Sunday, May 17, 2020

Different Ways of Learning the Theory of Knowledge Free Essay Example, 1000 words

The reason is one of the important ways of learning in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK). The reasoning is the technique used by most philosophers to arrive at the truth. Reason helps to analyze the situation deeply and take decisions. Reason is not automatic; it comes through experience. Once a king groomed a monkey to be his most trustworthy and natural companion (Ashliman, 2002). The monkey was asked to keep strict vigilance while the king slept one day. The monkey soon found a bee hovering over his master and unable to bear that someone should disturb his master, the monkey drew out his sword and struck down the bee in a single stroke. The same blow split the king s head and any amount of explanation did not matter. The money was shunned by everyone but through this experience, people realized that it is better to have a clever enemy than a foolish friend. This also shows that the power of reasoning increases in times of trouble. Had the kind s head not been smashed, people would ne ver think of anything wrong in having a monkey (or a foolish entity) as a friend. We will write a custom essay sample on Different Ways of Learning the Theory of Knowledge or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Is Autism a Primarily Genetic Disease - 1448 Words

I. Introduction: Neurological disorders are complex in nature and often the least understood. Given the recent boom in imaging technology and other diagnostic methods, it is now possible to see more clearly into the scope of neurological development and accurately determine the etiology of these diseases. One of such disorders is Autism; a multifactorial condition impairing normal brain development. It affects many aspects of development, including social behavior, cognitive ability and communication skills1 and is commonly diagnosed in children before the age of three1. The symptoms of this condition can vary greatly between individuals; hence its classification as a spectrum disorder. Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome and pervasive†¦show more content†¦Mutations that occur during transcription are also linked to the expression of genes associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. ASD candidate genes are genes normally related to synapse function, but when the enzyme topoisomerase is inhibited, the genes are not fully expressed4, factoring into the phenotypic expression of Autism. The individuals studied who were affected by ASD had a numerous amount of mutated genes relating to transcription function4. This result illustrates the relationship between transcription and the phenotypic expression of autism. Twin Studies also show that there is a strong genetic influence in autistics. In a study of 44 sets of twins, there was a high concordance rate of autism and other disorders on the ASD spectrum for monozygotic twins (92%)5. This suggests that the genetic similarity between MZ twins influences their risk of expressing Autism. Dizygotic twins however, had a much lower concordance5, supporting the hypothesis that there is a correlation between genetic similarity and Autism risk. According to the study, complications during pregnancy are not likely to be the cause of autism, but simply happen more often in twin pregnancies5. The association of severe brain damage in pregnancy and Autism has not been found in singletons5. In 29 cases of twins discordant for Autism, biological hazards associated with brain damage usually affected the autistic twin. ThisShow MoreRelatedEpigenetics And Autistic Spectrum Disorder1078 Words   |  5 Pages Epigenetics and Autistic Spectrum Disorder Jowan Jones Old Dominion University â€Æ' Abstract This paper plans to focus on autism spectrum disorder and how epigenetics contributes to the development of the disease. ASD is comorbid with other neurodevelopmental diseases including Rett Syndrome, Fragile X, Prader-Willi, and Angelman. These diseases have frequent, identifiable symptoms such as coloboma of the eye, heart defects, atresia of the nasal choanae, retardation of growth and or developmentRead MoreCommon Chromosomal Abnormalities Associated With Autism1434 Words   |  6 PagesFive other gene disorder that contributes to autism are (1) EN2 (Engrailed 2) involved in cerebellum development. (2) GABR (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid Receptor) regulates brain cell migration. (3) OXTR (Oxytocin Receptor) participating in the response to stress and social skills. (4) RELN (Reelin) involved in neuronal migration in the developing brain. (5) SLC6A4, a serotonin transporter gene† (Johnson, Giarelli, Lewis, Rice, 2013). As a result of all the researches done several chromoso mal lociRead More Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders Essay1669 Words   |  7 PagesChildhood Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism has been on the rise in the past 20 years, and is getting dangerously close to reaching epidemic proportions (Zelan, 1). Statistically, Autism rates have been rising in the United States with Autism now effecting 1 in every 150 children ages 10 and younger (Zelan, 1). Autism can occur in any race and does not gender discriminate, though boys are four times more likely to have Autism than girls (Castrogiovanni). The causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatmentRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder1278 Words   |  5 PagesStatistical evidences. ASD’s gender proportion suggests that the autism is sex-linked, and the statistical evidence convincingly shows that genetic factors are playing key role in the prevalence of ASD. To begin with, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the relationship between the number of autistic boys and girls. The statistical evidence shows that boys are more inclined to become autist ic than girls. CDC states that 1 in 42Read MoreThe Anti Vaccine Movement1426 Words   |  6 Pagesto autism. The claim that the MMR vaccine causes autism is not backed by any scientific evidence and therefore should not be believed. Autism is a developmental disability that is caused by differences in how the brain functions. People with autism may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in different ways and show repetitive behaviors. About 1 in 68 children have been identified with autism in communities across the United States. According to the myth, children seemed to develop autism shortlyRead MoreAsperger Syndrome : A Disorder On The Autism Spectrum1210 Words   |  5 PagesAshley Knowles Dr. Chaviano ESE 309 Spring 2015 Asperger Syndrome Asperger syndrome, also known as, Asperger disorder is a disorder on the autism spectrum. Asperger syndrome is on the mild, or â€Å"high-functioning,† end. Many affected with Asperger’s learn to adjust and become very intelligent and live successful lives. In 1944, an Australian pediatrician named Hans Asperger observed four children who had difficulty integrating socially. The children lacked nonverbal communication skills, failedRead MoreVaccinations Should Be Mandatory?1739 Words   |  7 Pagesmillion people die from vaccine-preventable diseases each year; half of the