John Locke Theory on Personal Identity free essay sample

Outline and critically discuss Locke’s theory of personal identity. John Locke laid down the systematic groundwork of personal identity in the study of modern philosophy. Locke highlights his approach to the problem of personal identity in Chapter XXVII of the book II in An Essay concerning Human Understanding. This paper will explore the features that persuaded Locke to treat the problem of personal identity and then go on to analyse Locke’s theory in light of these factors. It will then inspect the implications of his theory. Furthermore it will contain a brief assessment of the theory’s historical significance.In exploring the reasons as to why Locke treated the problem on personal identity, it is crucial to understand that his views arose from the ones presented by the French philosopher Rene Descartes. Descartes was a Cartesian and thought that each person was a unified non-extended mental substance whom was unchanged by experience (Skirry, 2006). We will write a custom essay sample on John Locke Theory on Personal Identity or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Descartes believed in the existence of innate ideas, and the foundation of knowledge believed truth to be located in these ideas (Descartes, 2007, p 13-16). Locke saw many of the struggles that track from this opinion as he himself had an empirical way of thinking, it struck to him that these might be avoided if it could be revealed convincingly that innate ideologies are not present. In BookLocke saw many of the struggles that track from this opinion as he himself had an empirical way of thinking, it struck to him that these might be avoided if it could be revealed convincingly that innate ideologies are not present. In Book I he argues that they do not exist and that our theories must be built on experience and he then published Book II to shed light on the way our concept of personal identity must derive from our experience (Uzgalis, 2010). Locke’s view of personal identity in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, explores the relationship of substances to ones self. He asserts ‘†¦our specific ideas of substances are nothing else but a collection of a certain number of simple ideas, considered as united in one thing,’(Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII) implying that an individual’s awareness is not equipped with any unblemished ideas of substance, and thus can have no instinctual knowledge of its nature. Furthermore he distinguishes between what he declares to be the conditions of identity. He accomplishes this through the deliberation of ‘Principium Individuationis’ (Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII), which explains that the conditions of identity, for that of masses of matter are distinct from vegetables and animals. Then raises the question of whether the conditions of identity are somewhat dissimilar to that of humans. From thisHe asserts ‘†¦our specific ideas of substances are nothing else but a collection of a certain number of simple ideas, considered as united in one thing,’(Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII) implying that an individual’s awareness is not equipped with any unblemished ideas of substance, and thus can have no instinctual knowledge of its nature. Furthermore he distinguishes between what he declares to be the conditions of identity. He accomplishes this through the deliberation of ‘Principium Individuationis’ (Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII), which explains that the conditions of identity, for that of masses of matter are distinct from vegetables and animals.Then raises the question of whether the conditions of identity are somewhat dissimilar to that of humans. From this viewpoint he elucidates that it looks as though humans are a type of animal as they too grow and change. Locke states ‘the organization of life that supports nourishment and growth’ (Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII) is what makes vegetables, animals, and humans unalike from masses of matter because we are furnished with the organisation of life. Locke suggests ‘†¦consciousness always accompanies thinking, and it is that which makesLocke suggests ‘†¦consciousness always accompanies thinking, and it is that which makes e very one to be what he calls self, and thereby distinguishes himself from all other thinking things’ (Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII). From this viewpoint it is evident that having consciousness will prevent a man, as long as his existence continues to be other than what he already is. For example Locke argues that, if the consciousness (soul) of a person left the body of its informant and entered another’s it would not be the same person. He uses the example ‘For should the soul of a prince, carrying with it the consciousness of the prince’s past life, enter and inform the body of a cobbler, as soon as deserted by his own soul, everyone sees he would be the same person with the prince, accountable only for the princess actions but who would say it was the same man?’ (Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII). This passage emphasizes that the idea ofThis passage emphasizes that the idea of person is different to the idea of man, and we know that they are not identical but identity is oneness. Locke theorizes ‘Self is that conscious thinking thing†¦which is sensible or conscious of pleasure and pain, capable of happiness or misery and so is concerned for itself as far as that consciousness is concerned’ (Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII). Th us each person’s consciousness is different, and can never be identical to that of another. Our thoughts and memories are formed by individual experience therefore change of consciousness/memory will result in a change in the person.Some of the implications of John Locke’s theory of personal identity consist of problems when people are faced with loss of memory. Locke suggests, failure to remember, rids them of their identity; an example Locke uses is ‘a total amnesiac will have identity at an instant if they are conscious, rational and self-aware, but no identity over time’ (Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII). Furthermore his theory in light of people, who have memory loss, isn’t applicable as these individuals carry the same mind throughout the span of their lifetime.This is also evident when he says that ‘God would find someone innocent of a crime, if they had forgotten committing it’ (Locke, 1690, Chapter XXVII). While the framework of consciousness may appear to be stable, we see the substance is in continuous flux. The historical significance of this theory is seen through the influence of Locke’s book (An Essay Concerning Human Understanding), which has had influence on other philosophers.Gottfried Leibnitz was one of the many who was influenced by Locke’s work, who also criticised his theory. Leibnitz published a rebuttal to Locke’s work, and in it wrote the following called, A New Essay Concerning Human Understanding and in this he attacks Locke’s theory, chapter to chapter he goes on to disproof Locke’s theory (Leibnitz, 1698, p, 13-20). Since Locke’s theory of personal identity was one of the first to analyse the conception of consciousness and that of the self, his criticisers such as Leibnitz had a similar empirical concept of the matter regarding personal identity. Nonetheless Locke’s theory is well known among philosophical scholars and his work is greatly appreciated, Having influenced philosophers like Leibnitz it is evident that his theory is still valid to those today, such as functionalists, who outline a person in relation to a set of mental functions.Reference list:-Descartes, R, (2007), Mediations on First philosophy, Nu Vision Publications, Sioux Falls, SD USA, pp, 7-17.-Leibnitz, G, (1698), New Essays Concerning Human Understanding, (publisher NA), pp, 13-20.-Locke, J, (1690), Chapter XXVII, book II, An Essay concerning Human Understanding.-Skirry, J, (2006), Rene Descartes: The Mind-Body Distinction, The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, viewed 15 April 2012, utm.edu/descmind/>http://www.iep.utm.edu/descmind/-Uzgalis, W, (2010), John Locke,  The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2010 Edition), Edward N. Zalta  (ed.), viewed 15 April 2012 http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2010/entries/locke/.-  Psychology Essays http://essaylab.com/blog/an-essay-concerning-human-understanding

Definition and Examples of Derivation in English

Definition and Examples of Derivation in English In morphology, derivation is the process of creating a new word out of an old word, usually by adding a prefix or a suffix. Adjective: derivational. Linguist Geert Booij notes that one criterion for distinguishing derivation and ​inflection is that derivation may feed inflection, but not vice versa. Derivation applies to the stem-forms of words, without their inflectional endings, and creates new, more complex stems to which inflectional rules can be applied (The Grammar of Words, 2005).   Derivational change that takes place without the addition of a bound morpheme (such as the use of the noun impact as a verb) is called zero derivation or conversion. From the Latin, to draw off. Examples and Observations Derivational morphology studies the principles governing the construction of new words, without reference to the specific grammatical role a word might play in a sentence. In the formation of drinkable from drink, or disinfect from infect, for example, we see the formation of new words, each with its own grammatical properties.(David Crystal, How Language Works. Overlook Press, 2005 Derivation versus Inflection Morphology may be divided into derivationrules that form a new word out of old words, like duckfeathers and unkissableand inflectionrules that modify a word to fit its role in a sentence, what language teachers call conjugation and declension. (Steven Pinker, Words and Rules: The Ingredients of Language. Basic Books, 1999)The distinction between inflectional morphology and derivational morphology is an ancient one. Fundamentally, it is a matter of the means used to create new lexemes (derivational affixes among other processes) and those used to mark the role of the lexeme in a particular sentence (accidence, inflectional morphology). . . .It seems that although we probably can maintain a distinction between inflectional and derivational morphology relatively well in Englishalbeit with certain problematical cases which do not invalidate the fundamental notionthe distinction is not helpful to us in understanding any other aspects of the morphology of English. The classification might be useful in terms of typology, but does not throw much light on the behavior of English morphological processes.(Laurie Bauer, Rochelle Lieber, and Ingo Plag, The Oxford Reference Guide to English Morphology. Oxford University Press, 2013 Derivation, Compounding, and Productivity Word-formation is traditionally divided into two kinds: derivation and compounding. Whereas in compounding the constituents of a word are themselves lexemes, this is not the case in derivation. For instance, -ity is not a lexeme, and hence taxability is a case of derivation. The word income tax, on the other hand, is a compound since both income and tax are lexemes. Changing the word class of a word, as happened in the creation of the verb to tax from the noun tax, is called conversion, and may be subsumed under derivation. . . .Morphological patterns that can be systematically extended are called productive. The derivation of nouns ending in -er from verbs is productive in English, but the derivation of nouns in -th from adjectives is not: it is hard to expand the set of words of this type such as depth, health, length, strength, and wealth. Marchand (1969: 349) has observed some occasional coinings like coolth (after warmth)  but notes that such word coinings are often jocular, a nd hence do not represent a productive pattern. If we want to coin a new English noun on the basis of an adjective, we have to use -ness or -ity instead. (Geert Booij, The Grammar of Words: An Introduction to Linguistic Morphology. Oxford University Press, 2005 Changes to Meaning and Word Class: Prefixes and Suffixes Derivational prefixes do not normally alter the word class of the base word; that is, a prefix is added to a noun to form a new noun with a different meaning:Derivational suffixes, on the other hand, usually change both the meaning and the word class; that is, a suffix is often added to a verb or adjective to form a new noun with a different meaning: patient: outpatientgroup: subgrouptrial: retrialadjectivedark: darknessverbagree: agreementnounfriend: friendship (Douglas Biber, Susan Conrad, and Geoffrey Leech,  Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Longman, 2002)

