National Security vs. Individual Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

National Security vs. Individual Rights - Essay Example On the contest of seeking to unearth the delicate equilibrium between citizens’ rights and the concern on national security, Kettl expounds on the terrorist attacks which were opportunistic of the America’s open society as they stage-managed their mass murder incursion on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. Deep scrutiny on the predicament unravelled that the roots of this incident encompassed the effortless and accessible means and avenues to obtain passports to foreigners. It was also unravelled that key American immigration sites were often jeopardized by lack of resolute scrutiny. On this concern, President Bush reiterated to the attack urging American Citizens to deliver terrorists to the state authorities altogether with their respective ring leaders or opting to succumb into the terrorists snare. The U.S went further to imprison the captured terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, hence evading the Geneva Convention restriction (Kettl, 2013, pg 162).

Ancient Greek Philosophical Thought - Final Exam Essay

Ancient Greek Philosophical Thought - Final Exam - Essay Example On the foundations of the same belief, Socrates argues that the souls of philosophers and intellectuals will join the souls of deities many thousand years before the arrival of the ordinary humans due to the very fact that the philosophers’ souls are far refined and sublime than those of general pu...blic, and avoid vice and evil temptations by controlling their desires and discouraging their lust. Hence, Socrates has defined and determined the path and position of soul in his philosophic ideas, which are being endorsed and asserted by the future philosophers for the last several centuries to come. Socrates has also elucidated madness in his second speech, where he argues that it is madness that urges temptation of love, friendship and even sexual desires. He is of the opinion that sexual relations between man and boy must be developed on the basis of true feelings of love, instead of mere lust and for the fulfillment of carnal desires only. Such type of insincere relationship s will break mutual respect between the mentor and pupil, and every association will seek its connection in selfishness and materialism. Hence, the great philosopher, in a terse manner, describes that the carnal desires are an essential part of human instinct, which can be controlled but could not be suppressed altogether. Here Socrates perhaps means emotions and passion equivalent to madness; it is therefore he cites the sun-god Apollo, the Seven Muses, and the harvest and fertility god Dionysus and the love-god Aphrodite, nature and form of the expressions of love are different for all the four, he submits. While explaining the concept of Eros, in his speech, Socrates submits to state that Eros or lust has direction connection with human soul. It is soul that attracts towards Eros for one way or the other. Somehow, philosophers have control to resist the advancements of sexual desires particularly in case of pederasty, where an adult male is fascinated by the beauty of a youth. Th e king of gods Zeus had also experienced madness out of the sheer and absolute beauty of the Trojan young prince Ganymede, and he had abdicated the youth for his sexual desires and love too. However, unlike performing the same act of abdicating a beautiful person for one’s purpose, the philosophers’ soul control the madness and desires, and thus turns out to be refined and sublime in nature and acts. Moreover, Socrates has also thrown light on rhetoric in his final speech, where instead of discouraging the politicians to take part in writing activities, Socrates allows them to do the same and thus read, write and deliver the speeches. However, instead of being mean and inferior, the writing and theme should be excellent and refined one. Hence, making an

Strategic Planning for Small Business

Strategic Planning for Small Business Business description is the short plan to start up any kind of business. Business description includes all basic information like name of the business, location of the business, type of the business, etc. In it we include the service or products of the business. In this fast moving century everyone is in rush for whole day to satisfy their basic needs. Mainly in the morning everybody is running late for their jobs or schools. Most of the people have no time to cook food for them. To satisfy the appetite of the people in the morning we are thinking to set up an online Packed Meal business. Selling Packed Meals in the morning will be very helpful for those who cannot cook for themselves in the morning. We are planning to deliver the food at the railway stations or bus stops. At these public places people can easily grab the meal. To start this business first of all we are going to create a website by which people can order the food online. They can book the food in advance and accordin g to their orders we can deliver the food. We are planning to provide quick breakfast to the customers at railway station or bus stop. To order the food people can visit the website book an order and can pay online. For convenience of the customer we are setting a plan that customers can book order for the whole week and after week they can pay the amount of the food. It will be helpful for the customers in the sense that they can have food in the morning and secondly they can save time. Numerous surveys have revealed that breakfast is often skipped among Kiwis (Hills, 2012; Impact PR, 2016). Similarly, others have been making poor breakfast choices like leftover party food, pizza, fish chips, ice cream, and even beer (Impact PR, 2016; NZ Herald, 2016). Despite the widespread awareness of the important benefits of breakfast, it is quite alarming to see that many people still forego the need to make time for breakfast. These attitudes and habits towards breakfast are apparently influenced by a hectic lifestyle and poor time management. However, various surveys conducted in the past confirmed that nearly half of New Zealanders acknowledge breakfast as the most important meal of the day (Hills, 2012). It is at this point that a business idea comes to mind: to provide value by satisfying a need (Hartnett, 1998, as cited by Sweeney Soutar, 2001). In this case, it is the need for a good, convenient breakfast. Through an entrepreneurial endeavour supplemented with the col lection of the right information, this idea can become a business opportunity (Massey, 2005). Although a business opportunity does not guarantee success, this business idea requires the support of a business strategy so that it gains a reasonable chance to become a successful operation (Oliver English, 2012) in the near future. The aspired future state of a business or any organisation is described in the vision (Srivastava, Franklin, Martinette, 2013; Duygulu, Ozeren, IÃ…Å ¸Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±ldar, Appolloni, 2016). This statement provides a starting point (Kantabutra Avery, 2010) and a sense of direction for the business, hence, it should be clear, appealing and compelling (Srivastava, Franklin, Martinette, 2013; Hill, Jones, Schilling, 2014). The business idea comes with an ambitious but altruistic goal, hence, the vision statement: To cater to a multi-cultural society that does not miss breakfast. This above statement satisfies a number of definitions