Abstract This paper looks at Plato's writing "Apology" and how it addresses the question of the morality of following or breaking laws. The writer asks whether it is immoral to break a law or if it only becomes immoral once the law broken also breaks a moral code. This question is discussed and analyzed in detail with reference to Plato's teachings.
From the Paper "The law is a code created by man, with this code attempting to represent what is right and what is wrong. Yet there is sometimes a gap between what the law sees as wrong and what is morally wrong. Just as man is fallible, the laws created are fallible. This is recognized in Plato's Apology where Socrates says that, "human wisdom has little or no value" (Plato, Apology 23a). The fact that laws change over time is also a reflection of this, since if laws were definitely correct, they would remain fixed. In the end, an individual must distinguish between what is morally correct and what is lawfully correct. Socrates says that he would ?...run any risk on the side of law and justice rather than join you, for fear of prison or death, when you were engaged in an unjust course? (Plato, Apology 32b). This is Socrates statement showing he selects the morally correct path, rather than the morally incorrect path that the law dictates. In Crito it is described how the good moral path is the path that must be taken, "the most important thing is not life, but the good life... And the good life, the beautiful life, and the just life are the same" (Plato, Crito 48b)."
Abstract The poem "Break, Break, Break" is a powerful expression of bereavement and irrecoverable loss. It was written by Lord Alfred Tennyson, probably in 1834, following the sudden death of his very close friend, Arthur Hallam, the previous year. This paper proves a critical analysis of the poem taking into account form, style and language and the ways in which these contribute to the expression of feeling.
From the Paper "In the first stanza, Tennyson is so paralysed by the grief he is feeling that he cannot find the words to express and release his emotions even though he wants to. 'And I would that my tongue could utter/The thoughts that arise in me'. The second and third stanzas give way to external influences on Tennyson's feelings - such as the fisherman's boy and what he sees on the water - and are framed by his very internal emotions in his address to the sea in stanzas one and four. This circular structure of the poem creates the imagery of the circle of life and the inevitability of old age and death."
Abstract This essay addresses communism in the USSR, and why it was doomed to fail. Reasons behind the break-up of the USSR are discussed as well as Mikhail Gorbachev's structural overhaul, Glasnost and Perestroika and the effects of these policies. Lastly, the paper addresses why the USSR break-up occurred relatively peacefully.
From the Paper "The seeds of disintegration of the Soviet Union were sown even as it formally began in 1922. Even as the shift to communism was made through the barrel of a gun, numerous individuals, ethnic groups and organizations such as the mainstream churches resisted their new communist masters. And while their resistance was stifled by violent and brutal measures, such as occurred in 1956 in Hungary and in 1965 in Czechoslovakia, resistance to communism continued, albeit underground. Like a festering boil in which pressure builds up over time, resistance to the central communist authorities in Moscow, within Russia and ultimately throughout the Soviet Empire, increased steadily. "
Tags: communism, glasnost, gorbachev, perestroika, soviet, union
Abstract This paper opens with the full text of Seamus Heaney's poem "Mid-Term Break," after which the writer details the poet's unique style of writing. This paper discusses Heaney's use of iambic pentameter in the text, which serves as the sound structure for this particular poem. This paper examines Heaney's use of emotion, rhythm and literary imagery to convey the feeling of sadness throughout the poem. The writer of this paper also breaks down each line and stanza while clearly describing the author's intention.
From the Paper "In the first sentence, the speaker relates spending a whole morning in a college infirmary as bells outside sound the end of classes. The speaker states, "I sat all morning in the college sick bay." This first image shows the speaker as sympathetic rather than dispassionate. The fact the speaker spent "all morning in the college sick bay" indicates some sort of hardship, either physical or mental, resulting in that person's inability or lack of desire to move to a more comfortable location, such as a dorm room or cafeteria. This also introduces the concept of the speaker as an alienated character. The term "sick bay" connotes not only sickness but also contagion and quarantine. Also, the speaker was, "Counting bells knell classes to a close," suggesting a pessimistic, darkly shaded outlook. The word "knell" denotes "to ring slowly and solemnly, especially for a funeral...A signal of disaster or destruction" (American Heritage), thus adding a mournful tone to the poem reflected by the speaker spending the morning isolated in a college sick bay."
Abstract Forty years ago women in "high places" virtually didn't exist. Women physicians and lawyers, for example, were so rare that finding one caused comment and sometimes consternation. That is no longer true, of course, and leaders agree that the glass ceiling is not as strong as it once was. This paper shows that women have entered all areas of business and make up 50% of management positions, yet few women are in positions of leadership. Naturally, everybody wonders why women, in spite of their struggles, don't seem to be reaching the top. Many people argue that discrimination is the cause of women's failure to break through the glass ceiling, but this paper argues that discrimination, although still present, is not the main source of the problem.
