Birth Control Essay examples -- Contraceptives, Birth Control Essays

People have been having sex since the beginning of time; after all, how would we be here today if they had not. Yet, there has also been the pervasive problem of how to gain control over reproduction, in essence, how to prevent unwanted pregnancies. This is a challenge, even today, in an age of technological advancements, mass communication and education. However, through the years, the spread of information and awareness surrounding birth control has resulted in its increased availability and an improvement in the lives of both men and women. People are very clever and ingenious and have, throughout history, devised a variety of birth control methods. The earliest known contraceptive came from the Egyptian women of around 1500 B.C. They were thought to have created a suppository of crocodile dung and honey. The acidity of the crocodile dung could, potentially, kill the sperm, and the stickiness of the honey was supposed to stop the sperm from entering the woman (Wikipedia 2). Other forms of suppositories also were used, ranging from olive oil and honey, to cloths soaked in vinegar. Women also used a variety of herbal abortifacients (which are used to induce abortion). They are â€Å"part of a folk culture of herbal medicine handed down among women for thousands of years† (London 2). One example of an abortifacient is the ancient French and German use of the root of worm fern. It was commonly called the â€Å"prostitute root† by the French (London 2). More modern abortifacients include turpentine, castor oil and ammonia, to name a few. Frighteningly, the ingestion of small amounts of poison was another tried method, including mercury and arsenic. A list of various additional, popular contraceptive methods included â€Å"withdrawal ... ...being challenged. Works Cited: 1) Gordon, Linda. Woman’s Body, Woman’s Right- A Social History of Birth Control in America. NY: Grossman Publishers, 1976. 2) London, Kathleen. Yale- New Haven Teachers Institute. The History of Birth Control. 2004. http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1982/6/82.06.03.x.html 3) Oyler, Julie M.D. The History of Birth Control. University of Chicago Hospitals. 18 March 2003. http://imr.bsd.uchicago.edu/chiefs/History%20of%20Medicine/Birth%20Control_files/v3_document.htm 4) â€Å"Birth Control.† Wikipedia. 2004 Wikipedia- the free encyclopedia. 29 October 2004. 5) â€Å"Birth Control.† Houghton Mifflin. 2004 A Reader’s Companion to American History http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/rcah/html/ah_009600_birthcontrol.htm

The Softer Side of Catullus Exposed in Poem 5 Essay -- Catullus

The Softer Side of Catullus Exposed in Poem 5 This paper begins by discussing Catullus’ genuine love of life as expressed in poem 5 and introduced in the first line. It considers poem 5 as rather less cynical than many of Catullus’ others, and therefore uniquely revealing. It then examines the first triad, which expresses defiance of convention, and the second, which expresses the brevity of life and the urgency of love. The enumeration of kisses is then discussed in particular detail with comparisons to poems 7 and 48. Finally, it shows that Catullus’ usual cynicism, which is missing throughout most of the poem, appears just at the end, displaying Catullus’ ingenuity. Though he is indeed a cynic, Catullus seems to express in general a love of life and an eagerness to experience it. He feels the futility of being human, yet he longs to be human, to feel all the joys and pains of being alive. Ultimately he sees love and life as wondrous, beautiful things. In few other poems is this view expressed as well as in poem 5. An idealized picture of furtive love, poem 5 presents a young, budding romance between Catullus and the infamous Lesbia. It is has many common characteristics of new love: it is rebellious in its attitude toward those who disapprove, urgent in its perception of time, charming and innocent in its request for kisses. Composed â€Å"at an early stage in Catullus’ love affair with Lesbia† (Goold 237), poem 5 opens with the words vivamus and amemus. These two words, meaning â€Å"let us live† and â€Å"let us love,† characterize Catullus in a way that few other poems do so well, revealing who he is when lets down the guard of cynicism. Indeed, poem 5 seems to be one of the less cynical and more honest of Catullus’ poems. The ... ...us. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1989. Goold, G. P. Catullus. London: Duckworth, 1983. Hart-Davies, T. Catullus. London: C. Kegan & Co., 1879. Kelly, Walter K. The Poems of Catullus and Tibullus. London: G. Bell and Sons, ltd., 1919. Lamb, George. The Poems of Caius Valerius Catullus, vol. 1. London: John Murray, 1821. Merrill, E. T. Catullus. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1893. Additional Works Consulted Hornblower, Simon, and Anthony Spawforth, eds. The Oxford Classical Dictionary. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1999. Lee, Guy. Catullus: the Complete Poems. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998. Lewis, Charlton T. An Elementary Latin Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1981. McMarren, Vincent P. A Critical Concordance to Catullus. Leiden: Brill, 1977. Perseus Digital Library. Ed. Gregory Crane. Tufts University. 20 March 2003 .

