Personal identity. You are the same person now as you were ten years Essay

Personal identity. You are the same person now as you were ten years ago - Essay Example Firstly, I will show, through describing the limits of acceptable physical change, that bodily continuity alone is not enough to say I am the same person I was a decade ago. Some philosophers, such as Eric Olson, have claimed that the physical body is the basis of the identity (Olson 2003, pp. 337-338). This view claims that as long as one keeps the same body throughout their life, they remain the same person. For example, if someone commits a crime, as long as their body committed the crime, we can punish them for it. Therefore, as I am in the same body as I was ten years ago, I am the same person. However, there is opposition to the view that our identity refers only to our physical body as our bodies are constantly regenerating so how much of our body must stay the same in order for us to be classed as the same person? An example of this is the Ship of Theseus (Leibniz as cited by Gallois 2016). Many people believe that, at some point, the Ship of Theseus stops being the same ship. I could then also say I am not the same person I was ten years ago, as I have a completely different set of cells. But, with no detectable changes in appearance or attitude how could I prove I am a different person? Not everyone agrees that our regeneration makes us a different person, believing that the gradual change involved in the previous examples enables them to keep their identity, i.e. the gradual change of the Ship of Theseus.

Psychology and operant conditioning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Psychology and operant conditioning - Essay Example These include variable ratio, fixed ratio, variable interval and fixed interval. For fixed ratio, reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses, while in variable ratio, the average number of responses may be pre-determined, but may not be followed on individual reinforcements. For fixed interval, reinforcement comes after a fixed period of time, while in variable interval, the average time is fixed but not necessarily followed on each individual reinforcement. Operant principles can be used to bring about more appropriate behavior. These principles can be used to define the development of behaviors that operate upon the environment in order to bring about behavioral consequences in such an environment. Operant principles lead to learning which occurs when an appropriate response is demonstrated following the occurrence of a particular behavior. Thus, learning more appropriate behavior is seen to occur when there has been a noticeable change in the behavior after the delivery of the relevant instructions to a learner. The principles of reinforcement and punishment involve positive punishment, positive reinforcement and operant conditioning. Punishment is usually applied in order to reduce the incidence of an undesirable behavior. In the concept of positive punishment, the term ‘positive’ might be confusing to some people, due to the fact that in common terms ‘positive’ means when something is good, or pleasant, or upbeat, or rewarding. The positive here is a technical terminology though, so it is meant as ‘started’ or ‘added’. It should be noted too that in this situation, it is not the individual that is being punished, but the behavior that is being tackled, in an attempt to be reduce or eliminate it. Positive Reinforcement is one of the easiest and most effective control tools. It involves the addition or starting of

Eisenhower's Farewell Address Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Eisenhower's Farewell Address - Essay Example The Pentagon is the headquarters of the Department of Defence. Much of the focus of the complex is on this institution as this is where the money goes and the decisions are made. This was especially true during the height of the Cold War when the U.S. faced an existential threat from the Soviet Union, and members of the complex could use fear to strengthen their arguments. These groups not only felt that America needed to spend more on the military to survive, they also wanted more money spent so that they themselves could be enriched. Many of these programs would not have been a good use of taxpayers funds. For Eisenhower, this was unacceptable. He valued a strong national defence policy, but he was concerned that defence spending was taking over and that it was eating into other programs. He knew that for America to be strong it needed both a powerful military and also the social and cultural programs that made it a beacon of freedom to the world. He believed that too much power in the hands of the military-industrial complex would have negative consequences. Work consulted Bowie, Robert R. and Richard H. Immerman. (1998). Waging Peace: How Eisenhower Shaped an Enduring Cold War Strategy. Oxford University Press.