The Chemical and Physical Properties of Lithium, or Li

The Chemical and Physical Properties of Lithium, or Li Lithium is the first metal you encounter on the periodic table. Here are important facts about this element. Lithium Basic Facts Atomic Number: 3Symbol: LiAtomic Weight: [6.938; 6.997]Reference: IUPAC 2009Discovery: 1817, Arfvedson (Sweden)Electron Configuration: [He]2s1Word Origin Greek: lithos, stoneElement Classification: Alkali Metal Lithium Properties Lithium has a melting point of 180.54 C, a boiling point of 1342 C, a specific gravity of 0.534 (20 C), and a valence of 1. It is the lightest of the metals, with a density approximately half that of water. Under ordinary conditions, lithium is the least dense of the solid elements. It has the highest specific heat of any solid element. Metallic lithium is silvery in appearance. It reacts with water, but not as vigorously as does sodium. Lithium imparts a crimson color to flame, although the metal itself burns a bright white. Lithium is corrosive and requires special handling. Elemental lithium is extremely flammable. Lithium Uses Lithium is used in heat transfer applications. It is used as an alloying agent, in synthesizing organic compounds, and is added to glasses and ceramics. Its high electrochemical potential makes it useful for battery anodes. Lithium chloride and lithium bromide are highly hygroscopic, so they are used as drying agents. Lithium stearate is used as a high-temperature lubricant. Lithium has medical applications as well. Lithium Sources Lithium does not occur free in nature. It is found in small amounts in practically all igneous rocks and in the waters of mineral springs. The minerals that contain lithium include lepidolite, petalite, amblygonite, and spodumene. Lithium metal is produced electrolytically from the fused chloride. Lithium Physical Data Density (g/cc): 0.534Appearance: soft, silvery-white metalIsotopes: 8 isotopes [Li-4 to Li-11]. Li-6 (7.59% abundance) and Li-7 (92.41% abundance) are both stable.Atomic Radius (pm): 155Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 13.1Covalent Radius (pm): 163Ionic Radius: 68 (1e)Specific Heat (20 °C J/g mol): 3.489Fusion Heat (kJ/mol): 2.89Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 148Debye Temperature ( °K): 400.00Pauling Negativity Number: 0.98First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 519.9Oxidation States: 1Lattice Structure: Body-Centered CubicLattice Constant (Ã…): 3.490Magnetic Ordering: paramagneticElectrical Resistivity (20 °C): 92.8 nÃŽ ©Ã‚ ·mThermal Conductivity (300 K): 84.8 W ·m−1 ·K−1Thermal Expansion (25 °C): 46  µm ·m−1 ·K−1Speed of Sound (thin rod) (20 °C): 6000 m/sYoungs Modulus: 4.9 GPaShear Modulus: 4.2 GPaBulk Modulus: 11 GPaMohs Hardness: 0.6CAS Registry Number: 7439-93-2 Lithium Trivia Lithium is used extensively in rechargeable battery technology.Lithium is the only alkali metal that reacts with nitrogen.Lithium burns red in a flame test.Lithium was first discovered in the mineral petalite (LiAlSi4O10).Lithium is used to create the hydrogen isotope tritium through bombardment of neutrons. Sources Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001)IUPAC 2009Crescent Chemical Company (2001)Langes Handbook of Chemistry (1952)

John Bergers Extended Definition of Home

John Bergers Extended Definition of Home A highly regarded art critic, novelist, poet, essayist, and screenwriter, John Berger began his career as a painter in London. Among his best-known works are Ways of Seeing (1972), a series of essays about the power of visual images, and G. (also 1972), an experimental novel which was awarded both the Booker Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction. In this passage from And Our Faces, My Heart, Brief as Photos (1984), Berger draws on the writings of Mircea Eliade, a Romanian-born historian of religion, to offer an extended definition of home. The Meaning of Home by John Berger The term home (Old Norse Heimer, High German heim, Greek komi, meaning village) has, since a long time, been taken over by two kinds of moralists, both dear to those who wield power. The notion of home became the keystone for a code of domestic morality, safeguarding the property (which included the women) of the family. Simultaneously the notion of homeland supplied the first article of faith for patriotism, persuading men to die in wars which often served no other interest except that of a minority of their ruling class. Both usages have hidden the original meaning. Originally home meant the center of the world- not in a geographical, but in an ontological sense. Mircea Eliade has demonstrated how the home was the place from which the world could be founded. A home was established, as he says, at the heart of the real. In traditional societies, everything that made sense of the world was real; the surrounding chaos existed and was threatening, but it was threatening because it was unreal. Without a home at the center of the real, one was not only shelterless but also lost in nonbeing, in unreality. Without a home everything was fragmentation.​ Home was the center of the world because it was the place where a vertical line crossed with a horizontal one. The vertical line was a path leading upwards to the sky and downwards to the underworld. The horizontal line represented the traffic of the world, all the possible roads leading across the earth to other places. Thus, at home, one was nearest to the gods in the sky and to the dead of the underworld. This nearness promised access to both. And at the same time, one was at the starting point and, hopefully, the returning point of all terrestrial journeys.*  Originally published in  And Our Faces, My Heart, Brief as Photos, by John Berger (Pantheon Books, 1984). Selected Works by John Berger A Painter of Our Time, novel (1958)Permanent Red: Essays in Seeing, essays (1962)The Look of Things, essays (1972)Ways of Seeing, essays (1972)G., novel (1972)Jonah Who Will Be 25 in the Year 2000, screenplay (1976)Pig Earth, novel (1979)The Sense of Sight, essays (1985)Once in Europe, novel (1987)Keeping a Rendezvous, essays (1991)To the Wedding, novel (1995)Photocopies, essays (1996)Hold Everything Dear: Dispatches on Survival and Resistance, essays (2007)From A to X, novel (2008)

Objection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Objection - Essay Example Consequently, the paper also discusses how appellate court will rule on the objection. The outcome of the alcohol test was issued as one of the evidence (Krey & Theresa, 75). According to the judge, if Fred Friendless has a blood content of 10, they must presume that Fred Friendless is intoxicated. Therefore, obtaining a conviction for Driving while intoxicated, the prosecution will need to establish that Fred Friendless was actually operating the vehicle under the influence. This will be accomplished through circumstantial evidence or by the witness of the eyewitness. From Fred Friendless case, the court will review the Driving While Intoxication conviction where Fred Friendless’ prosecution will prove that he was driving the vehicle. Evidence from the high school head teacher revealed that he measured the skid mark of the defendant and assumed the defendant was driving at least 65 miles per hour. Additionally, the defendant believes that the any person who drinks at least two beers already intoxicated. This is a direct prove that Fred was actually driving under the influence of alcohol (Dolinko,  67). The evidence does not establish that the defendant was under the physical control of the car and hence it is not sufficient to prove that Fred was driving the vehicle. The prosecution also needs to establish the intoxication, which he did not. According to the statutes, it is noted that, intoxication normally occur due to alcohol intake of contraband ingestion. Intoxication is normally hard to articulate. In addition to submitting the blood sample, the police needs to testify the speech, appearance, or behavior and if the police detected the smell of the alcohol beverage on Fred. The factors are important and pertinent evidence of the physical impairment and mental impairment of the defendant. During Berkemer v. McCarty 468 US 420, the Supreme Court believed that the police roadside

Online booking system for parking Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Online booking system for parking - Dissertation Example Effective utilisation of resources could be attributed to the overall success of projects and avoid instances of projects failing mid-way through. Poor project planning continues to be the greatest and common cause for project failures, in different kinds of projects. Regardless of the projects being undertaken, project planning always targets to ensure efficient and effective utilisation of available resources to enhance project implementation process. The project plan shall provide essential guidelines towards execution of the project. This shall involve providing information regarding resource allocation of the various resources. Through proper resource allocation, management of the resources shall become simplified to ensure successful project execution (Kerzner, 2003). Another planning element for the project shall be ensuring effective control of the allocated resources. Controlling ensures efficacy in the utilisation of the resources through eliminating wasteful resource usage during the project implementation. Through efficient controlling process, the resources allocated for the projects shall be able to complete the execution successfully and smoothly. Project planning ensures proper and efficient utilisation of the resources through control in the use of available resources. ... Most project failures remain attributed to resource wastage, which result in resource shortage, and ultimate project failure. Controlling of the movement and proper resource allocation remains a significant contributing factor towards project success. Project charter The project begins with identification of the various parking zones, which shall be included within the online booking platform. The project aims at identifying the upmarket zones with easy accessibility and whose demand for parking remains high during peak and off-peak durations. This shall be followed by an informed analysis of the available infrastructure and capacity of the identified zones. This analysis remains essential in identifying the necessary infrastructural amendments required by different zones to ensure proper functioning of the intended systems, when installed. Upmarket zones with small parking capacity can be considered for expansion to increase the parking space; hence achieve increased earnings from t he parking sales. The project targets at utilising the parking lots with high capacity hence sustainability of the project implementation. The costs incurred in installing the system shall be recovered from the sales received following ticket sales. The project has various stakeholders being directly or indirectly involved within the project implementation. The most notable stakeholders can be identified as listed below. The local government authorities, who can be identified as the main financiers or sponsors of the project The project management team selected by the local authority. This team holds the overall responsibility of ensuring proper utilisation of project resources. Vehicle owners who shall be using the parking zones where the project shall be