The Young Offenders Act, A Continuing Debate :: essays research papers fc

The Young Offenders Act A Continuing Debate There is no question in society as to whether or not young people are committing crime. In fact, since "1986 to 1998 violent crime committed by youth jumped approximately 120%." The Young Offenders Act is a heated debate in today’s society, and one of the most controversial Acts in Canadian history since it was introduced in 1984. Some people think a complete overhaul is needed, others think minor changes would suffice, still others feel it is best left alone. Youth crime is a tough issue, with many differing opinions. Punishment and rehabilitation, one, the other, or both, all topics of debate within society. If you were to discuss the issues with the parents of a victim, it would be understandable that their opinions would differ greatly than those of the parents of the offender. Many people have formed an opinion without an in depth look at the act. Others simply do not care. The question that needs to be answered is, does the Young Offenders Act in Canada properl y address the victims' rights, the rights and needs of the young offender, and does it protect public safety? That question is hard to answer, as some people think that the Act is a more decent and humane way to approach young persons in trouble with the law. On the other hand others feel it offers too much protection to those whom least deserve it -- the young offenders, and very little to those who deserve it -- the victims. I think the Young Offenders Act should concentrate on making young offenders aware that they will be held responsible and accountable for their behaviour. To begin, it must be understood that the Young Offenders Act is a replacement piece of legislature for the outdated Juvenile Delinquents Act. The Juvenile Delinquents act was enacted in 1908, and was replaced by the Young offenders Act on April 2, 1984. The Juvenile Delinquents Act was a part of legislature that focused mainly on parental and social welfare of the child. It dealt with children as young as seven years of age regarding not only criminal behaviour but also sexual immortality. The Juvenile Delinquents Act allowed for many different courses of action for any child that was found to have delinquent behaviour. Placements in an industrial school for an indefinite period of time, committed to the children’s aid society, or placed in a foster home were all available options under the Juvenile Delinquents Act.

School Of Allied Health Science Education Essay

Distance acquisition, sometimes called e-learning is here defined as synergistic acquisition in which the acquisition content is available on-line and provides automatic feedback to the pupil ‘s acquisition activities. Online communicating with existent people may or may non be included, but the focal point of e- acquisition is normally more on the acquisition content than on communicating between scholars and coachs. Distance acquisition and its relationship to emerging computing machine engineerings have together offered many promises to the field of education.A In pattern nevertheless, the combination frequently falls short of what it attempts to accomplish.A Some of the defects are due to jobs with the engineering ; others have more to make with disposal, instructional methods, or students.A Despite the jobs, many users like engineerings such as tight picture and see continued growing in the country. However, distance acquisition is no such advantage is that it is easy, a individual can analyze without go toing categories or talks, while working or making some other class. It is besides a good option for homemakers who are non able to inscribe into classs because they have to take attention of immature kids, merely trade with computing machines and have their ain clip to larn and besides can pass on with coachs and equals via online such as electronic mail, forum and confab. . In distance instruction classs, you would be provided with study stuff and besides would hold to subject assignments on clip. These assignments would be assessed by professors who would direct you feedback. However, if you are be aftering to inscribe into distance acquisition, you need to to cognize about some of the distance larning pros and cons. Like every good thing, even distance acquisition has some disadvantages that can do it look a small inconvenient for people. The job may be due to factors balance between personal and learning jobs. If pupils can non accommodate to the system of distance acquisition, they will confront a different job. In add-on, deficiency of cognition and accomplishments about utilizing engineering and computing machines, linguistic communication accomplishments, particularly English linguistic communication, disorganised manner of larning to blend work jobs, household and survey clip. These are some of the distance acquisition advantages and disadvantages. Before doing a determination, it is of import to weigh the distance larning pros and cons. Though distance acquisition can be termed as a utile and convenient manner to derive cognition and to higher one ‘s making, whether it would profit you would wholly depend upon your personality and attitude. Here we will discourse in more item about the jobs faced by on-line scholars and solutions or suggestions can be followed so that any jobs that arise can be resolved satisfactorily. So it is of import to place the job faced by online scholars because without this cognition, possibly the scholars will lose their focal point and motiveTHREE MAIN PROBLEMS FACED BY BEGINNING ONLINE LEARNERSDespite the promises and obvious advantages to distance acquisition, there are jobs that need to be resolved.A These jobs include equilibrating the combination of work, household and instruction, analyze wonts and deficiency of accomplishments in technology.A Each one of these has an consequence on the overall quality of distance acquisition as a product.A In many ways, each of these issues relates to the others.A This is one of the major job which will do them believe twice earlier decide