Human Beings as the Puppets of Society Essay -- Papers Behavior Sociol

Human Beings as the Puppets of Society Sociologists have long argued about whether or not we are controlled by the structure of the society in which we live, in other words, are we or are we not ‘puppets of society’. Social structure theorists such as Functionalists and conflict theorists like Marxists, believe that we are ‘puppets’ and that our behaviour is controlled by the structure of the society in which we live. Both theories suggest that people are controlled by society but this argument is opposed by social action theorists such as Symbolic Interactionists who believe that society is created by the individuals themselves. To show far it can be argued that human beings are ‘puppets of society’ this essay will look at functionalism and social control through the family, Marxism and social control within the education system and then look at the opposing theory of Symbolic Interactionism. It is also intended to discuss the recent structuration theory of Giddens who argues that these theories are no longer valid in determining if we are ‘puppets’ because both structure and action are necessary for society to exist and thus in some instances in our lives we are ‘puppets’ and others we are not. According to Jones, Functionalists like Durkheim consider ‘human behaviour as learned behaviour’(2004, p.6), in other words everything we know and do has to be taught to us given that when we are born we have no knowledge of anything. They argue that all our behaviour is learnt through the socialisation process. Functionalists consider that primary socialisation is the basis to learning the norms, values and roles of society and... ...eeded, so it could be argued, therefore, that even though at times we are free agents and have an individual choice in our actions we are also ‘puppets of society’ because of the many of the structures of society. References List Czerniawski, G., 2004. What is the Role of Education? Sociology Review, 14 (2), 24-25 Giddens, A., 2002. Sociology. 4th ed. Polity Press Jones, P., 2004. Introducing Social Theory. Cambridge: Polity Press Wilson, A., 1985. Society Now: Family. London: Tavistock Publications Bibliography Moore, S., 2001. Sociology Alive. 3rd ed. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd Haralambos and Holborn, 2000. Sociology Themes and Perspectives. 5th ed. London: Collins Educational Bauman Z & May T., 2003. Thinking Sociologically. 2nd ed. London: Blackwell Publishing Ltd

White Resistance to Somewhere in the Darkness Essay -- Somewhere in th

White Resistance to Somewhere in the Darkness  Ã‚  Ã‚   I feel compelled to revisit the one novel we have read that created the most resistance in me and would quite possibly do so in a significant population of white readers: Walter Dean Myers' Somewhere in the Darkness.   That the book is well written or valuable to readers is irrelevant here -- I enthusiastically grant both.   Of greater concern in this discussion is the notion of resistance to the book that could easily be encountered with a particular population of suburban, white readers, namely those who would seem to have the most in common with Jimmy and who, paradoxically, would most likely resist the book.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The readers who comprise this group have much in common with Jimmy. They are largely lower-middle class and come from either fatherless homes, what might easily be considered dysfunctional two-parent homes, and/or live with extended families in lieu of their natural parents.   In any case, the parent(s) are possibly absent from the home a great deal of the time, involved in a variety of dating practices and sexual promiscuity, caught up in illegal activity and often incarcerated or have been, oppressed by substance abuse of some type, and/or often living in an environment of either subtle or overt racism.   I have made no effort to quantitatively justify the particulars of this description though such a study would undoubtedly prove enlightening.   Rather, I assert this general description based on 12 years of experience of living in a white, lower middle-class suburb. In some ways, we could easily view these readers as insiders in t hat they share with Jimmy some elements of a common familial experience, but it is the cultural differences between white and ... ...ility: there is no hope for me or my kind.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A white reader's resistance to Walter Dean Myers' novel, Somewhere in the Darkness, is inevitable, particularly when that white reader has more in common with the protagonist than not.   It seems the closer in circumstance the white reader is to Jimmy, the more he/she might resist to his cultural differences because those underlying cultural differences cause Jimmy to act in ways that seem unlikely to a white reader.   The key is to be aware of those differences and be willing to see what Jimmy sees -- from his point of view.   If we are willing to do that, then Myers' work is a wonderful and effective way to learn not only about Jimmy and his culture but also about ourselves and the hopes we have for our lives. Works Cited: Myers, W. D. Somewhere in the darkness. New York: Scholastic Book Services.1992.

