what is philosophy :: essays research papers

Very briefly, philosophy might be regarded as a conceptual enquiry dealing with fundamental issues relating to life, knowledge and values. By conceptual enquiry we mean an enquiry that relies primarily on critical reasoning. This includes : Analysing the meaning of concepts Identifying logical connections between theories Evaluating arguments and exposing fallacies Here is a Chinese newspaper article from MingPao on how philosophy improves critical thinking. Philosophy and other subjects According to such a conception of philosophy, philosophy is distinctive in both its method and subject matter. Art or literature might also deal with fundamental issues in life, but the use of critical reasoning is not a necessary part of artistic expression. Critical reasoning of course plays an important role in science, but science is an empirical enquiry into the nature of the world, relying on observations and experiments. In such respects philosophy is more like mathematics and logic. However, the subject matter of philosophy is more general in that it deals with all sorts of different areas outside mathematics and logic, such as religion and morality. Although philosophy is different from science, it would be a mistake to conclude that philosophy cannot contribute to the development of science. Philosophers can help scientists clarify the basic concepts in scientific theories, and use their skills in logic to evaluate the strength of evidence supporting or criticizing particular theories. Many sciences (e.g. psychology) originally developed out of philosophy. What philosophy can do Why should you study philosophy? If you are busy and don't have the patience or interest to reflect on fundamental issues, then perhaps philosophy is not for you. But for people who are interested in critical reflection, philosophy can be an enjoyable activity. There are other reasons for doing philosophy apart from pleasure. First, philosophical skills in thinking and writing and help us in describing and understanding theories and ideologies. Here philosophers take up the task of a cartographer, mapping out conceptual terrain and logical structure. Second, as mentioned earlier, philosophy can be an important tool in helping us acquire knowledge. Logic and critical reasoning are necessary to achieve consistency and in determining the right conclusions to be drawn given our observations and experiences. Finally, philosophy can also play a transformative role in our lives and social institutions. Through critical reflection on the justification and coherence of the values in social practices and our own actions, we do not just acquire a deeper understanding of our culture and of who we are.

Free Essays - The Hazards of Moviegoing :: Example Personal Narratives

The Hazards of Moviegoing    I am a movie fanatic. When friends want to know what picture won the Oscar in 1980 or who played the police chief in Jaws, they ask me. My friends, though, have stopped asking me if I want to go out to the movies. The problems in getting to the theater, the theater itself, and the behavior of some patrons are all reasons why I often wait for a movie to show up on TV.    First of all, just getting to the theater presents difficulties. Leaving a home equipped with a TV and a video recorder isn't an attractive idea on a humid, cold, or rainy night. Even if the weather cooperates, there is still a thirty-minute drive to the theater down a congested highway, followed by the hassle of looking for a parking space. And then there are the lines. After hooking yourself to the end of a human chain, you worry about whether there will be enough tickets, whether you will get seats together, and whether many people will sneak into the line ahead of you.    Once you have made it to the box office and gotten your tickets, you are confronted with the problems of the theater itself. If you are in one of the run-down older theaters, you must adjust to the musty smell of seldom-cleaned carpets. Escaped springs lurk in the faded plush or cracked leather seats, and half the seats you sit in seem loose or tilted so that you sit at a strange angle. The newer twin and quad theaters offer their own problems. Sitting in an area only one-quarter the size of a regular theater, moviegoers often have to put up with the sound of the movie next door. This is especially jarring when the other movie involves racing cars or a karate war and you are trying to enjoy a quiet love story. And whether the theater is old or new, it will have floors that seem to be coated with rubber cement. By the end of a movie, shoes almost have to be pried off the floor because they have become sealed to a deadly compound of spilled soda, hardening bubble gum, and c rushed Ju-Jubes.

