Oliver Essays - English-language Films, British Films,

Oliver Twist And Anti Semism Charles Dickens being anti-Semitic when portraying the character Fagin as "the Jew", in his classic story Oliver Twist, or was he merely painting an accurate portrait of the 19th Century Jew in England? Some critics seem to believe so. Though there are no indications of neither anti-Semitic nor racist slurs throughout the story, Dickens' image turned out to follow the path of his time and place in history. The result is an enlightened picture of Victorian England's image of the Jew. The attitude towards Jews and Jewishness in 19th Century England demonstrates that Dickens was a man of his time. His attitude reflected the common British belief that Jews were villainous thieves. Fagin, a thief, is described by Dickens as "a very old shriveled Jew, whose villainous and repulsive face was obscured by a quantity of matted red hair"(Dickens 87). This common depiction of the Jew was accompanied by the stereotype that they had big noses and lured orphaned children into their filthy dens and turned them into derelicts. He was a thief because he did not have any skills, nor was he welcome anywhere. On the other hand, to describe Fagin in any other light would have to give the impression that Jews just might be humans after all. In reading this story, I discovered Fagin to be somewhat likeable and misunderstood. Though revolting to look at, having a repulsive disposition, and having manners and hygiene left to be desired I could not help but to feel sorry for the old guy. All he wanted to have was security in his old age. For example, when Fagin sees Oliver looking at him while admiring his treasures, Fagin asks the boy if he had seen any of his pretty things. Oliver tells him that he did. "Ah!" said the Jew, turning rather pale. "They- are mine, Oliver; my little property. All I have to live upon, in my old age. The folks call me a miser, my dear. Only a miser, that's all" (Dickens 1961: 91). I also found Fagin to be very charming in instances, almost likeable and having some redeeming qualities. Another example of Fagin's humanity is seen in the way he treats Oliver. Although Oliver plays a totally utilitarian role to Fagin, he becomes protective of him, even though the motives are purely selfish. When not being watched, Fagin has great self-control, even under duress. He is always cautioning Sikes against violence. There are some signs that Fagin still has a shade of humanity left in his perverted character. Several times throughout the story he exhibits some kindness towards Oliver. He checks his motives before he acts. Though the reader is still at bay with his actions, he still seems to have some sort of a conscience. It could be argued that Fagin and Oliver are somewhat similar. Though the reader does not see this at first, more in depth reading reveals that Oliver and Fagin mirror each other in who and what they are. Oliver, a boy without a home, Fagin, "The Jew", without a country. Fagin, in fact, is not seen as an Englishman. He is Jewish, which is a race all its own. Fagin is the outsider, unlike Oliver. His Jewishness places him at even more a disadvantage than Oliver's orphaned status. Both characters echo each other in asking for more; they are placed in oppositions so that for Oliver to claim his rightful place in society, Fagin must die. Dickens' stereotypical association of Fagin with a class of criminal perceived by him as almost invariably Jewish is based on a particular awareness of the commonly accepted wicked practices of this kind of Jew. Dickens' stereotypical association of Fagin with a class of criminal perceived by him as almost invariably Jewish is based on a particular awareness of the commonly accepted wicked practices of this kind of Jew. In Dickens and his Jewish Characters, Dickens answers a letter from a Jewess woman who wrote him concerned with the fact that Dickens may be in fact an anti-Semitic and wanted to allow Dickens to reply as to why the characterization of Fagin. His response was that "Fagin in Oliver Twist is a Jew because it unfortunately was true, of the time to which that story refers, that the class of criminal almost invariably was a Jew" (Dickens 1918:9). Critical reviews have been inclined to argue that Fagin is only a Jew in no more than name. "His main claim to Jewishness", contends critic Harry Stone, "is the fact that

The Nucleus - Definition, Structure, and Function

The Nucleus - Definition, Structure, and Function The cell nucleus​ is a membrane bound structure that contains the cells hereditary information and controls the cells growth and reproduction. It is the command center of a eukaryotic cell and is commonly the most prominent organelle in a cell. The Cell Nucleus You can think of the cell nucleus as a kind of command center containing all the chromosomal and genetic information needed for the reproduction of life. Distinguishing Characteristics The cell nucleus is bound by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope. This membrane separates the contents of the nucleus from the cytoplasm. Like the cell membrane, the nuclear envelope consists of phospholipids that form a lipid bilayer. The envelope helps to maintain the shape of the nucleus and assists in regulating the flow of molecules into and out of the nucleus through nuclear pores.  The nuclear envelope is connected with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in such a way that the internal compartment of the nuclear envelope is continuous with the lumen of the ER. The nucleus is the organelle which houses chromosomes. Chromosomes consist of DNA, which contains heredity information and instructions for cell growth, development, and reproduction. When a cell is resting i.e. not dividing, the chromosomes are organized into long entangled structures called chromatin and not into individual chromosomes as we typically think of them. Nucleoplasm Nucleoplasm is the gelatinous substance within the nuclear envelope. Also called karyoplasm, this semi-aqueous material  is similar to cytoplasm and is composed mainly of water with dissolved salts, enzymes, and organic molecules suspended within. The nucleolus and chromosomes are surrounded by nucleoplasm, which functions to cushion and protect the contents of the nucleus. Nucleoplasm also supports the nucleus by helping to maintain its shape. Additionally, nucleoplasm provides a medium by which materials, such as enzymes and nucleotides  (DNA and RNA subunits), can be transported throughout the nucleus. Substances are exchanged between the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm through nuclear pores. The Nucleolus Contained within the nucleus is a dense,  membrane-less structure composed of RNA and proteins called the nucleolus. The nucleolus contains nucleolar organizers, which are parts of chromosomes with the genes for ribosome synthesis on them. The nucleolus helps to synthesize ribosomes by transcribing and assembling ribosomal RNA  subunits. These subunits join together to form a ribosome during protein synthesis. Protein Synthesis The nucleus regulates the synthesis of proteins in the cytoplasm through the use of messenger RNA (mRNA). Messenger RNA is a transcribed DNA segment that serves as a template for protein production. It is produced in the nucleus and travels to the cytoplasm through the nuclear pores of the nuclear envelope. Once in the cytoplasm, ribosomes and another RNA molecule called transfer RNA work together to translate mRNA to produce proteins. Eukaryotic Cell Structures The cell nucleus is only one type of cell organelle. The following cell structures can also be found in a typical animal eukaryotic cell: Centrioles - help to organize the assembly of microtubules.Chromosomes - house cellular DNA.Cilia and Flagella - aid in cellular locomotion.Cell Membrane - protects the integrity of the interior of the cell.Endoplasmic Reticulum - synthesizes carbohydrates and lipids.Golgi Complex - manufactures, stores and ships certain cellular products.Lysosomes - digest cellular macromolecules.Mitochondria - provide energy for the cell.Ribosomes - responsible for protein production.Peroxisomes - detoxify alcohol, form bile acid, and use oxygen to break down fats.

