‘Nature Versus Nurture’ as Predictors of Happiness

‘Nature Versus Nurture’ as Predictors of Happiness Pauline Tovee Write a critical discussion essay in response to the following task, based on your close reading of any five of the ten source texts, Texts 1 – 10 Draw on any five of the ten sources texts, discuss the relative importance of ‘nature versus nurture’ as predictors of happiness This assignment will discuss the relative importance of ‘nature versus nurture’ as predictors of happiness. The assignment will also compare and contrast all sides of the equation and discuss which is the most important as a predictor of happiness ‘nature or ‘nurture’ or whether both have a bearing on happiness. The stance taken in this assignment is that neither ‘nature’ or ‘nurture’ can fulfil the role of a single predictor, and that the combining of both the genetic and environmental factors, contribute to happiness. Defining happiness is not an easy task to accomplish. However, it can be argued that a simple definition of happiness is a sensation of positivity which covers a whole range of feelings or emotions, from pleasure to gratification. (Spoors et al, as cited in Text 2, L185, 2014). On one hand, with regard to ‘nature’, it has been argued a healthy lifestyle equates to a happy brain. Sugar has also been explored as having an important role within our brains and bodies, to keep a stable quantity available continuously. The blood sugar within one’s body fluctuates throughout the day; thus when the sugar level is at its peak one feels elated or happy within one’s mood span. However, when one’s blood sugar level has decimated to a low level, moods can change to one of irritability and tiredness, thus the cells do not get enough of the chemicals they require to function correctly. Then again, it has also been debated, brain activity is also a way of gauging happiness by simply inquiring of people on how happy that were at a particular time, though this is not specifically accurate. If two people say they are comparatively happy, one can still not be certain that both individuals are, in reality, encountering exactly the same intensity of happiness. A procedure used by Davidson, with the use of an electroencephalograph (EEG), measures action within the brain, including parts of the brain which are not active. The active part of the brain produces electrical pulses. These are selected by the electrodes located on the head. However, what Davidson did discover was that in people who stated they were feeling happy and cheerful, the action in the frontal area of the brain, on the left-hand side was more active. When pessimistic thoughts were portrayed, there was more action in the frontal area of the brain on the right-hand side. (Spoors et al, as cited in Text 3, L 185, 2014) However, ‘nurture can also play its role in the pursuit of happiness with respect to social influences. People who are loved and valued by their families are more likely to have happy dispositions than those who are undervalued and exploited by their conflicting roles within the family circle. People who are involved within formal occupations or those who work in the home, for example those who study, care for others (including children) and those who work taking care of the home, can each form a foundation of happiness. Work does not only provide people with financial support, but can also give people a sense of achievement and add meaning to their lives. Peter Warr (2007) equates employment to having one’s daily dose of vitamins, a certain amount of which is need for wellbeing and health. Richard Layard (2008) claims ‘Unemployment (in the broadest sense) can reduce happiness by destroying self-respect and the positive social relationships created by work’ In addition, researchers in psychology claim people who live in western society are, by and large, more happy than those in other societies in a survey taken of approximately 80,000 people in over 178 separate countries. Adrian White created a ‘happiness’ level of these countries. At the highest position was Denmark which was trailed closely by Switzerland, Austria and Iceland. However, countries such as Zimbabwe and Burundi were the least happiest countries. Researchers have suggested people who are living in countries whose economy is developing, may well have more amounts of happiness, which clearly