The Applicability of Death Penalty Essay Example for Free

The Applicability of Death Penalty Essay The question of death penalty being a part of the judicial system of the American nation and of most countries in the world has remained a huge debate from the very beginning it was raised. Religious and secular groups have rallied toward the complete abolition of this kind of punishment, and others who did not actively participate also agreed that the act is a form of cruelty. In 1972 during the case of Furman versus Georgia, the Supreme Court declared that indeed the act violated the â€Å"cruel and unusual† punishment provision of the eight amendment. This court ruling has lead to the lifting of more than 600 death sentences, complete abolition of the sentence to some states and illegalization of mandatory death penalty (Longley, 1997).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The illegalization of mandatory death sentences involves the thorough investigation of any case in which the defendant has already been sentenced to death or is about to be sentenced to death. This states that everything must be taken into account before a person is declared to be deserving of death penalty. Pieces of evidence must point to the said judgment as well as the attitude of the defendant (Death Penalty Information Center, 2008).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A state which plans to have death penalty as part of their justice system may consider murder as a crime punishable by death for this crime involves taking the life of another person. This may be said to be most applicable especially when the victim is an innocent civilian or a child and the criminal is not regretful of the act. By deliberately taking another person’s life, the murderer deprives the victim of the right to live. For the child-victims, murder takes away the right to be protected and be taken care of. It also deprives the young of all the opportunities that may have been encountered through years of existence. Also, without any form of regret on the part of the proven perpetrator of the crime, sympathy should not be extended and as such death sentence becomes most appropriate (Holmes and Holmes, 1998).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The punishment by death should also include any type of multicide like mass murder, spree murder and serial murder. Criminals who commit such murders should be sentenced to death for they have taken what could have been meaningful and prosperous lives. This may be said to be also the case in infanticide or the killing of a child not more than three months old. The innocent victim deserves justice. As all murders are believed to be pre-meditated or carefully planned, proven murderers deserve the treatment they have given to their victims and as such, if there is not any form of regret or apology extended to the remaining relatives of victims, death penalty is but righteous (Holmes and Holmes, 1998).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another crime that should be penalized by death is statutory rape or the rape of a child. Since a child is innocent and in the stage of discovery, even a single incident of violence may alter his entire perception of life. An incident of rape may bring about not only unforgettable physical damage but also mental trauma. Its effects on a child’s perception may ultimately decide the child’s future (Rape Victim Advocates, 2008). According to the Michigan Family Impact seminars, 90 percent of teen prostitutes have been sexually abused when they were younger. (Rape Victim Advocates, 2008). This clearly shows how much sexual abuse or rape can destroy an innocent’s life. Even without actually taking the life of the child, it deprives the child of what would have been a better future. This also shows that anyone who was proven a rapist through empirical analysis and investigation deserves to be sentenced to death. In cases where the proven criminal apologizes or shows signs of regret, the opinion of the relatives should be taken to account and the decision should be as according to the desired justice of the offended party. Another crime that deserves penalty by death is the crime of rape with murder against a child.   As this crime not only tortured the child through the sexual abuse, it also took away an innocent life.   It has also incurred great pain to people surrounding the victim, especially if the child-victim was a stranger and the parents had taken care of the child to the utmost. Other than the crimes mentioned above, it would be disproportional to sentence a criminal to death. Only very explicit crimes and life-changing offenses should be sentenced to death, for a life that is altered may already be considered as a life taken away. It should be considered that murder is not merely killing and incurring death of the physical body, rather, the death of the spirit and self-worth is worse than physical death. This is the death incurred to a rape victim, and it is worse than murder. As such, not only murderers but also rapists should be sentenced to death. However, since mandatory death sentence is not allowed, empirical data should be thoroughly checked and taken to account as well as the attitude of the suspect towards his crime before the verdict is given and implemented. In this way, justice shall be served for both the offending and the offended parties. References Death Penalty Information Center. (2008). Death penalty for Offenses Other than Murder. Retrieved January 14, 2009, from http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/death-penalty-offenses-other-murder Holmes, R.M. and Holmes, S.T. (1998). Serial Murder. United States: SAGE Publications. Longley, R. (1997). Recent Legal History of the Death Penalty in America. US Government Info.   Retrieved January 14, 2009, from http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/bldeathpenalty.htm Rape Victim Advocates. (2008). Children Sexual Violence. Retrieved January 14, 2009, from http://www.rapevictimadvocates.org/children.asp

Philosophical Concept Of Friendship