Symbolism on why people wear figuritive masks in front of others Essay

Symbolism on why people wear figuritive masks in front of others - Essay Example Since most of my old high school mates have moved away, I will instead visit the Westfield Gateway Mall. Since malls do not change much I expect to see familiar scenes during the night. I will take notes on a notebook which will include all activities which seem familiar and new ones that seem interesting (Metz and Mauk, 34). I will then use the most interesting of my notes to write my invention essay. My only concern in writing g this essay is that since the Westfield Gateway Mall is such a large place I may miss many interesting and new things due to lack of time. I visited the Westfield Gateway Mall one evening in order to make my observations. The Westfield Gateway Mall is packed with lines of cars in the huge parking lot. The doors are made of creative designs which seem to invite you into the bowels of the mall. The building gives off different feelings from its decor. The side of the building ranges from bumpy to smooth while the lights are in a variety of luminous green and y ellow to deep azures and purple. The mall is located within the Los Angeles District. The people, the places and the decor comprise what is the essence of Westfield Gateway Mall. Many different activities take place within the mall though not all are in plain sight. It takes an observant eye to see some of the subtle hints. I walk into the inviting sliding doors and head to the food counter attracted by the sweet aroma of fried chicken. As I walk inside I can instinctively sense eyes boring into my back though I meet turned heads when I turn around. I stand in line next to a teenage couple who can’t stop whispering into each others ears. Well the guy can’t stop talking into the girl’s ears while the girl seemed to have an absent look yet pretended to giggle at his every word. I get my burgers and head to a shiny table to savor the environment. Eating my burger, I look up at the numerous tables spread around the eatery and the kids screaming and scampering all ov er the place. At a table next to me are two ladies who were chatting while the husband talked on the phone with a blank look. I got interested in the blank look of the husband and started analyzing it more. It seemed to me that the husband was merely playing down the seriousness of the conversation for the sake of his wife. It seemed as if he was saying something he did not want his wife to hear though he did not want to leave the table as he was afraid of arousing suspicion. Meanwhile a birthday party is going on full swing at the corner of the eatery. One of the women pretends to be unconcerned when the children run to the party and attempt to grab the pieces of the cake. She wears a face of nonchalance though it is obvious to me that she is embarrassed at her child’s behavior. This is proved by the fact that she seems rooted to her seat and makes no attempt to go to restrain the misbehaving child. In the meantime I notice a waiter who I guessed to be in his mid twenties cl eaning out tables as patrons depart and come in. A family of three with a teenage daughter was seated two tables away. I observed the teenage daughter cast furtive glances at the young waiter though she vehemently denied any such thing when the father reprimanded her. This reminded me of my childhood memories when I was reprimanded for truancy and denied it yet it was clear for all to see my guilt. I go and lean on a railing to watch the steady stream of people coming and

E-commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

E-commerce - Essay Example The emergence has been facilitated by the evolution of internet, communication infrastructures and computer systems. The increase in internet content like text messaging and multimedia and support services such as online catalogues, security systems and payment settlement systems have also supported the growth in e-commerce (Pankaj, 2005). Many global organizations have adopted e-commerce in order to increase their market share, create new online subsidiaries, attain a competitive edge in the market, reduce the entry barriers in the global market and reduce the costs of doing business. E-commerce has evolved from the transaction level business to a relationship based business that is characterized by two way communications with full integration of internet capabilities in to the business (Pankaj, 2005). E-commerce offers several benefits to business organizations, customer sand suppliers. For instance, e-commerce will reduce the costs of creating, processing, distributing and storing good and services (Pankaj, 2005). Business organizations can reduce business overheads involved in selling over the supply chain and the time spent between the outlay of capital and the time the goods and services are received. E-commerce will create a competitive edge for business organizations and enhance the business reputation through improved, new found business opportunities, increased flexibility, enhanced customer service and reduced supply chain time (Laudon & Traver, 2010). The customers will benefit from increased convenience in shopping since they can access goods and services 24 hours a day at the comfort of their location (Pankaj, 2005). Customers can easily access the recent product information within a short period of time and access a wide variety of commodities. E-commerce had facilitated competition, which has led to new innovative products and discounts to the customers. Customers

Criminology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 9

Criminology - Essay Example sector including sweatshops is characterized as illegal as well as harmful acts, which could be committed by the leaders and even the employees of the corporations, with the intention to promote their personal as well as corporate interests, to the detriment of many stakeholders. As these crimes could wreck the corporation, shrinking its profits, destroying its brand image, negatively impacting employees’ livelihood and in worst case scenarios total shutting down of the corporation, constructive steps will be normally taken, both by the corporations themselves as well as external stakeholders like governments. On those lines, corporate crimes can be prevented by implementing regulatory strategies or policies, which border on compliance and deterrence. Although, both these policies have advantages as well as disadvantages, compliance would be a better strategy to combat corporate misconduct particularly in sweatshops. Compliance regulatory strategy puts the onus on the sweatshops themselves, while deterrence regulatory strategy brings in the role of external prosecution agencies. Compliance strategy concentrates on the power of regulatory agencies to encourage corporations or sweatshops â€Å"to comply with the law before crimes are committed†, on the other hand, deterrence strategy â€Å"rely on criminal prosecutions to prevent corporate crime after the crime has already been committed.† (Coleman, 2008). Thus, the basic difference as well as advantage is, compliance strategy through regulatory agencies as well as self-regulation could preempt and prevent the crime as well as other violations from taking place, while deterrence focuses on aftermath of those crimes or violations. In line with the old adage of â€Å"Prevention is better than Cure†, it would be better to prevent crimes as well as human or employee rights’ violations, and that is particularly applicable to sweatshops, which employs sizable number of employees and where chances of violation of employee

