Thinking Nonthinking Essay example

Thinking Nonthinking Essay example Thinking Nonthinking Essay example Nell Bornhorst Philosophy 103 March 2, 2015 Thinking and Non-Thinking In this paper, I will be analyzing and interpreting Arendt Hannah’s lecture, â€Å"Thinking and Moral Considerations†, focusing on her take on evilness and the dangers of non-thinking, and the document â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† written by Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on the necessity of tension within the mind. Arendt’s argues that evilness is a person’s inability to contemplate what is unjust, and King offers a solution. Both Ardent and King relate their arguments to the words of Socrates. Socrates believed in the necessity of a dialogue and a relationship with ones thoughts, and believed tension in the mind allowed a person to evaluate and question to find meaning and truth. Socrates’ concepts will help to support my explanation of the two texts and their idea that evilness is only a product of thoughtlessness, with thinking comes natural morality, and â€Å"creative tension† promotes â€Å"a kind of action† leadi ng to â€Å"positive peace†. In our society what is right and what is wrong is presumably decided for us. Laws and restrictions are taught to be the truth, and with these set standards the need to think for oneself is diminished. The threat of non-thinking becomes dangerous. By following the law instead of following our own virtues, we become tied to a blind obedience. Arendt describes this idea as a clichà © or â€Å"standard codes of expression and conduct†. In her study she contemplates the idea that evilness is caused by the absence of thought and use of clichà ©s. Arendt along with Socrates believes examination is good for the mind, and â€Å"By shielding people against the dangers of examination, it teaches them to hold fast to whatever the prescribed rules of conduct may be at a given time in a given society†(Arendt 436). Socrates, a man who she believes to be a model or professional thinker said, â€Å"an unexamined life is not one worth living†. This is because you have no love or desire to discover or find â€Å"what is not†. Without this love you cannot have a relationship with ones thoughts. This being said, Arendt concludes that â€Å"only people filled with this eros a kind of love), this desiring love of wisdom, beauty, and justice, are capable of thought† (Arendt). When considering evil, such as in Otto Adolf Eichmann, one of the main organizers of the Nazi regime, Arendt does not believe it is inherent. In an article on the capture and trial of Eichmann, for The New Yorker, Arendt describes Eichmann’s character and contemplates the truth of his corruption or evilness. Eichmann was accused of crimes against the Jewish people, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, and eventually sentenced to death. Arendt stated, "The deeds were monstrous, but the doer ... was quite ordinary, commonplace, and neither demonic nor monstrous"(Arendt). She believed it was not his character that of the man that was evil, but the â€Å"thoughtlessness† of Eichmann that led him to commit evil acts or his â€Å"authentic inability to think". This example of non-thinking shows the dangers of it. If the conversation we have with ourselves when making decisions is gone, any form of morality goes with it. Especially in the hands of someone like Eichmann, non-thinking is extremely dangerous. If thought is never incited, evilness and corruption can go on unnoticed. However, we were born with a sense of right or wrong. This being said, thinking is natural, and naturally in the opinion of Arendt and Socrates, all humans are good by nature. The idea of non-thinking is in reality unnatural. In the last paragraph, I interpreted Arendt to be saying, in summary, that thinking makes us who we are. If we are who we are only when we think and we are good by nature, then it only makes sense that when we do wrong, we are not who we are and we are non-thinking. By acquiring our human virtues, we can avoid allowing wrong doings and clichà ©s to strip us of our identity. Clichà ©s can be detrimental if they become

Cash for Clunkers Details

Cash for Clunkers Details Question: How does the Cash for Clunkers program work? Cash for Clunkers is a federal program designed to stimulate U.S. auto sales and help the environment by providing an economic incentive for consumers to replace old, low-mileage vehicles with new, fuel-efficient models that are safer and emit less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases. Answer: The basic concept is simple: if you trade in a low-mileage vehicle for one that meets a higher mileage threshold set by the Cash for Clunkers program, the government will provide up to $4,500 to help you purchase the new fuel-efficient vehicle. The details, of course, are more complicated. Under the Cash for Clunkers bill passed by Congress in June 2009, the passenger car you trade in must meet two criteria: The car has been registered and in use for at least a year (this provision prevents people from buying an old beater from a junkyard and trading it in for a new car);The vehicle must have a combined city and highway fuel-economy rating of 18 mpg or less.To qualify for the Cash for Clunkers program, the new car must be priced at $45,000 or less;The new car must have a federal fuel-economy rating that is at least 4 mpg better than the old car you’re trading in to qualify for a $3,500 voucher, or be rated at least 10 mpg better to get the maximum payment of $4,500. The rules for trucks are a little trickier. For light- and standard-duty model trucks, which include most sport utility vehicles (SUVs), vans and pickup trucks: The old vehicle must have a fuel-efficiency mileage rating of 18 mpg or less.The new vehicle must be rated at least 2 mpg better to qualify for the $3,500 voucher or at least 5 mpg better for the $4,500 payment. heavy-duty trucks The old truck you’re trading in must be rated 15 mpg or less.The new truck must be rated at least 1 mpg better to get the $3,500 voucher and at least 2 mpg better to qualify for the $4,500 voucher. work trucks The old truck has to be a 2001 model or older, and $3,500 is the only amount offered to help with the purchase of new work trucks. To compare vehicle mileage ratings for all model years back to 1985, see the interactive chart at www.fueleconomy.gov.

