Why Video Games Are Good

A kid plops down in front of the television and powers up his video game console. As he reaches for his controller, his mother has one point of view in her mind, more time wasted, another day wasted, video games rot my children’s brain. Or do they? Video games have a horrible stigma of â€Å"rotting our brain’s† because many believe that they are pumping our children’s minds with senseless violence and explicit content. Although many video games do include a substantial amount of violence, it comes second to the fact they can actually make you smarter according to many scientists and academics. They are seen to be good learning devices because of the problem solving and strategic thinking that is utilized to play video games. While there is obviously no substitute for classroom learning, video games can exercise the brain in many different ways. Most kids would rather pick up a joystick than pick up a textbook. Much to they’re unknowing they are exercising their brains. While traveling and discovering this exciting virtual world, they begin to figure out the rules and understand their goals in order beat the game and win. What might seem like a mindless zombie sitting on the couch for hours is actually someone solving a profuse amount of puzzles that are instilled in their video game. Someone playing a video game must solve and complete direct conflicts while keeping their overall goal in perspective. Playing a video game is similar to solving a science problem. Video gamers must come up with a hypothesis while trying to accomplish a goal, much like a student conducting a lab would do. For example: if a gamer is searching for a hidden item and they hypothesize that the item is in a dragon’s belly, they will attack the dragon and discover whether their hypothesis was correct or false. If they don’t find the item they must modify their hypothesis the next time they play. Video games are driven by goals and objectives, which are essential for learning. Scientific studies have shown that the brain can change with practice. If you train yourself to complete a certain objective, the part of you’re brain that you are using can actually growth in size and operation. Another cientific study has shown that those who constantly challenge their brain have almost a 50% less chance of developing dementia. Video games are all about interactive and active exploration, unlike leisurely reading a novel. A video game requires your brain to make immediate decisions. While reading a novel will exercise your creativity and imagination, video games will make your bra in weigh circumstances and evidence, examine situations, reflect on your overall goal and forge a decision. It is not about what you’re thinking about when playing a video game, it is the way your thinking that challenges your brain. Video games make learning easier, comfortable, achievable and enjoyable. Any kid would rather learn how to slay a dragon than learn there times tables. This is simply because games offer more immediate and visible rewards. Memorizing and studying terms and theories may get you a good mark on your test, while beating the final boss will end the game. Gamers can also create their own adventure and decide their own unique fate and decided where they want to go and how they want to get there, within the restrictions of the game. It becomes their adventure. This is all played from the safety of their home, which prevents fears of making a mistake in front of others. If they lose, they can simply restart and try again without the feeling of embarrassment. This encourages gamers to take risks and expand their exploration opportunities. Although video games are no substitute for classroom learning, they have beneficial outcomes that can improve our brains activity making it healthier and function more efficiently. So next time you contemplate purchasing a video game, think about it not as endless hours waiting to be wasted, but rather as a large time investment for better of your mind.

Policing Practices and Operations Essay

Policing agencies are incredibly responsible to the communities, counties, states, and nation to protect against crime and provide service to citizens. With this tremendous responsibility comes inherent scrutiny. The practices and operations of police agencies are under constant surveillance by the public as well as other policing agencies. To promote functionality police organizations are departmentalized to enhance efficiency and improve communication. Relationships within these organizational structures exist. Partnerships are developed between the community and policing agencies to increase crime reduction and improve order maintenance. The organizational structure of policing agencies will be reviewed along with communication patterns both within and outside of the agency. Current trends and issues facing policing agencies and communities will be examined and an analysis of changed that could be implemented to improve the partnerships between policing agencies and communities wi ll be determined. Relationships Between Traditional Organizational Structures of Policing Agencies Municipal Law Enforcement Municipal law enforcement is most commonly represented as the local police. These police departments provide local protection to cities and towns; departments vary in size in accordance to population. The structure of municipal law enforcement is generally broken into two divisions: investigation and patrol. Under these departments is an umbrella of subdivisions. Investigations houses units specific to vice, homicide, and juvenile relations. Additional departments exist such as â€Å"community relations, internal affairs, training, and research and planning† (Pollock, 2012, p.93). Specialized teams have also been created in some departments servicing cases such as domestic violence, responding to the mentally ill, and various other issues. Departments of a smaller capacity carry more responsibility in handling multitudes of cases due to the lack of additional resources. Municipal agencies coordinate with state and federal agencies when crimes are not within their jurisdiction (Pollock, 2012). County law enforcement County law enforcement is publicly known as the sheriff department. The structure supports the county sheriff and the sheriff deputies. Sheriffs serve protection to the local police and assist in crime investigations in counties that do not have local law enforcement. Management of the county jail is generally the county sheriffs responsibility. Some jurisdictions assign jail responsibilities to deputies, but they generally do service patrol. Civil documents, warrants, and eviction notices are also served from the sheriff’s office. The position is attained by election but deputies are employed through procedures similar to the selection process of the municipal law enforcement agencies (Pollock, 2012). State Police Highway Patrol, State Patrol, and the Department of Public Safety are State law enforcement agencies. Hawaii is the only state without a state police force. The demand for law enforcement on roads passing through townships created these agencies. State law enforcement agencies are publicly known for enforcing traffic law violations and deal exclusively with state laws. This limited jurisdiction separates them from municipal and federal agencies. Statewide criminal investigations involving auto theft or drugs are within the state polices jurisdictions. Assistance to local detection and investigations are also services provided by the state police. This limited jurisdiction separates them from municipal and federal agencies (Pollock, 2012). Federal Agencies The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are federal agencies. These agencies deal with the enforcement of federal laws implemented by Congress. Functions are primarily investigations, and a very limited amount of patrol work is implemented. The largest federal law enforcement agency is the Department of Homeland Security. The agency with the broadest jurisdiction is the FBI. An investigation of a violation of both federal and state laws is permissible by federal law enforcement agencies. The sale of controlled substances is the most common example of this (Pollock, 2012). Communication Patterns Within and Outside the Policing Agency Technology has greatly improved the efficiency of policecommunications within the agency. In-car computers and laptops allow officers to have quick access to vital information. Loc al and federal information on a suspect from data files nationwide can be retrieved within moments. Dispatch and assignments are available to officers through the in-car computer system eliminating the reliance upon two-way radios. Officers and vehicles are monitored through Global Positioning Devices (GPS) (Maguire, 2011). Police officer responsibilities also include communicating with the public. Officers are expected to be competent with problem-solving skills, mediation, and social interactions. Training and education in these areas is vital in earning the trust and confidence of the community. Functions such as community policing, which will be discussed later, rely heavily on the public as a resource for crime fighting. Positive interaction with the public is achieved by exhibiting solid problem solving skills, social adaptability, and admirable temperaments (Maguire, 2011). Current trends in the approach to the policing function Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) SARA is a problem-solving model associated with problem-oriented policing. â€Å"SARA stands for scanning, analysis, response, and assessment† (Pollock, 2012, p.102). This approach to fighting crime applies available resources such as crime reports to target crimes centralizing in specific areas. The information is analyzed in an attempt to explain the origin of the crime. Officers then respond with the proposed solution, which could mean increased patrol in specific areas, or direct enforcement. Measures are then assessed to determine success rates (Pollock, 2012). Community Policing Community policing is trending in the recent years. The idea is that the police would create a partnership with the community to aid in the reduction and prevention of crime. Community support can greatly benefit in the resolution of neighborhood problems. This style of policing is service-oriented encompassing â€Å"many different types of tactics and programs, all with the goal of officers and community members developing partnerships to solve some of the neighborhood’s problems† (Pollock, 2012, p.99). Additionally, community policing places an emphasis on the decentralizing of policing (Pollock, 2012). Order Maintenance and Zero Tolerance policing Order maintenance and zero tolerance-policing places focuses on eliminating public order crimes such as public drinking, noise violations, graffiti, public urination, and intrusive panhandling, in full force. The ideology is that the elimination of the smaller crimes will ultimately reduce the larger crimes. The targeting of minor offenses affects a broad spectrum of the community including the general law abiding citizens. The strict implementation of city ordinances violations such as property maintenance and parking violations can greatly improve the probability of accusations of biased enforcement directly affecting various cultural groups (Pollock, 2012). Existing Issues with the Partnership Between Law Enforcement and Community Law enforcement fights a constant uphill battle to achieve harmony between maintaining order in society and protecting the rights of individuals. Police must encompass the element of authority while remaining approachable and socially accessible. The mil itary structure that has developed within the police organization poses a threat to community relations and hampers efforts of community policing. Officers are trained to protect due-process constitutional rights. Aggressive officer behavior, and in some cases bearing inappropriate weaponry, creates the components of militarization. This contentious behavior fosters fear in society and serves as a daily reminder of government intervention (Maguire, 2011). Changes to Improve Partnerships Between Law Enforcement and Community Partnership between law enforcement and the community can be improved by consistently following protocol and procedures. Any time an officer fails or violates standard procedures or protocols trust within the community weakens. The machismo attitudes that can be fostered from the military style training and organizational structure can create soldiers instead of law enforcement officials. Agencies need to have harsh consequences for officers who directly violate standard procedures. The machismo attitude can cause an overlap of jurisdictional formalities. Officers cannot assume the role judge, jury, and prosecution. Partnerships are built on common interests and trust. The only practical way to eliminate bias and unnecessary infringement upon citizens from law enforcement is to create a more superior breed of officials. This can be achieved by creating enhanced psychological and practical testing methods. Agencies must strive to uphold the  service-based theme of community oriented policing. Inappropriate behavior and excessive use of force are shortcomings that should be immediately dispensed. Conclusion The organization structure of policing agencies is broad and complex. Levels of hierarchy have been established to implement a chain of command and create jurisdictional boundaries. Communication within agencies, between agencies, and the communities they serve are vital to the promotion of commonality of service and protection. Technology along with skill training aids in achieving this goal. Policing agencies have developed methods such as POP and COP to boost functionality and efficiency in crime reduction. The ever present issue facing policing agencies remains in achieving a balance between authority and service. References Maguire, M. (2011). Critical Issues in Crime and Justice: Thought, Policy, and Practice (1 ed). : Sage. Pollock, J. (2012). Crime and Justice in America An Introduction to Criminal Justice (5th ed.). : Elsevier.

