Monday, September 30, 2019

Death is Definitely Not Justified With Physician-Assisted Suicide Essay

Doctors dedicate their blood, sweat and tears to achieve the ultimate goal of their profession – to preserve the health and well-being of their patients. Doctors positively intervene with life processes in order to maintain and preserve the lives of many people. However, when doctors negatively intervene with a natural process like death, problems can arise because they are caught in a dilemma of whether to forego life and help end the suffering or to preserve it and torment the patients suffering with terminal illnesses. This is why, physician-assisted suicide is not just perceived solely as a medical problem because it also involves legal, ethical, social, personal, and financial considerations. Physician-assisted suicide remained as one of the most controversial types of euthanasia because it violates the Hippocratic Oath. Physician-assisted suicide literally means that the physician provides the medication for suicide to a competent patient who is capable of carrying it out. It is not just morally reprehensible for a physician, or any medical practitioner, to assist the patient to conduct this procedure because it negates their responsibility to preserve life, physician-assisted suicide also devalues the life of the patient as their fate is put entirely in the hands of a human being. Indeed, there exists an unprecedented debate over physician-assisted suicide (also called euthanasia) because involves medical professionals, as well as the patients and their families. The arguments range from determining the dignity of the patients, the quality of their lives, their mental state, and sometimes their usefulness to society. For example, the patient who is in a vegetative state is considered dead by some but not by others, and this case presents substantial moral and ethical problems. The Oxford Dictionary of English (2005) defines euthanasia as â€Å"the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma†. However, euthanasia means much more than a â€Å"painless death†, or the means of procuring it, or the action of inducing it. The definition specifies only the manner of death, and if this were all that was needed to achieve it — a murderer, who is careful to drug his victim to death, could claim that he or she did an act of euthanasia. We find this ridiculous because we take it for granted that euthanasia is â€Å"death† itself, not just the manner of death. How can someone administer a â€Å"medical procedure† to the one who dies in the end? The spate of recent public and philosophical controversy has been over voluntary active euthanasia (VAE), especially physician-assisted suicide. Supporters of VAE argue that there are cases in which relief from suffering supersedes all other consequences and that respect for autonomy obligates society to respect the decisions of those who elect euthanasia. If competent patients have a legal and moral right to refuse treatment that brings about their deaths, there is a similar right to enlist the assistance of physicians or others to help patients cause their deaths by an active means. Usually, supporters of VAE primarily look to circumstances in which (1) a condition has become overwhelmingly burdensome for a patient, (2) pain management for the patient is inadequate, and (3) only a physician seems capable of bringing relief (Dworkin, Frey & Bok, 1998). A much publicized case of physician-assisted suicide came into the headlines when it shocked people with the bizarre activities of Dr. Jack Kevorkian in early 1990s (or â€Å"Dr Death† as the media have dubbed him) in the USA. Dr. Kevorkian, a retired pathologist, assisted over forty people to commit suicide in recent years in circumstances, which were somewhat beyond normal from regular medical practice. These people travelled to Kevorkian from all over the USA to seek his assistance in suicide. Kevorkian assisted their death by ending their suffering. He even attached his patients at the back of a dilapidated Volkswagen van, where a â€Å"suicide machine† can be found. This machine automatically injects patients with lethal doses of drugs, as patients themselves activate it. Despite being prosecuted for assisted suicide on several occasions, Kevorkian escaped conviction and continued his personal campaign for relaxation of the law in his peculiar way. It was only when he moved from assistance in suicide to euthanasia that he was finally convicted. He filmed himself administering a lethal injection, and the film helped secure his conviction for murder (Keown 2002, p. 31). Of course, his actions provoked discussion of the thin line separating passive euthanasia, which is legal in this country, and active euthanasia. Opponents of Kevorkian’s actions state that he is practicing physician-assisted suicide, which is illegal. Proponents of Kevorkian’s actions argue that the patient’s right to control his or her medical treatment is sufficient justification for assisted suicide. Unfortunately, most Americans seem to agree with physician-assisted suicide. A nationwide survey by the Gallup poll in 2004 showed that 69% of Americans believed that physicians should be allowed to help terminally ill patients in severe pain commit suicide. These results were consistent with those of Gallup polls over the past two years, where â€Å"Americans have shown slightly higher levels of support for doctors ending patients’ lives by painless means than for assisting patients to commit suicide† (Lyons, 2004). Allen et al. (2006) suggest about the reasons for these statistics. They said that â€Å"one explanation could be the increase in education and awareness of advances in both medical technology and research on various chronic diseases†. As more Americans are becoming more aware of the devastating psychological effects of disease on a person’s well being; â€Å"they may be more willing to make informed decisions on end-of-life care†. Armed with knowledge of how painful and grueling pains that patients suffer, Americans think that sometimes the best option for a terminally ill patient is physician-assisted suicide or some other form of euthanasia. Strangely enough, a group of doctors also support physician-assisted suicide. Known as the Hemlock Society, these doctors advocate the legalization of euthanasia (Snyder, 2001). This organization believes that the final decision to terminate life ultimately is one’s own, although it does not encourage suicide for emotional, traumatic, or financial reasons, or in the absence of terminal illness. Conversely, the National Hospice Organization supports a patient’s right to choose, but believes that hospice care is a better choice than euthanasia or assisted suicide (Snyder, 2001). Despite the salient points made by the supporters of physician-assisted suicide, we should not forget that this process essentially negates the purpose of a doctor’s profession. The Hippocratic Oath, which dates back in the 400 B. C. E. states that â€Å"I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel†. Not only that it is in clear opposition to the oath of their profession, it is also morally and ethically reprehensible. According to Somerville (2006), there are two major reasons why people should not allow euthanasia to be legalized. First reason is purely relying on principle that it is not right for one human to intentionally kill another (with the exception of justified self-defense cases, or in the defense of others). Somerville (2006) stated that the second reason is utilitarian, as legalizing physician-assisted death has harmful effects and risks to people and society. In fact, the harms and risks far outweigh any benefits of physician-assisted suicide. While Mak, Elwyn & Finlay (2006) reasoned that â€Å"most studies of euthanasia have been quantitative, focusing primarily on attitudes of healthcare professionals, relatives, and the public†. Most people perceive pain as the major reason for requesting euthanasia, while other factors that convince people to choose it are impairment of functions, dependency, being a big burden, being isolated to people, depression, losing hope, and losing autonomy or control. This is why, Mak, Elwyn & Finlay (2006) thought that legalizing euthanasia is a â€Å"premature† move when research evidence from the perspectives of those who desire euthanasia is not yet proven to be necessary. The researchers suggested that there needs to be additional qualitative patient-based studies in order to broaden the physician’s understanding of patients. They deemed that there should be the â€Å"inclusion of medical humanities, experiential learning, and reflective practice into medical education should help ensure doctors have better communication skills and attitudes†. Thus, doctors and healthcare professionals should focus in examining ways to improve cure and care at all levels so that they can trash out the â€Å"side effects of poor end of life care†. In this way, physician-assisted suicide would not be necessity anymore. In 1997, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not guarantee Americans a right to physician-assisted suicide and returned the issue to the state legislatures for continued debate. In its decision, the Court placed emphasis on the American tradition of condemning suicide and valuing human life. In its ruling, the Court made it clear that the states have a legitimate interest in banning physician-assisted suicide, but it also left it open to them to legalize the practice. As a result, the practice has been legalized in Oregon. Although the law is rather unequivocal in regard to the practice of active euthanasia, the court decisions have been quite ambiguous. This may be a proper stance for the law in that its adamant negative position provides a deterrent to all considerations of the practice and forces deliberation of the merits on a case-by-case basis. But under what circumstances is euthanasia justifiable? Is it permissible to kill the terminally ill? How about those who are not terminally ill but have only lost their appetite for life? Even if society decides that citizens have a right not only to life, liberty, and property but also to death, what part do health care practitioners play in this right? Would the role of physician who conducts euthanasia have a chilling effect on the medical profession? What law cannot answer, ethics and morality could provide the answers of what needs to be done by health professionals when faced with a difficult dilemma, such as physician-assisted suicide. As medical practitioners, medical code of ethics should not just become theoretical concepts, because ethics are important references in the application of one’s moral and value system to a career in health care. Ethics involves more than just â€Å"common sense†, which is an approach for making decisions that most people in society use. Ethics goes way beyond this: It requires a critical thinking approach that examines important considerations such as fairness for all consumers, the impact of the decision on society, and the future implications of the decision. In the end, as doctors, the central issue remains caring for the dignity of the patient, which involves respecting the patient’s wishes, protecting the integrity of the profession, and sparing the life of a person under all conditions which are generally understood to be extremely burdensome. Thus, all forms of physician-assisted suicide are ethically and morally reprehensible because it promotes intentional killing. This principle does not require the preservation of life at all costs, which is essentially the role of all physicians.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Analysis of 3 Blind Mice Essay