A Study On Amazon | Essay

A Study On Amazon | Essay E-commerce business Amazon.com is widely praised for having pioneered web-based customer relations, setting an industry benchmark in market-leading technological infrastructure. Kotler et al (2008) recognise that ‘the technology boom has created exciting new ways to create products and services tailored to individual customer needs (p.33). Amazon.com first entered the US e-commerce trading arena in 1995 under the ownership of Jeff Bezos, operating, as many do, from the comfort of home. As part of an emergent growth strategy, within ten years Amazon expanded at an alarming rate and penetrated the markets of several countries, basing fulfilment centres in the US, Europe and Asia with the aim of managing the product distribution process from supplier to consumer. Quarterly sales revenue has consistently grown year on year, to a current $5.45 billion in the third quarter ended September 2009 of this year a growth of 28% over the same period in 2008 according to Amazons investor press release (phx.corporate-ir.net). Further financial reporting presented in the press release shows Amazons US market exceeds total international income. The $5.45 billion consists of $2.84 billion in North America, and $2.61 billion from the UK, German, Japanese, French and Chinese sites. It has remained unscathed by the recent global economic downturn; quite the contrary, Amazon has capitalised on the reduced disposable income of consumers. ‘The research area is potentially fruitful since, even in recession, e-shopping volumes in the UK, for example, are continuing with double-digit growth, whereas traditional shopping is languishing in zero growth or less (Dennis et al, 2009: p.1122). Since commencing operations those years ago selling second-hand books in small volume, Amazon has vastly diversified its product portfolio. ‘You can find beauty supplies, clothing, jewellery, gourmet food, sporting goods, pet supplies, books, CDs, DVDs, computers, furniture, toys, garden supplies, bedding and almost anything else you might want to buy (money.howstuffworks.com). There are a number of ways in which the site operates. It stocks and sells its own products from reputable branded suppliers in fulfilment centres; allows stores to use Amazon as their portal for marketing both new and used goods; invites the public to join and sell their items in online auctions. However the true beauty of Amazons internet service lies within a highly innovative, targeted and versatile customer interface. The Oracle Corporation (an agent of the database design and implementation) has constructed a diagram of the database system as shown in Appendix 1. This study aims to demonstrate the concept of customer orientation as part of a marketing strategy and its effectiveness as a constituent of the holistic practices of Amazon. One may think, at first glance, that the concept of customer orientation seems obvious. Its basic definition confirms this, affirmed by Kotler et al (2008) as ‘a company that focuses on customer developments in designing its marketing strategies and on delivering superior value to its target customers (p.372). However, the extent to which a business devotes resources to the customer is often difficult (but not impossible) to distinguish at a contextual level. Marketing forms the foundation of our very livelihoods. Blink and its there right in front of you. Post-modern society dictates that organisations no longer navigate consumer trends merely by the commodities that they make competitive business has evolved in the realisation that ‘nowadays, ever more emphasis is placed on the importance and nature of the relationships that an organization has with its customers (Jones et al, 2007: p.106). The fruits of economic growth have no doubt spurred the strengthening of (both consumer and business) purchasing power and with it, variety-seeking opportunity. The opportunity presented by marketing (or rather customer) orientation opens up the potential to extrapolate future demand before the consumer even demands it. Here it is about identifying gaps in the norm, and, driven by innovation, manifesting those undiscovered wants into tangible demand. The marketing sphere has become highly complex, giving rise to certain implications. How does a marketer adequately identify profitable market dynamics in this day and age? Is it even possible to satisfy the needs of every targeted consumer? Amazons marketing strategy will be discussed in relation to its handling of customer needs, or rather, how the company perceives its customers needs are best served through the online innovator. Donaldson and OToole (2002) identify four marketing strategies; Amazons being the â€Å"high-tech, high-touch quadrant†. Porters (1996) â€Å"Five Forces Analysis† model can influence the 7 Ps of the â€Å"Marketing Mix† and the value a company can create for the consumer. It is a useful model for presenting the intensity of external market pressures from different angles. See Appendix 2. ‘If management wants to change how the firm connects with its customers, it has to change the organisation (Molineux, 2002: p.109). The culture behind Amazon since emerging online in 1995 as a simple bookstore has taken rapid progression in-line with its marketing strategy. The company has evolved through its heedfulness of the rising effectiveness of relationship marketing electronically around the end of the 1990s, so that ‘the dominant approach to IT and relationship research is being replaced by a relationship strategy rather than a transaction strategy position, focussing on information as opposed to technical (Donaldson and OToole, 2002: p.181). Dibb (1998) states ‘increasing evidence suggests that businesses have problems operationalising segmentation (p.394). Harvesting different segments with universally positive outcomes is often troublesome for organisations. ‘For most businesses it is simply unrealistic to satisfy the entire diverse customer needs in the marketplace (Dibb, 1998: p.394). Amazon is one of the few that can, or at least makes great attempts to. Many other online companies have only recently followed suit. Amazons system breaks the contemporary rules of market segmentation. Each customer is his or her very own segment, targeted by one versatile, adaptive system able to meet their personal characteristics by recommending a set of products at a variety of prices from low, second hand to brand new. The system epitomises customer relations management, catering for any socio-economic status, music taste, literature-lover, and so on. Amazon is a target marketer, for marketers. ‘Each customer is assigned a unique number Companies have databases for sales, marketing, service, inventory, payments, and so on (Buttle, 2009: p.103). Amazon utilises a complex, controversially patented Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) which the site draws from to personalise its content toward the customer and supplements functions such as the â€Å"one-click†. Contrary to the norm of a consumer initiating a purchasing process, Amazon acts as the initiator with its variety-fulfilling interface, performing a dual-class role as the â€Å"middle man† between the business and consumer market. Kotler et al express how Amazon leverages the benefits of electronic B2B relationships through ‘E-procurement [which] gives buyers access to new suppliers, lower purchasing costs and hastens order processing and delivery. In turn, business marketers can connect with customers online to share marketing information, sell products and services, provide customer support services and maintain ongoing customer relationships (p.307). McBurnie and Clutterbuck (1988) justifiably assert ‘until competitors copy or segment your segmentation, you have a competitive edge, even if you serve the segment with a standard product or service. If the product or service is specific to the segment then your competitive advantage is multiplied (p.23). Such is t he unique selling point of Amazons personalised service. Consumer behaviour is encapsulated within a set of layers that range from the collective culture right down to pinpoint developments in individual characteristics. Although identified separately, each layer bears a holistic influence on the outcome of one another. For example, a consumer might be into the skating subculture, meaning they believe DC shoes are the best buy in the market. However, as they grow older, they may grow out of skating and take interest in a different culture, likely to make a new trend of purchases. A consumers culture is therefore not set in stone, and as the learning process of life progresses, so too may the views and values of the individual. Career progression is equally important since it determines the level of disposable income. ‘There is evidence for the importance of social interaction and recreational motives, as demonstrated by virtual ethnography (webnography) of â€Å"Web 2.0† blogs, social networking sites and e-word of mouth (Dennis et al, 2009: p.1121-22). Amazon allows end users to share reviews and ratings of products so that future potential buyers are able to make a more influenced, informed choice. However everyone is unique and therefore what may appeal to one customer may be disliked by another. This is therefore contingent upon the orientation of the particular traits of a customer, which dictates the degree to which a person evaluates and therefore heeds the information he/she comes across. ‘Intention to shop with a particular e-retailer will be positively influenced by past experience (p.1124). Amazon does exactly that. It harnesses the past purchases of the customer and extrapolates correlations in the form of recommendations based on what the system recognises as the buyers personal characteristics and therefore purchasing influences from within. The system aims to successfully delineate a person and even interacts like a person itself, acting in a rather paternalistic manner, knowing what is best for the consumer. In a retail store staff are not likely to draw upon past purchasing trends for a particular customer and therefore cannot offer the sort of tailored service that Amazon.com does. Amazon offers a variety of convenient functions, not least the â€Å"Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering† option at the checkout. Dennis et al couple with this the notion of â€Å"web atmospherics† ‘Graphics, visuals, audio, colour, product presentation at different levels of resolution, video and 3D displays are among the most common stimuli (p. 1128). Visit the Amazon website and you will see that administrators have decided to implement a festive header, the promotion of gift e-vouchers customers can send to family via the internet, wish lists based on categories of relationship (for example husband, granddaughter, and so on) to name but a few of the sites seasonal customisations. ‘Customers have shown they dont want to be hunted like prey. They dont want to be managed; they just want companies to make their lives easier and less stressful (Newell, 2003: p.7). One of the implications for Amazon is, as shown by internet banks, that ‘online banks are finding that they also need an on-ground presence if they want to compete successfully (Zinkhan, 2002: p.414). Many businesses find equilibrium in their marketing strategy through the balance of both tangible and web-based enhancement of the Marketing Mix. Does Amazon seem challenged by the lack of localised Amazon service outlets? Its financial performance figures suggest not. The company strives on passing on the overhead saving to the consumer. As the SWOT analysis in Appendix 3 displays, outlets are nonetheless an opportunity for Amazon to grow, particularly where the consumer prefers to make a tangible purchasing decision in items such as clothing. ‘It is about creating an experience, personalizing the interaction with individual customers in ways directed by the customer, and thereby developing relationships (Newell, 2003: p.7). There is a fine line between assisting the customer through