Tuesday, May 26, 2020

What Is Platos Ladder of Love in his Symposium

The ladder of love occurs in the text Symposium (c. 385-370 BC) by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. Its about a contest at a mens banquet, involving impromptu philosophical speeches in praise of Eros, the Greek god of love and sexual desire. Socrates summarized the speeches of five of the guests and then recounted the teachings of a priestess, Diotima. The ladder is a metaphor for the ascent a lover might make from purely physical attraction to something beautiful, as a beautiful body, the lowest rung, to actual contemplation of the Form of Beauty itself. Diotima maps out the stages in this ascent in terms of what sort of beautiful thing the lover desires and is drawn toward. A particular beautiful body.  This is the starting point, when love, which by definition is a desire for something we don’t have, is first aroused by the sight of individual beauty.All beautiful bodies.  According to standard Platonic doctrine, all beautiful bodies share something in common, something the lover eventually comes to recognize. When he does recognize this, he moves beyond a passion for any particular body.Beautiful souls.  Next, the lover comes to realize that spiritual and moral beauty matters much more than physical beauty.  So he will now yearn for the sort of interaction with noble characters that will help him become a better person.Beautiful laws and institutions. These are created by good people (beautiful souls) and are the conditions which foster moral beauty.The beauty of knowledge.  The lover turns his attention to all kinds of knowledge, but particularly, in the end to philosophical understanding.  (Although the reason for this turn isnâ⠂¬â„¢t stated, it is presumably because philosophical wisdom is what underpins good laws and institutions.)Beauty itself – that is, the Form of the Beautiful.  This is described as an everlasting loveliness which neither comes nor goes, which neither flowers nor fades. It is the very essence of beauty, subsisting of itself and by itself in an eternal oneness.  And every particular beautiful thing is beautiful because of its connection to this Form.  Ã‚  The lover who has ascended the ladder apprehends the Form of Beauty in a kind of vision or revelation, not through words or in the way that other sorts of more ordinary knowledge are known. Diotima tells Socrates that if he ever reached the highest rung on the ladder and contemplated the Form of Beauty, he would never again be seduced by the physical attractions of beautiful youths.  Nothing could make life more worth living than enjoying this sort of vision.  Because the Form of Beauty is perfect, it will inspire perfect virtue in those who contemplate it. This account of the ladder of love is the source for the familiar notion of Platonic love, by which is meant the sort of love that is not expressed through sexual relations.  The description of the ascent can be viewed as an account of sublimation, the process of transforming one sort of impulse into another, usually, one that is viewed as higher or more valuable.  In this instance, the sexual desire for a beautiful body becomes sublimated into a desire for philosophical understanding and insight.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Poverty in America - 1999 Words