Philosophical Concept Of Friendship I would like to discuss in this paper the concept of friendship and its significance in our life. The concept of friendship has old roots and Aristotle defined it many centuries ago. I think we should think about this notion through the historical perspective and also connect it with our todays reality. I would like to present in this several definitions of friendship and they will reflect different eras of humankind existence. According to modern definition of a friend we can say that it is defined as one joined to another in intimacy and mutual benevolence independently of sexual or family love. (Yager, 2002) But according to Aristotle this term is much deeper and is used in broader frames. According to Hardie Aristotle regards less intimate bonds as friendships as well as the intimate relationship in the modern definition. Relationships between husband and wife, father and son, neighbors, business partners, team members, members of a political party, teacher and student, etc. would all be viewed as friendships in Aristotles eyes. (Hardie, 1968) Using previous definitions as example and basing on the we could determine that first of all, the word friendship has not one, but several different meanings. And it is normal not only in our time, because it was normal also many years ago. If to be exact in our calculations, something about two thousand years ago it was found by Aristotle, who actually tried to define the different types of friendship and to select among them true friendship. He distinguishes mainly friendship based on the interest and friendship of the noble, which alone deserves the right to be present. Therefore, even in ancient Greece, the relations linking the two businesspersons were seen not as a friendship, but as interest in the success of the common cause. If to be strict in our judgments and taking into account Aristotles thoughts we should mention that, the friendship between politicians will be also often seen as a way to succeed in politics. (Kraut, 1989) Thus, if we briefly list the most common meanin g of that word, we see that in most cases the word friendship has little in common with our notion of a real friend. We know that there are three main features of friendship and among them are recognition of being in this relationship; mutuality of the relationship; wanting the best for another person. But there are several types of friendship that should not be mixed with each other. Each type show one side of peoples relationships and sometimes it is easily to confuse it with friendship. Friendship is valued it in different religions in its own way and we should look at them attentively. For example we see that this notion really variously interprets in Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, but its has the same essence in general understanding. For example, in Christianity, friendship is secondary to the universal love of agape; in Judaism, friendship is secondary to the love of family, but in Islamic teaching friendship is a force that promotes the identification that does not value things, and horizons of its existence in the world. I mean that friendship is a high level of personal morality and to be a friend is honorable status in Islam. According to Islamic teaching people should know that people around them are divided into three categories: for strangers, the familiar and friends. I would like to present the next information in the form of advice taking from Islam, because this from of presentation will allow to plunge into the question of friendship with more details. First of all, at a meeting with strangers do not interfere in their conversation; do not listen to empty talk, especially if there used bad words. Try a smaller meet with them, and when they meet you try to advice them in a friendly manner to pay their attention to their bad deeds. According to people familiar to you beware as you can. Do not look at them with arrogance, because among them may be those who are best for you. Do not look at them with servility because of their wealth, because it would adversely affect you most. Do not use your faith for the sake of getting from them any benefit. In this case, they will not respect you. If they are hostile to you, then do not answer them the same way. Do not deceive yourself, if you exalt. Do not be surprised if people are on the side to talk to you about something bad. If you ask these people to help and they will help you, then do not forget to thank them for that and thank Allah the Almighty. In the event that your request does not c omply, do not be offended. Accept excuses and do not be a deceiver himself. You should keep track of the faults of others. If you find some familiars generosity, respect and love, thank God, Who created them that love you. According to Lewis, if you meet some damage on their part, try to stop them, because most people who are sowing injury, will try to settle with you even for small condemnation of their actions. (Lewis, 1974) Many of them are well-disposed mind, and soul like wolves. Do not rely on the friendship of those who have not experienced, as it should. Moreover, let your opinion of people will be good. As for your friends, then they should have five qualities: intelligence, high morals, piety, honesty, indifference to the pleasures of this life. No friends with those who have low morals. These cannot restrain himself nor anger, nor in their pleasures. Thinking about my own life experience, I would like to explain what I understand under the world friendship, taking into account my own life and all situations that occurred with me. Intuitively, the word friendship gives me an idea of profound, honest, pursuing a trust and candour. Empirical studies also show that the vast majority of people understand a friendship exactly in this way. In my opinion based on my research of the notion friendship, I could say that a friend is a person who is a pleasure to do good to another, and who believes that the other feels for him the same feelings. I believe that Friendship is necessary to everyone, even to those who denied it. In my opinion little child, and old man, rich and busy person all of them need friends, and amount of such people is possibly to enumerate for a long time. Friendship based on common interests, mutual support, understanding and, most importantly, on trust. When people have no necessity to talk about something, they just do not make sense to communicate. A friend is a very important person in our lives. Sometimes I feel that it is necessary for hours someone to talk to, share problems and secrets, disbosom to the best friend. It is rather hard to be alone and have no friends in such moments, because most cherished to share only with a really close and trusted man. Just Friends or familiar as the called in Islamic teaching is impossible to tell very intimate things and ask for advice. In my mysteries and depth of my thoughts, I dedicate only one person my best friend, person whom I trust and whom I love. This person differs from others that we have many difficult situations together and exactly is person was near me and help when it was necessary not only with kind word but also with deed. Thus, based on observed information we could come to the conclusion that a friend, we cannot win in the lottery or just found on the street. Friendship is a very complicated relationship. They do not appear immediately, out of nothing. Any relationship, including friendship, we need to build, and build for a long time. Spread each brick, each stair. This is a hard work to build friendship, find it and then save, not lose. I think that art of friendship is not given to everybody. This is a very fine science. Conceited, vain, and mercantile people cannot be true friends. They love only themselves and in friendship are trying to pull the maximum benefit for themselves. I wan to add in the end of my paper that friendship is very important to me and I have two best friends, I appreciate and respect these two people. They are the most precious thing in my life and I do not want to lose them in any case.

