The theory of knowledge Essay Example For Students

The theory of knowledge Essay Here, we are not able to get truth when we interpret what our senses are telling us due to outside influences. In conclusion, we use our senses all the time, whether we are aware of it or not. We can use or senses and gain truth from the data that our senses give us in scientific experiments, and historical events. Furthermore, they are useful during everyday actions and decisions. A person with absent senses uses their remaining and better senses more consciously and actively in order to get to the truth. But contrastingly a mentally ill or healthy person can have their senses intact but read their senses wrongly and truth is then not given. We will write a custom essay on The theory of knowledge specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The societies norms or common truths, can delude our senses of gaining truth, because of misjudgement. So ultimately our senses, hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting and touching are useful at certain contexts at attaining the truth but do not give or withhold truth from us because it is what we make of what our senses that gives us truth. Words: 1569 Bibliography Fitzgerald, Adrial. Unrestricted Yearning: A Compendium of Philosophy Based on the Works of Bernard Lonergan. 6 November 2006. 12 June 2008 http://unrestrictedyearning. blogspot. com/ . IMDb Inc. IMDb- The Internet Movie Database. 2008. 12 June 2008 http://www. imdb. com/title/tt0443274/ . Lonergan, Bernard. Lonergans Theory of the Criteria of Knowing (Epistemology) (Notes from Mr. Fitzgerald). n. d. Trubin, Julian. Following the Path of Discovery. September 2007. 12 June 2008 http://www. juliantrubin. com/bigten/galileofallingbodies. html . 1 Meaning is what we bring our attention to in our conscious- intentional acts. Meaning may be intelligent or unintelligent, reasonable or unreasonable, responsible or irresponsible. 2 Discursive means that we must know everything about the situation to find an answer. 3 Conscious act: an intentional action derived from our own performance where we have put our direct awareness/focus to it. 4 People who listen to soft- core punk that integrates from depressed melodramatic angst-full teens.

Free Essays on Ethics In Decision Making

Ethics in Decision Making The decision making processes that people go through in their lives can have many different influences. One of the more important influences in the decision making process is the ethics involved in a decision. This begs the question, â€Å"What are ethics?† One definition of ethics could be a structured set of guidelines for personal and professional behavior (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000). Another definition could be the study of the moral choices people make, and what drives these choices (Houghton Mifflin Company). Regardless, not all decisions carry a significant ethical weight. It is important to recognize the decisions that do have ethical questions attached to them and to weigh the decision against an ethical standard. Ethics can have gray areas and vary from one culture to culture, or even from one person to the next. One person may decide it is ethical to sell a car â€Å"as is†, knowing the car needs expensive servicing or repairs. This person may suppose that the buyer should read into the â€Å"as is† tag and understand the inherent risks associated. This ethical standard could shock someone else who might think it the worst sort of deception. The key is to reflect on the values of the society in which you live, and the personal moral code that one lives by. In a society such as mainstream America, the above sale would be legal and even ethical in most jurisdictions. Ethical standards are particularly applicable to business and professions, and as such are largely constructions of laws. Despite the legality of the aforementioned car sale, such an act would likely be viewed unfavorably by the majority of people in American society. As such, any person who chose to try and make a living selling cars must understand that while the sale was legal, society will not tolerate this and act decisively. People would eventually choose not to buy cars from that person. They would tell their fri... Free Essays on Ethics In Decision Making Free Essays on Ethics In Decision Making Ethics in Decision Making The decision making processes that people go through in their lives can have many different influences. One of the more important influences in the decision making process is the ethics involved in a decision. This begs the question, â€Å"What are ethics?† One definition of ethics could be a structured set of guidelines for personal and professional behavior (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000). Another definition could be the study of the moral choices people make, and what drives these choices (Houghton Mifflin Company). Regardless, not all decisions carry a significant ethical weight. It is important to recognize the decisions that do have ethical questions attached to them and to weigh the decision against an ethical standard. Ethics can have gray areas and vary from one culture to culture, or even from one person to the next. One person may decide it is ethical to sell a car â€Å"as is†, knowing the car needs expensive servicing or repairs. This person may suppose that the buyer should read into the â€Å"as is† tag and understand the inherent risks associated. This ethical standard could shock someone else who might think it the worst sort of deception. The key is to reflect on the values of the society in which you live, and the personal moral code that one lives by. In a society such as mainstream America, the above sale would be legal and even ethical in most jurisdictions. Ethical standards are particularly applicable to business and professions, and as such are largely constructions of laws. Despite the legality of the aforementioned car sale, such an act would likely be viewed unfavorably by the majority of people in American society. As such, any person who chose to try and make a living selling cars must understand that while the sale was legal, society will not tolerate this and act decisively. People would eventually choose not to buy cars from that person. They would tell their fri...

