Abstract This paper presents information to support the theory of evolution. The author attempts to debunk creationism as a theory through an examination of bone structure of the Neanderthal. The paper offers a basic scientific look at evolution.
From the Paper "In the twentieth century one of the most heated and perhaps futile debates is whether man was created in a single moment by a supreme deity or if man is simply a highly evolved specimen of billions of years of evolution. In the last one hundred years, scientific evidence of hominid evolution has amassed as scientists have begun to excavate more sites containing mesmerizing archeological findings. Bones of such infamous hominids like Lucy, the Peking Man, and Neanderthals have increased understanding and awareness of our hominid ancestors, which have only fueled the fire for debate among Creationists and Evolutionists. While many sound arguments concerning these findings have been raised, many more invalid claims have emerged which lack the validity and scientific evidence but have nevertheless become a staple in Creationist reasoning."
Abstract The paper looks at "Debunking Myths about Marriages and Families" where the authors, Mary Ann Schwartz and Barbara Marliene Scott, argue against five specific beliefs that dominate American cultural views on the institution of marriage and the nuclear family. The paper goes through these five myths and posits that, with the exception of one argument, the authors present very persuasive arguments that are logically sound and devoid of any obvious logical fallacies, reliance on emotionally loaded terms, or any other apparent faulty reasoning.
Outline:
Introduction
Myth # 1 - The Universal Nuclear Family
Myth # 2 - The Self-Reliant Family
Myth # 3 - The Naturalness of Different Spheres for Wives and Husbands
Myth # 4 - The Unstable African American Family
Myth # 5 - The Idealized Nuclear Family of the 1950s
From the Paper "Schwartz and Scott (2000) take on the proverbial notion that the concept of family is necessarily defined only the way it has been presented in the U.S. mainstream culture. The authors suggest that family is more accurately defined much more broadly than by the image of one man and one woman married for life and raising children together. Instead, they argue that any survey of cultures worldwide would reveal very different expectations of what a family is and that the description commonly accepted in this particular part of the world represents only one of many models evident in human culture."
This paper cites that the 'revolutionary' nature of Lutheran thought is identified as stemming from the comprehensive nature of the attack on established doctrine.
Abstract This paper explores the content of Lutheran thought as a fundamental reason for its impact, especially focussing on the 1520 articles. The state of the Pre-Reformation Church is examined and debunks the myth of past religious 'golden ages' in the appeal of Lutheranism.
From the Paper "Many factors can be seen as having contributed to the raging torrent of Reformation thought initiated by the ideas and actions of Martin Luther: the involvement of Humanism in the early stages of the development and distribution of the "word", the central importance of the Imperial cities, the part played by an array of individuals such as Melancthon, Bucer, Zwingli, and even the well-meaning Karlstadt, various coincidental events occuring at vital stages of Luther's career, and of course the latent energies to be found within the writings of "the wild boar in the vineyard" as well as the personal qualities of Luther which were so fundamental to the seeding, growth and spread of Reformation thought. As such they could be viewed as "tributaries", the wellsprings of which were numerous and complex. As a result of the variety of explanations available, one must be attentive of the historiographical debates which exist, differences of opinion which highlight the grand scale of the European, let alone the ?German Reformation.? The subleties expressed by the varying authorities on the reasons for the extraordinary impact of Lutheran theology - historians such as Cameron, Ozment, Mcgrath, Moeller and Brady - do not necessarily need cause confusion, for their differences arise from differing interpretations which enlighten rather than enshroud. Furthermore, they fundamentally agree that the hammer-blow Luther's ideas had upon the Christian church derived on the one hand from the comprehensive nature of his attack upon the various abuses of the church, which resonated with a background of concerns expressed for generations. Additionally, he attacked the church at its foundation with the 1520 pamphlets, at the very heart of the theological justification which bestowed upon it a unique spiritual status, a status which had made it appear unassailable in past times. Luther therefore offered an alternative route to the salvation of the soul; the paraphernalia of the Catholic church which were so often at the root of its abuses were rendered obsolete, many of its sacraments exposed as the artificial constructions of man. On the other hand, commentators have been keen to point out that the political and social climate of Germany was of paramount importance to the success and extent of the impact of Lutheran thought on all stratas of society, as epitomised by the Knight's Revolt of 1522, the Peasant's Revolt of 1525, and the Princely resistance to the beleaguered Charles V which culminated in the Peace of Augsburg 1555, conceded beneath the triumphant banner of ?cuius regio, eius religio.? One must firstly be mindful of the traditional complaints made against the Catholic church in the ages pre-Luther and the external threats which faced it in order to grasp the sense of continuity which is vital in attributing too much of the "revolutionary" to the events of the early 16th century. The myth of past religious "golden ages" must also be dispelled, and credit be apportioned to the means of transmission so vital to the success of the Reformation - the printing press."
Abstract This paper examines "Lies My Teacher Told Me" and shows it as an expose? on high school history books and the tremendous amount of misinformation they contain. The author studied the contents of twelve published high school history textbooks, debunks many of the myths contained in them, and in the process, transforms history from a bland recounting of two-dimensional people into an exciting exploration of the good and bad humankind has done in its history.
