Essay on christianity verses islam - 665 Words

DBQ Christianity VS Islam The attitudes of Christianity and Islam toward merchants and trade are similar yet different. Over time Christian and Islamic attitudes towards the merchants and trade have changed. The attitudes of Christianity and Islam toward merchants and traders are similar. A way that these two religions attitudes towards their merchants and trade was that they both allowed being treated better under god easier for merchants to achieve if they were honest about what their trade. In the Muslim Qur’an it states â€Å"On the day of judgment, the honest, truthful Muslim merchant will take rank with the martyrs of the faith† (Doc 2). This statement proves that merchants could be treated better under god if they were honest. Also†¦show more content†¦Over time both Christianity and Islam attitudes towards merchants and trade changed. Christianity started off with the Christian merchants not bidding with the traders to bidding with the traders. Thomas A quinas wrote â€Å"the seller must not impose upon the bidder† (Doc 4). And this change was presented when a letter was written placing an order for English wool saying â€Å"with god always before us, we will carry out your bidding† (Doc 6). Both these statements could be bias due to the writer, the first quote from Aquinas could be bias because he was a theologian which means he studied gods and so he could have wrote more about what the bible states and not what actually happened. Then the letter was written by a merchant which means they could have had different experiences with trade than other merchants. Islam started off with their merchants needing to be honest and ended up with their merchants seeking to make profits and gambling, and gambling for more money is not very truthful. The Qur’an it states â€Å"On the day of judgment, the honest, truthful Muslim merchant will take rank with the martyrs of the faith† (Doc 2). Ibn Khaldun a leading Musl im scholar wrote â€Å"We have already stated that traders must buy and sell and seek profits† and he wrote â€Å"they come under the heading of gambling† (Doc 5). All in all both Christianity and Islamic attitudes towardShow MoreRelatedCritical Thinking Assignment On Islam1488 Words   |  6 Pages Critical Thinking Assignment on Islam Islam is a monotheistic religion founded by Muhammed during the seventh century. Islam means â€Å" surrender.† (The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetic) To follow the teachings of Islam, one is called a Muslim. The book that was recited to Muhammed from the angel Gabriel is referred to as the Quran. Allah to a Muslim means God. As a Christian I must understand the worldview of Islam. In the understanding I hope to communicate the Christian faith by showingRead MoreThe Function Of Prayer And The Islamic Faith1430 Words   |  6 Pagesinfluence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.†Ã¢â‚¬â€¢ Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard   Islam is a monotheistic faith which centers around the sovereignty of Allah, the five pillars of faith, and the sanctity of the Qur’an.   Christianity views Islamic prayer as an opportunity for the real God reveal the truth to Muslims.   Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Islam is the fastest-growing major religion in the world† (Taylor).   In Islam, Allah is almighty (Qur’an Sura 67:2).   The five pillars of faith, Shahada, Salat, Zakat,Read MoreIslam Is The Fastest Growing Religion1731 Words   |  7 Pageschoice. Islam has been presented to the United States and the world as a peaceful and accepting religion that is based on the teachings of the Quran. According to Robert Spencer in his book Islam Unveiled, â€Å"Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world today. Islam now counts among its adherents one out of every five people on earth.† (Spencer 36). However, on September 11, 2001 as the World Trade Center buildings exploded into flames, America and the rest of the world’s view of Islam and MuslimRead MoreThe Role of Women and Community in Christianity Versus Islam Essay1158 Words   |  5 PagesChristianity and Islam are two of the world’s largest and most recognized religions. They are both religions believing in one God and each has a holy book, the Qur’an and the Bible. Both books encourage belief in God and teach patience and honesty. They both also forbid lying and stealing and believe in some type of Heaven and Hell. So, if they have so much in common, why is there so much conflict between the two? This question is the exact reason why I chose to take World Religion. I thoughtRead MoreThe Medieval Religion Of Islam1299 Words   |  6 PagesDuring the 16th century, Christianity experienced a reformation in arguably one of the most defining moments in its history, the church was splintered and it was seen that priests and pastures should have more independent power, the reform was carried by spreading the holy bibles word and making people read the words literally to see the religion more for what it is. This action helped to kick start the modern era we now live in by abandoning the worst qualities of Christianity and also its traditionsRe ad MoreThe Quran And The Confessions By Saint Augustine978 Words   |  4 Pages Is it possible for two religions to descend from the same person be so different? Christianity and Islam began with the birth of Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael was born from Abraham’s servant who was later banished by his wife; while Isaac was born to Abraham’s wife and his lineage is what God told Abraham would be protected and is what Christianity believes to be the true descendants of Abraham. The Islamic people believe that Ishmael’s descendants are also protected by the covenantRead MoreIslam Religion Of Peace Or War Essay1445 Words   |  6 PagesIslam a Religion of Peace or War Introduction: After the crisis of 9/11, the religion of Islam has raised a number of controversies. More specifically, the issue of Islam as a harmonious religion or not. In the last fifteen years, after 9/11, there has been multiple disputes among those believing Islam as a religion of peace, and those who believe otherwise. With any debate, numerous questions spring up to force the majority to believe their beliefs are the truth. Some of the questions orRead MoreThree Religions and Three Holy Cities 990 Words   |  4 Pagesmajor religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. It is quite remarkable that Southwest Asia has been a holy place for all three, and although it causes turmoil it is important to understand the three religions and their customs. Such information may help us not to judge so quickly or perhaps to grow in our knowledge about the world. Hopefully this will help everyone to have a wider view of the world than just the town they reside in or even the country they live in . Islam Islam is the religionRead MoreJudaism, Christianity, And Islam Essay1091 Words   |  5 PagesEdwin Bridges Professor Humanities 7 July 2015 Judaism, Christianity, and Islam The religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have some significant similarities, but also many differences. These religions are founded on the same basic religious beliefs; however with each large similarity, there are major differences in how that belief is made up and practiced. Each of these religions has a Holy Book that is, ‘the word of God,’ and that the followers use as a guide to live by. Judaism hasRead MoreIslam And Islamic Terrorism : Islam Is Not All That Different From Christianity And Judaism1341 Words   |  6 Pages Despite the general resistance concerning the Islamic faith in today’s environment, Islam is not all that different from Christianity and Judaism. All three religions have extremists, and while it seems that Islamic extremists are the worst, I think that is solely due to their methodology of when, where, and how they attack. Many would disagree with me, but Christians can be equally as cruel and radical; it’s just on a much smaller scale. As with many things in today’s society, if we would just