This is a discussion Question Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

This is a discussion Question - Research Paper Example First and foremost, examine the strengths and weaknesses of Evidence Based care Practices. The use of self-assessment such as that experimented by Gale (2009), can assist to identify business strengths and barriers in developing Evidence Based Practice efforts. Additionally, educating and training should be enacted since the two ways can add knowledge and reinforce practitioners’ viewpoint about the advantages of Evidence Based Practice as explained by Varnell, 2008. Clinicians may panic that they will seem to be deficient of proficiency, and familiarity will provide them self-assurance in shaping an evidence foundation for their practice. Furthermore, fashioning an atmosphere that encourages curious approach about medical care serves as a good strategy. The strategy can be attained through finding opportunities for finest practices and questioning existing practice. Moreover, it can be fulfilled by building a custom in which Evidence Based Practice is esteemed, assisted and anticipated. Regardless of the hindrances encountered in executing evidence-based practice in scientific practice, it is essential to form systems and procedures that decrease these limitations. In spite of the structures within which the clinician practices, there is a logical move toward discovering and documenting the preeminent potential evidence for practice. The procedure involves defining a problem, for example, a clinical problem. Followed by identification and appraisal of the significant probable evidence, and sketching conclusions regarding best

Differences between War Crimes, Acts of Genocide and Crimes against Essay

Differences between War Crimes, Acts of Genocide and Crimes against Humanity - Essay Example In order to successfully offer a distinction it is important to identify what each means in international law. It is important to note that Crimes against Humanity to be precise are largely vague by definition in many legally authoritative commentaries (Trahan & Human Rights Watch, 2006). Acts of Genocide on the other hand are clear in many statutes while the former has many interpretations depending on which statute one is referring to. This can be attributed to their history and how each developed as an internationally recognised offense. Acts of Genocide and Crimes against Humanity emanated primarily from the Nuremberg trials where they were utilised as synonyms. It is important to note that these crimes had their roots after the World War II when the international community wanted the Nazi regime in Germany to be held accountable for the atrocities it had committed during the war. Discussions were held by the United Nations from 1947 to 1948 before the adoption of a definition of genocide. Crimes against Humanity are criminal conducts towards civilians or distinct groups of people for example murder, enslavement, sexual violence among other inhumane acts regardless of whether the state in question was at war and regardless whether the acts were against that state’s laws at the time of committal. These crimes can be committed by anyone ranging from state officials to individuals towards their own nationals or foreigners. Genocide on the other hand has a smaller definition which is an act perpetrated by state nationals or individuals with the intention to destroy a religious, national, racial or ethnic group irrespective of whether the state is at peace or at war (Schabas, 2000; Boot, 2002). War Crimes on the other hand are acts perpetrated at the time of armed conflict which are against international laws governing the rule of law. These acts include mistreatment of civilian populations and people exploitation through torture or executions. War Crimes have been around for a longer period than genocide or Crimes against Humanity. Many civilisations around the world have had their share of controls that governed their warfare. In China for example, those at war were strictly forbidden to strike an elderly enemy fighter or further harm an injured enemy or opponent. Further restrictions were in regards to treatment of captives or prisoners of war. They were to be well treated so as to be used later for the captors benefit. Some of these rules contributed to the definitions stipulated above under the international law. It should also be noted that defining War Crimes has been a problem especially when instilling punishment (Schabas, 2008). It is a fact that in war solders are instructed or even ordered to kill with methods of doing so having some restrictions. Some contradictions often arise in determining War Crimes circumstances for example where a soldier kills their victims during war and are punished for it. Another is where pla nes engage in mass bombing of cities killing many innocent lives and no one is held accountable for it. These and more are some of the dilemmas that challenge the implementation of international law in various nations. The notion of Crimes against Humanity As earlier mentioned, Crimes against Humanity are rarely defined in many authoritative commentaries. The Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia and that of Rwanda brought to the fore the graveness of lack of definite meanings for the Crimes against Humanity (Meron, 1994; Akhavan, 1996). The reason for this was that the statutes establishing these tribunals