to progress their survey. The first job faced by on-line distance scholars is in equilibrating the combination of work and instruction. Most of the unfastened and distance scholar normally have many committednesss and duties that they must go to while making their educational ends. Many of them are married, work full clip and of class have kids. If non carried out, all of this can do the pupil bead out from their acquisition. Job duty is already daunting, allow entirely the household and the acquisition, so big scholars have limited clip to make their survey. The undertaking of equilibrating all of the above duty is genuinely disputing for most of them. The 2nd issue is in geting go on-line distance survey wonts. The pupils ‘ mundane environment is really deflecting for most of the pupils. Unlike traditional university pupils who are ever in their acquisition community which supports them most of the clip, on-line distance pupils are non. Distractions such as friends inquiring for dark supper and married woman demanding to travel shopping at the promenade every weekend are among other distractions faced by pupils. Geting some clip in a twenty-four hours to analyze is rather a difficult undertaking to finish. Online distance scholars besides have a difficult clip in being independent and responsible to their ain ego. Most of the clip, there is no 1 about to supervise the pupils larning procedure. The openness of the on-line distance plan gives pupils the freedom to make their acquisition procedure whenever they like but most of the clip, cunctation is the perpetrator. Unfocused position of their acquisition ends besides will do the pupils act irresponsibly towards their acquisition. The 3rd issue is on-line distance scholars besides face jobs in acknowledging and get the hanging strengths and accomplishments in Information Technology ( IT ) . In on-line distance acquisition, engineering is the chief conduit which information and communicating flow. A computing machine with internet entree is normally needed for this procedure and its application will necessitate the user to get the hang certain degree of skill. Some of these jobs arise from a deficiency of preparation, some from the teacher ‘s attitudes about utilizing the engineering, and still others by hardware problems.A It seems to be self apparent that teachers need to be trained to utilize distance larning engineering, but excessively frequently they are not.A The pupil will besides necessitate to hold some basic authorship accomplishments and travel on-line distance bid of English linguistic communication. Unfortunately, non all of the pupils possess the above accomplishments.3.0 THREE LOGICAL AND PRACTICAL SUGGESTION ON WAY TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS FACED BY BEGINNING ONLINE LEARNERSAdults pupils largely do non hold the luxury of go toing college on a full clip footing because of their work and household duties. They frequently experience jobs which, if non overcome, can ensue in the derailing of their educational ends. There are things that they can make though to assist get the better of the typical jobs that arise. The first solution is scholars must pull off and be after themselves efficaciously in order to equilibrating work, household and survey. They have to use smart clip direction. Avoiding stalling a must. They must be more responsible and have a focussed position towards larning. They must besides larn to better themselves in countries they are missing ( such as composing accomplishments, computing machine accomplishments, note taking accomplishments and English linguistic communication accomplishments ) because non all accomplishments will be taught by the coach. They need to actuate their ain ego by puting accomplishable ends and have a positive attitude. The 2nd solutions are start with less demanding class. There tends to be some ambitious classs that must be completed by pupils, there is seldom a demand that these should be the first 1s studied. Therefore, get down with less disputing 1s that you find more gratifying ab initio so as to construct assurance. This assists in acquiring used to the college atmosphere and the demands of class work once more. Furthermore, every pupil make a survey calender to detailing scrutiny day of the months and assignment due day of the months on a dedicated calender helps to avoid the rushing of assignments at the last proceedingss or exam cram Sessionss. Proper readying leads to good classs, while unequal planning consequences in failure. The 3rd solutions are make certain that internet entree is readily available. Study today is dependent on the cyberspace, forum, e-mail and etc as intermediate communicating. The ability to entree library databases and complete research online is the footing of wining. Besides, electronic entree eliminates the demand of passing many hours working on campus, you can analyze from place alternatively. The practical suggestion on manner to cut down job faced by online scholars are job work outing accomplishments. It gives the chance to develop other utile larning accomplishments such as like pattern specific processs and set theoretical usage when develop concluding abilities and creativeness in happening replies. Other method besides like develop scholars understanding of implicit in rules and do research subject in item. Deciding a survey job may travel through the undermentioned phases as like reappraisal of information. Define job, relate available information to the job with design a work program and methodological analysis and proctor results. Promote them to do a scheme for developing their job work outing accomplishments, which could include reexamining their ain effectivity in this country, placing the chief stairss of the job work outing procedure, placing the standards against which to judge the criterion or quality of results, looking at the job in different ways, simplifying it, doing comparings with researching information and confer withing people to set up critical thought, taking and utilizing methods to undertake the job and taking into history factors that