Lord of the Flies †An Alternative Ending Essay

Ralph looked up. He knew he was imagining things, and that had to stop. He focused on the essential things in life. Pigs. Sharpening sticks. Killing. Ralph stood and, set with a determination to fuel his desires, he exited the cave. He had been living in the cave for the past month. There was nothing left on his body save for a loincloth and markings on his body. He had been different from the other people since discovering the power. The power to kill the remaining survivors. Ralph walked down to the beach. The palm trees and sandy beaches were once a haven to the boys. Once. Now they were just obstacles in a war for both sides. Since Simon had died, and Piggy had disappeared, the â€Å"hunters† were fighting a war against Ralph. But luckily, none of the boys had been brave enough to kill Ralph ever since that fateful night. Ralph closed his eyes and let his memories take over. ***** It was dark that night. The boys had given up trying to chase down Ralph. Ralph had retreated to a cave, but he was too impatient to wait till the morning. He wanted to try to persuade the Hunters to change their allegiances to him. He was walking towards the sandy beach towards the rocky outcrop, taking his time, anything to delay persuading the hunters. His new found conscience was urging him along. â€Å"Go, Ralph! You might never get another chance like this!† â€Å"No!† Ralph cried! The conscience retorted, â€Å"What happened if you were bullied by a boy? Would you go confront the boy, or run away like a coward?† â€Å"This is different! These are boys, humans, like me!† yelped Ralph. â€Å"Just do it. Get it over with.† The conscience insisted. Ralph considered, â€Å"5 minutes only.† When he reached the rocky outcrop, Ralph decided to climb up the steep and potentially hurtful rock in secret for fear that the hunters would see him and not allow Ralph up to discuss matters. As he climbed to the top, the rock he was reaching for suddenly came loose and gravity took hold. Ralph prayed that the rock that hit the bottom wouldn’t make a sound. Luckily, it hit the waves and was dragged out by the tide. As Ralph struggled over the top, he saw 5 spears pointed at him, like deadly stakes. â€Å"Why are you here?† spat a savage. â€Å"I need to talk †¦ to all of you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  gasped Ralph, tired from climbing up the rock. â€Å"Get lost†¦ We don’t need to talk to you. You and us have nothing to do with each other!† snarled a savage. Roger, Ralph guessed from the intensity of the words. â€Å"It concerns about being rescued.† Ralph said with the ferocity of being a leader. â€Å"How ’bout we just kill you?† â€Å"Because I want to speak with Jack!† Ralph said the last three words ferociously, hurling himself over the edge. â€Å"What do you want?† spoke a quiet, bored voice from the darkness. â€Å"I have come to offer a treaty† â€Å"Get out.† Ralph’s anger, hatred and bitter emotions flowed out of his body in a rush of fury. â€Å"No.† he spoke with hatred about Piggy. â€Å"Get out before I kill you!!† roared Jack. thump. thump. thump. â€Å"Ignore th-!† screamed the conscience. The savages jeered â€Å"We’ll just roast you on a spit, just like a pig!† thump. Thump. THUMP. â€Å"KILL THEM!!!† shrieked the conscience with a sheer overwhelming force of hatred and cunning. Suddenly, Roger lunged for Ralph. Without warning, Ralph’s hands came up †¦ and found them on Roger’s throat. Ralph could feel this reborn conscience taking over his body†¦ and his mind. He was powerless to do anything or stop his hands. He felt the conscience growing bigger, and making him weaker. Soon, he was the conscience, and vice versa. â€Å"STOP!!!† Ralph screeched, â€Å"You’re meant to be my conscience, not take it over!† The conscience laughed â€Å"Too late, Ralph. You missed your chance. What goes around, comes around.† With a growing sense of horror, Ralph was watching, through his own eyes, the terror that unfolded. He felt the conscience becoming more and more confident, and he closed his hand on the neck. Of course, Roger struggled, however, he was no match for somebody who was strangling him with two hands. After a few seconds, Roger stopped moving. Subsequently, everybody in the vicinity could hear a sharp snap. Suddenly, panic broke out. Everybody but Ralph and Roger started screaming, and all of them were in a frenzy trying to escape – from the monster that had become Ralph. The horror of killing something worse than just a pig, about killing Roger simply for absolutely no reason, or that Ralph was always the one to uphold justice but was practicing otherwise. Feeling the blood gushing down his hands, the screams of the littleuns and biguns, the feeling of a cold hard body in his hands. His heart beat faster and faster, and he screamed. His head spun and he dry heaved. He was becoming more and more nauseated as he plummeted into the abyss. Claws grabbed him from below and tried to rip his skin. Blood materialized in his vision, but it wasn’t Ralph’s – it was Roger’s blood. He felt a searing pain on his arms and his head hurt so much†¦ ***** Ralph painfully opened his eyes. He wasn’t used to the amount of sunlight on his face – not anymore. He climbed up the rock leading to the savages’ hideout, intent on inflicting pain onto them, not caring about being rescued, about the honor of the fire, or the conch. For he, had become the Beast.

Biologics PRODUCTION AND MARKET Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biologics PRODUCTION AND MARKET - Essay Example epresent a significant proportion of the pharmaceutical market according to Aagaard, Purdy, and Philpott (2010) who cite that in 2007 American consumers reportedly spent approximately $40 billion on biologics constituting about 13.9 percent of the overall money spent on prescription drugs. The statistics further show an increase in the use and prescription of biologics in the coming years. Visiongain, an international company, predicted that the market share of the biologics would immensely increase over these years. According to the statistical data, these biologics will reach an estimated 178.4 billion by 2017. It was also found that biologics formed 15% of the pharmaceutical market in the year 2012 (Visiongain, 2013). Another report put forward by Allied Market Research also found out that the market of biologics would increase drastically over the years to come. According to Allied Market Research, it is estimated that the share would increase from a total of $1.3 billion in 2013 to $35 billion by the year 2020. This clearly shows that the demand for biologics will keep on increasing as time is passing by (Market Watch, 2015). According to the forecasts, this has increased from $46 billion to $169 billion in the year of 2012 and is further expected to increase to $221 billion by 2017. Following is the graphical data which shows the forecast of biologics between th e years of 2004 till 2017. However despite the success of biologics in the field of healthcare, there has been much debate regarding the approval of and patenting of the relevant technology. Biologics go through a fast track approval process which greatly speeds the process. Much of the criticism pertaining to fast track approval procedure for biologics focuses on safety concerns which are ignored during the fast process. According to the FDA (2011), the fast track procedure is to allow for speedy approval of biologics for treatment of life-threatening diseases and hence is required due to necessity.

Critical Case Comment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Critical Case Comment - Essay Example apportionment of the proceeds of the will of William York, an old man who bequeathed this estate to his nephew at a price that was ridiculously low when compared to the market value of the property. The question that arises in the disposition that was made in this case relates to the law of unconscionability and whether the judgment reflects the appropriate application of this law to derive results that provide for the promotion of efficient market outcomes. Since the Plaintiffs in this case were the daughters of the deceased man while the primary beneficiary was a nephew upon whom the deceased may have been unconsciously dependent, an additional question that arises is whether this dependence produced a property distribution that was inequitable to the daughters when viewed from a feminist perspective. Bill York was a grazier who had lived in Wallumbia all his life. He had four daughters, all married and living off the estate, which he operated, with the help of his brother Sam and his nephew Neil York. In 1985, Bill York drew up his will in which he gave his house, his car and money in the bank to his wife while the estate was to be divided among his daughters, subject to an important qualification – he gave his nephew Neil York, the option to purchase the entire holding for the sum of $200,000.1 Subsequent to this, in 1988, Neil York arranged for the sale of a piece of land known as Injune, which he had acquired with advances from the Mt Leigh pastoral Company that owned holdings possessed jointly held by Bill, Sam and Neil, for the sum of $150,000. He offered to buy some portions of Bill’s property for that sum of $150,000, while retaining his option on the balance of land that remained with Bill. In 1988, the transfers were arranged accordingly. The land that was transferred was owned partially by Bill alone (the territory known as Wonga Park partly by Bill and Sam (the territory known as Wonga park fee simple) and that owned by Neil and Bill (Risby

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Research Paper

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Research Paper Example The Book of Mormon was marketed on the 26th of March 1830. A year after the extensively cited analysis of Alexander Campbell charged it of clarifying all the major concerns talked about in New York throughout the 1820s, as well as â€Å"infant baptism, ordination, the trinity, regeneration†¦ even the question of free masonry, republic government, and the rights of man† (Winn, 1990, 20). Aspects in the book did appear to relate with several of existing issues at that time and to address its readers’ mental and emotional needs; several converts made use of the book as prescribed by Campbell. Numerous, nevertheless, did not. In truth, the Book of Mormon, in comparison with the Bible, was used sparsely (Winn, 1990). Smith’s revelations and converts mention ‘Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures,’ setting aside the ‘holy scripture’ for the Bible (Barlow, 1997, 44). God scolded the members of the Church for not giving little importance t o the Book of Mormon. According to Morris (2006), W.W. Phelps, Mormon writer, protested that the Saints would instead seek mysteries and miracles in the Bible than find out details communicated in the Book of Mormon. Mormon publications during the 1830s mentioned the Bible several times as frequently as the Book of Mormon, and in the sermons presented to Nauvoo, Illinois for which current documentation is available, Smith reworded the Book of Mormon a number of times but mentioned or reworded the Bible hundreds of times (Morris, 2006).  ... Numerous, nevertheless, did not. In truth, the Book of Mormon, in comparison with the Bible, was used sparsely (Winn, 1990). Smith’s revelations and converts mention ‘Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures,’ setting aside the ‘holy scripture’ for the Bible (Barlow, 1997, 44). God scolded the members of the Church for not giving little importance to the Book of Mormon. According to Morris (2006), W.W. Phelps, Mormon writer, protested that the Saints would instead seek mysteries and miracles in the Bible than find out details communicated in the Book of Mormon. Mormon publications during the 1830s mentioned the Bible several times as frequently as the Book of Mormon, and in the sermons presented to Nauvoo, Illinois for which current documentations are available, Smith reworded the Book of Mormon a number of times but mentioned or reworded the Bible hundreds of times (Morris, 2006). Even though he illustrated the Book of Mormon as more accurate than any other manuscript and as â€Å"the keystone of our religion,† (Parry, 2004, 17) there are very few proofs that he gave an effort to analyze its text as he studied the Bible. The Book of Mormon was given due importance by its followers, but it did not turn out to be the foundation for the early Church tradition and dogma, the everyday revelations of Smith accomplished that. It would linger for a succeeding period of Saints to embrace as idols those Book of Mormon icons like Nephi, Moroni, and Alma (Parry, 2004). The very first Mormon chose the Bible, in spite of the flaws they discovered in it. Malachi, Zechariah, and Nahum were not indefinite or unclear icons for them and their colleagues (Barlow,