Analysing The Baby Bonus Scheme Health And Social Care Essay

For the past few old ages, aging population has been the chief concern faced by several developed states. British Columbia is one state that faced an aging population. Much research was conducted in this state to work out the job and it was revealed that the chief cause of this state of affairs is the worsening of birthrate rate over decennaries [ 1 ] . Entire Fertility Rate ( TFR ) is defined as the figure of kids an mean adult female would hold presuming that she lives her full generative life-time [ 2 ] . Considered as a developed state, Singapore has besides faced a serious job of worsening TFR. With TFR of 1.16 in 2010 [ 3 ] , Singapore is ranked hundred-and-seventieth [ 4 ] in the universe and arguably one of the lowest TFR in the universe. Singapore authorities has implemented some policies to promote Singaporean to hold more kids, and hence increase the TFR. The latest and most comprehensive policy to this terminal is the babe fillip strategy. A group of research workers from Melbourne Institution of Applied Economics and Social Research investigated the consequence of babe fillip towards TFR. Based on their theoretical account ; baby fillip exerted a little positive consequence on birthrate purpose which leaded to a positive impact on birthrate rate. The consequence seemed to be stronger for 2nd and perchance higher-order numbered kids. In add-on, the consequence showed that fillip consequence is lasting [ 5 ] . However this survey could non find that the consequence would be similar in local context, Singapore. Since there is no formal research particular on look intoing TFR and pamper fillip strategy, our research will concentrate chiefly on look intoing the effectivity of babe fillip on TFR and position of the immature coevals with respects to this strategy. We regard a policy is effectual when it is able to change by reversal the current diminishing tendency of TFR. We will besides look into the most of import factor that peoples consider with respects to be aftering for kids. Suggestions that will function to better the effectivity of this policy will be given every bit good. The expected consequence for our analysis is that babe fillip is less effectual in increasing Singaporeis TFR. Other factors such as the psychological-thinking and societal factors which may impact TFR will non be included in our survey. To do our research clearer and all-rounded, we introduce two subdivisions under debut, which describe the worsening tendency of TFR from 1990 to 2000 and reexamine the factors that affect TFR. The treatment of this paper will be separated into two chief parts, which are the method subdivision and consequences and treatment subdivision. The first portion will concentrate on explicating our study method and stuffs that we obtained from authorities records. Under the consequence subdivision, we will discourse our analysis utilizing primary and secondary informations. The treatment focuses on effectivity of baby fillip policy in Singapore. Finally in the decision subdivision we will sum up the important findings of our survey and specify the background for future research to deduce better methods to get by with birthrate. 1.1 Singapore Demographic Pattern Figure 1.1 The new way of policy since the 1990is is in stressing the importance of get downing a household and holding multiple kids to a successful and all-around life. As seen from figure above, the TFR has continued to worsen steadily throughout the late ninetiess and early 2000s. This has raised concerns to the authorities as it is below the replacing rate of 2.1 [ 6 ] that is needed by Singapore. 1.2 Review of factors impacting TFR 1.2.1. Education derived function and alterations in political orientation Education gives one a strong head of their ain in prosecuting their dreams that include a stable and esteemed calling. A twenty-four hours of 24 hours will be used to prosecute their dreams, go forthing minimum clip for household planning and childbirth. Puting high value on work by both females and males would increase the chance cost of holding kids. This might explicate the falling tendency in TFR. 1.2.2. Fiscal grounds The lifting costs of life and holding babes are discouraging newly-weds from childbearing. The mean earning of an employee