The Differences in Views About Human Nature Essay Example for Free

The Differences in Views About Human Nature Essay He believes that â€Å"Individual effort was needed to cultivate oneself, but one’s natural tendencies were good to begin with. In this way, Mencius has integrated elements of Taoism into his theory. Basically, people are born well with good intentions, but they must work to maintain their good nature. Mencius says, â€Å"Every person has a heart-mind which feels for others† . He applies this to a famous example – if one witnessed a child falling into a well, it is not possible to not feel anything. Every person has the heart-mind that would be shocked and sympathetic, which may become the motivation to act and save the child. It would not be for the sake on being on good terms with the child’s parents, or be praised by the neighbors . However, if one listens to their senses of desire, â€Å"I don’t want to be involved† or â€Å"If I try to save the child, I might injure myself in the process†, then they would stop themselves from helping. It is important to point out that Mencius did not mention anything about how ones responding â€Å"act†, and that it is having the â€Å"feeling† that counts. On the other hand, Xunzi believed that human nature is bad. Nobody is born with principles accustomed in their nature. For that reason, people must be educated and cultivated in ethics to become good. Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity. â€Å"A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to violence and crime, and any sense of loyalty and good faith will be abandoned. † However, he also believed that, although human nature is bad, people still have the capacity to becoming good. For example, a great leader like Martin Luther King was born no differently from Adolf Hitler. They both inherited the same nature at birth. Applying Xunzi’s theory, the differences would be that one practiced benevolence and righteousness, as well as followed the proper rules and standards, and one (Hitler) obviously did not. This also suggests that these elements are principles that have to be known first before being put into practice. It is about the environment that one is brought up with that influences the way one acts. If you do not know a man, look at his friends; if you do not know a ruler, look at his attendants. Environment is the important thing! Environment is the important thing! As for the basis for ruling a country, I would personally choose Mencius’s assertion of human nature is good. For example, if the leader of America thought about Iraq in Xunzi’s perspective, that human nature is bad, they would be on guard and suspicious of the motives of the Iraqi people. This leads to the feeling of unease and both sides are tensed. The inability to trust will result to both countries expecting the worst, and therefore making the situation more aggravated and war will be more likely to break out. While, by thinking in Mencius’s perspective, America would only assume the good in Iraqi people, and that there can be a solution made through a mutual understanding through trust, decency and self-actualization. No more nuclear weapons will be produced and less conflicts will happen, which leads to less innocent people dying. It is better to assume that people are born good, so it is easier to feel security and trust each other. 100% Mencius for everyone is the perfect recipe to WORLD PEACE. That’s right.

Symbolic Speech Should Be Protected -- mh

Why Symbolic Speech Should Be Protected 1. The measure of a great society is the ability of its citizens to tolerate the viewpoints of those with whom they disagree. As Voltaire once said, â€Å"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it† (Columbia). This right to express one's opinion can be characterized as â€Å"freedom of speech.† The concept of â€Å"freedom of speech† is a Constitutional right in the United States, guaranteed under the First Amendment to the Constitution: â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances† (U.S. Constitution). Because it is a Constitutional right, the concept of freedom of speech is hardly ever questioned. â€Å"On its most basic level [freedom of speech] means you can express an opinion without fear of censorship by the government, even if that opinion is an unpopular one† (Landmark Cases). However, the actions of Americans that are included under â€Å"free speech,† are often questioned. Many people support the theory of â€Å"free speech,† but may oppose particular practices of free speech that personally offend them. This hypocrisy is illustrated by the case of Neo-Nazis whose right to march in Skokie, Illinois in 1979 was protested by many, but ultimately successfully defended by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The residents of this predominantly Jewish town which contained many Holocaust survivors were offended by the presence of the Neo-Nazis. However, then ACLU Executive Director Aryeh Neier, who... ...sday . 27 February 2003. Pedulla, Tom. â€Å"Spurning anthem creates rancor.† USA Today. â€Å"Texas v. Johnson.† (1989). â€Å"Landmark Supreme Court Cases.† â€Å"Thomas Search Engine.† Library of Congress. â€Å"Tinker v. Des Moines.† (1969). Landmark Supreme Court Cases. â€Å"United States v. O'Brien.† (1968). â€Å"U.S. Constitution.†

