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Freedom of Speech Essay Originally rap music has been around since 1926 and was not as popular back then as it is now. Teenagers to adults listen to an average of two point five (2.5) maybe three (3) hours of music per day. Study shown in 1 of 3 of the songs played contains explicit language and reference to drugs alcohol or women. Ice Cube’s album entitled ‘Death Certificate’ sends messages that bluntly and descriptively threatens violence against homosexuals, women, whites who exploit blacks, whites who covet black women, Korean shopkeepers and police officers. Jon Pareles who wrote the article, ‘Should Ice Cube Voice be Chilled? ’argues from several different point of views on why Cube’s album should not be sold. The article also argues that his voice should be chilled because of violent lyrics and threats towards which it addresses. Jon Pareles made his argument by simply using different responses and groups to show why the album should not be sold and should be edited. For example, the Simon Wiesenthal Center is Jewish human rights group who demanded four major record stores chains to cease in selling the album. The called it ‘cultural Molotov cocktail’. After listening to it, the Center realizes how quickly this album is going to explode in the minds and ears of young and old listeners. Another example was ‘Black Korea’ which according to Ice Cube meant Korean shopkeepers who follow the customer throughout the store to ensure they do not steal. This section of the album did not just scratched below the surface but stirred a nationwide boycott. The Korean- American Coalition did not take this lightly, they condemned and deleted it. In an editorial review, a response by James Bernard favored censoring the lyrics because some people are too thin-skinned. Also, Mr. Bernard knew that these types of issue people are force to face on a day to day basis. Why did Ice Cube use such blunt and threatening lyrics? Ice Cube was born and raised in an area polluted with crime, violence and where trust was hidden underground. His inappropriate reactions and vengeance was all towards how he and his people were treated (bullied). Pareles describes this reaction of one that is simplistic and ugly because, this would not eradicate the problem but cause an escalation. The clear message of this album caught enough attention by the media and organizations to determine whether or not ‘Death Certificate’ should be heard at all. The question remains unanswered to curious critics, why are people buying ‘Death Certificate’. Some just savor the action like movie imagery that Ice Cube presents. His gift of violence attracts his listeners to buy the album. Ice Cube lyrics did have some effects on young listeners during the recession; gang involvement disillusioned. However, the majority of the listeners will just play loud music. Jon Pareles produced strong points from many different organizations, groups and individual views on why the album should be terminated. The writer never once critized Ice Cube but spectated his album as a whole. On the other hand, Pareles also agree that although Ice Cube does not have the most positive thinking, he has a right to be heard, but he is going to have to answer and be challenged for his thinking and decisions.

Impact Hammurabis Code of Laws and Egyptians Be Human Essay Example for Free

Impact Hammurabis Code of Laws and Egyptians Be Human Essay Select a minimum of TWO [2] primary-source documents [easier if a contrast] from the list on Blackboard HICC 101 course package as a basis to answer the central questions listed below. In other words, answer the question using evidence from what the authors at the time thought about these issues. Always clearly state your idea first, and then quote from the source. REMEMBER: the term â€Å"quote† should be restricted to a verb form. You are quoting the text, but if you refer to the text, don’t say â€Å"In this quote†; refer to the â€Å"statement† or â€Å"text. † All quotations from the primary sources must state the author’s last name (or title of book) and page number in parentheses directly following the quote. You will need to quote the most significant passages in order to support your claims. Keep the length of all quotations to a minimum, and make certain that you interpret and point out the meaning of the text [texts are never obvious]. Quote only what you can explain: quotations are only evidence for the points you already make! In order to reflect on a document you will have to quote it several times. Never quote your professor or class notes; they only teach you the material so you can find evidence in published texts, like your text book, which you can choose to quote in a limited way, but is not necessary. This assignment is your analysis of the primary sources (thus: never begin or end a paragraph with a quotation), and always interpret and explain the quotation in light of the idea that you have made. A good paragraph (in a nut shell) has one central idea, the idea is explained, then evidence is suggested (quote), then interpretation, then conclusion of the idea. Primary Source paper #1 reflect on any of the material in Units I, II, III. Central Question: How did civilizations in the ancient world view humanity? What did it mean to be human? Compare and contrast at least two different civilizations (i.e. Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Greek, or Roman). Primary Source paper #2 reflect on any of the material in Units IV, V. Central Question: How did Christians in the European West [AD 200-1600] develop the Catholic intellectual tradition? How did they balance the wisdom from Greco-Roman thought with Christian theology, and what balance was developed between faith and reason? Compare and contrast an author from the early medieval period (any Christian thinkers before 1000 AD) with an author from the high Middle Ages or Renaissance period (after 1000 AD). Primary Source paper #3 reflect on any of the material in Units VI on China. Central question: What did Chinese authors [1500 BC- AD 220] think was necessary to forge a more just society for the common good? Compare and contrast two different authors. You may refer to some of the authors in Units I-V to compare and contrast, but most of the paper should be reflecting on Chinese authors

Analysis of the U.S. Health Care System

Analysis of the U.S. Health Care System U.S. Health Care System Radhika Chhabra Healthcare within the United States has captured different people within the field such as business leaders, policy makers, and health experts to give the system a reformation. Within the year of 1993 and 1994 the United States government has changed over the course of the year and made sure that the reformation of the nation’s health care system stays intact. There are many underlying issues within the health care system and they need to have problems fixed as soon as possible and provide care to patients that are needed. â€Å"Unlike many other issues, the polls of American health care could be defined simply: health care costs too much and too many Americans go without needed care. Yet agreeing on a cure for those ills proved to be exceedingly difficult† (Cloyd, 2014). The United States carries on different ideas to improve their healthcare system and it seems like the way of expansion they need to have the proper access to provide the correct services that are needed within the U.S. health care system. Within the U.S. healthcare system the costs need to be lowered because the prices are tending to escalate within different organizations and the delivery of healthcare. The United States has been tied up within their problems and their main concern is the financial resources that are unable to be provided to them. This is one of the reasons why the U.S. depends on other countries to look for cures and other solution to provide medical care for patients. With different accesses that should be able to guarantee the control of costs within a health care facility. It tends to make it more difficult at times when they do not know what to expect and that ends up being risky and uncertain. The U.S. health care system needs to be successful with changing the system and the way they approach patients in the delivery. â€Å"Therefore the right question is whether measures exist that can improve conditions substantially within a reasonable amount of time. Different health care systems meet different needs and set different priorities. Each health care system tries to meet priorities, and in doing so each has disadvantages and advantages† (Cloyd, 2014). By reforming the healthcare system the U.S. should follow other countries institutions and making decisions what is best for their patients and their facilities. The consideration is that the country adopted other conditions from other countries and that makes it clarify that that it cann ot be possible to transition into another nation’s health care system. The people that are involved within the transition are the ones that are interested with specific features of other medical equipment and what they system provide to help patients out with their care. The U.S. system has different companies around the country that will provide medical care to their patients but have adaptation from different Japanese manufactures that will provide high quality techniques. The reason why the United States can adopt different aspects of different countries healthcare systems is because they can learn from each other on their culture and technology. People are showing the same and or different challenges that they face within a medical facility and for those reasons they are able to learn off one another. â€Å"Thus, the search for solutions has become global in scope, as the United States looks beyond its borders to examine how other industrialized nations provide and finance health care. Such lessons from abroad are made possible by cross-national comparisons and analyses of the extensive comparative data and information available† (Cloyd, 2014). There are different challenges that people tend to face within the American health care system and those are: the pressure of populations, the medical increases in costs and expensive procedures that are being done. Different nations are having a hard time of balancing these issues and making sure that they get resolved in a timely matter to making sure that everything works best for the patients. â€Å"There’s a bright side, to be sure. The U.S. leads the world in health care research and cancer treatment, for instance. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is higher in the U.S. than in other OECD countries and survival from colorectal cancer is also among the best, according to the group (Kane, 2012). The US and other countries need to show an interest in another and see the benefits from each country and what they can provide for one another. Medical facilities need to feed off one another from different countries and see what they can provide and bring to the table that way their expansion can be bigger and better. Furthermore, there are different industries that have been approachable for these types of concerns that happen within the industry. The U.S. health care system and other industries need to discover in which ways to adapt and strengthen the industry to make sure it is a successful one. There have been different methods that have been involved to make sure that the international health care systems and the U.S. health care system are on the same page. The reason why it has become such an issue is because the different system has become a failure at the points of demonstrating the delivery of health care. The United States health care system is facing different challenges that show a clear enough indication to show the urgency of changing the delivery of the system. â€Å"Attention has rightly focused on the approximately 46 million Americans who are uninsured, and on the many insured Americans who face rapid increases in premiums and out-of-pocket costs. As Congress and the Obama administration consider ways to invest new funds to reduce the number of Americans without insurance coverage, we must simultaneously address shortfalls in the quality and efficiency of care that lead to higher costs and to poor health outcomes† (Brennan, 2009). The cast of the system is on a doubt because of it being feasible and reliable for coverage of the expansions that makes sure that the U.S. health care system will continue not to have large gaps within the industry. This means having people with access to their own insurance coverage(s). By improving the health care delivery system is to show the different improvements of the quality and the value of delivery that patients do receive. They do have to deliver the different issue of the escalated costs, the poor quality that is being delivered and the rising increase numbers of people who are without health care insurance. Medical professionals need to keep patients in a healthy state and making sure that they prevent any common illnesses. â€Å"Thoughtfully constructed reforms would support greater access to health-improving care — in contrast to the current system, which encourages more tests, procedures, and treatments that are at best unnecessary and at worst harmful† (Brennan, 2009). The health care quality gap is described as a gap of certain things within the population such as racial and ethnic groups. This gap is between the actual care that is being provided to what the best quality of care can be given or received. â€Å"The landmark Institute of Medicine report Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century challenges all health care organizations to pursue six major aims of health care improvement: safety, timeliness, effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and patient-centeredness† (Mayberry, 2006) . The equity in quality care is to show that all availability within the industry makes people not show the difference within race, ethnicity or other characteristics that can relate to patients care. The Baylor Health Care System is in a position that they can delivery health care that can lead to a system that provides equity research. Their organization provides different leadership involvement will make the employees achieve the bes t care possible. Furthermore, their access use and the way health care is delivered has to be more moral, ethical and deal with the economic issues that are raising questions for them to create a goal that needs to be achieved in a timely matter. By eliminating different problems within the health care industry they need to be strategized in a way where it will show the quality of improving the delivery of health care. â€Å"Quality performance indicators currently collected and evaluated indicate that Baylor Health Care System often performs better than the national average. However, there are significant variations in care by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status that indicate the many remaining challenges in achieving â€Å"best care† for all. There is a significant gap between the quality of care the US health care system is capable of achieving and the quality of care it currently delivers† (Mayberry 2006). Healthcare safety and the quality that is being delivered make problems exist because of the different systems that are being provided to show the different levels that implement the care. By having the persistence in healthcare will also raise concerns in the overall quality of the care and have different impacts in the health care facility. There is a greater equity and insurance within the health care system to show the importance of it growing capability for business and individual people who are investors within the field. Different companies show the investment within the field by paying for their employee’s health insurance planes and they are showing an increase for concern. The