The contributions to science by Charles Darwin Essays

The contributions to science by Charles Darwin Essays The contributions to science by Charles Darwin Essay The contributions to science by Charles Darwin Essay 214087 Title: The part to science by a scientist of your pick. 3000 words How does this part map to the scientific discipline course of study? How does the work of the scientist demonstrate the scientific method, or is it a antagonistic illustration? How can the work being discussed be used to turn to citizenship issues in schools? This paper discusses the part to science made by the English scientist Charles Darwin, ( 1809-1882 ) , writer ofThe Origin of Species( 1859 ) , the conceiver of the Theory of Natural Selection or Evolution. It examines the mode in which the work of Darwin could be related into the bing scientific discipline course of study, sing his work as an example of the scientific method. It besides sets out to associate the scientific finds and rules involved to other facets of the school course of study, particularly in the country of citizenship. The combative nature of Darwin’s discovery’ in his ain clip illustrates the fact that there is a common involvement in the subject: we are, in a sense, stakeholders in scientific facts and methods, since they help to find the form of our day-to-day lives. As the House of Lords points out, .this is non confined to scientists ; it extends to those who make policy, whether public or commercial, on the footing of scientific chances and ad vice. Policy-makers will happen it difficult to win public support .on any issue with a scientific discipline constituent, unless the populace s attitudes and values are recognised, respected and weighed in the balance along with the scientific and other factors.’ ( House of Lords, 2000, para 2.66 ) . Despite its age, Darwin’s theory continues to be debated, and can inform us about the importance of experimental accomplishments and scientific unity. It besides provides case in points for the manner scientific discipline and society interact, which may be utile in our society. As the Royal Society observes, It is therefore non swear in scientific disciplineper Sewhich is of concern but the velocity of scientific and technological development, the utilizations to which scientific discipline is put, and the ability of regulative and institutional constructions to maintain gait with this change.’ ( Royal Society, 2004, p.13 ) . Darwin’s work brought him ill f ame, but besides contention and personal sulfuric acid. ( See illustrations ) . This is where the nexus between scientific discipline and citizenship can be made. How does this part map to the scientific discipline course of study? As a 2002 Report by House of Lords acknowledges, The foundations of an involvement in scientific discipline are laid at primary school, between the ages of 5 and 11.’ ( House of Lords, parity. 6.3 ) The rule benefit which could be obtained through the work of Darwin is a general handiness, which would itself enable scholars to prosecute with the course of study. As Meadows points out, Much of knowledge and larning depends on placing the relevant cognition that the scholar already has in bing memory so that this cognition can be used as a starting point for larning what is new. Having no get downing point†¦will shackle acquisition and reasoning†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ ( Meadows, 2006: p.112 ) . A assortment of governments and analysts have noted there that are go oning conceptual jobs in the manner scholars, and the wider community engage with scientific discipline. These are attributable to a assortment of factors. Qualitative ( i.e. phenomenological ) research commissioned jointl y by the DTI and the Wellcome Trust revealed public support for the thought that Science makes our lives change excessively fast.’ ( Wellcome Trust, 2000, p.23 ) Beyond this seemingly simple image there lay a more complex image, with differentiated degrees of apprehension and involvement claimed for different countries of scientific discipline. Environmental concerns, wellness issues and median finds held the greatest involvement for 82-91 per cent of respondents, whilst new engineering was considered more interesting by 74 per cent. Merely 48 per cent of those questioned claimed that energy issues were the most important for them. ( Wellcome Trust 2000: p.21 ) The same research besides discovered that it was possible to categorize respondents into different groups, determined by their involvement in scientific discipline, and the grade of trust they felt in scientific discipline and scientists. Correspondingly, topics characterised themselves as confident believers’ a t the terminal of the continuum most engaged with scientific discipline, to supporters’ half manner along the graduated table, right down to those who stated that scientific discipline was not for them’ . ( Wellcome 2000: pp.5-7 ) Correspondingly, there are several overlapping benefits which could be obtained through an expanded usage of Darwin’s work. First, an enhanced apprehension of scientific method, secondly, an improved consciousness of the operation of natural Torahs, and thirdly, the agencies by which research consequences are validated, interpreted and shared. The benefits of this could get down to be felt even at the Primary stage, as Peacock et.al. argue, Primary scientific discipline is possibly best regarded†¦as an rational, practical, originative and societal enterprise which seeks to assist kids to better understand and do sense of the universe in which they live†¦ ( and ) †¦should affect kids in thought and working in peculiar ways in the chase of dependable knowledge.’ ( Peacock et al. , 2007: p.1 ) . It is in this manner that a strict reading of the general rules established by Darwin might be really good, in turn overing and disputing pre-conceived thoughts abou t individuality and value, such as those frequently attributed to the alleged hidden curriculum.’ As Bishop and Simpson point out, The force per unit areas of the concealed course of study are besides present with respect to construction. The kids themselves can be really forceful in structuring scientific discipline activities with preconceived societal frameworks.’ ( Bishop and Simpson, 1995: p.7 ) . In thematic footings, Darwin’s work is exhaustively supportive of theKnowledge, Skills and Understandingcomponent of the scientific discipline course of study, i.e., Ideas and grounds in Science, Investigative Skills,and subordinate subjects such as planning and showing grounds. By the clip pupils reach Key Stage 3, these accomplishments are being further developed under the headers ofPractical and Enquiry Skills, Critical Understanding of Evidence,andCommunication.In practical footings, rules developed from Darwin’s theory could be incorporated into the scientific discipline course of study every bit early as unit 1A,Ourselves,and so continued on through cardinal Stage 2 inLife Processes and Living Things.Within the latter, it would be of import to concentrate on sub-unit 4,Variation and Classification,and 5,Populating Thingss in Their Environment, observing how living beings vary and alteration harmonizing to their context. This subject could be carried on development ally in the context of Key Stage Three, which incorporates two extremely relevant faculties,Organisms, Behaviour and Health,andThe Environment, Earth and Universe.Traveling off from the formal course of study, Darwin’s theory could assist by developing the foundations of causal logical thinking and besides job resolution, lending to a general betterment in scientific discipline criterions overall, across all units of survey. How does the work of the scientist demonstrate the scientific method, or is it a antagonistic illustration? From an educational and scientific position, Darwin’s work is interesting because it is based extensively on observation and tax write-off, instead than extended or quotable physical experimentation. Because of the tremendous timescales involved in the evolutionary procedures which preoccupied Darwin, it is in consequence, impossible to turn out, in absolute footings, whether the theory is right or non. The theory still has its disparagers, and direct oppositions, who object to it on ideological or theological evidences. Despite this nevertheless, it has become a by and large accepted scientific rule. Darwin’s work is hence, in one sense, the purest look of the scientific method, particularly since it was formulated in a vacuity of worthwhile ancestors, and an ambiance of considerable ideological resistance. The lone possible manner in which his work might be deemed a counter example’ is the mode in which it ran straight contrary to much mainstream scientific tho ught amongst his coevalss. However, it decidedly was a find madebecause of– instead thanin malice of– scientific method. Basically, what Darwin did was to suggest an reading of events, extrapolated from a huge sum of biological and geological grounds: he so formulated a specific reading of causality which, in his analysis, had merely one possible scientific result. It is this sort of experimental theoretical account, based on causality, which can tap into the learner’s innate cognitive ability, even from the youngest age. As Meadows observes of children’s interpretive perceptual experience, †¦By the beginning of school old ages, it follows basic causal rules, for illustration that causes precede effects instead than following effects, that they covary with their effects – the consequence on a regular basis and predictably appears after the cause and does non look without it, and the cause and consequence are close, or at least linked, in clip and space.’ . ( Meadows, 2006: p.109 ) How can the work being discussed be used to turn to citizenship issues in schools? As Rose and Rose indicate, it has ever been possible to take the position that, scientific discipline appears to progress in a more or less ordered mode, irrespective of the predominating societal environment in which it is performed.’ ( Rose and Rose, 1970, p.241 ) The power of Darwin’s work lays in its ability to bridge the spread between scientific discipline and the community, and it is here that his relevancy to issues of citizenship may be found. Darwin’s part to science every bit mirrored to a great extent by the manner his work reinforced other countries of academic, philosophical and societal survey: all of this makes it straight relevant to citizenship issues. As Wallace points out, A reading of theOrigin†¦do it hard to asseverate that Darwin’s head was devoid’ of economic and doctrine. A more sustainable decision is that it was permeated by rules of political economic system and doctrine in the signifier of a linguistic communicati on which did non distinguish between the political and the biological.’ ( Wallace 1995: p.11 ) In other words, Darwin’s work was implicitly bound up with the values of his host society: it is this which makes it an ideal nexus between scientific discipline and citizenship. The lone contrast is that we move from a Victorian context, to a present twenty-four hours one. This, it may be argued, has possible benefits for scientific discipline, instruction, and society likewise. As the Royal Society concluded with respect to the current scientific discipline course of study, many pupils lacked enthusiasm for . the topic, and felt frustrated by a content-heavy course of study which gave them small room to research controversial and ethical issues that might involvement them.’ ( Royal Society, 2004, p.21 ) Darwin’s work, it may be argued, is absolutely adapted to ease the latter: it is non distant, or obscure, and on certain degrees it is extremely accessible. The links between scientific discipline and citizenship manifest themselves in assorted ways. First, there is the whole issue of public apprehension of, and trust in scientific discipline. As Meadows points out, †¦understanding cause builds up into what has been called a naive physics’ , a coherent set of impressions about how objects behave ; if this gives rise to the formation and testing of hypotheses by observation and experiment, it becomes the footing for a natural philosophy which is scientific instead than naive.’ ( Meadows, 2006: p.109 ) . Darwin’s work Teachs us that it is non merely the observation of a phenomena, but the cultural capacity to absorb its significance, which is of import. Scientific affairs are non the distinct concern of the scientific community itself, but spill over into the political domain and finally concern us all. This is particularly true when ethical issues become involved, as they progressively tend to make in the biologi cal and life-sciences, impacting everything from the air we breathe, the nutrient we eat, the wellness intervention we can anticipate, and even the grade of control we might hold in finding the wellness, gender, and character of our kids. The of import point here is that attitudes vary, from a profound misgiving, to an about myopic religion in scientific discipline. As the House of Lords observed, neither place is wholly valid, a state of affairs it attributes sqaurely to schools. In common idiom, scientific is about synonymous with certain . This perceptual experience, which is likely picked up at school, is virtually true of much old and well-established scientific cognition. In many of the countries of current concern, from clime alteration to malignant neoplastic disease, it is nevertheless really broad of the mark.’ ( House of Lords, 2000, parity. 4.1 ) It is non the fallibility of scientific discipline which is utile from a citizenship point of position, but instead the necessity of keeping an unfastened head and capacity for nonsubjective argument. It is besides of import to retrieve that we all portion a corporate duty for the manner that society is conducted, and the mode in which scientific matter are run on our behalf. Again, this is non a distant or academic argument, and at its most intense, can show the relevancy of scientific method in our mundane lives. As the Royal Society points out, modern-day crises such as that created by BSE illustrates this. BSE highlighted profound concerns about the scientific discipline advice procedure and the function of scientists and authorities functionaries, the effectivity policy devising and action within sections such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the ability of Curates to both gage and communicate hazard efficaciously, and basically the relationship between scientific discipline and politics.’ ( Royal Society, 2004, p.17 ) If we take the Key Stage Three Citizenship course of study as an illustration, the continued relevancy of Darwin’s thoughts becomes evident. In the domain of political, legal and human rights, we must take history of the DFES counsel that every kid is A alone kid .every kid is a competent scholar from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured. ( DFES, 2007: p.5 ) . The kernel of Darwin’s idea is that all people are descended from the same ultimate beginning, and hence equality before the jurisprudence, and of political rights, is a requirement of an just society and civil civil order. This in bend leads into the rules of democracy and the thought everyone should hold a voice in finding the legislative behavior of authorities. The importance of keeping freedom of address and leting a diverseness of positions are besides indispensable to the rules of citizenship as enshrined in the course of study. It is of import to retrieve that, without these installations, Darwin’s scientific thoughts might neer hold received public attending. In Section 2,Key Processes,the KS3 Citizenship course of study requires that scholars †¦engage with and reflect on different thoughts, sentiments, beliefs and values when researching topical and controversial issues and problems.’ ( QCA 2007: p.30 ) . Darwin knew that printing his thoughts about development in Victorian society would pull ferocious resistance from many quarters, because of its disagreement with scriptural instructions about the Creation. This resistance was likely to be immoveable and immune to logic: As Hull points out, those †¦who rejected evolutionary theory chiefly for theological reasons†¦would non hold been able to accept it even if all the grounds had been overpoweringly in its favor – which it was not.’ ( Hull 1974: p.450 ) . Similarly, his right to debate his theories with opposition s and critics formed an of import portion of the manner in which he basically changed attitudes, manner beyond the strictly scientific sphere. As Darwin himself wrote of one of his counter-theorists, He will be dead against me, as you prophesied†¦but he is liberally civil to me personally. On his criterion of cogent evidence,naturalscientific discipline would neer come on, for without the devising of theories I am convinced there would be no observation.’ ( Hull 1974: p.229 ) . As can be seen from this, it should be possible, in a tolerant and progressive society, to show and discourse opposed positions in a sensible manner: the freedom to make this, and finding to protect such freedoms, are of import dogmas of modern-day citizenship. As the Key Stage Three citizenship course of study puts it, responsible citizens should be able to †¦communicate an statement, taking history of different point of views and pulling on what they have learnt through research, action and debate†¦justify their statement, giving grounds to seek to carry others to believe once more, alteration or support them.’ ( QCA 2007: p.30 ) . In modern-day UK society, responsible citizenship besides requires us to understand diverseness of civilizations and individualities, and that motion of people, either temporarily or for good, is an intrinsic characteristic of our society and economic system. This is to the full reflected in the citizenship course of study, which states that scholars should recognize †¦the hanging nature of UK society, including the diverseness of thoughts, beliefs, civilizations, individualities, traditions, positions and values that are shared.’ ( QCA 2007: p.33 ) Darwin’s theory of natural choice is supportive of such positions in a assortment of ways. By learning us that we all have common beginnings, his believing undermines any thoughts of intrinsic racial difference, or any barriers erected around such thoughts. Since we all developed from the same biological beginning, there can be no justification for valuing any single otherwise: in other words, constructs of biological d eterminism’ are invalidated. Furthermore, any effort to make so can, by Darwin’s instruction, at one time be revealed as arbitrary, subjective and unscientific. There are obvious cross-curricular links to be made here, both historically and in footings of modern-day societies, where such conditions still endure. Children are natural perceivers of the phenomenon around them, and Darwin’s thoughts are deeply supportive of this. Meadows points out that kids †¦appear to pull illations about the causes of events they see, to know apart between self-caused and other-caused motion, to categorise living things that are agents as different from inanimate objects.’ ( Meadows, 2006: p.109 ) . Bing citizens besides accrues us the duty to alter things for the better: correspondingly, although we have rights in society, we have a responsibility to guarantee that such rights are exercised responsibly, without encroaching on the rights of others. Darwin’s the ory besides taught us that we are, as societal histrions, wholly mutualist upon each other. Bibliography Amigon, D. , and Wallace, J. , ( 1995 ) ,Charles Darwin’s the Origin of Species: new Interdisciplinary essays.: Manchester University Press, Manchester. Anderson, R.D. , ( 1992 ) ,Universities and Elites in Britain since 1800,MacMillan, Basingstoke. Bishop, A. , and Simpson, R. , ( 1995 ) , Strategies for Structured Play in Science in the Nursery’ ,Primary Teaching Studies,Autumn, Vol.9, No.3, pp.5-8. Burgess, R.G. , ( 1989 ) ,The Ethical motives of Educational Research,Falmer Press, Lewes. The Children’s Plan: Building Brighter Futures, ( 2007 ) , Department for Children, Schools and Families. HMSO, London. DeFalco, J. , Trade-Offs, Risks and Regulations in Science and Technology: Deductions for STS Education.’ , in Kamur, D.D. , and Chubin, D.E. , ( explosive detection systems ) , ( 2000 ) ,Science, Technologyand Society: A Sourcebook on Research and Practice,Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York. DFES, ( 2007 ) ,Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Phase: Puting the Standards for Learning, Development and Care for Children from Birth to Five,HMSO, London. House of Lords,( 2000 )ScienceandTechnology, 3rdReport, downloaded from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld199900/ldselect/ldsctech/38/3801.htm Hull, D.L. , ( 1974 ) ,Darwin and his Critics,Harvard University Press, Mass. Kamur, D.D. , and Chubin, D.E. , ( explosive detection systems ) , ( 2000 ) ,Science, Technologyand Society: A Sourcebook on Research and Practice,Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York. Lenton and McNeil, ( 1991 ) , Primary school instructors understanding of the biological constructs in the National Curriculum’ Primary Teaching Studies, Oct. , Vol.6, No.2, pp.196-203. Mackenzie, D. , and Wacjman, J. , ( explosive detection systems ) , ( 1994 ) ,The Social Shaping of Technology: How the Refrigerator got its Hum,Open University Press, Milton Keynes. Mauther, M. , Birch, M. , Jessop, J. , and Miller, T. , ( 2002 ) ,Ethical motives in Qualitative Research,London, Sage. Meadows, S. , ( 2006 ) ,The Child as Thinker: The Development and Acquisition of Cognition in Childhood,Routledge, London. Pursell, C. , ( 1994 ) ,White Heat,BBC Books, London. QCA, ( 2007 ) ,Citizenship: Program of Study for Key Stage 3 and Attainment Target,QCA. Rose, H. , and Rose, S. , ( 1970 ) ,Science and Society,Penguin, Harmandsworth. The Royal Society, ( 2004 )Excellence in Science: Science in Society,London. Rose, H. , and Rose, S. , ( 1970 ) ,Science and Society,Penguin, Harmandsworth. Scruton, R. , ( 1982 ) ,A Dictionary of Political Thought,MacMillan, London. Science and the Public: A Review of Science Communication and Public Attitudes to Science in Britain, A Joint Report by the Office of Science and Technology and the Wellcome Trust, ( 2000 ) , HMSO, London. Wakeford, T. , and Walters, M. , ( explosive detection systems ) ( 1995 )Science for the Earth: Can Science Make the World a Better Place?John Wiley and Sons, Chichester. Wallace, J. , ( 1995 ) Introduction: trouble and defamiliarisation-language and procedure in theBeginning of Species’, in Amigon, D. , and Wallace, J. , ( 1995 ) ,Charles Darwin’s the Origin of Species: new Interdisciplinary essays.: Manchester University Press, Manchester, pp.1-46. Winner, L. , Do Artefacts Have Politics’ , in Mackenzie, D. , and Wacjman, J. , ( explosive detection systems ) , ( 1994 ) ,The Social Shaping of Technology: How the Refrigerator got its Hum,Open University Press, Milton Keynes.

France's Resistance to the Membership of Turkey in the European Union Essay

France's Resistance to the Membership of Turkey in the European Union - Essay Example Since 1963, Turkey has had the privilege of being an associate member of the European Union. (ARIKAN, H. 2006). On 14 April 1987, Turkey officially forwarded an application to accede to the European Union. The events that followed the membership bid, has become a major controversy over the last two decades. Turkey, apart from the ten founding members, was one of the first countries to become a member of the Council of Europe in the year 1949. Furthermore, Turkey was also one of the founding members of The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (JOSEPH, J. S. 2006). Since 1992, Turkey has had an associate membership with the Western European Union. Moreover, Turkey also fulfills its services in the United Nations, as a member of the Western Europe branch of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG). (BELKE 2004). In 1995, a Customs Union Agreement was signed between Turkey and the European Union. At European council’s summit held on 12 December 1999, Turkey was recognized as a candidate for membership in the European Union. Despite the fact that Turkey has contributed tremendously for the welfare of European countries, ironically its accession to the European Union remains at a standstill. Furthermore, France has always resisted Turkey’s membership in the European Union. (JUNG, D. et al 2008). The motive behind the resistance is not entirely based upon religious affairs. Moreover, the resistance has not stemmed due to a single reason, it is however, a cumulative result of numerous underlying issues. This Paper includes an overview on the ongoing enlargement process of the European Union and attempts to throw light at some of the major reasons forcing France to neglect strong Europe-Turkish ties and fiercely resist Turkey’s accession to the EU. The paper also attempts to weigh Turkey’s chances of accession to the European Union. Furthermore, the paper also attempts to speculate on whether France’s resi stance is justified. Overview: The long awaited accession negotiations finally opened on 3rd October, 2005. Turkey embarked on a long difficult journey of negotiations and it might take a decade before a decision is finalized. (ARIKAN, H. 2006). The terms of accession and the future benefits that turkey could give to the European Union, if its membership is confirmed, are two issues which have created an unclear and perplexed scenario. (JUNG, D. et al 2008). In order to become a member country, Turkey has to make tremendous efforts to fulfill the Copenhagen Criteria. Firstly, Turkey has to stabilize its political conditions by creating stable institutions which would ultimately guarantee and follow a democratic system and fulfill all the norms of a full European democratic country. Secondly, Turkey must transform into an economically strong country by creating a sound functioning market economy. Moreover, the EU expects Turkey to adopt and strictly adhere to the â€Å"acquis commun autaire† i.e. a set of EU laws. Thirdly, Turkey must reform its foundation in an effort to fully adopt and implement the political, economical and monetary Laws of the European Union. (TOGAN et al 2005). Opponents of turkey consider the country to be too big and too poor to join the European Union, on the other hand, some opponents consider Turkey to religious to be allowed to become a part of the European Union. Proponents of Turkey consider such opponent claims to be nothing but dubious notions because they recognize Turkey as an economically strong nation. Furthermore, they recognize the fact that Turkey is not bounded by a single religion as the Nation has no official religion thus, the issue of religion should not be treated as a major stumbling block to Turkey’s dream of accession to the European Union. (ENGERT, S. (2010). Turkey’s accession to the EU-A long, troubled journey: Since 200 years, Turkey has been trying to

