African American Museum Essay

I firmly believe that the point of visiting a museum is to educate one on how things once were in the past through its display of artifacts, exhibits, art, cultural objects, etc. Its purpose is to let you imagine what it was like during a time you were not apart of or, in some cases, allow you to look back at a time you were apart of when you were very young. The African-American Museum of Long Island did a great job at presenting some of the many African-American contributions to society. In addition to presenting contributions from the African-American community, the museum was able to show us some of the struggle they were required to overcome as well. My favorite possession of the museum was Scott Joplin’s piano. Scott Joplin was dubbed the â€Å"King of Ragtime† during his musical career. I felt that it was so cool they somehow were able to get their hands on that piano. When I asked my tour-guide the value of the piano she told me that it was invaluable and that nobody can put a number on it. The only way to determine its value is to put it through an auction and see how much collectors are willing to pay for it. I think the reason for that is because its such an important part of African-American history. How could you put a value on that? I feel it would be impossible to. Another part of the museum I really enjoyed was the mural that an African-American carved out of a tree. The mural was his interpretation of the history of African-Americans. In the beginning it showed how they were all peaceful in Africa and their lives before they ended up being taken into slavery. In the next section of the mural it showed ho w they were forced into slavery, it even showed other African-Americans taking part of the slave trade which is something I, and probably a lot of individuals, never knew. The last part of the mural showed African-Americans in a pretty successful state in nice, fancy suits around family members overlooking the past. I interpreted the last part of the mural as African-American life finally starting to get better with them remembering the past and admiring their ancestors for their struggles to get them where they are. I could not believe how detailed a person could make a mural like that out of a tree. It was truly amazing. I can not imagine the time and dedication that person put into it. I am sure they are proud of where it is being displayed. The main exhibit was filled with many beautiful paintings by Ernani Silva. These paintings were meant to portray African-American life in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. These paintings were unlike any other paintings I have seen. They sort of came off the display to the point where I wanted to touch them so badly because it was really cool. However, I thought it was best if I did not touch anything in there. My favorite painting in this room was the painting of the Jazz band playing music in the streets with a crowd around them. This painting revealed some of the Brazilian culture and how they were forced to practice it on the streets because they were people trying to suppress their beautiful culture. In the room next door, they had a nice exhibit of Rosa Parks that showed the role she played in the Civil Rights Movement with what she went through when she infamously would not give up her seat in the â€Å"white section† of the bus. It also showed how it ended up leading to the famo us Montgomery Bus Boycott. I thought the coolest part of this exhibit was the fact that it had the only known picture of Rosa Parks with her husband together. Not that it has any historical value, but I thought they were a great couple and that they looked very happy together. Another interesting was the painting called â€Å"The Door of No Return†. This was a painting of an open door from a slave ship when they arrived in America. The door led to the fate of the African-Americans which was the harsh conditions and treatment they were about to endure on the cotton plantations. In addition, there was another painting right next to â€Å"The Door of No Return† that showed how the African-American slaves were packed into the slave ships. They literally would have had more room in a coffin than they did on the slave ships. This was the reason why so many African-Americans died on the ships because of disease. I really felt that I learned a lot at my trip to the African-American museum. I enjoyed my time there a lot because my tour-guide was extremely informational and my brother and I were able to interact freely with her. I was able to see some artwork and other cultural displays that I thoroughly enjoyed. The people who worked there were very friendly and spoke to us about our African-American classes we are currently taking. I am happy I had the opportunity to visit this museum.

Disintegration of the Nuclear Family Essay

Social scientists have noticed that the concept of the family has changed in the past 40 years, and this has led some to comment on the ‘disintegration of the nuclear family’. Do you agree with the claim that the nuclear family unit is breaking down? The conventional nuclear family model, Murdock first spoke of, which entails the father as the employed bread winner and the wife as the stay at home housewife and mother looking after their children. This early idealistic model of the stable family life has changed and evolved. Some of these contributing factors that may have changed the family dynamics are, equality between men and women, the loss of religious influence over the traditional marriage, the accepted lifestyle of same sexed families, the increasing number of sole parents as well as blended families have diversely changed the way society sees the evolving complexities of the family unit. This essay aims to show that the traditional nuclear family unit has not disintegrated, but has evolved. The phrase the nuclear family was first used by Murdock in 1949 , in that time, most family units resembled what he referred as both sexed adults in a socially approved sexual cohabiting marriage with children that were biological or adopted (Murdock, 1949, p 1). Within the boundaries of the nuclear family, some parents found it a haven, where defined rules and standards were adhered to. Children thrived on the security and constant attention of the availability of their mother to drive them to soccer or ballet practise. Fathers had a defined role as the breadwinner, the head of the household. However to some, they found the nuclear family structure to be bounding, confining and demeaning. Mothers were discouraged from working, fathers were overburdened with the demands of being the sole breadwinner, parents who were unhappily married were ‘compelled to stayed together, â€Å"for the sake of the children† and to avoid the stigma of divorce’ (Elkind, 1994, p.8). Si nce equality for women in education and in the work force, women are staying in workforce longer and combining career with motherhood. Compared to forty years ago, where women were seen in gender specific jobs, including teachers, nurses, hairdressers, receptionists and retail sales. Today ‘women now occupying over a third of all manager positions, and growth areas in occupations requiring high skills and advanced education’ (Jericho G, 2012). According to Edger, maternity leave, child care and return to paid workforce are readily available to today’s mothers (Edger, 2005, p 36). The post modern family have what Elkind observes that couples marry later, and have fewer children. Although economically it is beneficial if both parents are working. (Edger, 2005, p10). In the post modern family, the gender roles have changed. (Holmes, Hughes, Julian, 2003, p.284). Most modern women in Western cultures are now looking for relationships where they are in a partnership with household chores and child raising being shared. Has religion lost its influence over the traditional marriage? According a Sydney Herald article, ‘ the divorce rate is four hundred percent greater then forty years ago, that more young couples are rejecting marriage’ preferring a de facto relationship. (Maley, 2003, p.13). The Catholic Church has also seen some decline in marriages. In Pope Francis’ recent speech, ‘The family is important, and it is necessary for the survival of humanity. Without the family, the cultural survival of the human race would be at risk. The family, whether we like it or not, is the foundation†¦Today, there are those who say that marriage is out of fashion. Is it out of fashion?†¦ many preach the importance of ‘enjoying’ the moment. They say that it is not worth making a life-long commitment, making a definitive decision †¦ because we do not know what tomorrow will bring. I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries,†¦I am asking you to rebel agains t this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes you are incapable of responsibility, that believes you are incapable of true love’ (Pope Francis, 2013) Along with religious factors, same- sexed families have diversely changed. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics it revealed that 33,700 Australian couples are living together in a same-sex relationship, with 17,600 male couples and 16,100 female couples. There are almost twice as many children living in same-sex couple families as there were in 2001, with most of these children living in female same-sex couple families. Figures showed 6300 children are living in same-sex couple families from 2011, up from 3400 in 2001. With the availability of modern science, sperm donors, in vitro fertilisation, surrogacy and the availability to adopt or foster a child gives the same-sex family opportunity to increase their family of two, to three or more. The report also ‘unveiled a trend against traditional housework gender roles, with cooking, cleaning and laundry responsibilities more evenly shared in same-sex couples, unlike opposite-sex couples where women tend to do more than men’ (Wright J. 2013). Sole parenting along with same sex families has become a common evolvement. Either by choice, necessity, death of spouse or divorce are now an accepted commonality compared to forty years ago. Although ‘Sole parents have to battle with the emotional and physical stress of juggling family responsibilities and work’, the dependency of local community support systems coincide with the ‘ability to work is dependant on access to non-parental child care, after-school care, (and) a job in the local neighbourhood’ (Edger, 2005, p.11) for a flexible, family friendly workplace. A blended family is the new formation of a previous disintegrated family unit. According to Holmes, Hughes and Julian, a couple starts as a family that grows to include children, who then have their own offspring. ‘If you include a divorce in this picture, new partners, step-parents, step-siblings and half-brothers and -sisters, you can see the boundaries of the family becoming more fluid.’ (Holmes. D/ Hughes. K / Julian. R, 2003, p. 282). Many of today’s families are made up of these blended families, step and half family members, foster, adopted and extended multi-generation non blood related family members. As a result the family unit is still alive and thriving, however it has grown and become more diverse in its members. In conclusion, it is clear that the nuclear family unit has not disintegrated, but has changed and evolved with the times and improved women’s rights. In particular to family diversity, reflecting in the growing freedom and acceptability of different lifestyles. Those relationships could have a fluid tenure, where individuals may form a family for a time, then go on to form new family ties and connections blending in numerous connections that may make up a modern family. References Chadwick V, 2013, Tick for same-sex marriages ,The Age, Victoria Australia, viewed on 14 August 2013. Elkind D, Kappan P. D, 1995, School and family in the post-modern world, p. 8-14. Elkind D, 1994, Ties that stress: The new family imbalance, Harvard College, United states of America, Pg. 1-4. Edger D, 2005, The war over work: the future of work and family, Melbourne University Press, Australia. Jericho G, 2012, Changing role of women in the workplace, The Drum tv, viewed on 14 August 2013, www.abc.net.au. Maley B, 2003, The Sydney Morning Herald comment section, Sydney. Murdock G.P, 1949, Social Structure, The Macmillan Company, New York. Pope Francis, 2013, Marriage and family from the world youth day speech, viewed 8 August 13 www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/-about-marriage-and-the-family-from-world-youth-day, Rio de Janeiro, South America. Wright J, 2013, Number of children with same-sex parents soars, The Age, Victoria, viewed on 14 August 2013, www.theage.com.au.

