Ode to the West Wind Essay - 655 Words

Joe Olvera English 2314 Paul Kintzele 10/01/05 Wild West Wind An ode is a poem with extraordinary lyrics, aiming at loftier thought, and more complex formal structure than most lyrics. Another characteristic of an ode is that they are often addressed at something or someone. An ode is a long lyric poem, highly interested in a specific subject, tone, and style, often written to celebrate an event, person, being or power. In which in Ode to the West wind, Shelley describes the winds mighty power and fierce strength, for example in Ode to the West Wind, Shelley writes: Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere; Destroyer and preserver; hear, oh, hear!(Pg.447, lines 13 and 14). The ode provides the readers to take a ride to†¦show more content†¦All theses characteristics express the impression that the wind is an absolute and free power, which influences everything around it. Seeing the mighty influence of the wind on nature, appeals to his very own spirit so that he can also influence and change things around him. He wants t o be able to influence the world with his power such as the wind does for nature. So he calls to the wild wind to help him as if praying to it, he says: Drive my dead thoughts over the universe like withered leaves to quicken a new birth!(Pg.449, lines 63 and 64). He wants to move along the new changes in his society through this poem asking the wind to disperse his words and personal views throughout all mankind. Analyze Throughout the poem Shelley argues, how good can come from evil. For instance, Shelley supports this idea in the way he orders the sections. The first two sections contain images of violence, death, and the coming Winter: the West Wind itself; the leaves dead; the colors yellow, black, pale, and hectic red; the corpse within a grave; the angels of rain and lightning; the Maenad, and the approaching storm. In short, these first two sections describe images of evil: the West Wind brings death, cold, and hardship. The third section describes images of peace and serenity: the blue Mediterranean, summer dreams, sleep, old palaces and towers, the azure moss and flowers, and the oozy woods. These imagesShow MoreRelatedOde to the West Wind2446 Words   |  10 PagesOde to the West Wind, Shelley invokes Zephyrus, the west wind, to free his dead thoughts and words, as from an unextinguished hearth / Ashes and sparks (63, 66-67), in order to prophesy a renaissance among humanity, to quicken a new birth (64). This ode, one of a few personal lyrics published with his great verse drama, Prometheus Unbound, identifies Shelley with his heroic, tormented Titan. By stealing fire from heaven, Prometheus enabled humanity to found civilization. In punishment,Read MoreOde to the West Wind Essay1102 Words   |  5 PagesThe wind is one of the most powerful forces known to man. It can do things that man has been envious of and also terrified of throughout the centuries. It is no wonder why Shelley decided to write a poem of praise in its name. Shelley writes this poem with the speaker being a poet himself frustrated that he can not tell the world the things that he feels the world needs to know. Throughout the poem he continually is describing what the wind can do and what he wishes the wind could do for him. ItRead More Ode To The West Wind Essay1549 Words   |  7 Pages Theme :- Inspiration in amp;#8220;Ode to the West Wind; amp;#8220;When composition begins, inspiration is already on the decline; - P. B. Shelley nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Shelley deals with the theme of inspiration in much of his work. However it is particularly apparent in amp;#8216;Ode to the West Windamp;#8217; where the wind is the source of his creativity. The cycles of death and rebirth are examined in an historical context with reference to The Bible. The word inspiration hasRead MoreOde to the West Wind Explication Percy Bysse Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind is a dramatization of600 Words   |  3 PagesOde to the West Wind Explication Percy Bysse Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind is a dramatization of man’s useless and â€Å"dead thoughts† (63) and Shelley’s desire from the Autumn wind to drive these â€Å"over the universe† (65) so that not only he but man can start anew. The thoughts are first compared to the leaves of trees but as the poem progresses the thoughts are paralleled with the clouds and finally the â€Å"sapless foliage of the ocean† (40). Shelley personifies himself with the seasons of the Earth andRead MoreImagery in Ode to the West Wind by P.B.Shelley1300 Words   |  6 PagesNilanjan Dutt Imagery in Shelley’s Ode To The West Wind Ode to the West Wind is a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley that shows the correspondence between the inner and the outer world of the poet. It is among his famous poems. The major theme of the poem is the poet’s intention to become a force that may bring the change and rejuvenation in man’s life. This theme is metaphorically shown by the rejuvenation of nature through the west wind as an agent. It is described through his excellent useRead MoreOde to the West Wind by Percy Shelley801 Words   |  3 PagesPhilosophical Poem. Shelley was in love with Goodwill and Mary Wollstonecraft’s daughter, Mary, and in 1814 they eloped to Europe. He was one of the epic poets of the 19th century. He the best known for classic