A Comparison of Jane Eyre and Little Women - 1560 Words

A Comparison of Jane Eyre and Little Women The novels Jane Eyre and Little Women are strikingly similar in many ways, and the characters Jane Eyre and Jo March are almost mirrors of each other. There are many similarities between Jane and Jo, and also some differences, as well. From childhood, although they find themselves in completely different situations, both girls experience many of the same trials in their younger years. Jane is an orphan who has no family to call her own, and lives with an aunt and cousins who despise and dislike her. She was left penniless by the death of her parents, and is reminded daily by her house mates that she is inferior to them because of her circumstance. Jo grows up in a loving home with three†¦show more content†¦These journeys were essential to both girls, for they helped them to find (or rediscover, in Jane and Mr. Rochesters case) the love that they felt they were missing. The two women both marry men much older than them, perhaps because they are more mature and intelligent than other people of their same age. Jo is forced to grow up quickly through the death of her sister and her fathers absence, while Jane learns to grow up quickly through the loss of her parents and her unhappy childhood. However, they both still face obstacles when marrying -- Jo must wait because she is marrying a poor man who must work to save up enough money for them to live well, and Jane because Mr. Rochester is blind when she returns to him. In an essence, Jo has fininancial problems to face, while Jane has the physical. In the end, however, both are happy, Jo with her school for boys to provide income, and Jane because Mr. Rochester regains his sight. Both girls receive inheritances from a relative, which allow them to reach the contentment with their lives that they were both searching for. Jane finds herself with 20,000 pounds from an unknown uncle, which eventually allows her to return to Mr. Rochester as an equal, instead of as his hired help. Since this is basically all Jane has longed for since leaving Mr. Rochester, her newfound wealth gives her the chance to be happy again. Her pride would never before allow her to return toShow MoreRelatedJane Eyre and Little Women: Jane and Jo Comparison1606 Words   |  7 PagesThe novels Jane Eyre and Little Women are strikingly similar in many ways, and the characters Jane Eyre and Jo March are almost mirrors of each other. There are many similarities between Jane and Jo, and also some differences, as well. From childhood, although they find themselves in completely different situations, both girls experience many of the same trials in their younger years. Jane is an orphan who has n o family to call her own, and lives with an aunt and cousins who despise and dislike herRead MoreCharlotte Bronte s Jane Eyre984 Words   |  4 PagesCharlotte Brontà « wrote Jane Eyre. The novel is a highly fascinating piece of gothic literature based during the nineteenth century. The story unfolds around a young Jane Eyre who grows both in character and body. She experiences love and mystery. She, through many trials, finds a true, wholesome, and godly relationship with the main male protagonist, Mr. Rochester. Jane Eyre occurs during the early nineteenth century in northern Britain. It takes place in multiple locations: â€Å"the Reed family’sRead MoreIndividualism in the Film Jane Eyre Essay1047 Words   |  5 PagesISU Comparison Essay â€Å"He who loses individuality, loses all† (Good Reads, 2012). This quote said by Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most recognized leaders of the 19th century, can easily be used to acknowledge the importance of a society possessing unique individualistic traits and characteristics as individuality is the fuel needed to run a society. In a world, where even a mere speck of individuality is not present, that society is likely to shatter into utter destruction. Moreover, individuals shouldRead MoreEssay on Jane Eryes Experience as a Governess1006 Words   |  5 Pagesdevote her life to the church and her husband. The term governess was often used in the 19th century to specify governesses in private homes, which Jane Eyre was, and school teachers. Jane would have been considered a perfect governess because she was blessed with grace of an angel and class of a queen. Even so these women were treated poorly because women of that time were thought to be best kept at home. Bronte in my opinion undermines the realities of domestic service in the 19th century. She portraysRead MoreComparison of Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre and the DH Lawrences Horse Dealers Daughter1260 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Women as Outsiders: A Comparison Of Jane Eyre and The Horse Dealers Daughter Women are often portrayed as a marginalized other or outsider in literature, reflecting the degree to which they are outside the traditional patriarchal concepts of authority and power as well as (for much of Western history) outside the practical and legal means of self-sufficiency and self-direction. As the times have shifted, the particular perspective and definition of women as outsiders has also changed, asRead MorePride And Prejudice And Jane Eyre1681 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte explore social class in a number of different ways throughout their novels Pride and the Prejudice and Jane Eyre. They do this through the use of stylistic devices which in turn appeals to their different audiences. Both Jane and Charlotte are notable writers for their remarkable texts. Jane Austen is known for playing a revolutionary role in the generation of English female literature, which was counteracted by this piece- and Charlotte Bronte alsoRead MoreThe Upbringing Of Orphans By Charles Dickens And Jane Eyre1714 Words   |  7 Pagesmany, and leads readers to wonder about the injustices of the conditions of the orphans. The novels Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens 1838 and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 1847 depicted much of the 19th century working class and illustrated the treatment of orphans with different socio-economic perspectives. The role of the two orphans in the novels (Oliver and Jane) leads the reader through a maze of experiences, e ncountering life s threats and grasping its opportunities. The novels show an insightRead MoreEssay on Mr. Rochester versus The Man1538 Words   |  7 PagesMr. Rochester vs. The Man Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte and Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys are novels with an obvious connection, however, this connection is not definite one. The main male character’s name in Jane Eyre is Mr. Rochester who has a very mysterious history in the Caribbean while The Man in Wide Sargasso Sea moves to the Caribbean after living in England for his entire life. Jean Rhys never states that the two men are the same, but the similarities between the two lead the readerRead MoreCharlotte Bronte s Jane Eyre And Jean Rhys s Wide Sargasso Sea1695 Words   |  7 PagesWhen reading Charlotte Bronte s Jane Eyre and Jean Rhys Wide Sargasso Sea, one notices the numerous comparisons between the protagonists and their evolutions. Many factors may have contributed to Jane and Antoinette s traits and opinions, but their childhoods, relationships, and societal pressures were by far the most prominent. Both Eyre and Mason were abused and neglected at an early age; one may see the outcome of this in their characters development, and, in turn, the characters outlookRead MoreAnalysis of Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre Essays1499 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte Brontà « under the male pseudonym of Currer Bell in 1847. It is a semi autobiography and is a mixture of realism, romance and Gothic. During this time women were seen as beings of inferior status. The plot of Jane Eyre follows a bildungsroman. Janes growth is traced from childhood and innocence to adulthood and maturity. It depicts the story of a woman who is capable of strong emotions and

