more like a chimpanzee and lacked the ability to create tools. Recent discoveries of Kenyanthropus hominid in Kenya that date 3.5 to 7 million years ago reinstated the idea of accepting a separate genera and species for the human beings. Palaeo-anthropologists cite that the separation between the chimpanzee family and t he human family ideally took place nearly 3.5-7 million years ago but each family developed on its own (Dart 197). Biological differences such as teeth pattern and bi-pedalism have been used extensively by palaeo-anthropologists to differentiate human beings forms and other close relatives. The evolution of hominid family was later followed by the excavation of the hominid ardipithecus from the Middle awash region in Ethiopia. This hominid displayed characteristics of terrestrial bi-pedalism which was linked to early human forms. This fossil similarly contained dental system that was close to hominids. The excavation of further hominid forms in Rift Valley also strengthened the argument of evolution (Brunet et al 147). Dentition was used to differentiate the extent of hominid resemblance. The following summary provides a detailed evolutionary sequence of man. The first fossils attributed to the genus Homo was the Australopithecine found in 1924 at Taung in South Africa by Raymond Da rt. The hominid walked erect, lived on the ground and probably used stones as weapons to hunt small animals. It was dated to be 3.5-7 million years old. The first evidence of the Homo species believed to have walked upright was discovered in Java in 1891. It was named Pithecanthropus Erectus meaning the erect ape man. Another kind of identical hominid was made in China; south-west of Peking called Peking man. The hominid had larger cranial capacity than Australopithecus yet lived in communal existence and used fire. The Acheulean tool making era is associated with this hominid. These tools were made of stone, wood and bone. The hominid is also said to have hunted big games in a communal way and lived in caves. The Home erectus gradually evolved into the Neanderthal man. This primitive man used stone flakes as tools, spears for hunting and is seen to have lived in cave (Renfrew and Bahn 15). The Neanderthals were capable of big game hunting including elephants, rhino et cetera. The f inal stage of man evolution is the appearance of the Homo sapiens hominid that represents the modern day man with all the capabilities to live complex lifestyles. It is to be noted that the evolution of man has taken millions of years and various reshaping of man by natural occurrences. Numerous factors have contributed to this evolutionary sequence. Evolution has been marred by struggle for survival. It included where only the fit survived, variations in both biological and physical traits, survival for the fittest which eliminated the mal-adapted organisms and denied them the chance to pass on their defective genes, hence natural selection (Dart, 198). Through natural selection, nature chooses organisms to propagate based on their ability to adapt to the changing natural conditions. Biological adaptation through genetic variance, mutation and propagation has played a key role in the evolution of man. Genes have enabled organisms that are better adapted to evolve further and deny t hose which are not the chance to evolve and therefore die away. Conclusion The emergence of current day man has been as a result of a long series of evolutionary stages that has been documented by palaeo-anthropologists using archaeological evidence of material remains left by early life forms. This trend has passed through several stages each characterized by different traits that brought closer the emergence of modern day man. Biological evolution through the role played by genetic inheritance has been pivotal in this sequence. Becks, Lutz, Ellner Stephen, Jones Laura and Hairston Nelson. â€Å"Reduction of adaptive genetic diversity radically alters eco-evolutionary community dynamics†. Ecology letters 13(2010). Brunet, Michel, et al. A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa. Nature 418.6894 (2002): 145–151. Dart, Raymond. â€Å"Australopithecus africanus: The Man-Ape of South Africa†. Nature 115.2884 (1925):195-199. Downie, John, R. Evol ution in health and disease: The role of evolutionary biological in the medical curriculum, May 1994. Web. Laudan, Ronald. (1992). â€Å"Whats so Special about the Past?† Nitecki, Harman and Nitecki, David. History and Evolution, 2010. Paynter, Ray. â€Å"Historical Archaeology and the Post-Columbian World of North America†. Journal of Archaeological Research 8.3 (2000). Renfrew, Colin and Bahn, Paul. Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice. High Holborn, London: Thames Hudson Ltd, 2004. Print. Thompson, Paul. Biological evolution. Montgomery, AL. Apologetics Press Inc, 1994.

Urban wildlife management in arizona Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Urban wildlife management in arizona - Essay Example This is something that makes the wild animals insecure and can be used in explaining the fact that they have been attacking human beings without being provoked. The fact that their natural habitat has been invaded is already enough provocation to them (Luniak, 2004). This leads to the solemn point that the government should also make sure that in the bid of expanding citys wildlife should always be considered. There are a number of ways in which wildlife can be considered in such a case. This is because in this case they as just as endangered by the situation just like human beings are. There can be made plans that will see to it that their inhabitants are fortified in such a way that they will not be easily found in the areas that are inhabited by human being (p. 67). The wild animals that cannot be easily put away from human beings habitat could also undergo scientific gene modification to make sure that the hostility that they have towards human beings is moderated. Some people would argue that this would be endangering the wild animals, but industrialization and urban growth are already putting them and human being in danger with each side fighting for survival at any cost (p.