anthology verse works such as Ode to the West Wind and The Masque of Anarchy (Shelley, Percy www.dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist). Percy was in a relationship with Harriet. Percy and Harriet had two children, daughter Elizabeth Lanthe born in (1813-1876) and son Charles born in 1814. Percy madeRead More An Analysis of Ode to the West Wind Essay1353 Words   |  6 PagesAn Analysis of Ode to the West Wind Shelleys Ode to the West Wind appears more complex at first than it really is because the poem is structured much like a long, complex sentence in which the main clause does not appear until the last of five fourteen line sections. The poems main idea is held in suspension for 56 lines before the reader sees exactly what Shelley is saying to the west wind, and why hes saying it. In the first four sections Shelley addresses the west wind in three differentRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Ode Of The West Wind 1855 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"Ode to the West Wind†, using various literary devices, proposes the question: How does the speaker, or Percy Shelley, perceive the west wind and what relationship does Shelley wish to obtain with the west wind in order to achieve his main goal? In Shelley’s â€Å"Ode to the West Wind†, metaphors and similes, tone, and imagery reveal Shelley’s perception of the west wind as a powerful force of nature and his dire need to b ecome like the wind in order to inspire the world that surrounds him. The firstRead MoreEssay on Romanticism and Shelleys Ode to the West Wind985 Words   |  4 PagesRomanticism and Shelleys Ode to the West Wind       M.H. Abrams wrote, The Romantic period was eminently an age obsessed with fact of violent change (Revolution 659). And Percy Shelley is often thought of as the quintessential Romantic poet (Appelbaum x). The Ode to the West Wind expresses perfectly the aims and views of the Romantic period. Shelleys poem expresses the yearning for Genius. In the Romantic era, it was common to associate genius with an attendant spirit or forceRead MoreEssay on Analysis of Ode to the West Wind1129 Words   |  5 Pagespentameter in terza rima formation. The rhyming pattern follows the form aba bcb cdc ded ee. According to Shelleys note, this poem was conceived and chiefly written in a wood that skirts the Arno, near Florence, and on a day when that tempestuous wind, whose temperature is at once mild and animating, was collecting the vapours which pour down the autumnal rains. They began, as I foresaw, at sunset with a violent tempest of hail and rain, attended that magnificent thunder and lightning peculiar to

challenges faced by Indigenous People - 1251 Words

The challenges faced By Indigenous Peoples in achieving justice, are both complex and extensive. These issues stem from successive centuries of asserted colonial power, which consequently has resulted in the undermining of rights for many Indigenous communities, including the Australian Aboriginal Peoples and Maori Peoples of New Zealand. Systemic abuse of power has resulted in the gradual erosion of Indigenous culture, and as thus, rights of Indigenous communities, including Intellectual Property and Cultural Rights, have been neglected. As a result, a growing body of declarations, statements, and other developments both within governmental systems, as well as in the wider international justice arena have been received. However, many†¦show more content†¦The ineffectiveness of domestic laws in relation to intellectual property highlight the need for both Australia, and New Zealand to implement Article 31 of the UNDRIP; ....They also have the right, to maintain, control, pro tect and develop their intellectual property over such cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions..... . It is evident that both Australian and New Zealand Indigenous communities face significant challenges in relation to intellectual property rights. In addition to Intellectual Property, Indigenous communities also face significant challenges in relation to Cultural Rights. This term encompasses a broad range of aspects that relate to heritage, including the active practice of language, ecological activities, and the preservation of sacred lifestyles and locations. Both Australian Aboriginal Peoples and New Zealand Maori Peoples face significant challenges in achieving justice in relation to their cultural rights. Although the UNDRIP was implemented in both Australia and New Zealand in 2009, domestic laws are still not effective in the protection of Indigenous culture. This is mainly due to the complexities of Cultural Rights, that is, there is no sole law that encompasses all aspects of Cultural rights. Australian IndigenousShow MoreRelatedThe Problems Of Residential Schools1081 Words   |  5 Pagesinhumane! Canada is now known as a multicultural country, with rights for those, including children, residing in this country both permanently or temporarily. This is why I pose the question, why are Indigenous people forced to live in a country where they feel unwelcome, unequal, and shameful? Indigenous does mean native or first to a country. In my opinion they should have, if not equal, the most, rights in this country. However, they have lost rights to their land, freedom, cultural values, traditionsRead MoreDiscrimination Against Women s Human Rights1005 Words   |  5 PagesPrompt: Why has it been difficult for indigenous