We Are Blessed to Have Trees Plants Free Essays

This poem is written by Ruskin Bond. In this poem the poet shares the thoughts of his grandmother who was of the opinion that the house that has trees around is blessed. For this purpose the poet planted a tree which is six months old and is growing fast. We will write a custom essay sample on We Are Blessed to Have Trees Plants or any similar topic only for you Order Now He believes that in six years time the tree would grow and give shade so that his house will also be blessed. I think the world and its inhabitants are blessed to have trees and plants. Trees are important, valuable and necessary to our very existence. It’s not too hard to believe that, without trees we humans would not exist on this beautiful planet. In fact, some claim can be made that our mother’s and father’s ancestors climbed trees – another debate for another site. Still, trees are essential to life as we know it and are the ground troops on an environmental frontline. Our existing forest and the trees we plant work in tandem to make a better world. Below are the reasons why trees are important for us. Trees Produce Oxygen Let’s face it; we could not exist as we do if there were no trees. A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. What many people don’t realize is the forest also acts as a giant filter that cleans the air we breathe. Trees Clean the Soil The term phytoremediation is a fancy word for the absorption of dangerous chemicals and other pollutants that have entered the soil. Trees can either store harmful pollutants or actually change the pollutant into less harmful forms. Trees filter sewage and farm chemicals, reduce the effects of animal wastes, clean roadside spills and clean water runoff into streams. Trees Control Noise Pollution Trees muffle urban noise almost as effectively as stone walls. Trees, planted at strategic points in a neighborhood or around your house, can abate major noises from freeways and airports. Trees Slow Storm Water Runoff Flash flooding can be dramatically reduced by a forest or by planting trees. One Colorado blue spruce, either planted or growing wild, can intercept more than 1000 gallons of water annually when fully grown. Underground water-holding aquifers are recharged with this slowing down of water runoff. Trees Are Carbon Sinks To produce its food, a tree absorbs and locks away carbon dioxide in the wood, roots and leaves. Carbon dioxide is a global warming suspect. A forest is a carbon storage area or a â€Å"sink† that can lock up as much carbon as it produces. This locking-up process â€Å"stores† carbon as wood and not as an available â€Å"greenhouse† gas. Trees Clean the Air Trees help cleanse the air by intercepting airborne particles, reducing heat, and absorbing such pollutants as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Trees remove this air pollution by lowering air temperature, through respiration, and by retaining particulates. Trees Shade and Cool Shade resulting in cooling is what a tree is best known for. Shade from trees reduces the need for air conditioning in summer. In winter, trees break the force of winter winds, lowering heating costs. Studies have shown that parts of cities without cooling shade from trees can literally be â€Å"heat islands† with temperatures as much as 12 degrees Fahrenheit higher than surrounding areas. Trees Act as Windbreaks During windy and cold seasons, trees located on the windward side act as windbreaks. A windbreak can lower home heating bills up to 30% and have a significant effect on reducing snow drifts. A reduction in wind can also reduce the drying effect on soil and vegetation behind the windbreak and help keep precious topsoil in place. Trees Fight Soil Erosion Erosion control has always started with tree and grass planting projects. Tree roots bind the soil and their leaves break the force of wind and rain on soil. Trees fight soil erosion, conserve rainwater and reduce water runoff and sediment deposit after storms. How to cite We Are Blessed to Have Trees Plants, Essay examples