Summary on the following 3 readings Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summary on the following 3 readings - Assignment Example The speculation about the society of states that tends to shape the international law according to Wright explains the scene of theories of IR prior to 1914. The international law was the most vital of the reminiscences of theory of IR during that period (Wight 16) Secondly, Wright opines that theories of international relations are marked by not only paucity but rather with intellectual and moral poverty. Wright highlights the unique poverty pertaining the imposition of the autonomous state and the notion of progress. The imposition of sovereign state argument is explainable via the state explanation and jurisdiction. As such, the balance of power cannot be a precise tool due to its ambiguity. Wright further provides that such hegemonic thoughts developed in the 20th C as a result of theoretical vacuum. Nevertheless, the theories could not establish themselves due to the lack of feasible situations that could cause them to happen. As such, the three determining phenomena to the international system cannot be described by an international thought, rather through domestic viewpoints. He provides that the nature of theories of IR coupled with the intellectual and political roles performed by the IR schools of thought are very similar to the natu re of typical political theory. Of interest to the theorist is the recent bias to explicit theoretical reflection about IR being a definite measure of the importance of IR. As such, he provides the ultimate theoretical and political justification of the increased interest in IR. He argues that the threats stemming from the unresolved political challenges, people have come to think more in terms of a supranational community, a global government and political structures that culminate to the nation-state. Consequently, he provides an exemplary reflection of the political challenges whose solutions need functioning structures and

Analysis of the Film Inception Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis of the Film Inception - Essay Example Cobb who is a character that is played by Leonardo DiCaprio is a business raider of the highest order and is in the business of invading the minds of targets to steal the ideas that they might have. An influential billionaire goes on to hire him so that he can do the opposite of what he actually does which will mean that he has to plant an idea into the mind of a rival. He is supposed to do it in perfectly in such a manner that the target will not have any clue that it has happened and will also think that it was his own idea. The task that he has been given has never been attempted prior to this time since he considers that â€Å"our minds are as alert to foreign ideas as our immune system is to pathogens† which makes it a task that is difficult and almost impossible. The wealthy man that has hired Cobb for the job makes him an offer that is difficult to turn down. This offer by Saito, who is the wealthy man, is so good that it would enable Cobb to return to his home and family since he was in forced exile. Cobb brings a team together and in this part, the movie depends on the procedures that are well established in all the movies that involve heists. The accomplices that he chooses to work together with are introduced in different scenes to the viewers. Arthur, who is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, has been Cobb’s associate for a long time; Earnes, played by Tom Hardy is an extremely good at deception; Yusuf, played by Dileep Rao is a reputable chemist.