ASSIGNMENT- Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

- - Assignment Example This will allow me to quantify the competence of players in each of the six competence areas, and provide me with objective results and hence, names of the players to be drafted. What will you do to motivate the players? Motivation comes from satisfaction and self actualization. In order to inculcate both in the players, it is imperative that the leader makes them aware of the importance of the task at hand and the significance of their individualistic and collective roles in making the project successful. When the players are explained the background of the project along with its importance and their own importance, it makes them feel important that in turn, inculcates satisfaction. Therefore, I shall call a meeting and demonstrate the project, along with their roles and responsibilities in it. I shall also assure them that their hard work will be rewarded in any way the organization deems appropriate. Successful players may get a financial reward or be promoted or sent to paid leav e etc. The team knows that it is involved in a corporate bake-off, winner take all. What members don't know is that it is a suicide mission, meaning results won't matter because the parent firm is sinking underneath it.   A.

Quality Management as a Global Issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 8500 words

Quality Management as a Global Issue - Essay Example Such issues require an organizational change initiative and have mostly been undertaken by the private sector, or at least research suggests so. However, not much research is available on the extent that public institutions have implemented quality management. The health-care sector in Saudi Arabia is a very vital sector where quality is a critical issue. Quality health care is a basic human right and based on this principle, Saudi hospitals to have joined the movements towards quality management. They expect that such a strategy would help to overcome organizational deficiencies amidst shrinking budgets (Al-ahmadi & Roland, 2005). Total quality management (TQM) is one such management practice that can help improve health organizational performance. There is no universally accepted definition of TQM and varies across researchers and philosophers and quality experts. Nevertheless, it has been considered as a philosophy for managing organizations (Hill and Wilkinson, 1995; Dean and Bowen, 1994) and most agree on certain core TQM concepts (Waldman, 1993). These core concepts include: 4. Involvement, support and guidance of senior management demonstrating their commitment towards TQM along with the importance of leadership necessary to achieve successful TQM (Johnson, 1990; Juran 1989; Waldman, 1993); Ho and Shih (1999) conducted a review of the works of quality proponents. This study revealed shared principles and certain assumptions of TQM commonly shared by all. The authors surmised that a customer-centric approach is essential to achieve TQM. This implies that both the products and the services should be customized to meet the customer needs and expectations. To meet the long-term objectives of organizational success, a customer-focused approach is essential. The authors also found that process improvement should be an ongoing process in the organization. This principle is based on  the two-fold argument: a) ongoing quality and process improvement lead to customer satisfaction and b) in the long run high-quality products and services have proven to be cost-effective as the resources required are less than for an inferior quality product.  

Due diligence standards in the US and the UK appear to provide deal Essay

Due diligence standards in the US and the UK appear to provide deal parties different incentives as to disclosure - Essay Example Duty of care is a fiduciary duty for the Board but it can also be delegated (Batterson, nd). When due diligence examination is outsourced i.e. accounting professionals are hired to produce a report for an entity’s future prospects, the fiduciary duty of due diligence is delegated to the professionals. It is not only the bidder’s responsibility to exercise due diligence but the target company also needs to provide that information to the potential buyer which is not publicly available. A significant amount of information becomes automatically available to the Board when it examines the financial statements of the target company. In order to exercise due diligence, mere dependence on financial statements is insufficient because these statements contain the opinion of an auditor regarding the fact whether the statements are prepared according to the generally accepted accounting principles. These statements do not provide a reliable forecast on the target company’s future profits. This is why a â€Å"special audit† is required to obtain relevant and reliable information (Weiner, 2010). However, in cases where a hostile bid is placed, the bidder only has the option of relying on the publicly available information of the target company. Also, the target company is not legally obligated to expose its private information in a hostile bid. Publicly available information of a company includes: Contingent liabilities: Liabilities that might arise from pending litigation or environmental liabilities. This information can also be obtained from financial statements but it might also not be disclosed if it does not meet the criteria of materiality; Restrictions: The bidder has to be careful for the existence of any agreements or covenants that putt restrictions on the conduct of the targets business. For instance, covenants that require an entity not to compete; Further, a bidder should

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Marketing - Essay Example Examining the similarities and differences of each of the studies creates a deeper understanding of how results can differ and what is excluded from different studies, despite the similarity of focus with the studies. This research paper will examine four different studies related to the sports retail industry. These will be evaluated first to show how each links to the sports industry and what the main conclusions were. When looking at the different studies, there will be the ability to evaluate and determine both similarities and differences between the studies. By looking into this and examining the alterations between various types of studies, there is the ability to create a deeper understanding about the sports retail stores and how this relates to customer service and management. At the same time, the limitations and developments with the studies can help to define what changes need to be made for more effective applications to the studies. Qualitative Studies The first qualit ative study was based on observations of perceived value which customers had, specifically which related to attitudes, self – image congruence, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. The model which was used included showing how each of these levels related directly to how shoppers’ was influenced when shopping in a sports retail store. ... If the positioning wasn’t correct, then it was likely that the behaviors would become negative and the management would seem inflictive. Positioning directly affected the purchase and the feeling of customer satisfaction when creating behavioral intentions from customers (Ibrahim, Naijar, 207: 2008). A second concept which is known to relate directly to the impact of customer relationships and management is with defining the relationship qualities which are built in retail stores and in fitness centers. It has been found that when there are more services and products in sports centers, individuals are more likely to respond in a positive manner. When management follows this with orientation toward different products, then it is also known that the relationships become more significant in the stores. Specifically, there is the belief from the customers that the orientation of services and products is based on building relationships and orientation toward the individuals working in the sport centers, as opposed to only the sale of various products. This increases quality and shows a sense of loyalty, customer satisfaction, commitment and social bonds that are a part of customer needs (Athanassopoulou, Mylonakis, 355: 2009). Quantitative Studies The first quantitative study which was defined was based on the customer satisfaction related to various approaches to management and customer service. This was defined with the customer satisfaction index, which included stated and derived importance variables. The scores were based on the importance that customers had to basic concepts within the store as well as performance that was a part of the store. A regression analysis was performed to find which was considered the most valuable to customers.

Comparing and Contrasting Two Images Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Comparing and Contrasting Two Images - Essay Example illions of Americans out of work and created the justification for more government intervention in business and society that continues today through the financial stimulus package. Photographs of desperate people during this terrible period in American business history abound but one of the most famous is that by Dorothea Lange which captured the sheer desperation of a mother who was worrying how to feed all her seven children (although only three were shown in that iconic photograph with the youngest still an infant). It is an unforgettable sad portrait. On the other hand, this photograph will be contrasted with a picture of another mother in a formal (official) historical portrait by an extremely talented female painter by the name of Elisabeth-Louise Vigee-Le Brun who struck up a healthy friendship with her painting subject. It is a curious twist of history that the mother portrayed in this painting happened to be the queen of France named Marie Antoinette who was of Austrian origin but was married off to the French dauphin (heir apparent to the royal throne) at that time to cement the relations between the two countries of France and Austria. The French people soon soured of Marie Antoinette and killed her through the guillotine. These two photographs show how life can be unfair at times which in turn validates the old idiomatic expression of â€Å"thats the way the cookie crumbles.† Discussion – the first photograph is entitled â€Å"Destitute Pea Pickers in California† and it was taken by Dorothea Lange in Nipomo, California at around February or March of 1936. This was around the time when the depression was at its peak (the vicious cycle was at its worst time) and this photograph, alternatively called as â€Å"Migrant Mother† (Lange, 1936) by photograph enthusiasts, is considered as the most iconic of the Depression era. It captured the sheer sense of hopelessness, anxiety, and desperation which many Americans felt at that time but this one photograph

