Monday, December 30, 2019

JavaFX Controls TextField Overview

The TextField class  in JavaFX is used to create a control that allows the user to enter in a single line of text. It supports having prompt text (i.e., text that informs the user what the TextField is meant to be used for). Note: If you need a multi-line text input control then have a look at the TextArea class. Alternatively, if you want the text to be formatted then have a look at the HTMLEditor class. Import Statement import javafx.scene.control.TextField; Constructors The TextField class has two constructors depending on whether you want to create an empty TextField or one with some default text: To create an empty TextField object: TextField txtFld new TextField();To create a TextField with some default text use a String literal: TextField txtFld new TextField(Default Text); Note: Creating a TextField with default text is not the same as having prompt text. The default text will remain in the TextField when the user clicks on it and when they do will be editable. Useful Methods If you create an empty TextField you can set the text using the setText method: txtField.setText(Another String); To get a String representing the text the user entered into a TextField use the getText method: String inputText txtFld.getText(); Event Handling The default event associated with the TextField is the ActionEvent. This is triggered if the user hits ENTER whilst inside the TextField To set up the EventHandler for an ActionEvent use the setOnAction method: txtFld.setOnAction(new EventHandler{ Override public void handle(ActionEvent e) { //Place the code you want to execute on the press of the ENTER key. }}); Usage Tips Take advantage of the ability to set prompt text for the TextField if you need to help the user understand what the TextField is for. Prompt text appears in the TextField as slightly greyed out text. If the user clicks on the TextField the prompt text disappears and they have an empty TextField in which to input their own text. If the TextField is empty when it loses focus the prompt text will reappear. The prompt text will never be the String value returned by the getText method. Note: If you create a TextField object with default text then setting the prompt text will not overwrite the default text. To set the prompt text for a TextField use the setPromptText method: txtFld.setPromptText(Enter Name..); To find out the value of the prompt text of a TextField object use the getPromptText method: String promptext txtFld.getPromptText(); It is possible to set a value for the number of characters a TextField will show. This is not the same as limiting the number of characters that can be entered into the TextField. This preferred column value is used when calculating the TextFields preferred width - it is only a preferred value and the TextField might become wider due to layout settings. To set the preferred number of text columns use the setPrefColumnCount method: txtFld.setPrefColumnCount(25);

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Case Study - Dell Value Chain - 1171 Words

Question 1 How has Dell used its direct sales and build-to-order model to develop an exceptional supply chain? The many challenges in order to improve the supply chains usually come with the unidentified. Many companies produce products they think their consumer will want. After that, they ship their products to retail stores. Then, these stores try to sell the products to the customers. Here, the supply chains slows down as they are figuring out what to build next. Then, these companies deal with their suppliers to get the materials for the products. Here, the supply chain slow down more and even slower as they wait for the product to get sold and get paid. Dells assembly plant in the US Dell has used its direct sales and†¦show more content†¦Dell can introduce a new product to customers over the internet as soon as the first model is ready. In an industry where products have lifecycles measured in months, Dell enjoys a huge early-to-market advantage. Dell has compressed its supply chain by directly linking the orders directly to the suppliers. Suppliers can view existing orders so they know if or how many components to produce and ship. This supply chain compression gives Dell a substantial unit cost advantage over someone else. With an inventory turnover rate of about 60 times per year, Dell has minimized the rapid depreciation and inventory write-off costs that typically hurt the PC industry. Also because of its direct sales model, Dell operates on a negative cash conversion cycle. Dell receives its money prior to having to pay its suppliers for the components. Dells Logo and Tagline Dells direct sales model has improved operations because the customer can order exactly what they would like without Dell having to worry about stocking every imaginable product. Dell receives the orders and payment for the item and the customer receives the exact product and accessories they want within day’s delivery right to their house. Question3 What are the main disadvantages of Dell’s direct sales model? Dell’s direct sales model has many advantages but there are a few disadvantages of the direct sales model.Show MoreRelatedCase Study - Dell Value Chain1162 Words   |  5 PagesQuestion 1 How has Dell used its direct sales and build-to-order model to develop an exceptional supply chain? The many challenges in order to improve the supply chains usually come with the unidentified. Many companies produce products they think their consumer will want. After that, they ship their products to retail stores. Then, these stores try to sell the products to the customers. Here, the supply chains slows down as they are figuring out what to build next. Then, these companies deal withRead MoreGlobal Value Chain : Lincoln University Essay1297 Words   |  6 PagesUniversity Global Value Chains Ereatara Enari ID: 1119812 COMM110 – The Global Business Environment Dr. Anthony Brien 19/03/2015, 12:00pm 1.0 Table Of Contents: 1.0 Table Of Contents †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.1 2.0 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦2 3.0 Global Value Chain Definition†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..2 4.0 GVC Example 1: Adidas†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...3 4.1 Value 1†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.3 4.2 Value 2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 5.0 GVC Example 2: Dell†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Read MoreDell s Value Chain For The Profitability Of The Company899 Words   |  4 Pagespaper will enumerate a brief background of Dell, customer Focus Company that has maximized its value chain for the profitability of the company. This paper will analyze the unique value chain of the company. Furthermore, the paper will evaluate how Dell has used its direct sales and build-to-order model to develop an exceptional supply chain. The main advantages and disadvantages of Dell’s direct sales model will also be analyzed. Also noted is how Dell competes with other retailers that alreadyRead MoreIntroduction to Supply Chain Management System: Dell Computer Corporation1451 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction to Supply Chain Management (SCM) System Supply chain management (SCM) is the combination of activities which help a company to improve the methods to make a product or service and deliver it to customers. (Larson, 2004) SCM encompasses the planning and management of all activities involved in sourcing, procurement, conversion, and logistics management activities. More importantly, it includes coordination and collaboration with other people who are associated with the business likeRead Moredell supply chain managment1676 Words   |  7 PagesSupply Chain Management (SCM) Assignment One – Singular Unit Supply Chain Management Subject HOW DELL IS MANAGING ITS SUPPLY CHAIN Writer Bassam Badran IV Date of delivery 10-10-2012 Due date (submittal) 10-11-2012 Grade 20% References Compiled from several articles in Business Week (1997 through 2001); cio.com (2001); dell.com, accessed March 27, 2003; Hagel (2002). 1. Principals and Reasons In this project you would understand the concept of managing the supply chain in Dell ComputerRead MoreEssay on Operation1079 Words   |  5 PagesInventory Management ( ALZAM ) Gd evening everyone, my name is ALZAM. Today my group members and I will be presenting our case study on inventory management. Let me introduce my group members, Jefren, Jerrick, Alan, Victor and Kelvin. Our presentation will last abt 20 mins Slide 2. Introduction (ALZAM) Let me start off by introducing inventory management. Its part of Supply Chain Management that contain systems and processes of maintaining the appropriate level of stock in a warehouse. It is importantRead MoreHow the Internet is Enabling Dell to Reinvent E-Commerce1632 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿How the Internet Is Enabling Dell To Reinvent e-Commerce Dell Computers initial business model concentrated on creating build-to-order personal computers to customers specific needs. This has grown from a fairly modest operation to a $62B business as of the close of their latest fiscal year (FY 2012). Dell succeeded with an Internet-based business model by concentrating on the accuracy, agility and speed that its much larger competitors could not match. Honeywell, IBM and others could notRead MoreApple Case : Strategic Management1069 Words   |  5 PagesMertens Apple Case Study A. Problem Summary Apple’s root problem is the ability for competitors to drive product prices down through the creation of comparable devices or software. Apple is known for aspiring to bring innovative products to market at a premium quality and accompanying high price. Gaining high profit margins on the sales of their products has counteracted the lesser global market share percentage Apple has compared to other leading PC vendors. Exhibit 3b in the case study shows HP andRead MoreSOME SUCCESS STORIES IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT 1688 Words   |  7 PagesSOME SUCCESS STORIES IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Adriano O. Solis, Ph.D. Academic Advisor, NAPM El Paso Wal-Mart Stores Perhaps one of the most commonly cited success stories in supply chain management (SCM) is that of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., which reported total sales of $191.329 billion and a net income of $6.295 billion during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2001 (see www.walmartstores.com). These figures represent a 15.9% growth in total sales and a 17.1% increase in net income overRead MoreHbs Dell Case Study Analysis Essay747 Words   |  3 PagesDell Computer Case Study Nova Southeastern University Dell’s Success Michael Dell at the age of 19 founded Dell in 1984, a company best known for selling affordable personal computers and laptops. As a pre-med freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, Michael starts  a new computer business under the name of PCs Limited. His vision carried over to Dell with the idea of customer experience as a differentiator with risk-free returns and next-day, at-home product assistance. Dell a very successful

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Bio Lab Report Crime Scene Free Essays

