Kant and Mill Essays

Kant and Mill Essays Kant and Mill Essay Kant and Mill Essay Essay Topic: Immanuel Kant Kant and Mill Name: Course: Date: Kant and Mill Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill, both prominent philosophers have diverse opinions towards the elements of moral theories. Kant’s views are considered rather interesting while compared to those of Mill, which are more conservative. The differences in their beliefs pertaining to the moral laws have been a cause for controversy for the longest period. The ‘new-age’ philosophers have accepted neither Kant’s theory nor Mill’s. Instead, they have stated that none of the theories can stand individually but if they are both put together, they are more sensible. However, this has also stemmed some more debate and so the matter has remained unsolved in philosophy. The good will of a person is alleged to be an intrinsic feature of the individual. It refers to the kind of good that chooses to fulfill its moral duty to act in a certain way that is expected by the society. Kant stated, â€Å"A good will is not good because of what it affects or accomplishes.à ¢â‚¬  This statement is alluring not only because of the logic behind it but because it applies a lot to humanity. This is because the message the statement depicts is that a person’s goodwill is not presumably good because of the effect of the actions of the person in question. For this reason, Kant’s statement appeals to me. The actions of an individual may be focused on merely favoring some inclinations and the sum of the inclinations in question. This kind of goodwill is lacking in power according to the moral theories by both Mill and Kant. However, it should be known that goodwill could let a person have a good disposition to will in a certain way. Kant mentioned two key aspects in his theory, â€Å"the good will and duty.† Kant did not think that any outcome was in the favor of general good. This paper will take up the concept of duty, which includes that of an individual’s good will. Good character trait like ingenuity, intelligence and courage are important in any morally upright person. However, these traits can lead someone to do the wrong thing and in so do ing become ‘evil’. He uses this to describe the good will of humankind. Kant thinks the only intrinsically good thing in a person is the good will. Good will is not only shown by appearance and actions but it is based on the outcomes of the actions. If the results are good, the will is also believed to be good. Intrinsic good refers to a concept that assumes that something’s good is found in itself. Duty on the other hand is the necessity to act out of reverence for the law and moral codes in a certain setting. It does not depend on results of a particular action and any principles. Laws teach us what we can or cannot do. We have to follow these principles, which guide our actions. The maxim should be consistent with laws. For instance, a person who talks on the phone during a movie, they have to keep their voices low. Such a person should consider whether the act is worth it or not. If the person foresees any bad consequences, it will be wiser to desist from the action. Mill’s illustrious formulation in philosophy is filled with religious intolerance. He appealed for freedom and his opinion is that if all human beings have the same opinions apart from one; only that the one person has a contrary view. The rest of the human beings with a similar view have no reason to forbid this person to speak just because they have differing opinions. There is no logical reason that warrants the prohibiting of the opposing party to air his or her views. Mill has a formulation called the â€Å"greatest happiness principle.† It helps people to do the right thing in appropriate proportions, as they strive to promote general happiness for all humankind. He clearly states that there is a difference between higher and lower forms of happiness. He defines the difference between higher and lower forms of happiness with the principle that those who have experienced both tend to prefer one to the other. Kant thought the fundamental principle of our moral duties is a categorical imperative. It commands us to exercise our wills in a particular way and to not do wrong since we posses rational wills. Both of Kant and Mill’s opinions are based on reputable principles. Kant was a philosopher and astronomer. He was also a founder of German classical philosophy and idealism. He is considered one of the most influential thinkers of modern Europe. He depicts the moral obligation of philosophy. According to him, an act is right if and only if it is done because of an individual’s sense of duty. However, for Mill, an act is right if and only if it results in the happiness of humanity regardless of the duty of the person. Kant believes that what matters is that the will that was involved. Mill’s is an empiricist theory because he believes that the outcome and consequences of the action is what matters. Kant’s is a rationalist theory. He has good intentions though invalid because in reality, nowadays, the outcome is what matters as opposed to the reason the action took place. Mill rejects the Kantian tendency to separate morality and happiness. Happiness is morality that includes both physical and intellectual pleasure. Mill espouses the importance of cultivated minds for this reason; through education, humans can tap into the unlimited sources of intellectual stimulation that have been provided by civilization. I disagree with Mill as he thinks happiness arises from instrumental good. In my opinion, it occurs because of the intrinsic good. I believe our mental states determine whether we are happy or not. Mill fails to prove his greatest happiness principle through his varied arguments. I reject empiricism and accept rationalism instead. Although studying and experience can reveal useful information, knowledge can also be acquired from experience. People should accept Kant’s opinion of the difference between phenomenal and numeral reality. This is vital for one to understand his moral philosophy. Our will is in control but the outcome of our will is not. A good person is not someone who does ‘good’ but rather is one who wills to be good.