Poverty in America A Social Problem 3/22/2013 Rebecca McNamara Abstract Poverty has been around as long as there has been an America. Programs have been set in place to help offset the issue, such as Food Stamps and housing. The government’s implementation of some of these programs is to ensure that the poor have a place to sleep and adequate meals to eat. There are issues with these programs that contribute to the furthering of poverty, but for the most part are more helpful than harmful. While there is a chance that there will always be a poverty line that Americans will be under, there are solutions that can be implemented towards getting many of these people above it. Some options might include keeping jobs within the†¦show more content†¦While numbers and statistics may change, poverty itself does not. It has been around for as long as one can remember and will be here for many more to come. Programs The government has implemented programs to offset and help those below the poverty line. For the elderly, Medicare and Social Security are in place. This ensures that when the older adults cannot work anymore, they can receive health care and income they will need. Thus they will not be forced into homelessness and can still receive adequate medical care. Food Stamps are provided for many families in the hope that these families will not starve and can put filling, nutritious food on the table. According to the Food Stamp Act of 1977, this program was enacted to â€Å"â€Å"to alleviate hunger and malnutrition †¦ by increasing food purchasing power for all eligible households who apply for participation.† (usda.gov, 2013) Recipients can use these just like regular cash at any local grocery store. They also may receive Medicaid. This program provides for many the medical treatment they would not be able to afford otherwise. This is especially true for children and pre gnant women below the poverty line. Public housing is another program that helps to provide a roof over a family’s heads for reduced costs. Rent in some places can be quite high and a family of four may find it hard even to afford a small 3 bedroom house without breaking their pockets. Aid to Families with DependentShow MoreRelatedPoverty in America840 Words   |  4 Pagesabout poverty’s history in America and its definition, the causes/reasons of poverty, the effects of poverty on America, and the salaries of people in poverty. Poverty is the state or condition of having little to no money or goods. In America, poverty started being a major issue in the late 1950s when it reached 22.4 percent of the American population. Throughout the 1960s, poverty steadily declined, and reached 11.1 percent in the year 1973. Over the next 10 years, poverty alternated between 11.1Read MorePoverty in America1093 Words   |  5 PagesPoverty in America Poverty, the state of being extremely poor, exists all over America! There are several different types of poverty, and the causes of poverty. Most people think of poverty as just somebody who is homeless and has no job, somebody who has no money to support the basic needs of life, and wears ragged clothing and lives under a bridge. What people don’t know is there are people living in poverty that have jobs and make money but live so poorly that they are categorized with peopleRead MorePoverty in America1874 Words   |  8 PagesPoverty is an epidemic that has swept the American nation many times over. Whether it be quietly lingering under the surface, or blatantly staring us in the face as it is in this current recession, it affects people across America on individual, community and national levels alike. While there are many causes and effects of poverty, it is important to view the issue of poverty and its causes from all angles when one seeks to tackle the problem. These f actors include socio-economic status, mentalRead Morepoverty in america2346 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿ Poverty has always been with us from beggars outside the gates of Jerusalem to the mentally ill homeless woman in the park. America is known for our huge difference in culture and class. This is due partly to the dynamics behind the political decisions of this country. The president himself admits that America is more unequal than it’s been since the great depression and many of his own supporters say he has failed. America now has, by many standards, the lowest social mobility of all of the high-endRead MoreCause Of Poverty In America787 Words   |  4 Pagesyou can see, there are more than the basics of poverty. These poor people struggle on a daily basis to provide the needs of themselves and their family. Poverty affects adults and their children in so many ways. I believe that poverty should be one of the main focuses of America. I have deep sorrow for these people doing whatever they can to make money. I think that poverty needs to be decreased in the United States. I d on’t know how the people in poverty do it. They have a weight that they are carryingRead MorePoverty in Latin America1502 Words   |  6 Pages Poverty, or the inability to afford basic human needs, is an issue that is spread worldwide. There are people everywhere who cannot afford shelter, food, healthcare, or education. It seems easy enough to ignore the bum asking for change on the street, but it becomes near impossible in regions where whole families are begging on the street. This rings true in Latin America and it is extremely frustrating to see social inequality this extreme. This essay will examine how much poverty exists inRead MoreThe Socialization Of Poverty : America1552 Words   |  7 PagesThe Socialization of Poverty. Envision America different from what we know. A different, yet real America, which exists in a time unknown, an America that is no longer governed by hate and cruelty. Imagine parents no longer struggling to pay the bills, no people lying ill on the streets, or children starving at night. A time where a specific economic status does not evoke disapproval, crime, and suspicions. Imagine America healing and progressing from its earlier judgments and degradation of peopleRead MorePoverty And Its Effects On America1380 Words   |  6 PagesWhat are the main reasons there is so much poverty in America? In the past 30 years, poverty has increased drastically leaving many people homeless and helpless. Adults, as well as the children, are left on the streets to seek different ways to aid their families. If a working family member is injured, then it is up to the others to find ways to care for the injured and at the same time set food on the table. Many women also work to aid their families , however, when a woman works at a factory sheRead MorePoverty And Its Effects On America894 Words   |  4 PagesPoverty is one of largest problem in the whole world, because thousands of people are affected by this major concern. Poverty is an issue that inflicts many dangerous situations, such as, crimes, diseases, lack of literacy, hard labor, etc., and therefore, it is essential to resolute before it gets worse. For example, United States is having risen in unemployment rates, which indicates the early symptoms, that citizens have started submerging into poverty. In most of the poor countries crime ratioRead MorePoverty Of America And Ireland1630 Words   |  7 Pagespopulation lives on less than $1.25 daily. Poverty can be displayed and treated in different ways, like the way it is measured or the way assistance is delivered. To provide evidence of this, the poverty in the countries of America and Ireland will be compared. From the Merriam-Webster dictionary, poverty is defined as â€Å"the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.† In most communities, people who suffer in poverty are those that go without water, food

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Psychology Of Human Behavior - 2898 Words

Psychology, the study of human behavior, encompasses numerous realms and topics. From human development to drug abuse, psychologists strive to understand behavior and apply their findings. One such area that begets curiosity and research is the cognitive process that is memory. Memory is one of the most precious and crucial components of a person. Experiences shape a personality and create a person. Memories in the form of a witness’s testimony have the power to jail someone for life. However, are these memories reliable? The biological perspective in psychology is the study of the brain, genetics, hormones, and neurotransmitters and how these factors influence behavior. With respect to the biological level of analysis, the three principles that are encouraged are as follows: the use of animals in research is encouraged, behavior can be innate because it is genetically based, and there are biological correlates of behavior. When evaluating the reliability of memory, one can ta ke a biological approach, using the principles to design an experiment that would successfully investigate the biological correlates of the cognitive process. Martinez and Kesner is an example of such an experiment. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the role of acetylcholine on memory. Acetylcholine is one of the seven major neurotransmitters in the body. It is thought to influence muscle movement and memory as there are several links between a lack of the neurotransmitter andShow MoreRelatedPsychology of Human Behavior800 Words   |  4 PagesPsychology of Human Behavior ROUGH DRAFT Everybody responds and behaves differently to events based on their own personalities. Some people are morning people, god knows why, but they are. Whereas other people like to stay up later because they get more done at night. That behavior is one that is programed to you from birth. If you don’t like mornings, you cannot make yourself like mornings, it’s not going to happen. But other behaviors are learned, based on our upbringing and environment. OurRead MoreBehavioral Psychology And Human Behavior771 Words   |  4 PagesBehavioral neuroscience or biological psychology employs the principles of brain pathology to the study of human behavior through genetic, physiological, and developmental operations, as well as, the brain’s capacity to change with experience. Since the second world war, crime was largely attributed to mostly economic, political, and social factors, along with what psychologists termed at the time, the â€Å"weak character† of mental disturbance, and brain biology was rarely considered. However, new advancesRead MorePsychology Is The Study Of Human Behavior1447 Words   |  6 PagesPsychology is the study of human behavior. It is a field that focuses on the human mind, which is a varied landscape of thought and thought processes. When considering the process of studying the field of psychology as a whole there are a great number of avenues to explore the mind. There are different types of psychology, both normal and abnormal as the overarching distinctions. There are also many disorders associated with abnormal behavior psychology such as schizophrenia, anxiety disordersRead MoreCognitive Psychology And Human Behavior930 Words   |  4 PagesCognitive psychology has evolved over the years. Researchers are constantly trying to find new ways to understand and define the human brain. Our memory is quite important in how we function on a day-to-day basis. Our memories help us to remember important functions su ch as combing our hair, brushing our teeth or getting dressed in the morning. Memories also help us to learn more information. Cognitive psychology refers to the study of human mental processes and their role of thinking, feeling, andRead MorePsychology : The Human Mind And Human Behavior3132 Words   |  13 PagesHumans are categorized as being diverse, and as such, there are no two humans that are exactly the same. Humans and their behavior are not black and white. So why, in the field of psychology, do psychologists try to explain human behavior by using only one explanation? Psychology is the study of the human mind and of human behavior. Through the years, psychologists have created several theories to try to explain the cause of human behavior. These are called the approaches to psychology. The sevenRead MorePsychology and Human Behavior Essay1142 Words   |  5 PagesPsychology and Human Behavior What makes people behave the way they do? Can anyone analyse 12 billion brain cells to determine how and why the mind functions the way it does?How is it that people being similar in physiological termsRead MorePsychology and Understanding Human Behavior1745 Words   |  7 Pages| | Reading | Read Ch. 6 of Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment. | | | Reading | Read Ch. 7 of Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment. | | | Reading | Read Ch. 8 of Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment. | | | Reading | Read Ch. 9 of Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment. | | | Reading | Read Ch. 13 of Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment. | | | ReadingRead MoreApplication of Animal Behavior in Human Psychology549 Words   |  2 Pagesanimal behavior to human psychology The study of psychology requires an understanding the nature and dynamics of human behavior and how it interacts with its external environment. One might think that because psychology is the study of human behavior and thought, it would then be not surprising that study of animal behavior (other than human) would entail a different field of study a field of study mutually exclusive from human psychology. However, developments in the study of human behavior and humanitysRead MoreHow Psychology Is The Human Mind And Behavior1513 Words   |  7 PagesPsychology is the science which helps to understand the human mind and behaviour. To understand properly, one needs to trust on scientific methods that would help in recognizing the aspects related to the behaviour and psychological processes going in the mind of an individual. Instead of just trusting on personal observations about the experiences that an individual faces, the process of scientific research is much more systematic as well as authentic while trying to assess the details about theRead MoreHow Psychology Has Changed Human Behavior1724 Words   |  7 PagesDrawing on examples from across the module, evaluate the extent to which psychology has explained how people understand each other. People understand each other using cognitive skills, an example of this is mindreading. Mindreading abilities also referred to as the theory of mind (ToM) is the aptitude to comprehend that other people have mental states, such as understanding that other people have feelings, desires, motives, beliefs and intentions (Hewson, 2015a). This is generally an essential,

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Rational Decision Making Process free essay sample

This report will discuss about the approach to rational decision making process. It discusses how an everyday problem faced by management can be tackled by using facts, opinions and reasonable reasons. 1. 0 introduction Decision making describes the process by which a course of action is selected to deal with a specific problem. The success of an organization depends greatly on the decisions of managers. There are two major types of models used by managers to make decisions rational model and non-rational models. In the rational model, managers engage in rational decision making processes. Any rational decision making process consists of eight basic steps. Those steps are: defining problems, identifying decision criteria, allocating weights to each criterion, developing or generating alternatives, evaluating alternatives, selecting the optimal decision or alternatives, implementing the alternatives and finally evaluating the decision effectiveness. These decision making steps which is mentioned in the text book are really practical. According to Ohio State University management professor, Paul C. We will write a custom essay sample on Rational Decision Making Process or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Nutt, we only get about 50% of our decisions in the workplace right! Half the time they are wrong, so there is clearly plenty of scope to improve on our decision making processes. Based on his research into over 300 decisions, made in a range of organizations, he discovered that   â€Å"some tactics with a good track record are commonly know but uncommonly practiced† Why? Well one reason that emerged from his research is that: â€Å"too often, managers make bad tactical selections†¦ because they believe that following recommended decision making practices would take too much time and demand excessive cash outlays. † Nutt argues that using good decision making practices actually costs very  little. In my opinion, the rational decision making model is a priceless tool to help managers to improve the way they make decisions. 1. 1 Steps to problem solving process I have an example of how a manager of call center operations faced a common problem in every call centers in the world with regards to hiring. What worries the manager as well as the Human Resource (HR) hiring team is the cost per hire for every call center representative (CCR) has increased significantly over the years. This report will show how the manager and HR formed up a team known as team Kronos applied the eight steps of problem solving process to find solution on the ever increasing cost per hire of a CCR. Figure 1 below are the steps applied to solve the problems: Figure 1: Steps in rational decision making process 2. 0 Defining Problems Problems that are visible tend to have a higher probability of being selected than ones that are important. 1. Easily to catch a decision maker’s attention 2. Decision maker want to appear competent and â€Å"on top of problems†. This desire motives one to focus on problems that are visible to others. If a decision maker faces a conflict between selecting a problem that is important to the organization and one that is important to decision maker, self-interest tends to win out. This tendency also is related to the issue of visibility. It’s usually in a decision maker’s best interest to attack high profiles problems. It conveys to performance is later reviewed, the evaluator is more likely to give a high rating to someone who has been aggressively attacking visible problems tan to someone whose actions been less obvious. . 1 Problem Statement In this first step the manager defined what is their real problem is. To identify the real problem the manager conducted a brainstorming session with human resource recruitment team to identify the root causes of high cost per hire. After analysis and discussion it is discovered that the root cause is due to inefficient hiring process and current criteria no t meeting the industry standard. Furthermore, contact center is the least favourable career path option for fresh graduates with high turnover rate. Therefore, the problem statement was such: Based on January 2010 to December 2011 Human Resource analysis, it is observed that cost per hire for a Call Center Representative (CCR) is at RM900 with turnover rate of 80% per year. This is an opportunity to reduce the cost as well as the turnover rate, hence, increase the overall cost efficiency. 3. 0 Identifying Decision Criteria Once a decision maker has defined the problem, he or she needs to identify the decision criteria that will be  important in solving the problem. In this step, the decision maker is determining what’s relevant in making the decision. This step brings  the decision maker’s interests, values, and personal preferences into  the process. Identifying criteria is important because what one person thinks is relevant, another may not. Also keep in mind that any factors  not identified in this step  are considered as irrelevant to the decision maker. In our case study, the manager has now identified the following criteria to combat the high cost per hire and turnover rate for new hire. * oral and written communications skills * sales and customer service abilities * Multitasking skills * Keyboarding and computer skills * Telephony skills The team realized that they needed a solution that would identify potential top performers earlier in process, boost hiring success rate and provide proactive jump on CCR recruiting needs. 4. 0 Allocating Weights to Each Criterion The next step in the decision making process is prioritization. Prioritization is achieved by assigning quantitative weights to each criteria element. The weightage defines the relative significance of each element Going back to team Kronos problems, the manager identified the weighting of each criterion for a new CCR. This is where the team start to get clarity on what really matters. Figure 2 below show the weights to each criterion Criteria| Rating| oral and written communications skills| 5| sales and customer service abilities| 3| Multitasking skills| 3| Keyboarding and computer skills| 4| Telephony skills| 4| Figure 2: Weights to each criterion *Note   Rating 1 to 5, 5 is the highest 5. 0 Developing or Generating Alternatives The decision maker generates possible alternatives that could succeed in resolving the problem. No attempt is made in this step to appraise these alternatives, only to list them. Below are the lost of possible alternatives provided by Kronos team. Prescreen candidate through online assessment, this will help the recruiter to determine the candidate suitability for an interview * recruiters to evaluate a candidate with a role-playing simulation during interview * increase usage of IVR (Interactive Voice Response) * outsource the hiring process to reputable recruitment agencies i. e Kelly Services, Ask Recruitment Agencies, Michael Page e tc. * outsource the call center to outsourcing partner in the Philippines 6. 0 Evaluating Alternatives Evaluating potential design solutions is the process which leads to the selection of the best of alternatives.