Roots of Unethical International Business - Myassignment.Com

Question: What Is The Roots Of Unethical International Business? Answer: Introduction Ethics in business is very paramount. Globalization has increased competition among companies. Business ethics requires that leaders adopt social, environmentally, and economically sound operations. As a matter of fact, some laws are enacted so as to guide business operations in various countries (Brown, 2016). Further, there are international laws that are businesses are supposed to adhere to and influence ethical decisions. This paper is seeking to assess the scandals that rocked both the Volkswagen and the 7-Eleven companies. Large companies are in a better position to act in ethically manner. However, ethical probity may be undermined by cultures which encourage risk-taking and aggressive behavior (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). Research has demonstrated how ethical standards are ignored when workers achieve advancement and respect only by engaging in unethical acts just like Volkswagen and 7-Eleven. Background information to Volkswagen Volkswagen is a German based automaker. The company operates in the international automotive industry as a producer and a distributor (Hakim, and Tabuchi, 2015). The company has a subsidiary in America. The company designs manufactures and distributes cars all over the world. The operations of the company are conducted in two divisions (Brown, 2016). The divisions include financial services and automobiles. It suffices to point out that the motor division entails the development of cars, vehicles, and engines. The financial services division deals are concerned with customer and dealer services, insurance and banking activities, renting vehicles and the business of fleet management (Brown, 2016). The Volkswagen Scandal It is worth noting that for six years, the company been providing inaccurate statistics about its emissions. In essence, Volkswagen had been cheating on the emission testing particularly for the diesel vehicles (Brown, 2016). The company fitted the car with computers that could detect any moment that they were being tested. By so doing, the computers would temporarily change how the engines worked. The computer actions showed that the cars were cleaner when they were not clean (Ephraim, 2016). In fact, the vehicles emitted forty times the amount of emissions dictated by the federal government (Fracarolli Nunes, Fracarolli Nunes, Lee Park, and Lee Park, 2016). When the cheating was detected, the chief executive officer of the company had to resign. Also, the company had to be faced with what is described as the most expensive recall. It suffices to point out that the company was slapped with huge fines (Brown, 2016). It is paramount to point out that there is a long history of cheating on the regulatory testing. The cheating occurs regularly in automobile emissions (Fracarolli et al., 2016). The critical aspect of the Volkswagen cheating case is that the technicians programmed it. The program was fitted into the algorithm which happened to control the emissions of the car effectively. Studies have revealed that computers allow people to cheat on the emissions (Griffin, and Lont, 2016). Further, the fact that cheating is built in the software aids in cheating on some emissions. The kind of software used in the cheating is quite sophisticated and as makes it difficult to detect. Volkswagen was charged in a federal court sitting in San Francisco (Brown, 2016). The company was ordered to pay $15.3 billion. The company had successfully dodged testing of about eleven million cars. Initially, the official at the company claimed that there was no fraud but a slight technical error (Clemente, and Gabbione ta, 2017). Later on, they admitted that it was not a technical error but deliberate action on the part of the company (Brown, 2016). The deception by the company was a breach of trust. The Scandal at 7-Eleven The 7-Eleven company is accused of mistreating its employees (Briton, 2015). Reports emerged showing that the chain store was exploiting its workers in a number of the franchise. The investigation revealed that the company was thriving on the slavery (Fraser, 2016). There is a lot of evidence that indicates that businesses are continuously exploiting their employees for increased profit margins. The investigations at 7-Eleven helped in unearthing the massive exploitation of the staff (Fraser, 2016; Briton, 2015). They were underpaid and most of the time forced to work for longer hours. It is worth noting that most of the exploited workers were international students whose visas allowed them to work for only twenty hours for each week. Evidence shows that these students were often blackmailed by their franchisee (Briton, 2015). The franchisee threatened the students that should they decide to the Fair Work Australia; the students would be reported to the government authorities for not adhering to the visa regulations. Essentially, the franchisee was threatening these international students with deportation (Fraser, 2016; Briton, 2015). As revealed by the Fairfax and Four Corners, these systematic issues surrounding exploitation of workers for the past six years. The Fair Work Australia has also confirmed this exploitation of workers by the 7-Eleven (Fraser, 2016). It is paramount to point out that when the issues of employee exploitation cropped up, the company denied its knowledge. In fact, 7-Eleven Australia trashed the allegations arguing that these exploitations are as result of few number of the franchisee. The Fairfax and the ABC Four Corners reiterated that the exploitations were not in just a small number of Franchisees (Briton, 2015). Most of these workers were immigrants from different parts of the world. The investigation suggested that 7-Eleven should not operate within Australia as a result of continued exploitation. The Australian labor laws prohibit employee exploitation. All employees should be treated fairly and equally. 7-Eleven Australian stores always open for twenty-four hours in a week. There are reports that six employees were paid a total of sixty-four thousand dollars. Indeed, the company was making huge profits at the expense of the employees (Sivaraman, and Turner, 2016). This behavior is unethical and leaves workers a lot more frustrated. It suffices to point out that employees are assets and must be protected from any form of exploitation. Several reports have argued that even if the law does not catch up with the company for exploitation, the marketplace will hold the leadership of the company responsible (MacDonald, 2016; Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). It is a fact that companies should not engage in unethical behavior in fostering their activities. It is apparent that the law seemed reluctant to take the stern action against the leaders of the company; the leaders cannot run away from their ethical failures (Terry-Armstrong, 2016). The leaders of 7-Eleven knowingly presided over the systematic exploitation of the employees. These employees were negative affected. Roots of Unethical International Business There are several reasons why businesses make unethical decisions. Most of the situations are characterized by the applications of personal ethics. It is prudent to point out that business ethics cannot be separated from an individual's ethics (Briton, 2015). The personal ethics influence the accepted principles by what is wrong and right. As a matter of fact, people develop particular perception right from their early stages of life (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). It is arguable that the behavior of the business leaders actions can be a reflection of their personal ethics. Studies have shown that business leaders with weak personal ethics have a greater propensity to behave in an unethical way (Briton, 2015). It is important to note that when business leaders are placed under pressure to perform, they end up engaging in unethical decisions. Further, there are instances when the moral judgments of business leaders on what is right and wrong are lacking. As a result of this, these leaders end up failing to recognize the critical aspects of these decisions (Frisch, and Huppenbauer, 2014). From the case study, 7-Eleven franchise holders engaged in the exploitation of employing thinking it was the right thing to do. To them, by exploiting the workers, they remained in the business (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). This report poses that if the survival of the company is dependent on ignoring ethical standards, the propensity to engage in unethical activities will be strong. Some studies have revealed that unethical behaviors are more common in small franchises where the profit margin is low, and the chances of survival are slim just like in the case of 7-Eleven. The dominant organizational cultures cause unethical decision in businesses. The corporate culture influences the direction in which business leaders make decisions. This is well illustrated in the case of Volkswagen and 7-Eleven companies. The organization culture stressed so much on making huge profits irrespective of the existing laws and regulations (MacDonald, 2016). Indeed, organization culture refers to the constellation of the norms and values that are supposed to bring employees together through sharing the culture (Fernando, 2016). Studies have revealed that in companies where the culture stresses on the value of personal performance for promotion, the majority of workers may engage in unethical behaviors (Briton, 2015). Both Volkswagen and 7-Eleven are companies that were built on values that entirely stressed on deception and greed before the scandals. The deceit and greed drove these companies to engage in unethical business activities. In fact, Volkswagen had to pay hefty fines in addition to negative publicity. The 7-Eleven equally suffered significant damages to its reputation as a result of employee exploitation. It is worth noting that the desire to make huge profit margins have led to unethical behaviors among companies. Despite that fact that the primary reason for engaging in business activities is to make the profit, maximization of such profits unethical is not allowed (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). In the case of Volkswagen and 7-Eleven, the motivation was making a lot of profit. The desire to achieve this goal drove the leadership of the two companies to engage in an unethical business environment. For the case of Volkswagen, the leaders cheated on emission tests as they wanted to make huge sale volumes. In fact, millions of cars were already sold before investigations revealed the massive fraud. On the other hand, 7-Eleven resorted to blackmailing its employees and paying them small wages. The workers were forced to work for longer hours against the law. The advent of globalization has increased the levels of competitions (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). Each and company is striving to maintain a competitive advantage in the global market. Some companies have come up with ways of evading the standard procedures for doing business. It is common knowledge that the automobile industry is very competitive. There are firms with better technologies and produce quality cars. The leaders at Volkswagen were therefore persuaded to engage in unethical business decisions. According to them, the only that the company would increase its sales volume was through cheating on their carbon emissions. Similarly, 7-Eleven opted to exploit workers as a way of keeping huge profit margins. All these decisions were unethical and only served the interests of the two companies (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). Good leaders are ethical leaders Life is fraught with challenges that people have to overcome by making good decisions (Shapiro, and Stefkovich, 2016). Ethical decision-making that brings favorable outcomes is the hallmark of a good leader (Othman, and Rahman, 2014). In this regard, good leaders need to be observant of guidelines that can aid in making better ethical choices. Ethics is about moral values and the highest standing in the society. The cases of Volkswagen and 7-Eleven confirm that good leader are ethical leaders. Indeed, the leaders of the two companies failed to observe ethical consideration and landed their companies into trouble (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). There is no way a leader can be good without ethics. Additionally, it is worth noting that ethical leaders can create a connection between the societal legitimacy and the primary value propositions to the stakeholder support (Othman, and Rahman, 2014). In this case, leaders think by business strategy and not separating the company from the realms of ethics. Ideally, there is the need to link the society expectations and the spirit of the firm. A classical example of such a connection is when Lee Scott (Chief Executive Officer at Wall-Mart) was able to get approval to build a store in Chicago in 2004 (Olsen, 2016). Lee won that approval despite that opposition from other groups just because he listened and engaged all stakeholders who would benefit from the store. It is clear that business leaders who are trustworthy aid organization to achieve positive results in their dealings and operations. Trustworthy brings success to companies in the most ethical manner (Yidong, and Xinxin, 2013). Indeed, a leader who is trustworthy undertakes his/her responsibility without engaging in unethical behavior or complaining (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). Further, trustworthy leaders have the integrity to ensure that all company operations are carried out within the set standards. As a matter of fact, integrity is crucial in ensuring that activities and actions in business are conducted with ethical considerations (Walumbwa, Hartnell, and Misati, 2015). Violating the provisions of the company constitutes unethical decisions. Ethical leaders should always desire to effectively serve people under them in a positive and good manner (Othman, and Rahman, 2014). As a matter of fact, an ethical leader is one who can serve that interests of other even if his/her interest is not catered for. Ethical leaders should never be self-centered or egocentric (Mulhearn et al., 2016). As such, good leaders should be in a position to sacrifice personal benefits for those of the majority. A true leader will bring positive outcome and changes in the company (Vriend, Jordan, and Janssen, 2016). Furthermore, leaders who always observe ethical considerations are deemed to be pragmatic and sensitive to the plight of their subjects and the public. Ethical leadership entails having a holistic approach towards making decisions (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). Decisions that are made by a single leader affect the majority. An ethical leader is one relies on facts and data to make decisions. Unethical leaders are characterized by greed and deception in their decisions (Rbel, 2016). As such, a good leader must be guided by ethics. Ethics is universal, and hence a leader can act in a manner that is acceptable to everybody. However, it is critical t point out that not all good leaders are ethical leaders. Taking the cases of Volkswagen and 7-Eleven are the example of good leaders only as far the companies are concerned. Volkswagen and the 7-Eleven cases point out to the fact that companies were achieving greater sale volumes though unethical (Rhodes, 2016). They were only serving the interests of the companies while ignoring those of the public and employees. In a nutshell, the assertion that good leaders are ethical leaders is true (Yukl et al., 2013). Improving an Organizational Climate for Ethical Behavior There are some ways in which the organizational can be modified to encourage ethical behavior. Some of the strategies are delineated hereunder. Ethical codes Organizations need to encapsulate ethical codes into their cultures. It is vital to mention that several business issue statements of values and standards meant to guide the behavior (Yukl et al., 2013). However, the behaviors of most of these companies do not reflect these ethical codes. In fact, one would be more skeptical as far as these statements are concerned (Frisch, and Huppenbauer, 2014). Volkswagen is a company that pledges to partake in climate protection actively. They engaged in cheating about their carbon emission. On the other hand, 7-Eleven rides on respect for all but exploits its workers. This paper asserts that codes of ethics are more likely to be productive if they are specific. The specificity of these codes will improve adherence to then. Ethical training There is the need to engage in moral training. Indeed, business leadership should be trained on the implementation of ethical codes (Terry-Armstrong, 2016). Continuous training will enable these leaders to approach decision-making from wider perspectives. If the leaders of the two companies underwent training, perhaps they could have seen sense in acting ethically. There is evidence that numerous companies have organized ethical training for their employees since these scandals were exposed. However, some scholars opine that it is hard to assess the impacts of these training (Rbel, 2016; Vriend, Jordan, and Janssen, 2016). This paper is of the opinion that ethical training is valuable as it encourages workers to spot ethical dilemmas and learn how to overcome them. Transparency Transparency is seen by many as a vital factor in encouraging ethical behavior. The public should be empowered to monitors companies that operate within their localities (Frisch, and Huppenbauer, 2014). The public can only judge whether companies are ethical or unethical if they are provided the necessary data. With these data, they can be able to counter-check the actual activities and behaviors within companies (MacDonald, 2016). For instance, in the case of 7-Eleven where employees were being exploited, the public could have been able to spot any inconsistencies with the labor laws of Australia and reported to the Fair Work Commission of Australia. By so doing the company would not have engaged in unethical conduct. Indeed, the reports on scandals in both 7-Eleven and Volkswagen should encourage the public, governments and business leaders develop situations where ethical behavior is the norm (MacDonald, 2016). In conclusion, the scandals that bedeviled both Volkswagen and 7-Eleven are a clear indication that the ethical behavior is indeed compatible with the corporate logic. Some scholars have argued that is a fallacy to think businesses can be ethical (Olsen, 2016). However, this assertion will not go down well with business individuals who conduct their businesses ethically and always adhere to ethical considerations (Shin, Sung, Choi, and Kim, 2015). It suffices to point out that unethical practices are bad for businesses if the cases of Volkswagen and 7-Eleven are anything to go by. Volkswagen was made to pay billions in fines while 7-Elevens founding chairman was forced to resign. In essence, businesses should develop the corporate culture that nurtures respectful relations with consumers and the employees, honesty, and increased investment in protecting the environment. Reference List Briton, B., 2015. 7-Eleven scandal: The tip of a low-wage iceberg. Guardian (Sydney), (1705), p.1. Brown, O.R., 2016. Corporate scandal or industry corruption? how the VW emissions crisis was framed in public print media and company communication. Clemente, M. and Gabbioneta, C., 2017. How does the media frame corporate scandals? The case of German newspapers and the Volkswagen diesel scandal. Journal of Management Inquiry, p.1056492616689304. Ephraim, P.E., 2016. Transparency and Ethical Considerations in Business Organizations: A Comparative Case Study of Crisis Relations Strategies of Volkswagen and Mitsubishi Motors. International Journal of Online Marketing Research, 2(2), pp.1-9. Fracarolli Nunes, M., Fracarolli Nunes, M., Lee Park, C. and Lee Park, C., 2016. Caught red-handed: the cost of the Volkswagen Dieselgate. Journal of Global Responsibility, 7(2), pp.288-302. Fraser, M., 2016. Investigating 7-Eleven: Who are the real bad guys?. Griffith Journal of Law Human Dignity, 4(2). Fernando, M., 2016. The Future for Responsible Leadership. In Leading Responsibly in the Asian Century (pp. 177-190). Springer International Publishing. Frisch, C. and Huppenbauer, M., 2014. New insights into ethical leadership: A qualitative investigation of the experiences of executive ethical leaders. Journal of Business Ethics, 123(1), pp.23-43. Griffin, P.A. and Lont, D.H., 2016. Game Changer? The Impact of the VW Emission Cheating Scandal on the Co-Integration of Large Automakers Securities. Hakim, D.A.N.N.Y. and Tabuchi, H.I.R.O.K.O., 2015. Volkswagen Test Rigging Follows a Long Auto Industry Pattern. New York Times. MacDonald, A., 2016. International students: The tipping point. Advocate: Newsletter of the National Tertiary Education Union, 23(1), p.21. Mulhearn, T.J., Steele, L.M., Watts, L.L., Medeiros, K.E., Mumford, M.D. and Connelly, S., 2016. Review of instructional approaches in ethics education. Science and engineering ethics, pp.1-30. Olsen, L., 2016. Are your directors ready for the transparency provision of the UK Modern Slavery Act?. Governance Directions, 68(5), p.310. Othman, Z. and Rahman, R.A., 2014. Attributes of ethical leadership in leading good governance. International Journal of Business and Society, 15(2), p.359. Rhodes, C., 2016. Democratic Business Ethics: Volkswagens emissions scandal and the disruption of corporate sovereignty. Organization Studies, 37(10), pp.1501-1518. Rbel, T., 2016. The interaction of economic and pedagogical ideals in the context of workplace learning in Germany: a framework for empirical researchinspired by business ethics. European Journal for Research on the Education and Learning of Adults, 7(2), pp.207-221. Sivaraman, G. and Turner, P., 2016. The 7-Eleven wages scandal: The need for law reform. Precedent (Sydney, NSW), (135), p.53. Shapiro, J.P. and Stefkovich, J.A., 2016. Ethical leadership and decision making in education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas. Routledge. Shin, Y., Sung, S.Y., Choi, J.N. and Kim, M.S., 2015. Top management ethical leadership and firm performance: Mediating role of ethical and procedural justice climate. Journal of Business Ethics, 129(1), pp.43-57. Terry-Armstrong, N., 2016. 7-Eleven: A case study of a flawed franchise model. Busidate, 24(2), p.8. Vriend, T., Jordan, J. and Janssen, O., 2016. Reaching the top and avoiding the bottom: How ranking motivates unethical intentions and behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 137, pp.142-155. Walumbwa, F.O., Hartnell, C.A. and Misati, E., 2015, January. Fostering Ethical and Learning Behavior: Ethical Leadership, Supervisor, and Group Members Fairness. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2015, No. 1, p. 11358). Academy of Management. Yidong, T. and Xinxin, L., 2013. How ethical leadership influence employees innovative work behavior: A perspective of intrinsic motivation. Journal of Business Ethics, 116(2), pp.441-455. Yukl, G., Mahsud, R., Hassan, S. and Prussia, G.E., 2013. An improved measure of ethical leadership. Journal of Leadership Organizational Studies, 20(1), pp.38-48.

The Napoleonic Era Essays - French Revolution, Napoleon,

The Napoleonic Era Napoleon Bonaparte was a significant man who was regarded as a person who was responsible for many historic events that would reshape France and Europe during the late 18th and early 19th century. He has been portrayed as a merciless leader, fearing little that stood in his way. Napoleon led his army in this fashion for nearly 20 years, literally changing the face of Europe and of his people. Around 1814, however, Napoleon's reign was to cease; Napoleon's empire began to collapse leading to his eventual exile from France. This essay will evaluate Napoleon's supremacy and significant fall as the great leader of France, focusing on Napoleon as a person and great military leader, and the changes he brought to France. Napoleon Bonaparte was born into a minor noble family on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio on the Mediterranean Island of Corsica. He was the son of a lawyer, and was sent to French military school at the age of nine. As he grew, he developed an appreciation towards England's establishment. Laws limited England's monarchy, and Napoleon felt that France could benefit from similar rules, perhaps by establishing by what we know as of today as a democracy. His ideas will play a significant role as the young Napoleon matures into a leader. He finished his training and joined the French army when he was only 16 years old, shortly before the passing of his father. When the Revolution occurred in 1789, Napoleon was 20 years old. Although Napoleon was born to nobility, he supported the Revolution; he joined the Society of Friends of the Constitution, and supported the idea of a new government wholeheartedly. After the French monarchy was overthrown on August 10, 1792, a determined Napoleon quickly p rogressed through the ranks becoming a recognized officer under King Louis XVI. In 1792 Napoleon was promoted to the rank of Captain. In 1793 he was assigned to help fight off the English at a port called Toulon. He seized ground where he could get his guns in range of the British ships. Soon after that Toulon fell and Napoleon was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. As the new General, during 1796-1797, Napoleon led his army to deal with some troubles with Austria. With an cavalcade of roughly 44,000 troops, he defeated forces far outnumbering his army, won a dozen major battles, killed, wounded or took prisoner of thousands of Austrians, and captured flags and cannons. He liberated many people from various sorts of oppression (incompetent kings, or foreign rule, mostly Austrian) and helped them to establish democratic governments, including writing their Constitution; one of the states which he formed was called the Cisalpine Republic, which would become modern day Italy. Napoleon also freed Genoa, which became the Ligurian Republic. Napoleon's abilities as a leader had really become evident to the French people and Napoleon knew it as well. The power vested in Napoleon was very attractive to him, providing self-confidence and an arrogance that would propel him for many years. In 1802 Napoleon was elected First Consul for life by vote. He was to be the first consul for 10 years. Also in 1802, it began to be suggested by the French people that Napoleon should be Emperor, with the power therefore passed on to his line. A plebiscite vote on this again was overwhelmingly in Napoleon's favor, 3.5 million for, fewer than 1,600 against. Thus Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, not by force rather by popular demand, December 2, 1804. France was now an empire. A victory like this demonstrates the faith his people had in him as a military leader and a person who could lead France and into the coming years. Neighboring countries were beginning to not like what they were witnessing. A new alliance had started against France in 1805 with Austria, Russia, and Sweden but later that year Napoleon defeated the Austrian and Russian armies at Austerlitz in Austria. In 1806, Prussia joined Russia in a new coalition, but once more, Napoleon's forces crushed the Prussian army at Jena and Auerstedt and in June 1807, Napoleon overwhelmed Russian armies at Friedland. Also, in 1809, he defeated the Austrians again at Wagram. Napoleon was unstoppable.

The Theme of Attachment in the Shawshank Redemption Society Essays

The Theme of Attachment in the Shawshank Redemption Society Essays The Theme of Attachment in the Shawshank Redemption Society Paper The Theme of Attachment in the Shawshank Redemption Society Paper Essay Topic: The Shawshank Redemption Formal Writing-What organizations face a lack of attachment to wider society? What is lacking attachment? Lacking attachment is not having a link to something. Be it a material object or objects, or human life. In my opinion, one of the most severe issues illustrated in the Shawshank Redemption, a film directed by Frank Darabont, is the lack of attachment that the prisoners have to the outside world. I will be addressing the issue that this theme presents in The Shaw shank Redemption, as well as in a New Zealand and global setting. The New Zealand setting I will be addressing are rest homes, and the global setting are prisons housing prisoners of war. During the course of the film, ‘The Shawshank Redemption’, there are no references of any kind of visitors or parcels for the prisoners from the ‘outside’. This proves that the prisoners have little knowledge of what is going on outside the prison walls. Although the prisoners have little luxuries from the outside on the count of Red’s ability to â€Å"locate certain things from time to time†, it is evident that they have very little. An example is the theater room. Andy has already seen the movie showing four times, which might show the fact that they have little variance? Brooks shows this theme powerfully after he leaves on parole. Brooks walks out the prison gates staring out at the world outside the grey walls he has seen for the last 40 years of his life. Brooks sits in the bus holding on for what seems like dear life on the railing on the seat in front of him, probably indicating his need to hold on to something solid now that he is on his own. In his letter to the â€Å"fellas†, Brooks talks about how he saw an â€Å"automobile once†, when he â€Å"was a kid†, but now, he remarks, â€Å"they’re everywhere†. This quote shows his obvious ignorance to the progress of the world. Brooks sums up the issue cleanly with the quote â€Å"the world went and got itself in a big hurry†. This aspect of Brooks’ journey shows that he recognizes the fact that everything has surpassed him; he can’t keep up alone on the outside. There are several moments in the film when the severity of this issue is revealed beneath the surface. For example, he is surprised when Andy speculates on what is possible through mail; setting up a social security number and license card amongst other things. The evident lack of connection to the outside world is obviously present. Brooks is the most obvious character who illustrates this. I also believe that although Red does know a lot, there are still things on the outside that surpass him. I personally doubt that prisoners of our day and time experience the same issues that the men of Shawshank Prison. Today, prisoners have visiting hours, packages from family and friends, and are lightly given parole and/or home detention. As well as this, the media has published several times information on ‘luxuries’ that men inside prison now have; widescreen televisions, heated flooring, and the ability to earn money while on the ‘inside’. This is a strong opposite of Shawshank Prison. Of all atrocities shown in the film, one of the most appalling is the maggot the Andy finds in his first breakfast. This is denying a man of his most basic need; edible food. Prisoners today have three meals a day. As well as this, they can receive food parcels from home, which reinforces the theme of attachment to society. In my opinion, the people in New Zealand today who probably face the issue of disattachment most are those who live in rest homes. Although rest homes are a stark difference to prisons, they face a similar disattachment. Patients of rest homes live in partial isolation in rooms or apartments. They have the right to feel ‘abandoned’ as those who cared for them now have no time for them, and have left them alone. The existence of rest homes may not be so harsh, but the inhabitants most probably feel this way. However, an example that shows off the ‘harshness’ of rest homes is the case of the ‘Gagging Rest home’ where a resident of a rest home was gagged by an employee for ‘making too much noise’. I do not personally know anyone who lives in a rest home, but those who have parents in rest homes speak of how their mothers or fathers despise being there. On a global scale, I support prisoners once again. But this time, prisoners of war, who are detained as a result of a war. Prisoners are obvious advocates for those who have no attachment to society. Prisoners of war however, are more extreme. They are imprisoned in a country that they are not originally from, because they were fighting in a war most probably for their nation’s freedom. There are obvious hardships for prisoners of war; language barriers, and clashes of cultures and traditions. There are even rumors of torture, mistreatment and execution. A prime example of a P. O. W amp is Guantanomo Bay the USA’s controversial prison for prisoners of war and suspected terrorists. There have been numerous reports over the abuse and beatings of inmates in the prison. The theme, a lack of attachment, is evident with prisoners of war because they are isolated from their countries; their families, friends, homes, jobs, just about everything. And while they are imprisoned fo r years and often traded as items used in discussing treaties, they are held in places completely alien to them, where they can’t connect with anything. When nations decide to end their wars, prisoners of war are exchanged in accordance to treaties. This is regularly done in conflict hotspots like in Lebanon and Israel. Most, if not all people, have a distinguished connection or attachment to society and people. Humans need social connection in order to progress, to live. When they are denied of this, they lose their sense of life; they grow alone, until they can’t live within society anymore. Brooks showed this very well. I believe that The Shawshank Redemption projected this theme extremely well. Red’s quotes about ‘institutionalism’ and ‘relying on these walls† are even better indicators of the severed connections with society. Those living in rest homes should also feel that sense of dies attachment. Having lived over 50 years of their lives integrated in society, living alone within a schedule of strict timetables is basically taking the life they had before. The same principles are present in prisons housing prisoners of war. In some sense, they can feel like Andy did, imprisoned for unjustified means. In my opinion, I believe that being separated from society can be damaging to a person’s psyche. I am not supporting criminals or prisoners, but I think the standards presented in The Shawshank Redemption aim to make the audience feel empathetic. The director, Frank Darabont, said himself that â€Å"if you don’t feel fro Brooks, then you don’t have a heart†. What if you were to be kept in a room, to be let out only to eat, or to use the bathroom? Imagine living in a world where your every move is timetabled. How would you survive? Living this way leads to changes in people, they do things that they would not do on the ‘outside’. There are people such as Bogs Diamond, who become savage, and turn to homosexuality, or gentler souls, like the ‘gagging rest home’ victim who complained. No human should be denied regular connection with the world.

Business Ethics issues involved in insider trading Essay

Business Ethics issues involved in insider trading - Essay Example company leaking information to outsiders on the deals and handshakes taking place inside the firm and with the firm and parties outside the firm. If insider trading is prevalent, why must we consider the ethical aspects of insider trading? According to Joseph Des Jardins, â€Å"unlike some business disciplines, there is no single answers in ethics, no single body of information, nor even a single framework for thinking about ethics† (9). ... It will make business ethics beyond definition thereby depriving businessmen of a tool with which to marshal their companies along line that will promote profitability and business sustainability. Businessmen are neither philosophers nor academics although they have to study philosophy and the academic sides of a business. They are not individuals who muse by the hour and become contented and fulfilled with their musings. They are not philosophers who simply reflect on life and derive satisfaction the longer the hours they spend on reflection. Businessmen are not academics out to grasp theories and advance knowledge: businessmen thirst for knowledge just like academics but they are principally users of knowledge. Businessmen may advance knowledge as they advance their business in the same way that computer, internet, and information technologies have advanced as a result of business activity. However, advancing knowledge is not the businessman’s objective but making a profit. Of course, businessmen derive satisfaction as his or her business grows, take a leading role in the industry, employ an increasing number of employees, become recognized in society, and becomes a power or at least influential in society as his or her business shape society’s lifestyle, and outlook in the same way that the businesses of Bill Gates transformed the lives of people in the 21st century. Businessmen are individuals out to make profit and survive in the competition of business. Therefore, the appropriate or relevant perspective on ethics is that one that should enable them to make profit, survive in the competition, survive in society, and if possible be ahead of the competition if not society as a whole. On the other hand consumers are becoming critical of

Electronic patient records (EPR) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Electronic patient records (EPR) - Essay Example It presents novel techniques of storing, controlling and conversing medical information of all kinds; those are more influential and flexible than paper base recording methods. It is the strategy of governments that seems to support a national healthcare infrastructure with a longitudinal patient record comprising a patients whole medical history from the birth to the death. At the same time, these advances increase a number of moral concerns. EPR may easily build a doctor-patient rapport through use of computerised notes, which the doctor and patient share. On the other hand, EPRs can damage the relationship and weaken faith. For instance, in the some developed countries there are medical data clearinghouses that trade medical patient information to insurance companies, police departments, employers, drug companies, and so on. As a result, patients are becoming unwilling to tell their doctors all about their medical conditions and the origin of them. Because of this doctor-patient r apport gets damaged and most crucially threatens to damage quality of care. Obviously, there is an anxiety and trade-off amid the need-to-know and the right to confidentiality that must be dealt with. Breach of medical confidentiality may seem to be easy for the reason that the competence of computerised systems. The harm to the patient whose confidentiality is dishonoured may be proportionately bigger as the quantity of information held within the EPR. But the merits comparing to the demerits are greater. The intention of this article is to trace the history of the efforts made by a Western industrialised nation to implement EPR, (b) to identify the benefits and issues arising, and (c) to reflect on the extent to which such an initiative is transferable to a developing country (Rogerson, 2000). The development in medical science is in step with the growth in various other fields, mainly the

Assignment 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Assignment 3 - Essay Example For many barriers of communication to be avoided, members ought to hold mediated meetings in order to resolve their differences and map the way forward to success. If the group faces innumerable conflicts, the first resolution should be allowing everyone to participate fully in deliberation proceedings. Leaders ought to advise members to listen to each other’s point of view on the topic under discussion. Through this, every member feels appreciated, and they work harder, towards the success of the group. Secondly, members should appreciate, be respectful and aim at creating a healthy relationship with other group members, their opinions notwithstanding. When members set up such a mood, everyone feels appreciated and respected. This boosts the morale of every member, enhancing teamwork and self-esteem (Stern, 2003). Thus, everyone feels welcome to produce viewpoints in group deliberations and discussions. This behavior results into positive success in all the activities of the group. Finally, members should propose solutions to crises, in the course of operations of the group. This method, known as brainstorming, aims at uniting them to a common bottom-line. After proposals to the solution of group issues, members should arrive at a reasonable, fair and plausible agreement. This agreement automatically benefits the entire group. The combined efforts of the members are more immense than proposals of a single member of the group. Therefore, cohesion helps to resolve many

Life Of Pi Essay English Literature Essay

Life Of Pi Essay English Literature Essay Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel, is an adventure Novel about a 16 year-old boy called Pi who , along with his family, gets shipwrecked. The theme is about struggling to survive against all odds. Only Pi and some animals survive. The book is divided into three parts: After the authors note, part 1 tells about Pis young life and his love of animals and religion. Part 2 is the main part of the book which describes the sinking of the ship which is carrying Pi, his family, the crew and some zoo animals. Pis family perish and Pi is left alone to survive with some animals. Eventually he manages to reach land. In part 3 he tells the story of his adventures but is not believed and he retells the story using humans instead of animals. The reader is left to make his own mind up regarding which is the more credible story. In Yann Martels Life of Pi, symbolism plays an important part. Throughout the story, the color orange appears many times. The color orange symbolizes survival and hope. Pi himself keeps hope when he is all alone on his lifeboat. He wants to survive no matter what happens. When the ship (Tsimtsum) sinks the Chinese crewman help him by giving Pi a lifejacket with an orange whistle; the lifeboat which was essential for his survival was also orange. In a flash forward at the end of part one before the ships sinks the narrator describes visiting adult Pi and his family at Pis home in Canada. Shes holding an orange cat in her arms. Two front legs sticking straight up and deeply sunk head are all that is visible of it above her crossed arms The rest of the cat is hanging all the way down to the floor. The animal seems quite relaxed about being stretched on the rack in this manner.(page 89) Usha (Pis daughter) holds an orange cat. This gives the reader a confirmation that Pi will survive the catastrophe. The orange cat symbolizes Richard Parker the Bengal tiger, who helps Pi to survive during his 227days at sea. The tiger, the lifeboat and the whistle (all orange) all contribute to the survival of Pi and give support during emotional difficult times. Pi explains how closely religion and zoology are aligned and he uses zoos as a symbol for religion. I know zoos are no longer in peoples good graces. Religion faces the same problem. Certain illusions about freedom plague them both.(page 29) Some people consider themselves to be free from any belief or religious system, just like others misunderstand that the wild is not free for an animal. Zoos are often critized because they take wild, noble animals from their natural habitat and put them into boring domesticated cages. Pi vehemently disagrees; he finds that animals are creatures of habit and will adjust to their new caged environment. In the zoo they have all their needs compressed into a safe environment. This is, according to Pi, heaven for animals. In the same way religion offers people boundaries within which they feel secure and safe. When Pi was desperate on his lifeboat he turned to religion. He had in fact three, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Pi explains: I practiced religious rituals that I adapted to the circumstances- solitary Masses without priests or consecrated Communion hosts, darshans without murtis, and pujas with turtle meat for Prasad, acts of devotion to Allah not knowing where Mecca was and getting my Arabic wrong. They brought me comfort. (page 187) When you believe in God or have faith in something you are certain of yourself. Unlike atheists who do not believe in anything which makes them uncertain, Pi embraces religion to gain certainty The quote above bears this out. Another symbol in the book is Pi which is the main character Piscines nickname. Pis full name is Piscine Molitor Patel. When he was still in primary school kids sometimes used to tease him by calling him Pissing instead of Piscine. Pi got his name from the swimming pool of Paris, Piscine des Tourelles and therefore children found Piscine hard to pronounce. My name is Piscine Molitor Patel Known to all as -I double underlined the first two letters of my given name- Pi Patel For good measure I added (Page 31) When Pi started going to secondary school he decided that to prevent people from calling him Pissing he decided to call himself Pi (see quote). The name Pi is a very unusual name and it also brings a great deal of symbolism with it. Pi is the Greek number for sixteen and Pi was sixteen when he got shipwrecked. The number Pi is used to determine the circumference of a circle with the formula: . There is also symbolism behind this because the correlation between the linear journey to Canada and the cycles of doubt and faith are experienced by Pi. The number Pi is a very complex number. In fact, it has so many decimal places that it is too difficult for human minds to accurately comprehend it, just as it says in the book that some realities/situations are just too difficult to face. Pis experiences are explained rationally by Pi. Pi uses pi () to figure out the circumference of the algae island. In brief it can be said that symbolism plays a big role in the story Life of Pi. The symbols help us to truly understand Pis fight for survival. The color orange, the animals, religion and pi are just a few examples of how symbolism is used in the story. Even though Pi changes his account of the sinking of the ship and his survival, (by substituting people for animals) the events remain consistent with his original story. Storytelling (with symbolism incorporated) helps Pi to rationalize his dramatic experience and overcome despair.

American Treatment of the Indian Tribes Essay -- essays research paper

American Treatment of the Indian Tribes The American Indian lived a life being one with nature. In their way, they understood the ecological demands of the land and knew that if they took care of the land the land would take care of them. They possessed an untouched wisdom living in harmony with the environment. They hunted the land for buffalo, which provided food and clothing for the ages to come. In time they would almost become non existent at the hands of the â€Å"white† man. They would come to lose their land, lose the buffalo and lose their self being and their way of life. Towards the end of the 1800s the Indian territories were reduced by about 95 percent. The U.S. government along with greedy white settlers was the main reason behind this loss of land. The government placed treaty upon treaty on the Native Americans and would not uphold to any of them. Some treaties were made to guarantee safety and permanent reserve for the Indians, but they were not followed through. In most cases the Indians were driven off the land by white settlers looking for gold or rich farmlands. The U. S. government broke some of the treaties by expanding through the promised lands looking for valuable minerals and making way for the expansion of the railways. The U.S. Government in seeking rights to control the land and its natural resources reverted to â€Å"legal† manipulation. In cases were they were met with resistance, the Army was called in to settle the score. The relocation of the Indians from lands east of the Mississippi River to the West represents a dark phase in American history. In the first treaties signed, there were promises of stability for the Indians. One of these sagas is known as the â€Å"Trail of Tears†. This relates to the removal of the Cherokee Indians by the U.S. Army from their native lands in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. During the journey they were held in camps and then forced to travel over 1,000 miles during adverse weather. This trail led them to the Indian Territory, which is now Oklahoma. This was a catalyst towards the devastation of the American Indian culture... ...mises such as owning their land â€Å"as long waters run and the grass shall grow.† The Indians would have continued to live "until the end of time" if the white settlers had not intervened. The white settlers created conditions that threatened the existence of the Indians. By the late 1800s, most of the tribes had now been almost completely abolished. The Indians were either beaten into submission or succumbed to the many contagious diseases brought on by the settlers. By the start of the 1900s there were less than one quarter million Native American Indians in the country. These numbers dwindled from over half a million in the early 1880s and over five million since Columbus first set foot on these lands. Most of the Indians now were living in the small reservations. Beaten, tired and humiliated, they lived in poverty, alcoholism, and unemployment. They were now forced to live off the government as wards of the state. Once the rulers of the West they now a lost culture, having lost their identities and sense of being. Although the freedom of their ancient way of life has been lost, the religion, culture, legends, and spirit of the Native American Indian will always endure.