Biography of Architect Norma Merrick Sklarek

Biography of Architect Norma Merrick Sklarek Architect Norma Merrick Sklarek (born April 15, 1926 in Harlem, New York) worked behind the scenes on some of the largest architectural projects in America. Notable in architectural history as the first Black American woman registered architect in New York and California, Sklarek was also the first Black woman to be elected to the prestigious Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA). In addition to being the production architect for many high-profile Gruen and Associates projects, Sklarek became a role model to many young women entering the male-dominated architecture profession. Sklareks legacy as a mentor is profound. Because of the disparities she faced in her life and career, Norma Merrick Sklarek could be sympathetic to the struggles of others. She led with her charm, grace, wisdom, and hard work. She never excused racism and sexism but gave others the strength to deal with adversities. Architect Roberta Washington has called Sklarek the reigning mother hen to us all. Others have called her The Rosa Parks of Architecture. Fast Facts: Norma Sklarek Occupation: Architect  Ã‚  Ã‚  Also Known as: Norma Merrick Sklarek, Norma Merrick Fairweather, Norma MerrickBorn: April 15, 1926 in Harlem, New YorkDied: February 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaEducation: B.Arch. from Columbia University’s School of Architecture (1950)Architecture with Cesar Pelli: San Bernardino City Hall (1972) ; Columbus Courthouse Center in Indiana (1973); Pacific Design Center in California (1975); The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan (1978)Key Accomplishments: As a Black female, Sklarek became a well-respected project director and educator within the white male dominated field of architecture.Fun Fact: Sklarek been called The Rosa Parks of Architecture East Coast Years Norma Merrick was born to West Indian parents who had moved to Harlem, New York. Sklareks father, a doctor, encouraged her to excel in school and to seek a career in a field not normally open to females or to Americans of color. She attended Hunter High School, an all-girls magnate school, and Barnard College, a womans college associated with Columbia University, which did not accept women students at the time. In 1950 she earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree. After receiving her degree, Norma Merrick was unable to find work at an architecture firm. After being rejected by dozens of firms, she took a job at the New York Department of Public Works. While working there from  1950 to 1954 she studied for and passed the grueling, week-long series of tests to become a licensed architect in New York State - on her first try. She was then in a better position to join the large New York office of Skidmore, Owings Merrill (SOM), working there from 1955 until 1960. Ten years after earning her architecture degree, she decided to move to the West coast. West Coast Years It was Sklareks long association with Gruen and Associates in Los Angeles, California where she made her name within the architecture community. From 1960 until 1980 she used both her architectural expertise and her project management skills to realize the many multi-million dollar projects of the large Gruen firm - becoming the firms first female director in 1966. Sklareks race and sex often were marketing detriments at the time of her employment with major architectural firms. When she was a director at Gruen Associates, Sklarek collaborated with Argentina-born Cà ©sar Pelli on a number of projects. Pelli was Gruens Design Partner from 1968 to 1976, which associated his name with new buildings. As Production Director, Skarek had immense responsibilities but was rarely acknowledged on the finished project. Only the U.S. Embassy in Japan has acknowledged Sklareks contributions - the Embassy website stated that The building was designed by Cà ©sar Pelli and Norma Merrick Sklarek of Gruen Associates of Los Angeles and constructed by Obayashi Corporation, as straightforward and matter-of-fact as Sklarek herself. After 20 years with Gruen, Sklarek left and from 1980 until 1985 became Vice President at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica, California. While there, she directed the construction of Terminal One at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which opened in time for the 1984 summer Olympic games in Los Angeles. In 1985 she left Welton Becket to establish Siegel, Sklarek, Diamond, an all-woman partnership with Margot Siegel and Katherine Diamond. Sklarek is said to have missed working on the large, complicated projects of previous positions, and so she finished her professional career as Principal at the Jerde Partnership in Venice, California from 1989 until her retirement in 1992. Marriages Born Norma Merrick, she was married three times. She is also known as