reason for the concern is the quality of care that their employees are receiving from their providers that are showing a negative impact and the poor quality of care. The persistence of a medical gap is within the health care access and shows the outcomes by the different races and ethnicities the question the equity of health care. This also shows differences unfairness, the justice behind the discrimination within the U.S and different society struggles that people face. The gap in the quality of care shows the challenges to achieve the best care possible and they are the following: the increase of awareness and the importance in clinical quality and operations and showing the achievement of best care, showing a creating of cultural transformation in which people show the abilities to provide the best care possible. There should also be a cultural transformation where the equity has to be an important more of a clinical transformation, the creation of health care operation will overall improve the quality of health care practices. The effort and commitment to approve healthcare is the achievement of best practices possible that will fit the organization and fit that facility to show equitable care. There will always be issues that come up within the healthcare industry because at the fact it is always changing. There can be results that can help minimize the problems within the industry and a big resolution is implementing the EMR system into each medical facility within the United States. The electronic medical record will only provide better medical attention to patients that are receiving care. This also helps out different medical physicians in regards to accessing patient records within a timely matter and that way they can provide the patient with the best medical attention possible One of the strengths of having and EMR within a medical facility provides less paper and storage because everything is electronic and the country would save a lot of money on the paper use. â€Å"Reduced redundancy in record-keeping efforts and improved operational efficiency. EMRs have superior capabilities for storing, processing, and retrieving information and computerized methods are sign ificantly faster than paper-based methods† (Kumar Aldrich, 2010).The communication level between physicians and patients would be a lot stronger because the EMR system has a way of providing pictures of patient’s exams and it would be a lot more legible than a paper record and this gives the physician to able to give more time to patient and their needs for medical care. The EMR system improves the data accuracy and shows the services of billing and coding to be done easier and show a method of information that will prevent medical errors. EMR provides a better mechanism for analyzing and reviewing patient outcomes. Its flexible output formats could be customized to meet the needs of patients, payers, referral sources, and other parties who use health information† (Kumar Aldrich, 2010). With strengths there always comes weaknesses and the fact the EMR System is so expensive will put a damper on the government and the medical facility that will be implementing them into their facility. There have been estimated costs of $28 billion a year over a ten year development and then a $16 billion spread over the course of the implementations. Along with the costs there is also the system complication of how to navigate it and use it with the information that is given. There would always need to be a staff training and making sure that the staff clearly understands on how the system works and needs to be comfortable enough to navigate throughout the departments (Kumar Aldrich, 2010). Through the EMR systems they show the capability of giving healthcare initiatives of the governments showing the clinical research for policymakers, sponsors and researchers. â€Å"Research à ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ndings and the medical discoveries must be converted into useful products and services for physicians, patients, and health care providers. Clinical decision support systems (DSS) are vital components to enable this and can also substantially reduce the time of submission of higher-quality research data to the FDA for clinical trials† (Venkatraman Bala, 2008). The development Developing and improving the EMR system is to make sure that all the components are working smooth and sufficient and making sure that the public health is away from any danger, diseases and etc. Combining the EMR system with any type of clinical component will show the electrical tracking system of any indicators that need to be fixed. By fixing these issues will only help health care professional treat p atients for their medical needs rather than processing the medical records on their own needs. In conclusion the U.S. Healthcare industry needs to make some changes and needs to make them fast that way there can be great benefits involved for patient care. The implementation of the IT systems such as the EMR will only help out different medical facilities, medical physicians, medical personals and even patients to provide better health care. One of the main reasons the EMR system will provide better healthcare to patients is to show that the healthcare industry needs to provide to their patients and they need to provide the best healthcare possible. â€Å"The new health reform law will bring about sweeping changes to the American health care system, not the least of which involves extending health insurance coverage to millions of Americans that have previously gone without (Zamosky, 2014). People are now required to have health insurance and this will only help them and be beneficial to them when medical attention is needed. References Brennan, N. (n.d.). Improving Quality and Value in the U.S. Health Care System. The Brookings Institution. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2009/08/21-bpc-qualityreport Cloyd, C. (n.d.). Health Care Systems: Three International Comparisons. Health Care Systems: Three International Comparisons. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from https://www.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/soc_sec/health.htm Kane, J. (2012, October 22). Health Costs: How the U.S. Compares With Other Countries. PBS. Retrieved April 26, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/health-costs-how-the-us-compares-with-other-countries/ Kumar, S., Aldrich, K. (2010). Overcoming barriers to electronic medical record (EMR) implementation in the US healthcare system: A comparative study. Health Informatics Journal, 16(4), 306-318. doi:10.1177/1460458210380523 Mayberry, R., Nicewander, D., Qin, H., Ballard, D. (n.d.). Abstract. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1426185/ VENKATRAMAN, S., BALA, H., VENKATESH, V., BATES, J. (2008). Six Strategies for Electronic Medical Records Systems. Communications Of The ACM, 51(11), 140-144. Zamosky, L. (2010, September 23). Health Reform Summary and Facts: Changes and Benefits That Affect You. WebMD. Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/health-reform-summary-benefits

Business Plan for an Established Business Essay example -- Business Ma

Business Plan for an Established Business This business plan consists of a narrative and several financial spreadsheets. The narrative template is the body of the business plan. It contains more than 150 questions divided into several sections. Work through the sections in any order you like, except for the Executive Summary, which should be done last. Skip any questions that do not apply to your business. When you are finished writing your first draft, you will have a collection of small essays on the various topics of the business plan. Then you will want to edit them into a flowing narrative. The real value of doing a business plan is not having the finished product in hand; rather, the value lies in the process of research and thinking about your business in a systematic way. The act of planning helps you to think things through thoroughly, to study and research when you are not sure of the facts, and to look at your ideas critically. It takes time, but avoids costly, perhaps disastrous, mistakes later. The business plan narrative is a generic model suitable for all types of businesses. However, you should modify it to suit your particular circumstances. Before you begin, review the section titled Refining the Plan, found at the end of the business plan. It suggests emphasizing certain areas, depending upon your type of business (manufacturing, retail, service, etc.). It also has tips for fine-tuning your plan to make an effective presentation to investors or bankers. If this is why you are writing your plan, pay particular attention to your writing style. You will be judged by the quality and appearance of your work as well as your ideas. It typically takes several weeks to complete a good plan. Most of that time is spent in research and rethinking your ideas and assumptions. But then, that is the value of the process. So make time to do the job properly. Those who do never regret the effort. And finally, be sure to keep detailed notes on your sources of information and on the assumptions underlying your financial data. Business Plan OWNERS Business Name Street Address Address 2 City, ST ZIP Code phone fax e-mail I. Table of Contents I. Table of Contents 3 II. General Company Description 4 III. Products and Services 4 IV. Marketing Plan 4 Notes on Preparation: 4 The Marketing Plan: ... ...does the company: o Protect intellectual property? o Avoid technological obsolescence? o Supply necessary capital? o Retain key personnel? If your company is not yet profitable or perhaps does not yet even have sales, you must do longer-term financial forecasts to show when profit take-off will occur. And your assumptions must be well documented and well argued. Retail Business †¢ Company image †¢ Pricing: Explain mark-up policies. Prices should be profitable, competitive, and in accord with the company image. †¢ Inventory: o Selection and price should be consistent with company image. o Calculate your annual inventory turnover rate. Compare this to the industry average for your type of store. †¢ Customer service policies: These should be competitive and in accord with the company image. †¢ Location: Does it give the exposure you need? Is it convenient for customers? Is it consistent with company image? †¢ Promotion: What methods do you use and what do they cost? Do they project a consistent company image? †¢ Credit: Do you extend credit to customers? If yes, do you really need to, and do you factor the cost into prices?

