Allegory of the Cave essays

Allegory of the Cave essays What the Allegory Implies for People Living in a World of Senses The Allegory of the Cave implies that if we rely on our perceptions to know the truth about existence then we will know very little about it. The sense are unreliable and their perceptions imperfect because perceptions are only how we as individuals view things and not how they truly are. People are like the figures in the cave because they believe the things they see are how they truly are, much the way we believe the things we perceive to be the truth. The cave is like the world we live in because the things we see only resemble their true forms, much they way the shadows on the wall were only resemblances of their physical form. We can only know what is true when we know what is importance to us beyond what our senses perceive. We can not live ethically if we do not understand this. The virtues of the soul are akin to bodily qualities however we can not rely on these qualities for the truth, we must only understand their implications. Opinion gives way to knowledge through reasoning. Through the reasoning of this statement we can assess that our senses (opinions or perceptions) give way to understanding (knowledge) through their implications, or in other words, by our reasoning of their implications. People today are like the people of the cave because we are chained by our senses to what we perceive to be the true. The darkness is a metaphor for our eyes not being able to see in the dark how things physically are because sight is a sense that we can not rely on to see the truth even in the light. Plato implies that reality is like sitting in a cave with our back to the light. We can describe the shadows we see on the wall, but we never turn our heads around to see where the light comes from. Even worse, we never really see each other we are in the dark. The world we live in is like the cave because the shadows represent the objects we perceive to be t...

Rate of Radioactive Decay Worked Example Problem

Rate of Radioactive Decay Worked Example Problem You can use the equation of the rate of radioactive decay to find how much of an isotope is left after a specified length of time. Here is an example of how to set up and work the problem. Problem 22688Ra, a common isotope of radium, has a half-life of 1620 years. Knowing this, calculate the first order rate constant for the decay of radium-226 and the fraction of a sample of this isotope remaining after 100 years. Solution The rate of radioactive decay is expressed by the relationship: k 0.693/t1/2 where k is the rate and t1/2 is the half-life. Plugging in the half-life given in the problem: k 0.693/1620 years 4.28 x 10-4/year Radioactive decay is a first order rate reaction, so the expression for the rate is: log10 X0/X kt/2.30 where X0 is the quantity of radioactive substance at zero time (when the counting process starts) and X is the quantity remaining after time t. k is the first order rate constant, a characteristic of the isotope that is decaying. Plugging in the values: log10 X0/X (4.28 x 10-4/year)/2.30 x 100 years 0.0186 Taking antilogs: X0/X 1/1.044 0.958 95.8% of the isotope remains

Relection writing refer to group work in legal skills course Essay

Relection writing refer to group work in legal skills course - Essay Example Most importantly, they must work closely with the clients they serves. Therefore I see the need to rise above myself and learn to interact with people. As I join a student firm, I know that I can perform various tasks like collaborating with others to reach certain goals, share information, and cultivate relationships. Following the Belbin theory on Team Roles, I know that I can also determine my distinctive contribution to my group, and at this moment I feel my giving stress to being an implementer, a vital cog in team work. Last year was my freshman year’s first encounter with a group. I recall how I tried to find a place in my student firm. We did various tasks which taught me a lot, particularly in making concrete the abstract legal skills learned through readings and lectures. However, I think that we could have done better, achieved desired outcomes such as in exercises in doing interviews and negotiating with other firms. But there were behavioural difficulties in the t eam. Of course, theorists on organizational behaviour like Keith Davis say that no one can be totally blamed for failures in an organizational setting. Team efforts, he noted, result in team results. And so, I think this was precisely our main difficulty—we were not fully a team. Individually, we were too conscious of protecting our self image and self esteem. And feeling threatened by problems which faced us, teamwork did not fully surface. Of course, the desirable outcomes could have been achieved. And Davis says conflicts should not be bad at all for organized groupings. It can stir a search for approaches to get the desired results, also allow problems to become more crystal clear so that these can be faced and resolved. But this was not the case last year. Our conflicts caused the issues to become muddled. We could not face what were unknown and so we could not fully resolve them. In my joining a group this year, my team members and myself seemed better prepared for team building and team success. In spite of the failure of most firms during freshman year, there is a common agreement among my classmates that we are no longer greenhorns this year. We can learn from whatever mistakes we made, and build on the failures last year. Naming our firm came to my group as the great test to the social process of group dynamics which we were tasked to do. And we were prepared this time to forming a firm with scientific tools for learning the different roles we can play. We also assumed different kinds of leadership which can be listed under the Belbin theory of Team Roles namely: as Plant, Monitor Evaluator, Coordinator, Resource Inventory Communicator, Implementer, Complete Finisher, Team workers, Shaper or Specialist. And through our group interactions, we disproved a mathematical logic by showing that â€Å"two plus two equals three.† Our firm did have individual members who can be singly counted and added to form the whole team. However, our relatio nship was an added factor to count such that the team, aside from the individuals, was an additional count. Of course, I have much to thank my group members, especially our chairperson who proved to be an able Coordinator. He led us to focus together on work objectives, drew out our individual strengths, and delegated work. Reflecting on myself as being naturally silent and shy, my Coordinator delegated me with tasks which I could well perform. More importantly, the whole team gave me a listening ear and accepted my