Norma Merrick Fairweather, and her two sons are Fairweathers. Sklarek was the name of Norma Merricks second husband, architect Rolf Sklarek, whom she married in 1967. It becomes understandable why professional women often keep their birth names, as Merrick changed her name again in 1985 when she married Dr. Cornelius Welch, her husband at the time of her death. Quote In architecture, I had absolutely no role model. Im happy today to be a role model for others that follow. Death Norma Sklarek died of heart failure at her home on February 6, 2012. She lived with her third husband in Pacific Palisades, an affluent residential area of Los Angeles, California. Legacy Sklareks life has been filled with many firsts. She was the first Black woman to be licensed as an architect in New York (1954) and in California (1962). In 1959, Sklarek became the first Black woman to become a member of the American architects national professional organization, the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 1980, she was the first woman to be elected a Fellow of the AIA (FAIA). Its notable that in 1923 Paul Revere Williams became the first Black architect to become a member of the AIA, and he rose to become a Fellow in 1957. In 1985, Norma Sklarek helped establish and managed the California firm Siegel, Sklarek, Diamond, one of the first woman-owned and operated architectural firm. Norma Merrick Sklarek collaborated with design architects to transform building ideas from paper to architectural realities. Design architects usually receive all the credit for a building, but just as important is the production architect who sees the project to completion. Austrian-born Victor Gruen has long been credited with inventing the American shopping mall, but Sklarek was ready to carry out the plans, making changes when necessary and solving design problems in real time. Sklareks most significant project collaborations include City Hall in San Bernardino, California, Fox Plaza in San Francisco, California, the original Terminal One at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California, Commons - Courthouse Center in Columbus, Indiana, the Blue Whale of the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles, and the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a Black American architect, Norma Sklarek more than survived in a difficult profession - she thrived. Raised during Americas Great Depression, Norma Merrick developed an intelligence and tenacity of spirit that became an influence to many others in her field. She proved that the architecture profession has a place for anyone willing to persist at doing good work. Sources AIA Audio Interiew: Norma Merrick Sklarek. aia.org/akr/Resources/Audio/AIAP037892?dvidrecspecAIAP037892Bellows, Layla. Norma Sklarek, FAIA: A Litany of Firsts that Defined a Career, and a Legacy. AIA Architect. aia.org/practicing/AIAB093149Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation. Norma Merrick Sklarek.  bwaf.org/dna/archive/entry/norma-merrick-sklarekBWAF Staff. Roberta Washington, FAIA, Makes A Place, Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, February 09, 2012. bwaf.org/roberta-washington-faia-makes-a-place/National Visionary Leadership Project. Norma Sklarek: National Visionary. visionaryproject.org/sklareknorma/U.S. Department of State. Embassy of the United States, Tokyo, Japan. http://aboutusa.japan.usembassy.gov/e/jusa-usj-embassy.html

Analysis of the Impact of the Macro Environment on the Pharmaceutical Assignment

Analysis of the Impact of the Macro Environment on the Pharmaceutical Industry - Assignment Example â€Å"Changing market forces and growing public expectations† (Wilson, 2000, p.12) have added business ethics to the mix. The external environment includes both competitive and industry factors. Interestingly, Johnson et al (2008) expect all competitors to be within the same industry when this might not be the case. Equally, not all industry players compete in the same markets. Thus the diagram reflects the less-than-tidy reality of players who exist within any industry, yet compete across industry boundaries and within different competitive environments, falling outside the rational approach to strategy. The underlying factor is the organization’s ability to control the external environment. An organization has influence in the competitive arena, using marketing tools to influence others, but no control over the macro (PESTEL/STEEPLE) factors and must react to changes when they happen. Strategy traditionally focused on rational future planning, what Whittington (2001) calls â€Å"classical† and Mintzberg and Waters (1985), â€Å"deliberate† strategy. But the effects of changing macro factors fall within Whittington’s (2001) â€Å"systemic† and Mintzberg and Waters’ (1985) â€Å"emergent† strategy as such changes cannot be predicted and consequently would not feature in any strategic planning. In analyzing the external environment, de Kluyver and Pearce (2009 p.59) use global tectonics, defined as â€Å"the process by which developing trends in technology, nature, and society† change the external environment. Three tectonics are identified:

Economics Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Economics - Case Study Example For example, selling Roundup explain Monsanto’s ability to develop GM herbicide-tolerant crops. A maturity of crops industry is a well-known fact and there is an evident growth of R&D costs, stricter legislation and more approval and support from the government. Moreover, the pricing policy of Monsanto can be explained by the company’s ability to develop Roundup in the post-patent period. Therefore, a fostering of GM products and success of Monsanto can be illustrated in the following way: Roundup is responsible for provision of plants with required herbicides and there is a growth of plants productivity providing a more favorable environment to the crops. As far as we can see, there is a clear strategy of Monsanto developed at different levels (social, economical and technical). Innovations in the company led to an evident increase of prices. Unfortunately, Monsanto did not have such kind of privileges in the earlier years. In 70s OPEC restricted nations in the amount of oil coming to America. Price per barrel of crude oil was very high. Due to the fact that Monsanto needed petroleum for the major part of its developments, and price increase could not be easily passed on to consumers. Monsanto got a trend of 90s and made an emphasis on clear environment. At that time it was a great advantage of the company. Moreover, Monsanto became a monopolist thanks to patent policies of America. Price reduction of Monsanto between 1995 and 2000 is the result of patent law in America, tolerant policy to companies developing eco programs and products. Therefore, price elasticity of Monsanto can be correlated with the best chosen pricing decision strategy: in case a price is low, more units of goods are sold; in case a price is high, fewer units of goods are sold. It is a well-developed mechanism of pricing strategy and Monsanto gained huge profits decreasing their prices for

In Praise of Jared Diamonds Guns, Germs, and Steel Essay -- Wealth En

In Praise of Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel Jared Diamond's bestseller Guns, Germs, and Steel (GG&S) is an attempt to explain why some parts of the world are currently powerful and prosperous while others are poor. Diamond is both a physiologist and a linguist who spends a good deal of his time living with hunter gathers in Papua New Guinea. As a researcher and as a human being, he is convinced that all people have the same potential. Hunter gatherers are just as intelligent, resourceful, and diligent as anybody else. Yet material "success" isn't equally distributed across the globe. Civilization sprung up in relatively few places and spread in a defined pattern. I should emphasize that Diamond doesn't equate material prosperity with well-being or virtue. He's just curious about the global distribution of bling bling. Diamond's hypothesis is that geography gave certain groups big initial advantages. Specifically, some places are more conducive to domestication of plants and animals. Most people think that domestication is just a matter of capturing animals and breeding them in captivity. This is a misconception. Domesticated species of plants and animals have undergone major genetic changes through years of selective breeding. Compared to their wild ancestors, the major cereal crops are more nutritious, quicker to germinate, and easier to sow and harvest. Domestic animals are more docile, easier to train, and generally more suited to life in captivity. Diamond's key point is that not every wild species is equally susceptible to domestication and that domesticable species are not evenly distributed across the globe. Wild horses and camels had the "right" stuff, reindeer not so much. As modern attempts to domesticat... ...ccupied with gathering and child rearing. In other societies, some people can devote their time to science, technology, philosophy, politics, finance and the other cultural roles that define state societies. There's nothing in Diamond's book to suggest that he is anything but a friend of the Enlightenment. He's a practicing scientist who attempts to analyze historical trends in scientific terms. He is also a sympathetic interpreter who respects and admires human diversity. He believes in progress, but he doesn't assume that technologically advanced people are superior or even uniformly better off. Finally, he affirms the values of the Enlightenment by suggesting how we can use history and science to build more prosperous, stable, and just societies. Source Cited Diamond, Jared M. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies. New York: Norton, 1997.