The Critics View of Edna Pontellier’s Suicide in The Awakening Essay

The Critics View of Edna's Suicide in The Awakening  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   There are many ways of looking at Edna's Suicide in The Awakening, and each offers a different perspective. It is not necessary for the reader to like the ending of the novel, but the reader should come to understand it in relation to the story it ends. The fact that readers do not like the ending, that they struggle to make sense of it, is reflected in the body of criticism on the novel: almost all scholars attempt to explain the suicide. Some of the explanations make more sense than others. By reading them the reader will come to a fuller understanding of the end of the novel (and in the process the entire novel) and hopefully make the ending less disappointing.    Joseph Urgo reads the novel in terms of Edna learning to narrate her own story. He maintains that by the end of the novel she has discovered that her story is "unacceptable in her culture" (23) and in order to get along in that culture she must be silent. Edna rejects this muting of her voice and would, Urgo maintains, rather "extinguish her life than edit her tale" (23). To save herself from an ending others would write or an ending that would compromise what she has fought to obtain, she has to write her own end and remove herself from the tale. As she swims out, the voices of her children come to pull at her like little "antagonists," and there are others on shore who would also hold her down: Robert, Adele, Arobin, and Leonce. Edna finds a way to elude them all, and narrates in her suicide the conclusion to her tale. In this type of reading, her suicide can be understood in terms of societal pressure. What is the result of silencing a person's voice? Urgo maintains, on a symbolic level... ...g Sea': Freedom and Drowning in Eliot, Chopin, and Drabble." Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature 12 (1993): 315-32. Malzahn, Manfred. "The Strange Demise of Edna Pontellier." Southern Literary Journal 23.2 (1992): 31-39. Roscher, Marina L. "The suicide of Edna Pontellier: An Ambiguous Ending?" Southern Studies 23 (1984): 289-98. Showalter, Elaine. Sister's Choice: Tradition and Change in American Women's Writing. Oxford: Claredon Press, 1991. Skaggs, Peggy. "Three Tragic Figures in Kate Chopin's The Awakening." Louisiana Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal of the South 4 (1974): 345-64. Spangler, George M. "Kate Chopin's The Awakening: A Partial Dissent." Novel: A Forum on Fiction 3 (1970): 249-55. Urgo, Joseph R. "A Prologue to Rebellion: The Awakening and the Habit of Self-expression." The Southern Literary Journal 20.1 (1987): 22-32.

The Great Mystery of the Pyramids Essay -- History, Building and Const

The Great pyramids of Egypt are undoubtedly one of the most recognized and admired landmarks in the world. Built to pay tribute to gods and pharaohs, the pyramids were of great importance to the Egyptians, and the mystery of their construction continues to amaze us today. Many theories pertaining to how the pyramids were built have been suggested, however, none are as well supported or intelligible as the heave-ho method of quarrying and cutting limestone. Joseph Davidovits’ theory disproving this, in which states the pyramids were moulded, is not plausible. Substantial physical evidence which is consistent with the Egyptologists’ portrayal of the heave-ho method has been found. The entire process of building a pyramid with this method is possible, as demonstrated by thorough experiments and analysis of the Egyptian culture. Indisputably, the Great Pyramids of Giza were constructed by quarrying limestone, and the use of ramps, sleds, and cutting tools, owing to the inge nuity and strength of highly organized Egyptian workers. Joseph Davidovits, a French chemist, has proposed that the pyramids were formed using a special concrete mixture, and then poured into wooden moulds where it hardened (Alt. theory #3).While Davidovits claims to have explained aspects of pyramid construction which the heave-ho theory could not, the mould theory has many faults, rendering it weak and improbable. Firstly, the stones used in building the pyramids were of diverse shapes (Article 5). The shape of the stones would be uniform if they were created in moulds of exact dimensions. If each stone was created in a uniquely fashioned mould, it would account for the diversity in shape. However, building thousands, or even hundreds, of moulds would have been e... ...gods they worshiped. In spite of the efforts of other theorists trying to refute this process, there is a very low number of faults in the heave-ho method. Most of the improbabilities and doubts can be explained with proven experiments, as well as examining the Egyptian lifestyle. In conclusion, the heave-ho method is the strongest and most practical theory of pyramid construction, due to the weakness of other theories, significant physical evidence, and how possible it is to achieve. This method irrefutably shows how the hardworking and inventive Egyptians used abundant resources to create magnificent pyramids, by working in highly organized teams, and using tools and machines such as chisels, hammers, and ramps. The actual process of how the pyramids were built may never become known to us; however, the heave-ho method is the closest