Analysing Argument - A Way to Pay for College, With Dividends Essay

Analysing Argument - A Way to Pay for College, With Dividends - Essay Example The article is based upon the argument of proving the benefits of human capital contract as the more suitable and appropriate source of study finance that is beneficial for the students as well as for the entire society and labour market. The author has impressively described the pros and cons of several ways of arranging the higher studies finance and has persuasively concluded that the human capital contracts are the most expedient and equitable way for the students to manage finance for their higher education. The author has included the experience of some students who have availed different options for securing the finance for their higher education. In the light of the experiences of these people the author insists that the most suitable, fair and supportive mode of college finance is human capital contract that needs to be further refines and elaborates to provide students will freedom of choice about their professional careers. He also highlight the disadvantages and problems associated with the other modes of higher education finance and argues that the comparison of all the possibilities unveils that human capital contract is the best options among all the choices and schemes available and implemented for providing the finance for the higher education to the students. The article explains that the choice of getting study finance through the "human capital contract" appears to be helpful resource for finance for the low income students of US, Mexico and Colombia etc. The author compares this option with certain other possibilities of getting finance. He also talks about the income based repayment introduced by US government and criticizes the finance schemes like income based repayment. He argues that in these methods the students are bound to repay the loans once they finish their education. This liability limits their freedom and they have little options in front of them to initiate their careers and rather spending time in the job of their choice, th ey are compelled to work for the corporations from where they could earn enough to pay their loans. The author argues that human capital contracts have more options and freedoms for the students and that rather than becoming slaves they could make free choice for their working careers. He shares his opinion â€Å"with human capital contracts, students would have wider options. They would know that, regardless of their career choices, their payments would not be unmanageable†. The author answers the people concerns and criticism regarding the market based mechanism of financing and their demands for the free college financed by the government. The author explains that it is not realistic approach to expect that the government should get enough from the taxes to build the free college for the students because usually the government fail to collect the desired amount of taxes from the citizens. He stresses upon this opinion by explaining that expecting government to provide educ ation finance will cause heavy tax burden on all the citizens that will eventually added to the problems of the people rather facilitating them. The article presents the author’s viewpoint that if the government will take the initiative to provide free college education it will result in the

Exam papers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Exam papers - Essay Example PCBs are organohalogens prepared by having chlorine react with biphenyl, an aromatic hydrocarbon used as a heat-transfer fluid. These compounds are found to have high resistance toward decomposition and due to low levels of environmental degradation, PCBs proceed to dwell in bodies of water, soil, and in an organism’s fatty tissue. They are biologically toxic to aquatic creatures, both vertebrates and invertebrates. As a grave hazard to human health, PCBs may lead to dysfunction of liver, carcinogenic effect, dizziness, and dermatitis. Several factors may affect the soil’s interaction with exogenous organic compounds including soil aggregation by waste products of bacteria. Besides aggregate stability, the interactive potential or resilience of soil to exogenous organic matters may be determined further by factors as land technology used, farming system, and agricultural management employed. In the field of biotechnology, this can be demonstrated in terms of the water’s reaction to break polymeric bonds such as the ester links that are often present between two amino acids in a protein. After such bonds have been broken, a hydroxyl group (-OH) in water is yielded to one of the products while carboxylic acid becomes of the other upon acquisition of H+. Moreover, the environmental degradation of endogenous substances may be hydrolytically carried out with the aid of catalyzing enzymes in the process of decomposing other polymers like nucleotides, complex sugars, starch, and even fats. Atrazine ---ïÆ'   derived from the synthesis reaction involving cyanuric chloride, the chief precursor to the toxicity of atrazine, and isopropyl amine; this reaction is performed in xylene or toluene in the presence of water and addition of NaOH; Benzpyrene ---ïÆ'   the new key reaction for the production of the environmentally carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) includes the method of coupling of naphthalene 2-boronic acid with