Favorite Trip

Topic #12 I have visited many places in my lifetime, from as far east as Florida to the topics of Kauai. There were two places during my travels that have stuck out to me the most though. Visiting Mason City, Illinois, a little town of twenty-two hundred people and visiting family in Beverly Hills, California, there are bound to be some differences but also, some similarities on the subject. The majority of people in the United States, even internationally, know what Beverly Hills is.It is the place to be for amazing shopping, fancy cars, big houses, and the place to go to see celebrities. This little town in Southern California is very materialistic. When visiting, I almost felt as though I had to dress and act like these people just to fit into their society. Now, Mason City is my kind of vacation. Back in the country, life really does move slower and it is much simpler. What you wear and what you look like do not matter.The older and more broke down your truck is, the better off y ou are for mud bogging and road tripping to surrounding towns and the creeks. Everybody knows everybody and where each other live. In Beverly Hills, there are a wide variety of job professions. You could be virtually anything your heart desired, from being a banker to being a personal assistant to someone famous. The work that they do in California is on the opposite end of the spectrum compared to the work they do in Illinois.In Mason City, you either works on some kind of a farm, be it a pig farm or a corn farm, or you work for the local HULL Trucking Company. Obviously, there are other professions there otherwise there would be no local businesses or education, etc. That is virtually impossible. The job choices in both places are ways that people make their livings and contribute to our society. Beverly Hills is an urban jungle, full of high rises and the lovely smell of a big city. There are loud noises and a lot of vehicle and foot traffic through its winding streets and hills. I’m pretty sure that the drivers of these fancy vehicles on these winding streets make up their own rules of the road, almost like they are more obligated than others. In M. C. there is one road in and out of the town, Highway 65. There are not even any traffic lights, and only a few stop signs. Most roads there only require you to yield and make sure there is no one coming. People that are from Central and Southern Illinois say that Chicago and its surrounding suburbs should be considered an entirely different state. I believe that this is true.Central Illinois is rolling plains and a horizon as far as the eye can see. The smell of fresh air and the surroundings, make it an absolutely beautiful place to visit or to even live. Illinois is probably where I will end up some day, owning a farm and lots of animals. It was and still is my favorite place to visit in the United States. But, having been visiting California all of my life, it has a special place in my heart. These pla ces are polar opposites in every way imaginable. I like being able to visit different ways of life.

Cross Cultural Field Experience

Cross cultural experiences can be defined in many different ways. Some people view these experiences as a way to interact with individuals who are diverse, often experiencing things one would not typically experience within their own culture. A cross cultural experience allows someone to share within another’s culture. These experiences can enrich the lives of those who participate by offering experience, knowledge, patience and an understanding into ones culture. Jesus Power Assembly of God I had the pleasure of attending a Sunday worship session on June 2, 2013 at Jesus Power Assembly of God. This church is a bible based and primarily immigrant church located in Columbus, Ohio and founded by Pastor Bismark Osei Akomeah. Reverend Akomeah is the Senior Pastor of Jesus Power Assembly of God church. He has planted four other Assemblies of God churches in Cincinnati and Georgia. He has also created French and Swahili speaking churches. First Impressions My daughter arranged this visit for us since she has a friend that attends the church. As soon as my daughter and I pulled into the parking lot I realized that this was going to be cultural experience for us. We were the only people in the whole church that were not dark skinned. We were starred at. There were whispers behind our backs. We were approached almost immediately by Pastor Bismark Osei Akomeah with welcome arms. I am sure he was wondering how we ended up finding our way into his church as the first thing he asked was if we were invited by a member. Hailey and I found our way into the sanctuary and took a seat in the back. Truthfully I wanted to make sure I could make a break if we needed to. The music and the singing were phenomenal! There was a choir and a band and there wasn’t anyone sitting in their seats. All were up and praising the word of God. The singing went on for a good amount of time before we actually started the sermon. The people were friendly and welcoming. We were approached several times and encouraged to move up closer to the front of the church. Many people came by and shook our hands and spoke to us. In fact, I actually felt more important and â€Å"loved† at this particular church than I have ever felt at any other church I have attended. The Sermon The sermon itself was given in both English and Swahili. The church has large screens in which the words to the sermon were put on so that people could follow along. It was an active service. I was especially surprised at the events for the day. The service started at 10 am with an opening prayer. There was praise and worship for 45 minutes which consisted of a combination of singing and talking. For about 10 minutes following the initial sermon there was time set aside for the welcoming of visitors. Each person took the microphone and said their names and identified how they came into the church. Hailey and I declined to take the microphone and all were understanding and sympathetic. Following the introductions of visitors, there were announcements for the church, more songs and music. The Pastor took the stage at about 11:15 with the sermon for the day. The sermon lasted for about an hour and a half. This was an extremely long service compared to what I am used to at a typical church service. When the sermon was completed there was an additional hour of praying, singing and the passing of the offering plate. The entire service from start to finish was 3 hours long! The one thing that was surprising to me was the difference in the length of the service compared to what I have experienced in the past. The longest service I have ever been a part of was an hour, at the most. These people spent almost the entire day together. Once the service was completed they went into another room in the basement and had a huge spread of food they shared. Church to this group of people was a family event. They prayed together, sang together and broke bread together. There is a clear difference between a Swahili service and a Lutheran or Christian service. Conclusion This experience was an emotional and eye opening event for me. I was able to share in another cultures religious experience and the group welcomed me with open arms. Sharing this experience with my teenage daughter was a valuable lesson for her as well. Although I have always raised my daughter to be accepting of all people regardless of color, religion or culture, she was able to immerse herself in another’s culture and see what it was like.

