Abstract
This paper examines the Taoist principles of abiding by the yin or abiding by the soft. Specifically, in Taoism, this means that one should favor approaches that are flexible and adaptive rather than rigid and forceful. The essay uses the martial arts as examples of this principle at work in human endeavors, specifically drawing on examples from kung fu and aikido.

From the Paper
"Abiding by the Soft in the Martial Arts On the surface, one of the hardest principles to understand in Taoism is the idea that individuals should favor the yin principle in their lives, or, rather, that they should abide by the soft. Conceptually it is rather counter-intuitive, especially in Western culture, which often favors strength and brashness over subtlety and finesse. But that is the basis for the point that Lao Tzu was making when he advised fellow Taoists to abide by the soft. It is the idea that all actions will eventually be dominated by the yin principle. Taoism is built on this assumption. While this can seem complicated to understand, it is nevertheless apparent in many human endeavors. Specifically, I will draw on examples from the martial arts to illustrate just how abiding by the soft can be especially useful in mastering those skills."

Tags:taoism, martial, arts

Abstract
This paper examines the George R. Stewart book "Earth Abides". The book deals with a viral plague that wipes out most of humanity, leaving only a few scattered survivors who have the responsibility for rebuilding and reconstituting the human race. The paper examines how the main protagonist, Isherwood and the other few survivors have to start, as it were, from 'ground zero'. After retracing the novel's plot and critiquing the actions, motivations and symbolic significance of Isherwood and others, the paper then discusses the novel's many positive reviews by literary critics.

From the Paper
"The novel is remarkable for a number of reasons. Firstly, it deals with relevant issues that pertain to contemporary society today. Secondly the work does not follow the conventions or stereotypical patterns of apocalyptic fiction. In essence the novel is a comment and a sociological and philosophical analysis of contemporary society. For example, the issue of racial differences and inequality were very prominent in the time that the novel was written. It is therefore a comment on society and the possible future of modern society when the main character chooses a black women for his wife. The book also makes it clear that he does not choose her for her looks or any other superficial reason, but for her character, good sense and intelligence."

Tags:society, devestation, destruction, doomsday, humanity, race, apocalypse, survivor, victims, equality

Abstract
This paper explores the abiding elements of Jewish belief, including the origins of the major ethical, ritual and theological aspects of Judaism, as described in David Ariel's book "What Do Jews Believe?" This paper discusses how various Jewish sects have vigorously searched for a better understanding of God as well as the influence of Kabbalah in Judaism. This paper also examines the differences between orthodox, Hassidic and conservative Judaism.

From the Paper
"It is intriguing how the various Jewish sects vigorously have searched, with their intellects and their souls, for a better understanding of God. The difficult question Ariel tackles is the seeming duality of God's nature, His nearness and distance from the world and humanity or "(His)transcendence and immanence." In rabbinic Judaism, God is regarded as "different from and above the world, on one hand, and closely involved and concerned with the world and its inhabitants, on the other. This paradoxical information of God's simultaneous transcendence and immanence is central to understanding rabbinic conception of God." The rabbis believe that they as "designated disciples" are able to be the interpreters of the divine."

Tags:jewish, judaism, religion, culture, orthodox, theology, tradition

Abstract
The paper examines network television comprised of ABC, CBS and NBC and cable network providers including CNN, FOX News and Comedy Central's Daily Show. The paper also looks at newspapers including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal in order to assess each of these news outlet's coverage during the 2008 election. The paper reveals that television networks appear to be the most biased and lacking in journalistic ethics, cable television networks are less biased, while newspapers adhere the most to journalistic ethical standards. The writer would choose to access a combination of social networking sites including Twitter, RSS Feeds from all major news networks and newspapers, and television coverage from CNN to gain an overall interpretation of events that is more balanced, with greater potential of seeing divergent views.