Porter’s Five Forces Model Essay Example for Free

Porter’s Five Forces Model Essay Porter’s five forces model helps in accessing where the power lies in a business situation. Porter’s Model is actually a business strategy tool that helps in analyzing the attractiveness in an industry structure. It let you access current strength of your competitive position and the strength of the position that you are planning to attain. Porters Model is considered an important part of planning tool set. When you’re clear about where the power lies, you can take advantage of your strengths and can improve the weaknesses and can compete efficiently and effectively. Porters model of competitive forces assumes that there are five competitive forces that identifies the competitive power in a business situation. These five competitive forces identified by the Michael Porter are: 1. Threat of substitute products 2. Threat of new entrants 3. Intense rivalry among existing players 4. Bargaining power of suppliers 5. Bargaining power of Buyers 1. Threat of substitute products Threat of substitute products means how easily your customers can switch to your competitors product. Threat of substitute is high when: * There are many substitute products available * Customer can easily find the product or service that you’re offering at the same or less price * Quality of the competitors’ product is better * Substitute product is by a company earning high profits so can reduce prices to the lowest level. In the above mentioned situations, Customer can easily switch to substitute products. So substitutes are a threat to your company. When there are actual and potential substitute products available then segment is unattractive. Profits and prices are effected by substitutes so, there is need to closely monitor price trends. In substitute industries, if competition rises or technology modernizes then prices and profits decline. 2. Threat of new entrants A new entry of a competitor into your market also weakens your power. Threat of new entry depends upon entry and exit barriers. Threat of new entry is high when: * Capital requirements to start the business are less * Few economies of scale are in place * Customers can easily switch (low switching cost) * Your key technology is not hard to acquire or isn’t protected well * Your product is not differentiated There is variation in attractiveness of segment depending upon entry and exit barriers. That segment is more attractive which has high entry barriers and low exit barriers. Some new firms enter into industry and low performing companies leave the market easily. When both entry and exit barriers are high then profit margin is also high but companies face more risk because poor performance companies stay in and fight it out. When these barriers are low then firms easily enter and exit the industry, profit is low. The worst condition is when entry barriers are low and exit barriers are high then in good times firms enter and it become very difficult to exit in bad times. 3. Industry Rivalry Industry rivalry mean the intensity of competition among the existing competitors in the market. Intensity of rivalry depends on the number of competitors and their capabilities. Industry rivalry is high when: * There are number of small or equal competitors and less when there’s a clear market leader. * Customers have low switching costs * Industry is growing * Exit barriers are high and rivals stay and compete * Fixed cost are high resulting huge production and reduction in prices These situations make the reasons for advertising wars, price wars, modifications, ultimately costs increase and it is difficult to compete. 4. Bargaining power of suppliers Bargaining Power of supplier means how strong is the position of a seller. How much your supplier have control over increasing the Price of  supplies. Suppliers are more powerful when * Suppliers are concentrated and well organized * a few substitutes available to supplies * Their product is most effective or unique * Switching cost, from one suppliers to another, is high * You are not an important customer to Supplier When suppliers have more control over supplies and its prices that segment is less attractive. It is best way to make win-win relation with suppliers. It’s good idea to have multi-sources of supply. 5. Bargaining power of Buyers Bargaining Power of Buyers means, How much control the buyers have to drive down your products price, Can they work together in ordering large volumes. Buyers have more bargaining power when: * Few buyers chasing too many goods * Buyer purchases in bulk quantities * Product is not differentiated * Buyer’s cost of switching to a competitors’ product is low * Shopping cost is low * Buyers are price sensitive * Credible Threat of integration Buyer’s bargaining power may be lowered down by offering differentiated product. If you’re serving a few but huge quantity ordering buyers, then they have the power to dictate you. Michael Porters five forces model provides useful input for SWOT Analysis and is considered as a strong tool for industry competitive analysis.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae Essay -- Essays Papers

