Abstract This paper discusses the meaning and application of the term "cyborg." It argues that human beings who use the Internet, machines, pacemakers, heart implants or prosthetics are not cyborgs. Instead, it suggests that the contrary assertion is indicative of a corruption of language and thought as human beings enter the new world of 21st century neuronic technology. The paper analyzes this thesis and assertion.
From the Paper "It is both curious and instructive that the Greek origin of the word "organic" means "tool" or "instrument", hardly relevant to the current sense of "organic foods" or an organic lifestyle. In fact it construes closely to the definition of a cyborg, "a term condensed from 'cybernetic organism'...typically defined as an entity comprising organic as well as machine parts and information circuits" (Soufoulis, 2002, p.88). The definition co-opts the modern invasive meaning that enables Donna Haraway to "proclaim[s] the cyborg as an identity: "By the late twentieth century, our time, a mythic time, we are all chimeras, theorized and fabricated hybrids of machine and organism; in short we are cyborgs. The cyborg is our ontology; it gives us our politics" (Soufoulis, 2002, p.88)."
Abstract This paper details the published research relating to human communication analysis, based on intra-personal, interpersonal and group interaction. This paper details Gregory Bateson's perception and definition of second-order cybernetics which illustrates an interactive system wherein the individual is constantly in relation with his or her own social environment. This paper analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative realities objectified in the field of cybernetics. The writer of this paper contends and explains the manner in which cybernetics objectively looks into the social phenomenon of being studied, noting its nature and dynamics through subjective measures. This paper examines and explains the reasoning behind Bateson's cybernetics learning process, as detailed in his book "Steps to an Ecology of Mind." This paper also delves into Bateson's discovery which clearly identifies the processes involved while interacting with the self, another communicator and other people from varying cultures and with different values.
From the Paper "While in Learning I the individual is just learning and developing communication skills, in Learning II, s/he must now be able to identify acts and meanings that belong or do not belong to his/her culture. As exemplified earlier, distinguishing between the different actions in which agreement or disagreement are expressed is a manifestation of learning at the second level, where the communicator now commits action based on the context or situation s/he is in. Thus, when the individual is in a Middle Eastern society, it is essential to adopt the culture's communication action of agreement and disagreement, which is opposite to the individual's American culture and upbringing. These adjustments made by the communicator is an illustration of contextualization, the commitment of proper actions and meanings in an altogether different culture and society."
Abstract This paper discusses the article "A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century," by D. Haraway. The writer discusses what differentiates organic creatures from machines and describes how Haraway, through pointing out the differences and similarities between humanity and cyborgs, makes a compelling argument that humans are becoming more cyborg-like. Haraway then goes on to present the cyborg with all its negative aspects as the emerging face of feminism. The key argument against technology was its male dominated, capitalist image, and feminism, by embracing technology could enable women to dominate in their turn. The paper concludes that the ways of the cyborg could be exactly what is needed for the empowerment of the new feminist.
Outline:
Cyborg or Machine
Goodbye Gaia
From the Paper "One of the key differences between an organic creature and a machine is their source of power and how they come into existence. The only source of power for an organic is other organics. Biological beings cannot live with only machines in their lives. They must have other organics for sustenance. Organics cannot sustain themselves on machines or machine energy. In order to come into existence, an organic being must couple with another organic creature. They cannot be constructed, or fabricated...at least not yet. The key is that organics depend on other organics for life and to sustain life."
Abstract This paper is a review of Anthony McCreery's essay "Cybernetic Culture: An Analysis of the Impact of 'Cybernetic Films" and how McCreery analyzes whether these films can be used to understand contemporary culture.
From the Paper "Until recently, cybernetics has been confined to the realm of science and technological study. However, the impact of cybernetics, and more specifically second-order cybernetics, has gradually become apparent in areas such as mainstream film and literature. Popular movies such as "The Matrix", "Being John Malkovich", "Fight Club", and "The Terminator" illustrate the growing influence of cybernetic theory on popular culture. In his essay "Cybernetics and Culture: An Analysis of the Impact of "Cybernetic Films"", Anthony McCreery uses modern films to analyze whether or not cybernetics is an appropriate ideology for understanding contemporary culture."