Presentism Eternalism And Special Relativity Philosophy Essay

Presentism Eternalism And Special Relativity Philosophy Essay In this essay I hope to show that it is not necessarily true that Einsteins Special Theory of Relativity refutes presentism. It is not my aim to show that presentism is correct, nor is it my aim to show that eternalism is incorrect. I aim to show that it is naÃÆ' ¯ve for eternalists to assume that STR favours the eternalists view on time over the presentists view. I will start this essay by explaining and defining the views of the presentist and eternalist. For any valuable work to be done in defending presentism against the claims of STR, I believe a sound understanding of what both presentism and eternalism entails is needed. I will make it clear how presentism and eternalism differ and make it clear what is meant when they say something exists. I will then move onto discussing STR. I hope to explain STR in as clear a manner as possible, although I will not be explaining it in the depth found in physics papers. I will consider the postulates that make up STR and consider the imp ortant paradoxes these lead to. In particular, I will discuss the paradox of the speed of light and the paradox of simultaneity, as these are a concern to the presentists view. With STR adequately explained (in enough detail that I may hope to defend Presentism against its claims) I will move onto considering the arguments Philosophers have brought forward in an attempt that STR supports a 4D model of the universe, and as a result refutes Presentism. I will consider the Rietdijk-Putnam argument, and Penroses version of this argument, The Andromeda Paradox. By explaining these arguments I hope to show clearly the problem that STR poses for presentism. Finally, I will consider two defenses  [1]  of Presentism against the claims of STR. The first defense is brought forward by Hinchliff (2000), and the second defense is brought forward by Markosian (2004). I find the latter defense to be the more compelling, and I will explain why I think this. I will conclude by offering my reasoni ng for thinking that STR does not necessarily refute presentism. I start this essay by defining the terms presentism and eternalism, and by discussing what they mean when they say something exists. Section 1- Defining Presentism and Eternalism I start this section by considering presentism. To show what presentism actually entails, I think its important to first consider where the view comes from. Presentism can be traced back to McTaggarts famous 1908 paper The Unreality of Time. In this paper, McTaggart highlights two ways in which we experience time. These ways form what he calls the A-series and B-series. The A-series is a tensed series where events are arranged using tensed properties such as past, present or future. The B-series is a tenseless series where events are arranged relationally using terms such as before or after. McTaggart claims that the A-series is essential to time as events only change with respect to their tensed properties, and time must involve change (p26, McTaggart, 1927). No change occurs in the B-series. If event A is before event B, then event A will forever be before event B. Those who claim that we should talk about time using tenses, and claim that the A-series is essential to time are know n as A-theorists. Those who think tensed expressions are reducible to tenseless expressions, and claim that the B-series is essential to time are known as B-theorists. Some A-theorists advocate presentism, and some B-theorists advocate eternalism. Of course, it is not always the case that A-theorists are presentists, and not always the case that B-theorists are eternalists. Zimmerman notes two other views that the A-theorist could hold; the growing-block theory and the moving spotlight theory (Marcus, 2012). These will not be considered in this essay. Now that Ive explained where eternalism and presentism come from, I will move onto actually defining presentism. There are a number of ways in which presentism has been defined. In this essay, I will take presentism as the view that only things in the present exist or as Markosian (2004) defines it: Necessarily, it is always true that only present objects exist (p1, Markosian, 2004) The presentist distinguishes the present as being special over the past or the future, in that it is only objects in the present exist. The presentist believes in an absolute (universal) present, where all events happening now, exist. No events (or objects) that exist, exist in the past or future. We can see why the presentist will claim that the A-series is essential to time and why the B-series is not. Only in the A-series can objects or events be located (temporally) in a present moment. The B-series does not treat the present as being any more real than the past or future. Its hard to see what would count as the present in the B-series, as all events are arranged relationally as either before or after other events. Its important to note here that necessarily, it is always true that only present objects exist is not the same as saying only the present exists as some have interrupted it (e.g. Davidson, 2003).The presentist may say that the past and future exist (in some sense of the word exist), but no objects exist in the past or future. Nor does presentism equal the tautology that is only present objects exist at present (Vallicella, 2003). Nor is it the claim that all objects that have existed, and that will ever exist, exist in the present now. Its easy to see the difference between these statements when the flow of time is taking into account (the presentist view accounts for the flow of time, whereas the externalist view does not). The diagram below shows the presentists view. In diagram (a), the present moment (now) happens to be a moment in 1967. The presentist would say that only things (or objects) in this moment in 1967 exist. Nothing exists in the past or future. In diagram (b), the present moment (now) happens to be a moment in 2013. The presentist would say that only things (or objects) in this moment in 2013 exist. No objects exist in the past (which now includes 1967) or future. Now that I have defined presentism and made it clear how I will be referring to it in this essay, I will move onto defining eternalism and in the process, contrast it with presentism. Eternalism can be thought of as the main rival to presentism. As mentioned previously, the eternalist sees the B series as being essential to time and denies the existence of the A-series. Eternalism is the view that objects in the past and future are equally as real as objects in the present. objects from both the past and the future exist just as much as present objects (Markosian, 2010) Others have said that Eternalism is the view that all times are real (p326, Ladyman, 2007), but I see this is open to further interpretation. I will be interpreting all times are real as meaning objects can equally exist in the past or future. Its not hard to see how this contrasts with the presentists view, nor is it hard to see why eternalists accept the B-series. All times in the B-series are treated equally. Theres no special property given to a present moment. Eternalism is sometimes referred to as the block universe view, as the past, present and future all exist in a closed 4-dimensional Space-time block (p2, Peterson Silberstein, 2009). Presentism, on the other hand, may be thought of as endorsing a 3D view of the universe. As Valente (2012) puts it in The Relativity of Simultaneity and Presentism: For an eternalist (four-dimensionalist) a 3D object is just a slice of a four-dimensional (4D) worldline of a timelessly existing 4D world (or block universe) in which all the slices (i.e. the 3D objects) are actually all given at once. For a presentist, the 3D world consists of all 3D objects and fields existing simultaneously at the moment now or present. (p4, Valente, 2012) Presentism and Eternalism can be visually imagined as in the diagram below. Presentism features a present moving with the flow of time. Time to the eternalist can be imagined as a block  [2]  which contains the past, present and future, along will all objects and events. (Savitt, 2008) The differences between presentism and eternalism can be further shown by using an example. I will consider the example used by Lombard (2009) in his paper Time for a Change: A polemic against the Presentism Eternalism Debate. Lets take the statement Dinosaurs exist. Dinosaurs are not included on the presentists list of things or objects that exist. Dinosaurs are however included on the eternalists list of things or objects that exist. Of course, as Lombard points out, the eternalist is not saying that there are dinosaurs, that is, right now (p58, Lombard, 2009). As the eternalist believes that objects exist in the past, in the same way as they exist in the present, they must insist that dinosaurs nevertheless exist (p58, Lombard, 2009). This is point that can lead to confusion. Its important to understand what we mean by the word exist in the statement Dinosaurs exist. Markosian (2004) gives a brilliant explanation of what we should mean by exist in his paper A Defense of Presentis m. In what follows, I will consider this explanation and make it clear what exist means. Markosian highlights two ways in which we may think about the word exist. The first sense in which we may think of the statement Dinosaurs exist is what Markosian calls the temporal location sense. Under this interpretation, Dinosaurs exist is synonymous with Dinosaurs are present. Under the temporal location sense of the word, the eternalist will agree that no non-present objects exist right now i.e. Dinosaurs do not exist right now. However, this is not what we will be taking the eternalist to mean when they say Dinosaurs exist. Markosian calls the other sense of exist, the ontological sense. Under this interpretation Dinosaurs exist is synonymous with dinosaurs are now in the domain of our most unrestricted quantifiers, whether it happens to be presentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦or non-presentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (p2, Markosian, 2004). The eternalist will agree with this. The presentist will argue that dinosaurs are not now in the domain of our most unrestricted quantifiers, as dinosaurs do not exi st in the present (now), and only things that exist in the present will be included in the domain of our most unrestricted quantifiers. Under this interpretation of exist the disagreement between the presentist and the eternalist becomes clear. According to presentism, dinosaurs do not exist i.e. dinosaurs are not included in the things that our most unrestricted quantifiers range over. According to eternalism, dinosaurs do exist i.e. dinosaurs are included in the things that our most unrestricted quantifiers range over. For the Presentist what objects our most unrestricted quantifiers range over is a changing matter of fact (p13, Kehler, 2011). This is because the objects of the present are forever changing as time passes (in line with change in the A-series, as discussed earlier in this essay). The opposite is true for the eternalist. What objects our most unrestricted quantifiers range over never changes (in line with the unchanging B-series as discussed earlier). With presentism and eternalism defined and discussed, and the difference between the two made clear by discussing the meaning of exist, I will move onto the next section of this essay. In the next section, I will be considering Einsteins Special Theory of Relativity (STR). I will be considering the postulates that make up Einsteins theory and discussing some of the paradoxical consequences of these. I will then discuss the arguments Philosophers have come up with in an attempt to show that STR implies a 4D view (eternalism). These arguments will be the Rieldik-Putnam argument, and I will construct my own version of Penroses Andromeda Paradox. Once STR is made clear, I will conclude the section by considering what these arguments mean for both presentism and eternalism. Section 2 The Special Theory of Relativity: the Thorn in Presentisms Side As this is a Philosophy essay, and not a Physics paper, I will not be going into any great detail in explaining Einsteins Special Theory of Relativity (STR), and Im unlikely to do it justice. I will, however, explain the theory in enough detail so to allow me to adequately discuss the arguments in support of the 4D model and against presentism. This will also help me in defending presentism in the final section of this essay. Without adequate knowledge of STR and its paradoxical nature, its unlikely I, or any other philosophers, would be able to even start defending presentism against its claims. I start by considering the postulates behind STR. In 1905, Albert Einstein presented STR in his paper On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies. The theory itself is derived from a number of postulates, of which two can be said to form the heart of Special Relativity (Hamilton, 1998). The first postulate is the Principle of Relativity: There is no absolute rest frame of reference (p1, Lee, 2012) The second postulate is the Principle of Constancy of the Speed of Light: The speed of light c is a universal constant, the same in any inertial frame (Hamilton, 1998) Together, these postulates open up paradoxes which lead Philosophers to the thought that STR implies 4D view of time (eternalism). Inertial frame (or inertial reference frame) here will be defined as frames of reference in which Newtons first law of motion is observed. Newtons first law of motion is that every object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its state by the action of an external force (Benson, 2010). Before Special Relativity, the speed of light was thought to depend on the speed of the person observing and the speed of the source from which the light came (Lawerence, 2002). An experiment was conducted in the late 1800s by Michelson and Marley in the hope that this was correct (Carlip, 1996). As the earth orbits around the sun at .01% the speed of light (Lawerence ,2002), Michelson and Marely hoped they would be able to show that a light beam moving along with the orbit of the earth would be .01% slower than a light beam going perpendicular to the orbit of the earth. To their surprise, this was not the case. Every attempt to find a difference in the speed of light failed. The light always took exactly the same amount of time to travel down either leg (Lawerence, 2002) Since light always travelled at the same speed in the experiments  [3]  , Einstein took the constancy of the speed of light to be a fact of nature, and from it, formed the second postulate of STR. Now that the history behind STR has been discussed, and the postulates of STR have been explained, I will move onto discuss how these postulates lead to some interesting paradoxes. The second postulate leads to an interesting paradox. In order to understand the problems that STR poses for presentism, its important to understand what this paradox entails. I will construct this paradox by way of example, based on the example used by Hamilton (1998). Lets pretend Im standing on the surface of the Earth  [4]  . Im wearing a helmet on my head. The helmet has the ability to emit a powerful flash of light. My friend Bob has a super car which just so happens to be capable of moving at a constant half the speed of light (1/2c). Bob is moving in a straight line from my right to my left. At the very point that Bob passes me, my helmet lets out a flash of light. This light expands at the same speed (c) in all directions. According to the second postulate of STR, the speed of light is constant for both of us. This means that from my frame of reference, the light expands at the same speed in all directions, and that from Bobs frame of reference the light expands at the s ame speed in all directions (even though he is moving at half the speed of light away from the light source). The paradox here is that, from our own frame of reference, we both believe we are at the centre of the flash of light. Its not possible that we are both at the centre of the flash of light. Before considering the solution to this paradox, I will discuss the example of this paradox as shown by Penroses (1989) Andromeda Paradox. Using his Andromeda Paradox argument, Penrose attempts to show that the Universe is a pre-determined 4D Space-time block, which causes problems for presentism. Penrose (1999) asks us to consider two people (Jack and Jill) walking past each other on the street. Jack is walking towards the Andromeda Galaxy  [5]  and Jill is walking away from the Andromeda. From STR it can be said that Jack and Jill have different ideas about what events are presently happening in the Andromeda Galaxy. It would take light from the Andromeda Galaxy 2.5 million years to reach either person, and as such, they dont know what events are happening, but whether or not they know of the events happening is of no importance here. An event on Andromeda that Jack thinks is present (from his frame of reference), is an event that Jill still thinks is yet to happen (from her frame of reference). To Jill, the event is in the future. Penrose calculates the event is 5  ¾ days behind in time for Jill. One can calculate that their planes (or spaces) of simultaneity at the instant at which they pass each other on Earth intersects the history of the world line of Andromeda about 5  ¾ days apart (Savitt, 