Catholic Church so successfully in the years 1517-1525 Essay Example for Free

Catholic Church so successfully in the years 1517-1525 Essay Why was Luther able to challenge the Catholic Church so successfully in the years 1517-1525? Various reasons contributed to Martin Luther’s success in challenging the Catholic Church from the years 1517-25. The five key reasons behind Luther’s success were his protection by Frederick the Wise, the fact his ideas were appealing and popular, his passion and determination, the failures of the Church itself and finally, the timing of his challenge. Some of these factors also affected each other and these links provide the strength which allowed Luther’s revolt to be so successful. This is because one of these factors alone would not have been sufficient in preventing Luther gaining the same fate as those who attempted a reformation before him. Conversely, some reasons can also be considered as having a larger and more widespread effect than others, meaning they were more significant in contributing to the final outcome. Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony and founder of the University of Wittenberg was the most powerful early defender of Luther. He played a large role in helping Luther keep his message spreading and on several occasions used his authority to benefit Luther’s revolt. For example, The Papal Bull of Excommunication was never carried out in Saxony and neither were the terms of the Edict of The Worms. Also, Frederick persuaded Charles V to carry out the Diet of Worms in German, instead of Rome, so that Luther could defend himself safely. Another way Frederick defended Luther was in 1521 when he had him ‘kidnapped’ on his way back from Worms and taken to the Wartburg for his safety. The significance of Frederick the Wise’s protection is that he ultimately prevented Luther from being killed or persecuted by those who disagreed with his motives. This in turn allowed his message to carry on spreading and to be developed. Therefore, Frederick the Wise had a fundamental effect on the Lutheran movement because although he never converted to the religion, he contributed to its development and influence over Saxony. The main reason Wise supported Luther was because Luther was a teacher at his University and Wise did not want it to gain a bad reputation. However, other reasons can also be considered such as the fact that Luther’s ideas proved popular and therefore Frederick was happy to support him. Essentially, Luther’s success relied upon his ideas being popular and the reason for this was due to the fact his ideas appealed to people of all classes. He addressed his message differently to both the princes, in Address to the Christian Nobility, and the peasants, by creating sermons and woodcuts. This allowed his message to spread among everyone. His ideas appealed to the different classes; peasants interpreted his message of ‘priesthood of all believers’ as supporting social equality and used it as a basis for the Peasants War in 1525 thus showing they supported Luther up until this point. The nobility also joined the reform movement as they believed it would strengthen their political position and remove papal influence in their territories. His popularity is shown by the fact his publications were of the most popular at the time. The fact his ideas were popular were vital to his success as his argument had to be seen as valid for him to gain support. Moreover, the fact he had support from a variety of everyday Germans was crucial for keeping his message spreading. A significant reason for his ideas proving popular is due to the church’s failures which at the time was becoming increasingly less tolerated and gave a clear example of the faults he was trying to highlight. The lack of tolerance towards the church was due to the fact that many Germans saw the Pope as a foreigner who did little to benefit Catholics, despite the high papal taxes they had to pay to him. These taxes were used to pay for the rebuilding of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome thus not being advantageous to the Germans who were paying the tax. However the intolerance was not only towards the papacy but also parish priests who were not fulfilling their pastoral duties. Many also committed clerical abuses such as pluralism and simony. As a result, people generally had the growing feeling they were being exploited for their money and faith. This feeling over anticlericalism was further developed from Luther’s ideas. It is also a reason for the fact Luther’s ideas were popular, because they could be related too and agreed with. Failures of the Church were not a directly significant reason for Luther’s success, it allowed him to gain more support but only because his ideas were popular. Anticlericalism had been around for a long time, and only enhanced the popularity of his message as it coincided with a time when intolerance towards church failures was increasing. Another reason for Luther’s ideas proving popular was due to his personality and passion for making a change. This passion is seen through his obsession with finding salvation. In addition, he was fearless in putting his point across regardless of consequences such as in 1519 in his debate with Johann Eck where he argued his ideas confidently and 1521 at the Diet of Worms, where he claimed that by recanting, he would be promoting tyranny and his conscience would not allow him to do so, therefore he would not be silenced. Luther’s determination also relates to why his ideas proved popular, he had the power to make people believe and support him. This determination meant he was the catalyst for the reformation in Europe. He not only believed there was corruption in the Catholic Church, but spoke out publicly about his ideas that salvation would be found through faith alone. It also links to Frederick’s choice to defend him because his passion earned him the role as a lecturer at Wittenberg University which meant Frederick was more willing to support him. Luther’s personality was important for his success, he was determined to change the system of the Church and this prevented him from giving up, and instead keeping his message extending across the Empire. The final factor that can be considered and linked to the others is the timing of Luther’s movement. It coincided with the return of the Renaissance era which invited new thinking about education and society that came from ancient Greek and Roman teachings. These secular, humanist ideas believed that the Church should not rule civic matter but only give guidance in spiritual matters, which Luther also emphasised in his teachings. In other words, he agreed with the Renaissance way of thinking, focusing on the present, and seeing that change was desperately needed in the Catholic Church. This was significant as it ran parallel to his beliefs and helped in the development of his own ideas, as well as making them more relatable to everyday Germans, therefore having a similar effect to that of intolerance towards anticlericalism. In addition, his ideas were spread quicker by the invention of the printing press. His Ninety Five Theses was printed, meaning his word was spread rapidly. Previous to the printing press, people with ideas had no effective way to spread them. Therefore, the printing press also links to the fact his ideas were seen as popular because they could be seen by many. On the contrary, the fact that less than 10% of the population could read or write was a limiting factor to the spread of his message. Therefore, the fact his revolt began at a time when society and technology was also changing means it was carried along with the flow of new, revolutionary ideas, which helped his message to be heard by more people. In conclusion, many of these factors link together to produce the same outcome – that Luther’s revolt was a successful one. However, the most important factor was that his ideas proved popular. This was because they, to an extent, were radical, new and well-liked. Martin Luther was one of the first to think outside of what the church taught him. He began to question the church’s authority and what was going on inside the Church – what he found was corruption, greed and malpractice. But this alone would not have made him so successful. His personality played a role by making him determined to speak up about it and therefore gain more support, making his ideas even more popular. Without these two factors working together, he never would have gained strong enough support to form a fully fledged reformation. However, more importantly than his personality was the protection he acquired from Frederick the Wise; this kept him from Harm’s way and allowed his message to carry on spreading. Additionally, to this was the significance of the timing of his actions. It turned what would have been a small rebellion into a national reorganization of the Church, due to the printing press and Renaissance era. Finally, but with less slightly less importance, was the Church’s own failures. On one hand it was important to his success because it emphasised the corruption he was describing, making it more relatable. On the other hand, anticlericalism had been around for a long time, it only emphasised his message but did not contribute to its successfulness. In summary, all five factors played an important role however the most important were that his ideas proved popular , due to his personality, and his protection by Frederick the Wise. The other elements played lesser roles but were still important in helping his message spread to a wider audience.