Baroque Agead

The vocal line is rhythmically free and the phrases are more irregular. The song is flexible because it is suggesting a sad and passionate farewell to the person he loves. To express this farewell, the song reaches the climax several different times and then drops away. Dido’s Lament is also accompanied by a basso continuo and has a mournful setting as well. The song opens with a descending chromatic line, the ground bass, which is repeated eleven different times throughout the piece. Dido repeats â€Å"Remember Me† several times as well also reaches the highest note of the aria. The dynamics were constant and not notated and the tempi were slow and constant. The woman who sang the song portrays a haunting and sorrowful mood for the listener. The song comes to a conclusion with a descending violin melody which expresses the tragedy. There are several similarities in these pieces. One of the main similarities is that both songs give the listener a haunting, sorrowful, distressed and sad feeling. Although one song is expressing the sorrow of a loved one’s death and the other is expressing the tragedy of one’s fate; they both put off a sad vibe. They both at one point or another reach a climax and then drop, which keeps the listener entertained and interested in the song. Tu se’ morta and Dido’s Lament are both accompanied by a basso continuo. Last but not least, the texture of both of these pieces is homophonic. The main difference, in my opinion, is how different they sound from one another because one is sung by a female and the other by a male. The deep, powerful voice of Orpheus as he sung Tu se’ morta compared to the high, thrill voice of the female who sung Dido’s Lament puts a whole new outlook on the songs. Even though both songs give a haunting feeling to the listener just the fact that one is a female and the other is male changed the mood slightly. In my opinion, it is hard to point out many differences. All in all, both pieces were interesting. The intensity of both Tu Se’ Morta and Dido’s Lament were compelling and put the listener in the exact mood that they were portraying. Haunting, sorrowful, sad and depressed was the mood I felt after listening to both. Personally, Dido’s Lament was my favorite out of the two. Her chromatic notes which created tension and stress kept the song fascinating and the want to hear more. In conclusion, both pieces were wonderful, but Dido’ Lament was absolutely amazing to the ears! Baroque Agead The vocal line is rhythmically free and the phrases are more irregular. The song is flexible because it is suggesting a sad and passionate farewell to the person he loves. To express this farewell, the song reaches the climax several different times and then drops away. Dido’s Lament is also accompanied by a basso continuo and has a mournful setting as well. The song opens with a descending chromatic line, the ground bass, which is repeated eleven different times throughout the piece. Dido repeats â€Å"Remember Me† several times as well also reaches the highest note of the aria. The dynamics were constant and not notated and the tempi were slow and constant. The woman who sang the song portrays a haunting and sorrowful mood for the listener. The song comes to a conclusion with a descending violin melody which expresses the tragedy. There are several similarities in these pieces. One of the main similarities is that both songs give the listener a haunting, sorrowful, distressed and sad feeling. Although one song is expressing the sorrow of a loved one’s death and the other is expressing the tragedy of one’s fate; they both put off a sad vibe. They both at one point or another reach a climax and then drop, which keeps the listener entertained and interested in the song. Tu se’ morta and Dido’s Lament are both accompanied by a basso continuo. Last but not least, the texture of both of these pieces is homophonic. The main difference, in my opinion, is how different they sound from one another because one is sung by a female and the other by a male. The deep, powerful voice of Orpheus as he sung Tu se’ morta compared to the high, thrill voice of the female who sung Dido’s Lament puts a whole new outlook on the songs. Even though both songs give a haunting feeling to the listener just the fact that one is a female and the other is male changed the mood slightly. In my opinion, it is hard to point out many differences. All in all, both pieces were interesting. The intensity of both Tu Se’ Morta and Dido’s Lament were compelling and put the listener in the exact mood that they were portraying. Haunting, sorrowful, sad and depressed was the mood I felt after listening to both. Personally, Dido’s Lament was my favorite out of the two. Her chromatic notes which created tension and stress kept the song fascinating and the want to hear more. In conclusion, both pieces were wonderful, but Dido’ Lament was absolutely amazing to the ears!

Influence of Bhagavad Gita Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Influence of Bhagavad Gita - Essay Example   He further insists Arjuna must do this in devotion to the dharmic order present in the Hindu society. In other words, Krishna is trying to advise Arjuna on the importance of maintaining his commitment to the dharma. Since this is the moral order that upholds individual, society and the heavens. Arjuna is easily compelled by this advice because it makes him believe that when he is detached from the material world, the results of every action he does will not be attached to him. Therefore, there are nearly no fixed morals outside the social hierarchy context. Arjuna simply understands that in order for him to fulfill his sacred duty, he must first consider fulfilling his dharma. Krishna further compels Arjuna by teaching him the essence of embracing the discipline of devotion (bhakti-yoga). Here, Krishna explains that devotion, action, and knowledge are the means through which one can get freedom from samsara. However, Gita seems not to have answers to the crucial questions concern ing the significance of dharma to the â€Å"law† or â€Å"morality† that its etymology can have. One may wonder whether the supposition that Arjuna’s dharma is to conquer his cousins in battle really embedded in nothing more than an incomprehensible system of social ranking. This would simply mean that the origin of war could be established in a conflict of almost any kind. Whatever seems clear is that some of the philosophies adopted in the Bhagavad-Gita are an inadequate basis for the laws of moral conduct; the most considerable concern is the nature of killing (Hershovitz 86). Gita, further has an explanation of what â€Å"Just War† means. In most instances, to kill is simply to put to or to cause suffering to an individual.  

The Development of Prisons Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Development of Prisons - Research Paper Example Jails & houses of rectifications were created in the American colonies soon after the revolution. The jail was designed originally for the detention of persons awaiting their trial. It soon came to be utilized as a venue for punishment after conviction. As in Great Britain, this alteration brought in increasing opposition to the use of corporal & capital punishments, & hence it was a modification of the existing system for implementing the corrective reaction to law breaking. Convicted drunkards & vagrants, particularly, were barred behind these institutions. The house of correction began as an institution for vagrants, but was not differentiable in its basic approach from the medieval jails & confinements. Oppression, vulgarity, & anarchy constituted the basic plenary of the European & American jail infrastructure. The amendment of the disciplinary reaction in the jails came at a very slow pace. As a first hand example, the number of persons confined in prisons or correctional homes after a conviction was relatively less throughout the domain of the 18th century, & in the city of New York it was not until 1788, that a wholesome law was ratified for the use of prisons & workhouses as venues of reprimand. Thus the situation & the discipline of prisons had originated from a pretty precarious position (Sutherland, Cressey, Duckenbill, 1992, p464). Over the centuries the law and standards have brought about several changes in the prisons, their structure and operations. Early dungeons By modern day standards & merits, the conditions & interiors of the jails in early days were absolutely horrific. There was lawlessness, indiscipline, & inhumane conditions both in & out of the cells. The prisoners spent their time in association, without any sort of labour, depending on charity for their entire existence. There was virtually no procedure or system to treat unwell prisoners & inmates. Religious services were also not provided for these socially prohibited trashes. Har mful alcohol, unhygienic atmosphere, & beastly conditions prevailed behind the walls of these forbidden kingdoms. The prisons in England were in a precarious position, yet there was not much ado about it. Humans living worse than animals were the general traits upon which the metaphor of the word ‘prison’ was based in the 19th century. The prisons & confinements in USA lingered in the same tottering position. The culmination of the American Revolution did not bring any sort of positive change amidst the jails & prisons. The Walnut street jail in Philadelphia was one of the most ill maintained jails of the time (Sutherland, Cressey & Luckenbill, 1992, p

Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Term Paper Example As such, women, people with disabilities, people of color as well as people who are older face a many impediments to their full and active participation in the labor force of this country (see Heilman et al, 2002). The following research paper aims to explore discrimination with an eye to how this form of discrimination affects certain types of people, both within the wider society as well as within the labor market. What influences discrimination in the twenty-first century? How has society attempted to protect people from discrimination? These questions and many more will be discussed with reference to discrimination today. This is a timely and topical issue which warrants more extensive scrutiny. We now begin with an overview of the key integral for this research paper, including discrimination, prejudice and social bias. The United States has undergone quite substantial changes within the past century the country is much more diverse than it ever was. Immigration and the growth of globalization have altered the social composition of the United States of America. Today, there is a much larger percentage of people of color and visible minorities within key social institutions including government office – President Barack Obama is perhaps the most obvious example today. There is also increased the representation of visible minorities across the country in all aspects of public life – including in the police services and the education sectors, just to name a few. Changing worldwide immigration patterns have led to an increased flow of people from around the world to the United States, facilitating intercultural communication. American society has quickly become far less homogenous and cultural institutions are beginning to reflect this. Unfortunately with the changing social landscape of the United States and the changing nature of this country, the multicultural setting may lead to a rise

Disaster Relief Plan Evaluation of Effectiveness Essay

Disaster Relief Plan Evaluation of Effectiveness - Essay Example re always some issues that are specific to a particular country, which in our case is Thailand, here transparency of the utilization of the relief funds and corruption are considered to be the major issues by the foreign or domestic donor and relief agencies. Without the proper and adequate evaluation of these issues proper Disaster Management Plan could not be evaluated. The most important element when evaluating any disaster relief plan is the integrity, honesty, coordination and availability of the local administration. Relief work would be very difficult if these elements are not available. After that one should consider the accessibility and logistic support available in the affected areas, because it is necessary to determine to scope of relief work. And it should be followed by the availability of trained and qualified professional, who could coup with any particular emergency or disaster. Gathering the support and trust of the locals administration is also very important, this would ensure the security of the relief team and adds to the capacity building of the relief work. Collection, storing and distribution of supplies is of fundamental importance, a good plan must cover these issues, this could be easily achieved through the participation from corporate or private sector of the country (Jaffin & Bob, 2008) As discussed earlier, the misappropriation and corruption in the relief funds is the main issue which the international community closely monitor when considering any relief effort for Thailand. Lack of transparency would cause a sense of unrest and lack of trust in the Sovereign Government, by the foreign or domestic fund or relief agencies. This issue would be of utmost importance when considering any disaster relief plan for Thailand. Efforts to mitigate and reduce the corruption in the funds received for relief of those affected by a catastrophe must be ensured. The foreign and Non-governmental agencies involved in the relief work must ensure

