Weaknesses of Descartes Arguments Essays - 1641 Words

Descartes was incorrect and made mistakes in his philosophical analysis concerning understanding the Soul and the foundation of knowledge. Yes, he coined the famous phrase, â€Å"I think therefore I am,† but the rest of his philosophical conclusions fail to be as solid (Meditation 4; 32). Descartes knew that if he has a mind and is thinking thoughts then he must be something that has the ability to think. While he did prove that he is a thinking thing that thinks (Meditation 3; 28), he was unable to formulate correct and true philosophical arguments and claims. For instance, his argument for faith that a non-deceiving God exists and allows us to clearly reason and perceive was a circular argument. Another issue with Descartes philosophy†¦show more content†¦Also, it is wrong to think that just because we can reason clearly that a non-deceiving God must be allowing us to do so. It is possible that this is just a natural occurrence in human beings because it is an intrinsic characteristic. Secondly, to even think to reconcile scientific and religious views is entirely inappropriate. Descartes was a dualist in that he divided reality into two distinctly different realms. He said that the mind, which is what he thought was the Soul and not a physical brain, existed on its own and that the body was just a perceived extension of the mind. While he said that the mind and the body were related, he proposed that the mind was not governed by the body and therefore maintained free will. On the other hand, Descartes believed that the body can only be studied and explained through science. The mind was capable of free will, which has a religious connotation in that it denotes that a higher force, or God, is not controlling the minds of humans but then their minds are in control of their bodies. Then, the body was a scientific vessel that was inhabited by the Soul, or the mind, for a temporary amount of time. Apparently, the mind could not be exp lained through science but rather religion whereas the body could only be explained and studied through science and not religion. Descartes attempt atShow MoreRelatedThe Strengths And Weaknesses Of Descartes Dreaming Argument And Evil Demon Argument1430 Words   |  6 PagesThis essay will attempt to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Descartes’ dreaming argument and evil demon argument. Through discussion, I will show why the evil demon argument is more plausible than the dreaming argument. The essay will give a brief definition of the two arguments and explain why these arguments are important. Then I will discuss the two arguments, considering both sides and referencing previous work by other philosophers. I will conclude with a short summary of the topics coveredRead MoreDescartes Fourth Meditation On The Existence Of God1382 Words   |  6 PagesIn Descartes’ Fifth Meditation, he delivers an argument that has come to be known as the Ontological Argument. It is here that Descartes argues for the existence of God, through a priori reasoning. In order to understand both the strengths and weakness of this argument, I will first break it down into its main premises. From here, I will argue that despite the simplicity and use of reasoning in the argument, the weaknesses outweigh the strengths, and ultimately that the argument fails. To allow forRead MoreThe Ontological Argument For The Existence Of God1509 Words   |  7 Pages Descartes’ ontological argument is an echo of the original ontological argument for the existence of God as proposed by St. Anselm in the 11th century. To illustrate the background of the ontological argument, Anselm’s argument works within a distinct framework of ontology that posits the existence of God as necessity by virtue of its definition. In other words, for the mind to conceive of an infinite, perfect God, ultimately implies that there must indeed be a perfect God that embodies existenceRead MoreCartesian Dualism vs Logical Behaviorism Essay1483 Words   |  6 Pagesyou do of your own free will? Are people genuinely moved by the welfare of others, or is all behavior, in reality, selfish? (Sober 203). These are questions relevant to philosophy of the mind and discussed through a variety of arguments. Two of the most important arguments with this discussion are Cart esian dualism and logical behaviorism, both of which argue the philosophy of the mind in two completely different ways. Robert Lane, a professor at the University of West Georgia, define the two asRead MoreSimilarities And Weaknesses Of Descartes And Locke On The Topic Of The Origin Of Ideas1237 Words   |  5 Pageshave? Renà © Descartes and John Locke, both seventeenth-century philosophers, are often seen as two of the first early modern philosophers. One question that the both of them try to tackle is the origin of ideas. Descartes and Locke do not provide the same answers to this question. This paper will discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses of both augments of Descartes and Locke on the topic of the origin of ideas. It will also discuss who had the stronger argument overall. Descartes believes thatRead MoreFor Years, Philosophers Have Debated The Mind-Body Problem,1195 Words   |  5 Pagesthe physical world. Philosopher Descartes believed in substance dualism, the belief that the mind and the body are two different things. In this essay, I will examine Descartes’ substance dualism theory. First, I will review Descartes’s theory and reasons that support it. Then, I will review objections with Descartes’s argument. After that, I will imagine how Descartes would respond to these objections. Finally, I will conclude with an overall assessment. Descartes’ substance dualism theory was formedRead MoreDescartes: Proofs of God/Deception and Error Essay1093 Words   |  5 PagesDescartes: Proofs of God/Deception and Error Instructions: First: Analyze and evaluate the two proofs of Gods existence. How are they different? Is one more convincing than the other? Why did Descartes think he needed two proofs? Do they do different work for him? And secondly: Does Descartes give a satisfactory account of human error, given a perfect and divine creator? Are Descartes arguments convincing, or does it still seem unnecessary and less than perfect that God created us withRead More Hume And Descartes On The Theory Of Ideas Essay619 Words   |  3 Pages Hume and Descartes on The Theory of Ideas nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;David Hume and Rene Descartes are philosophers with opposing views about the origination of ideas. Descartes believed there were three types of ideas which are, innate, adventitious and those from imagination. He stated since he exists and his idea of what a perfect being is, such as God, then God exists. Hume, on the other had, believed ideas came only from one thing, impressions. Both theories have their strengths and weaknessesRead MoreThe On First Philosophy By Rene Descartes1699 Words   |  7 PagesIn his work Meditations on First Philosophy, published in 1641, Renà © Descartes sets out to establish a set of indubitable truths for the sciences. He begins by discarding all of his beliefs, then works to rebuild his beliefs based on careful thought. Descartes clearly states this goal, saying in the First Meditation, â€Å"I will work my way up†¦ I will accomplish this by putting aside everything that admits of the least doubt† (I, 17). He is able to establish his own existence, but struggles to move beyondRead MoreAn Analysis Of Descartes And The Dreaming Argument1390 Words   |  6 PagesThis essay will take a look at Descartes Dreaming argument and Evil Demon argument. As well as discussing their weaknesses and strengths to later decide which argument is the best. Despite my belief of subjective truths, the reason for doing this is to establ ish both arguments on an equal basis and to determine which would be best in an argument. The Dreaming argument first showed up in Descartes First Meditation, where he focusses on the task to educate himself on his own doubt. When meditating

Essay about Wells Fargo Financial Analysis - 1348 Words

