Why was the scopes trial important and what do you believe schools Essay

Why was the scopes trial important and what do you believe schools should teach today about the subject Explain your reasoning - Essay Example In addition, the trial revealed the conflicting sides of America to unparalleled American people in the form of fascinating drama that was experienced through radio communication (Elliot 203). The trial was a huge controversy that unfortunately surrounded teaching evolution in the school setting. Apart from the importance it served in the American history, some of its ideas can still be taught in schools. The major argument put across by the ACLU stated that it is prejudice for schools to teach solely the creation theories. However, I believe creation science should be taught in schools because; by definition, a liberal education requires any issue being aired fully, meaning that truth from any source need not to be feared. Basing on another academic reason, creation science in Scopes trial should be taught because academic freedom allows a teacher to present any view he or she believes is essential to clarify a

Short Essay - Drugs Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Short - Drugs - Essay Example It has been suggested, and in some cases demonstrated, that legalizing or at least decriminalizing less harmful drugs, such as marijuana, can help to reduce the violence, significantly decrease the numbers of people incarcerated for drug use, allow more individuals to remain a contributing member of society and free up funds and manpower to combat against more harmful substances. Although marijuana was included as a restricted substance as early as 1937, there has never been sufficient evidence to support claims that the drug causes widespread violence and destruction all by itself. â€Å"There never was any scholarly evidence that the [anti-drug] laws were necessary, or even beneficial, to public health and safety and none was presented when the laws were passed.† (Schaffer). With the number of Vietnam vets returning from war addicted to narcotics, President Nixon officially declared the opening of the War on Drugs in 1971, primarily directed against heroin addiction. The positive effects that were seen coming out of this early stage in the anti-drug movement has been attributed to the fact that a larger proportion of the funding available for this struggle was directed toward treatment, rather than law enforcement. (Thirty Years, 2006). Throughout these early years, marijuana was seen as a low-level drug until a group of mothers, concerned at findin g marijuana at a 13-year-old’s party, founded the Families in Action anti-drug group in 1976. The movement gained strength and direction under President Reagan in 1981 after the drug cartels in Colombia had violently made their presence known in Miami. While Nancy Reagan’s â€Å"Just Say No to Drugs† campaign included marijuana as one of the drugs to avoid, the focus of the war on drugs remained targeted on cocaine as the cartels gained increasing power and organization. The focus was finally turned to marijuana smugglers

Fallacy Spotting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Fallacy Spotting - Essay Example a time that there was a claim that a school head in one of the states in the U.S was engaging in gay activities with small boys, hence sodomizing the boys. Such a claim went on and on until many people begun to generalize that school heads in that State sodomize school boys. Such a claim is categorized under hasty generalizations as it is unethical to use one isolated case to make a generalization over all school heads in the whole State. This claim is therefore based on inadequate evidence (Julia). It will be unfair to make such an unfortunate claim that will go to an extent of tarnishing the names of all school heads in the whole State without any adequate evidence (Purdue). It therefore doesn’t meet the required threshold of a claim that should be considered to be generalized to all the school heads in the State. The conclusion of the claim is therefore hasty and fallacious (Nizkor). It is also a hasty and fallacious conclusion that can be reached after interviewing just one person on a University on whether they can speak French, and if they say they don’t speak French, then your conclusion is that everyone in the University doesn’t speak French

Identifying Language Creativity In Everyday English Essay

Identifying Language Creativity In Everyday English - Essay Example Language creativity, as stated earlier, can be found in several different linguistic practices. It is identified in different ways. Some are unexpected; others are common to many people who are keen on utterances by different individuals in movie films and other physical functions or conversations. One comes across or bumps into it in things from advertisements, televisions news or literature banners. For instance, young children may engage in talking and making jokes as they play or engage themselves in their day-to-day activities. The idea that kids are able to tell, as well as, receive jokes indicates that they have the capability of recognizing creativity in some communications or jokes made by colleagues. In other words, jokes are mainly creativity done to amuse other people. Creativity is the central component of joke composition. Without creativity, a joke no longer becomes a joke, but a normal declarative or inquisitive statement.   In addition to the above, children also l ike telling stories and fairy tales amongst themselves. This is one of the productive uses of the mind making them creative. A point to note is that as the kids tell stories or fairy tales, they come up with ways in which the stories can be modified to ensure that they become more enjoyable than before. Modification of these stories is a necessity with change in time. For instance, it would be boring to tell a 21st century kid a story using the styles and manners in which the 20thy century kids were told the same story. In other words, some elements of creativity in the language used must be included to cope up with the constant changing environment. Besides, it is notable that it is in early childhood when creativity in linguistic occurs in a rapid and interesting manner. Guy Cook (2000) cautioned parents that linguistic play, mainly among the kids can sometimes lead to other undesirable consequences like paying less attention to school work and the general academic developments. Cook made a discovery that children who are mainly involved in story-telling and other language game activities often show little interest in their school work. They instead seem to be keener in entering the world of â€Å"make-believe† in varieties of forms from bed time stories to simple and addictive computer games. Analytically, school work also acts as an important booster to language creativity. When children attend schools, they do so with one aim of education to promote interaction and all round development among the children. For instance, the interaction in school may provide another platform for language creativity such as reciting tongue twisters and singing songs. This will