Outline:
Introduction
Assessing Network Television
Assessing National Newspapers
Assessing Cable Networks
Summary

From the Paper
"Beginning with an assessment of ABC, CBS and NBC and assessing the extent to which each of these three networks concentrate on responding to the public's interest by abiding by journalistic standards, this group was by far the most biased in their reporting of political, economic and entertainment news. A portion of this assignment was completed during the week of the Republication National Convention (RNC) when Sarah Palin was announced as the Vice Presidential running. Despite being politically independent in terms of ideology, the bias against Mrs. Palin was palpable. The network political analysts often degraded their analysis into the personal issues of Sarah Palin, completely irrelevant to news analysis and unbiased coverage. The immediacy of the television medium often leads to incomplete and often fragmented analysis of complex issues (Cooper, 2004)."

Tags:media, bias, sensationalism, coverage

Abstract
The writer of this paper contends that just as people use the bible and tales from Greek mythology as guides for moral behavior, Arthurian codes of chivalry can also be used as such a source. This paper lists the 10 basic rules of chivalry and compares them to the 10 commandments. This paper defines chivalry as a set of ideals and duties that changed throughout the middle ages to meet new socio-economic realities. Chivalric virtues were a clear distillation of what it meant to be a fine human being as well as a person in search of justice and humility.
Topics covered in this report include:
Chivalry
The Code of Chivalry
Bibliography

From the Paper
"To be honorable means to treat other people fairly and to keep our word when we promise something. It also means that we are willing to admit our mistakes and ask forgiveness. We don't attempt to cover up mistakes and hope no one notices. First, we tell the other person without mincing words that we have screwed up and that we will do what we can to correct the matter. Then we ask for forgiveness without expecting it. Finally, we take whatever comes. To be courageous is easy when no one else is involved. It is when we have to deal with other people that we sometimes get terrified and run. But to have courage (to be brave) does not mean that we don't have fear."

Tags:ideals, ethics, arthur, middle, ages, history, morality

Abstract
Shanghai, China is a burgeoning metropolis, yet still abides by strict Chinese culture when it comes to relationships, both personal and business. Therefore, in order to successfully participate in the Chinese business world the culture and its business practices must be thoroughly understood.

From the Paper
Student's Name Name of Instructor Name of Course March 14, 2008 Reflective Journal Shanghai, China is a burgeoning metropolis, yet still abides by strict Chinese culture when it comes to relationships, both personal and business. Therefore, in order to successfully participate in the Chinese business world the culture and its business practices must be thoroughly understood.

Tags:chinese, reflective, journal

Abstract
The paper discusses the argument that has sent the world into a tailspin as to whether or not people suffering from terminal or excruciatingly painful illness have the right to take their own lives by way of physician-assisted suicide. It shows that proponents contend that what one does with one's life is of no consequence to anyone else -- that it is humane to allow someone to be relieved of constant " if not unbearable " discomfort. On the other hand, critics claim that the act of euthanasia is nothing more than a fabricated form of murder. The paper shows that both sides have pertinent points when it comes to understanding and assessing the conflict, but argues that euthanasia supporters have a significantly stronger argument when considering the bigger picture. The general argumentative point of this paper is that physician-assisted suicide is not only the right thing to do for someone seeking such a decision, but it is ethical and humane for a physician to abide by the patient's wish.

From the Paper
"The primary focus of conflict with regard to physician-assisted suicide is whether or not it is ethically sound. To determine what is ethically sound, however, one must first define the meaning of ethics. This may appear rather simple to achieve on the outset, but one would soon find that defining such a concept is an extremely personal interpretation. There is no black and white definition of ethics, because each and every person subscribes to his or her own value system; therefore, placing a blanket definition upon the ethical implications of physician-assisted suicide is no different than doing the same with religion or politics: one size does not fit all. To ascertain the ethical nature of euthanasia is to find out what it means to the person requesting the procedure. One will find that to these people, who have suffered terribly at the hands of debilitating and terminal illnesses, the ethical attributes of physician-assisted suicide are far more forgiving than to those who stand by and ignorantly criticize."