Paper Outline:
Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling: What's Stopping Women?
What is the Glass Ceiling?
Communication Styles and the Glass Ceiling
Coping with the Glass Ceiling
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "A good mentor helps to establish contacts, develops networking, uncovers job opportunities, gives appropriate guidance, and acts as cheerleader, coach, and critic, but allows autonomy and independence at the same time. In fact, it may be an advantage for a woman to have a male mentor. A man can give insight into how a man thinks and makes decisions. Not that women should think like men, but they do need to understand how men think in order to communicate with them better. A well-connected mentor is important for any rising executive. A mentor can explain the political structure and offer guidance for effective maneuvering."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses Wal-Mart's legal loss in a suit in Pennsylvania regarding work breaks and off the clock labor. The writer explores the legal issue and examines the law that applies. Further, the writer presents an analysis of the case. The writer concludes that the weakness of Wal-Mart's case, despite its insistence it will appeal, is further underlined by the fact that it could not deny that some employees were not compensated for their breaks. The writer also notes that Wal-Mart maintains that there should be less of a financial settlement given to the wronged employees than was ultimately awarded.
From the Paper "For example, according to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act as well as Pennsylvania law, overtime pay should equate to one and a half times an employee's regular rate of pay for all hours worked over forty hours during a regular workweek. However, because many Wal-Mart employees were forced to work more than the regular workweek, but because they were not officially on the clock, their extra labor was disregarded in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. It should be noted that a state could have more stringent or additional labor standards regarding the fair treatment of workers, but not less stringent standards than the federal government. The workers sued under Pennsylvania rather than federal law, but regardless of the venue, Wal-Mart's practices regarding overtime were in violation of both federal and state standards regarding overtime."
Abstract In this article, the writer first looks at the immediate circumstances in which Henry VIII first conceived the idea of divorce from Catherine. The paper then points out that there were also other surrounding factors that must be taken into consideration when considering whether Henry VIII's break with Rome really was driven by Henry's sole desire for divorce. The paper points out that some scholars say the role of Cardinal Wolsey, the king's advisor, was crucial in so far as he supposedly suggested the plan to the King himself; some point to the influence of Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon on his decisions; still others believe that the broader force of anti-clericalism ultimately played an important part since it helped transform a mere issue of divorce into one of a conflict between Church and State. The paper concludes that despite all these important factors, the chief factor for the break with Rome can be found with Henry himself and in his undoubted passion for Anne whose role in shoring up Henry's affection towards her and determination for the cause was far from unimportant in a desire that resulted in England rejecting the authority of the papacy.
Outline:
Introduction
The Strength of Henry's Desire
The Influence of Anne Boleyn
The Place of Anti-clericalism
Conclusions
From the Paper "More fundamentally, it is questionable whether the Cardinal himself really did have intentions to become Pope. When Wolsey did obtain a position as a Cardinal in Rome, he frequently absented himself away from the place, even declining recommendations that he should go for his own benefit. Following accusations that his titular Church of St Cicilia was involved with embezzlement, he hardly exuded an air of concern about this as reflecting badly on his character and hence his potential candidacy. Nor did he make any serious attempt at cultivating a network of people on whom he could rely when it came to electing a Pope. Realistically, there was only one influential supporter, Campeggio, an acquaintance merely by virtue of him being a legate in England. Otherwise, Wolsey half-heartedly looked to minor figures that could not be expected to hold real clout. Even Silvestro Gigli, a diplomat, was treated rather indifferently in the role of go-between with Rome, so that Gigli was frequently moved to complain that Wolsey was not keeping him, and thus Rome, informed about developments in England."
Tags: Anne, Boleyn, Catherine, of, Aragon, marriage
Abstract This paper discusses how, after break-up of the Yugoslav state, many explanations and theories have been put forward; some plausible, others merely a product of propaganda or ignorance of the true underlying issues. It looks at how one explanation has been that the lack of a strong, unifying leader, combined with the long-standing ethnic hatred amongst the groups, led unavoidably to the break-up. The paper also examines how others argue that unscrupulous, power-hungry politicians manipulated the masses to their own ends. In addition, the paper discusses how it has been put forward that part of the blame must be laid at the door of the international community, whose actions, at best haphazard and at worst negligent, have certainly lengthened and exacerbated the conflict.