Future Sustainability Of The Mauritian Economy Tourism Essay

Future Sustainability Of The Mauritian Economy Tourism Essay 1. Introduction In recent years, many studies and researches were carried out on the contribution of tourism in the economic development of a country (Mishra et al, 2011). There is a general agreement that tourism has been of central importance in the social progress as well as an important contributor of widening socio-economic and cultural contacts throughout human history. Over the past years, many developing and developed nations have considered tourism as an option for their sustainable development. Mauritius is a small independent island located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar with an area of 2,040 square kilometers (including St Brandon and Agalega Islands) and a population of almost 1.3 million. The island consists of people originating from India, China, Africa and Europe. With regard to its geographical position and of its volcanic origin, Mauritius has been gifted with natural assets that attract a very large number of tourists every year (Sobhee, 2008). As a small island economy, Mauritius has experienced very rapid industrial and tourism development during the last thirty years and until recently tourism has been growing very rapidly. In the 1970s, it has successfully transformed itself from a mono-crop economy to a diversified economy comprising agricultural, textile, tourism, Information and Technology and financial services. Tourism has become an important sector of the Mauritian economy playing a substantial part to the sustainable development of the country and in generating foreign exchange and employment opportunities. 2. Literature Review Tourism has developed itself from a relatively small-scale activity into one of the worlds largest industries and a rapidly growing global economy from the 1960s onwards. There has been an uninterrupted growth in international tourist arrivals from 25 million in 1950 to 438 million in 1990 and 681 million in 2000. In 2009, the international tourist arrivals were 880 million and the corresponding tourism receipts were US $852 million. For the year 2010, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) forecasted a growth of 3% to 4% in arrivals generating about 21.7% of world GDP, 10% of global capital investments, 9% of worldwide employment and 22.2% of worldwide exports of goods and services. All the figures demonstrate the significant role of the tourism sector in the long-run growth of host countries across the world (Mishra et al, 2011). Today, many islands depend on international travel and tourism to enhance their economies. For example, tourism industry accounted for 20% of GDP, 33% of revenue and 66% of foreign exchange earnings in Maldives. Likewise, in Seychelles the tourism sector accounted for 12% of GDP, 30% of workforce and 70% of foreign exchange earnings (Lee et al, 2010). In Vanuatu, the contribution of tourism to the GDP increases from 16% in 1991 to 21.6% in 1998 (Meheuxa Parkerb, 2006). In Fiji, the sector accounted for 29.5% of GDP and 37% of foreign exchange earnings (Becken, 2005). In Bahamas, 60% of jobs are mainly due to the tourism industry (Apostolopoulos Gayle, 2002c). The above statistics shows that many Indian Ocean, Pacific and Carribean islands are highly dependent on tourism for their economic growth (Duval, 2004). In such cases, the economies of these islands are more vulnerable to external shocks and natural calamities like in the years 2008 and 2009, unless they have diversified thei r economies. Many developing countries have managed to increase their participation in the global economy through development of international tourism. International tourism is increasingly viewed as an important tool in promoting economic growth and alleviating poverty (Richardson, 2010). Researchers are of the view that the rapid growth of tourism sector causes an increase of household incomes and government revenue through its multiplier effect, improvements in the balance of payments and the growth of the tourism industry by itself. Tourism dollars are new dollars injected in an economy as they are spent and respent by employers and employees. The more money flows within an economy, the larger the multiplier effect. As such, tourism development has usually been thought to have a positive contribution to economic growth (Khan et al, 1995). Baum (1994) identified the following as the positive impact of tourism in an economy: Generating foreign exchange and foreign direct investment; Employment opportunities; Contribution to the local/host community; Conservational or environmental impact. 2.1 Revenue and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) In terms of GDP, the tourist industry is the second most important after the manufacturing sector. Statistics (CSO, 2011) (Table 1) show that the annual tourist arrivals in 2010 has increased to more than 930,000 as compared to 871,356 in 2009, that is an increase of 7.3%. The industry contributes to 3.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and tourism receipts for the year 2010 amounted to around Rs 39,456 million, thus showing an increase of 10.5% as compared to Rs 35,693 million in 2009. It is estimated that 980,000 tourists will visit Mauritius in 2011with receipts of Rs 42,500 million (+7.7%). The fall in tourist arrivals in 2009 can be explained by the world financial crisis that started to attain our economy and the government has taken several measures through the Additional Stimulus Package to redress the situation. Faced with the slumping revenue from the tourism industry in 2009, Directors of the various tourism boards of the Indian Ocean islands (Mauritius, Madagascar, Reunion, Seychelles, Comoros and Mayotte) develop a plan for the regions tourism industry under a common regional label, The Vanilla Islands. The objective was to address new target groups and to launch an authentic regional destination. The concept is based on four pillars: Facilitation of visa-free travel within the islands of the Indian Ocean; Extension and enhancement of the inter-island transportation network; Close operation between tour operators, hotels and authorities; The development of a homogenous marketing strategy focusing on the uniqueness of each island and at the same time strengthening the joint identity. The government also encouraged the liberalization of air access to stimulate tourism growth. Airlines like Corsair, entered the market, by linking France and Reunion Island with Mauritius. Also, the national airline, Air Mauritius, increased its flight frequency towards Europe and Asia. As a result, the tourism sector beneficiated from this policy. Tourists from all over the world come to Mauritius. They originate from Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and America as shown in the chart below. Our main market remains France and Reunion Island. Source CSO, 2011 The competitiveness of the tourism industry in Mauritius depends mainly on the service quality, value for money, safety, road infrastructure, communication network, political stability and social harmony among the different communities and ethnic groups. The main aim of the government and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) is to continue to attract high-income visitors whose economic impacts are acknowledged to be more beneficial to the local economy than low-spending visitors. Figure 2 : Tourist arrival and Receipts (Rs m) from 2000 2006 Source: CSO, 2011 The Mauritian government has been under economic pressure to find other ways to sustain the economy following the phasing out of textile and sugar agreements and recent shocks of rising oil prices (Ramkissoon Nunkoo, 2008). The development of integrated resorts has been considered as an alternative to generate cash flows and sustain the economy. Several Integrated Resort Schemes (IRS) and Real Estates Scheme (RES) were approved with the idea that they will bring Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the economy. The total FDI for the year 2010 was Rs 12 billion, a record mark. FDI into hospitality and real estate sector reached Rs 3.7 billion in the first eight months of 2010 (Board of Investment, 2010) groping its way towards a semblance to the level of Rs 6 billion recorded in 2009. FDI brings long lasting and stable capital flows as they are invested in long term assets such as infrastructure. These funds are introduced into the economy contributing to the aggregate demand of the economy, and therefore to the economic growth of the economy. Local firms, due to the competition brought in by FDI, tend to become more productive to effectively counter the threat of the competitor from abroad. Higher productivity of firms contribute to the growth of the economy. 2.2 Employment Several strategies for tourism development have been found to be effective in creating employment and income opportunities for vulnerable and communities (UNWTO, 2000: Ashley et al, 2001). The tourism development projects that have been most successful include those that: Promote employment of the people in tourism businesses ( including training) Promote the establishment of tourism enterprises ( such as micro and small enterprises) Promote the supply of goods and services to tourism businesses by enterprises that are owned by local people (Supply chain) Promote the direct sale of goods and services to tourists Figure 3:- Employment in the tourist industry as at end of March, 2006-2010 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Restaurants 1,805 2,012 2,251 2,431 2,464 Hotels 19,536 20,233 22,314 20,478 20,847 Travel and Tourism 4,457 4,296 4,188 4,093 3,850 Total 25,798 26,541 28,753 27,002 27,161 Source: CSO, March 2011 The tourism industry contributes to around 9% of the total employment in 2010. The table shows that there has been a continuous increase in employment from 2006 to 2008 with a decrease in 2009 and again rises in 2010. The decrease in 2009 was due to the financial crisis that hit some tourism businesses and the renovation of some hotels. Employment in the services sector is rapidly increasing in Mauritius. As employment generated by the primary and secondary industries stagnates or declines with the Voluntary Retirement Scheme in the sugar sector and closing of some textile units, tourism provides new opportunities to generate new jobs. Tourism is a labour-intensive industry in an age of great technological advancement and declining relative demand for labour. The tourism industry and the related industries provide many full-time and part-time jobs across a range of skill areas such as tour operators, car rentals. The integrated resorts newly built also demand for jobs among the local community such as baby-sitters, gardeners, personal drivers, cooks, etc. 2.3 Contribution to the local community The literature point out that host communitys support for tourism-related development is crucial for the industrys sustainability (Tovar Lockwood, 2008). Once a community turns into a destination, the quality of life of the local people tends to be affected by the development impacts (Gursoy et al, 2002).Tourism is the only export sector where the consumer travels to the exporting country, which provides opportunities for local people to become exporters through the sale of goods and services to foreign tourists. Employment opportunities (Andriotis, 2008) and revenues (Jurowski et al, 1997) for the community and government are the major benefits derived by the local community from tourism development. Local employment opportunities arise during the construction and from the subsequent staffing of the resort (Ioannides Holcomb, 2003). The creation of new investment opportunities and opportunities for local businesses are other notable benefits perceived by local residents. Tourism provides new small business opportunities. Good opportunities for development of new tourism enterprises arise from low capital requirements and comparatively low barriers to entry for small businesses. The potential beneficiaries of tourism activity are spread across various sectors of the regional economy. For example, in Grand Baie, many individuals from the region benefit from tourism through the renting of small bungalows, cars and cycles. They also benefit by running restaurants and cafes meant for tourists. O ther activities like glass bottom, surfing and boats are also other means by which the local people generate incomes. Resort developers attempt to integrate the resort within the local community through fostering economic linkages with that community (Richardson, 2010). Tourism also stimulates demand for local craftsmanship, create opportunities for cultural exchange, stimulate better services and infrastructure and provide alternatives for leisure activities. It has been pointed out that in economically depressed areas (such as Le Morne), residents tend to underestimate the cost of tourism development and tend to overvalue the economic gains (Liu Var, 1986). Var et al (1985) argue that such residents are willing to accept some inconveniences in order to receive some benefits resulting from the development. Local community involvement in the planning, development and management of the projects is a factor that contributes to the success or sustainability of a tourism development project. Strategies that can be adopted by host communities (Honey Gilpin, 2009) include: Identify and protect cultural and natural assets that form the basis for comparative advantage in tourism Maintain and focus on the community as the centre of the tourism development strategy to ensure local ownership of projects and retention of profits Encourage widespread community participation in tourism planning processes Build capacity through the development of physical infrastructure and human capital Promote improvement in the delivery of tourism services to ensure quality and authenticity Raise awareness among tourists to encourage them to appreciate and respect the sites they visit. Tourism also plays a negative role to the local community. The erosion of moral values contributing to increase the generation gap between the older generations who are more attached to traditional values and the young who are eager to adapt to the tourists way of life. Hence, it is important to keep a balance in terms of number and type of tourist the local community is capable to tolerating or sustaining. A good example of the negative impact is the building of hotels and restaurants on our beaches, depriving Mauritian to enjoy the natures gift to them. We are near to renting a parasol on a private beach for a picnic at the seaside. Another example is the imposition of entry fees at Pamplemousses Botanical Garden both on tourists and local citizens (except on Sundays and public holidays free entrance). 2.4 Environment aspect Environment is one of the major elements which form the foundation of the tourism industry of a country. The impact of tourism on both man-made and natural environment is beneficial as well as harmful. One of the major benefits is the conservation of the natural and man-made environments. Tourism can contribute significantly in environmental protection/conservation and restoration of biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources. Tourism impacts are linked with the construction of general infrastructure such as roads and airports and of tourism facilities such as resorts, hotels, restaurants, shops, golf courses and marinas. Cleaner production techniques can be important tools for planning and operating tourism facilities and thus minimizes their environmental impacts. Tourism has the potential to increase public appreciation of the environment. It brings people into closer contact with nature and the environment. Awareness of the value of nature leads to environmentally conscious behavior and activities to preserve the environment. Tourism industry can play a role in providing environmental information and awareness among tourists of the environmental consequences of their actions. User fees, taxes on sales rental of recreation equipment and license fees for activities like hunting and fishing can be used to provide the government with funds needed to manage natural resources. Such funds can be used for conservation programs and activities. Recently, the Minister of Tourism came with a proposal to have differential paid access at Ile Aux Cerfs for tourists and Mauritians. According to the authorities, this islet attracts more than 350,000 tourists yearly with a turnover of about Rs 500 million (Star, 2011).He stated that the funds raised will be used for cleaning of the beach and for the conservation of the environment. But, the effect of this policy on the local people in terms of jobs that may be lost need to be assessed. Tourism also can have negative impact on environment. Tourism development can put pressure on natural resources when it increases consumption in areas where resources are already scarce (land, water and local resources). Pollution caused by tourism include air emissions, noise, solid waste and littering, releases of sewage, oils and chemicals. 2.5 Threats for the tourism industry. In recent years, oil prices, natural disasters, crime and international terrorism impacted on the willingness of global tourists. Small islands depend on the double efficiency of tourism income. Therefore, developing tourism industries is imperative. However, to avoid damage by natural disasters, those islands may through early warning and alarm systems reduce losses (Mehexua Parkerb, 2006). In Malta, Egypt and Greece, many factors like terrorist attacks and tsunamis may influence tourism consumers and thereby affecting the tourism industry. In Fiji, problems of climate change such as strength of wind resulted in coastline damages thereby affecting beaches which tourists prefer the most during their stay. Since November 2009, when some European countries like Greece, Spain, Portugal and Britain started facing high budget deficit and debt problems, the euro has been weakening against the dollar and as a result against our rupee. Since then, these countries adopted austerity measures to exit from these economic problems. This resulted in a drop in demand for our exports and lower tourist arrivals due to the high dependence on European markets. There was a need, then, to diversify our markets by tapping fully the rapidly growing countries like China, India and Russia. From statistics (CSO, 2011), the trend of tourist arrivals from China, India and Russia shows an increase of 9.9%, 26.8% and 17.5% respectively over the figures of 2009. Vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya and dengue fever have become a major public health problem in tropical countries, especially in Asia and the Indian Ocean. For example, one third of the population in Reunion Island was affected by chikungunya in 2005 2006 (Reiter et al, 2006). Dengue is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in the world (WHO) when 55% of the worlds population was at risk in 124 countries (Beatty et al, 2007). Mavalankar et al (2009) pointed out that a 4% decline in tourists from non-endemic countries would result in a substantial loss of tourism revenues at least US$ 65 million for Malaysia and US$ 363 million for Thailand. This indicates that the impact of these diseases on tourism revenues should not be ignored when calculating the burden of infectious diseases. Another negative factor related to tourism is the perception people have of safety and security issues. Olurunfemi et al (2008) posits that security is an important knot in tne chain because it forms an organic bedrock of a sustainable benefit for both the tourists and the host communities. For example, assurance of adequate safety of life and property during their stay must be given to tourists and on transit on sites. Safety and security in tourism refers to the protection of life, health, physical, psychological and economic integrity of travelers, tourism staff and the people constituting host communities (WTO, 1991). Recently, the tourism sector has been seriously undermined by the growing lack of security among the citizens and tourists. Some types of crime affecting tourists include attacks on tourists visiting nature parks and on beaches and in hotels. In order to tackle the issue of security in tourism, the government has taken some preventive measures. For example, a close circuit camera system has been set up in the regions of Flic en Flac and Grand Baie which are reputed places for tourists in Mauritius. The results have been encouraging in the sense that there has been a fall in the number of attacks and thefts on tourists. Even the recent murder of a popular personality of Ireland in a resort seems to have little impact on tourist arrivals due to the prompt action taken by the local police. Conclusion The governments contribution to the tourism sector has been very beneficial in terms of planning and policy formulation. During the Assises Du Tourisme held in 2006, the Prime Minister expressed his vision to welcome two million tourists by 2015. He pointed out that many less endowed countries are doing much better than Mauritius. There are many factors that must be taken into consideration in order to achieve this target and these factors will be analysed in the methodology section.