Should American Soldiers have Invaded into the Irak War Essay

Should American Soldiers have Invaded into the Irak War - Essay Example activities to religiously aggravated 'jihad.' There is currently a self-governing Iraqi regime, and a contract in place to get rid of a considerable number of US military troops from the state. President Bush argued all through the two terms of his administration that the warfare in the country Iraq was a front procession in a war in opposition to global violence and terrorism. This belief was contemplated annually in special foundational addresses, and brought about substantial debate in the U.S and around the world. This essay will cover up the reasons as to why the American soldiers shouldn’t have invaded into Iraq. At the present it is finally recognized that there were no organic associations between Al Qaeda and Iraq in 2003, nor were artillery or weapons of mass obliteration and destruction ever found. So the question which arises is that should American soldiers have invaded into the Iraq War? A number of people think that the war was a fair and just route, while on th e other hand many believe that it was an intended endeavor by the American government to guard their economic wellbeing. This essay will draw attention to the two aspects of the debate that have been carried out in recent times. Individuals that defended this confrontation, particularly those that admire George .w. Bush state that if Iraq is not calmed down or stabilized, it could turn out to be a ground for terrorist breeding and a secure location for Osama Bin Laden or one more Saddam. The truth remains that the American armed forces that marched into Iraq failed to present the weapons they declared Hussein had his hands on. If the government of the United States truly planned to get rid of leaders who crush or trample upon the rights of humans or of their nation, Saddam must not have been the single target while at the moment of the attack. In my own opinion, American attack on Iraq was established on economic motives. US administration had the oil in mind which is abundantly fou nd in Iraq, and that was the purpose for execution the attack even without the complete agreement or support of the UN Security Commission. An attack on Iraq for the intention of "government transformation" would not be an officially authorized war if one considers the international law. As stated by Mohammad Taghi â€Å"Article 2(4)  of the UN Charter states that All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." Random assassinations, use of grenades, dozens of aggressive groups, and an intensified feeling of insecurity and depression troubles Iraq. The proof of enveloping and relentless chaos is all over the place, from the official figures of mortality to extended approximations of numerical results, from the news of families abandoning hazardous areas by the amount of tens of thousands to the demolishing of governance. As stated by Thomas G. Manken â€Å"The lethal fighting is all-pervading, but without an evident front or a visible strategy and for those reasons, among others, it is poorly understood.† Bombing of nationals population is a type of violence and terrorism  even more repugnant comparative to low-tech terrorism street killing and bombing of innocents. Opponents of the attack argued that it lead to the loss of hundreds of Iraqi nationals and military in addition to

The X and the Y Theories of Management Research Paper

The X and the Y Theories of Management - Research Paper Example Some leaders consider the role of decision making as solely theirs and engage no one else even when the issue at hand requires them to do so. Such managers allow no flexibility on the workers and expect them to follow the set guidelines. Other leaders are accommodating and therefore, give some level of independence to their employees, encourage teamwork, involve employee’s opinions in decision-making and often delegate duties. The X and Y theories are based on assumptions that human personality and behaviors differ and play a major role in determining the appropriate management styles to be applied. This paper focuses on the different management theories applied in managing different job types. The X theory by McGregor posits that management should intervene on the performance of its employees. This is by controlling their activities, altering their behaviors to guarantee their actions, are in line with wants of the organization, as well as inspiring them to ensure they direct all their effort towards progression of the organization (Fisher 12-17). The theory explain this by claiming that most human beings, hate responsibilities, dislike work, have no ambition, and thus require to be directed and sometimes threatened to work effectively. Another argument to support this theory is that people resist change, put their own needs above those of the organization, and value their security beyond all other things. Leaders using this theory in management frequently turn out to be autocratic (Stewart 2). The Y theory on the other hand, claims that people are not dormant and are always willing to direct their efforts towards the success of the organizations. However, the management is insensitive to their need of appropriate working environment. This would enable them grow individually and be in a position to contribute to organizational growth. The theory further argues that most employees prefer rewards to satisfy their self-esteem by encouraging them to be inve ntive, and imaginative other than work related rewards. Such rewards make the employee to feel secure and more committed to their work. Neither the X nor the Y theory is good or bad because they apply to different types of jobs and work settings. However when applied in wrong job settings, conflicts could arise in the management. Usage of theory Y by some managers can cause them loose control and being incapable of making final decisions as required. Theory Y could result in the manager being too judgmental on the doings of employees (Stewart 3). The X theory is applicable in a number of job types especially in the public service where organization structures obligate only those in higher administrative ranks to make and oversee implementation of policies. Revenue collection authorities are a good example of managements that follow the X theory. They fear that not only the citizens but also their employees may possibly cheat on them. They assume that employees are untrustworthy and thus try to monitor, supervise, and, control their operations. The employees end up wasting plenty of time writing reports to validate their decisions (Barnett web). They therefore, underperform, which emphasizes the manager’s mentality that they are incompetent. In military and most of the police departments, the superiors give orders that all those under them have to carry out without questioning their

