Comparing the Search in Platos Allegory of the Cave and Anderson’s Win

The Search for Truth in Plato's Allegory of the Cave and Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio  Ã‚  Ã‚   The novel Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson has many themes that present themselves throughout the book. One such recurring theme is a search for truth. The characters in the book do not fully realize that they are searching for truth, but they do feel a vague, "indescribable thing" that pushes and prods their minds to actualize a higher plane of thought. This search for a higher plane by the characters of Winesburg nearly parallels another literary work of ancient Greek origin- Plato's "Allegory of the Cave," which is a portion of his famous writing "The Republic." I contend that the town of Winesburg is the equivalent of the Cave in Plato's writing. The "Allegory of the Cave" is an attempt by Plato to relate his thoughts and philosophy on human civilization into common terms. He believed that there are two planes of existence: the material world of the senses, and a higher world of thoughts and ideals. Plato's "Allegory" made it possible for people to more firmly grasp a somewhat abstract concept. The "Allegory" depicts a number of people who are imprisoned in a cave, chained by the legs and neck so that they cannot move, nor can they turn their heads; they see only towards the back wall opposite the cave opening. These people have been chained in this manner their entire lives. Sometimes objects and people pass in front of the cave opening, and shadows play upon the back wall. Since the people have only seen the shadows, they assume that the shadows are the real objects and beings of the world. They watch the shadows, measuring them, trying to understand them, and soon honors are bestowed upon those persons who can see the... ...ld (the cave) leads to qualities which are the antithesis of goodness, namely hatred. I believe that drawing parallels between Winesburg, Ohio and the "Allegory of the Cave" helps provide insight into how the human race has wrestled with the problem of finding ways to act upon the higher ideals that reside in the character of mankind. Perhaps realizing that Man has contemplated this problem for thousands upon thousands of years, from the time of the ancient Greeks through the early twentieth century to the present, can assist human civilization to see the higher plane of existence, which Plato says is the "author of all things beautiful and right." Works Cited: Anderson, Sherwood. Winesburg, Ohio. New York, NY: Penguin Books Ltd., 1993. Plato. Allegory of the Cave. in The Norton Reader. Linda H. Peterson et al., eds. New York: W. W. Norton, 2000.

Copyright From a Computer Perspective :: Copyright Art Protection Papers

Copyright From a Computer Perspective Copyright, is one of nine Muses that inspires authors in modern society during the creative process. Copyright is a category of intellectual property, and the main idea behind intellectual property is to encourage creation, by ensuring authors with recognition of original works as their own. Copyright protects original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression by giving authors exclusive right to copy, distribute, and to create derivative works. Copyright and art usually go hand to hand, almost anything that we can be copyrighted can be fit into an art category. For example, songs and novel figure into the art of writing, dances can be classified under performing arts, and paintings and sculptures are art works. So, how does software fit into copyright? Or does it fit at all? Software are computer programs, and society does not think of computer programs as art, or creative. So what does the law say about copyright and software? In addition to copyright rights specified, by statutes and constitution, common-law is also a source of copyright protection. Common-law is the body of law derived from judicial decisions and opinions1. So what does common-law copyright say about software? In order to answer these questions we are going to divide software into smaller elements and discuss how each of them is protected by copyright. For the purpose of this analysis, software will be divided into software, code and algorithms. Software refers to the product itself, code refers to the computer instructions, or program the software was created from, and algorithms refer to the algorithms used in the program. The process will address issues such as where copyright comes from, what the law is, some of the most important cases dealing with these laws, as well as th e issues surrounding them and the courts' decisions. Finally from this analysis, we will be able to derive to what extent does copyright actually protects software. The states where the first to provide copyright laws, until in 1790 the first Copyright Act became law. "An author may gain sole right and liberty of printing, reprinting, publishing and vending a map, chart, book, or books for fourteen years, ..." Wheaton V. Peters, involving two reporters of the Supreme Court, was the first landmark decision in 18342.