is about S $ 4000 per month in 2010 [ 7 ] . If we were to take merely two most basic disbursals, kid lovingness fees and hospitalization measures that are incurred during and instantly after gestating, we can cognize that fiscal load is an disposed account for the worsening TFR in Singapore. Childcare services are priced at S $ 776 and S $ 572 for mean full twenty-four hours and half twenty-four hours fees severally in 2010 [ 8 ] . While hospitalization fee for female parents after bringing in an mean ward of B2 fluctuates between S $ 1000 and S $ 1200 [ 9 ] . The entire charge for these two constituents of expected disbursals can amount to S $ 2000, which is already half of the wage of an mean worker in Singapore. Such high degree of disbursement on one kid can so deter a important figure of newly-weds in holding kids, and our analysis is non even taking into hi story the changeless economy of financess for advanced acquisition and schooling in Singapore every bit good as day-to-day disbursals on nutrient and vesture for the kid. Clearly, childbearing is non an easy undertaking as it takes old ages of support from the point of gestating till the point of independency. Fiscal restraints can possibly be the most of import ground why there is a diminution in TFR observed in Singapore. 2. Method We use secondary and primary informations to discourse the effectivity of babe fillip strategy. Secondary information was obtained from administrative records while primary informations was taken from study. The sample of our study was NTU undergraduates aged from 19 to 26 and selected by convenience sampling. We restricted our sample merely on Singaporeans and Singaporean PRs because babe fillip strategy is more eligible to them. The targeted size was 100 participants, 50 males and 50 females. A pilot study was done on 50 respondents with our drafted sample study. We received feedback that our inquiries were insistent and ill-defined. Leading inquiries were besides heedlessly included. Some of the open-ended inquiries were left space, demoing that the inquiries discouraged participants to reply wholly. Consequences shown from this pilot study were inconsistent and hard to analyse accurately. To better on our research work, we conducted another study with freshly phrased inquiries which are simpler and more straightforward. At the start, we had inquiries aiming the figure of kids our respondents are be aftering to hold. The consequences here gave us a unsmooth thought of the TFR that Singapore will hold with its current subsidy policies in topographic point. Subsequently, we required respondents to rank the factors that affect their determination on the figure of kids they were to hold. The most highly-ranked factors can help Singapore in planing or revising constabularies for greater impact on Singaporeis TFR. Next, we had inquiry taking to happen out whether babe fillip had a say in their household planning. This was to find the comparative importance of babe fillip strategy. Relatively high importance placed by Singaporean will let greater infinite for control over the population size. We besides suggested a superior system for Singaporeis authorities inducement strategy to happen out about the policy that authorities should concentrate on. Last, we welcomed suggestions from respondents to give them an avenue for showcasing their point of views sing the subsidy policies in inquiry. 3. Result and Discussion The Baby Bonus Scheme is a two-tiered strategy, comprising of a direct hard currency gift from the authorities and a co-saving agreement in which the authorities lucifers dollar for dollar the sum parents put into a Child Development Account ( CDA ) , capable to a maximal sum [ 10 ] . It was foremost implemented in 2001. With the babe fillip strategy, 2nd or 3rd kid can convey important pecuniary benefits for the parents from 2001 [ 10 ] . The Baby Bonus Scheme did assist to settle the concerns of twosomes who find the fiscal load of raising a kid excessively heavy to bear. Monetary wagess given out to parents can be used subsidise the childis early old ages of instruction and medical demands. Figure 3.1 Table 3.2 From the figure above, we noticed that between 1997 and 1998, TFR dropped significantly by 0.15, compared to a twelvemonth before where the lessening was 0.06. We notice that there was a important difference in the lessening. A possible account is that Asiatic fiscal crisis had taken topographic point during 1997-1998 and this might back up our outlook that fiscal factors are impacting the determination of twosomes to hold kids. The authorities may therefore make up one's mind to undertake the low TFR job from the fiscal facet by implementing babe fillip strategy in 2001. 