I chose the story/nursery rhyme 3 Blind Mice to provide my summary and analysis on. It goes as follows – â€Å"3 Blind Mice, 3 Blind Mice†¦ See how they run, See how they run†¦ They all ran after the farmer’s wife, Who cut off their tails with a carver’s knife, Have you ever seen such a thing in your life? As 3 Blind Mice†. To summarize the above nursery rhyme I was able to conclude there are 3 mice and each mouse is blind. I found that the mice run and chased the farmer’s wife. I also was able to conclude that the farmer’s wife cut off all 3 of the mice’s tails. That is all I was able to come up with as far as summarizing goes. After completing an analyzation of 3 Blind Mice, I noticed symbolism, some unanswered questions and a few other findings I previously didn’t notice. I always assumed the farmer’s wife chopped off the 3 blind mice’s tails AFTER they were chasing her meaning she was defending herself. What if the wife cut off the 3 mice tails first and they were chasing her for attacking them initially? The lyrics does not advise which order either of the above 2 deeds occurred; it just states they both happened. It makes you question who the aggressor was, which may determine which side you are on and the lesson you learned from the story if any. After further analyzation, I began to wonder how the mice were able to chase the farmer’s wife around if they are blind. The author put extra emphasis on seeing the way the 3 blind mice run (those were the 1st 2 lines, the only lines that were repeated twice and the only lines that did not rhyme) as if it was different than how non-blind mice run. It’s unclear if the mice were running in fear, anger, if they were running different because they got their tails cut off etc. The author could be implying nothing good happens for people/animals with disabilities. The story seems to only highlight the mice’s deficiencies and nothing good happens for them. The last observation of my analysis is I never heard of a mouse, or even a few mice chasing a human in real life. Mice normally run from people in fear, not after them. I think symbolism was used to convey a message deeper than the simple nursery rhyme. Maybe the mice were used to represent the general public, and the wife represents their queen/leader. When the â€Å"little people† in society try to challenge the government or top authority figures, they normally get an example made out of them (hence the tail being cut off). It is unclear if the mice lived or died after their tails were chopped, but it’s clear they were punished by the farmer’s wife. Rodents were used to represent the â€Å"little people† because when rodents become a problem, you exterminate them!!! That is what I found when completing my summary and analysis for â€Å"3 Blind Mice†. I hope I was able to provide good theories to back up my findings while changing your view on an old nursery rhyme.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Masculinity and the Cold War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Masculinity and the Cold War - Essay Example While the possibility still remains valid today, the menace appeared more eminent within the 60's, as a result of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki incidents, as well as the novelty of the technology. The cold war can actually be compared to a chauvinist conflict, whereupon both nations involved tried to use their supposed technological supremacy as a tool to undermine the influence of other nation. This notion is quite obvious in Stanley Kubrick's movie "Dr Strangelove: or How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb", as well in the text authored by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Joseph Rotblat, "A war-free world". Though the cold war no longer exists but the situation in Iran, Iraq and the role of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has again compelled this world to think of a very different approach towards nuclear deterrence. Mohamed ElBaradei, the eminent scientist who is heading IAEA while giving a lecture at Stanford, called for a new commitment from the peace loving world to go for nuclear disarmament rather than nuclear deterrence. Such relationship is quite obvious in "Dr. Strangelove".

Friday, September 27, 2019

The Benefits of Gender Diversity in the Workplace Research Paper

The Benefits of Gender Diversity in the Workplace - Research Paper Example Owing to such reasons, it is deemed to be necessary for both profit oriented as well as non-profit organizations to engage and accept the notion of diversity with regard to gender for the reason of attaining increased creativeness as well as productivity (Rosado, 2006). Gender Diversity in Workplace The idea of gender is primarily based on the dissimilarities of features amid the individuals of different sex. These features act as a basis which discerns the males from the females. It is also based on the feelings of an individual of being a male or a female. Gender diversity generally relates to the proportion or ratio of the overall males to the overall females. The degree of diversity signifies whether the distribution of the genders is equal or it is distributed unevenly (Walter, 2012). Greater degree of diversity within a certain organization with regard to age is known to offer increased viewpoints as well as generation of fresh ideas. It is even considered imperative for the re ason of augmenting the competence in terms of comprehending the requirements of the customers. The aspect of diversity in relation to gender in the workplace assists in triggering an ensuring increased degree of sales for the organization. Gender diversity is also considered important for an organization for the reason of ensuring the sustenance of their respective operations. The notion of gender diversity relates to the actuality of the existence of variation in terms of the genes with regard to a species. The factor of genetic diversity makes it likely for a specific populace to become accustomed to the surroundings along with responding to the usual selection. The degree in relation to genetic disparity is considered to be the foundation of speciation. This specific factor is known to pose an influence regarding the ways individuals act together and perform or conduct oneself with respect to the other individuals present in the organization (Green, Lopez, Wysocki, & Kenper, 2011 ).. As a result of the mounting globalization in the industrial sector gender diversity has surfaced as quite an essential aspect for the modern business organizations. Gender diversity with regard to workplace has been defined as the comprehension and recognition of employees of both the genders. The major guiding forces of gender diversity within the workplace are the women employees. It is worth mentioning that during the recent days, business organizations have noticed the highest level of female employees in the workplace. Consequently, the number of families possessing dual income sources has also augmented along with the numbers in relation to working mothers who are single (Green, Lopez, Wysocki, & Kenper, 2011). Gender Diversity and Its Implications Gender diversity with regard to the workplace is noticed to prove gainful for the employers as well as the employees. The employees working in the same organization are likely to be quite reliant upon each other in terms of thei r work. In this context, the individuals of different genders significantly require to develop mutual respect for the reason of enhancing their productivity. Diversity in the work place can work quite effectively in boosting the marketing opportunities of the organization. It can further facilitate in encouraging creative activities amid the individuals and can also aid in recruitment activities

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Corporate Tax Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Corporate Tax Management - Essay Example On the contrary, hiring employees on the permanent basis can procure long-term benefits for the employer. Thus starting with the measurement of tax benefits for employers favouring the temporary staffing, the paper moves on to the evaluation of long-term benefits the employer could attain by engaging employees on the permanent basis. During the recent years, there has been a massive uplift in the staffing activities of intermediary companies in the United Kingdom. There are abundant factors that contribute to the uplift in the trend on the part of both the employers and employees. Employees are of the view that self-employment on the temporary basis pays more than the permanent employment as there happens to be several opportunities for them to enter job markets. They often associate it with the flexibility of working conditions and requirements. There are also some skilled persons whose skills are highly demanded by the employers and in order to make the most of their skills, they prefer to work on contractual basis rather than working and clinging permanently to the same company. On the part of employer, however, there appear to be several other factors that encourage them to go for intermediary companies in the pursuit of temporary workers. ... It not only saves the employers from the legal responsibilities but also to the great extent facilitates in the employers' intention to evade taxes that are otherwise payable on the permanent hiring of employees. The investigation by the UK treasury confirms that there has been an increasing tendency on the part of employers and corporations to evade taxes by way of staffing through intermediary companies. The current UK taxation system allows certain exemptions on the taxes to be paid in the case of temporary employment by the employer, which consequently encourages the employers to use this strategy to avoid their tax liabilities. UK law clearly defines and differentiates the meaning of employees and temporary workers so as to explicate the tax liabilities as well as exemptions and also to avoid any exploitation of these terms by any of the parties. However, it fails to recognise the probable exploitations of loopholes in tax laws concerning the temporary employment on the part of the employers. Therefore, the present UK tax system in the form of tax credits or tax exemption allowed in the case of temporary employment encourages to a great extent the exploitation of laws for the purpose of tax evasion on the part of employees. Although staff engagement only via the intermediary companies and not through permanent employees does not in the direct sense implies the employer's intention of tax evasion, but the increasing trend as evident in UK and also the decreasing tax payments due to the provision of temporary workers by the intermediary companies indicate the fact that there exist some significant loopholes in the tax system that aggravate the current situation. In

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Perception Of Nature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Perception Of Nature - Essay Example For years, the imagination that all other organisms are less intelligent and incapable of expressing themselves in the same as humans may be utterly wrong. There seems to be an intelligent interconnection of nature between all its components. Science is a growing field whose previous conclusions have made us have a mindset of how nature should be. However, some of the findings that are coming up tend to disapprove the traditional notions. Therefore, there is an intelligent interconnection in nature amongst all its components. Nature is very intelligent and it is highly unlikely that one of its components can fully fathom of this intelligence. As noted by Marten (256), there are various perceptions that human having towards nature. He points out five common perceptions that people have considered nature. Looking at each one of them, there are valid basis in which it is established. However, these basis are not in any way conclusive. The interconnectivity of all the components of nature provides a platform in which understanding of nature becomes a bit more complex hence making humans incapable of having a full understanding of nature. However, through science humans have been able to grow their knowledge of nature bit by bit. Humans are part of the nature and to a large extent they have a limited scope of understanding the view of other components of nature. This makes its unreasonable to rely on the perception that humans have harbored over years about their supremacy and intelligence. Below is a good ex ample that demonstrates the capacity of other animals (elephants) to demonstrate some so called ‘human character.’ Empathy is a virtue that is highly prevalent among people and it is unimaginable that elephants too have this virtue. This worldview is based on the basic assumption that other animals are subject to our manipulation and hence they do not have their own discretion. This indicates that humans have for

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Medically and Mentally Challenged Inmates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Medically and Mentally Challenged Inmates - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that once identified with suicidal tendency, the inmate should be offered such cells or wards where 24-hour observation is possible. Similarly, those who are identified with medical issues should be housed separately so that they can be monitored more frequently than other general inmates. Secondly, the correctional staff is given training in various intervention procedures and a toolkit for first aid in emergencies. Even after initial screening, these people are able to observe the inmates closely and report any inmate’s exhibiting signs of physical or mental illness. The third best practice is the strategy of utilization review. This means the appropriateness of the services and procedures offered to each inmate is periodically reviewed. This helps reduce the cost involved in offering unnecessary monitoring and treatment. Finally, it is clear that about 50% of all the diseases, injuries, and death in the United States are entirely pr eventable. Therefore, another best practice is to introduce preventive measures, including frequent health screenings, medicines and vaccines, health education campaigns, and checkups. These practices will help correctional facilities better manage medically and mentally challenged inmates.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Reading notes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Reading notes - Essay Example Leadership has no one best way; it is a contingency approach as per the situation for best results. Effectiveness of leadership depends on the situation, demographics and other characteristics. Mix in leadership approach as per the situation is the best form of strategy to attain the desired goals, mitigate complexities, uncertainties along with meeting the organisational expectations. Contingency theory of leadership is one of the vital concepts for the organisational life Leadership in practice demands innovation and quality social movements to strengthen diversity. Transformation in leadership which is driven from front results in better outcomes. Leadership is about building a world for the people through innovation and diversity for the purpose of collectivism Leadership is based on the theory and practice for a better world to develop the skills for the significance of organisational life. Leadership is related to the concept of knowing, doing and then