On Saturday morning of the 24th of October, there was report by an employee of a homicide incident on 4011 N. Central Eave, Phoenix, AZ. University Center building on the 3rd floor of Arizona State University. We will write a custom essay sample on Bio Lab Report Crime Scene or any similar topic only for you Order Now The victim was describe as a 24 year old Caucasian female, by the name of Kelly; who works as a programs coordinator for Arizona State University. The victim was working late hours as usual on a Friday night, she was on her office cubical. The body was found laying on the floor in front of her desk chair, the body was facing up with three bullet wounds on her body; the action of the shots were one in right shoulder, right hip, and middle of the stomach. Observations found in the crime scene were the chair was knocked over, the victim was facing up instead of facing down. There were bullet holes in the wallboard as well as the cabinetry and biological stains of the victim. Information gathered about the victim she appeared to be talking to her mother while the incident happen, and it was not unusual seen her work late at night. Also, there was some information about five suspects that might have been involve in the homicide. Licensee Scale S. Microbiology Professor, at the time of the murder he stated he was looking for money from students so he could buy another pint of beer, and was wearing blue t-shirt and jeans. Daffy Patrick D. Microbiology Lecturer, at the time of the murder he stated he was drinking at Hooters and was hearing a blue button down shirt and black pants. Olson John P. Biology Professor, at the time of the murder he stated he was at an all night Chinese buffet, and was wearing blue flannel shirt and Jeans. Hutchins Jason O. Chemistry Lecturer, at the time of the murder he was teaching Chemistry 101 lab, and was wearing a blue polo shirt and Jeans. Waffle Debra A. Lab Technician, at the time of the crime scene she stated she was preparing for Microbiology 206 lab, and she was wearing blue lab coat and khaki pants. The homicide case is under investigation, once there has been examine the pieces of hair, fabric, and blood samples from the suspects, it will be determine who was the murder of the victim. Methods and Materials The investigation began by first collecting evidence from the crime scene and suspects. This includes fingerprints, hair and fiber samples, along with blood samples. Along with these, a bullet was found at the crime scene, which was added to the list of evidence. Fingerprint Testing To collect the fingerprints from both the suspects and the crime scene, the print lifting technique was used. This method included using a fingerprint wand and powder to dust the fingerprints on the object, and then putting adhesive tape over the latent prints to â€Å"lift† the fingerprints’ image. The adhesive and fingerprint were then transferred to a backing card to be examined. To analyze the prints, a magnifying glass was used to determine if the prints pattern was an arch, loop or whorl. The fingerprints examined are a type of biological evidence. Fingerprints Suspect Arch Loop Whorl Daffy x Hutchins Licensee Olsen Waffle We then compared these fingerprint patterns with the fingerprint collected at the crime scene, which was a loop. Metallurgy Next, the bullet found at the crime scene was tested using metallurgy. The bullet was a type of physical evidence. To determine what type of metal the bullet was made of, the densities of the three standard metals in the tool kit had to be determined. To measure the metal’s mass, an electronic scale was used while a water displacement was used to measure the volume. From these measurements, the density was calculated (D=MN). The mass, volume and density of the metals in the kit were lactated as follows: ; Aluminum o Mass = 8. 27 g Volume = 4 ml = 2. 07 vim Density = MN Copper Mass = 57. 1 g Volume = 7 ml Density = MN = 8. 16 g/ml o Mass = 37. 95 g o Volume = 4 ml o Density = 9. 49 g/ml As stated before, to find the volume for all the measurements, water displacement was used. By this, the change in the water level (measured in ml) in the graduated cylinder was measured before and after each metal was added to determine its volume. For the bullet, it was determined that: o Mass = 12. 9 g o Volume = 2 ml o Density = 6. 45 g/ml Because the bullet was silver, it was determined that it was not made of copper and u to the fact that density wasn’t similar to aluminum, it is likely that the bullet was made of steel and maybe another metal. Fiber and Hair Testing The next pieces of evidence that were analyzed were hair and fiber. The hair samples are a type of biological evidence while the fibers are a type of physical evidence. For these samples, microscopy was used, which allowed the researchers to examine and identify the fine features of each. The tables below include the collected data. Hair Color Features Brown Short, smooth Blonde Short, split Black Short, wiry Evidence Fiber Texture Blue Woven, denim-like Pink Tight, cylinder-like Tulle Wispy, feather-like Tulle and wispy/feather By comparing the evidence found at the crime scene to the samples collected from the suspect, it narrowed the possible suspects down to Olsen and Waffle since both of their fibers were found at the crime scene. Blood Testing The last task was to examine the blood samples collected from the suspects to the blood found at the crime scene. The blood samples were a type of biological evidence, but chemical reactions were used to determine the blood type. â€Å"Anti-A Serum,† â€Å"Anti-B Serum† and an â€Å"Anti-Re Serum† were used to test what type of blood he samples were and if they had an Re D antigen. Three drops of each suspect’s blood, along with the blood collected at the crime scene, were placed into three different wells of a clean blood typing plate. Three drops of each serum were added to the three different wells and then stirred until they either reacted or remained inactive to the serum. A way to tell if the blood reacts to the serum is if it results in agglutination, or clumping. The results are listed in the table below. Suspect Reagent ABA-Re Blood Type Anti-A Serum Anti-B Serum Anti-Re Serum A+ Because some of the blood tests didn’t react with the serum, the researchers had to SE the blood type information provided in the suspect’s profile and then determine how the blood would have reacted if the tests worked properly. Analysis: Fingerprint Testing: After analyzing the data from the crime scene and the suspect sheets provided some educated assumptions can be made as to the possible perpetrator. The prints found at the scene of the crime had a loop configuration. Considering Licensee has an arch configuration, and Hutchins has a whorl configuration, they were ruled out as potential suspects. The suspects who possessed prints similar to those found at the scene were as follows: Daffy, Olsen, and Waffle. How to cite Bio Lab Report Crime Scene, Papers

Friday, December 6, 2019

Faith Philosophies Providing Health Care

Question: Discuss the buddhist practices and philosophy for fitness are and things important for patient when cared By person Of different faith. Answer: Introduction While there are confronts in a demeanor quantifiable scientific study on the consequences of practices in diverse beliefs as quantifiable, as thoughts, prayer, etc. However, current studies has begun to drop light on the part of spirituality on health. There is by now some initial evidence for a link between related practices and prayer with healthy results. There are several evidences that spiritual affiliation as well as religious customs are associated with mortality and healthin other prose, with better fitness and longer existence. Such associations may engross cardiovascular function, immune function, and/or some other metabolic changes. The main motive to focus on the part of prayer in remedial or curing is not to confirm its efficiency. The slaughter of health generates one of countless mournful experiences. Each being reacts in the exception of his or her theology. The possessions of friends, family, social and faith groups are extremely important in giving a loving and compassionate presence. Because tackling spiritual matters can build such a dissimilarity in a persons experience of sickness and even in health results as well weaving theology into medical learning has become a precedence among integrative medication leaders. Nowadays, two-thirds of the countrys 125 schools of medicine now incorporate courses on faith and spirituality. Many individuals suffer these days because they are unaware of God as well as his traditions.Obviously, they are also unaware of definite things like health for instance.They depend totally on medicine, which has not accessible methodology for remedy. Science of Medicine has been just an explicit science.It is not correct to look at science as it is having the solution to everything in our world or universe.Science of Medicine only provides us one feature of the thing that is bodily.Spirituality (from the Buddhism and Christian viewpoint) gives us with an outlook from a spiritual background.Being completely holy or spiritual would not profit us, as being completely corporeal would not advantage us. Though, we can endeavor to have an equilibrium of both spirit and body as well as not to overlook or forget the mind. Comparative Analysis In the context of