The faulty logic behind race boundaries elucidated in literature Essay

The faulty logic behind race boundaries elucidated in literature - Essay Example Weinbaum's analysis of race treats ideologies of nationalism and racism within the American. Basically, Weinbaum's analyzes the connection between race and reproduction. Her ideas find that slavery as an institution validated by 'difference of the races' cannot continue to exist if reproduction does not occur separately inside and outside that institution. The basic statement offered in Wayward Reproductions is that America, as a racially divided nation, is in crisis. Social order is compromised because reproduction is not an orderly process. Weinbaum states that problems are grounded in "the failure of the social order, particularly the modern racial nation, to continually produce itself without a glitch" (p. 14). The basic concept to apply to the literary works by Chopin, Jacobs, and Brown, is that the idea of racial supremacy is faulty. Classification by race cannot exist in society as our reproduction isn't based nor does it occur within clear-cut racially-segregated boundaries. Weinbaum analyses Chopin's Dsire's Baby within her book and points out problems of identification and power struggle within the relationship between Dsire and her husband. Because the baby is not adequately and unquestionably Caucasian, onlookers to the child question which of the two parents have African ancestry. The thought is 'Who's guilty' Dsire is blamed for the physical appearance of the child and returns to the family home. "She disappeared among the reeds and willows that grew along the banks of the deep, sluggish bayou; and she did not come back again" (247). This is to say that Dsire, on behalf of her race being disclosed and African, is not welcome among the elite. However, in truth, Dsire's husband, who still resides in L'Abri, is the one, who due to 'racial inferiority' has been misappropriated his place. Kate Chopin expertly crafts her short story, Dsire's Baby, so that the reader will see the mockery of the premise of 'racial integrity.' Meanwhile, even the main characters are oblivious to the unfair hoax of racial divisions and the injustice those racial divisions cause, just as society cannot see the hoax that occurs among us. Via critique of Chopin's piece, Weinbaum also addresses Nationalism. Just as Desiree's household was interrupted, and Desiree returned to her family home, society is interrupted by assumptions based on race. This occurs and proves that social order is not stable. Models for classification, social control, and oppression (Weinbaum 3) of the races cannot function when those systems of classification have to be maintained through reproduction, which cannot be controlled. Both Harriet Jacobs and William Wells Brown include illustrations of autobiographical/biographical characters with mixed bloodlines who were born as slaves. Through them, race issues are addressed - issues such as racially-mixed reproduction, favorable treatment to those more Anglo-Saxon looking slaves, and the ever-present status of 'slave' or negro that contradicts the value of an individual. Constantly in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and Clotel, Anglo-Saxon features of slaves are referred to as more attractive or more valuable. Degree of color is important to those telling these stories. Degree of color was of importance to the slaves themselves. Harriet Jacobs

Comparison of the Marriage and Courtship of the Tuaregs and the Research Paper

Comparison of the Marriage and Courtship of the Tuaregs and the Americans - Research Paper Example The Tuareg can visit the girl of his choice whom he met at the abal and they may converse together but usually, they exchange jokes as a part of their dating, making the meeting an enjoyable one where they are both happy. The woman during the visit does her best to please the visiting man by doing him little favors like cooking the best food, mending the man’s clothes and playing the violin for her visitor. Dating to Americans is similar to this practice wherein men usually visit the women. Nevertheless, with the demands of the modern world, they usually dine out and the visitation lasts for just a few hours wherein the only favor given to the man is the food prepared, without the mending of clothes and playing the violin, not unless the woman has the skill and is requested to play. Food probably is the common denominator not only to the Tauregs and Americans but in all cultures in such an occasion where both parties get to know each other better. Communication to the American s is more open and not limited to joking, though dating is not without jokes thrown at each other and the partners are still nice to one another. Looking at the process of courtship the Tuareg’s undergo, it could be said they similarly accept dating as a pre-engagement practice (americanfamilytraditions.com). Tuaregs follow the same steps as the Americans do wherein after the dating process comes the proposal. To the former, proposal requires a lot of work for the man because he has to seek the approval of all of his close kin which according to Nicolaisen & Nicolaisen (723) not only include the parents but the siblings as well. The number of people needed to approve of the marriage proposal is not the one... Comparison of the Marriage and Courtship of the Tuaregs and the Americans Courtship to the Tuaregs is as exciting as that enjoyed by the Americans and yet, not of the same practice but of the thrill their different cultures bring along in the process. For the desert people, a practice called abal summons young single men to court young single women. Older men are not invited in the courting session but the occasion is strictly set for the younger generation to meet a probable future spouse. In this courtship, attractive girls are surrounded by young bachelors who show interest in a maiden and may sit with them for hours with some who just look at her while others attempt to chat with her or even touch her (Nicolaisen & Nicolaisen 722). Moreover, the men do not just attend the abal as they are, but have to use veil. Courtship to the Tuaregs is strictly observed and similarly considered important as with the Americans. The Americans, though have their own freedom to choose how they court. The heavily veiled Tuareg groom is led by a company of young men to the wedding tent where these are comparable to the American Groom’s men. Correspondingly, a group of women accompany the veiled Tuareg bride to the wedding tent in a slower speed than the men, also similar to the American Bride’s maids who assist the bride in the procession, keeping her looking beautiful and comfortable throughout the ceremony. After the procession, the Tuaregs complete the practice the following day but to the Americans, party would be over after the reception.

Review of Cornel West's Malcolm X and Black Rage for a college-age Essay

Review of Cornel West's Malcolm X and Black Rage for a college-age audience - Essay Example The issues of cultural hybridity, psychic conversation, authoritarian organizations, black supremacy, boundaries and borders in sexuality and other issues looms large in the present society. West states that, ‘ In order to build the best out of Malcolm X’ s ideologies, we must expand and preserve the notion of psychic conversion that cement the groups and networks in which black community, care, love, humanity and concerns grows and take root (West, 170). West has employed pathos, ethos and logos to make his message persuasive to the readers. Cornel west tries to clarify how Malcolm’s Black rage was not only directed to the white population but also to the black Americans, minds. He explains that Malcolm’s psychic conversation will promote blacks to appreciate and love their self worth and culture. Malcolm X was a revolutionary figure and anti-thesis of Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi who utilized non-violent ideologies to achieve the same goals as his predecessors. He wanted to put an end to the oppression that targeted the black people. West describes Malcolm X as an ideological leader for the black radicalism including Black Nationalism (collective actions and institutional building), black religion (morality and spirituality), socialism (justice/ freedom and anti-imperialism) as well as panafricanism (internationalism and identity) (West, 172). Malcolm X’s deep pessimism targeted the possibility and the capability of the white Americans to shade their racism led him to downplay the present and past bonds between the whites and the black people. West explains that Malcolm ideologies focused on freedoms of the black population even though he was aware that the majority of the population was racist. Malcolm X questioned the American democracy stating that it had made the black people non citizen. Ideally, constitutional

Paper Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Paper Critique - Essay Example Since Chondrus crispus is dominant in the low tidal zone, Lubchenco looked at the effect of Chondrus crispus on the lower limit of F. vesiculosus and F. distichus zone: Chondrus crispus was removed from a section of the lower tidal zone at each site, and recolonization of the section was monitored regularly. (This involved either scrapping the erect part of Chondrus crispus off the rocks to mimic natural removal of Chondrus thallus during a winter storm, or removing even the Chondrus crust to mimic the rarely occurring complete Chondrus destruction by limpet grazing or ice scouring). I believe that in such a complex system as a natural ecosystem, it is hard to point to a single factor (biotic or abiotic) as the main determinant of a species specialization to a particular environment. In my opinion the author performed this part of the study in a rather biased way and looked solely at the effect of Chondrus crispus on the lower limits of fucoid species zone. I would suggest locating other environments with the same zonation pattern and comparing them to identify the range of parameters that are common among them. Another option might be examining the effect of the best three candidate biotic and abiotic factors in laboratory simulation conditions and looking whether these influence significantly the Fucus capacity to colonize the low tidal zone. 4. The author succeeded partially in answering and discussing the questions posed in the study. Her data confirmed that biotic factors do play a role in zonation pattern formation, along with previously identified abiotic factors. These data also demonstrated that inter-species competition and herbivory are the two biotic factors affecting species zonation patterns, with competition determining species survival, and herbivory affecting species abundance. Lubchenco discussed extensively the niche width-related question and concluded that this is