Free Essays on Alcatraz

â€Å"You are entitled to food clothing, shelter and medical attention. Anything else you get is a privilege.† (Number 5, Alcatraz Prison Rules and Regulations, 1934) This rule was one of the realities of life inside the walls of the U.S. Federal Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island. The island is in the heart of San Francisco Bay, just a mile and a quarter away from one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The subject of many movies and books, Alcatraz became a symbol of America’s dark side. There are a lot of documentaries, movies, articles and books about Alcatraz. From fiction rather than fact, we have stories of the prison and of some of the real men who lived in its cells: Al â€Å"Scarface† Capone and Robert Stroud, the â€Å"Birdman of Alcatraz†. Jolene Babyak, the author of Eyewitness on Alcatraz and a former resident of the island, says that the residents of the island were rarely interviewed and the truth of Alcatraz has often been overlooked, lost in the fog of its myths. Alcatraz has been so much more than just a notorious penitantiary. In the time allowed I’d like to tell you about the major purposes the island served throughout its history. Welcome to Alcatraz. It all started on July 18, 1850 when a military board proposed a three-point defensive strategy for San Francisco Bay. This approach required that a massive brick fort be built on each side of the Golden Gate. Alcatraz was selected as the third site with smaller fortification. The city and its rich port were very tempting for Confederate raiders and during the Civil War Alcatraz was an important part of the U.S. Army’s western defense plan. However military technology advanced quickly and the island’s defense became obsolete. In 1907 the Army formally decommissioned Alcatraz as a fortification. When the fort was decommissioned, regular army troops were replaced by the U.S. Military Guard. They tore down the citadel built during the war and start... Free Essays on Alcatraz Free Essays on Alcatraz â€Å"You are entitled to food clothing, shelter and medical attention. Anything else you get is a privilege.† (Number 5, Alcatraz Prison Rules and Regulations, 1934) This rule was one of the realities of life inside the walls of the U.S. Federal Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island. The island is in the heart of San Francisco Bay, just a mile and a quarter away from one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The subject of many movies and books, Alcatraz became a symbol of America’s dark side. There are a lot of documentaries, movies, articles and books about Alcatraz. From fiction rather than fact, we have stories of the prison and of some of the real men who lived in its cells: Al â€Å"Scarface† Capone and Robert Stroud, the â€Å"Birdman of Alcatraz†. Jolene Babyak, the author of Eyewitness on Alcatraz and a former resident of the island, says that the residents of the island were rarely interviewed and the truth of Alcatraz has often been overlooked, lost in the fog of its myths. Alcatraz has been so much more than just a notorious penitantiary. In the time allowed I’d like to tell you about the major purposes the island served throughout its history. Welcome to Alcatraz. It all started on July 18, 1850 when a military board proposed a three-point defensive strategy for San Francisco Bay. This approach required that a massive brick fort be built on each side of the Golden Gate. Alcatraz was selected as the third site with smaller fortification. The city and its rich port were very tempting for Confederate raiders and during the Civil War Alcatraz was an important part of the U.S. Army’s western defense plan. However military technology advanced quickly and the island’s defense became obsolete. In 1907 the Army formally decommissioned Alcatraz as a fortification. When the fort was decommissioned, regular army troops were replaced by the U.S. Military Guard. They tore down the citadel built during the war and start...