From the Paper "In twelve chapters, Loewen demonstrates how the authors of high school textbooks distort history to the point that much of what the books contain is essentially untruthful. He has chapters on how writers make boring heroes out of interesting historical people; what roles Christopher Columbus actually did and did not play in history; the real truth about how the United States has treated its native indigenous peoples; the subtle forms racism has taken in history books; the ways efforts to foster racial equality have been left out; how completely the textbooks ignore social class no matter how important its impact on history; systematically-taught misinformation about the Federal government; how incompletely recent American history is covered or even left out; the facts about American history left out in order to present the history of the United States in an unreal but positive way; how history textbooks came to be so incomplete, inaccurate and distorted; and the harm that comes from teaching sanitized, politically-correct versions of history to students who have no way of intelligently questioning what they read. He argues that the sanitization of history means that students cannot see any relationship between cause and effect in history."
Abstract Michael Grant's "Cleopatra" is an interesting read both in terms of subject matter and style. Cleopatra was a powerful woman who, while reigning in Alexandria, Egypt, had affairs with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. Traditional history has tended to superficially dismiss her as a powerful seductress. While Grant's book is written in an academic style, it helps debunk the common misperception regarding Cleopatra and demonstrates that she was a skilled administrator who attempted to salvage Egypt from Roman domination.
Abstract The paper points out the costs of shoplifting to everyone and offers some reasons as to why many retailers avoid the subject of shoplifting. The author explores some of the technological solutions used for combating shoplifters. The author believes that employees can create a climate were shoplifting is effectively deterred.
Abstract A critical analysis of the book "Women and Men on the Overland Trail", John Mack Faragher which debunks the myth of history presented from a genderized view.
Abstract This paper examines the role of the "unwed mother" in respect to the social welfare system. This paper debunks the myth that unwed mothers are an inherent drain on the welfare system and that the benefits to these individuals should be reduced or eliminated to motivate these individuals to work.
Abstract This paper discusses how E.M Foster's novel, "Howard's End", is an attempt to debunk the gender roles of his era. It explains how this novel is considered to be the best of the author's work as a symbolic exploration of the social, economic, and philosophical forces in England in the first half of the 20th century. Foster uses three English families of different classes to explore the competing ideals of materialism, intellectualism, and aspiration. It shows how Foster, through the depiction of the female characters, claims that gender is a social creation and that gender roles are relative to each period and can be studied in their historical context.
From the Paper "How do we conceive of ourselves as embodied beings? How do we come to have a realization of our gendered existence? These are some of the most significant questions in human history. Today scholars and historians believe that gender identity does not exist as primordially and externally fixated but is invented, created, resisted and subverted the fulcrum of multiple identities. So enmeshed is gender in this axis that differences such as race, class, caste and community may be steeped in and spoke through the language of sexual difference. Thus the question of invention of identity is also a question of power wherein gender becomes the signifier of power differences. Gender differences are not modern phenomena it has existed in ancient times and throughout history, the sexual differences were common in Roman, Greek and Egyptian civilization. Even in the mythic stories of Gilgamesh, Norse myths, Code of Hammarabi, Egyptians stories, Iliad, Homer, Arabian Nights and many more depict the sexual differences. Men and women are presented in different ways, assigned different roles and have specific characters."
Abstract In 1991, Marilyn Young authored "The Vietnam Wars: 1945-1990". Although the book is considered a general history book on the theme of Vietnam War, it has a major slant and is not an unbiased, objective approach to the war by any means. This paper shows that, in short, the book debunks the belief by those in power at the time, such as George Bush, Sr., that America has ?finally kicked the 'Vietnam syndrome" or that the United States does all that it can not to get militarily involved with other political entities abroad. The paper explains that, by showing both the American and the Indochina sides of this military event, Young expresses that the war in Vietnam and other such activities contested the black-and-white conjectures that, in foreign policy, America always "meant well" and that Communism was always "bad."
From the Paper "She concludes that perhaps it is time to redefine the Vietnam syndrome. The term should no longer refer to the reluctance of the public to engage in war, but rather to the insistence of the present administration that the only cure for that long ago defeat is more war. As President Bush said in a December 2002 U.S. News & World Report interview: " ... it's very important for the American people to know my sentiments about military engagement, that I will use our military as a last resort and our first resort.... ""
Abstract The purpose of Kenneth Waltz's book, "Man, the State and War", is to debunk theories that do not locate the causes of war in the system. Unlike Morgenthau who does not believe international relations can change because human nature cannot change, Waltz believes that by changing the nature of the system, changes can be made in international relations. This paper discusses the three hypotheses, or "images", put forth by Waltz in his book. First, human nature is the cause of war; second, the causes of war are found within states, since domestic society conditions human behavior; and, finally, the causes of war lie within the international system because the nature of the system conditions state behavior.