Dysfunctional Families in Today’s World Essay

Children are supposed to grow up together with their parents. A family environment helps them not to feel depress(ed). They learn that their feelings and needs are important and can be expressed. Children growing up in such supportive environments are likely to form healthy, open relationships in adulthood. Family dysfunction can be any condition that interferes with healthy family functioning. In most families, there occurs some periods of time where functioning is impaired by stressful circumstances. These stressful events could be a death in the family or a parent’s serious illness, among others. But for healthy families, the moment the crisis is over, then normal functioning resumes. In dysfunctional families, however, problems tend to be chronic. The children then do not consistently get their needs. As a result, the negative patterns of parental behavior tend to be dominant in their children’s lives. Healthy families are not families who never argue or have disagreements. These families may have yelling, bickering, misunderstanding, tension, hurt, and anger – but not all the time. In healthy families, emotional expression is allowed and accepted. Member of the family can freely ask for and give attention. Rules tend to be made explicit and remain consistent, but with some flexibility to adapt to individual needs and particular situations. Healthy families allow for individuality; each member is encouraged to pursue his or her own interests, and boundaries between individuals are honored. Children from healthy families are consistently treated with respect, and do not fear emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse. Parents can be counted on to provide care for their children. Children are given responsibilities appropriate to their age and are not expected to take on parental responsibilities. Finally, in healthy families, everyone makes mistakes; and most importantly, mistakes are allowed. II. The rise of dysfunctional families and its impact in society There are many types of dysfunction in families. Some parents choose to under-function. They leave their children to fend for themselves. On the other hand there are some parents who over-function. These parents seem to never allow their children to grow up and be on their own. Others are inconsistent or violate basic boundaries of appropriate behavior. Below is a brief description of some types of parental dysfunction along with some common problems associated with each. Deficient Parents Deficient parents hurt their children more by omission than by commission. Frequently, it is because of a chronic mental illness or a disabling physical illness that contributes to parental inadequacy. Parental emotional needs tend to take precedence over the needs of the children. The children, on the other hand, are often asked to be their parents’ caretakers. Thus, children tend to take on the adult responsibilities at a young age in these families. They are robbed of their own childhood, and they learn to ignore their own needs and feelings. Because of this experience, where these children are simply unable to play an adult role and take care of their parents, they thenoften feel inadequate and guilty. These feelings continue into adulthood. Controlling Parents Unlike the deficient parents described above, controlling parents fail to allow their children to assume responsibilities appropriate for their age. Often, the controlling parents are driven by the fear of becoming unnecessary to their children. These parents then continue dominating and making decisions for their children, even if they are already well beyond the age at which this is necessary. This fear leaves them feeling betrayed and abandoned when their children become independent (Forward, 1989). On the other hand, these children of controlling parents frequently feel resentful, inadequate, and powerless. Transitions into adult roles are quite difficult, as these adults frequently have difficulties making decisions independent from their parents. When they act independently these adults feel very guilty, as if growing up were a serious act of disloyalty. Alcoholic Parents Alcoholic families tend to be chaotic and unpredictable. Rules that apply one day do not apply to another one or to the next instance that you happen to be part of. Promises are neither kept nor remembered. Expectations vary from one day to the next. Parents may be strict at times and indifferent at others. In addition, emotional expression is frequently forbidden and discussion about the alcohol use or related family problems is usually nonexistent. Family members are usually expected to keep problems a secret, thus preventing anyone from seeking help. All of these factors leave children feeling insecure, frustrated, and angry. Children often feel there must be something wrong with them and this is the reason that makes their parents behave this way. Mistrust of others, difficulty with emotional expression, and difficulties with intimate relationships carry over into adulthood. Children of alcoholics are at much higher risk for developing alcoholism than are children of non-alcoholics. Abusive Parents Abuse can be verbal, physical, or sexual. Verbal abuse – such as frequent belittling criticism – can have lasting effects, particularly when it comes from those entrusted with the child’s care. Criticism can be aimed at the child’s looks, intelligence, capabilities, or basic value. Some verbal abusers are very direct, while others use subtle put-downs disguised as humor. Both types are just as damaging. Definitions of physical abuse vary widely. Many parents, at one time or another, have felt the urge to strike their child. With physically abusive parents, however, the urge is frequent and little effort is made to control this impulse. Striking a child has much to do with meeting the parent’s emotional needs and nothing to do with concern for the child. Often, parents erroneously justify the abuse as a process of â€Å"discipline† that is intended to â€Å"help† the child. Physically abusive parents then create an environment of terror for the child. This is particularly worse since the violence is often random and unpredictable. Abused children often feel anger. Children of abusive parents have tremendous difficulties developing feelings of trust and safety even in their adult lives. While parents may justify or rationalize verbal or physical abuse as discipline aimed at somehow helping the child, there is no rationalization for sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is the most blatant example of an adult abusing a child purely for that adult’s own gratification. Sexual abuse can be any physical contact between an adult and child wherein that contact must be kept secret. The demonstrations of affection that occurred then — such as hugging, kissing, or stroking a child’s hair — that can be done openly are quite acceptable and even beneficial. When physical contact is shrouded in secrecy then it is most likely inappropriate. Sexual abuse happens to both boys and girls. This act is perpetrated by both men and women. It cuts across lines of race, socioeconomic level, education level, and religious affiliation. In most cases, sexual abuse is part of an overall family pattern of dysfunction, disorganization, and inappropriate role boundaries. Responsibility for the sexual abuse in all cases rests entirely with the adult. No child is responsible for being abused. Most sexually abused children are too frightened and scared of the consequences for themselves and their families. In most cases, they do not risk telling another adult what is happening. As a result of this bottling-up, they grow into adulthood carrying feelings of self-loathing, shame, and worthlessness. They tend to be self-punishing and have considerable difficulties with relationships and with sexuality. When problems and circumstances such as parental alcoholism, mental illness, child abuse, or extreme parental rigidity and control interfere with family functioning, the effects on children can sometimes linger long after these children have grown up and left their problem families. Adults raised in dysfunctional families frequently report difficulties forming and maintaining intimate relationships, maintaining positive self-esteem, and trusting others; they fear a loss of control, and deny their feelings and reality (Vannicelli, 1989). There is a great deal of variability in how often dysfunctional interactions and behaviors occur in families, and in the kinds and the severity of their dysfunction. However, when patterns like the above are the norm rather than the exception, they systematically foster abuse and/or neglect. Abuse and neglect inhibit the development of children’s trust in the world, in others, and in themselves. Later as adults, these people may find it difficult to trust the behaviors and words of others, their own judgement and actions, or their own senses of selfworth. Not surprisingly, they may experience problems in their academic work, their relationships, and in their very identities. In common with other people, abused and neglected family members often struggle to interpret their families as â€Å"normal. † The more they have to accommodate to make the situation seem normal, the greater is their likelihood of misinterpreting themselves and developing negative self-concepts (e. g. , â€Å"I had it coming; I’m a rotten kid†). III. The relationship between religion and dysfunctional families Dysfunctional family members have common symptoms and behavior patterns as a result of their common experiences within the family structure. This tends to reinforce the dysfunctional behavior, either through enabling or perpetuation. The dysfunctional family usually suffers from a variety of issues that may require the help of trained professionals. This is in addition to prayer and other spiritual disciplines. Some of those issues include: (1) Individual personality differences and personal issues; (2) Unresolved issues from the past; (3) Marital and family problems due to domestic violence and abuse, infidelity, and poor communication; (5) Financial problems and poverty; (6) Separation/divorce resulting in grief and loss and abandonment issues, depression, and sometimes a lack of financial support; (7) Mental and physical health problems; and (8) Spiritual disconnection. Any of the aforementioned problems can create high levels of distress, and failure to seek help can be lethal. Furthermore, when a major trauma strikes, families are rarely