Lebron v Kobe

People are always looking forward to basketball season. There are many good players in the league. I think that the two best players are Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. Both players perform excellent on the court. Although the players play well, they are totally different athletes. The attitudes, skills, and passion for the game are expressed in different ways. Although, Lebron James is young in the league of NBA basketball, he has the ability to shutdown most all-star veterans. Lebron’s attitude towards basketball hasn’t changed a bit from his high school career. Even though he is in the pros, his mentality is still teamwork. In a game like basketball you can’t do everything by yourself. Many may think he is a one man team or a ball hog but, his attitude towards the game makes himself stand out. On the other hand, Kobe Bryant has had a few more years of experience than Lebron James. In the beginning of his basketball career his attitude was similar to that of Lebron James’ current one. After a couple of years of playing with the same team and winning a variety of championships, his outlook on the sport began to change. Many in which caused controversy with his fellow former teammate Shaquille O’Neal. Lebron James has very exceptional skills in the level that he plays at. Not only did he get drafted directly out of high school but, he is one of the top players that are recognized when one mentions basketball. James has led his team to consecutive playoff appearances from 2006 through 2009. On offense, Lebron is known for using his size, strength, and quickness to get past offenders. His skills have led to many comparisons to NBA legends like Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, and Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant is considered one of the most complete players in NBA history. Kobe has the ability to create shots for himself and is an effective outside shooter. Aside from this, he is a standout defender, having made the All-Defensive first and second team nine of the last ten seasons. The passion each individual has for the game of basketball is different from one another. Lebron James’ perspective on basketball is it’s â€Å"More Than a Game†. Basketball to him is more like a lifestyle in other words. The teamwork he and his teammates show on the court create a sense of brotherhood. Lebron knows that its not all about him because the game of basketball is a team sport. Kobe Bryant’s passion for the game is different. He started playing the sport at the age of 3 years old. Kobe’s father was in the NBA when he was young and had a big influence on him. On the court, he knows it’s a job to be done and he dominates on a regular basis. There are many similarities between Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. In contrast, there are many differences as well. Each individual has a certain way they present their selves on and off the court. One thing for sure, professional basketball would not be the same without them.

The Theory of Michelangelo’s Architecture

Michelangelo’s architecture was revolutionary to say the least when observed against the backdrop of the then accepted norms in architecture and arts in general. During his time, architects usually think of architecture and arts in universal terms as seeing the works per se as composed of mathematical numbers (measurements) or geometry. Artists of the Renaissance period expressed their arts in more commonly in abstract forms. Michelangelo, on the other hand, feels, sees, and would interact with his art as though it is an animated thing (p 38). Indeed, it is enlightening to approach a structural design through the lenses of such a genius as the Master. It is important to get enough acquaintance with the anatomy of the whole thing. For Michelangelo, the building is not just a building, but like the human body, it lives and breathes; therefore he could look at a structure and see every part of it as having its unique and special function – as nose, eyes, arms, and other parts of the body have their own special purposes for the proper functioning of the whole physique to the full benefit of the man. While the writers of medieval times would draw their ideas of architectural outline from the human anatomy, most of them do not conceive of the body as a life form. When drawing from the human body any architectural ideas, the assumed perception is that the body is a miniature of the universe with all its parts functioning in perfect harmony. This perfect synchronization though, according to the prevailing notions of the artists of those days, could not be achieved practically since – according to them – it was only an ideal and therefore could not be possibly realized in actuality. Hence, the use of numbers and measurements – in short, geometrical approach. For example, one can just look at the available models, such as those crafted by Francisco Di Giorgio (ideal church plan p. 39), and Cesariano (the Vitruvian Figure, 1521 p 40). The said models, as can be observed, are both replicas of the human body. These architectural designs were common in medieval period. Michelangelo’s attitude was somewhat off tangent when compared to his peers. Indeed, he was different and was very free in terms of his individuality, especially as it was applied to his works. Whereas his contemporaries have chosen to settle for the perfections of mathematical figures/measurements, Michelangelo argued for (as attested in his works) the â€Å"motions† and the â€Å"emotions. For Michelangelo, everything from the observer to the object – including the vast backdrop of the surroundings – are all interconnected, that when an artist sets himself to plan a building, he should consider the presumed interplay between the object (the architectural design of the building), its backdrop (the environment), and the observer. Remember, the structural design for Michelangelo was a dynamic thing which exerts its influence to the observers.

