Abstract This paper examines looks at by James E Lovelock's Gaiahypothesis whose premise is that the entire planet evolves over time because of the interaction of living things with their surrounding environment. It describes the hypothesis in some detail and provides background information. This is followed by a discussion contrasting Lovelock's claims with those of his critics and proffers an approach toward reconciliation.
From the Paper "Earth's atmosphere is not in a state of chemical equilibrium. It is full of gases that have an affinity for each other. Oxygen, nitrogen, and methane exist in sizable quantities, and left to their own devices, would quickly interact to form a new atmosphere of inert gases, very much like Mars' atmosphere (Margulis and Lovelock, p. 13(2)). So the persistent presence of uncombined methane, nitrogen, and oxygen in the atmosphere is strong evidence that something is replenishing these gases as fast as they naturally interact."
This essay is a review of James Lovelock's book "The Ages of Gaia." Written for a Geology class, this paper compares the Creation Theory to the Evolution Theory, and how God could have had a part in the formation of the Earth.
2,042 words (approx. 8.2 pages), 1 source, 2000, $ 64.95
Abstract This is a critical essay on the concept of Gaia (the earth being one living breathing organism) as put forth by James Lovelock in his book, "The Ages of Gaia". The author addresses three questions put forth by Lovelock: What would the Universe be like without God? How can we use the concept of God as a way to look at the Universe and ourselves? How can we use the concept of Gaia as a way to understanding God? Through these questions, the author gives us her own opinion regarding the co-existence of both God and Gaia.
From the Paper ""Gaia is a religious as well as a scientific concept, and in both spheres it is manageable. Theology is also a science, but if it is to operate by the same rules as the rest of science, there is no place for creeds or dogma. By this I mean theology should not state that God exists and then proceed to investigate his nature and his interactions with the Universe and living organisms. Such an approach is prescriptive, presupposes his existence, and closes the mind to such questions as: What would the Universe be like without God? How can we use the concept of God as a way to look at the Universe and ourselves? How can we use the concept of Gaia as a way to understanding God? Belief in God is an act of faith and will remain so. In the same way, it is otiose to try to prove that Gaia is alive. Instead, Gaia should be a way to view the Earth, ourselves, and our relationships with living things" (Lovelock 194). In this passage, Lovelock states that the concept of Gaia is both religious and scientific. I agree with him, but not under the same terms. In this essay, I will contend Lovelock's assumptions and propose new ideas for thought, with an interconnection between God and Gaia, instead of keeping them as separate principles. "
An examination of the Gaia theory which maintains that soon after the formation of life, organisms began to change the environment, as well as adapt to this environment.
1,237 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 6 sources, 2001, $ 42.95
Abstract Gaia and the plate tectonics; is the Earth alive?
This paper examines the Gaia theory that has emerged concerning the earth, its formation, and the living and non living creatures that adorn it. The paper also examines plate tectonics, living organisms, formation of water, etc.
Tags: earthquakes, plate, tectonics, earth, gaia, water
This paper looks that the Efficient Market Hypothesis, Stock market and investment procedures and how investors should act within the market, also answering key questions such as the definition and explanation of the concept of an Efficient Stock Market.
2,150 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 15 sources, 2002, $ 80.95
Abstract This paper looks that the Efficient Market Hypothesis, Stock market and investment procedures and how investors should act within the market, also answering key questions such as the definition and explanation of the concept of an Efficient Stock Market. Also addresses the approach (active or passive) that equity fund managers operating in advanced capitalist countries should adopt.
Tags: BUSINESS / MARKETING AND ADVERTISING, efficient market hypothesis
Abstract This paper discusses the hypothesis of Richard Blauner as it relates to the Hispanic culture in the United States. It discusses the ideas of immigrants and colonization and their effects on the races that exist in America. It further demonstrates that Blauner's ideas are still relevant in the social make-up of the US, and that his theories can be applied to the hindrances placed on the races within the country.
From the Paper "Most Hispanics residing within the United States have voluntarily immigrated into American society. Therefore, according to Richard Blauner, these individuals will possess a greater chance of survival because they are capable of offering knowledge and skills to the societal order. Blauner states that, when this is the case, immigrants are better equipped to meet Americans on an equal societal footing. This is in opposition to races that are considered colonized. Colonized groups are those that came into this country by force, and are, therefore, socially considered less than equal to the average American. These concepts of social standing are ingrained into the social structure, and regardless of the changes in a group's willingness to arrive in this country voluntarily in later years, society maintains the concept of the race by reflecting on their origins in this country."
Abstract This paper discusses James Lovelock's book, "Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth", and his scientific perspective of the earth as a self sustaining organism with all systems within the earth being part of the of the self sustaining organism that is earth itself. The paper provides a chapter by chapter review of the book that takes us from the introduction of the book, through the recognition of Gaia to the issues concerning the physical makeup of the planet.