prepared to deal with it, and if they are unaccustomed to seeking outside help, family members may never recover emotionally. Many people stay away from connecting with God in a Christian community because they feel they are not good enough. Maybe they are overly critical of themselves, or maybe they know they have not lived the way God would want them to live. They may be afraid that Christians in church will judge them and reject them, and so they stay away. They say, â€Å"God couldn’t really love someone like me. God must be angry with me. † They could also be very adept at meeting the perceived expectations of others through self-denial. Denial, repression, splitting, and a false sense of self are often well-developed defense mechanisms. The black and white thinking expressed in such conflicting pairs of opposites as God vs. devil, church vs. world, sin vs. righteousness, leads to repression of anything that might possibly be construed as unacceptable. Constant self-monitoring and rigid self control, along with confession of every sin in prayer, are often considered the only means of avoiding divine condemnation. In the literalism characteristic of fundamentalism, an â€Å"evil† thought or feeling is regarded as just as sinful as an evil act. Impulses and feelings may be considered demonic in origin. In truth, religion can play a part in furthering the dysfunction of families. For one who has a dysfunctional family, its teachings of obedience, respect for authority and quiet compliance further enforce the debilitating situation. But when you dig deeper into what religion is, you will see clearly what God wants. Religious Institutions throughout history have used fear, control and manipulation to build kingdoms made by man. They have left many wounded or dead in the battlefield of Satan’s kingdom. Religion is a powerful tool of the enemy. An extreme example of this is The Taliban and Bin Laden. Religion teaches obedience to law. And Christ teaches grace. But the scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. † Galatians 3:22-23. Learning to trust wholeheartedly in God, and depend on Him to break free from whatever bondage, will bring emancipation from these bondages, and make an impact in our broken society. The church should be the one institution where the spirit of fear does not exist and coercion and manipulation are not practiced. IV. Healing dysfunctional families Two centuries ago there was relatively little dispute over the existence of God, or the societally beneficial effect of popular belief in a creator. In the twentieth century extensive secularization occurred in western nations, the United States being the only significant exception (Bishop; Bruce; Gill et al. ; Sommerville). Theists often assert that popular belief in a creator is instrumental towards providing the moral, ethical and other foundations necessary for a healthy, cohesive society. Many also contend that widespread acceptance of evolution, and/or denial of a creator, is contrary to these goals. As he helped initiate the American experiment Benjamin Franklin stated; â€Å"religion will be a powerful regulator of our actions, give us peace and tranquility within our minds, and render us benevolent, useful and beneficial to others† (Isaacson: 87-88). Changes in family life have transformed our society in the last thirty years. One of the biggest has been the virtual disappearance of the male-breadwinner lifestyle and the emerging dominance of the dual-earner couple. Working wives and mothers face questions about the effects of their choices on their children’s welfare and their own health under the strain of the â€Å"second shift,† while their husbands confront–and respond to in a variety of ways–new opportunities to construct a masculine identity not focused exclusively on breadwinning. Leaders in education, business, and government debate what policies should be in place to help people manage their work and family lives and who should bear the cost of work-family management. Changing patterns of family formation and disruption have also created widespread concern and vociferous policy debates. High divorce rates raise questions about the effects of divorce on children’s well-being and future success and how to make â€Å"blended† families work. The problems facing single-parent families have become a focus of policy makers, religious leaders, and the national media. Debates about homosexual unions have led to battles over gay and lesbian marriage in a number of states and many local controversies over what legal rights should be extended to homosexual partners. Delayed marriage and childbearing mean that more American households comprise single adults and childless couples, and remaining childless throughout life has become much more common, fueling concern among some about the decline of the family. All of these changes have led to an increasing pluralism in family life and a new consensus that there are many kinds of loving, caring families. Most people spend some portion of their adult lives outside of a nuclear family, forming and reforming family-like connections periodically over the course of their lives, causing many to rethink long-held assumptions about the necessity of marriage and parenting for adults’ happiness, security, and well-being. But