Thursday, August 22, 2019

STI College Essay Example for Free

STI College Essay First of all, we would like to thank God for his help on our project, because without Him and His omnipotence this would be really impossible. Secondly, we would like to acknowledge the participation of the faculty and registrar. We would also like to extend their gratitude to the respondents during the data gathering. Also, the resource persons, our adviser, Mr.Bernjiber Silva who guides in terms of the development of the system documentation, and with the help of the 2nd year IT Students. 1.0 Introduction This generation is intensely attached with technology. Almost everything can be done with technology. Technology for the users provides good consolation and solace. Many await the enrollment schedule of the school they are studying in. Enrollment is an exciting day for every student in elementary, high school, or colleges. It is the most expected activity after summer vacation. But contrary to the expectations of the enrollees, enrollment has posed problems and hassles because it has become tedious and taxing. Sometimes the students’ leave it to their parents and other members of the family to enroll them. The unsystematic procedure of school during enrollment is now dreaded by them. Instead student enrollees have to stand and wait of finishing it in an hour or two, sometimes students are made to come back the next day or even after a week so that they can be officially enrolled. The latest Student Enrollment Systems include features such as computerized registration forms, enrollment forms and safer data keeping. Almost all aspect of the industry prefers computerized systems because of its greater offers and services. The system is now greatly recognized. Furthermore, the demand for better Student Enrollment Systems also increases. Enrollment is the process of entering and verifying data of student to register on particular school. Different interrelated processes build up enrollment procedures called Enrollment System (ES). ES are used particularly in recording and retrieving student’s information. Tracking student’s information is also one feature of ES, in which the school can trace the standing of a student. Verifying payments was also added to update or browse student’s billings. Enrollment System is a good example of a computer generated process. This can lessen the workload and provides accurate information needed of the school. As a result, it will benefit not only the student but the administration as a whole. Of course, Enrollment System is very essential in a school. 1.1 Background of the Study The purpose of this study is to fulfill a better system that will serve as a more reliable tool in registering and enrolling students in an institute. The study is to show the innovation of registration and enrollment systems from traditional to high-end technology. The study also serves the purpose of revealing the mechanics of the said system. Student Enrollment System includes a computerized registration and enrollment form which provides ease to clients and better management and maintenance of data in a reliable database. 1.2 Statement of Objectives 1.2.1 General Objectives 1. To come up with a functional enrollment system that will allow users to in the comforts of the in house facility and also allow the administrators to keep track and maintain information and data that was gathered from the submitted forms. 1.2.2 Specific Objectives 1. To make a system that is easy to use for the user to input information. 2. To retrieve data of the user in the Enrollment System database. 3. To update information of the user immediately. 1.3 Significance of the Study The study is significant for the innovation of manual ways of registration and enrollment to a higher-end technology. It is significant to the registrars, faculty and students of the institution that will use the system. The study is significant in many ways. It provides a clear definition of its functions. The study will define the advantages with the use of the proposed system. It will identify new possibilities that may help ease workloads. It will serve as an instrument to entice more people to recognize and use such system. This study helped the school regarding their enrollment transactions and activities. The proposed design aimed to benefit the school in their enrollment facilities such as maintaining the files, assessment of fees and especially the Enrollment System itself. 1.4 Scope and limitation of the Study The proposed computerized enrollment system design covered the major processes namely: registration of the current and incoming students, class scheduling and sectioning, assessment of fees, files maintenance and reports needed (registration form, assessment slip, student master list, and other forms and reports essential to design). In addition, requisites for new student (Birth Certificate, Good Moral Character and Form 138) will be recognized in system design database by checkbox. Since one of the specific objectives of the proponents is to improve computer literacy of the community of NSI, the design system would allow four user accounts which are the Student, Accounting, Registrar and Directress The system includes a computerized registration and enrollment form. It allows users to fill in the form and submit. It allows the administrator side to retrieve information. It can severely reduce the amount of duplicate effort required for multi-enrollees. It also allows users to view whether their information has been passed. However, the system is not web based. It cannot be altered or modified by the users. It cannot show the results instantly to users. Users may not remove or delete their information once theyve been passed. 2.0 Methodology of the Study In this chapter, we have recognized the phases needed for the implementation of the Enrollment System. The methodology was referred as the waterfall model. It describes the steps taken in the development of the enrollment system. Requirements: = We have to find a suitable algorithm to come up with an effective enrolment system. -Testing the effectiveness and accuracy of the new system. Look for the design of the proposed system. Design: We have to create a effective design for the main screen that allows the user to create an account and fill up and submit forms such as the registration and enrollment forms. Verifications: Testing-This is the part where in we have to test whether the system is accurate or not. Debugging- modification is needed if has defects of the function codes. Maintenance -keeping the system running productively for over years. 2.0 Data Gathering Procedures and Output We researchers have prepared an interview with a proponent. The interview served as the basis for the creation of the function of the system. We planned to gather enough information and skills in building and creating good databases and well-organized interface through organize interview. Through internet, we also gather some information and advices that will help our system be effective.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Revolutionizing a Better Era of Technology in the Future of Medicine Essay Example for Free