people who die are children who are less than five years of age (Offit, 2014). When a person dies from a disease that has an available vaccine, that death could have been prevented. Parents do not vaccinate their children for an abundance of reasons. Although they feel that they are protecting their children, they are actually exposing them to countless life-threatening diseases. People who are not vaccinated cause problemsRead MoreImmunizations Is Better Than A Cure Essay1129 Words   |  5 Pagesmajor concerns would be the health and safety of their children. Some parents believe that vaccines were to prevent the spread of dangerous transmittable diseases, also a re under the impression that vaccines present high risk factors for their children. Vaccination’s allow provide protection to children and adults against many varieties of disease, and when kids are vaccinated in the earlier stage immunity is created. This form of immunity protects the population from the risks of a virus spread, asRead MoreThe Controversy Of Autism Spectrum Disorder1323 Words   |  6 PagesThe Controversy Defining Autism Autism continues to spark countless discussions and debates throughout the medical field. Some doctors believe that autism is a neurological disorder that can and should be treated, as others continue to think it is simply a difference in human adaption that needs to be nurtured and acknowledged. Regardless of what autism may be, it continues to dramatically rise in the number of children and families affected. With autism being based on such a broad spectrum, theRead MoreAutism Is A Psychological Disorder1329 Words   |  6 PagesAutism continues to spark countless discussions and debates throughout the medical field. Some doctors believe that autism is a neurological disorder that can and should be treated, as others continue to think it is simply a difference in human adaption that needs to be nurtured and acknowledged. Regardless of what autism may be, it continues to dramatically rise in the number of children and families affected. With autism being based on such a broad spe ctrum, the affects and causes leaves the medical

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Epic of Gilgamesh - 2440 Words

The Epic of Gilgamesh The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient artifact from Sumerian literature. There actually was a King in Sumer by the name of Gilgamesh, who lived at about 2700 BC. The Epic casts Gilgamesh as a ruler and great hero and cast as being part man and part god. The story has Gilgamesh set off with a companion in search of cedar wood to bring back to their woodless land. His companion is killed during a violent storm. The Sumerian Epic blames the death upon the storm god, Enlil. Gilgamesh then searches for the plant that restores youth, a recurring theme throughout centuries of literature. The Epic concludes with Gilgamesh dying. The text points out that the Epic is deeply pessimistic and provides insight into the†¦show more content†¦This alliance became known as the Delian League. The time period for this is roughly 450 BC. The League members recognized Athens as the head of the League. Athens soon became very authoritarian in dealings with the member states often preventing them from independent and finally transferring the finances for the League from Delos to Athens. These funds simply became tribute to Athens. Short Answer Questions 1. Mesopatamian and Egyptian worldviews can be analyzed by looking at how each society viewed their gods, their roles in the world and their afterlife. The mes viewed their lives as being completely dependent upon the gods. The text notes that the mes felt that they were created by the gods merely to be slaves for the gods. The mes had a truly pessimistic view of their existence. The Egyptians viewed their kings as being divine and kings viewed their responsibility to maintain maat as being serious. This right order enabled the king to rule justly and bring social order and political control to Egypt. Egyptians believed in a pleasant life after death, where people were rewarded for living a good life. The Egyptians worshipped gods that they believed would extend favor onto them for doing good. This was much more optimistic view of existence than that of the Mes. The Code of Hammurabi from the mes did provide an attempt to establish a baseline of acceptable behavior for all to live by. The Egyptians to that same concept to a higherShow MoreRelatedGilgamesh And The Epic Of Gilgamesh988 Words   |  4 PagesThe maturation of Gilgamesh and his desire to acquire wisdom throughout his journey is quite apparent. By overcoming difficulties such as upholding Uruk, becoming friends with Enkidu, and various other scenarios, Gilgamesh proves that he did in fact grow up throughout the epic. As the epic starts, Gilgamesh is portrayed as a self-centered, self-admiring leader who believes that he is the only individual that can lead the city of Uruk. Gilgamesh believes that he is a god-like figure and often refersRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh : Gilgamesh1013 Words   |  5 Pages Gilgamesh in 2015 Even though the epic Gilgamesh is thousands of years old, it is still read today. Why would the era of technology read an epic this old? This is because the themes in Gilgamesh are still relevant. In addition, the themes are experiences that Gilgamesh went through in his life period, and serve as lessons for the current readers. Gilgamesh’s themes include journey, legacy, love, and death. These themes make Gilgamesh a vital reading for the 21st century citizens because peopleRead MoreGilgamesh : The Epic Of Gilgamesh1194 Words   |  5 Pages The Epic of Gilgamesh is a Mesopotamian epic poem loosely based on a real king who ruled sometime around 2700 BCE. The standard version of this epic was written in the Akkadian language. In this epic poem, Gilgamesh is King of Uruk, he is one third mortal and two-thirds god; he is described as a strong, arrogant, and unruly king that does not show much consideration for his actions. Gilgamesh is a very egocentric person; he has no res pect for the feelings of others and does not care about howRead MoreGilgamesh : The Epic Of Gilgamesh909 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"The Epic of Gilgamesh† is a didactic story set out to expose the inevitability of death. The true meaning of this story is sometimes overlooked because the story is told in heighten language not easily understood. The epic hero in this story is Gilgamesh; he undertakes a quest for knowledge which is overshadowed by his ignorance. The tragic death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s trusted companion forces the epic hero to change his perception of death. To overcome great obstacles one must be willing to putRead MoreGilgamesh The Epic Of Gilgamesh877 Words   |  4 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh the lines that are repeated at the beginning and end of the epic show that only immortality a human can gain lies in creating things that last beyond a person’s lifetime. While at the beginning of the epic Gilgamesh is seeking eternal life, when he concl udes his journey he realizes that he has created an enduring legend through the foundation of his