recommendations and effectively spamming them with products they might not like. Newell states that Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is inferior to a new strategy of Customer Management of Relationships (CMR). Looking closely at the ways of Amazon, it is possible to identify mixtures between the two, and therefore in the eyes of Newell, a conflicting and inefficient combination. On the one hand, there Amazon treats customers as individuals and understands their unique needs as part of the CMR mechanism. On the other hand, Amazon seems to know too much for its own good, since it is merely a computer system making the decisions. As Newell distinguishes under CRM, customers are likely to feel â€Å"stalked† and in some ways may feel forced into making a purchase. Against the positive, praising grain of this study thus far it is possible to suggest Amazons system contradicts the very foundation of ‘good marketing practice that is, to make people buy things they do not actually need and therefore want. Amazon makes them believe they want the product. Herein lies a fundamental implication Does the Amazon system really get to grips with an individual? Is it at all likely that a person can feel cared for by a computer? Donaldson and OToole (2002) affirm ‘the debate continues on whether e-relationships will reduce the inter-personal/social bonds prevalent in relationships (p.177). Keller (2003) in his study on Strategic Brand Management suggests ‘service firms should allocate fewer resources to traditional quality programs, productivity programs, and efficiency programs and allocate more resources to service-orientated revenue initiatives such as customer satisfaction programs, customer retention and loyalty, CRM and customer equity programs (p.245). Effectively he asserts a need for heavy weighting towards customer orientation, however the degree to which capital should be leveraged in favour of the customer and away from vital operational functions of the organisation is unclear and potentially adverse if perceived as unbalanced as it sounds. A company may well listen to the needs of the consumer wholeheartedly, but if process efficiency and output quality are neglected, the company will not succeed. In the case of Amazon, it remains a predominantly service-orientated company, combining the strong brand images and separate marketing strategies of the c ompanies it markets for, with its own e-market leading online interface aimed at maintaining high levels of brand equity. Amazon is not known exclusively for the products it markets, but the way it markets them. Any good book store will stock a copy of the latest J.K. Rowling fiction. The importance is this ‘Because of associations to product assortment, pricing, and credit policy, quality of service, and so on, retailers have their own brand images in consumers minds. Retailers create these associations through the products and brands they stock, the means by which they sell them, and so forth (p. 358). Although separate resource-consuming entities, the perceived quality of the Amazon service indirectly reinforces the marketing efforts of the brands and the products that it stocks and sells from its fulfilment centres. This is not to say, however, that efficiency is not of upmost importance. A fast, responsive inventory database is in action with the aim of delivering (for f ree!) to customers and managing stock replenishment with minimal downtime particularly important for seasonal demand such as Christmastime. Amazons pricing strategy is to minimise the cost to the consumer, through simple but nonetheless effective marketing communication. Customers incentive for their word-of-mouth marketing efforts is a manifested in highly competitive, low pricing since the profitable costing and mark-up of products does not need to earn a return on advertising investment. Remaining a sole e-tailer negates the need for a skimming strategy on the part of Amazon. The aim is simple minimal overheads and marketing expenditure, attractively low pricing, profitable mark-ups. Amazon has done remarkably well where other companies often underrate the power of the consumer as a communications tool. Dorward (1987) cites Doyle (1968) who ‘claimed that persuasive advertising will be more effective either when products are relatively cheap, as consumers will not expect to gain much financially from an extensive market search or when it would be difficult for consumers to evaluate the product prior to purchase (p.155). In the case of Amazon such factors are satisfied by the sharing of previous purchasers as influencers of the decision process, whereby it is much easier to read reviews than to, for example, visit different book or music stores to evaluate the product effectively. The relatively low cost product types that Amazon e-tails enforces the idea that person to person advertising is sufficient and that customers are more likely to take notice of the recommendations Amazon offers. In an interview with Jeff Bezos, wired.com (2005) uncovered why Amazon.com does not utilise media such as television as a form of marketing communication. ‘More and more money will go into making a great customer experience, and less will go into shouting about the service. Word of mouth is becoming more powerful. If you offer a great service, people find out (wired.com). Therefore to communicate its service the company simply relies on the conveyance of its high brand equity through personal communication channels, which Kotler et al recognise as ‘a major reason for Amazons success in growing sales per customer. You have probably made an Amazon purchase based on another customers review or the â€Å"Customers who bought this also bought† secton (p.708). ‘In most cases, it turns out that the most workable solution is often a hybrid, integrating the new e-tail channel with the traditional ones, so customers can purchase items through either e-tail channel or retail channel (Yao and Liu, 2005: p. 236). It is much more difficult to ensure performance gaps between expect and actual quality of service are minimised when dealing with tangible assets such as a group of employees. It is simply not as easy as a programming code alteration in the database system or interface design. Contemporary management practices would inevitably need to be implemented, and since the very heart of Amazon is based online, does it have the competency and experience to manage the working capital utilised for tangible outlets? Although fulfilling the human-human personal interaction function that online service lacks, there is the implication for Amazon as a brand to meet Kellers brand extension disadvantages. A store will most likely be unable to accommo date for the vast array of products that Amazon can deal with so efficiently online. If customer service does not live up to the tailored specification of the renowned e-system, there could be detrimental effects to Amazons customer-centric image. In-store service may override the comparatively low-overhead, low-pricing online service, drawing attention away from Amazon.com and therefore reducing sales. Perceived highly customer-focused service image could be tarnished with a more general retailer image, removing a key selling point for Amazon. ‘In 1988, building on their early research, PZB [Parasuraman, Zeithamal and Berry] published a multiple-item scale for measuring consumer perceptions of service quality, named SERVQUAL (Baron and Harris, 2003: p.23). There is a distinct lack of implementation in the Amazon system for a customer-to-management feedback approach. The â€Å"vibe† of the site emits an overly paternalistic, Amazon-knows-best interface without much functionality devoted to Total Quality Management-style input from the customer. Perhaps Jeff Bezos takes the view that the sharing of customer reviews between one another effectively deems the site a self-maintaining organisation one could perhaps interestingly compare Amazons values to the general outlook of the Conservative government in the 1980s in its approach of free market enterprise, de/self-regulation and cost-cutting efficiency with the ultimate aim of maximising value for society. Effectively Amazon supports what could be coined C2C Mark eting, a phenomenon hardly touched by academics in its own right. So where does the future lie for Amazon? Well it does not take long upon scanning the internet to find companies cottoning onto the customer-orientated ways which Amazon mastered a decade ago. Its year-on-year financial success displays itself how the companys brand equity is firmly embedded in the consumer market. ‘Amazon Services is building complete e-commerce solutions for companies that are potential Amazon competitors, leaving open the possibility that Amazon will ultimately head in the direction of technology service over retail sales (money.howstuffworks.com). This provides the opportunity to effectively control its competitors by leveraging its famous CRM patents and driving forward an Amazon-era of e-commerce which has proven so successful. The concept of customer orientation is prevalent in the case of Amazon.com. Right from the very outset the company sought to delineate the customer as an individual, and not merely a group with similar needs a segmentation strategy so many companies use and even then, some fail. This is not to say, however, that Amazon neglects other concepts in its mission to maximise brand equity. The other key aspect relevant to the context of the company, bearing in mind that the self-selling characteristic of Amazons customer orientation has already been mentioned (effectively deeming the conventionally separate selling concept unusually intertwined within it), is the production concept, controlled by an efficient RDBMS and strong B2B relations with its suppliers. Referencing: http://amazon.co.uk/About-Amazon/b?ie=UTF8node=203038011 http://money.howstuffworks.com/amazon.htm http://money.howstuffworks.com/amazon1.htm http://money.howstuffworks.com/amazon3.htm http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=97664p=irolnewsArticleID=1345412highlight= http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.01/bezos.html Jones, D., Bichard, M., Thompson, D., Green, A., Bilmoria, K., Peppitt, E., and Tusa, J., 2007. Six of the Best: Lessons in Life and Leadership. Hodder Arnold Publishers Ltd. Kotler, P., Armstrong, G., Wong, V., and Saunders, J., 2008. Principles of Marketing. 5th European Edition. Pearson Education Ltd. McBurnie, T., and Clutterbuck, D., 1988. Give Your Company the Marketing Edge. Penguin Books. Dibb, S., 1998. Market segmentation: strategies for success. Marketing Intelligence and Planning. Vol. 16, pp.394-406. Dennis, C., Merrilees, B., Jayawardhena, C., and Wright, L.T., 2009. E-consumer Behaviour. European Journal of Marketing. Vol. 43, pp.1121-22. Zinkhan, G.M., 2002. Promoting services via the Internet: new opportunities and challenges. Journal of Services Marketing. Vol. 16, pp.412-423. Newell, F., 2003. Why CRM Doesnt Work: how to win by letting customers manage the relationship. Kogan Page. Donaldson, B., and OToole, T., 2002. Strategic Market Relationships: from Strategy to Implementation. John Wiley Sons Ltd. Molineux, P., 2002. Exploiting CRM: Connecting with Customers. Hodder Stoughton. Buttle, F., 2009. Customer Relationship Management: Concepts and Technologies. 2nd edition. Elsevier Ltd. Keller, K.L., 2003. Strategic Brand Management: Building, Measuring and Managing Brand Equity. 2nd Edition. Pearson Education Ltd. Doyle, P., 1968. Advertising expenditure and consumer demand. Oxford Economic Papers. Vol. 20, pp. 395-417. Dorward, N., 1987. The Pricing Decision: Economic Theory and Business Practice. Harper Row Ltd. Porter, M.E., 1996. What Is Strategy? Harvard Business Review. pp.61-78 Yao, D.Q., and Liu, J.J.. 2005. Competitive pricing of mixed retail and e-tail distribution channels. The International Journal of Management Science. Vol. 33, pp.235-247. Baron, S., and Harris, K., 2003. Services Marketing: Texts and Cases. 2nd Edition. Macmillan Press Ltd.