may impact job work outing programs entering information in utile manner.4.0 DecisionThe job faced by get downing on-line scholars is such as like is in equilibrating the combination of work and instruction. Most of the unfastened and distance instruction pupils are older, have occupations and households, so they are should cognize how to pull off clip decently and which one are the precedence. The 2nd issue is in geting go on-line distance survey wonts. The pupils ‘ mundane environment is really deflecting for most of the pupils. Unlike traditional university pupils who are ever in their acquisition community which supports them most of the clip, on-line distance pupils are non, so they must should do a survey calender so that proper readying leads to good classs, while unequal planning can acquire failure consequence. Online distance scholars besides have a difficult clip in being independent and responsible to their ain ego. All the pupil online scholars have to work out all this job with their ain manner and besides have to take more duty on their survey. The 3rd issue is jobs in acknowledging and get the hanging strengths and accomplishments. They must besides larn to better themselves in countries they are missing such as composing accomplishments, computing machine accomplishments, English linguistic communication accomplishments because non all accomplishments will be taught by coach. So pupils should happen their ain opt ions to heighten the accomplishments. If you know if this full job can non decide possibly something might go on in the hereafter. For illustration, on-line scholars possibly will neglect with their survey or acquire bad consequence and blow their money and clip to analyze. As pupil online scholars we should hold purpose for success in our survey. Our ends are for every class participant to win, go forth the class looking at the environing universe with the position of a scientist, experience confident utilizing scientific discipline in his or her ain acquisition, and cognize how to back up inquiry-based acquisition in his or her ain schoolroom.5.0 APPENDIX 1Distance Learning With the history of distance larning embracing so many different larning environments, we need to happen a definition that fits in all situations.A There have been many definitions put frontward in modern literature.A Greenberg ( 1998 ) defines modern-day distance acquisition as â€Å" a planned teaching/learning experience that uses a broad spectrum of engineerings to make scholars at a distance and is designed to promote learner interaction and enfranchisement of larning † .A Teaster and Blieszner ( 1999 ) say â€Å" the term distance acquisition has been applied to many instructional methods: nevertheless, its primary differentiation is that the instructor and the scholar are separate in infinite and perchance clip † .A Desmond Keegan ( 1995 ) gives the most thorough definition.A He says that distance instruction and developing consequence from the technological separation of instructor and scholar which frees the pupil from the necessity of going to â€Å" a fixed topographic point, at a fixed clip, to run into a fixed individual, in order to be trained † .A From these definitions we can see that the pupil and instructor are separated by infinite, but non needfully by clip. This would include tight picture, which is delivered in existent clip. As stated before, this type of unrecorded picture direction is the fastest turning agencies of distance acquisition today.A Because of this, much of the treatment here will be dedicated to the promises and jobs of this engineering.5.1 APPENDIX 2The Reality of Adult Learners OnlineI was slightly concerned about the pupils and the deficiency of personal attending they would be having through my on-line class. Since I did non cognize them, I did n't cognize their learning manners or cultural differences. Adult scholars in peculiar have different acquisition manners and cultural backgrounds, and they may experience they are being left out of larning activities ( Baloglu, 2007 ) . Therefore, distance acquisition may do a psychological, every bit good as a physical, spread ( Durrington, Berryhill, & A ; Swafford, 2006 ) . Students may experience lonely, and a deficiency of face-to-face communicating and competition can impact their motive. Barriers for grownup scholars are categorized as situational, institutional, and dispositional. A individual ‘s fortunes in life at any given clip are considered possible situational barriers. Different policies and patterns may do class engagement more hard are considered institutional barriers. Students ‘ attitudes about their ain abilities to win are considered dispositional barriers. These barriers present extra obstructions for grownup scholars who attempt to obtain an advanced grade ( Spellman, 2007 ) . I found these grownup scholars, who were instructors, to be motivated and really seasonably in turning in their assignments and posting on Blackboard. Having them complete assignments that benefited their theses made them even more enthusiastic about finishing the work. They all asked inquiries and sought elucidation about things they did n't understand. They besides did an first-class occupation noticing on the other pupils ‘ stations. By the terminal of the class, I could see a definite betterment in the content of their article ratings. I think they were larning from one another. The grownup scholars I taught were clearly autonomous and able to be independent. They had life cognition and were goal-oriented. It seems they wanted to see the relevancy and application of their instruction, were practical, needful regard, needed feedback, and had to be interested in the capable affair ( Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, 2000 ; Henick, 1994 ) . The grounds adult scholars obtain a post-secondary grade tend to differ from those of traditional pupils. Adult scholars typically want to progress in an organisation. An extra grade besides makes them more marketable and competitory in the occupation market and allows them to alter callings ( Milheim, 2005 ) .