3.1. Secondary informations Figure 3.2 shows that after execution of the babe fillip policy, the TFR from 2001-2004 dropped by 0.15. In the span of four old ages ( 1997-2000 ) we observed that TFR had dropped by 0.20. Comparing these two Numberss, TFR still falls, but it is falling at a diminishing rate, this suggests that babe fillip is so effectual to a certain extent. There was a alteration of policy in 2004 because the declared end of returning birthrate to replacement had non been achieved. Under the new strategy, the hard currency gift that parents received from the authorities was increased for the first to 4th born kid. Looking at period of 2004-2008, there was an overall addition of TFR by 0.02. Further sweetening was done in 2008. However looking at the TFR tendency, it showed a autumn of TFR by 0.12 from 2008-2010. Hence, the effectivity of babe fillip is so problematic. In decision, the execution of babe fillip is good in assisting to decelerate down the lessening in TFR but it was non able to change by reversal the tendency. This shows that baby fillip policy is uneffective in increasing the TFR. 3.2. Primary informations The consequences attained from our study will be brooding of the younger coevals about their position towards the authorities subsidy policies. 3.2.1 Entire Fertility Rate Figure 3.3 Figure 3.3 shows that 56 % our participants planned to hold a two kids and 20 % of them chose three kids. The per centum of people non be aftering to hold any kid is 10 % . This can be interpreted that most of the respondents will be willing to hold kids. TFR Gender Female Male Both female and male Average or average 1.76 2.3 2.03 Standard Error ( Deviation ) 0.87037 0.99488 0.96875 Table 3.4 To specify the entire birthrate rate more accurately, we will look into the different in expected TFR for both genders. Our findings show that if male is the determination shaper, the TFR will be 2.3 and if it is female, the expected TFR is 1.76. To acquire an accurate scope for the expected Entire Fertility Rate, we will use the interval appraisal method. We used 95 % assurance interval ( C.I ) as our base. For given a, ( 100- 100a ) % assurance interval means that ( 100- 100a ) % in chance that the true value of this TFR is inside this estimated interval. Hence, the value of a is equal to 0.05 if we use 95 % C.I. The lower edge of assurance interval is defined as ( X-tn-1 ( a /2 ) * s/vn ) , and ( X+ tn-1 ( a /2 ) * s/vn ) is the upper edge for assurance interval. We get the value of tn-1 ( a /2 ) from the t-distribution tabular array. Explanations: 1. N is the sample size 2. Ten is the mean ( refer to postpone 3.4 ) 3. s is defined as standard mistake ( mention to postpone 3.4 ) 4. t49 ( 0.025 ) = 2.01 and t99 ( 0.025 ) = 1.984 Therefore, the estimated interval of TFR when male is the determination shaper is 2.01720 = TFR = 2.58280 While the estimated interval of TFR when female is the determination shaper is 1.51259 = TFR = 2.00741. As the optimal TFR of the authorities is 2.1 [ 6 ] , we can see that if female was the determination shaper, the TFR is below 2.1. However, in doing determination of holding kids, it is non up to one person merely but a joint determination by both male and female. Therefore, it will be more appropriate if we consider the norm TFR as the expected TFR in the hereafter. The expected TFR in the hereafter is between 1.83780 and 2.22220 utilizing the interval appraisal method 3.2.2 Ranking of factors Figure 3.5 The above information show the figure of participants that give rank i1i for the factor that they consider as the most of import with respects to child planning. Consequences revealed that 58 out of 100 respondents chose fiscal factors, followed by calling with 19 out of 100 participants. This consequence supported our outlook that fiscal is the most influential factor with respects to be aftering for kids. Hence, our research will be