Immanuel Kants Idea of Knowledge

Immanuel Kants Idea of Knowledge Immanuel Kant is responsible for introducing the term â€Å"transcendental† to the philosophical discussion. By doing this it was his goal to reject everything that Hume had to say. His argument proved that subjects like mathematics and philosophy truly existed. One of his main arguments was the idea that gaining knowledge was possible. Without this idea of knowledge there would be no reason for a discussion. Since we know that knowledge is possible we must ask how it got this way. According to Kant, one of the conditions of knowledge is the Transcendental Aesthetic, which is the mind placing sense experience into a space and time sequence. From this we understand that the transcendental argument is an abundance of substances situated in space and time, with a relationship to one another. We cannot gain this knowledge from sense-experience (Hume) or from rational deduction alone (Leibniz), but showing how knowledge exist and how it is possible. Kant makes the claim in the Transcendental Aesthetics that space and time are ‘pure a priori intuitions. To fully understand what this means we must define what an intuition is. According to Kant an intuition is raw data of sensory experience. So basically intuitions are produced in the mind. Kant is saying that space and time are things that are produced in the mind and given before experience. Space is a necessary a priori representation, which underlies all outer intuitions. It does not represent something in itself or any other relationship. Space is only a form of appearance represented outside of the mind. Time, on the other hand, is a necessary representation that underlies all intuitions and therefore is a priori. Since time is only one dimensional there is no way that we could access it quickly. We know that space and time are both a priori because of all of our experiences. Kant also claims that space and time are ‘empirically real but transcendentally ideal. When Kant says that space is ‘empirically real he is not presupposing external objects. There is no way for space to be an empirical concept. We cannot just come up with the idea of space; a representation of space must be presupposed. When we experiences things outside ourselves it is only possible through representation. For space and time to be ‘transcendentally ideal Kant is basically saying that â€Å"they are not to be identified with anything beyond or anything that transcends the bounds of possible experience or the a priori subjective conditions that make such experience possible in the first place.† Before Kant begins to explain the transcendental aesthetic he claims in the introduction that mathematical knowledge is synthetic a priori. This statement is based on Kants Copernican Revelation. According to Kant, time and space taken together are the pure forms of all sensible intuitions. This is our way of creating a priori synthetic propositions. These propositions are limited in how they appear to us but not present within themselves. We have a priori knowledge of synthetic judgements. According to Kant our judgements/statements can either be analytic or synthetic. An analytic judgement would be where the concept of the predicate is part of the concept of the subject. If it is denied then there would be a contradiction. A synthetic judgement, on the other hand, is where the concept of the predicate is not contained in the concept of the subject. So, if we denied it then there would be no contradiction involved. An analytical judgement would be â€Å"all bachelors are unmarried†. The concept of bachelor is defined as being unmarried. In analyzing this word we would say that it is an unmarried male adult. When we analyze concepts the parts come out. Therefore, when broken down our predicate concept of â€Å"unmarried† is shown. The mind is capable of finding this concept without going outside and experiencing it. If we tried to deny this statement there would have to be a contradiction, therefore making it false. An example of a synthetic judgement would be â€Å"the sun will rise tomorrow†. When we say this it is our way of taking two separate and distinct ideas and putting them together. There could be no contradiction in this statement because we can image that something like this could occur. In Section I of the Transcendental Aesthetic, Kant gives four arguments for the conclusion that space is empirically real but transcendentally ideal. As we know space is not an empirical concept. We cannot physically derive the idea of space. The only way that we can receive these outer experiences is through our representation. When it comes to space we cannot represent the absence of space but we can imagine space as being empty. In order to be given any content in our experience we must presuppose space. Knowing that space is not a general concept we can only discuss one space at a time and if we speak of diverse spaces we only mean parts of the same space. The parts cannot decipher the bigger space but only what is contained in it. Since space is seen as only one, the concept of spaces depends on a limit. Concepts containing an unlimited amount of representations cannot be contained within itself. All parts of space are given to us at once. Therefore it is an a priori intuition not a concept. All of the previous information is Kants way of showing that the synthetic a priori knowledge of mathematics is possible. As we know mathematics is a product of reason but is still synthetic. But how can this knowledge be a priori? The concepts of math are seen a priori in pure intuitions. This just means that the intuition is not empirical. If you do not have intuitions then mathematics would not even be a concept. Philosophy, on the other hand, progresses only through concepts. Philosophy uses intuitions to show necessary truths but those truths cannot be a consequence of intuitions. The possibility of math only occurs because it is based on pure intuitions which only occur when concepts are constructed. Like pure intuition, empirical intuition, allows us to broaden our concept of an object by providing us with new predicates. With pure intuitions we get necessary a priori truths. Synthetic a priori knowledge in mathematics is possible only if it refers to objects of the senses. The form of appearances comes from time and space which is assumed by pure intuitions. Doubting that space and time do not belong to the object in themselves would cause us to not have an explanation about a priori intuitions of objects. We have to come to the conclusion that in space and time objects are only appearances entailing that it is the form of appearances that we can represent a priori. Concluding that a synthetic a priori knowledge of mathematics would be possible. What is the Transcendental Deduction? This is the way concepts can relate a priori to objects. Kant says, â€Å"If each representation were completely foreign to every other, standing apart in isolation, no such thing as knowledge would ever arise. For knowledge is [essentially] a whole in which representations stand compared and connected.† Kant lays out a threefold synthesis about experience: a synthesis of apprehension in intuition, a synthesis of reproduction in imagination, and a synthesis of recognition in a concept. We should not divide these steps into one but they should all be intertwined as one. So what we see must occur consecutively. Therefore our idea of the Synthetic Unity of Apperception comes into play. This is where every possible content of experience must be accompanied by â€Å"I think†. Everything in your mental state should be able to be accompanied by â€Å"I think† if not then it will not matter at all. â€Å"I think† is not something that consists in sensibility. It is an act of spontaneity. It precedes all possible experience. The unity of this particular manifold is not given in experience but prior to it. Thinking substances can only perceive what is going on inside as perception goes on at all times. This is where our awareness of a manifold comes into play. We are aware of one thing after another. Each impression is different from one other. We must say that these impressions are mine. Basically accompanying them with the phrase â€Å"I think†. As for the Transcendental Unity of Apperception we are never aware of ourselves as the thinker but just the intuitions. All of our experiences must be subjective to this combination of things. I must actively pull them all together as them being a part of my experience. The only way that I can be aware of this â€Å"I† is if I am able to pull together all of these representations. In this we can see the idea of objective unification. There is a connection between transcendental unity of apperception and objective unification. When we speak of objective unification we believe that there is a right way to put things together. This concept basically comes from our categorical synthesis which involves a priori concepts. With the categorical synthesis it is our way of putting together intuitions in a category. We must be able to make a judgement. For example we must be able to say this is how things seem to me because of pass experiences. By saying this it would be a near judgement. Whereas a judgement would be us just saying this is how things are. To make a judgement is to say this is how things are out there; how they objectively are rather than how they appear subjectively. For a manifold to be complete the sensible intuitions have to be subject to the category. This is how we can have a categorical synthesis. We cannot have sense impression unless I can bring them together under a unified manifold by knowing they are objective rather than subjective. Any intuition that we have must be subject to the category. We could not have an awareness of one event coming before the other unless there is a manifold of â€Å"my†. Appearances are not objects in themselves. They are not just representations; they are separate intuitions therefore having no connection between them. Imagination is what connects the manifold of sensible intuitions. Nature is just appearance. Anything that appears to us must conform to law. We have to complete this synthesis in order to have experiences. It is presupposed that there is an objective to all of my experiences. Without it there would be no way to put them together and I would not be aware of them as experiences. Both the threefold synthesis and a transcendental unity of apperception are necessary to have ordered experience for any sort of theory of experience. 3. Kant defines Idealism as â€Å"the theory which declares the existence of objects in space outside us either to be merely doubtful and indemonstrable or to be false and impossible.† Since I am conscious of my own existence, objects in space must also exist. Having knowledge, the only thing that we are aware of is our representations. These representations are only achievable through an object outside of me not by the representation of that object. Therefore I exist in time because I am capable of perceiving actual things outside of me. I am conscious of my existence in the same frame of time as I am conscious of those objects existing outside of me. When referring to idealism it is believed that our immediate experience is inner experience and from this particular experience we only receive outer objects. It is quite possible that these representations come from within. When considering the representation â€Å"I am† a subject is included. We do not know what that subject is though. So according to circumstances we do not have any experience of that subject. To fully understand the knowledge of the subject we must have intuition. But the only way to receive this inner experience is through our outer experience. To have the existence of outer objects we must be conscious of ourselves. This does not mean that our representation of them involve true existence because they could also be produced by our imagination. The representations of our outer objects come from our perceptions. According to Kant â€Å"all that we have here sought to prove is that inner experience in general is possible only through outer experience in general. Whether this is or that supposed experience be not purely imaginary, must be ascertained from its special determinations, and through it congruence with the criteria of all real experience.† According to Descartes, we really know only what is in our own consciousness. We are instantly and honestly aware of only our own states of mind. What we believe of the whole external world is merely an idea or picture in our minds. Therefore, it is possible to doubt the actuality of the external world as being composed of real objects. â€Å"I think, therefore I am† is the only idea that cannot be doubted. This is because self-consciousness and thinking are the only objects that can be experienced in the real sense. Descartes presented the main problem of philosophical idealism which was an awareness of the difference between the world as a mental picture and that of a system of external objects. Lockes theory, on the other hand, encompasses the mind as the origin for modern conceptions of identity and the self. Locke was the first philosopher to define the self through a continuation of â€Å"consciousness.† He also speculated that the mind was a â€Å"blank slate† or â€Å"tabula rasa†. These two strategies are very different from the above strategies of Kant. At the beginning of early modern philosophy, in Descartes, we seem to see our familiar world slipping away. At the culmination of early modern philosophy, in Kant, however, we get our familiar world back through at a price. In the following essay I will discuss this process, beginning with Descartes, ending with Kant, and discussing two of the four philosophers we have examined this semester. In Meditation One Descartes gives three separate arguments. From these particular arguments one can conclude that we cannot claim to know with certainty anything about the world around us. Everything might seem probable but in reality that does not mean that it lacks doubt. If we can never be certain how can we know anything. This is the main reason for Descartes bring this issue up. Basically his entire argument is based on Scepticism. Scepticism is very important and is seen as an attempt for our knowledge and understanding of the world. It is really hard to doubt that someone really exists but there is no way that one could get rid of the idea of scepticism The one thing that we know is that Descartes does not just randomly doubt everything. He provides very concrete reasons for the things that he doubts. As he sets up this doubt he has to be very rational about it. If he does not then his argument is not going to work. The KK thesis that Descartes uses is to show how these arguments work. The KK thesis follows: if a knows that p, then a knows that a knows that p. basically this means that if I know that there is snow outside then I know that I know that there is snow outside. The problem with this argument is that if we are not sure about our senses then there is no way that we can be sure about the knowledge that we possess. In making this thesis work one must have a strong understanding of what â€Å"knowing† really means. But there is no way that one can actually have this understanding. One must have self-knowledge or basically one must really know himself/herself. Therefore if you do not have that notion of self then you do not possess any knowledge. As we can see the KK thesis works in favour with what Descartes is saying in all of his arguments. The only problem is that he does not believe that his argument about God is that strong. He feels that if there is an Omnipotent God then there is no way that he could ever deceive us. There is no way that he could be all knowing and make us doubt the things that we do. On the other hand there is no way that there could be no God because our senses had to be created by someone. Therefore there must have been an evil demon that has deceived us. But since he doubts everything then he is not mislead into the false believing of a demon. So, in a later meditation he proves that there is a God and that he is not a deceiver. We turn to Liebniz and we continue to see the world slipping away as he discusses the monad. In looking at the things that Liebniz said it is believed that monads (Entelechy) are not physical or mental but biological. Therefore, the ultimate cogs of the world are biological elements or Entelechies. In doing this there is no distinction made between inanimate and animate objects, which would make everything, animate. If these monads are really just biological there is no way that they can make changes in each other. The only way for this to happen is if God caused these changes to happen. The reason that monads cannot bring changes in bodies is because that is not what they were programmed to do. They were created so that compound substances could be made. The biological nature of Monads makes their essential qualities to be apperception and appetition and even motion itself. Their relation is more of a final cause than an efficient cause. This is why he considers final causes as the principle of efficient causes and gives priority to final causes. Therefore, this made it hard for a monad to bring change in a body. As we can see, God is the unifier of the monads but he also brings harmony. Leibniz came to the conclusion, by using metaphysics and the nature of monads, that God was the ultimate monad and the Creator of this world. We are now at a point where nothing is the same. We believed in one thing but now it is completely different. The first problem that Berkeley would have with this objection is the fact that ideas cannot exist if they are not perceived. If we cannot perceive of the idea then there is no way that we can truly conceive of the thing. For example if I do not have the idea of the sky being blue then there is no way that I am going to walk outside, look up, and say the sky is blue. I do not have the concept of blue in the first place. He says that we cannot say what reality is like without using language. You cannot use a word well if you do not know the meaning of that word. When we are describing an idea it is based on what we feel. There is no way that I can say what I mean if I have no conception of the word. According to Berkeley, ideas do not do anything so it cannot cause anything to happen. The mind is active; it is able to perceive of new ideas by imaging. The one thing that the mind cannot do is actually form ideas. It can perceive the ideas but cannot come up with ideas that will resemble the mind when it does this. So, therefore there is no way that we can perceive of any sensible things without knowing what the words mean in the first place. If you do not know what the words mean then you cannot come up with ideas and without the ideas you cannot perceive anything. As we continue we start to see some changes. Berkeley is bring us closer to what Kant has to say. We finally come to Kant and we get our world back through pieces. The way that we do this is through the Kantian price. The Kantian price is how we get our world back through space and time. We have to realize that we would not exist without a world of space and time. Space is not empirical; the idea of space cannot be conceived of. Space is of only one thing. It cannot be talked about in parts because parts are only contained in the overall bigger picture. All space is, is a form of all appearances of the outer sense. As for time it is a little different. Time is not something, which exist of itself. An intuition taking place within is what time is. Time cannot be removed from appearance even though it does not have to actually possess appearances. These appearances can come and go but time cannot be taken away. It is only suitable in conjunction to appearance not for objects preoccupied or taken in general. Time and space are the pure forms of all sensible intuition and so are what make a priori synthetic propositions possible. Therefore, bring back our world through a price. We get a chance to see how Kant breaks down what everyone is saying and shows us how the world is not really slipping away but it is just seen in a different way.