2008) Our planes of simultaneity  [6]  are different. The diagram below shows this: (modified from BobC_03, 2012) With the paradoxes explained, I can consider what they mean for both Presentism and Eternalism, and show how the minowski Universe appears to favour Eternalism. Its possible that an event in Andromeda is in the present (and according to Presentism does exist) for Jack, but the same event is in the future (and according to Presentism does not exist) for Jill. Here lies the problem that STR its paradoxical nature poses for Presentism. As can be seen, the problem has at the heart of it the second postulate of STR. No matter what speed they walk past each other in opposite directions, if Jack and Jill were to measure the speed of light (in their own frames of reference), they would get the same result. no matter at what speed or in which direction they or the source of the light are moving, must come to the same result when they measure the speed of light (Savitt, 2008) If its not known whether an event is present or past, then how can presentists hold the view that only things in the present exist? What things are in the present are both different for Jack and Jill. In an attempt to solve this, the presentist might try to say that the event is taken to be present or future depending on whether it is present or future in the absolute rest frame (p5, Eichman, 2007). However, according to STR there is no absolute rest frame, or absolute simultaneity, and therefore, there can be no absolute present. If we assume that STR is true, the following argument against Presentism can be constructed: (1) STR is true. (2) STR entails that there is no such relation as absolute simultaneity. (3) If there is no such relation as absolute simultaneity, then there is no such property as absolute presentness. (4) Presentism entails that there is such a property as absolute presentness. (5) Presentism is false. (p29, Markosian, 2004) Now that STR has been discussed adequately and that the trouble it poses for Presentism has been highlighted, I can move onto the final section of this essay. In the final section, I will consider two ways in which philosophers have tried to defend presentism against the seeming threat posed by STR. The first defense is brought forward by Mark Hinchliff (2000) in his paper A Defense of Presentism in a Relativistic Setting. The second defense, and the defense which I find more compelling, is brought forward by Ned Markosian (2004) in his paper A Defense of Presentism. I will explain why I find this defense more compelling, and why I think Hinchliffs defense doesnt work. Section 3 Defending Presentism The first defense against STR that I will consider is what Hinchliff calls The Point Model. In the point model, Hinchliff claims that in STR the present is to be identified with the here-now (pS579, Hinchliff, 2000). In other words, a presentist can argue that in STR, only a single space-time point exists; the here-now. Hinchliff does not hold this view himself and says that he knows of no one who actually holds this view (S579, Hinchliff, 2000). Nevertheless he feels its worthy enough to discuss. A standard objection against this model is to say that its lonely, in that nothing but the here-now exists. This objection is easily refuted however. Saying its lonely is akin to rejecting solipisism because theres no other people. Something stronger is needed in order to reject either the Point Model or solipsism. Putnam (1967) offers a better objection against the view however. Putnam says that anything that is past must have previously been present (p246, Putnam, 1967). Under Point prese ntism however, there are events in the past which have never been present. Therefore, Point Presentism violates the conceptual truth that what is past was present (S579, Hinchliff) This can be shown by way of example. Lets pretend an event occurs which is space-like separated from my here-now. It is therefore not in the present from my frame of reference. When time moves on, the event is however included in my past here-now, without ever being in the present, and therefore violated a conceptual truth. A presentist may try to argue that point presentism does not violate a conceptual truth, but this would lead them to trouble when trying to explain how certain objects of the present (objects that exists) cease to exist (fade into the past). I do not think this is a suitable defense of presentism against STR. I think if a presentist is to hold their view, then they must look for a way of fitting the outcomes of STR into that view. Point presentism attempts to change presentism in such a way that makes it compatible with STR, and fails to do so. Presentists should rather attempt to change STR in such a way that makes it compatible with presentism. I believe this is what Markosian (2004) attempts to do in his defense of presentism. I will now consider this defense and explain why I find it more compelling than Point Presentism. In his defense of presentism, Markosian (2004) considers whether STR contains enough philosophical baggage built into it to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ entail the proposition that there is no such relation as absolute simultaneity (p31, Markosian, 2004). If this is not the case, then there is no reason to assume that STR poses problems for presentism. Marksoian asks us to consider two different types of STR (p31, Markosian, 2004): STR+ : This version of STR does have enough philosophical baggage built into it to entail that there is no such thing as absolute simultaneity. STR-: This version of STR does not have enough philosophical baggage built into it to entail that there is no such thing as absolute simultaneity. Markosian rejects STR+ and accepts STR-. I believe the reasons for why he thinks this is key to any presentist wishing to defend their view against STR. All empirical evidence which suggests that STR+ is true, equally supports STR- (p31, Markosian 2004). Just because it is not physically possible to determine whether two objects or events are absolutely simultaneous (p31, Markosian) does not entail that there is no such thing as absolute simultaneity, and no absolute present. Consider the Andromeda Paradox as explained earlier. From their own frame of reference (or plain of simultaneity) their idea of what event is present is different  [7]  . The presentist is able to agree with this view. Agreeing with this, does not mean they must reject their view on absolute simultaneity or their view that an absolute present exists. It may be the case that an absolute rest frame is not accessible to us. The presentist can reject the first postulate of STR. With this said, it seems the etern alist is unable to refute presentism by appealing to STR, and it looks likely that any such argument will end in a stalemate. The eternalist and presentist view with regards to STR can be summed up as follows: Eternalist STR is true and entails there is no absolute simultaneity or absolute present. Therefore, presentism is incorrect. Presentist STR being true does not entail there is no absolute simultaneity or absolute present. It entails that these are not accessible to us, but nonetheless may still exist. According to me, they do exist. Its impossible to say whether either view is true or false (How would one prove that there is or isnt an absolute rest frame?), resulting in a stalemate. Its certainly seems that its not necessarily true that STR refutes presentism. Conclusion In this essay, I have achieved what I had set out to do. I have defined and explained what both presentism and eternalism entail. Ive made it clear what the differences between the two are and Ive shown that its important to understand what the word exists mean when discussing both views. I have also explained and discussed the Special Theory of Relativity. In doing so, I have shown how the paradoxes it leads to, causes problems for presentism, and have shown why the eternalist might try to attack presentism using STR. Finally, I considered ways in which the presentist may try to defend their position against STR and the eternalist. I have shown that any attempt by the eternalist to use STR against presentism will result in a stalement. The empirical evidence which supports STR+ equally supports STR-, and the presentist only needs to reject STR+ and accept STR-. The problem with using STR to attack presentism is that STR+ must be assumed to be true. It is not necessarily the case tha t STR+ is true, and the presentist may use this point in defending their position. STR+ (or a theory with the same consequences) may be shown to be true someday, but until that day comes, the eternalist should make use of some other weapon in trying to attack presentism. Word Count 4629 Student ID 1818201

