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Free Essays on Meaning Of Thought

Can Descartes be certain that he is thinking? How? Can he be certain that he exists? How? (And who is he?) Descartes’ statement â€Å"I think therefore I exist† raises questions about the meaning of thought, the meaning of existence but most fundamentally, in what sense he can be certain. The difficulty in establishing the certainty of â€Å"I think† and â€Å"I exist† is that the two concepts are interrelated. Thus, for example, differing interpretations of what it is to think will have a profound impact on the question of whether Descartes can achieve the certainty of his existence. The success of his attempt to achieve certainty can be analysed in relation to how far he overcomes the universal doubt he has introduced in the first meditation. It is in this sphere of meaning that â€Å"I† becomes very relevant as it is possible to argue that his use of â€Å"I† demonstrates that his own interpretation of what is certain is partially based on intrinsically held beliefs. Williams describes the statement â€Å"I think† as indubitable. This is because â€Å"if anyone believes he is thinking or that he exists then necessarily he has a true belief.† Using the Cartesian method, the statement that â€Å"I think† is unique because it is the only premise that has the property of having its truth confirmed by the act of doubting it. Descartes demonstrates that he has found a statement that is not defeated by the possibility of a ‘malicious demon’ when he says â€Å"If I am in doubt, if I am entertaining the possibility that I might be deceived, then the very fact that I am around to entertain that doubt shows that I must exist†. Thus he is already assuming that his ability to entertain doubt, or â€Å"think† is certain, which based on the premise above, is a not unreasonable conclusion. Before further examining his assertion that he is thinking, the question of what Descartes means by thinking must be defined. In the simplest form, possible d... Free Essays on Meaning Of Thought Free Essays on Meaning Of Thought Can Descartes be certain that he is thinking? How? Can he be certain that he exists? How? (And who is he?) Descartes’ statement â€Å"I think therefore I exist† raises questions about the meaning of thought, the meaning of existence but most fundamentally, in what sense he can be certain. The difficulty in establishing the certainty of â€Å"I think† and â€Å"I exist† is that the two concepts are interrelated. Thus, for example, differing interpretations of what it is to think will have a profound impact on the question of whether Descartes can achieve the certainty of his existence. The success of his attempt to achieve certainty can be analysed in relation to how far he overcomes the universal doubt he has introduced in the first meditation. It is in this sphere of meaning that â€Å"I† becomes very relevant as it is possible to argue that his use of â€Å"I† demonstrates that his own interpretation of what is certain is partially based on intrinsically held beliefs. Williams describes the statement â€Å"I think† as indubitable. This is because â€Å"if anyone believes he is thinking or that he exists then necessarily he has a true belief.† Using the Cartesian method, the statement that â€Å"I think† is unique because it is the only premise that has the property of having its truth confirmed by the act of doubting it. Descartes demonstrates that he has found a statement that is not defeated by the possibility of a ‘malicious demon’ when he says â€Å"If I am in doubt, if I am entertaining the possibility that I might be deceived, then the very fact that I am around to entertain that doubt shows that I must exist†. Thus he is already assuming that his ability to entertain doubt, or â€Å"think† is certain, which based on the premise above, is a not unreasonable conclusion. Before further examining his assertion that he is thinking, the question of what Descartes means by thinking must be defined. In the simplest form, possible d...

Sales Management Assignment Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sales Management Assignment - Term Paper Example To begin, one can easily interact with customers through the free social sites and have them together so as to deliver relevant information to them. It is also possible to update the network as regular as possible. Sharing of customer experience and information may be enabled through the internet. There is an opening for business evaluation depending on the customers view. As this is done, there is a feeling of personal attachment that develops mutually. For instance a company like sumsung can effectively makes its marketing over the internet by advertising its products and issuing direct purchases from all over the world. Through the internet, it is possible to attract more customers with no limitation as long as the customer has connections with you. In fact, in case of social sites, all other friends and families will be able to see the information about the business. This enables more room for sharing leading to the growth of the network. Businesses can exploit this technology fo r promotion of their services and products1. Modification of features is possible through the internet hence relating as per current situation is possible. This can be father enhanced by customizing links and collaborating features within the website. Interaction with the customer is made more dependable with the provision of contacts and sharing of information via the inbox; this ensures a feeling of security with the individual customers. Through the social sites, there can be recorded an increase in the leads and sales. Enticing information may be included such as the offers available, new brands, among other information that may be required by the intended customers2. As such, the efficiency of this method as an advertising tool is fully realised among the users. There is the need to build trust so as to realise the advantages of using the internet t reach the customers. Disadvantages of building customer relation using the internet Security is the first issue with the internet technology in the world today. This is mostly due to hacking that has made most customers to doubt the payment procedures hence less commitments in line with the payments. Some companies which offer money transfers may be the victim in this case making the process harder. For instance, the use of visa cards has recorded froud in its transsuctions occasionally. The scale of the system is a limiting factor to some level. In case the system is made to accommodate a given number of customers then it so happens that the customers increase beyond the expected number then the business is set to shut down since there will be an overflow3. The cost of e-commerce must be calculated; the business must be in a good position to raise sufficient funds in order to accommodate the expenses incurred in using the internet. The product or service in question should also be evaluated so as to determine the loyalty of the customers. As such, the challenge comes where the customers targeted may want to h ave the real feel of the product rather than just the pictorial view of it. Vulnerability of business information to competitors becomes a major disadvantage in customer relation over the internet4. The cost of internet start up is also significantly high. In general, the intimacy of a one to one