Homeostasis Of Skeletal And Muscular Systems

Homeostasis Of Skeletal And Muscular Systems Living cells of plants and animals are only able to survive under a narrow range of certain conditions that include nutrient availability, pH concentration, temperature, ion concentration among other factors. The human body, usually called inner environment has to time and again adapt to the outside environment which is ever experiencing weather changes and great climate diversification that occurs from one hour to another, one day to another day and from one season to another. It is in this respect that human beings have to device physiological mechanisms in order to survive because any inability by the human body to adjust to these changes leads to either diseases or to death. Human beings for example can only survive under a narrow range of pH values of 7.35 and 7.45.Any value below these results to a situation called acidosis whereas any excess of this causes a situation called alkalosis. It is of paramount importance to note that either condition is as life threatening as the ot her. Likewise, the normal body temperature of 37.2 to 37.7 degrees Celsius has to be equally maintained to ensure survival of a living organism. Any deviation from these results to a condition called hypothermia (if the core body temperature goes below 33 degrees Celsius or 91 degrees Fahrenheit) or hyperthermia (if the core body temperature goes above 42 degrees Celsius or 108 degrees Fahrenheit) This is done through the process called Homeostasis. Homeostasis is the tendency of a system of a living organism, either closed or open, to regulate an internal environment while maintaining a constant and stable condition. Homeostasis is made possible through multiple dynamic equilibrium adjustment and regulation mechanism and not a stable equilibrium as such. This is because internal body conditions are never absolutely stable but varies within a narrow range of average commonly referred to as set point. Several body systems are involved in the process of homeostatic regulation. The Nervous system is in charge of controlling other body parts by sending an electrochemical signal to the brain whenever there is any change from optimum levels. The brain then corresponds by sending the required stimulus to the respective body organ. The Circulatory system, made up of arteries and veins, maintains this balance through the circulation of blood to all other body parts. Through capillaries , an exchange of nutrients in each cell is initiated. This system also enhances the transportation of toxic excretory wastes and other liquid material to the excretory organs. Through lymphatic vessels, the Lymphatic system is involved in homeostasis by collecting excess tissue fluids and taking them back to the veins. The Endocrine system, the main regulator of this process of homeostasis, on the other hand contains hormones (chemical messengers) that keeps circulating throughout the blood stream and acts on the respective target organs. As much as the Endocrine system cannot work without coordinating with the Nervous system, its effects as long lasting even thou they are slow. The process of Homeostatic regulation takes place under a mechanism called feedback. This feedback can either be negative-to ensure stability or positive-to enhance a rapid change. A negative mechanism loop is where a body senses a change in the internal environment and activates methods to negate, reverse or counter that change. A very relevant example of negative mechanism is the process of temperature regulation. A rise in blood temperatures is sensed by specialized neurons located in the hypothalamus found in the brain. This is then signaled to other nerve centers which in turn relay them to the blood vessels of the skin. The dilation of the blood vessels pushes the blood to flow closer to the body surface and excess heat is radiated from the body. If this does not cool the body back to the set point, sweating is activated by the brain. A strong cooling effect is thus felt on the skin due to evaporation of sweat. In the event that the body temperatures fall too low, the same hypo thalamus senses this and signals this to the cutaneous arteries (that supply the skin with blood) to perform an action called constriction. Deeper retention of warm blood in the body is initiated thus less heat is lost from the body surface. If this effect is inadequate, the brain likewise activities the act of shivering and in the course of shivering, each muscle tremor releases heat energy to return the body back to the set point of 37 degrees Celsius. The second mechanism of homeostasis, a counterpart to the negative feedback loop is that of positive feedback and rapid change. In this positive feedback loop mechanism, once the body is able to