Chance Or Planning Essay -- essays research papers

Chance or Planning Intelligence and planning are necessary factors in scientific research, however chance and luck are also important and somewhat necessary factors. The Autobiography of Charles Darwin and the memoir, The Double Helix, written by James Watson, prove this assertion. Charles Darwin, James Watson and Francis Crick were all intelligent men that planned their experiments, however without chance and luck their success and scientific achievement would not be as great. Intelligence and planning are important in scientific discovery, but are not always the dominating forces that drive scientific research. Such is the case with Charles Darwin, James Watson and Francis Crick. All three of these men were extremely intellectual, but their intellect only contributed partially to their success. Intellect and planning, combined with chance and luck contributed to their overall success. People take chances on a daily basis. If you actually stop and think about it, life is one big game of chance. It is by chance that we are born, that we continue to survive, and that we will eventually die. Some people feel that this cycle occurs do to the will of God, others, like Charles Darwin believe that it happens based on chance or natural selection. Whatever you believe or disbelieve, life cannot be planned. No matter how hard a person attempts to "plan" their path in life, it is by chance and luck where that path takes us. Darwin's career was also based on chance, not planning. Darwin never planned to become a scientist or the father of natural selection. It was by pure chance that he obtained the job on the voyage of the Beagle, which started his career. Darwin stated about this voyage that, "The voyage of the Beagle has been the by far the most important event in my life and has determined my whole career. . ." (Darwin, p.76) Darwin had not planned to take the trip on the Beagle, he obtained the opportunity by mere chance. One can attempt to "plan" for a job or career, but chance and luck are the major factors which allow for success. Although Darwin's intellect played a role in obtaining the position, chance and luck were the major factors. Many scientists suffer great strokes of luck. Two other scientists that did not "plan" their success were James Watson and Francis Crick. These t... ...major contributing factors. Charles Darwin said that his, ". . . success as a man of science, whatever this may have amounted to, has been determined, as far as I can judge, by complex and diversified mental qualities and conditions. Of these the most important have been - the love of science - unbounded patience in long reflecting over any subject - industry in observing and collecting facts - and a fair share of invention as well as common sense. With such moderate abilities as I possess, it is truly surprising that thus I should have influenced to a considerable extent the beliefs of scientific men on some important points." (Darwin, p. 145) Although Darwin stated his theory with clear and concise arguments, it was by chance that people believed him, considering he could not plan for his future success. Although planning is somewhat important in scientific research and discovery, chance plays a much more important role. Without chance most scientific discoveries would not have happened. John Lennon was quoted as stating, "Life is what happens as we make other plans." Science is much like life. One can not plan for it, it just takes place. Chance Or Planning Essay -- essays research papers Chance or Planning Intelligence and planning are necessary factors in scientific research, however chance and luck are also important and somewhat necessary factors. The Autobiography of Charles Darwin and the memoir, The Double Helix, written by James Watson, prove this assertion. Charles Darwin, James Watson and Francis Crick were all intelligent men that planned their experiments, however without chance and luck their success and scientific achievement would not be as great. Intelligence and planning are important in scientific discovery, but are not always the dominating forces that drive scientific research. Such is the case with Charles Darwin, James Watson and Francis Crick. All three of these men were extremely intellectual, but their intellect only contributed partially to their success. Intellect and planning, combined with chance and luck contributed to their overall success. People take chances on a daily basis. If you actually stop and think about it, life is one big game of chance. It is by chance that we are born, that we continue to survive, and that we will eventually die. Some people feel that this cycle occurs do to the will of God, others, like Charles Darwin believe that it happens based on chance or natural selection. Whatever you believe or disbelieve, life cannot be planned. No matter how hard a person attempts to "plan" their path in life, it is by chance and luck where that path takes us. Darwin's career was also based on chance, not planning. Darwin never planned to become a scientist or the father of natural selection. It was by pure chance that he obtained the job on the voyage of the Beagle, which started his career. Darwin stated about this voyage that, "The voyage of the Beagle has been the by far the most important event in my life and has determined my whole career. . ." (Darwin, p.76) Darwin had not planned to take the trip on the Beagle, he obtained the opportunity by mere chance. One can attempt to "plan" for a job or career, but chance and luck are the major factors which allow for success. Although Darwin's intellect played a role in obtaining the position, chance and luck were the major factors. Many scientists suffer great strokes of luck. Two other scientists that did not "plan" their success were James Watson and Francis Crick. These t... ...major contributing factors. Charles Darwin said that his, ". . . success as a man of science, whatever this may have amounted to, has been determined, as far as I can judge, by complex and diversified mental qualities and conditions. Of these the most important have been - the love of science - unbounded patience in long reflecting over any subject - industry in observing and collecting facts - and a fair share of invention as well as common sense. With such moderate abilities as I possess, it is truly surprising that thus I should have influenced to a considerable extent the beliefs of scientific men on some important points." (Darwin, p. 145) Although Darwin stated his theory with clear and concise arguments, it was by chance that people believed him, considering he could not plan for his future success. Although planning is somewhat important in scientific research and discovery, chance plays a much more important role. Without chance most scientific discoveries would not have happened. John Lennon was quoted as stating, "Life is what happens as we make other plans." Science is much like life. One can not plan for it, it just takes place.