Introduction to business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Introduction to business - Assignment Example As indicated above, the environment of a business is dynamic and most noticeably complex. Therefore, these environmental aspects are considered crucial to a business, because they have an impact on the growth of business and generally, its survival in a competitive market. These aspects are not only critical because of a business’ survival in the market, but also because they are a gauge against changes in the market. These are changes that may be technological or economical in nature such as recessions or bank interests. When an organization is able to detect these changes, it becomes easier to adapt or work on how to evade any undesirable results. Business adaptability is crucial in a competitive market, and businesses that are not able to adapt to change soon operate on losses. According to Goodman, Ladzani, Bates, Botha, and Vries a market is defined as a place where trade takes place and based on the participation of sellers and buyers. Sellers and buyers participate by trading in goods or information. In my opinion, this definition is simple and based on the physical location of a market. However, today’s markets are rather different and more virtual rather than physical. An excellent example of this is the internet, which is now a large market and one which is most liquid. In defining the market, it is crucial to also mention that the market is not only focused on products and services, but also satisfies the needs of customers (Goodman, Ladzani, Bates, Botha, and Vries 16). In my opinion, the most appropriate way of defining the market is to think about the needs of customers before making any other business related move. After this, the next best step to take is to identify the products which meet the customer needs. In the contemporary society, companies use marketing tools to convince the buyers to buy goods from the market. The nonprofit organizations use the marketing tools to encourage buyers in the market. Hence, in

Case Sharp Printing, AG Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case Sharp Printing, AG - Assignment Example In addition, I would prolong the project in order to give room for all people involved in the project implementation to make rational decisions regarding the cost of the project and how long it should take. More so, there is the need to plan and prepare for trade-offs concerning the laid down priorities of developing a laser-printing machine at a low price. As a project manager, I would present additional or extra revenues to be expected from implementing the project on projected time. The macro estimates may be off because the project is done when cost and time estimates are an issue. Everybody is not agreeing with the cost and time estimate provided by the project manager. The micro estimate can be trusted if the goal is to make the top management to focus away cost overrun to the predicted profits and the benefits of the product. Further, the micro estimates in such a project enhances cost and time estimate accurately than the macro estimates that has proven to be tough and inconsistent when making time and cost

Motorcycle Market Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Motorcycle Market Report - Essay Example The recent trends in the motor bike industry suggest that the industry is shifting towards achieving more individualization or customization into the motor bikes offered to the customers. This customization comes in many forms. Therefore accessory offered by me is of really great value and according to the recent market trend. "The $14.6 billion* U.S. market for motorcycles is set to see its 13th consecutive growth year with the support of a key consumer bloc. Baby boomers are heading out on the highway in droves. Motorcycles, including cruisers, sport bikes, touring and dirt bikes accounted for nearly 91% of motorcycle sales in 2004 and scooters, standard bikes and dual-purpose bikes accounted for the rest of the market. All segments have experienced a boost in 2005 and through 2006, due to skyrocketing gas prices, bringing more cycle devotees into the core user group and further changing the face of the motorcycle consumer. In 2003, there were 8.8 million motorcycles in operation in the United States, or 3 motorcycles for every 100 persons. Of those, 6.9 million were used on public roads and highways, and 2.4 million were used off-road, these figures also include 500,000 dual-bikes, which are designed for use on public roads and for off-highway recreational purposes.*" (http://www.tank-sports.com) Heated grips work as a "flexible, adhesive, wrap-around heating element with printed-circuit-type elements that fit between the handlebar and grip, keeping your digits from turning into frozen turkey feet of limited utility during cold weather rides.. "(http://www.aerostich.com) C) The market for allied accessories are high as the trends for customization are increased. It has been observed that the there exists different markets for bikes of different classes. The demand for such luxury individualized bikes are such that it has now transformed itself into a luxury business. It must also be noted that the market for accessories also depends upon what kind of luxury is customer ordering. The new trends in the market suggest that the customers prefer various chracterstics. If a customer require speed, the chasis built on the bikes could be light with some extensions in steerings of the bike whereas those prefer long journey can have heated seats with extra cushions so that the journey become more swift and trouble free. The market is growing as many research studies have suggested that the average income in the industry of the end users is increasing . A study suggest following "The average motorcycle rider was a 38-year-old married male with a college education earning $44,250 per year, according to Irwin Broh & Associates's 1998 survey. More than a third of motorcycle owners surveyed earned at least $50,000 per year, up from 20 percent in 1990. This profile represented an increase from just two years earlier, when the average motorcycle owner was 32 years old, with a median household income of $33,100, according to the Motorcycle Statistical Annual 1996. These older, more affluent riders of 1998 could afford heavier, more comfortable, more expensive motorcycles. Also, the ranks of women motorcyclists continued to grow in the 1990s, rising from 6.4 percent of riders in 1990 to 8.2 percent in 1998." (http://www.answers.com) Thus the average spending on

Fictitious Business Description Essay Example for Free

Fictitious Business Description Essay The main purpose of this study is to discuss the importance of a Human Resource Information System (HRIS) in Castle’s Family Restaurant. We are therefore going to discuss on the HR problems in Castle’s Family Restaurant and how the implementation of HRIS will enable the company to reduce costs together with ensuring efficiency in HR operations (Randall S. Susan E. 2007). Business assessment Castle’s Family Restaurant in Northern California is the business to be assisted. It is large in size since it runs several branches in different locations and also has over 300 employees and this makes it to be a company. Depending on the size of the business, I have in my description assumed that Castle’s Family Restaurant is a since it has many employees and many branches. This assumption is based on the background of restaurant work environment and industry. Based on the basic theory of business complexity and getting work done restaurants should employ many workers to ensure that work is done efficiently like in the case of Castle’s Family Restaurant. Identified problems In the review of the HR of Castle’s Family Restaurant, I have noted the following: I have discovered that business does not have a human resource manager rather the operations manager served as HR manager. The company has not implemented HRIS which is important in monitoring the employee’s performance (Randall S. Susan E. 2007). It is therefore evident that the HR is experiencing problems since the HR manager is unqualified and had so many duties to handle which is quite tiresome for him. Some of the functions of a HR include manpower planning, recruitment and training of employees, hiring employees and monitoring employees to ensure high performance. In my analysis I will focus much on monitoring of employees performance which will help me design a business plan. The main reason for focusing on this HR function is because the company seems to have failed in its implementation of HRIS which could be useful in reducing the HR managers travel time and travelling costs and that is why the HR manager has to travel to the branches to monitors employees performance. According to the resource-based theory of Human Resources, strategic management of the company resources leads to its success (Randall S. Susan E. 2007). Increase in the costs incurred by the company is wastage of company resources since a better method can be implemented to reduce these costs and improve company’s performance. HRIS needs assessment According to Michael J. Mohan T. (2008), HRIS is an online solution used by Human Resources to enter data, track data and manage accounting and payroll functions of the company. The main purpose of implementing HRIS in a company is to reduce the manual workload in HR administrative activities through tracking existing workers. Implementation of this software will create a more efficient process from the HR in the sense that it will help the HR manager to manage information about the employees, analyze employee information, manage resumes and new applications and also complete payroll integration with other financial accounting software in the company (Michael J. Mohan T. 2008). Automating all HR functions saves a lot of time and resources and hence increasing efficiency in HR operations as suggested by the resource-based theory of Human Resources. By implementing HRIS in Castle’s Family Restaurant, the HR manager will not have to travel to all company branches to monitor and answer employees questions rather he will perform his duties in his office. All questions that need to be answered will be answered through this software. Application or implementation of HRIS in Castle’s Family Restaurant will therefore enable the HR manager to complete all of his tasks in a cost-effective manner. Conclusion As a HR consultant, I would advise Castle’s Family Restaurant to implement HRIS as this software will solve much of the HR problems and hence leading to reduced costs and improved HR efficiency. Implementation of HRIS will make the company to effectively use it resources for better operations.