Tags:legalization, life, quality, values

Abstract
This paper explores the question of whether the American legal system is morally justifiable, asserting that many judges have tainted the system due to their own personal and political beliefs, and their interpretations of the law make it hard for the American legal system to be justified morally. The paper explains that the legal system is meant to provide consequences for actions that can jeopardize the peace and security of citizens; by protecting the rights of individuals, peace and security is thought to be protected for law abiding citizens. The paper discusses the Jack Kevorkian case as an example. The paper concludes that although the system is flawed and juries often reflect the influence of judges, improvements are possible.

From the Paper
"The controversy with this case is linked to the legal systems morals. The reason Kevorkian was acquitted so many times for his actions was because there was no set law for euthanasia. Ethically, the majority of the American legal system believed it was unjust for a doctor to council a patient in committing suicide. However, because there was no law against this, the legal system could not do anything until the unpredictable airing of the videotape. The question to whether Jack Kevorkian was a murderer is merely a matter of opinion. Some people judged him harshly and others supported him entirely."

Tags:law, abiding, citizens

Abstract
In the book, "Doing Justice", by Andrew Von Hirsch, the theory of retribution is re-addressed. The writer points out how it is Von Hirsch's belief that the purpose of the penal system is to provide punishment proportionate to the crime. The paper explains how the book takes retributivism one step further, arguing that the criminal who breaks the law is taking advantage of the law-abiding citizen and that a proportionate punishment restores the balance to society. It proposes that both benefits and burdens of the system would be limited if the time spent incarcerated was limited.

From the Paper
"Justice is an ambiguous term that refers to a sense of equality and 'fairness'. Social justice refers to the way in which this ideological term is put into practice. At its most basic level, social justice is the way in which a community is governed: the laws, norms and sanctions that are put into place according to the form of government. With criminal behavior, the issues of safety and moral decision-making become an important component of the debate. If crime is considered an environmentally caused event, as opposed to a personal characteristic and, or, choice, then the type of system is needs to be re-evaluated and reconstructed. The importance of commitment in conventional social control is well established, however, there has recently been an increase in interest and a 'reframing' of many of the core concepts associated with "the need to settle a score" or punishment. Commitment has come to mean the same thing as incarcerated when viewed from certain philosophical tenets."

Tags:citizen, law, abiding, society, penal, punishment, crime

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that both Joseph Conrad's "The Secret Sharer" and Susan Glaspell's "A Jury of Her Peers," depict law-abiding individuals who gradually come to identify with people who have violated the law. The writer looks at both works in order to examine this issue. The writer maintains that as a result of their identification with these individuals who have allegedly transgressed, the married women of Glaspell's tale and Conrad's nameless sea captain gain a new sense of identity. The writer concludes that the changes undergone by the characters in both works are both external and internal, and both are life-long changes, although the changes that take place in the Glaspell story may have greater external consequences.

From the Paper
"Like "A Jury of Her Peers," Joseph Conrad's short story "The Secret Sharer" is also told in retrospect. The narrator is a sea captain who finds a man named Leggatt, drowning in the water, who seems to be his 'double,' much like the women of Glaspell's story perceive Mrs. Wright to be their double, or a physical mirror of their personal pain. Leggatt is also condemned as a murderer like Mrs. Wright, but rather than reject the fugitive, Conrad's narrator gives him a place to stay. The image of the law arises, but like the woman, the captain has already experienced a kind of internal, moral shift. Like the woman the captain cannot bear to morally condemn the murderer, or reveal the fact that Leggatt is on his ship when the authorities arrive. Captain Archbold wants to act according to the law, like the men of the Glaspell tale, but Leggatt's protective captain pretends the ship is empty and points out that Leggatt's actions helped save the ship during a storm."

Tags:sea, captain, murderer, law-abiding, kinship