Influence Technique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Influence Technique - Essay Example I had my chance to apply the persuasion technique once when I worked part-time as a life planner. A life planner ( commonly known as an insurance salesman) is not an easy job. The rewards are great but a person must be equipped with good persuasive skills to become successful in this field. During the training, we were equipped with all the information we needed to educate potential clients; however, the real experience presents a lot of surprises for a rookie. Before graduating from the training, we must pass a role-playing with a very critical customer. This means I must be able to handle all the rejections carefully and convert them into neutral statements. The main point of the test is to sell the concept of life insurance and sell our services to the person. The person I was trying to influence is a married man who comes from a middle-class family. He is knows the value of life insurance but does not know much about our company. The strategy employed. The strategy I used was rec iprocity for a number of reasons. First, it is our first time to meet so there is no interpersonal relationship yet. Rather, both parties were using mutual trust on the assumption that we’re both professionals. Also, I have something to offer that can provide long term benefits for the person.

First Amendment Protection of Journalists Essay Example for Free

First Amendment Protection of Journalists Essay The First Amendment of the US Constitution has special provisions for freedom of expression speech and press. It has clearly defined that The freedom of speech and of the press, and the right of the people peaceably to assemble and consult for their common good, and to apply to the Government for redress of grievances, shall not be infringed† (FindLaw, 2004). There were several instances of debates and discussions on the protection of journalism under the provisions of the First Amendment. Constitutionalists agree on the point that the liberty of the press is essential for the well-being of a free state. Every person has the right to express his feelings before the public. Journalists do the same thing. They investigate on their own and provide the information regarding the policies of the government and other agencies to the public. If a journalist is not allowed to express his opinions, then it is a clear infringement into his rights. Journalists always have always used anonymous sources to gather information. It has become a part of investigational journalism. However, several times in the past, press has been subjected to castigation for reporting about the secret policies of the government quoting anonymous sources. There was always pressure on the journalists to reveal their confidential sources. Need of the First Amendment Protection of Journalists The recent incident involving former New York Times reporter, Judith Miller has unleashed a debate on the protection of confidential sources in journalism. Pulitzer Prize winner Judith Miller had to spend 85 days in jail for refusing to identify confidential sources during the investigation into the disclosure of a CIA agents identity. Eventually, she was forced to step down after working 28 years at the Times (The New York Times, 2005). It is always believed that a journalist has the right to protect the identity of a source. It may be true that this right is not absolute. There should be a limit on that to prevent any misuse of journalism expression. However, punishing the journalists for their reporting is not a right solution. The identification of anonymous sources may lead to suppression of information. The Times believes that First Amendment right to speech includes a right for the journalists in which they are not supposed to speak during the testimony in a criminal investigation. The freedom of the press to publish without any limitation is one of the fundamental aspects of the First Amendment. However, recent incidents such as the detention of Miller raised serious questions. If the journalists will be forced to reveal their sources of information, then it is unlikely that they would get more information in future. Persons, who reveal the secrets anonymously, will never provide useful information to the journalists if their identities are disclosed before the investigation agency. They would be forced to conceal the information to themselves. As a result, the public will never know the truth. If we look at the history, the First Amendment supported the freedom of press and the journalists in some instances. â€Å"In the Pentagon Papers case in 1971, the US government attempted to prevent the New York Times and the Washington Post from publishing classified documents about the Vietnam War. The government claimed that publication of such documents would jeopardize the foreign policy and prolong the war. However, the Court did not buy the arguments and dismissed them as speculations† (Powe, 1991). However, in most of the cases, it has been noticed that the First Amendment do not provide adequate protection to the journalists. Even the judges expressed their concern in some cases. In a 2002 judgment, Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy said, First Amendment freedoms are most in danger when the government seeks to control thought or to justify its laws for that impermissible end. The right to think is the beginning of freedom, and speech must be protected from the government because speech is the beginning of thought† (ALA, 2002). The International Federation of Journalists has accused the United States administration of suppressing the freedom of expression by forcing journalists to disclose confidential sources of information. They believe that this is a violation of the First Amendment. In most of the cases, journalists are bullied by judges