The Theme of Justice in King Lear Essay -- Papers

The Theme of Justice in King Lear Justice is a balance of misfortune and good fortune; right and wrong according to motives and circumstances of the individuals under judgement. To be just we must consider why they did it and balance out all the evidence and facts and decide on a punishment depending on these. Types of justice that exist in society include criminal justice, legal justice, vigilante justice, natural justice and divine justice. As King Lear is a brutal play, filled with human cruelty and many awful disasters, the play's terrible events raise an obvious question for the characters, namely whether there is any possibility of justice in the world. Various characters offer their opinions. Towards the end of the play Gloucester says: "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; / they kill us for their sport," Here, he has realized it is foolish for humankind to assume that the natural world works in parallel with social or moral justice because ultimately, the gods will do with us what they will regardless of whether or not it is just. Edgar, on the other hand, insists that: "the gods are just," optimistically believing that individuals must ultimately get what they deserve. However, in the end, we are left with only a terrifying uncertainty; although the wicked die, the good die along with them, leaving us with the awful image of Lear cradling Cordelia's body in his arms unable to accept the fact that she has suffered such an inexplicable injustice. There is goodness in theworld of the play, but there is also madness, evil and death, and it is difficult to tell which triumphs in the end. The purpose o... ...n are clever-or at least clever enough to flatter their father in the play's opening scene-and, early in the play, their bad behaviour toward Lear seems matched by his own pride and temper. But any sympathy that the audience can muster for them evaporates quickly, first when they turn their father out into the storm at the end of Act II. Goneril and Regan are, in a sense, personifications of evil-they have no conscience, only appetite. It is this greedy ambition that enables them to crush all opposition and make themselves mistresses of Britain. Ultimately, however, this same appetite brings about their undoing. Their desire for power is satisfied, but both harbour desires for Edmund, which destroys their alliance and eventually leads them to destroy each another. Evil, the play suggests, inevitably turns in on itself.

Sandwich Blitz

Dalman and Lei have discussed two possible avenues to grow and expand Sandwich Blitz, Inc. One possible strategy would be to franchise locations. Another strategy would be to secure venture capital to finance an internal expansion by opening more company-owned shops. Dalman feels that he just does not have time to investigate these options because he is spending an increasing amount of his time assisting the location managers. Lei noted that two of the location managers had exhibited a lot of skill in the management of their locations and perhaps a new position could be added to coordinate with the location managers. This would free Dalman to work on these larger issues.1. How would creating a new position between the CEO and the location managers help the business to grow?Creating a new position will allow Dalman to devote his time and energy towards more important issues regarding growing the company as a whole; namely the possibility of franchising locations and or securing ventur e capital to finance and internal expansion by opening more company owned shops. In this new position, the new manager would have the authority to make decisions, give orders, draw on resources and do whatever else is necessary to fulfill that responsibility. Dalman would only need to have a weekly or bi-weekly meeting with the new manager as to the status of the locations at the operational level and dispense advice or direction if needed.2. Is promoting an existing manager the best option to fill this position? If not, what is an alternative source to fill the position?Yes, promoting an existing manager is the best option to fill this position because the existing manager already knows the job and with the additional responsibilities, he will feel like he’s contributing. Also, with his exceptional managerial skills, he will remain focused, put over 100% effort into the tasks at hand and become involved in new ideas and innovation for the company.3. Who within the company sh ould make these decisions?Dalman and Lei should make these decisions. Since they both know who the managers are and their skill set, then they are the ones who should decide who to promote and/or move into the position.4. List the levels of authority (management) that Sandwich Blitz, Inc. would have if the new position is created.The levels of authority (management) that Sandwich Blitz, Inc. would have if the new position is created are:1.Strategic Managers, CEO, CFO, Dalman and Lei 2.Middle Manager – Senior Manager, New Position 3.Operational Managers – 8 Location Managers