Starting a Business Online, Part 1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Starting a Business Online, Part 1 - Assignment Example It is composed of data exchange in order to facilitate the payment and financing aspects of business transactions (Robinson, 2010). My local clothing store will obviously fetch me advantages when I turn it into an e-commerce. However, am likely to experience some limitations as well. The invention of powerful online tools and fast and quick internet connectivity has brought about new arena of commerce. This is what my clothing line is turning to when I take it online. From a SWOT analysis I carried out, I will gain various advantages including: Easy to begin and manage the business Easy access of the products as well as faster selling and buying procedures Selling and buying is done twenty four hours No costs of company set ups are incurred Better quality products and services as well as low costs of operation There are no geographical limitations Product or service selection is easily done without physically moving around to providers The visibility of search engine makes it easy to get more customers Cost effective marketing and advertising through social media Virtual store visits by customers eliminating travel cost and time Facilitates comparable shopping by customers Provide for coupons, bargains, deals and group buying Provision for abundant product and service information Targeted communication is created between stores and customers enhancing customer service Niche products can easily be located by the customers Economical in terms of infrastructure and insurance investment Creation of knowledge markets (Olsen, 2010). On the other hand, I am likely to experience specific limitations associated with e-commerce. As a clothing line, I suspect the following disadvantages: Customers have had bad experience with fraudulent site and may not be willing to buy products online. Customers fear lack of guarantee of the quality of the products E-commerce is prone to attack by hackers There may be poor customer loyalty due to minimum company to customer direct inter action Total business processes may be negatively affected by mechanical failures Lack of personal touch with customers and other businesses Delays in products delivery to customers and may result into customers demoralization Customers do not get to experience goods before delivery after purchase Financial security concerns are likely to be experienced by customers paying via credit cards Computer viruses may cause delays, storage problems, and file backups leading to customer inconveniences Stiff competition with the large scale businesses that have brand loyalty may lead to constant losses There may be need for electronic malls as intermediaries to guarantee the legitimacy of transactions since the business will be new online. Poor customer relations leading to poor customer loyalty Corporate vulnerability due to the availability of details and catalogs as well as information regarding the business to the competitors (Olsen, 2010) Electronic commerce faces various issues as it is considered an international commerce regardless of size. Issues to do with trust, language, culture, infrastructure, and government are likely to be faced by my clothing line. I will build trust with my customers through offering quality products to them and discounts on sale. I will also provide genuine websites with http to assure trustworthiness.

Research continued Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Research continued - Essay Example It is imperative to note that when nurses take too long in one patient’s room, they lag behind in their work, yet they are charged with the responsibility of providing surveillance to prevent errors and ensure quality care. Patient safety is enhanced when effective hourly rounding is implemented (Deitrick, Baker, Paxton, Flores, & Swavely, 2012). Therefore, an appropriate outcome measure ought to be developed, which evaluates the extent to which the project objective is achieved. An outcome that is used to evaluate achievement of the project’s objectives involves patients and nurses. The nurses are required to provide health care to the patients in their wards or rooms, through hourly rounds. During these hourly rounds, nurses are supposed patient needs are expected to offer proactive care, addressing patient needs before patients ask for assistance. This can reduce patient falls and increase patient satisfaction. On the other hand, nurse satisfaction can be enhanced. Therefore, the outcome measure addresses patient satisfaction, nurse satisfaction and barriers, which nurses face, as they seek to achieve the objectives of the solution. The outcome measure register/log consists of five major rows and nine minor rows. In the major rows, outcomes such as patient falls, call lights, response to call lights, patient satisfaction and nurse satisfaction, as well as barriers to achieving hourly rounds’ objective are assessed. Response to call lights, patient satisfaction and nurse satisfaction outcomes are categorised into subdivisions of highly efficient to inefficient and high to low (See Appendix). In each column, each column represents a day, and the last column is meant for overall remarks. The nurses are supposed to fill all the sections of the outcome measure except the patient satisfaction part, which should be filled by patients. A weekly meeting,

Psychology-Carl Jung Essay Example for Free

Psychology-Carl Jung Essay Chapter 1 is titled: Dream-Analysis in Its Practical Application. The use of dream-analysis according to Jung in psychotherapy is still a debated topic/question. Some practitioners find using dream-analysis to be necessary in treating neuroses while others find that it is simply part of the psyche. If dream-analysis is to be treated then recognizing the unconscious is a must. It is a method for discovering the unconscious psychic contents that are related to neuroses. Jung says that the analysis and interpretation of dreams can be justified scientifically due to the fact that the unconscious plays a part in neurosis and because dreams are expressing directly from the unconscious activity. Dreams give a correct picture of the subjective state although the conscious mind denies this exists. According to Jung, dreams are to be on the same level as physiology. He gave the example that if sugar is seen in urine, then urine contains sugar. He used that because he believes dreams are facts which are valuable for diagnosis. It allows an insight for the cause of neuroses as well as a prognosis. It can show at what point the treatment should begin. Jung states that the Freudian view believes it necessary for the patient to be conscious of his/her disturbances (surviving the trauma). Jung doesn’t deny that some neuroses have a traumatic origin but he does not believe that all neuroses are of this origin. In order for the dream or neurosis to have true significance, a causalistic approach only will not suffice. Shortly after the beginning of treatment, dreams seem to become less transparent. There can start to become a difficulty in interpretation due to the doctor being unable to understand the whole situation. Jung states that unintelligible dreams are a result of the doctor’s subjective opinion being reflected. It is essential for the analyst to admit a lack of understanding when it occurs in therapy. By stretching the truth, the analyst appeals to the patient’s brain, however, helping him/her grow into their truth reaches the heart. There are secrets of the inner life that dreams give information about as well letting the dreamer know some things about their personality. Chapter 3 is titled: The Aims of Psychotherapy. The formation of neurosis and basic principles of therapy are not agreed upon by psychochologists/psychoanalysists. According to Jung, many people find that explaining their troubles give them an urge to power that comes from a sense of inferiority. The psychotherapist’s successes teach him little or nothing. His/her failures are priceless in that they force him/her to change their views and/or methods. Jung states that it makes no sense to teach from the Freudian viewpoint to a patient to whom the Adlerian theory applies. The doctor is not really in a better position than the patient’s psyche to know what is wanted, although it unconscious to the patient. When it comes to psychic constitution, some people have a spiritual attitude and some a materialistic one. These attitudes show ingrained passions. Jung lets his experience be the decision making tool in terms of therapy. Great choices of life have more to do with instincts than conscious will. Jung’s contribution to psychotherapy for those cases where rational treatment produces no satisfactory results, are confined. Roughly 1/3 of his patients are not suffering from clinical neurosis but from the emptiness of their lives. By meditating on a dream thoroughly, something always comes out of it. It is an important hint that shows the patient the unconscious leading him/her. Jung says there is difficulty when dreams do not show anything tangible. Those dreams give clues of possibilities and never can be made plausible to an outsider. Dreams that contain mythological images can be strange and baffling. For Jung, primitive psychology, mythology, comparative religion, and archaeology is important as they provide analogies that enriches the lives of his patients. Jung says that creative fantasy is the origin for all works of man. This activity of imagination frees man from the â€Å"nothing but† to a spirit of play. Jung’s aim is to create a psychic state where the patient can begin to experiment with their own nature. â€Å"The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it† (Carl Jung). Chapter 5 is titled: The Stages of Life. The problems associated with stages of human development means to unfold a picture of psychic life from cradle to grave. According to Jung, our psychic processes are made up of reflections, experiments, and doubts. They are all foreign to the unconscious mind of man. The existence of problems comes from the growth of consciousness. When man turns away from instinct it creates consciousness. Problems draw an isolated state where nature abandons and consciousness is driven. Even in that, a wider and higher consciousness gives us certainty and clarity. In dealing with problems, we instinctively refuse the way that leads through darkness yet want gratifying results. Knowing is based on a conscious connection with psychic contents. Jung talks about how it seems that young people who struggle with their existence are spared inner problems and those whom adapt easily run into sex problems or conflicts arising from a sense of inferiority. Those who try and protect themselves against the new or strange, regress back to the past and falls in the same neurotic state as the one who can identify the new but runs from the past. Whatever the past gives to us is normally adapted to future possibilities and demands. The design and meaning of a problem does not lie in the solution but in the constant working at it. Statistics show that there is a rise in mental depression cases for men around 40. For women, neurotic difficulties show up earlier. According to Jung, a human being could not live to 70 or 80 if the longevity had no meaning for the species. Jung states that we do not know what happens to a person after they are dead. There are no scientific proofs about it. From the psychotherapy view, it is more desirable to think of death as a transition-a part of the life process whose time and extent escapes our knowledge. The working of the intellect is an understanding that thinking is an equation that nothing comes out of but what we put in. Chapter 6 is titled: Freud and Jung-Contrasts. Widely accepted ideas are not the personal property of their author. Contrary, the author is the servant of his ideas. We do not create ideas, they create us. True expression helps us achieve the best. It consists in giving form to what we observe. Jung states that Freud’s theory regarding sexuality, infantile pleasure and the conflict they have with reality is the truest expression of his psychic makeup. Jung points out that he is not an opponent of Freud. He says our perception is conditioned by what we are. Since we are all different, we see and express things differently. Jung looks at man in ways of health and soundness trying to free the sick from Freud’s point of view. Jung states that Freud’s teaching is one-sided generalizing facts only from neurotic states of mind. According to Jung, Freud made a mistake going against philosophy. Jung has never refused philosophical criticism. He knows that every word he speaks, carries something of himself. He doesn’t doubt that natural instincts are forces of propulsion in human life despite if they are called sexuality or the will to power. Yet, he doesn’t doubt also that these instincts collide with the spirit. Jung attributes a positive value to religion and biology. Freud attributed sexuality as the only driving psychic power. Jung says that only after he split from Freud did Freud begin to acknowledge equal status for to other psychic activities. Although Freud says Jung denies the importance of sexuality in psychic life, Jung claims otherwise. Jung says he tries to set limits to the terminology of sex and merely put it in its place. What Freud describes is that sexual obsession that comes out when a patient has reached the point where him/her needs to be led out of a wrong situation or attitude. Theology cannot help those who are looking for an answer because it demands faith and faith cannot be made. Jung states that we are faced with a need for rediscovering the life of the spirit. According to Jung the contrasts go back to their differences in their basic assumptions. Chapter 10 is titled: The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man. This spiritual problem is a question that belongs to the present but yet we cannot judge fully. It has to do with something universal. To be whole of the present means to be completely conscious of one’s existence and requires intensive and extensive consciousness. Moving forward is act of tearing loose all that embraces unconsciousness which claims the bulk of man. It is a painful fact that every good side has a bad one. According to Jung, modern man has suffered a fatal shock and as a result has fell into profound uncertainty. Jung says that a spiritual need has surfaced. He says there has never been a time where the psyche did not manifest itself but it didn’t attract so much attention until now. The psychic life has always expressed in a metaphysical system. Jung says he used to believe it was his duty to call people to order but not admits the need in calling himself to order. He says that science has destroyed the refuge of the inner life-it once was a haven and now a place of terror. A compensation in the unconscious arises when a piece of the conscious life loses value. The noisome and secrets of the inner life, to the modern man, are valuable because they serve his/her purpose. Psychological insight seems to trespass personal life and therefore, it meets with personal resistance and denial. Jung emphasizes that the unconscious has an attraction for healthy minds and not just the sick. Jung says we are only at the beginning of a new spiritual awareness. Need and distress breed new forms of life. A new self-awareness comes from the attractive power of the psyche. There is a psychic life in the end that embraces us all. Modern Man In Search Of A Soul actually chose me instead of me choosing it. I was looking through the psychoanalysts and psychologists that were studied in class. None really sparked an interest in me like Carl Jung. The funny thing is we have all heard of Freud and he is probably one of the more popular choices for such an assignment. However, I wanted someone who contributed just as well to the field of psychology but wasn’t really in the lime light. I had to research all of Jung’s theories to make sure I was comfortable with choosing him. I found a sort of connection with Jung. I was about to buy one book when my eyes happened to glance downward and saw this one. How more spiritual than that? I wanted something to be able to relate to and believe in. Low and behold, this book showed up. There are a total of 11 chapters in this book. Surprisingly, it was not hard to choose the ones that were of interest to me. The first chapter talked about dream analysis. I believe, like Jung, that dreams do tell a lot about and to the dreamer. Some examples he gave in the book were amazing. I wonder at times if people who write books about their work exaggerate on what really took place. For whatever reason, I believe Jung wholeheartedly. Dreams can show what steps to take next as well as what steps not to take. Most of us forget the dreams we have yet there are some dreams that stick with us forever. I believe this happens because it kept in the subconscious mind. We make ourselves aware of the dream as it has significance in our present life. I can see how it can be difficult for the doctor not to judge or impress his/her beliefs on the patient/client. The chapter about the stages of life was interesting. I see myself and I also see my mother in the stages that were presented. Jung states that what keeps one from being ultimately happy is the refusal to be open to new experiences. When we transition from childhood to adolescence, nature sort of abandons us to the conscious world. He used the biblical analogy of the fall of man to the beginning awareness of consciousness as a curse. The chapter regarding the contrasts between Freud and Jung speaks for itself. They both contributed significantly to the field of psychology. Most theorists have their foundation in Freud’s theories. Many began to break away from him and form their own theories, which to me is just like the transition from adolescence to adulthood. As an adolescence we are under the wings of our parents and thus for most of us we believe what our parents have taught us. Once we transition to adulthood, we have a better understanding of life and will experience things that will and can make our view different from our parents in some areas. The last chapter I summarized about was the spiritual problems of modern man. I believe the mind does have a spiritual connection. Like Jung I don’t see how one cannot see that there is a link between the psyche and spirit. I agree with Jung when he talks about life after death. How can we know what really happens if no one dies and then comes back to tell us what happens. There is no definite answer. This book report has proven to be very insightful. It has broaden my horizon and made me think. The good thing is, it makes more than ever ready to study more.

