Philosophy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 12

Philosophy - Assignment Example Indeed, since God is a superior being and invisible, it has been tough for any religion to prove his existence. This essay will take a look at how St. Anselm uses logic and reasons to argue out his points about the existence of God. To start off his argument, Anselm starts by giving his view on how God can be defined. He defines God as â€Å"something than which nothing greater can be thought. In addition, he claims that every human being, whether he or she believes in God or not will automatically agree with his definition. He uses the example of the fool in Psalms does not believe in God, and claims that even him will agree with his definition. Anselm then agrees to the fact that there is a difference between understanding God as a concept and understanding him to exist (Solomon, Higgins & Martin 53). To explain his point further, Anselm uses the painter’s analogy. He then claims that before any talented painter comes up with his or her own masterpiece, he or she can see it clearly in his head even though he knows that it does not exist. The painter only understands the masterpiece as a concept. However, once the painter has finished his work and it can be seen as reality, he can now understand the concept of the painting and also understand that it exists. The latter stage of the painting is the same position that a firm believer of God and agrees with Anselm’s logic would be at. If God’s definition which Anselm strongly believes that it is the best ever, then God is a superior being; superior to any other thing that exists in the world. It is from Anselm’s strongly stressed definition that he places his argument. He argues that an existent God is greater than a non-existent one. Therefore, since God is perfect from the definition, must be in existence. If God does not exist, he would not be the most superior beings to ever exist. Therefore, if anything existed and was superior to God, it would not be God. In other words, Anselm believes

Impact of Oil Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Impact of Oil - Assignment Example Moreover, during the same period there was increased demand for oil in numerous nations including China and India due to their increased industrialization (United States, Maloney, and Schumer, 2007). The subsequent instabilities in oil production and increase, in oil price per barrel of the 2000, s had no destructive effect on the United States’ Economy. Therefore, it is apparent that the current effects or instabilities on the oil prices have little effects on the United States’ economy, as it was the case in the 1970s and 1980s. The main reason towards these changed effects is that there has been a reduction on energy (oil and gas) spent in producing each dollar in the United States’ output. Additionally, there has been a shift in production techniques, that is, the current technologies only require a small amount of energy for production compared to the 1970s and 1980s technologies (United States, 1991). Economic experts estimate the current United States’ economy to be less than 33 percent dependent or sensitive to oil price fluctuation unlike over 55 percent less sensitivity in early 1980s and even more in the mid-1970s. (United States, Maloney, and Schumer, 2007) Finally, the Federal Government has since developed vigilant and adept monetary policies of handling inflationary

PARLIAMENT, POLITICS AND POLICY MAKING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

PARLIAMENT, POLITICS AND POLICY MAKING - Essay Example The government Bills are customarily introduced in the House of Commons, with approved drafts going to the House of Lords and then to Monarch for the subsequent assent. While such a procedure creates necessary checks and balances system in order to prevent the possible implementation of hastily approved Bills, it still limits the powers of popularly elected MPs in favour of non-elected governmental bodies, The time limits on the readings of the Bills in one session represent a significant deficiency of the present system of lawmaking as well. As the sessions of Parliament are closed by the act of prorogation, each Bill that fails to be carried through all necessary legislative steps is considered lapsed, and its authors have to go through this very process of legislative enquiry anew (Keenan and Smith 53). This has a significant adverse effect on the tempo of lawmaking and obstructs the efforts of lawmakers. Nevertheless, the legislative procedure of British House of Commons has its own positive features as well. ... The modernisation agenda of Blaire’s government affected both Houses of the Parliament, leading to many changes in its procedural rules and other structural elements. One of most significant of these policy moves was a thorough reform of the House of Lords, which lost its traditional character of the representative body of hereditary aristocracy after the House of Lords Act of 1999 provided for abolition of all but 92 hereditary peerages (Strickland and Cracknell 3). The modernisation of the House of the Commons proceeded rather unevenly, being somewhat stalled and timid in 1997-2001 and increasing in pace after 2001 (Cowley 20). Under Richard Cook, the Labour Party’s Leader of the House of Commons in 2001-2003, such important reforms were undertaken as the provision for more even resources allocation to select committees, the introduction of more topical Parliamentary Questions, and establishment of payment system for heads of select committees, so that the latter migh t wield an influence comparable to that of the Ministers (Cowley and Stuart 29). The tenure of Jack Straw as the Leader of the House (after 2006) was marked by important changes in standing committees process, with the result that the powers of standing committees were broadened so that they might receive both oral and written evidence before scrutinising the Bills under consideration (Cowley 21). Nevertheless, the other reforms to Parliament introduced by New Labour had mostly detrimental effect on its standing. For instance, the introduction of automatic timetabling of legislation served to make each Bill going through pre-arranged sequence of the debates, which narrowed the chances of Opposition to