Revolutionizing a Better Era of Technology in the Future of Medicine Essay Alan Kay states, â€Å"The best way to predict the future is to invent it yourself† (qtd. in Garreau 88). Many Americans ponder what the future might hold. Will technology bring a new era to mankind or will it be the end to all eternity? Ray Kurzweil, inventor of the year by MIT, argues â€Å"he is convinced that medicine is moving sufficiently fast; therefore, any person who can stay healthy for the next 20 years may so benefit from the explosion in biological technology as to be immortal† (Garreau 90-91). With the advancements of medical technology continuing to climb, this quote illustrates that the future will make for a better world. Organizations such as The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency known as DARPA, The Continuous Assisted Performance known as CAP, and The National Science Foundation fund studies that demonstrate how genetic engineering will impact America’s future by developing a bigger, better, stronger individual (Garreau 19-35). Each day as the advancements of technology doubles, the world will soon not worry about diseases and health; everyday gene technology will better our minds, bodies, and most future generations, thus making the â€Å"Heaven Scenario†. In the Article â€Å"Gene Technology and Tissue Engineering† Andree, department of Plastic and Surgery, Freiburg University Hospital, states â€Å"Gene therapy is based on the concept for certain proteins or polypeptides into a cell and, thus, may be used for potential modulation of t issue. Genes can be delivered using either an in vitro approach, and with viral or non-viral vectors. Genes may therefore be stable, or transiently expressed by the cells† (93). This fact illustrates the concept of genetic manipulation and how each cell is expressed. Both Rob DeSalle, Ph.D. in Division of Invertebrates, and Michael Yudell, MPH in Molecular Laboratories, summarize that the study of Genomics will have a major impact in medical services. If doctors knew how to discover someone’s exact diseases, then they can transform and improve those cells to stop in in its act (117-118). With the help from DARPA and CAP and the study and treatments  of Gene therapy, Americans’ will soon find themselves living longer and healthier lives. DARPA funded by Michael Goldbatt, is one of the world’s foremost drivers of human enhancement (Garreau 19). Their vision is to â€Å"accelerate the future into being† (Garreau 21). DARPA help fund the computer mouse, graphics, weather satellites, and many other technologies (Garreau 25). One independent agency that works strongly with DARPA is CAP managed by John Carney (Garreau 28). CAPs advanta ge over DARPA is the laboratory. One idea that they are studying is â€Å"finding an enzyme that appears only in bacteria but not in us. It might exist only for a brief time in the bacteria, but without it, that life form cannot exist. Then you attack it† (Garreau 28-30). Organizations such as DARPA and CAP strive to make unstoppable human beings. For instance, take the well-developed movie Gattaca which came to theaters in 2010 and was about a man that manipulates his DNA to hide his identity to be a more advanced, genetically engineered, human being. No one is capable of stopping him from becoming a better meaningful species to society. Most Americans strive to build themselves up to become the best they can be. Americans study the use of DNA manipulation in bodies and cells to help fight off diseases and illnesses such as the common cold or flu. Goldblatt proclaims, â€Å"We do not fear the unknown, and we relish exploring the unknowable† (Garreau 19). Americans should be more like this quote and strive to become the best species that has ever existed. DARPA is studying a vaccine that will help in pain management. Such vaccines will make milestones in terms of medicine. If someone is hurt they will feel the first trigger of pain but the pain will soon subside (Garreau 19-28). This pain vaccine will have many benefits to Americans dealing with diseases and to society. The National Science Foundation believed in the â€Å"Heaven Scenario†: They predicted in 10-20 years the world will evolve much better. Wearable sensors will enhance every person’s awareness of his or her health condition, environ ment, chemical pollutants, potential hazards, and information of interest about local business, natural resources, and the like. The human body will be more durable, healthy, energetic, easier to repair, and resistant to many kinds of stress, biological threats, and aging process, and technologies will compensated for many physical and mental disabilities and will eradicate altogether some handicaps that have plagues the lives of millions of people. (qtd. in Garreau 112-113) This statement  unveiled a world where technology advancements will mature in a way that Americans are capable of being healthier and happier individuals. The effects of genetic engineering impacts the future by manipulating genes to help Americans live longer. Enzo Russo and David Cove, authors of Genetic Engineering: Dreams and Nightmares, tell a brief story about a little girl that was suffering from a disease called Severe Combined Immune Deficiency. â€Å"She was the first known human being to be treated using gene therapy†¦After two years of therapy, this young girl was able to attend school normally, to swim, dance, ice skate with her family and friends† (117-118). With this example it substantially shows the achievements of Gene Therapy and how Americans greatly benefit from them. Children will have the privilege to go out and play or do whatever else their little imagination wants to do so they can be just like every other child. If doctors had a way to catch or see a disease before it overtakes someone’s body then they would be able to do something about it. Jacobs, consultant genetic counsellor Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, believes â€Å"Early identification of individuals with, or at risk of, hereditary disease can make a difference to patients and families in terms of accessing genetic services, early detection and risk-reducing measures. Several clinical guidelines recomm end undertaking family history assessment in clinical setting† (Jacobs, Chris, Christine 38). Jacobs also states that â€Å"Recognizing when off spring may be at risk of genetic condition such as cystic fibrosis, Duschenne muscular dystrophy or Huntington’s disease, can help couples to make choices about prenatal testing and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. These procedures increase the possibility of a healthy baby and reduce the risk of passing the mutation to future generations† (Jacobs, Chris, Christine 38). With this possibility, think of how it will make a new era to mankind. Parents no longer have to worry about unborn babies and whether they will have the same disease as their ancestors. Another person that was influenced by Gene Therapy is Gregory Stock. Stock, director on Medicine, Technology, and society at the school of medicine of California, proclaims â€Å"In the future Americans will benefit from using ‘Artificial Chromosomes’. Future generations will be able to switch out one or two chromosomes that may be transferring diseases with a stronger chromosome† (qtd. in Garreau 116-117). There are many believers of the â€Å"Heaven Scenario† although all the outcomes  might not be the same. Ray Kurzweil, who was granted the national medal of technology, was the inventor of the â€Å"Heaven Scenario.