of vision. It is easy to understand, and represents the fundamental purpose of the business (Srivastava, Franklin, Martinette, 2013, p. 50). According to Kantabutra and Avery (2010), strategists have proposed numerous characteristics a powerful vision should possess, but these can be summarised as being concise, clear, stable, challenging, inspirational, and future-oriented. This bold vision not only indicates a long-term standpoint of the business (Hubbard, Rice, Galvin, 2014); it also offers an inspiring image of the big picture (Alter, 2001) which is a more desireable situation in the future. The mission statement is perceived to be a crucial factor in formulating business strategies that are sustainable (Duygulu, Ozeren, IÃ…Å ¸Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±ldar, Appolloni, 2016). It describes the organisations aim, the reasons for its existence, and what it is trying to accomplish (Duygulu, Ozeren, IÃ…Å ¸Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±ldar, Appolloni, 2016), all of which are extremely valuable in establishing the organisations major goals (Hill, Jones, Schilling, 2014). This business idea will be guided by the mission statement: Enriching busy Wellingtonians through a delightful breakfast to-go. The above mission statement is expressed in a progressive structure to connote the ongoing process and continuous improvement in developing this business. It is also customer-oriented (Wellingtonians) and does not focus on the products (breakfast items) alone. This broad approach acknowledges the possibility that there will be shifts in demand in the future and the main purpose of the business may need to be served in diversified ways (Hill, Jones, Schilling, 2014). Ultimately, the mission statement establishes what this business intends to excel at (Hubbard, Rice, Galvin, 2014) which is the provision of an enriching and delightful breakfast. The lifestyle preference this business wants to achieve is very evident in the product it aims to serve. The proponents of this business idea are relatively young adults who also constantly miss breakfast due to the demands of both work and studies. Values reflect the underlying behaviours, attitudes and outlooks held and used by the organisation in its operations and activities (Hubbard, Rice, Galvin, 2014). The proponents believe in the value of good health and nourishment a realisation that fundamentally produced this business idea. Innovativeness, the ability to create or adapt to, and implement new ideas into practice and new products (as cited by Lebedeva Grigoryan, 2013), is another essential value preferred by the proponents which should also be integrated into their personal lifestyle. Innovativeness will be a good basis for organisational behaviour once the business becomes operational as innovation is a key factor for survival in a dynamic environment. In the future, th e personal values of the business stakeholders should ideally be aligned with the value statement of the organisation by encouraging participation in its development (Alter, 2001). Social responsibility is integrating environmental and social concerns, apart from the financial aspects, in the strategic decisions of the organisation (Massey, 2005; Hubbard, Rice, Galvin, 2014). The simplest ways to practice social responsibility are by reducing energy consumption (i.e., during food production) and using recyclable food containers. In friendly and creative ways, customers will be reminded to recycle plastic items and dispose of food scraps responsibly. Donating food items to a charitable organisation (i.e., The Free Store, Kaibosh) is also highly considered, and will depend on the size of orders and calculated profit margins. Due to the small size of this business, the proponents will be open to collaborations with other small enterprises in various community involvements. Core values are the inherent principles that guide an organisations actions which eventually become the distinct features of the business entity (Lencioni, 2002). This potential business start-up will possess the following core values: Deliver a healthy breakfast on time. This business idea was formed out of poor time management and a busy lifestyle, hence, time plays a major factor in its implementation. It is extremely important to ensure that the food items are available at the right place and at the right time. In line with the over-arching vision to not miss breakfast, orders must always be on the agreed time of pick-up. Additionally, this core value also highlights the importance of a healthy breakfast which means ingredients are carefully selected, ethically sourced, and hygienically prepared. Listen to serve better. As a start-up business, what the customer has to say will determine its fate. During the first few weeks of operations, suggestions and comments will be proactively collected from customers through the website or direct interaction. Comments particularly about the food taste, variety and options will be taken into account for the subsequent servings. References Alter, S. (2001). Managing the double bottom line: a business planning resource guide for social enterprises. Washington DC: Pact Publications. Duygulu, E., Ozeren, E., IÃ…Å ¸Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±ldar, P., Appolloni, A. (2016). The sustainable strategy for small and medium sized enterprises: the relationship between mission statements and performance. Sustainability, 8(7), 698. doi:10.3390/su8070698 Hill, C. L., Jones, G. R., Schilling, M. A. (2014). Strategic management theory: an integrated approach. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Hills, M. (2012, 18 September). Busy lifestyles keep Kiwis from breakfast. Retrieved from NZ Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6objectid=10834771 Hubbard, G., Beamish, P. (2011). Strategic management: thinking, analysis, action (4th ed.). New South Wales: Pearson Australia. Hubbard, G., Rice, J., Galvin, P. (2014). Strategic management: thinking, analysis, action (5th ed.). Melbourne: Pearson Australia. Impact PR. (2016, March 16). New Survey Reveals Kiwis Fast Food Breakfast Habits. Retrieved from Scoop Independent News: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1603/S00317/new-survey-reveals-kiwis-fast-food-breakfast-habits.htm Kantabutra, S., Avery, G. C. (2010). The power of vision: statements that resonate. Journal of Business Strategy, 31(1), 37-45. Lebedeva, N., Grigoryan, L. (2013). Implicit theories of innovativeness: cross-cultural analysis. Search (Working Paper), Moscow. Lencioni, P. M. (2002, July). Make Your Values Mean Something. Retrieved from Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2002/07/make-your-values-mean-something Massey, C. (2005). Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in New Zealand. Auckland: Pearson Education New Zealand. NZ Herald. (2016, March 16). Most important meal of the day? Kiwis swapping breakfast for fast food. Retrieved from NZ Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1objectid=11606305 Oliver, L., English, J. (2012). The small business book: a New Zealand guide for the 21st century (6th ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Leith Oliver and John English. Srivastava, M., Franklin, A., Martinette, L. (2013). Building a sustainable competitive advantage. Journal of Technology Management Innovation, 8(2), 47-60. Sweeney, J. C., Soutar, G. N. (2001). Consumer perceived value: The development of a multiple item scale. Journal of Retailing, 77, 203-220.