Hilton and Holiday Inn Human Resource strategy and Operational planning

Hilton and Holiday Inn Human Resource strategy and Operational planning Introduction The essay will explore the theoretical and practical sides of the relationship between the Human Resource strategy and the Operational planning and development in the retail and hospitality industry, in order to determine a deep overall view of the subject. The text will draw upon many cases, research, and literature to demonstrate the background that is necessary for an independent evaluation of this topic. The paper will take Hilton and Holiday Inn as an example of todays average but highly successful corporation and investigate the companys past and current human resource strategies and the reasons behind their strategic decisions. Through the essay; human capital management, business performance, model of comparative SHRM, strategy evaluation, HR links between missions, as well as goals of the organizations and further related topics; will be discussed. The essay is divided by nine major topics. Certain topics will be examined in greater detail for more accurate understanding, ho wever as SHRM indicates every topic will also deeply link together and therefore specific parts on certain subjects will be discussed in other topics. Hard definition SHRM can be defined as the connection between HR, strategic objectives and goals in order to increase productivity or efficiency and create business culture that promotes flexibility, innovation, and competitive advantage. In a corporation, Strategic Human Resource Management means accepting and involving the Human Resource roles as a strategic partner in the formulation and implementation of the organisations strategies through Human Resource functions such as staffing, selecting, training and rewarding employees. (Mello, 2010) Recruitment linked with operational strategy The first area of focus is on the process of accurate staffing, management, and organisation of a business through human resource functions. Businesses are able to create a highly effective strategic framework as it will be uniquely personalised for their exact situation. This is by recognising the portfolio of the corporation at the operational, managerial and strategic level, rather than arranging the human resource department to reflect the strategic, managerial and operational requirements of the organisation (Hamel and Prahalad, 1996: 242). The most important structural variations of the corporation also stand on the corporations recruiting procedure. Position posting, succession forecasting and management development offer the HR department a chance to bring a measure of integration to the recruiting procedure and to have power over the internal movement of the corporations human resources. It is especially significant that staffing for all levels of positions, as well as the d omestic movement of employees, be coordinated with the strategic concerns of the business (Baron Kreps, 1999). The portfolio of the business will make a significant input to the progress of a businesses recruiting strategy; it is one of the driving forces in the staffing, promotion plans program development and selection. Management between the businesses recruiting and its strategic plans can improve the businesses ability to get used to environmental conditions. However businesses are likely to recruit people who have similar characteristics to the managers who are presently working within it. Little conscious attention is paid to identifying the characteristics most congruent with different organizational configurations. (Galbraith and Nathanson,1978). Employee skill and behaviour training Many businesses, including local shops in Edinburgh owned by the Asian community, have faced the challenge of developing greater confidence, solution finding, initiative, and trouble solving capabilities among their employees. This has become a serious problem (Megginson Banfield Matthews, 1999) as those convenient stores are the backbone of the economy (Dr. Welsh, 2000). Businesses need employees at every level to be more resourceful, independent, creative and self sufficient. These characteristics allow employees to function at a superior strategic level, making businesses more competitive and productive. Therefore, they require training development which includes all activities intended and executed to support staff members knowledge, abilities (or competencies) and skills. For organizations, training and development especially relates to those activities that make sure that every staff member is capable enough to build a work environment that is both inclusive and diverse. In addition to supporting abilities, skills and knowledge; several training and development plans associated with diversity efforts to influence the attitudes, maturity, courage or values of their members, are also necessary for the development of strategic and managerial capabilities. It should be noted that training and development plans that try to make major adjustments with regard to attitudes need a large amount of time and investment if they are to be successful. However each individual training undergone is a kind of long term investment, therefore determining the return on investments when conducting training and development activities, are very important. There are several kinds of training options. Mentoring, Coaching and Counselling are the most well known ones. Although many of the methods are similar within these training options as they are normally delivered by individuals, there are numerous unique characteristics of each method that make them exclusive in their own wa y other than the fact that the individual has different qualifications, different relationships with their client and is usually working within different time frames (Megginson, Banfield Matthews, 1999) Employee Empowerment As it has been mentioned earlier, companies try to train their staff to be more self-sufficient so that less supervision would be required; or in other words, empower them. Employee empowerment is an expression used to express the ways in which employees without managerial positions can make independent decisions with no need of confirmation from a boss or manager. These independent decisions can be small or large depending