From the Paper "The same holds true for international relations. Anarchy is the key characteristic of the international system and results from the absence of a central authority, a world government, for example, able to maintain order. Anarchy is not the same as chaos, which is an absence of order. In anarchy, order is a result of the interactions of states. However, order is not automatic. Waltz rejects the idea that a balance of power is inevitable, inherent or natural. Instead, states will use force to get what they want if they value that interest more than peace. This means that states engage in cost-benefit analyses and will choose war if they believe the benefits of a use of force outweigh its costs."
Abstract The Irish National Theater, established by W.B. Yeats, Lady Gregory, and others in 1897, sought to establish a theater that was distinctly Irish. This paper focuses on one of Lady Gregory's plays presented in the theater, "Spreading the News," which sought to debunk the drunken 'Irish Paddy' stereotype. A brief examination of "Spreading the News" shows how its author fulfills the Irish Theater's ambition of reinventing the way Irish people are perceived and treated on the stage.
From the Paper "Instead the Irish are characterized as backward, religiously superstitious, poor peasants with no education who speak an Irish-English dialect. Lady Gregory's play Spreading the News (1904) is a case in point. Gregory's characters are not noble, idealized figures. Rather, Gregory seems to perpetuate the stereotype of the comical, "blarney-speaking" country rube (Watt 23). But Gregory's characterization is not intended to make over or whitewash the Irish peasant. Her aim is to show the reality of the Irish people, deconstruct the way Irish characters are represented in the theatre, and celebrate their Irishness."
Abstract Dostoevsky, clearly an existentialist, focused much of his literary work on debunking nihilism. Because he believed that human natural could only be fully displayed through the supernatural, Dostoevsky fought the growing trend of applying scientific and rational thought to all aspects of the human experience. By examining some of his most important passages in his works, "Notes From the Underground", "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov", this paper displays the clear battle that the author fought during his literary career, ultimately culminating in the defeat of Ivan Karamazov in "The Brothers Karamazov".
From the Paper "Dostoevsky was concerned with the dangers of Nihilism. He believed that reason, while the prevalent thought in society, could do little to explain human nature. In so codifying human behavior and necessitating a need for predictable outcomes, Dostoevsky surmised that reason would overstep its own laws in a desire to curtail human nature and explain natural irrationality. He believed that predictions could do little to explain love, passion, personality, individuality; it could only offer a formula on how to suppress it. Rationality, along with industrialization, psychology, and capitalism, sought to replace free-choice for, as he would put it later, a loaf of bread."
Abstract Over seventy breeds of dogs regularly have their ears and tails cropped without medical benefit. There are many claims made by the people who perform this cruel surgery regarding the reasons why it should be done, however, this paper argues that their logic is flawed and easily debunked. It argues that, in reality, cropping ears and tails is not only unnecessary and not beneficial to the animal, but it is also dangerous and painful. Cropping the ears and tails of dogs is a bad practice which may lead to infection or other health problems and interferes with communication with other dogs and people.
From the Paper "Other dogs experience chronic pain and phantom sensations (like chronic itching) because of the cut nerves. The nerve damage can extend throughout the body and even effect the dog's ability to walk. Infection can lead to illness or death from the amputation. The ears become more prone to infection and infestation after they are cut because they are more exposed, and the immune system of the dog can be permanently damaged from the experience."
This paper discuses that significant and measurable reforms of the business regulatory need to be made to restore industry competitiveness and to maintain an invigorated economy.
Abstract This paper explains that the regulatory environment has become overgrown with over fifty-five federal regulatory agencies, which develop, implement and enforce a myriad of regulations and issue over 2,000 new rules issued every year, resulting in many unnecessary or poorly designed regulations, which are needlessly inefficient and expensive. The author points out that the U.S. spends more than any other industrialized nation on environmental regulations, which cost close to five percent of the nation's economic output and hampers the nation's competitiveness in the world economy. The paper relates the difficulty in resolving existing disagreements over the need for regulatory reform because (1) the contending parties often disagree about the need for a regulation and (2) in many cases, the data necessary for effective risk assessment, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, which are necessary for effective rule-making, often are ambivalent and incomplete, depending largely on assumptions and other subjective factors.
Table of Contents
Legal and Regulatory Reform: Objective and Findings From A Business Perspective
Introduction To Regulatory Environment
Economic Impact of Regulatory Expenses
Economic Impact of Tort Abuse
Regulatory Impact on the Consumer
Debunking The Myth of Big Brother and Big Business
Business Agenda on Regulatory Reform
Conclusion
From the Paper "Over the years, a number of comprehensive regulatory reform bills have been introduced in Congress addressing the principles of risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis. The Thompson-Levin bill, for example, is a bipartisan, bare-bones measure that has three principal provisions: It
First, the bill would require agencies to perform cost-benefit analyses and, if warranted accordingly, conduct risk assessments. Unlike the Republican bills from 1995, the cost-benefit analysis would simply provide information to the public and would not serve as a mandatory decisional criterion. Second, the bill would require each agency that has issued a major rule in the last 10 years to establish an advisory committee that would provide non-binding advice to the agency head about rules that should be considered for revision. The agency would not be under obligation to revise any rules that are studied by them. Section 624 of this bill would require each agency to perform a risk assessment at both the proposal and final rule stages, using only "reliable and reasonably available scientific information" in these assessments."
