Write a research paper on Confucianism Proposal

Write a paper on Confucianism - Research Proposal Example In fact he almost always avoided being drawn into discussions dealing with God and the supernatural. His theories tried to steer clear from any involvement with any supernatural being. For instance, when one disciple queried him about the afterlife, he quickly retorted that because man does not yet fully understand the mortal world, it is very unlikely that he can contemplate on such concepts as heaven and god (The Analects). He did also express the notion that men do not need any god because men are capable of living a harmonious existence without any help from any supernatural being The Confucian Analects, which is a document comprising all his sayings and discourses, conversations and travels, is no Bible or Koran or any kind of scripture (Legge 2006, p. 1). There is nothing in it that makes reference to revealed teachings. It is neither a religious nor a political treatise but instead, it is just a record of his conversations with his disciples as well as narrations of Confucius’ deeds during particular occasions. In the Analects, nowhere did Confucius teach the people to believe in a higher being or power. If Confucianism is tinged with a patina of religion, it is because his zealous disciples and admirers deified him after his death. They constructed a temple in his honor and refurbished his tomb in Chu-fou (Kufow), Shantung province, his birthplace and made this a mecca for all educated Chinese. They replicated the Analects and distributed them all throughout China after his demise. They reprinted his Classic series i.e. Classic of Poetry, Classic of Historical Documents, Classic of Changes, Record of Rites and Classic of Spring and Autumn Annals, which are not religious books at all but mere literary collections cum history (Legge 2006, p. 1). Because of these publications, his teachings soon electrified citizens all over the country with his words of

SEMAI OF MALAYSIA Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

SEMAI OF MALAYSIA - Research Paper Example The Semai of Malaysia is unique in a way from other groups or tribes of the American society. What make them different are their beliefs, kinship and health issues; these aspects have made them to survive for many years in this dynamic world. It is believed that the Semai tribe is what remained from the original ancient populations of South East Asia, who then belong to the Senoi ethnic groups. The lands in Malaysia are fertile and productive; this has made the Semai society to practice horticulture- planting crops in their fertile lands. In the recent times, the indigenous community has been made to shift to Malaysia hills and mountains by powerful technologies and peoples. But at times,the Semai community practice a mixed system of arboriculture, shifting cultivations, hunting and gathering. In general they practice hunting and horticultural farming. The main crop that is grown by Semai of Malaysia is rice; at times they plant arrow roots, grapes and corns in their farms. The Semai community is living in densely forested mountains. The horticulture they practice is non- mechanized, that is non-intensive form of plant cultivation performed non- repetitively on a plot of land. The Semai people live in ‘Kampangs’ (close villages) close to their farms and during planting seasons they head back to the forest to go and hunt for the rest of the year. They have low population densities, which has made them to be scattered in different parts of the huge farms and be able to practice shifting cultivation. When such horticultural factors are done, the families are grouped in scattered clusters moving from one location to another. They are known by anthropologists for their behaviour which is non- aggressiveness and a version to interpersonal violence of any kind. The relationship is that married men do not batter their wives, nor beat their parents. Children are not allowed to engage in activities like fights, physical assaults and murder which are virtually unknown to the community. In moving the horticulturalists are immobile as forages that may control rearing among is not a strict within their culture as is with forages. Majority of the children help their parents with providing labour in the fields enhancing productivity (Fix, 1990). The Semai community practice what is referred to as generalized reciprocity which means they can exchange goods and services without having any track or measurements of the exact value of what they have traded with an assumption that the transaction will balance itself in some time to come. This act of generalized reciprocity happens between parents and children, or between couples, or in advanced stages involving clans and large kin groups. This is a formal way of exchange that involves total trust and minimal distance between the two parties. For the Semai community, the main reason for eating is to make one feel full and satisfied. The meal to be eaten should include starch dish which is preferably rice. Eating meat, fowls or fish without any starch is ridiculous to them. The other economic activities include fishing, hunting and gathering. They use weapons for hunting such as, blow pipes and poisonous darts. They also use ‘rattan’ (climbing palms in forests) to make binders, house building, basketry, fish-traps others .(Norwak & Laird, 2010). 2.1Beliefs and values The Semai’s beliefs and values are enshrined in their religion, which embraces of belief on the forest and natural spirituality; a kind of animism. Animism involves traditions of thunder god called â€Å"Enku† which is associated with other kind of animals like a small eye less snake, beings working hand in hand with god, dragons that are present during thunder squalls associated with rainbows. Other animals include a flying animal with feathers and those with rounded scales and moist skins living inside or near water bodies (Dentan, 1983).