on the level of power with which the organisation wants to invest in the member of staff. Personnel empowerment can start with training, as stated above, and by converting a whole business into an empowerment model. On the other hand it may simply mean giving staff members the ability to make a few decisions on their own. When people feel they have options and are allowed to make direct decisions, this does frequently show the way to a better feeling of self worth. In a representation where power is directly attached to a sense of self, the feeling of having some power is a priceless thing (Losey Ulrich Meisinger, 2005). A staff member who does not feel continuously evaluated by managers and watched is more likely to consider their workplace as a positive, happy environment, rather than a negative one. Employee Commitment The behavioural research, carried out by a group at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, recognizes the aspects that most possible to affect 21st century staff well being, productivity and commitment. (PhD. Kreisman, 2002). They established that loyalty is mainly influenced by ones sense of purpose, general trust in the business and feeling of individual impact. Productivity is mostly affected by the quality of human relations including social group moods, cooperative and interaction. The results of the investigation guided them to conclude that working environments that offer positive atmosphere that encourage quality personal relationships and interpersonal trust generates the most loyal and productive staff members. So a staff member who does not feel continuously watched by managers is more likely to judge their workplace as a positive environment, as it has been said before, therefore he or she will feel more committed to the organisation. This would increase t heir productivity, as peoples efforts generate greater results. In conclusion, this would cut cost for the organisation. (Losey Ulrich Meisinger, 2005) Mutual flexibility Last year a much respected five star Hilton hotel recruited front line staff for part time positions. From week one Hiltons management required them to work 65 hours even when indeed they had a contract for 25 hours per week. They were unable to do anything about this unfortunate situation as it was clear that if they could not fit their schedules they were free to leave. By the end of the 3rd month when their training had finished, many of them were exhausted and fed up, and they left the Hilton group for their leak of flexibility (Mehta, 2005). Flexibility is essential for both the employer and the employee; flexibility of staff member behaviours, workers skills and Human Resource practices stand for a significant sub dimension of Human Resource flexibility and are associated with greater business performance. Results based on perceptual methods of Human Resource flexibility and accounting measures of business performance support this prediction. Behaviour, skill, and Human Resourc e practice flexibility are, however, drastically connected with an index of business financial performance. Numerous professionals believe that the only skill that flexibility contributes is its cost efficiency. (Hendry, 1995) Hilton has recruited them because they were looking for people who go the extra mile; people who are flexible. The fact that Hilton did not give anything to them in return meant that these people left. Despite this, their worth and value has increased as the result of the training that Hilton gave them, while Hilton lost a significant amount of money. In the Hospitality business, staff turnover is the biggest problem because in the service industry, staff represent the biggest cost and long time investment at the same time. This means that when companies start to train their staff they integrate them into the business even if they are not core employees. When they leave however, all the money and time put in will be lost, not to mention the cost of the ongoing posting of jobs, interviews and other administrational fees (Hayes Ninemeier, 2008). Human Capital versus SHRM A several authors have argued that SRHM and Human Capital Management are the same thing. Certainly the idea of SHRM matches that of the broader meaning of HCM relatively well; as the following characterisation of the key features of SHRM by Dyer and Holder (1998) demonstrate that strategies engage decisions regarding main policies, key goals and the allowance of resources that are likely to be formulated at the top. Strategies are business determined and focus on organisational efficiency; thus in this perspective, are viewed mainly as resources to be managed toward the success of strategic business targets (Society for Human Resource Management, 2004). Strategies by their very nature offer combined frameworks which are at once integrative, broad and possibility based. These integrate a full complement of Human Resource targets and activities intended exclusively to fit existing environments and to be equally reinforcing or synergistic. This sections discussion has been based on the evidence that both Human Resource Management in its appropriate sense and Human Capital Management, rest on the supposition that employees are treated as assets rather than expenses and both focus on the significance of adopting an incorporated and strategic move towards managing employees which is the worry of every stakeholder in a business, not only the staff management function. On the other hand, the theory of HCM strengthens and complements the theory of SHRM rather than replaces it. Therefore both Human Capital Management and Strategic Human Resource Management can be considered as crucial components in the progression of staff management and both form the basis for accomplishing HR advantage through a resource based strategy (Greer, 2000). Soft HRM versus Hard HRM The effort to satisfy external stakeholders and the costumers demanding nature lead to a pressure on HR management both strategically and operationally side. (York, 2009) Customer service and associated perceptions have led retail businesses and hospitality to a more theoretical judgment of HR management. In the long term it is left to be seen whether the strategic management of HR has been better regulated by hard Human Resource Management, which is