sense a change, it activates a mechanism to either accelerate or increase that change. As much as this mechanism aids in homeostasis, it mostly produces opposite results and can be life threatening or fatal. A good example of a beneficial positive feedback is exhibited in the process of blood clotting where an enzyme that is used to form the matrix of blood clot thrombin in the complex biochemical pathway is catalyzed thus the process is speeded up. Another beneficial positive feedback is seen in the process of childbirth where the secretion of hormone oxytocin is triggered by the stretching of uterus and this enhances uterine contraction that speeds up labor. Similarly, a beneficial positive feedback is experienced in the process of protein digestion where secretion of hydrochloric acid and enzyme pepsin is initiated by the presence of partially digested protein particles that once digestion begins, it becomes a process that is self-accelerating. However, this mechanism has more harmful and more potential fatal consequences that often results to rapid loss of internal stability. The death of a small area of a heart tissue for example triggers myocardial infarction, a kind of heart attack, because the heart is not able to pump an adequate amount of blood hence the heart itself is deprived of blood and more tissues begins to die. In many cases, this leads to rapid cardiac mal-functioning leading to death. It is therefore important to bear in mind that many deaths that occur are as a result of positive feedback loop. However both the skeletal and the muscular systems work hand in hand in the process of homeostatic regulation in a combined system otherwise known as the muscular skeletal system or rather musculoskeletal system. This system consists of the bones and joints- skeletal system and voluntary or striated muscles-skeletal muscle system. Skeletal muscle fibers contain numerous nucleuses on each cell and the cell nuclei are found beneath the plasma membrane of the skin. Both the skeletal and the muscular systems work together in the process of performing basic and essential functions necessary for life that includes protection (of the brain and other internal organs), supportive services of maintaining an upright posture, blood cell formation in a process called hematopoesis, storage of minerals and fats among other minor duties like leverage that involves magnifying movement or force speed. Musculoskeletal system comprises of five major tissues that include bones, tendons, ligaments cartila ge and skeletal muscles. The ligaments are the tissues on which one bone is attached to another bone. Cartilages are protective and gel-like substances that line interveterbral discs and joints while tendons usually attach muscles to bones. Each of these tissues has four connective blocks that build tissues. They include fibroblasts, collagen, elastic fibers and proteoglycans. Fibroblasts are the mother of all these other connective tissues as it is the one that produces them. Collagens are the principal proteins that are long and thin and are organized into various intertwining fibers to form strong ones that do not stretch. Elastic fibers are found in the walls of arteries whereas proteoglycans are ground substances normally called matrix in which the other connective tissues reside. This combination of functions by both the muscular and skeletal happens mostly when there is a change in both the body pH and the central venous pressure. Active body muscles usually respire and in the process carbon dioxide is produced. The carbon dioxide that is produced dissociates in the blood to produce both hydrogen and carbon ions which have an impact of lowering this pH. Once there is such a decrease in the pH, the chemoreceptors that are centrally located in the brain detect this and induce respiration that accelerates expulsion of the carbon dioxide gas thus maintaining the internal body temperature. The second way in which muscular skeletal homeostasis in the body is evident happens during exercise. Here, more blood is diverted into body muscles as a result of relaxation of arterioles hence a considerable decrease in the volume of blood flowing to the heart. This brings about an impact in the central venous pressure. In order to correct this defect and bring about homeosta sis, the aortic and carotid barroreceptors via the cranial nerves detects this and relays this information in the cardiovascular (medulla) part of the brain. This then lowers the action potential rate in the brain thereby increasing and decreasing the sympathetic and the parasympathetic outputs respectively. The overall result is an increase in not only the inotropy (heart rate) and chronotropy (contractility) but also in vasoconstriction and total peripheral resistance (blood pressure).