Psychosynthesis Approach: Object Relations Theory Overview

Psychosynthesis Approach: Object Relations Theory Overview The therapeutic model of psychosynthesis grew out of the psychodynamic movement and is based on work done by Robert Assagioli (1888-1974). Psychosynthesis takes an optimistic view of the human condition, theorising that a person progresses naturally towards a state of synthesis. For Assagioli, synthesis refers to the idea that people become interdependent and create higher levels of organisation within themselves and others (Assagioli, 1975). This essay examines how psychosynthesis helps people to re-establish their own centre and reach a new level of authenticity within themselves through the use of object relations theory. The model of human consciousness within which psychosynthesis operates can be seen as comprising of a number of layers (Hardy Whitmore, 1999). The layer at which we most normally operate is referred to as the field of consciousness. Most people live their whole lives at this level and do not experience different levels. In psychosynthesis, however, there are considered to be a number of levels at which human beings operate: different, lower levels of consciousness as well the higher, collective consciousness. It is the lower levels of consciousness which are of most practical interest to therapists. These contain traumas that have been covered up, childhood experiences and defensive strategies. While trauma can lie hidden, so can our greatest assets, skills and happiness. Psychosynthesis aims to establish contact with both the traumatic, damaged parts of the self as well as the beautiful parts (Hardy Whitmore, 1999). This process is often called self-realisation and is the result of three stages in psychosynthesis. In infancy, the primary task is ego formation, the creation of a vehicle for the self (Simanowitz, 2003). The second stage is the emergence of the I which normally occurs in adolescence. The third stage is referred to as self-realisation and this is the growing consciousness of the essential self. The psychosynthesis counsellor acts as a kind of external unifying centre who can facilitate the growth of self-esteem through helping the client make the I-Self connection (Whitmore, 2000). One of the main ways in which the therapist helps the client is through mirroring these are confirming responses from the therapist which attempt to calm and soothe (Simanowitz, 2 003). How is it possible, then, to reach this ultimate goal of self-realisation and high self-esteem? Psychosynthesis uses an analysis based on object relations to examine early relationships in life. Object relations theory has at its core the idea that not only do we need relationships, but that the type of relationships that we have determine how our self develops (Crossley Gopfert, 1999). Object relations is, therefore, interested in the way the self develops through the initial relationships with the primary caregivers and how the child begins to split themselves off. Where does the boundary come? How can I tell who is you (the object) and who is me (the self, the I)? In psychosynthesis, these problems are approached using the tool of object relations. Object relations concentrates on two main types of objects: the external objects of other people and the internal objects which are the way in which external objects are represented internally. There are also part objects which are those that are not recognised as full whole people: one example of a part object is that of a breast to a baby. Minsky (1995) describes how Melanie Klein often considered a transitional figure between classical psychoanalysis and object relations theorists focussed on how a baby struggles to relate to people. Central to the way the baby relates is the phantasies it creates these are essentially the babys interpretations of its internal and external representations: what are now considered its object relations. For Klein, these phantasies are based on the childs instincts. The development of these early relations, in Kleins theory, sets the tone for a persons life. Klein saw two possible positions for the baby to take up (Minsky, 1995). The first is the paranoid-schizoid position this is based on the fear of attack. Because the baby is vulnerable and completely dependent on the mother, it fears what the mother might do to it. For Klein this was a developmental stage to be overcome in order to reach the understanding that it is possible to integrate hating and loving feelings. The second is called the depressive position and here the baby must learn to internalise an external world which contains the possibility of integrating good and bad objects. Bad feelings towards the mother and the self are, thereby, integrated and accepted. It is the depressive position that provides most of us with the greatest challenge in our lives. Klein identified four unconscious processes that are important in early object relations (Minsky, 1995). The first of these is termed splitting and refers to how the baby unconsciously splits objects into good and bad (Klein, 1946/1975). This occurs to defend the baby against annihilation anxiety and is directed against threats. An example of this is how the baby idealises the breast early in life. But, over time, through the struggle between the life and death instinct, a bad and good image is created of the breast. With splitting, in Kleins theory, comes the early production of the superego in which both the good and bad aspects of the breast and the mother are incorporated. The second unconscious process is projection which refers to the baby taking its inner good and bad feelings and projecting them onto the world. The inner bad objects, split off, can be projected onto the mother. The third unconscious process is introjection this is where the baby internalises both the good and the bad things around it. In order to build an autonomous self, the baby should internalise more good than bad (Minsky, 1995). Finally projective identification occurs where, after identifying with the object initially, the baby re-internalises it. This will often lead to heavy dependence on the love object as it has effectively included part of the self (Minsky, 1995). The problem with relationships built on projective identification is that they are often characterised by a need to control as well as fear of being controlled. Central to counselling in psychosynthesis is the idea of subpersonalities. These are identities that exist within the person, each with their own behaviour pattern, beliefs and even body posture (Whitmore, 2000). Depending on the situation in which a person is placed, a different subpersonality comes to the surface, which is appropriate in a healthy person. The subpersonalities are essentially unconscious, beyond the individuals control and are normally in place to meet some kind of basic need. The danger is that a person becomes trapped by one particular subpersonality and this starts to control their life. In order to work with subpersonalities it is necessary, according to Whitmore (2000), to recognise those that seem most important. And beyond the surface behaviour of a personality, lies their quality which they want to express. One example of recognising the quality of a subpersonality might be where an ex-addict has developed a tough-guy image the quality of perseverance and c ourage can be recognised in this (Whitmore, 2000). The idea of subpersonalities is built on, and informed by, Winnicotts (1960) distinction between the true and false self. The development of each of these is strongly affected by the mothers attitude towards her child. Winnicott (1960) describes the good-enough mother and the not good-enough mother. The former acknowledges the childs displays of omnipotence in order to encourage the development of the ego. The not good-enough mother, however, tends to, for example, substitute her own signs and signals for the babys and as such the baby only develops an illusion of omnipotence. This can lead to the impaired understanding of external objects, as they are not understood in their true sense. As a result of parenting practices such as these, it is possible for a false self to develop. A false self has been described by Rubin (1998) as a predictable or inauthentic mode of being, whereas the true self is spontaneous and authentic. A clinical vignette is provided by Winnicott (1960) of a middle-aged woman who had developed a caretaker self who looked after the day-to-day functions of her real life. She felt, though, that she had not been in contact with her real self and she had not begun to exist. Winnicott treated her by allowing the caretaker self to slowly pass over its functions to the analyst until a crisis point was reached. This crisis allowed the patient to see and understand the caretaker self as well as the real self. One of the most important therapeutic dynamics in psychosynthesis, as in other forms of psychotherapy, is transference. Transference describes how clients often re-enact with the therapist those early relationships that were important to them (Hardy Whitmore, 1999). This works as the client specifically projects the traits that were, for example, seen in the parents, onto the therapist and uses the same emotional responses and behaviours. By carrying out this projection, the client is attempting to repeat their early relationships, such that the therapist can become the target for a wide range of emotions (Whitmore, 2000). Counter-transference is an important related phenomenon to transference. This acknowledges that there are two people involved in the therapeutic relationship and it is possible that the therapist will start to play out early relationships as well. In psychosynthesis, it is vital that counter-transference is acknowledged by the therapist and that the client continu es to be viewed as containing immense potential. There are a number of ways in which transference can operate; two examples are idealisation and devaluation. Idealisation occurs when the client sees the therapist as a perfect person and incapable of making mistakes. What happens in this scenario is the client effectively creates in the therapist a surrogate parent who they wished they had had this provides them with external security. On the other hand, devaluation can cause the client to see the therapist as flawed or powerless because of the way in which transference has occurred and been identified (Ashbach, 1994). Transference, for Assagioli (1967), is seen as something to be reframed in a positive manner. In this sense, transference is an attempt by the client to find unity within themselves. The separation and splitting referred to earlier, at its most basic between mother and child, requires healing. To achieve this healing, the therapist mirrors unconditional love to the client, and attempts to dissolve transference as it arises. Through this process it is hoped that the client will be able to begin reintegrating the split-off parts, allowing the I to see all of them and hold them together. Ultimately, the aim of therapy is, as Masterson (1988) expresses it, to reach a concept of constancy and wholeness that acknowledges life is a series of shades of gray rather than black and white contrasts. In conclusion, ego development and self-esteem are addressed in object relations theory by examining the clients earliest relationships. Within these early relationships are found the dynamics which can reverberate through the rest of a persons life. Psychosynthesis uses object relations to analyse these relationship, paying particular attention to unconscious processes such as splitting, projection, introjection and projective identification. The process of therapy within this model pays particular attention to the operation of subpersonalities, as based on Winnicotts distinction between the true and false self, as well as how transference and counter-transference affect the therapeutic dynamic. Finally, psychosynthesis views the journey of therapy as being towards a reintegration and acceptance of the split-off parts of the self such that the client can reach a new authentic understanding and reconstruction of the personality around the true self. References Ashbach, C. (1994) Object Relations, the Self and the Group. Oxford: Routledge. Assagioli, R. (1967) Jung and Psychosynthesis. New York: Psychosynthesis Research Foundation. Assagioli, R. (1975) Psychosynthesis: A Collection of Basic Writings. Wellingborough: Northants Turnstone Press. Crossley, D., Gopfert, M. (1999) Cognitive analytic counselling and psychotherapy. In: S. Palmer (Ed.), Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Essential Guide. London: Sage Publications. Hardy, J., Whitmore, D. (1999) Psychosynthesis. In: S. Palmer (Ed.), Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Essential Guide. London: Sage Publications. Klein, M. (1946/1975) Notes on some schizoid mechanisms. In: R. Money-Kyrle (Ed.), The writings of Melanie Klein (Vol III, 176-235). New York: The Free Press (Macmillan) Masterson, J. F. (1988) The Search for the Real Self: Unmasking the Personality Disorders of Our Age. London: The Free Press. Minsky, R. (1995) Psychoanalysis and Gender: An Introductory Reader. Oxford: Routledge. Rubin, J. B. (1998) A Psychoanalysis for Our Time. New York: New York University Press. Simanowitz, V. (2003) Personality Development. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Whitmore, D. (2000) Psychosynthesis Counselling in Action. London: Sage Publications. Winnicott, D. W. (1965) The Maturational Processes and the Facilitating Environment. London: Hogarth Press.

Life Happens :: Essays Papers

Life Happens For just about every kid you really enjoy high school and really don’t think about what you are going to do after you graduate other than the fact that you know you are going to continue or to college of some kind. Well then there are the others who are not thinking about where they are going to go to college, but what job they are going to find so that they can support your child that they just found out that their girlfriend is having. You talk about an eye opener for those kids. Yes they may be eighteen years old and getting ready to move out on their own, but they are still kids getting ready to raise a kid. This is where it gets scary. It is the half way through your junior year and you have been having a great time. This is when the first slap in the face comes. You are talking to your girlfriend and she tells you that she is late. The first thing that runs through your mind is, â€Å"Late for what?† No sooner does that go through your brain and it hits you what she is late for, and that is when your heart hits the floor and like every other guy in the same situation you open your mouth, â€Å"Are you sure?† Like a girl not knowing when she is late for her period is kind of like a guy not knowing if he had an orgasm. After some guys have a few more beers and freak out for a few minutes, or hours, they think that they can not do this and that the girl should get an abortion. Sometimes the girl is right on board with this, and the baby is aborted and the teens lives go on like nothing ever happened. At least until the girl gets a conscious and starts thinking about what she has done and what could hav e been. This will bother the girl at least sometimes. It might bother the guy but not usually. Then there are other guys who after their freak out period they decide to take responsibility for their actions and tell the girl we will make it through this, we can do this. This is where the real story begins. Not only do we have two kids getting ready to leave the nest for the first time and learn how to spread their wings and fly, but they already have their own baby to teach how to do this also.