the traditional managerial distrust approach. Humans are lazy by nature and simply pursue their self-interests. This means that there are two different and conflicting sets of interests: the organisation and its employees. It is the managements job to encourage the right attitude in staff members so that their actions pursue the accomplishment of the organisations goals, not their own. Thus there is a case for the existence of correctives and coercion. (Megginson 1999), On the other hand there is the soft Human Resource Management or in other name the Harvard model which is the opposed approach. Instead of seeing humans as lazy machines, they are seen as able to take care of their feelings, emotions and motivations. Employees might in fact wish for personal realisation and work could be one of the ways to achieve it. People like things done well, and making a difference. Managers therefore, must allow them to do so and help them to maintain their high levels of motivation. Employees are not lazy, they do not hate working, and can be self responsible. In this way, coercion is no longer essential (Megginson 1999). Customer Service, (linking) Mayfair London located at the centre of the British Tourism Hospitality Industry and Bass group is a primary hospitality chain. Johnson (1999) examines that the senior managers at Holiday inns carried out a training project that included spending short times at operative levels. This training led them to discover that if front line employees were not given autonomy and authority to solve non routine issues as they came up, their customers belief of quality service would be badly damaged. It is significant to identify the connection between the front line staff, executives and the empowerment of employees to take liability for quality management problems and customer care satisfaction. The corporation then initiated training programs to provide employees with the possibilities to take further liability for problem solving and quality as well as implement new employment strategies, for example auditions for front office staff to differentiate applicants with the right attitudes. The te rm right attitudes suggests that the organization is seeking employees with culturally specified social skills, attributes that are frequently difficult to appraise. These tacit or soft abilities, are skills to carry out complex functions and relationship roles while at the same time, carry out technical (or hard) tasks. (Hayes Ninemeier, 2008). Executives also accept that the success of the new strategies would give a genuine dedication to the interests and welfare of staff. The hotel gained Investors in People recognition in 1995. This section is an excellent example that shows how everything is linked together. The essay previously discusses empowerment, flexibility, commitment, training, customer service and many more things, as this example states; every single area of human resource management effects the entire business progress just as much as one area effects another. Conclusion Business or corporate strategy for service companies in areas such as tourism, hospitality and retail; has to satisfy a variety of stakeholders, and interests them within a strategy framework appropriate to all of them. SHRM has played a part in the consolidation of staff members, within the model established by the executive senior managers. Strategic Human Resource Management is therefore a component of the wider network of business administration and corporate strategy. It is valuable for every corporation to organize their employees within a designed and logical framework which reflects the organisations strategy. It is necessary that the varieties of aspects of HRM are mutually reinforced in developing the behaviours and performance needed to accomplish business success. Every single person is part of the organisation and is partially reliable for the companys success and therefore they represent the biggest asset of a service company. Employees represent one of the biggest cost but they can also represent the greatest competitive advantage against other businesses. Despite this, there is not a single Human Resource Management strategy that would bring success in every situation. Businesses have to identify a strategy which is exceptional to their own circumstances in terms of goals, context and the demands of business stakeholders.

Rudeness In America :: essays research papers

In the last couple of years the rudeness of Americans has increased dramatically. It especially seems that the children of America have become ruder. This leads one to wonder if America will just become even ruder or will the manners of the American people improve. Each day at school encountering rudeness is common especially from students but also from the faculty. Walking through the busy hallways of the school is where encountering rudeness is the most likely to occur and probably will. While walking through the busy hallways on my way from the lunchroom keeping a good look out ahead for the blockade of kids that tend to stop right in the middle of the hall to socialize slowing down the flow of the student body is a good idea so I will have less of a hassle in getting around them. Maybe just one of these times the kids will get it through their heads and move to one side or the other to keep the flow of students steady. Yet this does not happen and this will continue on a regular basis during the school day. Will Americas parents ever teach their kids some manners or will the rudeness continue into the next generations. Although there are parents that instill good manners in their children there are also not enough who do so. The children might get the bad manners from viewing how their parents behave with other adults. Encountering adults on a daily basis I noticed that adults can be just as rude as the children can be. Standing outside a shop looking through a store window there was a women walking and talking on her cell phone and she walked right into me. Not even turning around she kept on walking and just gave me a nasty look. Apparently many American have been infected with the rudeness virus. Some might get it from the stressful and hectic life style they live or maybe the adult was just raised in an environment where manners didn’t matter.