and investigating agencies. A number of high-profile legal actions against journalists have sparked a national campaign among press freedom campaigners and journalists. Journalists feel that they have stood up firmly for the First Amendment principles (IFJ, 2004). The identification of sources has become very common in the US history. Several judgments in the recent past, asked the journalists to reveal the identity of their sources. Also, in some instances they ruled that it is the right of journalists to protect their sources. The differences of opinions have made one thing clear that there is a need for a clear and visible law that would protect the rights of journalism and journalists. It is to be remembered that by protecting their sources, the journalists are just saving the whistleblowers from facing retribution. If the confidential sources are exposed, common people will be deprived of their right to know the truth. Need of a National Shield Law Earl Caldwell, a correspondent for the New York Times, was the only journalist at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. He established a rapport with the Black Panthers and had access to their confidential conversations with them. When FBI asked him to provide the notes, Earl Caldwell, a correspondent for the New York Times, was the only journalist at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. He established a rapport with the Black Panthers and had access to their confidential conversations with them (Montiel, 2005). When FBI asked him to provide the notes, he declined and took the mater to the Court. In 1970, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recognized the existence of a protection for the journalists under the First Amendment. It rules that Caldwell did not have to identify his sources unless the government could show the real need for his testimony and the proof that such information could not be obtained elsewhere. The government appealed against this order in the Supreme Court. After long discussions, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against Caldwell. This is an example how the judges themselves were not sure about the provisions of the First Amendment. His fight against the government led to the expansion of state shield laws protecting journalists (Montiel, 2005). The Caldwell case became the most famous one related to the First Amendment and freedom of press. It stressed on the need for federal law to protect the journalists from indictment and harassment. The state shield laws were expanded and associations were formed. â€Å"After the Caldwell case, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press was formed, which worked for preservation of journalistic rights under the First Amendment† (Montiel, 2005). It has been noticed that in the cases related to the protection of journalists under the First Amendment, judges expressed different opinions. Hence, it is very much important to have a common law which bring all of them into a common platform and provide relief to the journalists who often suffer for no fault. It is their compulsion and responsibility to protect the confidentiality of sources as they obtain the information on that promise. Contradiction in federal court rulings forced many state courts and legislatures to interpret the First Amendment from different angles. To protect journalists from unjustified testimonies, 31 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws known as shield laws (First Amendment Center, 2004). However, state shield laws often fail to guarantee the protection to the journalists. In todays digital world, most of the journalists work through television and Internet, thus securing a good name on the national and international stage. Without a national shield law, it will not be possible for them work independently without any prosecution for concealing their sources. A national shield law will not only benefit the journalists, but also it will do justice to the public. If the journalists fail to protect their private communication with people who provide useful information anonymously, it will be an infringement into their personal rights. Nobody can expect the common men to stand up openly and divulge the secrets that public should know. They would definitely be concerned about their own safety and security. Hence, such people, called as whistleblowers depend on journalists to air their grievances against the system and corrupt authorities. If their identities are not protected, it will deter others from providing useful information to expose the corrupt officials and leaders. Recently, Senator Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn proposed the legislation for protecting the journalists under the First Amendment. If the law is passed, journalists would not be forced to reveal their sources. Their notes, photographs and other materials would be protected from the federal courts, government and investigating agencies. The bill says that a court could force a journalist to disclose the sources only if that cannot be obtained anywhere else and are related to public interest (First Amendment Center, 2004). In the past few years, there have been several instances of judges threatening the journalists with fines or jails if they fail to reveal sources. The state shield laws will not serve the purpose of freedom of press. It is necessary formulate a national shield law to deal with such issues. The above bill introduced by Senator Dodd could be an important step on this regard. Conclusion In the wake of the current debate over the protection of journalists under the First Amendment, we have to look on this issue with a humanitarian approach. The press is always called as the mirror of the society. Journalists are the true soldiers of the press who always intend to uphold its value and ethics. Protecting their rights is very important for the wellbeing of the society. Prosecution of journalists for a no-crime may not augur well for people’s belief in constitutional rights. Adequate steps should be taken to pass a strong law that would protect the journalists and the confidentiality of their sources. They are well within their rights not to disclose their sources and they should not be compelled to do that. It should be kept in mind that whatever they are doing is for the benefit of the public and the society. Bibliography Allen, David S. , Jensen, Robert, editors. (1995). Freeing the First Amendment: Critical Perspectives on Freedom of Expression. New York: New York University Press. American Library Association (ALA). (2002). Retrieved 15 November 2005.