Educators and their Perception on Children Essay Example for Free

Educators and their Perception on Children Essay Studies reveal that there has been an increasing degree of childhood challenging behavior. On a survey made by Joseph et al (2003) as cited from Strain and Joseph (2004) revealed that 73% of educators perceived that children with challenging behaviors has been increasing. More importantly, educators have also been affected by such an increase of challenging behaviors as 70% of them claimed that children with such make them feel stressed, while 60% said that it has a negative effect on their job satisfaction. Since challenging behavior has been increasing at present, such also has a negative effect on teacher turnovers. In relation with it, it has also been viewed that such a character of children has a significant relationship to the educators burn out and amount of complaints that they receive from the parents. In consequence, the schools upper administration, tend to squeeze their budgets for a more costly approach and on the other hand, educators are being questioned of their efficiency. During the 1960s educators believed that the source of difficulties in their class primarily emerges from children with problem behaviors. As such, they tend to see them as bad apples that could be removed in order to maintain a more favorable environment (Long et al, 1965) as cited from Strain and Joseph (2004). In fact studies of Joseph et al on 2003 revealed that 40% of educators reveal that they have removed students from their class for the past 12 months. Another problem that the educators experience is that they take the approach to children with challenging behavior as evident on their expression of frustration, anger, inadequacy, fear, guilt and stress (Strain and Joseph, 2004). In addition with this, respondents also reveal that they felt overwhelmed, undervalued and disrespected (Strain and Joseph, 2004). These feelings are clear indications that there are problems that the teacher needs to address. The educator needs to cope with these kinds of feelings in order to provide more self-control and rational thinking to be able to effectively address their students challenging behavior. Odom et al (1990) as cited from Strain and Joseph (2004) also found out that a teachers openness to adopt a new approach towards teaching children could also affect the rate in which children could go through with the problems that he or she is experiencing. It has also been perceived that the amount of work that the teachers have to handle could also impact how the way the handle children with challenging behavior. For teachers who have a lot of priorities and paperwork, to ask them to do one more thing further adds to their frustration. Teachers also argue that they don’t have enough training in order to deal with this type of children. These situations in addition to their relatively low wages are also determining factors of their negative attitude towards children with challenging behavior.