Western Perspective on Western Biases in Hinduism Essay -- Hindu Relig

In many ways Rita Gross’ stance on Western bias on Hinduism, which creates an andocentric stance on three primary deities of Vishnu, Siva, and Devi, worshipped in Hindu tradition, is valid. As argued by Gross, within texts of Hinduism there appears an inclination towards an andocentric classification of the primary deities. This classification which is continually purported, truly does, resembles a group created with a patriarchy in mind. The list consistently is, as provided, Vishnu, Siva, and Devi. According to Gross’ theory, the male oriented Hindu representation of the primary three deities was not questioned by Western scholarship. As well as the fact, that Western traditions primary â€Å"favour of texts† would have hindered any further advancement of Hindu religion (Gross, p. 320). By excluding the rituals and symbols of the deities there would only be a partial understanding of Hinduism. In my opinion, I agree with Gross on the aspect of Western tradition biasing the actual representation of goddesses. But I believe it may be important to illustrate the fact that other factors could have enabled an increase of Western biases. Among the unquantifiable number of civilizations which have come and dissipated into time, religion has been variably andocentric. Take the Greek and Roman religious tradition, both held above all the patriarchic tradition of rule under a man: Zeus and Jupiter. Further on in monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, there are also aspects which can be determined to be andocentric. All three religions validated, over time, through dogma and tradition of a male god. Even though Judaism contains a matriarchic tradition of governance, there remains an ideology, which the old and new testa... ...n are subordinate to the male deity, in example Mary the mother of Christ became one of her son’s chief followers. Mary is still held in high regard but not in the same esteem as her son, Christ. In this suggests an andocentric tendency by Westerns who place more importance on men than women. When faced by a polytheistic system of deities which includes goddesses as not subordinate to the gods but sometimes more powerful and fearful characters could also increase the bias held by Westerns. Works Cited Fuller, C. J. The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2004. Print. Gross, Rita M. "Toward a New Model of the Hindu Pantheon: A Report on Twenty-some Years of Feminist Reflection." Academic Press 28 (1998): 319-27. Klostermaier, Klaus K. Hinduism: Beginners Guides. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2007. Print. Western Perspective on Western Biases in Hinduism Essay -- Hindu Relig In many ways Rita Gross’ stance on Western bias on Hinduism, which creates an andocentric stance on three primary deities of Vishnu, Siva, and Devi, worshipped in Hindu tradition, is valid. As argued by Gross, within texts of Hinduism there appears an inclination towards an andocentric classification of the primary deities. This classification which is continually purported, truly does, resembles a group created with a patriarchy in mind. The list consistently is, as provided, Vishnu, Siva, and Devi. According to Gross’ theory, the male oriented Hindu representation of the primary three deities was not questioned by Western scholarship. As well as the fact, that Western traditions primary â€Å"favour of texts† would have hindered any further advancement of Hindu religion (Gross, p. 320). By excluding the rituals and symbols of the deities there would only be a partial understanding of Hinduism. In my opinion, I agree with Gross on the aspect of Western tradition biasing the actual representation of goddesses. But I believe it may be important to illustrate the fact that other factors could have enabled an increase of Western biases. Among the unquantifiable number of civilizations which have come and dissipated into time, religion has been variably andocentric. Take the Greek and Roman religious tradition, both held above all the patriarchic tradition of rule under a man: Zeus and Jupiter. Further on in monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, there are also aspects which can be determined to be andocentric. All three religions validated, over time, through dogma and tradition of a male god. Even though Judaism contains a matriarchic tradition of governance, there remains an ideology, which the old and new testa... ...n are subordinate to the male deity, in example Mary the mother of Christ became one of her son’s chief followers. Mary is still held in high regard but not in the same esteem as her son, Christ. In this suggests an andocentric tendency by Westerns who place more importance on men than women. When faced by a polytheistic system of deities which includes goddesses as not subordinate to the gods but sometimes more powerful and fearful characters could also increase the bias held by Westerns. Works Cited Fuller, C. J. The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2004. Print. Gross, Rita M. "Toward a New Model of the Hindu Pantheon: A Report on Twenty-some Years of Feminist Reflection." Academic Press 28 (1998): 319-27. Klostermaier, Klaus K. Hinduism: Beginners Guides. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2007. Print.