The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century

The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination "And the lady of the house was seen only as she appears in each room, according to the nature of the lord of the room. None saw the whole of her, none but herself. For the light which she was was both her mirror and her body. None could tell the whole of her, none but herself" (Laura Riding qtd. by Gilbert & Gubar, 3). Beginning Gibert and Gubar’s piece about the position of female writers during the nineteenth century, this passage conjures up images of women as transient forms, bodiless and indefinite. It seems such a being could never possess enough agency to pick up a pen and write herself into history. Still, this woman, however incomprehensible by others, has the ability to know herself. This chapter of The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination, titled â€Å"The Queen’s Looking Glass,† discusses how the external, and particularly male, representations of a woman can affect her so much that the image she sees in the mirror is no longer her own. Thus, female writers are left with a problem. As Gibert and Gubar state, â€Å"the woman writer’s self-contemplation may be said to have begun with a searching glance into the mirror of the male-inscribed literary text. There she would see at first only those eternal l ineaments fixed on her like a mask†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Gilbert & Gubar, 15). In Charlotte Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s Villette, the narrator and heroine Lucy Snowe is faced with a great deal of â€Å"reflections† which could influence her self-image and become detrimental to her writing. However, she is aware that the mirrors she finds, whether the literal mirror of the looking glass or her reflection in other characters’ ... ... authors insisted that they are† (43). However, instead of doing â€Å"fiery and suicidal tarantellas out of the looking glass,† (44) Lucy Snowe decides to ignore the inaccurate representations in the mirrors around her and focus her energies toward constructing a mirror of her own – the â€Å"circular mirror of crystal† she is always searching for but that can only be found in the text itself. The line Gilbert and Gubar apply to Brontà « and other successful women writers is also valid for Lucy. â€Å"The old silent dance of death became a dance of triumph, a dance into speech, a dance of authority† (44). Works Cited Gilbert, Sandra M. and Susan Gubar. The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination. New Haven: Yale UP, 1979. O’Dea, Gregory. â€Å"Narrator and Reader in Charlotte Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s Villette.† South Atlantic Review 53.1 (1988): 41-57.

Positive and Negative emotions Essay

  There are a few benefits associated with experiencing a positive emotion theory. Typically, when you are having a positive emotion you see things on the up side rather than a negative outlook. For instance, people always feel good or continue to think positive if they are getting good grades in school. I, myself is very eager to sustain a positive emotion when my grades are above average and I am getting positive feedback from the instructor saying that I am on a great path in that class. This emotion will help promote a positive well-being. Another benefit associated with experiencing positive emotion is positive effect. With this warrants joy, happiness, and positive fulfillment. These emotions create a desire to search for new possibilities as well expressing your creative talents. Me personally, women are more emotional creatures. We sometimes can get in our feeling, rather the emotion is positive or negative. We are sensitive, shy, and reluctant at times, versus men who tend to keep their emotions in check. I feel men are the lessor emotionally engaging of the two. Most of the time men are more positive about certain situation unlike women, we can find negativity in a plain paper bag. When comes to the raising of children, men are more apt to being positive. I say that because I can be all up in my emotions dealing with our son and my husband (almost with a blank stare on his face) will say he is a boy let him get bumps and bruises that will toughen him up. Despite what he says I am still a nervous wreck when may fall or hurt himself. So, I think there is a big gap in how men and women differ in negative emotions.