peoples to claim human rights? Was it equally hard to establish women’s human rights to freedom from violence? Consider a series of factors such as the nature of their rights claims and the political context within which these claims were made in discussing the similarities and differences between these two cases and the process through which they became defined as human rights. The idea that indigenous people have rights is relatively new; the majorityRead MoreAboriginal Australians : The Indigenous People Of Australia Essay1306 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Aboriginal Australians are the indigenous people of Australia. They are one of the oldest existing cultures in the world and the first known inhabitants of Australia. The Aboriginal Australians are believed to be the first people to leave Africa â€Å"about 70,000 years ago† (â€Å"Migration to Australia†). The Aboriginals Australian community consists of unique characteristics of cultural expression, social structure, diversity, and have faced many contemporary challenges. Cultural Expressions The AboriginalRead MoreAustralian History : Australia s History762 Words   |  4 Pagesactively acknowledges the fact that the first people who inhabited this country were Aboriginals. Professor Mick Dodson, who was the Australian of the year in 2009 stated the fact that Indigenous Australians are still affected by what happened to their ancestors back when the first fleet arrived. Dodson continued to explain that people who have little knowledge of Aboriginal history wouldn t understand the pain that is still caused from the past, once people understand the history, they understand hardshipsRead MoreThe Complex Relationship Between Indigenous Australia And Non Indigenous Population Essay1464 Words   |  6 Pagesreported by Mitchell (2016) emphasised yet again the complex relationship between Indigenous Australian young people [IAYP] and structural inequality leading to disadvantage on every social scale compared to non-Indigenous population. This paper aims to explore the role of structural inequality in societal institutions like the justice system, education and employment. For the purpose of this paper, Indigenous peoples of Australia will be inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populationRead MoreAnalysis Of The Real Voyage Of Discovery By Jane Harrison And Beneath Clouds1263 Words   |  6 Pagesto challenge an audience’s beliefs system, making their texts tools for acquiring new knowledge. This concept is explored and portrayed as a common theme throughout the Indigenous Australian texts, Rainbow’s End, by Jane Harrison and Beneath Clouds, a film written and directed by Ivan Sen. Both authors demonstrate the concepts of discovery in their texts, by focusing on historical and contemporary aspects of Aboriginal cultural discovery, re -discovery and self-discovery. As a non-indigenous responderRead MoreEssay on Indigenous Health Care1568 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction In this essay the writer will discuss the colonisation of Australia, and the effects that dispossession had on indigenous communities. It will define health, comparing the difference between indigenous and non- indigenous health. It will point out the benefits and criticism of the Biomedical and sociological models of health, and state why it is important in healthcare to be culturally competent with Transcultural theory. The case study of Rodney will be analyzed to distinguishRead MoreThe Role Of Multinational Corporations ( Mncs )924 Words   |  4 Pages Consequently, the extent of economic and social challenges facing some developing countries remains enormous despite decades of MNC investments. One major social problem facing many of the emerging economies is still high levels of human poverty (UNM-MDG, 2015). Some African countries such as Zambia, are faced with the challenge of a large proportion of the population living in abject poverty (Gamu, le Billon, Spiegel, 2015) . The challenges prevail despite more than two decades of applyingRead MoreAssessment 2: Digger J. Jones Close Reading. Jackie Miller-1553 Words   |  7 Pagesempathy from the ideal reader.This text supports the movement of Aboriginal peoples rights and such as the right to vote and be recognized as people on the Australian census. The book positions a reader to hopefully agree with the Indigenous rights movement. The passages location within the book, being towards the beginning of the novel, is able to provide the reader with an understanding a of the injustice that was faced by aboriginal Australians during the 1960’s and the Vietnam war. The letterRead MoreNative Language And Indigenous Language1160 Words   |  5 Pages Language is one of many components that identify a group of people to their culture. Unfortunately, there are quite a few obstacles that challenge indigenous people learning their native language. The loss of a language distances groups farther from their native roots, which is exactly opposite of the efforts being made in Canada. Learning and practicing an indigenous language fulfills one’s role as an engaged citizen and allows for engagement within a culture. The McGill Tribune published Jenny

Actors acting in a drama Essay Example For Students