The two places Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The two places - Essay Example Pacific islanders form the smallest racial group in Santa Monica with a percentage of 0.1% while whites making up the largest percentage of 77%. Santa Monica being a beach city has attracted a lot of businesses and investors from overseas. International clothes designers and other celebrated merchandise are all found in the city. Anybody visiting Santa Monica will find a reason to overstay his or her welcome especially at night. This is because there is a buzzing nightlife in the city. Bright lights and many theatres are a norm in Santa Monica. There are also cultural museums which the residents can get useful information about the city and America as a whole. For the art lovers, there is an array of galleries to visit that feature international and local artists. Crime in Santa Monica is not high. For instance, cases of sex offenders are quite low. Other offences such as thefts and arson are also minimal with about 2000 thefts in 2010. Therefore, it is a safe place to live in without worrying about thugs attacking the area. The city usually holds cultural events such as fun fairs and community based activities such as disability day races. This definitely keeps people together. Venice Beach is adjacent to Marina Del Rey and is one o the places that is ideal for visiting if one is used to always being in Marina Del Rey. Just like Santa Monica, Venice beach is a tourist attraction due to its sandy beaches. In fact, Venice is quite similar to Santa Monica. The population as of 2008 was about 41,000 with white residents taking almost 64% of that number (Drake). It is said to be one of the wealthiest cities in the neighborhood because the average income of a household is 67,057 dollars. However, Venice has a culture of street performers who do great shows from juggling to skating while playing guitars. Entertainment wise,

Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Research Paper Example The essays from McArdle, the Scientific American, and Sharma opened my eyes to the urgency of research on and policymaking regarding superbugs. I chose the topic of writing a policy that urges the government to provide financial incentives for antibiotic research, controls how healthcare workers prescribe antibiotics, bans the use of antibiotics for non-related applications in the agricultural sector, and prohibits the sale of over-the-counter antibiotics. My research questions are: How did superbugs develop? What are the current effects of superbugs on society? What can stakeholders do to prevent the development of superbugs and to resolve the national and global health issue of drug resistance? The starting points of my research are the essays from McArdle, the Scientific American, and Sharma, wherein McArdle gives an overview of the superbug problem and offers potential economic and legislative solutions. If the government and other stakeholders do not do anything about this probl em, bacterial infection will rise, and this will afflict and kill many people. At the same time, antibacterial medication prices will increase, which will prevent low-income people from receiving treatment that will help them survive drug-resistant diseases. To know more about the effects of superbugs on society and their historical development, I used the keywords â€Å"superbug drug resistance† in searching for relevant articles in EBSCOHost databases. I limited the publication years to 2009 to present and came up with 525 articles. I selected Walsh and Fischbach’s Scientific American article because they described the effects of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the rise of deaths in the U.S. They also explained how MRSA developed. They further explored how new scientific approaches can resolve the resistance problem. While going through hundreds of search results, I also came across Leclercq’s article. He provided an update on drug resist ance issues and the challenges in designing new antibacterial medication. Aside from McArdle, the Scientific American article from the textbook showed the connection between antibiotics and agricultural problems. While researching for the effects and development of drug-resistant bacteria, I came across a lengthy article from Lessing. Lessing provides a useful section on the history of antibiotic use in the agricultural industry, which resulted to drug-resistant bacteria that afflict human beings. She shows how the quest for increasing profits produced ill consequences for human health in general. Lessing advocates citizen action because so far, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Congress have not produced meaningful legislative gains that ban antibiotic use for non-therapeutic purposes in the agricultural sector. To gain deeper knowledge on antibiotic use in agriculture, I further searched for articles using the key words â€Å"drug resistance antibiotic livestock United S tates† in EBSCOhost. I found the article from Love et al. They described the history of medicated feeds, the nature of free-choice medicated feeds (FCMF) use, and U.S. policies that tackle antimicrobial drug use in food animals. Their article is important because they balance policy considerations with agricultural realities and needs. Aside from this article, Sapkota et al.’s study captured my attention because they examined the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant

Influence of Government Type on Policy Making

Influence of Government Type on Policy Making When a country has a democratic government, the process of implementing a law is extremely tedious compared to a monarchy.  In a monarchy,  the rulers word is law, and that law is enacted precisely when the ruler says it is, saving a great deal of time and work. However, the trade-off  is necessary,  especially in complex policy issues,  such as  foreign policy,  that relate  to war. When  entering conflict with  a  foreign nation,  it’s crucial for the survival of a nation. War is an extremely costly operation, one  that can cause substantial  financial damage to  a  nation. A democratic political system,  such as  in  the USA,  specifically prevents a nation  from  entering wars  for any defensive  or offensive  purpose  that is not publicly approved, because a mistake in such decision will impact the survival of a  nation. Even though there is a loss of efficiency, it ensures the survival of a nation. However, the main reason why extensive checks on policy is necessary,  is because we humans suffer from our own psychological bias.  In the book The Nudge, the author describes  Ã¢â‚¬Å"we human  can be manipulated by savvy architects of choice â€Å".  Referencing  that we human,  and  politicians  of course,  will sometimes makes incorrect decision or irrational decision based  on  psychological manipulation. A check and balance system  extensively  prevents that from happening in our government.  By making single sided and quick decisions virtually impossible from our policy making process. Despite the obvious loss  of  efficiency, this trade-off of speed for balance is essential. The framers of the American constitution knew well the results of absolute rule  and structured the nation they founded very specifically to avoid such tyranny. A somewhat clunky government is the unavoidable price of a multi-faceted government. In turn, public participation is encouraged under such a system, as people are made to feel that their efforts can make a difference, as opposed to the sense that a distant and unconcerned  monarch  will simply do as he  or she  likes regardless of public opinion and action. Using the United States as an example, the  president, head of the executive branch of government and holder of the ostensive title of â€Å"head of state,†Ã‚  has virtually no power to draft new legislation. In fact, his (or her) authority in this matter is entirely limited to effectively asking nicely for  Congress (which constitutes the legislative branch) to introduce the desired law. Political allies in the House of Representatives will certainly comply, but their opponents are sure to question and criticize the new law to within an inch of its life, insisting on amendments and modifications if they allow it to move forward at all. Assuming some agreement – often  taking a long time to  reach  and achieved only after the requisite rounds of political scheming and posturing – can be reached, essentially the entire process must be repeated in the Senate, where the unique balance of  senators may bring the bills future into question yet again. We can see that by allowing discussion and exchange between  the  Senate and  House,  the public participation in the political matter increases  as well. As each citizen  recognizes  that we elected our own policy makers,  every citizen makes a difference,  as opposed  to a monarch,  who often distances  him  or herself from the public when making public policy,  thus discouraging  public participation. One way to allow the public participation is  allowing public to form  special interest group to maintain their position in the government by lobbying  to  influence other people to support the organization’s position.  These interest groups  often testify in legislative hearings,  donate to  political candidates  (Www.opensecret.org),  and donate money to candidate or organization to lobby  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  politicians.   When special interest effects certain elite groups, the candidate of the elite group can spread their ideas to the  public  at large,  which results in  a  change  in  public opinion, thus ensuring their ideas and objective are in place in the society. Special interest group  are  formed  by groups of individuals,  and  the group’s ability to drawn in large  numbers  of citizens directly impacts the quality of policy,  because when implementing a policy, to satisfy its members,  the policy drafting procedure must ensure a common understanding of the law, must be readable (not overly complex),  and it must  achieve  the group’s social, political,  and legal objectives,  which are the criteria of a good-quality policy.  Reading) ( Think tanks are a wide range of institution that provides public policy research, advice,and analysis, while operating independently. They are non-profit  and  operate  independently  from political partiesand government. Their main goal is to help government officials  understand and make rational decisions  on different issues.  They support policy developments by  conducting research on  complex issues  with their expertise and present their extensive findings to  government officials,  such as congress and other officials. Think tanks  act  as  an intermediary  between knowledge and politicians. However, think tanks approach different issues differently. A scientific approach requires extensive testing  of  theories about the policy effects. A professional approach requires analysis of the  opportunity cost of different alternatives. And lastly a political approach requires support of  the  left or right-wing party. Although the description above summarizes different approaches  for different think tanks, the underlying  simultaneous approach requires think tanks to understand complex issues and to provide research and advice to  funders  or  political leaders  and together draft a quality policy that can reach different objective. To explain the difference between political vs economic model we can look at democracy vs communism.  To begin with, democracy is entirely a political model. In  the American sense, democracy is no economic model. It is a system in which the people at large vote upon voluntary candidates who have asked to serve as representatives in a variety of capacities, and once winning election, to decide policy as they see fit. As this structure the  administration of the country, with no necessary commentary upon economics, it is a political model. By contrast, communism is an economic model, though its nature does tend to favour a political structure. Communism is an extreme flavour of socialism that emphasizes the dignity of the common worker, who is credited with building and maintaining all human societies. As such, communism purports to establish an economy free of financial inequality, in which the workers – constituting most of the population – are all equal social partners. It is in this manner that communism can be mistaken for a political model, as such tight controls on societal resources all but require a strong centralized government to oversee distribution. But this is a consequence of communisms economic ideal, rather than a prescription. Communism is an economic model. Again, an economic model as rigid as communism tends to demand a powerful government, but ultimately it is a nations political model – not its economic model – that determines the selection of policies. This is only sensible, as policy should be set by a nations leaders – even if, as in the U.S.A  example above, those leaders are none but the people themselves – and not by directly by economic factors. I believe economic model should dictate policy making, because  economic model is  a much effective and less costly  way to  drive changes in the country.  When  we look at the  example of increase  alcohol tax  led to decrease in alcohol purchase.  We can see that economic policy  clearly influences human behaviour. Not only it decreases drunk driving accidents, it increases  productivity  and health gains. In the past we have seen example of political models in place to ban alcohol  (18th  amendment), not only it did not decrease  incentive to purchase  alcohol, it increase power, corruption within a nation  which  cause  more  social damage to a  nation.  Economic model has proven itself as the best model to drive changes in a country  and human behaviour. References Keilman, John. Higher Booze Tax a Lifesaver?  Chicago Tribune. Web. 1 Oct. 2014. Top Donor Profiles.  Center for Responsive Politics. 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 1 Oct. 2014. www.opensecrets.org>.Thaler, Richard H., and Cass R. Sunstein.  Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness. New Haven, Conn.: Yale UP, 2008. Print.