Political philosophy Essay

KNOWLEDGE IS FORMED AND ACQUIRED IN THE COURSE OF OUR LIFE THOUGH COGNITION AND IT IS NOT INBORN AND DEVELOPS FROM OUR OWN IGNORANCE. JOHN LOCKE COMPARED IT WITH TABULA RASA OR SOME SORT OF A BLANK SHEET UPON WHICH NOTHING IS WRITTEN. THESE ARE DATA OR IMAGES OF THE OBJECT WHICH STIMULATED OUR SENSE-ORGANS-SIGHT, HEARING, TOUCH, TASTE AND SMELL ARE, IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING, RAW-MATERIALS WHICH OUR BRAIN FORMS, THROUGH ABSTRACTION, INTO CONCEPTS OR IDEAS, AND WHICH WE EXPRESS IN SIGNS OR LANGUAGE. THERE ARE TWO OBSTACLES TO COGNITION THE BIASES WHICH BECLOUD THE HUMAN MIND AS â€Å"IDOLS† AND THE ERRORS IN REASONING. WHICH ARE THE SO CALLED FALLACIES. REASONING IS A MEANS FOR ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE BUT IF IT IS FALLACIOUS IT CANNOT YIELD BUT DECEPTION. MOREOVER THERE ARE THREE THEORIES OF KNOWLEDGE NAMELY; EMPIRICISM, RATIONALISM AND INTUITIONISM. IN EMPIRICISM, KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM EXPERIENCE AND EXPERIENCE IS A SENSE OF PERCEPTION WHICH MAY BE UNDERSTOOD AS DIRECT OBSERVATION BY THE SENSES OR INDIRECT BY USING INSTRUMENT OR BY EXPERIMENTATION. EMPIRICISM TEACHES THAT WHAT WE SEE, HEAR, TOUCH, OR SMELL, IS ALL THAT WE CAN KNOW. OUTSTANDING EXPONENTS OF EMPIRICISM WERE JOHN LOCKE, GEORGE BERKELEY. DAVID HUME AND THE SO-CALLED LINGUISTIC PHILOSOPHERS. RATIONALISM MAINTAINS THAT REASON IS THE SOURCE AND TEST OF KNOWLEDGE AND NOT SENSE-PERCEPTION. KNOWLEDGE CONSISTS OF CONCEPTS WHICH GENERALIZE ABOUT THE NATURE OF REALITY SO THAT IT HAS A UNIVERSAL AND PERMANENT CHARACTER. IT IS THE REASON OR THE INTELLECT WHICH â€Å"MANUFACTURES† THE DATA INTO CONCEPTS, JUDGMENTS AND LAWS, AND THAT IS HOW OUR KNOWLEDGE IS FORMED. WHAT WE KNOW IS â€Å"WHAT WE HAVE THOUGHT OUT†, OR WHAT REASON HAS â€Å"ABSTRACTED† FROM THE DATA OF SENSE PERCEPTION. THE KNOWN DEFENDERS ARE PARMENIDES, PLATO OF ANCIENT GREECE, DESCARTES AND HEGEL OF THE. MODERN WORLD. THE THIRD THEORY WHICH IS INTUITIONISM CLAIMS THAT THE SENSES CAN ONLY MIRROR THE APPEARANCE OF THINGS HENCE WHAT WE CALL SENSE-DATA, CANNOT TELL US WHAT THINGS ARE IN THEMSELVES. BUT THROUGH INTUITION, WE CAN HAVE â€Å"A FEEL† OF WHAT LIES BEYOND THE PHENOMENA CAPTURED BY OUR SENSES AND TRANSFORMED BY REASON INTO CONCEPTUAL SYMBOLS. INTUITION â€Å"INTUERE†. (TO LOOK INTO) IS A DIRECT APPREHENSION OF KNOWLEDGE WHICH IS NOT THE RESULT OF CONSCIOUS REASONING OR IMMEDIATE PERCEPTION. ADD THE FACTS THAT THERE ARE TWO METHODS OF INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY, FIRST IS THE  INTUITION THAT GRASPS THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OF REALITY AND â€Å"TIME† AND THE SECOND IS ANALYSIS WHICH IS THE STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY, BUT OFFERS ONLY â€Å"A PHOTOGRAPH† OR â€Å"A SNAPSHOT† OF WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A DYNAMIC, ACTIVE WORLD THE ONLY WAY TO BRIDGE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE â€Å"OBJECT KNOWN† AND â€Å"THE KNOWER†, WE MUST USE â€Å"INTELLECTUAL SYMPATHY† THAT EXPERIENCES BEING AS A WHOLE, AS â€Å"A DYNAMIC CONTINUUM†. LASTLY, THERE ARE DIFFERENT NOTIONS OF TRUTH NAMELY THE CORRESPONDENCE THEORY, COHERENCE THEORY, PRAGMATIC THEORY AND THE MARXIST THEORY. EDUCATION: THE WORD EDUCATION COMES FROM THE LATIN VERB â€Å"EDUCERE† (TO LEAD) OR FROM  Ã¢â‚¬Å"EDUCARE† (DRAW OUT). EDUCATION IS THE ART OF LEADING OR GUIDING A PERSON TO SOCIAL CULTURE SO THAT BY EXPOSING HIM TO ITS COMPLEXITIES AND HE MAY ACTUALIZE HIS Introduction to Philosophy POTENTIALITIES. EVERY PERSON, REGARDLESS OF RACE, GENDER OR CLASS HAS A DORMANT POWER WHICH IF DRAWN OUT OR DEVELOPED COULD EQUIP THE INDIVIDUAL TO FILL A VARIETY OF ROLES IN SOCIETY. EDUCATION AND TRAINING IS OF DIFFERENT MEANING. EDUCATION HAS TO DO WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE PERSONALITY WHILE TRAINING DEALS WITH THE