'Overseas discoveries could be used to suggest fundamental questions Essay

'Overseas discoveries could be used to suggest fundamental questions about the values and standards of a civilisation' (H. E - Essay Example It will be argued that both writers represent a challenge to the burgeoning rise of cultural imperialism that was a force in their historical era. The historical context or background of Shakespeare's age and Montaignes, is important. Shakespeare and Montaigne both lived in an age when exploration and colonial expansion was in its early phase. At the forefront of the European expansion into the 'new world', was the early sixteenth century exploration and colonization of the West Indies, South and Central America1. What is important to note, is that colonization or colonialism brought with it an imperial set of attitudes and beliefs. The people of the new world were largely viewed as uncivilized, and the state of nature that they were living in was viewed as inferior to the European invaders. It is these attitudes, for example, that facilitated the enslavement of people. Likewise, what soon followed with colonial expansion, were missionaries or the missionary movement of the Catholic Church in Europe. Both slavery and the sentiment of missionaries, are premised on assumptions that the inferiority of a people legitimated their exploitation. That is, the missionaries goal was to civilize the people and take them away from what was perceived as barbaric practices. It is interesting to note that it took centuries before Europe was able to let go of its basically 'patriarchal' views of people in the under developed world2. Expansion and colonization, was an important source of fascination for Europeans in the time of Montaigne and Shakespeare3. While Europe had a geographical and therefore, cultural connection with South and East Asia, the 'new world' or the the Americas held a great deal of interest. Montaignes sources for his writing, were some of the written accounts of explorers who had encountered cultures in South America, and one of the elements that is significant, is the connection with nature4. Montaigne writes of the people of the new world, in a way that can be described as paternalistic or patronizing, but also reverent in that he sees them as living in harmony with nature: â€Å"and they are, moreover, happy in this, that they only covet so much as their natural necessities require†5. In Montaigne, there is the sentiment expressed as what later became known as the theory of the â€Å"noble savage†6. That is, the perspective that civilization is essentially a corrupting force, and that people who live closer to a state of nature are more noble. Individuals who live in a state of nature, are living in a sustainable relationship with their environment. They consume only what they need, and are not reaching beyond the basic needs. In Montaignes world, there would very obviously been a contrast of lifestyles insofar as he would be immediately familiar with the folly of consumption. Likewise, the wealth and behavior's of Prospero and his noble visitors are presented as a stark contrast to the state of nature that the chara cter of Caliban lives in as we shall see from the Tempest. It might be argued that Shakespeare's Tempest represents a very early form of a critique of colonialism. Central to this perspective, is the figure of Caliban. The background to the story is that a nobleman from Italy or Milan, named Prospero and his daughter Miranda are exiled on a faraway island. The only inhabitant on the island who Prospero and Miranda have contact with is a figure named Caliban. The name Caliban is believed to be

Kohlberg's moral development and plagiriasm Term Paper

Kohlberg's moral development and plagiriasm - Term Paper Example Simply because other students are plagiarizing is not a valid excuse for engaging in the practice. The posting identified that students have expressed they did not understand the act was wrong, however virtually ever college and university clearly states their plagiarism policy, and the consequences of this action, in their policy handbooks at the freshman year. If students are not understanding that plagiarism is considered to be a universally-accepted concept of morality, then there is a disconnect between teacher reinforcement of these values or the university’s promotion of its plagiarism policy. â€Å"The role of the teacher is to translate moral ideology into a working social atmosphere in which students understand the meaning of the â€Å"hidden curriculum† based on the universal principle of justice† (Ercegovac and Richardson, 2004, p.309). What this means is that teachers should be at the postconventional stage of morality, in the role of instructor, and should be expressing these moral values in relation to plagiarism. It would seem that the role of promoting moral judgment starts at the administrative level at colleges to move students from Level 2 to Level 3 in moral development. Ercegovac, Z. and Richardson, J. 2004. â€Å"Academic Dishonesty, Plagiarism Included, in the Digital Age: A Literature Review†. Retrieved November 19, 2009 from http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/facultyhandbook/documents/PlagiarismLiteratureReview.pdf This posting utilized the argument that divinity, and attempting to meet the expectations of God, should be the moral center which guides moral lifestyles. However, these are not necessarily the â€Å"broad, universal moral principles† described by Kohlberg’s moral model (Feldman, 2008, p.340). Not all members of society agree with these values. For example, an individual who has barely made it

Ordeal by Fire The Civil War and Reconstruction by James McPherson and Essay

Ordeal by Fire The Civil War and Reconstruction by James McPherson and James Hogue - Essay Example The Free Soil Party argued that unlike in slavery, a free society provided greater moral and economic gains. In light of the clear cut agenda, the party worked to press for a repeal of existing slavery laws in Ohio, and New York among other states (Byrne, 2006). The Wilmot Proviso is one of the key historical developments that led to the American Civil War. The proviso would have outlawed slavery in all the new areas annexed from Mexico or from any other place later on. However, conservatism elements were eventually pitted against the advocates for a free society during the American Civil War. The Compromise of 1850 comprised a set of legislation endorsed by Congress in an effort to resolve slavery, which threatened to divide the country (Byrne, 2006). Despite the incorporation of controversial clauses in it, it was successfully passed by Congress and immediately united the country on slavery (Mitchell, 2001). The law kept the Union stronger by stemming cases of an imminent split, thus delaying the eruption of the Civil War by a decade. The Kansas–Nebraska Act, enacted in 1854 established Kansas and Nebraska states. This expanded the American territory for civilian occupation and effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise, which had been adopted three decades earlier. The new law granted people the authority to decide slavery issues. As a result, pro-slavery settlers came from Missouri to Kansas to exercise this right. Their political clout in territorial polls was usually boosted by Missourians who made their way into Kansas mainly to take part in the polls. They created strong movements such as the Blue Lodges. Eventually, abolitionist settlers arrived in Kansas from the East with the sole aim of freeing the state of slavery.

Thomas Hobbes and Battle of Algiers Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Thomas Hobbes and Battle of Algiers - Thesis Example They formed, the members of the FNL that was aimed at fighting for Algiers freedom and self-determination. The members of the FNL are believed, from a Hobbesian view to be fighting for what they already own. The Battle of Algiers simply expresses the feelings, reactions and resolves of the Algiers to disallow the French rule in Algiers. It is out rightly indisputable that Hobbes is mistaken about what freedom and self-determination are. A country cannot be self-determining and freed if it is under an external rule. This paper will maintain that Hobbes view of the FLN is out rightly mistaken about what constitutes true freedom and self-determination. Hobbes makes the claim that the state of nature is a despondent state of war in which significant human ends are dependably achievable. He maintains that everyone being sensible can understand that a war involving all against all is hostile to the fulfillment of her/his concern. For the Algiers to obtain their self-determination and freedom, they had to fight the French rulers. Having been ruled by the French since 1830s, Algeria could not accept to keep being ruled by them. Hence, they used all means possible to attain their independence, including using children and women to actualize their strategies (Pontecorvo 1967-Movie). Hobbes is mistaken, for without a violent engagement with an invader, power cannot be obtained. All nations in history had to fight for their independence, as opposed to what Hobbes suggests. Hobbes considers freedom to be the situation where people mutually pledge to each other to conform to a common authority (Hobbes Pt. 1). By the French and Algiers conforming to a common power, it would mean the French rule and Algiers rule approving the group to rule Algeria. It would be unacceptable for a French rule taking charge of Algeria. As well it would not be acceptable to the French to hand over its long rule to the Algiers. Hence, Hobbes beliefs could not be applicable and cannot be applied to

Knowledge Management - Tools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Knowledge Management - Tools - Essay Example The holistic management of the knowledge and information that an organisation comprises defines the crux of the working of the concept of knowledge management. The focus of this approach is on integrated approach which deals with identification, capturing, evaluating and sharing knowledge for gaining maximum result (Wallace 2007). The major components of the knowledge management includes the data and information of an organisation which is made available to all it employees through the use of electronic and traditional mediums. The exact definition of the concept is not easy to define because it constitutes of the concept of knowledge which is very wide and difficult to define Knowledge management is that discipline which aims at making the individuals and teams enable for collectively creating, sharing and applying Knowledge. This plays an implant role in helping the organisation in achieving the organisational goals and objectives. Â  With the aid and sue of knowledge management t he organisation aims at creating intellectual base and knowledge based assets which play an essential role in increasing the returns and profits of the company. The major focus is on sharing of knowledge amongst the employees in order to devise the best working strategies. There are two major activities which play an important role in the arena of knowledge management which involves, capturing and documentation of both types of knowledge which includes tacit and explicit and disseminating the collecting information in the organisation for generating desirable results. The concept of knowledge management indicates that there exist a strong relation between the goals of the organisation and its strategy. The management of the intellectual knowledge of the organisation for some meaningful purpose so that it creates value and meaning for the business is the major focus of knowledge management (Civi 2000). Thus, the concept of knowledge management can be defined as the systematic and wel l planned management of knowledge assets which an organization has that play an important role in creation of value and meets the strategic requirements of the company. The following diagram explains the concept and major constituents of knowledge management: (Source: Civi 2000) Various tools and techniques have been used for the selection of knowledge management initiatives in small and medium sized organisations. The tools of knowledge management are divided into two parts that include information technology tools and web based tools (Debowski 2007). The purpose of knowledge management is to improve the performance of the organisation by providing certain tools, processes and systems for creation, and sharing of knowledge. These tools of knowledge management are effective for decision making processes of the organisation. An effective knowledge management tool ensures ease of use by the people. Knowledge management tool provides specialised knowledge for the management of organisa tion in an effective manner. These tools also ensure management of technical issues in an effective manner. These tools provide adequate access to the right knowledge at the right time (Awad 2004). Brainstorming is one of the tools of knowledge management, which is used by people for generating new ideas for a particular project or event. It is considered as an appropriate tool that is resilient in nature and provides a wide range of options to people. The process of brainstorming starts with taking the initiatives from

What was the Social Cost of Industrialization in Great Britain Essay

What was the Social Cost of Industrialization in Great Britain - Essay Example The coming together of England and Scotland brought about the much needed peace and stability; thus, there were no barriers between them. This meant that the trade could occur between the two. Then there was the law that dictated the terms about the respect of contracts, which meant that any contracts that were made had to be respected and followed by the parties that made them. In addition, a legal system allowed co-operations or companies to have joint stock. This system fuelled the industrialization since there was the ability to have stock in different companies or organizations such as co-operations and even the merging of some1. Then there was capitalism; which was the availability of a free market that enabled entrepreneurs to be economically and socially capable of running their own businesses. These key factors enabled the industrial revolution in Great Britain2. The social cost of industrialization in Great Britain affected the lives of people, from the urbanization process, housing, standards of living, increase in population, jobs, labor, and creation of new ideas and inventions. Middle-class people came to rise, whereas ordinary people who barely earned a living now had to deal with the increased levels of opportunities for employment when the new factories and other employment opportunities popped up. However, even though there were jobs, these people had to bear the cost of that easy-come job. They had to endure long working hours and strict working conditions3. This was because the revolution had just started, and this forced them to maintain the hard work. Little earnings followed these harsh working conditions. Those who worked the longest hours were the people who worked in the steel industry. These little earnings did not help, as the little earnings did not provide a decent life, one that required looking decent, eating decent and proper shelter. Even though these

What would be political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli's position about Term Paper

What would be political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli's position about the Second Amendment in the contemporary United States - Term Paper Example He was one of the officials in the Florence Republican and was given a post to deal with military and diplomatic affairs. He was one of the most influential philosophers of the western politics. All other political theorist who came after him referred to him directly of indirectly in his or her work. His writings, like The Prince and The Discourses of the First Ten books of Titus Livius, are well remembered by many authors and politicians who came after him (Soll, 34). Through his creativity in politics, therefore it was possible to predict what he would have said on the second amendment on the United States’ constitution. This amendment was adopted in 1791 together with bill of rights. This amendment was to protect the United States citizens with the right of keeping and bearing firearms. However, Noccolo Machiavelli would have different opinions on this right to keep and bear arms. Machiavelli would support it and on the other hand, he would deny the rights giving different reasons. The second amendment grants the United States citizens to keep and bear firearms (Spitzer, 23). This right was given due to many reasons. Possession of the firearms was important in the following ways, it helps to repel dangerous invasions, grants one the right of personal defense, and it enables people in organizing militias. Machiavelli would have supported this amendment because in his writing, he said that before anything else, each person must be armed. He advised that military service should a responsibility to every citizen. Therefore, every citizen should have a possession of some firearms to ensure that the society is secured from any invasion. He supported possession of arms giving reasons that good men do not make war the only profession neither can a good government can allow its citizens to make war the only profession (Soll, 37). He advised that each government should practice the art on war during the time of peace but war should occur when it is necessary to acquire glory. He believed that every citizen is considered a good man when he uses those arms in a correct way that is meant for. In addition, a government is considered well government when it uses its military to serve that society in a wrong way. Therefore, he would support the second amendment of the constitution. Furthermore, Machiavelli would support the second amendment of the United States’ constitution, which grants citizens the right of possessing firearms by claiming that this right would show that the government thrusts its citizens. Failure to grant the citizens this right, it will show that the government lacks faith to the citizens. This would make the citizens hate the government. However, the citizens should not be disarmed to ensure that the relationship between them and the government is kept in touch. This shows that Machiavelli would support the second amendment of United States constitution. There are some reasons that would make Machiavelli oppose the second amendment of the United States constitution. As the constitution would give rights to the citizens to keep and bear firearms, Machiavelli will oppose it just in case the citizens will use the firearms in a wrong way. He would oppose it is saying that only good citizens would use the firearms during the necessary times to prevent invasion from other people. Those who will not follow this should be dealt accordingly. He said that not all people do good things all the time. This is because their minds change like tides and at times, they can cause arm without realizing what they are doing. Therefore, keeping and bearing of firearms should be abolished since it will cause a lot of harm if the citizens use them in a bad way. He would argue this idea that not everyone