Physics in Light- Intensity

Investigations in Light Intensity Change through Angular Displacement Guiding Question How does the intensity of light change as the angle of incidence to the light source increases? Prediction of Results Predict what you think will happen and what type of equation and graph might best fit the data representing the intensity of a light as the angle of incidence increases. Objective After completing this lesson, a student should be able to analyze light intensity striking a surface at varying angles of incidence.Materials CBL, TI-83 Plus calculator, light sensor, lamp with light bulb (60 to 100 watts), tape measure, Scotch tape (or similar), protractor, sheet of paper, ANGLE program, daily log Vocabulary the normal angle of incidence periodic sinusoidal regression Introduction You have completed an investigation of light intensity changes with varying distance. You will continue investigating intensity changes, but now you will note the change of intensity as light strikes a surface t hrough increasing angles of incidence.As Figure 1 indicates, the angle of incidence is the angle at which light strikes a surface. The normal is an imaginary line perpendicular to the plane on which light strikes. The angle of incidence is the angle between the normal and an incident (that is, an incoming) light ray. Angle of incidence Normal Incident Light Ray Figure 1 As the angle of incident light increases, is it more reasonable to think that its intensity increases or decreases? As you think about this question, consider whether you are more likely to get a sunburn in the late evening when the sun is low on the horizon greater incidence angle) or at noon time when the sun is more overhead (smaller incidence angle), as sketched below? Is it usually hotter at noon or in the late evening? Evening Sunlight Noon Sunlight If you suspect that intensity decreases with increasing angle of incidence, you are on the right track. Assuming for the moment, then, that the light intensity (I) decreases as the angle of incidence (a) increases, we can say the relationship between intensity and incidence angle are inversely proportional over the angles involved.But you may note that as the sun rises through the morning and then sets toward the evening, its angle of incidence decreases, reaches a minimum at noon, and then begins to increase again into the evening. That is, the incidence angle starts at sunrise at a maximum of 90Â °, decreases to a minimum until noon (near the equator it decreases to 0Â °, but not in Alaska), and then increases back to a maximum to 90Â ° at sunset.You can see that this cycle repeats itself time and again: the incidence angle begins at a maximum, then decreases to a minimum, increases to a maximum, and so forth. Figure 2a below shows just such a cycle. Intensity, however, changes as the inverse of the incidence angle, so is represented in the Figure 2b cycle. Morning Noon Evening Figure 2a – Changing Incidence Angle Morning Noon Even ing Figure 2b – Changing Light Intensity This cycle of repeating events is called periodic and you might recognize the curves as sine waves.Here is an equation that describes intensity as a sine wave: I = sin(a) (intensity is proportional to the sine of the incidence angle, a). It is important to remember in this comparison that the angle with respect to the sun will always be between 90Â ° and 0Â °. This means that if we determine one quarter of the period (or cycle), then we can know through regression analysis what the rest of the curve should look like. You will complete an investigation that does exactly this: determine the intensity of a light as the angle of incidence changes from 0Â ° to 90Â °.

Porter’s five forces analysis on shipping industry

Objective of the report The main purpose of this report is: To have an overview of the Strategic Management of PAL. To assess different strategies applying different analytical concepts, tools and techniques of Strategic Management To provide suggestions for possible strategic erection for the Shipping industries in the coming days based on findings of the report. 1. 3. Methodology The company websites, annual reports, vision & mission, values and objectives, other booklets & manuals etc were studied to identify the strategies of the Shipping industries.Top level executives and other employees were also consulted to have their opinion on the rationale of different strategic moves of the company. The theoretical bases for the reports are primarily those taught as part of Strategic Management course. The industry competitiveness and outlook have been reviewed. The tools and techniques such as Strategic group mapping,PESTLE analysis, Porter's five forces model of competition, SOOT analy sis, Key Success Factors (SF), five basic generic business strategies and other strategies like alliance, diversification, etc were applied. . 4. Scope and limitations This report has covered key business strategies of the Shipping in relation to target customers. It also covered strategies in network expansion, operational strategies The report also has attempted to give insights in the strategies of product offering and differentiations, customer services, strategic alliance with other partners, verifications, industry competitiveness, Ethics and CARS, Corporate culture and leadership etc. The report also has certain limitation too.It has not been possible to managed due to time constraint. 2. Organizational Overview PAL is the world's seventh largest ocean carrier and global top 100 plushy chain solution provider in shipping which has the same Mother Company Neptune Orient Line (NOEL) About Neptune Orient Lines: Neptune Orient Lines (NOEL) is a Singapore-based global transportati on company, with core businesses in container transportation and supply chain management. Global strength of over 12,000 employees 0 Revenue amounting to US$8. Billion in 2013 Mol's shipping and supply chain businesses synergies to create total value chain' for its customers. PAL Liner: Container Shipping & Terminals 0 World's 7th largest shipping operator O SUDS. B revenue (IFFY) 0 160 + years of continuous operation 0 Global network serves 33,000+ locations in 150 countries 0 130+ vessels, 6. MM Tees, 10 terminals. PAL – Moving Business Forward PAL is the world's seventh largest ocean carrier, offering more than 80 weekly services and over 500 calls at more than 140 ports worldwide.We provide container transportation and value added supply chain management services through our international shipping network which combines high-quality intermediate operations with state-of-the-art information technology, equipment and e-commerce. Transportation and logistics company. With ov er 160 years of experience, PAL has the knowledge and the expertise to help our customers grow their businesses and negotiate in an increasingly complex and ever-changing global marketplace – whether that is venturing into new territories or growing in already developed markets.With our highly competitive transit times, petition for service reliability and excellence and commitment to sustainable global trade, shippers the world over place their trust in us to provide them the value they need to compete in today's global economy. Services Shipping services spanning the world's major trade lanes Extensive U. S. Intermediate network to facilitate inland reach Priority access to PAL owned and operated terminals on the U. S.West Coast and strategic terminals in Asia Vertical expertise o Refrigerated and climate-controlled cargo o Garments on Hanger PAL Fleet PAL has one of the international shipping industry most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly fleets PAL in vests in our equipment to ensure we provide customers with the most efficient services. We operate a modern fleet of approximately 150 vessels. In line with our environmental commitment, we continue to improve the performance and efficiency of our ships.The strength of our container fleet is closely matched to the demand for both lineal and feeder routes. Our own vessels are complemented by services with alliance partners and slot charter agreements that provide flexibility to adjust capacity and respond quickly to customer needs and new opportunities. The average age of PAL container ships is less than 9 years and every vessel is certified with the latest ISM (International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention) standards.

A Study On Organizational Behavior Management Essay

A Study On Organizational Behavior Management Essay Organizational behavior is a field concerned with study of the relationship between the organization and the individuals in the workforce. In particular it entails studying how the organization influences the behavior of its workers and how as a result those individuals are able to influence the organization. It is a wide topic that involves various disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, sociology and so on. In studying the organizational behavior it helps to note that in the traditional closed systems various factors that are important in the modern working environment were left unconsidered. However the open system has appreciated the environmental factors such as attitudes and human sentiments which remain vital in studying the human behavior. In health care sector the behavior of individuals or groups is similar to any other organization even though there could be a little variation which can be attributed to the unique challenges that are offered by different environment al conditions. As such the management issues that are experienced in other organizations are also replicated in the health sector. The organizational behavior is important to the management in the modern heath care environment. Challenges from the organizations which range from the accomplishments and professionalism continue to be felt in the organizational behavior. For instance, the heath care providers have highly skilled professionals who are supposed to adhere to a code of reliable systems to ensure delivery of health services. Apparently the heath professionals such as physicians work autonomously and as such the management must find the right balance to enhance the productivity of the workforce while giving the physicians their autonomy. In the current financial conditions the health workers are expected to deliver on quality health services amid stiff competition and more coordination in delivering such complex services. In addition, the labor challenges are present in mode rn health care organizations placing more strain on the few heath care professionals available. Indeed, with escalating costs of delivering heath care services and reducing reimbursements it has been become imperative for the managers to be equipped with skills on the organizational behavior for the better coordination and productivity of the available workforce. With the increased demand for outpatient services and aging population the provision of the health care services requires better management of the workforce against the backdrop of the above challenges. But this calls for the managers to have skills on the organizational behaviour. Another scenario in which the management team in the health sector should be equipped with the right skills n addressing issues concerning the employees is outlined. Understanding organizational behavior would prove important in an instance where there is high rate of absenteeism. However, instead of the managers evaluating the underlying problem they end up sacking the physicians. The managers could be inhospitable with the workers avoiding their presence leading to an unhealthy relationship which translate to absenteeism. This is another instance in the modern working environment that a manager requires such skills in enhancing the productivity of the worker and reduces this rate of absenteeism. 2. Employees and organizational behaviour

Fractions, Decimals, and Percents Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fractions, Decimals, and Percents - Assignment Example ood the concept properly and are able to convert decimals into percent equivaslent and pecent equivalent to decimals, he will assign more 10 questions for indidual practice. The teacher will end the lesson by saying, â€Å"Today we learnt about conversion of decimals into percent equivalents and percent to decimals†. Then he wil ask the students to explain the process to him. As the students are doing the 10 questions, the teacher will move around the class evaluating each student’s understanding of the concept. He will review the concept with students who have not understood properly and arrange for further coaching. Out of the 20 students in the class, 17 students met the lesson objective i.e. they were able to solve 8 out of 10 questions correctly. However, 3 students performed below expectation with two scoring 7/10 and the third one scoring 6/10. Use of more interactive website such as http://www.aaamath.com would help the 3 student understand the concept properly. Extra coaching time should be allocated to ensure the 3 students properly understand the concept. Hard outs and charts were very useful tools for teaching decimals and percentages. After introducing the topic, the students had some difficulties compreheading how to convert decimals into percentage and vice versa. By just using numbers and doing some examples on the chalk board, some students could not clearly comprehend the concept. The hard out came in hardy as it explained concept in word while the chart gave examples that were also explained in words. The chart explained simple problems first then progressed to complex ones thereby enhancing the flow of the lesson. In addition to just having problem written in numbers, the chart explained the numbers in words which made it easier for students to understand. To make the concept well understood, I showed the student a complete fraction circle. Then I devided the circle into two halves. Since the students had a clear understanding of

Writing Style Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Writing Style - Research Paper Example For me, the writing process involves several challenges. The first one is organizing ideas. I am lucky to have a teacher in my primary years who emphasized the importance of organization in writing. That teacher taught me that in every composition I make, I should take the initial step of organizing my ideas. I could still remember the exercises we had on outlining, with the main topics and subtopics organized under some roman numerals and letters. This training in writing has been very valuable to me because it makes writing easy. An organized essay is easier to read and understand. In addition, teachers appreciate an organized essay with the main ideas carefully laid out in separate paragraphs. As I move along in schooling, I learned about the challenge of composing a thesis statement. I believe that training students to make plausible thesis statements should be an important aim of Writing teachers. Teaching students to make thesis statements will enable them to achieve emphasis and organization. Identifying the thesis statement goes along with outlining. The thesis statement serves as the guide in expounding a topic and composing paragraphs to make up the essay. In my experience, establishing the thesis statement allows me to expound on the topic without going beyond it. Nevertheless, I still have to improve the way I construct a thesis statement and introduce it in the first part of my composition. The next challenge is expounding ideas. Some people find it easy to expound ideas on any topic. Maybe they are gifted with a lot of information to write about. In my case, I find expounding ideas easy when I am interested in the topic. Personal experience, home decorating, gardening, and entrepreneurship are some topics I find easier to write about, whereas sports, statistics, and environmental issues are some of my waterloos. Academic writing, unlike other forms of writing, also challenges me to use outside sources.