GAINING AND ACHIEVING OF SKILLS. THERE ARE AIMS OF EDUCATION; FIRST IS TO PREPARE  THE YOUNG FOR â€Å"CITIZENSHIP†-THE SUBTLE MEANS OF PROVIDING THE STATE IN ALONG RUN WITH FUTURE LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS WHO WOULD PUT INTEREST OF THE STATE AND NATION ABOVE SELF. SECOND AIM IS TO DEVELOP THE INDIVIDUAL â€Å"AS A MAN†- ENABLE THE INDIVIDUAL TO REALIZE HIS POTENTIAL POWERS AS A HUMAN BEING SO HE COULD BE FREE IN OUTLINING HIS OWN DESTINY. THIRD, IT SHOULD AIM TO PRESERVE THE PREVAILING SOCIAL SYSTEM BY WAY OF TRANSMITTING THE IDEAS, THE BELIEFS, THE VALUES AND THE PRACTICES OF SOCIETY. FOURTH, IT AIMS TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION AND IT MUST FOSTER  A NEW CONSCIOUSNESS THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE PEOPLES DREAM AND STRUGGLE FOR A MORE JUST, HUMAINE AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. FIFTH, IT SHOULD PREPARE US FOR ETERNAL LIFE IN A PARADISE TO COME AND LASTLY IT SHOULD AIM TO COMPREHENSIVELY PREPARE US TO BE A â€Å"WORKER† OR TO BE â€Å"A CITIZEN AND TO BE â€Å"A PERSON.   EDUCATION HAS AN IDEOLOGICAL CHARACTER. TO LITTLE, INDEED, DOES THE SCHOOL GOING TO PUBLIC SUSPECT THAT EDUCATION AS A SOCIAL INSTITUTION CAN BE MANIPULATED BY VESTED GROUPS FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL INTERESTS. TO SOME PEOPLE WHOSE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FORTUNES ARE ENTRENCHED THAT EDUCATION IS USED TO  PROMOTE SOCIAL CONFORMITY AND AGREEMENT. TO OTHERS WHO HAVE NOTHING BUT THEIR STATE OF DEPRIVATION AND UNCERTAINTIES, EDUCATION CAN EMPOWER THEM TO STRUGGLE FOR SOCIAL CHARGE. POLITICS: POLITICS IS A STRATEGY TO MAINTAIN ORDER AND COOPERATION AMONG PEOPLE OR INDIVIDUALS WITH DIFFERING NEEDS AND IDEALS IN LIFE, OR FOR REVOLVING CONFLICT WITHIN THE GROUP WHETHER THIS BE A FAMILY, A TRIBE, A VILLAGE OR A NATION-STATE. IT MAY BE UNDERSTOOD AS A CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION SO THAT DIFFERENCES ARE RESOLVED AND PREVENTED. THERE ARE TWO MAIN APPROACHES TO POLITICS NAMELY; POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY HAS A SPECULATIVE AND NORMATIVE CHARACTER BECAUSE IT DEALS WITH THE QUESTION OF WHAT IS POLITICS â€Å"OUGHT TO BE† OR WHAT IT SHOULD BE WHILE POLITICAL SCIENCE IS EMPIRICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE IN NATURE BECAUSE ITS MAIN CONCERN IS THE ANALYSIS AND DEFINITION OF THE STATE AND ITS INSTRUMENTALITIES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THEIR FUNCTIONS. POLITICS IS THE SCIENCE AND ART OF GOVERNING SOCIETY IN THE PURSUIT OF COMMON GOOD THEN ITS CONCRETIZATION IS THE GOVERNMENT WHOSE AIM IS THE PEOPLE AND THE SECURITY AND WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE. FORTHETHREEGREATPHILOSOPHERSNAMELY;CONFUCIUS,PLATOANDNICCOLO MACHIAVELLI TO BE GOOD RESPONSIBLE POLITICAL LEADERS OF STATE THERE ARE VERY ESSENTIAL QUALITIES TO BE CONSIDERED. FOR CONFUCIUS, POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IS NOT FOR THE COMFORT AND ENJOYMENT OF THE RULERS, NOR ARE THEY SIMPLY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER, BUT FOR â€Å"THE HAPPINESS AND ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE PEOPLE†. HE ALSO PRESCRIBED THAT THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO LEAD THE PEOPLE MUST POSSESS THE VIRTUES OF HUMAN-HEARTEDNESS, RRIGHTEOUSNESS, PPROPRIETY AND Introduction to Philosophy WISDOM. FOR PLATO, A PERSON’S LIFE IS ORDERLY OR â€Å"JUST† WHEN HIS REASON CONTROLS THE EMOTION AND TEMPERS THE APPETITES. THE THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE SHOULD POSSESS THREE ELEMENTS IN MAN. A RULER SHOULD EMBRACE REASON, THE SOLDIERS OR WARRIORS SHOULD DEAL WITH THEIR EMOTION AND THE ARTISANS OR ORDINARY PEOPLE SHOULD CONTROL THEIR APPETITES. ALL CITIZENS MUST UNDERGO RIGID PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL TRAINING. PLATO’S PHILOSOPHY ON