Outline:
Introduction
In the Beginning
The Recognition of Gaia Cybernetics
The Contemporary Atmosphere
The Sea
Gaia and Man, the Problem of Pollution
Living within Gaia Epilogue
From the Paper "The beginning of earth is both an indication of the instinctive or natural process by which earth came to exist, and the process by which Gaia came to fortify herself or program herself for survival. There is indeed a mechanistic undertone to this chapter, as the maintenance of the balance biosphere is a physical and incredibly complex mathematical process to scientists, but an instinctive and perfect process in nature for Gaia. The chapter builds upon the introductory premise that the perfection of earth's atmosphere as a highly unlikely occurrence, the synchronization of natural forces that gave rise to life and development of this planet. While faith-based individuals simply call this God, and science seeks to analyze and identify all the processes in evolution, Lovelock refers to it as Gaia, the notion that is earth and acts in a way that is perfect for survival and evolution, and gives rise to our complex natural evolution state of existence."
Explores the roots of this ancient hypothesis and the Lovelock and Margulis theory, examining "Earth heals itself," James Kirchner's criticism and concludes that the hypothesis is infeasible.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 6 sources, 1992, $ 47.95
From the Paper "The last few years have witnessed a renewed interest in ecology and the environment not seen since the 1960's. A number of factors have led to this interest. First, people are more aware of damages to the environment. Pollution affects vegetation, deceases agricultural yields and inflicts losses on the timber industry. Studies have indicated that pollution may have negative long term effects on our climate due to the "greenhouse effect". "Acid rain" is affecting the world's forests. Second, people are more aware of the hazards of pollution to their lives and health. Third, people are more aware of the consequences of the depletion of species. Since 1600 A.D., thirty-six species of mammals and ninety-four species of birds have become extinct.. Fourth, people are more aware of the depletion of resources and fossil fuels and their impact on ..."
Abstract This paper discusses environmentalist feminist literature.The paper analyzes the book, "Gaia and God", by Rosemary R. Ruether, which illustrates an understanding of Christian theology combined with an analysis of environmentalism in a way that ultimately produces a number of workable, helpful suggestions for better human interactions with each other and the environment.
From the Paper "In Gaia and God, Ruether offers a critique that is solidly based upon Christian theology. In examining three cornerstone creation stories of Western thought (the Enuma Elish, Plato's Timeaus, and Genesis), Ruether argues that early Christianity's melding of these three sources has resulted in the formation of two assumptions. The first is that nature was originally an untouched paradise that was a benign human environment. The second was that human sin brought about human mortality. Further, she argues that these two assumptions have created an environment were human attitudes of domination over nonhuman creation are inextricably linked with the Christian concept of sin."
Abstract This paper details a hypothesis (regarding teen pregnancies in the United States) using varying statistics and statistical methods performed on data. It includes a hypothesis statement and details for the performance of the five-step hypothesis test on the data. The paper also includes a description of the results of the tests and a comparison of the results from the new hypothesis to the former.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Hypothesis A
Analysis of Hypothesis A
Further Research Consideration
Hypothesis B
Analysis of Hypothesis B
Hypothesis Comparisons
Conclusion
Appendix I
From the Paper "The United States, compared with all developed countries of the world, has one of the highest per capita pregnancy rates of teenagers (King, 2005). According to data posted on the March of Dimes website, the number of teenage girls that become pregnant each year is about 860,000. Although the statistics are alarming, evidence of a change in the trend is apparent. The National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produced data revealing a 23% decline in birth rates of unmarried teenagers in the past decade (King, 2005). This report will explore a specific influence that has affected the declining trend. Two hypotheses will be presented as support along with a description and analysis of the hypothesis testing."
Abstract This paper uses the hypothesis statement, "The typical American drinks on average 3 or more 8 oz. caffeine beverages a day" to demonstrate hypothesis testing. The author points out the steps in the five-step hypothesis test: (1) formulate a null and an alternative hypothesis; (2) select a level of significance or risk for the research; (3) identify the test statistic; (4) formulate a decision rule and (5) do the calculations and make a decision. The paper relates that hypothesis testing can be used to test any claim about a parameter.
Table of Contents:
Research Issue
Hypothesis Five-Step Hypothesis Test
Results
Other Uses of Hypothesis Testing
Excel Spreadsheets
Hypothesis Test: Mean vs. Hypothesized Value
From the Paper "A one-tail test is a test that indicates a direction. This direction can be indicated by the use of words such as less than or more than, or it can be indicated by the use of the greater or less than mathematical signs. The direction of the tail is determined by which direction the alternate hypothesis points. A two-tail test is needed when the words or signs equal and not equal are used. By looking at the hypotheses, Team B determined that they will be conducting a one-tail test to the right."
Tags: tail, test, test, alternative, null, population
Abstract Many studies on the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) and portfolio management suggest that the majority of professional investment managers cannot regularly beat a buy-and-hold strategy on a risk-adjusted basis. This paper attempts to examine the critiques on the efficient market hypothesis and the trend of the investors, financial analysts and portfolio managers to gather information to obtain excess-return. It begins with a brief description of the efficient market hypothesis and an outline of the characteristics associated with it, followed by a brief description of the new critiques against this hypothesis. It also discusses the relevant patterns that predict an excess return adjusted to the risk as well as new strategies applied by the investors.