Company Audit for Darden Restaurants Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Company Audit for Darden Restaurants - Essay Example For example, the company takes advantage of the contemporary trends in demand towards national cuisine and healthy dining by introduction of the new brands and formats, e.g. Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52. It addresses the growing competition from the other established chain operators, as well as local restaurants, by constant improvement of the operational activities and emphasis on market research and product improvement. Darden Restaurants is a leader in the casual dining market. Its position, however, is constantly challenged by the two closest competitors, namely Applebee's International and Brinker International. Both operators have established position in the hospitality industry and currently operate big chains of company-owned restaurants under Applebee's brand (Applebee's International) and Rockfish, Chilli's, Romano Macaroni Grill, Maggiano's, On the Other Border Mexican Grill brands (Brinker International). The areas of strength include market share, financial position, and advertising. Darden Restaurants Company is leading with regard to the most influential factors, including product quality, management, and market share. However, the company can improve its standing in terms of global expansion, pricing strategy and gaining customer loyalty. The Internal Factors Evaluation Matrix (see below) was constructed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the functional areas of the Darden Restaurants Company. The strengths and weaknesses are chosen based on how they affect the ability of the chain to take advantage of the external opportunities and limit or control the risks. Internal Factors Evaluation Matrix (IFE) Key Internal Factors Weight Rating Weighted Score Internal Strengths Financial position (revenues and net income) .15 4 .60 Steady growth for several years in revenues and EPS .10 4 .40 Marketing research .10 4 .40 Constant brand

Puritan Settlement in New England in the 17th Century Research Paper

Puritan Settlement in New England in the 17th Century - Research Paper Example Robinson 2005). This essay will examine Puritan settlement in New England in the 17th century asking the following questions: Who were the Puritans? Where and why did they settle in the New World? What type of settlements did they create? What was their effect on the newly emerging country? The Puritans were English followers of the French religious reformer, John Calvin (Bremer 1995; Bunker 2010). In the 16th and 17th centuries, England (indeed, all of Europe), had been involved in fierce battles over religion, most particularly the supremacy and legitimacy of the Catholic Church. Wars within and between countries over this burning conflict – whose fire was continuously rekindled by the sparks from myriad particular events – were commonplace until the 18th century. Arguably, the peak of the confrontation in Britain occurred with the English Civil War from 1642-51, which saw the regicide of King Charles I by the Parliament (which was essentially under the influence of t he Puritans), the establishment of a republican Commonwealth in effect under Puritan rule, and the re-establishment of the Monarchy under James II in 1660. The term â€Å"Puritan† was initially meant as an insulting term, but was later embraced by the English Calvinist Protestants (Bunker 2010; Heyrman 1991). Puritan referred not to moral priggishness (cf. Robinson 2005), but to being sticklers with regard to religious doctrine. They were called Puritans those who disagreed with the Religious Settlement proclaimed by Queen Elizabeth I in 1559, as being not reformed enough from the â€Å"Popish† practices of Catholicism with its rituals, hierarchy, and spiritual intermediaries (Bremer 1995). The Puritans believed that God had commanded the reform of both church and society. They condemned drunkenness, gambling, theatergoing, and Sabbath-breaking. They denounced popular practices rooted in pagan custom, like the celebration of Christmas, and deplored the â€Å"corruptio ns† of Roman Catholicism that still pervaded the Church of England – churches and ceremonies they thought too elaborate, and clergymen who were poorly educated (Heyrman 1991). The Puritans were not driven by mere doctrinal purity, but by a sincere belief that the millennium, or end of the world, was near, and that they must prepare for Christ’s return by building his Church and society here on Earth (Zakai 1994). Puritanism became a strong force in England (indeed, throughout Europe), with many powerful members of English society, including Members of Parliament, aristocrats, and middle class merchants as adherents (Bunker 2010). Equally, if not more, powerful members of English society, including the Monarchy, were against the movement (Bremer 1995). Importantly, most Puritans did not see themselves as separate from the Church of England, but rather as a reforming force within the English Church. As such, Puritanism was not a denomination, and in fact many Presb yterians, Quakers, and Congregationalists were part of the Puritan movement (Bremer 2010). After the death of Queen Elizabeth, the Puritans unsuccessfully tried to persuade the new King James to implement more than 30 changes in the Church to take it down a more Puritan path. This â€Å"Millenary Petition† was rejected, except for the request to translate the Bible into English (Bunker 2010). Without hope of reforming the English Church from within, and with the expected coming of Christ

Role of Unions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Role of Unions - Research Paper Example ition, the unions’ role in shielding workers from increased inflation, growing unemployment and in influencing government policies in issues as health and other social factors is necessary (Serrano, 2011). Every organization has a HRM department that is mandated with the duty of hiring and looking at the welfare of the policies. In executing this role, the department influences the relationship between the employees and the organization. The department therefore has a role of achieving a cordial relationship between the organization and the employees by designing fair compensation, ensuring better working conditions, having better bargain, adhering to the labor laws and involving the employees’ emissaries in the formulation and implementation of organizations polices (Serrano, 2011). Through these, the employees’ relationship will be enhanced and their loyalty to the origination will be improved. Besides, the government also plays a significant role in ensuring workers plight are upheld. The government has a role of setting fair wage rates by altering minimum wage and in promulgating laws that protect the rights of the workers. The role will include that of penalizing organizations that breach the set regulations (Serrano, 2011). Simultaneously, the government should take interventionary measures between organizations and their workers in resolving labor disputes. In conclusion, the HRM department, government and the workers representatives must all play their roles in ensuring smooth relationship in the work force. Failure by any party to perform their tasks may result into labor disputes that will impair the functioning of the general

An experiment to see if interference affects recall in short-term memory Essay Example for Free

An experiment to see if interference affects recall in short-term memory Essay Each participant must carry out the experiment under the same conditions. This included keeping the setting the same, making sure no extraneous variables such as external noise, can disrupt it. However, because it is an independent groups design there may have been participant variables confounding the results. These are individual differences between the participants; for example, the emotional state of an individual or whether the memory of an individual is better than another. Psychology students may have an advantage over non-psychology students because they already have an insight into the same or similar types of experiments. It is an independent groups design because two separate groups of participants are being tested. One group receives the experimental treatment, which in this case, is the interference task. The other group receives no treatment, acting as a control group. Both groups are tested once and their results are compared. The controls in the experiment that need to be kept the same for each participant is the setting, making sure there is no extraneous variables such as any external noise. The actual objects and time period for looking at and rehearsing the objects with and without interference must be the same. The books used in the interference task should also be the same for each participant. The participants will be debriefed after the experiment and will be asked for their consent before. They are also told that they have the right to withdraw at any time during the experiment. The confidentiality of the experiment is important. The results of the participants are not revealed to anyone. The results obtained are only kept if informed consent is received. Participants The participants chosen for the experiment are in the age range of 16-18 years. The target population is students who attend sixth form. They include psychology and non-psychology students, and they are chosen by opportunity sampling. This sampling was used because it is the most practical in the circumstances. It is a quick and easy way of choosing participants, and this was important for this study because it was carried out in school hours, when students had lessons to go to and therefore students were chosen if they were available at the time. The number of participants chosen was 20 and the ratio of girls to boys was 9:11. The ratio of psychology to non-psychology students was 7:13. Apparatus The apparatus in the experiment includes: Three tables, one with 12 objects on, which include a skull, football boots, board pen, spectacles, fork, mobile phone, can of coke, car keys, screw driver, school tie, watch and a chocolate bar. Opportunity sampling was used to choose these 12 objects found around the school and at home, finding any type of object of similar sizes to fit on a table, suitable to use in a school environment. This type of sampling enabled the objects to be varied and not just from one particular environment, preventing schemas to make recall easier.