valuable in helping to better the TFR. 3.2.3 Baby fillip strategy Figure 3.6 Figure 3.7 Figure 3.6 shows that 90 % of the respondents knew the babe fillip strategy, this suggests that the participants are cognizant of the babe fillip strategy. From figure 3.7, 50 % of the participantis determination is affected by the babe fillip strategy. With this sum, we might non be able to reason that it is effectual. However, sing the state of affairs without the strategy, the TFR that we calculated supra has a high likeliness that it is traveling to be lower. This is because half of the participants might make up one's mind to take down their figure of kids planned if babe fillip strategy had non been implemented. Hence, the effectivity of babe fillip is problematic. Figure 3.8 The figure above shows the grounds why Baby Bonus does non impact participantsi determination. 24 out of 50 people thought that babe fillip subsidy is deficient. This shows that they are non satisfied with the current strategy. If pecuniary benefits to be increased, there is a high possibility that this strategy will be more important to increase the TFR. This is besides supported by the grounds, that babe fillip alteration in 2004 was effectual, as TFR increased by 0.02. Figure 3.9 Figure 3.9 shows the figure of participants that give rank i1i for the authorities subsidy policies that they consider as the most of import. As shown above, there is important figure of participants that prioritized health care, instruction and lodging loan with 27 % , 26 % and 25 % severally. However, merely 9 % of the participants chose baby fillip policy as the most of import policy. This shows that authorities should non concentrate their alteration of policies merely on babe fillip. The information suggested that there is an emerging tendency, that people are more disquieted about wellness attention, instruction and lodging affairs. Hence it is advisable that the authorities looks into these three subsidy policies in greater deepness to increase the Singaporeis TFR. Figure 3.10 Figure 3.11 If we separate our treatment into different genders, the impact of babe fillip strategy is greater on males. Referred to calculate 3.10 and 3.11, 60 % of the maleis determination was affected by the strategy, while 40 % of female participants were affected. This shows that babe fillip strategy plays a larger function in act uponing the maleis determination. Uniting the findings, TFR is below the replacing rate of 2.1 if female is the determination shaper. This means authorities should aim more on females and seek to increase the figure of kids they would be after to hold to increase the TFR. As shown from the figure 3.5, females considered fiscal factor as their precedence with 32 out of 50 female participants ranking it as figure 1. With this, focal point should still be given to fiscal factors, such as increasing pecuniary benefits to increase the willingness of adult females to hold more kids. Merely 40 % of the femaleis determination was affected by the babe fillip. We can deduce that increasing the subsidy for babe fillip may be less effectual. Hence, greater focal point should be placed on other subsidy benefits such as health care subsidy, instruction and lodging loans as shown from the figure 3.9. 4. Decision This undertaking studied the impact of Singaporeis babe fillip policy on its entire birthrate rate. Baby fillip policy is non effectual in change by reversaling the tendency of the TFR. However, credits have to be given to pamper fillip as TFR was worsening at a diminishing rate. From our study, we conclude that fiscal facet is the most of import factor in oneis determination in household planning. We found that the expected TFR for female is below the replacing rate ; therefore greater focal point should be put on females. Greater accent should besides be placed on wellness attention, instruction and lodging affairs. One restriction of our undertaking could be found in our study sample. Because the study is conducted within school compounds, we treated all Singaporean respondents as a homogeneous group of highly-educated personal. This is non representative for the whole of Singapore population. We would urge future research to be conducted on a more heterogenous study sample so tha t Singaporean of all backgrounds can be reached.