Automation in the Field of Law :: Technology Research Papers

Automation in the Field of Law Missing Works Cited The question of what should be automated in our world is one that deserves serious contemplation. In a time when technology seems to race past our population at an incredible rate, the thought of our whole world being automated is not a radical concept. It has been predicted that in the near future, every aspect of our society will contain some sort of automation. But what is automation exactly? A Webster’s Dictionary for college students defines automation as â€Å"the handling and fabrication of materials by automatic machinery, especially when no part of the process is done by hand.†1 The same source gives the definition of automatic as â€Å"operated by self-acting machinery.†2 My idea of automation is a machine taking over a job that a human used to perform in such a way that the machine acts on its own to accomplish the task. Webster seems to aim at automation under the terms of machinery; but in our world today, most of the automation we are conc erned with involves computers. Computers are said to be a billion times faster than human beings and are known for their capability to hold more information than humans ever could. So in a world where automation is beginning to gain more and more ground on a daily basis, most aspects of our society have seen its effects. This is especially true for the field of law. There is an important need in this field to remain organized in order for it to be successful. This task requires that billions of laws be filed in an efficient way so they can be accessed on a daily basis by lawyers and judges in order to formulate case arguments and decisions. Now that computers are an essential part of our business world, it seems obvious that some type of automation such as a software program should be introduced into the field of law to help remain organized. But beyond the simple computer program, what about the thought that the whole system itself could be automated? Believe it or not, this thought is already being discussed, and systems are already being designed for that purpose. In the following paper, I will talk about three different types of automation currently used or proposed for use in the legal system.

Christian Ethics Essay

Christian Ethics: Contemporary Issues & Options, Second Edition by Norman L. Geisler In this thorough update of a classic textbook, noted Christian thinker Norman Geisler evaluates contemporary ethical options (such as antinomianism, situation ethics, and legalism) and pressing issues of the day (such as euthanasia, homosexuality, and divorce) from a biblical perspective. The second edition is significantly expanded and updated, with new material and charts throughout the book. There are new chapters on animal rights, sexual ethics, and the biblical basis for ethical decisions, as well as four new appendixes addressing drugs, gambling, pornography, and birth control. The author has significantly updated his discussion of abortion, biomedical ethics, war, and ecology and has expanded the selected readings, bibliography, and glossary. Christian ethics is well summarized by Colossians 3:1-6: â€Å"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. † When we say that the Christian believes that God exists, we mean something significantly different from what many modern people mean when they make that statement. The Christian believes in a God who is really there, a God who exists as an objective reality — not simply one who exists as a mere postulate. A postulate is something that is assumed to be true even when there is no proof that it is true; it is simply something assumed as a basis for reasoning. Modern theology, for instance, often tells man that God cannot be proved, that He must be accepted purely on faith, and it therefore reduces God to nothing more than a postulate. The Christian’s faith in God, however, unlike the faith of modern man, is a rational faith. When modern man says that he believes in God and yet says that God cannot be proved, he is accepting the idea of God as a faith-assumption. He has no rational basis for his belief in God, but he merely chooses to assume, against all the evidence, that God is. The Christian’s faith is instead grounded in reality. He believes in God, not because he chooses to believe in Him on the basis of a faith-assumption, but because he knows God is really there; the evidences for His existence are overwhelming. While more than just a list of â€Å"do’s† and â€Å"don’ts,† the Bible does give us detailed instructions on how we should live. The Bible is all we need to know about how to live the Christian life. However, the Bible does not explicitly cover every situation we will face in our lives. How then is it sufficient for the all the ethical dilemmas we face? That is where Christian ethics comes in. Science defines ethics as â€Å"a set of moral principles, the study of morality.† Therefore, Christian ethics would be the principles derived from the Christian faith by which we act. While God’s Word may not cover every situation we face throughout our lives, its principles give us the standards by which we must conduct ourselves in those situations where there are no explicit instructions. The term â€Å"Christian ethics,† as I shall use it, means a systematic study of the way of life exemplified and taught by Jesus, applied to the manifold problems and decisions of human existence. It therefore finds its base in the last of these frames of reference, and in the other five only as they are consistent with the sixth and exist as applications or implications of the moral insights of Jesus. This is not to claim that we have a perfect record of the life and teachings of Jesus, for historical scholarship has made it clear that the records we have in the Gospels reflect not only what Jesus was and did and said, but also what the early Church believed about him. Still less is it to claim that any fallible human mind can enter so fully into the divine-human consciousness of Jesus as to say without error what his judgment would be in every concrete case of contemporary decision, It is only to affirm that we have an adequate, a dependable, and an indispensable guide to Christian action in what we know of Jesus and in what through him we know of God. No other guide, however important and useful, is either adequate, or so dependable, or so indispensable. The Bible does not say anything explicitly about the use of illegal drugs,  yet based on the principles we learn through Scripture; we can know that it is wrong. For one thing, the Bible tells us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that we should honor God with it Knowing what drugs do to our bodies—the harm they cause to various organs—we know that by using them we would be destroying the temple of the Holy Spirit. That is certainly not honoring to God. The Bible also tells us that we are to follow the authorities that God Himself has put into place (Romans 13:1). Given the illegal nature of the drugs, by using them we are not submitting to the authorities but are rebelling against them. Does this mean if illegal drugs were legalized it would be ok? Not without violating the first principle. By using the principles we find in Scripture, Christians can determine the ethical course for any given situation. In some cases it will be simple, like the rules for Christian living we find in Colossians, chapter 3. In other cases, however, we need to do a little digging. The best way to do that is to pray over God’s Word. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer, and part of His role is teaching us how to live: â€Å"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you† (John 14:26) â€Å"As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him† (1 John 2:27) So, when we pray over Scripture, the Spirit will guide us and teach us. He will show us the principles we need to stand on for any given situation. While God’s Word does not cover every situation we will face in our lives, it is all sufficient for living a Christian life. For most things, we can simply see what the Bible says and follow the proper course based on that. In ethical questions where Scripture does not give explicit instructions, we need to look for principles that can be applied to the situation. We must pray over His Word, and open ourselves to His Spirit. The Spirit will teach us and guide us through the Bible to find the principles on which we need to stand so we may live as a Christian should. Ethics is the study of good and evil, right and wrong. Biblical Christian ethics is inseparable from theology because it is grounded in the character of God. The task of Christian ethics, then, is to determine what conforms to God’s character and what does not. Francis Schaeffer explains the uniqueness of Christian ethics: â€Å"One of the distinctions of the Judeo-Christian God is that not all things are the same to Him. That at first may sound rather trivial, but in reality it is one of the most profound things one can say about the Judeo–Christian God. He exists; He has a character; and not all things are the same to Him. Some things conform to His character, and some are opposed to His character. † Muslims believe that moral norms are arbitrary, a product of God’s decree, and therefore can change as God chooses. Marxists and Secular Humanists rely almost exclusively on their economic or naturalistic philosophy to determine ethics. Postmodernists argue for a morality based on shared â€Å"community† values and Cosmic Humanists assume that everyone acts morally by following inner truth determined on an individual basis. Christians, on the other hand, believe that moral norms come from God’s nature or essence. Rather than believing in some passing fancy bound to society’s ever-changing whims, as Christians we are committed to a specific moral order revealed to us through both general and special revelation. ?We know that God’s ethical order is the only true source of morality, and, in fact, the only possible morality, there can be no other. â€Å"The human mind,† says C. S. Lewis, â€Å"has no more power of inventing a new value than of imagining a new primary color, or, indeed, of creating a new sun and a new sky for it to move in.† For the Christian, the moral order is as real as the physical order—some would say even more real. The Apostle Paul says the physical order is temporary, but the order â€Å"not seen† is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). This eternal moral order is a reflection of the character and nature of God Himself. Christian ethics, in one sense, is simply an expansion of a moral order that is generally revealed to everyone. Despite some disagreement regarding the morality of specific actions, Calvin D. Linton comments on the consistency of the moral code within all people everywhere: â€Å" .  . . [T]here is a basic pattern of similarity among [ethical codes]. Such things as murder, lying, adultery, cowardice are, for example, almost always condemned. The universality of the ethical sense itself (the ‘oughtness’ of conduct), and the similarities within the codes of diverse cultures indicate a common moral heritage for all mankind which materialism or naturalism cannot explain. †3 We may define this common moral heritage as anything from an attitude to a conscience, but however we define it, we are aware that some moral absolutes do exist outside ourselves. According to this universal moral code, whenever we pass judgment we are relying upon a yardstick that measures actions against an absolute set of standards. Without a standard, justice could not exist; without an ethical absolute, morality could not exist. This objective, absolute standard is apparent throughout humanity’s attitudes toward morality. According to a secular philosophy, we should treat all morals as relative—but in practice, even secular society treats some abstract values (such as justice, love, and courage) as consistently moral. Secular society also cringes at the Nazi holocaust, the Russian prison system of Siberian gulags, and the abuse of children. We cannot explain this phenomenon unless we accept the notion that certain value judgments apply universally and are somehow inherent to all mankind. Christian morality is founded on the conviction that an absolute moral order exists outside of, and yet somehow is inscribed into, our very being. It is a morality flowing from the nature of the Creator through the nature of created things, not a construction of the human mind. It is part of God’s general revelation. â€Å"At the core of every moral code,† says Walter Lippman, â€Å"there is a picture of human nature, a map of the universe, and version of history. To human nature (of the sort conceived), in a universe (of the kind imagined), after a history (so understood), the rules of the code apply. †4 This moral light is what the Apostle John refers to as having been lit in the hearts of all men and women—†The true light that gives light to every man† (John 1:9, NIV). It is what the Apostle Paul calls â€Å"the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience† (Romans 2:15). This morality is not arbitrarily handed down by God to create difficulties for us. God does not make up new values according to whim. Rather, God’s innate character is holy and cannot tolerate evil or moral indifference—what the Bible calls sin. Look in any concordance of the Bible, and it becomes apparent that one of the words, which appear most frequently, is â€Å"sin. † From first to last, sin is the story of man’s behavior, even as salvation from sin is the great theme of the Bible. Christianity is through and through a religion of redemption, and while the whole gamut of salvation is not expressed in redemption from sin, this is its central core. Although, as we noted, naturalism and humanism tend to think of sin as an outmoded concept and talk instead about maladjustment, insecurity, neurosis, or antisocial conduct, the term remains in the diction of Christians. But what does it mean? There is no clear agreement as to its meaning, and the ambiguity with which sin is regarded is responsible for much ineffectiveness in Christian preaching and in Christian living. To some persons, and probably to the majority of ordinary Christian laymen, sin means transgression of those standards of conduct usually accepted by the people around them. A Christian is expected not to kill, steal, lie, commit adultery or other sexual infractions, or get drunk. How far he can move in these directions, as in exploiting others to one’s own gain, driving a shrewd deal or pursuing an advantage, stretching the truth, â€Å"having a little affair,† or drinking in moderation, depends for most persons less on the will of God or the revelation of God in Jesus Christ than on what is and what is not done in one’s community. The community, though it embraces the geographical area in which one lives, is a far more pervasive thing than this, for a community is in a large part defined by the social standards of like-minded people. For this reason conflicts as to what constitutes sin often arise between the younger and older generations, or between ministers and their laymen, or between the people of one church and another. Take, for example, the matter of drinking a glass of wine or beer. To some Christians this is a sin. To others, if it is done in moderation, it has no more significance than to drink a cup of coffee. Some regard it as sinful for a minister to drink, but not for a layman — and still more is this disparity in evidence with regard to smoking. A Roman Catholic or an Anglican or a German Lutheran Christian is likely to take a much freer view of such indulgences than is an American Methodist. I am not at this point trying to say who is right. What this illustrates is the ambiguity that emerges when the attempt is made to define sin, or â€Å"a sin,† by accepted social practice. A large part of the message of Jesus was the challenging of both Pharisaic and Gentile ideas of sin by a higher law. The chief danger in defining sin by accepted social practice is not its ambiguity. This, if recognized, can be made the basis of mutual tolerance while holding to one’s own convictions. Thus, Christians may sincerely differ as to the duty of the Christian to be, or not to be, a pacifist; but if one forms his opinion only by the standards of his group and then calls it the will of God for all, God has actually been left out of the picture. This procedure constantly happens, from the most insignificant matters to the greatest, and is a major source of the perversion of Christian ethics.