spirituality in Christianity, the Christian perspective of healing is to be connected to God.Have a relationship with God and allow the healing power to flow into the patient and effect healing according to Gods will.It is believed that it happens only if the patient is connected on the analogy that one shouldnt expect a lamp to produce light if it isnt connected to some type of power source. Likewise, one shouldnt expect Gods healing power to flow into the diseased body if they are not connected. It is also believed that one dont thank God, thus suffer and God doesnt deal with us according to how we deal with him. Sometimes healing may come because of the prayers of others or just because God willed it. The Biblical concept of love is being used by various Christian origins of hospitals and the nursing in addition to scientific health care (Mitchell, 2011). In the Catholic faith, a person may gain great strength and peace from the sacrament of the sick being administered by a priest (Groome, 2014). In Christianity it is believed that amulets, figurines, portraits of saints, crosses, intaglios sacred object should be allowed in a patients physical space and on the body ("Conference on Christianity and Literature", 2005). All caution should be taken to safeguard them. They should not be removed (or even moved) without talking with the patient/family. Evil eye pendants or charms are common worldwide. In Mexico they are very common, and should never be removed, especially for babies, without permission of family members. In the Buddhism faith, all of the Dharma (principals) are based on Buddha's discovery that suffering is unnecessary: Like a disease, once human really face the fact that suffering exists, they can look more deeply and discover its cause; and when they discover that the cause is dependent on certain conditions, they can explore the possibility of removing those conditions (Peacocke, 2000). Buddha taught many methods for doing that. The spiritual and psychological entanglements that lead to suffering also can result in illness of all sorts. Many Buddhist methods and tools for awakening, for removing those entanglements, also promote relaxation and healing. In traditional Tibetan culture, practicing meditation and using prayer wheels, incense, prayer flags and other methods all work together with Tibetan herbal medicine in healing illness and maintaining health (Wilkinson Teague, 2003). Buddhist Practices And Philosophy For Fitness Are The objective of Buddhist custom is to grow the intellect to its highest potential which entails the excellence of wisdom and compassion (Keeling, 2011). Common spiritual objects occupy prayers beads as well as imageries of Sakyamuni Buddha in addition to other Buddhist idols. Other spiritual objects are used for defining meditation customs. A peaceful and quiet atmosphere is mainly advantageous when one is dying or sick. This permits the unwell person to relax better, and to practice prayer and meditation (Shi Zhiru, 2010). Sustaining a peaceful and calm environment for the ill person is yet again the necessary aspect. Retaining a positive, kind attitude when communicating with the patient is the customary cultural rule (Ganeri, 2005). Critical Common Components To All Religions/Beliefs In Regards To Healing Religious customs across the globe display viewpoint in healing in the course of prayer. The healing clouts of prayer have been scrutinized in the triple-blind, random controlled testing (Al-Qattan, 2010). It is exemplified randomized controlled testings on healing and prayer, with one examination in each of diverse categories of result. Researchers provide a decisive analysis of the methods and theoretical extents of such study. Prayers has been accounted to advance outcomes in human and nonhuman groups, to have no consequence on results, to deteriorate outcomes along with to have nostalgic healing results ("The pain chronicles: cures, myths, mysteries, prayers, diaries, brain scans, healing, and the science of suffering", 2011). For a mass number of reasons, the study of the curative effects of entreaty is perforated with challenges, assumptions and challenges that make the matter a religious and scientific minefield. It is believed that the study has led nowhere, moreover, that up coming research, if some, will eternally be controlled by the methodical or scientific limitations that researchers outline. Things Important For Patient When Cared By Person Of Different Faith Buddhism places strong emphasis on "mindfulness," so patients may request peace and quiet for the purpose of meditation, especially during crises. Some Buddhists may express strong, culturally-based concerns about modesty: for instance, regarding treatment by someone of the opposite sex. Some Buddhists are strictly vegetarian in refusing to consume any meat or animal by-product. For such patients, even medications that are produced using animals are likely to be problematic. The importance of mindful awareness of all of life's experiences may affect patients' or family members' decisions about pain medications, out of worry that analgesics may unduly cloud awareness. Clinicians should be very specific in discussion of the use of any drug that may affect awareness, however it should be noted that moderate use of analgesics might actually enable a patient who is struggling with pain to achieve greater concentration and "mindfulness" under the circumstances. Non-pharmacological pain management options are often attractive. In some cases, Buddhists may refuse analgesics, but this should not be assumed by staff to mean a desire for suffering --in fact, Buddhism focuses on the relief of suffering, yet some patients may prefer clarity of consciousness to drugs that may reduce mental alertness. Patients or families may pray or chant out loud repetitiously. This is often done quietly, and any noise concerns in a hospital can usually be negotiated easily. Patients may use a string of beads during prayer. Families sometimes wish to place a picture of the Buddha in the patient's room. Requests to burn incense or candles can be handled by suggesting alternatives, such as placing flowers in the room or setting up a small electric light. Conclusion In Christian viewpoint, it is supposed that health remedies can be attained through belief in love, God, compassion as well as union with God so as the healing supremacy flows to cure (Wilkinson, 2003). In the Christianity it is thought that figurines, amulets, crosses, portraits of saints, intaglios in addition to some sacred items should be permissible in a patients objective room and on the body of the patient for healing. In the Buddhism belief, all of the (principals) Dharma are have foundation on Buddha's finding that misery is redundant: Like an illness, once person really visage the truth that anguish exists, they can gaze more intensely and find out its cause; and at a time when they determine that the reason is reliant on certain circumstances, they can discover the leeway of eliminating those situations. The Buddhist technique of healing entails mantra repetition, verbal prayers, diagnostic meditations, as well as a diversity of other consideration practices (An layo, 2015). Ordinary religious stuff like prayers blobs and imageries of Sakyamuni Buddha and other Buddhist idols are also utilized for healing the unhealthy. All the practices followed by these faiths are based on their experiences of healing the diseased with the aim of better health. Only those practices continue for long which causes some benefits to someone at some stage of their sickness. References Al-Qattan, M. (2010). Re: Burn injuries due to Christian religious customs. Burns, 36(2), 292. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2009.04.027. An layo, .. (2015). Healing in Early Buddhism. Buddhist Studies Review, 32(1), 19-33. https://dx.doi.org/10.1558/bsrv.v32i1.28962. Conference on Christianity and Literature. (2005). Christianity Literature, 55(1), 164-164. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/014833310505500121. Ganeri, A. (2005). Buddhist. Mankato, Minn.: Sea-to-Sea. Groome, T. (2014). Catholic education: from and for faith. International Studies In Catholic Education, 6(2), 113-127. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19422539.2014.929802. Keeling, P. (2011). A Buddhist Carol. Buddhist-Christian Studies, 31(1), 25-29. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/bcs.2011.0009. Mitchell, B. (2011). Review: A History of Bible Translation. The Bible Translator, 62(3), 195-196. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/026009351106200307. Peacocke, J. (2000). Representing Buddhism. Contemporary Buddhism, 1(2), 115-118. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14639940008573727. Shi Zhiru,. (2010). Scriptural Authority: A Buddhist Perspective. Buddhist-Christian Studies, 30(1), 85-105. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/bcs.2010.0009. The pain chronicles: cures, myths, mysteries, prayers, diaries, brain scans, healing, and the science of suffering. (2011). Choice Reviews Online, 48(07), 48-3918-48-3918. https://dx.doi.org/10.5860/choice.48-3918. Wilkinson, P. (2003). Christianity. New York: DK Pub. Wilkinson, P., Teague, S. (2003). Buddhism. New York: DK Pub.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Business Ethics as Related to The De Beers Company and Employee Rights Essay Sample free essay sample