Structuralism Developed by Ferdinand de Saussure Essays -- literary the

Structuralism was developed by Ferdinand de Saussure in the mid-twentieth century (Cuddon and Preston 923). This creation was brought on, in part, by the French existentialism period and is often combined with the semiotic theory of literary criticism; both are the source of development for other literary criticisms from the formalist schools of thought. As the name suggests, structuralism examines the structure of the work, investigating the ramifications of the organizations of literatures (McManus, 1998). As an image to portray this idea is examining the structure of a building and comparing it to the structures of other buildings in its surroundings, and then subsequently comparing the common features of those buildings to buildings from other cultures and what those architectural discrepancies represent (Brizee and Tompkins, 2011). Structuralism employs terms to help in the understanding of one of the most complex literary theories (McManus, 1998; Brizee and Tompkins, 2011). All words in any given language are either classified as parole or langue (McManus, 1998). Barbara McManus is an expert on literary criticism, has authored two books on the subject, is a retired professor of Classics Emerita, including the topics of Feminism and general literary criticism courses, from College of New Rochelle who defines the two terms as â€Å"any particular meaningful use of spoken or written language (also called ‘performance’)† and â€Å"the underlying system of sounds, forms, and rules of combination of a language which make meaningful communication possible (a speaker's implicit knowledge of this system is called ‘competence’),† respectively (McManus, 2003; McManus, 1998). McManus later states that â€Å"[Structuralists are] interested in langu... ...ll D. Moyers. The Power of Myth. New York: Doubleday, 1988. Print. "Cormac McCarthy on James Joyce and Punctuation." Interview by Oprah Winfrey.Oprah.com. OPRAH, 01 June 2008. Web. 05 Feb. 2014. . Cuddon, J. A., and Claire Preston. The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory. London: Penguin, 1999. Print. McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. Print. McManus, Barbara F. "Barbara McManus Home Page." CNR.com. College of New Rochelle, July 2003. Web. 4 Feb. 2014. McManus, Barbara F. "Structuralist Approaches." Structuralist Approaches. The College of New Rochelle, Oct. 1998. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. Murfin, Ross, and Supryia M. Ray. "VirtuaLit: Critical Approaches." VirtuaLit: Critical Approaches. Bedford/St. Martin's, n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.

Religion as a conservative force Essay

There Christian churches manage to force their conservative values onto masses of people. But, within the last 100 years the Anglican church has been very progressive in that the stance the church has on a lot of modern issues has changed. The churches stance on abortion has changed from absolutely against God to acceptable in some cases. And, although they still see sex before marriage as wrong they are no longer as condemning about it. In this example religion as a conservative force is dying as modern values take over religion and religion can no longer reinstate traditional ones. In contrast the Roman Catholic church, while being Christian, is extremely conservative and hasn t changed its stance on most contempory issues. They still believe that abortion is wrong unless its harmful to the mother, that sex before marriage is wrong in all cases and that contraception is not allowed. The Catholic church is still incredibly prominent and important within many countries and so they view that religion is a conservative force is still true. When discussing whether religion is a conservative force it is really a discussion about different religious institutions being conservative. Within Christianity, different churches and interpretations differ greatly regarding being conservative or progressive. In its day, Protestantism was a very progressive force and Catholicism was very conservative, even though they both were Christian churches they were either conservative or progressive. Traditionally sects are not seen as a conservative force. Q. an values. There Christian churches manage to foAssess the view that religion is a conservative force. Religion can be defined in many different ways, from the traditional view of a belief in God, contrasting with the functionalist view that religion only needs to function and help people and does not require a God. Religion can also differ in size and beliefs and, especially in modern countries, how progressive or conservative they are. Conservative religion s religion which religion which conserves a countries values and norms. The Christian religion does this in many western countries as it embodies many of the values which those countries hold. According to functionalists and Durkheim, by religion holding these values it makes them more sacred and re-enforces these values. According to Parsons religion also generalises these values into society. The values which are generally preserved by religion in these countries are very conservative ones. This is where religion is against social change, maintaining the status quo. This is what functionalists see as necessary for keeping and creating social unity. However, this differs greatly from progressive religion. Religion which is progressive brings about change within societies and usually holds very little of the same values which the society does, and by doing so doesn t reinforce them. Religion which usually falls under the category of progressive religion is very New Age, but they do not all challenge the values in western countries. This is where religion helps social change. Churches such as the Anglican church within Christianity are incredibly traditionally and conservative in the way that they hold very much the same values which they held including the views on certain behaviours which they traditionally held. Churches such as the Christian churccts see themselves as progressive within society and institutions which challenge a country s norms instead of conforming to them or agreeing with them. The tend to be very New Age in their beliefs and deviate from traditional conservative religions not just in values but in the way they recruit, have a hierarchy and conduct religious business. As many traditional religions are loosing members sects are rapidly growing in size, and although many don t make it through the first few years, those which do have increasing popularity and manage to recruit members which are more willing to be a force within society. This is where religion is becoming an increasingly progressive force within societies. Many sects are even progressive with how they recruit members. As well as the traditional route of recruiting one-on-one they also do so online. This is a very progressive method as it differs greatly from the usual method of bringing people into religion from birth and ado lance generally through religious ceremony. But, not all sects to this. The increasingly common