Physician Assisted Suicide Essays

Physician Assisted Suicide Essays Physician Assisted Suicide Essay Physician Assisted Suicide Essay who travels around the Michigan area providing physician-assisted suicide, ought not be surprised at the number of women he has helped die. Out of 43 deaths, 15 of his patients were men, 28 were women (Keenan 15). It was also reported by Keenan that Kevorkians male patients had severe terminal illnesses that left them incapable of living, while the female patients suffered from breast cancer and other illnesses that are curable (16). In many cases involving female patients wanting to use Physician-Assisted suicide, it was found that most people felt their request was emotional, unreflective, and immature (Keenan 16). Many people were angered at what Kevorkian was doing and felt that he wasnt assisting the terminally ill. They believed that people should and could find an alternative method of relief for their illnesses (Gay 47). The Detroit Press reported that on, June 4, 1990, Janet Elaine Adkins, became the first patient Dr. Kevorkian assisted into death, as previously mentioned. The 54-year-old woman, from Portland, Oregon, who was a former college instructor, decided to commit suicide the day she was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease (1997). Adkins contacted Kevorkian after hearing about his suicide machine and asked for his help in assisting her into death, according to Kathlyn Gay. After hearing Adkins describe her illness, Kevorkian refused to help the patient and suggested that she try experimental drug treatments. After six months had gone by Adkins informed Dr. Kevorkian that the drug treatment had been unsuccessful and Kevorkian finally agreed to help with her request (44-45). Adkins and her husband flew to Royal Oak, Mich. , on June 3, 1990, for an interview with Kevorkian. On the basis of that one face-to-face encounter, the doctor concluded that Adkins euthanasia request was rational. The following day, as her husband waited in a nearby motel, Adkins was hooked up intravenously to an inverted bottle of saline solution hanging from a metal frame in the back of Kevorkians parked van. Acting on Kevorkians instructions, Adkins pressed a button that shut off the flow of saline solution and opened the line of sodium pentothal, causing her to lose consciousness. After one minute, an automatic timer closed the pentothal line and released the contents of the third bottle. Adkins heart stopped beating within six minutes. (Worsnop Assisted Suicide 157-158) One source reports that the second and third assisted suicides occurred on, October 21, 1991. One patient, Sherry Miller, was a multiple-sclerosis victim, and the second patient, Marjorie Wantz, complained of a severe pelvic disorder; they died within one hour of each other in a secluded cabin forty miles outside of Detroit (Worsnop Assisted Suicide Controversy 405). Worsnop also reports that the autopsy preformed on Wantz showed no evidence of any pelvic disorder that she could have been suffering from. After hearing this information, the State Board of Medicine suspended Kevorkians medical license on November 20, 1991 (Worsnop Assisted Suicide Controversy 405). Although Kevorkians medical license was suspended, he still continued to assist his patients into death. In November 1992, he helped his sixth patient, a female, into death. After this death, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill making assisted suicide a felony, making it punishable by four years in a state prison (Gay 47). After the deaths of Wantz and Miller, many people in Michigan, and all over the world, became angered that nothing was done to stop Kevorkian. The State of Michigan eventually put a ban on assisted suicide. Kevorkian, for his part, announced March 6 that he planned to appeal Michigans ban on assisted suicide to the U. S. Supreme Court. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing two cancer patients, had filed a separate appeal of the ban to the Supreme Court a week earlier. On April 24, the Supreme Court rejected both appeals without comment, clearing the way for Kevorkian to stand trial on murder charges in the Wantz-Miller case. (Worsnop Assisted Suicide Controversy 410) According to Richard L. Worsnop, Kevorkian was later put into jail, but released after Judge Richard C. Kaufman ruled that the states assisted-suicide ban was unconstitutional. Worsnop continued by saying, Judge Kaufman dismissed the charges against Kevorkian on the basis of the quality of the patients life, saying that the patients life was significantly impaired by a medical condition that was extremely unlikely to improve. Kaufman also said that people have a constitutional right to commit suicide and Mrs. Adkins assisted suicide would fit into these conditions (Worsnop Assisted Suicide 405). A poll was later conducted across Michigan, from 310 people, and 102 people from Oakland County, where the Kevorkian case was being heard. From the 310 people, five to one believed that Kevorkian had not committed murder, and in the Oakland County area the decision was ten to one in favor of acquitting Kevorkian of murder charges (Gay 48). Due to Kevorkian assisting in the death of those that did not fit into the terminally ill category, patients now have to be more informed about their illness, so that they are aware of what their final options may be. When a physician has diagnosed a patient with a terminal illness, it is vitally important that the physician provides valid information, about the illness the patient is suffering. According to the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, Terminal disease means an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgement, produce death within six (6) months (2). The physician is also responsible for letting the patient know of any experimental drugs and any other treatments that may benefit the patient in any way. Another responsibility of the physician is to educate the patient as to what their final options may be. They are required to inform the patient about their diagnosis, the results of taking any medication that could be given, all alternatives that could be used to treat the patient, and also having the patient contact another physician to confirm the diagnosis (The Oregon Death with Dignity Act 3, hereafter known as The Oregon). Some people feel that when a physician provides a patient with a deadly drug and instructions on how to use the medicine, they have as much responsibility as the patient themselves (Callahan 71). It is important that physician inform their patients that death is not the last option they have; many people feel that the terminally ill need to be reassured that they dont need to be in pain and that they wont be alone during their final stages of life, their interest in assisted suicide goes away (Worsnop Assisted Suicide Controversy 411). It is also vitally important that patients know that once they have made their decision to go through with assisted suicide, they can change their mind at any stage along the way (Oregon 3). The ultimate task of physicians is deciding whether or not to help their patient with their final request. In a magazine article by Jon Fuller, he reports that physician-assisted suicide causes much stress and emotional drain to the physician. This feeling, in turn, makes it much easier and faster for the physician to come to the decision to help the patient and move on to the next patient. Fuller also feels that if physicians werent overworked and stressed, they would be a lot less likely to use assisted suicide (10). If people started believing that their physician would act this way, many would start to wonder about the commitment their physician had to his/her patient with a terminal illness (Johnson and Koop 52). For some physicians, the process of participating in physician-assisted suicide had a great emotional impact. In response to general, open-ended inquiries, prescribing physicians offered comments such as, It was an excruciating thing to do it made me rethink lifes priorities. (Department of Human Resources 7, Hereafter known as Department) Evidence shows that many physicians are prepared to sacrifice their careers to help a patient in a great deal of pain, and many people in todays society feel that it is wrong to put such a heavy decision on doctors (Medical Ethics 9). There are still many physicians that are troubled by the thought of ending the life of one of their patients, because they have been trained to preserve life, not end it (Worsnop Assisted Suicide 147). A second type of physician response to euthanasia followed in the footsteps of many nineteenth-century practitioners: the prolongation of life takes absolute priority over the easing of suffering. In 1896, for example, Isaac N. Quimby was asked, Is it right to prolong the agony of a patient if the physician knows positively that death is inevitable in a short time? To the bitter end, Quimby asserted. A physician has no right to terminate the life of a patient, even when to prolong that life is to cause the most agonizing tortures. (Vanderpool 41) Some people feel that our society is unfair towards physicians that do decide to use assisted suicide, because in all American states, a physician must be present when a criminals are executed. People in society feel that this is as unethical as using assisted suicide, but it hasnt become an issue, such as physician-assisted suicide (Medical Ethics 9). If an Oregon physician does decide to provide the patient with a lethal dose of medications, the prescription that is written out must provide specific information so that the Oregon Health Department can make sure that it is in compliance to the law (Department 2). The only state, today, where assisted suicide can take place is Oregon; physicians in other states may not write prescriptions, for lethal doses of medications, without breaking the law. According to the Oregon Health Department, a survey was taken in Oregon, before the Death with Dignity Act was passed, and found that seven percent of physicians had already provided prescriptions for terminally ill patient (Department 9). Harold Y. Vanderpool reports that T. T. Robertson was the first American doctor to publicly admit that he had practiced euthanasia by giving two patients narcotics to shorten their lives by a few hours (41). For those people who believe that physician-assisted suicide should be their choice, they feel it should be legalized because: they dont want to go through the suffering caused by the terminal illness, they fear the loss of autonomy/independence, becoming a burden to their family and/or friends, and they also fear dying alone; as previously mentioned. It was reported, in Richard L. Worsnops Assisted Suicide Controversy, that many people fear living a life in excruciating pain (411). Ed Newman states that one of the arguments in favor of assisted suicide is the mercy argument, which states, The immense pain and indignity of prolonged suffering cannot be ignored. We are being inhumane to force people to continue suffering in this way (1). One source states, And at the risk of finding myself out on a theological limb, I say that if it is playing God to reduce human suffering, then I do not believe that the God of mercy and compassion would mind if we mere mortals play God under such circumstances (Barnard, C. 70). Another source said that, The most literal translation of the word euthanasia would be a good death. So who could be against that, except an extremist who would argue that terminal suffering should be accepted, unchanged by human intervention, as fate or Gods will? I personally believe that helping someone die in peace and without pain, even if that might hasten the biological timetable of death by a few hours or even days, is not only acceptable but is mandatory for modern medical care (Johnson and Koop 39). Another argument that people feel should be considered to make assisted suicide legalized, is the economic argument. This argument notes the cost of keeping someone alive and on life support, although they are in a vegetative state (Newman 2). Newman believes that society is wasting precious resources by keeping these people alive for so long, even though the life will not return to normal (2). According to Margaret Battin, assisted suicide would not mean that society would be giving up on the elderly and those with terminal illnesses (19). It would in fact do them a good deed by letting them choose when they had enough treatment and wanted to stop the insults to their body (Battin 19). One source feels that todays technology is to blame for people wanting to commit assisted suicide. We die more slowly today, Verhey notes. Even worse, we do it in hospitals, surrounded by technology rather than by friends and family. And this is what makes it especially frightening to some people' (As qtd. by Thomas 16). Also for some, the thought of being hooked up with tubes in every orifice of our body is not the way they want to leave their life (Vanderpool 56). Another reason people believe physician-assisted suicide should be available for those who request it, is because people fear the loss of their autonomy. One source stated that more patients fear loss of control than they do actually suffering from a terminal illness (Gardner 68). The Oregon Health Department said that, The fact that 79% of persons who chose physician-assisted suicide did not wait until they were bedridden to take their lethal medication provides further evidence that controlling the manner and time of death were important issues to these patients (Department 9). Some people feel that life is only worth living when they can actually do things for themselves and not have to worry about people doing anything for them. Another reason for people to be in favor of physician-assisted suicide is some fear becoming a burden to their family and/or friends, and this makes people more susceptible to choosing assisted suicide, rather than letting a family member take care of them. Terminally ill patients feel guilty about having to have another person take care of them, instead of being able to take care of themselves and do things for themselves. 