Mycoplasma pneumoniae Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is unique because of its small genome and physical size. The bacterium contains only 500-2300 Kba in its genome that produces about 700 different proteins. Its reduced genome has been clearly mapped. M. pneumoniae size range from 0.2 to 0.8 micrometer and are capable of passing through most filters designed to remove bacteria. The bacterium is the smallest living organism capable of replicating itself. The bacterium lacks a cell wall but has a three layered cell membrane with sterols. It can take on any shape from cocci to filamentous. An agar plates the colonies have a specific fried egg look. It lives mainly as a parasite in humans where it can maintain its osmotic balance with its environment. It has a strict dependence on the host for nutrients. They grow aerobically and use glucose as its main food source but need the host for amino acids, lipids, nucleotides and sterols. Disease: M. pneumoniae is generally referred to as primary atypical or walking pneumonia because the symptoms are not as sever as pneumonia. The symptoms include a dry hacking cough, fever, and headache. The symptoms will last for about 2 to 3 weeks. M. pneumoniae affects people worldwide. Typically only 33 % of people who have M. pneumoniae will get atypical pneumonia. The majority, 77 %, will come down with an upper tract infection (tracheaobronchitis). M. pneumoniae is transmitted through aerosol droplets. The bacterium is capable of infecting anyone at any time but it has a pattern of coming in the fall and winter and causing an outbreak every 4 to 8 years, although more tight communities occur more frequently. The pathogen rarely occurs on children less than 4 years of age. Since th... ...r and headache of which, 15 % required hospitalization. Texas: From August 1st through November 15th, 215 workers of 4500 had Mycoplasma infections in a tertiary care center. Patients suffered from abrupt onset of headache, shaking chills, and severe malaise, followed by fever and cough. Only 2 % required hospitalization. New York: From August 1st to October 26th, 48 out 189 people came down with an acute respiratory infection in an autism center in upstate New York. Six percent of the patients required hospitalization. References: http://meded.ucsd.edu/isp/1999/CAP/mycoplas.html http://www.invivogen.com/otherproducts/plasmocin.htm http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic467.htm http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/mycoplasmapneum_t.htm http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00022322.htm http://www.med.sc.edu:85/mayer/myco.htm

Discuss sex differences in parental investment

Trivers suggests that parental investment differs because of the sex differences that exist between males and females. From the outset of parenthood, females make a greater biological investment then males. Notably, female’s reproductive system is more precious as they produce very few eggs whilst males produce a large number ofcom/exercise-43/"> sperm. This suggests that the biological aspect of conceiving a child is much more costly for females hence their greater parental investment. As a result of this, females have to be much chooser in their selection of a male as they do not want to waste their eggs. It is not just a larger prenatal investment that females make but it is also much larger postnatal investment. Due to the immaturity of human babies at birth compared to other mammals, there is an extended period of childcare featuring breastfeeding. Males are unable to breastfeed as thus the female’s role is much more dominant and explains why they have high levels of investment at this stage and why she may seek a man with good genes and commitment to the relationship. This supports Buss’s cross cultural findings that women value material resources in potential partners, whereas males, who make less parental investment, have multiple mating’s with young females. This greater investment of females can be further explained by parental certainty. Female’s paternity can be certain as the pregnancy is happening internally. However, males cannot be as certain that the child is theirs. For this reason, it is suggested that males protect themselves from the rick of cuckoldry by being reluctant to invest heavily in offspring. Sexual infidelity is not just a risk for males investing in offspring that is not genetically theirs but it is also a risk for females. This is because if a male carries out sexual infidelity, they bear a child with another woman and the male will invest in that offspring, diverting his resources away from the original relationship. This explains why males are more jealous of the sexual act and females are more jealous in the shift of emotional focus. Buss et al support the differences in jealously between males and females, as he found that males showed more distress for the sexual element whereas females showed more distress for the emotional element. As a result of sex differences in parental investment, some women may choose to use cuckoldry as a method of obtaining more resources from multiple men and thus decrease own personal investment. However, this method carries great risk for the female as this could lead to abandonment or retention strategies such as violence. Parental investment theory suggests that men don’t want to father children that aren’t theirs as they will use up all their resources. Anderson found that this wasn’t the case. They found that fathers and stepfathers did not discriminate between children who were biological and those who were their partner’s children. Parental investment models have been critiqued for lacking relevance to real life and modern society because now females and males both work hard to attend to children and do house chores. It is a shared responsibility and investment. This means this idea is outdated. The theory also supports gender stereotyping as males are seen to be evolutionally programmed to be promiscuous. Not all males act in this manner, especially in extreme religious groups where sec is not practised before marriage. Trivers theory also tells us little about homosexual relationships which are not reproductive. It assumed we are all a product of our genes in pursuit of fostering these, which is a determinist viewpoint. The theory is also very nature and evolutionary based. Trivers theory assumes sexual attraction is all about babies and ignores it can be for fun rather than reproduction, highlighted by the wide use of contraception. Not all mating is long term and women do also engage in short term relationships such as one night stands and affairs. Therefore, his theory is oversimplified, animalistic, and deterministic and suffers from evolutionary reductionism. In conclusion, a physiological approach can better explained to show the different parental investments. Geher et al found that males showed a greater AMS arousal when presented with scenarios that showed the real costs of parenting. This is a consistent with the theory of parental investment as males are found to be less prepared than females for dealing with parental issues.