Tuesdays with Morrie TEST Prep

Why does Mitch feel guilty about his brother, Peter? A. He wasn't there for him when he was dying. B. Peter had cancer, but Mitch thought he should've been the one to get cancer. C. Mitch was Jealous of Peter. D. Mitch stole something from him before he died. 2. Why does Memoir feel it is important to accept our death early in life? A. So we can appreciate life and our loved ones B. So we can live life to the fullest C. It will minimize having regrets in life D. All of the above 3.During Match's first visit with Memoir, What does he realize about his own life? A. He's too caught up in work and making money. B. Memoir wasn't a good influence on him. C. He is enjoying life and doesn't like to work. D. He shouldn't concern himself on everything 4. What does Memoir mean by the quote, â€Å"love each other or die†? A. In life it helps if you love someone. B. Memoir would be dead with his wife. C. If we do not have love, we have nothing D. Love isn't important. 5. What does the pink hibiscus plant symbolize? A. The natural human life cycle B. Morris's diseaseC. Match's life D. Eve's death 6. What does Memoir tell Mitch it is K to do? A. Cry B. Eat dinner without him C. Leave early D. Stay late 7. Why did it bother Memoir that one day someone else would have to wipe his behind? A. Because it made him sick B. He saw it as a sign of weakness C. He saw it as the ultimate sign of dependency D. Because it smells 8. In â€Å"Tuesdays with Memoir†, who was Morris's first interview with? A. Katie Court B. Barbara Walters C. Ted Copper D. Hugh Downs 9. In â€Å"Tuesdays with Memoir,† what did Mitch think he would die of? A. CancerB. Loneliness C. ALLS D. Heart disease 10. What condition did Memoir have? B. Heart disease D. A stroke 11 . How did Memoir entertain visitors? A. By sitting outside B. Leading discussion groups on dying C. Looking at old photos D. Reading through books 12. What was Morris's favorite thing to do? A. Going to the movies B. Dancing C. Puzzles D. Writing novels 13. What instrument did Mitch play? A. Guitar B. Violin C. Tuba D. Piano 14. What were the words used by Memoir some mornings, when he felt bitter and angry? A. I want to live B. My life is done already C.Why do I bother trying D. I'm giving up today 15. How would you describe Memoir? A. Strong B. Reluctant C. Bitter D. Mean 16. This story would be considered a A. Autobiography B. Biography C. Short-story D. Narrative 17. What were Match's overwhelming desires for Memoir during his college years? A. Hug him B. Get out of his class C. Give him a napkin D. Both a and b 18. Who was the first person to ever interview Memoir? A. Ted Copper B. A Boston Globe Reporter C. Michelle D. Morris's Close Friend 19. How many â€Å"aphorisms† did Memoir have? A. 50+ B. 100+ c. 90 D. 78 20.What character trait would most fit Michelle? A. Hard-working B. Determined C. Lazy D. Ambitious 21 . Who was asked to watch over someone's kids? A. A cousin B. Memoir C. The un cle D. Michelle 22. What university did Memoir teach at? A. Stanford B. Brandeis C. Princeton D. Berkeley 23. In what month did Memoir die? A. December B. November C. October D. January 24. What allowed Mitch to spend time with Memoir? A. He got ALLS B. A new Job C. A newspaper strike D. He was fired 25. What item did Mitch give to Memoir at his college graduation? A. A book B. A picture of them togetherC. Food D. A briefcase 26. What college subject did Memoir teach? A. Sociology B. Global Studies C. Veterinary D. Philosophy 27. What newspaper did Memoir work for? A. Detroit Free Press B. Memoir didn't work for a newspaper C. Nightline D. Michigan Times 28. Memoir appeared on what TV show? A. 60 Minutes B. Nightline C. The Collect Report D. The Ted Copper Show 29. What was Morris's father's, Charlie, occupation? A. Newspaper writer B. Architect C. Waiter D. Factory worker 30. If Memoir could be reincarnated into any animal of choice, his choice would be A. Fish B. HyenaC. Gazelle D . Crane 31 . What was Morris's final course about? A. How to Dance B. Political Science C. Acceptance of Following Whatever Culture Tells You D. The Meaning of Life 32. Eva was A. Morris's mother B. Match's step-mother C. Morris's step-mother D. Match's uncle Part B: True/False 33. The book reflected from present to past. A. True B. False 34. Everything Memoir did made him cry. 35. Memoir wanted pity from his friends and family. 36. Memoir and Michelle called each other â€Å"Tuesday People† because they always met on Tuesdays during Michelle college years. 37.Michelle didn't feel sorry for Memoir. 38. Michelle called Memoir â€Å"coach† as a nickname. 39. Memoir was okay with his professor/friend dying? 40. Memoir always showed great passion when explaining how to face the end of life. 41 . Michelle was influenced a lot by Memoir. Part C: Short Answers 42. Describe your overall opinion and or view of how Memoir accepted his diagnosis. Use at least 3 examples from the story. 43. Would you have the strength and mind to live the same way as Memoir did? 44. Would you describe Memoir as weak or strong about his situation? Why or why not? Explain.