A Permanent Death †Capital Punishment

There are five basic reasons that society uses when imposing punishment that Ive been able to conclude from my readings. I will discuss these societal concepts and show that the death penalty does not serve to further them. As a result William Smith should not be subject to the death penalty and in fact the same should be abolished from our system of punishment. Plagiarism Detection >Deterrence Deterrence is basically defined as the punishment should fit the crime. Under this concept, the individual committing the crime and society are prevented from committing this action again. In the case of the death penalty, an individual kills another human and he is punished for it by death. Punishment is supposed to be a temporary penalization for a wrongful action. Death is far from temporary. One is to learn from ones mistakes. How can the person learn if they are paying for their mistake with their life? In Ernest van den Haags article, The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense he states, The dea th penalty is our harshest punishment. It is irrevocable: it ends the existence of those punished, instead of temporarily imprisoning them. (Haag, 251). By imposing the death penalty the individual does not learn from their mistakes and neither does society.Economy Under this concept, punishment should be economical. As Haag points out, the monetary cost of appealing a capital sentence is excessive. (Haag, 253). Further, actual monetary costs are trumped by the importance of doing justice. (Haag, 253). Additionally there are specific costs associated with keeping an inmate on death row, (i.e. the cost of the specially built prison blocks, the need for maximum security, etc.) and more. These costs clearly out weigh the regular costs incurred to house a regular inmate. Deterrence is clearly not served by imposing the death penalty and society aims for justice are thwarted.Restitution Society demands that the punishment should fix the harm it has done. By sentencing a person to death n o harm has been fixed. You can not bring the murdered person back by taking the prisoners life. Punishment-regardless of the motivation is not intended to revenge, offset, or compensate for the victims suffering or to be measured by it. (Haag, 253).Retribution The community demands that justice be served. Would justice not equally be served and in fact may be better served by life imprisonment? I believe it would be a worse punishment to endure a life sentence in prison. The individual is deprived of his liberty. He will then suffer and live the rest of his or her life within three lonely walls and a set of bars. It gives the individual time to think and wallow in his own guilt.Someone kills another. The State then proceeds to kill him for doing so. This is not punishment but revenge. Revenge is inconsistent with societys demands that justice be served because the punishment has to fit the crime. Justice Brennan has insisted that the death penalty is uncivilized, inhuman, inconsist ent with human dignity and with the dignity of life. (Haag, 254). Brennan speaks of moral imperatives. It is morally wrong for someone to kill someone. If so, then the state is committing a morally wrongful act. As they say, two wrongs dont make a right.Rehabilitation Society desires for its members to reintegrate themselves into society. Punishment includes preparing the person to reenter society and lead a productive life. Without doubt, if you impose the death penalty there is no opportunity for rehabilitation.Overview of the William Alvin Smith case William Alvin Smith robbed and killed the owner of a grocery store in Georgia when he was 20 years old. He turned himself to the police and signed a confession. The local jury condemned Smith to the electric chair but a federal judge ordered a new sentencing hearing for Smith on the grounds that he lacked the ability to understand the significance of waiving his rights to remain silent and to have an attorney present. Smith has the m ental capacity of a ten-year-old.Analysis of the William Alvin Smith Case in Relation to Societys Expectations of Punishment William Smith stands before you guilty but guilty of what? That is the question. I propose to you that the only thing we can condemn William Smith for is being guilty of being a child and acting the way a child would. Let us examine his actions. William Smith in whatever state of mind he was at the time he committed this act fully acknowledged that he did in fact do something wrong. I propose that he did that in exactly the manner that a child would go to a parent and admit their wrongdoing in order to obtain the parents forgiveness or perhaps their help.The State now stands in the role of parent in this case. Let us examine the position the State has taken when dealing with children that have committed violent crimes. I have but one question to ask: Do we kill our children? Let me give you a recent example the teenage girl in New Jersey who knowingly and pre meditatedly murdered her newborn baby at the prom and then went back to the prom dance. Another case comes to mind of the teenagers who conspired and did murder the girlfriends competition. An even better example would be the rash of murders committed in the nation by children in schools. In all these cases these children knowingly committed the heinous crime of murder.Once again I ask you: Do we kill our children? Has the State, exercising its discretion decided to impose the death penalty on any child? In every single case that I have just cited, these children have not been condemned to murder but their ability to comprehend the seriousness of their actions and other factors related to their youth have been taken into account. All have been sentenced to prison terms to be served in a youth facility.Another legal fact comes to mind in that some teenagers that have committed murders have petitioned the Court to treat the minor as an adult. The law allows a juvenile to be treated as an adult if it is determined that the juvenile in fact is a juvenile in age only yet has the mental capacity of an adult and should be treated like one. It stands to reason that there is room in the law for the inverse to apply. Plagiarism Detection >Why should this man die? He can not think, act or feel like a normal 20 year-old man. In this case, we have a situation of a person who has been adjudicated to have the mental capacity of a ten-year-old. How can we then shut our eyes to this basic fact of William Smiths mental capacity and just look at age as the overriding factor to consider when punishing him for his crime?Society demands that the punishment fit the crime. I have outlined above what society expects from punishment and the punishment that the State decides to give out to children in these matters. On both accounts it is clear that society is not served. Can you examine your conscience and decide to give a child, maybe your child, the death penalty? If so, go ahead and sentence William Smith to death and in doing so, thats exactly what you will be doing. You will be deciding lets kill our children.