idea we have to the truth. The Great Mystery of the Pyramids Essay -- History, Building and Const The Great pyramids of Egypt are undoubtedly one of the most recognized and admired landmarks in the world. Built to pay tribute to gods and pharaohs, the pyramids were of great importance to the Egyptians, and the mystery of their construction continues to amaze us today. Many theories pertaining to how the pyramids were built have been suggested, however, none are as well supported or intelligible as the heave-ho method of quarrying and cutting limestone. Joseph Davidovits’ theory disproving this, in which states the pyramids were moulded, is not plausible. Substantial physical evidence which is consistent with the Egyptologists’ portrayal of the heave-ho method has been found. The entire process of building a pyramid with this method is possible, as demonstrated by thorough experiments and analysis of the Egyptian culture. Indisputably, the Great Pyramids of Giza were constructed by quarrying limestone, and the use of ramps, sleds, and cutting tools, owing to the inge nuity and strength of highly organized Egyptian workers. Joseph Davidovits, a French chemist, has proposed that the pyramids were formed using a special concrete mixture, and then poured into wooden moulds where it hardened (Alt. theory #3).While Davidovits claims to have explained aspects of pyramid construction which the heave-ho theory could not, the mould theory has many faults, rendering it weak and improbable. Firstly, the stones used in building the pyramids were of diverse shapes (Article 5). The shape of the stones would be uniform if they were created in moulds of exact dimensions. If each stone was created in a uniquely fashioned mould, it would account for the diversity in shape. However, building thousands, or even hundreds, of moulds would have been e... ...gods they worshiped. In spite of the efforts of other theorists trying to refute this process, there is a very low number of faults in the heave-ho method. Most of the improbabilities and doubts can be explained with proven experiments, as well as examining the Egyptian lifestyle. In conclusion, the heave-ho method is the strongest and most practical theory of pyramid construction, due to the weakness of other theories, significant physical evidence, and how possible it is to achieve. This method irrefutably shows how the hardworking and inventive Egyptians used abundant resources to create magnificent pyramids, by working in highly organized teams, and using tools and machines such as chisels, hammers, and ramps. The actual process of how the pyramids were built may never become known to us; however, the heave-ho method is the closest idea we have to the truth.

Feature of a just society Essay

Assess whether an unequal distribution of property between individuals could be a feature of a just society? (50 marks) By a ‘just society’ we are referring to the principle of people getting what they deserve – or desert theory. Those such as Nozick believe that individuals have an absolute right to property of income that they themselves create; Marx outlined his belief in absolute equality; Rawls, however, is the only philosopher able to claim the middle ground and suggest a sensible solution: claiming that an unequal distribution of property can, with certain constraints, benefit the poorest in society. Nozick’s view on the distribution of property focuses on the issue of how it came about. Self-ownership of one’s own talents and abilities is key to his way of thinking. If, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo asked his football club to pay him 25p for each ticket sold, the fans being happy to pay the extra, and 400,000 people watched him play that season – then he would be ? 10,000,000 better off. This is perfectly just according to Nozick, since Ronaldo is using his own talents to make money; which the fans voluntarily gave to him. However, in some philosophers eyes, this would be seen as unjust is Ronaldo was allowed to keep all, or even any, of that money. Be that as it may, Nozick stated that people were ‘ends in themselves’ and any attempt to use them in ways they don’t agree to = even for some ‘greater good’ – would violate their liberty. Such as example would be taxation. People, thus, have a right to own what they produce: conservatives would even argue that property becomes part of a person’s personality. The only constraints Nozick places on property is that it should be ‘justly acquired’ (not stolen or gained via the forced labour of others), ‘justly transferred’ (fair price given – not cheated or robbed), and the ‘rectification of injustice’ (giving back property that was stolen or otherwise unjustly taken). If one were to accept Nozick’s view, the result would be a society with huge economic inequalities. There is also the problem with individuals, through no fault of their own, not being able to support themselves. Relying on philanthropy and personal savings that one has been able to save doesn’t seem ‘just’ – especially if one is a pauper and kept at the mercy of the bourgeoisie. In this sense a worker may accept a wage cut, but how much true liberty do they have in making this decision? It could be argued in a society which has no ‘safety net’ welfare system, very little. Nozick goes onto state that we have ‘self-ownership’ of the things we create. This would therefore suggest that the