Pakistani Food Essay

As I exited the car, I could smell the fragrant chicken being cooked on barbeque like pits. I could see the smoke rise up into the sky. As we arrived to our seat, I thought to myself, ‘This place looks ghetto! ‘ Yes, the food smelt good, but being outside and eating on dirty tables, which stood on top of dirt, didn’t help my appetite. This made me sort of nervous about my first meal out in Pakistan. All this time, I remembered my cousin telling me to watch out because I was a foreigner and my stomach would take time to adjust to the different style of food. The waiter finally came around holding 6 glasses of water in one hand; it was truly a site to see. I noticed when he came that he didn’t bring a menu. My uncle asked him what was on the menu, immediately; he started reciting the whole menu. I was surprised. This was sort of unorthodox, but I went along and questioned him about the food with my excellent ability to speak Urdu (the common language in Pakistan). Well my uncle asked around to what each of us wanted. I finally decided on the Chicken Tikka, Seekh Kabob, and taking my uncles suggestion I tried Kata Kat. I could see flies swarming above me as I sat and waited for everyone to finish their order. Me and my cousin decided to walk around and see how they cooked the food. Kata kat is a very interesting dish. This was the first time I had actually seen it being made. Since this ‘restaurant’ is outdoors, and they cook all the food right in front of you, and it is customizable to your tastes. First they add the meat (though later I found out it’s not really meat, but all the organs including liver, kidney, brain, heart†¦) to a large hot pan. The oil is poured on with hesitation. Kata kat is not made for those who have cholesterol or heart problems. There is no fat free version to it. The steam is flowing from the meat, and the fire is crackling underneath. The cook throws the spices and herbs on, I’m surprised to see that no measuring cups are using. Only authentic and real herbs are used, no glass bottles with herb powder, only the real stuff. He feels the amount of spices needed, so each meal is essentially different then the previous. He brings out two small knife-life objects. These objects are special knives, which are used only in making Kata Kat. These knives are different than normal knives; the sharp edges are on the bottom of the knife, not the side. These knives are used vertically to hit and cut the meat and side-to-side to move and mix the meat. The cook begins to bang on the pan, first with the right, then with the left, creating a loud noise. This is where the name Kata Kat comes from, because hitting on the meat creates such a noise. He continues on making the racket smashing the bits and pieces of the meat into smaller and smaller pieces. The cook adds more spices to the mix; I can now see the sweat come down his face. The steam is right in his face, yet he does not back down. Tomatoes, ginger, and more spices are now added to the pan, now everything is stirred together; mixing, grinding and flavoring the ‘meat. ‘ The air is now filled with aromatic smells of different herbs and spices. The meal is almost ready, and I could hardly wait. The meal finally came. It was sizzling hot. I poured some coke in my cup and was ready to go. I could see the juices flowing from the food. I grabbed the bowl with had the Kata Kat in it and brought it toward my plate. I put 3 spoonfuls of it into my plate. I tore a piece of the bread that lay near me and dug into the food. As I brought the food closer to my mouth I could smell the blends of spices. When the Kata Kat touched my tongue, the flavors were unleashed. It slithered down my throat leaving me gasping for water. This stuff was spicier than I had thought. I immediately grabbed the coke and chugged it down. Being 10 years old at the time and not realizing that the coke actually makes it worse, I learned the hard way. I now looked quickly for a jug of water. I saw some at the end of the table and sprinted down. I took the jug and started chugging the water down. After I was able to extinguish the fire in my mouth, I looked up and saw everyone looking at me. They all began to laugh. That night, everyone joked about how I couldn’t handle the Pakistani ‘heat’.