Fashion Assignment - Armani Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fashion Assignment - Armani - Essay Example The essay "Fashion Assignment - Armani" concerns Giorgio Armani's fashion. To best understand the brand design architecture of Giorgio Armani, we fist need to create an understanding of the environment in which it operates. Armani has diversified into many brand facets, adding more levels to its brands pyramid, with the original Giorgio Armani still at the apex. This shows the pride which it wishes to create for its parent brand, while forwarding its legacy down to the following brands. The setting up of standards is very crucial for Armani, as whenever, a new brand is launched, it is overseen to be aligned with the set standards of the parent brand itself. Giorgio Armani (at the top of the grid) is a very successful and elite corporate brand with a sole proprietorship; being the first in line showcasing the exquisite collection of couture gowns and suits to match the new fashion trends, targeting the segment of the elite class groups between the age of 35 – 50 with a high ran ge of prices and superior quality. While targeting the elite class, the line of Armani brands has made sure to target the upper middle class as well. The Armani Collizioni, caters to the segment of customers who love Armani as a brand but cannot afford the originally luxurious Armani and so Collizioni incorporates lower prices than that of its parent brand with a little simpler designs in order to sell to this segment of population. Similarly, Armani exchange caters to a very different and casual market grouping with realistic prices., unlike their couture lines. It is for the general public to take pride in wearing Armani and to create an association with the parent brand. Armani exchange is the most affordable and accessible brand in the Armani chain of stores. To be noted here, is Armani’s way of targeting each and every segment in the market while also not decreasing the perceived value and luxurious image of the brand. Each and every segment is targeted with a new name a long with the originally created legacy of its parent Brand (Magnoni & Roux, 2011). Going totally diverse from its initial offerings, Armani features a furniture line named as Armani Casa which entails the alluring Armani pride while offering high-end home decor; magnificently designed furniture, lamps, linens and fine dining essentials. In contrast to its other brands, Casa has only 40 stores worldwide which shows their lack of focus towards their range of furnishings. However, to make its furniture line more exclusive, all Armani hotels and Cafe’s are furnished with its own brand Casa (Giorgioarmani.com, 2012). Armani emphasizes greatly on its logo and towards creating its brand image, this is exceptionally evident through its efforts of framing the brand luxury and stressing on the brand name in all its sub brands. For clothing Armani has made sure to cover all market segments with naming its stores differently, however, the parent brand still has been associated with the new store names (Tungate, 2008). Brand Architecture The brand architecture of Armani communicates its marketing philosophy. The way Armani caters to all market segments is by highlighting the uniqueness of the brand itself and through appealing to different population segments based on their personalities (Magnoni &

The Dreaming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Dreaming - Essay Example It defines their values, beliefs and relationships. Knowledge of the Dreaming has promoted the development of the land. The aboriginals have many dreaming stories, which describe their own origins and how the landscape was formed. They also serve to teach children about various things, such as the world of nature and spirit, right and wrong behaviour, and social norms. As such, they are not merely stories, but expressions of their belief system that once also involved ritual and totemic associations (Tunbridge, 1988). In fact, they describe the history of the people, which was rich in culture and oral literature. Behavioural lessons include examples for demonstrating the importance of good manners, sharing, honesty, respect for elders, etc. The American ethnographer, Deborah Bird Rose, observed, â€Å"the inherent ethos of the Dreaming regarding human behaviour can be summarised as four basic laws †¦ [which] emphasise balance, response, symmetry and autonomy† (McBride, 20 00: 4). Balance is necessary for a system to be able to enhance the quality of life, and each part shares responsibility for sustaining itself and for balancing the others. Response emphasises the reciprocity of communication, and it reminds of the obligation to learn, understand, pay attention and respond. Symmetry ensures the parts in a balance are equivalent and that no one dominates another. Autonomy stresses, â€Å"authority and dependence are necessary within parts, but not between parts (Rose, 1993: 4-5 in McBride, 2000: 5), so no species, group or country should lead over another. A number of further important aspects of The Dreaming also deserve attention. One of these is that it assumes a considerable knowledge on the part of listeners. In particular, â€Å"there are allusions which can only be understood by those with comprehensive linguistic and cultural knowledge† (Tunbridge, 1988: xxx). Even an outsider who is culturally immersed would find some points difficul t to grasp, and some would only be able to be understood by the initiated. However, this shows the need to study a narrative within the context of its roots. Another aspect is change and ‘death’, which are dynamic qualities. For example, there are some accounts of the substitution of species, some site locations become lost due to changes in the social environment, and the accounts too sometimes change as they do in space. The latter demonstrates the need for adaptation due to both physical and social changes. As far as the characters in The Dreaming are concerned, the spirits (nguthuna) feature a lot besides people (yuras), animals, etc. They can assume a variety of forms including mammals and birds, but they have human powers and more besides. They also appear in various social relationships. Sometimes they appear as first stage initiates (vardnapas), sometimes with adult responsibilities, whereas sometimes they are punished for unacceptable behaviour. The Dreaming al so leaves behind certain ‘signs’ as evidence of the reality of events. These indicate the spiritual ancestors’ presence or passing. Sometimes a character could even leave multiple images behind during an event, which are different manifestations. These include marks such as in the form of rock carvings. All of these provide evidence that a Dreamtime Spirit has passed through the place and that the places â€Å"