this pluralism is intensely contested and debated for both moral and social philosophical reasons. Not everyone agrees about what constitutes â€Å"the good family† and what kinds of families are morally legitimate. Many people see the family as the bellwether of our society and find the rapid and numerous changes in family life over the last few decades to be troubling. Some even argue that a devaluing of family life, and especially of lifelong, heterosexual marriage, inevitably leads to a decline of the nation. These debates also focus on questions of resources and inequality. Who has access to the rights that marriage confers? Why does divorce lead to a reduction in women and children’s standard of living, and what can be done to change that? Making Changes Changes in family life have been a central concern for religious leaders, activists, and local communities of faith. Throughout American history, religion and family have been intertwined and interdependent institutions. Congregations, parishes, and synagogues have provided an important context for families to spend time together and have shaped the religious education and moral development of children and youths. Sociologists have long noted that marriage and parenthood make religion more important to people and increase their participation in local congregations. Sometimes, children who come from dysfunctional families continue in their roles because they are waiting for their parents to give their â€Å"permission†; to change. Like most people, parents in dysfunctional families often feel threatened by changes in their children. As a result, they may thwart efforts to change and insist that the children â€Å"change back. † Some specific changes one can do are: (1) Identify painful or difficult experiences that happened during your childhood; (2) Make a list of your behaviors, beliefs, etc. that you would like to change; (3) Next to each item on the list, write down the behavior, belief, etc. that you would like to do/have instead; (4) Pick one item on your list and begin practicing the alternate behavior or belief. Choose the easiest item first; (5) Once you are able to do the alternate behavior more often than the original, pick another item on the list and practice changing it, too; (6) Believe in God’s grace that he will heal all the painful experiences in your list (in no. 1) and pray His love will help you change all the behaviors listed and free you from bondage. References: Bishop, George. (1999). â€Å"What Americans Really Believe, and Why Faith Isn’t as Universal as They Think. † Free Inquiry 19(3): 38-42 Bruce, Steve. (2001). â€Å"Christianity in Britain, R. I. P. † Sociology of Religion 61: 191-203. Forward, S. (1989). Toxic parents: Overcoming their hurtful legacy and reclaiming your life. New York: Bantam Books. Gill, R, C. Hadaway and P. Marler 1998 â€Å"Is Religious Belief Declining in Britain? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37: 507-16 Isaacson, Walter. (2003) Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. New York, Simon & Schuster. â€Å"Meeting the Needs of Dysfunctional Families† Catechist, January, (1993) Sommerville, C. (2002) â€Å"Stark’s Age of Faith Argument and the Secularization of Things: A. Commentary. † Sociology of Religion 63: 361-72 Vannicelli, M. (1989). Group psychotherapy with adult children of alcoholics: treatment techniques and countertransference. New York: Guilford Press.

The Complex Communication of Gibbons Essay - 848 Words

This article discusses the form of communication that Gibbon monkeys use amongst their species. The argument that appears to be present throughout this article is that Gibbons are not only able to communicate with each other, but also that their communication system shares certain features with the human language system. Although I agree that this species’ communication system shares particular design features with the human language, the definition of language attests that this type of communication is not considered a language. The first of the five core design features discussed throughout this paper is semanticity. Semanticity is defined as specific sound signals that are directly tied to certain meanings (Bauer, 2006, pp.†¦show more content†¦However, I would argue the part of this design feature that deems this species’ communication as a definite, closed system. For instance, researchers describe Gibbon songs as including varying pitches that they use to combine up to seven notes to create more complex structures or phrases (Singing for Survival, 2006). In the human language system, the meaning of symbols and/or signals vary depending on certain contexts and situations. It appears that Gibbons have some capability to change their songs based on different situations they are engaging in such mating, warnings, etc. Therefore, I’ve concluded that these abilities demonstrate a certain amount of productivity. However, this species does not the competency to use an unlimited amount of utterances, which would essentially eliminate them from fully having this design feature in their communication system. Displacement is a design feature of language that we as humans are able to use to reference the past, future, and the hypothetical. 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