Federal Government of the United States Essay

Introduction In the American political system Federalism is a basic Structural feature that has mostly generated a great deal of conflict throughout political history America. It involves the governments multiple layers with shared powers amongst them and the unique powers to varieties of the levels of the government (Wood Gordon, 1995). The most three important levels of American federalism are the federal or national government, the states, and the local governments (cities, counties, townships). In the world most of the political systems are unitary systems, but in the system of American it is system of divided government (Wood Gordon, 1995). In the history American Federalism it has evolved over the course. In the time at different points, the boundaries and balance between the state and national government have changed substantially. In the recent time, the main role of the national government dramatically expanded, and it always to expand in the twenty-first century. Provide three (3) examples of how federalism has evolved from its origins to the American political system in place today. In the American political system three examples of federalism that has evolved from its origins are federalism, unitary, and confederate. Federalism almost is a way of nations organizing so that two or more government levels will have formal authority over the people and same area.  In the Unitary system all the power resides in the central government in which most of the governments are today and confederate, most of the power is in the hands of it components and the national government is weak (Wood Gordon, 1995). Over the two centuries the federal system has changed and it’s why the American federalism system is at the center of important battles over the policy (John E. Finn, 2007). Mostly Federalism decentralizes our policies and politics. The powers of overlapping between the two levels government demonstrate the tension with national and states government over who should control the policy and power. Most of the American states are also policy innovators being responsible for new ideas, many reforms, and new policies that are why we stand by till today (John E. Finn, 2007). Examine three to five (3-5) factors that have allowed the concept of federalism to shape American political behavior. In federalism the political system respect to bureaucracy, based upon promoted enculturation of honor, democracy in government within the citizens, the political leaders, and the American society. By the awareness of the people the process increased and regularized by the liberty and civil rights. American citizens seek free will from the governments and Constitutional security of justice. In the American federal system the political parties free to have support conflicting political agenda, free will to voice out, ideas, and ideologies. While the liberals go with the democrats the group of conservative support the Republicans. The Democrats and Republicans represent the main political parties of American along with minor independent parties. The American governments cultivate federalism, by demanding of reforms the citizens of America also contribute in shaping up political changes. Although legislators look upon amendment of Constitution and creation of laws, the citizens have their voices heard and participate. In the whole time, the voting attitude of Americans demonstrated changes. For example, Solid South in the part of Southern states used to be solid supports of Democrats but it was politically divided over time (Maier, Pauline, 2010).In the maintain of consistency the Constitution of US obligate the state and federal governments. With the ruling of democratic, the American federal government also allows amendments of the Constitution as called by the political changes and condition. In the system of US  Constitution the State governments have powers to create and maintain policies but the federal government oversees any policy to ensure agreement. Some time the power conflicts of authority become foreseeable due to nationwide applicability of the Constitution of US. (Maier, Pauline, 2010). Discuss at least two (2) factors that illustrate how the relationship between the states and the U.S. federal government influences the creation of American policies overall. In making of policies of America, constitution amendments through popular vote of the people or state governments may seek ratification of the policy. Through congress the federal government may conclude if votes of American states will be needed on proposed amendments. Like the groups of special interest, state legislatures can also lobby the federal legislatures (Maier, Pauline, 2010). Federalism reflected in state judiciary systems and also reflected in national judiciary system. For example, the laws of state enforce driving safety and speed rules in conformity to policies of federal government to ensure not to lose the highway federal budget privileges (Maier, Pauline, 2010). The power of the State government are mainly geared on the dealings and working of the state but on the other side the power of federal government are mainly after the dealings of the nation in general so that that it may cover some states affairs. In the system of Constitution of US, the State governments have their own constitution but also it abide and obliged with the Constitution of US. Under the valuable concept of federalism system the state and federal governments work hand in hand for the USA (Maier, Pauline, 2010). References: 1. Wood, Gordon, (1995). The Republic of America, 1775-1786. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. 2. John E. Finn (2007). â€Å"Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties Part II: Lecture 5: The Constitutional and Court Interpretation†. The Teaching Company. pp. 51–60 3. Maier, Pauline (2010). Ratification : the Constitutional debate by the people 1787–1788. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 977-0-654-88844-76 p.22.

Beneath and Beyond the Crisis of the Humanities Essay

Course review Introduction                   The primary focus of the humanities class was the exploration of the vast array of issues and topics, especially those related to the culture of humans. In particular, the course exposed the learners to knowledge of the world, and the ways in which the members of society have developed the knowledge and ideologies. The areas of study that were explored during the course of the class included: human history, the politics of society, the world as a whole, and the philosophies developed by different groups and communities (Hariton 178). The class also explored a variety of focal areas, including those used as social lenses for the fashioning of the phenomena studied during the course. The fields that were explored as the lenses used for studying the human world and culture include religion, the channels utilized for communication and the literatures that are used as vehicles of knowledge (Harpham 21).                   The class in humanities has demonstrated its importance for all students in many ways. Firstly, the exposure and knowledge communicated to the humanities’ class was an essential ingredient in widening the analytical abilities needed to navigate other subjects and areas of study. For example, as a scholar of the humanities, it became easier to operate efficiently, as a member of a multicultural team. The scope of the humanities course was important in expanding the skills of communication, both in the areas of written and oral exchange. Through the exposure and the dissection of different studies and phenomena, students were able to conceive the interconnectedness of various knowledge areas. Examples of the practical skills learned included the importance of communication in all other circles of society. The study of global corporations and cultures was very helpful (Harpham 32). The uses of the knowledge included that it fostered the understanding of the various perspectives and knowledge systems studied and encountered in school and society. Through the knowledge developed from other cultures and corporations, learners developed more appreciation for other cultures, their arts, and literature. These constructions are a significant aspect to develop a global understanding of society and its workings. The exposure gained from the humanities class increased the student’s abilities of engaging in value clarification, which deepens the knowledge and wisdom acquired. Examples of the skills learned included those of overcoming failures and difficulties, towards victory – from the information obtained from the lives, experiences of others, and groups. For example, many lessons came from the lives of historical people like Plato and politicians like Abraham Lincoln. More importantly, the class offered the platform needed to cultivate the exchange with great minds like Plato, among others.                   The exposure to the class changed my perspective in a variety of ways. The change of view and outlook, as we navigated through the class included that there is a unique aspect of the nature of all societies. However, the fundamentals of organizations are almost exact copies from one to another. During the beginning of the course, it was easy to reach unfounded conclusions about the Islamic world, from the nature of modernization insurgences. The unwarranted conclusions included that Islam was anti-modernization, due to the attention accorded to normative issues and religious principles. However, after learning about the plurality of societies, it became apparent that the west defined Islam using Western stereotypes and Islam also did the same. The outcomes included the radicalism expressed by people like Ayattulah Khumeini (Hariton 178). The willingness of the East to participate in the modernization has been evidenced by the development of multicultural metros, including Dubai among others. The experience and the dissection of the core of the problems and the criticism channeled against Islam made the topic in Islam a imperative revelation. The themes that appealed to my zeal for knowledge included the fundamentalism of the Islamic world, traditions, and social systems. The emergence of Islam-fashioned modernism is another area that calls for more personal study (Hariton 178). References Hariton, Leon. Humanities 101. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse LLC, 2013. Print. Harpham, Geoffrey. â€Å"Beneath and Beyond the Crisis of the Humanities.† New Literary History, 36 (2005): 21-36. Source document