Actors acting in a drama Essay Media Imperalism occurs when one societys media dominate another countrys culture.1 The medium of television is a prime example to illustrate the effect of media imperialism. Since television production depends largely on advertising revenue, its content is determined by profits and does not necessarily promote Canadian culture or national identity. Even the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) channel relies on advertising for approximately 25% of its revenue. While the United States is the worlds biggest exporter of television, it only imports 2 percent in foreign programming. The dominance of the U.S. television industry is a global phenomenon, and Canada represents an extreme example of subjection to media imperialism.1 As the average Canadian in 1993 spent 22.8 hours a week watching television, one wonders how media imperialism is affecting Canadian culture and sovereignty. Television was invented in Helenburgh, Scotland and introduced to the world by radio in 1939 at the New York Worlds Fair. It has been called the tube, the idiot box, and even an instrument of cultural genocide. The National Film Boards Magic in the Sky documentary details the effects of television on the isolated Inuit communities in the Canadian far north. Television did not come to the Inuit communities until 1972 when the Canadian government wanted to ensure that communities with over 500 people would have access to television. Most communities readily accepted the offer with the exception of six communities. Anik is the Inuit word for brother, and the name the Inuits gave to the satellite that brought television and the world into their living rooms. It was an event which would alter their lives forever. John Amagoalik, President, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada describes the initial effects of television in the Inuit communities: When television first came, the effect of the television on the community was very drastic. People no longer visited their neighbours. Children did not play outside and the interactive activities of the community in general were broken down. The home, the family was the last refuge of the Inuktitut language, and television, by coming into the home, was invading this last refuge.3 The average Inuit did not understand the English language and could not distinguish between war and violence on the news or actors acting in a drama. Television created an unreal world for the Inuit communities and did not reflect their northern reality. The foundation of our culture has always been the concept of sharing things commercials and game shows suggest that people should go after these things for their own benefits.4 It was to avoid these negative effects that a village 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle refused the offer of television unless the villagers themselves could control the content and production of their own television programming. It was also the refusal of this village that led the government to sponsor Inukshuk for a six month experiment. Inukshuk was the Inuit channel whose goal was to use TV to understand themselves and broaden their horizon. It was a chance for the Inuit to produce, direct and write for their own TV network. They felt they had a rich culture that deserved to be known in Canada and around the world. Inukshuk put the power of the camera into Inuit hands. Prior to Inukshuk, Inuit people were known only at the other end of the lens and represented by the white persons perception of them. For example, the movie Enuk, which starred Anthony Quinn as an Inuit, used Hawaiians as Inuits and even styrofoam igloos, gave a false representation of the Inuit people. Everyday activities of the Inuit were portrayed as extraordinary events. .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd , .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd .postImageUrl , .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd , .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd:hover , .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd:visited , .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd:active { border:0!important; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd:active , .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ube0a4ce6c7a0586701b021c02ba9e8fd:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Shakespeare's "The merchant of Venice" EssayThe six month experiment proved successful, but it was just that a six month experiment. After this time period, Inukshuk was cancelled and this left the community with only one hour of satellite viewing, 5 days a week. Now, CBC northern television service is available in all Arctic communities regardless of size, carries two hours a week of its own programming in the Inuktitut language and an additional six hours of Inuit Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) and Taqramiut Napingat Inc. (TNI) programming. The rest is mainly southern fare, including U.S. entertainment shows.5 For years, the world outside the Inuit communities had been saying that Inuit culture and language were dying and it was believed Inuits would assimilate into the rest of society. However, that assimilation has yet to occur.  Television, for better or worse, has made the world smaller for the Inuit people and for all Canadians. It is our TV viewing that shapes our understanding of the world and ourselves. However, it is saturated with U.S. influence and media imperialism. How much television has affected our culture and sovereignty is yet to be seen. Only time will tell.

What A Modest Proposal Meant to Me Essay Example

What A Modest Proposal Meant to Me Essay Odelia Clark September 23, 2010 Journal Entry A Modest Proposal By Jonathan Swift Even though it was a satirical essay, you could read between the lines the anger he had towards the English Protestants that inflicted abuse on the Irish Catholics. The part I really enjoyed was his reference to the children being substantial enough for the landlords, since they had already devoured the parents, meaning the landlords had robbed them in a sense they had eaten them up, I just like the way he put that. Mr. Swift not only talked about the English but, he satirizes the Irish for accepting the abuse for as ling as they di instead of taking matters into their own hands. I found the essay to be humorous and sad in a way. Actually it not so far fetched from what is going on in today’s society. In some place there are still those kind of slum lords, and business owners who when it comes to certain urban areas and job opportunities they feel you deserve to be in that place and will try to keep you there, because of race, sexuality, or your financial history. We will write a custom essay sample on What A Modest Proposal Meant to Me specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on What A Modest Proposal Meant to Me specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on What A Modest Proposal Meant to Me specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Some people with more means than others treat people with low-income very poorly. Some even look down on you if you are on some sort of fixed-income or welfare. I’ve even heard conversations where some people will say those people on welfare are just lazy; they just want to milk the system. Now, some are on the system for the wrong reasons, but there are those who actually need help. I feel people should just be careful of how you view others backgrounds, we all know how we got here but, we don’t know how we will leave.

How Far Did Improvements During the Renaissance free essay sample

How far did improvements during the renaissance make people’s life was better There were a lot of improvements that the renaissance has made to make people’s life be much better. For me, the most important ones were first the medical, technology and last but not least the inventions, which I am going to go through it below. The Renaissance was a great period of intellectual growth and artistic development in Europe. As part of that scientists and thinkers began to shake loose from the traditional views that governed medicine in both the east and the west. The focus of treatments was no longer a divinely ordained natural balance. Knowledge advanced through the scientific method—conducting experiments, collecting observations, reaching conclusions. Information was disseminated by means of an important new technology—printing. The roots of scientific medicine were set. In 1543 Andreas Vesalius (1514-64), a professor at the University of Padua, published an exquisitely illustrated anatomy text. We will write a custom essay sample on How Far Did Improvements During the Renaissance or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page With knowledge based on extensive dissection of human cadavers, he presented the first largely accurate description of the human body. Later anatomists at Padua included Gabriele Falloppio (1523-62), who described the female reproductive organs, giving his name to the Fallopian tubes, and Girolamo Fabrizio (1537-1619), who identified the valves of the heart. There were so many important technological advances in the Renaissance. I would argue that one of the most important of these advances was the printing press. The printing press was so important because it made printed materials much cheaper and more widely available than they ever had been before. This allowed more people to become educated and it allowed ideas to spread rapidly. This facilitated such huge social changes as the Protestant Reformation. People across Europe were able to read religious arguments and think about them for themselves. This led to a fundamental change in society. Another important technological advance during the Renaissance (although it is nothing compared to the printing press) is the development of astrophysics  through the writings of Copernicus and Galileo. The heliocentric theory had dominated the theological and scientific thought for centuries before it was put to the test. As a result of the observations conducted in heavenly bodies, more adjustments and better changes came to objects such as the screwdriver and the telescope just to mention a small example. Yet, those little changes make up for a huge effect in civilization. There were a lot of amazing inventions in the renaissance. Do you know when was the clock beside you invented from? Indeed, it was invented in the renaissance. And also a lot of things that you use everyday were invented in the renaissance. The mechanical clock was invented in the beginning of 13th century. It would be appropriate to say that the development in technology of mechanical clock took place gradually. The earliest design of mechanical clock incorporated a drum containing mercury and which was driven by weights. The drums used in these mechanical clocks had compartments filled with mercury. The mercury passed through holes present in the compartments and thereby controlled the rate at which drum movement took place. Measurement of daytime in a 24 hour cycle became possible after the invention of this clock. Salvino DArmato degli Armati from Italy is credited with making wearable eyeglasses in 1284. It was not until 15th century that glasses for conditions like hyperopia, myopia and presbyopia were made. Roger Bacon is said to have used reading glasses in the year 1268 AD. It is however, not clearly known whether he used reading stones or proper lenses fitted in frames. Hans Janssen developed the first compound microscope in 1509. The fact that placing one glass behind other increases their magnifying power lead to the development of compound microscope. Earliest forms of microscopes offered 20-30 times greater magnification of objects. The compass was first used by a Chinese voyager Zheng He (1371-1435). He is known to have undertaken seven ocean voyages in the period between 1405 and 1433 AD. The Europeans came to known about the compass later on. The first flush toilet was made in 1596 by John Harrington. It was only after two hundred years after this invention that the flush toilet was reinvented by Alexander Cummings. Other than these amazing inventions there are still many of them can be told. All in all, the medical, technology and inventions have definitely made people’s life easier and better. Without them we will probably not have everything in front of us now.

What Does It Mean to Be Agnostic

What Does It Mean to Be Agnostic SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips In 2018, Scientific American published an article titled â€Å"The Number of Americans with No Religious Affiliation Is Rising,† which looked at the rising number of Americans who don’t identify with any religion. In 2018, a survey done by the Pew Research Center found 34 to 36 percent of millennials identify as atheist, agnostic, or just â€Å"nothing in particular.† While most people have a general understanding of atheism, agnosticism can be a little more confusing since it falls in the grey area between total belief and total disbelief in the existence of a higher power and/or God. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to be agnostic.First, we’ll define the term agnostic and talk about what agnosticism looks like in practice, then we’ll dive into the differences between being agnostic vs. atheist. Finally, we’ll share a list of famous people who are agnostics. So let’s get started! Agnostic Definition: Understanding the Origin of the Term Let’s take a moment to define agnostic. The term was first coined by English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley in 1884, who coined the term â€Å"agnostic† to refer to people who: â€Å"...confess themselves to be hopelessly ignorant concerning a variety of matters, about which metaphysicians and theologians, both orthodox and heterodox, dogmatise with the utmost confidence.† For Huxley, being agnostic meant recognizing that you couldn’t confidently believe in- or disbelieve in- the orthodoxy of religion or metaphysics. Huxley’s idea is still a key piece of what it means to be agnostic today. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, theagnostic definition is "a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (such as God) is unknown and probably unknowable.† In other words, someone who is agnostic is â€Å"not committed to believing in either the existence or non-existence of God,† a god, gods, or some sort of higher power. So what does this mean, exactly? To understand it, we first have to look at what it means to believe in a god. Many of the world’s major religions- like Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism- believe that there is a higher power that controls the universe and orchestrates the events in a person’s life. These religions believe this higher power is incredibly powerful and transcendent, meaning that it’s totally beyond man’s comprehension. While these religions disagree about the particulars of who and/or what god is, they all agree on one thing: the universe was created by a higher power, which continues intervene in both the world and human life. When someone is agnostic, however, that person neither believes nor disbelieves that there is any sort of higher power. In other words, agnostics aren’t persuaded by arguments that there is a God (or gods, as the case may be)...nor are they convinced arguments that God doesn’t exist. More importantly, they believe that the existence of a higher power cannot be proven or disproven, just like Huxley explained back in 1884. In short, if you answer the question â€Å"Does God exist?† with â€Å"I don’t know,† you’re probably agnostic! The 3 Categories of Agnosticism The term â€Å"agnostic† refers to being in the middle between belief and unbelief in god(s), which makes it a catch-all term for anyone who isn’t sure whether there is or isn’t a higher power. But that doesn’t explain why agnostics think the way they do! That’s why philosophers tend to break agnosticism down into three distinct categories, which we’ll talk about below. Category 1: Strong Agnosticism Strong agnostics- which are sometimes called hard or absolute agnostics- believe that there is no way that anyone can know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that God exists. In the same way, they don’t believe that anyone can totally, 100 percent prove that God doesn’t exist, either! That’s because we can only know what we experience, which means our belief in God is subjective rather than objective. Here’s what we mean. A verifiable, provable, objective observation is something that- through verifiable science or universal experience- everyone can see is true. A good example of an objective fact is that the sun rises and sets every day in most parts of the world. Even without scientific calculations to verify that this happens, it’s a universally observable phenomenon. That’s why everyone can agree that it happens! Because of that, you can think of the sun rising and setting as an objective fact. A subjective observation is one that relies on a person’s individual thoughts, perspectives, and feelings about a subject. For example, think of someone you know that hates spicy food. For them, eating spicy food is an uncomfortable- and maybe even painful!- experience, so they steer clear of anything with hot peppers in it. You, however, might live for spicy food, so much so that you add hot sauce to pretty much everything you eat! Neither you nor the other person is wrong...it’s just that you’ve had different subjective experiences that impact the way you think about habaà ±ero peppers. And that’s the difference between an objective observation and a subjective one: subjective observations only hold true for the person who experiences them. Strong agnostics believe there is no way for anyone to prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that God neither exists or doesn’t exist. That means that any argument people make for one side or the other are using subjective arguments to try and prove their point. And because those depend on a person’s unique beliefs, thoughts, and experiences, they aren’t objective...which means that neither side’s arguments about the existence of a higher power can’t be considered â€Å"fact.† Weak agnosticism doesn't mean that it breaks under pressure. It has more to do with whether the existence of God can ever be proven! Category 2: Weak Agnosticism Weak agnosticism- which is also known as mild or open agnosticism- agrees with strong agnosticism in that they believe no one currently knows whether a higher power exists. But weak agnostics believe that just because something cannot be proven right now doesn’t mean it can never be proven! Germ theory is a good example of how previously unprovable ideas can become fact. In 1546, an Italian scholar named Girolamo Fracastoro wrote that epidemic diseases were caused by tiny, seed-like organisms called seminaria morbi that were spread by touch or by air. It would take another 300 years before scientists like Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch would prove Fracastoro’s hypothesis about germs was correct! Just because Fracastoro couldn’t prove his idea was right in 1546 didn’t mean it would never be proven correct...which is the same idea behind weak agnosticism. Thus, people who are weak agnostics are agnostic because they’re waiting on objective evidence. They don’t believe that the answer to this question will forever be unknowable...they just think the answer isn’t knowableyet. In many ways, weak agnostics can be seen as â€Å"withholding judgement† on whether God exists until undeniable facts can be brought to the table. Category 3: Apathetic Agnosticism The third category of agnosticism is apathetic agnosticism. Like the first two schools of agnosticism, apathetic agnostics also believe that there is no proof that a higher power does or doesn’t exist. But unlike strong and weak agnostics, apathetic agnostics believe that in the end, it doesn’t matter. Here’s why: apathetic agnostics believe that any God (or gods) that may exist seem to be completely unconcerned with the well-being of the world or its inhabitants. They point to issues like war, famine, and ecological destruction...and the lack of observable divine intervention. Thus, apathetic agnostics believe that since any higher power that might exist isn’t intervening in the people’s affairs, it doesn’t matter whether that entity exists or not. They think of the debate about God as an academic exercise rather than one that has any real-world impact. While there are agnostic groups you can join, agnostics don't worship or have services like theists (or believers in God) do. How Does Someone Practice Agnosticism? Because agnostic is a label for people who neither believe or don’t believe in a higher power, the term serves as a broad category that encompasses people from all races, classes, and walks of life. In that way, agnosticism is known for inclusivity. Because agnosticism doesn’t have a set of rules and rituals that a person can practice, it’s easier to understand agnosticism as a way of thinking rather than a system of belief. (Those fall more in line with organized religion, which as we mentioned earlier, falls on the â€Å"belief† side of the â€Å"does a higher power exist?† equation.) That means that you probably aren’t going to find specifically â€Å"agnostic† buildings or group services in your town like you might for specifically religious organizations. (There are, however, agnostic organizations that you can join, like Atheist and Agnostic Unitarian Universalists or the Center for Inquiry.) Just like these shoes, atheism and agnosticism have a lot in common...but they aren't exactly the same! Agnostic vs Atheist: What’s the Difference? Now that you know more about agnosticism, you’re probably wondering about what makes it different from atheism. The answer is actually pretty straight-forward: Merriam-Webster defines an atheist as â€Å"a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods† or â€Å"one who subscribes to or advocates atheism.† In other words, whereas agnostics are uncertain about the existence (or non-existence) of God, atheists don’t believe any god exists. Unlike agnostics, who answer the question â€Å"Does God exist?† with â€Å"I don’t know,† atheists answer the same question with a solid â€Å"no.† Like agnosticism, atheism can be broken down into subcategories based on why a person does not believe in the existence of a higher power. Strong atheists (sometimes called â€Å"positive† atheists) firmly assert that there is no God, gods, or controlling higher power. Strong atheists are so firm in their stance that they consider God’s non-existence to be fact. Weak atheists, which are sometimes called â€Å"negative† atheists, also don’t believe in the existence of any higher power. However, unlike strong atheists who actively believe that the non-existence of God(s) is fact, weak atheism is better understood as the absence of a belief in a higher power. While weak atheists don’t believe in God, they also don’t assert there are no God(s) as a fact. Someone who is a weak atheist might sum up their beliefs like this: â€Å"I don’t believe there is a higher power, but I cannot say for 100 percent certain that there isn’t a higher power. I just know that the arguments in favor of God’s existence aren’t persuasive, so I don’t believe God exists.† Now go back and look at the definitions for strong and weak agnosticism. You’ll notice that the key difference between atheism and agnosticism hinges on their position on God’s existence. While both strong and weak atheists believe that there is no God(s), agnostics of all varieties believe that there’s no way to know whether God is real. Because of that, agnostics neither believe nor disbelieve that a higher power exists, whereas atheists believe that no higher power exists. 6 Famous Agnostics Although the tension between atheism and religion gets the most press, there are plenty of people who fall into the middle, grey area of agnosticism. Here are some famous people who self-identify as agnostic: Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906): women’s rights activist and suffragette Carrie Fisher (1956-2016): actress, screenwriter, and author Neil Gaiman (1960-present): novelist, screenwriter, and comic book author Brad Pitt (1963-present): actor and film producer Albert Einstein (1879-1955): theoretical physicist Warren Buffett (1930-present): Business mogul and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Now What? Are you thinking about using your experience with agnosticism as a topic for one of your college admissions essays? Be sure to check out our step-by-step essay guide to make sure you’re writing an essay that will catch the admission committee’s attention! If you’re not sure what a good college admissions essay looks like, don’t worry. Here’s a list of 101 essay examples with expert analysis to get you started on the right foot. But what are college admissions committees, anyway? Get to know more about what a college admissions committee is, and its role in the admissions process, here.

Competitive Position of Thorntons Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Competitive Position of Thorntons - Essay Example In case of Thorntons, their competitive nature is indeed numerical and the company can generate and withstand different levels of income in reference to its structure. The competition nature of Thorntons is advantageous since the company operates on seasonal bases. Therefore, business becomes partial as government influences rising cost of energy by use of economic factors that may influence positive results on cost of production as well on total sustainability cost. Furthermore, microenvironment is another Thorntons position of competition. Performance indicators like level of growth, volume of sales, and price of shares reveal that this company has a higher competition position. This is prevalent due to amount of revenue collected in 2010 shrunk to 0.1 percent because of challenges the company underwent. Additionally, Thorntons witnessed significant loss of share price in the beginning of 2012. What caused this, according to Thorntorns, is the passing typical situation of its sales and the taking over of Cadbury by Kraft. However, Kraft’s take over of Cadbury affected Thorntons since the overall chocolate industry has grown by four percent which is a total of 3.6 billion a margin Thorntons cannot reach hence they cannot compete. Despite the huge potential Thorntons have, their competitive position continue to dwindle since its profit earnings dropped by 0.1 percent at the fiscal end of June in 2010 compared to revenue earnings of 2009. As a result, the company’s operating cost increased thereby crippling its strategic operations. Thorntons level of competition is high since the company has clean reputation of over a hundred years in market. This serves it as a marketing tool. It is also multi-generational, as many people in Great Britain perceive the idea of chocolates is synonymous with the Thorntons. Due to franchise dollars that help the company bring in fiscal earnings over time, the level of competition continue to build and portray signifi cance sense of market growth. In relation to Porter’s five forces model, if Thornton’s wish to survive the current stiff market competition, it must put into consideration the following industrial contexts in order to help itself surpass this agony. First, they should evaluate the power of their suppliers. In spite of the advantage that they run their own stores, there is still deteriorating performance within its operations. Therefore, they should better their understanding of profits by differentiating the impact of inputs on cost, providing presence of substitute inputs in case of changes in market trends, and confirm their relative cost to total purchases (Hill & Jones, 2009:54). This will in turn reduce their operating costs hence achieve maximum benefits. In order for Thorntons to solve their relative issues, they should consider exploring other markets and produce other products as opposed to their niche commodities. Then using buyer power, which is one of Porte r’s five forces model, they should seek to provide variety of other products to increase buyer’s volume of purchase. They should also consider offering incentives to their prospective clients as part of enticing them, making them repeat customers thus fostering market expansion. It is clear that the management is striving to transform the operating length of the company into annual bases. However, the effort put is not adequate. Thereby,