From the Paper "An alternative theory argues that the conflict was cunningly engineered by politicians like Milosevic and Trudjman, attempting to gain power in the vacuum left after Tito . They argue that the break-up of Yugoslavia wasn't inevitable; on the contrary, these people had peacefully co-existed for decades, and that Yugoslavia was "deliberately and systematically killed off by men who had nothing to gain and everything to lose" . To substantiate their claim, they point to the manipulation by Milosevic of Serb nationalism and the local media, using propaganda and scare-mongering as tactics to create a "greater Serbia". Not to be outdone, Trudjman in Croatia employed similar methods."
Abstract The paper examines Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman's "First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently", which tells managers to place their employees in situations where they can be successful and thereby create a much more productive working environment. The paper highlights the superiority of this work over another popular management book called "The One Minute Manager", by Kenneth H. Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. The paper opines that "First, Break All the Rules" is an excellent source for any manager who wishes to discover how to get the most out of his or her employees.
From the Paper "The book First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently, by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman, is a new look at the business world and it gives new managerial techniques that have not been used in past generations. Perhaps most importantly, this book tells managers to focus on their employees' strengths and attempt to get the most out of them, rather than placing them in situations where their weaknesses will be exploited. This is done in order to get the most out of every employee, which will make the work environment much more productive. This book is an excellent source for any manager who wishes to discover how to get the most out of his or her employees. This is especially important for small businesses, as they have far less room for error."
Abstract This paper analyzes several of the key points from the book "First Break All the Rules" by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. The author provides insight as to the current and immediate future business environment in relation to this book's message and usefulness.
Abstract This paper discusses "First, Break All the Rules" by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman and analyzes twelve questions that can indicate the strength of a workplace.
Abstract This paper explains that, in his book "Breaking the News: How the Media Undermine American Democracy", James Fallows criticizes the modern American media for being out of touch with the people it claims to serve and asserts that the media often has a harmful effect on the American political process by creating an undertone of sensationalism and cynicism and by not informing readers of the substance of issues. The author points out that Fallows sees increasing laziness in journalists as a dangerous trend; recent technological breakthroughs, such as internet database Nexis, allow journalists to access a great deal of background information on any subject without having to leave their desk. The paper concludes that overall the book presents a good argument but, because some of the main points of the book were not sufficiently backed by concrete facts, the book falls short of its intended goal.
From the Paper "Fallows struggles with this vagueness throughout the book. Often, he uses terms such as "almost never," "barely," and the above "more often," are bandied about with no reference citations to numbers behind them. This is perhaps an inherent flaw in the book. It is hard to be specific in an argument that there is a lack of something. Fallows asserts that most political reporting focuses on power struggles above substantive studies of issues. However, he does not give a percentage as to how much one type of story occurs more than the other. This issue is one of the main points of his book, yet he offers no references that could be used to bolster his claim. Thus, one of his main arguments is severely weakened."
This paper discusses human capital management in today's information- and service-oriented society as presented in the book "First, Break All the Rules" by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman.
Abstract This paper explains that "First, Break all the Rules" by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman discusses the Gallup Organization's efforts to provide a "measuring stick" in identifying and determining the factors that influence and reasons that lead to not only employee retention but also increased employee efficiency and performance. The author points out that Buckingham and Coffman directly linked employee retention and efficiency with employee satisfaction, which leads to a larger management concept identified as "human capital". The paper stresses that the importance of human capital is parallel to the emergence and development of brand imaging so prevalent in contemporary business practices.
From the Paper "Applied in the context of today's information- and service-oriented industries, the manager becomes even more significant because it is s/he who handles tasks that inspires the employee to do his/her best in her work and become loyal to the company s/he works in. Handling human capital is trickier nowadays, since "a great deal of a company's value now lies 'between the ears of its employees'...this means that when someone leaves a company, he takes his value with him-more often than not, straight to the competition." It is the employees' ideas, talent, and expertise that have greater weight than the company's products and services."
Abstract This paper analyzes the film "Point Break" directed by Kathryn Bigelow. It focuses on how the film appeals to male fantasies by portraying a protagonist whose concept of masculinity appears frozen in a never-never land of adolescent fun and games.
From the Paper "Although directed by a female Kathryn Bigelow the film "Point Break" is pure male fantasy that provides male viewers with a concept of masculinity that is frozen in adolescence. It is unlikely female viewers would wish to forge a ..."
Abstract In this article, the writer studies Martin Luther's reasons for breaking with the Church of Rome. The writer examines Luther's self-questioning of his own fitness for salvation. In this paper, the writer discusses Luther's criticisms of the political and financial corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. The writer also looks at the Protestant Reformation.
From the Paper "There are two conventional views of history. One view sees great men and women as the agents of historical changes, the other view of history is that events shape the circumstances in which the major players emerge. Both of course, have their validity and in fact we need to use both points of view to understand an event as important as the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther broke away from the Roman Catholic Church gradually in a series of events and decisions that he ... "