Ethics on Abortion Essay

There are many ethical issues that are argued over in society. One highly controversial issue however, is the problem faced with opposing beliefs on abortion. Abortion, literally meaning â€Å"the deliberate termination of human pregnancy,† is the issue commonly addressed by the liberals and the conservatives. Each side has its own philosophical theory on the situation. The liberal theory suggests that a women has the right to decide what happens with her body. The conservative outlook would be that an unborn baby, as a human being, has separate rights from those of the mother. The arguments that are generally discussed involve that abortion is a personal choice, human life begins at conception, or that abortion can or can not be justified. The first argument on the ethics of abortion is that abortion is a personal choice. This idea on abortion intends to imply that a fetus is not a human life. The life of the new embryo is not forced to be carried out because of the rights women possess. If new life is growing in a woman, then it should be her decision as it is regarding her own bodily autonomy. Abortion should be in the best concern of the woman pregnant because it does not go out and affect those around her. Also if the women in situations where abortion is an option needed, then who is more correct to go and force them to carry out a pregnancy. The idea that people have some ethical claim to personal, bodily autonomy must be regarded as fundamental to the conception of any ethical, democratic, and free society. Given that autonomy exists as an ethical necessity, the question becomes how far that autonomy extends. The fact that a woman is going to proceed with an abortion does not affect the larger public so it should not be unethical for this action to take place because others think that it is wrong. Many people stand with the idea that abortion is ethically a personal choice because the situations can always be brought to the point where a woman is protecting herself. Mary Anne Warren’s stand on abortion is that of a liberal one. In her article, On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion, she concludes that â€Å"†¦a women’s right to protect her health, happiness, freedom, and even her life, by terminating an unwanted pregnancy, will always override whatever right to life it may be appropriate to ascribe to a fetus, even a fully developed one. † (pg. 16, Mappes) Warren believes that abortion is permittable because the fetus is not a fully developed person with moral characteristics; they are human beings that are not yet a person. The opposing argument on the ethics of abortion is that human life begins at conception. The new human life that is growing should now have the right to live. If a woman consented to sex or did not properly use contraception, then she knew that pregnancy might have been a result. Whether the fetus is a human being or not, it is arguable that a woman has some sort of ethical obligation to the fetus. The obligation might not be strong enough to eliminate abortion, but it may be enough to limit abortion if it is morally chosen. Also consider abortion as the murder of a human being. When deciding on what decision is more correct many mothers would decide on having to keep their baby and not killing it. This is because no matter the situation, the actions taken consequently resolved in pregnancy and now the mothers are ethically responsible to care for new life. Abortion should not be an acceptable solution for a pregnancy because human life should not be terminated and the new life should have responsibility dedicated to itself. The final argument on the ethics of abortion is that abortion can or can not be justified. This directly relates to the status of the fetus and whether or not it is considered to be human life. In the early months of pregnancy, when the fetus hardly represents a human being at all, then abortion should be permissible to the pregnant woman if it is in her interests. When taking a step into the middle months, the fetus now comes to resemble a person. The situation changes due to the argument that the fetus may now be human life. Abortion in this case should only be justifiable if any economic, psychological, social or physical health would be presented through continued pregnancy. In the late months however, abortion would just be the wrong concept and unethical because the fetus is near the peak of becoming human life. If any pregnancy lasts into the middle months or later, then abortion should already be out as an option because the decision could have been made in the early months. Moreover, abortion should only be the decision made for a mother totally uncapable of caring for new human life. The idea of abortion is a wide spread ethical issue. Many morals are different among the people who think abortion is right or the people who believe it is completely inhumane. Abortion is right in the eyes of those who follow liberals. The mother has complete rights to protect herself and make a personal choice in keeping a fetus or not. For conservatives on the other end, abortion should not be the decision made due to the new life having full moral status and a serious right to live. There are also cases where abortion might not fall under strict rights the the mother or the fetus, which is why my position is in favor of the moderate way of thought. Pregnancies are in a wide amount of cases unwanted. But it is the situation of the pregnancy that should ultimately lead to the decision of abortion being ethical or not. For any unwanted pregnancies in the very early months, abortion should be acceptable because the fetus does not posses human like traits and it is in the interest of the pregnant woman. This might not be considered ethical because the mothers should have a dedicated responsibility to their baby but exceptions have to be made for situations where rape might have been the cause of pregnancy. The only time abortion should absolutely not be acceptable are for any pregnancies that have reached middle months or later. This is because the mother of the fetus has already allowed the pregnancy to last to the point where the fetus is now a lifelike human or baby. Also if the pregnancy was not aborted in the early months then there certainly should be no reason to change the decision so long after conception. Abortion will be a never ending argument for what is right or wrong to do in the case where a human life or possible human life is at stake. But abortion has many twists and turns that lead to uneasy decisions that have to be made. So there might not be a way to tell what is the â€Å"more† ethically correct decision to make when dealing with such a controversial issue as abortion.

Examines sins effects on various characters in The Scarlet Letter and evaluates their responses to it.

Examines sins effects on various characters in The Scarlet Letter and evaluates their responses to it. Individuals resolve similar problem in different ways. In his novel, "The Scarlet Letter", Nathaniel Hawthorne explores this idea through the characters of Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth and their reactions to sin. Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth each have a unique response to sin: Hester acknowledges sin; Dimmesdale buries sin; Chillingworth avenges sin. Hester's response to her sin is the most successful, and she eventually overcomes her shame. Through his use of characterization, Hawthorne explores the effects of sin on various characters, suggesting that the most beneficial response to sin is truth.The actions of Hester Prynne throughout The Scarlet Letter are utilized by the author to examine the success of her response to sin. The novel begins with Hester being condemned by the community for her adulterous sin. The crowd gathers to "stare at the ignominious letter on her breast" and witness "the spectacle of guilt and shame of Hester Prynne's di sgrace" (Hawthorne 55-56).This is the title page for the first edition of Th...The scaffold, which Hester is forced onto during her denunciation, is considered the ultimate manifestation of "ignominy" in Puritan society, and is where Hester is first exposed to the "guilt and shame" that she will be required to endure publicly as a result of her sin. When first subject to such humiliation, Hester is depicted as unable to face reality: "she clutched the child so fiercely to her breast...she turned her eyes downward at the scarlet letter, and even touched it with her finger, to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real" (Hawthorne 59). Hester is initially incapable of coping with her sin and is required to use the scarlet letter as evidence of its veracity. However, being forced to wear the scarlet letter on her bosom compels Hester to develop the ability to deal with the repercussions of her...

