Philosophical Thoughts on the Nature of Dogs Essay

Philosophical Thoughts on the Nature of Dogs - Essay Example The fundamental question of an issue like this rests on the fact that it is impossible to communicate with these animals – you cannot ask a dog what it thinks or how it would like to be treated, and so we form (often incorrect and anthropomorphic) assumptions of their wants and desires, as exemplified by widespread and ridiculous practices such as leaving a television on for a bet for â€Å"company† while its owners are away, as if a flashing screen and random noises would provide comfort to an animal that primarily identifies its comrades by smell and shape. Our lack of ability to communicate directly with animals has led to a vicious debate about the ownership of pets, whether this constitutes animal cruelty, and especially whether treating animals differently than humans (such as allowing for their ownership and control) is a kind of discrimination that is analogous to sexism and racism – acceptable now because of ignorance and social mores, but morally repreh ensible when examined critically or through a lens of time. There are many arguments both for and against the ownership of pets being considered a form of discrimination, but I believe that a thorough understanding of the issues involved, along with a reference to The Fundamentals of the Metaphysic of Morals by Emmanuel Kant can demonstrate that pet ownership is not morally reprehensible. There are ample arguments to be made that the way humans currently treat animals is inhumane (well, it is certainly inhumane under a literal definition – we treat them differently than we treat humans) and that this is morally reprehensible. One of the fundamental philosophical arguments is that humans are animals, and that by drawing an arbitrary line we make an artificial distinction where there is none, such as was made during the years of scientific racism (Dawkins 34). Furthermore, a though experiment can help develop this theme further: what if the intermediate species between humans a nd other apes, such as Australopithecus Aphaeresis, did not die, but were still alive today? Would we feel comfortable vivisecting them for medical research, as is currently done on chimpanzees (Nibert 7)? The answer is probably not, because they are so human like (). But then, we admit that the line is somewhat arbitrary – that at some point we decide that something is far enough â€Å"below† humans that their worth is fundamentally lessened, but above that point it is not? This is certainly an untenable position philosophically speaking, because there is very little that categorically separates humans from other animals – many other animals use tools, have some form of verbal communication (it has even been argued that Orcas have a form of symbolic language), can solve puzzles, do simple math and so on. Furthermore, humans have a fundamental inability to understand what is actually going on in an animal’s head – we can only surmise based on our o wn assumptions of their cognitive abilities. Yet this should make humans think that they must be exceedingly cautious in the dealing with Animals, to ensure that we are not accidentally committing slaver, oppression or genocide (Barilan 22). The analogous situation would be to imagine a species of aliens observing earth that have a completely different form of communication and cognition. They might not be able to imagine our communication or actions as intelligence or

Louis Kahn, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, 1959-1965 Assignment

Louis Kahn, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, 1959-1965 - Assignment Example The Salk compound is at the centre of the large courtyard that has identical concrete rows of laboratory space and offices. At the end of the courtyard is a magnificent view of the Pacific, coupled with the soothing fountain sounds. Designed by Louis Khan, the courtyard is the main highlight of the site. The courtyard is inspired by Louis Barragan, a Mexican architect. Khan had initially planned to have plants and trees at the courtyard but was advised by Barragan against that decision (Treib). It enabled Khan to come up with a stone plaza that created an open feeling with the large sky; it also had a water feature (Anderson). Originally, the buildings were built by different cement mixtures with various colors; this is evident in the basement of the complex. Khan introduced wood to compliment with the cement. Inside, the buildings have no walls; this is a promotion of collaboration. The basement has one floor with another two floors existing above it, on both sides (Anderson).Lighting fixtures in the form of easy slide rails have also been used to promote collaboration. Roman techniques are evident in the architecture as the concrete was created from volcanic ash to create a pinkish glow. Each laboratory block consists of five study towers each containing offices, but those at the entrances consists of only two study towers. The diagonal walls enable each of the thirty-six scientists in the studies to have a view of the Pacific. The original design of this complex had conference buildings and living quarters but were never

Research Questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Research Questions - Assignment Example Almost all areas of study are enhanced by field research, but in particular those that deal with humans as they relate to their environment are most assisted. Ethnography, Sociology, cultural anthropology, environmental and industrial psychology and of course forensic criminology as it relates to causation by environment and culture are all areas of study that must have a field work component to assure validity. Criminological theories such as Strain, Labeling, and the like have an environmental component that can best be assed via the field researcher’s involvement. 2: Certainly different research can require differing roles for the field researcher. The complete participant approach, the spy whose identity as observer is completely obscured to the participant, may at first seem the ideal approach. Like a double agent the complete participant is undercover and supposedly not affecting the participants. However, the fact that this role is assuming a part in the process must at last affect the results in some fashion. The participant as observer is similar to the above in that the researcher is identified as such but ensconced in the environment as well. This method adds some separation as this reveals the truth of the researcher’s intentions, however, the researchers can gain the trust of the participants in perhaps a more effective way. The next method, observer as participant, is again similar to the previous but there is more of a distinct separation between the researcher and the participant. There is very little trust gained and no i nformal associations created, it is almost the role of a survey taker who has extremely minimal interactions with the participant and creates a professional and formal setting, which may work for simple studies, but not more complex cultural analysis. Finally there is the role of complete observer, the voyeur, the eavesdropper who is

Cultural diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion Essay

Cultural diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion - Essay Example On the other hand, inclusion denotes the embodiment of different groups of people that have special needs. Apparently, the proposition to engage multiculturalism, cultural diversity and inclusiveness in the education sector has not been implemented due to the divergent implications that have been expressed. Thus, this paper will focus on the positive and negative implications that have been mention in concern to the subject. Firstly, it is noted that to nurture human cohesion, all individuals need a glimpse of the historical background of all the groups that reside in an area. For example, America is considered one of the most diverse nations in the world because it has people from diverse origins. Notwithstanding, it would be prudent to engage all the population to afflict a unified society. Secondly, the inclusion of such approaches will guarantee that people will comprehend their diversity, which has not been acceptable in the past. Through such an understanding, different societies will express peaceful coexistence in the possible manner. Thirdly, the available documentations express the impressive performance of particular races. However, with the inclusion of other individuals with successful innovation, all the learners will appreciate the diversity of all the races (Grant 179). For example, the policy makers need to embrace African American who fought against the social ills as well as the white s that struggled for economic sustenance. Fourthly, the approach will enhance comprehension of collaborative methodology that expresses the concerns of all the groups that live in the region. Lastly, the execution of such an approach will lead to multicultural equity in the state. Evidently, some of the minority groups are not given identical treatment as the other majority groups, and this affects the livelihood of the marginal population. Thus, the inception of the

Tort scenario Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Tort scenario - Case Study Example According to the Police Act of 1996, an off-duty police officer can exercise their powers if the situation dictates it, and thus places himself back on duty. This was the case when PC Yaro say Bully commit the crime and subsequently chased after him. So it is clear that PC Yaro did have the right to arrest bully under #1, so we can now move to number #2. If Bully had not resisted arrest in any way, then PC Yaro would not have been within his legal rights to simply punch Bully. However, as PC Yaro attempted to arrest Bully (having gone through the normal procedure), he was then kicked on the shin by the suspect. Even if Yaro were not a police officer attempting to complete a justified arrest, he would have the right to defend himself. He has just witnessed Bully committing a violent act against an old lady, and thus has the expectation of further violence from Bully. What tort might Bully accuse PC Yaro of The basic tort would be that of assault, which includes deliberate violence against another person (Van Gerven, 2001). What defenses would Yaro have First of all, police officers have a general power to use force for the purpose of effecting a lawful arrest, Second, there is the concept of self-defense. In this case, Yaro would need to prove that the use of force was necessary and that the degree of force was reasonable. It is clear that the defenses to this tort would outweig... It is clear that the defenses to this tort would outweigh any arguments that Bully might have. Indeed, it seems clear that Bully would probably be convicted of the criminal offense of assault on a police officer (see Forbes, 1865). There is no tortuous liability for PC Yaro in this situation. The Case of Jim and Elsie/Mother - Nervous Shock and Economic Loss Most tort law depends upon the consideration and finding of the duty of care owed by one person towards another. Nervous shock tends to involve a serious psychological effect upon the injured party (see Alcock, 1992) As a heavy goods vehicle driver, Jim owes a duty of care to other road users to perform his job in a responsible and careful manner. He is a professional driver and needs to act as such. If Jim had been talking on his mobile phone with his girlfriend and crashed into the sports car, then it would be clear that he would not have shown a sufficient duty of care, and might be regarded as either negligent or perhaps reckless. But this is not the case. In fact Jim was performing his duties as a professional driver admirably through trying to avoid the drunken pedestrian. Everything that occurred from that point on:- from the crash with the car, the nervous shock supposedly suffered by Elsie and her mother and the failure to buy the winning lottery ticket - came about because of this initial perfectly justifiable act upon the part of Jim. However, Elsie and her mother might have a case if it could be shown that the manner in which Jim avoided the pedestrian was negligent/reckless by the standards of a reasonable HGV driver. The facts that are given within the case do not show this was the case at all. For the sake of argument, let us assume that Jim did show

The Hotel Industry Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Hotel Industry - Assignment Example People visit hotels for different purposes. The industry offers their customers various of services. The customers need lodging facilities where they can spend their nights and means of transport to move them from one place to another. Restaurants provide foods and drinks during the stay. The hotel industry offers cruise line services, especially for hotels that are located along the coast. Sometimes, customers may contract a selected hotel to oversee planning of special events such as anniversaries, weddings, and special days’ celebrations with proper entertainment services (Puri & Chand, 2009). Products provided by the hotel industry include all types food, soft drinks, and hard drinks. Customers for the hotel industry include people of all ages and races (Barrows & Powers, 2009). Demanders for hotel services and products consist of students, children, middle-aged citizens and the aged. People of all walks usually attend ceremonies such as weddings, conferences and other official functions because they have roles to perform in each of them. Wedding customers demand services of event planners, and these are mostly found in the hotel industry. Business travelers travel on expense account and seek secure hotels that are close to the places of their business rendezvous (Lockyer, 2007). Another group of hotel customers are leisure travelers; these also look for hotels that have leisure activities such as gymnasiums, swimming pools, playgrounds and racing equipment. The hotel industry is dispersed among many companies, each controlling a small market (Brody, 2009). The market structure for the hotel industry is perfect competition. In a perfectly competitive market, there are several buyers and sellers of a particular product; hence, customers have a variety of choices (Khan, 2007). This breaks the market into small portions and each company controls its own market portion. There are several companies in the hotel industry. These include Lords of the Manor, The Feathers Hotel Woodstock, Talbot Hotel, The Trout at Tadpole Bridge, Holbeck Ghyll County House Hotel, and Assured Hotels.

Shaping Special Education Essay Example for Free

Shaping Special Education Essay The history of American special education has taken a long, ever-evolving journey to get to the place it is today. Marilyn Friend (2008) discusses how in the early twentieth century students were still not accepted into public schools. Students who had physical or mental disabilities were placed into separate classes, made up entirely of students with disabilities. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century students with a wide range of disabilities were enrolled in special education classes. Over the past century, various court cases have defined how special education has changed. In 1954, the Brown v. Board of Education, gave way to questions about whether or not separating special education students from the general education population was appropriate or not. Some people believed that taking students out of the classroom gave them a label for their disability and therefore was discriminatory towards students, rather than helpful in providing services they needed to make them successful. (Friend, 2008, p. 47) Not only did educators become advocators for children’s with disabilities, so did parents. The Mills v. Board of Education (1972) sparked the determination of providing special education services for students. In response to various lawsuits against the Board of Education legislation created mandates to ensure the rights for students with disabilities. Structure of Special Education Parents continued to push for the rights of children, as well as congress. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 were laws that provided funding to states to assist them in creating and improving programs and services for children with disabilities. The Education for All Handicapped children Act in 1974 was created to allow full educational opportunities for students with disabilities. In 1986, the federal special education law was changed to include services for infants and young children. (Friend, 2008, p. 49) In 1990, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was changed to Individual with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and more disabilities were added. The most recent change was in 2004 when provisions were added to help resolve disputes between parents, as well as the requirement for student instruction to be taught using evidence-based practices. Federal law forced educators to change their view of special education students and how to best serve their needs in the school environment. Also in 2004, President Bush and Congress wanted IDEA to align with No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 so that schools would be held accountable for making sure students with disabilities achieve high standards (Friend, 2008, p. 68). Jill Hockenbury (2000) pointed out that special education is a key part of the public education system but that there are still challenges in special education today. Critical changes that are needed in special education include constructing a defensible philosophy of education, providing effective and intensive instruction, and improving the quality of teacher training. These changes are still being worked on today. The needs of children today are demanding that teachers provide effective instruction, that’s meaningful and allows the teacher to reach all levels of development in one classroom. Trends and Issues Quality teacher training is also one of the biggest challenges facing special education and relates directly to a key topic heard a lot about in special education, which is inclusion. Inclusion centers on the belief that students with a disability should be allowed to be a part of the general education classroom. However, inclusion is difficult because of the requirement of the general education teacher. The general education teacher should be able to meet the needs of the students in his or her classroom, which can be difficult depending on the students needs. However, inclusion states that students should be in the classroom full time, receiving instruction the same as non-disabled peers, and there should be no need for pull-out. In some cases, members of a child’s IEP team may not agree on the appropriate environment for a student. With increased opportunities for teachers to have training with research-based methods and strategies, this area should be able to improve in the future. Researchers have stated that inclusion is beneficial to both students with disabilities, and those without disabilities. A study done investigating perceptions of learning of nearly 5,000 kindergarten students through 12th grade revealed that students with disabilities wanted to learn the same material, use the same books, and enjoy the same homework and grading practices as typical peers. (Friend, 2008, as cited in Klinger and Vaughn 1999) Other trends in special education include universal design for learning and differentiation. Universal design for learning (UDL) is the instructional approach that students with disabilities should have access to the curriculum. Along with UDL is the use of differentiated instruction (or differentiation) to explore the concepts of UDL further. Differentiation means that within one environment, students with multiple needs will have their needs met through various ways. UDL and differentiation should be utilized by general education teachers to meet the needs of their special education student. (Friend, 2008, p. 77) These trends are all key concepts in the world of special education. They all impact the way special education teachers should teach to meet the needs of all their students. Pat Beckman (2001) reiterated this fact stating that â€Å"improved student learning requires teachers, schools, and districts to give up unproductive traditions and beliefs, replacing them with validated practices and a full understanding of the intent of the law. † IDEA requires teachers to use â€Å"programs, interventions, strategies, and activities† that are researched based. (Friend, 2008, p. 63) As the needs of students increase, the resources provided need to increase, which is the responsibility of those providing the education. Special education has come very far since placing disabled students in their own separate classroom, but it still has a long way to go. There is much to be said about meeting the needs of special education students and reaching those administrators, parents, and educators who still do not have a full understanding of inclusion. References Beckman, Pat (2001), Access to the general education curriculum for students with disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children, retrieved May 28, 2012 from http://www. cec. sped. org/AM/Template. cfm? Section=HomeTEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay. cfmCONTENTID=5519 Friend, M.(2008). Special education: Contemporary perspectives for school professionals. Boston, MA: Allyn Bacon. Hockenbury, J. C. , Kauffman, J. M. , Hallahan, D. P. (2000). What is right about special education. Exceptionality, 8(1), 3-11. Obiakor, F. E. (2011). Maximizing access, equity, and inclusion in general and special education. Journal Of The International Association Of Special Education, 12(1), 10-16. U. S. Department of Education (2007) Thirty Years of Progress in Educating Children With Disabilities Through IDEA, retrieved May 28, 2012 from http://www2. ed. gov/policy/speced/leg/idea/history30. html.