The Plight of the Common Man in Herman Melvilles Bartleby, the Scriven

George Edward Woodberry, author of the Heart of Man, published in 1899, emphasized the significance of the role of the individual as an active and equal partner in American democratic rule: The doctrine of the equality of mankind by virtue of their birth as men, with its consequent right to equality of opportunity for self-development as a part of social justice, establishes a common basis of conviction, in respect to man, and a definite end as one main object of the State; and these elements are primary in the democratic scheme. Liberty is the next step, and is the means by which that end is secured. It is so cardinal in democracy to strive for a balance between the individual and the mass, so that the identification of the common man as an American ensures him of the promises proposed by the government. (226-227). During the early 1800's, America struggled with the search for identity and the shift toward Liberal Individualism. The revolutionary words of freedom, equality, and brotherhood gave birth to the doctrine of government by the people, for the people, and of the people. These principles were the substance of democracy; these tenets, though fundamentally sound and idealistically honorable, seemed elementary, but to assume that the ideals of democracy were rudimentary and easily attained was a national betrayal. This betrayal, depicted as the futility of the individual to achieve political and representational inclusion in the government and, more importantly, the realization of his importance, belied the struggle. The shift toward Liberal Individualism created the need for a balance between the individual and the community. The election of 1828, which propelled Andrew Jackson to national prominence, marked... ...ye, Thomas R. and L. Harmon Zeigler. The Irony of Democracy. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1970. Hancock, Ralph C. ?Tocqueville?s practical reason.? Perspectives on Political Science 27 (Fall 1998): 212-19. Hans, James S. ?Emptiness and plenitude in Bartleby the scrivener and The crying of lot 49.? Essays in Literature 22 (Fall 1995): 285-99. Hudson, William E. American Democracy in Peril. Chatham: Chatham House, 1995. Stovall, Floyd. American Idealism. Port Washington: Kennikat, 1943. Strong, Douglas M. Perfectionist Politics: Abolitionism and The Religious Tensions Of American Democracy. Syracuse: Syracuse UP, 1999. Strout, Cushing. Making American Tradition. New Brunswick: Rutgers UP, 1990. Wilentz, Sean. ?Striving for Democracy.? The Wilson Quarterly 23 (Spring 1999): 47-54. Woodberry, George Edward. Heart of Man. London: Macmillan, 1899.