Christian sect within Britain and American ( ) recruits members from birth within families, instating their values from birth. So, sects sometimes are conservative but in different ways. This shows that even new religions can be conservative and that the force of conservative religion remains strong. Weber look into Protestants and social change found that religion did result in the change of values and norms within British society at the time. Protestantism changed laws and made things such as dancing illegal. But, Protestantism, in many ways, was more traditional than what was in place before. If conservatism is defined as traditional values is was in fact a conservative force that took over Britain and many other countries within Western Europe. This contradicts the view that conservative religion reinforces values and norms with societies. Marxists argue that religion is a conservative force as it does not bring about social change. Many of the traditional values which many churches hold are values which are the same as middle class or are to the benefit of middle class. As they do not change Marxists believe that religion is the force behind this and are therefore a conservative, not a progressive force. Fundamentalists are traditionally seen as conservative religious forces. Taylor defines involvement in fundamentalism as those who believe that there is a challenge to the ultimate authority which the believe in; people who do not tolerate this challenge, they can reaffirm their belief in that authority and oppose those who challenge their beliefs. The reason fundamentalist are usually found to be religious is that according to this view fundamentalism involves the conservative reassertion of beliefs and, usually, action against any change. Conservative fundamentalists are most notably found to be a big force in the USA. They may hold traditional conservative Christian values but they are a progressive movement as they see the USA as declining away from the those values and especially the world. This movement is a return to old values and the reinstatement of them, such as a return to creationalism within schools. This movement is also forceful in that it holds a lot of power with America and its electoral system. President Bust who was elected for two terms manage to get elected mainly on a traditional conservative values campaign, showing that the conservative religion movement is huge within such a powerful advanced modern country. But even conservative fundamentalists can bring about progress change as what they believe are traditional values can differ from what other people believe for traditional values. This is especially true with Islam as within Islam are many different fundamentalist groups, all of whom are interpreting true Islam in different ways. The Sacred Brethren is also an example of a sect which can be seen as conservative and yet does rapidly change. When the leader of this sect died and someone else took over its values changed and although it remained a conservative force it was still resulting in change, not just reinstating its traditional values. And, fundamentalist can be progressive and bring about social change in other ways. In Iran the bringing back of traditional Islamic values brought major change as it overthrew the Iranian Government, in-stating new laws and values. Even tough it was a return to traditional values and came within a conservative force it was still progressive in bringing about change. Religion obviously differs a lot, not just in belief, and it can be spilt into progressive or conservative. But, even with this it can differ when you take into account the conservative religions which bring about change. Even though the evidence points towards sects and progressive religions being the future for this world as they increase their membership as conservative religions decrease their membership. But in countries such as the USA it is conservative religions which are increasing in power, which means the conservative religion and more power within societies. s manage to get elected mainly on a traditional conservative values campaign, showing that the conservative religion movement is huge within such a powerful advanced modern country.

Gigantopithecus Facts and Figures

Name: Gigantopithecus (Greek for giant ape); prounced jie-GAN-toe-pith-ECK-usHabitat: Woodlands of AsiaHistorical Epoch: Miocene-Pleistocene (six million to 200,000 years ago)Size and Weight: Up to nine feet tall and 1,000 poundsDiet: Probably omnivorousDistinguishing Characteristics: Large size; large, flat molars; four-footed posture About Gigantopithecus The literal 1,000-pound gorilla sitting in the corner of a natural history museum, the appropriately named Gigantopithecus was the largest ape that ever lived, not quite King Kong-sized but, at up to half a ton or so, much bigger than your average lowland gorilla. Or, at least, thats the way this prehistoric primate has been reconstructed; frustratingly, practically everything we know about Gigantopithecus is based on its scattered, fossilized teeth and jaws, which first came to the worlds attention when they were sold in Chinese apothecary shops in the first half of the 20th century. Paleontologists arent even sure how this colossus moved; the consensus is that it must have been a ponderous knuckle-walker, like modern gorillas, but a minority opinion holds that Gigantopithecus may have been capable of walking on its two hind feet. Another mysterious thing about Gigantopithecus is when, exactly, it lived. Most experts date this ape from Miocene to mid-Pleistocene eastern and southeastern Asia, about six million to one million years B.C., and it may have survived in small populations until as late as 200,000 or 300,000 years ago. Predictably, a small community of cryptozoologists insists that Gigantopithecus never went extinct, and persists in the present day, high up in the Himalayan Mountains, like the mythical Yeti, better known in the west as the Abominable Snowman! As fearsome as it must have looked, Gigantopithecus seems to have been mostly herbivorous--we can infer from its teeth and jaws that this primate subsisted on fruits, nuts, shoots and, just possibly, the occasional small, quivering mammal or lizard. (The presence of an unusual number of cavities in Gigantopithecus teeth also points to a possible diet of bamboo, much like that of a modern Panda Bear.) Given its size when fully grown, an adult Gigantopithecus would not have been an active target of predation, though the same cant be said for sick, juvenile or aged individuals, which figured on the lunch menu of various tigers, crocodiles, and hyenas. Gigantopithecus comprises three separate species. The first and largest, G. blacki, lived in southeastern Asia starting in the middle Pleistocene epoch and shared its territory, toward the end of its existence, with various populations of Homo erectus, the immediate precursor of Homo sapiens. The second, G. bilaspurensis, dates to six million years ago, during the Miocene epoch, about the same early time frame as the oddly named G. giganteus, which was only about half the size of its G. blacki cousin.