Socrates and the Soul

Socrates believed the most important task, in life, was to care for ones soul. Socrates argues that the soul is immortal and that we must rise above our physical nature in order to gain true knowledge. He believed the soul was our very essence, and our bodies the instrument utilized in dealing with the physical world. Socrates seemed confidant that human beings survive physical death, therefore possessing an immortal soul. He felt a philosophers concern was not with the body but with the soul and the body played no part in the attainment of knowledge.The body to him was an obstacle in the search for knowledge and there is a division between the body and soul. The soul being immortal and that wisdom and virtue come from the soul. Socrates proposes that after death the soul exists by itself, apart from the body, while the body, remains by itself, apart from the soul. In the Phaedo, Socrates' friends suggest that the soul will die along with the body. Socrates believes that the soul is immortal and if a person detaches himself from the physical pleasures of the world his soul may become free to follow the gods into Hades.However, if the soul has indulged in the physical pleasures it will be riveted to the body and may not want to go join the gods in Hades and so the soul will remain here among the living. One of the most important parts of Socrates’ theory explains that in order for the soul to leave the body you must separate yourself from the physical aspects in life, so that they won’t compel you back to this world. This will ensure the soul will break away from the physical realm and join the gods in Hades. In death, Socrates was very confident that he would achieve this and in turn would join the gods when he drank the poison that nded his life. The soul explains Socrates, rules over the body; however the body may deceive the soul through the senses. The soul may use these senses while dealing with things that are physical, but it should not alw ays believe them. If the soul relies too heavily on the senses, then it may start to value the physical realm more than the knowledge that comes from the soul. However, men need to service the body in order to remain here on Earth and because of this the body may distort the needs of the soul to be that of the body.Socrates differentiates the body and soul in terms of their respective desires; where they place their happiness. He felt that the body is the prison of the soul. â€Å"Because every pleasure and pain, as it were, another nail to rivet the soul to the body and weld them together†. (Plato, Phaedo, 83d). The body's pleasures and pains make the soul believe that truth is what the body says. Socrates felt that the soul needs protection from the corruption of the body by practising such virtues as courage, temperance, and by thinking about incorporeal or ideal subjects.However the body's voice always interrupts these pure contemplations with its own concerns: â€Å"fee d me,† â€Å"time to buy new clothes,† â€Å"get me a drink,† â€Å"let’s make love,† â€Å"I'm tired. † etc. He observes that the body’s primary concerns are the pleasures of eating, drinking, and sex; whereas the soul sets its desires on attaining wisdom. Socrates implies that these two desires are in opposition of each other. This is why the soul of a philosopher must turn away from the body and it's desires to set the soul free from its bodily desires in order to attain true knowledge.The main arguments concerning the immortality of the soul come from the Phaedo. Socrates believed that when his body ceased to exist anymore, his soul would leave and join that of the gods where he would be eternally. He believed so strongly of this that he did not fear death but welcomed it. He believed that the soul is shackled with the body as if it were a prison so that thought is contaminated or compromised. Man is made up of Body and Soul, but t he soul is corrupted by the material wants of the body and it then loses the ability to perform its true function.What Socrates felt was to communicate with the divine. Socrates believed that the human soul was invisible, immortal, and the director of the physical body. He felt that Philosophy is a divine activity and as such must prepare the soul with wisdom for dying and death. The philosopher listens to the body's temptations as little as possible because the body complains that it lacks pleasure, but that fulfilment of pleasure always leads to more suffering so that the body again complains.This is a continuous cycle and his belief was that a person should care for their soul first and foremost and that a person’s soul was what made him/her who they really were. The soul was the whole centre of one’s character it was the basis of thoughts, feelings, values, decisions and the state of the soul made a person either foolish or wise. By self examination and soul search ing as well as ridding oneself of ignorance, he felt that like the body the soul would be kept healthy. Socrates believed that only when the soul separated from the body, is a person able to be truly enlightened and gain all knowledge.This enlightenment has been Socrates’ life long goal of discovering the truth. He recognized it as the separation of the two worlds as the spirit was freed from the corpse (body), and its material concerns so that specific thought can finally apprehend the truth. He felt that â€Å"the soul reasons best when none of the senses troubles it, neither hearing nor sight, nor pain nor any pleasure, but when it is most by itself, taking leave of the body and as far as possible having no contact or association with it in its search for reality†. (Phaedo 65c).Socrates believed that in dying you learn complete knowledge because that is the time that your soul leaves your body and there are no more interferences. Even at the hour of his death he sho wed no hesitation and welcomed death, with no obstacles in his way this would be his ultimate pursuit of knowledge. Biography Plato,The Trail and Death of Socrates. Translated by G. M. A Grube. Third Edition. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. , 2000 Plato Phaedo. Translated by G. M. A. Grube. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. , 1977.