Introduction Business moralss is defined as the norms or criterions of behavior that direct moral picks about the behaviour of the forces in a concern association and the association with the members of the populace. The end of concern moralss is to guarantee the safety of the employees. direction. and the external populaces are protected from enduring the effects from the concern activities of the peculiar organisation. Social duty along with concern moralss outlines what the house ought to make in the running of the concern. The societal duty of a concern organisation towards the society deserves considerations in all the stages of strategic disposal. whereby the organisation must exert strategic planning through environmental and organisational assessment in order to supply replies to what an organisation might make and what it can make. ( Maund. 2001 ) Discussion The constitution of a concern or company entails coming up with concern rules or ethical motives that must be followed. We will write a custom essay sample on Business Ethics as Related to The De Beers Company and Employee Rights Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page These concern rules may include how the concern behavior or transacts its concern and how it deals with its clients or consumers. Business moralss besides entails the employee’s rights and their behavior as expected in their responsibilities to the company. The De Beers Company is involved in diamond geographic expedition. diamond excavation and diamond trading. For the De Beers Company I am traveling to turn to the undermentioned ethical issues ; the company’s place on merchandising of struggle diamond. legal issues. popular civilizations. runs and its place on man-made diamonds. Some of the employee’s rights I am traveling to discourse will include the labours criterions. wellness and safety every bit good as environment. The industries system of guarantees is besides another ethical issue that I will turn to under this subject. All this issues contribute greatly to the success of the concern ends and aims. Over the recent yesteryear. De Beers Company has played a cardinal function in selling conflict diamonds from those countries that had diamond struggle due to the rebellions. In the 1990s De Beers Company came up with a policy which applied to all of Africa which was merely to purchase those diamonds that were lawfully traded and which the company believed it were non used to fund Rebel groups in those excavation countries. This was their public place while they were really purchasing struggle diamonds and funding those rebel groups for illicit trade. They were so much involved in get downing wars through the Rebels so that the Rebels could acquire their work forces to mine and research for diamond and sell this diamond at a lower or cheaper monetary value to them. This is a large unethical concern issue since the Rebels are non allowed to come in into trade or concern for illegal trade of diamonds. They were besides involved in offense against humanity as many lost their lives durin g the Rebel wars and this is unethical to concern projects. ( Edward. 1982 ) The other major ethical issue that affects the De Beer Company is the unfavorable judgment on monopoly of the diamond industry. Monopoly is a large concern ethic issue that the company is confronting which is illegal. The diamond market is dominated by De Beer’s companies which were originally formed in South Africa by British proprietors. De Beers now owns about 70 per centum of diamond mines in Africa and a household of companies jointly which is responsible for around 40 per centum of universe diamond production by value in the market. The even per centum partnership trade between De Beers and the authorities of Botswana is the world’s taking manufacturer of diamonds in the market. The supply of diamonds worldwide is controlled merely by De Beers therefore basking a monopoly in Botswana and about near monopoly in diamond supply in the remainder of the universe. Some other diamond mines owned by little companies have less control on the diamond market and this is unet hical in concern. Monopoly is non allowed in concern ; nevertheless. the codification of moralss merely allows 50 per centum of the market monopoly and non all monopoly on the market. This suppresses the little graduated table concerns in the market by even holding control over the monetary values of the market. It besides leads to run outing the resource of the developing states such as Botswana for case through suppression of the mine workers who are lowly. In any concern puting monopoly is non allowed at all and steps should be put in topographic point to avoid such sort of market by any company. De Beers through its gross revenues and selling publicities has been really successful in increasing gross revenues and desire for diamonds. One of the run schemes is that it has been trying to deter diamond proprietors from seting their older diamonds into the secondary market and therefore restricting competition. Since 1947 the company has created many successful runs on how to increase the sale of diamonds. One of the most effectual schemes undertaken by De Beers Company has been the selling of diamonds as a symbol of love and committedness such as the ideal gem for an battle or marrying ring. Another run that the De Beers Company has been involved on is that of HIV Aids bar and control. Bing a planetary company that has many employees throughout the Earth and some of them has been affected so much by the stigma. the company has come out to assist control and halt the stigma. The company through its public assistance activities to its employees and community at big has come out g reatly to battle the stigma through runs that educate people and give wellness attention support for those already affected by the deathly disease. Since the 1950s. it has been possible to make synthesized diamonds in a research lab other than the original natural diamond. These research labs have been able to make diamond rocks that are used for many industrial intents such as for abradants in heavy responsibility boring. It is now besides possible to bring forth research lab created synthetics that are identical optically from mined diamonds even by professional sellers therefore doing them suited for jewellery. These are by and large colored treasures that offer colourless man-made diamonds. This has resulted to the monetary values of the original diamond of the company that it mines to travel down since the competition is really high in the market topographic point as people tend to prefer synthesized diamond that serve the same intent in the market. This is a large menace to the company and it has to run against production of such synthesized diamond that is illegal in the market since it has a great consequence to their gr oss revenues in the market. The company hence ought to get down runs on this illegal trade of synthesized diamond that is unethical harmonizing to the diamond concern. The other legal issue that is of great concerned to the company is who controls or repair the monetary values of diamond in the market so that there is no monopoly in this planetary diamond market or industry. This is a large issue that affects the De Beer’s codification or rules of trade to the market greatly because they may non command the market monetary values. In 2004 the De Beers paid a $ 10 million mulct to the Department of Justice of United States to settle a 1994 charge that the corporation had entered in to with General Electric Company to procure the worth of industrial diamonds. De Beers reached an understanding in the twelvemonth 2005 and a preliminary blessing order was issued to settle the bulk of civil monetary value repairing suits filed against the company in the United States. Such colony of jurisprudence suits does non affect any admittance of liability on the portion of De Beers but it will convey an terminal to all outstanding category actions. This leg al issue on who should command the monetary values of the diamonds in the market continues to be a great issue that affects the concern markets and gross revenues vastly of the company. ( Davis. 2007 ) De Beers Company over the yesteryear has been involved in illegal trade of diamond by funding the Rebels to mine diamonds for them and besides supported the wars so that they could freely merchandise and get diamond without the intercession of authorities. It is besides unethical for a company to prosecute itself in illegal covering that does non run into the specifications set out in concern Acts of the Apostless. For illustration. Rebels forced people in the illegal diamond excavation which is a misdemeanor against the human rights or employees rights. The people were forced to work under rough conditions and for long hours without nutrient or H2O which was a misdemeanor of their rights. Children were besides used mine in the excavation evidences that were non environmental friendly to them which was a misdemeanor of kids rights under any concern moral principle. All this was due to the illegal concern moralss De Beer got involved itself in with the Rebels. De Beers is active in every class of diamond excavation which includes open-pit. belowground. large-scale alluvial. coastal and deep sea. Some of these environments are non contributing for the workers or employees to work for illustration working in the resistance or big scale alluvial therefore the employees need to be protected or insured against such hazards. They besides need protective cogwheels to protect them against hurts and the risky environment the work under. The concern moralss ensures that all this is catered for and all employees’ rights are protected. De Beers Company is on the record utilizing dust suppression method of spraying H2O when boring which violates their rights because dust in a diamond mine can cut and mark the lungs of miners. This is a large hazard and particularly to the workers non protected by usage of protective cogwheels or being insured when such hazards occur. These belowground mines besides posed great hazards of prostration and so the company under concern codifications should guarantee that the mines follow process in boring such mines so that they don’t pose any danger to the employees. Health and safety are among the major concern moralss issues that are concerned to protect their employee’s rights in any company or concern. Labors criterions are besides portion of the concern ethical issues where workers demands have to be addressed for illustration wages should be standardized for them to be able to gain a good life. However. the company besides has some benefits like the retirement strategies and wellness insurance strategies. The wage they earn should be able to prolong them to bask a good life and their criterion could besides be improved by supplying lodging installations. The labours criterions should besides be improved by holding standard working hours to avoid overworking of the workers particularly those in th e mines. The working environment should besides non be risky to the workers and all mines should be safe for mining to take topographic point. There are many alternate solutions to work outing the jobs affecting concern moralss as stated above. The first solution is whereby De Beers warrants that a 100 per centum of the diamonds it now sells are conflict free. All De Beer’s diamonds are purchased in conformity with national jurisprudence. the strategy of Kimberley Process Certification and its ain Diamond Best Practice Principles that is harmonizing to the company are normally followed. De Beers is active in the Kimberley Process which aims to extinguish conflict diamonds from universe diamond flows. On the other manus Diamond Development Initiative should take to turn to the political. societal and economic challenges confronting the little graduated table informal diamond excavation sector and to optimise the good development impacts of little graduated table formal diamond excavation to mineworkers. The De Beers does this through advancing the development of sustainable concern theoretical accounts supported by de velopment undertakings. ( Fisher. 2002 ) In order to hold control of the monetary values in the market. De Beers should offer injunctive alleviation which includes a general committedness to follow with the antimonopoly Torahs of the United States. and a committedness non to prosecute in specific behavior with 3rd party manufacturers and Sight holders. For illustration in the twelvemonth 2006 De Beers Company voluntarily entered into lawfully adhering committednesss with the European Commission ( EC ) to discontinue buying unsmooth diamonds from Alrosa. However. the De Beers Company no longer controls the monetary values and besides no longer monopolizes the market by holding the 70 per centum of the sells. The authorities should besides command the monopoly and put up policies to let the little graduated table companies to sell their diamonds without leting the large companies to take control. The Botswana and South Africa states should ordain Torahs to forestall these companies from working them and from ruling the market s but besides assisting the little graduated table companies. The solution to issues on heath should besides be imposed by the company and the authorities in order to follow all healthy steps put in topographic point in any concern. For illustration De Beers presently holds a legal freedom in South Africa from the compulsory dust suppression method of spraying H2O when boring on the evidences that the dust in its mines is uniquely harmless ; a scenario which might non keep if it is considered profoundly. Such a step will forestall dust in a diamond mine from cutting and impacting the lungs of miners who are exposed to this risky environment. These steps should be enacted and any concern that breaks such jurisprudence should confront effects of action caused. This will heighten the preparation of concern moralss by different companies that attentions for their workers or employees welfare. The production of synthesized Diamond is another job that needs to be resolved that is to extinguish this merchandises from the market. As portion of De Beers’ and Diamond Trading Corporation enterprise to work out this job they came up with the Gem Defensive Program as an instrument to be used by trade and gemological research labs that can observe all interventions. synthetics and simulates diamond merchandises. The two companies besides financess educational plans about interventions that can alter the visual aspect and other belongingss of diamonds and anterooms for all diamond interventions and synthetics to be labeled in such a mode. These activities are undertaken in cooperation with taking trade organic structures as a agency of guaranting full and accurate information is provided to consumers of the merchandises. This Defensive Program will be able to assist place this illegal synthesized diamonds that is being flooded in the market and being made available in the mar ket at a lower monetary value than the original diamond. The concern moralss do non let forgery merchandises into the market and hence De Beers should keep itself from such a pattern ; this will guarantee that all merchandises supplied to the market will be of good quality and of original beginning so that its worth to the consumers for desired usage. The authorities should inspect all mines for safety working status free from fright of prostration and risky environment. Safety steps should be amended and guarantee that they are followed for the Torahs surfs to confront effects. ( Fisher. 2002 ) Diamond is a cherished resource as a symbol of love and commitment hence concern moralss must be held in order to construct a feasible foundation and committedness for concerns and at the same clip protect all employees’ rights in any organisation. Decision The extent of concern moralss is considered extended and can be measured from diverse point of views. In this instance the firm’s direction must do certain that a figure of ethical considerations must be nonsubjective for the concern to be booming in its maps and associations with its human resources and the milieus of its company. Corporate communicating hence must be adhered to and it is termed as a procedure that is used to smooth the advancement of the exchange of information and facts of the endeavor with its internal and external populaces or persons that have a direct relationship with the organisation. This activity is by and large practical in the internal communications direction as it is utilized from the distribution of the comprehension to determination doing with human resources. traders. investors and the company’s associates. Therefore. corporate communicating as a regulation is used to construct the company’s position among its stakeholders. This communicating entails the followers: transmutation direction. capable direction. concern societal duty. exigency communicating and internal connexions. ( Sparrow and Hilltop. 1994 ) Mention Davis. J. ( 2007 ) : The New Diamond Age- Wired Issue diary. Vol. 2 Edward. J. ( 1982 ) : The Diamond Invention: – Diamond Trading Company diary. Vol. 1 Fisher. D ( 2002 ) : De Beers plans war on man-made Gems- Times Publishers Maund. L. ( 2001 ) : An Introduction to Human to Human Resource Management: – Theory and Practice: Macmillan. Palgrave Sparrow. P and Hilltop. J ( 1994 ) : European Human Resource Management in Passage: – Prentice Hall. New York