75% of those who asked for assistance in suicide cite fear of burdening spouses and families (Arguments Against Physician-Assisted Suicide 2, hereafter Arguments). In the cases of Dr. Kevorkian, as mentioned earlier, most of the female patients were more worried about becoming a burden to friends and family, while the males were more likely to commit suicide due to the suffering (Keenan 16). Another issue is for the family to keep the patient alive, even if they are in a state of vegetation, because they fear living with the guilt of killing a member of their own family (Johnson and Koop 41-42). The family members felt that if they did help in the assistance of the suicide, that they were abandoning the patient rather than helping with their final  wishes, even in the cases of the patient only wanting the family to put them out of their misery (Thomas 17). Most people that believe physician-assisted suicide should become a legal option for anyone who requests it, use the idea that everyone has the freedom of choice. In the book, Lawful Exit: The Limits of Freedom, Derek Humphry quotes Archibald MacLeish by saying, Freedom is the right to choose: the right to create for yourself the alternatives of choice. Without the possibility of choice and the exercise of choice a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing (8). Another source states that, Since there is no absolute legal, medical, or moral answer to the question of what constitutes a good or correct death in the face of a terminal illness, the power to make the decision about how someone dies can rest with only one individualthe person living in that particular body (Shavelson 153). There are many arguments in favor of assisted suicide, and the reality argument simply states that, people are already being helped into death, so why not just continue with it (Newman 2). Some people have even come as far as believing that since the democratic view is free of religion, suicide should be viewed as a pro, because those who see it as a negative issue, are seen as imposing their moral beliefs on everyone else (Thomas 19). The patients Right to Self-determination gives the patient the power to decide not only when they die, but also how, because it is in fact their body, their pain, and their life, so whats the point in keeping someone alive if they dont see any reason themselves (Newman 2). In a newspaper article one source states, Proponents of assisted suicide always insist that the practice will be carefully limited: It will be available, they claim, only for those who request it and only for those who are dying, anyway (Wagner 622K3096). People do have a constitutional right to commit suicide, if they are impaired with a terminal illness that can not be cured and they are unlikely to improve, as mentioned earlier in the paper (Worsnop Assisted Suicide Controversy 405). Another big issue that comes up in the discussion of assisted suicide, is people wanting to die with dignity. Dr. Christiaan Barnard states, With an open-door approach to technical progress, with the emergence of candor in discussions of death-related subjects, with landmark changes in ethical and legal constraints to medical practice, I feel that society is ready to take a giant step toward a better understanding of the dignity of death-and the attainment of that dignity, if necessary, through euthanasia and suicide (x). Some people have even gone as far as believing that euthanasia is the only merciful thing to do when patients are suffering and cannot be helped (Euthanasia 53). People also believe that since sending criminals to prison is viewed as a positive idea, it should be acceptable to help those with terminal illnesses end their lives when they have done nothing wrong, but only want to help themselves (Barnard, C. 68). Another idea to think about when deciding if assisted suicide is a negative idea or a positive idea, is that people are afraid of dying alone. Patients already possess the legal authority to give up eating, or to refuse antibiotics or insulin. The only thing a patient now lacks is control over the exact hour of his or her death, making the patient unable to gather family, say good-bye, and then immediately die (Thomas 21). In a study done in Oregon, loneliness was also a factor in the assisted suicide of several patients. Of the fifteen people who took the lethal drugs, two were married, and nine were either widowed or divorced (Gardner 68). In Richard Worsnops report, he said that more people were afraid of abandonment then they were of death (Worsnop Assisted Suicide Controversy 411). Along with the many arguments for physician-assisted suicide, there are as many, if not more reasons assisted suicide should not be legalized and practiced. In the early years (1800s), it has been reported by Darrel Amundsen, that Christians invented suicide. They believed that by committing suicide, they would be able to reunite with the deceased, be rewarded as a martyr, and even be part of the highest spiritual state. This was stopped when Augustine said it was a sin; his idea quickly took hold and is accepted by Christians today (7-8). Amundsen also reports that Justin Martyr said, If we should kill ourselves we would be the cause, as far as it is up to us, why no one would be born and be instructed in the divine doctrines, or even why the human race might cease to exist; if we ourselves will be opposing the will of God (14-15). When dealing with religious beliefs the question of whose right is it to take a life will always come up. For those who believe in a higher power, they feel that only that power can take them out of life, while those without religious beliefs say it is their right to decide. Pro-lifers generally believe that human beings have no right to determine when a life is over; they feel that only God can decide that (Worsnop Assisted Suicide Controversy 412). In the book, Moral Issues, it states that, Man as trustee of his body acts against God, its rightful possessor, when he takes his own life. He also violates the commandment to hold life sacred and never to take it without just and compelling cause. (Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Moral Issues 291, hereafter known as Taking Sides) In one assisted suicide case, a man in Oregon was given the option to use a lethal dose of medications to take his own life, but he was a committed Christian and did not even consider the option. He became more independent with time, and became more dependent on God; his faith gave him the strength to resist the temptation of an escape (Gardner 68). One source feels that the communities should be the ones to decide whether or not physician-assisted suicide should take place, not the doctors, because people go to doctors to get help not to have them kill people (Fuller 12). Those people with religious beliefs also feel that life is still worth living, even if you cant do anything and have to rely on others. One source reported that, The press now refers to opponents of euthanasia as vitalists; the term stems from the word vital, which has a variety of definitions, one of them being characteristic of life or living being. The vitals earned their name because of their deep belief that life is so precious that it must never be ended other than by natural causes (Dolan 85). Some people would even go as far as feeling that people should not want to withdraw from life, when they still have the ability to interact, in any way, with their fellow human beings (Johnson and Koop 41). In another case of a man in Oregon, with Lou Gehrigs disease, the man had gotten a hold of a package of barbiturates and was ready to kill himself, when he realized that he was still living a valuable life, because he was capable of making the decision to take his own life (Gardner 70). The issue of becoming dependent on others during a terminal illness shouldnt make the patient feel bad because they have, most likely, helped someone out at their time of need (Parry 21). Physician-assisted suicide also goes against Gods plan of a natural death for some. According to one source, Euthanasia does violence to this natural goal of survival. It is literally acting against nature because all the processes of nature are bent towards the end of bodily survival. Euthanasia defeats these subtle mechanisms in a way that, in a particular case, disease and injury might not (Taking Sides 291). The source went on to say that, Furthermore, in doing so, Euthanasia does violence to our dignity. Our dignity comes from seeking our ends. When one of our goals is survival, and actions are taken that eliminate the goal, then our natural dignity suffers (291). Another source believes that if people believed that everything ended after death, then people would choose to prolong life (Johnson and Koop 40-41). The source went on to say that those who did believe there was something after death, they would go when their time arrived and not prolong, they would also believe that God planned their exit and that interfering would be wrong (40-41). The issue of involving another person in the taking of a life has become a valid part of anti-assisted suicide groups. In a video produced by Derek Humphry he informs that when a doctor is asked to assist a suicide, he has the right to refuse the patients request. If he refuses, he must discharge that patient from his care, and if he does not discharge them, it would be considered illegal (The Right to Choose to Die). When family members, friends, and lovers are asked to help people die, it is said to be one of the most agonizing decisions anyone could ever make, because if that person does decide to help with the death they have to live with the knowledge that they killed a loved one and if they dont help out, they live with the torment of watching someone suffer (Shavelson 33). A big argument against legalizing physician-assisted suicide is that it is not part of medical ethics and should not become a part. The appeals court noted that the American Medical Associations Code of Ethics declares physician-assisted suicide to be fundamentally incompatible with the physicians role as healer. The court then added a comment of its own: The physicians commitment to caring is the medical professions commitment to medical progress. Medically assisted suicide as an acceptable alternative is a blind alley. (Worsnop Assisted Suicide Controversy 397) The Slippery Slope argument was made against the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, and it says that there are certain situations when nothing should be done that is acceptable because it will only lead to a course of consequences that are not acceptable (Newman 3). Newman goes on to say that, Our attitudes toward the elderly, people with disabilities and the devaluation of individuals for the higher good of society should be reflected upon (3). The issue of pain being a part of the reason for people choosing assisted suicide is also argued against. One source says that, Pain is controllable. Modern medicine has the ability to control pain. A person who seeks to kill him or herself to avoid pain does not need legalized assisted suicide but a doctor better trained in alleviating pain (Key Points for Debating Assisted Suicide 1, hereafter known as Key Points). Richard Thorne, a physician in Salem, Oregon, tells that, As a physician, I was always taught to be a healer, Thorne says. Im sad and anguished that this chapter of medicine will come to an abrupt end unless challenges in the court overturn it' (Kellner 55). Doctors today are not ready to help patients end their lives and they are not ready to sacrifice their professional career because one patient is suffering with the medication that is available today. As one source points out, The doctor has to decide whether she is prepared to sacrifice her professional creed (and perhaps even her career) out of compassion for her patient (Medical Ethics 9). Many people believe that if physician-assisted suicide becomes legal, the relationship between physicians and patients will become unstable. One source states, In contrast, participation in the active taking of life, even if only by prescribing medications that a patient will self-administer, crosses a threshold and threatens the trust in beneficence that is the root of the physician-patient relationship. Our collective unconscious must already contend with living memories of the abuse of the physicians power, most notoriously in the Nazi medical experiments and in the Tuskegee project. (Fuller 11) Another reason physicians should not be granted this power, is because it would make society look at their physician as a killer instead of a healer, which would eventually ruin the relationship between physician and patient (Fuller 10). The Hippocratic Oath is another idea that is keeping doctors from believing assisted suicide is acceptable. Even before doctors begin seeing and treating patients, they must take an oath with says that they will do anything in their power to heal a patient and in no way will they lessen the amount of life the patient may have (Battin 17). You do solemnly swear, each by whatever he or she holds most sacred that you will be loyal to the Profession of Medicine and just and generous to its members that you will lead your lives and practice your art in uprightness and honor that into whatsoever house you shall enter, it shall be for the good of the sick to the utmost of your power. Your holding yourselves far aloft from wrong, from corruption, from the tempting of others to vice that  will exercise your art solely for the cure of your patients, and will give no drug, perform no operation, for a criminal purpose, even if solicited, far less suggest it that whatsoever you shall see or hear of the lives of men and women which is not fitting to be spoken, your will keep inviolably secret these things do you swear. Let each bow the head in sign of acquiescence. And now, if you will be true to this, your oath, may posterity and good repute be ever yours; the opposite, is you shall prove yourselves forsworn. (Hippocratic Oath 1997) This oath has been used and dated back to the fifth century B.C. and is given at the graduation ceremonies of most doctors entering the work force (Euthanasia 52). A strong argument against the legalization of physician-assisted suicide is that it will eventually get out of control, and possibly target certain groups in todays society, as mentioned earlier. According to one source, Euthanasia could and would be abused. Over doses of readily accessible laudanum, for example, could do the business of death without leaving a trace of evidence. Euthanasia would give rise to a sea-change of lessened care and concern for invalids. It would release social instincts of selfishness and cruelty toward helpless and vulnerable persons. It would undermine the care of the grievously sick and dying (Vanderpool 39). Vitalists fear that the acceptance of passive euthanasia will cause society to regard as less valuable the sanctity of human life. As they see it, ending the lives of the incurably ill could be just a step away from justifying the deliberate elimination of all people judged to be unfit by a society. The old, the unproductive, the mentally deficient, the physically weak-all could then become the victim.