A Report On IP Video Surveillance

A Report On IP Video Surveillance The report is organized in the following way. The report starts with the introduction of the topic that includes the sub headings of: Aims and Objectives Literature review How does the IP video surveillance works Advantages of the IP video surveillance Disadvantages of the IP video surveillance Comparisons with the traditional video surveillance techniques Purpose of the research This is followed by the second chapter that explains the methodology of the research done. This contains the following sub headings. Definition of the research Reason for the research Research Philosophy Research Approach Research Strategy The research process Sampling of the Data Collection of the Data This is followed by the next chapter which is Findings and Analysis which consists of the following sub headings. Observations made Analysis of the observations. Other critical Findings. Inference and the basic derivations. Limitations of these findings and analysis This is followed by the last chapter which is Conclusion which takes the various aspects of the report and summarizes all the contents. Introduction PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH This research project which is titled as IP video surveillance in todays business environment is purposed to investigate, identify and explore mainly the following dimensions related to: The advantages and disadvantages of the IP video surveillance over the conventional and the traditional analog video surveillance. Explore the potential of the IP video surveillance in the fields like security, safety, and other business related purposes. Listing the latest and the most recent innovational developments in the field of IP video surveillance. Finding the designs related with the implementation of the IP video surveillance systems. Justifying the investment in the IP video surveillance for the business purposes. The video surveillance is finding the new applications in the physical security and safety in the various fields. To combat with the terrorism and theft along with finding the ways through the technological innovations to protect the personal and group properties and asset, the IP video surveillance technique is presently on its boom. This research project focuses on analyzing such benefits of the implementation of the IP based surveillance of the videos to see how the loss of the property and the time by the theft and other reasons can be avoided that affects the profits and the sales of any business or the organization whether it is a private firm, government organization, manufacturing units, retail stores, etc. The research is also focused on finding the methods and determining its feasibility to develop a security system be it the centralized or the distributed one for the world wide businesses and some other purposes by the use of the IP network enabled instruments for the video capture and other features. Another focus was to analyze the various aspects and protocols needed to assemble the various facilities available in the form of the internet and the world wide web with the various types of cameras and other electronic devices to transmit and receive the videos, communicating the data with the required control and security and the transmission of the related information in the most appropriate and the convenient way so as to seek the ultimate benefits to the business oriented environment. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The main aim of the project IP video surveillance in todays business environment is to determine and study the capacity and potentiality of using the IP video surveillance and finding the most appropriate and feasible applications of it in the todays business environment through an in-depth analysis of its design and implementation. The main objective of this project is to study the over topic IP video surveillance and analyze its productivity and feasibility along with the justifications and the list of the advantageous factors for the implementation of this technology for the business related purposes. Other objectives of this project are also listed below: Exploring and understanding the benefits of using the IP based video surveillance in the security, safety and the management related issues of the business. Getting the justifications for the recommendation of the use of the IP video surveillance for the business purposes. To have a critical understanding of the concepts related with the available IP video surveillance technologies and the pros and cons of each of these concepts if applicable. To indentify the recent and the latest technological innovations in the field of the IP video surveillance with the emphasizing focus on the use of intelligence in the process involved in the form of video analytics. Analyze how the existing equipments and the systems can be utilized with the required modifications in order to get a planned migration from the existing video surveillance to the new technologies of the IP based video surveillance system. To analyze the construction and design for the implementation of the IP video surveillance system. The research will provide a deep insight of the technology of IP video surveillance along with the consideration of the existing, conventional and traditional ways of doing the video surveillance. The research has analyzed the different aspects of the changing trends with the complete overview of the advantages and implications of implementing the technology with the detailed report of benefits related to the security, safety and management of the businesses and their feasibility in the light of its complexity, monetary required and other essential elements. LITERATURE REVIEW In the literature review of this project, I have made a deep study of the published and unpublished work to understand and analyze the different concepts related to the video capturing, surveillance techniques and algorithms, various internet protocols along with the requirements and essential needs for the business professional and firms and the security and safety issues related to it. Several elements and components related with the project were analyzed and studied with the different perspectives to get an idea and the base to predict and get the inferential analysis of the fact and figures to get the final results and conclusions to predict and present the recommendations in the light and support of these analysis. The reviews and the reports were taken as the secondary source of the data which means that they are not based on the new findings or the experimental researches but just the referential reading material containing the data that has evolved out of the previously done researches and experiments to support for the further research and development. (What is a literature review?)It helped me to build the substantial knowledge base and the acquaintance of various methodologies for the study of the taken research project of IP video surveillance with its application in the todays business environment. The reviews and the studies were made from the different available resources like journals, books, reports, published or unpublished interviews, doctoral thesiss, doctoral presentations, newspaper articles, business reports, research papers from the different national and the international conferences and student project reports. This gave me enough insight of the previous researches done and the further research required and also helped me to know my domain of how I can contribute for the further research. These literature reviews also helped me to build up a base full of the knowledge and the logical aspects for the analysis of the information and the data gathered from the intensive interviews conducted. (What is a literature review?) The study of the few statistical concepts were also done to have a better understanding of the data and also for the removal of any undesired and unrequited error that may have crept in due to the negligence or the ignorance of the interviewee. To better understand the concepts of the digital and the analog practices and the technology of the CCTV surveillance I gone through the CCTV Surveillance, second edition book available at the Google books. (Kruegle, CCTV surveillance: analog and digital video practices and technology, 2006) The loss and the crime prevention techniques were studied from the Handbook on the loss prevention and the Crime prevention by the Lawrence J. Fennely which explained the benefits of implementation of CCTV video surveillance to the institutions. (Fennely, Handbook of loss prevention and crime prevention, 2003) The researchers conducted by the IMS showed that the IP video surveillance is the fastest growing field of research in the physical and the remote security. (The business to business trade publication for information and physical Security profe, 2009) The increasing sophistication of the video analyst software and its integration with the other sensors were understood from the book Protecting Privacy in Video Surveillance by Andrew Senior. (Senior, 2009) The changes in the technologies, advantages and disadvantages of the IP video surveillance system, etc were studied from the different sources like an article by Lucy P.Roberts. (How IP-based video surveillance works) There is a growing need for information to support business intelligence application. Business intelligence information such as counting of people going in or out of the store, determining customer shopping habbits, information on the store occupancy information, and the others can be gathered using the video analytics. (Branislav, Embedded Computer Vision, 2009) Besides, several research papers like Towards developing Secure Video Surveillance over IP, Design and implementation of an IP-based Intelligent Video Surveillance System were also studied. Basics The IP video surveillance is one of the most promising technologies of the future that is designed to work on the Internet Protocols and allows the users to get the view of the distant images digitized over the local area or even the wide area network. The devices like high resolution video camera, CCD, etc takes the scene in front of it, converts it to the corresponding digital signal send it over the network, where it is transmitted to the computers, servers, etc to finally reach the destination. The server has the responsibility to manage all these information. These digital images are managed, recorded, displayed, and retransmitted to any part of the world using the various tools and techniques with the various software, hardware and algorithms. The software packages that is involved with the use of the video surveillance can be modified to serve for the various purposes like analyzing the data, selecting some of the features and the