city, Uruk. Through this legend, Gilgamesh can live on in the memory of his people, long after he has passed away. The epic is ableRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And Gilgamesh1422 Words   |  6 PagesIn the Epic of Gilgamesh there are many notable relationships but the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is hands down the most noteworthy. When analyzing the relationship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu there are many factors that go into play. It is really the sole foundation of the whole Sumerian epic and it really changes the whole personality of Gilgamesh. In order to get a better understanding of how the two characters complement each other we have to first break down their individual appearancesRead MoreGilgamesh : The Epic Of Gilgamesh876 Words   |  4 PagesIn The Epic of Gilgamesh a young man meets and befriends a wild man named Enkidu. Enkidu, once a man who lived among animal s, became civilized after having sex with a female. From this point on Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s relationship start, but shortly into the novel Enkidu becomes sick and dies. This is the start to Gilgamesh journey in attempting to avoid death by seeking immortality. In his quest Gilgamesh meets several people all who assign different routes to the next person he should speak to.Read MoreGilgamesh : The Epic Of Gilgamesh1400 Words   |  6 Pages The Epic of Gilgamesh Introduction The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story about Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk and Enkidu, their friendship, how Enkidu dies, how Gilgamesh mourns the death of his friend and finally he understands enlightened truth . Most of this story is narrated from Gilgamesh’s point of view. The story is set in Mesopotamia and the portrayal of Gilgamesh is ironical. He is described as a king of immense vigor and strength who is not benevolent with his subjectsRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh By Gilgamesh1476 Words   |  6 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh was the earliest surviving written epic that told story of Gilgamesh king of Uruk that was the world first cities that was built along the Tigris and Euphrates River 5,000 years ago. Aruru created the human race, Enkidu and a wild man who roamed the pasture like a gazelle. The epic of Gilgamesh goddesses and scared harlots wild men who cavort in the fields with the gazelles kings who are descended from gods. The Urban Revolution was recognize the elemen ts of our own world byRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And Gilgamesh Essay2053 Words   |  9 PagesWhile the women in the Epic of Gilgamesh may not be the primary focus of the epic, which instead recounts more of Gilgamesh’s own trials and travails, they still play quite vital roles in their interactions with both Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Women such as Shamhat, Ninsun, and Ishtar in The Epic of Gilgamesh are often portrayed with a particular emphasis on their intrinsic connections to civilization—and in the case of Shamhat and Ninsun, in terms of their motherly characteristics as well—which serves

The Unexplained Puzzle Into Us History Essay Samples African American Political Participation Uncovered

The Unexplained Puzzle Into Us History Essay Samples African American Political Participation Uncovered They don't want you to understand that story, he explained. Years in front of a grown black man would be regarded as as a guy and not a boy. He explained that growing up the one thing that could acquire black children from the hood was sports. A Black man goes to find an apartment after calling the landlord to make sure it was still offered. Clearly, politics deals with messy and complicated conditions, it therefore require for all its members to take part in order in order for it to run smoother, through the voice of the folks. Still you're able to accomplish a lot with less time and cost, provided that you're persistent in your endeavors. Sometimes it seems as though they don't get the honor that's due, and someone else receives the credit. The most obvious figure that's been touted as taking the movement to a different level was Martin Luther King Jr.. Therefore the prisoner progressed past the world of the firelight, and now into the domain of sunlight. A superb comprehension of a nation's political culture can help to make sense of the way a nation's government is designed, together with the political decisions its leaders make. Unquestionably, politics ought to be entrenched as a basis, for the interest of the democratic integrity of a person's nation. Knowing a nation's history gives someone a very clear p icture of the overall facets of a nation. By consistent training you can really boost your posture. I doubt whether there is a stronger theme in the entire musical literature of earth. The very first concept is among the most significant and that's stereotyping. There are a couple of concepts in the text that relate to the African American culture. Us History Essay Samples African American Political Participation - What Is It? Also, there appears to be no way to receive the best clips, so it may work best either to assign part of the program as homework, or to stream it ahead of time so that you are able to discover the parts which are most relevant quickly. Without regard to the academic amount of the essay examples that you're looking for, we possess the subject material covered with ease, and would love for you to browse through the many distinct topics to observe this for yourself. EmpowermentEmployees don't always need to need to request permission. Participating in such a huge study from beginning to finish has validated my interest in academic research for a profession. Life After Us History Essay Samples African American Political Participation Nearly the exact same proportion of the people is voting specialists. In 1917 there was massive financial confusion which resulted in substantial decrease in coal in the nation. The totally inactive, which is made up of twenty-two percent of the populace, don't take part in any politics. Its output couldn't be matched with that of totally free labor as a result of incidences of mutiny and sabotage. The Basic Facts of Us History Essay Samples African American Political Participation Choose something which you find funny, and you may also vary between different pursuits. You skeleton sets some limitations of form and size you cannot surpass. On the flip side, racial discrimination is the action of subordinating an individual because of the color of the epidermis or race. For that reason, it has improved to an excellent extent, the structu re of the movie. The 5-Minute Rule for Us History Essay Samples African American Political Participation It particularly aimed the southern portion of the USA. Therefore, the voting law was remade to be certain that everybody could vote. In the majority of schools, Black history doesn't consume the entire month. It should be taught in schools, as well as in the homes. When you think about political participation within this way, it's simple to observe that most U.S. citizens have some degree of political participation. African American civil rights has a very long history. Folks can relate with events that occurred in the nation in a more elaborate method. Although voting has become the most popular kind of participation, it's still not heavily practiced. What to Expect From Us History Essay Samples African American Political Participation? Years of trying hard to find the rights this country had denied them. In the America society, there's an influx of distinct populations that are entering in the nation. The protests which were made were mainly intended to put pressure on the sitting president throughout that time John F. Kennedy. You also have black Americans that come from all around the United States of america in various cities and neighborhoods with unique methods of living and growing up. It's the only developed country and one of only a couple of countries on earth that doesn't guarantee working mothers paid leave. However, there continue to be discrimination against African Americans, but I feel it will be solved. Today Islam in the black community is composed of black Americans that come from several backgrounds. Yet, politically, it has never been able to sufficiently capitalize on that status in order to receive the full benefits of life in America. Actually, the president himself receives criticisms that question his ability to lead because of the race which he belongs to. Therefore, they will never truly understand why they're in the position that they're in today. I believe that the most essential point is Do not quit. Now let's take a moment to check at a number of the big influences on nonparticipation.

Ignorance And Racism Essay Example For Students

Ignorance And Racism Essay Ignorance and RacismJoseph Conrad develops themes of personal power, individual responsibility, and social justice in his book Heart of Darkness. His book has all the trappings of the conventional adventure tale mystery, exotic setting, escape, suspense, unexpected attack.Chinua Achebe concluded, Conrad, on the other hand, is undoubtedly one of the great stylists of modern fiction and a good story-teller into the bargain (Achebe 252). Yet, despite Conrads great story telling, he has also been viewed as a racist by some of his critics. Achebe, Singh, and Sarvan, although their criticisim differ, are a few to name. Normal readers usually are good at detecting racism in a book. Achebeacknowledges Conrad camouflaged racism remarks, saying, But Conrad chose his subject well one which was guaranteed not to put him in conflict with psychological pre- disposition. .. (Achebe, 253). Having gone back and rereading Heart of Darkness, but this time reading between the lines, I have discovered some racism Conrad felt toward the natives that I had not discovered the first time I read the book. Racism is portrayed in Conrads book, but one must acknowledge that back in the eighteen hundreds society conformed to it. Conrad probably would have been criticized as being soft hearted rather than a racist back in his time.Conrad constantly referred to the natives, in his book, as black savages, niggers, brutes, and them, displaying ignorance toward the African history and racism towards the African people. Conrad wrote, Black figures strolled out listlessly. .. the beaten nigger groaned somewhere (Conrad 28). They passed me with six inches, without a glance, with the complete, deathlike indifference of unhappy savages (Conrad 19). Achebe, also,detected Conrads frequent use of unorthodox name calling, Certainly Conrad had a problem with niggers. His in ordinate love of that word itself should be of interest to psychoanalysts (Achebe 258).Conrad uses Marlow, the main character in the book, as a narrator so he himself can enter the story and tell it through his own philosophical mind. Conrad used double speak throughout his book. Upon arriving at the first station, Marlow commented what he observed. They were dying slowly it was very clear. They were not enemies, they were not criminals, they were nothing earthly now, nothing but black shadows of disease and starvation lying confusedly in the greenish gloom (Conrad 20). Marlow felt pity toward the natives, yet when he met the stations book keeper he changed his views of the natives. Moreover I respected the fellow. Yes. I respected his collars, his vast cuffs, his brushed hair. His appearance was certainly great demoralization of the land he kept up his appearance (Conrad 21). Marlow praised the book keeper as if he felt its the natives fault for living in such waste. the bureaucracy only cared about how he looked and felt.The bookeeper did not care for the natives who were suffering less than fifty feet from him. He stated the natives werent criminals but were being treated as if they were, but at the same time he respected the book keeper on his looks instead of despising him for his indifference. Conrad considered the Africans inferior and doomed people.Frances B. Singh, author of The Colonialistic Bias of Heart of Darkness said The African natives, victims of Belgian exploitation, are described as shapes, shadows, and bundles of acute angles, so as to show the dehumanizing effect of colonialist rule on the ruled (269-270). Another similar incident of double speak appeared on the death of Marlows helmsman. Marlow respected the helmsman, yet when the natives blood poured into Marlows shoes, To tell you the truth, I was morbidity anxious to change my shoes and socks (Conrad 47). How can someone respect yet feel disgusted towards someone?Singh looks into this question by stating, The reason of course, is because he (Marlow) never completely grants them (natives) human status: at the best they are a species of superior hyena (Singh 273). As I have mentioned before, Conrad was not only racist but also ignorant. He would often mix ignorance with racism when he described the natives. .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 , .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 .postImageUrl , .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 , .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458:hover , .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458:visited , .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458:active { border:0!important; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458:active , .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458 .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u11561c668a117d124f89b71a24327458:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Life On Other Planets Essay They howled and leaped and spun and made horrid faces, but what thrilled you was just the thought of their humanity like yours the thought of your remote kinship with this wild and passionate uproar. Ugly (Conrad 35). The prehistoric man was cursing us, praying to us, welcoming us who could tell? (Conrad 37). The end result of Conrads ignorance of not knowing the behavior of African people concluded his division of the social world into two separate categories: us, the Europeans, and them, the Africans. Achebe concludes Conrads ignorance towards the natives by stating, Heart of Darkness projects the image of Africa as the other world, a place where mans vaunted intelligence and ferment are finally mocked by triumphant bestiality (252). Heart of Darkness was written, consciously or unconsciously, from a colonialistic point of view (Singh 278). Conrad didnt write his book to the extreme of racism.Overall, the natives appeared better humans than the Europeans in Heart of Darkness.Conrads ignorance led to his conformity to racism. His ignorance of not completely granting the natives human status leads him to social categorization. C. P. Sarvan wrote in his criticism, quoting Achebe, Racism and the Heart of Darkness, Conrad sets up Africa as a foil to Europe, a place of negations. .. in comparison with which Europes own state of spiritual grace will be manifest. Africa is the other world,. .. (281).Achebe, Chinua [An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrads Heart of Darkness. ]Heart of Darkness. By Joseph Conrad 3rd ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York: Norton Critical 1988.Conrad, Joseph Heart of Darkness 3rd ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York: Norton Critical, 1988.Sarvan, C. P. [Racism and the Heart of Darkness. ] Heart of Darkness. By Joseph Conrad 3rd ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York: Norton Critical 1988.Singh, Frances B. Heart of Darkness. By Joseph Conrad 3rd ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York: Norton Critical 1988.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Honeywell International Success free essay sample

This paper introduces the reader to Honeywell International Inc. We will write a custom essay sample on Honeywell International Success or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Honeywell is a world leader in the application of lean manufacturing and its Six Sigma Plus processes. With the use of carefully monitored cost standards, net present value in investment decisions, and the transparency of the company’s financial statements are all methods that Honeywell has successfully implemented and utilized to reach and maintain their status as a world-wide competitor. The company has continued its growth, despite the market downturn that began in 2007, and continues to prove its resilience and pioneering spirit by continually improving their product lines, globally expanding their market, and, monitoring and maintaining financial stability. Its forward thinking and willingness to take risk will provide Honeywell the capacity to maintain its role as a major competitor and contributor to the growth and recovery of our economy. Table of Contents Page Abstract2 Company Overview4 Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing8 The Use of Standard Costs11 The Use of Net Present Value14 Summary15 References18 Honeywell International Inc. is an American based advanced-technology company that manufactures aerospace and automotive products; residential, commercial, and industrial control systems; specialty chemicals and plastics; and engineered materials. Its assent into history can be traced back to 1885, spanning 125 years of history. Honeywell International is a $38 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, with 132,000 employees in over 100 countries and it a Fortune 75 Company. It is a diverse and global-wide organization and is a leading supplier of avionics and electronics, consumable hardware, engine controls, environmental controls, landing systems, power systems, propulsion engines, aerospace services and space products, and systems for the aerospace industry, as well as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of commercial, regional, business and military aircraft and spacecraft. Today, its main competitors in the aerospace defense product and service industry are BorgWarner Inc. , Johnson Controls Inc. and United Technologies Corp. State-of-the-art technology, world known brands and global solutions have placed Honeywell in the unique position as one of the premier worldwide suppliers in the aerospace industry, offering solutions of systems, products and services to the largest aerospace and airline companies in the industry. Throughout their 125 years in business, Honeywell has helped revolutionize the aerospace industry with its dedication to research and development and its enthusiasm to advance technology in their various markets. Honeywells reliable and efficient aerospace services and support programs deliver the right level of engineering expertise, maintenance services and asset availability solutions to simplify operations while keeping systems and equipment at peak operational performance. It has proven to be successful in its quest for growth and global expansion from the time of inception. Their quest to acquire and expand began in 1927; the original company, Minneapolis Heat Regulator Company, and Honeywell Heating Specialty Co. merged to form the Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Co. From the merger, the name Honeywell was adopted and has remained the same since. In the course of its acquisitions, Honeywell purchased other businesses whose focus was in the controls area; among those acquisitions, was Brown Instrument Co. who was a wide-reaching leader in the field of industrial controls and indicators. This acquisition further increased their already successful market to a wider range of customers, as Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Co. had already established an overseas trading agreement with Japanese distributors such as Yamatake Trading Company. It was no surprise that, in 1934, Honeywell pursued and eventually acquired Time-O-Stat Controls Corporation. With the acquisition of Time-O-Stat, Honeywell further expanded its global presence, establishing offices in Toronto, Canada and The Netherlands; a few years later, they had offices in London and Stockholm. By 1941, Honeywell had expanded into markets in Chile, Panama, Trinidad, New Zealand, Argentina, and South Africa. By 1972, it operated 25 wholly-owned subsidiaries, 142 branch offices, and joint ventures in five countries outside the U. S. True to its reputation as a risk taker, Honeywell ventured into the computer industry. This venture was brief and by 1991 Honeywell was on longer in the computer business. Even though the venture was short lived, it proved to be of great value; Honeywell used the knowledge gained from their digital computer experience and applied it to the traditional field of automation control, integrating sensors, and activators. In 1986, Honeywell purchased Sperry Aerospace, and markedly enhanced its position in the aerospace industry. Edson Spencer, Honeywell chairman and chief executive officer, said the purchase was among the most important his company had made, It is an outstanding opportunity for Honeywell that positions us for the long term in a market that is expected to have significant growth for the next 10 years commercial and military aviation (Arnold, 2012). This purchase made Honeywell the worlds leading integrator of avionics systems, incorporation flight controls, space vehicles, and the first FAA-certified wind shear warning system. It continued to expand, and by 1993, the company continued its world-wide expansion by opening affiliates in Abu Dhabi, China, Oman, Romania, and the Ukraine. In a span of 26 years, Honeywell had operations in 95 countries through 83 wholly-owned subsidiaries and 13 joint ventures. One of the most noted and discussed mergers occurred in 1999 when AlliedSignal, a diverse manufacturer, bought Honeywell for $13. 8 billion in stock. AlliedSignal kept the Honeywell name, merging offices, and closed its Morristown, New Jersey headquarters. The merger resulted in a major restructuring for Honeywell which added to its product line and services. The deal created a company with $25 billion in annual sales and a market capitalization in excess of $45 billion. The merger gave the combined company the marketing edge, providing their airline customers to take advantage of new technology that would boost cost savings for both parties. In an unexpected turn, the early part of 2001 brought difficulties for Honeywell when the European Commission rejected the purchase of Honeywell by General Electric (GE). In October 2001, Honeywell and GE, the largest corporation in the world and the number one producer of jet engines, announced the intent to embark on one of the largest industrial mergers in history. The plan was for GE to acquire Honeywell, the largest worldwide supplier of non-engine aerospace equipment. During negotiations it was anticipated that there would be no antitrust problem; as GE and Honeywell were not competitors and not part of the same supply chain. The merger was intended to bring together complementary products that were component parts of large jet aircraft. The deal would have been the largest industrial merger in history. Instead, it became recognized as the first, and so far only, merger between US companies to be derailed solely by the European anti-trust authorities, while being cleared by the US Department of Justice (DoJ). On July 3, 2001, in an unprecedented act, the EU officially rejected the planned $42 billion acquisition of Honeywell International Inc. , by GE. The merger was denied by the EU after concluding that the merger would create or strengthen dominant positions on several markets and that the remedies proposed by G.E. were insufficient to resolve the competition concerns resulting from the proposed acquisition of Honeywell. The merger between G. E. and Honeywell, as it was notified, would have severely reduced competition in the aerospace industry and resulted ultimately in higher prices for customers, particularly airlines† (Pellegrini, 2001). Despite the fact that the GE buyout failure was a stumbling block, Honeywell used the experience to strengthen its core businesses by continuing to develop and introduce new products. The company started an aggressive acquisition strategy with the goal to increase revenues and decrease cost in a strategy that, â€Å"†¦divested small, underperforming operations, reduced the number of suppliers, and streamlined operations in small ways elsewhere† Honeywell History, n. a. ) The results paid off for Honeywell, as they continued to win a large percentage of their contract bids, sales were ahead of budget, and the rate of turnover in managers did not significantly increase from the same period in the prior year, and customer satisfaction was up. Honeywell faced some challenges after the GE debacle, however, by making changes it displayed that tenacity, hard work and a willingness to take risk, can result in huge payoffs. Honeywell continued to streamline and improve their lean manufacturing processes, i. e. Six Sigma Plus, implement and ensure compliance of the company code of conduct and maintain its dominance as a government contractor. Honeywell began its Six Sigma process and concept of self-managed teams in 1995 to â€Å"drive data-based decision making, ensure quality levels, and improve customer satisfaction† (Crager, 2007). Through training, leadership, and senior management support, Honeywell successfully developed their Six Sigma program. In late 2001 Honeywell combined the concepts of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma in a program called Six Sigma Plus to create a more robust program. The program was designed to align improvement objectives directly with business needs by integrating top talent and generating bottom-line results. Six Sigma Plus is an overall strategy to accelerate improvements in all processes, products and services, and reduce the punitive cost of poor quality through elimination of waste and reduction of defects and variations. One of the ultimate aims documented in the Six Sigma Plus strategy is providing maximum value to customers by applying a logical and structured approach to all business processes. One of the pluses of Six Sigma is that it empowered employees, allowing them to make decisions that impacted how their unit or line was performing. This provided Honeywell an excellent tool that is a highly respected measure of excellence. (M. Calderon, personal communication, May 1, 2012) Honeywell took the basic concept of Six Sigma and created its own version which is known as Six Sigma Plus. It is currently used across all businesses and brands to drive growth and productivity. â€Å"The standard operates by providing a measurement of how effective the organization is in eliminating defects and variations from processes. To meet its requirements, a process must operate at 3. 4 defects or less per million opportunities. This equates to 99. 9997% error free† (Six Sigma Plus, n. d. ). Conscious application of the Six Sigma methodology to all business processes delivers greater value to its customers and makes Honeywell a more desirable business partner. The implementation of lean manufacturing processes has enabled Honeywell to maintain tight controls in all aspects of the managerial accounting processes. With the use of managerial accounting, Honeywell has ensured that their productions and service is well planned and controlled. With the budget cuts facing government, private sector job loss, and tightened markets, it is impressive that Honeywell has continued to maintain its sales growth in the United States. The diversity of Honeywell’s world-wide enterprise, exemplifies the importance of a creative corporate marketing approach. Honeywell consists of unique business units, with each, offering a variety of products and services. Strategies and implementation of those strategies must be developed and executed at the corporate, business unit, and product levels. Overall, strategy and long-term planning are guided by the company’s vision and stated mission. At the business level, planning begins with an examination of the current situation, including technological changes and competitive effects. By using this type of analysis, Honeywell is better equipped to address and identify threats and new business opportunities. Decisions to pursue new opportunities are followed by establishing a set of objectives, often stated in terms of market share, sales volume, or profitability. Subsequently, business and marketing strategies are developed to achieve those objectives. Effective execution of strategy in implementation must then occur for objectives to be realized. Effective financial statement analysis will be a primary indicator that indicates the progress and demonstrates whether company goals are being met. Honeywell has been a leader in their industry in planning and control and have used financial analysis in depth to evaluate and control their growth and profitability. It continues to be effective in identifying opportunities to improve the organization’s efficiency and in developing strategic plans to realize those opportunities. By using a diversity of analytical tools Honeywell is better prepared in making operating decisions, such as how and where products are to be manufactured and serviced, whether insourcing or outsourcing is more equitable, and whether to expand and the area to expand to. Timely and accurate financial statement preparation is critical to the success or failure of a business. The financial officer, owner, partner or members management team of a business must review the business financial statements and have a good understanding of them. Financial statements are critical to Honeywell’s ability to make solid, informed decisions. Such decisions are needed in order for Honeywell to meet one of its primary goals, which is to realize a high rate of return on their investments. The measurement and success of this initiative is arrived at by measuring it against other industry averages. This information helps Honeywell understand that current initiatives do show a market response. In view of the fact that the industry average can be general in nature the industry average should be used as a guide. A failure to use the data appropriately can mislead investors and have a disastrous affect on Honeywell’s reputation and marketability. Achieving their strategic plan will not only involve Honeywell’s internal planning and controlling, but it will also involve the support of creditors and investors. Both are key players in providing capital needs to support new initiatives and milestones; the use of financial statements in this process will no doubt be the backbone of the decision making process. It is difficult to know the health and direction of a company if financial statements are not reviewed in a timely manner. In its pursuit of investors, or the success in the results of an external audit, the financial statements are the ultimate representation of company’s financial position. In general accounting practices, Honeywell uses process costing for its furnace thermostats (home products division) and job costing for customized aerospace contracting products. When thinking in terms of standard costs and whether they would be beneficial, one factor to consider is the fact that Honeywell is a world-wide producer with operations in many countries outside of the United States (US). There are ramifications when doing business overseas as well as doing business in the US and each scenario has its own benefits and consequences that are unique to specified circumstances. Honeywell, like their competitors has migrated to low cost countries because of the labor rate differential. The move to overseas production creates additional concerns and dynamics. World-class manufacturing in today’s competitive environment demands more than a single-minded focus on eliminating defects. Since the introduction of Six Sigma and Lean tools to their operations over a decade ago, Honeywell has delivered significant results for customers in terms of the quality, delivery and value of our products and services. To achieve competitive advantage in today’s environment, Honeywell has continued to build on its Six Sigma and Lean foundation, and identify new ways to differentiate themselves. Benchmark companies such as Toyota and Nissan use Six Sigma and Lean tools. Like Honeywell, they also have a disciplined management system that standardizes work and engage employees in improving work processes. In doing this, organizations have achieved tremendous performance improvements. The Honeywell Operating System is a comprehensive, integrated approach to managing their organization. It is characterized by a consistent focus on results for the benefit of our customers, not on the use of specific tools. The objective is to simplify and standardize processes everywhere, to remove variation across operations, and to drive significant and sustainable improvements in safety, quality, delivery and cost. Employees are encouraged use tools such as Six Sigma, in achieving a common purpose: global wide use of an operating system that consistently yields excellent results for the customers and the company. Implementing standardized cost standards is not an easy task and it will take time. Honeywell maintains that standardization will evolve to fit different business environments and changing customer needs and will become an essential part of the process that will bind their company across business and geographic boundaries. Honeywell’s workforce consists of residents of the country they are in to satisfy requirements imposed by foreign nations. It is almost mandatory to have overseas operations to reduce labor and material costs; however, these operations come with high risk. Foreign workers are not always equipped with the necessary skills to perform the manufacturing duties required by a highly technical company. The expense of employing and developing such a workforce can create additional costs. In determining what the additional costs, standard costs prove beneficial because they would provide Honeywell the ability to budget costs with a great understanding and degree of confidence. A standard cost system allows a company to factor in methods that would absorb the periods in which higher costs are identified due to foreign employment development and when costs are low or minimal due to workforce stabilization. In its foreign production, Honeywell will have to set attainable standards in order maintain its performing baseline. Another factor in foreign operations is the volatile condition of the world. The United States is not always welcomed in other countries. It is not uncommon for a common protest to turn into a major world crisis. Such examples are those of the uprisings in Israel and Libya. Honeywell hosts operations in Israel, where relations between the government and the general population are volatile and unpredictable. In addition, we have seen several instances where regimes have changed power and attitudes toward the US in a matter of days. Standard costing is paramount as an aide for monitoring and managing the risk of unpredictability. It is a healthy practice that can protect Honeywell from severe monetary damage if a foreign tragedy should affect the business. The information obtained from standard costing aides Honeywell against the volatility of today’s markets and the strategy of its competitors. Honeywell is continuously improving its processes, products and management style to maintain their competitive edge. To be competitive, Honeywell will continue to use their standard cost system to help them execute planning and control of their strategic priorities. Tracking costs will also help Honeywell identify weakness and variances in their production system. Undetected problems in the areas of materials and labor can eventually raise variance to a point of hindering Honeywell from maintaining their core competencies. Consequently, today’s market provides no room for error, but every opportunity for a competitor to gain the lead. In many respects, some of the rationale that goes into using standard costs also applies to formulating the right strategy to gain a positive Net Present Value. Honeywell’s reach is global and therefore its investment opportunities are also global. Due to the unique factors involved with global markets, it is necessary for Honeywell to perform critical planning for investment decisions. Honeywell has a reputation as an organization that is willing to take risks to make money. It has done that by acquiring other business or expanding its existing facilities for future business. Such expansions are expensive and these expansions require additional staff which adds to the cost of investment. Large expenditures are a challenge to control the net present value (NPV) and require clear identification of cost and risks in order to be a success. Strategic moves, such as partnering with the national government, can leverage the way to a positive NPV. In this approach, there are tradeoff between the corporation and the government in which both interests can be mutually met. Corporation’s like Honeywell utilize these paths in order to reduce investment costs and have accurate projections for calculating and incorporating NPV baselines. Because of the ongoing activity of many investments occurring at one time, it is critical that Honeywell has complete knowledge of their NPV and ensure profitable investments are achieved. Failing to do this can result in major losses, especially when an unplanned shortfall occurs. Although the investment sounds promising, it is critical that NPV is properly measured. It is also advisable from an NPV and program management position that Honeywell phase its investment into NPV milestones which help determine if they should move forward to the next phase of the investment. This process would provide a safeguard while allowing the innovation to prove itself. While the actual rate of return (IRR) that  a given project ends up generating will often differ from its estimated IRR rate, a project with a substantially higher IRR value than other available options would still provide a much better chance of strong growth. IRRs can also be compared against prevailing rates of return in the securities market. If a firm cant find any projects with IRRs greater than the returns that can be generated in the financial markets, it may simply choose to invest its retained earnings into the market. The need for Honeywell to practice continuous NPV drills in a market with circumstances such as those faced in China by US companies, is critical. While both countries maintain a civil business partnership, there is an unspoken adversarial relationship which creates instability. China is strategically positioning itself as a global power therefore, the relationship between both countries is precarious and any misstep by Honeywell could severely damage the existing business relationship. Another potential concern for Honeywell is that China is currently the largest lender to the US. At the point that China reaches the economic capacity to sustain its prosperity internally, we have to ask ourselves if they will request repayment by the US prior to maturity dates. As we have seen in several European countries, a request of that magnitude could destabilize an already fragile US economy. In consideration of this scenario, and other contributing factors, Honeywell should be careful in investment planning, and phase its activities so that the NPV is not contingent upon results that will take a long period to realize a return. In summary, Honeywell has proven itself as a world leader of technology. This corporation is known world-wide and is a household name. Honeywell leads the way in advanced switching and sensing technology in their home division, and its aerospace division. In spite of the GE failure, it has kept its mark on the global economy through market highs and lows and has maintained its dominant position in an extremely competitive industry. As a long-time survivor and global competitor on the world stage, Honeywell continues to make its mark in history by developing innovative safety products, driving the modernization of global air traffic management, revolutionizing combat technology and their commitment to improving operational efficiencies. Honeywell continues to display their dominance with its diversity and profitable risk taking ventures. Perhaps Honeywell’s greatest strength has been the fact that it has adapted to a world that is ever changing and has embraced the challenge that other companies find daunting. With the continued vision to improve processes for safety, quality and cost, reducing waste, and using integrated strategies Honeywell continues to be a standard for their industry. They continue to be innovative and competitive and have a strong commitment to bringing profitable products that their customers need and want. Due to the diversity and competitive market that Honeywell has chosen to operate in, it is of extreme importance that the company maintains sound financial practices that will support the moral fiber and marketability of the company. As Honeywell moves into the future I believe they will continue to perfect their processes to produce the right financial statements, useful in calculating their position in the market, and providing the best advice for investment decisions. The proper use of standard costs and net present value are an example of the critical tools that ensure Honeywell continues to thrive in today’s unknown global conditions. Also critical to the success of Honeywell is the continued utilization of strong and proper ethical practices as the company is well known, world-wide competitor and a representative of the American business ethics and values. Whether it is in the Middle Eastern or the Far East, Honeywell is known and recognized; such a position makes it important for Honeywell to be transparent in its fiscal disclosures. Sound financial practices are essential to Honeywell in order for the company to continue its success and market dominance. Primary emphasis on these practices will serve to maintain Honeywells status and help them make the most profitable investment decisions for their investors and the company. As recent as April 23, 2012, Honeywell declared a â€Å"regular quarterly dividend of $0. 3725 per share on the companys outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable on June 8, 2012 to shareowners of record at the close of business on May 18, 2012† (Honeywell Declares Quarterly Dividend, 2012). If this is any indication, Honeywell will continue to be a viable global competitor and financial contributor to our financial and job market. Honeywell is an excellent example of an organization that is forward thinking and proactive. It has operated with a strong ethical code of conduct, strong financial discipline and an ever present focus on the future. This methodology and ideology will ensure their continued financial growth and market expansion. It is apparent that their cost standards, lean processes, and disciplined managerial financial management has enabled them to overcome obstacles, secure their position as a global competitor and a viable contender in today’s competitive, technology-oriented world.