† He stated â€Å"is there is no problem or challenge that there [is not] an idea to overcome that problem† (qtd. in Garreau 115). This statement argues that no matter how difficult something might proclaim to be, there will always be a new improved way to get thru. In terms of medicine, there will always be new inventions of t echnology and drugs that will make a better advancement then the former. No matter what the statistics say technology will always have an astonishing outcome. If Americans’ had the opportunity to formulate themselves at a higher level of humanity then why not go for it? (Garreau 115) Most Americans’ dream that one day the world will be a heavenly place for all humanity. With the advancements of new medical technology doubling and continuing to climb up this progressive ladder, Americans’ soon will be bigger, stronger, and healthier individuals. The inventions of new drugs, either injected or manipulated into genes, will influence making the outcome of the â€Å"Heaven Scenario† true. If more organizations like previously stated DARPA and CAP continue to find new ways of implementing and then attacking infections and disease: Americans’ will live much longer non-stressful lives. Imagine the outcome of waking up clear headed and pain free with no worries in sight. Future generations will have the knowledge and ability to know when a bad enzyme links on and attacks cells; furthermore, being able to stop the infection before it explodes and travels thru DNA. It will be a new era to mankind. Americans will be able to determine and choose ho w their children turn out. Children will be healthier and live longer lambent lives. Like my opening quote â€Å"the best way to predict the future is to invent it yourself.† Negative controversies about technology being the end of mankind should not influence Americans into not believing in the â€Å"Heaven Scenario,† thus sit back and watch the never ending achievements and outcomes of Gene therapy transmute the world into a better brighter norm. Works Cited Andree, C., et al. â€Å"Gene Technology and Tissue Engineering.† Minimally Therapy Allied Technologies 11.3 (2002): 93-99. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 March 2014. DeSalle and Michael Yudell. Welcome To The Genome: A User’s Guide to Genetic Past, Present, and Future. Canada: John Wiley Sons. Inc., 2005. Print. Garreau, Joel. Radical Evolution: The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds, Our Bodies- and What It Means to Be Human. New York: Random House, 2005. Print. Jacobs, Chris, and Christine Patch. â€Å"Identifying Individuals Who Might Benefit From Genetic Services And Information.† Nursing Standard. 28.9 (2013): 37-42. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 March 2014. Russo and David Cove. Genetic Engineering: Dreams and Nightmares. Oxford New York Tokyo: Oxford University Press, 1998. Print.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Autonomy, Capacity and Dignified Death

Autonomy, Capacity and Dignified Death Summary: The Council of Europe protects the right of people in terminal phase or dying, to self-determination. But only if the patient is competent, you can make independent decisions about their health. The capacity will be assessed by doctors to consider as valid informed consent. Keywords: Personal Autonomy; Mental Competency; Right to Die; Decision making; Bioethics; Informed consent; Validation Studies. Manuscript The doctor-patient relationship, nowadays, follows the clinical method â€Å"focused on the patient† where the physician has a double task, understand the patient and understand the disease, in this context are key exploring the experience of illness, shared decision making and the search for agreements to which the patient is able to take responsibility for their own salud1. In this manner, it could be considered the patient medical encounter as a meeting of experts, Doctors are experts in medical science and patients are experts in their lives. And this is because modern ethics has transformed the maximum standard Hippocratic â€Å"aegroti salud suprema lex† in â€Å"aegroti voluntas suprema lex†, that is, now is not the health of the sick the supreme law because it is his will (Sass)2. The emergence of the value of personal autonomy has profoundly changed the values of the clinical setting, it must now adapt to the individuality of the sick person. In a democr atic society, respect for the freedom and autonomy of the person must be kept during the illness and fully achieve the process of death3. Ten years ago, on October 19, 2005, the General Conference of UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights4, which states, in Article 5, it must respect the autonomy of the individual in relation to the power to make decisions. The exercise of this right leads us to define and protect the ideal of a dignified death, and that is if all human beings aspire to live with dignity, die with dignity is also part of a dignified life. Among the fundamental contents of the ideal of death with dignity that enjoy consensus, is the right of patients to receive comprehensive high-quality palliative care. Recommendation 1418/1999 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, 5 Protection of human rights and dignity of the terminally ill and dying in Article 9, paragraph B, protects the right of the terminally ill or dying to s elf-determination, and also recommends taking steps to ensure that health decision, which elects the patient or their family may be respected, including the rejection of a specific treatment measures. It also recognizes that a death wish of a terminally ill or dying person cannot in itself constitute a legal justification for actions to end his life. In Spain is not authorized euthanasia or assisted suicide and other actions are considered good practice to record the living will to make decisions about the refusal of treatment, the limitation of life support and palliative sedation. With this in mind, we asked if a sick person is able to make a decision about their health, sick people are able to make that decision and at that particular moment? If we believe in informed consent as an ongoing process, communicative, dialogic (spoken), deliberative and conservative, we need a patient with capacity made (competition) to make decisions about the nature of his illness, the effects of it and the risks and benefits of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, requesting approval to undergo any them6. Thus the purpose of informed consent is obtained; We talk about guaranteeing the rights of patients, empower, protect the patient from unwanted treatment and help you make the right decisions about health care, so that they are correlated with their personal values. The capacity to which we refer is the competition that the doctor can and should evaluate in the clinical practice and is what we call capacity of made or natural7. It is a psychological and clinical concept, defining the psychological skills needed to take, here and now, a certain decisià ³n8. Only if the patient is competent, you can make independent decisions about their health9, therefore, assess the ability of the patient is in fact a fundamental requirement in the process of informed consent. Capacity is the ability of the person to understand the situation it faces, the values that are at stake, the pos sible courses of actions and expected consequences for, then take express and defend a decision that is consistent with their own values. It varies over time, if mental status changes, also capacity10. The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the application of biology and medicine, the Council of Europe, commonly called the Oviedo Convention, in force since 1 January 200011, in articles 6, 7, 17 and 20 deal with the problem of lack of capacity to consent freely. Thus, the most important ethical argument of the obligation to assess the competence or ability of a patient is the principle of nonmaleficence, for those actions that may cause physical or moral harm to persons should be avoided. And so maleficent will allow the patient natural inability to take decisions, which can cause health damage, such as preventing the patient able to exercise its autonomy to decide. There is also the obligation of beneficence, optimize the part icipation of the incompetent patient in decision-making, by all possible means, to reverse, if possible, your disability, or provide information so that you can participate in the decision the extent possible9. Evaluating and determining the ability to make a medical decision a patient is a task that involves an enormous ethical and legal responsibility. Codes of ethics widely collected an ethical obligation to professionals for consider the patients competence. Historically, the doctors has enjoyed considerable social recognition, for determine the capacity. However, the use of standardized tools for assessment of competence is vital, given that informal evaluations by doctors depend on the idiosyncrasies of each and therefore would be little fiables12. This is the same problem that arose in the United States in the late seventies, when American physicians began systematically applied in clinical practice informed consent. After more than thirty years in this line, it is considered what the best tool available, in health care, for the assessment of the ability to make medical decisions is the Aid to capacity evaluation (ACE)13. Its literal translation would help to assess capacity. Understood the term capacity, from the perspective of bioethics, as a synonym for competence in decision-making. For this, the ACE evaluates the understanding of information, and the ability of the patient to say and communicate a particular medical decision. The ACE is validated in the initial work of Etchells et al, in adult patients who needed to make an informed consent treatments or diagnostic procedures, such as endoscopies performing, transfusion, etc. The ACE evaluates recognition the disorder of convivence and the understanding of informed consent (Etchells at al., 1999)14. It was developed in Ontario, Canada, where these two standards are relevant to the current legislation. Recently, it has been adapted and validated to Spanish (Moraleda et al15), both diagnostic and tre atment processes to make decisions about their disease. The ACE is a semi-structured interview assessment that addresses seven facets of the capacity for real and concrete medical decision assesses the ability to understand (1) the medical condition, (2) treatment, (3) and treatment alternatives (4) the option of refusing treatment; the ability to perceive the consequences of (5) to accept treatment and (6) deny treatment; and (7) the possibility that the patient is in a context of hallucinations, delusions or depression, which can significantly interfere in their decision making. The questions in the first four areas assessed the capacity of understanding. Questions 5 and 6 explore the reasoning. And in the seventh area of mental pathology situations which clearly affect the ability clarified. See Table 1. This tool is considered highly reliable and has a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 90%, comparing the judgment of expert medical interview conducted with ACE. Some of the advantages of ACE are its realization in a short time and that is adapted to the clinical case and the specific treatment of each patient. The health professional provides all the information as possible to the patient, and values its ability asking open-ended questions about the decision to take, alternatives, possible consequences, and the possibility of rejecting the offer option. Scores are not added together, to interview the patient about his decision, aspects of understanding of information and the ability of the patient to decide and communicate a particular medical decision are evaluated. This type of semi-structured interview requires a basic training by the professional and helps to classify the patient into one of the following four categories: capable, probably capable, probably incapable or incompetent. And in turn, these four results are divided into two: the incapable of making that decision would be unable and the others are capable. The cut is made according to the criteria of patient autonomy. The principle of respect for persons, of Kantian origin, is based on the dignity of the person, is its moral autonomy, and therefore freedom. It requires that every human being are regarded autonomous and free, imposing respect for their dignity and self determination. Therefore they must be respected their decisions if a person is able, competent and adequately informed. And likewise, this principle requires the development of legal mechanisms for the protection of individuals where these attributes were limited, as in the case of patients classified as permanently incapable. Traditionally, the principle of autonomy is expressed in all its value, it must be considered that an autonomous action must meet three conditions: intent, knowledge and absence of external control. Diego Gracia16 added a fourth condition: authenticity. If an act is