Outline
Introduction
Efficient Market Hypothesis Under-Reaction to New Information
Technical Trading Rules
Contrarian Strategy
Seasonality Anomaly
Predictable Patterns Based on Valuation Parameters
Book Value-Market Value Ratio
Initial Dividend Yields
Initial Price-Earnings Multiples
Predictable Patterns Based on Firm Characteristics
Insider Trading Abnormal Profit
Emerging Markets
Conclusion
From the Paper "New conditions to beat the efficient market hypothesis has supported the shift away from market performance theories, based purely on mathematical or logical bases, to psychology and economics that offer some predictable patterns. (Mills, Roger p.37)
In fact the investment analysis still play an important role in decision-making concerning the purchase and sale of ordinary shares.(Arnold and Moizer 1984 p.195) The survey conducted by Arnold and Moizer (1984) suggests that the analyst use a common general pattern to appraise the ordinary shares using fundamental analysis like primary analysis technique to indentify shares over/under-valued. The other techniques, like technical analysis and beta anlysis, have a different purpose. The former is to determine the timing of the purchase and the latter is to evaluate the performance of portfolio management.(Arnold and Moizer, p.205)"
Abstract Hypothesis testing is an extremely crucial aspect of the scientific process, for without being able to prove a hypothesis a given theory can be considered an inaccurate hypothesis, or a failure. Therefore, the need to demonstrate the accuracy of a given hypothesis is crucial to proving the accuracy of the theory itself. This paper explains how this type of testing is applied to child development.
This paper compares Keynesian consumption theory and the more modern permanent income hypothesis by presenting the implications of the assumption that consumers are not myopic.
Abstract In this article, the writer studies J. M. Keynes' consumption theory, also known as the absolute income hypothesis, and the permanent income hypothesis, suggested by M. Friedman in the famous paper "A Theory of the Consumption Function". The writer starts with a brief overview of the Keynesian consumption theory and then continues with the explanation of the permanent income hypothesis (PIH). The writer maintains that the Keynesian consumption theory fails to provide a valid explanation of consumer behaviour in the sense that it does not incorporate rational expectations that sensible and generally forward-looking consumers make. The writer concludes that Friedman's permanent income hypothesis, therefore, becomes more plausible when it suggests that consumption tends to be smoothed out throughout time periods allowing for income fluctuations to occur and that consumption responds to permanent changes in permanent income rather than to temporary changes in actual income.
From the Paper "Clearly, the main weakness of the Keynes' theory is that it assumes that individuals are short-sighted because they observe their actual income only and ignore the potential future income (or lack of it). A more reasonable approach is to presume that consumers' behaviour is likely to be intelligent and forward-looking. In this case, current consumption decisions become highly dependent on the expectations about the future, i.e. future labour income, real interest rates or taxes. The model which incorporates these expectations is the permanent income hypothesis.
"The central idea behind the PIH model is that individuals form estimates of their ability to consume in the long run and then set current consumption to the appropriate fraction of that estimate in order to smooth out their consumption over periods even when their income may be subject to fluctuations."
Abstract This paper begins by explaining that the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is one of the most interesting and influential theories in the field of linguistics and anthropology. The idea that language actually forced people to think in different ways is both fascinating and controversial. The paper shows the ways that this hypothesis opens our understanding of the link between culture and knowledge. The paper includes direct quotes from the hypothesis which it then explains and expands upon.
From the Paper "The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis "postulated that language not only provided a means of communication but also shaped peoples" perceptions of the world? (McGee and Warms 2000: 370). The hypothesis drew heavily from the ideas and techniques used by linguists, with the methodological concepts developed by the Prague School of Linguistics in the 1920's providing valuable insights into the importance of understanding the conceptual frameworks formed by, and expressed through, the native language (McGee and Warms 2000: 369). The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis was the most influential anthropological adaptation of these linguistic principles, the hypothesis having an enormous impact on anthropology providing a methodological framework emphasising cultural and linguistic relativity, and influencing several schools of anthropological thought."
Abstract This paper discusses the relevance of the Whorfian Hypothesis (WH) - also referred to as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis - to language learning, in particular for the person who learned (or is learning) English as a second language. It looks at how there are conflicting views on the meaning of and application of WH - and on the value of this hypothesis about language. It reviews the available literature on the subject and offers value judgments on the significance of WH in various applications and learning environments.
From the Paper "The operating hypothesis put forward was that a movie created entirely by this group might reveal "aspects of cognition and values that may be inhibited, not observable, or not analyzable" when the process of investigation relies on "verbal exchange" conducted in the language of the investigator. Moreover, producing film images then sequencing those images by editing, cutting and pasting, just might help researchers understand better the WH. Another operating theory here is that by treating the visual as though it were a language, and then following up by comparing the two "linguistic structures" (visual and verbal) - believing that both make statements about cognition and culture "across two modes" - may provide a context in which the Whorfian manner comes clearer into focus. "
