This paper lays out in great detail the historical background of mind altering drugs, their uses in religion, scientific research and their current uses in America.
Abstract The following paper discusses both how mind various altering psychedelic drugs impact on spiritual thinking and how various religions use it in conjunction with their belief systems. It also mentions how these drugs influence the thought process and make their users believe they are in another realm.
From the Paper "Altered states of consciousness have always been associated with religion and spiritual experience. Whether induced by fasting, meditation, pain, chanting, or psychedelics, altered states have been used by a variety of cultures practice devotion, attain knowledge, communicate with the spirit world, heal, and to understand the nature of the mind. Because of their unique nature, there is a wide divergence of views about their specific function and utility in respect to religiosity and the great spiritual traditions. This is especially true for altered states cultivated through psychedelics. While it seems as if the entire Indian philosophy was based upon experiences with hallucinogenic altered states, its religious doctrines no longer condone experimentation in this area.Furthermore, even though the altered states of the psychedelic drugs bear a striking resemblance to the states of mind described in many sacred texts of Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism, few of these systems promote the exploration of these states through these drugs."
Abstract This paper presents the two sides in the debate over genetically altered food. The thesis is that, because of the risk involved, the most cautious route should be taken. The conclusion is the same, that we need to follow Japan's lead in low risk.
Abstract This paper discusses change as an opportunity to learn and grow. The paper presents the writer's memories of two events that upset his well-ordered life and his resentment of these events that altered the course of his life. The two events explored in the paper are the death of an uncle that left a deep void in his life and the breakdown of an intimate relationship.
From the Paper "Carl Jung once observed, ?We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.? (Words of Wisdom) The undeniable wisdom in Jung's words is something that perhaps an adult, who is facing the disruption caused by the death of a loved one, can appreciate. I, however, was too young to even comprehend or accept that death is an inevitable part of life's cycle. Therefore, my uncle's death was a point of change and discontinuity, which resulted in a wide range of personal emotions that I had to learn to deal with. In fact, as I look back on that traumatic time, I am able to see exactly what Tennant and Pogson meant when they said, ?It is, thus, the unexpected life events, those that occur "out of time" that are the potential crises.? (Smith, 1999)."
Abstract Argues in favor of genetic alteration for the living (for brain disorders, AIDS & other diseases), but against it for the unborn. Discusses scientific experiments. Ethical implications. Implications of an altered species. Need for government control of biotechnology. Stresses the need to form policies on genetic engineering of human embryos.
From the Paper "Today, we collectively stand on the threshold of science fiction. Genetic engineering has emerged -- faster, simpler, and more accessible than anyone had foreseen. The pounding gait of science has, in many ways, outpaced the best efforts of theology, politics, and ethics. Each of us planning to live well into the 21st century can expect to be affected by the ramifications of genetic engineering. Already, in vitro fertilization has become routine, and sex selection before conception is possible for aspiring parents(Schaeffer, 1999, p.15); Genetic enhancements are on the verge of providing mankind with drugs to treat brain disorders like Alzheimer's and epidemics such as the AIDS virus(Williams, 2000, p.9); Total genetic engineering of human embryos is expected to be safe and efficient within the next 50 years(Silver, 1999, p.26). We must form..."
Abstract This paper is a review of an article by Jonathon Alter, "Degrees of Discomfort - Is Homophobia Equivalent to Racism". Newsweek. March 12, 1990. The essay discusses the article and assesses the validity of Alter's arguments.
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of American government. Specifically it discusses conservatism in the American political landscape. The paper discusses how American conservatism has altered drastically since the end of World War II. It then looks at the cause of this alteration and where American conservatism is headed in the future.
From the Paper "In conclusion, conservatism in America takes many forms and ideals and blends them together to create social, political, and religious thought and action. Most conservatives do hold one tenet above all others, and that is personal liberty and responsibility. Born out of conservative roots, America may be a successful and powerful world government, with many liberal ideas and policies, but underneath it all, much of America conforms to conservative values and ideals - ideals that came to this country with the first British colonists, and have grown and flourished throughout American history."
Abstract This paper analyzes Shumann's work, "Carnaval". The author uses modulation analysis, chordal analysis as well as historical biography of Schumann's life to examine this piece of music. Charts are included.
From the Paper "Florestan and Eusebius were the two alter ego personalities that Schumann created in Carnaval. In the two pieces, "Eusebius" and ?Florestan,? Schumann's use of harmony shows true instability in each personality. Each represented a different aspect of Schumann's own personality and took on a character of its own, both in Schumann's mind as well as in his music. In the two selections from Carnaval, Schumann uses harmonies and tempos to depict the two personalities. This study will serve to show the contrasting features of each alter ego through an examination in harmony and tempo. This study will look into the effectiveness of the chordal structure and tempo changes and how they represent each alter ego personality."