EDUCATION WAS ONE OF SO CALLED SELECTION & ELIMINATION. NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI WROTE A BOOK ENTITLED, â€Å"THE PRINCE â€Å"POLITICS, AS AN EXERCISE OF POWER, SHOULD BE DIVORCED FROM MORALITY AND RELIGION. POLITICS HAS NO MORALITY; IT IS A NAKED POWER OF â€Å"EXPEDIENCY†. OR HIM AN EFFECTIVE LEADER IS BOTH  A FOX AND A LION, BOTH A MAN AND A BEAST AND BOTH GREAT PRETENDER OR GREAT DISSEMBLER. B. Analysis (Critique) KNOWLEDGE: THESEARCHFORKNOWLEDGEISANEVER-ENDINGADVENTURE LIKEWE’VESEENIN MOVIES AND PLAYS. THE WHOLE OF REALITY IS TOO VAST THAT WE CAN KNOW ONLY TOO LITTLE OF IT IN OUR SHORT LIFE-TIME; HENCE, IT WOULD BE THE HEIGHT OF INNOCENCE TO NARROW OUR PRESENT KNOWLEDGE, UNLESS WE CHOOSE TO CLOSE OUR MIND TO OTHER POSSIBILITIES. OUR KNOWLEDGE IS A PRODUCT OF ALL OUR ABILITIES, SENSATION, REASON AND INTUITION. AND O AGREE WITH THE SAYING THAT â€Å"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER†, A POWER TO RECREATE THE  WORLD, A POWER TO CONSTRUCT A BETTER SOCIETY WHERE ALL MEN AND WOMEN COULD LIVE WITH DIGNITY, FREEDOM AND PEACE. I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS MORE TO KNOW SINCE IT IS DYNAMIC AND TOO ENORMOUS. WE SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE THE GUTS, THE PASSION AND THE LOVE TO LEARN AND TO CONTINUE SEARCHING AND BUILDING ON THE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE. NO DOUBT, KNOWLEDGE ADDS COLOR AND RELATIVE CHARACTER TO MAKE OUR LIFE WORTH LIVING AND SPENDING. OUR KNOWLEDGE SHOULD NOT BE AFFECTED NOR DISTORTED BY OUR OWN COGNITION. WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND TO ALWAYS USE REASONING SINCE IT IS ACQUIRING  KNOWLEDGE NOT JUST BASING IT TO WHAT WE PERCEIVE. YES, WE CAN CONSTRUCT KNOWLEDGE BY OUR SENSES TO EVERY SITUATION WE’RE EXPERIENCING YET WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE RATIONAL. KNOW THE REASON TO EVERY DETAIL NOT TO JUSTIFY THINGS BUT RATHER TO BE REASONABLE IN JUDGING AND JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS. KNOWLEDGE IS A STUFF OF REALITY; IT IS A WAY OF TRUTH AND NOT A WAY OF SEEMING OR GIVING OPINION. ALSO THE ONLY THING WE SHOULD NOT DOUBT IS THAT WE ALWAYS IN PARTICULAR SITUATION DOUBT. DON’T BE AFRAID TO DOUBT OR TO QUESTION THINGS BECAUSE IT IS A WAY OF ACQUIRING AND GAINING ALL WE NEED TO KNOW. ON THE OTHER HAND WE COULD STILL OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS NOT THE SENSES, NOR REASON CAN PROVIDE ADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING OF REALITY BUT THE SO CALLED INTUITION. KNOWLEDGE IS AN INTERCONNECTED CHAIN WHEREIN THERE IS AN AGREEMENT WITH ONE SET OF KNOWLEDGE WITH ANOTHER SET OF IT. IT IS A CYCLE WITH NO BEGINNING AND ENDING. THE MORE WE BECOME CURIOUS THE MORE WE QUESTION AND THE MORE WE SEEK FOR THE ANSWER. WE ALWAYS HAVE THE PRIVILEGED TO OPEN OUR CLOSE UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD AND WE ARE FREE TO EXPLORE ITS LIMITATION AND BOUNDARY. WE ALWAYS HAVE THE KEY TO KNOW THE SECRETS OF THE REAL MEANING AND  Introduction to Philosophy VALUE OF LIFE. WE SHOULD NOT STOP TRAVELLING THE BEAUTIFUL AND COLOURFUL JOURNEY OF OUR EXISTENCE AND DON’T STOP TO STRIVE AND TO GAIN THE PERFECT AND UNDYING KNOWLEDGE. EDUCATION: SINCE WE ARE SEARCHING FOR KNOWLEDGE, HAVING AN EDUCATION IS OF GREAT HELP. IT IS A VITAL INSTRUMENT TO EXPLORE OUR LIMITATION AND TO GO BEYOND THE HORIZON. HAVING AN EDUCATION IS LIKE SEEING A RAINBOW AFTER A RAIN SHOWER; IT ADDS COLOR AND MEANING AFTER THE SUDDEN DARKNESS. WE SHOULD NOT JUST BE TRAINED, WE MUST BE EDUCATED. BEING EDUCATION FOR ME IS OPENING THE WINDOWS OF OUR MIND AND SOUL. WE SHOULD PUT EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND, TO COMPREHEND, AND TO BE SENSITIVE TO IDEAS, ASPIRATIONS AND INTEREST TO WHICH WE MIGHT OTHERWISE BE INDIFFERENT TO EACH OTHER. WE SHOULD NOT JUST BE CONTENTED JUST TO BE TRAINED BECAUSE IT SIMPLY MEANS WE