Socrates Essays - Socratic Dialogues, Dialogues Of Plato, Socrates

Socrates While reading Plato's Meno, Euthyphro, apology, and Crito, it became apparent that Socrates held very strong beliefs about the relationship between law and morality. Socrates makes it clear about the reasons laws should be or not be followed. He also clarifies his stand on why laws should be followed and why disobedience to the law is rarely justified. Socrates views humanity in the context that anybody is capable of wrongdoing. He continues with the elaboration that even returning an injury upon oneself is wrong. Socrates then makes a connection between the city and morality. If one is acting without the city's allowance, one is doing wrong toward the city and it's laws. Behaving wrongly towards the people is also doing wrong against the city. The wrongdoing would become a way of destroying the cities laws, and hurting citizens in the process. Socrates compares this relationship to that of how a child should not cause harm to his parents. By doing so you disrespect the laws within the city. Causing harm to your father would lead to conviction; further illustrating the fact that wrong against the law is a wrong against everybody who abides by that law. Socrates follows this by examining what each citizen is taught. From birth you are told to obey laws. You were brought to life from your mother and father and thus you should respect and obey the rules that they do. But the cities laws were there before you mother and father, and are therefor equally if not more important than the laws of your mother and father. The city's law should be respected at least as equally as one's parents should. Socrates then goes on to explain that you do not have the same rights as your parents. Because they have taught what is right and wrong, it is immoral to treat your parents as they treat you. Your parents must have a higher position than you because they taught you. This thought is then extended to the city with the quote ?One must obey the commands of one's city and country, or persuade it as to the nature of justice. It is impious to bring violence to bear against your mother or father, it is much more so to use it against you country.? (Crito, 46) One should obey your parents, but more important is the city. Because the city was that which has taught your ancestors and your parents, it must be superior to them. The cities laws being superior to your mother or father, should be respected and followed. Socrates explains his thoughts of the city and its rules as the nature of life. We were welcomed into the world by the city so it is immoral to fight against it. The laws should be ac cepted and followed. But one should not obey a law just because it is a law. What is moral has been taught to us by our parents, and to them from the city. It is their opinion that will tell us if our actions are moral or not. However, one aspect of the city and its laws is that you are not forced to do as it dictates. As Socrates explains, you have two options, to obey the law or not. But in regards to Socrates opinion, it is not another's opinion to decide what is right and wrong for us. But just as children argue with their parents, one doesn't have to do everything that he is told to. It is an immoral life to follow others opinions about morality. From Euthyphro Socrates opinion on how disobedience can be justified is shown. When Euthyhro accuses his father of murder, he states ?I say that the pious to do what I am doing now, to prosecute the wrongdoer, be it about murder or temple robbery or anything else, whether the wrongdoer is your father or your mother or anyone else; not to prosecute is impious.? (Euthyphro, 22) In this case, Socrates is defending himself. He doesn't believe in all the God's ideas and is justifying his opinion. He has similar thoughts about morality when he states ?I find it hard to accept things like that being said about the

Why Animal Rights Activists Oppose Aquariums

Why Animal Rights Activists Oppose Aquariums Animal rights activists oppose aquariums for the same reason they oppose zoos. Fish and other sea creatures, like their land-dwelling relatives, are sentient and have a right to live free from human exploitation. In addition, there are concerns about the treatment of the animals in captivity, especially marine mammals. Aquariums and Animal Rights From an animal rights perspective, keeping animals in captivity for our own use is an infringement on that animals right to be free of human exploitation, regardless of how well the animals are treated. There are some people who doubt the sentience of fish and other sea creatures. This is an important issue because the rights of animals are based on sentience - the ability to suffer. But studies have shown that fish, crabs, and shrimp do feel pain. What about anemones, jellyfish and other animals with simpler nervous systems? While its debatable whether a jellyfish or anemone can suffer, it is clear that crabs, fish, penguins and marine mammals do feel pain, are sentient and are therefore deserving of rights. Some might argue that we should give jellyfish and anemones the benefit of the doubt because there is no compelling reason to keep them in captivity, but in a world where clearly intelligent, sentient beings such as dolphins, elephants and chimpanzees are kept in captivity for our amusement/education, the main challenge is convincing the public that sentience is the determining factor for whether a being has rights, and sentient beings should not be kept in zoos and aquariums. Aquariums and Animal Welfare The animal welfare position holds that humans have a right to use animals as long as the animals are treated well. However, even from an animal welfare viewpoint, aquariums are problematic. Animals in an aquarium are confined in relatively small tanks and can get bored and frustrated. In an effort to provide more natural environments for the animals, different species are often kept together, which lead to predatory animals attacking or eating their tank mates. Furthermore, the tanks are stocked either with captured animals or animals bred in captivity. Capturing animals in the wild is stressful, injurious and sometimes fatal; breeding in captivity is also a problem because those animals will live their entire lives in a tiny tank instead of a vast ocean. Special Concerns About Marine Mammals There are special concerns regarding marine mammals because they are so large and they so obviously suffer in captivity, regardless of any educational or entertainment value they may have for their captors. This is not to say that marine mammals suffer more in captivity than small fish, although that is possible, the suffering of marine mammals is more obvious to us. For example, according to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, a dolphin in the wild swims 40 miles per day, but US regulations require dolphin pens to be only 30 feet in length. A dolphin would have to circle his tank more than 3,500 times every day to simulate his natural range. Regarding killer whales in captivity, the Humane Society of the US explains: This unnatural situation can cause skin problems. In addition, in captive killer whales (orcas), it is the probable cause of dorsal fin collapse, as without the support of water, gravity pulls these tall appendages over as the whale matures. Collapsed fins are experienced by all captive male orcas and many captive female orcas, who were either captured as juveniles or who were born in captivity. However, they are observed in only about 1% of orcas in the wild. And in rare tragedies, captive marine mammals attack people, possibly as a result of post-traumatic stress syndrome after being captured from the wild. What About Rehabbing or Public Education? Some might point out the good work that aquariums do: rehabbing wildlife and educating the public about zoology and ocean ecology. While these programs are laudable and certainly not trivial, they cannot justify the suffering of the individuals in aquariums. If they operated as true sanctuaries for individual animals who cannot return to the wild, such as Winter, the dolphin with a prosthetic tail, there would be no ethical objections. What Laws Protect Animals in Aquariums? On the federal level, the federal Animal Welfare Act covers the warm-blooded animals in aquariums, such as marine mammals and penguins, but does not apply to fish and invertebrates - the vast majority of animals in an aquarium. The Marine Mammal Protection Act offers some protection for whales, dolphins, seals, walruses, sea lions, sea otters, polar bears, dugongs, and manatees, but does not prohibit keeping them in captivity. The Endangered Species Act covers endangered species that might be in an aquarium and applies to all types of animals, including marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates. Animal cruelty statutes vary by state, and some states may offer some protection to the marine mammals, penguins, fish and other animals in aquariums. The information on this website is not legal advice and is not a substitute for legal advice. For legal advice, please consult an attorney.

The Similarities and Differences of Nature versus Nurture in Regards Essay - 5

The Similarities and Differences of Nature versus Nurture in Regards to Plato and Aristotles Theories - Essay Example Nature and nurture debate is a discussion that concerns the comparative significance of individuals’ innate qualities. Nature refers to the physical world and its contents. On the other hand, nurture refers to the total of milieu controls and conditions operating on an organism. The fundamentalism in this debate underpins the establishing or causing personal dissimilarities in physical and behavioral qualities. This debate has lasted numerous decades and it is believed to last longer due to the existing and emerging theories of explaining the human behavior Plato believed that behavior knowledge was a result of innate factors. Plato’s theory implied that all knowledge is present at birth and the only thing the milieu does is to remind humanity of the information they already knew. Aristotle believed that, when humans are born into the world, they are just blank slates, whose behavior and thoughts are due to experience, which is attributed to the environment. Aristotle’s theory explains that the environment is a fundamental element in the development of humans’ behavior. Considering Jeannette’s case in the â€Å"Glass Castle† the environment that surrounded her upbringing was harsh. For instance, her father applies a sink or swim approach to teach her how to swim. Later we see Jeannette grows to a strong and outstanding woman who excel in academic and other areas of life. This is a true reflection of Plato’s theory that, the environment consists of influential forces that shape an individual’s behavior. The nature of Jeannette’s perseverance is immensely correlated to the harsh milieu of upbringing characterized poverty that she was she brought in.  Ã‚  

Religious Education Curriculum as a Basis for Developing an Ethos of Essay

Religious Education Curriculum as a Basis for Developing an Ethos of Mutual Respect among Pupils - Essay Example I discovered the importance of educational acts such as the Education Act especially in ensuring that the Religious Education curriculum is effective. Educational reforms are important and can only be much beneficial when implemented for the general national good. For example, excluding independent schools from the national educational reforms is a great setback and can cause great harm to the educational system and cripple the efforts made toward achieving a united country. I support the opinion that religious education must be taught as part of the national curriculum, in all schools for at least a few minutes per day and that collective worship during school meeting time or lessons facilitates the understanding of the role of religion among students. Even though people have the right to withdraw their children from schools that offer obligatory religious education, this denies the children the right to acquire good personal attributes and social understanding that I consider to be very essential for any individual who want to coexist well with others. Moreover everyone’s right to worship and to associate with a particular religion should be respected. I concur with the idea that integrating religious education within the national curriculum will go a long way in developing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other religions. It is true that embedding the Religious Education curriculum in local syllabuses and school frameworks has helped many nations to identify and embrace important principles for religious education (Ashcroft and Palacio, 1997, p.169). Religious education builds up students’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity as well as other principal religions and religious traditions in the world. It makes a unique contribution to the school curriculum by developing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of religion, religious beliefs, practices, languages and traditions and their influence on individuals, communities, societies and cultures. It is much profitable and extremely important that religious education be a nationally agreed syllabus. The education authorities and Standard Advisory Council for Religious Education must come together and device new policies that incorporate the religious teachings and education into the national syllabus (Ashcroft and Palacio, 1997, p.72) .Countries dominated by one particular religion must learn to embrace and tolerate religious diversity. The increased international relations denote that countries must now be more accommodative and able to absorb people of different and diverse multicultural backgrounds. Teaching pupils the diversity of today’s society and the varying differences in religious beliefs and cultures creates a more civilized and understanding society. Religious education encourages the students and the society to accommodate and tolerate people of diverse cultures and enables the pupils and students to explore multi-cultural and multi- faiths, encouraging them to coexist well with people around them

The Tragedy of September 11 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Tragedy of September 11 - Essay Example The paper "The Tragedy of September 11" explores the tragedy in the USA. After 9/11 the US residents were supportive of president’s Bush declaration of war. Americans had suffered a great human loss as a result of a cowardly attack on American civilians. The American citizens were outraged and wanted action and retaliation against the perpetrators that destroyed downtown New York. There was no clear target as far the attack coming from typical enemies such a war declaration from another country. The government decided that the entire Middle East region was at fault because many terrorist organizations loomed in the area. This characterization of an entire race was a carefully plotted plan which utilized imaginative geographies to justify a full blown attack against Afghanistan and Iraq which were perceived as the epicenter in which the terrorist were located and planned their attacks against western nations. This paper analyzes how the â€Å"War on Terror† has utilized imaginative geographies as an effective strategic tool to continue its presence in the Middle East for nearly six years. Imaginative geographies refers to the dramatization of the differences between a dominant culture and another culture, ‘us’ and ‘them’, employed by folding difference in distance as the key to create made up perceptions of events occurring in a place based on prejudice, racial disparity and other generalization of an opposite culture. The U.S military and its allies including the British regime utilized imaginary geography.

Macro Environmental Forces Slept Analysis Marketing Essay

Macro Environmental Forces Slept Analysis Marketing Essay The financial crisis initiated four years ago has been the reason for purchasing cuts on all dispensable products. Bottled water has been perceived as one of them and, therefore, its consumption has slightly decreased (Mintel, 2012). Consumers are not keen any more to pay for unnecessary goods and services, especially, those which can be substituted for other alternatives, for instance, the consumption of tap water in replace of bottled water. This could suggest that the issue has influenced the consumers mind by inciting them to drink tap water rather than to spend extra money on something which can be obtained for an extremely cheap price. Thus, the companies find themselves in a position where they need to reduce the price of their products in order to keep the business afloat. According to the newspaper reporter Smithers (2009) from the Guardian, the immediate impact of this credit crunch meant a declination of 9 % on number of bottles sold in the UK. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2009/mar/23/bottled-water-sales-fall The companies have needed to find a reason which could motivate consumers to appreciate the benefits of bottled water and, hence, motivate them to purchase it as the economy has become an issue preventing its sales even though it is currently showing a slow improvement (The Guardian, 2012). http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/oct/25/british-economy-recession LEGAL FACTORS Specification of components and labelling requirements Bottled water companies production in the UK is restricted by laws at European and national level which not only concern with the protection of consumers but also the protection of the environment (Bottled water information, no date). The Food standard legislation is one of those regulations and it defends the rights of the consumers from being mislead when purchasing a food product (Food Standards Agency, no date). As a result, bottled water producers are obliged to state the components of the water ensuring the customers awareness of them. The labels of their products must specify these constituents. However, the requirements and rules on the positioning and labelling are different depending on the water category: natural mineral water, bottled drinking water and spring water (Mendip District Council, 2010). http://www.mendip.gov.uk/CouncilService.asp?id=SX9452-A7808400 Natural mineral waters must come from a recognised underground source and can only be subject to very limited treatments.   Any water labelled spring water must come from an underground source and meet certain exploitation and labelling requirements but does not need to be from an officially recognised source.   Bottled drinking can come from any water source and has fewer labelling restrictions than the other two categories Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (no date). The aim of this regulation is to stop the use of ozone-enriched air, in the case of the spring water, as disinfectant treatment and to ensure a better healthcare by reducing the toxic substances. The bottled water producers have to make sure to follow these rules before placing their products in the market place. Regulations to reduce environmental impacts Bottled water may be a serious impact on the environment and, for that reason; there are existing harsh rules which determine the way companies have to operate in order to maintain the impact to the lowest. Companies have to ensure they use the natural resources in a sustainable way (Bottled water information UK, no date) because the situation has come to a stage where their contribution in pollution is really significant. The production of plastic bottles and the transportation of water have actively affected the medium. Every year more than 3.5 billion pounds of PET plastic bottles come to be roadside litter, worthless material (Hays, no date, p:15)and another large quantity is burned liberating harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Some companies have tried to improve their brand image by launching  initiatives with environmental words like plastic neutral and zero waste. However, campaigners still believe that generating and eliminate plastic bottles are catastrophic to the environment in any circumstance (Manchester Evening News, 2009). The Environmental Agency, the institution standing for the care of the environs, has dictated the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 which controls this liberation of contaminants into the air from large and multiple industrial operations (Environment Agency, no date). The bottled water producers are forced to find a way not to surpass these established limits as their infringement could lead to serious consequences. POLITICAL FACTORS This industry has constantly been affected by a succession of negative impacts as it has been seen previously. However, it has also taken advantage of opportunities which have been presented through positive factors. One of these opportunities is the health report given by the government which remarks the importance of drinking water, being hydrated .This health report is the new marketing strategy that the business needed in order to re-position itself in the market. Consumers commence to take more consideration for their health. Nonetheless, the main target that the government is intending to appeal is children as the obesity and other health issues are rapidly increasing in their sector (National Health Service Information Centre, 2012, p:24) .They want to influence them to follow a healthier lifestyle. http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/003_Health_Lifestyles/OPAD12/Statistics_on_Obesity_Physical_Activity_and_Diet_England_2012.pdf The Health Protection Agency, a department which concerns with the health issues, wants to prevent and significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality arising from gastrointestinal disorders and other health effects, by ensuring that adequate measures are taken to improve access to safe and affordable water and adequate sanitation for all children Health Protection Agency (no date). This is a clear chance for the bottled water producers to stand and succeed generating a product which appeals to this particular target audience. Different sizes of bottles which can fit in their hands or in their launch box. Moreover, it has helped to create new advertising campaigns that promote and highlight the gains obtainable from bottled water, for example, Nestlà ©s pure life 2011 advertising campaign (YouTube, 2011). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS5P9Y-ah3s SOCIAL FACTORS The bottled water industry has witnessed certain social aspects occurred in the outside world which have sometimes jeopardized its place in the beverage market. Nevertheless, some others factors have also become new doors for the business to expand. The conditions of tap water and its taste have caused a growth of tension among people. Consequently, consumers have started demanding something purer with nutrients and vitamins (McQueeney, 2012). It is then that the bottled water producers have realized the need of creating a product which suits the requests of this particular type of customer. They have understood their message by launching a range of bottled waters with different flavours widening, in this way, their choice (Jones, 2009). Volvic is clear example of one of those companies which has grasped this opportunity. http://www.beveragedaily.com/Markets/Flavour-and-function-triumph-in-bottled-water-market Another revolutionary social fact that changed the industry is the rise of body/health consciousness (NamNews, 2010). Society has become increasingly obsessed with their body shape to the point of being selective with the food and the drinks they consume. Food and drink production companies noticed that a place was being created for products low in calories which meant a new way to develop business (Public Relations Web, 2012). The bottled water market is one of the industries that considered that it was coming to be a sizeable and relevant market. Therefore, they strived to find a way to connect fitness with water (Forsyth, 2010). They created advertising campaigns where the characters (with great bodies) were involved in some kind of sport or activity. They were effective because people started to perceive water as indispensable for active life. However, there still was the need to portray that, to have the best of the bodies, the best water had to be consumed. That is exactly what Evian did. http://www.prweb.com/releases/food_additives_acidulants/fat_replacers_sweeteners/prweb10148697.htm http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11813975 The French brand Evian recognised the growing, wider health and fitness trend and exploited it to the full by marketing their bottled water the ultimate health and wellness product Forsyth, H. (2010). Bottled water was now being included as part of the shopping list and its demand has rapidly increased as people live a more beneficial life (BBC Two, 2010). http://www.kamcity.com/namnews/asp/newsarticle.asp?newsid=41408 https://release.worc.ac.uk/watch.php?r=ZC72HMLN TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS For any bottled water company, the expense to generate its products requires constant analysis at all levels. The extensive companies keep becoming stronger, coercing the suppliers to enhance quality and productivity but diminishing costs (Pall Corporation, 2006). This could be possible with the apparition of a new revolutionary way of production that could actually achieve that: The hollow fiber membrane technology. http://d2xjwcgentlu24.cloudfront.net/pdfs/Food-and-Beverage/Bottled_Water_App_Bulletin.pdf This innovation is based on the separation of both gassy and liquid elements. It has been demonstrated that the membranes work in water treatment. As a result, its development still proceeds. Nevertheless, there are few remaining problems that need to be solved (Stanford Research Institute International, no date). The European Commission (2010, p:9) also agrees with that. For that reason, it also emphasizes the relevance of this problem which makes it point of focus in its investigation. http://www.sri.com/work/projects/advanced-hollow-fiber-membrane-water-purification http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/pdf/membrane-technologies.pdf MICRO-ENVIRONMENTAL FORCES The bottled water industry has faced some internal aspects occurring in its environment which have been harnessed appropriately in order to help the business boost its sales: competitive advantage within the soft drink market, convenience of bottled water, rise of focus on better healthcare, increase of eco-friendly interest ,etc (Mintel, 2012). COMPETITORS The successful outcome and behaviour of a company depend on the competition level in its market (Oxford University Press, 2007). Thus, companies must identify their relevant competitors in order to generate the most efficient marketing strategy to obtain profits and also help them become the leading company in their product category. The bottled water producers have made sure to achieve a developed competitive advantage which has helped them gain position (Mintel, 2012). For that reason, it is wrong to believe that tap water is the industry main competitor. Bottled water is currently occupying a high position in the market competing in the same level as soft drinks. It has maintained competitive prices by offering the minimum cost which has proved to be effective as it continues to be appealing to those customers seeking value for money (Mintel, 2012). The soft drink industry has struggled to sell its products due to the unfavourable publicity causing consumers to change their drink choices for healthier ones (Highbeam Business, 2012). This has meant a huge opportunity for the bottled water brands to gain popularity over their competitors. That is the reason why some big distributors of soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, have realized the need to also get involved in the distribution of bottled water (i.e. Dasani, Aquafina) with the interest of expanding the business (McWilliams, 2010). However, some have succeeded in this purpose more than others. Today bottled water is the fastest-growing beverage category in the world (FiberWater, no date) despite their rivals try hard other strategies to recover their losses and regain market share. CUSTOMERS The number of consumers that see their lives as time-pressured grows every day (Mintel, 2012). According to this fact, convenience becomes an important factor influencing their decisions when purchasing a drink or a food product (Wales, 2009). That explains the growth of microwave dinners, drive-thru windows and online purchasing of groceries. However, there are other reasons that make bottled water convenient. When people buy it, what they are buying it is not the water so much as the bottle, what they are buying is the convenience of the package at that moment (Fisherman, 2010). If one finds himself in a situation where there is need of drinking water while being out (without availability of tap water), the first thing that would come to mind is to buy a bottle of water from the nearest store. In short, this suggests that what the industry is actually selling is the benefits of the product (portable, opportune at the needed time) which is what the customer wants, rather than produc t itself. The focus of the customers on convenience is good news for the industry as they gradually switch to the appropriateness of the beverage (Australasian bottled water institute, no date) with the extended variation of leisure activities, travelling and also the growth of life out home. http://www.bottledwater.org.au/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=ASP0003/ccms.r?PageId=5002 SEGMENTATION, TARGETING POSITIONING The bottled water companies need to recognize and describe their potential markets. They need to break them down into different segments using demographic variables, psychographic variables and/or behavioural variables. Once this step is fulfilled, they have to evaluate the relevant segments and decide which ones to target. Finally, they design the product which meets the requirements of their targeted audience (Adcock et al., 2001). The market can possibly be divided by using different variables. However, the most relevant for the bottled water industry is probably the behavioural variables: non-users, light, moderate or heavy users (E-learn portal, 2012). For example, according to Euromonitor (2002) the bottled water consumption was heavy in Italy with an average of 155 litres per person a year while it was light in Finland with an average of 14 litres per person. http://www.elearnportal.com/courses/business/consumer-behavior/consumer-behavior-market-segmentation http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/foo_bot_wat_con-food-bottled-water-consumption EVIAN Evian is UK leading brand specialized in the distribution of bottled water (BBC, 2012). It is part of the product mix supplied by the French company Danone. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-19743806 The brand is generally aimed at heavy mineral water drinkers (Nielsen, 2009). However, on a detailed basis, Evian targets people of all ages; mums, babies, children, seniors and also people who carry an active lifestyle (Evian PET bottles), for example, students. Moreover, it also aims at restaurants, hotels and nightclubs as that explains the existence of Evian glass bottles (Evian, no date). A lot of people would say water does not offer too many opportunities. Nevertheless, Evian has achieved positioning its brand in the premium market by gaining from every parent concerned for the health of their newborns (Michael, 2012). Evian uses a unique brand communication which proves to be effective. It was clearly reflected on their advertising campaign under the slogan Live Young (Lab Brand, 2009). Brand Positioning on Emotional Benefits http://www.labbrand.com/brand-source/evian-strives-brand-differentiation-build-brand-equity EVIANS MARKETING MIX PRICE Evian wants the customers to distinguish their product as being a luxury from Mother Nature; consequently, they price it at the premium level (Fisher, 2012). This is due to the reliance they have developed over the years since the establishment of the brand. The price is what gives standard to their product line (Kapferer, 2008). The following image gives an idea of the average price of Evians product line in Tesco. Figure 1: Evian brand price at Tesco (My supermarket 2012). PLACE Evian clearly distributes its bottles through supermarkets, such as, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Ocado and Sainsburys (My supermarket, 2012). Similarly, they use some smaller retailers as their supply channel as it is a wider way to reach their customers. In some occasions, the brand may also be placed in vending machines as it can be seen in the picture below. http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRL-LKivJKsbaGbwI7qTyEq0EG-7BkObbtFCXPi_ykx8sFpS33eoQ Figure 2: Evian bottles in a vending machine (Source: Google, 2011). PRODUCT The brand offers ranges of bottles suited to each of their different target audiences. For example, the PET bottles for sports practitioners and the glass bottles for the restaurants. It is noticeable that the firm uses different materials to generate its bottles: plastic bottles, resistant to movement, and glass bottles, more delicate, sign of sophistication (Evian, no date). In addition, Evian offers its water in bottles of different sizes adapted to the convenience of the customer. http://www.evian.com/files/contents/38/bottles_PET_BE.png Figure3: Evian bottles in different sizes (Source: Evian, no date). PROMOTION It uses different ways to communicate its message to the target audience with the interest of creating a connection between them and the product. Some of the various effective techniques they utilize to make that possible are brand endorsement and advertising through different channels. In addition, the brand is sponsor of sport icons like Maria Sharapova (The drum, 2012). Figure 5: Evians billboard advert (Source: Google 2012). Figure 4: Evians brand endorsement (Source: AdWeek 2006).http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwg1SFW7p_fwN4mSlHvY0Pdu9WHXFWizkyTgMIYXuRCfBouuoqCYvGtj1bSA http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ9zwxjho_G7ARm8PA5qhZORnp-MylAVKZVyPCrw_cIxunvbXiKLw http://liamsmarketingandprblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/analysis-and-swot-analysis-of-one-brand.html http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8PoItiB7bicCpg=PA235lpg=PA235dq=evian-+premium+pricesource=blots=ewZc0xoEWBsig=_b3qj2975SIOafxq1j49xu89Ldghl=ensa=Xei=NO61UO_yLYiH0AW69YHoBgved=0CFkQ6AEwBg#v=onepageq=evian-%20premium%20pricef=false http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/brands/evian_in_tesco.html http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/#/tesco-price-comparison/mineral_water/evian_natural_still_mineral_water_2l.html http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=Evian+bottles+in+a+vending+machineum=1hl=ensa=Ntbo=dbiw=1366bih=653tbm=ischtbnid=Ut337L89YKN7rM:imgrefurl=http://vintage.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/France-South-Nice-Aix-en-Provence-DiScala-Wedding-Chateau-Grimaldi-Best-Western-2011-7.htmldocid=Wxlz77d416FJLMimgurl=http://vintage.johnnyjet.com/photos-2011/Nice-France-June-2011-176.jpgw=640h=480ei=SOu5UJXeGcLF0QWAqIHIAwzoom=1iact=rcdur=399sig=113099667739855397104page=1tbnh=143tbnw=212start=0ndsp=23ved=1t:429,r:22,s:0,i:157tx=131ty=95 http://www.evian.com/en_GB/54-evian-PET-bottles James Blake is cool, but can he heat up? http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=evian+billboard+adsstart=185hl=ensa=Xtbo=dbiw=1366bih=653tbm=ischtbnid=Op4ec1VRnuLuXM:imgrefurl=http://www.artrick-playground.com/article/Evian-T-Shirts-Are-Back/3247/1024811docid=4RFzSZrgBnMPyMimgurl=http://www.artrick-playground.com/static/images/3247/Evian-T-Shirts-Are-Back_1024811_profile.jpgw=440h=330ei=XuO5UP2CGqrQ0QWln4GgBgzoom=1iact=hcvpx=1066vpy=301dur=485hovh=194hovw=259tx=147ty=66sig=113099667739855397104page=8tbnh=149tbnw=214ndsp=34ved=1t:429,r:78,s:100,i:58 http://www.thedrum.com/news/2012/06/28/evian-extends-sponsorship-deals-maria-sharapova-and-wimbledon

Financial Markets, Money Markets, and Institutions

FINANCIAL MARKETS, MONEY MARKETS, AND INSTITUTIONS Q1. A Financial intermediary is an institution that bridges between user & provider of finance. Which of the following is/are a financial intermediary? (MRQ) Venture CapitalistInsurance institutionsCredit unionsCommercial Banks(2 marks) Q2. Which of the following is a money market instrument? (MCQ)Corporate BondTreasury BillsDebenturesStocks(2 marks) Q3. Faust Co trades agricultural products & oils in its markets. Which type of market is Faust Co most likely in? (MCQ)Money marketsDerivatives marketCommodity marketsInsurance markets(2 marks) Q4. Which of the following is a difference in primary & secondary markets? (MCQ)Secondary markets relate to the trading of securities at the initial offeringPrimary & Secondary markets deals in the sale of securitiesThe primary market is used by newly public limited entitiesPrimary markets deal initial offerings & Secondary markets deals in existing investments (2 marks) Q5. The conversion of illiquid assets into marketable securities is known as? (MCQ)FuturesSecuritizationEuro currencyRepos(2 marks) Q6. Which of the following correctly describes Arbitrage? (MCQ)Opportunity for investors to widen their investmentThe use of different types of securities in the financial market for investors to assess their riskThe process of buying a security from one market and selling off to another market to obtain profitAn investment to reduce the risk of unfavorable price movements (2 marks) Q7. The following statements relate to key roles of a financial intermediary. Match the appropriate options with their definitions. (P&D)The pooling of many small deposits to make the larger advancement of finance Reduction in default risk by lending finance to multiple businesses FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION AGGREGATION MATURITY TRANSFORMATION RISK REDUCTION(2 marks) Q8. Which of the following investment is most risky? (MCQ)Ordinary sharesPreference sharesMarket risk bondsCompany issue bonds(2 marks) Q9. Select the appropriate option in relation to money markets. (HA)It is a market for short-term funds TRUE FALSEThis market is operated by financial institutions TRUE FALSEThe interest-bearing instrument is an example of money market instrument TRUE FALSEMoney market deposits is an example of money market derivatives TRUE FALSE(2 marks) FINANCIAL MARKETS, MONEY MARKETS, AND INSTITUTIONS (ANSWERS) Q1. All options are examples of financial intermediaryVenture Capitalist (An investing company in small companies)Insurance institutions (Charging premiums which are invested to provide returns) Credit unions (A member of the union may borrow from a pool of deposits at low interest) Commercial Banks Q2. BAll others are capital market instruments. Capital markets are long-term financial instruments in form of debt or equity which are traded. Q3. CMoney markets (A market that supports short-term debt financing & investment)Derivatives market (A market that provides instruments for managing financial risk) Commodity markets (A market that supports trading of raw or natural materials)Insurance markets (A market that facilitates buying & selling of insurance) Q4. DSecondary markets relate to the trading of securities at initial offering (Incorrect, trading of old securities)Primary & Secondary markets deals in the sale of securities (Correct, but a similarity between both markets) The primary market is used by newly public limited entities (Correct, for primary market only)Primary markets deal initial offerings & Secondary markets deals in existing investments (Correct, difference between both markets) Q5. BFutures (A buying & selling of a specified asset at a fixed rate in future) Euro currency (A currency which is held by people outside the country of issue of that currency)Repos (An agreement between two parties to buy or sell a financial instrument on an agreed date & price) Q6. COpportunity for investors to widen their investment (Diversification)The use of different types of securities in the financial market for investors to assess their risk (Risk-shifting)The process of buying a security from one market and selling off to another market to obtain profit (Arbitrage)An investment to reduce the risk of unfavorable price movements (Hedging) Q7.The pooling of many small deposits to make the larger advancement of finance AGGREGATIONReduction in default risk by lending finance to multiple businesses RISK REDUCTIONFinancial Intermediation: The process of bringing together of borrower & lender is financial intermediationMaturity Transformation: Borrowers wish to obtain long-term finance & Lender is unwilling to lock its finances. This technique develops a floating pool of deposits which satisfies both needs. Q8. AOrdinary shares, most risky as paid at last after all liabilities are cleared offPreference shares, riskier than bonds as paid after debts are clearedMarket risk bonds, also known as government bond as these provide returns on the current market basis Company issue bonds, risky due to the chance of company defaults but are usually backed up by company assets Q9. It is a market for short-term funds TRUE This market is operated by financial institutions TRUE The interest-bearing instrument is an example of money market instrument TRUE Money market deposits is an example of money market derivatives FALSEMoney market deposit is an example of the interest-bearing instrument rather than money market derivatives. Money market deposit provides high interest on deposited savings.

The Right Way to Manage an Intervention

For 42 years, Libyans had suffered from the tyrannical dictator Muammar Gaddafi who ruled them without any mercy and allocated Libya’s wealth to his family and himself. On Tuesday 15th of February 2011, Libyans started to demonstrate against the regime of Gaddafi. However, Gaddafi’s response to these demonstrations was horrible. He ordered his forces to open fire on the protestors. According to reporters from the BBC â€Å"500 to 700 people were killed† during February 2011 by Gaddafi’s security forces. Libyans did not give up, though. Instead, the number of demonstrators increased day by day, especially in the city of Benghazi where the demonstrators were armed. They forced the police and the army forces to withdraw from Benghazi. For a person like Gaddafi, who ruled Libya for more than 40 years, resignation was not an option. He was willing to eliminate the revolution against him no matter how. He gathered his army around the cities which the demonstrators controlled and was about to commit massacres against Libyans. The United Nations had to do something to prevent the massacres Gaddafi’s forces were about to commit. On March 2011, the UN started an intervention in Libya by imposing a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent Gaddafi’s air forces from killing civilians. This intervention -which was later led by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) – proved later that it was the best way to end the conflicts in Libya. The three main reasons behind this statement are firstly, to protect Libyans from the Gaddafi’s crime. Secondly, because the intervention was not a direct invasion. And finally, because the intervention was done after the UN approval. The most important reason why the NATO’s intervention was the best solution in the war in Libya is because Libyans needed urgent military help to stop Gaddafi’s forces from killing civilians. If NATO’s navy in the Mediterranean had not imposed a no-fly zone over Libya Gaddafi’s air forces were about to attack civilians in Benghazi and other cities. The Libyan Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi, said in a press conference on March 2011, â€Å"We are expecting a real genocide in Tripoli. The airplanes are still bringing mercenaries to the airports. We are calling on the UN to impose a no-fly zone on all Tripoli to cut off all supplies of arms and mercenaries to the regime†. In other words, NATO’s intervention saved thousands of lives by applying a no-fly zone over Libya. No peaceful solutions would do so, especially since Gaddafi seemed insistent on proceeding in his bloody actions against his oppositions. Another reason why NATO’s intervention in Libya was a model one is because it was not a direct invasion. The NATO’s operations in Libya were all by launching air and missile strikes against important targets on Gaddafi’s forces. Ivo H. Daalder, the U. S. Permanent Representative to NATO, indicated that the NATO’s operations in Libya were successful by any standard. The operations â€Å"saved† tens of thousands of lives from almost certain massacre. These operations greatly â€Å"minimized† direct damage. It helped the â€Å"Libyan opposition† to overthrow one of the world’s worst â€Å"dictators†. All these accomplishments were done without any wounded from the allies and with the cost of only several billions of dollars. That was a â€Å"fraction† of that spent in previous â€Å"interventions in Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In other words, NATO played a huge role in ending a civil war which could last for many years by the least damage possible. The proof of that statement is what happening in Syria today. As no military force intervened to end the bloody war in Syria, the conflicting parties have been killing tens of thousands of civilians for more than two years now. Political ways are not helpful in such situation. If NATO hadn’t intervened in Libya, the civil war could not be finish till today, or at least it could cause much more victims. The third reason to consider the NATO’s intervention a successful one is because it was applied after the UN approval. The military operations were led by a group of allies, and then these operations were led by NATO, which is still a group of allies. This gave legitimacy to the intervention and proved that the intervention was only to save the Libyan people and help them get their freedom, not for the interests of a specific country. Moreover, NATO ended their operations after the death of Gaddafi. Ending their mission is a clear proof that they were not planning to invade Libya. But they were applying the UN solution to save civilians. A report published on the United Nations official website on 17th of March 2011 clarified that the Security Council â€Å"authorized† the use of force in Libya to protect Civilians from Gaddafi’s forces, especially in the city of Benghazi, â€Å"Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter†, which allows to take military and nonmilitary actions to restore â€Å"international peace and security†. In other words, there is no proof that the NATO intervened in Libya for any kind of benefits. Even on the economical perspective, the cost of the military operations is a small fraction compared to the wealth of Libya which was stolen by Gaddafi and his family. Despite the obvious success of NATO’s interventions, there are critics who believe that NATO’s intervention was not helpful. The author of the essay â€Å"The Negative Influence of NATO Intervention in Libya† claimed that the NATO’s intervention that happened in Libya was not helpful. He based his thesis on three main reasons. The first one is because NATO neglected Libyan people. Secondly, because NATO killed innocent people through bombing. Finally, because NATO caused internal conflicts for Libyan people. The author mentioned some good examples to prove that the intervention was not helpful. However, His essay has three unconvincing arguments. The first one is that the author claimed that NATO neglected Libyans basing this claim on one example. That is considered as a hasty generalization. The second unconvincing argument is claiming that the main objective of the intervention was to conquer Libya without mentioning logical evidence. The last weakness in the essay is the last paragraph; the author claimed that NATO motivated Libyans to fight against each other. In the first paragraph, the author of â€Å"The Negative Influence of NATO Intervention in Libya† concluded that NATO neglected Libyans. He based this point on the fact that a boat carrying refugees sank in the Mediterranean Sea and NATO didn’t rescue the refugees. However, this example is not convincing to claim that NATO neglected Libyans because it’s a hasty generalization. Moreover, the author based this example on a person called JOHN-MARK IYI without mentioning his position or how he is related to the topic. On the other hand, there are a lot of proofs that NATO saved Libyans. According to the BBC NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after announcing the end of their mission in Libya, â€Å"NATO's military forces had prevented a massacre and saved countless lives. † He also said,† We created the conditions for the people of Libya to determine their own future. † There is no doubt that NATO has hurt Libyans to some extent, but this damage was a fraction to the one caused by Gaddafi’s forces. Claiming that NATO’s objective was to conquer Libya is the second unconvincing point in Hijazi’s essay. A clear proof that NATO’s operation was not to conquer Libya is that they announced the end of the mission on the 31st of October 2011 after the end of Gaddafi’s regime. If NATO had any interests in conquering Libya they would not end the military operations in Libya. Moreover, Hijazi mentioned that NATO’s airstrikes killed a lot of civilians and destroyed a lot of houses without supporting his claim with clear evidence that the people killed were civilians. Especially that Gaddafi’s army used to hide inside civilians houses, which makes it hard to specify whether the killed people were civilians or soldiers from Gaddafi’s army. In other words, the points mentioned by the author don’t prove that NATO intended to conquer Libya. The last unconvincing point in Hijazi’s essay is claiming that NATO motivated Libyans to start a civil war. That claim is not logical for several reasons. Firstly, the war started before any foreign intervention in Libya and the main cause of this war is to overthrow the Gaddafi’s regime. Secondly, Hijazi didn’t mention how NATO could get any benefits if a civil war started in Libya. And most importantly, Gaddafi’s soldiers were not Libyan which means it was not a civil war. Martin Chulov and David Smith published an article in The Guardian website, they say,† Many black Africans have been arrested and accused of fighting for dictator, but claim they were press-ganged. † In other words, it’s true that NATO participated in the war in Libya, but claiming that they started the war there is not convincing. To sum it all up, the war in Libya caused the death for a lot of Innocent civilians. Without the involvement of NATO, the war would be running until today, causing the death of innocents every single day. Because simply, there was no other clear, political solution would work with the insanity of Gaddafi. For sure, the intervention of NATO was not a perfect choice. However, it was the one with least damage. Moreover, today Libya seems to heel slowly form the war it had, and fortunately it seems that the NATO intervention had no dangerous impacts on Libya. In general, it’s possible to say that sometimes the only way to end violence is to use violence.

Biology and Anatomy Games and Quizzes

Biology and Anatomy Games and Quizzes Biology Games and Quizzes Biology games and quizzes can be an effective way to learn about the fun-filled world of biology. Ive put together a listing of several quizzes and puzzles that are designed to help you further your knowledge of biology in key areas. If youve ever wanted to test your knowledge of biology concepts, take the quizzes below and find out how much you really know. Anatomy Quizzes Heart Anatomy QuizThe heart is an extraordinary organ that supplies blood and oxygen to all parts of the body. This heart anatomy quiz is designed to test your knowledge of human heart anatomy.Human Brain QuizThe brain is one of the largest and most important organs of the human body. It is the control center of the body. Organ Systems QuizDo you know which organ system contains the largest organ in the body? Test your knowledge of human organ systems. Animal Games Animal Groups Name GameDo you know what a group of frogs is called? Play the Animal Groups Name Game and learn the names of various animal groups.   Cells and Genes Quizzes Cell Anatomy QuizThis cell anatomy quiz is designed to test your knowledge of eukaryotic cell anatomy.Cellular Respiration QuizThe most efficient way for cells to harvest energy stored in food is through cellular respiration. Glucose, derived from food, is broken down during cellular respiration to provide energy in the form of ATP and heat.Genetics QuizDo you know the difference between genotype and phenotype? Test your knowledge of Mendelian genetics.Meiosis QuizMeiosis is a two-part cell division process in organisms that sexually reproduce. Take the Meiosis Quiz!Mitosis QuizTake the Mitosis Quiz and find out how much you know about mitosis. Plant Quizzes Parts of a Flowering Plant QuizFlowering plants, also called angiosperms, are the most numerous of all the divisions in the Plant Kingdom. The parts of a flowering plant are characterized by two basic systems: a root system and a shoot system.Plant Cell QuizDo you know which vessels allow water to flow to different parts of a plant? This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of plant cells and tissues.Photosynthesis QuizIn photosynthesis, the suns energy is captured in order to make food. Plants use carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce oxygen, water, and food in the form of sugar. Other Biology Games and Quizzes Biology Prefixes and Suffixes QuizDo you know the meaning of the word hematopoiesis? Take the Biology Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz and discover the meanings of difficult biology termsVirus QuizA virus particle, also known as a virion, is essentially a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein shell or coat. Do you know what viruses that infect bacteria are called? Test your knowledge of viruses.Virtual Frog Dissection QuizThis quiz is designed to help you identify internal and external structures in male and female frogs.

Lafayette College SAT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and More

Lafayette College SAT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and More Lafayette College is a generally selective school, with an acceptance rate of only 28  percent. Successful applicants will need strong test scores, high grades, and an impressive application. Students can apply using the Common Application and will need to complete the supplement specific for Lafayette (which includes a personal statement). For more information, including important deadlines, be sure to visit Lafayettes website. Will You Get In? Calculate your chances of getting in  with Cappexs free tool. Admissions Data (2016) Lafayette College Acceptance Rate: 28%GPA, SAT and ACT graph for LafayetteTest Scores 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 580 / 680SAT Math: 620 / 710SAT Writing: - / -ACT Composite: 27 / 31ACT English: 27 / 33ACT Math: 27  / 32ACT Writing: - / - Lafayette College Description Lafayette College is a small, highly selective college located in Easton, Pennsylvania. The college has the feel of a traditional  liberal arts college, but it is unusual in that it also has several engineering programs. Lafayettes strengths in the liberal arts earned it a chapter of the prestigious  Phi Beta Kappa  Honor Society. Quality instruction is central to Lafayettes mission, and with an 11 to 1  student/faculty ratio, students will have lots of interaction with the faculty. Kiplingers ranks Lafayette highly for the schools value, and students who qualify for aid often receive significant grant awards. On the athletic front, the Lafayette Leopards compete in the NCAA Division I  Patriot League. Enrollment (2016) Total Enrollment: 2,550  (all undergraduate)Gender Breakdown: 49% Male / 51% Female98% Full-time Costs (2016 - 17) Tuition and Fees: $49,635Books: $1,000 (why so much?)Room and Board: $14,470Other Expenses: $1,000Total Cost: $66,105 Lafayette College Financial Aid (2015  - 16) Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 54%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 46%Loans: 33%Average Amount of AidGrants: $37,472Loans: $8,493 Academic Programs: Most Popular Majors:  Art, Biology, Civil Engineering, Economics, English, International Relations, Mechanical Engineering, Political Science, PsychologyWhat major is right for you?  Sign up to take the free My Careers and Majors Quiz at Cappex. Transfer, Graduation and Retention Rates First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 94%Transfer-out Rate: 8%4-Year Graduation Rate: 85%6-Year Graduation Rate: 89% Intercollegiate Athletic Programs Mens Sports:  Football, Baseball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Basketball, Golf, Cross CountryWomens Sports:  Basketball, Cross Country, Swimming, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Tennis, Softball, Soccer, Track, and Field Data Source National Center for Educational Statistics If You Like Lafayette College, You May Also Like These Schools Dickinson CollegeCornell UniversityCarnegie Mellon UniversityDrexel UniversitySwarthmore College

Familial Duty and Responsibility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 13

Familial Duty and Responsibility - Essay Example In the east, familial duty is extremely important. This duty creates a bond between family members that help create a strong society. One example of the loyalty is towards the elderly. Children feel a duty to care for elderly parents. Instead of placing their elderly in nursing homes or elderly retirement centers, it is common for three or four generations to live under one roof. This not only helps the elderly but the whole family unit. Both parents can work outside of the home, while grandparents can watch their grandchildren. This helps family finances by eliminating not only the cost of caring for an elderly parent outside the home but the cost of daycare as well. The advantages of having several generations in one house can benefit more than the family, but society as a whole. If grandparents are home when children go and come home from school, children are less likely to get into trouble. If a child does get into trouble, an adult is there to handle the problem. Teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol use, criminal activity, and other mischiefs would be controlled by a loving grandparent. Another example of how familial loyalty could benefit Americans would be in the marriage. In the east, duty comes first. Marriage is a duty. In America, many individuals do what makes them individually happy, not what makes others happy. Extramarital affairs and divorce are common. This breaks the familial unit. For Americans to embrace and benefit the eastern way of life, marriage would have to be taken more seriously. When an individual does what makes them happy, then others around them do the same. Americans have forgotten to treat people how they want to be treated. Why would children want to take care of parents that put them through messy divorces? Divorced parents do not understand why children grow up so bitter.  Ã‚  

Compare and contrast the critiques and solutions proposed by the Essay

Compare and contrast the critiques and solutions proposed by the reformers of the progressive Era to those of the New Deal Era to the problems posed by political and economic inequity - Essay Example The drift toward direct democracy throughout the period, allowed women to vote, professionalized rule, allowed voters more voice in selecting and evoking political officials, and even the freedom to vote in referenda on explicit matters. Similarly, the new deal era happened when America was facing one of its darkest moments in history. This is the period when president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, inherited a government that needed serious intervention on one of the most difficult and critical periods of American history. The economy was in total subside, unemployment rose to 30%, inflation skyrocketed, and GDP fell by 50%. This period was referred to as the Great depression, and it reached its peak in 1933. This was there Roosevelt took over office and people anticipated fast answers from him. To react to the people’s expectations, he and the FDR called an emergency session for congress and drafted the new deal legislation the first weekend of his inauguration (Gordon, 221). After America overcame the 1890s depression, the economy embarked upon an epoch of relatively swift growth. The growth was outstanding although blemished by infrequent downturns (Polenberg, 9). The lasting in industry continued to decrease the farm share of employment while attracting numerous new migrants into the mines ad industries in America. This growth in commerce also was allied with speed development in the dimension of manufacturing enterprises. Economic intensification and shifts in the organization of the economy often gave rise to new difficulties. Every downturn revived the fears of the repeat of the ruthlessness of the Depression of the 1890s thus resulting for people advocating for better techniques these recessions and assist those affected by the outcomes. Conversely, during the new deal era legislations were formulated to address issues dealing with