Budget Management Anylasis Essay

The first step in cost-variance analysis is developing a budget; this is an assumption of all cost in the hospital (Miller & Ryan, 1995). The second step is to collect information on accurate cost accounting (Miller & Ryan, 1995). It can be challenging for healthcare organizations to develop a budget or cost-variance analysis because of the complexity of the healthcare economy. Using the hospital of phoenix budgeted costs were compared to actual utilization. Several variances exist in all categories. Developing an accurate budget is one strategy to manage a budget within the forecast. Collected data and accounting resources can help management to formulate an accurate budget. Other strategies can come from surveying all parts of the hospital to get the opinions of staff in all areas on how to keep costs in budget or simply minimize cost. The involvement of all staff will create an urgency for budget compliance and involvement will make employees feel as though the task is more personal. Benchmarking progress through out the year is important. Changes and evaluations can be made to areas that are not with in the targeted budget. This will help by making changes before the variance becomes any higher and may decrease the overall variance. The budget report showed variance overage among; inpatient revenue, outpatient revenue, office supplies, purchased services, equipment maintenance & repair, depreciation expense, and operating margin before contractuals. The inpatient and out patient revenue had variances that were over the projected budget. However, as a result of the decrease in patient  services the operational expenses of salaries, benefits, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals were reported under the projected budget amount. The decrease in patient services could have been for a number of reasons. Repairs and maintenance on equipment was under budgeted for. Lack of functioning equipment may have been one reason for the decrease in patient services. If needed equipment is not available a patient must be sent to a facility with the proper equipment and services. This takes away from the hospitals revenue as well as its statistics. To determine other reason why there was a decline in patient revenue would require more information. The overage of money spent on office supplies cannot be accounted for. There was a lower than expected patient load therefore the cost for office supplies should have been lower than expect as the medical supplies proved to be. There needs to be a unit based investigation to see where the additional expenses on office supplies are coming from. To improve the variance with in the predicted budget and the actual spending benchmarking should be used. There are three approaches to benchmarking; competitive, cooperative, and collaborative (Finkler, 2007). Competitive benchmarking would find specific information about individual areas. This would be a good way to track supply usage and also staffing on individual units or areas of the hospital. Cooperative benchmarking is a process in which information from other organizations is used to improve this hospitals budget (Finkler, 2007). This could help the hospital improve the overall budget analysis and plan ways to save within the facility. The third benchmarking approach is collaborative benchmarking which refers to finding information in particular areas of the hospital and using it to benefit all areas of the organization (Finkler, 2007). Information from the pharmaceuticals area could be used to improve other areas such as the variance with office supplies. Reference: Finkler, S. (2007). Financial Management for Nurse Managers and Executives (3rd ed.). Saunders Elsevier Inc. St. Louis, MO. Retrieved on February 29, 2013 from: University of Phoenix Materials. Miller, T. R., & Ryan, J. B. (1995). Analyzing cost variance in capitated contracts. Healthcare Financail Management, 49(2), 22-3. Retrived from http://search.proquest.com/docview/196372371?accountid=35812 Nelson, B. (1994). Improving cash flow through benchmarking. Healthcare Financial Management, 48(9), 74-8. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/196364264?accountid=35812