Modernism vs Postmodernism Graphic Design

Modernism vs Postmodernism Graphic Design Throughout the 19th century artists and painters had a very conservative mindset when it came to the presentation of art. The images and art forms that were made during this time were composed of a certain artistic mold which reflected conservative moral values, virtuosity, righteousness, nobility, sacrifice, and Christianity  [1]. Most artists during this time period conformed to the common artistic mold, which is clearly seen in the works of that century. The 20th century however, saw a new period of design known as modernism, which would eventually lead to postmodernism after World War II. Unlike the artworks of the 19th century, the modernist and postmodernist periods were composed of very revolutionary and transformed images. The ideas and opinions behind the images became more open-minded and hence the images themselves were more flexible and avant-garde  [2]. The period of modernism saw the partial abandonment of conservative traditions. Modern artists looked ahead to the future and not to the past, they supported freedom of expression and equality. The years between World War I and World War II allowed modernism to expand dramatically. Propaganda and war posters are perfect examples of modernism  [3]. Not only did modern artists provide social awareness; they also actively supported political revolutions, such as the Russian Revolution. The Russian revolution provided and excellent opportunity for modern artists to experiment with new expression methods. The posters and propaganda of this revolution in particular were very abstract and futuristic, almost industrial; all of which fitted the Soviet ideology  [4]. A very important historical piece of modernism is its emergence in Germany. Typography in German graphic design was very important, Bauhaus for example used very specific typography and rules but more importantly analyzed the specific roles of items to transmit information. It is interesting that modernism was also seen in German graphic design as some critics believe that World War II effectively drew an end to the true spirit of modernism  [5]. Keeping in mind the social and political background of modernism, the actual graphical aspects of modernist design make sense. Modernist images were generally very symmetrical and alignment was very important. Images were structured and simplified; fonts were arranged in very specific manners to complement the images themselves. Fonts were generally simple such as sans serif or sometimes looked almost hand drawn. Also popular in modernist graphic designs were the use of rules and empty space as components of the works structure. The famous Uncle Sam and Britons recruitment poster of World War I are simplified images, with very basic font. In both posters the images and fonts are arranged according to a grid, and as such they are very leveled and aligned. An interesting point in both posters is the font is different for the word you, it is bolded and outlined providing more emphasis on the importance of the person reading it. These are only brief descriptions of many similar works of the modernist time period  [6]. Following World War II and what some consider the end of modernism a new form of graphic design materialized this is known as postmodernism. This period time started sometime in the 1950s and continues today. Some consider postmodernism to be a movement against modernism. While modernism was more pure, rational and truthful postmodernism was more chaotic and stylized, it no longer had such deep meaning behind the designs. Postmodernism uses symbols, images, and typography as simple stylistic devices. Unlike the structural and simple modernist designs, postmodernist design is obsessed with style and creativity, basically looks. Graphic design was now being presented in popular media in the same methods as fashion; it was up-to-date, advanced, and tasteful  [7]. This time period included the Cuban Revolution and of course the Vietnam War, both of which allowed artist to create interesting works of graphic design. The technical aspects of postmodernist graphic designs were very different from those of modernist design despite having some similarities. Postmodernist design included collages, photography, some hand-drawn images, and in general more chaotic and improvised arrangements. The postmodernism period also witnessed the dawn of a new age. The development of the computer and continuing ingenuity in technology presented new opportunities and new methods for graphic design. Technological developments, particularly in communications also brought forth the possibilities of mass media and culture. Graphic designers were now able to apply their craft to Television, Radio, Print, Mass Marketing, Advertising, and eventually the Internet. A particular aspect of mass media and culture where the differences and similarities between modernist and postmodernist graphic design can be seen is Music, more specifically the artwork of the album covers. The following examples are fine illustrations of the different design types. The modernist designed album cover is Elvis Presleys self-titled debut album Elvis Presley, while the postmodernist designed album cover is the Rolling Stones Exile on Main St. Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley 1956 Elvis Presleys self-titled debut album was released in March on 1956; to this day it remains one of the greatest and most iconic album covers of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine  [8]. Several artists have borrowed and mimicked the album cover, including The Clash which used it for their 1979 album London Calling which coincidently is also on Rolling Stones greatest album cover list. It is amazing how iconic the album cover is despite its shear simplicity, a simple photograph with the title Elvis Presley in very basic font and colors. Following the modernist guidelines the title is arranged in a right angle, and the font is completely legible. The artists intent was clear simplicity, legibility, and yet enough color and contrast to peak interest. Having the font in color and the background photo in black in white directs the viewers immediately to reading the title and then the image. The artwork also has a more personal and playful aura due to the particular choice of the colorful and humorous font. This may have been aimed to give the public a feeling of trust and personal acquaintance with Elvis. Another album cover that seems to be very similar to this is the Thelonius Monk 1965 album cover, it shares the simplicity of font and the photo as the background. The qualities of this album cover are clearly modernistic, extremely different when compared to the following sample of postmodern graphic design. Rolling Stones, Exile on Main St 1972 Similar to Elvis Presleys debut album, Exile on Main St, is #5 on Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Album Covers  [9]. Released in 1972 the designer of the cover John Van Hamersveld  [10], best described the attitudes of the time The general tone of the time was one of anarchy drug dealers and freaks and crazy people left over from the Sixties, all defiant and distorted. This album cover perfectly captured that feeling, the unique background and the title looking like it was a last minute thought perfectly capture the whole basis of postmodernism. The background itself has an interesting story, though it may look like a collage of photos it is actually a single photo of a poster that Hamersveld found in a tattoo parlor off route 66. Unlike the Elvis Presley album cover this one plainly shows little or no structure, it is more chaotic. An analysis of Elvis Presleys debut album cover and the Rolling Stones Exile on Main St album cover, presents dramatic differences not only in the graphic design but also the historical tone of the time. The modernist design of Elvis album cover is simple, clear, and direct; the postmodernist design of the Rolling Stones album cover is chaotic, stylish, eye-catching, and rebellious. Yet both albums are designed for one thing to attract the viewers, listeners, and fans alike. In the end it is obvious that both modernism and postmodernism are still important to this day. Thought they may be very different at times, the ultimately share a goal, to be artistic and creative.

Evelines Decision in James Joyces Dubliners Essay -- Joyce Dubliners

Eveline's Decision in James Joyce's Dubliners      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the short story, 'Eveline,' James Joyce introduces us to the life of a young woman named Eveline. She has the opportunity to escape with Frank, the man she thinks she loves, to a faraway country in search of a new life.   Instead, she decides to stay in the dreary and gloomy life she already knows.   To understand Eveline's final decision to stay we have to analyze the reasons that prevent Eveline from pursuing a better life. Her fear of the unknown; the fact that she does not know Frank well enough; and the many attachments she has to her home, prompt Eveline to make her decision.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first reason for Eveline to stay is that she is does not have the courage to leave.   She   tries to convince herself that her life is not ? wholly undesirable,? but Joyce reveals how hard and undesirable her life actually is when he tells us that she ?felt herself in danger of   her father's violence.?   She gets ?palpitations? because she is so afraid of her own father.   Although he beats her and treats her badly, she still thinks that ?sometimes he could be very nice,? just because she remembers him making her laugh once, and other time when he took care of her when she was sick.   These good memories about her father look insignificant compared to what she has to do for him.   Eveline also has to support the mistreatments of her abusive father even when she is asking him for money to buy groceries.   Especially on Saturday nights when he is   ?usually fairly bad,? meaning he is drunk.   Eveline alone asks herself   if it is wise to leave.   She thinks that at her home she has ?shelter and food; she had those whom ... ...irl, is protected by her mother. Memories make Eveline feel more emotionally attached to her home. Although her favorite brother, Ernest, is dead, she still cares about Harry.   She has to many duties in the house.   She has to take care of two children, take care of the house, and her abusive father.   All because of the promise she made to her dying mother to ?keep the home together as long as she could.?   The love for her mother is too strong to break that promise.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In conclusion Eveline chooses the 'odour of dusty cretonne' over a new, but unknown life because the reasons for staying slightly overwhelm the reasons for leaving.   For this era her decision might seem bizarre or even foolish; but making that decision she does what is logical for that epoch. Works Cited Joyce, James Dubliners, New York:Penguin, 1993