Wells Fargo Financial Analysis For this project, we researched Wells Fargo?s performance in the last couple of years as a way to check on its progress to greatness. What we found was an overwhelmingly charismatic company that not only puts down its values in ink, but also strictly abides by them. Much to our surprise, a huge chunk of their thick annual report for 2002 was an honest listing of all the threatening factors that stand in the company?s way rather than its exceptional rankings in its sector. In this paper, we will focus specifically on Wells Fargo?s leadership, company culture, SWOT analysis, and financial performance analysis. We will try to link our findings to Jim Collins?s book as a way to prove that the company has†¦show more content†¦The responses to these surveys are used to analyze the management style and to see if there is any need or opportunity for further improvement. In other words, the management of Wells Fargo has already passed from good to great. Kovacevich strives to create an atmosphere of employee satisfaction and trust. It is true that he finds it profitable to maintain happy workers who execute their jobs better but we saw much more than the pure profit added to these open management ? employee relations: we saw a caring leader, humble enough to risk his authority to be undermined by critiques. Several years after Collins? book was published, the management at Wells Fargo is still approachable, humble, humane, and very charismatic. Company Culture, Values and Visions We found Wells Fargo as charismatic a company as its CEO Kovacevich is. It has preserved proudly its values for 150 years now, and anyone can look at them on their homepage (www.wellsfargo.com). Wells Fargo places its employees above their customers and above their products. An employee is what makes a service company successful. As Kovacevich says for RMA journal, ? Our ability to provide outstanding sales and services all gets down to our people ? they?re our one true sustainable competitive advantage.? On top of the values for Wells Fargo is maintaining outstandingShow MoreRelatedWells Fargo Financial Analysis Essay1139 Words   |  5 PagesIn March 1852 Henry Wells and William Fargo founded Wells, Fargo amp; Co. to serve the West. The new company offered banking (buying gold, and selling paper bank drafts as good as gold) - and express (rapid delivery of the gold and anything else valuable). Wells Fargo opened for business in the gold rush port of San Francisco, and soon Wells F argo’s agents opened offices in the other new cities and mining camps of the West. In the boom and bust economy of the 1850s, Wells Fargo earned a reputationRead MoreCareer And Company Analysis : Wells Fargo1284 Words   |  6 PagesCareer and Company Analysis We all have some skills and we are all good in different areas. For me I have always been good in math and that is what led me to choose a career in accounting. At the moment I currently work as an accounting intern and I am gaining experience in being in an office. I think it would be beneficial to further my work experience and I think a bank would be a good choice so I can learn even more skills to become a good accountant. This is why I choose Wells Fargo as my companyRead MoreEnvironmental Scan Essay1306 Words   |  6 Pages competitive advantage, value, and measurements used at Wells Fargo and Verizon wireless. Most of the supporting data are summaries from the Wells Fargo, and Verizon websites. Wells Fargo is a large financial institution with five strategic priorities: putting customers first, growing revenue, reducing expenses, living the vision and values, and connecting with communities, and stakeholders (Wells Fargo, 1999 - 2013). The Wells Fargo strategy includes cross-selling, (selling additional products)Read MoreWells Fargo As A Community Based Bank1558 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout the years Wells Fargo has made sure that they never dismissed their focus on helping customers and organizations in the real economy. All the way from checking accounts and debit cards to preserving merchandise to treasury administrations, they help customers deal with their day by day financial lives. Wells Fargo are able to help families purchase their first homes and cars. They also provide financial assets to small and large businesses across the country, which it provides an expansionRead MoreThe Banking Industry And Wells Fargo1703 Words   |  7 PagesThe banking indust ry and Wells Fargo must use analytics to better understand market segments to allow them to correctly identity which markets to enter. Without the correct capital allocation within certain markets, any financial institution can see their revenue shares dwindle thus creating a direct need for market forecasting. I can recall a town hall meeting from 2011, where John Stumpf, CEO of Wells Fargo, and several high ranking executives spoke on Wells Fargo’s ability to overcome the obstaclesRead MoreKey Relationships Between Bank of America and Wells Fargo1040 Words   |  5 PagesKey Financial Relationships: Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank of America and Wells Fargo are separate banks, however; both of these institutions share many similarities when reporting their financial statements. The inter-relationships of the data provided in the statements seem to exemplify the correlation of accounting practices between these two banks. As large as these two banks have become, and as complex, one can see that the banks’ roots are still tied firmly to the basic accountingRead MoreBank Of Americ Market Prospect And Based On Long Term Investitors Profitability1249 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Analyzing all the ratios applied to the financial services industry, Wells Fargo emerges as the best company to invest in. We arrived at this conclusion through a process started from the analysis of the market prospect and based on long-term investitors’ profitability. First of all we compared all the four building blocks of the analysis making a selection and finding out that few companies were not as convenient as the others. Even though it isn t the BEST in most of these fieldsRead MoreMaster Of Science And Information Management1015 Words   |  5 PagesPricing 8 5.0 Market Analysis 10 6.0 Requirements Gathering and Analysis 11 7.0 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) 12 8.0 Project Schedule 13 9.0 Change Management Policy 14 10.0 Communications Management Plan 15 10.1 Communications Matrix 15 11.0 Risk Management Plan 16 11.1 Risk Identification and Assessment 16 12.0 Project Completion 20 12.1 Acceptance and Sign-off 20 12.2 Project Closure 20 Appendix A: Lessons Learned (TBW) 20 References 21 2.0 Company Overview Wells Fargo was founded in 1852Read MoreWells Fargo Case Study1666 Words   |  7 PagesFraud At Financial Institutions: What Does The Wells Fargo Cases Portend For Policy In The United States?    Wells Fargo under fire after U.S. House Financial Services Committee announced they would launch an investigation into the bank.   There were allegations that employees had been covertly creating bogus accounts without customer authorization for years.   In this paper, I will provide an analysis of Wells Fargo fraudulent activity in the State of California by opening as many as 2 million fraudulentRead MoreManagement, Strategy And Marketing851 Words   |  4 Pagesdemands and works well within time-sensitive environments. Versatile strategist, target marketer, and sales support professional with focus on smart branding, reputation management and corporate compliance. Strong focus on customer experience and customer expectations in the financial industry. †¢ 18 years of strategic planning and execution of sales programs/initiatives, advertising and merchandising, customer experience, sponsorships and events in support of 172 Wells Fargo Bank branches in the

The importance of agriculture Free Essays

Since the time men learnt to grow crops, agriculture has been the main source of food. Today, most of the people in all parts of the world, especially in developing countries, are engaged in agricultural activities. Human is mainly a grain-eating animal. We will write a custom essay sample on The importance of agriculture or any similar topic only for you Order Now In Asia, most of the people eat rice. In Europe, North America and Australia, wheat is the main food crop. If rice and wheat cannot be grown, millet and other cereals are grown as food crops. Though men also eat meat, they enjoy eating meat only when they take it together with rice or bread which is made from wheat. It is therefore clear that grains are the main source of man’s food, and grains are agricultural products. Men, however, cannot live on grains alone. They need other foods too to make his meals more palatable. Therefore, they learnt to grow vegetables, potatoes and fruits. Like grains, these things come from the soil. They have to be planted and grown with great care. As a result, men have made many experiments on soil for several centuries to increase their production of crops. Men have also learnt to consume dried leaves to refresh themselves. Tea and tobacco, the dried leaves of certain plants, have become very popular as sources of refreshment. Even coffee and cocoa are products of plants. Cotton, jute and other fiber are used to make cloth and several other things for our daily needs. All these plants have become very important in agriculture. In some countries, agriculture is a main source of wealth. The rubber tree and the oil-palm in Malaysia bring millions of dollars every year. In Bangladesh, the jute plant is the main source of wealth. Similarly, in almost every country there is at least one plant which makes a great contribution to the economy of the country. We arrive at the conclusion that agriculture play an important role in men’s world. Invite friends to read this article. How to cite The importance of agriculture, Papers