intentional, if it has been made with full understanding and without control or external undue influence, but is not consistent with the value system and attitude toward life, typical of who performs it, is not an authentic act, and therefore, it is not t ruly autonomous. The interview with the ACE is a very useful tool, but to doubtful cases or more complex decisions are recommended to complete the interview with other evaluation measures that will help us reduce uncertainty in determining the ability of a patient to a medical decision. In case of incapacity consent is granted of representation. It is considered that an individual is unable if it is not able to make a particular decision at a particular time, at the discretion of the physician responsible for the care, or physical or mental condition and does not allow him to take charge of their situation. Moreover, it is considered that a patient is disabled when a judge has determined this, as stated in Article 199 of the Civil Code, in Spain. And in the case of minors, the consent of the representation will be required when the minor patient (over 12 or 16 years, depending on the decision and under 18 years of age), it is not intellectually or emotionally capable of understand t he scope. With minors, the mission is to demonstrate the maturity, unlike what happens with adults. With the adults is necessary evaluate the clinical disability as it is supposed to be able. Diego Gracia17 recommended that the assessment of mental capacity must be reasonable and reasoned, assessing the circumstances, previous medical history, current psychopathological assessment, family and social support, patient values, and the foreseeable consequences of the decision to take. In certain cases it may be useful the use of a semi-structured interview (ACE) to review the decision-making skills. In case of failure, the use of deliberative method can be helpful to assess each case. Determining the ability of fact (capacity), before taking a decision, in the processes of decision making, it is a habit that all doctor should include in their daily work, is an improvement in the organization and management of resources because it means improving the principles of bioethics with our most fragile patients.

the enforcement of EU law :: essays research papers

To answer this question I will firstly explain how EU law became incorporated within the member states I will then explain the various types of EU legislation's in circulation. This is important to define as the various types of methods will involve different enforcement procedures. Finally I will explain how EU law is enforced and the ways EU law will effect the member state and individual businesses. I will summarise my findings at the end of the essay, this will give details of all the key ideas I have ut across. The Schuman proposal began various European countries setting up the European Coal and Steal Community (ECSC), this was signed in 1951 by six countries. The countries that initially set up the ECSC were France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. The idea behind the ECSC was the first serious institutional committee in Europe and was the start of integration, the aim was to provide a common market of coal and steel trade. This meant that each of the states would be able to have access to the various qualities of coal and steel that the members had with no tariff of importing and exporting to the various countries. This let the countries concentrate on their more efficient areas leading to specialisation. The ECSC began the beginning of supranational power because the "High Authority could adopt binding decisions" (1) as elements of decision making were carried out by ECSC committees. A supranational power is where the member state has to abide by the de cisions made of the community, as they have power above the national level. When the EC makes a law it is up to the individual state to implement the legislation. An example of EU law which has been passed which has been adopted in the UK is that of the directive 75/117 which states that men and women should receive equal pay. The UK government adopted this directive with the 1975 Sex discrimination Act. There are a number of methods EU legislation is formed for instance regulations, directives and decisions are three different types of EU legislation. I am going to briefly explain these three as the way they will be enforced are different. Regulations have general application that means that all the member states have to adopt the regulation; the member state is expected to adopt the whole regulation. Regulations are directly applicable which means that the "individuals have rights that they can enforce in their own name through national courts"(2).

Monday, August 19, 2019

Free Great Gatsby Essays: Social Attitudes :: Great Gatsby Essays

Social Attitudes Represented in The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This novel is in general about middle and upper class American citizens and their lives a few years after the first world war had concluded.   The author, a World War I veteran himself, shows insight into the lives and minds of American soldiers who fought in Europe during the conflict and the interesting experiences some may have had in the years following their return.   Through written conversation, the novel deals with many of the social attitudes and ideas that prevailed during the early 20's.   Historical facts are cleverly infused into the body of the novel that gives the reader an authentic and classic impression of the story.   A clear view of the discrimination that existed in that time period against non-whites and women was evident by the time the conclusion of the book was reached.   For instance, a conversation takes place between characters in the novel in which civilization is said to be going to pieces as a result of "The Rise of the Coloured Empires".   Women are also constantly referred to as "girls".   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Also incorporated, was an interesting but sometimes uneventful sub-plot of a man's extreme love for a woman and the catastrophic events that take place as a result.   This was indicative of many people of the day who had a spouse but also maintained a relationship outside of the marrage.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The plot centres on a fictional World War I army veteran named Nick Carraway.   After his involvement in the war on the allied side with a machine gun battalion, he returned to his home in Chicago. With no clear direction of what he wanted to do with his life, he decided to move to New York to enter into the business of selling bonds.   He settled down on an area of Long Island called West Egg, directly beside a more fashionable area of Long Island called West Egg.   Across from him lived a rich man named Jay Gatsby who also was a World War I vet.   Not far away lived a married couple Daisy and Tom Buchanan which he knew relatively well.   It was at their residence that he met a woman, Jordan Baker, who was to become his good friend and later his girl friend.   Carraway soon became a good friend with his rich neighbour next door, Gatsby, and soon was exposed to many rumours about this man which caused him to question his relationship with him.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Questions Frequently Asked Concerning the Purchase of a Website :: Sell Websites Buy Websites