Monday, November 25, 2019

Research Methodology Essay Essays

Research Methodology Essay Essays Research Methodology Essay Essay Research Methodology Essay Essay This chapter provides a description of the methods and process used in the survey. The readers will be enlightened on how the research workers conducted this survey. This compromises the methods and instruments that were used in informations assemblage. the respondents. the informations assemblage processs and the statistical intervention of informations. Research Method The descriptive method was chosen for this survey because this looks at the phenomenon of the minute and so depict exactly what the research workers observed. This method is used to pull perceptual experiences from the respondents. Descriptive research method refers to the method of roll uping informations for the intent of depicting bing conditions and state of affairss or nonsubjective or people without their being influence by the research worker. ( Guevarra. E and Nueva. F. . 2003 ) There are two chief beginnings of informations. which are the primary and secondary. The primary beginnings of informations were the responses of the respondents of Barangay San Miguel. Iriga City who gave their honest and accurate response with respect to the Effect of Socio-Cultural Activities. Respondents. The respondents of the survey were composed of households shacking at San Francisco. Iriga City. No. Of Respondents Percentage The informations above nowadayss the informations of the respondents used in the survey while the research workers were administering the questionnaire to the respondents. at the same clip. they took the chance to do follow up inquiries through a random. unstructured interview. Datas Gathering Tools The research workers used a questionnaire checklist as a tool in garnering informations. The questionnaire was constructed from the readings conducted by the research workers and from the cyberspace. Questionnaire. The first portion is the personal informations sheet. which was used to place the respondents and their features. The 2nd portion is the designation the Effects of Socio-Cultural Activities to Iriguenos. The 3rd portion is the Socio-Cultural activity that helps the economic growing of Iriga City. Fourth portion is the proposed action program to better the Socio-Cultural Activities in Iriga City. Last. the 5th portion is the statements of recommendations. which will let the respondents to rank harmonizing to precedence. give them the chance to propose extra recommendations for the farther betterment of Socio-Cultural Activities being provided to Iriguenos. Preparation of the Questionnaire. Using all the informations gathered from related articles and readings about the Effectss of Socio-Cultural Activities and after placing all the activities that affects to Iriguenos. the research workers uses the said activities in constructing up inquiries and processs that are necessary to cognize the effects of each activities. Validation of Questionnaire. For the proof of the questionnaire. a bill of exchange questionnaire was presented to the advisor for rectification and alteration. The revised transcript was prepared for blessing and a dry tally followed by administering to five advisors and 20 pupils who acted as respondents in order to look into for its lucidity and objectiveness. A concluding transcript of the tool was reproduced for distributions to the respondents. Administration and retrieval of the questionnaire. A formal petition to set about the survey was sought from Barangay Captain to carry on the survey among the mark respondents. During the retrieval of the questionnaires. the research workers conducted informal interview to the respondents. The consequences of which were used to supplement to primary informations. Data was so tabulated. organized. analyzed. and interpreted quantitatively. Unstructured Interview. The unstructured interview was conducted by the research workers to confirm the determination gathered through questionnaires. It was done to hold a direct conversation with the respondents Library Technique. The library technique was similarly be utilized in order to garner pertinent information from books. diaries. thesis. thesiss and other bing document-based researches. Likewise. the research worker besides gathered information available in the cyberspace which shows bearing to the research.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Human Trafficking Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Trafficking - Coursework Example People from third world countries are made to believe that there are a lot of employment opportunities in developed countries. They see it as a chance to live the dream. There are other pull factors that have led to human trafficking. They include; demand for workers and the possibility of living better lives. People have been made to believe that better opportunities can be found abroad and in large cities. The above factors explain why human trafficking has been on the rise since 1980 (Shelley, 2010) . Globalization, rise of illicit trade and the existence of a free market has also contributed to the rise of trafficking. Due to globalization, people and goods can be transported easily. The world has become a global village and even the most remote part of the world is now part of the global village. Developed countries have put in place tough measures that aim of phasing out the problem of illegal immigrants and human trafficking. Human traffickers use various methods to lure their victims. They target poor people from third world countries by posting advertisements and billboards that advertise various high paying jobs in developed countries with good pay. They are encouraged to apply for such positions. Once the unsuspecting people apply for the jobs, they are informed that the company would take them abroad only if they pay around $4000 to cover for plane tickets and other expenses that the company is likely to incur. However, most people from third world countries cannot be able to raise such a huge amount. The company offers to pay the amount for the people who are interested on condition that they would pay the amount from their earnings once they reach the foreign country. This deal is too sweet, and many people end up falling for the trap. Once the plane lands in a foreign country, the people are not taken to the jobs they were promised. Many are taken to brothels,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Critical Evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Critical Evaluation - Essay Example Focusing too much on Pacheco’s argument that Behn’s novella is ‘Eurocentric’ and ‘class-biased’, the review fails to provide a balanced view of Pacheco’s commentary, and leaves the reader clueless about Pacheco’s objective in writing the essay– exposing the political agenda underlying Behn’s novella, and its failure in achieving an ideological closure. The review begins with a clearly stated objective of exploring the main points of Pacheco’s essay and analysing its strengths and weaknesses; however, proceeds to describe Pacheco’s arguments and illustrations that suggest Behn’s hero as ‘Eurocentric’ and ‘royalist.’ A significant portion of the review is spent on summarising Pacheco’s viewpoints, and presents little attempt to analyse or interpret Pacheco’s observation in the backdrop of her thesis or the primary text. At many places like when describing Pacheco’s comments on ‘Europeanizing the African’ and Behn’s approach to slavery, the reviewer simply repeats Pacheco’s words as in a simple narration of the article, without quoting the author, or interpreting the implications of Pacheco’s observations. The review is totally oblivious of Pacheco’s commentary on Oroonoko’s treatment of honour and its instability withi n the upper-class/royalist discourse due to the religious implications, which according to her eventually leads to the undermining of the novel’s royalist ideology. While the review provides crucial insights into the perspective of Pacheco’s analysis, it does not endeavour to assess or evaluate the strength or weakness of her claims or offer a comprehensive framework for the readers to make the assessment themselves. Though the reviewer make a note of other works that substantiate Pacheco’s thesis such as that by Guffey, the commentary fails to provide a comparative perspective with other works for the reader to assess the merit and significance of Pacheco’s study. The

Monday, November 18, 2019

Graphics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Graphics - Essay Example people enrolled, or the amount of money spent/received) and finally I would provide the information that is to be communicated in its right kind by an appropriate main title which can be ‘list of majors enrolled in at XYZ university’ or ‘amount of revenues earned per discipline by XYZ college’. In this graphical illustration of data, I feel that the title is effective but the graphic chosen for its presentation is certainly less effective. The exact numbers which seemed to be the major information to be communicated is not provided. I would revise it with a format for presentation with clear mention of the exact numbers under each wing of the armed forces, as required. I would further use colors to highlight the title. In addition, I would place the title below the figure (p. 328). Furthermore, I would include a source of this information presented as it seems to be taken from either a governmental or any other published source. The pie chart seems to exhibit the breakdown of costs at Hillway Corporation. I would recommend changing the color scheme by using different saturations of the same color for each slice of the pie chart. I would further label each slice with the exact percentage of total cost that is being calculated for the expense head mentioned. I would further separate the slice for salaries to emphasize on the highest cost factor for Hillway Corporation. I would further place the largest slice on the top and move in the clockwise direction arranging the slices in descending order as per their relevant sizes. I would further recommend labeling the slices horizontally inside with percentage and name of the expense in the give data. 2D pie chart is recommended for clearer indication on the sizes of each slice as they relate to the breakdown of expenses or any other data provided. Although line charts are more useful in understanding the changes that are seen over time, the individual costs can also be illustrated of the PC components as