Blockbuster Films Essay

Extra-terrestrial beings, intergalactic space flight, fictionalized re-telling of actual historical events, biological disasters that either threaten or bring human existence to a screeching halt, these are several of the most common elements and themes found in blockbuster films. But given the varying elements of blockbusters in film history, certain uncertainties give the term no exact definition. Yet, people, regardless if they are critics or ordinary viewers, are able to determine if a particular film is a blockbuster or not. Traditionally, blockbusters are regarded as films that denote popularity or success in production, but there is no authoritative body that gives requirements or criteria for judgement for films to be classified as blockbusters. Likewise, there exist no actual norms and standards on how films are to be classified as such. The fact that there uncertainty prevails over the true definition of a blockbuster leads to questions such as: is it based on towering budgets and high production values? Are blockbusters made through the popularity of the actors involved in the film? Or are blockbusters created and classified based on the brilliant, and seemingly flawless ideas spawned by a particular filmmaker’s imagination? In any event, Julian Stringers (2) introduction to the book, Movie Blockbusters, asserts that the term has an elusive nature because the meaning of the term blockbuster if used in the context of motion pictures is never fixed or clear. However, Stringer denotes that the term’s definition varies dependent of who speaks and what is being said (2). Stringer’s definition implies that a blockbuster does not necessarily have to have big budgets or sophisticated on-screen effects, rather, a complex spectacle that poses as a genre of the cinematic tradition. And by saying that a blockbuster is a genre, the distinct elements of the cinematic tradition categorize such films under blockbuster Take the case of Christopher Nolan’s 2008 blockbuster superhero film The Dark Knight. Apart from the concept of a masked vigilante using high-powered gadgets to ensure that no more 8-year old boy would lose his parents again, the idea of a rich, powerful, and influential individual sporting a caped suit and a mask to fight crime is can only be meant for children, or to some extent what the American culture came to call, the geeks.. Nevertheless, The Dark Knight managed to crawl its way to the hearts and minds of millions of movie goers. Set in a Gotham City manifesting itself as an archetypal city fired up by the sound of progress, but haunted by the vestiges of underground criminal activity, hypocrisy, and corruption, The Dark Knight revolves around Joker’s psychotic ploys to disgrace Gotham City’s law enforcement department while trying to reveal Batman’s alter-ego in the process. Putting Lieutenant James Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent in his primary hit list, Batman bends and distorts his principles in life to put a lid on the Joker’s irritating humour. As previously mentioned, the elements incorporated within a particular film create blockbusters. The Dark Knight is no exception as the actors and the film’s plot cooperate to venture the superhero genre to blockbuster. New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis describes Nolan’s The Dark Knight as a film that stands between the thin blurry lines of art and industry, as well as poetry and entertainment. This is because the dark portrayal of the characters in the film gives a totally new perspective on comic book characters in contexts beyond the limitations of comic strips. The Joker (Heath Ledger), for instance introduces the audience to what he calls a better class of criminal. The Joker is meant to become the irony of his own name that he exhibits a serious psychotic nature through gestures such as facial expressions and his walk (Nolan). Nolan’s Joker provides a justification for his criminal sanity by comparing himself to normal civilized individuals who feel that the laws being imposed make the world a safer and a better place. It is quite apparent in the Joker’s motives that he questions the morality of the corrupt law enforcement officers and politicians who allegedly feel that they are on the side of right. Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker single-handedly carries the film to blockbuster status because of the dark, sadistic approach to the villain’s persona. Acclaimed film critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times writes that Nolan’s Joker steps up in such a way that he puts up ingenious situations where Batman (Christian Bale), Police Lieutenant James Gordon, and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckheart) are placed in tight situations that challenges their morality in every sense. Dialogue is also one of the promising elements that place a particular film in the blockbuster genre. This is in large part brought about by language’s capability to leave an indelible mark to viewers from all walks of life. Adding more magnificence to the already unique, yet chilling gestures, the Joker’s lines exhibit a foreign implication that justifies his psychotic ploys. Simply put, how the Joker justifies the sadistic choices he gives to his adversaries establishes a different consciousness to people, especially ones who are oppressed by supremacists and bullies. In a similar magnitude, Eckheart’s iconic line â€Å"either you die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain (Nolan)†, tattoos a harsh reality that serves as a portrait of the current state of political. By literally and