Comparing Shakespeares Sonnet 18 with To his Coy Mistress by Andrew Ma

Comparing Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 with To his Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell I will be comparing two poems, ‘Shall I Compare Thee†¦?’ with ‘To His Coy Mistress’, I will examine the purposes of each poem and the techniques used by the two poets to convey ideas and to achieve purposes. Sonnet 18 was written by William’s Shakespeare between 1564 and 1616. The poem ‘To his Coy Mistress’ was written by Andrew Marvell. The Purposes of the two poems are different, the purpose of Sonnet 18 is for Shakespeare to write this poem for a girl or woman he likes, to praise her by comparing her to wonderful things in life, such a Summer, also to grant her immortality through lines of the poem; meaning as long as the poem will exist and be read, the girl (who the poem is to) will continue to exist. Shakespeare therefore does not want anything from the girl in the poem. The purpose and central message of ‘To His Coy Mistress’ is about a man wanting to have sex with a woman he likes and trying to persuade the woman to loose her virginity to him because time is running out. Therefore we recognise that Marvell wants something from the woman in the poem this makes the poem more argumentative. The titles of the two poems, gives an insight of what the poem is about, ‘Shall I Compare Thee†¦?’, this tells the reader that the poem is addressed to someone, this may make the poem more interesting to read and ‘To His Coy Mistress’ meaning ‘To His Girl’, this tells us that Marvell has addressed the poem to a specific girl or woman. Throughout the poem ‘To His Coy Mistress’, Marvell uses time and space to persuade the girl to have sex with him. Marvell also relates death to having sex, he uses words such as ‘Grave’, ‘ashes’, ‘du... ...he poem ‘To his Coy Mistress’ there are Rhyming couplets, but there are few syllable Patterns, for example the first four lines; line one has eight syllables; line two has seven syllables; line three has eight syllables and line four has seven syllables. The sound and Rhythm of the two poems contrast. Sonnet 18 sound and rhythm is slow, calm, and soothing, whilst THCM is speedy, aggressive and frantic. There is repetition used in Sonnet 18 in line two; ‘Thou art more lovely and more temperate’ , the repetition emphasises on how much better a Summer’s day is. I think that Sonnet 18, has many persuasive techniques and tactics to add effect to the purpose of the poem, however I think that the poem ‘To his Coy Mistress’ has more techniques, tactics, themes, Imagery, Symbolism and better Structure, it was therefore easier to achieve it’s purposes.

Proofs for God’s Existence Essay

God’s existence can be proven in a multitude of ways. However, several introductory caveats are in order. First, by â€Å"God,† we mean the traditional Christian concept of an all-powerful and wise creator. Second, the project of â€Å"proving† anything is logic or science is nearly impossible. Even the best laid logical plans and the most iron clad arguments can be torn to pieces by a skilled logician. Such a state does not invalidate the proofs in question, just merely that the language of the discipline is such that any logical design can be manipulated and refuted by one who ardently desires it be refuted. What is being dealt with here is that faith in the God of the Christians is not an irrational, â€Å"blind faith,† but one that is eminently reasonable and defensible on metaphysical, logical and scientific grounds. 1. The proof of Aristotle, used by Thomas Aquinas later, is the â€Å"hylomorphic† proof and is very important to medieval thoughts about God and the nature of his existence. The theory centers around the distinction between first, form and matter which, second, corresponds to action and passion, or act and potency. The form of an object is it in act, or developing towards its natural telos, or end. The matter is passive, that which has non being, that which still needs to be developed. But the nature of reality is such that as one rises in knowledge, the form dominates over the matter. Mathematics, for example, is almost purely form, with only a minuscule amount of material stuff. But what is the origin of such things? Only the world of pure form, and hence, pure act, that is, God. God is pure act, pure perfection with no more need for development. It is the form of Forms that renders unchanging knowledge possible. The matter within its formal shell is not nly passive, but accidental, in that it is only the generator of sensations, colors, etc. But such things cannot exist without a substratum (there is no red, without it being a red something), and hence, form is the object of knowledge, not the matter, or the â€Å"accident† of the object. But knowledge only sees form, never matter. Matter might present form in the guise of a sensate object, but logical and mathematics does not work this way, these are separated from matter. Hence, the more universal the knowledge, the less matter. Hence, the ultimately form of knowledge is Pure form, hence God (Owens, 1980: 20-25). 2. Similarly, the proof of St. Augustine from the point of view of unchanging truth. Any such unchanging truth must have a cause. The truths of mathematics or logic never change regardless of time or place, and hence, there must be an entity in existence who could have brought such a world into being. Such an entity must never change or alter its being in any way, and hence, must be perfect (the only need for change is to improve, if no need for change, then there is no need for improvement). Therefore, God exists (Augustine, 1996: 19). 3. In terms of scientific proof, there is the entire question of natural law. The world is held together by a series of laws that never seem to change. They are regular and can be seen throughout nature, from its macro to its micro level. The â€Å"sensate† part of nature, logically, is anterior to the laws that allow it to exist. Hence, the laws of nature had to have come first, and are the form within which the sensate part of nature functions. Hence, an entity must exist that is capable of creating natural laws within which all created being can function in a regular and logical manner. Only God can be the cause of such things (Copleston, . 2006, 518). 4. The Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovyev uses the critique of nominalism to prove the existence of God in his Lectures on Godmanhood. First, the idea of empiricism is faulty since no real individuals exist (only God has this quality, but this is putting the cart before the horse). The objects seen in daily experience are themselves not particulars, but universals, ultimately reducible to pulses of energy. Force is the ultimate reality of being in terms of metaphysics. Hence, the empirical approach to the world is arbitrary, since the particulars we take for granted are in fact huge and complex collections of force and energy that appear to the senses as colors, sounds, textures, etc. Hence, energy is the source of being, and hence, retain the ontological status as universals. But this can not be sufficient, since the universal nature of forces must be accounted for. And this accounting can only be an entity powerful enough to have first created these forces that ultimately would register in human senses as objects, seemingly solid and singular, but in truth, complex and made up of universals (and in fact, representing universals in themselves). But this ultimately spiritual reality must have an equally spiritual cause, that is God. In other words, as the empirical qualities of objects exist only in the mind, the ultimate reality of the world is to be found in universals, and hence, the world of spirit. But all spiritual objects must have a cause that is equally creative and powerful (Solovyev, 1948: 60-63). 5. Spinoza’s concept of God is slightly different from the Christian view, but not entirely dissimilar. Spinoza argues for a single entity, Substance, that is the ultimate basis for all sensate objects. Substance is God, the ultimate basis (avoiding the word â€Å"cause† here) for all change and movement. Logically, there is only one ultimate Substance since there is no real reason for positing and more than one entity that, itself, can survive all change, but is not available to the senses. Spinoza’s Substance is not something that can be apprehended by senses, but only by the mind, and hence, is a spiritual being. While many writers have broken their backs trying to hold that nature is God for Spinoza, there is no reason to hold this: God is what is behind nature and is the ultimate basis for all being. Spinoza is not a pantheist, as nearly all commentators hold. Spinoza held that all change needs a basis, something that does not change. That which we see as changing is the modes of existence, the sensate objects in space and time (or mind and body). All of these sensate things can be reduced to that which is extended and that which is mental, ultimately one thing seen from two different points of view. But these two are merely two available modes for human comprehension of an infinite object that never changes, but is at the root of change, its basis, and that is Substance, or God, an infinite being who lies at the root of all change and the laws that govern change. It itself, does not change, but contains infinite attributes that only appear incompletely to human beings under two attributes only. Spinoza does not hold that there needs to be a cause of all things, but he does hold that there needs to be a basis of all things, that this is God (Della Rocca, 2008, 42-48) 6. The last proof or vision of God is to be found in Apostolos Makrakis, the little known 19th century Greek metaphysician. He was a Christian rationalist who held that Descartes butchered his own method. Makrakis holds that one can begin with Descartes ontological doubt. But the conclusion to this doubt, cogito ergo sum, is an arbitrary end point. When I engage in methodological doubt, I come up with several conclusions: first, the doubter exists, second, that the doubter is not the cause of his own existence, and third, that God exists necessarily. All of this derives from the single act of cognition: it is the true unpacking of the cogito. Since if the cogito is true, than the other propositions are equally true at the same time, known intuitively. Since the cogito is not self-created, then the outside world and God must exist necessarily in the same act of cognition as the original cogito. If one must strip away the outside world in order to reach the cogito, than the outside world is real, since in removing it, one reaches the truth of existence. The outside world cannot be a phantom then, if the doubter is not self-created. Something needed to have created and sustained the doubter, and this is as certain as the cogito itself. But since that outside world itself is not self-created (in other words, that the outside world does not know itself through itself, but through another), than God necessarily exists, and again, as true as the cogito itself. Hence, the cogito really says: I exist, the outside world exists, God exists, all at the same time all in the same act of cognition since the cogito itself implies it (Makrakis, 1956, 42-43). Again, none of these proofs are final, but the same can be said for all logic and science. But these do who that reason assents to the existence of God as infinite and all powerful. Spinoza’s approach is the most interesting, since it is compatible with mechanistic science, but holds that such science necessarily needs a basis for action, and this is Substance. The argument #3 above is also very difficult to refute, since one cannot hold to an ordered universe without holding to natural law, and if that, than the cause of natural law itself. If that is denied, then one is in the unenviable position of trying to argue that the material objects of nature can and did exist without a law to govern their actions. Hence, evolution is impossible. Natural laws (and a lawgiver) had to be before the actual sensate part of creation. But this, in an odd way, is very similar to the argument of Spinoza. It seems that science itself cannot function without recognizing natural law and it’s a priori existence with respect to the objects of science themselves. Bibliography: Owens, Joseph (1980) Thomas Aquinas on the Existence of God. SUNY Press Augustine (1996) â€Å"On The Free Choice of the Will† Readings in Medieval Philosophy. Ed. Andrew Schoedinger. Oxford. 3-24 Copleston, Frederick (2006) History of Philosophy: Medieval Philosophy. Continuum International. Solovyev, Vladimir (1948) Lectures on Godmanhood. Lindisfarne Press (this is sometimes called Lectures on Divine Humanity) Della Rocca, Michael (2008) Spinoza. Taylor and Francis Makrakis, Apostolos (1956) â€Å"The Tree of Life. † in Foundations of Philosophy. Chicago, OCES. 1-104