Friday, November 15, 2019

Balancing Rights and Duties of Parties

Balancing Rights and Duties of Parties Introduction The letter of credit is the most commonly used method of payment for goods in international trade. This thesis highlights the imbalance of the rights and duties of the parties in a letter of credit transaction by emphasising deficiencies in the letters of credit system. In addition, on those areas where there is lack of justice and equity and which make the system of the letters of credit vulnerable for fraudulent activities. After briefly discussing the structure of the letter of credit system, it discusses the rights and duties of parties to such transactions and how the risk of the innocent buyer has increased under UCP and very often the buyer is paying for the goods he had not contracted for. It further discusses the independence principle and the doctrine of documentary compliance, that overprotection of the â€Å"independence principle†, and the lack of â€Å"reasonable care† on the part of banks provide opportunities of fraud to the sellers to obtain payment wit hout actually performing their duties to banks and buyers. It will also argues about the â€Å"fraud exception† to the independence principle, particularly the position of the fraud exception in England and the history of some decisions of English Courts. In the end it gives some suggestions to balance the rights and duties amongst parties in a letter of credit transaction. Chapter 1 Structure of a Letter of Credit Transaction Commercial letters of credit have been used for the centuries as a most common method of payment, in international trade. Letters of credit used in international transactions are governed by the International Chamber of Commerce Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP). A commercial letter of credit is a contractual agreement between a bank (issuing bank), on behalf of one of its customers (buyer), authorizing another bank (advising or confirming bank), to make payment to the beneficiary (seller). The issuing bank, on the application of its customer (buyer), opens the letter of credit, and makes a commitment with the buyer to honour the credit on the presentation of the documents, conforming to the terms and conditions of the credit, by the beneficiary. Thus, the issuing bank replaces the banks customer as the payee. Elements of a Letter of Credit A payment undertaking given by a bank (issuing bank) On behalf of a buyer (applicant) To pay a seller (beneficiary) for a given amount of money On presentation of specified documents representing the supply of goods Within specified time limits Documents must conform to terms and conditions set out in the letter of credit Documents to be presented at a specified place Beneficiary Beneficiary is normally the provider of the goods or services and is entitled to payment as long as he can provide the conforming documents required by the letter of credit. The letter of credit is a distinct and separate transaction from the underlying contract (contract between seller and buyer). All parties deal in documents and not in goods. The issuing bank is not liable for performance of the underlying contract between the buyer and seller. The issuing banks obligation to the buyer-applicant is to examine all documents to insure that they are in compliance with the terms and conditions of the credit. To get the payment it is for the beneficiary to provide all the required documents. If the seller-beneficiary conforms to the letter of credit, the seller must be paid by the bank. Issuing Bank The issuing banks duty to pay and to be reimbursed from its customer becomes absolute upon the completion of the terms and conditions of the letter of credit. Under the provisions of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, the bank is entitled to have a reasonable time after receipt of the documents to honour the draft. The issuing banks duty is to provide a guarantee to the seller that if complying documents are presented by the seller, then the bank will make the payment to the seller, and will only pay if these documents comply with the terms and conditions set out in the letter of credit. Typically the documents requested include a commercial invoice, bill of lading or airway bill and an insurance document; but there are many others. Letters of credit only concerns with the documents, not with the goods. Advising Bank An advising bank is usually a foreign correspondent bank of the issuing bank which advises the seller-beneficiary. Generally, the beneficiary wants to use a local bank to insure that the letter of credit is valid. In addition, the advising bank is responsible for sending the documents to the issuing bank. The advising bank has no other obligation under the letter of credit. Therefore, if the issuing bank does not pay the beneficiary, the advising bank is not obligated to pay. Confirming Bank At the request of the issuing bank, the correspondent bank may confirm the letter of credit for the seller-beneficiary and obligates itself to insure payment under the letter of credit. The confirming bank is usually the advising bank. There are two main types of Letters of credit: (1) Revocable (2) Irrevocable Revocable Letter of Credit Revocable letter of credit is not a commonly used type of the letters of credit. This type of letter of credit can be revoked by the issuing bank at any time, without notification to the beneficiary, for any reason. Such type of letter of credit can not be confirmed by the correspondent bank and the bank will act as an advising bank only. A revocable letter of credit can not be revoked after the presentation of the documents, if the documents are conforming to the terms and conditions of the letter of credit and the payment has been made. Irrevocable Letter of Credit Use of irrevocable letters of credit is very common in international trade. Irrevocable letter of credit can not be revoked or changed without the consent of the beneficiary. Issuing bank will make the payment to the seller, if the seller presents the documents complying with the terms of the credit, as agreed between seller and buyer. Such a letter of credit can only be changed with the permission of both buyer and seller. If it is not clear from the letter of credit that whether it is revocable or irrevocable, it automatically considers as irrevocable. Irrevocable letters of credit are of two kinds: Unconfirmed credit In case of unconfirmed letter of credit, advising bank does not confirm the credit to the seller and the issuing bank is the only party responsible for payment to the beneficiary. Advising bank will only pay to the seller after getting payment from the issuing bank and there is no risk for the advising bank. Confirmed credit In this type of credit, advising bank confirms credit to the seller. When the advising bank confirms that the documents presented are conforming to the terms of the credit, it will make the payment to the seller, and after that advising bank will contact with the issuing bank to get the payment. This type of letter of credit is commonly used, when the seller is unfamiliar with the issuing bank. Such a type of letter of credit is quite expensive because the banks have some liability. Step-by-step process In international trade as the buyer and seller are in different countries so when the buyer and the seller of the goods agree to conduct business, than because of the gap of time between delivery of goods and the payment, usually the seller wants a letter of credit as a guarantee of payment from the buyer. Than the buyer makes a request to his bank called the issuing to open a credit in the favour of the seller. at the request of the buyer, issuing bank issues a letter of credit in favour of the seller and forwards it to the corresponding bank called the advising or conforming bank., which is usually located in the sellers country. Advising bank than either confirms the credit or not, depending upon the type of credit, and forward it to the seller. Seller than ships the goods and collects the documents required in order to meet the requirements of the letter of credit and finally to get the payment in time. Seller presents the required documents to the advising or confirming bank in order to get the payment in time. Advising or confirming bank examines the documents presented by the seller to check that whether they are conforming to the terms and conditions of the letter of credit. If the documents are in compliance, advising or confirming bank, in case of confirmed letter of credit, will make payment to the seller and will be reimbursed from the issuing bank and in case of unconfirmed letter of credit, advising or confirming bank will forward the documents to the issuing bank. Than the Issuing bank will, after examine of the documents, debit the buyers account if the documents are in compliance to the terms of the letter of credit. In the end, Issuing bank forwards the documents to the buyer. Most commonly used documents in a letter of credit transaction include: Commercial Invoice It includes a description of merchandise, price, FOB origin, and name and address of buyer and seller. The buyer and seller information must correspond exactly to the description in the letter of credit. Bill of Lading It is a document which shows the receipt of goods for shipment by a freight carrier. It is an evidence of the control of the goods and also acts as an evidence of the carriers obligation to transport the goods to their proper destination. Warranty of Title A warranty given by a seller to a buyer of goods that states that the title being conveyed is good. It is generally issued to the purchaser. Letter of Indemnity It is a letter specifically indemnifies the purchaser against a certain stated circumstance. Indemnification is generally used to guarantee that shipping documents will be provided in good order when available. Common Defects in the documents presented A discrepancy is some defect in the documents presented by the seller, which show their non-compliance with the terms of the letter of credit. Issuing bank can not change the terms and conditions of the letter of credit with out t he permission of the buyer. Therefore to avoid any delay in getting payment. Beneficiary should be careful in preparing the required documents. Common defects in the documents presented by the seller include: If the description of the goods is not consistent. There is some error in the insurance documents. If the draft amount is not equal to invoice amount. Loading and destination ports are not same as provided by the letter of credit. Merchandise description is not same as in the credit. If any of the documents required by the credit is not presented. Documents are generally inconsistent such as quality, etc. If the names of the documents required are not correct, as mentioned in the credit. Invoice is not signed as provided in the letter of credit. If prior to the presentation of the draft, Letter of Credit has expired. If the date mention in the bill of lading is different from the date stated in the credit. If there are some changes in the invoice which are not authorized by the letter of credit. In international sales, as the seller and the buyer are in different countries, there is a common problem of payment due to the difference of time between dispatch and delivery. Obviously, seller would like to receive payment for the goods when delivering them to the carrier and the buyer would prefer to delay the payment of the price until receipt of the goods. Therefore, a letter of credit solves this problem between the seller and the buyer. Generally, there are three separate transactions in a letter of credit transaction. The first is between a seller and a buyer, called an underlying transaction, by which the seller provides contracted goods to the buyer. The second transaction is between the buyer-applicant and the bank (issuer of the letter of credit), in which the bank issues a letter of credit to the seller-beneficiary. Finally, the letter of credit itself creates a relationship between the issuer and the beneficiary, in which, the issuer makes payment for goods upon the beneficiarys presentation of the required documents, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the letter of credit as agreed between seller and buyer. The banks performance of payment is conditional on the delivery of conforming documents by the beneficiary. The banks are called issuers and are usually the applicants bank. Normally the issuing bank opens a letter of credit in its own name and requests its correspondent bank to notify the sel ler about the letter of credit. Sometimes, the issuing bank instructs the correspondent bank not only to notify the seller of the issuing banks undertaking but also to add a confirmation. In this case, the credit is known as a confirmed credit and the correspondent bank as a confirming bank. The payment obligation of the issuing bank depends upon the beneficiarys presentation of complying documents to the confirming bank or to any other nominated bank, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the credit. Under general practice, presenting â€Å"complying documents† means that they comply with the conditions of the credit â€Å"on their face†. From banking point of view, compliance â€Å"on their face† of the presented documents is sufficient. The â€Å"independence principle† (which will be discussed later) is the fundamental principle of the letter of credit system, which prohibits banks from looking beyond facial compliance of the documents, and t herefore exclude whether or not there is actual performance by the seller-beneficiary. In fact, letters of credit system has emphasised the independence principle to such an extent that banks are ignoring the performance of the underlying contract very confidently. As a result, all the risk is on the honest buyers, who are sometime paying for goods that they had not contracted for. Importance of the research The primary purpose of the letter of credit system is to facilitate international trade, rather than to provide an opportunity to the banks to make profit. As the fraud is very common in these days, but UCP is not designed to prevent fraud. The number of frauds relating to the letters of credit has increased over the years. Buyers are particularly vulnerable to such practices under the letter of credit system. This situation shows that there is some ambiguity in the letter of credit system and a lack of balance between the rights and duties of the parties to a letter of credit transaction, which is being exploited very easily by fraudsters. Division of risk under a Letter of Credit Transaction As we have discussed above, a letter of credit transaction consists of three linked but independent contracts. The first step is that the buyer makes a contract with the seller for the sale of goods, called the underlying contract. Subsequently the buyer signs an application form requesting the bank to open a credit, which is an arrangement between the buyer and the bank. The third step is that the issuing bank informs the seller, who is the beneficiary of the letter of credit, of the credit and promises to pay against the stipulated documents provided the terms and conditions of the credit are met. The letter of credit allocates risk between the applicant and the beneficiary. By postulating a letter of credit, the beneficiary may greatly reduce the risk of not being paid and ultimately allowing the beneficiary of the letter to reallocate the risk of non-payment for delivered goods which do not conform to the underlying sale contract. Generally, banks are reluctant to dishonour a credit, since to do so may damage the banks reputation as a credit issuer. The cost of honour, however, falls on the honest applicant, not the bank. â€Å"If the beneficiary has breached the underlying transaction, payment under the credit to him will occasion loss, but that loss will not be the banks; it will be the applicants.† Increase in the applicants risk and decrease in the banks risk under UCP UCP is the governing law of the letters of credit, therefore there should be a balance regarding the rights and duties of the parties, but UCP contains rules that reduce bank risk. There is no provision asking for judicial intervention to compensate letter of credit parties in case of banks negligence. The provisions in favour of banks fall into two categories. The first provides sweeping immunity from liabilities that national legal systems may impose. Example of such a disclaimer is Article 15. Under Article 15, banks assume no liability for the genuineness, falsification or legal effect of any documents and therefore the issuer is immune from the liability for paying against forged documents, which on their face appear regular. Therefore, the payment by the issuing bank does not show that the buyer has received the goods, which he had contracted for. The security, which the beneficiary is getting under the letter of credit system is not the same with the security of the buyer. The second category of pro-bank provisions contains rules that set precise boundaries on what the banks must do, which reduces uncertainty about bank responsibility and provides clear guidance to bank employees. For example, the customer cannot stipulate non-documentary conditions of payment, and time limits on examination of documents are fixed rather than open-ended. In case of any loss, the buyer, which is the applicant for a credit, can take action against the seller for breach of contract or fraud, but has no right of action against the bank for banks negligence in examining the documents, which can be ineffectual for several reasons, such as insolvency of either the applicant or the beneficiary. Hence the burden of risk on the applicant is more than any party in a letter of credit transaction and in most of the cases, buyers are paying for the goods Chapter 2 UCP and letters of credit Originally UCP has been drafted by the Banking Commission of the ICC, which was comprised of the representatives of the banking community, which shows the dominance of the banks and banking experts. Their dominance in UCP drafting hints that in drafting UCP. ICC was acting as a private legislature. It looks that the rules contain in the UCP are much beneficial for the banks than any other party, and giving a limited chance to the judiciaries to interfere to protect customers from any careless behaviour of the banks. The authority to interpret the UCP rests in the ICCs Commission on Banking Technique and Practice, which can apply these interpretations to solve the problems arising in any case. Because of wide publicity and distribution of commissions answers, their interpretation can be considered as an official interpretation of the UCP. Commission can enhance, interpreting, and sometimes amend the provisions of the UCP. The banks which deal with the letters of credit, act upon these interpretations and any amendments. As in theory, commission is only answerable to ICC members, therefore the chances of any challenge to such interpretation is very low. Role of courts in a letter of credit transaction In Discount Records Ltd. v. Barclay Bank Ltd., the judge was reluctant to â€Å"interfere with bankers irrevocable credit and not least in the sphere of international banking†. The position is same in many other cases. The apparent reason for the reluctance of the judges to interfere looks that they are afraid from the threats of the banking experts that their decisions would have an unfavourable affect on international trade. The difficulties of the courts to balance the rights and duties of all parties to a letter of credit transaction have increased. In Mannesman Handel AG v. Kaunlaran Shipping Corporation, the Swiss bank argued that the bank was in rejecting the documents by the German company relying on the independence principle and the discrepancies appeared on the documents. The court was asked not to apply the good faith principle otherwise the court â€Å"would be calculated to undermine if not destroy the doctrine of strict compliance and to blur if not extinguish the distinction between transactions concerning goods and transactions concerning documents.† Normally the judicial decisions relating to the legal aspects of documentary credits base on either the express intentions of the parties or established business practice at the time, the parties entered in a contractual relationship. In cases where the UCP provisions are different from business practice, a court will apply the UCP if the UCP is incorporated in the contract of the parties. It shows that courts have assented to the entire documentary credit system being run by the banking industry and eventually abstaining the courts to intervene to balance the legal rights and duties amongst all the parties. Should the UCP have the status of law? Leading scholar Professor Ross Buckley says: â€Å"originally, the UCP was neither designed nor intended to be law. It was prepared as a set of standard terms to be incorporated by reference into letters of credit by those parties who chose to do so.† This has also been confirmed by the UCP in the preface of UCP 500, which states that the UCP is not legislation but a compilation of rules made by bankers for their own industry. Therefore there is a dispute as to whether the UCP is a code of the law, or just customary practices, or some mutually consented regulations relating to letters of credit. However in fact, UCP is the governing law of the letters of credit. Banks risk under UCP (exemption clauses) Article 15 and 18 (b) of the UCP 500, limits the liability of the banks in a letter of credit transaction and which have almost made it a risk free transaction for the banks. Article 15 says: â€Å"Banks assume no liability to or responsibility for the form, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness, falsification or legal effect of any document(s) or for the general and/or particular conditions stipulated in the document(s) or superimposed thereon, nor do they assume any liability or responsibility for the description, quantity, weight, quality, condition, packing, delivery, value or existence of the goods represented by any document(s) or for the good-faith or acts and/or omissions, solvency, performance or standing of the consignors, the carriers, the forwarders, the consignee or the insurers of the goods or any other person whomsoever.† Article 18(b) further states: â€Å"Banks assume no liability or responsibility should the instructions they submit not be carried out, even if they have themselves taken the initiative in the choice of such other bank(s).† The UCP 500 places the applicant-buyer in an absurdly vulnerable position through its disclaimer clauses. To some extent there is a lack of duties on the part of the bank to verify the authenticity of the documents. Hence it might not be wrong to say that albeit there is a waste increase in the use of letters of credit, does not signify that the UCP is fairly drafted. Letters of credit and its users It is also very important that whether all the parties to the letter of credit, particularly applicant-buyer are conscious about the presence of these exemptions, e.g. by providing a copy of these exemption clauses of the UCP or by giving a notice of these exemption clauses. It is a rule that to enforce an exemption clause, a reasonable notice should be given to the other party but in practice, buyers are assume to have the notice of the UCP and that they are familiar with the provisions of the UCP. Further, the application for the issuance of a letter of credit and the letter of credit document itself only contain a simple sentence: â€Å"Subject to UCP for Documentary Credits†, without any attachment of the provisions of the UCP or any notice of such exemption clauses. Hence it is debatable that why the courts do not look, while dealing with the cases relating to the letters of credit, that whether a reasonable notice has been given relating to the exemption clauses and do n ot interfere to balance the rights and duties of the parties to a letter of credit transaction? Chapter 3 Doctrine of strict compliance and independence principle It is a basic rule of the letter of the credit transaction and which is widely recognised that the letters of credit are transactions independent of the underlying contracts on which they are based. According to this principle, the issuer has no concern with the underlying contracts between buyer and seller. Its concern is with documents only, rather than the goods or any type of services. Obviously there are some doubts about this principle, i.e. to what extent this principle should be applied. Which some tome may cause injustice to the applicant under certain circumstances. Independence Principle Generally, letter of credit is a contract between the issuer and the seller of the goods, which is independent of the underlying contract between the seller and the buyer. The independence principle is mentioned in Article 3 and Article 4 of the UCP. Article 3 states: â€Å"Credits, by their nature, are separated transactions from the sales or other contract(s), even if any reference whatsoever to such contract(s) is included in the Credit.† Article 4 further says: â€Å"In credit operations all parties concerned deal with documents and not with goods, services and/or other performances to which the documents may relate.† From the very beginning independence principle governs letter of credit transactions and very clearly states that the credits are completely separate from their underlying transactions and the issuer makes payment depending on the conformity of the documents presented according to the terms and conditions of the credit without considering the performance of the underlying contract by the beneficiary. Under this principle, bank is only under a duty to accept the conforming documents and should not get involved in the performance of the contract between seller and buyer. Further it has no concern about any debt obligations and other claims between the seller and the buyer. May commentators accept that for the workability of the letter of credit system, the strictest observance of this principle is indispensable. In this chapter we will discuss that how the banks deal with documents and about relationship between bank and other parties in a letter of credit transaction. As Lord Justice Jenkins stated in Malas (Hamzeh) Sons v British Imex Industries Ltd: â€Å"It seems to me plain that the opening of a confirmed letter of credit constitutes a bargain between the banker and the vendor of the goods, which imposes upon the banker an absolute obligation to pay, irrespective of any dispute there may be between the parties on the question whether the goods are up to contract or not.†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The issuing bank does not have any concern with the shipping of the goods or whether the goods are conforming or not whether the documents actually represent those goods which the buyer contracted for. This is because of the reason that the obligations of the banks in a letter of credit transaction are very limited. In this situation it is also debateable that whether under a letter of credit transaction, it would be fair to say that banks are not allowed to look beyond the presenting documents, while making payments? Status of applicant under UCP Article 1 of the UCP explains that the UCP binds all parties to the letter of credit unless otherwise provided but it is quite as who such parties are. Therefore the status of the applicant is doubtful, even it is not clear as to whether an applicant is a party to the UCP or not, and this is also to some extent obvious due to the absence of any provision in the UCP stating about the duties owed by the issuing bank toward the applicant. However courts have indicated on occasions that the contract between the bank and the applicant is similar to a contract of agency. Doctrine of strict compliance (a) Duty to pay only for conforming documents In a letter of credit transaction a bank is only bound to make payment if the beneficiary delivers the required documents. Simultaneously buyer knows that the amount will be released only if the documents are conforming according to the terms and conditions of the letter of credit. It is very much clear that the documents play a very important role in the letter of credit transaction. Their importance is so clear that without their presentation and conformity, the performance of the letter of credit transaction is impossible. Article 13(a) of the UCP provides: â€Å"Banks must examine all documents stipulated in the Credit with reasonable care to ascertain whether or not they appear, on their face, to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit. Compliance of the stipulated documents on their face with the terms and conditions of the Credit shall be determined by international standard banking practice as reflected in these Articles. Documents which appear on their face to be inconsistent with one another will be considered as not appearing on their face to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit.† (b) Standard of â€Å"reasonable care† Under this heading we will discuss that whether there is a any standard of reasonable care under the UCP or not and if there is a standard, toward whom, and in case of failure to exercise such care, what would be the consequences. Sub-Article 13(a) of the UCP, provides that the banks duty is to examine the documents required by the applicant with â€Å"reasonable care† to ensure that such documents are complying with the terms and conditions of the letter of credit â€Å"on their face†. To some extent, sub- Article 13(a) is ambiguous about its meaning. It is not clear that what exact standard should be exercised. UCP and even whole letter of credit system is quite about the standard of the duty of care imposed on the banks, towards whom bank should exercise such a duty of care, and what would be the consequences in case if the bank fails in exercising such a duty of care. Probably there is no answer to this question because of the fact that the rights of the applicant are not discussed under UCP. Validity of documents Article 15 of the UCP protects the banks by stating that â€Å"banks assume no liability or responsibility for the form, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness, falsification or legal effect of any documents†. Banks are authorised to make payment without having any concern whether the documents presented by the beneficiary actually represent goods, for which the applicant contracted for. As explained above that the letter of credit is a written undertaking by the bank to make payment only if the beneficiary presents original and genuine documents as agreed by the parties. Similarly buyer also knows very well that the amount will be paid only upon the delivery of the conforming documents according to the terms and conditions of the credit. Hence the documents play a key role in the performance of the letter of credit transaction. Conformity is the only condition for the payment of the amount. In practice, a bank very often takes security for the payment it makes under the letter of credit transaction. Such a security is provided by the documents of title f

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

short story run :: essays research papers

He doesn’t sleep for more than a few hours. He doesn’t know why it is, just that he has never been able to let the night take him. The house isn’t big enough to hold his thoughts. Everyday it’s on his mind. The pain only comes when he tries to rest. He tries filling his time with activities to make himself better. Three a.m. is when he starts running. It’s the best time to go for a run, no one to bug him when he leaves.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The house sleeps. He opens the door so the house stays asleep. He likes to run; it’s the only thing that keeps him going. He tightens his shoes and takes the time to stretch. The chill of the night starts his journey. He runs blind; no set path, he just picks a direction and goes. He goes down the road and through the park; up the hill and past the school. The road becomes dirt and the houses become corn. The lights of the city are nothing more than a long shadow. Nothing more than the thought of what he is trying to forget. He searches for nothing and doesn’t look back; he forgets the path he took and moves on. Here the world is a place for him to discover, for him to be himself and he doesn’t worry about a thing. The pain doesn’t make a sound out here, away from everything. He stops. The wind cools his sweat. He sits and watches the stars disappear. He forgets where he is and lets the peace of nothing come upon him. Other runners come by and decide to join him in the grass nearby. He welcomes them with a peaceful smile. They watch him and wonder what he is doing. With a mouthful of grass, they continue to make sure that he will not hurt them. With white tails high they continue their run, and he decides that he has rested long enough. The night air changes, and it becomes damp. Clouds cover the moon and he knows what is coming. The first drop hits his nose and the second lands on his chest. The drops start small, but in a matter of minutes they become the size of gumdrops. He doesn’t care because he knows there is nothing he can do about it. Without the moon’s light, the night become very black.

Monday, November 11, 2019

How does Hobbes’ views on our senses influence his overall theory Essay

It is no coincidence that the first part of Thomas Hobbes’ The Leviathan begins with a discussion of the senses—his views on how the human faculties of sight, smell, taste, hearing and feeling form the basis of his theories on humanity and society. Hobbes presents a departure from most of the prevalent beliefs on perception during his time. Thomas Hobbes lived during the 16th to 17th Century, where most of Europe has already undergone the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a rebirth of the culture in Europe, primarily through the re-discovery of the Classical Greek and Roman traditions. Hence, most of the philosophical scholarship during that time centered on the works of the great Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Plato. Hobbes departs from both philosphers in his view on the senses. Plato believed that the world we can perceive through our senses is a fallacy. Our senses cannot be trusted and being â€Å"base† or low faculties–they should be discarded in favor of the faculty of the mind, which would lead to the â€Å"world of ideas. † The world of ideas is the truth and everything else is irrelevant. Notice the schism between the idea and the senses according to Plato. Aristotle, like most students, countered his teacher Plato in his work, Poetics. He believes that the sensory world is the means by which one can achieve the truth. The world of ideas is not some far off place in the mind, but intertwined with the senses. Thomas Hobbes presents something quite revolutionary. He departs from the ideas of Aristotle that truth or knowledge is achieved through the senses. Hobbes has a more scientific approach—the faculties of the sense are merely absorbers of input from an external â€Å"object (10, I. 1). To sense is basically to manufacture a â€Å"fancy (10, I. 1)† or knowledge from the stimulus presented by the object. Thus, the act of sensing is not true at all. Hobbes also deviates from Plato’s idea that the senses are completely detached from the truth or knowledge. Hobbes believes that while the act of sensing or perception creates a manufactured thought, the production of thought is still impossible without the senses. That said, this creates a problem: it seems that the world as perceived by humans is inherently relative and false. The universal truth of Plato and Socrates do not exist in Hobbes world view; even the production of knowledge through the sense yields results subject to the whims or desires of an individual. Hobbes’ theories in The Leviathan basically present structures that serve to create some semblance of order and a notion of truth from the artificial and shifting world that humans perceive. The Commonwealth and the concept of the social contract serve as anchors keeping humanity afloat in the chaotic sea of the sensory world and the passionate self being in constant flux. Hobbes creates the image of a whale—a leviathan—swimming in a chaotic sea as a metaphor for the Commonwealth amidst the turmoil of human desire and perception (7, I). How does the theory of recollection relate to two other concepts in Plato’s dialogues? The theory of recollection in Menos is a very important concept as a basis for Plato’s (and Socrates’) other concepts. This is primarily due to the nature of recollection according to Plato—recollection is equated to gaining knowledge. In fact, to Plato and his teacher, there is no such thing as gaining knowledge. An individual already knows everything he needs to know, coming from a divine source that has given that knowledge to an individual even before birth: â€Å"Socrates: But if he did not acquire the knowledge in this life, then he must have had and learned it at some other time? Menos: Clearly he must. Socrates: Which must have been the time when he was not a man? (22)† The concept of recollection then becomes the basis for one of the most important ideas that Plato presents—that knowledge comes from an outside source that is divine in nature (14). Since all knowledge has been with us prior to our birth, then it stands to reason that it comes from the divine, because it has existed before us. Knowledge being divine also implicates the existence of an immortal soul, which serves as the container of knowledge before it takes a mortal form. Recollection also relates to the concept of self-examination as the purpose of man. Self-examination is the only means of an individual to achieve the divine gift of knowledge and virtue. Again, this is based on Plato’s assumption that one does not learn, but rather remembers. Self-examination is therefore the highest form of gaining knowledge, since it is an attempt to reach the divine gift within. The main tool to be used in this case is rationality or reason. One must always question one’s self to achieve the divine. This concept is a very important one because it places a primacy on reason. While the presence of the divine is still very dominant in Plato’s ideas, the use of reasoning to reach the ultimate good within would make reason an important aspect of later ideas in Western philosophy. Thinkers like Immanuel Kant and even Thomas Hobbes would take the primacy of reason and further place it at the center of Western thought. So much so that at some point, the concept of the divine will be dealt away with and only reason remains. Whose philosphy is better justified: Plato’s or Hobbes’? With both philosphers being part of the Western tradition, is comes as no surprise that the primacy of reason is apparent with both Plato and Hobbes. While Plato’s ideas have influenced almost all his contemporaries in the Western world, Hobbes presents more justified arguments regarding political and social theory than Plato. Plato’s arguments have two major weaknesses. First, Plato makes a big mistake by creating a so-called â€Å"world of ideas,† and immediately labelling it as the ultimate good. While the call for self-examination to achieve a sense of enlightenment prides reason and the intellect, the implied mysticism of an almost unreachable other world of truth detached from reality lacks proofs. How can one prove that ther is indeed a world of ideas, if man cannot perceive it? Worse, how does one know that it is truly good? Plato presents no basis for an axis of morality, but resorts to the simple dichotomy of intellect good, body (sensory faculties) bad. Hobbes starts his premise on more solid argumentative grounds because he takes the divine aside and argues on objective grounds. He would not do away with the divine completely, but reserves concepts related to God for the discussion on the Commonwealth itself. The entire introduction—where important concepts are introduced—remains free of mysticism and theology. Only rationality is employed here. The foundations of Hobbes’ premises begin with an immediate examination of presupposed notions the senses, then the imagination, then speech, etc. Everytime Hobbes introduces a new concept, that new concept is well grounded based on arguments prior. The dialectic mode of arumentation by Plato through Socrates and various individuals often easily fall into assumptions and generalizations. For example, in Plato’s Menos, Socrates uses a dialogue with a boy regarding geometry to prove one of the foundations of his arguments—the illlusion of learning masks recollection (15-20). As stated previously in the second question, recollection would lead to more complex arguments regarding man’s purpose and the nature of knowledge and truth. But is the use of the boy â€Å"recollecting† knowledge well-proven? Socrates offers no other examples of an individual knowing something immediately just through queries to help that individual recollect knowledge that is already there. Also, there is no examination of the role that questions play in the remembering of knowledge. How sure is Socrates that his questions indirectly â€Å"teach† an individual knowledge, rather than just guiding an individual to remember knowledge? Hobbes, in his exploration of memory in â€Å"Of Imagination,† posits that memory â€Å"is decayed sense (11, I. 2). He argues this position well because he not only leaves the mystical divine aside, but also because his arguments for the imagination is based on his objective examination of the senses (from which imagination is derived). The logical inferences are more straightforward in Hobbes The Leviathan. Explain Hobbes’ thinking on the Commonwealth The Commonwealth is a stabilizing structure based on natural laws, and more importantly, on contracts. Based on the chapter â€Å"Of Man† in The Leviathan, there is a fluidity that exists within an individual. An individual is inherently chaotic. The generation of knowledge and the ability of human beings to perceive the world cause this inherent chaos. Individuals are driven by varied desires, and their perception of the world is influenced by the said desires. Therefore, conflicts would erupt between individuals with conflicting desires. Thomas Hobbes accepts the inevitable nature of desires. The Commonwealth is a means to establish order among individuals despite them having many and often conflicting desires. While Hobbes draws influence from the Classical thinkers like Plato and Aristotle, particularly with his concepts on natural law (111, II. 7) which are very similar (but still divergent) to Plato’s view on virtues, Hobbes introduction of the contract is his important contribution to Western social thought. Hobbes establishes a view on morality based on desires, which, as mentioned earlier, is fluid and chaotic. Desires are subject to the whims of every individual. Anything an individual desires is good; anythi ng he does not desire is bad: â€Å"For every man is desirous of what is good for him, and shuns what is evil (7, I. 1)†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This duality is the cause of conflicts, even war. But because of several desires common to all individuals and instituted by the divine, which Hobbes names as Natural Laws (86, I. 14), some desires are quelled so that common desires like Peace, Liberty and Justice can be achieved. Furthermore, other desires that conflict among individuals can be curbed by one individual giving up part of his rights for another individual. If both parties agree to this, again stability is achieved. When many individuals agree to create such contracts so that these same individuals can enjoy their common desires by giving up some of their other desires, the Commonwealth is achieved.