Free Essays on Baxters Snow

Russell probably never cared so much about his looks until now, â€Å"Twelve years old, and I was so bored I was combing my hair just for the hell of it . . . I held the comb under the tap and then stared into the bathroom mirror as I raked the wave at the front of my scalp upward so that I would look casual and sharp and perfect† (Snow, 41). Russell is in a pre-adolescent period, a time where he experiences many different aspects of manhood. Snow can be looked at in life as pure, innocence, cold, fuzzy like the television reception and even dangerous. Here in Snow, Charles Baxter focuses on his intimate part of his pre-adolescents through different metaphors of snow. Russell’s snow is pure, innocent and cold. Russell and his brother have just decided that they are going to look at a car that a few days prior had fallen into the ice. He lies to his parents, ‘We’re driving to Navarre, I said. ‘Ben had to get his skates sharpened. My stepfather’s eyebrows started to go up; exchanged a glance with my mother-the usual pantomime of skepticism.’ When Ben asked what Russell told their parents, he was not pleased. Obviously Russell is not conniving and manipulated as his older brother. Russell’s experience with girls has been slim to none. His views of dating are extremely standard. Before Russell and his brother go off to the lake, Ben goes to pick up his girlfriend Stephanie. â€Å"How come we’re getting her?† â€Å"Because she wants to see it. She’s never seen a car underneath ice before. She’ll be impressed.† â€Å"Does she know we’re coming?† He gave me that look again. â€Å"What do they teach you at that school you go to? Of course she knows. We have a date.† â€Å"A date? It’s three o’ clock in the afternoon. Besides, I’m along† (Snow,43). Like snow, Russell shows great innocence. Through his innocence he would not take a girl out on a date in mid afternoon and have a younger brother tag along. He... Free Essays on Baxter's Snow Free Essays on Baxter's Snow Russell probably never cared so much about his looks until now, â€Å"Twelve years old, and I was so bored I was combing my hair just for the hell of it . . . I held the comb under the tap and then stared into the bathroom mirror as I raked the wave at the front of my scalp upward so that I would look casual and sharp and perfect† (Snow, 41). Russell is in a pre-adolescent period, a time where he experiences many different aspects of manhood. Snow can be looked at in life as pure, innocence, cold, fuzzy like the television reception and even dangerous. Here in Snow, Charles Baxter focuses on his intimate part of his pre-adolescents through different metaphors of snow. Russell’s snow is pure, innocent and cold. Russell and his brother have just decided that they are going to look at a car that a few days prior had fallen into the ice. He lies to his parents, ‘We’re driving to Navarre, I said. ‘Ben had to get his skates sharpened. My stepfather’s eyebrows started to go up; exchanged a glance with my mother-the usual pantomime of skepticism.’ When Ben asked what Russell told their parents, he was not pleased. Obviously Russell is not conniving and manipulated as his older brother. Russell’s experience with girls has been slim to none. His views of dating are extremely standard. Before Russell and his brother go off to the lake, Ben goes to pick up his girlfriend Stephanie. â€Å"How come we’re getting her?† â€Å"Because she wants to see it. She’s never seen a car underneath ice before. She’ll be impressed.† â€Å"Does she know we’re coming?† He gave me that look again. â€Å"What do they teach you at that school you go to? Of course she knows. We have a date.† â€Å"A date? It’s three o’ clock in the afternoon. Besides, I’m along† (Snow,43). Like snow, Russell shows great innocence. Through his innocence he would not take a girl out on a date in mid afternoon and have a younger brother tag along. He...

Exercise Testing Protocols Essay Example

Exercise Testing Protocols Essay Example Exercise Testing Protocols Essay Exercise Testing Protocols Essay Different exercise protocols prompt different physiological mechanisms before VO2max. This investigation aims to analyse and compare four different tests, both constant load and incremental, in order to determine the most valid and accurate for assessing VO2max. Ten subjects completed four different maximal VO2max tests over a four-week period, with various physiological variables being recorded immediately prior to volitional exhaustion (VO2, RER, lactate and HR).Mean scores for each variable for each test were compared to conclude that in contradiction to current literature, the incremental treadmill test did not elicit the highest VO2, but the incremental cycle ergometer test. Exercise economy and lactate build up were two variables having major implications upon the validity of the four protocols. It is probable that none of the four tests presented a totally accurate VO2max. Several flaws were noted in the data collection procedure and extension studies should be used to support the conclusions drawn.Introduction This investigation involves the comparison of four different exercise tests and their validation in providing quantitative results of VO2max. The tests involved are the: constant load cycle-ergometer test; incremental cycle-ergometer test; multi-stage fitness test and the incremental treadmill test. These tests are all very common in clinical and field fitness testing, therefore the conclusions drawn from this investigation will have direct, practical implications and applications to real world sport.During periods of exercise Hill and Lupton (1923) noted that subjects require additional oxygen to compensate for the additional ATP production and hydrolysis, in relation to rest. They also noted that a plateau occurs in the rate of oxygen consumption (VO2) even though exercise intensity increases, leading them to the assumption that there is a maximal rate of oxygen consumption and utilisation, or VO2max. Hill and Lupton (1924) concluded that circulatory and pulmonary systems being unable to provide sufficient O2 to mitochondria caused VO2max.Later work by Saltin and Strange (1992) supports this view. During regular exercise it is improbable that VO2max will be achieved and so the highest rate of O2 consumption recorded during exercise is known as VO2peak. More contemporary research by Tim Noakes (1996) contradicts Hill and Luptons (1923) theory. He claims that a plateau in VO2 does not always occur, and so he believes a linear relationship between exercise intensity and VO2 is more accurate. Noakes would argue that muscular/peripheral factors are to blame for any incidents of plateau, and that VO2 is not limited.He believes the functions of muscles simply prevent VO2 from increasing further, and therefore VO2max does not exist. The discrediting of Hill and Luptons work by Noakes is based upon the view that Hill only demonstrated experiments that illustrated a plateau and that he did not supply enough experimental evidence to support the theory of the VO2 plateau. The debate between the causes of VO2max as being central/circulatory or peripheral/muscular is generally weighted towards the central argument.According to Wagner (1992), the O2 supply to mitochondria is dependent upon the diffusion gradient, and with Honig et al (1992) proving that the surface area of mitochondria is five hundred times that of the capillaries, the diffusion gradient supports Hill and Luptons theory of circulatory limits to VO2. The more recent beliefs of Noakes are widely criticised by many existing physiologists who claim that Noakes based his ideas on the work of Myers et al (1990) who said that only thirty three percent o f subjects showed a plateau when tested, and that Myers et al only used six subjects, and so it is in fact Noakes work that is unsupported.Froelicher et al (1974) have conducted studies showing variable percentages of subjects actually eliciting a VO2 plateau during exercise, which would support Myers et al (1990). Froelicher et al however, attributed the variances to the protocols used, rather than the inexistence of VO2max, contradicting Myers et al, and moreover, Noakes. Noakes used the absence of a plateau in many cases to promote the idea that VO2 is not limited and would continue to increase with exercise intensity if muscular function did not prevent subjects from continued exercise.Rowell (1986) provides evidence to discredit Noakes by claiming that a plateau is not the only determinant of VO2max, and that Noakes has neglected other physiological indicators that would suggest a maximal VO2. BASES (1997) published a criterion to act as a checklist to aid physiologists in the identification of VO2max. The criterion comprises of: a plateau in VO2; a final respiratory exchange ratio (RER) 1. 15; a final heart rate within 10bpm of predicted maximum; post-exercise blood lactate concentration 8mmol/l; subject fatigue or volitional exhaustion and finally a perceived exertion rating of 19 or greater on a 6-20 Borg Scale.VO2max is often regarded as the most important aspect of fitness due to its benefit to such a wide variety of sports and exercises. Demarie et al (2000) stated that the percentage of VO2max maintained during training is linked to the rate at which physiological adaptations occur. Therefore, the accurate calculation of maximal oxygen uptake is essential for the applied use of designing the most effective training programme to benefit individual athletes.There are many different tests employed by exercise physiologists, sports coaches and physical trainers to assess VO2max in athletes, but as earlier references to the work of Froelicher et al (1 974) illustrates, the protocol for testing VO2max can often influence the results obtained, and whether VO2max or VO2peak is represented. Therefore it is essential that valid and accurate tests be used when assessing VO2max, if the results are to have any reliable and practical function or relevance. This investigation involves the comparison of four exercise tests, each designed to provide accurate VO2max values.The comparison is of validity and therefore, by definition, do the results obtained actually reflect VO2max or are they influenced by physiological responses at high intensity exercise. Research into the physiological demands of these tests and into previous studies involving these tests, is therefore, quite pertinent to this study. Although all tests used in this investigation have the same objective, there are two types of test employed, incremental and constant load, and for each there are different strengths and weaknesses in terms of validity.Incremental tests, accordi ng to Kuipers et al (2003), have a weakness in that stage duration can influence the results. Long stage duration can lead to premature fatigue and volitional exhaustion before VO2max (Crouter et al (2001), therefore, results show VO2peak and are invalid. However Kuipers et al (2003) also say that stage durations between one and six minutes do not influence VO2 plateau and so the tests in this investigation, all of which remain in this time frame, should be immune to such influences.The notion of differences in VO2max values elicited by different tests, is confirmed by Basset and Boulay (2003), who proved that incremental treadmill tests provide significantly higher values than incremental cycle-ergometer tests. Suggesting that cycle-ergometer tests do not accurately reflect VO2max, but reflect VO2peak, hence there could be debate over the validity of VO2max values obtained from them. Kirchoff and Sill (1967) compliment these thoughts with studies providing similar results. Crouter et als (2001) research on premature fatigue could explain this trend.The demands of cycle-ergometer tests are focused entirely on the legs and so lactate build up is concentrated there, hence fatigue of the legs may precede VO2max. Hawley et al (1992) claimed that in their study involving cycle-ergometer tests, 63% of subjects did not reach VO2 plateau due to premature fatigue and volitional exhaustion, caused by acidosis in the legs. Premature volitional exhaustion could also be an invalidating factor of the MSFT, proposed by Leger and Lambert (1982) and developed by Ramsbottom et al (1988).This test comprises of 20m shuttle runs being completed at a gradually increasing pace, set by an audiotape. Several shuttles are completed before a verbal cue from the tape alerts subjects of progression to an increased intensity stage of several more shuttles. With verbal cues preceding the next increment, it has been recognised that subjects do not run until absolute exhaustion, instead many discontinue at a pre-determined target or at the end of a level to avoid the next increment (Wilkinson et al 1998).If such behaviour should lead to sub-optimal performance, then VO2max values translated from the test are not truthful and therefore invalid. This is a predictive VO2max test, which by definition introduces some doubt to the reliability of the test, coupled with sub-optimal performance, the results become unreliable. Another variable of the tests that could influence the value of VO2max obtained is exercise economy (Costill et al 1971).During treadmill exercise, Pokan et al (1995) noticed that mechanical or neuromuscular constraints led to the flattening of tidal volume and maximal pulmonary ventilation as a result of exercise economy. The MSFT will probably be the most affected by exercise economy variances because the ergometers used in the other tests somewhat inhibit inter-subject economy variances, enhancing reliability. This investigation will provide an in-depth discussion into the validity of four VO2max tests.There is ongoing debate in exercise physiological circles into the exact causes of VO2max and the results from this investigation could provide support for the arguments proposed by Hill (1923) or those by Noakes (1995). This study could possibly have an indirect influence on the conclusion of this debate. More practical applications of this test relate to the development of fitness-programmes, which can be dependent upon accurate fitness testing methods. More accurate programmes designed from this research could lead to advancements in the fitness of individual athletes and therefore athletic performance.