Andersen’s Case Auditing and Assurance Services

Arthur Andersen was one of the five biggest accounting firms in United States. Arthur Andersen is specific example about the most recent business collapse, which is considered profound in American business history. The firm, practicing in more than 80 countries with thousands of employees, now lost its reputation as an audit and accounting firm. There are many different thoughts and judgments about the case when Arthur Anderson failed its tasks to detect fraudulent financial activities on Enron and several different companies.The Enron Company filed bankruptcy in December of 2001. Being well known as a big energy company which headquarters is located in Houston, the bankruptcy of the company drew lots off attentions from business world. Questions were asked and lots of financial misstatements were revealed and Arthur Andersen – Enron’s external auditing and accounting firm in Houston, was involved. Stephens (2002) stated, Arthur Andersen who were responsible for managin g Enron’s audits, had illegally destroyed paper and electronic documents related to their representation of Enron (p. 4). The case soon went to the jury. Louwers et al. (2011) reported the instructions hinged on the wording of statue that makes it a crime to knowingly use intimidation or physical force, threaten, or corruptly persuade other person. According to Oxford Dictionaries online, corrupt means having or showing a willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain. In this case, the word â€Å"corrupt† was not applied appropriately to the actions of Anderson. There was no evidence to prove that there is a person who is corrupt persuader.Who was the one that acted dishonestly? The court also needs to identify the personal gain that a corrupt persuader can gain from having such action. The court could not find the answers to this issue, which means the decision is attached to the firm’s fate – Arthur Andersen. Research by Stephens ( 2002) states that to clarify the instruction of Judge Harmon about â€Å"corruptly†, the prosecution describes the illegal conduct of four corrupt persuaders: Duncan, Temple, Thomas Bauer, and Michael Odom.After a few days, the jury was not required to unanimously agree on the single corrupt persuader’s identity (Stephens, 2002). As Louwers et al. (2011) stated that the issues that overturned the Andersen verdict were based on faulty jury instructions, not on whether Andersen was in fact guilty or innocent. It was not Andersen who violated the law; it is individuals of the company who did. Hoxter (2005) argued that the instructions were faulty because they did not require proof that Andersen officials knew they were doing something wrong.The ruling destroying the documents was not a crime. There must be a person with authority who sent out the instructions for Arthur Andersen employees to do so. As Stephens (2002) restated from the interviews with reporters after the v erdict, four jurors identified Temple as that person. It is appropriated for the Supreme Court to overturn the lower court’s decision because Judge Harmon used the word â€Å"promptly† with different meaning from the dictionary, which is â€Å"improper purpose†, such as intent to subvert or undermine the fact finding ability of an official proceeding.The lower court failed in identifying the specific person who is corruptive persuader. According to Duska (2005), Arthur Anderson, a venerable firm, at one time, prided itself in its role as auditor since it fulfilled an important public function. As auditors, Andersen’s employees should have had clear minds to make sure that the financial statements that they audit are really what were going on in the company. However, big money that was made in the consulting means the responsibilities that auditors have to face is heavier.The SEC and the department of Justice should’ve tried to targeted specific ind ividuals who had engaged in acts because it seems not fair for the rest of the firm. According to Cunningham (2005), â€Å"It is a shame that the actions of a few individuals at Andersen caused 28,000 employees in the U. S. to lose their jobs† (p. 6). Indeed, putting the complete firm out of business for the unethical actions of a couple of individuals was the real sin. Andersen’s conviction was overturned does not mean that its employees acted in ethical manner.McNamee and Palmeri (2002) provided information about Arthur Anderson’s cleaning-up mission when the Enron case started to topple. From Anderson’s internal document, Enron team was also busy amending four key memos to correct the record of its review of Enron’s convolute and conflicted partnership deals (McNamee and Palmeri, 2002). Moreover, David Duncan overruled the concerns on at least four occasions, siding instead with Enron on controversial accounting that helps to hide debt amount an d brought up the earnings.That is not all, there are also evidences said that Duncan’s team wrote memos which are falsely stated that PSG partners had signed off on Enron’s inventive bookkeeping. Nancy Temple is the attorney for Arthur Andersen. She is the one who should clearly know about all the regulations and should not be the one who acted unethically. According to McNamee and Palmer (2002), memos from Nancy Temple to David Duncan were found which can considered the main key in the conviction of Duncan about shredding the documents. It is more for Nancy Temple who is more responsible for the Andersen saga.The class action lawsuit against Andersen also has another name which include other entities name in there because those entities also had involved in Enron’s case. These entities helped Enron to cover up because by helping them they make more profit. From Arthur Andersen’s case, entities and accounting firms in business world should learn lessons f or their own goods. If the employees notice of any concerning about the legality of any records, they should contact the legal department right away. There is nothing wrong disposing of business papers that are not needed.It is illegal only when retention is required by law or regulation according to Stephens (2002). Reference Page Hoxter, C. J. (2005). Arthur Andersen Conviction Overturned. Caribbean Business, 33(25), 8. Duska, R. (2005). The Good Auditor – Skeptic or Wealth Accumulator? Ethical Lessons Learned from the Arthur Andersen Debacle. Journal Of Business Ethics, 57(1), 17-29. doi:10. 1007/s10551-004-3818-1 Stephens, D. O. (2002). Lies, Corruption, and Document Destruction. Information Management Journal, 36(5), 23. McNamee, M. , Borrus, A. , & Palmeri, C. (2002). OUT OF CONTROL AT ANDERSEN.Businessweek, (3777), 32-33. Cunningham, C. (2005, July-August). Ruing Andersen's demise and the loss of audit competition. Financial Executive, 21(6), 6. Retrieved from http://g o. galegroup. com. glbvv001. enmu. edu/ps/i. do? id=GALE%7CA134300985=2. 1=nm_a_enmu=r=EAIM=w In Oxford Dictionaries online. Retrieved from http://oxforddictionaries. com/us/definition/american_english/corrupt? q=corrupt Louwers, T. J. , Ramsay, R. J. , Sinason, D. H, Strawser, J. R, & Thinodeau, J. C. (2011). Auditing & Assurance Services (5th, ed. ). NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin.