Philosophical Argument Essay Example for Free

Philosophical Argument Essay â€Å"Something must first be said briefly about the moral subjectivism inherent in this analysis. Based on the above, it follows that some things could be immoral for some people and moral (or amoral) for others, since people vary in their values. For example, some people may possess a fundamental value for all animal life of any kind, which would entail not eating meat, not allowing suicide, nor even allowing the removal of life support for a brain-dead patient. But this value system would only exist for them, not for others. However, my analysis does not entail moral relativism in the usual sense, since it is also possible (and I believe it is the case) that some fundamental values are shared by all people, or very nearly all people (I allow some rare exceptions for the sociopath, who is generally regarded as having a mind alien to the vast majority of humankind, devoid of all ordinary moral sentiment). (Carrier)†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The above argument contains two premises: 1) Some people value all forms of life; and 2) All people share some fundamental values. The conclusion is that: Morality is relative. The quoted passage is an example of argument because it expresses a claim which is being supported by the given premises. It can be said that morality is relative because people have different perspective about the value of life – (that while others do not admit any sort of action that would not promote life as morally permissible, others welcome the fact that every person has a right to make a decision about how he would like to treat his life or whatsoever). â€Å"From a point of view outside of this affair, the killing of a neurologically inactive fetus is no greater a harm than the killing of a mouse, and in fact decidedly lessa mouse is neurologically active, and though it lacks a complex cerebral cortex, it has a brain of suitable complexity to perceive pain (and I would argue that the mouse deserves some moral consideration, though less than humans). A fetus cannot perceive pain (and perception is not quite the same thing as sensation: sensation can exist without a brain, but perception cannot). The neural structures necessary to register and record sensations of pain transmitted by the appropriate nerves either do not exist or are not functioning before the fifth month of gestation. A fetus can no more feel pain than a surgical patient under general anasthesia, or a paraplegic whose lower-body nerves continue reacting to stimuli, but cease sending signals to the brain. And we have already established that a fetus does not contain an individual human personality of any kind, any more than a brain-dead adult does. With no perception of pain, and no loss of an individual personality, the act of abortion causes no immediate harm. (Carrier†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The second passage is another example of an argument. It has three premises; 1) Fetus is neurologically inactive; 2) Fetus does not feel pain; 3) Fetus does not possess individual personality. The conclusion suggests that: Abortion causes no harm. Obviously, the established premises attempt to prove the conclusion. Since fetus cannot react to any form of stimuli as how a surgical patient or even a mouse does, hence the act of abortion does not inflict harm to the fetus. Work Cited Carrier, Richard C. Abortion is not Immoral and Should not be Illegal . 30 November 2005.  Ã‚   Internet Infidels. 31 February 2008  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/debates/secularist/abortion/carrier1.html.

Use of Atomic Spectrometry in Pharmaceutical Analysis

Use of Atomic Spectrometry in Pharmaceutical Analysis Jie Pan Introduction Pharmaceutical analysis is a critical issue for human beings, not only to verify the effectiveness of drugs, but also for the safety issues. The toxicity of various elements has been well studied and documented for many years. There are many ways to prove effective elements or compounds in drugs. For more than 100 years, the main focus on standard for testing pharmaceuticals elements has been the Heavy Elements.[1] However, there is no clear definition of heavy elements has showed authority. Most of the concern regarding elements in pharmaceuticals was associated with following elements such as: antimony(Sb), arsenic(As), Cadmium(Cd), copper(Cu), iron(Fe), lead(Pb) and zinc(Zn). The purpose in detecting pharmaceutical materials is not just for drug products, the active pharmaceutical ingredients(API’s), raw material and intermediates for metals and metalloids also very important for analysis of drugs. For these reasons, atomic spectroscopy has been developed as one of the most powerful tool for detecting metals and metalloids in drugs.[2] Atomic Spectroscopy techniques Atomic spectroscopy involving the measurements of the optical properties of free atoms. An atomization source is a system for generating atomic vapor from a sample. Classification of atomic method is depends on the source: flame atomic absorption spectroscopy(FAAS), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy(GFAAS), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy(ICP-AES), direct-current argon plasma, electric arc and electric spark and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy(ICP-MS). Most common techniques of atomic spectroscopy are FAAS and GFAAS, which based on the Beer-Lambert Law. FAAS is considered to be less sensitive technique than GFAAS, with FAAS the sensitivities in the range of low parts per million(ppm, w/w), requiring milliliter quantities, while GFAAS is capable of low parts per billion(ppb. w/w) with requiring microliter quantities of sample. FAAS is considered the one with less-expensive and also easier skill level for an analyst as well as less time consuming when compared with GFAAS. Regardless of the technique, both FAAS and GFAAS require the use of a hollow cathode (HCL) or electrodeless discharge lamp (EDC) for each radiation source.[3] ICP-AES and ICP-MS have seen greater use within the pharmaceutical industry in more recent years. Both of the techniques can be applied for variety of sample types and capable of rapid, multi-element analyses. ICP-MS offering much greater sensitivity, which down to parts per trillion(ppt) than ICP-AES-pm to ppb, however, has more potential spectral interferences. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is based on absorption of radiation by atoms. Main components included for AAS are: light source, sample holder, wavelength selector and detector. HCL (hollow cathode lamp) is the most common source, which applied for atomic absorption measurement.[4] Daryoush Afzali et. al. applied this technique on the detecting of palladium. Palladium is attracting a lot of attention in various fields including industry, technology and medicine. However, the long-term exposure to palladium may affect the human health. Therefore, it is our task to trace the residue of palladium, which is quite meaningful. A method for preconcentration of palladium on modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes columns has been developed. Palladium analysis requires analytical methods of high sensitivity, selectivity, and the control of interference effects. Previous research used GFAAS and ICP-MS to detect palladium, however, the mainly drawback is solvent extraction methods such as emulsion formation, different extracting efficiencies, and low sensitivity. Daryoush Afzali et. al. focused on repairing conventional solvent extraction methods for isolating environmental pollutants with solid phase extraction (SPE) techniques, which applied prior to spectrometric determination. Compared with liquid–liquid extraction, SPE utilizing solid so rbents are simpler and faster, reduce organic solvent consumption and yield higher enrichment factors. Different solid phase extractors such as Amberlite XAD resins, polyurethane foam, activated carbon, and silica gel with chelating groups have been the most widely used collectors. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been chosen as solid phase extractor because of its unique thermal, mechanical, electronic, and chemical properties. The extremely large surface area and the unique tubular structure make CNTs a promising adsorbent material. The modified method using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), were oxidized with concentrated HNO3 and then modified with 5-(40-dimethylamino benzyliden)-rhodanine. Following with using as a solid sorbent for preconcentration of Pd(II) ions. The effects of experimental parameters, including pH of the sample solution, sample flow rate, eluent flow rate, and eluent concentration were investigated. The procedure offers a useful, rapid, and reliable enrich ment technique for preconcentration of Pd(II) in various samples. Under the optimum condition, palladium in aqueous samples was concentrated to about 200-fold.[5] ICP-AES and ICP-MS Inductively coupled plasma utilizes an argon plasma to excite and ionize elemental species, which is the most important feature of argon ICP plasma is the temperature can be achieved around 6000-10000 K. The ions formed by the ICP discharge are typically positive ions, M+ or M2+, therefore, elements that prefer to form negative ions such as Cl, I, F, etc., are very difficult to determine via ICP-AES. Samples are aspirated into the plasma by means of a nebulizer, which generates small droplets that pass through a spray chamber and then through the center tube of a concentric torch. Desolvation, vaporization, atomization and ionization of the sample occur in the high temperatures of the plasma, and the collisions of the ions and electrons of the argon plasma ionize and excite the analyte atoms. As the ions generated within the plasma pass into the mass spectrometer, the ions are separated in the magnetic field according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Due to the heat of the plasma , the ionic components is reduced, the mass range for ICP-MS typically covers from 6 to 240 atomic mass units (amu). Therefore, offers an advantage over ICP-AESà £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ The nature of interferences in ICP-MS is typically due to the formation of multiply charged ions, oxides and polyatomic isobaric interferences formed in the plasma.[2] Multi-elements detection in pharmaceutical analysis helps improve efficiency on analyzing and also reduce the sample amount. Its not only save our time, but also increase accuracy and explore more mechanism details in pharmacy. In a series of papers, by using ICP-AES to study the effects of aging. Tohno et al. measured multi-elements Ca, Mg, P and S in the four human cardiac valves showed that Ca and P accumulated most in the aortic valve, about 12–19 fold higher than in the tricuspid valve, which showed the least accumulation.[6-7] Lin and Jiang et. al. used slurry sampling of hypertensive drug tablets to introduce a dry aerosol for ETV-ICP-MS measurement of Cd, Cr, Mo, Pb, Pd and Pt. Electrothermal vaporization (ETV) is one of alternative technique to solution nebulization, which is coupled with ICP-MS. This new combination allows the possibility to perform direct analysis of solids. Most of the traditional techniques require sample pretreatment, such as acid digestion and d ry ashing. These pretreatment procedures bring issues such as time consuming, with the consequent risk of sample contamination and analyte loss. In this situation, Lin and Jiang et. al. proposed USS-ETV-ICP-MS as an alternative technique for the direct determination of Cr, Mo, Pd, Cd, Pt and Pb in three antihypertensive tablets (Cozaar, Norvasc and Bisoprolol). The innovative method by coupling electrothermal vaporization with ICP-MS provides a simple way to determine Cr, Mo, Pd, Cd, Pt and Pb in drug tablets without complicated sample pretreatment. By these means, the method precision was increased to 5% RSD (25% for Pt). Moreover, It has been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating various spectral interferences in ICP-MS analysis.[8] Conclusion For the patient safety perspectives, the need for the analysis of elements in pharmaceuticals to qualify product is becoming more important. Nowadays, since the variety of instrumental techniques, such as flame and graphite furnace AA, which is mature and traditional to newer technologies, ICP-AES and ICP-MS, make it possible to monitor multi-elements at same time with the concentration from sub-ppb’s to percent’s.[9-10] As we mentioned above, the selection of sample pretreatment is the key to the success of an analysis. The elimination of pretreatment of sample can be achieved now, which avoid risk of sample contamination and analyte loss. In the future, there is no doubt that detection limit will be reduced and the sensitivity of instrument will be increase. More sensitive technique such as ICP-MS and also modified ICP-MS will play an important role. Easier skill and low expenses of this technique should be developed. Only various techniques which can deal with diffic ult sample matrices and low limits of detection can help us to meet the challenges to address both product safety and product quality issues.[2, 11] References [1] A. Taylor, S. Branch, D. Halls, M. Patriarca, M. White, Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry 2002, 17, 414-455. [2] N. Lewen, Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis 2011, 55, 653-661. [3] M. Ahmed, M. A. Qadir, M. Q. Hussain, American Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2014, 05, 674-680. [4] J. S, V. K, A. S, Int. J. Res. Pharm. Chem. 2012, 2, 146-163. [5] D. Afzali, R. Jamshidi, S. Ghaseminezhad, Z. Afzali, Arabian Journal of Chemistry 2012, 5, 461-466. [6] Y. Tohno, S. Tohno, T. Minami, Y. Moriwake, F. Nishiwaki, K. Hashimoto, H. Yamamoto, Biological Trace Element Research 2000, 77, 107. [7] Y. Tohno, Y. Takano, S. Tohno, Y. Moriwake, T. Minami, F. Nishiwaki, M. Yamada, M. Utsumi, K. Yuri, Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2000, 77, 119. [8] M.-L. Lin, S.-J. Jiang, Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry 2011, 26, 1813. [9] A. Taylor, M. P. Day, S. Hill, J. Marshall, M. Patriarca, M. White, Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry 2013, 28, 425. [10] A. Taylor, M. P. Day, J. Marshall, M. Patriarca, M. White, Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry 2012, 27, 537. [11] N. H. Bings, J. O. Orlandini von Niessen, J. N. Schaper, Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy 2014, 100, 14-37.

From Enlightenment To The Haitian Revolution

From Enlightenment To The Haitian Revolution The purpose of this research paper is to follow the path of the French Enlightenment through its internal revolution, and, consequently, its revolutions in its New World colonies. Upon doing so, it will be determined that ideologies present in the French Enlightenment are present in the following revolutions. Furthermore, it will be concluded that the French Revolution not only resulted in revolutions in its colonies, but it served as the catalyst due to faulty trans-Atlantic bureaucracy. The Age of Enlightenment was a period in Europe that has deep roots in France. The ultimate goal of this movement was to reform society, pursue knowledge, and enforce the new humanist and liberal ideologies the Enlightenment gave birth to (Hyland et al., 2003). Great works from Descartes and John Locke advocated for the equality of all men and women and an end to government corruption and abuse of power (2003). While these ideas have been posited in the past, the social and political conditions of France demanded they be answered. The end of the Enlightenment directly coincides with the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. The French Revolution began in 1789 due to a myriad of causes ranging from the tangible to the philosophical: with ideals from the enlightenment being the catalyst (Anderson, 2005). Combine this with Frances debt problems, its attempt to solve the problem through raising taxes, and the history of broken promises from the Monarchy, a revolution of the proletariat with ideas of equality was bound to happen (2005). When Paris was consumed by riots and the French Guard took sides with the revolutionaries, the motion had begun which would have drastic implications for Frances territories abroad. To briefly summarize the effects of the French Revolution in its territories, the dissolution of the monarchy, lack of control over its foreign operations, and the resources needed domestically to manage the revolution, resulted in France losing its power hold over its colonies (2005). The historical significance of Haiti will be discussed heavily; however, it is important to recognize that while France was having its own internal changes, the development of the colonies carried its own set of problems that would greatly aid in the revolutions against France. It was not a question that since the French Revolution was explicitly built on the war cries of liberty and equality that this mentality would find it in the mechanisms behind the French slave trade and colonial system. French Slavery There were several French colonies in the Caribbean in which slavery was the modus operandi for their plantation based economies. The plantations typically produced sugar, coffee, and, later, cotton. Due to the size of Saint Domingue, present day Haiti, it will receive the most emphasis. Saint Domingue had approximately 500,000 slaves (Fick, 1990). Ironically, approximately one third of all slaves owned were owned by previously freed slaves; however, these free slaves were not allowed to hold any office or practice in any profession. The slave system in the French colonies was regulated by a series of edicts from the King, the most important being the French Code Noir proclaimed in March of 1685 (Fick, 1990). While this code presented the terms and conditions of slave owning and managing through a strictly religious perspective, they outline how slaves would be sold, how their family life would be dictated, forms of punishments, and life after slavery: unlike British slaves, many French slaves could eventually become free (The Code Noir, 1687). Saint Domingue was Frances most profitable colony and most pivotal in its Atlantic slave trade. At this point, it is essential to emphasize two key points. The first is that Saint Domingue was Frances most profitable colony. The second is that France was entering a period of Enlightenment at this time. Due to the importance of the slaves in the islands and the rise of enlightenment in France, many French diplomats began to attempt to understand the slaves for which they were responsible for. One notable individual is Mederic Louis Elie Moreau de Saint Mery, who approached the slaves from an almost anthropological and social point of view. Upon doing so, he realized several key tenants that would dictate how the French treated the slaves and their future role in the Haitian revolution. He concluded that many slaveholders feared the threat of slaves running away, try to poison them, and a great fear for their religious which many viewed as barbaric and rooted in African voodoo (de St. Mery, 1947). Saint Domingues Response to the French Revolution Upon hearing of the enlightenment movements and the quest for liberty and equality taking hold in France, the colonies were quick to take part by sending delegates to France to demand representation in the new National Assembly that would be formed. The purpose of this movement was to ensure the economic interests of white planters would be accounted for. The mulattos, or previously freed slaves, also sent delegates to France, but they were ignored for the most part. The main agent of action would come from the Society of Friends of the Blacks whose members included Jacques-Pierre Brissot and the leader of abolition in Britain, Thomas Clarkson. Branching off of enlightenment ideologies, the sought the commencement of abolition and to pursue better public relations with slaves including more rights and government positions. As Fick would suggest, however, their efforts fell on deaf ears and quickly became overshadowed by the crisis of the First French Republic and the outbreak of the Haitian Revolution (Gaspar et al., 1997). Even though French colonists, freed slaves, and slaves alike attempted to gain greater rights and were promptly ignored, the necessity for dramatic changed intensified. The complete disregard of the homeland French from the French colonialist resulted in the radicals, supporters of the enlightenment, to fight for complete civil and political equality of blacks and slaves in the colonies. Needless to say, this was met which much fervor and opposition from the white plantation owners who had their economic and business interests to protect. As the French Revolution began the movement in favor of granting rights to free blacks and abolish the slave trade, the uncertainty of Saint Domingue became increasingly evident. Success of the working classes in France created a mentality that there was hope among the free blacks and mulattos in the colonies (Fick, 1990). The uncertainty for the future of Saint Domingue resulted in an ever increasing polarization of the colony in which there was no middle ground to be found or settled upon. French radicals promised freedom for all, while white planters, fearful of this movement spreading, demanded complete independence from France and an abolishment of the Code Noir in favor of a much stricter code (Fick, 1990). Very is little known amount the internal mechanisms of the slave rebellion fomenting, but an excerpt from Henry Christophes slave paints squalid conditions when he writes, Have they not forced them to consume faeces? And, having flayed them with the last, have they not cast them alive to be devoured by worms, or lashed to stakes in the swamp to be devoured by mosquitoes (Heine, 1996). With a sentiment like this, it is certain that slaves wanted to be free. Another point to consider is the economic impact of freeing the slaves on the island; this was the one issue the white plantations holders feared the most. Whether slavery was still utilized after the French Revolution or not, the fact of the matter is the burden would be placed upon the white plantation owners. These sentiments were reaffirmed by Americas ability to maintain a system of slavery despite British edicts to end the slave trade previously. They went even as far to petition the National Assembly to remove themselves from the French Constitutional powers and prosecute anyone by death who attempted to create a slave based rebellion: this was granted, however it would prove not to be enough. Furthermore, initially blacks and mulattos believed their National Assembly would benefit them as it was going to benefit their counterparts in France; however, this was not the case. The French governments, before during and after the revolution, had no intention to relinquish any power of its territories. Rising Tensions As the National Assembly attempted to quell the opposition from the white plantation owners, unrest began to ferment in Saint Domingue. Most notably, the National Assembly and their March 1790 Decree failed to address the needs and political rights of free blacks: this would be a major mistake (Brown.edu, 2012). While the free blacks had a strong understanding of what was occurring, the slaves did not: yet the French Revolutionary slogan of liberty, equality, and freedom was easy to understand and began to ferment rebellious attitudes. The one key factor they had, that ultimately resulted in their success, was that slaves and free blacks accounted for a significant majority of the population. As a result, slaves began to plan and coordinate how they were going to overthrow their owners, blacks and white alike. The first slave rebellion took place in October of 1790 in which 350 mulattos rebelled against their plantation owners (Brown.edu, 2012). This resulted in very violent killings in which owners were massacred and tortured in some cases. The rebellion was quickly quelled when the French militia aligned with plantation owner resulting in the public execution of James Oge in 1791 (Brown.edu, 2012). Rather than quell rebellious sentiment, this action added fuel to the fire and served as an irreparable incident for the island. In order to combat any future rebellions, the de factor leaders Francois Dominique Toussaint-Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines prompted the National Assembly in France to enact progressive laws. As a result, on May 15, 1791, the National Assembly granted equal political rights to all free mulattos and blacks provided they were born from free parents (Brown.edu, 2012). This did very little to appease the majority slave population, and research shows that this law, although progressive, only applied to a few hundred individuals. Needless to say, it was not want the slaves and former slaves needed nor wanted. As a result of this law, white plantation owners utilized more aggressive and abusive policies to their slaves paving the way for the point of no return. The Haitian Revolution Despite repeated efforts on all sides to address the issue of slavery, the demands on all parties were not being achieved. Fed up with government bureaucracy and familiar of Frances growing decline in the region, even more slave rebellions began to occur. The most notable occurred on August 22, 1791, in which the slaves began an approximate 7 years war against their colonialists (Anderson, 2005). It is important to note that during this time, the French National Assembly rescinded the rights given to free blacks and mulattos which only worsened relations and caused the slaves to burn down plantations, destroy government buildings, and massacre all whites and government officials. While the government in France, no matter the form, was unable nor unwilling to do anything about the slavery situation in Saint Domingue, the slaves were becoming more organized and began to make pacts with British and Spanish navies for freedom. The growing fear of losing its colonies to foreign powers dur ing its revolution forced France to abolish slavery on February 4, 1794 (Fick, 1997). This marks the first successful revolution of slaves against a foreign power.

Analysis of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Essay -- Marlow Heart o

Analysis of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Heart of Darkness is a story about Marlow’s journey to discover his inner self. Along the way, Marlow faces his fears of failure, insanity, death, and cultural contamination on his trek to the inner station. Marlow, who goes on his journey to meet Kurtz, already has a fascination with Kurtz after listening to many people along the way. Conrad tries to show us that Marlow is what Kurtz had been, and Kurtz is what Marlow could become. Marlow says about himself, "I was getting savage," meaning that he was becoming more like Kurtz. Along the trip into the wilderness, they discover their true selves through contact with the native people. On one occasion, the steamer is attacked by a party of natives, killing the helmsmen and frightening the crew. This event triggers a change in Marlow, who takes off his shoes, which were covered in his friend’s blood. This taking off of clothes is a return to nature, bringing about a more primitive Marlow. Even as Marlow ventures further up the Congo, he feels like he is traveling ba...

Internet Music Sharing and the RIAA Essay -- Internet Online Communica

Internet Music Sharing and the RIAA In today’s high-tech computer savvy world, one of the largest controversies brewing on the internet is the downloading and sharing of music using various peer-to-peer programs such as Kazaa, Limewire, Audio Galaxy, and many others. These programs use software that, â€Å"rather than going through a server to request information, can make requests directly to other software. This attribute is what allows users of P2P networks to freely exchange music, movies and other types of files (Friedenberg).† To the everyday user, downloading all of their music from the internet is great. Who wouldn’t want to be able to get the newest Radiohead CD months before it comes out in stores and for free? However, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) doesn’t find sharing music over the internet to be quite as appealing; in fact, according to the RIAA’s official website, they have begun launching their first of what could potentially be thousand’s of civil lawsuits against users of these peer-to-peer programs. (Recording Industry Begins Suing P2P File Sharers Who Illegally Offer Copyrighted Music Online). On Monday, September 10th, the RIAA sued 261 people, one of whom was a 12-year-old girl, Brianna LaHara of New York. This lawsuit was settled for $2,000 on Tuesday, by her mother (Music Piracy Suits Could Bring Backlash ) and was actually paid by P2P United, which is a group who represents major file-sharing websites on the internet (Mello). Mo st likely to appear to the people that are on the edge between the goods and evils of file sharing as the good guy, for helping out a 12-year-old who many believe shouldn’t have been prosicuted. Many people were upset by this particu... ... September 2003. . Mello, John P. â€Å"RIAA Settles First Lawsuit Against 12-Year-Old Brianna LaHara.† Tech News World. 11 September 2003. Tech News World. 23 September 2003. . â€Å"Music Piracy Suits Could Bring Backlash.† CNN.com. 10 September 2003. CNN. 21 September 2003. < http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/09/10/backlash.music.ap/index.html>. Recording Industry Association of America – About Us. Recording Industry Association of America. 21 September 2003. . â€Å"Recording Industry Begins Suing P2P File Sharers Who Illegally Offer Copyrighted Music Online.† 8 September 2003. Recording Industry Association of America. 21 September 2003 .

Lesson Review Essay

1. Why would killing Lucy, Mina, or any other vampire have been considered a merciful act of euthanasia? They are becoming monsters and they wouldn’t want to hurt anyone. By killing them, you are putting them out of their misery. Euthanasia is merciful killing. By killing a vampire, you are not only preventing them being miserable because of what they become and preventing their future victims from misery. 2. Explain the difference between physiognomy and phrenology. Physiognomy is the practice of determining a persons characteristics by their facial structure. Phrenology is the practice of determining a persons characteristics based on the amount of space they have in certain parts of their brain. 3. How does the poem â€Å"Totentanz† represent the recurring theme in Goethe’s works, that mankind should not meddle with the activities of the supernatural? (What happens to the man in the poem?) The warder picks up one of the skeletons shrouds and so that skeleton does not go back in the grave like the others. The skeleton chases him up to the bell tower and just as he was about to kill him, god saved the warder. The skeleton crashes down into pieces. 4. Which vampire hunter has died during the mission to kill the Count? How do Jonathan and Mina honor this deceased character? Quincy was very injured and died. He lived long enough to see Dracula live, though. Jonathan and Mina honors Quincys death by naming their son Quincy. 5. What do you think a man should look like, sound like, and behave like if he is going to play the role of Count Dracula in a film or a play? I think that his voice has to be smooth, soothing, and very seducing. His hair has to be black and be in great contrast to pale skin. The eyes are very Important. They have to be piercing yet beautiful. He must behave sly yet be very polite. In order to play the role of Dracula, the person has to have a lot of contradicting characteristics.

Leadership Models in Action

IntroductionLeaders are born while others are made probably sounds clichà © but one undisputable fact is that leadership is critical to steering a business or organization to success. As Jack Welch quotes ‘Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own and relentlessly drive it to completion. (www.thinkexist.com.) Notably, there are many leaders who have existed in past century but arguably very few great leaders exist. Additionally, the different great leaders apply different leadership approaches as well as possess different leadership traits. Nonetheless, there are various aspects that cut across the many leadership models and traits, for instance, commitment, drive, passion, empowerment, decisiveness and resilience. (Bennis, 2002).   In order to clearly demonstrate leadership in business this paper will focus on AT & T Network manager Thomas Reeds who is arguable a role model in the leadership circles. His leadership approach is both influ enced and inspiring and later in the paper a few examples will be used to demonstrate why is make this claim.Jack Welch commands attention in corporate leadership circles as his visionary leadership revived the corporations in the US during 1980 and to date; his philosophies continue to transform during ordinary companies to legendary companies Thomas Reeds.   Follows in the footsteps of this great CEO and his leadership approach is always transformational. His ability to inspire and energize followers to a certain direction in achieving the company’s goals is brilliant.Some, how he aligns corporate strategies to daily operations of employees and clarifies issues to the employees that they get a greater picture of what is expected. In this way, he excites and ingrains commitment of employees to future goals. More to that, his emphasis on transactional aspects of leaders i.e. more of the bread and butter is also manifests in his leadership approach. This is seen in the way h e encourages a give and take ‘win win’ situation in leadership. Employees are regarded for meeting targets and compliance to aligned expectations. His two years in that post has generated AT&T a neat amount of profits which is deemed to continue. Thomas may sound like a larger than life person and possible act as such. However, his ability to combine humility and deep passionate will fro success is almost paradoxical. He’s is truly a level 5 leader.By level 5 leaders it means a leader who has reached the highest hierarchal level of his leadership capabilities and has been able to lead a company from a good to a great company with substantial sustained excellence (Morris, 2006). Admittedly, the improved status of AT&T company has not been a function of Thomas Reed’s leadership approach alone, but rather he has used his influence it ensure that other factors necessary to transform AT &T are present in the company, the right organization culture and strategic resources among others. He has been at the helm of it all. Leadership is not about showing off what one can but actually doing if so that others can see what ought to be done and how it is done.This is what Thomas Reeds always says. His dressing and happy demeanor can almost make one mistake him for an intern. He mingle with the employees at AT&T to know what their views are and get input on what needs to   be improved or changed. This is not to say that Thomas Reeds is one to joke around with. His unpretentious and vicious determination in life also makes him a person to stand up to be counted. Most times, it is possible to find Thomas sharing his early life experiences with other aspiring leaders under his stewardship of how he grew up in the firm, struggled through college and university to where he is now. His experiences are always refreshing and empowering and it is not hard to notice the iron will and passion to nurture talent in his followers. He inspires them to be the b est they can be. Adversities will always come your way he says but it is up to you make a firm resolve to stay ahead or hang in there rather than quite. Seemingly, tough times cut out leaders to be perfect and strong.Indisputably, Thomas Reeds leadership approach has been influenced by Welch’s rules of thumb for instance, the important of erasing bureaucracy in the business ranking the customers and shareholders highly and dominating market share. These teachings applied coupled with unique attributes such as streamlining the workforce set out Thomas leadership styles as the reason behind the company’s success.Nevertheless, Thomas feels that change and dynamism in leadership is an indispensable attribute to effective leadership in today’s business environment. He is quick to note that although Welch and Sloan’s philosophies were no less than brilliant; their applicability is now wearing off. He feels that the challenges that the leadership approaches deve loped by the two masterminds of leadership success were designed to surmount the barriers and problem of the then times and new leadership approached need to be developed to effectively face the new challenges in the modern era. Yet he does not discount the fact that Welch techniques are still usable and can contribute immensely in the success of a company.Leadership inspires people or rather captures the minds and souls of people. According to writers Goffee and Jones (2000) leadership is about results yet at the same time is not only about performance but also meaning. True to this expression, it is impossible to excite people to extraordinary levels without enabling them first see the meaning and worth behind the actions. In this case extemporary leadership doubles performance and perhaps this is what makes companies with great leaders excel differently from the ones that merely have ok leaders. This they do by making performance meaningful. (Goffee & Jones, 2000).Given this insi ght a critical look at AT&T Network manger, Thomas Reeds leadership approach, it is evident that he makes his employees or followers find meaning in their endeavors. This is done in such a way that corporate strategies are translated ot actionable plans and particularly daily task of the employees such that the change and improved performance starts from the bottom to the top.After board meetings with corporate committees, Thomas Reeds goes out his own way ot call for separate meetings with different groups of staff to discuss how the corporate strategies affect them and how the staff stand to benefit from implementing the objectives of the company. This has helped AT&T workforce to achieve meaning and ultimately commitment to outstanding performance. While others may think of Thomas’ strategy as labored and draining, Thomas feels that it is a necessary price to pay if a leader is ot see any result of his actions. It is also at this time that a leader’s qualities and p assion for distinction and excellence is tested.Notable, there are leaders and then there are authentic leaders. This leads to the quest of finding authentic leadership in AT&T manager Thomas. Authentic leaders are selfless yet are not afraid to express the self, morally guided rationality and nit merely instrumental reasoning whereby the end justifies the means among others. From my countable contacts with Thomas, it is evident that his selfless nature as well as stoic philosophy of detaching one self fro unethical practices and pitfalls. In disguise clarify his authenticity as a leader.Welch exemplifies the principles of leadership quite well, for instance, he was well versed in the employees tasks and his own duties. In addition, he harnessed the need to be on the look out for new opportunities that could lead GE to new heights and where things went awry; he was not shy to take responsibility for his actions other than seeking a scapegoat. According to Welch, the important thing is to analyze the situation, correct it if possible or find lesson/s from it and then proceeds to the next challenge with courage and better knowledge. In leadership position, decisions are made every time and a leader should be capable of making timely and accurate decisions fast if it is to have any impact. This Welch had mastered. Leadership is all about looking out for the well being of the workforce, keeping them informed as well as leading by example. It is evident that Welch exemplified these traits too.ConclusionIt is not uncommon to hear people say that they want to be more effective leaders. Great leaders are made better through practice and years of learning from previous successes and failures. The challenge therefore is for young aspiring leaders to build in the basics lend by the outstanding leaders such as Welch and Sloan and most of all have commitment and passion to charting extemporary leadership which, who knows might be   a legend for future generations.Referen cesBennis, W. (2002). Will the legacy live on? The Harvard Business Review, 80(2), 95-100Collingwood, H., & Couto, D.L. (2002). Jack on jack. The Harvard Business Review, 80(2), 88-94Collins, J. (2001). Level 5 leadership: the triumph of humility and fierce resolve. Harvard Business Review, 79(1), 67-76Goffee, R. & Jones, G. (2000). Why should anyone be led by you? Harvard Business review, 78(5), 62-70.Morris, B. (2006). Tearing up the Jack Welch playbook. Fortune. http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/10/magazines/fortue/rules.fortune/Think exist.com Famous Quotes. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from World Wide Web   Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.thinkexist.com/