figuratively living to his words, Harvey Dent taps a reality, though morbid, reflects how power becomes self-destructive in such a way that it corrupts people who hold it. Apart from the remarkable performances, the film’s sinister and tragic plot spells out the word blockbuster. Primarily, Nolan’s The Dark Knight poetically departs from the typical good versus evil comic book plots. Nolan’s Dark Knight becomes darker as Gotham’s beloved citizen start to pile up for the caped crusader’s arrest, the Joker’s sick, demented mind takes advantage and prompts the infamous hero to come out and get him. Roger Ebert describes the plot as haunted that exceeds the boundaries of its comic book origins and transcends in to a shocking tale of tragedy. This is because most of the film’s scenes engages both the audience and the film’s protagonists to decide on moral dilemmas. In the end, no matter what choice the hero makes, a scar is left on his morale and his identity. Ebert adds that because of the actors’ ability to captivate the audience and because of how the film’s special effects respect the emotional acting, the audience are blindsided by the drama that pierces to their compassionate side. Through-the-roof funding and sophisticated production principles seem to pave the way for blockbuster films. But then again, how would a certain film become attractive and tasteful to the audience if it does not bring the promising elements in to consideration. Through its gloomy intensity and dark and horrifying humour, The Dark Knight managed to balance the weight production values with the term blockbuster. Likewise, the serious and cruel undertones of the film‘s plot not just redefines superhero movies but it clarifies what classifies as blockbuster as well. Works Cited Stringer, Julian. Movie Blockbusters. New York: Routledge, 2003. Dargis, Manohla. â€Å"Showdown in Gotham Town. † 18 July 2008. The New York Times Online. 22 October 2008 < http://movies. nytimes. com/2008/07/18/movies/18knig. html>. Ebert, Roger. â€Å"The Dark Knight. † 16 July 2008. Roger Ebert’s Official Website. 22 October 2008 < http://rogerebert. suntimes. com/apps/pbcs. dll/article? AID=/20080716/REVIEWS/55996637/1023>. Nolan, Christopher. IGN interview on Christopher Nolan. 6 December 2007. The Dark Knight. Dir. Christopher Nolan. Perf. Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, and Aaron Eckheart. Warner Brothers, 2008.

Business for the Glory of God Essay

Abstract It is not a secret to anyone that the USA has adopted western European business ethic model. Considering the dominance of Judeo-Christian culture in that region, it is of small wonder that quite a few moral principles from the Bible have entered the field of international affairs. I suggest that we compare the two sets of morals: the one hidden beneath the texts of the Bible and the one widely applied in business. The work in the world of negotiation has been traditionally seen as something that cannot possibly contribute anything to God worship. Ambitions and wealth, property owning and exploitation of human labor (however slight and well rewarded) are considered sinful in the opinion of representatives of the traditional branches of Christianity, such as the Orthodox and Catholic churches. Yet Wayne Grudem claims that an effective work of any businessman can be a proper way to glorify the Holy Father. I suggest that we investigate some of the ideas provided by the author in his boo k â€Å"Business for the glory of God: the Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business†. They will be criticized from a few points of view, and certain remarks will be included based on the ideas of Karl Marx and John Kaynes. John Kaynes made a curious comment concerning the discussed subject: â€Å"Capitalism is the astounding belief that the wickedest of men will do the wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone†. These words cannot be disregarded (for the concept of private business is a tribute to capitalism), because Kaynes is one of the â€Å"developers† of modern economic theory, yet, this remark contradicts with the main idea of Grudem. Can it be simply because Kaynes’s point of view is a realistic one and the author of the mentioned book makes assumptions about what the state of things could be like in perfect conditions? Wayne Grudem does not deny the fact that the current perception of business is based on just observations and the experience of the past, yet he claims that none of the elements of business and negotiation has be en initially evil. Four chapters of Grudem’s book (ownership, money, inequality  of possession, borrowing and lending) concern material possessions and their management. The traditional interpretation of the Bible states that any type of possession is sinful; therefore the disciples who take the veil make a vow of poverty. Obviously, poverty cannot keep the business running. Such misinterpretation of the Bible (for I agree with the author, there is no allusion to the virtue of poverty in the Bible) among the Orthodox and Catholics is a result of the traditional hierarchical structure of the society originated in the Dark Ages (early Middle Ages), where the top figure on the scale would collect almost all the earned money (collected crops, livestock, produced goods) and manage it in the way he (back in those days women were prosecuted even for seeing dreams, it was virtually impossible for one of them to gain a high post) would find it appropriate. Both Grudem and Marx agree on the ultimate importance of money (as an equivalent of possession or its measure) in the modern society. At some point, I do agree