An Ethical Theory Applied to Business Organizations Essay -- Business

The object of this essay is to establish whether there is an ethical theory that can be successfully applied to business organizations. In order to answer this question, it is necessary first to define the major ethical theories, which are utilitarianism, deontology and virtue ethics, before determining whether there are any other options. After that, the ethical needs, problems and limitations of work organizations will have to be examined so that the different theories can be evaluated in this context. It will also be important to draw a distinction between the terms â€Å"accurate† and â€Å"useful† as these actually result in two different questions the answer to which need not necessarily be the same. Another essential part of this discussion is the more general question why there should be ethics in work organizations in the first place, and to what extent ethical behavior is feasible in the business world. Hopefully this will provide a framework within which the answer to the essay question can be included. To begin with, the â€Å"traditional† approaches to solving moral problems will be defined, namely those of act-utilitarianism and deontology. These are traditional not because they have existed longer than virtue ethics, but because for a long time they have been the approaches most commonly used as a basis for trying to solve ethical problems. After looking at these two moral theories, the approach of virtue ethics regarding moral dilemmas will be investigated in order to compare differences and advantages as well as problems. Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. It adopts the consequentialist view that it must be right to make the world a better place and therefore the right action is the one that produces the best consequences. Utilitarianism takes this one step further and defines the action that will produce the best consequences as the one that produces the most happiness. Act-utilitarianism holds that each case should be judged separately in terms of which possible action would maximise happiness; this means that there are no rules to follow, but the theory seems to provide a decision-procedure to act upon in that one acts upon a principle of justice. Intuitively this seems to be an appealing solution to ethical dilemmas. To maximise happiness makes utilitarianism a noble ideal. Furthermore... ...usiness Ethics, Vol.19, No.3, April II 1999 Cicero: Selected Works. Penguin Classics, Harmondsworth - England 1971 Donaldson, D. and Davis, E.: ‘Business Ethics? Yes, But What Can it Do for the Bottom Line?’ Management Decision, Vol 28, 6, 1990 Legge, K.: ‘Is HRM ethical? Can HRM be ethical?’ in Parker, M. (ed.): Ethics and Organisations. Sage Publications - London 1998 Madsen and Shafritz Essentials of Business Ethics. Penguin Books 1990 McDonald, G.: ‘Business Ethics: Practical Proposals for Organisations.’ in Journal of Business Ethics, Vol.19, No.2, April I 1999 McNamara, C.: ‘Complete Guide to Ethics Management: An Ethics Toolkit for Managers.’ The Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits 1999 (http://www.mapnp.org/library/ethics/ethxgde.htm) McNaughton, D.: Moral Vision. Blackwell - Oxford 1988 Norman, R.: The Moral Philosophers. Clarendon Press - Oxford 1983 Pearson, G.: Integrity in Organisations. McGraw-Hill Book Company - London 1995 Richards, R.: ‘Cicero and the ethics of honest business dealings.’ The Online Journal of Ethics 1997 Townley, P.: ‘Business Ethics: Commitment to Tough Decisions.’ Vital Speeches, pp. 208-211, 1992 (Jan)

Debate Speech Essay

A pleasant afternoon to one and all, standing in front of you is Alliah Dominique M. Sta. Ana, 3rd affirmative speaker, opposing the proposition of Mr. Despi that â€Å"Republic Act No. 10354 also known as Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012† should be legalize here in the Philippines. Let us all be open minded as I begin. First and Foremost, let me give you brief information about RH Bill. It guarantees the universal access to methods of contraceptions, fertility control, maternal care and sex education.  There are many reasons why I stand before my proposition because implementing RH Bill is unconstitutional. Why? It seeks to regulate or legislate morality. It criminalizes the practice of faith and religion as well as other cts that are not inherently evil or against public policy. It is socially and economically unjust and destructive. The law justifies the imposition of new taxes and higher tax rates, government borrowing, price controls, distortions, massive regulations, that will affect not just the entire economy but also people’s rights. It will also benefit certain bussinesses and industries in a monopoly or crony system. Where will they buy contraceptives, preganancy kits, RH products and equipments, employer’s fee for their time and service? There are already dozens of RH Laws or RH related laws enacted in the past. It seems all of them didn’t work. Did they? Because the only solution to this problem would be having self control and discipline. I firmly believe that an ordinary person is capable to be good so it does mean that everyone, catholic or not, can be disciplined. The main purpose of sex is to procreate not to satisfy our senses or needs. So if you will have sex, bear in mind that its main purpose is to reproduce which is God’s will. Now, if you are to have sex with contraceptives, then that is not called procreation. It is called sense gratification or lust which is a strong desire for someone, that way doing sex is purposeless. If you are to have sex without contraceptives, without thinking the consenquences, without family planning, make sure you are ready to face such big responsibility that will change your life. Life is created and is the will of the Lord. How it begins and how it ends is His thing – Not ours. When God allowed the process of sex which at the same time is the free will of woman and man which will put that child in a woman’s womb, whether the mother or father is sick, that is His will. And now if you are a follower of God which the RH supporters also claim, and you are spiritually realized, then you must know that you do not have the right to hinder such event or manifestation by killing what is forming or what is inside you. Therefore, I strongly believe that RH bill should not be implented for this will not be created if we just control ourselves. This methods will offend the Church and the Catholics, this methods are just expenses, RH Bill will only change the clearer vision of life. It will be such a bad impact to the country. Bear in mind that we are in a religious country. Besides, Natural Family Planning helps the married partners to strengthen their communication. A baby made with conjugal love is the result of natural family planning that’s why I prefer natural family planning to be the only method to decrease our population rate. That’s all, thank you and Good Afternoon!