A painted House by John Grisham essays

A painted House by John Grisham essays In his novel A Painted House, John Grisham tells the story of the events of one summer as viewed and interpreted by a young boy, Luke Chandler. The book presents a view of how a group of people interact together: a cotton-growing share-cropping family, the transient workers they hire to help them pick the cotton, and their neighbors. The story delineates the social status and interactions between the various groups: share croppers, "mountain folk" who come down to help with the picking, and itinerant migrant workers from Mexico. In the process, Luke learns to look past surface assumptions about people. This is reflected by the emphasis on the surface appearance of his family's house whether it is painted r In the view of the people who inhabit Grisham's story, a painted house is superior to an unpainted one, and reflects increased status, because a painted house can only be afforded by those who could spend extra money on paint instead of necessities. Luke's grandfather believes that painting one's house is a sign of vanity and a waste of good money, while John's mother has always dreamed of living in a painted house again some day. The reality is somewhere in between: with or without paint, the house is humble, but no one talks about paint's protective factor and that a house whose surface was protected by a good paint job would last longer than one that was not painted, or only painted to improve surface appearance. Luke Chandler has a passion for baseball, and dreams one day of playing professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals, but all baseball is followed closely. In one scene, Luke watches a game between two church congregations, the Methodists and his own Baptist church. In this scene he reflects the types of judgments regarding other people that those around him make: the Methodists should lose not base on their ball-playing ability but because of o...

The New Economy essays

The New Economy essays Medieval guilds and merchants were subject to local regulations, and usually worked within limited areas. Because most prices were fixed, and the business was small, most of the masters of the workshops made very little profit. Whatever profit he could manage, was used to upkeep his shop, and take care of his family. The ideas of unlimited surplus and expansion of capital had not yet been introduced. The displacement of guild control allowed enterprising merchants to take over industry. They brought in raw materials and hired semi-skilled workers. The workers were paid, but the overall ownership of the enterprise and products stayed with the merchants. They sold the finished product in the international market at whatever price they could. Any profits that were yielded belonged to the merchants, not the workers. Profit seeking is one of the major reasons businesses and industries strive for success in todays society. Companies and entrepreneurs have learned about partnerships and their values by looking back on the successful family firms of the fifteenth century. They have also learned about the importance of the way they treat their laborers. Once profit seeking became the major drive behind business and industry, ideas such as reinvesting and expansion were born. These two basic ideas are the basis of our capitalistic society today. The downside appeared to be the limitations that were imposed upon the workers. The workers were paid at a low rate, and had absolutely no say in the manner in which the business was conducted, and were prohibited by law to organize or strike. This destroyed master worker relationships that existed in the past, and put a limitation on the workers creativity. I believe this to be the reason that the us vs. them atmosphere is still present in the workplace today. In all, I believe that the turn to unlimited profit seeking was by far a b ...

The Discovery of the Theory of Natural Selection by Darwin Research Paper

The Discovery of the Theory of Natural Selection by Darwin - Research Paper Example No theory has been as revolutionary or as controversial as the theory by Charles Darwin in his thoughts on natural selection. This paper shall discuss the discovery of the theory of natural selection by Darwin. It shall first present a summary of the scientific theories about evolution before Darwin’s discovery of natural selection. It shall also provide a description of how the discovery was made, including what was going on in Darwin’s life for him to make the discovery. It shall then present a description of natural selection in terms of the modern evolutionary synthesis of the 20th century. Finally, this paper shall also apply the principles of natural selection, explaining why we have the current problem of bacteria which has become resistant to antibiotics. Discussion Evolutionary theories were first seen with the Greek philosophers who adhered to the ideas of origination, setting forth that all things originate from water or air, and that all matters come from on e central and guiding principle (Think Quest). Medieval theories on evolution were dominated by Christianity and its teachings. Immanuel Kant set forth that based on similar qualities of organisms, all organisms come from a single source. He further discussed that a chimpanzee may develop organs which he would use for walking and grasping objects, and from these organs, the structure of man may evolve and develop into a social culture (Think Quest). Carolus Linnaeus first believes in a fixed quality or nature of species; however, with hybridization, he soon found out that new species can be built from the original species. He also considers hybridization as part of God’s plan. The British Admiralty in 1831 invited a naturalist to travel with Capt. Robert Fitzroy on a voyage in the HMS Beagle to survey Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Chile, Peru, and the Pacific Islands. Charles Darwin was recommended to join this voyage, and he journeyed with the Beagle for five years (Vardiman) . His tour of the Cape Verde Islands provided him a practical application of Charles Lyell Principles of Geology with his views of volcanoes and other geological formations. In his tour, he was able to witness massive erosion downstream coming from glaciers. He then thought that the glaciers could not have been formed the way they did if the explanations of the Bible would be believed (Vardiman). He then considered truths in the explanations of Lyell and his doctrine of uniformitarianism. He saw his first tropical rain forest in Brazil and his first fossils in Argentina. He also saw the tribe of savage men in Tierra del Fuego, then he experienced his first earthquake in Chile. He climbed mountains, he observed finchs with varying beak lengths and he travelled the Galapagos islands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, and then back to England (Vardiman). His theories stemmed from his travels on board the Beagle. His initial interests were on the geological, as evidenced by his first published books. After his voyage on the Beagle, he also attempted to explain his observations on birds and tortoises on the Galapagos Island. He then went on to consider explanations and theories in relation to anatomy, embryology, and geographical distribution (Vardiman). The concept of natural selection was eventually established due to the selection pressure which he related to the ecological niches of the different species. His theory was the first to â€Å"provide evidence for evolution and to explain how the process of natural selection produces adaptation† (Vardiman). Darwin approached natural selection from various perspectives and he discussed that due to the

Religion - Religious Violence Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Religion - Religious Violence - Research Paper Example Bush against Muslim extremists (particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq), Islam has received a bashing from many Christian communities. For example in 2010, a Florida pastor attempted to burn copies of Koran as a sign of protest against the establishment of an Islamic center near Ground Zero (Cave and Barnard). Meanwhile, early this year, U.S. service members in Afghanistan burned copies of the Muslim holy books which has led to the attack of at least six U.S. military personnel (Sieff). With the refusal of the United States to recall its forces in Islamic territories and the countless complaints against human rights violation in Saudi Arabia, it is no longer a wonder why Islam is the first thing that comes to mind when one talks about religious violence. But history shows that religious violence is not isolated among Muslims, it can also happen among Christians. In this article, the author attempts to show that religious violence is mainly a Western concept. Instead of religion promoti ng the acts of aggression, violence done because of religion is a manifestation of a bigger issue that involves a power struggle and a misunderstanding among various world traditions. The idea that religion causes violence is prevalent in the West. This view is best explained by Christopher Hitchens’ book God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. In his work, Hitchens criticizes the major world traditions of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Confucianism and Hinduism because of the violence these religions promote. He says totalitarianism is like religion because it aims for perfection, hence even the atheist regimes of Stalin and Kim Jong-Il may be classified as a religious impulse. Of religion he says: [It] is man-made. Even the men who made it cannot agree on what their prophets or redeemers or gurus actually said or did. Still less they can hope to tell us the â€Å"meaning† of later discoveries and developments which were†¦either obstructed by their religion or denounced by them. And yet -- the believers still claim to know! Not just to know, but to know everything. Not just know that god exists, and that he created and supervised the whole enterprise, but also to know what â€Å"he† demands of us. (Hitchens 10) Hitchens’ words are common among individuals rallying against fundamentalism and dogmatism in religion. He says that religion is violent, as proven by the violence found in the Bible (the crucifixion of Christ, the throwing of stones to punish an erring woman, etc.) and the Koran (war among the different tribes, etc.). Using this same logic, Hitchens claims that Martin Luther King Jr. was not a religious personality because he was non-violent. Religion poisons everything because it leads people to become irrational – because it poses an absolute truth despite the reality that imperfect human beings interpreted such absolute truths. Hitchens’ claims were supported by another article from Psychology Today which says that â€Å"disagreement [between religions] have little to do with the existence of God, but everything to do with claims of communication with ‘Him’, of whose holy books contain ‘accurate’ divine revelation† (Niose). For both Christian Hitchens and David Niose, the affairs of man has contributed to the aggression between different cultures. The irrationality that pervades â€Å"religious† debate hinder individuals from seeing the negative effects of their actions. Religious violence may be rooted with man’s constant need to be affirmed, and perhaps also due to the fame and fortune that comes with being correct. Having said that, we may now come to William T. Cavanaugh who says that

Ethics Simulation Essay Example for Free

Ethics Simulation Essay Ethical dilemmas are a constant in the business world. In order for an individual to be adaptive to the ever changing rolls of their jobs it is in their best interest to research their company’s standard operating procedures as well as being informed on new company policies that are being implemented. In doing this research however, the individual will notice that specific problems are not always documented or covered in these manuals. In the area of ethics, people who are given authority must use various lenses to ensure that the company is meeting the expectations of its employees to guarantee their rights and fair treatment. Developing these virtuous attributes is geared at developing cohesion amongst employees, efficiency, and developing a positive reputation. Although there are many ways to resolve an intercompany dispute, the most ethically sound decision comes from people in positions of power being informed of the issue and setting their sights on ensuring fairness and ruling in favor of the option that creates the greatest overall good. This paper will examine the two Ethics Game examples and follow the worksheet format for answering questions. The issue presented in dilemma number one arises from an employee named Aaron Webb who posted sensitive company information. His posting was not derogatory in nature however the information is considered private. Many companies guard their information and keeping their core competencies sacred in order to remain competitive. Another employee named Jamal Moore sent an anonymous message revealing through hacking into Webb’s computer that Webb has many of these sensitive files loaded on his personal computer. The issue arises of how to respect the personal views of employees outside of the workplace. The primary stakeholders for this issue are the shareholders, the General Counselor, the Director of IT, the VP of HR, Jamal Moore, and Aaron Webb. Some of the duties that the company makes clear are allowing the employee the right to voice their opinion, as guaranteed by the first amendment to the constitution. However, an employer may legally limit this right if the information is considered private and proprietary. Management has the duty to make sure that its information isn’t leaked for the sake of all other stakeholders. There is a duty to address concerns about the company. By allowing this type of communication, problems are clarified and avoided. Employees should be happy when their rights to privacy are protected, their concerns are heard, and important information is guarded. In this dilemma, shareholders have a medium impact. How the company is viewed and evaluated by the public may decrease shareholder confidence and decrease its value. The CLO has a medium impact because his or her judgment may be called into play and reflect their decision making abilities. The VP of HR and the Director of Safety and Security have low impact when it comes to this problem as long as they have both fulfilled their obligations with informing the ultimate decision makers of the problem. Jamal Moore and Aaron Webb have high impact on this decision because this dilemma could potentially end their employment abilities or lead to punishment. My core values of the situation are embodied by recognizing loyalty. Although these employees may be misguided, more information given to them on the issue at hand could serve to make them better employees and avoid litigation. All members of the company must come to a deeper understanding that sensitive materials should be handled with care. As long as the integrity of the department is secured, the company can still benefit. In the second dilemma, there is a need for a security policy that provides for the safety of employees and also accommodates special needs, such as for Aisha Mullah, who is muslim and religiously not allowed to uncover her face in the work environment. The stakeholders in this situation are the company shareholders, the VP of HR, the Associate Director of Operations, other employees, the Training Manager, and Aisha Mullah. As an employee, you should be guaranteed that processes be followed. The right to be informed about security policies and exceptions should also be guaranteed. Arguably the most important, the right to express one’s opinion about policies and their impact should be guaranteed as well. The option that best suits this situation is to implement a photo I. D.  security system and to make accomodations for individuals with special needs. This will have a positive effect on the stakeholders, demonstrating the company’s ability to adapt to the needs of various individuals and be progressive in a diverse world. This decision reflects my core values by not excluding anyone on the basis of religion. Managing diversity means providing the climate for a productive workplace and seeking out qualified employees who should not be the subject of judgment or overlooked due to their race, creed, disability, sex, or place of origin. Other employees see this fairness and view it as attractive. A harsh, less understanding work environment drives employees away. By giving timely feedback to Aisha, treating her fairly, and upholding the company values, the company is strengthened. As a person of power, self development is a continual process and allows an individual to prepare for difficult decisions such as these. On the first simulation, a score of 1 out of 5 was achieved which demonstrates a relatively low risk. On the second simulation a score of 0 out of 5 was achieved which shows virtually no risk. Overall points earned were 25,600 out of 29,000. Important rights to remember for this project are the first amendment to the Constitution, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. People of the United States are guaranteed the right to freedom of speech, and expression. People of the United States are also guaranteed that employers will not discriminate on the basis of religious beliefs. By using the ethical lenses which were demonstrated through this simulation, future leaders of America can be more informed on how to best handle intercompany issues while providing for the best option to all the stakeholders involved. We must be aware of the four lenses and know how to identify the key factors. By being informed and choosing the most virtuous choice available, companies will poise themselves to achieve high praises from their communities, their shareholders, and the stakeholders, down to the individual whose liberties and rights were defended.

How Aum Shinrikyo could have been defeated Essay -- Terrorism, Kasumig

Aum Shinrikyo On an ordinary Monday morning in 1995, millions of Tokyo residents on the way to work or school boarded trains on the second busiest subway system in the world. Only five people on the trains that morning knew that the events of March 20th would change the lives of nearly everyone commuting that day. Between 8:00 and 8:10 that morning, a simultaneous attack on five deferent cars, all set to converge on the Kasumigaseki station, a key location where several government ministries are located, killed 12 people, and injured another 5,000. The attacks were carried out by members of a religious doomsday cult known as Aum Shinrikyo (Aum), and consisted of vials of the nerve agent sarin thinly wrapped in newspaper. The five men who carried the packages, eleven in all, placed them on the train’s floors and in overhead compartments, punctured the vials with specially sharpened umbrella tips, and exited at the next stop. The sarin liquid leaked and quickly vaporized, making anyone who was near subject to darkened vision, ocular pain, nausea, miosis, hyperaemia, and nosebleeds (Seto, 2001). On that spring day in Tokyo, Aum succeeded in becoming the first non-state sponsored terrorist group to carry out a large scale indiscriminate chemical attack on a civilian population. The events of March 20th were not unprecedented, however. Aum engaged in various forms of biological and chemical attacks for five years before they attacked the innocent citizens riding the subway in Tokyo, however the signs were ignored and the group was able to continue developing deadly weapons and experimenting with effective delivery methods with remarkably little government and law enforcement suspicion until shortly before the 1995 attack. ... ...een of particular note since Japan’s military is limited to a small Self Defense Force, and any legitimate need for weapons coming into the country was well documented. MSO operations concentrated on customs enforcement and shipping in and out of the ports of Vladivostok, Russia, and the major shipping ports in Northwest Japan. As it concerns weapons and military equipment import, MSO is not the only effort that could have been useful. Law Enforcement agencies in the United States, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, were well versed on the threat of domestic terrorism. Liaison between American and Japanese law enforcement agencies could have provided crucial insight to local authorities in how to recognize illegal weapons imports and the significance of such an operation.

Writing Dissertation Proposal

How to Write your Dissertation Proposal There are certain requirements on how to structure and write your dissertation proposal , including the chapters, number of sources, research development, and literature review. When you first get your dissertation proposal details from your professor, you might be confused on where to start. Below, you will find an easy to follow guide by our site experts on how to develop ideas, do your research, and write the chapters of your proposal. While the general guide will help you through the process, you should always consult with your tutor or support staff if you are unsure about something. What is a Dissertation Proposal? A dissertation proposal is the first step on your long journey of completing your dissertation: once the proposal is accepted, the hard work begins, and you will need to deliver the completed dissertation in a given timescale. A dissertation proposal is there to show your tutors what you would like to cover in your final paper, and present your knowledge of the topic you have chosen for your dissertation. A dissertation proposal is also your aid to plan the research of your final paper. Tips on Writing Your Dissertation Your dissertation proposal is important because it helps communicate your plan for the dissertation and show your research to your university. It has to be submitted within a given deadline, and needs to be the foundation of your final dissertation. You must get your dissertation proposal accepted by your university before you start working on the final dissertation. Handing this paper in on time will help you get feedback on your topic, sources, and get your final dissertation right. Always wait for feedback and criticism from your tutor before you start writing the final paper. You need to remember that structure of a research proposal is particular to this format, and it should not be structured as an essay or research paper. It needs to highlight the gap in current research and show your competence in the subject area you want to write your final dissertation in. In this paper, you will not need to prove a thesis, or answer research questions, bu t have to develop them and get them approved by your tutor. The research proposal needs to show the structure of your argument, fit it in the current research literature, show how you are approaching your future research, and provide a detailed methodology structure. It is important that you justify your choice of topic and show how it will contribute towards the knowledge of researchers and industry players in your research area. Eight Steps of Writing Your Dissertation Proposal Develop topics that interest you and investigate them. Make sure that there is enough data, literature, and information available on the subject for you to write your dissertation on. Choose your topic based on your interest, previous research, and suggestions from your tutor. If you have regular meetings and consultations with your professor, you can present multiple research areas and get one approved before you would start writing your dissertation proposal. Ask specific questions about your dissertation proposal structure. Every college and university have their own specific formatting and structure guides, and getting to know them early will save you a lot of time and effort. Start researching the literature. Make sure that you develop a list of sources and obtain copies of related journals and books before you write your dissertation proposal. You might find that some books have limited availability, or you need an academic journal subscription to obtain them. Develop your main ideas based on the literature you researched. This might be the time when you narrow down your topic to a more specific area, and create your ideas. For example, if you chose the topic of â€Å"employee satisfaction†, you might want to research only financial firms that have more than 500 employees. Check that your topic is unique. Once you have your main ideas developed, it is important to make sure that your research will be unique, and provide new information for other researchers in your field. Develop your research questions and purpose. Once you have clarified the research questions and purpose, you have to talk to your supervisor to make sure they approve your dissertation topic. Develop your dissertation proposal. Write an outline and get it approved before you would submit this to your tutor. Make sure that your selected methodology is feasible and clear. Your Dissertation Proposal Outline The main parts of your dissertation proposal outline need to include the information that you want to cover in the following chapters: Introduction Literature review Methodology Conclusion What to Include In Your Dissertation Proposal? Apart from the above main chapters, it is also important to have a time chart or dissertation proposal timeline, providing a schedule of the work you are planning to complete. In the Introduction chapter, you need to include the introduction of the study, organisation of the research, problem statement, research objective, and the outline of the dissertation research proposal. In the Literature Review, you need an introduction, the main literature review, summary, and the fully developed research question. In the Methodology chapter, you will have to state your research philosophy, research approach, and research strategy. Further, you need to show your data collection and analysis plan, followed by information on access, reliability, validity, ethical issues, and research limitations. The conclusion needs to summarise the topic and the current literature, as well as the justification of undertaking the research. Your time chart has to show the important steps and their proposed completion date. Need Help with Your Dissertation Proposal? If you don’t know where to start writing your dissertation proposal, or need to clarify the structure, you need to contact your tutor or supervisor first. Every institution has unique requirements for dissertation proposal structure. If you find it hard to select a topic that will be approved by your tutor, you can always get in touch with the experienced academic writers at our site for help. Related Articles: How to Write a Dissertation Proposal How to Structure a Dissertation Research Proposal Dissertation Proposal Help