proletariat working in factories, and the like, would have a right to what they produce since they have mixed their labour with it. But in a capitalist society, which Nozick supports, this would be, and is, the case. There therefore seems to be a rule for some and another for others with Nozick’s idea of ‘self-ownership’, which seriously undermines the legitimacy of his justice. Furthermore, history shows us that a great deal of initial acquisition of property was unjust: based on theft, slavery and colonisation. All property that derives from unjust acquisition being unjustly held, one does not have the right to transfer said property, nor does the recipient have the right to what they are receiving. It would, moreover, prove very difficult, if not impossible, to rectify the injustice of the past, as Nozick thinks one should do, since we have no way of establishing what belongs to who in many cases. The conclusion we are forced to draw is that Nozick’s theory has no application if we cannot start from a just beginning. Marx, on the other hand, focused on the plight of the proletariat, who, having nothing but their labours to sell are exploited by the bourgeoisie; who are in turn protected by the state which keeps private property legal: allowing a small number of individuals to own the ‘commanding heights’ or means of production. In such circumstances people cannot make use of their right to ‘self-ownership’ as Nozick claims, for they are creating items for the profit of the bourgeois and not themselves. Marx therefor believed in a needs based theory of justice. This would entail the abolition of private property and see that every man, woman and child gets what they need and gives what they can. The principle can be summed up as thus, â€Å"from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. † Property does, however, seem to come naturally to human beings with philosophers such as John Locke claiming it is a ‘Natural Right’. When one takes the liberal view that we are rational, self-seeking, egotistical beings, it only seems right that the acquisition of property should follow. It is also true that the large percentages of the states in the world are run this way. Though this on its own cannot justify private property, it does heavily suggest that there will always be a place for private property no matter what your vison of the ‘prefect’ society is. Furthermore, one could argue that private property offers the allure of material success that motivates people to work. Even if one does not buy this argument, Rawls claimed that injustice in the distribution of property in society can work to the advantage to the poorest in society – via a welfare state etc. Rawls invented the ‘veil of ignorance’ to prove in the ‘original position’ what justice should be. As virtue of us, humans, being free rational beings, we would consent to a free market state, but only as long as rights were guaranteed and protection for the poor put in place. For the freedom to starve is no freedom at all. We would agree to these conditions for human life, since we would not know, in theory, what our race, creed, religion, talents, opinions or health would be in advance. In this sense it is reasonable to assume that we are rational egotistical beings, for it makes sense, and is in our own self-interest, to want these conditions. As for the capitalist free market aspect, wealth creation can be the only means by which the poorest in society can benefit; via the state taxing the rich and redistributing some of it to the poor. In this hypothetical situation we would have legal and foundational equality, as well as equality of opportunity. No one should be disadvantaged by the outcome of natural chance, the contingency of circumstances or choice of principles. In this light, the racist and the liberal would both be permitted to criticise each other; prevented from physically harming each other; and neither allowed to alter or remove foundational equality from the constitution. Importantly, Rawls thinks that once a certain level of martial wealth has been acquired (? 26,000 a year in the UK), then we would value such legal and foundational rights more; as well as basic liberties such as freedom of speech and association. Thus liberty will be preferred to less liberty, but greater wealth. This leads to Rawls’ ‘difference principle’, that we would choose to maximise the minimum level of welfare. This would create a society with a smaller gap between the rich and the poor, but also a smaller average wealth. One can object to this and state that it makes more sense to maximise the average level of wealth, especially if there is equality of opportunity meaning that one can improve oneself. However, one could imagine a society which is less prosperous, but more ‘just’ –something based alone the lines of Marx’s desert theory. Conversely, however, justice, in terms of the distribution of property, actually comes from prosperity and wealth creation gained and produced by some, so that others can benefit from the resulting taxation of said people. In conclusion, only Rawls can offer a theory of justice that appears sensible to the rational egotistical being; as well as avoiding the un-pragmatic approaches of Marx and Nozick. Even is one does not accept Rawls’ theory of justice – for one may be very rich and have lots of land – then at least it shows one what justice should look like.