Eithics reflection paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Eithics reflection - Research Paper Example This goes to prove that people always care about their own than that of others when these two choices conflict, and people also always tend to be concerned not with their own greatest good but with the pursuit of something that they know or believe to be to their own detriment. While relativism is the philosophy that denies absolutes of either validity or of truth, while claiming that all things are relative and subjective depending on consideration and perception (Kreeft 28), there are no absolutes anywhere in reality. For example, religious relativism states that there is no absolute religion, no absolute truest or best religious relationship with the Absolute Being. While as metaphysical relativism states that there is no Absolute Being, God and no absolute anywhere in reality (Kreef 28). On the other hand, utilitarian ethics is the discipline that asserts that the moral worth of an action is only dependable by its contribution to the overall utility. This means that the end justi fies the means (mill vii). Some philosophers hold the view that at times, the illegality of an action makes it morally wrong, even if the action would otherwise have been morally acceptable.

Business Appraisal in Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Business Appraisal in Decision Making - Essay Example This report will focus on advising NENE Limited based on the calculation results from various case scenarios to help the management will inform decision making on project choice and well as costing methods to choose. Projected cash flows represent the forecasted movement of cash within a given project. The higher the cash flow, the more preferable the project is since it lets in more cash (Kousenidis, et al., 2006). Alpha has a cash flow of 105,000 pounds while it is projected that Beta will have a cash flow of 83,000 pounds by the end of the project’s life. Alpha will make a better project for NENE than Beta if implemented. On the basis of payback period, a project that can repay its initial invested amount faster enables the owners to begin collecting profits early (Avery, et al., 2011). Such a project is usually chosen when there is one another one with a longer payback period. Alpha project will repay its initial invested amount within 2.8 years. While Beta project will repay after within 3.1 years. Alpha will repay earlier than Beta, therefore, NENE Limited should choose Alpha project. The criteria for using Accounting Rate of Return is that the higher the rate, the more efficient the project. The rate shows the rate at which the project will give back its returns (Kapler, 2000). A project that gives back its returns at a higher rate is most preferred. Alpha project has an ARR of 29.4% while Beta project has ARR of only 1.6%. It is clear that Alpha will give higher returns faster than Beta. The management should, therefore, choose Alpha project. When using the Net Present Value, it is advisable that the project with a positive NPV be accepted (Feinstein & Lander, 2002). NPV shows the forecasted present value of the project by the time of its completion (Shrieves & Wachowicz, 2001). A positive NPV, therefore, shows that the project will achieve a profit. A project with a higher NPV is more preferred since it increases the shareholders’ income. Alpha project has an ARR of 29.4% while Beta project has ARR of only 1.6%.