Sunday, September 22, 2019

PASSION AND SOCIETY IN MEDIEVAL LITERATURE- TRISAN, Essay

PASSION AND SOCIETY IN MEDIEVAL LITERATURE- TRISAN, - Essay Example or trickery, but also for trickery as a tool of literature that undermines its claims to truth and goodness in making these claims wholly contingent on the recognition of the text as good. As Tristans pupil in formal education as well as trickery, Isolde the Blonde (distinct from the two other Isoldes, the Queen of Ireland and Isolde of the White Hands) for a brief time demonstrates her own acumen as a trickster before it unravels when Marke discovers them. An example from the text is helpful in uncovering the complexities to be expected in Gottfrieds brand of trickery. In a sense, it is easy to explain the motivation the adult Tristan has in exercising trickery; to continue his affair with Isolde, he must trick those who would hinder it. It is more difficult to explain, for example, his motivation when he first encounters the friendly pilgrims upon his arrival in Cornwall, to whom he lies without any apparent provocation: Now Tristan was shrewd and cautious for his years and started to tell them a pretty tale. â€Å"Good sirs,† he told them, â€Å"I was born in this country and with some others was to have ridden out hunting in this forest here today, but (myself I know not how) I rode out of touch with both huntsmen and hounds. Those who knew the forest-paths all fared better than I, because, having no track, I rode astray and got lost. I then hit on a cursed trail which brought me to the edge of a gully where, try as I would, I would not curb my horse from plunging headlong down. We ended up, my horse and I, lying in a heap together. Then I failed to get to my stirrup in time to prevent its snatching the reins and careering off into the forest. And so I came to this path, which has brought me as far as this. But I cannot say where I am, nor in which direction I must go.† (76) This elaborate story is a miniature autobiography and the pilgrims respond with sympathy, giving Tristan further reason to persist with his trickery. The pilgrims happily take Tristan with

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Jung and the Use of Psychedelics Essay Example for Free

Jung and the Use of Psychedelics Essay Carl Jung had many theories of the unconscious mind, and apparently had the personal capacity for very lucid dreams along with exceptionally vivid visions. In the fall of 1913, Jung dreamed of a â€Å"monstrous flood† that engulfed most of Europe; he saw â€Å"people drowning and civilization crumbling. † Because of his extremely vivid visions, he worried at times that he might be experiencing a psychotic break. (Boeree p. 1). Jung identifies the ego with the conscious mind, and the personal unconscious with anything which is not presently conscious, but could be. The use of LSD apparently increases the ego, or the conscious mind, and brings the personal unconscious either closer to the surface, or completely out into the sunlight. It is well-documented that the therapeutic use of LSD can accomplish in a relatively short amount of time what years and years of psychotherapy sometimes cannot. Inhibitions are released and the unconscious mind delivers up its issues in order to enable the patient to deal with them, leading ultimately to recovery. As it relates to Jungian theory, the LSD experience can have no simple explanations and parallels. The effects of LSD on the human mind are far from â€Å"standard,† but rather the â€Å"result of a complex interaction of the drug, the psychological and physical environment, the personality structure of the subject and therapist, and the set or expectancy as to what the drug would do. † (Terrill p. 1). In other words, there is no â€Å"typical† LSD drug experience, but it is rather wholly dependent on the person’s own unique personality, physical environment and what the person is expecting from the drug experience. In terms of mood, there are a wide range of reactions, from feelings of euphoria, increase in anxiety, and a general intensity of feelings. Many subjects show an increased concern with immediate events and a lack of concern about past and future. (Terrill p. 2). Most subjects seem to have an increased sensitivity regarding their interactions with others, and hallucinatory effects are quite common, especially those involving the senses. The external world becomes â€Å"unstable, receding and approaching, flowing and vibrating. † (Terrill p. 2). Of course the dosage of the LSD drug is a factor as well. In general when therapists are working with small doses, the results are only to heighten suggestibility and allow the â€Å"emergence of the unconscious materials. † (Eigen p. 2). These small doses could continue for months or years. A massive dose of LSD (750-1500mcg—is given with the goal of achieving therapeutic results in one â€Å"overwhelming session,† and can be compared somewhat to a religious conversion. This type of treatment has been used with some success for alcoholics or those with severe psychotic problems. More typical is a moderate dose of LSD, used in such conditions such as criminal psychopathy, sexual deviations, depressive states, phobias, and compulsive syndromes. This moderate dosage has also been used with autistic children to enable them to become more responsive. (Masters p. 3). The shadow in Jungian theory is the â€Å"dark side† of the ego, and all the evil that human beings are capable is stored there although the shadow is amoral—neither good nor bad, rather more like animals. (Boeree p. 6). Animals do not consciously decide to do something based on whether it is good or bad, they just act on instinct and react to the situation at hand. Everything in us that is unconscious, repressed, undeveloped or denied becomes our shadow, and until we confront our own shadow, we cannot truly have self-awareness. (Boeree p. 8). In typical psychotherapy a person’s shortcomings are brought out, but not so much his assets. Therefore, his shadows are brought into the light, but the missing link is that the good parts of his personality are disregarded. Because LSD causes an inflation of ego, it can be â€Å"an effective antidote for low self-esteem. † (Savage p. 4). While LSD allows the person to face his shortcomings and bring out his shadows just like typical psychotherapy, at the same time he can â€Å"experience some of the wealth and reservoirs which lie within him. † (Savage p. 4). A complex is a â€Å"pattern of suppressed thoughts and feelings that cluster around a theme provided by some archetype. † (Boeree p. 8). As an example, if you pretend all your life that you are only good and don’t even have the capacity to lie, cheat or steal, then all those times when you do good, the other side of you goes into a complex around the shadow. That complex begins to develop a life of it’s own and â€Å"it will haunt you. † (Boeree p. 8). There are many related instances of LSD bringing these complexes to the surface quickly. Interestingly, in a book about one woman’s LSD treatment, the woman described her results this way: â€Å"I found that in addition to being, consciously, a loving mother and a respectable citizen, I was also, unconsciously a murderess, a pervert, a cannibal, a sadist and a masochist. † (Grinspoon p. 3). The woman went on to say that at the end of nine sessions, over a period of nine weeks, she had essentially faced her â€Å"demons† and in the process had lost her fear of dentists, the tensions in her body and her dislike of clocks ticking. In this particular case, LSD therapy helped this woman to face her own shadows and complexes and deal with them. In Breaking Open the Head, Daniel Pinchbeck takes us along for his own spiritual journey through the use of psychedelics. He details amazingly vivid dreams and visions, and while cautioning about the over usage of LSD and other psychotropic drugs, he states that, â€Å"We need the courage to confront what lies behind the openings of our own minds. † (Pinchbeck p. 7).

Friday, September 20, 2019

The French Ban Of The Hijab

The French Ban Of The Hijab The wearing of the hijab or otherwise known as the Islamic headscarf has been a focal point in many discussions and a highly debatable subject in France. Ever since the France banned the wearing of Islamic scarves in 2004, there has been a spectrum of issues that arise particularly in three related areas: religion, self-identity of a Muslim veiled woman, and the national identity of France. What does the tern hijab denote? What is the national identity of France and how does it view the hijab? What constitutes to the headscarf ban? In this essay, I aim to discuss the implications of the clash between Frances national identity and the constructed identity of wearing the headscarf for French Muslim women. Secondly, I discuss about the repercussion of the headscarf ban such as discrimination faced by the female Muslim students at schools. For the study of this paper, I focus only on the Islamic headscarf ban though other religion symbols are banned in France such as the Jewish skullcaps and Christian crosses. The literature review foregrounds the above mentioned three questions. Background Literature Review A confusing array of positions has been taken about the relationship between wearing the hijab and Islam over the recent years. (Winter, 2008) For some, it marks the religious symbol of Islam and inevitably becomes an inalienable part of a womans identity. Religious scholars have asserted that Islamic law requires women to wear the hijab, a headscarf covering their ears, hair and neck.(Wiles, 2007) Relating to this view, Muslim women thus believe that wearing the hijab is an obligation under the commandment of the Quran. Originally, the term hijab meant curtain or separation which denoted to hide from view. Donning the headscarf, indicates that underneath it is a woman and without it, Sheikh Al-Hilali as cited in (Winter, 2008) is uncovered meat to eyes of the men who become cats, and thus cannot be blamed for harassment signifying womans weakness. (H.Sinno, 2009) states that wearing the hijab may serve as a womans emancipation and empowerment. On the contrary, French liberal perfe ctionists view the donning of hijab as a marker of female and religious oppression affecting a womans autonomy (Laborde, 2006) that contradicts with the principle of secularism. Secularism is forms part of the national identity of France, a country that disliked the force of the Catholic Church after centuries of religious battle. The roots of secularism can be recalled back into early liberalism and its succinct focus on universality, rationality and individual autonomy (Asad 2003; Yavuz and Esposito 2003) as cited in (GÃ ¶kariksel Mitchell, 2005). Fundamentally denoting, it aims to separate state and religion meaning being neutral in religion so that a democratic republic is formed. Therefore, in the eyes of secularism, religious conspicuous symbols cast religious differences onto individuals that are supposed to be rational and equal. (GÃ ¶kariksel Mitchell, 2005)As such, the wearing of hijab is perceived to indicate a non-secular expression which gradually initiated the ban. The French law imposed a ban for prohibiting all overt religious symbols which took effect on March 2004. (Kiersh) The law is a modification to part of the French Code of Education that constitutes the principle of secularity. As mentioned, France is a self-declared secular state and the manners which public schools are run are directly influenced by that notion. The controversy of the headscarf ban started with a decision undertaken by a high school headmaster in Creil who expelled three female Muslim students wearing the hijab on 18th September, 1989. Within a week, his decision was overturned. The Education Minister, Lionel Jospin , sought legal opinion and the Council stated that the right to don the headscarf was in accordance to the principle of secularism and was legally essential of French citizens fundamental doctrine rights to exercise the freedom of expression and religion. Furthermore, it can be reviewed that the wearing of such a religious symbol should not be conspicuou s in a way that leads to disrupt order in schools. Later, the Council issued a circulation advising that ostentatious elements should not be worn in schools. (Wiles, 2007) A series of tensions and irregularities stirred up such as ethnic-related violence which the government blamed on the presence of religious symbols. According to (Wiles, 2007), in July 2003, President Chirac recommended the passing of the law that bans religious symbols in state schools and reasoned that the main purpose was to affirm independence and openness to cultural diversity, arguing that the wearing of headscarf does not fit in this vision. Discussion In retrospect with the lectures and readings, it can be examined that there is misrecognition of the French Muslim women with the French law of prohibiting the wearing of religious headscarves. As (Tatum, 1997) highlights, there is a mythical norm that exists in the minority group which says, that is not me and in this case, if a Muslim woman who believes that her religion requires her to don the hijab, is forced not to wear it to abide the French law of secularism, then, that is not her. Furthermore, by prohibiting her from doing so strongly infringes on her right to that freedom of religion and conscience according to the view of (Wiles, 2007). France as mentioned is a multicultural society, but as (Blum) highlights, multiculturalism is a tolerance for and recognition of the right of other groups to pursue their own cultural identities, but which is being diluted in the effect of the ban. The ban does not have respect for and the interest in the cultural heritage of the Muslims, an d thus France cannot be said to be a multicultural society, for there is racial discrimination that surfaces from the ban. Chirac stated, Secularity is one of the republics great achievements. It plays a crucial role in social harmony and national cohesion. We must not allow it to be weakened (Fontanaud, 2003, Chirac urges Muslim headscarf ban, para. 13) As mentioned in the quote, the terms social harmony and national cohesion are indeed questionable as there have been social unrests due to the protests by the Muslims to urge Chirac not to propose the law to enforce the prohibition. Representing the subordinate group, they feel victimised and refuse to be obliged to succumb to such a ban by the dominant group because they lose their religious identity; their dignity and honour. (Taylor, 1994) A law on religious symbols in the school environment could stigmatise a whole community, said Dalil Boubakeur, president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM). (Fontanaud, 2003, Chirac urges Muslim headscarf ban, para. 17) I agree with Dalils opinion, as the stigmatisation as mentioned could result in an inherent reduction in the identity of the religion in the discourse of the French community and the protests may reflect the Muslims reaction to re-acclaim their identity, dignity and self-respect. (Tatum, 1997) According to (Fontanaud, 2003), Chirac rejected the commissions proposal to mark the holy days of minority faiths, reiterating that French pupils had many official days off. One of the minority faiths include Islam and by doing so, demonstrates blindness to their religion and its unacceptance. (Taylor, 1994) Looking back at the notion of secularism, one may question in what way does it embrace a democratic society when it visibly demarcates the subordinate groups in terms of religious practices, despite claiming to promote cultural diversity and social harmony. In other words, it can be said that in France, do what the French do just like the saying goes in Rome, do what the Romans do to have Frenchness1 or to be called a French citizen, one must not wear the headscarf, if not, you are the other as (Tatum, 1997) puts it. In schools, French Muslims are placed at a fix amidst this identity struggle between faith and citizenship, and some are expected to compromise in wearing a bandana. (BBC, Muslim girl shaves head over ban , 2004) Touria adds: Its part of who I am. Its not just some bit of fabric on my head. Its everything. People say that its the women who wear the veil that are submissive but I think it is those women who are submissive, because it is what men want, women half naked. (BBC, 2004, French scarf ban comes into force, para.3) Tourias statement clearly contradicts Sheikh Al-Hilalis statement as cited in (Winter, 2008) that had been mentioned earlier in my introduction, where it is purely up to the individuals belief to don the headscarf, whom in this case, regard it as representing who she is (Tatum, 1997) and its possessed worth is much more than its material or function, neither does it represent a sign of weakness to the male gender. At the same time, Touria highly attunes by wearing a bandana because she refrains from drawing attention to herself or her religion, if so, may face racial discrimination in school and be excluded as a member in that discourse community. (BBC, French scarf ban comes into force , 2004). In some schools, the rule is so strict that, even a bandana is not permitted. Cennet Doganey asserts that she respects the French law and the Muslim law and shaves her head completely. The cause that led to this was due to the fact that she was refused to enter the class despite wearing a bandana and states, I respect the law but it did not respect me. (BBC, Muslim girl shaves head over ban, 2004) To her, the French law discriminates in the form of tangible representatives such as the headmasters by restricting her freedom to exercise the rights of her religion due to the headscarf ban in public schools. Some girls are even being sent home which is justified as being required to abide by the French law, that being one dimension but another which presents itself as a pillar of discrimination. Their education gets affected and they need to make a choice to go against their religious beliefs to be an inclusive French citizen. (Hashmi, 2000) If having awareness to cultural identity is th e objective of secularism in a multicultural community, then there should be cultural pluralism that involves the different racial groups to have tolerance and acceptance for and recognition of the rights of one another to pursue their own cultural exploration. As (Taylor, 1994) mentions as cited in (Blum), liberal values needs to present in the notion of multiculturalism, which contradicts the principle of secularism and the headscarf ban. Neither is there equality in dignity nor respect for that religious practice. It seems to however connote the wearing of the hijab as a threatening weapon to secularism. (Blum) reaffirms that a persons cultural identity has a distinctive set of history and practices which is central to ones overall individual identity. Hence, by being true to the constituents of the ban in accordance to the French law, the French Muslim is being separated of her own identity and becomes a misrecognised marginalised individualist whose dignity is not respected by the law. (Robert J.Pauly, 2004). Supporting this view, Taylors notion of recognition as cited in (Blum) is defined as to recognise cultural differences which creates the identities of the Muslim individuals, and by doing so means to respect their dignity, if not, it dishonours them. There are limitations to the scope of my discussion due to adhering of the word limit otherwise, the concept of integration, assimiliation and melting pot not only in France, but other parts of Europe would have been further explored as the headscarf ban arises in Turkey as well as Germany. Conclusion It appears that despite efforts undertaken by the French government to separate state and religion, it is clear that different individuals have different realities. The reality of the headscarf ban in the eyes of French Muslims causes discrimination and a separation from ones identity. The reality of secularism has good intentions in having individuals to be liberated from assumed oppressive religions but demonstrates otherwise where it stigmatises cultural identities, portraying them to have less worth in the society. Multiculturalism needs to be deeply examined in the French context due to the consequences mentioned that arise from the headscarf ban. Indeed, the headscarf ban itself needs to lend itself to be further investigated on whether it is a necessity or intolerance.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Film Analysis of Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore Essay -- Micha

Film Analysis of Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore 'Bowling for Columbine', directed by Michael Moore, deals with the problems of gun crime in America. The main purpose of this film is to persuade American people to change their ideas about guns and gun laws. Moore constantly refers to other countries such as Canada and their gun policies to back up his arguments for increased gun regulation. He is successfully able to counter argue any reason given by pro gun supporters as to the reason why America has the highest gun related crimes and death, even though other countries have similar attitudes towards violence. The scenes that have been selected focus on different aspects of the film, which present Moore's ability to persuade his audience into his way of viewing gun crime. Michael Moore has used a variety of techniques in the ?A wonderful World? scene to influence the audience into siding with his views and to portray America as a destructive force to other countries. The sequencing of the scene ?A Wonderful World? is very effective. The scene before the clip is very ironic as it shows the Lockheed Martin, which is the largest weapons producer in America. The Lockheed Martin spokesman is standing in front of A missile and is talking about America as a protector of the world. Yet, immediately after this, the man claims that America is not an aggressor, the film is launched into the scenes which entirely contradict his claims. This is a successful use of persuasive technique as the audience will now trust what Moore has to say rather tha... ... either that the NRA and the Klan were parallel groups or that when the Klan was outlawed its members formed the NRA. Both are completely wrong however this is effective as it illustrates that since the KKK was evil, that the NRA is also evil as it is made up of the same members or that both groups have the same belief. Moore is able to use a number of persuasive techniques in the three scenes from Bowling for Columbine to express his views on gun laws. The moods of these three scenes vary considerably, from humour, to serious to sarcasm and irony. By appealing to different types of emotions, the audience is able to connect with Moore effectively. As well as this, by feeling humorous or sad when Moore intends the audience to be, the viewers immediately, whether intentionally or unintentionally side with Moore?s view.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Case Study on Alcoholism Essay -- substance abuse case study

Introduction: The ingestion of alcoholic beverages for their enjoyable effects is a custom which has been around for thousands of years, and alcohol continues to be a popular drug because of its short-term effects (Coleman, Butcher & Carson, 1984). An enormous amount of damage can be attributed directly to alcohol abuse as a result of lost jobs, accidents caused by drunk drivers, and so forth (Maltzman, 2000). Alcohol also compounds other problems--an estimated 25% to 40% of hospital patients have problems caused by, or recovery delayed by alcohol abuse (Maltzman, 2000). Clinical psychologists spend about one-fourth of their time dealing with people who are suffering in part from alcohol or other substance problems (Vaillant, 1995). Although alcohol problems have been around for so long, it is only recently that these problems have begun to be associated with medical or psychological difficulties. The first to advocate alcoholism as a disease was Benjamin Rush (1785-1843), and he even proposed that hospitals should be established to aid in the treatment of this disease (Cox, 1987). Since Rush, there have been many more definitions of alcoholism including the Statistical Abstracts (1979) account that an alcoholic is defined as ?one who is unable consistently to choose whether he shall drink or not, and if he drinks, is unable consistently to choose whether he shall stop or not. ?Alcoholics with complications? are those who have developed bodily or mental disorders through prolonged excessive drinking? (O?Brien & Chafetz, 1982, p.26). Further, Mark Keller of Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcoholism in March of 1960 stated that alcoholism is a ?chronic disease manifested by repeat implicative drinking so as to ca... ..., Publishers. May, R. (1977). The Meaning of Anxiety. New York, NY: Washington Square Press. Menninger, W.W. (1994). Psychotherapy and integrated treatment of social phobia and comorbid conditions. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 58, A84-A90. Miner, C.M., & Davidson, J.R.T. (1995). Biological characterization of social phobia. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 244, 304-308. Potts, N.L., & Book, S., & Davidson, J.R.T. (1996). The neurobiology of social phobia. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 11, 43-48. Uhde, T.W. (1994). Anxiety and growth disturbances: Is there a connection? A review of biological studies in social phobia. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 55, 17-27. Wittchen, H. (2000). The many faces of social anxiety disorder. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 15, S7-S12.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Role of Women During and After the Age of Revolutions Essay -- French

There have been many stereotypical views and misconceptions about the role of women during and after the age of revolutions. Although the role of women did change, it is important to understand their position before the revolutions in order to wager how their role changed and of course, to what extent. It would be unrealistic to assume that all women during this period fell into one category. There are many factors to consider and so it is vital to address how different types of women behaved in their varied working and living environments. In pre industrial Europe the life of a single woman can be regarded as extremely difficult from an economic perspective. Most single women, irrespective of age, belonged to a family, either as a servant or a daughter. In both respects they were regarded as dependent. In a time when female wages were extremely low, the only way for a woman to obtain a degree of economic stability was to marry. The type of work a single woman carried out differed quite greatly from that of a married woman. As with all women their working role began in a similar way, helping within the home, assisting their mothers. Obviously the jobs they carried out varied according to the productive nature of their particular household, for example in agricultural areas daughters would often help with dairying, poultry, or the making of food and cloth. The very first time women began to ban together for the same rights that men have was during the French Revolution. Everything was being questioned in France then, and for the first time, women were doing some of the questioning. Why couldn't women vote? Why couldn't women hold public office? Why were women expected to tend to the kids and the house all day?... ...e of the Enlightenment era, the role of women in society began changing drastically as the lights of the world were now open with this brand new enlightened era. Women began holding jobs, yet still did not receive the same privileges as men. By the time the Industrial Revolution came along in the 19th century many more jobs were opened to a woman in the work force. Reforms began in all areas throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries as women were gaining more and more rights and acceptance into everyday life. By the time the 20th century rolled around and throughout, no longer was it thought that women belonged in the home (although few still feel that way), yet many women began serving professional jobs as doctors, lawyers, and politicians. Now today some of the most successful people in the business world are women, as women have even began their own companies.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Chinese Literature Essay

The first short story under consideration is â€Å"Iron Child† by Mo Yan. The piece of literature deals with industrialization of China, which aimed at establishing the socialist model of political system of this country in the beginning of the second half of the twentieth century. The outcomes of the political transformation of China, particularly, child labor, are described in the story. The story â€Å"Iron Child† is narrated by a five-year-old boy (Yan n.pag.). Another short story under analysis is â€Å"Dogshit Food† by Liu Heng. The events of this story take place in the period of the so-called Great Leap Forward (1958). â€Å"Dogshit Food† deals predominantly with the issues of social life in China and political transformation after the World War II. The author emphasizes the human perception of beauty and ethical aspect of interpersonal relations. The story is being delivered in the third person singular, which indicates author’s narrative. The protagonist of the novel is Yang Tiankuan (Heng n.pag.). In spite of thematic diversity and differences in the formal realization of subject matter in both short-stories, â€Å"Dogshit Food† by Liu Heng and â€Å"Iron Child† by Mo Yan, they have a wide range of similarities. In his short story â€Å"Iron Child†, Mo Yan deals with the issues of industrialization of China establishing the socialist model of political system. The writer also reflects upon the most acute and burning social issues, particularly, child labor. It should be mentioned that Mo Yan creates the reality in which children appeared to be the most vulnerable in  the face of decisions and choices of adults. The general tone of the novel is gloomy. The pace of revolving the plot is predominantly moderate, gravitating towards acceleration. The surrealist vision gives this short story the flavor of reminiscence, since the author, apparently, is recalling and reconsidering his childhood. The aspect of the surrealist vision is embodied in the Iron Child who is the protagonist’s friend. Iron Child is endowed with extraordinary abilities of consuming iron (Yan n.pag.). On the other hand, â€Å"Dogshit Food† by Liu Heng, above all, accentuates the inter-personal relations between Yang Tiankuan and his wife and Yang Tiankuan and the rest of community inhabiting the Flood Water Valley. According to the short story, the negative effect of reformatting the agriculture and economy of China is related to the issue of malnutrition. Apparently, the author is drawing a parallel between the affliction and the person’s character. The conflict between the appearance, the outer surface, and person’s inner world is revealed through the lens of Yang Tiankuan’s wife. Namely, the author analyzes the way she treats Yang Tiankuan and others and, consequently, the way she perceives the world (Heng n.pag.). Therefore, the issues dealt in both novels are social life in China in the age of the Great Leap Forward, childhood and the status of children in Chinese society, interpersonal relations, human perception, and understanding the beauty. The essence of social issues and their outcomes and, as a result, the cause-effect relations dealt with in both short stories constitute the commonness between these particular pieces of literature. Another important observation to be made concerns the aspect of distinctiveness and autonomy of Chinese literature in general and Chinese prose of the twentieth century in particular. The phenomenon of distinctiveness and autonomy of Chinese literature was predetermined by the geographical position of China as well as scientific, cultural, and political separateness of this region from the rest of the world. Coalescence, i.e. loss of individuality, of the Chinese historic-cultural frontier in Asia represented itself as a notable fact common to the second half of the twentieth century. Mo Yan and Liu Heng’s positions supported Chinese identity in the context of culture by all means. Considering the current situation, it is important to admit the process of introducing the realities of the Western world to East and China in particular. They were assimilated into Eastern ground. Mo Yan and Liu Heng’s short stories were called, above all, to communicate the idea of cultural identity to the audience across the world. In other words, these particular pieces of literature have no target audience. In its turn, the absence of target audiences indicates both self-sufficiency and self-sustainment of art in general and literature in particular. Self-sufficiency and self-sustainment are the markers of the postmodern art, philosophy and the concept of world. However, social determination of both pieces of art is obvious as far as their subject matter is concerned. In my considered opinion, the issues of identity, assimilation and social determination presented in both â€Å"Dogshit Food† by Liu Heng and Mo Yan’s â€Å"Iron Child† are important in terms of investigating and analyzing. Works Cited Heng, Liu. â€Å"Dogshit Food.† _Fiction Since 1976._ Trans. Deride Sabina Knight. N.p., n.d. 366 – 378. Print. Yan, Mo. â€Å"Iron Child.† _Fiction Since 1976._ Trans. Howad Goldblatt. N.p., n.d. 367 – 387. Print.

Ordinary Or Proportionate Care

In medical terms, ordinary or proportionate care, which is beneficial, useful, and not unreasonably burdensome to the patient, is morally obligatory. On the other hand, extraordinary or disproportionate care, which may include exotic, experimental, or excessively burdensome treatments that are unlikely to benefit a patient or that include unreasonable costs relative to benefits, is not morally obligatory, though a patient may choose to accept it.The categories of proportionate and disproportionate care therefore, allow us to navigate between two dangerous extremes: the fundamentals that would have us preserve life at all costs by any means necessary without regard for the burdens imposed on the patient, and the fatalism that would tempt us to give up on gravely ill patients before their time and violate their rights to life and basic care.In the case of Roger Allen, his directive not to undergo surgery anymore if there is no guarantee that he will recover and assume a normal life is based on his right as an individual to decide what he wants to do with his body and to be protected from unwanted interference from others. In his perspective, Mr. Allen may be thinking that the burdens of treatment in terms pain, effort and costs are disproportionate relative to the anticipated benefits of the treatment.In the first place, there is no guarantee that the surgery will restore his health. If it fails, either he will die or he lives, only to be a burden to his two daughters and relatives in terms of financial costs as well as efforts of caregiving, not to mention the emotional pain that his daughters and relatives will be experiencing due to his condition. On the other hand, if we look at the daughters’ perspective, it is only natural that they will try to exhaust any means to save their father’s life.If surgery fails and in the end their father dies, at least their minds and hearts are at peace knowing that they have done their best to save him rather th an being tormented for the rest of their lives with the idea that they could have tried at that slim chance to save him. In my opinion however, the request of the daughters to monitor their father’s condition after surgery for six months is too long. I think one to two months would be long enough. By that span of time, the medical professionals would be able to assess if there is improvement and a chance that the father will recover.Also in that span of time, the daughters’ decision may also change considering the physical, mental and emotional toll that they had experienced in the care of their father. On the part of the doctor, I think that he has no other choice but to insist the father’s wish. He himself, cannot guarantee the success of the surgery and medical treatment may only be prolonging the agony of everyone concerned. Furthermore, in his perspective, discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate.No doubt, Mr. Allen’s treatment falls under this category since the diagnostic tests reveal significant brain damage and internal bleeding of unknown origin, requiring exploratory surgery. In his case, one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decision is made by the patient himself assuming that he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Pavlov vis-à-vis Piaget Essay

Looking at the history, many names flourished in the area of psychology in the desire to learn about man and behavior.   These names have contributions that are of significance even to the present-day studies in the field of psychology. This paper deals with two of the notable names in this realm – Ivan Pavlov and Jean Piaget. Ivan Pavlov was a Russian psychologist, physician, and physiologist. He had substantial contributions to the various fields of neurology and physiology. His researches were mostly focused on conditioning, temperament and involuntary reflex actions. He bagged the 1904 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his researchers and experiments on digestion which became the foundation of a more extensive research on the digestive system. In his work on involuntary reactions to stress and pain, he broadened the description of the four temperament types: phlegmatic, choleric, sanguine, and melancholic. The study of TMI or transmarginal inhibition was also started by Pavlov and his researchers. TMI is the body’s instinctive reaction of shutting down when exposed to overwhelming stress or pain. Of his contributions, Pavlov is widely recognized for his demonstration of classical conditioning or Pavlovian conditioning. Pavlov’s theory of classical conditioning started while he was working on his study of the digestive process in dogs. He observed that the dogs salivated before they received their food. Even just at the sight of the lab attendant, the dogs salivated. He called this phenomenon ‘psychic secretion.’ He made an experiment on this and used a bell and meat powder. He hit the bell and followed the ring with the meat powder. At the onset, only the meat powder made the dog salivate, but after repeating the practice, the ring of the bell made the dog salivate. Even when the meat powder was eliminated, the dog continued to salivate at the ring of the bell. In this theory, a living being learns to correlate one stimulus with one another. It is learned that the first stimulus is an indicator for the second stimulus. In the above experiment, the ring of the bell cued the dog that food might be coming. The following are the key concepts of Classical Conditioning:  · Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) – a stimulus that can already elicits a response, like the food in the experiment.  · Unconditioned Response (UR) – response that is elicited by the unconditioned stimulus, like the salivation of the dog in the experiment.  · Conditioned Stimulus (CS) – a new and neutral stimulus that when matched up with a UCS elicits a similar response, like the bell in the experiment.  · Condition Response (CR) – the learned response when the neutral CS is paired with the UCS, like the salivation of the dog to the ring of the bell after repeated pairing of it with the food. (www.niu.edu) Although many evaluators criticize Pavlov’s theory as being tested only to animals, classical conditioning can actually be observed to a person’s behavior, even without the purpose. A person who experienced a traumatic vehicular accident would be frantic about the sound of screeching tires even at a normal situation. That person’s mind was condition that screeching tires mean accident. Jean Piaget was a biologist who was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland in 1896. He originally was studying mollusks but shifted to the study of developmental psychology and human intelligence from which he became a significant experimenter and theorist. At the age of 10 he published his first paper and at the young age of 22 he received his Ph.D. in science from the University of Neuchatel. Although he was technically a biologist and a philosopher, he regarded himself as a â€Å"genetic epistemologist.’ His interest was mainly focused on how an individual comes to know things. The thought process that lies beneath reasoning was his interest, particularly in the development of thinking.   Piaget believed that children have different way in responding compared to adults because of the difference in reasoning.   He started observing children of various ages and began working on his theory on the process of cognitive development. According to his theory, the development of children’s thinking is not a smooth process.   Before children learn new areas and abilities, there are particular stages at which it â€Å"takes off† and move to those new learning. These transitions transpire at about 18 months, 7 years and 11 or 12 years. Piaget’s key ideas include: schema, assimilation, accommodation, adaptation, egocentrism, and equilibrium. Schema are the set of sensori-motor skills which dictate the manner in which an infant discover his environment resulting to gaining more information of the world and more complicated exploratory skills.   These are the â€Å"representation in the mind of a set of perceptions, ideas, and/or actions, which go together.† (www.learningandteaching.info) Assimilation is â€Å"the process by which a person takes material into their mind from the environment, which may mean changing the evidence of their senses to make it fit.† (www.learningandteaching.info) Accommodation is â€Å"the difference made to one’s mind or concepts by the process of assimilation.† (www.learningandteaching.info) Adaptation is â€Å"learning† in layman’s term. Piaget believed that adaptation or learning is a biological process from which the two sides are assimilation and accommodation. Egocentrism is a part of the early stage of psychological development. It is a â€Å"belief that you are the center of the universe and everything revolves around you: the corresponding inability to see the world as someone else does and adapt to it.† (www.learningandteaching.info) According to his theory, there are four stages of cognitive development: sensori-motor stage, pre-operational stage, concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage. The first stage, sensori-motor stage, lasts from birth to about 2 years of age. In this stage, the infant makes use of his motor abilities and senses to grasp his environment. During the end of this stage, the infant develops more complicated combinations of his sensori-motor skills. The second stage, pre-operational stage, lasts from about 2 until about seven years old. Because of the child’s new abilities, this is a short step to symbol usage. The child now has a clear idea of past and future. This is the stage, though, that a child is egocentric, seeing things only from his point of view. The third stage, concrete operational, lasts from about 7 to about 11. Aside from the representational use of symbols, a child already has the ability to manipulate those symbols sensibly in the context of tangible situations. In this stage is also where a child develops the skill to conserve length, number and liquid volume. The fourth stage, formal operations stage, takes place from about 12 and up. This is the stage where a child develops hypothetical thinking, or the use of logical operations in the abstract, instead of the concrete. Both of these theories talk about learning. Basically, Pavlov and Piaget believe that learning can be directly influenced by the stimuli found in the environment of an individual. Both of them also imply that an individual has an innate and natural response to a stimulus, the unconditioned response (UR) for Pavlov and the schema for Piaget. What differs one from another is the processes and methods of how an individual learns. In Pavlov’s theory, a new learning is acquired through mind conditioning. A normal response of an individual to a normal stimulus can be altered through introduction of another stimulus from which the normal stimulus can be associated to, like what transpire to his experiment with the dog. In Piaget’s theory, on the other hand, learning can also be acquired through exposure to the environment, but at a certain stage, especially to children. A child, for example, won’t have an idea of what is past and future until he reaches the age of around 2, which is called the pre-operational stage. Piaget’s theory implies that the extent of a child’s learning is restricted to the stage or the age of the child. During the early stage of a child, he is said to be egocentric. Having this characteristic, a child’s health and physical condition is put at risk. The schema of grab and thrust is applied by a child to any object, oblivious of any harm that it may cause. He may be used to grabbing his rattle and thrusting it in his mouth, but once he came across a new object, he may use this schema to it, like a small animal or a pointed thing. These two theories are bases of more comprehensive studies of human behavior. Both of them are true in the sense that they can be observed and applied. It is proper to say that these theories are two of the most significant concepts in the world of psychology.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Government Branches Essay

Which branch of government do you think is the most powerful and why? I believe the most powerful branch of government is the Legislative Branch, because of the power it processes to keep checks and balance on the other two branches of government. There are two different houses in the legislative branch, the first is the house if representatives and the senate. The House of Representatives consists of 435 members elected from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories. The states population determines the number of members elected from each state. There are 6 non-voting members that represent the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and four other territories of the United States. The senate consists of 100 members, two from each state. Members of the house are up for election or reelection every two year as opposed to the senate, which is every six years. Together they form the congress of the United States of America. Article 1 Section 8 lists the powers of congress. Some of the more important ones include the necessary and proper clause, the commerce clause, power to tax, power to spend, coin money, and ability to borrow money, these powers give congress the ability to make laws, buy and sell goods, control a federal budget and even borrow money from foreign countries. The necessary and proper clause is one of the most powerful in the Constitution. It allows congress to â€Å"make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution.† This has been used for all types of federal actions including the New Deal, McCulloch v. Maryland, integration in the states and in the federal kidnapping act. The power to tax and spend also gives congress an important power to control the federal budget, which includes Medicare, Medicate, Social Security, infrastructure, government, agencies, and maybe the most import ant, the Defense budget. The House of Representatives is also given the power to impeach the President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States. â€Å"Impeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity and the outcome of which, depending on the country, can lead to the removal of that official from office or other punishment.† There is a two-step process in order to impeach an official. First â€Å"The House Judiciary Committee decides whether or not to proceed with impeachment. If they do, The Chairman of the Judiciary Committee will propose a Resolution calling for the Judiciary Committee to begin a formal inquiry into the issue of impeachment. Based on their inquiry, the Judiciary Committee will send another Resolution to the full House stating that impeachment is warranted and why (the Articles of Impeachment), or that impeachment is not called for. The Full House will debate and vote on each Article of Impeachment. Should any one of the Articles of Impeachment be approved by a simple majority vote, the President will be â€Å"impeached.† However, being impeached is sort of like being indicted of a crime. There still has to be a trial, which is where the US Senate comes in. The Senate will meet in private session to debate a verdict. The Senate, in open session, will vote on a verdict. A 2/3rds vote of the Senate will result in a conviction.† The Legislative Branch is more powerful than both the Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch because when it come down to the President voting on a piece of legislature or appointing a supreme court judge, congress has the last say. After a bill is passed by congress it is sent to the President for his vote. If the President veto’s the bill congress is able with 2/3 vote able to overturn the Presidents decision. Under Article 2, Section 2, of the US Constitution provides that â€Å"the President may nominate members of the Supreme Court, but that appointment only occurs with the â€Å"advice and consent† of the Senate. This means the Senate conducts an investigation of the candidate’s qualifications and personal background, determines whether he or she would adequately fulfill the role of Justice, then votes whether to approve or disapprove the nomination.† In the end each branch is supposed to provide checks and balances for one another, but without the approval or money that congress controls, the Executive Branch and Judicial Branch would have a hard time operating. Sources http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/legislative-branch http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/congpowers.htm http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/impeachment.htm http://people.howstuffworks.com/supreme-court-appointment.htm/printable

Friday, September 13, 2019

Electronic Medical Record Adoption Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Electronic Medical Record Adoption - Coursework Example It is apparent that hospitals are facing shortage of nurses and the adoption of technological devices will facilitate faster service provision. Health delivery will also become efficient if hospitals adopt EMR and CHIN because of the reduced operational costs. This arises when the hospitals invest in the devices that perform without mechanical breakdown problems (Sridhar, 2013). This saves on the overtime labor expenditures consumed by the staffs who attend to patients after the normal hours. Another benefit derived from the adoption of EMR and CHIN is that there are chances of decreasing errors within the medical practice (Sridhar, 2013). The management of the EMR is appropriate if the staffs are prone to making mistakes in their practice. In this regard, the adoption of the EMR and CHIN ensures that the health care practice is accurate and efficient for processing patient billing details (Sridhar, 2013). This facilitates that acquisition of other resources that help in administering services to the patients without fraud or fund shortage

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Reading blog Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Reading blog - Assignment Example An aspect of the book that needs further clarification has to do with the state of human freedom before civilization. This is because the author creates the impression that civilization came with several laws which came to suppress the human instincts for pleasure. With this said, one is forced to ask if there was a state of lawlessness and anarchy before the very first forms of civilizations were realized. This connects with other texts that seek to justify the position that civilization cannot be dated and that it has been with men since the beginning. To a very large extent, culture context influences the text and the validity of its arguments. For example, even though it is accepted that we are now in a civilized, there continues to be places of the world where cultural and religious principles are made to reign above other forms of laws that are universally accepted to be appropriate. A typical example of this is the practice of stoning of women caught in adultery in some religious settings. Until now, I still hold the opinion that it is culture rather than civilization that makes the individual

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Employment law and relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Employment law and relations - Essay Example 5). Essentially discrimination occurs contrary to the provisions contained in the Equality Act 2010 when an individual receives ‘less favourable treatment’ on the basis of one or more protected characteristics (Wadham, et al., 2010, p. 32). Less favourable treatment refers to direct discrimination. Whereas indirect discrimination refers to outcomes where activities might on its face, be non-discriminatory, but nevertheless puts an individual with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage. In addition to direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimization against individuals with a protected characteristic are also prohibited under the Equality Act 2010 (Sargeant, 2013, p. 51). The regulatory framework contained in the Equality Act 2010 provides different rules for establishing direct and indirect discrimination (Collins, 2010, p. 56). This paper critically analyses unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 in the organizational context and discusses its advantages and limitations. In particular, this paper will focus on the protected characteristics of disability, sexual orientation and religion and belief. The main question for consideration is how, and on what grounds is unlawful discrimination established in the organizational context. Discrimination on the grounds of disability is unique in that while equality contemplates equal treatment for those with protected, characteristics, the law ‘does not expect’ non-discriminatory treatment and consequences to arise out of treating persons with disabilities in exactly the same way as other individuals (Hepple, 2010, p. 17). As Hepple (2010) points out, the law recognizes that disabled persons have ‘special needs’ (p. 17). In this regard, a disabled person can expect special treatment which will not give rise to others claiming less favourable treatment in comparison to the special treatment conferred upon disabled persons in similar circumstances (Hepple,

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Human resource management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Human resource management - Essay Example 2011, 1). Empirical research has supported the theory by proving that the most impressive performance result when an organization sets clear and specific goals. Effective goals should also be measurable, accurate, and time-bound (Kessler, I. 2012, 66). Clear goals ensure that employees attain a conspicuous sense of direction in their duties. Goals motivate employees to perform at stipulated levels (Perkins,S. and White, G. 2011, 109). It is essential for both the organization and the employees to have distinct strategies about performance targets. This is because employees should work with goals that directly affect their departments. In this view, an organization pays an employee according to how one meets given goals. An employee that satisfactorily meets set goals possess a higher bargaining power in demanding for more pay. In turn, an organization faces the task of synchronizing incentives with the nature of number of goals that an employee is supposed to meet (Heery, E. 1996, 55 ). On the other hand, the expectancy theory holds that an individual acts in a certain way because one chooses a given behavior out of a set of behaviors (Marsden, D. 2004, 17). Such a behavior results into the desired performance. This theory evaluates performance as an outcome of an employee’s ability and motivation to choose one type of behavior over the other (Pendleton, A. 2001, 88). Three factors play a crucial role in shaping this form of motivational behavior. To begin with, an employee makes a psychological link between effort and behaviors (Thompson, M. 2009, 131). In addition, the concept of instrumentality links behavior and outcome. Outcome, in this sense, is perceived as pay. Lastly, valence relates to how a person attaches value to an expected incentive (Marchington, M., & Wilkinson, A. 2008, 124). In the share and ownership scheme theory, the

Monday, September 9, 2019

Womens Equality Diminishes Men Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Womens Equality Diminishes Men - Assignment Example Women rising to positions of power and taking up some roles may not be appealing to all men. Men might feel that women’s push for equality is a threat to their legitimate rights. Several feminist writers would have different perspectives on this issue. Betty Friedan, a feminist, female, writer, would hold a different view. She believed that women could find fulfillment from other roles outside their traditional roles and homes. Women’s equality does not diminish men in any way. Women can also serve the country through assuming political and economic roles. Women can help achieve a better economic progress for everyone and a prosperous future for everyone. Men should learn to appreciate this and women should also take a step to identify their potentials and use those potentials to grow themselves and their nations. Sharing of power amongst men and women has proved impressive results. Incorporating women in decision making helps improve the decisions made by leaders for nations as the decisions made cater for all citizens. This has helped improved nations in all aspects. Key to success in pushing for women’s equality has been the various organizations formed to fight for women’s rights. Apart from assuming leadership, it is necessary that women also make sure they earn what is equal to the task they have performed. Men might not be willing to embrace women equality because it reduces their dominance of women. Women taking up jobs have reduced their dependency on men. They can now provide for themselves. This has led to the increased number of women living single and the increased number of divorce cases. Men also face competition in their working places from women. This may seem demeaning to some of them; therefore, most of them oppose women equality. Family roles have been changing. Men no longer dictate their wives’ choices and sometimes men have been forced to follow decisions made by their wives. Â  

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Ethics of Medic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethics of Medic - Essay Example This is termed as the principle of beneficence. They have to take actions that supply the welfare of patients. In this case, the nurse had the obligation of ensuring that the chemotherapy was stopped since the boy saw no chances of surviving. However, in this case, there seems to be a conflict between beneficence and autonomy principles of ethics. Ashcroft et al (2007) acknowledge that the principle of autonomy realizes the rights of people to self-determination, and is based on the society’s respect for people’s aptitude to make knowledgeable decisions about personal issues. In this case, the patient’s personal decision conflicted with his personal welfare. The nurse has a responsibility of ensuring the patient’s welfare and carrying out the new, aggressive course of chemotherapy. In many situations, nurses have administered medication to patients without informing them of the benefits or consequences of such a medication. According to Ashcroft et al (2007), a patient should be fully aware of the implications of any medication administered to him or her. An uninformed person or patient is at the danger of making choices and decisions that are not as per his or her wishes or will. Medical practitioners can only make decisions on a patient on medication only if the individual is incapacitated. The nurse’s action to follow the physician’s instructions to administer the antidepressant medication to all patients was unethical. The nurse should have informed the physician that it was unethical and that the patients needed to be aware of the medication they receive in the hospital. Medical health practitioners have long avowed that they are obligated to avoid doing harm to their patients. In this case, the physician and the nurse are against the ethical maxim of non-malfeasance.

Saturday, September 7, 2019

New Business Venture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

New Business Venture - Essay Example Entrepreneurship and new business launch is always associated with meeting the challenges successfully. However, in order to achieve the success in creating a new business and successfully manage it is critical that the overall idea behind the creation of the business is commercially viable and can provide the desired returns. The analysis of the factors such as PESTLE provide a critical insight into the changing nature of the external environment and how entrepreneurs can actually take advantage of such changes to materialize them into successful businesses. This paper also presented a discussion on the particular mindset and individual characteristics which are required to successfully spot the new opportunities and convert them into the new businesses. Entrepreneurship and new business launch is always associated with meeting the challenges successfully. However, in order to achieve the success in creating a new business and successfully manage it is critical that the overall idea behind the creation of the business is commercially viable and can provide the desired returns. It is always important that the new ideas should be properly addressed and developed into successful business provided they have the potential to become successful business. Idea creation is one of the key areas for the new entrepreneurs and it is critical that the idea is properly transformed successfully. However, in order to achieve this, it is critical that the overall attractiveness of the products and services which will be delivered as a result of the new ideas, timeline involved, product value and durability of the products and services to be created as a result of this should justify the introduction of a new product, service or business. (Sorensen, La ssen., & Hinson,2007). This memo will deliberate on a new business opportunity which author considers as an important and believes that can add value to the firm. However, in order to convince the management of the firm and to present the ideas in the more meaningful manner, this memo will attempt to discuss different factors which may affect the new business opportunity for the firm. Apparently, this memo will deliberate on these factors and provide an objective analysis of how these factors can actually contribute towards the successful development of the new business opportunity into a commercially viable business. Description of the product It is a important that a complete description of the product is provided in the memo. The manager must include the relevant and important characteristics of the product to convince the manager that the proposed product can actually add value to the organization. Following information can be included regarded the description of the product: â €Å"The product to be developed and subsequently marketed by the firm is based upon a software program which can add value to the firm’s existing portfolio of software products. This new software will be based upon cutting edge technology and will attempt to offer the features and attributes which are not available in the

Sino-Japanese relations Essay Example for Free

Sino-Japanese relations Essay Sino-Japanese relations are destined to have a profound impact on Southeast Asia. After all, as noted by Stephen Leong, For Asia to be secure, Japan and China have to be getting along† Otherwise the security architecture of Asia will change. China, Japan and the US may not enjoy the most comfortable of partnerships, considering each nation’s competitive streak and occasional differences over trade, global governance and security issues. But the partnership works and is improving, with the potential for resolving many regional and global problems, explains Morton Abramowitz, former US ambassador and senior fellow at the Century Foundation. In analyzing major issues confronting the three nations, Abramowitz also offers specific recommendations: Japan and the US should refrain from forming â€Å"values† alliances against China; China should end opposition to a seat on the UN Security Council for Japan; and East Asia should form more consultative forums for planning and integration. Ongoing integration and consultation can only improve the relationship, according to Abramowitz, creating a multilateral policymaking model for the century ahead. China grows rapidly, deriving significant clout and thereby assuming a new world role. Despite a recent leadership transition, Chinese leaders remain preoccupied with mitigating massive distortions of growth, ensuring a successful Olympics and preventing regime change. Its military modernization arouses American. Yet China continues to be out of step with the political morality of leading countries. China has a long way to go in exercising international leadership. Japan is a major world economic player, but wants to be a â€Å"normal† nation without its postwar defense limitations. It remains fearful of China’s competition, even as both economies become more entwined. Japan and China have one major concrete dispute – maritime claims. The US and Japan each value their alliance, influence in Southeast Asia –but the absence of which was clear when most East seat. In recent years, China has increased its assertiveness in pursuing territorial claims in the South China Sea. This development can most likely be traced to Chinas need to find sources of oil since China switched from being an oil-exporting nation to an oil-importing nation a few years ago. While Southeast Asian nations have essentially agreed to disagree by postponing resolution of their territorial disputes, China continues to insist on its rights to drill for oil on these islands. These actions exemplify the need to establish a multilateral resource development regime whose prerequisite for admission could be the resolution of territorial disputes. . 6Devout Muslims, particularly in Indonesia and the Philippines, saw themselves marginalized by secular (Indonesian) or Christian (Filipino) governments. This produced a sense of victimization that meshed with the message from Osama bin Laden and others. Money from the Persian Gulf (particularly Saudi Arabia) has flowed into Southeast Asia, propagating a strict, doctrinaire version of Islam through schools and mosques. Mujahideen were indoctrinated into a militant jihadist returned to Southeast Asia ripe for recruitment into local terrorist organizations dedicated to the destruction of non- Muslim communities, Western influence, and secular governments. There are three types of international terrorist groups- al Qaeda, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), whose agenda includes attacks on U. S. interests and the establishment of a pan-Islamic caliphate; and traditional Muslim separatists, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the southern Philippines and the Pattani National Liberation Front in southern Thailand, that seek a separate Muslim state. One of the questions affecting the security future of Southeast Asia is whether the predominantly Muslim societies in the region can find a way to neutralize and absorb the militants into a moderate body politic. The picture is greatly complicated by linkages between groups including JI and al Qaeda, between Abu Sayyaf and al Qaeda, and between JI and the MILF. Further complications arise from alleged links between elements of the Indonesian 8 military and Laskar Jihad and another similar group, the Islamic Defenders Front. In short, terrorism in Southeast Asia would depict interactive networks with multiple agendas. The October 2002 bombings in Bali forced Jakarta to acknowledge the reality.

Friday, September 6, 2019

Readiness of Kindergarten Teachers along K-12 Curriculum Essay Example for Free

Readiness of Kindergarten Teachers along K-12 Curriculum Essay One of the major reforms in our country’s educational system is Republic Act 10157, otherwise known as â€Å"The Kindergarten Education Law† or the K to12 (K+12). This Law made the Kindergarten compulsory and mandatory entry to basic education. This Law was initiated by the Aquino administration in order to address the perceived decreasing quality of education in the country, and to meet the international standard regarding the number of years in basic education. This program will require all incoming students to enroll into two more years of basic education. The K+12 System will include the Universal kindergarten, 6 years of elementary, 4 years of junior high school with an additional 2 years for senior high school. The program is implemented and formulated along with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The current k-12 model that had been implemented in the country is an educational landscape for basic and secondary system patterned after the United States, Canada and some parts of Australia had done it. According to Patricia. Velasco’s article, the K- 12 Curriculum envisions â€Å"holistically developed learners with 21st century skills† (DepEd Primer, 2011). This further means that every student would have an understanding of the world around him and a passion for life-long learning while addressing every student’s basic learning needs: â€Å"learning to learn, the acquisition of numeracy, literacy, and scientific and technological knowledge applied to daily life† (p. 6). The main objective of the K to 12 curriculum is to achieve the DepEd’s goal of eradicating illiteracy rate in the country. â€Å"No child is left behind. † (source). Every Filipino has the right to receive quality education in order to become an asset in all dimensions, competent, efficient, effective and productive citizen leading to a decent and comfortable living. The most interesting part concerning the K to 12 program is on its practical assistance for the poor but skillful students. For instance, the student cannot afford to go to college; he is given an option or privilege to be employed not as a professional but on technical job because his skills acquired and developed during his Senior High School can be a guarantee for his  qualification for a vocational employment. Moreover, the program aims to uplift the quality of education in the Philippines in order for graduates to be easily employed. Our country is the only country in Asia and among the countries in the world that has a 10 year pre- university program. The program also aims to meet the standards required for professionals who would want to work abroad. The system aims to fully enhance and develop the students in order for them to be well-prepared especially in emotional and cognitive aspects. Through this, graduates will be able to face the pressures of their future workplace. The K-12 aims the students to have a relevance or importance in the social and economic reality of life. The realm of their role as members of the country. Thus, this vision will be complete through an enhanced curriculum. (K-12 Kindergarten Curriculum Guide 2013) DepEd said that this is the right time to do something better for the field of education, having poor quality education. The DepEd released their stand along the reform. In stressing the need for the new system of basic education, President Benigno S. Aquino III said, â€Å"We need to add two years of our basic education. Those who can afford pay up to fourteen years  of schooling before university. Thus, their children are getting to the best universities and the best jobs after graduation. I want at least 12 years for our public school children to give them an even chance at succeeding. † (source) With the K-12 program, different arguments were formulated. Not all are in favor of the K+12 Education program. There are students complaining of the additional years and there are parents who are not in favor of the additional expenses. But it is an undeniable fact that additional years in the education system will really require more budgets not just from the government but from the  parents as well. Aside from this, students will need additional classrooms, school supplies and facilities. The program would need more qualified teachers as well. Teachers plays an important role 1 / 3 in the K-12 program because they are the ones who will teach the kindergarten pupils, especially the Pre – school teachers. Markovac amp; Rogulja, 2009, stated that the, early care main goal is to fulfill the Delors principles: â€Å"Learning to be, learning to do, learning to know and learning to live together and to live with others. † The early childhood is a time of rapid growth in all aspects of  children’s development fostered by their natural curiosity and adult support. Therefore, Preschool education is the foundation for a childs education. The skills and knowledge that a child develops in the preschool years will have a dramatic impact on a childs success when formal schooling begins as well as life success. Preschool education is important because it can give your child the edge in a competitive world and education climate. The first year of a child’s life is globally acknowledged to be the critical year for lifelong development because the pace of development during these years is  extremely rapid (National Council of Educational Research and Training, 2006 as cited in the K to 12 Curriculum Guide – Kindergarten). While children who do not receive the fundamentals during their preschool years will be taught the alphabet, counting, shapes and colors when they begin their formal education they will be behind the children who already possess that knowledge and skill set. The Pre – school teachers are supposed to have the courage and knowledge to teach the little ones. They will serve as the guide and the second mother at school. Children’s learning will greatly depend on the teachers strategies. Hence, kindergarten teachers should provide them with an engaging and creative curriculum that is developmentally – appropriate, age – appropriate and socio – cul;turally appropriate (DepEd K to 12 Curriculum guide for Kindergaten, 2012). Many new parents start hearing about K-12 since before their kids are born. However, they are not very clear about what K12 means, and why is necessary for them to start inform themselves about it as it will impact their kids’ future. What Is K12 Education? This term was coined to describe primary and secondary education. This includes kindergarten (K) all the way to the 12 grade. This extremely popular type of education is very common among several countries around the world. â€Å"K to 12† stands for kindergarten plus 12 years of elementary and secondary education. This educational system for basic and secondary education is widely adopted around the world. Early childhood education is intended to support and complement family upbringing and the main goal is to create good opportunities and conditions for each child’s well-being, create a stimulating environment for the child’s comprehensive development and learning while taking into account their age, gender and individual features. The role of early childhood care and education settings in improving children’s development has begun to be viewed with increasing importance. The recognition that centre-based childcare is associated with a host of positive developmental outcomes for children, such as increased cognitive abilities, language development, and emotional and social development (Kagan amp; Neuman, 1997; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Early Childcare Research Network [NICHD], 2000, 2002, 2008; NICHD amp; Duncan, 2003), has led to the introduction of a new policy in Ireland that provides every three-year-old child with access to a free preschool place for one year (Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs [OMCYA], 2009). The importance of preschool learning is that first, parents must remember that preschool education is the foundation for your childs education. As Adams (2008) stressed that early childhood education is the key to building a strong foundation for a child’s educational success. The skills and knowledge (not to mention aptitude and attitude) that your child develops in the preschool years will have a dramatic impact on your childs success when formal  schooling begins as well as life success, as supported by the House Bill 5367 (2009), aimed to incorporate preschool education to basic education with the DepEd at the frontier of its implementation all over the country. This bill was in consonance with the state’s policy to provide equal opportunities for all children to avail themselves of free and compulsory preschool education that effectively promotes physical, social, intellectual, emotional simulations, let alone values formation to adequately prepare them for formal elementary schooling, second is that by actively  promoting and encouraging your childs preschool learning you will promote his or her self esteem as well. Help your child gain confidence by making learning fun and easy at this age and you will 2 / 3 help make your child an eager lifelong learner and the finally preschool education is important because it can give your child the edge in a competitive world and education climate. While children who do not receive the fundamentals during their preschool years will be taught the alphabet, counting, shapes and colors when they begin their formal education they will be behind the children  who already possess that knowledge and skill set. According to Anita Woolfolk Hoy and Megan Tschannen – Moran ,(2002), teachers’ sense of efficacy has been related to students outcomes such as achievement (Ross, 1992), motivation, (Midgley, Feldlaufer, amp; Eccles, 1998) and students’ own sense of efficacy ( Anderson, Greene, amp; Loewen, 1998). DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro stated that enhancing the competencies of pre-school teachers will have a great impact on the young learners. â€Å"We should ensure that teachers are ready for the challenge of making our young kids’ first school experience enjoyable  and giving them a positive experience that will motivate them to remain in school and complete their education. † This means that pre-school teachers are the implementers of the socially defined curriculum objectives. They help children to adapt to the society and to become its members, to develop interaction between children and different generations, and absorb the main behavioral habits and roles of the community. Also their task is to educate children to become unique subjects and persons as they truly are (Dewey, 1916; Ojakangas, 1998; Siljander, 2002) To become preschool teachers one must have the ability to deal with pupils ages 5. A preschool teacher needs to be proficient in helping children learn how to cooperate, providing fun learning activities suitable for preschoolers, keeping children safe, working as a team member with other teachers and interacting with parents. Preschool teachers need to be eager participants in childrens growth and development, as well as helping students understand how to use their natural curiosity to help make the appropriate developmental leaps in their skills and abilities. They are expected to create an atmosphere where risks can be taken and discoveries made while children remain safe. POWERED BY TCPDF (WWW. TCPDF. ORG).