Questions Frequently Asked Concerning the Purchase of a Website Reprinted with permission of VotanWeb.com What are the key motivators for people to buy a website? Before making a decision to purchase a website, a buyer should understand his or her objectives to make sure those objectives can be met by purchasing a particular website. Surveys of people purchasing websites reveal similar responses. Surprisingly, making money is not at the top of the list. Here is a list of the typical answers, in their order of importance: I want to control my own destiny. I would be happier if I worked for myself. My current work does not take advantage of my skills and abilities. I want to make a lot of money. Should I start my own website or buy an existing website? An existing website has a historical track record (good or bad) which can be used to evaluate the website. An existing website has usually shown there is demand for its products or services, and it should have, among other things, detailed financial records. Sometimes, a seller of a website will agree to help to train a new owner. These are important factors because many websites tend to fail during the early stage of their development. On the other hand, there can also be disadvantages to buying an existing website. A buyer will be assuming an established website culture and infrastructure which may make implementing changes more difficult. Also buyers will generally have to pay a premium for an existing website. What should I be looking for in a website? A buyer should only consider a website he or she will feel comfortable owning and operating. The time and effort which will be required is an important consideration as is how much the buyer can afford to pay for the website. The amount of cash the buyer needs to regularly take out of the website is very important, especially if the website is to be the buyer's only source of income. Because many experts believe you should not purchase a website unless you can make it better, it is helpful if a buyer has some definite ideas on how to improve the purchased website. Can I obtain financing to help me buy a website? The availability of outside financing will depend upon the asset base of the website, its operating history, collateral availability and projected cash flow - the same issues considered in all business lending.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

The Design Argument – as Level

Outline the Key Concepts of the Design Argument [21 marks] The design argument is also referred to at the Teleological Argument stemmed from the Greek work ‘Telos’ meaning end or purpose. It is an ‘A posterior’ argument (from experience) based on our empirical senses and it is synthetic meaning that it is from observation. The argument is also inductive meaning there a number of possible conclusions. The main basis of the Teleological argument is based on a designer commonly known as ‘the classical God of theism’ (hereafter referred to as God)The outline of the design argument is that the universe has order and purpose and is regular, the complexities of the universe demonstrate some form of design, a design requires a designer, and this designer is God. This however is an inductive leap meaning that the Design argument is valid but not sound. The key concepts of the argument are that the universe has order, there are laws and regularities, the universe has purpose, and therefore the objects in the universe appear to work towards and end or purpose.The universe has benefit, meaning that it provides all that is necessary for life and more and finally, the suitability for human life, as the Universe provides ideal environments and conditions for human life to exist and flourish. Like the cosmological argument, the design argument goes back to Plato, who stated that the human body, with all its particles and elements, must owe its origin to ‘the royal mind soul and mind in the nature of Zeus’.The theory of the Design argument was first put forward by Socrates who was a Greek Philosopher who lived in 400 BC, one of the main strengths of Socrates proposing this theory is this means it is a Pre Christian idea and also that it has withstood the test of time. Socrates said ‘With such signs of forethought in the design of living creatures how can there be any doubt that they are the work of choice or design. â₠¬â„¢ Thomas Aquinas who lived in the 13th century furthered the idea of Socrates Design Argument; he wrote a book called the ‘Summa Theologica’ and was strongly influenced by Aristotle.Aquinas rejected the possibility of an infinite regress of movers and causes to explain the existence of movers and causes to explain the existence of mutable beings. Aquinas proposed 5 ways to prove the existence of God, the unmoved mover, the uncaused case, Possibility and Necessity, Goodness Truth and Nobility and the Teleological Argument. He called these the fifth way and is ‘’from the governance of things’’. Aquinas also proposed the theory of design qua regularity, ‘That we call God’.Aquinas maintained that since such behaviour patterns rarely change, and their end result is beneficial, there must be a purpose to them, and if non-rational beings can work towards such a goal, something must be directing them to do so. ‘Now whatever lacks knowledge cannot move towards an end, unless directed, and this being we call God. ’ He also championed the Analogy of the arrow directed by the archer showing that in order for something to end somewhere, there must be someone causing the movement, the arrow could not have ended us on the board on its own.William Paley, an 18th Century Philosopher continued to develop the principles of the Design argument, showing many more extended features to Socrates original concept. Paley championed the theory of design qua purpose and that a design requires a designer. ‘’The world is too complex and well-designed to have come about by chance. It seems to have been planned by an intelligent mind for a special purpose. ’’ For Paley, the world is like a machine made up of intricate parts, all of which worked towards an end for the benefit of the whole. Paley proposed the analogy of the watch and the watch maker. ’Suppose you had never seen a watch before . One day when you are out walking, you find one on the ground. You would instantly see how complex it is. ’’ His theory was that if you came across a watch then it is so intricate therefore it must have been designed. Therefore the universe is so fine-tuned that there must