Organization Structure Assessment for Qantas Airlines †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Organization Structure Assessment for Qantas Airlines. Answer: Qantas Airlines started in Australia in November 1920 (Richard Ivey School of Business, 2012). It started offering their service in 1921 and in1935 it began international service. Nickname given to the, Airline is The Flying Kangaroo. Because it was founded in Australia famous Kangaroo. The airline is the second oldest airline in the whole world and the biggest in Australia. The oldest airline is the Dutchs KLM. The airline serves 41 distinct destinations globally with its 132-fleet size. In the Australian domestic market, the airline holds the largest market share of around 65% (Richard Ivey School of Business, 2012). The Government and Corporate Affairs Executive, Olivia Worth faced a social media related challenge in 2011. The airline launched on its Twitter account a contest and promised to reward the winner of the contest with amenity kit 50 pairs and first class pajamas. The members of the public nonetheless used the contests platform to attack the company negatively concerning the services they were receiving. Also, the public through a You Tube video criticized the companys Chief Executive Officer for not understanding how to communicate with the public (Richard Ivey School of Business, 2012). In order to counter the negative reaction on social media from the members of the public, Olivia Worth must develop an action plan that will ensure that the airline regains its glory. The main issues the Qantas airline faced were the lack of basic communication skills by the top management on social media, repeated failure of the companys airplanes engines, and negative publicity. In order to prevent the repetition of the same situation, there are numerous actions that can be taken by the Qantas Airline in the future which can help in the redevelopment of the airlines brand image among the members of the public. First, Olivia Worth as the companys executive, must apologize to the public for not monitoring keenly the feedbacks from the companys Twitter account. The public had utilized the Tweeter account to tweet negatively about the company. The company should use the publics feedback to improve the services offered by the airline so as to increase the level of customers satisfaction. Obviously, the firm was not monitoring its Twitter account otherwise the company could not have incited the members of the public to continue sending their feedback without acknowled ging the content of the same feedback. The members of the public felt that the firm was not addressing their concerns. Additionally, the firm needs to improve its communication strategies, especially towards the general public when using social media. This can be achieved effectively when the airline employees a professional who will be in charge of monitoring customers feedbacks on their social media accounts such as Twitter account. (Jana Seijts, 2012) notes that the members of the public expressed their dissatisfaction with the airlines services through a You Tube video which went viral. The video was criticizing the airlines Chief Executive Officer, Alan Joyce, and other senior managers for their lack of understanding on how to communicate with the members of the public (Richard Ivey School of Business, 2012). Qantas failed to appreciate the voice of the public and their concerns, this approach needs to be discarded and in turn implement a strategy that will be tailored towards the needs of the members of the public, who forms the companys customer base. The can be done through effective collecti on of social media feedback and using that feedback positively to improve service delivery. Similarly, the company should offer their passengers promotional fares, especially those who were victims of the grounding of the airlines fleet. Qantas Airline passengers worldwide were stranded and negatively affected by the strikes which led to change of plans and delayed flights. The company also needs to offer discounts to all affected passengers as a compensation so as to restore customers confidence in the airline (Andrea Mangini, 2017). These strategies can ensure that the company retains its customers, restores the public confidence, and increases its market share and revenue. Finally, the firm should regularly and properly maintain their airplanes engines. This can be achieved by hiring of more engineers and technical staff. The current employees should also be trained so as to be able to know how to react towards this types of incidences. For an organization using social media, it needs to consider the interactions that take place on social networks (Andrea Mangini, 2017). This involves monitoring of the respective social media account and giving feedbacks to the customers comments. It is not mandatory for all the social media interactions to be constant between the public and the organization, which is the account holder. Nonetheless, the organization such Qantas Airline, has the responsibility of monitoring the accounts activity and feedback to the concerns of the public. Social network interactions between the groups that the organization targets as main audience, can be of significance towards the improvement of the firms service delivery. The organization should carefully listen, check facts, and respond to the comments of the members of the public (Paola Barbara, 2015). The organization will be able to learn the mood of the audience by analyzing their comments. Another factor that organizations should consider when using social media is the type of the content it posts or tweets on social media (Mergel, 2012). The firm has a responsibility to provide facts and content on social media that educates and informs the public about a particular issue. This can only be achieved by reading the mood of the public through their feedback. It will be inappropriate to advertise or to sponsor a promotion when the public is concerned about a particular issue (Mergel, 2012). For an organization like Qantas Airline, it is advisable to tweet or post a comment that provides answers to the concern of the members of the public. Qantas Course of Action The following template provides a course of action recommended for the Qantas airline: 1.Timing November, 25th, 2011 2.Audience Qantas staff and Passengers (The Public) 3.Sender Qantas Airline 4.Key Message To assure the public that the company will not ignore the customers feedback, but it will utilize the feedback to improve its services. 5.Desired Outcome To improve the companys reputation by getting positive perception from members of the public 6.Medium Social media such as Twitter and Facebook 7.Materials Branded Hashtags 8.Frequency Twice a week Summary In conclusion, Qantas Airline through the assistance of Olivia Worth, should devise and follow a course of action. This will help the firm to regain its lost reputation among the members of the public. The firm should also acknowledge publicly its mistakes and provide discounts for its passengers. To curb the challenges of engine breakdowns, the company needs to employ more engineers who will be in charge of regular monitoring of the engines. References Andrea Mangini, S. P. (2017). Strategies for effective communication n the new digital media landscape. Jana Seijts, a. P. (2012, 4 24). Netflix: The Public Relations Box Office Flop. Mergel, I. (2012). A Managers Guide to Designing a Social Media Strategy. Syracuse. Paola Barbara, a. F. (2015). Social media communication strategies. Journal of Services Marketing, 490-503. Richard Ivey School of Business. (2012, 11 26). Qantas Airline: Twitter Nosedive. Ontario.

Report Writing About Depression

Paul Dewey (2006) defined depression as a health condition which is characterised with intense feelings of low mood or sadness. Even though these are common feelings in human life that are likely to come as a result of normal reactions to matters of life, depression is much more serious since it interferes with people’s lives in a negative manner (p. 285).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Report Writing About Depression specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Globally, the incidence of depression tends to be high. However, the prevalence of the condition varies greatly throughout the world, with some countries having higher rates than others. Focusing on the Australian context, Slade and others (2009) stated that depression is among the top three individual health problems in Australia together with stroke and heart attack. The incidence of the disease in the country is observed to have risen over the years to re ach very high levels today (p. 594). According to the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, conducted in 2014, there are around one million people in Australia suffering from depression today. In fact, depression has a high lifetime-prevalence where it is observed that one in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime. Depression triggers serious economic as well as social impacts on Australians, as a result of the management costs and the many suicide deaths that would tend to arise from the condition. Even though depression can occur at any age of life, it is very common with the elderly people who are highly exposed to most of the factors contributing to the condition. There are many factors that can trigger depression for all age groups, but some of the common causes would include things such as illnesses, bereavement, loss of independence, and exposure to brutal life conditions. People having depression may be identified with feelings of sadness, loss of interest in common matters of life, hopelessness, emptiness, and despair, among other symptoms (Barney et al., 2006). This condition can interfere with people’s ability to eat, rest, work, participate in studies, and interact with others. The prognosis for people suffering from depression is often not favourable. In most cases, the deep hopelessness experienced in depression would make victims see suicide as the only way to escape from the brutalities of the condition (Sanchez, 2001).Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Also, depression can result in permanent insanity and non-fatal disability. Apart from the extreme outcomes highlighted above, victims are also likely to adopt bad behaviours that can be characterised with things such as homicidal violence, drug abuse, and irritability. The treatment of people with depression has become much easier in Australia du e to the many developments that have been realised in the Healthcare Sector. For instance, the use of modern technologies in the sector has improved the work of the professionals who deal with this condition, thus making it more manageable (Sawyer et al., 2001). Different health care professionals across the country can offer treatment and advice on how to handle depression. Apart from the role played by doctors, much help can also be realised through the help of psychologists and psychiatrists. These later professionals in the health care sector assist people to cope with life issues in an effective way, thus helping to minimise cases of depression (Wilson, 2007). Common psychological treatments in Australia include things such as family therapy, interpersonal therapy, and cognitive behavior therapy. Depression is often misunderstood by many people in the world, and this helps to explain the many myths surrounding the condition today. For example, there are many misunderstandings a bout the condition and how it impacts people’s lives in Australia. Following is a summary of some of the common myths of depression in the country. There is concrete evidence that many people in Australia tend to believe that depression is the cause of all suicide deaths in the world, but this not true (Reavley Jorm, 2011). Even though depression is a major cause of suicide deaths, not all people who commit suicide suffer from the condition. But the truth of the matter is that suicide deaths can also occur as a result of other causes. In some cases, people have also been misled to believe that depression is a communicable disease. This is also not true, since it has been proven that depression is a condition which is triggered by some common factors in life.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Report Writing About Depression specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There is also a misunderstanding that all young peo ple will develop depression, and therefore, it is just a normal part of human life (Jorm et al., 2006). This is also a myth, and the truth about this perception is that depression does not come just to anybody, and in case it occurs, it can be to people of any age and not only young people. This explanation can also apply in dismissing a belief by some communities that depression only affects the old, which is also not true. Another false belief about depression is that it always leads to insanity. There is also a misleading perception that people suffering from this condition are doomed. Another serious misinformation about depression is that, talking and listening to ones family and friends alone can permanently cure the condition. All these myths among others that have not been observed here are likely to perpetuate discrimination and stigma against the victims. For instance, people suffering from the condition will be sidelined by others for fear that they will pass the disease to them. More importantly, the victims are viewed as doomed people who are destined for death through suicide, and in that case, they are discriminated and stigmatized by others in the community. The media, both fiction and non-fiction, has been a significant tool which has been used to portray the issue of depression and other mental problems in Australia. Even though study has shown most of these media to have played a key role in informing the public about depression, others have just misinformed people about the condition, thus further perpetuating the discrimination and stigma associated with it (Highet, Luscombe Davenport, 2006). However, the good news is that over 80 percent of the media have taken the issue of depression more seriously, thus applying every effort to inform people about it. A good example here is the Australian print media which has extensively continued to educate people about the facts surrounding the condition (McGorry et al., 2007).Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More More positive outcomes in regard with media portrayal of depression are likely to be realised in Australia, considering the efforts of programs such as ‘Mindframe National Media Initiative’ that have been at the fore-front in providing guidelines on how different media platforms should portray depression to the people. References Barney, L., Griffiths, K., Jorm, A., Christensen, H. (2006). Stigma about depression and its impact on help†seeking intentions. Australian and New  Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 40(1), 51-54. Highet, N., Luscombe, G., Davenport, T. (2006). Positive relationships between public awareness activity and recognition of the impacts of depression in Australia and Burns. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 40(1), 55-58. Jorm, A., Barney, L., Christensen, H., Highet, N., Kelly, C., Kitchener, B. (2006). Research on mental health literacy: what we know and what we still need to know. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychia try, 40(1), 3-5. McGorry, P., Purcell, R., Hickie, I., Jorm, A. (2007). Investing in youth mental health is a best buy. Medical Journal of Australia, 187(7), S5-S7. Paul, S. Dewey, H. (2006). Prevalence of depression and use of antidepressant medication at 5-years poststroke in the North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study. Stroke, 37(11), 285-289. Reavley, N., Jorm, A. (2011). Recognition of mental disorders and beliefs about treatment and outcome: findings from an Australian National Survey of Mental Health Literacy and Stigma. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45(11), 947-956. Sanchez, L. (2001). Suicide in mood disorders. Depress Anxiety, 14(3), 77-82. Sawyer, M., Arney, F., Baghurst, P., Clark, J., Graetz, B., Kosky, R., Zubrick, S. (2001). The mental health of young people in Australia: key findings from the child and adolescent component of the national survey of mental health and well†being. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 35(6), 806-814. Slade, T., Johnston, A., Oakley B., Andrews, G., Whiteford, H. (2009). 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: methods and key findings. Australasian  Psychiatry, 43(7), 594-605. Wilson, C. J. (2007). When and how do young people seek professional help for mental health problems? The Medical Journal of Australia, 187(4), S35-S39. This essay on Report Writing About Depression was written and submitted by user Michaela Reeves to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Outcasts of Poker Flat Essay Example

Outcasts of Poker Flat Essay Example Outcasts of Poker Flat Paper Outcasts of Poker Flat Paper There, the armed men warn the outcasts not to return to Poker Flat under penalty of death. . On their way Into exile, uncle Billy and the women bitterly bemoan their fate while Croakers remains quiet. They head for Sandy Bar, a days travel away over steep mountains. The road is narrow and the air dry and cold in the foothills of the mountains. They plod on until noon, when the Duchess declares she can go no farther. Croakers wants to go on lest the party run out of provisions. However, his fellow travelers stay put, using liquor to comfort them. Uncle Billy goes into a stupor, the Duchess becomes tearfully emotional, and Mother Spittoon falls asleep. Croakers does not drink. As a gambler, he had cultivated the habit of staying sober. .. While observing his surroundings- the mountains, the pine trees, the cloudy sky, the valley below-he sees a horseman coming toward him. It Is young Tom Jimson, from whom Croakers had once won $40 In Sandy Bar. Croakers returned the money saying, Tommy, youre a good little man, but you cant gamble worth a cent. Dont try it over again. Because of that magnanimous gesture, Tom admires Croakers as something of a god. When Tom greets Croakers, he tells him a little about himself. He had decided to leave Sandy Bar and go to Poker Flat, he says, with his sweetheart Piney Woods to make his fortune and marry Piney. Her father, Jake Woods, had opposed the marriage, so they had no alternative but to run away. Piney, who is plumy attractive, rides up Just thendemure and embarrassed and innocentfrom behi nd a pine tree. Uncle Billy is about to say something untoward when Croakers kicks him. Anyway, it seems young Tom and Piney want to Join Croakers and his company of outcasts, but Croakers-who doesnt want them tagging along-points out that they have no provisions and no place to stay. However, Tom says he has a pack mule loaded with supplies. He also found an abandoned log house nearby. It Is a roofless ruin, but It goes have walls. .Piney can stay with Mrs.. Croakers, the youth says. He thinks ten Duchess Is narrators welt. NC e Billy Is auto to laugh Duty remembers Sauerkrauts foot. So he walks off up the canyon, out of hearing range, then does his laughing. When he returns, everybody is sitting by a fire talking. At that moment, an idea pops into his alcoholic brain, causing him so much amusement that he shoves a fist into his mouth to stifle a laugh. . That night, the women sleep in the cabin and the men near the fire. Just before dawn, Croakers awakens and sees snow. Uncle Billy is gone. So are all the animals. Fortunately, though, all the supplies had been placed in the cabin. . . At first light, the snow is coming down hard and further travel is out of the question. Croakers tells Tom that Uncle Billy must have gotten up in the night and spooked the mules, then ran off after them. No sense frightening the young people, he thinks. But the Duchess and Mother Spittoon realize what had happened-thieving Billy took them. .. Tom immediately offers to share his supplies and seems to look forward to the time all of them will be spending together. Well have a good camp for a week, he says, and then the snowball melt .. Len the evening, everyone is cheerful. As they sit around the fire, they sing songs. Piney manages to force tunes from Toms accordion while he raps two bone castanets. The storm stops at midnight and the skies open to glittering stars. Tom and Croakers take turns keeping watch, but the latter does most of the watching. Hes used to going without sleep because of his frequent all-night poker games. .. The next day, huge snowdrifts surround the cabin. In the distance, miles away, smoke curls up from Poker flat. Mother Spittoon curses the town. She then sets herself to the task of amusing Piney. After another day, they all sit again at the fire. However, the music begins to lose its magic as the food supply dwindles and hunger creeps into their stomachs. Piney proposes that they tell stories. Croakers, the Duchess, and Mother Spittoon are less than enthusiastic about this idea, but Tom takes to it, noting that he had recently read Alexander Popes rendition of Homers ancient Greek classic, The Iliad. So they listen as the youth recites portions of the tale and mangles the pronunciation of names He pronounces the name of famous Greek hero Achilles as Ash-heels. . A week passes and snow falls again. Eventually, the drifts around the cabin reach 20 feet. The fire is harder and harder to maintain because wood is less plentiful. But no one complains, although Mother Spittoon is sick and failing fast. . At midnight on the 10th day, Mother Spittoon-now in a very bad way-tells Croakers to open a bundle under her head and give the food in it to Tom and Piney. When Croakers opens it, he discovers a full week of rations. She had been saving her food for the young people. Mother Spittoon then turns away and dies. They place her body in the snow. . .. At daylight, Croakers reveals a pair of snowshoes he made out f a pack saddle, then tells Tom to use them to reach Poker Flat. Its the only way to save his sweetheart, he says. Croakers says he will walk out a little way with Tom, then return. Before leaving, he kisses the Duchess, which amazes her. . At nightfall, there is no sign of Croakers. It is snowing again. While the Duchess tends the fire, she notices that someone had piled wood next to the fire-enough to keep it going a good while longer. Tears well in her eyes, but she doesnt let Piney see them. The snow, meanwhile, continues through the next day and into the evening. The women now realize the end is near. In the morning, they lack the strength to keep the fire going, and it slowly dies. Piney, can you pray? the Duchess says. NO, dear. . The Duchess puts her head on Pines shoulder and they fall asleep. They sleep the rest of the day and into the next. Then voices and footsteps break the silence around the cabin and a hand brushes snow from the faces of the two women. The narrator says, Mimi could scarcely have told from the equal peace that dwelt upon them, which was she that sinned. Even the law of Poker Flat recognized this, and turned away, leaving them still locked in each others arms. . N a nearby pine tree is a knife stuck through the two of clubs. On the card is a message written in pencil: BENEATH THIS TREE LIES THE BODY OF JOHN CROAKERS, WHO STRUCK A STREAK OF BAD LUCK ON THE ADD OF NOVEMBER, 1850, AND HANDED IN HIS CHECKS ON THE 7TH DECEMBER, 1850. . At his side is a Derringer, which had put a bullet through his heart. He had been the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat. Setting The action takes place in California between November 23 and December 7, 1850, when towns grew up from the influx of people seeking fortunes by mining for gold. Characters John Croakers: Professional gambler who is forced out of the town of Poker Flat as an undesirable because he wins so much money from the townspeople. The Duchess and Mother Spittoon: Prostitutes who are also banished from Poker Flat. Uncle Billy: Thief and drunkard who is likewise forced out of town. Tom Jimson: Young man who leaves town and Joins Croakers and the other outcasts. He admires Croakers, who returned $40 he had won from Billy after feeling sorry for him. Piney Woods: Toms sweetheart, who leaves town with him. They had planned to marry in Poker Flat. Jim Wheeler: Resident of Poker Flat who bemoans the loss of money to Croakers. Jake Woods: Pines father. He is referred to in the story but plays no active role in it. Type of Work and Publication Date The Outcasts of Poker Flat is a short story. It first appeared in Overland Monthly in January 1869, when Heart was the editor of the publication. Themes Hidden Goodness There is goodnessand even heroismin the heart of many of societys outcasts. John Croakers, the Duchess, Mother Spittoon all behave selflessly when death creeps up on them. For example, they treat the two young people with utmost consideration and kindness. Croakers could have used his snowshoes to return to civilization; instead, he gave them to Tom Jimson. Mother Spittoon and the Duchess act as surrogate mothers to Piney Woods. Except for Uncle Billy, all the characters are tolerant of one another as they attempt to keep up their spirits under extremely difficult circumstances. Mother Spittoon, the Duchess, and Piney Woods die nobly and courageously. Unrest snoozes silence, revealing Tanat en was at once ten strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat, the narrator says. Hypocrisy The citizens of Poker Flats secret committee appear upright and Just, at least to themselves. However, in regard to John Croakers, they are hypocrites. After all, they sat down at the poker table with him, becoming gamblers themselves. But after losing money to him, they run him out of town. One citizen, John Wheeler, even suggests hanging him, then taking back their money. Indifference of Nature Nature shows no mercy to the outcasts. After Poker Flat rejects them, heavy snow isolates them. The sky clears, offering them hope, only to form new clouds that bring more snow. John Croakers may be a poker player par excellence, but he cannot defeat Mother Nature. Climax The climax of The Outcasts of Poker Flat occurs when John Croakers fails to return o the cabin after seeing off Tom Jimson on the latters snowshoe trek back to Poker Flat. It is at this point that the Duchess and Piney accept the imminence of death. Heart as a Local Colorist Bret Heart is among the American writers associated with the local-color genre. Besides presenting narratives in a regional dialect, local-color writers, or local colorist, attempted to portray life in the various sections of burgeoning America. Heart, for example, focused many of his stories on the gold-mining camps and towns. However, rather than writing soberly realistic stories, local colorist tended to write Tories infused with eccentrics as characters and whimsical plotting, according to William Flint Thrall and Addison Hubbard, authors of A Handbook to Literature (266). Thrall and Hubbard also note that local colorist emphasized verisimilitude of detail without being concerned often enough about truth to the larger aspects of life or human nature (266). Work Cited Thrall, William Flint and Addison Hubbard. A Handbook to Literature. Revised and enlarged by C. Hugh Holman. New York: The . Odyssey Press, 1960. Critical Reception The Outcasts of Poker Flat and similar stories of Heart were highly acclaimed and ideal popular in the decade or so after Heart published them, earning him substantial money and a worldwide audience. Although this story and others of his remain popular today, critics now believe he was far overrated as a stylist because of his use of sentimentality and because of lack of originality in his themes and plots. However, there can be no gainsaying that he invented stock character types later imitated in western novels and films. These character types include the roving gambler, like John Croakers, and the tainted ladies with hearts of gold, like the Duchess and Mother Spittoon. Overall, one may fairly say that Heart was an appealing and influential writer, but probably not great one. Bret Heart 1869 The Outcasts of Poker Flat was first published in the January, 1869, issue of the Overland Monthly magazine, which Bret Heart edited. At the time, Heart was on the threshold of national fame. The success of his short story The Luck of Roaring Camp the year before had elevated the twenty-nine-year-old writer to a position of literary prominence. Critics praised The Outcasts of Poker Flat as a suitable follow-up that controller Hearts stature as one AT ten most promising new autonomous In ten unlace States. By 1871 Heart was not only the highest paid writer in the country, but also one of the most popular. He was a regular contributor to the Atlantic Monthly, one of the most popular magazines of the day. Although both Hearts popularity and critical admiration for his work have declined in subsequent years, The Outcasts of Poker Flat remains an important piece of American literature and one of the best tales of the rough-and-tumble days of the California Gold Rush. In his use of the Western setting and local color, Heart proved to be a model for other authors, including Mark Twain, whose career he helped launch. Indeed, the familiarity of many of Hearts characterizations ? the quick-witted gambler or the prostitute with a heart of gold ? attest to the durability of his impact on popular culture. Heart first Journeyed to the American West in 1854 and was advantageously positioned to observe one of the key events of the nineteenth century, the California Gold Rush. This setting in The Outcasts of Poker Flat is used as a forum to explore themes of tolerance and forgiveness, appearance and reality, and the ominous power of nature. Plot Summary The Outcasts of Poker Flat is set near a California mining community during November of 1850. Experimenting with the effectiveness of vigilante Justice, the residents of Poker Flat hope to improve the town by expelling a group of undesirables. Among these objectionable characters are professional gambler John Croakers; a prostitute known as Duchess; her madam, Mother Spittoon; and Uncle Billy, the town drunkard and a suspected thief. The foursome is escorted to the edge of Poker Flat and forbidden to return at the peril of their lives. With no apparent alternative, the group heads toward the next settlement, Sandy Bar. However, the journey requires passage over a difficult mountain trail. Less than midway to their destination, the group becomes exhausted and decides to camp for the night. Croakers argues that they should continue on because they lack the provisions to stop safely. The party is unconcerned, ignores him, and opts to consume its supply of liquor. Later, a horseman from Sandy Bar arrives at the camp. His name is Tom Jimson, and he is also referred to as the Innocent. He is traveling with his fifteen- year-old fiance, Piney Woods. The two have eloped and are on their way to Poker Flat to be married. Jimson is an acquaintance of Croakers, having once lost forty dollars to him in a poker game. However, Croakers had taken pity on the Innocent and returned his money, advising him never to gamble again. As a result, Jimson perceives Croakers as a genuine friend and quickly offers to share his provisions with the foursome. Jimson directs the party to an abandoned cabin nearby, and they take shelter there for the night. The next morning Croakers is the first to rise and discovers that Uncle Billy has stolen their mules during the night. Furthermore, the winter snows have begun and left the party trapped in the valley. To avoid frightening Jimson and Piney, Croakers persuades the Duchess and Mother Spittoon o keep Billys theft a secret. Jimson has enough food to last the party ten days and enthusiastically offers to share. Unaware of the gravity of the situation, he envisions the group enjoying a happy camp until the snow melts. During the next week, the party remains trapped in the valley. Jimson and Piney not only remain naive about their chances of survival, but also about the reputations of the outcasts. They view the other women with respect and admiration. Unaccustomed to such kindness, the prostitutes Decode motherly toward Plane Ana are move Day ten celerity AT ten couples love. After ten days in the cabin, Mother Spittoon dies of starvation. She had been saving her rations and makes a final request for Croakers to give them to Piney. Realizing they are probably doomed, Croakers instructs Jimson to attempt a hike to Poker Flat to get help. The gambler then gathers a supply of firewood for Duchess and Piney and disappears. Several days later a rescue party arrives, only to discover the frozen bodies of the women huddled together inside the cabin. Croakers is found nearby with a pistol by his side and a bullet through his heart, and with a suicide note written on a playing card pinned to a tree above his body. Characters Duchess Duchess, a prostitute, is one of four individuals expelled from Poker Flat when the townspeople there decided to evict the undesirables. As the group of outcasts are making their way to Sandy Bar, she complains constantly, causing the group to stop short of their destination. When Piney Woods and Tom Jimson Join the group and they become trapped by the snow, Duchess becomes more cheerful and nurturing toward Piney. When the rescuers finally reach the group, they find Duchess and Piney huddle d together, dead, and by then it is impossible to determine which was she that had sinned. Innocent, the See Tom Jimson John Croakers John Croakers is one of four individuals who were expelled from Poker Flat when its townspeople decided to run out the undesirables. Croakers is a professional gambler noted for his coolness, impassiveness, and presence of mind. When young Tom Jimson and Piney Woods Join the outcasts, the reader learns that Croakers once returned to Jimson forty dollars that he won from the youth in a poker game, advising him to stay away from cards. When the outcasts are trapped by a snowstorm, Croakers assumes leadership of the group. After putting together a shift pair of snowshoes, he gives them to Jimson, instructing him to go to Poker Flat and bring help. When the rescue party finally arrives, Croakers has killed himself, revealing himself to be the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat. Mother Spittoon Mother Spittoon, presumably the madam of the prostitute Duchess, is one of four individuals expelled from Poker Flat when the townspeople decided to rid the community of undesirables. Although she is accused of immorality, Mother Spittoon displays her true qualities when the outcasts are trapped in the snowstorm. Hoping to save Piney Woods, Mother Spittoon hoards her own share of the food instead of eating it. Shortly before she dies of starvation, she tells Croakers to give her rations to the bride-to-be so that she will have a better chance of surviving. Tom Jimson Tom Jimson is a guileless youth who is traveling to Poker Flat with his bride-to-be, Piney Woods, when they encounter the outcasts. On the basis of an earlier encounter with Croakers, Jimson decides to assist the outcasts, whom he treats with respect, ignorant of their undesirable status. Jimson is the lone survivor of the ordeal that ensues. Uncle Billy Uncle Billy, a suspected thief and confirmed drunkard, is one of the undesirables cast out of Poker Flat. Unlike the others, Uncle Billy scoffs at the innocence of Tom Salmons Ana Piney coos. During ten inlet en makes Totally ten groups Norse Ana mules, stranding them as it begins to snow. Piney Woods Piney Woods, a stout, comely damsel of fifteen, is Tom Simians bride-to-be. Piney has no understanding of the outcasts unsanitary reputations and treats them with courtesy and respect. In response to this kindness, they develop an affection for her hat intensifies as they observe her love for Jimson. She and Duchess freeze to death before rescuers can reach them. Themes The Outcasts of Poker Flat tells the story of four individuals exiled from a frontier town because of their alleged immorality. A blizzard traps them and a pair of innocent young lovers, leading to tragic consequences. Appearances and Reality At the beginning of the story, the four outcasts are described as improper persons, and their initial actions suggest that, except for Croakers, they are foul-mouthed, lazy, and prone to drunkenness. However, because they come from another talented, Tom and Piney know little about these strangers, and their perceptions are not clouded by the prejudices of the people in Poker Flat. In a previous brief encounter with Croakers, Tom had found him to be kind and gentlemanly, so Tom treats him as a gentleman rather than as a shifty card shark. The young couple assumes that the prostitute Duchess is Mrs.. Croakers, and Piney imagines that the women from Poker Flat must be ladies of a high social standing who are used to fine things. The discrepancy between appearance and reality becomes most apparent when the party is trapped in the snowstorm. Mother Spittoon may indeed be a madam, but she also shows herself to be compassionate and heroic when she sacrifices her life in an effort to save Piney. Likewise Duchess, the soiled sister, evolves into a companion and protector for Piney. By the end of the story, observers cannot determine which was she that had sinned. Croakers, the member of the party who appeared the most calm during the ordeal, eventually cannot play against unfavorable odds any longer and commits suicide. Throughout the story, Heart demonstrates that where human nature is concerned, reality is often more complex than appearances indicate. Change and Transformation Related to the themes of appearance and reality are the issues of change and transformation. During their period of confinement, the outcasts, particularly the two prostitutes, experience a type of metamorphosis. At first the women appear self- centered and dismissive of Tom and Piney and contemptuous of their naivetà ©. But as the group grows closer, these feelings shift to motherly affection, particularly toward Piney. One suspects the sincerity of the young lovers allows Duchess and Mother Spittoon openly to display aspects of their personalities they had previously chosen to once. Croakers also undergoes a transformation, though a less uplifting one. Until the end of the story, Croakers is portrayed as others see him and as he sees himself, as a person noted for coolness, impassiveness, and presence of mind. He is the first to grasp the groups predicament and quickly assumes command in the emergency. Toms earlier experience with him shows that he has always had a streak of kindness and protectiveness toward those younger and weaker than himself, and in the isolated community of outcasts this quickly develops into a thoughtful solicitude for his companions. When it is revealed that he killed himself, it is hard to say whether this represents a change in him or simply reveals a weakness that has always been anneal Detent n Nils apparent strength n. Fate Ana chance Chance plays a critical role in the demise of the stranded travelers. Many developments within the narrative rely on random occurrences. Among the many examples, one can argue that if the outcasts did not stop for the night or had begun their Journey one day earlier, they would have missed the snow and reached Sandy Bar. Similarly, if Tom and Piney had continued on their way rather than staying with he outcasts, they could have avoided the storm. However, one could also argue that if Croakers had sent Tom for help earlier, or had struggled to keep the fire lit rather than killing himself, most of the group might have survived. Heart uses the character of Croakers to develop the theme of fate. As too much of a gambler not to accept fate, Croakers explains that with luck all you know for certain is that its bound to change. Once the party is stranded, Sauerkrauts gambling philosophy creates a dilemma for him. Having experienced a streak of bad luck since the group left Poker Flat, the gamblers experiences suggest that eventually this misfortune should pass. However, it is also the gamblers prerogative to opt out of the game if he does not like the odds, and Croakers estimates their odds of surviving as one in a hundred. His suicide note, declaring that he struck a streak of bad luck and handed in his c hecks, attests to his inability to resist despair when the odds on their fate seem stacked against him. Heroism To many readers, an important message of the story is that society often fails to recognize the true heroes and heroines in its midst. One can certainly argue this is the case with the sacrifice of Mother Spittoon as well as the selfless devotion of Duchess. In both cases, women condemned by society prove themselves to be morally superior to their Judges. The suicide of Croakers provides further comment on the nature of heroism. Throughout the story, he appears to be the leader of the party and the individual most likely to devise their escape, but ultimately he gives up the struggle and fails to save either the group or himself. Style The setting of The Outcasts of Poker Flat is of major importance. The story occurs in November, 1850, during the heyday of the California Gold Rush. At that time, law and order on the mining frontier was often synonymous with vigilante Justice, in which townspeople took matters into their own hands. Communities such as Poker Flat generally operated outside the reach of established Judicial systems, and the type of vigilante activity Heart depicts was an accepted part of everyday life. The story is set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, a remote area in eastern California where the sudden occurrence of a winter storm could easily result in death for travelers. The most famous example of such a misfortune is the ill-fated Donned Party of 1846, in which twelve travelers starved to death and the remaining members resorted to cannibalism. This tragedy was highly publicized for years afterwards and was undoubtedly familiar to the original readers of this story. In an era before automobiles, or extensive railways, the fear of being stranded while traveling was real and vivid. Genre Genre is the term used to denote a category of literature. The Outcasts of Poker Flat is above all, a Western story. Other types of genre literature are science fiction, horror, and romance. Genre works can be identified by their conventions; some of the conventions AT westerns are Tanat teen take place on ten Trotter, teen contact g guys and bad guys, female characters are either virtuous or fallen, and conflicts that result in showdowns or gunfights often end in death. All of these elements are prominent in Hearts story; one might say that the showdown is the battle between the travelers and Mother Nature. Comic Relief Although Hearts story is essentially a tragedy, the narrative contains moments of humor. Rather than the story containing a humorous character per SE, the story pity arises from the narrators understatement and sometimes condescending tone towards the characters. As an example, the narrator comments that notwithstanding some difficulties attending the manipulation of this instrument, Piney Woods managed to pluck several reluctant melodies from its keys. Elsewhere, the narrator evaluates Toms recitation skills by stating he had thoroughly mastered the argument and fairly forgotten the words. Critics often cited Hearts ability to balance the tragic and the comic as one of his strongest skills as a writer. Historical Context Gold Fever and the Manifest Destiny During the late sass, Hearts tales of the California Gold Rush elevated him to a position of national fame. For the remainder of his career, he utilized the West as the setting for his stories and the inspiration for his lectures on life in the gold mines. Americans throughout the country were fascinated by the expansion of the country and tales of the wild West became part of the national consciousness. At the time of their publication, Hearts stories were primarily an idealized vision of an era that had recently passed. By the sass, the West was becoming more and more settled, and he vigilante Justice of the frontier days was fast fading. While the settlement of the West remained an important topic for books and magazines, it is important to note that The Outcasts of Poker Flat appeared less than four years after the end of the Civil War. For a nation exhausted by war, Hearts story of heroics and tolerance recalled a happier period of innocence and opportunity. It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of the Gold Rush as a historical event; within two years, the sparsely settled territory of California had become the fastest growing state in the union. As spring miners arrived from Europe, Asia, South America, and virtually every American state, the population of San Francisco leaped from approximately 800 people in 1848 to over 40,000 in 1850. Although the frenzy for prospecting subsided by the late sass, California was left with an infrastructure for industry, transportation, and agriculture that would have taken decades to develop under normal circumstances. For Americans of the day, the rapid settlement of California validated the doctrine of Manifest Destiny: the belief that it was Gods will for the nation to expand across the continent. However, romanticizes depictions of the Gold Rush often overlook the unhappy outcome of the event for many prospectors. Relatively few of the errs managed to accumulate genuine wealth. Although most prospectors were successful in locating gold, the high cost of living in California prevented miners from pocketing much of their newfound riches. An additional consequence of the Gold Rush was the near-destruction of Californians Native American population. The area contained dozens of autonomous Indian tribes, most of which resided in the regions which were the primary centers for mining activity. As a result, these cultures were the victims of both disease and military attacks and ere nearing extinction Day ten B/Us country Longs Tort a More Simple Lime Hearts fiction was not only a depiction of the past, but it was also a reaction to contemporary events. The American Civil War had halted westward migration from 1861 to 1865. Once the hostilities had ended, though, the nation was anxious to resume its expansion. Although the Pacific shore had been transformed into a center for industry and commerce, the vast area of the Great Plains remained largely unsettled by whites. Like 1849, the late sass was an era of movement into new lands. Even though the post-bellum years were perceived to be a time of imminent opportunity, much of the nation was suffering from the effects of the war. The South was in ruins and resentful of the policies of Reconstruction. The country as a whole experienced a series of financial depressions as the economy readjusted to peacetime conditions. Ulysses S. Grants 1868 election to the presidency marked the beginning of an era of widespread and highly publicized governmental corruption. Therefore it is not surprising that Hearts vision of a Western society populated with shrewd but valorous individuals such as John Croakers would resonate with readers of the day. Anxious to overlook their own shortcomings and to escape the troubles of the present, audiences looked to authors such as Heart to evoke a noble past to which they could hope to return in the future. Compare Contrast sass: The United States embraces the concept of Manifest Destiny, a phrase coined in an article in the July-August, 1845, issue of United States Magazine and Democratic Review. The phrase imparts the view that it is Gods will that the young nation expand across the continent. In the resulting expansion, settlers race west to California in search of gold in 1849. 97: Although no longer claiming that expansionism is Gods will, the United States continues to explore new frontiers. U. S. Astronauts work side-by-side with their Russian counterparts aboard the Russian space station Mir in an effort to investigate the prospects of long-term cooperation in sass: American society at large perceives gambling at cards and other space. Games of chance, in which money changes hands, as the domain of drifters, con-men, and prostitutes. 1997: Casino gambling is no longer confined to Alas Vegas or Atlantic City, having come to be seen as a route to financial reinvigoration in large American cities. Candidates for municipal office often stake their political prospects on their success in bringing casino gaming to town, while political figures who oppose casinos are publicly vilified as out-of-touch prigs and Puritans. Critical Overview When The Outcasts of Poker Flat first appeared in the January, 1869, issue of the Overland Monthly, the story was an immediate critical and popular success. Critics such as Emily S. Forman, writing for Old and New, praised Hearts use of novel vernacular and Movie portraiture to thrill the very depths of the heart and soul.

Medical Ethics in Islam

Medical Ethics in Islam In our lives, we often face difficult decisions, some relating to life and death, medical ethics. Should I donate a kidney so that another may live? Should I turn off life support for my brain-dead child? Should I mercifully end the suffering of my terminally ill, elderly mother? If I am pregnant with quintuplets, should I abort one or more so that the others have a better chance of surviving? If I face infertility, how far should I go in treatment so that I might, Allah-willing, have a child? As medical treatment continues to expand and advance, more ethical questions come up. For guidance on such matters, Muslims turn first to the Quran. Allah gives us general guidelines to follow, that are constant and timeless. The Saving of Life ...We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.... (Quran 5:32) Life and Death are in Allahs Hands Blessed be He in whose hands is the Dominion, and he has Power over all things. He who created death and life that He may test which of you are best in deed, and He is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. (Quran 67: 1-2) No soul can die except by Allahs permission. (Quran 3:185) Human Beings Should Not Play God Does not man see that it is We who created him from sperm. Yet behold! He stands as an open adversary! And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own creation. He says who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones? Say, He will give them life who created them for the first time, for He is versed in every kind of creation. (Quran 36: 77-79) Abortion Kill not your children on a plea of want. We will provide sustenance for you and for them. Come not near shameful deeds whether open or secret. Take not life which God has made sacred except by way of justice and law. Thus He commands you that you may learn wisdom. (6:151) Kill not your children for fear of want. We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin. (17:31) Other Sources of Islamic Law In modern times, as medical treatments advance further, we come across new situations which are not described in detail in the Quran. Oftentimes these fall into a gray area, and it is not as simple to decide what is right or wrong. We then turn to the interpretation of Islamic scholars, who are well-versed in the Quran and Sunnah. If scholars come to a consensus on an issue, it is a strong indication that it is a correct position. Some examples of scholarly fatwas on the subject of medical ethics include: Organ donation is permissible as long as no financial incentive is given, and no permanent harm comes to the donor.Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are prohibited.Mechanical life support should be continued until brain-death or imminent death has been confirmed by a physician or team of physicians, in which case it can be withdrawn.   Assisted reproduction is allowed as long as it is done with sperm and egg between husband and wife.Late-stage abortion is condemned unless necessary to save the mothers life. For specific and unique situations, a patient is advised to speak to an Islamic scholar for guidance.