objects to watch for, hosting various function s, analyzing the environment, thus building it into the a powerful customizable tool for security and various other purposes. (Video Surveillance Technology) The IP-based digital video surveillance makes the use of CCD cameras which are the charged coupled devices, and use the digital signal processing tools and algorithms that sends the packetized or the buffered video streams over the LAN or WAN using the standard TCP/IP communication. (Video Surveillance Technology) To make the better utilization of the bandwidth, the transmission is done through a Cat 5 cable rather than the coax cable network. The IP video surveillance can also provide various intelligent data mining and information retrieval techniques to smartly analyze and extract the logical information from the video being processed. The tools and techniques like the data encryption and some others can be used to protect the transmitted data against the image processing in order to do away with the security issues if they are essential for the transmission of the videos to the remote locations. The technologies of the IP video surveillance is getting more and more advanced and in the recent developments the companies like D-Link and Linksys have developed such efficient digital cameras that have actually integrated the built-in web servers and no external device or computers are required to operate them with the signals being transmitted directly to the required remote locations for the storage and play-back purposes. (How IP-based video surveillance works) HOW DOES THE IP VIDEO SURVEILLANCE WORKS Earlier the technology that was used for the video surveillance was the analog technology. The process was quite simple with the use of the closed circuit televisions (CCTV) and the recording on the tapes. The recording used to be fine, where the images and the videos were used to get recorded on the storage devices and played back later on for the surveillance purposes but the problem was that it didnt broadcast the actual live information, so although it used to provide the essential information but was obviously impractical for monitoring the remote locations, etc. The quality of the picture was also not very good and also the human reliability was required as someone has to interfere with the system time to time in order to change the tapes regularly, etc. (Networks, 2010) In the simple terms, it provided the video after the happening of the fact and not instantly. With the revolution in the internet technologies in the 1990s and the increasing presence and the demand on the Local Area Network revolutionized the field of the video surveillance too. Now, the traditional analog cameras were able to be replaced by the digital ones and the Charged Coupled Devices (CCD) which came into the existence and gradually became affordable to most of the people. (Networks, 2010) With this revolution in the field, it provided the surveillance to do the important things like going live over the internet or a closed network for the purpose of surveillance, provide the better picture quality, clearer in view which can be easily manipulated. With the digitized images, it became much easier to zoom the images, track the particular scenes and enhance the feature as the user desires which has a large number of applications in law enforcement, defense purpose, research and development processes. (Video Surveillance) ADVANTAGES OF IP VIDEO SURVEILLANCE There are a number of advantages of the IP video surveillance for the home, business, defense, and research related purposes. Some of them are listed below (IP Camera Advantage and Disadvantage): The IP video surveillance can be very efficient in terms of its flexibility as the IP cameras can be highly mobile in the terms that it can be moved anywhere in the network having the IP standard. This mobility and the flexibility can be of very high level in case of the wireless networks. (IP Camera Advantage and Disadvantage) The cameras used in the surveillance, the IP cameras can be provided with the modifications to implement the distributed intelligence. This can be done by the various ways like adding the video analytics right on the cameras allowing it to get the scalability in the analytic solutions. (Benifits of network video Surveillance) The IP video surveillance also allows the two-way audio/video transmission through a single network cable which can allow the users to communicate with what they are seeing. (IP Camera Advantage and Disadvantage) With the development of the type of cameras in this field, various high range cameras with the high resolution which can provide the multi-megapixel resolution of the image and the HDTV image quality as high as 30 frames per second on a normal network. Transmission of the digital commands for the features like pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) via a single network cable is also possible. (Benifits of network video Surveillance) The transmission of the videos can be done through the various encryption and authentication methods such as WPA, WPA2, WEP, TKIP, AES, etc. (IP Camera Advantage and Disadvantage) Another advantage of this technology is that it is highly remote accessible i.e. the live videos captured from one place can be viewed from anywhere in the world, any computer, any internet enabled device, also from the mobile smart phones, etc even they can be correspondingly viewed from a number of places at the same time. (Benifits of network video Surveillance) For the large systems like those that have more than 25-30 cameras, the IP video surveillance system becomes highly cost effective. The IP video surveillance can also be managed to function over the wireless networks which requires only the initial configuration through the routers after which they are ready to be used in the wireless network. This technique is of the extreme importance for their use in the navigation purposes in the defense forces. (Wireless Internet Video Cameras) The cameras used in the surveillance i.e. the IP cameras mostly do not require the additional power supply and can be operated using the PoE i.e. Power over Ethernet using the PoE protocol which derives the power from the Ethernet cable for the cameras to operate. (Power over Ethernet (PoE)) DISADVANTAGES OF IP VIDEO SURVEILLANCE With the number of advantages of using the IP Video surveillance, there are also few disadvantages related to its use. Some of them are listed below (IP Camera Advantage and Disadvantage): Comparatively high cost related with the surveillance due to higher initial cost related with the camera and its installation except for the cases when the cheap and less expensive webcams are used. (IP Camera Advantage and Disadvantage) If the system is transmitting the videos over the public Internet rather than a private LAN whether it is the CCTV or the DVR system, the system becomes quite opened to the hacking and cracking via the internet. Attackers can attack to the transmission stealing the various personnel, business or defense information which can be very harmful for the users. (IP versus analog cameras) The bandwidth required for the system is very high. A typical CCTV camera system of the resolution of 640X480 pixels and 10 frames per second in the MJPEG mode requires the bandwidth as at least 3 MB/S which is quite high for a normal user. (IP versus analog cameras) The installation procedures of the camera systems are considerably complicated and require the professional technical assistance. (IP Camera Advantage and Disadvantage) COMPARISON WITH THE TRADITIONAL VIDEO SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES As described above earlier the analog or CCTV/ DVR system was used for the purpose of the video surveillance instead in comparison to the topic of our discussion which is IP based video surveillance. The comparison is summarized in the following table: Sl no. IP Video Surveillance Analog or CCTV/DVR Video Surveillance 1. The IP based video surveillance means the instant transmission of the images anytime anywhere and in the world. The live transmission of the obtained video is neither possible nor practical. 2. The quality of the recorded video does not decreases with the number of replays or repetitions. The quality of the storage gets poorer an poorer with the repetitions. 3. The IP standard can be used to control a number of cameras at the same time from one remote location 4. The recording on IP basis can be highly compressible and can be transported in the various ranges of formats, size and quality. Storage of the analog videos is generally much more bulky than the digitized ones. 5. Digital picture quality is generally better to that of the analog ones. The image quality is inferior to that which is obtained from the digital ones. 6. Encryption can be done for security purposes for the digital images. There are almost no encryption techniques available for the analog videos. 7. The updating in the requirements can be done very easy and inexpensively by having the updates and add ons in the software package or Internet networking. The updating just means the updating in the hardware. 8. The frame rates are adjustable. Frame rate can adjusted only through the hardware not through any algorithm. 9. The number of cameras can be easily added, removed or modified with very ease. The number of cameras can be added or deleted only in the set of 16 as in the case of DVRs. 10. Sharing can also be done on the wireless networks like Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wifi, etc Only the physical transport of the tapes is possible. 11. Standard IP video compression techniques can also be utilized. These techniques are not applicable here. ibliography Branislav. (2009). Embedded Computer Vision. Springer. Fennely, L. J. (2003). Handbook of loss prevention and crime prevention. Elsevier. How IP-based video surveillance works. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2011, from Video Surveillance Guide: http://www.video-surveillance-guide.com/how-IP-based-video-surveillance-works.htm IP Camera Advantage and Disadvantage. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2011, from IPMarket.Info: http://ipvideomarket.info/report/should_i_use_ip_cameras__reviewing_ip_camera_advantages Kruegle, H. CCTV Surveillance, Videos services and technology. Kruegle, H. (2006). CCTV surveillance: analog and digital video practices and technology. Butterworth-Heinemann. Senior, A. (2009). Protecting Privacy in Video Surveillance. Springer. The business to business trade publication for information and physical Security profe. (2009, February). CXO Media Inc. Vol. 8, No. 1 , p. 36. Video Surveillance. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2011, from Video Surveillance: http://www.videosurveillance.com/