have been a designer for this too. It is obvious that both are not there by chance. Another analogy for this is the eye is designed so well for the purpose of seeing. A designer gave each part of the universe a special purpose. Paley makes the inductive leap to say that this designer is God.The Anthropic principle is a key feature of the Design argument and suits the theory of Design qua Regularity proposed by F. R. Tennant showing that science and religion are one in the same. He argues that human life flourishes on earth, therefore there must have been a supreme designer, that designer being God. Tennant accepts the scientific reasoning of evolution as a fine balance of ‘’fine tuningà ¢â‚¬â„¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ and God’s chosen way to support life. Tennant also argues that ‘’the world could so easily have been chaotic’’ and that ‘’the universe is not chaotic, nature is the outcome of intelligent design. ’ Others argue that the earth runs so smoothly and everything works together therefore ‘’The world is compatible with a single throw of a dice and common sense is not foolish in suspecting the dice has been loaded’’ cited by Vardy. James Lovelock of the 20th century furthered the anthropic principle in ways of the Gaia Hypothesis, ‘’engineering on a planetary scale’’ cited by Vardy. He suggests that the oxygen content in the air, the salt content in the sea and the temperature of the earth are all precise in order for human life to flourish.If the oxygen content in the air were to be 12% less no fire would be able to burn, if the oxygen content were 25% more, then no f ire would ever go out, however over the last 25 million years, the oxygen content has remained at 21% which is perfect to sustain human life. One other person who championed the idea of the Anthropic principle is Arthur Brown from the 20th century, he says that science shows the way in which a designer chose to design, †The ozone gas layer is mighty proof of the creators forethought†¦ Just the right thickness and exactly the correct defence, gives evidence of a plan. ‘ However there are two type of Anthropic principle, the weak Anthropic principle states that conditions on the earth were such that human life adapted to the conditions, for example evolution. The strong anthropic principle revolves around conditions being set up for human life to be introduced, for example a Baby's nursery being all ready for the baby to be introduced into it. In 1986 Freeman Dyson said â€Å"in the universe there are many accidents of physics and astronomy that have worked together for our benefit, it almost seems as if the universe knew we were coming. The weak anthropic principle however states that human life adapted to the conditions of the earth, for example, by way of evolution. This does not eliminate that Evolution means that there was no divine power involved, in the 19th century Archbishop Temple stated â€Å"The doctrine of evolution leaves the argument for an intelligent creator†¦ stronger than it was before. † In the 20th century, Tennant worked alongside Taylor in proposing the aesthetic principle which observes that the universe possess a natural beauty that goes beyond that which is necessary to live.For example art, literature, music all contribute in making the world a nicer place for us to live, we would be able to live without these things however F. R Tennant observes that ‘Nature is not just beautiful in places it is saturated with beauty†¦ from an intelligent point of view beauty seems to be superfluous to have lit tle survival value. ‘ Another example of the aesthetic principle is shown within people and the example of Weary Dunlop, cited by Vardy. Weary Dunlop was an Australian Doctor during World War II who cared for thousands of injured soldiers who showed endless compassion and love.This example shows that humans are not selfish, leading to an intelligent designer creating some humans to have beauty beyond what is necessary. Franciscan Theology also supports the aesthetic principle and stresses the idea of beauty and the beauty within creation; this therefore leads to a direct pointer of God's nature, showing an omnibenevolent and numinous experience. In the 20th century Richard Swinburne furthered the argument of God due to that of Design, by developing the argument of probability as a key concept.He furthered a statement made by Socrates, ‘with such signs of forethought in the design of living creature, how can there be doubt that they are the work of choice or design. †™ Swinburne suggested that the evidence of design and the order in the universe increases the probability of the existence of God. He states that a belief in God is compatible with science. This is due to the theory that without a designer the universe could have been chaotic, the universe seems to be governed therefore order is present, order is more probable and the probability for design is much greater than that of chance.Swinburne uses the parable of the card shuffling machine to show that if a man was locked in a room with 10 card shuffling machines and unless the ten machines all chose an ace of hearts from each of the packs, he would die, however the machine chooses an ace of hearts from each pack. Swinburne says it would not be adequate for the victim to claim that no explanation of the draw is required here. You would have expected the card machines to have been designed that way as the chances of this happening are seemingly almost impossible.Swinburne uses this parable to even say that ‘’the very succession of science is showing us how deeply ordered the natural world is’’ and that ‘’science provides strong grounds for believing that there is a deeper cause in that order. ’’ Harold Morowitz thought that the chances of the universe being ordered in such a way would be the equivalent of throwing four billion penny pieces into the air and all of them landing ‘heads up’. William Ockham developed the theory of Ockham’s razor, and even though not specifically to do with the design argument, he states that ‘’the simplest explanation is usually the best explanation’.Fred Hoyle continued Swinburne’s probability as a way of explaining a need for a designer by proposing that the probability that the universe developed by chance is much the same as if a whirlwind flew threw and junkyard and assembling a Boeing 747. Even though Kant rejects the idea of the des ign argument he even states that ‘it is the oldest, the clearest and most accordant with the common reason of mankind’ and that ‘this proof always deserves to be mentioned with respect’. b. Comment on the view that the strengths outweigh the weaknesses [9 marks]The teleological argument contains many opponents who have found weaknesses within its theory. Epicurus, a Greek Philosopher devised the Epicuran Hypothesis, stating that the universe has come about only by chance and that a number of particles floating around in space, at some point these particles formed together