Abstract This paper examines how both the philosophers Loyseau and Diderot offer philosophies that posit the inherent inequality, rather than the inherent equality of all human beings. It analyzes how the instinctive reaction to both of these individuals? philosophies thus might be to conflate or equate their two different notions of the nature of humanity, blurring the distinction between these two contemporaries. However, although neither man posits a view of human nature that might be palatable to a modern, Western reader, both distinctly differ in the emphasis of the nature of human inequality and how this should translate into a philosophy of government. It looks at how Diderot is primarily concerned with the internal differences of the human spirit and sensibility, while Loyseau is concerned with advancing a particular philosophy of human government.
From the Paper "Diderot's disparagement of the common mass of humanity who are simply not made to either appreciate or promote the advancement of culture is itself a product of a society in which few individuals received a full education on the level of basic literacy. Literacy much less cultural literacy, was rare, much less a basic inculcation in what we might call high culture. Diderot observed individuals who were only interested in surviving, in a very brute physical sense on a day-to-day basis, and assumed that these individuals were somehow lacking in interest in the advancement of culture. He observed the symptoms of an unequal, class-bound society and judged its symptoms to be an exhibition of the inherent nature of the majority of humanity."
Abstract The writer of this well-researched paper defines human nature as the full scale of human behavior that is believed to remain constant for long periods in time and does not differ in the context of the various cultures that are seen in the world. This paper examines various theories on human nature, in which each possesses a distinctive view on the subject, including that of Plato. According to Plato, there is an intellectual soul that is resident in the brain of an individual. This paper analyzes the topic of human nature by focusing on the opinions and theories of Thomas Hobbes and David Hume. Thomas Hobbes is considered one of the individuals responsible for the transition from the medieval way of thinking to the modern thought process in Great Britain. This paper touches on Hobbes' book "Leviathan" and his views on human nature which are very clear. Hobbes' conception of human nature is a mechanistic one. Hobbes contends that the study of the movements of the physical bodies would prove to be enough in explaining all that goes on in the universe. Hume's approach to human nature differs from that of Hobbes. Hume contends that we, as humans, can only make inferences on what would happen in the future by what we have experienced in the past. The writer contends that Hume progresses from there to say that we would be incorrect to believe that this knowledge and experience of the past is enough to justify what would happen in the future.
Table of Contents:
Hobbes
Limitations in Hobbes' View of Human Nature
Hume
Ethics of Reciprocity
References
From the Paper "There have been several theories that have been put forward on human nature and each of them possesses a distinctive view on human nature. The earliest views on human nature of substance come from Plato, whose thoughts on life were influenced by Socrates. In the view of Plato there is an intellectual soul that is resident in the brain of an individual and an appetitive beast that is to be found in the belly and genitals of the individual. The role of the former was in keeping the latter in check and over a period of time escape from this uncomfortable cohabitation by welcoming death. This dualist theory of Plato did have immense on the thoughts on human nature and that time and this influence can be seen in Christian theology with the Gospel of John. The extension of these beliefs of Plato on human nature had their influence on Descartes and led him to formulate the theory that man is made up of a soul that thinks and a body that is an extension of it."
Abstract This paper discuses the many facets of human capital strategy and its effect on organizations including methodologies for diagnosing an organization's human capital situation by using balanced scorecards, human capital modeling, benchmarking and metrics. The author reviews a human capital strategy for Wal-Mart as a hypothetical example demonstrating how the strategy, methodology and approach must be tailored to an individual organization. The paper presents best practice cases as a source of knowledge and expertise and stresses that human capital strategy is a must in today's organizations.
From the Paper "Human resources (HR )departments are undergoing a transformation in this century from entities that viewed people as being a cost to the organization to entities that recognize people as an asset to the organization."
Tags:human capital, human resources, strategy, methodology, approach, organizations, diversity, employee, retention, management, talent management, human capital management, human capital measurement, Ron Heifetz, Donald Laurie, balanced scorecard, HR, human c
Abstract This essay examines two aspects of Marx's philosophy; firstly, his view of human nature and, secondly, why he is critical of the ideas of human rights and political rights and emancipation. The paper argues that Marx's view of human nature underpins his thought and work and shows that Marx is critical of human rights and political rights and emancipation because he believes there to be a greater goal.