define the feeling of ‘contentment’ than, for example, those who live in western societies. Further research done by the New Economics Foundation in 2006, discovered that the Pacific Island of Vanuatu, was purported to be the happiest nation on Earth, even though it is one of the poorest countries. (Spoors et al, as cited in Text 6, L185, 2014). In comparison, the question can be asked time and time again; are we the product of either our genes or simply of our environment, the physical, social and also the cultural? As Phoenix argues, ‘Whilst psychological debates are often presented as dichotomies (fixidty versus change: nature versus nurture), these debates should not be seen as requiring either/or choices’ (Phoenix, A. 2007, as cited in Text 1, L185, 2014) From evidence available, being naturally happy (by nature) and a in a nurturing (environment and experience) happiness, can influence peoples’ happiness. Research has shown that twins who are identical (have identical genes) are more comparable in their levels of happiness, than a set of twins who do not have the same identical genes. Layard argues ‘Scientists have shown that our family relationships are more important than any other single factor affecting our happiness’. (Layard, 2005). Maybe the fundamental message is that the majority of people, irrespective of their genes or their environment, are able to take the key steps to expand their levels of contentment, for example happiness and their emotional wellbeing. Happiness does not only come from outside influences and our environment, but also from within one’s self. Neither of the two is in conflict with each other. ‘The true pilgrim fights the evils of the world out there and cultivates the s pirit within’ (Layard, 2005 as cited in L185, Text 7). In conclusion the evidence indicates that although ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ do play an important role within one’s dreams of happiness, they are not separate in that role. The influence of each position contributes to happiness as a whole. It is not easy to define happiness completely; what may be complete contentment for one person is not the same for another, for we are all different in our genetic makeup and our environment and general upbringing. Word Count: 1025 References: The Open University (2012), L185, English for Academic Purposes, EMA, Text 1: Avoiding Dichotomies in Psychological Thinking [online] https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=302192section=3.2 (accessed 17 May 2014) The Open University (2012), L185, English for Academic Purposes, EMA, Text 2: What Makes Us Happy? [online] https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=302192section=3.2 (accessed 17 May 2014) The Open University (2012), L185, English for Academic Purposes, EMA, Text 3: What Makes Us Happy – Happy Brains [online] https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=302192section=3.3 (accessed 17 May 2014) The Open University (2012), L185, English for Academic Purposes, EMA, Text 6: What Makes Us Happy – Social Influences [online] https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=302192section=3.6 (accessed 17 May 2014) The Open University (2012), L185, English for Academic Purposes, EMA, Text 7: Naturally Happy and Nurturing Happiness [online] https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=302192section=3.7 (accessed 17 May 2014)

The Benefits of Reducing World Population Essay -- Argumentative Persu

The Benefits of Reducing World Population Scientist Julian Simon asserted in 1992 that population growth, perceived by many to be a growing crisis, was in fact a huge boon to society. Simon countered the common argument that overpopulation would result in miserable, deteriorating living conditions by postulating that "population growth, economic growth, and a resource-rich world coupled with modern technology will produce greater prosperity and better health for increasing numbers of people" (Southwick, p. 160). Given the fact that more people today are living in misery and poverty than ever, Simon's picturesque world has gone largely unsupported (Southwick, p. 161). Recent news that the population boom is currently on hold then, should come as great news to the greater portion of individuals in the world. Rather than 12 to 14 billion world inhabitants in the mid-twenty first century, recent figures project a decline from roughly nine billion people in 2050. The shrinking of the world population will almost undoubtedly creat e drastic economic and political changes (Wattenberg, p.1). These predicted changes, though, seem minor in comparison to the poor environmental state that most agreed would be reached if the population boom continued in the same manner. It seems as though the shrinking of the world population will allow for the existence of fewer billions of people with more abundant resources and a better quality environment rather than the existence of "10 to 15 billion people living in poverty and malnourishment" (Southwick, p. 161). For the past five years the United Nations has witnessed a trend in fertility rates that will alter the face of the globe. Rather than a fertility rate of 2.1, which was the assumed worl... ...once feared rate. Sources: Dolan, Edwin G., Ch. 5 from "TANSTAAFL: The Economic Strategy for Environmental Crisis" 1974 Hansen, J., Ruedy, R., Sato, M., & Lo, K. (2002). "Global Warming Continues." Science, 295, 275. Kerr, R. A. (2002). "A Brighter Outlook for Good Ozone." Science, 297, 1623-5. NPR Radio Broadcast, March 17, 2002. http://discover.npr.org/features/feature.jhtml?wfId=1140067 Poliakoff, M., Fitzpatrick, J. M., Farren, T. R., & Anastas, P. T. (2002). "Green Chemistry: Science and Politics of Change." Science, 297, 807-810. Quay, P. (2002). "Ups and Downs of CO2 Uptake." Science, 298, 2344. Southwick, C. H. (1996). "Chapter 15: Human Populations." Global Ecology in Human Perspective. Oxford University Press, 159-182. Wattenberg, B. J. (March 8, 2003). "It Will Be a Smaller World After All." New York Times: Editorial/Op-Ed Section. The Benefits of Reducing World Population Essay -- Argumentative Persu The Benefits of Reducing World Population Scientist Julian Simon asserted in 1992 that population growth, perceived by many to be a growing crisis, was in fact a huge boon to society. Simon countered the common argument that overpopulation would result in miserable, deteriorating living conditions by postulating that "population growth, economic growth, and a resource-rich world coupled with modern technology will produce greater prosperity and better health for increasing numbers of people" (Southwick, p. 160). Given the fact that more people today are living in misery and poverty than ever, Simon's picturesque world has gone largely unsupported (Southwick, p. 161). Recent news that the population boom is currently on hold then, should come as great news to the greater portion of individuals in the world. Rather than 12 to 14 billion world inhabitants in the mid-twenty first century, recent figures project a decline from roughly nine billion people in 2050. The shrinking of the world population will almost undoubtedly creat e drastic economic and political changes (Wattenberg, p.1). These predicted changes, though, seem minor in comparison to the poor environmental state that most agreed would be reached if the population boom continued in the same manner. It seems as though the shrinking of the world population will allow for the existence of fewer billions of people with more abundant resources and a better quality environment rather than the existence of "10 to 15 billion people living in poverty and malnourishment" (Southwick, p. 161). For the past five years the United Nations has witnessed a trend in fertility rates that will alter the face of the globe. Rather than a fertility rate of 2.1, which was the assumed worl... ...once feared rate. Sources: Dolan, Edwin G., Ch. 5 from "TANSTAAFL: The Economic Strategy for Environmental Crisis" 1974 Hansen, J., Ruedy, R., Sato, M., & Lo, K. (2002). "Global Warming Continues." Science, 295, 275. Kerr, R. A. (2002). "A Brighter Outlook for Good Ozone." Science, 297, 1623-5. NPR Radio Broadcast, March 17, 2002. http://discover.npr.org/features/feature.jhtml?wfId=1140067 Poliakoff, M., Fitzpatrick, J. M., Farren, T. R., & Anastas, P. T. (2002). "Green Chemistry: Science and Politics of Change." Science, 297, 807-810. Quay, P. (2002). "Ups and Downs of CO2 Uptake." Science, 298, 2344. Southwick, C. H. (1996). "Chapter 15: Human Populations." Global Ecology in Human Perspective. Oxford University Press, 159-182. Wattenberg, B. J. (March 8, 2003). "It Will Be a Smaller World After All." New York Times: Editorial/Op-Ed Section.

Resistence to Genetically Modified Foods Essay -- GMOs, Genetically Mod

Introduction This report seeks to examine the causes for resisting genetically modified (GM) food in the world. There have been resistance to genetically modified food have been going on since is commercial production began in early 1990’s (Glass-O'Shea, 2011). The European Union has been delaying decision to allow farmers to introduce GM food crops in their farms or importation of GM foods without labeling as compared to the North American counterparts. This report investigates the major causes of sustained resistance to GM food, the effects of this issue and possible recommendations to soften this position. Causes of resistance to genetically modified food There have been fears that genetically modified food could have far reaching health effects in after a prolonged time of consumption. Several studies indicated that other organisms are affected by the genetically modified food (Macek, Kotrba, Svatos, Novakova, Demnerova, & Mackova, 2008). Many leaders especially in developing countries are concern that genetically modified food is a ploy to enrich some certain corporations in developed countries. These are main reasons for resisting genetically modified food Risky for human consumptions There is a growing concern that the companies that are involved in production of genetically modified food do not conduct extensive research on adverse effect to humans. This contributes heavy why the European Union (EU) is particularly very slow in deciding to allow farming of genetically modified food crops. Since foods may contain other materials that do not have any nutritional values, there should an independent study on effects to humans after consumption (Kuiper, Kleter, Noteburn, & Kok, 2001). It is not clear who sponsors the r... ...3. Glass-O'Shea, B. (2011). The History and Future of Genetically Modified Crops: Frankenfoods, Superweeds, and the Developing World. Journal of Food Law and Policy, 7. Kuiper, H. A., Kleter, G. A., Noteburn, H. P. J. M., and Kok, E. J. (2001). Assessment of the food safety issues related to genetically modified foods. Plant Journal. 27, 503–528 Legge Jr, J. S., & Durant, R. F. (2010). Public opinion, risk assessment, and biotechnology: lessons from attitudes toward genetically modified foods in the European Union. Review of Policy Research, 27(1), 59-76. Qaim, M. (2009). The economics of genetically modified crops. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 1. 665–693 Macek, T., Kotrba, P., Svatos, A., Novakova, M., Demnerova, K., & Mackova, M. (2008). Novel roles for genetically modified plants in environmental protection. Trends in biotechnology, 26(3), 146-152.

The Effects of Jejemon Essay

Learning and teaching grammar is an important aspect of language learning. It is not enough to know how to translate words into different languages. One of the aims of language learning is to help students learn effective communication, thus learning the correct grammar is essential. As noted by many grammarians, studying a second language primarily consisted of grammatical analysis and translation of written forms. Developed for analysis of Greek and Latin, this approach divided the target language into eight parts of speech: nouns, verbs, participles, articles, pronouns, prepositions, adverbs and conjunctions. Learning the language required study of the eight categories in written text and the development of rules for their use in translation. However, when 18th century grammarians moved beyond the Greek and Roman classics and began the study of English, again using the eight categories to generate grammar rules, it became clear that the parts of speech could not be used as effectively to analyze a language in which word order and syntax produced grammatical function and where rules often had multiple exceptions. Nonetheless, this traditional approach remained the basis of instructional pedagogy in the United States and England until recently (Howatt, 1984), and is still being used in a number of countries as the primary method of English instruction. This is  particularly true for many English as foreign language (EFL) classrooms, where English is learned mainly through translation into the native language and memorization of grammar rules and vocabulary. Today, grammarians have been able to use modern pedagogical grammars for teaching and learning. Pedagogical grammars generally describe the full structural complexity of any given unit (Swan, 1995), but significant differences may emerge in the distribution of potential elements in actual discourse. As mentioned, one of the defining characteristics of a modern pedagogical grammar is that it provides descriptive information which is helpful for learners of the language. With this definition, this paper will try to compare the helpfulness of two pedagogical grammars by describing the features of transitivity of verbs and passive voice. However, with the emergence of the jejemon languages, educational authorities are trying to convey its effect on the students. According to UrbanDictionary.Com, it is anyone with a low tolerance for correct punctuation, syntax and grammar. This definition is limited to the linguistic style of Jejemons. But in reality, Jejemon is a new breed of hipsters who have developed not only their own language and written text but also their own sub-culture and fashion. For brevity, I will limit this article to Jejemon language, which for lack of grammatical â€Å"canon† on how to call it, I will call it the â€Å"Jejenese† and their alphabet, â€Å"Jejebet. The Jejenese is not just confined to Pinoy Jejemons. Just before I wrote this, I played â€Å"Warcraft† and found a European opponent who enjoys typing â€Å"jejejeje† in a very wide context, much to my disdain as he sabotages my online quests. Another group of foreign Jejemons, although their Jejemonism seems so trivial to actually classify them as Jejemons, are the Thais who type â€Å"hahaha† this way: â€Å"5555.† You will see a lot of these in your Thai friend’s Facebook status messages. Since, the number 5 translates to â€Å"ha† in Thai, as explained by my friend Pakorn Dokmai. I’m sure many of you have personal encounters with other foreign Jejemons, be in Manila or abroad. So we can assume that Jejemon is a worldwide phenomenon. Text messaging is the first ever evidence that the Jejemons are not just fictional creatures; they really emerge. They have a set of eyes (and obviously the time) that can easily decipher the word hidden in jumbled letters, alternating capitalization, over-usage of the letters H, X or Z and mixture of numeric characters and our normal alphabet. To be able to understand Jejenese or to Jejetype is definitely a skill. In a commentary, â€Å"Intellectualizing a Language,† by Dr. Ricardo Ma. Nolasco published on June 13, 2009, in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, he said that: â€Å"We will never be able to develop our languages for higher thinking unless we begin basic literacy and education in them.† With the prevalence of Jejemon, will the long process of intellectualization of our Filipino language be held back? I believe that the answer depends on one’s lenience with the Jejemons. Just as whether or not the Jejenese and the Jejebet wreak havoc on major languages depends on how one perceives Jejemonism. The Jejemons find their place in their world by finding a clan, or a regular group of people they text and talk with in Jejenese. Regardless of whether they know each other or not, they will talk to other members of these clans and even meet up with them in Jejelands (frequent hang-outs). STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 1. Where did the jejemon word came from? 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of jejemon? 3. Who are the persons involved in this state? 4. How does this method affect the other’s? 5. What are the ways to prevent its disadvantages? BODY 1. Where did the jejemon word came from? Jejemon is a pop culture phenomenon in the Philippines. According to Urban Dictionary a Jejemon is a person â€Å"who has managed to subvert the English language to the point of incomprehensibility.† The Philippine Daily Inquirer describes Jejemons as a â€Å"new breed of hipster who have developed not only their own language and written text but also their own subculture and fashion. The origins of short-handed typing was through the short messaging service, in which each text message sent by a cellphone is limited to 160  characters. As a result, an â€Å"SMS language† developed in which words were shortened in order to fit the 160-character limit. However, some jejemons are not really â€Å"conserving† characters; instead, they are lengthening their message. On April 14, 2010, on a Pinoy Tumblr, a post about vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay indicated that he was the Jejemon’s preferred vice presidential candidate, complete with a fake poster with him called as â€Å"Jejemon Binay.† Later the use of word jejemon to refer to such people made rounds in various Filipino internet message boards. The Jejemons are said to be the new jologs, a term used for Filipinos of the lower income class. The parameters of being classified as a Jejemon are still unclear, and how the different â€Å"levels† of â€Å"Jejemonism† are reached, although there are named levels such as â€Å"mild,† â€Å"moderate† and â€Å"severe† or â€Å"terminal. The sociolect of the Jejemons, called Jejenese, is derived from English, Filipino and their code-switched variant, Taglish. It has its own, albeit unofficial, orthography, known as Jejebet, which uses the Filipino variant of the Roman alphabet, Arabic numerals and other special characters. Words are created by rearranging letters in a word, alternating capitalization, over-usage of the letters H, X or Z. Superfluous as well as the presence of silent letters characterize its spelling convention. It has similarities with Leetspeak, primarily the alphanumeric nature of its writing. 2. What are the advantages and disadvantage of jejemon? That has been the question on everybody’s mind ever since a picture of presidential aspirant Gilbert Teodoro holding a sign declaring that he would send all jejemons back to elementary school started circulating on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. But even before making its debut on Urban Dictionary, the word â€Å"jejemon† has been making sporadic appearances elsewhere on the web. On Pinoy Tumblr, for instance, â€Å"jejemon† appeared on a post made on April 14 about vice-presidential candidate Jejomar Binay — complete with a fake campaign poster calling him â€Å"Jejemon Binay†. It makes an even earlier appearance on the My Ragnarok Online Forum. In a post that went up on March 14 entitled â€Å"Jejemon ka ba?†, user Deviluke points out that most jejemon wear baggy clothes and sport jejecaps – rainbow caps usually worn backwards and just placed on top of one’s head. Artuji.com points out that â€Å"jeje† enjoys popular usage among Spanish-speaking countries as a word to denote  laughter. â€Å"Jejemon† sprung from its combination with the subculture spawned by popular Asian anime, â€Å"Pokemon†. NEW POP PHENOMENON Administrators and members of Gotta Kill ‘Em All, Jejemon seem to agree that the term â€Å"jejemon† was first coined a month ago, but the behavior attributed to jejemon was around for much longer. â€Å"This kind of typing started when text messaging became famous and they used it to shorten long text messages,† says Kahel, one of the administrators of Gotta Kill ‘Em All, Jejemon. â€Å"I first encountered them in high school. Mobile messaging was the newest and hottest technological trend then,† says 24-year-old quality analyst Aldrin Fauni-Tanos. â€Å"Like dinosaurs, their existence preceded their discovery and categorization.† MAJOR IRRITANT CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY http://cellphones.about.com/od/phoneglossary/g/smstextmessage.html (http://aids.gov/using-new-media/tools/text-messaging/) http://ipod.about.com/od/iphonesoftwareterms/g/sms_definition.htm http://cellphones.about.com/od/phoneglossary/g/smstextmessage.html http://computer.howstuffworks.com/e-mail-messaging/sms.htm http://saaammieee.blogspot.com/2010/02/text-messaging-advantages-and.html http://voices.yahoo.com/advantages-disadvantages-text-messages-329419.htm http://www.ehow.com/about_4745121_advantages-text-messaging.html http://www.ask.com/question/disadvantages-of-text-messaging http://post.jagran.com/search/disadvantages-of-texting#sthash.mVyFr3Fh.dpuff http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/what-some-disadvantages-text-messaging http://elitedaily.com/news/world/disadvantages-texting/ http://www.ehow.com/info_8593619_disadvantages-text-messaging-speaking-e http://enc1102finalproject.blogspot.com/ RECOMMENDATION In this research, as the researchers, we therefore recommend that before we use to do shortcut text messaging, we should know our limitations in using it. It is better to consult first the guidance of the old ones, the persons expert of using cell phones and the persons who are involve in all technology so that it will be easy for us to know information’s about it in order to avoid it’s disadvantages. Yes, it is good to use cell phone because of the benefits that it will give unto us but come to think of the reality that it really have also some barriers that may lead us to failure in the goals that we have. Learn first on how you will manage to familiarize using the method. Such method may lead to failure on success. Lastly, we recommend to the readers to try reading this research of ours and apply the guide or rules we have research for your queries regarding the use of shortcut text messaging.

Types of Dnr

Everyone at any stage of their life can be faced with life changing issues. Should this happen it would be nice for your family to know what your wishes are . Do you want life support? Would you want drugs only used? Does your family know of your wishes? These are not questions that can wait to be addressed. When a family is dealing with their own grief they can not always make your wishes known. There are many ways in which an individual can make their wishes know about end of life care. An advance directive tells your doctor what kind of care you would like to have if you become unable to make medical decisions. With these documents in place decisions are a lot easier on the family members. â€Å"A good advance directive describes the kind of treatment you would want depending on how sick you are,† Sally Austin explained in her article Families making decisions, dying death and DNR status. â€Å"For example, the directives would describe what kind of care you want if you have an illness that you are unlikely to recover from, or if you are permanently unconscious. † Advance directives usually tell your doctor that you don't want certain kinds of treatment. However, they can also say that you want a certain treatment no matter how ill you are. There are many types of advance directives. Laws about advance directives are different in each state. There are also policies and procedures for each hospital or office, clinic so make sure you know your policy. You should be aware of the laws in your state. If you are in a situation where you have a patient that has a DNR however you do not have it in hand and a code is called most places with perform the code as if no DNR is in place. Therefore a copy must always accompany the patient to whatever department they go to (Edwards, 66). A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is one kind of advance directive. A DNR is a request not to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. (Unless given other instructions, hospital staff will try to help all patients whose heart has stopped or who have stopped breathing. ) You can use an advance directive form or tell your doctor that you don't want to be resuscitated. In this case, a DNR order is put in your medical chart by your doctor. DNR orders are accepted by doctors and hospitals in all states. Most patients who die in a hospital have had a DNR order written for them (Edwards, 66). Patients who are not likely to benefit from CPR include people who have cancer that has spread, people whose kidneys don't work well, people who need a lot of help with daily activities, or people who have severe infections such as pneumonia that require hospitalization. If you already have one or more of these conditions, you should discuss your wishes about CPR with your doctor, either in the doctor's office or when you go to the hospital. It's best to do this early, before you are very sick and are considered unable to make your own decisions. A living will is another type of advance directive( LegacyWriter's). It only comes into effect when you are terminally ill. Being terminally ill generally means that you have less than six months to live. In a living will, you can describe the kind of treatment you want in certain situations. A living will doesn't let you select someone to make decisions for you. A Medical Power of Attorney (MPA) is also another kind of advance directive. A MPA states whom you have chosen to make health care decisions for you. It becomes active any time you are unconscious or unable to make medical decisions. A MPA is generally more useful than a living will. But a MPA may not be a good choice if you don't have another person you trust to make these decisions for you. Families can be faced with life alternating decisions at any time. There are several forms of advanced directives, and since no one knows when they will face theses situations it is a good idea to talk to with family and loved ones so you know their wishes as well they know yours.

Emotion of the circumstance Essay

‘†¦ Often did my human nature turn with loathing from my occupation, whilst, still urged on by an eagerness which perpetually increased, I brought my work near to a conclusion. ‘ The opening of chapter 5, the climax of the story where the monster is brought to life, is a clear example of the use of the literary device of pathetic fallacy, where, in this case, the weather matches the emotion of the circumstance. There are also several more examples of this throughout the chapter. ‘It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.. ‘ ‘Morning, miserable and wet, at length dawned,’ ‘†¦ although drenched by the rain which poured from a black and comfortless sky.. ‘ The ‘moment of creation’ is the most detailed of all, and excites the reader with the rich descriptive content. It also gives the reader a chance to compare their idea of what the monster looks like (having been influenced by film versions, comic versions or other forms of media) to how the monster is set out in the book. The description given by the book is as follows: ‘His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips. ‘ In comparison to modern literature, there is a lot of description within this novel, the above quote is an example of this. To a modern audience, the fact that there is lots of detail makes the story seem slow moving, yet it provides a good build up right up until the end. Also, at Mary Shelley’s time, when the book was published, reading was an engaging form of entertainment, so the vast array of detail would have been enjoyed and appreciated a lot more and would have enhanced the experience for readers of the time. The story is structured well throughout, and the narrative structure, in particular from the different characters (Captain Walton, Frankenstein, the monster), is unexpected and adds to the tension, as well as allowing the reader to see the story from all points of view, and to enable the reader to empathise with the monster in his situation where he would otherwise be treated as the villain. Merely the fact that Frankenstein has been adapted many times into films, long detailed descriptive books, plays, radio, comic books, cartoons and the like is evidence that we, today, are still interested in it. All of the things I have mentioned beforehand all work together to continue to draw people to the book. Interfering with nature One of the main ‘lessons’ within the story itself is undoubtedly to respect God as the supreme creator- there are lots of examples in the text that warn against interfering with nature; Victor himself warns Captain Walton, a young ambitious explorer who has set foot into the unknown (an area of the north pole, which, at that time had remained undiscovered) ‘You may easily perceive, Captain Walton that I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortunes†¦. You seek knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been†¦ when I reflect that you are pursuing the same course, exposing yourself to the same dangers which have rendered me what I am†¦ ‘ Also when telling his story to Capt. Walton he constantly reflects on what has happened, thinking about the consequences of his actions, and the consequences and implications that have resulted from his taking science too far. ‘Learn from me†¦. at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. ‘ Whilst telling his story to Capt. Walton, Victor talks of how his excitement and exhilaration at the prospect of reanimating the dead took over, and how he viewed himself as almost God-like: ‘A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. ‘ Shelley plays around with the idea that Victor is ‘playing God’ in the title; ‘Frankenstein- A modern Prometheus,’ referring to the mythological Greek tale of Prometheus, son of Zeus, whose job it was to create life. Prometheus felt sorry for the primitive mortals on the earth, so he stole fire from Zeus to give to them. As a consequence he was punished by Zeus, who had him shackled to the side of a mountain. Each day, Prometheus would be tormented by Zeus’ eagle as it tore at his immortal flesh and tried to devour his liver. Each night the torn flesh would mend so the eagle could begin anew at the first touch of dawn. This myth relates to Frankenstein, although loosely, it carries the same warning that Frankenstein also carries: if you interfere with the path of nature, bad things will happen to you. Whilst he is telling his story, Victor tells us that he had his doubts beforehand, however his ambition and thirst for knowledge quickly took over. ‘.. I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself†¦ but my imagination was too much exalted†¦ to permit me to doubt of my ability to give life to an animal as complex and as wonderful as man. ‘ In Chapter 4, Victor toys with the idea that he is a ‘creator’ and ponders the idea that the monster should view him as his father, and he his son; ‘No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs. ‘ Victor becomes excited at the prospect of this and it drives him on, yet he does not pause to think about the possibility that things will go horribly wrong, as we know they do later on in the story. Nevertheless, Victor prepares himself to ‘reanimate’ his creation, but he panics when he has brought it to life, and, realising how repulsive it is, flees in terror, abandoning his creation, along with the idea that he could have had a meaningful father-son relationship with it. One could argue that the monster, despite having carried out the murders of Justine, William and Elizabeth later on in the story, is not at fault. Had Frankenstein accepted his creation from the very beginning, events might have been different, therefore, Frankenstein, although indirectly, is to blame for the evil deeds the monster has carried out. The monster does not come into the world as an evil being- it is full of love and kindness for mankind, yet is eventually turned against humans, who judge him by his appearance rather than his character. They taunt him, hurt him and reject him in the same way that Victor had. Therefore it is not surprising that, having been left alone, he acts on his instincts and reacts in the way he does. The main idea within the context of Frankenstein relates to modern day science in many ways: Science and technology are progressing at an astonishing rate. Many ethical and moral issues are frequently being brought up concerning these developments. The current controversy surrounding the cloning debate is one such example, as is the first successful ‘face transplant’ that has recently taken place -this scientific reality is very similar to Dr. Frankenstein’s frightening discovery that Mary Shelly imagined 200 years ago.

My Favourite Author †Ayn Rand Essay

â€Å"We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force.† Ayn Rand, who lived from 1905 to 1982, made this statement over 50 years ago; in 1961. One can only help but wonder if there’s a better way to describe the state of our country today; in 2013. There might be a lot of issues on which an intellectual mind may differ with Ayn Rand but on this particular statement, most would agree today. We might not already be there, in that stage; but we are fast approaching it. The stage where all the fundamental rights are reserved for the government, and whoever the government might decide to bestow them upon. The right to the freedom of speech seemed to be one of the first to be sacrificed followed by the right to equality before law. The others might just follow suit. This assertion is not based in vacuum but on the argument that how many people have suffered arrests and exile for executing their right to freedom of speech and how many people have faced the wrath of biased legal prosecution and persecution to satisfy the collective conscience of the society? Ayn Rand had, time and again, stressed on this very aspect of the course that we have been taking. Although her writings were based on American context, they can easily be seen to reflect the global society and also, specifically our Indian societal and administrative system. And that is why; Ayn Rand is my favourite author. For the ideas she propagated are universally applicable and are highly rational even though they have been widely criticised as impractical. And throughout her life she defended those ideas by her writings, by her life and by her conduct never compromising on her conviction. Her philosophy and school of thought came to be known as objectivism. It is based on the concept of objective reality that demands that ‘a man’s morality should not be based on faith, emotions or arbitrary whims but on reason and rationality that can be demonstrated when in question’. There are few things that can inspire a person throughout their life; Ayn Rand’s words have that potential. She inspired me.