JUST WANT TO IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING WITHOUT DEEPENED UNDERSTANDING, WIDENED SYMPATHY OR HEIGHTENED ASPIRATIONS FOR IT. THERE SHOULD BE A COMMON AGREEMENT ON WHAT IS EDUCATION SHOULD AIM AND DEFINE THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION WITH NO BIAS AND FAIR CHANCES TO PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL POSITIONS AND SHOULD NOT BE IN HARMONY WITH THEIR FUNDAMENTAL INTERESTS. IT WOULD BE AN ILLUSION TO EXPECT THE PREVAILING EDUCATION TO BE TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE AND LIBERATING BECAUSE OF TODAY’S INEQUALITY ESPECIALLY IN SOCIAL STATUS ASPECTS THUS THERE IS A NEED TO RE-INVENT EDUCATION SO THAT IT WILL FOSTER A NEW AWARENESS AND PERSPECTIVE THAT IS SUPPORTIVE AND REFLECTIVE TO OUR ASPIRATIONS AND STRUGGLE FOR SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION. POLITICS: EDUCATION HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES IS AFFECTED BY MANY FACTORS SUCH AS THE KIND OF POLITICS WE HAVE. I DO BELIEVE THAT POLITICS SHOULD FUNCTION AND AIMS TO GO AFTER THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE AND NOTHING ELSE BUT THE SECURITY AND NEEDS OF  PEOPLE. POLITICS IS BOTH A FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS POWER YET WHEN USED IN A WRONG WAY OR BECOME A PURSUIT AND CHASE OF PERSONAL INTERESTS COULD BE ABUSED. POLITICS IS NOT JUST A SYSTEM ITSELF BUT A SYSTEM OF IDEAS WITH MISSION AND FUNCTIONS. IN SPITE OF THE CURRENT SITUATION IN OUR COUNTRY WE COULD STILL PURSUE A FAIR, JUST, HONEST AND RESPONSIBLE POLITICAL SYSTEM. WE COULD STILL MAKE A CHANGE. ASIDE FROM BEING A GOOD AND RELIABLE FOLLOWER WE COULD CHOOSE AND ELECT GOOD AND RIGHT POLITICAL LEADERS ESPECIALLY WITH OUR DEMOCRATIC TYPE OF SYSTEM. WE  NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO DESIGNATE THE FIT AND APPROPRIATE RULER WITH THEIR BEST QUALITY AND CHARACTER. WE SHOULD CAREFULLY ANALYSE AND EVALUATE A POLITICAL RULER WHO HAS THE INTEREST IN SERVING THE PEOPLE WITH SINCERITY AND SHOULD NOT JUST MAINTAIN HIMSELF OR HERSELF IN POWER. C. Contextualization KNOWLEDGE: Introduction to Philosophy FILIPINO IS A KNOWLEDGE SEEKER AND SO EXPLORATIVE WHEN IT COMES TO NOURISH AND DEVELOP THEIR LEARNING AND ABILITIES. WE HAVE SO MANY PROUD KABABAYAN WHO ARE SO PASSIONATE AND DETERMINE IN ACQUIRING SUCH KNOWLEDGE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. SOME OF US EVEN TRY TO GO TO OTHER COUNTRY FOR THEIR SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE. WE ARE NOT CONTENTED WITH JUST HAVING A KNOWLEDGE THAT IS ALREADY IN FRONT OF US. WE USUALLY GET OUT OF THE BOX AND GO BEYOND THE HORIZON. AND BECAUSE OF THIS PERSEVERANCE, MANY FILIPINOS FROM DIFFERENT FIELD BECOME SUCCESSFUL AND FAMOUS. MANY JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES BECOME OPEN TO FILIPINOS BECAUSE OF THEIR ABILITY AND PASSION TO LEARN. EDUCATION: PUBERTY BECOMES A BARRIER TO ATTAIN THE GOAL OF HAVING A BETTER EDUCATION. NOWADAYS, AS YOU LOOK WITH THE STATUS OF OUR COUNTRY, PHILIPPINES I MUST SAY THAT  WE OUR STRUGGLING ESPECIALLY THE UNFORTUNATE INDIVIDUAL TO GET SUCH APPROPRIATE AND GOOD QUALITY OF EDUCATION. IN OUR COUNTRY; LIVING STATUS AFFECTS A LOT IN MAINTAINING A GOOD QUALITY OF EDUCATION. THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILIES WHO BATTLE FOR FINANCING THE OTHER EXPENSES OF THEIR CHILD LIKE PROJECT AND DAILY TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD ALLOWANCE. FOR AN UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILY WITH INCOME THAT IS NOT ENOUGH WITH THEIR DAILY CONSUMPTION, HAVING A BUDGET FOR EDUCATION COULD BE A LEAST PRIORITY. MANY OF THE YOUTH TODAY EVEN THEY WANT TO CONTINUE THEIR COLLEGE JUST COULD NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO WORK TO SUPPORT  AND PROVIDE FINANCIALLY FOR THEIR FAMILY. ALSO IT IS COMMON, IN SOME FAR BARRIOS MANY FILIPINO CHILDREN