The Most Selective Colleges, Why, and How to Get In

The Most Selective Colleges, Why, and How to Get In SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips It's tempting to judge the quality of a school based on its admissions rate. Although this is a reasonable way to assess schools in most cases, there are some special circumstances that might result in extremely low acceptance rates at less academically demanding colleges. In this article, I'll list the most selective colleges in the United States, tell you why they accept so few of their applicants, and provide some advice on how to apply successfully. What Are Selective Colleges, and Why Are They So Picky? Selective colleges are schools that only admit a small percentage of the students who apply. For this article, I'm focusing on the most selective schools in the country, which I've defined as schools that admit less than 10% of applicants. There are several reasons why certain colleges end up with such low acceptance rates. Some schools are extremely selective because they’re looking for a certain specialized type of applicant, and very few students fit the bill. This category would include a school like Juilliard, which is only interested in admitting students who demonstrate virtuosity in music. Students must audition in front of members of the faculty as one of their application requirements. This group also includes military schools like West Point, where candidates must pass a physical fitness assessment and obtain a nomination from their representative in Congress or the Senate to be considered for admission. Other colleges are extremely selective because they’re looking for students with excellent credentials overall, and they can only afford to take the most high-achieving individuals out of the huge applicant pool they attract. These schools represent an intersection of popularity and very high standards. This includes Ivy League schools and schools like Stanford and MIT. These schools have strong name recognition even on an international level, so they attract a huge number of applicants. In 2018-19, Harvard offered admission to only 1,950 students out of 43,330 total applicants! In order to maintain their reputations, these schools can only choose the most outstanding students for each class. Usually, it takes more than just excellent grades and test scores to get in; you'll need these qualifications on top of other unique academic and extracurricular accomplishments. I'll go over the schools that fall into each of these categories in the next section. I assume this was the fate of most applications in the primitive time before the Internet. The Most Selective Colleges I've grouped the following selective colleges into two main categories: non-specialized schools and specialized schools. Non-Specialized Selective Schools First, I'll list some schools that have low admission rates because they're extremely popular and can only choose the strongest overall applicants. They're listed in descending order, starting with the most selective school. I'll also give you the statistics for the average GPA and SAT/ACT scores of admitted students. Keep in mind that even if your scores and GPA are technically at the same level as the averages at these schools, you can’t count on being accepted. Any school that has an acceptance rate of less than 15% is a reach school even for the best students, and any school with an acceptance rate of less than 30% is still very selective. College Name Acceptance Rate Average GPA Average SAT Average ACT Stanford 4.8% 3.95 1465 33 Harvard 5.2% 4.10 1520 34 Columbia 6.1% 4.14 1515 34 Yale 6.3% 4.12 1505 34 Princeton 6.4% 3.90 1500 33 MIT 7.2% 4.16 1528 34 Caltech 7.7% 4.22 1560 35 Pomona 8.4% 4.01 1450 32 University of Chicago 8.7% 4.29 1530 34 Claremont McKenna 9.0% 4.09 1490 32 Northwestern 9.2% 4.09 1490 33 Brown 9.3% 4.09 1488 32 UPenn 9.3% 3.93 1490 33 Dartmouth 10.4% 4.07 1478 32 Vanderbilt 10.7% 3.80 1475 34 Duke 10.8% 4.08 1485 33 The University of Chicago: subtly (or not so subtly) trying to inch its way into the Ivy League? Specialized Selective Schools Now I’ll list schools that are extremely selective because they have specialized programs and are looking for specific types of applicants. I'll also include the average GPA and test scores for each of these schools, although be aware that some of them do not report these statistics. In the case of highly selective music schools, test scores and grades are less relevant to a student’s likelihood of acceptance. These schools consider musical talent more strongly than academic performance. In this section, I’ve included a description of exactly why each school is so selective as well. College Name Acceptance Rate Average GPA Average SAT/ACT Why Is It So Selective? Curtis Institute of Music 4.0% Not reported Not reported This school is only looking for the most elite music students, and admission is "based on artistic promise alone." Curtis Institute also provides a full tuition scholarship to all of its students. These factors combined create an acceptance rate below that of even the most competitive colleges on the first list. The Juilliard School 5.9% Not reported Not reported Like the Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard is only looking for a very specific and very talented subset of students. Students must audition for faculty members as a part of the application process, and performance standards are extraordinarily high. US Naval Academy 8.5% 3.94 1410 / 31 In order to attend the US Naval Academy, students must apply for and receive a nomination from a US representative, a senator, or the vice president. Students must also pass a physical fitness assessment and a medical examination. Academic standards are very high, so there is only a small subset of students who meet all the necessary requirements. US Military Academy (West Point) 9.6% 3.73 1300 / 25 West Point has such a low acceptance rate because it requires students to pass muster in other ways besides earning high test scores and grades. Applicants must complete a physical fitness assessment where they have to do as many push-ups as they can in two minutes (for me, this would be about 0.5), run a mile as fast as possible, and do a few other tests for agility and strength. They also have to apply for a nomination from a congressperson or senator from their state or from the vice president. Only students whose requests for nominations are granted will be offered a spot at West Point. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 13.1% 3.50 1393 / 31 Cooper Union is an all-honors college where every student receives a half-tuition scholarship and is automatically considered for additional merit scholarships; it also has highly specialized programs in architecture, fine arts, and engineering. Students applying to each of the schools must take "home tests" designed by Cooper Union to determine their skill levels. Admission is based significantly on creative abilities in addition to high academic standing, which makes Cooper Union both popular and picky. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering 13.4% 3.90 1497 / 34 The small size of the student body (fewer than 100 students are accepted each year), combined with the half-tuition scholarship all accepted students receive, make Olin a desirable and competitive college to get into. Because Olin is an engineering school, students must demonstrate aptitude in areas like calculus and physics in addition to overall academic excellence. West Point graduation looks fun, but they're actually throwing up their hats in a very specific military formation. This is a tactic used to confuse and distract the enemy with its appearance of reckless exuberance. What to Do If You're Aiming for the Most Selective Colleges If you're hoping to attend one of these selective schools, that's great! There's no magic formula for acceptance, but you also don't have to rely on luck if you play your cards right. To have a solid chance of acceptance at one of the non-specialized selective colleges, you'll need to take the most difficult classes throughout high school while earning very high grades. As you can see by the average GPAs for admission at these schools, it's expected that most students will have high school transcripts dominated by As. SAT/ACT test scores are also very important; your scores should be at or above the average for admitted students. Even at non-specialized schools (but especially at specialized schools), it's important to show excellence in one academic or extracurricular area if you want to stand out from the crowd. Since you're competing with so many applicants, and most of them will have academic credentials that are just as good as yours, you need to find a way to demonstrate your value as a member of the college community that goes beyond grades and test scores. The most selective schools appreciate passion, drive, and outside-the-box thinking. If you can develop a specialization that shows them that you possess those qualities, your chances of acceptance will be very strong. Read this article for more advice on what it takes to get into extremely selective schools. What's Next? If you're hoping to attend a highly selective school, you'll need to have a very strong academic record in high school. Learn more about high school honors classes and societies. Not sure what your GPA means for your chances of college admission? Find out what a good or bad GPA might look like based on your goals. College ranking lists can strongly influence how people view the quality of certain schools. Read this article to get a more complete picture of what ranking lists really mean and whether you should trust them. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: