Dr. Durand Philosophy By Reginald Moore Essays - Collectivism

Dr. Durand Philosophy By Reginald Moore Reflective Essay Prepared for Dr. Durand Philosophy By Reginald Moore 213-94-2165 Reflective Essay What makes up a good family? Does your family communicate well? These are the questions that many people in America ask. They battle with these questions everyday when they think about the way their family acts. I have also battle with these questions especially when it comes to my family. My family is one of uniqueness, which causes lots of conflicts. I battle an individualistic sister, a communitarian mother, and a civic republican brother. With all these different personalities in the house it is no wonder it seems like our house is a lifestyle enclave. Looking at my family is like looking at American homes today. It shows the effect of a society that is all about on the go activities. My sister would be in my own words a perfect example of an individualistic person. She like in the book Habits of the Heart only deals with issues that are important to her. My sister focuses on what can make her life better and if this involves some kind of communitarian activity only then will she participate. She mostly jumps from relationship to relationship because of her need for pleasure. It matters not to my sister what is going on with the world unless it affects her personally. A good example of this is when my sister and I volunteered at a local shelter for Thanksgiving. This is a ritual that I have keep since my grandfather past away. My sister went to the shelter this year in order to get some volunteer hours for her transcript because she wants to transfer to another college. At the shelter she saw first hand for the first time in her life people less fortunate then herself. This shook her up, and made her think about how lucky she is only then was my sister finally con cerned about the homeless problem in America. Even though, this sound likes a made for television movie they show each year, around the holidays it is true and shows how like my sister the individualistic community of America that we live in. In this way she is a perfect example of individualism in America. Moreover, my mother is on the other end of the spectrum. My mother in her own words Gives a piece of herself to everyone. She is a very good example of a communitarian. The first sample of her kindness starts with her occupation. My mother has been a junior high school teacher for 25 years. During this time many people have realized my mother's giving and kindness for her community. She is always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to help make a difference in a student's life. However, her occupation is just the start of her giving. She is also a community leader through her second career as a pastor. She has only been a preacher for 6 years however; she has been able to do a lot for her church and her community during this time. She is always bringing her work home. Like a good communitarian she does everything to help better the community. My mother has only three children but has thousands of adopted children. She loves all her children the same even the adopted ones. A good example of this is what occurred during my last trip home. I came home because of the illness of my grandmother. My mother has to sit up with my grandmother just in case she gets up and hurts herself in the middle of the night. This is a very trying time for my mother however she took a piece of her time to counsel one of her adopted daughters. This girl was on the verge of committing suicide. My mother helped her realize how important she is to the world. My mother gives of her time to help the better of the community without personal gain. This helps show she is a good example of a communitarian. However, my brother is different from all of us. He is what I call the good American boy. He also is a product of social groups the

Understanding Toxins in Avocado Seeds

Understanding Toxins in Avocado Seeds Avocados are a great part of a healthy diet, but what about their seeds or pits? They contain a small amount of a natural toxin called persin [(R, 12Z,15Z)-2-Hydroxy-4-oxohenicosa-12,15-dienyl acetate]. Persin is an oil-soluble  compound found in the leaves and bark of the avocado plant as well as the pits. It acts as a natural fungicide. While the amount of persin in an avocado pit isnt enough to harm a human, avocado plants and pits can harm pets and livestock. Cats and dogs may become slightly ill from eating avocado flesh or seeds. Because the pits are so fibrous, they also pose a risk of gastric obstruction. The pits are considered toxic to birds, cattle, horses, rabbits, and goats. Avocado pits also cause problems for people who are allergic to latex. If you cant tolerate bananas or peaches, its best to steer clear of avocado seeds. The seeds contain high levels of tannins, trypsin inhibitors, and polyphenols that act as anti-nutrients, which means they reduce your ability to absorb certain vitamins and minerals. In addition to persin and tannin, avocado seeds also contain small quantities of hydrocyanic acid and cyanogenic glycosides, which can produce toxic  hydrogen cyanide. Other types of seeds containing cyanogenic compounds include apple seeds, cherry pits, and citrus fruit seeds. However, the human body can detoxify small amounts of the compounds, so theres no risk of cyanide poisoning to an adult person from eating a single seed. Persin may cause apoptosis of some types of breast cancer cells, plus it enhances the cytotoxic effects of the cancer drug tamoxifen. However, the compound is soluble in oil rather than water, so further research is needed to see whether an extract of the seed can be made into a useful form. The California Avocado Commission recommends people avoid eating the avocado seed (though of course, they encourage you to enjoy the fruit). While its true there are many healthful compounds in the seeds, including soluble fiber, vitamins E and C, and the mineral phosphorus, the consensus is more research is needed to determine whether the benefits of eating them outweigh the risks. How to Make Avocado Seed Powder If you decide to go ahead and try avocado seeds, one of the most popular ways to prepare them is to make a powder. The powder can be mixed into smoothies or other foods to disguise the bitter flavor, which comes from tannins in the seed. To make avocado seed powder, remove the pit from the fruit, place it on a baking sheet, and cook it in a preheated oven at 250 F for 1.5 to 2 hours. At this point, the skin of the seed will be dry. Peel away the skin and then grind the seed in a spice mill or food processor. The seed is strong and heavy, so this is not a task for a blender. You can grate it by hand, too. How to Make Avocado Seed Water Another way to use avocado seeds is for avocado seed water. To make this, mash 1-2 avocado seeds and soak them in water overnight. The softened seeds can be pureed in a blender. Avocado seed water may be added to coffee or tea or to a smoothie, much like avocado seed powder. References Butt AJ, Roberts CG, Seawright AA, Oelrichs PB, MacLeod JK, Liaw TY, Kavallaris M, Somers-Edgar TJ, Lehrbach GM, Watts CK, Sutherland RL (2006). A novel plant toxin, persin, within vivo activity in the mammary gland, induces Bim-dependent apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. Mol Cancer Ther. 5 (9): 2300–9.Roberts CG, Gurisik E, Biden TJ, Sutherland RL, Butt AJ (October 2007). Synergistic cytotoxicity between tamoxifen and the plant toxin persin in human breast cancer cells is dependent on Bim expression and mediated by modulation of ceramide metabolism. Mol. Cancer Ther. 6 (10).

Mandarin Oriental Group case study - Assignment

Mandarin Oriental Group case study - - Assignment Example In such context, the researcher will use these strategic tools conjointly to identify three key external environmental factors that will shape strategic direction of the luxury hotel and hospitality industry. External Factor 1 (Uncertain economic condition) this external factor is being identified by using PEST and opportunities/Threats matrix. Operating cost for hotels has increased due to ongoing ill effect of previous economic recession, oil price fluctuation, sovereign debt crisis and inflationary pressure (Campiranon, 2010). As a result, profit margin for luxury hotel and hospitality industry is decreasing and lack of availability of financial revenue is negatively affecting industry growth. In context to Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG), volatile economic condition of macro environment can decrease their profit margin and revenue earning opportunity in future. External Factor 2 (Decline of theme based Hotels) - this external factor is being identified by using Boston Matrix and Product life cycle. With rise of modern life style and globalisation, demand for theme based hotels is decreasing and customers want all the facilities under one roof (Szulanski, 2009). As a result, theme based hotels have become less profitable and the industry is observing rapid divestment by theme based hotels in order to avoid further financial loss. In context to MOHG, declining sales of theme based hotels might cause saturation and obsolete certain segment of product portfolio. As a result, business growth of company will get negatively affected. External Factor 3 (Hypercompetitive Environment) - this external factor is being identified by using Porter 5 forces. Presence of many international and large domestic players has increased level of competition within the industry. Similarity in product portfolio, small target market and high customer churn rate

It is said that Mark twain in his writing tried to release human mind Essay

It is said that Mark twain in his writing tried to release human mind from moral, religious and literary standards and show the - Essay Example â€Å"There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth.† (Twain 72b). Twain’s attempt to release the mind of humans from the standards that has been set for them by the society could be seen in Huckleberry’s Finn when he wrote that, â€Å"But I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before.† (Twain 569). Twain used the character of Huckleberry to show an individual’s attempt to break away from the standard that the society set for him. Mark Twain used the character of Huck to show the extent at which humans tried to free themselves from what was perceived as societal norms and values. Huckleberry kicked against his adoption by Aunt Sally as he knows that Sally is someone that would likely try to instill some societal values and norms in him and he has not come to terms with this fact. The truth of life according to Mark Twain is a situation where humans can be made to enjoy life without anybody setting standards and values for them. Mark Twain believes that people should be made to do the things they feel is the best for them without being conformed to some stereotyped rules and precepts. This way, people would not have to live a hypocritical life and a life of lies and deceit.

Compare de Beauvoir's position with the position of either Mill or Essay

Compare de Beauvoir's position with the position of either Mill or Rawls - Essay Example For a utilitarian what is good is what gives pleasure, happiness, contentment or welfare. Utilitarianism contains a theory of good and a theory of right. It is characteristic of the utilitarian theory of right that rightness is derived from goodness. They base what is either good or right on human experience (Nabor-Nery, 2003). People tend to approve the things which bring about pleasure but disapprove which do not. Hobbes says that, a man fears depends on his individual character and upbringing page 2. For example if a person is comfortable with taking a bottle of wine they are happy and enjoy the pleasure that comes forth. Others hate taking whine therefore it will be obvious that they will disapprove that idea. They shall consider that as a wrong act to follow. Therefore, a person is free to do what they desire as long whatever they are doing gives them pleasure and are comfortable with it. Happiness will lead to calmness and a very stable community. When people are happy they are most likely to leave good lives which have no crime thus creating a society which can be confided in. For example, Hobbes tells us to seek peace and follow it in Page60. For the De Beauvoir position under freedom, the author argues that everyone has the ability to take note of them and choose what to do (Keltner, 2006). We are free, but our freedom is always enacted in a world. This limits the level of freedom as compared to Mills point of view. We have to follow the rules brought about by for example, the government. She also says that freedom is the universal absolute end. You are able to do what you desire to do. There seems to be a little contradiction of the ideas which are presented by Mill and De Beauvoir. Consequentiality theory For the Consequentialism theory Milldefines, it as those moral theories that hold a particular actions consequences usually form the basis of any valid moral judgment regarding that particular action. He argues that for whatever you do it is a must you pay for it. For example, when you steal something which is not yours you must suffer the consequences of that action which is not acceptable in the society. It also focuses on the outcomes of the actions, emphasizes on results instead of the types of acts involved. Before you do something you should be able to consider the consequences that follow the reaction. Mill insists that it is always fair for what to pay for your actions (Nabor-Nery, 2003). This will create a good society and will make everybody watch what they are doing for that fear. It will make people more organized and answerable in what they do. It also creates a stable government and reduces the problems and risks of political instability in the country. A person is always responsible for what they do. No one can pay for your mistakes. It is only you who will suffer for your own misconduct. De Beauvoir argues that the reaction of other people to another person based on the fact that you cannot help but be affected by those reactions, the author says that they are forced not to be satisfied by your actions (Keltner, 2006). She also argues that other people responses are positively necessary for one to keep on acting. For both authors, they contradict on ides as we have seen above. They all

Entrepreneur identifies opportunities for business

Entrepreneur identifies opportunities for business Introduction â€Å"Entrepreneur identifies of opportunities, takes risks and garners resources with an explicit focus on the creation of new products, services, knowledge or ideas ( Shane 2003)†. This article will introduce one of greatest entrepreneurs in China—Ma Yun, the English name is Jack Ma who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alibaba Group at present, he was a Forbes magazine was founded more than 50 years to become the front cover of the first entrepreneurs in mainland China, as well as won the named Global Leader of Tomorrow. In addition, Jack Ma also served as director of Softbank Group, China Yahoo, Chairman of the Board, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Committee under (ABAC) members, Alibaba, Hangzhou Normal University, Business School Dean, director of Huayi Brothers Media Group(http://baike.baidu.com). Background of Jack Ma and his Alibaba.com Jack Ma was born in 15th October in 1964, he hometownisHangzhouZhejiangprovince of China. Hegraduated from Hangzhou Teachers College in 1988, his major is English. After he was becamean English teacher at the HangzhouElectronicEngineeringCollege. In 1995, he has had an opportunity that visited the United States for the first time access to the Internet, which was made a huge shock to him, after returning home, he established â€Å"Chinese Yellow Pages† in Internet. In 1997, he joined the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade, the main responsible for the development of Chinese products on its official site and the online trading market (http://baike.baidu.com). In 1999, he seriously considered that he resign from the government offical work. He is one of thefounders of Alibaba.com, to develop e-business applications, particularly in Business to Business (B2B). At present,Alibaba.com is a global inter-enterprise (B2B) e-commerce well-known brands, is the worlds area of international trade within the largest and most active online trading market and the business community (http://tech.sina.com.cn).On the one hand, in order to the success of Alibaba, so that Jack Ma was invited several times to lecture the worlds leading institution of higher learning, including the University of Pennsylvania Wharton Shool, MIT, Harvard and so on. On the other hand, he was invited to Dawos AnnualMeeting have eight timessince 2002. In addition, good location, solid structure, excellent service to make Alibaba the worlds first network has more than 8 million business e-commerce website, over 220 countries and regions around the world every day to businesses and merchants to provide 8.1 million commercial supply and demand information become a global business network to promote the preferred site has been business people as the most popular B2B website (http://tech.sina.com). Outstanding performance by all walks of life to make Alibabas attention. WTO Director-General of Sutherland as the first Alibaba consultants, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Japanese economy, Trade and Industry, Federation of European SMEs and other government and private agencies to local businesses recommended Alibaba (http://tech.sina.com). Jack Ma founded Alibaba media at home and abroad, and foreign venture capitalists in Silicon Valley hailed with Yahoo, Amazon, eBay, AOL par with the top five business schools on behalf of one of the Internet. It was established to promote the establishment of Chinas business credit, in the fierce international competition for small and medium enterprises has created unlimited opportunities, Let the world is not difficult to do business (Ma 2010). Jack Ma set up the personal auction site Taobao, successfully blazed a unique path localization in China, from the first quarter of 2005 started to become Asias largest personal auction site (http://tech.sina.com.cn). The end of 2009, Alibaba Group Chairman of the Board Jack Ma appeared Xinhua News Agency, and young editors and reporters to conduct a open communication. This allows us to feel close to this young entrepreneur has been hailed as pioneering Godfather charm. His passion, wisdom, humor, as well as signature-style insolent and the Xinhua News Agency, the exciting young editors and reporters asked for the exchange of one climax after another, the applause continued, laughing (Ma 2010). How could do such successful E-business as Jack Ma who do not understand programming, do not understand finance, people do not understand the design, and how to come to an Internet company today, Jakc Ma joked and said that the company someone asked him things, he was 95 percent did not know, he absolutely did not know, but he knows who knows who should know. He said, CEOs ability that they will use someone elses head (Ma 2010). There are two approches to analysishow Jack Mapersonality characteristics make him become a great entrepreneur in the high competitive inforamtion age, including OCEAN and PEST. OCEAN (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism) According to Baron and Harringtons the OCEAN diagram shows that the successful entrepreneur have the positive aspects involves Openness, Extraversion, and Neuroticism. However, the negative aspectswhich are disadvantages to the entrepreneur includes conscientiousness and agreeableness (Baron 1981). Firstly, Jack Ma is an openness and Extraversion,because he is open to new experiences, intellectually curious, and asethetically sensitive to did his business— Alibaba, for example, since he first time seen Internet in American, after he back home he already made decision to do business related with Internet, even though during that time he did not have any knowledge about Internet. Secondly, through Jack Mas presentations, magazines, and blogs. It can be clearly that Jack Ma who is a Creative management, which means that â€Å"being more creative yourself or managing others so that they can be more creative or ensuring that the system that is being managed operates more creatively (Henry 2001)†.For example, in 1999 when he leading his team started the E-business, he did not know the professional knowledge about Internet and computer, he just got idea, but he believe that Internet will become the main business method during in the 21st century. Although Jack Ma believe that himself is an idealistic,self-confident and ambition person, he is an openness, extraversion, and neuroticism.Jack Matends to take risks, challenges assumptions, and abrasive person. Namely, when he determined do Alibaba.com, his team group have 24 people, only one agreed with his idea, the other 23 people disagreed his purpose.Howeverthese problems did not stopped his planning, he still persisted him way to did Alibaba.com and gained great successful(http://tech.sina.com.cn). Thirdly, Jack Ma is a convergent thinking which is the process of converting all of the general ideas—the goals and non-specific solutions—into the specific solutions that form an application.For example, in Alibaba.com people have word right, they can argue with the manager, they can creative new way to do business, and the com he has the idea how to do the business, while he did not understood how to do the specific and specilist job. Lastly, JackMa, he described himself that he is an idealist, his romantic idealism of this complex has also brought into Alibaba, Jack Ma said that Alibaba and other companies in addition to its assessment of the difference is outside the employees performance, but also the staff appraisal mission and values. In the future, but also add an index: Social welfare (http://yunma.blog.china ). As well as Jack Mas motto is that â€Å"Today is very cruel, more brutal tomorrow, the day after tomorrow is very beautiful, but most of the people who died in tomorrow night, only those who can see the real heroes of the day after tomorrow the sun (Ma 2010)†. This is reflected that although his mind is idealization, his action is more powerful, realistic and as firm as a rock. He has strong persist in his Internet dream on the road. Alibabas values which is not only the companys value, but also is Jack Mas and his team groups value. Such as the company take policies First: focus on the customers concern, to provide customers with advice and information to help customers grow. Teamwork: Shared-sharing in order to complete the big or small, Embrace Change: Breaking through the self, to meet the changing.Integrity: honesty, integrity, keep its promises.Passion: Never give up, optimism up. Dedicated: a professional attitude and the usual state of mind to do extraordinary things (http://page.china.alibaba.com). PEST (Political, Economic and Environment, Social, Technology) factors According to Belbins acknowledges that â€Å"the preferred role is linked to reasoning ability, personality charateristics, personal values, learned behaviours, and the priorities and processes of the managers job (Belbin 1993)†.For example the Alibaba.com catched the best opportunities to set up E-business on Internet. The Value perspect= permission, ideas and realistic connected together Social responsibility Charity, environment Political Customer, employees, stakeholders Secondly, The entrepreneurs organization Team group, trust, loyalty, goal, adhere to for example in 1999, 18 people organiza Alibaba. No money, no Lastly, The external environment: economic problem, social problem, Creaitve new way to management the future, open, share, responsble, globlization. Conclusion Alibaba the next one tenth anniversary of the three objectives: First, they want to the worlds 10 million small businesses to provide equal platform; second, to create a million jobs; Taobao online last year, the direct creation of employment opportunities At 1.7 million, 180 million per year, an increase of 2.5 million logistics industry, many employees because Taobao; third, one billion people worldwide consumer platforms. The world is needed is a more open, more sharing, more the responsibility of the social needs of a community-oriented enterprises, and from the community and serve the society for the future of social responsibility of business is full of responsibility, the world needs is a kind of spiritual , a culture, a belief, a dream.

The Feudal System Exposed :: Men With Guns John Sayles Movies Essays

The Feudal System Exposed In his movie Men With Guns, John Sayles shows his viewer many participants in the feudal, agricultural system of an unnamed Latin American country. The peasants who work the land present, as are soldiers who terrorize the laborers, guerillas and others who try to escape it, and a priest who had been targeted by the military. Even people who are not directly involved in the feudal system are portrayed in Sayles' film; the protagonist is a city doctor who had no idea what life was like in the rural areas. American tourists wander Sayles' countryside, ignorant of the horror that is taking place literally all around them. One group of active participants in any feudal system are conspicuously absent from Sayles' screen; while the plantation owners are mentioned, they are never physically present on the rural landscape. That they are absent, at least in Sayle's film, but always seemingly in control is significant and is important in one's understanding of how feudal systems are reproduced . The viewer does come face-to-face with a feudal lord, or one at least connected to plantation owners, but he is at a nice restaurant in the city not on the fields in the country. Over the course of the meal he tells Umberto, the doctor, that Umberto knows nothing about the Indians and that people from the city should not try to help the Indians in any way. "The more you do for them," the plantation owner warns, "the lazier they get." The only other image of the peasants comes from a military general who describes the Indians in need of protection from guerrillas. Because the only contact that city people have with the plantation system is through the point of view of plantation owners, they have little idea about the Indians' lives and how they are treated by feudal lords; without accurate information, people from the outside have little interest in changing the feudal system. After Umberto leaves the city for the country, he loses contact with feudal lords. Instead, he has to deal with the violent reality of the feudal system in the rural areas. In the country, where people work and live on plantations, plantation owners are absent. What is ever present is a military bent on terrorizing laborers. As Umberto's travelling companion, a former soldier, tells Umberto, the army exists for the plantation owners, feudal lords, who depend on force and violence to coerce peasants to work.