to create a universe, due to there being enough time for the combination of particles to make a universe. He rejects Swinburne’s theory of probability and believes that the chaotic state, by chance, led to order.Sarah Tyler explains this theory in ways of monkeys and typewriters in saying that if an ‘infinite number of monkeys’ were to be given an ‘infinite amount of typewriters’, in time they would eventually ‘produce the entire works of Shakespeare’. However, in my opinion, judging by Epicuran Hypothesis and then Swinburne’s theory of probability, I believe that the strength of Swinburne’s argument outweighs that of Epicurus. Neither can be proven however with what humans know today, Swinburne’s development somewhat seems more probable in explaining how the universe began.I believe that the strengths in this case outweigh the weaknesses of the design argument. The main critic of the Design argument was David Hume in the 18th century, who was an empiricist, therefore based all his arguments of proof. He does not reject the idea of God, however fails to make the inductive leap from having a designer to that designer being God. He says that ‘the world was only the first rude essay of some infant deity who abandoned it afterwards. ’ Hume believes that if there is a God that this God is not necessarily what humans assume him to be, if he is even still in existence.Hume also believes that there could have been a ‘co-operative of lesser god. ’ For example a man who claims he builds his own house does not actually build it but requires others to do the work for him, e. g. a carpenter, electrician. Hume states that humans ‘assume’ what is going on outside the world and beyond, yet we cannot know. Another rejection of the design argument from Hume is that he says the world around us is not perfect yet religious believers claim that God is perfect and unlimited in every way, therefore if a perfect God designed the world, why isn’t it perfect?Hume then furthered his rejection of the Design argument by refuting the use of analogies by saying that they are unsound because God is beyond human understanding therefore anyone who uses Analogies is supporting anthropomorphism and likening God to a human or object, therefore making God less divine. Hu me also says that the world is natural like an animal or vegetables, it is organic and it grows changes and moves. Hume continues to say ‘the world is more organic than mechanic’, likening the world to a carrot. Hume does have many more criticisms on the Design Argument however his main problem with it is due to the inductive leap.Other criticisms of his include not assuming the laws of cause and effect. In my opinion, Hume’s argument for the weaknesses of the design argument is a very strong argument as he considers the theory of God when proposing his ideas. No other person has been able to challenge Hume’s criticism that if the world is not perfect then God cannot be omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omniscient, leading to a gap in the inconsistent triad of God. In my opinion I think that this weakness does have an impact on all other strengths as it is the only one hat I can definitely say is a valid argument and makes sense to me. Another person who oppo ses the Design argument is J. S. Mill in the 19th century, who furthered the work of Hume and goes contrary to the idea of the world being an ordered, beautiful and harmonious place. He looks at the problem of suffering and that as there is so much in the world, this goes against the idea of an all loving, all powerful God. He states that if there were a designer God, he would have control over cosmic forces. ‘’Go straight to their end without regarding whom or what they crush in their road. ’ In my opinion, this weakness is fairly strong as the problem of evil demonstrates a limited God. A God that is wholly good or wholly powerful would not have created evil therefore it has to be one or the other. JS Mill personally believes that this God is good but not all powerful. Charles Darwin of the 19th century, wrote the book ‘Origin of Species’ is another person who refutes the design argument and provided an alternative explanation for the design of wor ld without reference to God, this is the theory of evolution and natural selection, ‘the survival of the fittest. However, I believe that Darwin’s theory of evolution is a weak argument against the existence of a God as it can also be placed into the category of the weak anthropic principle as the way God chose to introduce human beings; however we adapted to the conditions over time. Therefore I believe that Paley as a proponent of the design argument, his theory of there being a designer to design the universe is a much stronger argument than Charles Darwin’s theory of Evolution as there is no explanation as to where evolution began in the first place, so ultimately no conclusion.Richard Dawkins of the 20th century argues that Natural Selection give the appearance of design however we are mistaken into believing that this shows there must be a designer. He opposes Swinburne and Tennant and Taylor and says that nature is random, meaning the world was formed by c hance. He says that ‘’Biology is God’’ and people are lazy therefore made up this ‘’God of the Gaps’’. He says there is ‘’no more evidence for God then there is the Easter Bunny’ and that ‘life has no purpose’ and ‘God is a superfluous hypothesis’.I believe that this weakness to disprove the Design argument is weak as there is no evidence and is trying to disprove one of the earliest theories by comparing it to the Easter Bunny, therefore I feel that this weakness does not outweigh any of the strengths. A. J Ayre as another opponent said ‘unless we can say what the world is like without design we cannot conclude design’. Kant furthered this by saying the world could be chaotic but we perceive it as being ordered.To conclude this argument, the design argument is a religiously ambiguous and Paul Davies makes this clear by stating ‘’this is really a question of your threshold of conviction. It has to be a matter of personal taste whether you regard the accumulated evidence as compelling enough to want to make that inductive leap. ’’ The design argument is eschatologically verifiable. Many people however still are not convinced yet do not reject the argument fully, for example John Wisdom’s parable of the Gardener showing that everyone has different opinions on how the world was designed and has been maintained.John Lesley also says that ‘’if rocks had made by God stamped on them we would know it is made by God – they don’t’ therefore we can’t know for sure. In conclusion to the question of strengths and weaknesses I feel that for me, the strengths, even, though there may be fewer than weaknesses, their principles outweigh the number of weaknesses. I personally think that the design argument cannot thoroughly prove the existence of God; however it gives a clear indicator to a des igner.