Thermosetting Plastic Definition (Thermoset)

Thermosetting Plastic Definition (Thermoset) A thermosetting plastic is a polymer that irreversibly becomes rigid when heated. Such a material is also known as a thermoset or thermosetting polymer. Initially, the polymer is a liquid or soft solid. Heat provides energy for chemical reactions that increase the cross-linking between polymer chains, curing the plastic. The rate of curing may be increasing in many cases by increasing pressure or by adding a catalyst. Examples Many common plastics are thermosets. They include: Vulcanized rubberFiberglass (a fiber-reinforced polymer composite)Polyester resinPolyurethaneMelamineBakeliteSilicone resinEpoxy resin Sources Ellis, B. (ed.) (1993). Chemistry and Technology of Epoxy Resins. Springer Netherlands. ISBN 978-94-010-5302-0IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the Gold Book) (1997). Thermosetting Polymer. doi:10.1351/goldbook.TT07168

Analysis Paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analysis - Term Paper Example Donatello’s David had been created a century earlier. Presumably, the bronze sculpture of David was finished in the 1440s. While these sculptures belong to two different periods within the Renaissance period, portray the biblical hero king David in different light, are made of different material, and have many other differences, they are both sculptures of nude males, gave the same subject matter (David’s victory over Goliath), and display the features of the Renaissance art. My goal in this paper is to critically examine these two sculptures and find how each of them represents its style, time period, and the talent of its creator. Also, the paper will focus on similarities and differences between these two sculptures visually as well as in terms of their meaning. First, let us focus on the sculpture of David by Donatello. This is a bronze sculpture which represents a standing man who poses one of his feet on his enemy’s head presumably after a victorious fight. The man is a portrayal of a biblical character – King David, while the head under David’s foot is that of giant Goliath. David is depicted with a mysteriously smile. He is nude but wears a hat with evergreen laurel on top of it. He also wears boots and has a sword in his hand. If to refer to the Scriptures, the sword is that of Goliath. Interestingly, the helmet of Goliath’s head features a feather. It looks as though it was attached to the victor’s foot. David, Donatello, bronze, circa 1440s Just as its predecessor – Donatello’s marble sculpture of David completed at the very beginning of the 15th century – bronze David appeared to be among the first free-standing sculptures of nude men since the time of Graeco-Roman civilization. Moreover, David within Donatello’s authorship was remarkably natural. This was possible to achieve due to the recently developed technique of schiacciato. The latter was about carving in a rather lo w relief with the help of the mathematical perspective trick taught by Brunelleschi, a famous architect of that time. That technique helped create illusion of bigger depth (Moretti, 2010, p.32). David by Michelangelo portrays King David in nude. David is presented in a pose which is clearly serene and confident. It seems he is contemplating something important. Perhaps this is the fight that he is about to have with Goliath, a giant warrior of enormous physical strength. This is the most widespread version of the statue’s background. Other critics also say David may be portrayed thinking about his victory after he defeated Goliath. The meaning behind this statue is â€Å"aspiration toward freedom, justice, and good government† (Bussagli, 2000, p.48). David, Michelangelo, marble, 1501-1504. The differences between these two sculptures of David stem from the fact that they were created within different periods. Donatello (1386-1466) lived and worked in Early Renaissance whose borders with late Middle Ages with its Gothic sculpture and architecture were still blurred. In history, this period is known as Quattrocento. Frederick Hartt in his History of Italian Renaissance Art (2006) refers to Quattrocento as to the forefront of Italian Renaissance. It encompassed culture and artistic heritage of both Middle Ages and Early Renaissance and may be called a transition from the medieval period to Renaissance. Revolutionary by its clearly expressed individualism, which was a sign of dramatic changes in all spheres of human life (economic, social, as well as cultural), Quattrocento was characterized by integration of Greek and Roman classic representations into the arts. At the same time, the Quattrocento artworks differed from those of High Renaissance with their highly perfect forms, lines, and representations. As or Donatello, he was a

Can social psychology save humanity Discuss Essay

Can social psychology save humanity Discuss - Essay Example Myers also points how â€Å"materialism† and â€Å"consumerist culture† can never provide lasting peace for its pursuers. Myers asserts that material affluence can at best give a temporary surge of happiness. What would give lasting happiness are the following - loving close relationships, adherence to a religious faith, a positive outlook, a stress-free work environment, etc. In effect, a low consumption, non-materialistic way of life could fetch more happiness for the individual and the group. The theory is backed by plenty of statistic. Several surveys have shown that married people are happier than those who are single; more church-goers find inner harmony than non-believers; those involved in community activities find more satisfaction than the rest (Yang, Kleinman, et al., 2007). It is important to recognize the current prevalence of misery and distress across the globe. Statistics show that the financially well-off are only marginally happier than their poorer compatriots. It means that additional wealth that is not essential for survival provides disproportionately low value. The recent decades had seen an increase in the cases of depression and suicide. While societies are getting more affluent, the distribution of wealth remains highly uneven. For example, the gap between the rich and poorer sections of society is wider than ever before. The percentage of people living in poverty had not changed much. Life-threatening epidemics such as malaria and AIDS are rampant in the third world. Teenage suicide rates are at an all time high. Violent crimes have not abated despite legislation to curb them. A large chunk of humanity does not even have access to basic amenities like clean water, electricity and telephone facility. All of the above conditions paint a da rk and discouraging picture of the present human condition. But all is not lost.