EU and NAFTA: On Human Rights Essay

The European Union (EU) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has had several initiatives that address human rights issues. These initiatives obligate and mandate its signatories and the member states to follow particular rules regarding human rights. In terms of influence, varying levels of success can be noted. The human right action done by both organizations is notable, although the level of success is arguable, as there are criticisms to implementation and scope of these programs. Also, there are still existing issues on human rights that has yet been addressed and influenced by these international organizations. European Union The European Union has human rights as one of its priorities, as it conducts dialogues and coordinates with other countries and international organization. In fact, the EU has institutionalized the focus and prioritization of the issue by establishing the European Court of Human Rights which was founded as product of the European Convention on Human Rights. This court has resolved some very notable cases, and until now serves as a mechanism and agency to promote human rights and prosecute its violators. The Human Rights Watch notes however that some anti-terrorism strategies has resulted in some human rights violations in the EU, as laws protecting human rights have been weakened. Also, the EU policy on migration and refugees altogether prevents asylum seekers and refugees, even deporting them back to the home country. This is a strong indication that the EU has not perfected its human rights strategy by neglecting these issues, even detaining migrants, as Human Rights Watch notes. Individual EU members also committed human rights violations with regards to the policy of refugees and migration. The NAFTA has had initiatives and agreements that address some human rights concerns, but it has gathered criticisms on its inability to effectively implement the provisions. Also, the need to balance trade and human rights is emphasized as one of the lacking values of the organization. Some human rights initiative of the NAFTA has proven to be not very successful; as impressive as the texts of the agreement are, the implementation falls short of expectations and has had disappointing results. For instance the Human Rights Watch notes that the NAFTA Labor Accord was ineffective, and that its results should serve as lesson for future trade agreements. This labor accord – the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation – was supposed to harmonize trade relations and labor rights, but this agreement has not elicited any results. Labor rights protection should be part and parcel of any trade agreement, but not one of the complaints of abuse and injustice has been addressed by the NAFTA initiative. The FIDH Report on the effects on human rights of the NAFTA also notes that although the organization promoted stronger economic links between United States and Mexico, it has essentially dismantled Mexico’s agricultural industry and made it dependent on the US. This has impacted negatively on the situation of Mexico, with increased poverty as result of NAFTA initiatives. Labor law reforms, as was mentioned above, also have to be considered to prevent abuse of human rights. Conclusion The European Union and the North American Free Trade Agreement are not devoid of concern for human rights issues, but the existing and past initiatives has to be reinforced in order to effectively influence its member states and the human rights situation.

Public administration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Public administration - Essay Example losed down model initiates order and security, therefore it can be said that all such organizations that spring up to nonconventional activities should go through rigorous approval processes and should comply with all the legal norms. Also, the responsible authorities should keep vigil over all the activities that take place in such organizations. In that way, the unfortunate deaths of two men and hospitalisation of other ten could have been avoided. The open model presumes that the discipline should not be imposed from top and this model advocates the self actualisation needs of the people. Referring to the concerned newspaper report, it might be presumed that the experiment by the doctor with drugs was more of an open model system but the fact remains that it also led to untimely death of people. As per the closed model, public organizations are viewed higher in importance than any other organization. It presumes that the society should be directed by public organizations. But the open model presumes that all the organizations are same as the objectives of society and the non-public organizations can not be very different. The newspaper report suggests that the people have very sarcastic view towards the organization of a nursing home. The organizational knowledge of a nursing home make people feel that one is bound to stay at the hospital and once one stays at hospital for more than a longer period like six or more months, it is almost certain that the person can not leave the hospital for ever. It can also be inferred that the organizational worth of any nursing home is minimum and one stays at nursing home only if he is compelled. The decision making in organizations have changed rapidly. Considering the decision making ability of Medicaid, it can be said that the organization has institutional bias for nursing homes for the poor and the needy. But off-late the same organization helped out lot many people out of the nursing homes to their respective homes