with the author of the book: barter used to slow down the development of the commerce; therefore, money as an equivalent, a measure for all products and services was initially a good idea and it still remains a useful and practical invention. Also, it was a sensible idea for the author to draw a fine line between the money as an object and â€Å"love of money, as a root of all evil†. At this point, the opinions of Grudem and Marx coincide (at least somewhat), because Karl Marx also chose to differentiate the concept of money and the concept of capital (which here we can interpret as â€Å"wealth†). Therefore, I do not share the author’s opinion about the money as fundamentally good thing, but I can easily agree with it being a neutral but very useful invention. As a basic concept seems now rather clear, I suggest that we move further, to the complex issue of possession. In the book â€Å"Business for the glory of God† a thirst for possession is seen as a positive phenomenon, the wish to expand one’s care and responsibility, but Marx attributes this desire to the realm of capitalism and the need for an increasing surplus value for major manufacturers, which only results in spreading of poverty on the other â€Å"pole† (considering that the surplus value is the value of the produced goods with the laborer’s salary subtracted from it). One could argue that uneven distribution of wealth has been there forever since the simplest hierarchies appeared within savage human communities. Yet the profound  studies of the civilizations of the past uncover one curious fact: there has always been poverty, but the person’s â€Å"income† never depended solely on the products of his or her labor, the person would a lso receive a fraction of common wealth, appropriate for his or her (mostly â€Å"his†) social status. There was hardly such thing as â€Å"you get only as much as you give†. The mentioned phenomenon can be attributed to the origination of capitalism in the Middle Ages. Again, Grudem sees this inequality of possession as an inherent element of the human society and Marx finds it a drawback of the current economic system. However, it cannot go unnoticed that the first author addresses the concept, and the second author explains the peculiarities of its performance in the given situation. But here they are, the opinion of a theologian against the opinion of the father of the modern economy. Owning private property calls for responsibility, but possession is much more likely to corrupt a person than to organize him or her. I might even agree with Karl Marx on the subject of capitalism being a transitional state of the development of the world economy, and a highly unbalanced one. It also might be that time will show that Grudem was wrong, and any type of possession is initially evil and corrupting for the human society; but I am absolutely convinced that hum ankind will not be willing to part with this particular â€Å"sin† anytime soon. Yet in his book Wayne Grudem raises the subject of voluntary contribution of some part of possessions to the needs of the others; the issue that could be the answer to balancing the world discrepancy of what one needs and what one gets. In general, improvement of moralities of all people could be a good way to address many global issues, but the idea of founding a new, perfect society based solely on high morals is nothing but Utopia. Grudem also discusses the question of productivity. On the one hand, I cannot gather why the subject entered the list of ambiguous issues, for hard as I’ve tried to find a single relevant work that would count this aspect as a negative one, I failed. On the other hand, it pleased me to discover the point that had arisen no discussion, the quintessence of everyone’s agreement: all Christian churches find high productivity of any activity a blessing from God, Karl Marx and John Kaynes consider high productivity a result of effective utilization of sources and optimization of processes of manufacturing (of course, these two authors also pay attention to the possible drawbacks of this phenomenon, such as  overproduction, but Grudem only addresses the general positive concept of productivity, therefore, I suggest that we set aside its probable side effects for now). Karl Marx even commented once on the subject of manufacturing, production and productivity, saying that human labor is what makes a difference between the initial and the final product and the difference in their cost; apart from that, a man can do nothing above what nature (in the context of my work â€Å"nature† could be substituted with†God†) is capable of, which is changing only form of things. It is still a question open for discussion whether the joy of creating something new is an attribute to the godly origins of the human body and soul, but it definitely lifts one’s spirits to see a new high-quality and beautiful thing created with her or his own hands. The last controversial point on which I’d like to cast light is employment. Karl Marx sees this aspect as one of the first signs of a working capital: an employer has obtained a big enough capital to free himself from physical labor and allows money to work for him (the exchange of parts of capital for employees’ labor). The Orthodox and Catholic churches see employment as a neutral thing. Yet, considering the aspect of the â€Å"sinful origins of any possession†, the appropriate reward for work is seen as food, shelter and a good attitude, but hardly ever any money. Basically, the traditional approach of Church to paying with conveniences for labor, a kind of barter, seems to have much in common with the ideology of the