Working Capital Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Working Capital Management - Essay Example The company has a policy of maintaining a strong balance sheet and free cash flows on a sustainable basis to become free from shot term debts and strengthen the position of liquidity. As on 2011, Nissan Motor Company achieved a positive free cash flow of 379.5 billion Yen (Nissan Motor Co. Ltd, 2013). The company uses its free cash flow for repurchasing stocks in order to increase the available capital with the company. According to the market demand, Nissan Motor Company also uses the free cash flows to investment in assets like factories, equipments, operational infrastructure and also decides to allocate a part to the shareholders as long term plans for raising capital. The use of free cash flows helps Nissan Motor Company to meet short term expenses without incurring current liability. The use of free cash flows by the company influences the approach of capital structure decisions. Nissan Motor Company reduces the debt capital and focuses on increasing the equity capital in its c apital structure model. The theory of Capital Structure proposed by Miller and Modigliani is applicable in such wide number of scenarios where the companies should adopt a balance between the debt and equity capital for raising finds in order to maintain an optimal cost of capital (Pratt,

Recruitment Process. Talent Management. People Equity Essay

Recruitment Process. Talent Management. People Equity - Essay Example Therefore, as a recruiter it is a responsibility to hire those employees who can maintain an ethical culture along with ensuring augmented productivity of the organization. During interview process, it is necessary to judge an individual through various perspectives in terms of qualification, enthusiasm about the given job, whether he/ she can adjust with organizational rules and regulations and the capability of attaining the given targets. When a recruiter selects a fresher as an employee then it is required to be assured that he/she should maintain the morale and culture of the organization, however through a fresher the chances of increasing productivity is quite minimal. Therefore, for a fresher it is necessary to arrange training sessions regarding the work procedure to show the mechanism of achieving the given targets within a specified period of time. Through an effective training session employees must familiarize themselves about the procedure of work and how to increase pr oductivity. Regarding a fresher, an organization should consider that the person does not hamper organizational ethics and culture because they are new in the system. However, when a recruiter hires an experienced person for the job then an impact may be created upon the organizational culture to a certain extent because an experienced person generally knows the basic strategies that can be used to enhance productivity by achieving the targets without any botheration regarding the rules and the regulations. Therefore, when a recruiter selects this type of individuals, he/she should be aware about the attitude and behavior of an experienced person towards the organizational culture. During the interview process, recruiter must discuss properly about the rules and the regulations of the organization with the experienced person. Scenario 2 Talent reservoir for an organization can be assured through proper talent management procedure within the organization which can in turn facilitate to have a pool of skilled employees who can fulfill the company’s goals. In this context, the HR department can play a pivotal role as recruitment and selection procedure is very essential to identify and manage a talent effectively within the organization. Nowadays, talent management is considered as a key ‘buzzword’ in corporate level HR along with training. Talent comprises those individuals who can create a difference in the performance of the organization either through their instant involvement or in the long-term by representing maximum levels of potential. Effective organizations are developed by creating value through people, sales, innovation and customer services among other essential actions. Every organization strives to achieve their business objectives and this struggle mainly involves in supporting, recruiting, training, controlling and reimbursing the entire staff of the system. To support this circumstance, talent management can play a crucial p art for maintaining all these aspects in a proper way. There are certain procedures of talent management which should be taken into consideration (Stewart, 2008). The procedures are: Workforce planning, recruiting On-boarding, performance management Training and performance support Succession planning Compensation as well as benefits Critical skill gap analysis If a recruiter hires a skilled employee according to the job requirement then it can become quite easy for the management to find and nurture the talent within the system which would be fruitful for the organization in terms of attaining long-term profit and ensuring fulfillment of company goals (Bersin, 2006). Scenario 3 Alignment, capability and engagement are the three factors which determine