Abstract A look at the moral questions around human cloning. The author discusses the effects of mass media on views of cloning, the the religious and scientific questions centered around the topic and the influence that cloning has on society as a whole.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Media Representation of Cloning
Uniqueness and Individuality
Motivations Behind Cloning
The Mad Scientist
Religion on Cloning
Is Cloning Permissible
Crossing the Line
Science and Religion
Unstoppable Science
Who is the Parent
The Dangers in Cloning.
Cellular Problems
A Twist on Creation
Medical OK Human-Cloning No Way
Government Regulations
Anti-abortionists
Clone Animals Benefits Human.
The Human Factor
Being Human ? A Life Worth Living
Expectations
Immortality
Author's Opinions
Paradigms
Act/Result-based
Conclusions
Work Cited
From the Paper "In the near future, we will have to face the fact that the course of science will always win and inevitability cloning of human or at least the cloning of organs will be performed. The question is "is cloning human beings acceptable and where do we draw the line"? Cloning has sparked controversies over the past few years. With the race to map the DNA and its completion, it has steered up the imagination of our society of what to come. In this paper, we will discus how the mass media has influenced our views and values associated with a human life and the possibility of it being cloned. We will also look at the religious point of view as well as the science on this issue. We will take a quick look on how cloning has and will affect society along with what it is to be human. This technology is still new and a lot the following will be opinions, ideas and reflections on this issue. One must take them into consideration. If one simply jumps to a conclusion, then one is fool hearted and naive since it is still too early to make such a decision whether it is permissible to clone to clone human beings. There is simply no right or wrong answer, just a matter of moral, ethics and what you believe in. For decades, cloning has been a novelty of science fiction movies but with the resent development in biotechnology and the arrival of Dolly the cloned sheep, the possibility of cloning a human being came ever so close to reality."
Abstract The universal declaration of human rights is dissected in this paper in order to challenge the notion of human rights and religion interacting cohesively. The three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam and their opinions on human rights are carefully examined in this paper, as well as their differences and similarities regarding this issue. Several examples of said human rights violations are described in respect to these religions. This paper tries to find a balance between human rights and respect for religious belief , which depends on the most important human right, the right to choose.
From the Paper "Judaism, Christianity and Islam have much in common. All are, "founded on the eternal command to love one God, oneself, and all neighbors. Each tradition recognizes a canonical text as its highest authority- the Bible, the Torah and the Qur"an.? The similarities continue in delegating authority to officials to propagate the faith, the embracing of an expanding body to interpret and enforce the religion's decree, the presence of a refined legal structure (the canon law, Halakha and Shari?a) and the endeavor of each religion to imbue its religious, ethical and legal values into the daily lives of individuals and communities. Religious laws are not necessarily in breach of human rights so long as the freedom to choose religion or no religion is acknowledged. However, as has happened throughout history and even today, when religious laws are constructed by a state affecting all citizens, their option of a different or no religion becomes impossible."
A discussion of the role of human resource management within the office environment through a review of the book ?Human Relations: Interpersonal Job Oriented Skills? by Andrew Dubrin.
Abstract This paper examines how the human relations manager and human resources play a key role in the productivity of an office environment and how their role is one of quality control, as they guarantee that the efficiency of a work environment is not compromised by the inability of workers to co-operate. It discusses the theory put forward by Andrew Dubin in his book ?Human Relations: Interpersonal Job Oriented Skills?, that human resources functions are too expensive and that the key to successful human interaction is to be found in the psychological aspects of employees and social dynamics among employees. It describes how the book focuses a great deal of time on interpersonal skills training, as it is dedicated to improving interpersonal action in organizations.
From the Paper "The role of the human relations manager is usually broader in corporations where employees are unionized: there human relations managers are seen as more vital in that they negotiate compensation with union leaders and serve as management's diplomatic team in dealing with the elected representatives of skilled laborers. Often managers responsible for working with small teams of union laborers in larger corporations lack the authority to change the nature of workers? positions because they lack the authority, or because contractual constraints restrict these workers? roles."