Economic Developments Essay

The current system of the world economy has emerged as a result of the historical trends and economic developments that occurred in the past particularly during the periods of World War I, World War II and the Cold War. To a significant extent, the current world order and the capitalist and industrial prosperity that is being experienced today are products of historical economic developments. This paper examines the economic developments from 1913 to the present including the history of self-determination in the world economy in relation to the current world economy. Consequently, the role of the United States from being an isolationist to an economic hegemon is analyzed. Economic Developments from 1913-Present The period from Post World War I up to the present can be considered to be a see-saw of economic prosperity and economic crises for most countries. For countries like the United States the war had brought about economic development but it also caused the economic downturn for countries like France and Germany. Capitalism began to ensue and trading had been more active. Hence, the period from 1920-1929 signaled the massive economic progress in the world economy- industries were established and the percentage of industries to agriculture rose. After this massive growth however, the unemployment rate and poverty that ensued from the period of 1929-1941 had led to the Great Depression- interest rates were high, hyperinflation ensued and the rise in debt had led to stock market collapse. The world economy had experienced a systemic recession leading the collapse of markets worldwide. In this era, the GDP and GNP of nations dropped and poverty ensued as world trade had been inactive. After the Great Depression, the World War II had created another economic era- post World War II had been considered to be a golden era for capitalism worldwide. This is because of the rapid rise in industries, the technological advancement, the prospering and stabilization of world trade, domestic and international institutions had been established in order to facilitate the world economy. Consequently, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank and the IMF were established in order to aid countries needing economic lift in order to aid in their industrialization. Backed by capitalism and foreign direct investments, this era can be considered the time when the world economy had boomed. However, after this period the time between 1970s-1980s, inflation and interest rates grew up and the fixed interest rates were deregulated in order to let the world economy repair itself. This era had however, contributed in terms of the massive plan to reorganize domestic economies through fiscal policies. The post Cold War on the other hand, marked the era when the US became the sole hegemon after the downfall of Russia. Before the Cold War, democratic countries can only trade with democratic countries and communist countries are only limited to trade with communist countries- the downfall of Russia opened the doors for all countries to be participants in the world economy. Hence, during the period of 1990 and up to the present times, despite some economic fluctuations, the world economy can be considered as stable and progressive. While there are ups and downs, the stability of the world economy in the present times cannot easily succumb to another depression. Self-Determination and in the World Economy Self-determination started after the World War I as a result of the Treaty of Versailles- it declared that the sovereignty of the states should take charge of the whole population. World War I led to the breakup of the Hapsburg and Ottoman empires and the birth of a new generation of nation-states. At Versailles, U. S. President Woodrow Wilson’s famous Fourteen Points–the fifth of which declared that sovereignty should take full account of the interests of the populations concerned–formed the basis for the treaty ending the war. After World Wars One and Two, self-determination inspired the demolition of empires and the formation of new sovereign states; the concept being thus extended in the 1940s and 1950s to apply in the context of the decolonisation process. In the 1960s and 1970s, the principle of self-determination clashes with the principle of territorial integrity and global leaders are increasingly seeing this angle to the problem. In fact, even the UN resolution 1514 adopted in 1960 which elevated the status of self-determination, had also emphasized territorial integrity: any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of national unity and territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The international system was caught up in the contradiction and had exhibited some degree of ambivalence at least after the post-war decolonisation. It can be observed that the further extension of the principle today, as it inspires the surge of ethnic politics and threatens the break-up of the established post-colonial order. The United States as the World’s Political and Economic Hegemon The United States before World War I cannot be considered to be an economic or a political superpower, it derived its wealth from World War I from selling ammunitions and exploiting the economic opportunities caused by the war. However, in World War II, the US emerged as one of the more powerful countries not only in terms of technology but also politically and economically after surviving the Great Depression. The Post World War II established the United States from a country in the middle to that of a global hegemon. For one, post World War I saw the US to be involved in trade, the importation and exportation of goods as well as in searching for new territories to expand its power and industries. Post World War II saw the United States cementing its economic and political hegemony- it had established itself as one of the most prosperous and progressive countries not only through its GDP and GNP but also in terms of its ability to impose upon other countries. The United States during this time served as one of the economic powers together with countries in Europe, Japan and the USSR. Upon entering the Cold War, the world became a division of the US and the USSR or democracy versus communism. During this era, the United States served as an international role model for democracies as well as the patron of democratic countries. The fall of the USSR catapulted the US to its role today as a global hegemon- except for North Korea, there had been no real threat to the supremacy of democracy and hence, the United States. During this time until the present times, the United States had been a major player in sanctioning countries that do not abide by international laws and regulations as well as being a forerunner in providing foreign aids as well as regulating trade activities. To be a partner with the US would be tantamount to economic growth. The power held by the US both politically and economically can be considered to spawn countries even in Asia and Third World countries. Needless to say, the United States can be considered to be the most important international player today.