Age of Enlightenment Essay Example for Free

Age of Enlightenment Essay In his essay ‘What is Enlightenment?’ Immanuel Kant discusses the nature of Enlightenment and how it can be brought to the general public. According to Kant, â€Å"Enlightenment is man’s release from his self-incurred tutelage.† By this, Kant means that Enlightenment is when one man is able to make use of his understanding without guidance from another man. Kant sees an Age of Enlightenment as a time when the human society can be liberated from their nature of discharge, which is a need for someone to be their director. However, Kant also states that we have a natural need for tutelage when we are young, and that it is perfectly all right. In addition, after nature discharges us of this need, we should activate our rational ability. Enlightenment according to Kant is the progress of a society through free activity of rational thought and intellectual assessment. In an Enlightened Age, the public would be able to manage their given freedoms with competence. However, Kant claims that we do not live in an ‘Enlightened Age’; rather, we live in an ‘Age of Enlightenment.’ By this statement, he means that an Enlightened Age would be an age where we have overcome all self-incurred tutelage. An Age of Enlightenment is the current age, where we have not overcome all self-incurred tutelage, but where we have begun to activate our own powers of reason and have begun to make progress through critique. Also in his essay, Kant distinguishes between the public and private use of reason. He states that ‘the public use of one’s reason must always be free and it alone can bring about enlightenment among men.’ In saying this, the author views public usage of reason as for the purpose of progress. Kant regards the private use of reason as ‘that which one may make of it in a particular civil post or office which is entrusted to him.’ In other words, the philosopher explains the private use of reason as a rational worker in a specific occupation. In my opinion, Kant was a great thinker. I could not argue with his supporters that claim that he is the last philosopher. Reading this clip of his beliefs, I think that Kant makes a great point. I agree that for the human race to be considered enlightened we will need to avoid the natural urge to want to not feel alienated. Humans are generally a dependant species, needing company or some sort of contact with other humans. Along with this, we usually do not want to feel different and hence, we sometimes model our actions after what we see others do. In conclusion, Immanuel Kant’s essay, ‘What is Enlightenment?’ describes the time we are living in as an Age of Enlightenment, not an Enlightened Age. Kant also theorizes that to be in the ideal Enlightened Age, society will have to make irrational thoughts and actions obsolete. Society will need to make decisions after careful study of the possible outcome and effects their choices may cause. Bibliography: Essay what is enlightenment? by Immaneul kant

Selling a product Essay Example for Free

Selling a product Essay The slogan is all part of the brand package for the meddeteranian cruise advert, and it combines with the images created with the use of the swan and Helen of Troy: Discoveries of a Lifetime; the elegent tone and formal vocabulary used combine with the images of the swan and Helen; there is dignity in the seriousness in the vocabulary, but it also insites a sense of adventure and excitement which would make a potential buyer keen to go on a cruise and see the amazing discoveries; it also conveys the uniqueness of the experiences you will have on a Swan Hellenic cruise. It makes the expereinces you will have on a Swan Hellenic cruise seem special, as well as unique, and makes it seem as if that if you turn down the chance to go on a cruise, you will never have the chance again. Once again, however, the Scottish Highlands advert lacks a concrete slogan. Because it doesnt promote any perticular company, and only a product (the Highlands themselves), there is no company slogan to use; really, it has more of a tag; the visitscotland web address; the advert is used to draw people in with its imagery before directing the reader to a resource for more information, rather than selling a product directly to the reader. The most striking contrast between the two adverts is the use of text and tone. The cruise advert uses a personal tone in the style of a postcard (together with a font which looks as if it is handwritten) to give the advert the style ofa one on one conversation between the reader and a friend; the personal style makes the dvert seem as if it has been purposefuly created for the reader and thus makes it seem more relevent to them. The description of the area is also personal rather than it shines like a beacon in the sun, which would be used ina formal desprition, the phrase it shone like a beacon in the sun is used to give the text the feeling of it being a persons despription, enhancing the personal feel. The text is of a relevent size to make it seem legitimately handwritten (and is spaced to achieve the same effect), but it is hugh up enough on the pafge for the glorious, sprawling and idyllic medeterranian scene to be seen in full. The use of we in the opening paragraph affirms the audience the product is aimed at; couples or groups, and also suggestes a shared experience, which the whole party enjoyed; the use of the phrase never knew existed not only enforces the uniqueness of the cruises but also suggest that you will learn and be entralled in the process by going on the cruise. The text reffering to the monks being hoisted up in a basket gives the text even more of a personal feel because it comes accros as a private joke; the final use of humour does what the phrase about the monks does and also makes the reader laugh, hopng to usethe humour to help them remember the advert. The body of text underneath the picture is used to push the cruises themselves. Within the first sentence, you have all the positives of a Swan Hellenic cruise laid out for you with a rheotorical question on the end to make you think about them all; the text also speaks directly to the target audience (couples or groups who want to get away from modern life) with the promise of places off the beaten track and also promises once again that you will learn whilst on the cruise. Having considered the rheotoricalquestion, the reader is confronted with still more of the cruises virtues Havinggiven the reader all the virtues of a cruise with Swan Hellenic in the firsttwo sentances, the text then details how to obtain them all in a plethora of ways, all guaranteed to be easy, quick, effective and hair-tearing free; the use of the phrase friendly team are waiting to assist you conjures up an office full of happy people who will wait for a time convinient to you to assist you in choosing a perfect holiday; another virtue, and only in the third sentence.  Where as the Swan Helenic advert uses an extensive amount of text, the Scottish Highlands advert uses short, snappy and witty (slightly sarcastic) phrases to give it a chic, modern air. The text stands out because of its position on the page and the sentences lead sraight on into each other. The other body of text is small and secreted away so as not to detract from the all-important picture; the phrase make your own entertainment makes use of innuendo and gives a certain allure to coming to the coming to the Scottish Highlands; the useof aquestion directly followed by an answer (Want to come? Go online.) points a reader where to go without giving him or her time to think; its almost s if he or she as nochoice. Those last two sentences are also short and snappy, as is the tag visitscotland.com, which is is easy to remember andstresses that you shoud visit Scotland; the use of an incomplete andshort address rather than a longwinded one also keeps up the modern theme (by missing off the http:// and www. sections of the website address and using something catchy like visitscotland.com and not something like uktourism.co.uk/scotland/highlands/visit_scotland.html the shot and snappy nature of the text is kept going and it is also a stylish ddress.). In conclusion, this study has shown how two adverts selling he same product (holidays) and aimed at a simmilar demographic (high-earning Times readers) can be vastly different. Whilst the Swan Hellenic advert relies on showcasing and using a built up image of the Medetteranian and the reputation of PO cruises the Scottish Highlands advert tries relentlessly to dispelpreconceptions about the Scottish Highlands through the use of modern colours, the internet, short, snappy phrases and a modern sense of humour. In my opinion, the Swan Hellenic is more successful becauseit has a built up image to rely on and fall back on and so the product is easier to sell throgh visual showcasing and the use of language techniques (,etaphor in like a beacon in the sun rheotorical questions), and the conotations of the swan and Helen of Troy to sell its product.

Psychological Film Analysis: Silver Linings Playbook

Psychological Film Analysis: Silver Linings Playbook Hannah Altom Silver Linings and Family Pat Solitano had several tremendously difficult months under his belt when he was let go from his stay at the psychiatric hospital. He came out only to discover that his wife, Nikki, had left him leaving him with nothing but a restraining order following the acts that put him there to begin with. Now under the care of his parents, Dolores and Pat Senior they realize that they can only deal with so much of Pat’s unpredictable behavior before breaking. One would hardly call waking up their parents in the middle of the night to find their wedding video with their significant other who has a restraining order because he assaulted his wife’s other lover, a much older man. The fragile relationship between the two strengthened after the late night fight over Pats missing wedding video. Pat Seniors obsession with betting on Philadelphia Eagles on complicates their father son relationship when Pat senior attempts to make Pat join in on his crazy game day antics which includes wearing jerseys, stroking the handkerchief and not messing with the Eagles â€Å"juju† Pat thinks its just his dads form of a mental illness. Throughout the movie we see Pat struggling to search for the silver linings which he will not see until he comes to terms with his illness. With his father recently being let go from work Pat Senior is hoping to win enough money from betting on Eagles games to win enough money to open up a restaurant. Pat Senior shares an important thought telling Pat, â€Å"I’m telling you, you gotta pay attention to the signs. When life reaches out with a moment like this, it’s a sin if you don’t reach back. I’m telling you , it’s a sin if you don’t reach back, and it’ll haunt you for the rest of your days like a curse. You’re facing a big challenge in your life right now, at this very moment, right here.† I think the fact that Pat Senior shows symptoms of obsessive compulsive shows that the two are more a like than they would like to think. In one scene Pat Senior even confesses that his Philadephia Eagles ritual is the only way he can think of to involve his son in his life. I found it interesting that Pat’s mother Delores was so submissive. Anytime she would try to get involved in a situation she would back down just to keep the peace between them all. For example, the scene where Pat and Pat Senior are talking about how he is going to get the money to pay for his cheese steak restaurant â€Å" Pat Jr.: So what are you doing with yourself? Pat Senior: You know, Im gonna start a restaurant. Its gonna be a cheesesteak place. Pat: How you gonna pay for it? Pat Senior: Im gonna pay for it, dont worry about it. Pat: From your bookmaking?Pat Senior: Who told you that? Pat: Mom told me. Outside. Dolores: I did not. No, I didnt. Pat: You just told me outside, Mom, what are you talking about? Five minutes ago, we were walking up the stairs, you said, Dont say anything, but Dad lost his job and hes bookmaking. This is a perfect example of her submission and trying to keep peace. In her study, Social Support and Resilience to Stress, Dr. Faith Ozbay found that â€Å"Numerous studies indicate social support is essential for maintaining physical and psychological health. The harmful consequences of poor social support and the protective effects of good social support in mental illness have been well documented. Social support may moderate genetic and environmental vulnerabilities and confer resilience to stress.† This ties into The Silver Linings playbook because, given the situation of Pat finding his wife with a co-worker in the shower that was a very poor social situation and given the circumstances I think any person would go a little crazy to walk in on something like that. In their study, Social Support for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness: Evaluating the Compeer Model of Intentional Friendship, the authors noted that â€Å"In the general population, social support buffers against stressful life events, increases adherence to medical treatments, and improves recovery from medical illness, among other health-promoting effects. For people with Serious Mental Illness, perceptions of adequate social support are associated with several psychological benefits, including increased self-esteem, feelings of empowerment, functioning, quality of life, and recovery, while the absence of social support appears related to greater psychiatric symptoms, poorer perceptions of overall health, and reduced potential for full community integration† This is an important study because all of the factors relate to Pat and his family. If they all had supported each other more and confronted their illnesses, then possibly the bipolar outburst wouldn’t have been so strong. In her study, Mechanisms Linking Social Ties and Support to Physical and Mental Health, Peggy Thoits explains why social support and â€Å"mattering† are important to people that have mental illness.â€Å"Individuals assess the appropriateness of their own attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors against standards that are avowed and/or modeled by reference group members, usually shifting their own to match those of the group. Such influence can occur through simple observing and contrasting of self with others in the social network, without explicit discussion or attempts at persuasion taking place.† This can also tie into the Silver Linings Playbook, there are multiple scenes where a neighbor kid hangs around their house with a video camera and this negative social support from the neighbor could possibly be taking a toll on Pat Junior. Peggy also goes on to say, â€Å"Beyond behavioral guidance, I have argued that knowing who we are to others also provides purpose and mean ing in life, which in turn guard against anxiety and existential despair. A concept related to this function of role identities is â€Å"mattering†, mattering is defined as believing that one is an object of another person’s attention, one is important to that person, and he or she depends on one for fulfillment of specific needs. Because mattering refers to one’s significance to other people, it seems conceptually close to the notion of obtaining purpose and meaning in life from relationships with role partners. In sum, social ties as role identities should supply behavioral guidance and purpose and meaning in life (or a sense of mattering), which in turn should have positive effects on health habits and psychological well-being, respectively.† This theory of mattering is important in dealing with mental illness and just people in general because mostly everyone wants to know that they are wanted by others. Consider a lonely 17 year old girl in highschool constantly dealing with petty high school drama that is pondering that thought of suicide. If this poor girl had someone in her life, a teacher, coach, or even a friend that could fulfill that sense of mattering, then it could greatly change her views of the world and her views on possibly taking her life. References Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. (2013). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association. Mccorkle, B. H., Rogers, E. S., Dunn, E. C., Lyass, A., Wan, Y. M. (2008). Increasing Social Support for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness: Evaluating the Compeer Model of Intentional Friendship. Community Mental Health Journal, 44(5), 359-366. doi: 10.1007/s10597-008-9137-8 Ozbay, F. (2007, May). Social Support and Resilience to Stress. Http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921311/. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921311/ Stevenson, T. (2013, May 24). Mind field. Financial Times. Retrieved from http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/25391482-c2f5-11e2-bbbd-00144feab7de.html#axzz2UFE11QWW Thoits, P. A. (2011). Mechanisms Linking Social Ties and Support to Physical and Mental Health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 52(2), 145-161. doi: 10.1177/0022146510395592