communist system (the hierarchical scales of both seem quite similar as well). The approach has proven itself to be inapplicable in the current capitalistic world. Therefore, given a just attitude of an employer towards the employees, fair wages and good work conditions, the phenomenon of employment does not seem to bear any initially evil origin. As for the perversions that have invaded the original neutral-good model of employment, I can only add that even a fork could be used for poking eyes instead of picking food. The book â€Å"â€Å"Business for the glory of God: the Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business† by Wayne Grudem does have a seed of truth in it, because none of the discussed concepts has been developed for harm; on the contrary, most of them were designed to make the commerce and cooperation easier for everyone. And in the perfect conditions, in the world, where morality possesses the ultimate value and no perversions are ever implemented into the elaborate structures of cooperation, the  functioning of the designed processes would go smoothly, provoking no discontent from any of the parties. The love of money seems to have corrupted the society and the developed tools are used for increasing the income rather than for harmonizing the relationships between people and providing high-quality products for everyone. Indeed, now business is seen as something that lacks morals and ethics, but with a bit of effort and a major change of attitude it could be aimed at achieving a global welfare. References Grudem, W. (2003). Business for the glory of god: the bible’s teaching on the moral goodness of business. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books. Keynes, J. M. (1936). The general theory of employment, interest and money. United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan. Marx, K. H. (1867). Capital. (4 ed., Vol. 1). Chicago: Charles H. Kerr and Co.

Guided Reading Essay

What is the typical organization of an argument essay? An introduction that states the issue then an objective summary of the opposing views followed by a point-by-point discussion of their limitations. Then a summary of your viewpoint with a point-by-point discussion that strengthens your position, and then lastly a conclusion. What are points of contention and how do you identify them? The points of contention are the two to five most important issues on which you disagree with the other side. The best way to figure these out is brainstorming, try to see things from their perspective. Why is it important to know the stance of your opposition? You need to know what you are trying to argue so you can identify your strengths and weaknesses of your position and to be able to build your case against the opposing viewpoints. What is the difference between argument and research writing? An argumentative essay is more subjective and usually controversial where you are trying to prove that one side is better than the other. A research paper is presenting facts about a topic. Chapter 24 What is a good way to start the research process? Define your research question, develop a working thesis, devise a research plan, collect sources, assess the reliability of each source, triangulate facts among the sources, determine whether facts verify working thesis, and lastly either accept or modify working thesis. Why is it important to have a sharp research question? It will help you narrow the scope of your research thus saving you time and effort by allowing you to target the best of sources and information. What is a working thesis? How is this used in research? Defining your research question or hypothesis. It is your best guess about how you will answer your research question, it is your overall claim about  your topic. What are the key elements of a research plan? Why is it necessary for researchers to have a research plan? Research question, working thesis, results of start-up research, description of electronic, online, print, and empirical sources available, schedule of conducting and completing the research, and a bibliography are key elements of a research plan. Having a research plan helps to better target sources and the streamline your research. When conducting research where should writers go for reliable information? Surf the Internet, look through online encyclopedias, and browse your library’s catalog. How do writers know whether a source is credible? Use the Internet to search for the backgrounds and expertise of the author and publisher to make sure they are trustworthy. If you find questionable credentials or reputations use something more reliable instead. What is bias and how can researchers overcome it? Putting your own ideas and opinions into your research where it seems like you want the information to be true rather than right. If you know what your biases are then you can use them to gain a richer understanding of your topic. How do researchers determine whether a resource is up to date? Depending on your topic and how quickly information in that field becomes obsolete. Medical information is usually outdated in a few years where something like geology doesn’t really change so decade’s old info can be used. List three steps for setting up a research schedule. List all the tasks you need to complete, set a deadline for finishing your research, drafting, designing, and revising, then work backwards form your research deadline on which task needs to be completed. What are some reasons why a researcher would have to modify his or her research plan? Roadblocks to research, ideas, and information that changes your research question or working thesis.