BEFORE THEY COULD REACH THE NEAREST SCHOOL FROM THEIR HOUSE THEY NEED TO STRUGGLE AND WALK ON RIVERS AND EVEN SOME SLOPPY MOUNTAIN BEFORE THEY CAN GET THERE. IN SPITE THEIR DEDICATION TO BE EDUCATED, SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND GOOD LEARNING FACILITIES AND MATERIALS IS NOT ENOUGH TP ACCOMMODATES LARGE POPULATION IN OUR COUNTRY. ALSO CORRUPTION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR REASONS WHY NUMBER OF FILIPINO IS UNABLE TO AVAIL THEIR RIGHTS TO BE EDUCATED. INSTEAD OF FINANCING THE EDUCATION SECTOR, THE MONEY OF FILIPINOS GOES  TO THE POCKET OF THOSE WHO ARE GREED AND SELFISH OFFICIALS. NO DOUBT, PHILIPPINES IS A RICH COUNTRY WITH ITS SPLENDID NATURAL RESOURCES YET OUR MONEY COULD NOT EVEN FINANCIALLY PROVIDE AND GIVE STABLE WORKS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE WHO NEED JOBS. POLITICS: IT BEEN AN ORDINARY SCENARIO DURING ELECTION THAT THERE ARE SO MANY UNNECESSARY ACTIONS TOOK PLACE LIKE VOTE BUYING, BALLOT RESULT CHEATING, KILLING OF POLITICAL RIVALRY, AND THE LIKES JUST FOR THOSE SELF-CENTRED ASPIRANT OFFICIALS TO WIN THE SAID ELECTION. AND EVEN AFTER THE ELECTION, DURING THEIR SERVING YEARS SO  MANY VOID PRACTICE IS BEEN HAPPENING. CORRUPTION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES. MANY ELECTED POLITICAL OFFICIALS ABUSE THE POWER GIVEN TO THEM FOR THEIR OWN INTERESTS. TODAY’S ISSUE IS WHAT THEY CALLED PORK BARREL SCANDAL WHEREIN THE BUDGET ALLOTTED AND GIVEN TO POLITICAL OFFICIAL FOR THEIR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT SHOULD AND MUST HELP FILIPINO GOES TO POCKET OF JUST SOME PEOPLE. FINGER POINTING AND HAND WASHING THAT THEY DON’T USE ANY OF THE PUBLIC MONEY FOR THEIR OWN WELFARE IS STILL ON INVESTIGATION AND NOT YET ANSWERED. Introduction to Philosophy  INSTITUTIONALIZING IS ALSO HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTRY AND THE MOST AFFECTED ARE THE PUBLIC ESPECIALLY THE POOR. IT IS ALSO COMMON IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM HAVING A FAMILY DYNASTY WHEREIN THE POWER IN MANY PLACES IS JUST IN THE HAND OF ONE FAMILY. EVEN WE ALREADY HAVE AUTOMATED KIND OF ELECTION SYSTEM, WE STILL STRUGGLE TO HAVE THE FAIR AND JUST POLITICAL SYSTEM WE ARE LOOKING AND HOPING TO ACHIEVE. LASTLY, WE FILIPINOS STILL ELECTING WRONG PUBLIC SERVANT. WE ARE STILL BLIND WITH THEIR LOOKS, WHETHER THEY ARE CELEBRITIES OR IF EVEN THEY TEND TO FINISH THEIR EDUCATION AND WITH THEIR FLOWERING PROMISES AND WORDS. WE NEVER REALLY PRACTICE A CRITICAL JUDGEMENT TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT AND THE GOOD STATE RULER. D. Evaluation 1. SUBJECT THE SUBJECT PHILOSOPHY REALLY HELPED ME TO BE OPEN-MINDED AND CRITICALLY INCLINED WITH EVERYTHING AROUND ME. WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS WE STILL NEED TO KNOW AND ACQUIRE YET PHILOSOPHY SERVES AS AN ASSISTING TOOL TO REALLY KNOW THE MEANING OF OUR OWN EXISTENCE AND THE REAL MEANING OF OUR LIFE AND ITS PURPOSE. MY CLOSED WORLD BECOMES EXPOSED WITH WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING. 2. PROF SIR RODERICK CENTENO IS A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, RESPECTED AND FULL OF SENSE KIND OF PROFESSOR IN PHILOSOPHY. WE REALLY ENJOYED LISTENING TO HIS LECTURES ABOUT PHILOSOPHY. IT SO REFRESHING THAT WHILE LEARNING WE’VE ABLE TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY EVERY LEARNING AND DISCUSSION. THE REPORTING IS A GOOD WAY FOR US STUDENT TO EXPRESS OUR PERSPECTIVES AND OPINIONS ON THINGS. IT HELPS TO BOOST OUR INTEREST AND AWARENESS ON THE THINGS THAT BEFORE WE REALLY DON’T HAVE CARE AND IS NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. THE REFLECTION WRITING ACTIVITIES IS A USEFUL FOR US TO HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS TO EVERY ISSUE AND DECISIONS. AND I OBSERVED THAT SIR GIVES IMPORTANCE IN MANAGING HIS AND OUR TIME. Introduction to Philosophy.