Career Profile: Advertising Executive Essay -- Careers Jobs Marketing

Career Profile Task The career that I have chosen to profile is that of an Advertising Executive. Advertising professionals combine creativity with sound business sense to market a product based on financial, sociological, and psychological research. To ensure this complicated process works smoothly, advertisers spend a lot of time in the office (a six-day week is not unusual). Most of their time is spent brainstorming, creative blockbusting, and sifting through demographic research; less time is spent meeting with clients or pitching advertising campaigns. Fluidity of daily activity marks the life of the advertising executive who jumps from project to project. It takes a very disciplined person to handle both the creative end and the detail-oriented side. Advertising executives work in teams on projects, so working with others is crucial; those who are successful have the ability to add to other people’s ideas and help them grow. The need to be flexible can not be emphasized enough. As a number of large players in the industry move toward â€Å"computer-based brainstorming,†-a way in which creative ideas are kept in a fluid database without regard to account specificity-computer skills will become more valuable. Like most project-oriented careers, you can expect periods of intense activity during which you have little, if any, free time. At other times, the workload is light and mundane. Education / Training Requirements High-school preparation: Take lots of English courses. Any other writing-intensive courses are good as well. If your high school offers courses that will teach you how to use computer programs or, even better, how to create computer-based graphic art, take them, too. You'll probably be required to take a foreign language in college if you choose to major in Advertising. Plan accordingly. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Advertising majors almost universally involve some fairly challenging statistics courses. Consequently, if you ignore math in high school, you'll be in for a rude awakening. Degrees Possibly Required:  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Degree in Internet Marketing  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Degree in Marketing and/or Business Administration  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Journalism and/or editorial experience would be an asset  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  BA/BS  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Other specific degrees in relation to the type of advertising. (Example: Internet Advertising = Degree in Internet Advertising Skills... ...ne to make it better. I tell my family and friends about my ideas, and they love them! If I had an advertising account to complete, and I had a team of skilled designers, and conceptualists, I know that I could do the job pretty darn good. It takes an outgoing, creative, social, skilled person who likes to, and can work with others collaborating thoughts and ideas, to be an advertiser. Through all of my personality tests and self-evaluations, I have come to the conclusion that I am almost perfect for this job. I have an outgoing personality, I am creative, I enjoy working with others, I love creating great humour, and I LOVE designing things. I am also somewhat skilled at selling products and ideas, as well as negotiating (this must be hereditary, as my mother is blessed in this area). Bibliography: (March 2). Monster Job Search Website. [Online]. Available: http://www.monster.ca (March 3). Career Builder. [Online]. Available: http://www.careerbuilder.com (March 3). About.com. [Online]. Available: http://www.about.com (March 4). Google. [Online]. Available: http://www.google.com (March 6). The Princeton Review. [Online]. Available: http://www.princetonreview.com