Free College Admissions Essays: Interest in Languages :: College Admissions Essays

My Interest in Languages I can trace my interest in languages back to a holiday to the Lleyn Peninsula when I was 6, during which I decided to compile a dictionary of the Welsh words I saw on signposts. My interest gained ground at secondary school, and in recent years I have become particularly enthusiastic about the language and culture of Spain - an enthusiasm heightened by a visit to Galicia last summer. While I am enjoying A level French I am keen to take this opportunity to learn something new, hence my desire to study Italian. Italy is a country which fascinates me and which I would love to get to know, and I already have some knowledge of the language including the pronunciation system. Last term I took part in an French essay-writing competition organised by the Alliance Française, and for my essay on Globalisation I was awarded a Certificat d'Or. Last year also saw my participation in the French Exchange with a school in Condé-en-Brie, near Reims, which I found a valuable insight into French culture as well as a chance to improve my language. Apart from my French and Spanish studies, I have pursued other languages at various times. Last year I took the one-year GCSE course in Latin that my school offers, which I have found very interesting and highly worthwhile as well as a help with and insight into Romance languages. Out of enthusiasm for the West of Scotland and interest in Scottish place-names I have learnt some Gaelic, and I recently started to teach myself German. I have been elected deputy head boy with responsibility for charity for this year, and in this position I hope to continue the impressive fund-raising efforts of previous years for local and national causes. I have successfully completed my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's award, for which I took up rock-climbing and helped residents in a local nursing home. I am on the committee of the Debating Society and have spoken in a number of debates in the Society's first year; through school I have also taken part in a public speaking competition organised by the Rotary Club, for which I spoke as part of a team of three on "how we will view life in the next millennium". I am a keen actor, and have had leading roles in productions both in and out of school.

Why the Whitechapel Murders Attracted so Much Attention Essay -- Papers

Why the Whitechapel Murders Attracted so Much Attention In this question I will be studying the various reasons why the Whitechapel murders attracted so much attention in 1888. This will focus on the Ripper victims and their own personal backgrounds, the murders and the similarities including the fact that they became more increasingly violent, the extensive press coverage due to the brutal murders as well as the increased press coverage on anti-Semitism and finally I will write about the actions of the mile end vigilance committee. My focus will turn to the 5 main ripper victims Mary Ann Nicholls (Polly), Annie Chapman, Elizabeth stride, Catherine Eddows and mary Kelly. There are many similarities between these five victims which link them to be the most believable ripper victims. The most initial similarity between all 5 women was that they were all prostitutes working in the same area all of the prostitutes were all of the same age of around 45 apart from one named Mary Kelly as she was aged around 25.the serial killers spree began on august 31st 1888 with the murder of a middle aged prostitute named Mary Ann Nicholls called Polly by some. As with all the victims she was a very heavy drinker. Polly had five children and had separated from her husband Mary Ann at the time was living in a house at 13 millers' court. The ripper's second victim was again an (47 year old) prostitute named Annie Chapman. Also a mother and like all the prostitutes she was a heavy drinker, she again was separated from her husand.she prostituted in order to pay for her drinking habit, Annie's appearance was not the best for a 47 year old as she had a... ...y was received on the 17th September 1888 stating that giving a reward would do more harm then good and rejected his offer. Having examined the evidence there was several factors which linked together attracted nation wide attention to the white chapel murders such the brutality of the murders themselves also due to the similarities and differences off all the prostitutes. But I think the real factors which the attracted the nation wide attention was of the three letter which were printed in the newspapers as they contained plisit information about the murders themselves and the startling letter which contained a piece of human kidney, which was said in the letter that that excrement's were fried and eaten. So in conclusion I think that the sickness of the mind of jack the ripper grabbed the world wide attention.

Counseling the Infertile Couple :: essays research papers

â€Å"Counseling the Infertile Couple†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Being a pastor of family ministries with three healthy children, it is hard for me to counsel other couples on infertility. I have also been on the other side of the table facing these infertility choices in my first marriage. There was a choice we faced regarding selective termination if we did conceive after hormone therapy. In a way, I am glad we did not conceive because my ex-wife and I opposed each other on this procedure. I was opposed to the procedure while my wife accepted it. As a pastor having to counsel others with the problem of infertility, there are a lot of choices to be made regarding infertility.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe God has given doctors the technology to assist couples in the process of conceiving a child. How far a couple goes to conceive a child is the problem we are facing as Christians in today’s culture. Assisted reproductive technologies allow many couples with infertility problems to bear children. But with the plethora of options come tough decisions. Couples must weigh the financial, emotional and physical costs of each treatment against its chances of success. The ethical ramifications of creating life in a lab is also a consideration Christian couples often look to their faith for guidance. God has given us the job of exercising dominion over all the earth (Gen. 1:26), which includes using medical technologies to assist us in reproduction.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first step in infertility treatment is diagnostic testing for would-be parents. Treatments may be as simple as drugs to stimulate ovulation or as complicated as in vitro fertilization. Some couples may achieve pregnancy quickly, but others may have to decide to pursue assisted reproductive technologies. Since the first â€Å"test-tube baby† was born, in vitro fertilization has become a common procedure in fertility treatment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A key issue couples considering in vitro fertilization is the use of their embryos. The woman often produces more eggs than can be used during a single IVF attempt. The extra embryos can be frozen to use in subsequent procedures, or a couple may have them destroyed, kept in storage indefinitely or donated to another infertile couple. Another issue is how many embryos should be placed back in the uterus. The fewer used, the lower chances of multiple pregnancies and a higher risk for complications. The more used, the couple faces the issue of more embryos taking hold in the uterus and having to decide terminating one or more of the fetuses to give the remaining ones a better chance of survival. Counseling the Infertile Couple :: essays research papers â€Å"Counseling the Infertile Couple†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Being a pastor of family ministries with three healthy children, it is hard for me to counsel other couples on infertility. I have also been on the other side of the table facing these infertility choices in my first marriage. There was a choice we faced regarding selective termination if we did conceive after hormone therapy. In a way, I am glad we did not conceive because my ex-wife and I opposed each other on this procedure. I was opposed to the procedure while my wife accepted it. As a pastor having to counsel others with the problem of infertility, there are a lot of choices to be made regarding infertility.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe God has given doctors the technology to assist couples in the process of conceiving a child. How far a couple goes to conceive a child is the problem we are facing as Christians in today’s culture. Assisted reproductive technologies allow many couples with infertility problems to bear children. But with the plethora of options come tough decisions. Couples must weigh the financial, emotional and physical costs of each treatment against its chances of success. The ethical ramifications of creating life in a lab is also a consideration Christian couples often look to their faith for guidance. God has given us the job of exercising dominion over all the earth (Gen. 1:26), which includes using medical technologies to assist us in reproduction.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first step in infertility treatment is diagnostic testing for would-be parents. Treatments may be as simple as drugs to stimulate ovulation or as complicated as in vitro fertilization. Some couples may achieve pregnancy quickly, but others may have to decide to pursue assisted reproductive technologies. Since the first â€Å"test-tube baby† was born, in vitro fertilization has become a common procedure in fertility treatment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A key issue couples considering in vitro fertilization is the use of their embryos. The woman often produces more eggs than can be used during a single IVF attempt. The extra embryos can be frozen to use in subsequent procedures, or a couple may have them destroyed, kept in storage indefinitely or donated to another infertile couple. Another issue is how many embryos should be placed back in the uterus. The fewer used, the lower chances of multiple pregnancies and a higher risk for complications. The more used, the couple faces the issue of more embryos taking hold in the uterus and having to decide terminating one or more of the fetuses to give the remaining ones a better chance of survival.

Foreign Nations Intervention in Civil Wars Essay

The events in history had seen many civil wars that took place in various parts of the world. Civil wars are defined as â€Å"violent conflict between organized groups within a country† (Fearon, 2006). Being the case, it is questionable as to why foreign nations intervened with such kind of domestic affairs. The intervention of foreign nations entails a specific reason or agenda in their part, which is the main cause as to why they participate in the civil wars of other countries. Foreign nations intervention in civil wars are notably observable in three events in the past namely the civil wars in Korea in the 1950s, Vietnam Civil war in the 1960s, and the Afghanistan Civil War in the 1980s. Civil War The meaning of civil war explains that it should only involved the citizens of a particular nation. The conflicting groups that are existing within the country could be two or more militant groups fighting with each other. The source of disagreement could also come from the political tension among the existing government and some civilian groups that does not agree with how the government runs things and implement policies. James D. Fearon (2006) supported this definition of civil war when he argued that civil war pertains to violent conflicts among organized groups found within a country. The reasons behind such disagreement could be attributed to the struggle over the position of power in the government, one group’s separatist objectives, or a particular policy implemented by the government that caused friction and division among its citizens. An armed combat would only be considered as a civil war when there are 1,000 dead that also leads to a high amount of rural insurgencies although not intensely violent or disturbing. Furthermore, Fearon emphasized that political goals is the primary characteristic of a civil war, if ever there are other motives such as vengeance or hatred then it could not be considered as such. 1950s Civil Wars in Korea The Korean civil war could be attributed to the different the ideological beliefs between North and South Korea. North Korea adheres to communism while on the other hand South Korea believes in democracy. Due to this difference, the division of Korea took place that separated them between the communist North and the democratic South. Korea used to be owned by Japan but it has been separated into occupational zones after the event of the World War II. The United States of America accepted the defeat and act of surrender by the Japanese in Southern Korea. Similarly, the forces of the Soviet Union also did the same act in the northern part of Korea. What seems to be a temporary division becomes permanent when the Soviet Union aided in establishing a communist rule in North Korea while the United States make sure that they supported the South Korea through financial and military aid (â€Å"Korean War†, n. d. ). On 25 June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea through a surprised attacked that caught the South Korean army as well as a small number of U. S. forces off guard that makes their invasion of the capital city of Seoul easier. Just a couple of days after this invasion the United States of America push for a UN resolution that would give military aid to South Korea. In line with this, President Harry Truman through this resolution worked under the United Nations â€Å"police actions† towards the North Korean invaders (â€Å"Korean War†, n. d. ). The influence of the United States had reversed the situation, the South Korean forces together with the U. S. forces attacked North Korea. Nevertheless, this decision of invasion stimulated other parties to intervene. In the late 1950, the forces of the communist China also made their presence felt in the war, which resulted in a violent and bloody armed combat (â€Å"Korean War†, n. d. ). According to the Naval Historical Center (2001), this violent dispute lasted for more than three years. Eventually, the war ended in 1953 when the United States and North Korea end the war by signing a cease-fire agreement. However, this agreement continued to divide North and South Korea at almost the same geographical portion. The participation of foreign countries like the United States of America and China symbolizes the vested interests of these two nations. One of the important things that have to be considered in this situation is the fact that the cold war is already being felt during this time. The competition between the concept of democracy that is led by the U. S. and the idea of communism through the leadership of the Soviet bloc is observed through this civil war in Korea. The United States supported South Korea because they deem that not doing so would result for the north to annex them into their communist ideology. In the same manner, the Soviet Union gives aid to North Korea because of they did not want this territory to be under the U. S. influence. Even other communist countries like China also intervened in the situation in order to support North Korea. This assertion is proven when the Korean War was considered as the start of the hot, violent, and expensive cold war (Naval Historical Center, 2001). The reported casualties in this civil war amounted to the death of 55,000 American troops. This war was deemed as a â€Å"limited war† because of the goal of the United States to merely protect South Korea from being invaded by the communist North. The U. S. had no intention of defeating the enemy and in this case the villains are North Korea together with the other countries that support communism (â€Å"Korean War†, n. d. ). 1960s Vietnam War The Vietnam War is also another example of a civil war wherein the intervention of foreign countries has been observable. This war also exemplified how conflicts within a country was aggravated due to the interests of others. In line with this, this civil war also exemplified how the Cold War is taking place during that time. The origins of the Vietnam War took place in 1954 when the Vietnamese Nationalist and the Vietminh army that was led by communists defeated the French at Dienbienphu. The French were forced to established North Vietnam as a communist while leaving South Vietnam as non-communist. However, this did not sit well with the United States of America especially after President Harry Truman supported France in maintaining its Indochina colony, which composed of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam through economic and military aid. The U. S. government led by President Dwight D. Eisenhower decided to established a nation as well as a political machinery in South Vietnam. He created a government that replaced the French and also deployed military advisers in order to train the army of South Vietnam. Furthermore, the U. S. also instructed its Central Intelligence Agency to apply psychological warfare towards North Vietnam (Rotter, 1999). The administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson had fully committed the country into war when the Congress allowed the Tonkin Golf Resolution, which paved the way for the continuous air bombing of the U. S. to South Vietnam. This action confirmed that the United States was indeed at war (Rotter, 1999). The succeeding president, Richard Nixon, implemented the idea of Vietnamization wherein he ordered the withdrawal of American troops that gave South Vietnam a greater role in the battle for this civil war. However, he made the effort to weaken North Vietnam by deploying American forces in Cambodia to demolish the supply bases (Digital History, n. d. ). During 1968 to 1973, diplomacy was utilized in attempts of ending the war. In January 1973, an agreement were made that resulted for the U. S. withdrawal in Vietnam and the released of U. S. prisoners. Eventually, in April 1975 Vietnam was united as one country when South Vietnam surrendered to the North (Digital History, n. d. ). The intervention of the United States in the Vietnam War is an effort to combat the driving force of communism in the world, which is the North Vietnam’s government led by Ho Chi Minh. For the Americans, the enemy is communism because this ideology defy everything the U. S. upholds. The idea of freedom, human rights, free trade, and most especially the concept of democracy are violated by communism. This effort to combat communism is clearly seen when President John F. Kennedy supported the counterinsurgency war wherein he sent 400 Green Beret soldiers in order to trained the South Vietnamese how to fight and eventually combat the communist guerrillas of North Vietnam (Rotter, 1999). Furthermore, Rotter (1999) also argued that the United States believes in the domino theory wherein if ever a particular country in a region would adhere to communism then other nations would also follow suit just like a falling domino. This is the exact idea the U. S. wanted to prevent, which is why they participated in the Vietnam War because they deem that if the whole Vietnam would follow communism then eventually the other countries in Southeast Asia would also do the same. In relation to this, another reason is the objective of the U. S. for other countries to follow the path of democracy and identify themselves as member of the free states. The U. S. efforts in doing so was seen when the U. S. gave economic and military aid to France in order to maintain its Indochina colonies. They also used the same idea of the domino theory that if countries would see the development of France and its colonies then eventually they would chose democracy instead of communism. 1980s Afghanistan Civil War The experienced of Afghanistan during its civil war in the 1980s is also similar to the events that took place in Korea and Vietnam. Foreign countries also intervened in this civil war. This involvement of other countries could be seen through the events of the war wherein their contribution to the armed combat also signifies their own interests in doing so. The Afghanistan civil war started when the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) assassinated the first president of the country, Muhammad Daoud. The succeeding government led by Muhammad Taraki a member of the PDPA implemented policies that are very communist in nature. The resistance in this kind of policy resulted in a bloody civil war. From the start, the Communist Soviet Union supported the PDPA through economic and military aid. The PDPA party was also experiencing conflict between two rival factions that are after the control of the government. Taraki was overthrown by Amin, which threatened the Soviet Union because this new leadership might pave the way for the Afghanistan to lean towards the United States. This is the reason why the Soviet Union invaded the country. Amin was executed by the Soviet forces and was later on replaced by an Afghan Communist government led by Babrak Karmal, which acted as a puppet administration. Other foreign countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China supported the Afghan Mujahadeen or holy warriors who were against the government established by the Soviet Union. The intervention of other nations aggravated the conflict. Eventually, by 1988 the dragging armed combat as well as the tensions in the Soviet politics pressed Moscow to adhere to the Geneva Accords of 1988. This agreement entails the Soviet army to leave Afghanistan in February 1989 (Lee, 2007). The incidents that took place in the Afghanistan civil war clearly shows why foreign countries participated in this kind of war. Due to the own interests of the Soviet Union to prevent the increasing number of free states that would follow the idealism of the United States, they decided to invade Afghanistan. They assassinated Amin, who they suspected sided with the United States. In the same manner, the United States and other countries gave aid in terms of monetary as well as military equipment to the Afghan Mujahadeens to helped in their efforts of overthrowing the puppet government that was controlled by the Soviet Union as well as an effort to prevent the further spread of communism in Asia. The above mentioned civil wars only proves that foreign intervention took place in order to further the objectives and accomplished the goals of countries who involved themselves in this war. The United States of America and the Soviet Union are clear examples of countries that utilized the conflicts happening in other parts of the world to sustain their own interests. It is important to understand that these countries were the main actors who intervened because of the on-going Cold War happening between them during those times. Cold War was characterized by indirect aggression towards each other, which is clearly established by these two countries by simply supporting or aiding conflicting parties within a civil war. The main idea was for the United States to support parties that are against communism and for the Soviet Union to do the same by giving aid to those that are in favor of the communist idea and are against the free state the United States are fighting for. In all of these, it is proven that intervention indeed becomes a means to pursue and accomplished the vested interests and objectives of other countries. References __________. Learn About the Vietnam War. Retrieved June 28, 2008, from http://www. digitalhistory. uh. edu/modules/vietnam/index. cfm. __________. Korean War. Retrieved Jully 10, 2008, from http://www. asianinfo. org/asianinfo/korea/pro-korean_war. htm. Fearon, J. D. (April 2006). Civil War. Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. Retrieved June 28, 2008, from http://fsi. stanford. edu/news/ civil_war_definition_ transcends _ politics_ 20060410/. Lee, R. A. (2007). The Afghan Civil War. Retrieved June 28, 2008 from http://www. historyguy. com/afghan_civil_war. html. Naval Historical Center. (2001). The Korean War, June 1950 – July 1953. Retrieved June 28, 2008, from http://www. history. navy. mil/photos/events/kowar/kowar. htm. Rotter, A. J. (2001). The Causes of the Vietnam War. Retrieved June 28, 2008 from http://www. english. uiuc. edu/maps/vietnam/causes. htm.

Greek Society

Greek emphasis on reasoning bring to their views of nature and society? ADDED Greeks broke with the onomatopoeic outlook and started to view the physical world and human activities through reasoning and logical thinking. What changes did It make to nature and society? -Emphasis on reason marks a turning point for human collocation A) Philosophy -Marks the beginning of scientific thought, had an awareness of cause and effect, exploring the natural phenomena, principles of universe. Traditional mythical explanations are dismissed. -egg. Earthquakes commonly held belief that it was caused by Poseidon, god of the EAI, was offered with a logical explanation on how the earth floated on water. Discovered water as an element and rainbows certainly was not the goddess Iris. – Parricides' concept of unchanging reality apprehended by thought alone Influenced Plato and Is the foundation of metaphysics- the branch of philosophy that attempts to define ultimate reality, or Being. Democratic from Greek mainland renewed the Ionians' concern with the world of matter and reaffirmed their confidence in knowledge derived from sense perfection- and the senses indicated that change did occur in nature. -model of universe: empty space and an infinite number of atoms- a world of colliding atoms- everything behaved according to mechanical principles.Therefore essential to scientific thought thus emerged in embryonic form with Greek philosophers: 1) Natural explanations for physical occurrences (Ionians) 2) The mathematical order of nature (Pythagoras) 3) Logical proof (Parricides) 4) Mechanical structure of the universe (Democratic) with all these logical reasoning and ways of knowing, Greek philosophers pushed thought in a new direction. This approached allowed critical analysis of theories, whereas myths, accepted unconditionally on faith and authority, did not promote discussion and questioning. Made possible theoretical thinking and the systemization of knowledge- as distinc t from the mere observation and collection of data. -made attempt to prove underlying mathematical principles-> demonstrate that certain conclusions must flow from certain hypotheses. -able to distinguish between magic and medicine. B) The Sophists -early Greek thinkers. -they're the professional teachers and urged that Individuals Improve themselves ND their cities by applying reason to their tasks. -they answered a practical need in the Persian Wars. Sophists again arrived at a broader conception of humanity. That slavery was based on force or chance, that Pl were not slaves or master by nature, all Pl were fundamentally alike. -applied reason to human affairs- divine was useless and it's a human invention to prevent Pl from committing crime. -applied reason to law- all these to instill fear to citizens. -however, their doctrines encouraged loss of respect for authority, disobedience to law, neglect to civic duty ND selfish individualism- dangerously weakening community bonds.C) S ocrates -to comprehend nature, cosmologists discovered theoretical reason. -Socrates attacked sophist' relativism and questions them the questions that really mattered:- what is the purpose of live? The values? How to be perfect? But the sophists failed to answer. -indeed, sophists taught the ambitious to succeed in politics, but persuasive oratory and clever reasoning do not instruct a man in the art of living. -Socrates' central concern was the perfection of individual human character, the achievement f moral excellence. He believed that reason was the only proper guide to the most crucial problem of human existence: the question of good and evil. -because wrong thinking?wrong doing -supplied a method of inquiry called dialectics in urging Athenians to think rationally about the problems. -the good life, the moral life, is attained by the exercise of reason and by the development of intelligence- this percept is the essence of Socratic teaching- made the individual the centre of t he universe, reason central to the individual and moral worth the central aim of human life.

Healthy Ways of Keeping Fit

There are a lot of ways to keep fit. The important thing is that you find an activity that you enjoy doing and that you stick with it. There is a variety of things you can do. You can run, walk, swim, bike, go hiking, do yoga, lots of different methods for keeping fit. Another enjoyable way is to go dancing. Dancing is a very good aerobic activity, requires physical liveliness and burns a lot of calories. The other thing that is significant is making sure that you follow a healthy diet. You want to make sure that you have enough energy to do these activities that you actually enjoy doing to keep your body fit.Therefore, following a healthy diet means ensuring that you eat when you are hungry, you stop eating when you are full, you include plenty of different types of fruits and vegatables, whole grains, things like brown rice, oatmeal millet, all those types of things are considered whole grains. You also want to include some type of lean protein whether that’s from legumes, b eans such as pinto beans, garbanzos, or seafood or lean cuts of meat or poultry without the skin. Any of those are sources of lean proteins that are very beneficial for your body.And again, that particular method of eating will make sure that you have the energy that you need to actually perform these different types of activities you enjoy doing. So when you find the activity you like, try to do it several times a week at least 4 to 5 times a week will really help improve your level of fitness. More than that can actually cause you to lose weight if you are trying to actually lose weight. As you see there are several different ways of keeping feet. It can be any type of physical activity that you enjoy doing.

Love for Goodness’ Sake: Plato’s Symposium

Socrates says, â€Å"In a word, then, love is wanting to possess the good forever† (206B). Naturally, it would be my inclination to agree with this statement; however, love is much more complex than Socrates’ definition. Love is the desire to always be happy, and finding goodness is the key to happiness. Love brings the good out of our souls to guide our lives. We search for goodness in love, yet surrendering to love and desire (eros) is what brings out our goodness. The happiness that love provides encourages the individual to be his or her best self, which is how we ultimately live our lives around goodness. Plato’s Symposium teaches this catch-22: in searching for goodness in love, we discover the goodness within our own souls. A person faces choices every day; with every decision there is the option of acting morally or shamefully. Most people aim to make moral choices, but regardless of the decisions people make, every person has an inherent ability to distinguish acting shamefully and morally. Whether this ability is something a person is born with or is developed through education from one’s parents is irrelevant; it’s important to notice that individuals are aware of their acts before they love someone. When someone falls in love—or is overcome by desire—he or she becomes acutely aware of his or her actions and usually makes a conscious effort to make good choices. In seeing the goodness of the ones a person desires, he or she is reminded of the importance of portraying one’s good qualities. This is the heart of Phaedrus’ argument, that â€Å"there is a certain guidance each person needs for his whole life†¦and nothing imparts this guidance†¦as well as Love† (178D). He continues to argue that the best possible society would be full of lovers and their beloveds because all of its members would be constantly aware of being their best selves in the presence of their loved ones. Phaedrus contends that surrendering to eros brings out an individual’s goodness, but he doesn’t address whether this goodness exists when a person is living without Love. Aristophanes discusses his belief that people fall in love when they find the their â€Å"other half† who fills them with a sense of completeness. He tates, â€Å"It’s obvious that the soul of every lover longs for something else; his soul cannot say what it is† yet he pursues the feeling of unity and completeness that love provides (192D). This sense of wholeness comes from finding the goodness within oneself when a person is with his or her matching half. Socrates disagrees with Aristophanes’ argument because he doesn’t know that each person’s other half is good. The concept of having a matching half may provide comfort to some, but it implies that each person should only have a desire for one person. It is very common for people to love multiple people through the course of their lives. Aristophanes may not be incorrect in saying that every soul is searching for its matching half, but the key part of his argument in this context is that when a person finds someone he or she loves, that person feels a sense of fullness. I believe this sense of feeling of fulfillment comes from rediscovering the good within oneself. The argument in the Symposium that most emphasizes this point is that of Socrates. He believes that everyone is pregnant, either physically or mentally. Those who are pregnant physically bear children; this is their way of spreading life and goodness into the world. Those who are have a pregnant soul bear wisdom, creativity and beauty into the world. Both forms of pregnancy leave behind a small piece of goodness and the process of pregnancy proves that this goodness begins within the individual. A woman has most of what is required to make a baby within her body before finding a lover. She has healthy organs that make her body function, and she is capable of maintaining her body. She has eggs in her ovaries that are waiting for a lover to fertilize them. When she finds a lover, his sperm combines with her egg and a beautiful baby develops. Both the man and the woman have all of the ingredients to create offspring, but the unity of the lovers is required to complete the process. In the same way, each individual has wisdom within their souls, but it’s necessary to combine two souls to expose the goodness to society. The process of bringing beauty and wisdom into the world through spiritual pregnancy is more abstract than physical pregnancy, but is equally important. In the same way that a physical lust develops between lovers, souls can crave each other. Socrates states that the soul is drawn to other beautiful and developed souls, and these people connect through intellectually stimulating arguments—they give birth to new ideas and thoughts. He believes that, â€Å"when [a person] makes contact with someone beautiful and keeps company with him, he conceives and gives birth to what he has been carrying inside him for ages. And whether they are together or apart, he remembers that beauty† (209C). Here, Socrates says that the beauty, truth, knowledge, and goodness were all contained within the lover before the relationship was established; it is through dialogue that this beauty is exposed. Being aware of displaying our good behaviors and trying to impress our loved ones can be a good thing, but sometimes one’s heightened awareness of goodness can make him or her feel inferior. When Alcibiades crashes the philosophers’ dinner, he begins his speech of praise for Socrates, but quickly Alcibiades reveals his overwhelming sense of mediocrity when in Socrates’ presence. â€Å"Yes, he makes me feel ashamed,† Alcibiades confesses, â€Å"I know perfectly well that I can’t prove he’s wrong when he tells me what I should do; yet, the moment I leave his side, I go back to my old ways† (216B). Alcibiades believes he will never be good enough for the pious and goodness-filled Socrates. Alcibiades admits that he strives to be his best self in front of Socrates, but he lapses into old habits when they are apart. Alcibiades declares, â€Å"my whole life has become one constant effort to escape from him and keep away, but when I see him, I feel deeply ashamed, because I’m doing nothing about my way of life, although I have already agreed with him that I should† (216B). Therefore, Alcibiades is aware that he has the potential to be good, but he only has the strength to be noble when he’s with Socrates. The tragedy is that Socrates doesn’t want to take Alcibiades as a lover, leaving the latter to suffer through life feeling lonely and inadequate. Alcibiades should remember that he has the power to be moral and display his goodness, which could in turn lead him to another lover. All of the philosophers whose ideas I’ve discussed above reveal that love brings out the good in each of us, but I believe that the good is contained within the individual before exposure to a lover. We seek lovers because we crave the reminder to always be our best selves. We take pride in acting morally, and we feel good when others recognize our good behavior. We have desire for someone when we see his or her beauty and goodness, and we hope to be desired for our goodness as well. When two lovers come together, there is a feel of unity because there’s an understanding that both people will be noble for each other. People are compelled to stay with a lover for the entirety of their lives because they want to continue to be full of goodness. When we are without a lover, we may feel lonely and can lose touch with our internal goodness. We crave love because we need the constant reminder to be our highest selves—the self we are most proud of. Because Love makes us extra aware of our goodness both internally and behaviorally, it’s important to remember that we have the power to be our noblest selves at any time, with or without a lover. Therefore Socrates was right after all: love is the desire to hold on to the good in our lives forever, and being with a lover is the best way to constantly be aware of being our best selves.