Abstract This paper presents arguments for and against genetically altered plants. Those for the idea list benefits such as plants being stronger and less prone to insects, while those against say that the plants would taste worse and might be more prone to giving off allergens. It also looks at current trends in this practice and legislation governing it.
From the Paper "The issue of whether we should allow genetically altered plants to be cultivated in the United States has been in the news lately. As with most controversial ideas, there are two sides.
"Proponents of the idea see several good reasons for proceeding with such projects. According to Hopkin (2001), one goal would be to breed plants more resistant to insects. This would reduce the need to use toxic chemicals to control those pests. Researchers would insert only a few select genes. They point out that with cross-pollination, the old-fashioned way of creating new strains, thousands of new genes are introduced to a plant at once. They believe the level of control would both aid research and promote safety."
Abstract Discusses how the HIV/AIDS epidemic altered the gay community. Public perceptions toward homosexuality and fear of the disease. Politicization of AIDS by gay acitvists. Engagement in risky sexual practices by ethnic groups. Examines the effect of the AIDS crisis on severalt groups, including the leather community, the Latino population.
From the Paper "The impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic has affected many sectors of society and has especially altered the gay community. Because of the epidemic, the public perceptions towards homosexuality have been transformed by the fear of the disease. In their struggle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, mainly white gay members of the community have rallied together and politicized their presence. However, minority ethnic groups such as the African Americans and Latino continue to engage in risky sexual practices. In this paper, the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on different groups will be described and examined.
According to different polls to assess public attitudes towards the gay population during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it appears that the public had not altered their opinions on certain issues because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The public ..."
Abstract The computer age has produced renewed debate pertaining to questions of freedom and speech, as opposed to censorship. This discussion ventures to explain how the advent of the so-called Information Age does not really alter the dynamics of a longstanding question, or rather a set of questions, that have been basic to political theory among other of the social sciences. Two articles selected from The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, on radically different topics, help to reveal certain approaches to all questions of communications, the media, and the 'post-modern' age, within academic research. These materials are examined en route to sections that focus directly on issues of the internet and freedom of expression.
Abstract This essay argues that the influence of the media can alter the judicial process and discusses examples from the O.J. Simpson trial, and the Thomas Blanton trial. The essay determines that the public does have a right to know about the criminal justice system in America; however, the media is responsible for providing information that elucidates the process without sensationalizing the trial or judicial proceedings.
Abstract This essay examines racism from the perspective of a black man through an analysis of Brent Staples' essay "A Black Man Ponders His Power To Alter Public Space".
Abstract This paper explains that James Lasdun is one writer who seems fascinated with the idea of repression; many of the stories in his book "Besieged" deal with the subject of repression. The author points out that the story, "Ate/Menos or the Miracle", shows how repression can be a means of finding freedom from controls. The paper concludes that Lasdun seems to be suggesting that the ego is a necessary means of control and that, when the man gains freedom through his alter ego, he actually loses all freedom because he is no longer in control of himself.
From the Paper "In "Ate/Menos or The Miracle" the main character finds himself mistaken for another man by an older woman. He chooses to make use of the mistaken identity and assumes the identity of the other man for his own selfish reasons. Essentially, assuming the identity of the other man allows him to fulfill his basic wants and desires and sleep with the woman. It is not coincidence that Lasdun chooses an older woman for the story, since sexual repression is often regarded as being related to an individual's parents. As one source notes, "Freud believes that psychopathological symptoms often result from repressed sexual and aggressive feelings about one's parents". In choosing to sleep with the woman, the woman actually becomes a replacement mother figure for the man. The desire to sleep with her combines with seeing her as a mother figure. This results in the inner conflict, where the man's instincts are harming the ego. The harmful impulse that occurs is the man's desire to sleep with his mother. Since this impulse is harmful to his ego, it becomes repressed so that the man does not allow it to enter consciousness."
Abstract This essay reviews the article "Altered cholesterol metabolism in Niemann-Pick type C1 mouse brains affects mitochondrial function" published in J. Biol. Chem. This paper provides a short overview of the significance of cholesterol and past published results. After the results of the research from the title article are presented, the further research ideas are given.
From the Paper "Cholesterol is a sterols, a member of very important group of lipid alcohols. It can be found in the tissues of all vertebrates, but it only rarely occurs in considerable quantities in higher plants. The most common sterolss in the plant membranes are stigmasterols and b-sitosterols. Their structures are similar to that of cholesterol. The major difference is the structure of the aliphatic side chain bonded to the fused rings. Cholesterol's excess is generally associated with the formation of the plaques in the arteries, which cause them to clog. "