Abstract The objective of this paper is to further explore the concept of human rights. A particular focus will be placed on the question of whether or not the imposition of western human rights values on non-western traditions constitutes a form of imperialism. At the root of the issue, it seems is the issue of what should weigh more, human rights or state sovereignty. In the end, of course, there is no definitive answer to this question. What it can, and will, do, however, is look at the dynamics of human rights in the international arena and comment on whether western rhetoric on human rights is in the sphere of imperialism, or neo-imperialism.
Abstract Human behavior has been studied for thousands of years, yet researchers still find interesting aspects of human behavior to study. It is the complexities, still somewhat beyond comprehension, that leave the exploration of human beings as the true 'final frontier'. This paper discusses just an infinitesimal portion of the plethora of research on the interesting topic of human behavior. This original research ranges from the study of the ontogeny of serial order behavior in humans to an examination of the theory of planned behavior in the exercise domain.
From the Paper "The study of human emotional response to changing circumstances is interesting, especially the study of why certain individuals are happier than average over time. Lucas and Baird (2004) utilized seven studies to verify their hypothesis and found that ?the moderate correlation between extraversion and positive affect is one of the strongest and most consistent findings in the study of personality psychology.? However, more research should be performed specifically with more varied age groups."
Tags:human, memory, sampling, socioeconomic, groups
Abstract Geography, as a science, has two main branches--physical geography and human geography. This paper examines how, while physical geography deals with all aspects related to the environment, human geography handles much more sensitive issues, such as how the human being, as an individual and in a group, blends into the environment he lives in and how certain processes develop within such a group. It also looks at how more specifically, human geography is concerned with such aspects as political, economical, social or demographic geography, anything related to human activity and evolvement in a geographic context.
From the Paper "In terms of social geography as part of human geography, perhaps no other book exemplifies the traditional human relations and traditions still existing in Gabon, part of Western Africa, nowadays. If we consider Africa and Gabon, as an integrant part of the African continent, we may point out towards three separate historical periods that determine local cultural geography. These are pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial .
One of the characteristics of African culture, including Gabonese traditions, is the fact that while historically and temporarily, the countries of Africa belong to the 21st century, in many cases, the tribal traditions have persisted in many regions and these clearly belong to pre-colonial times."
Abstract In this article, the writer declares that early proponents of natural law argued that people have common sense and are born with an intuitive knowledge of right and wrong. This paper discusses that human rights are those rights that are based on human nature. The writer examines how human rights grew from natural rights. It argues that conceptions of right and wrong are not based on an unchanging, eternal order, but are negotiable; that is, open to revision as the years go by and times change. It is seen, for example, how women and children have used natural rights arguments to gain rights that formerly were denied them.
The writer concludes that human rights have evolved from natural law and natural rights and that human rights are intimately connected to morality and ethics.
Outline:
Introduction
Natural Law and the Concept of Rights
Changing the Law in Response to a New Moral Awareness
Human Rights for Women
Juvenile Death Penalty
Rights versus Utilitarianism
Conclusion
From the Paper "More than anyone else the philosopher John Locke influenced the shape and form of democracy in the United States. He argued that human beings have certain fundamental rights, which governments cannot take away. He argued that no individual has a natural right to rule over others, and that a person's natural state is a state of freedom. Freedom, he explained, was not the same as license or permission to do whatever one wants; rather, freedom is based on the "law of reason which places precise limits on our behavior". Not everyone is able to enjoy their natural rights because other people and the government sometimes violate them; therefore, Locke suggested that men assemble and choose leaders who can be trusted to protect their natural rights. The primary function of government ought to be to protect the natural rights of its citizens, to protect citizens from other states, and to establish and maintain internal order. He suggested that oppressive governments (governments that had broken trust with the people) could, and should, be overthrown; in other words, sometimes, revolution is justified--especially if the government violates the natural rights of its citizens. In questions where natural rights are not the issue, then the will of the majority should prevail. His ideas profoundly inspired the Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence; moreover, the Constitution was written mainly to protect the people's rights from government interference, to insure internal order, and to establish defense."