50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History

50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History A great way to uncover clues to your family history or to get great quotes for journaling in a heritage scrapbook is a family interview. By asking the right, open-ended questions, youre sure to collect a wealth of family tales. Use this list of family history interview questions to help you get started, but be sure to personalize the interview with your own questions as well. 50 Questions to Ask Your Relatives What is your full name? Why did your parents select this name for you? Did you have a nickname?When and where were you born?How did your family come to live there?Were there other family members in the area? Who?What was the house (apartment, farm, etc.) like? How many rooms? Bathrooms? Did it have electricity? Indoor plumbing? Telephones?Were there any special items in the house that you remember?What is your earliest childhood memory?Describe the personalities of your family members.What kind of games did you play growing up?What was your favorite toy and why? What was your favorite thing to do for fun (movies, beach, etc.)?Did you have family chores? What were they? Which was your least favorite?Did you receive an allowance? How much? Did you save your money or spend it?What was school like for you as a child? What were your best and worst subjects? Where did you attend grade school? High school? College?What school activities and sports did you participate in?Do you remember any fads from your youth? Popular hairstyles? Clothes? Who were your childhood heroes?What were your favorite songs and music?Did you have any pets? If so, what kind and what were their names?What was your religion growing up? What church, if any, did you attend?Were you ever mentioned in a newspaper?Who were your friends when you were growing up?What world events had the most impact on you while you were growing up? Did any of them personally affect your family?Describe a typical family dinner. Did you all eat together as a family? Who did the cooking? What were your favorite foods?How were holidays (birthdays, Christmas, etc.) celebrated in your family? Did your family have special traditions?How is the world today different from what it was like when you were a child?Who was the oldest relative you remember as a child? What do you remember about them?What do you know about your family surname?Is there a naming tradition in your family, such as always giving the firstborn son the name of his paternal grandfather?What stories have come down to you about your parents? Grandparents? More distant ancestors? Are there any stories about famous or infamous relatives in your family?Have any recipes been passed down to you from family members?Are there any physical characteristics that run in your family?Are there any special heirlooms, photos, bibles or other memorabilia that have been passed down in your family?What was the full name of your spouse? Siblings? Parents?When and how did you meet your spouse? What did you do on dates?What was it like when you proposed (or were proposed to)? Where and when did it happen? How did you feel?Where and when did you get married?What memory stands out the most from your wedding day?How would you describe your spouse? What do (did) you admire most about them?What do you believe is the key to a successful marriage?How did you find out you  were going to be a parent for the first time?Why did you choose your childrens names?What was your proudest moment as a parent?What did your family enjoy doing together?What was your profession and how did you choos e it? If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasnt it your first choice?Of all the things you learned from your parents, which do you feel was the most valuable?What accomplishments were you most proud of?What is the one thing you most want people to remember about you? While these questions make great conversation starters, the best way to uncover the good stuff is through more of a storytelling session than a QA.

International Human Resource Management in context Essay

International Human Resource Management in context - Essay Example It will consider examples of various MNCs operating in different countries and will conclude with the outcome of the essay. Human Resource Management is a broad term for personnel policies, recruitment and staffing, training and development, redundancy and other broad issues involving the workforce of an organization. Human Resource Policies are influenced by internal and external policies of an organization. Internal policies include management style and degree of centralization. The culture of host and home countries comes in the external factors of the organization. Together with government policies, culture makes the most important factor influencing the human resource management policies of multinational organizations. The problem arises when a company operates in two countries one of which is developed and other is a developing organization. A company may have very strict recruitment and staffing policies of an organization. However, it may not be able to follow such stringent policies when operating in a developing country. Similarly, the Multinational Corporations may also not have luxury of having a high-level staff in the organization given that the culture of a developing country may not put too much focus on high level of education. This may lead the MNC to hire people that do not meet their criteria of recruitment and selection. This is one way the culture of a developing country may affect the MNC organization’s HRM policies (Amba-Rao, 1994). Apart from cultural difference, the legal environment of business dawns an important influence on the HRM practices. The studies done in the field state those legal requirements are the driving force of all managerial practices including Human Resource Policies in different parts of the world. Similarly, the culture, proficiency in foreign language, ability to follow foreign policies and having different objective from a job are all important factors that

Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Religion - Essay Example â€Å"All civilizations were founded with religious underpinnings. Of course, religions, like civilizations, grow and sometimes die; forming an intellectual and ontological compost from which new civilizations often sprout. Often, these new civilizations are more complex and take root in earlier ideas while expanding them to meet new conditions† says awaretek.com Every individual is bound by his society and customs, each society has its own religion, rituals are conducted according to their religious instructions, and as far as the myth related to related to religion is concerned, we could trace out the starting point of our belief to have a basic influence by the myths. For example, we have been told by our ancestors the story of Jesus Christ and his birth, we believe that the star that shines during the month of December indicates the birth of Christ, and similarly when we consider other religious beliefs such as Hindu or Muslims, they too have their own rituals having a background story form the myth. could understand that majority of people accept a moral standard on the basis of their brought up and values that were taught to them by their elders. So religion is said to have a constructed meaning, ethics, rituals and myths, all are found in a society in a combined form, the influence of each could be felt in every aspect of the society. The argument that If we start analyse what the universe mean to us, we should take into account the contribution of man. It is an accepted and universal statement that God created every thing. Man is the most intelligent of all his creations as he possesses the additional sense of reasoning and speaking. He is still in the process of finding out the meaning behind every aspect of God’s creation. Though some might argue this as scientific, the fact that science is an expression of God’s creation needed to be accepted. Man can only analyse the reason for any natural calamity but he could not