Platos Republic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Platos Republic - Essay Example Socrates was outspoken in criticizing the new government and after the Democrats took hold of power, Socrates’ relationship with the oligarchic set up made his enemies to find appropriate reasons to make him face trial. They charged him with corrupting the youth of Athens through immoral ways and in spite of his articulately expressed defense, Socrates was held guilty and condemned to death. In his Apology, Plato has recorded the last days of Socates’ life. Socrates continued to remain staunch and true to his belief system and was unwilling to go back on his past statements. He even refused the offer of exile and willingly ingested the cup of hemlock poison that ended his life. This paper holds that the charges against Socrates did not have strength and that they were primarily a result of the ongoing political strife amongst the varied claimants who wanted to lose no opportunity in claiming positions of authority in the newly established democracy. The defense for Socr ates will be substantiated by repeatedly referring to Plato’s Republic because there is considerable circumstantial evidence in this work to steer him clear of the charges of corrupting Athenian youth (p.36). We know that Socrates was charged of corrupting the youth through a few contemporary Greek sources; Plato, Xenophon and the playwright Aristophanes. The Republic was born in Plato’s mind in his early youth while he was hopeful of becoming a politician. At this time he was much impressed with Socrates and became his pupil informally. Following the Peloponnesian war, Athens was ruled for about eight months by the Thirty Tyrants who were an oligarchic and tyrannical power group that tried to enroll Socrates as well as Plato within their group. Although Plato did not give a clear signal, Socrates openly refused to join them and very soon became reputed for adopting anti-democratic ideas. This proved to be very dangerous for Socrates, especially after the taking over of governance by the fundamental democratic set up that had soon over thrown the Thirty Tyrants. Socrates was tried by the newly formed Athenian democracy for having corrupted the youth, introduced new gods and for ha ving adopted and encouraged atheism. He was convicted to death and subsequently executed, of which Plato was a witness. Plato was extremely disillusioned. The Athenians held that in having corrupted the youth Socrates encouraged the young to accompany him on his chosen path. Such developments made the youth of the day to confront the fundamentalist democracy of the period (p.248). In ascertaining whether Socrates had actually corrupted the youth in Athens, this paper relies on Plato’s Republic, which is a thorough analysis of the circumstances that prevailed during the time. In some ways it can be said that Socrates did teach new divinities and in some ways he did not. Socrates was ready to respect the conventional gods such as Athena and Zeus. In fact, all the available evidence indicates that he believed in polytheism. He was in agreement with Hesiod and Homer that these gods had physical characteristics and would always remain alive. However, his images of the gods were mo re illustrious as compared to the images of the gods that one understands from recitations of Homer and other groups of story tellers and god talkers that were known as muthologoi and theologoi respectively, during the period. Socrates held that the gods were wise,

Teaching And Learning Problem Solving

Teaching And Learning Problem Solving Education nowadays has been criticized by different area and educators try to reform the ways of teaching and learning (Kirkley, 2003). Problem Solving defines as step to reaching the goal or desire state from where we are now ( Medin, Ross Markman, 2004). Kirkly (2003) stated that learner nowadays are short of basic literacy skill and higher order thinking. Basic literary skill is important to learn problem solving largely depend on basic literary skill ( Kirkly). If a learner cannot master basic literacy skill, things that able to represent will be less. As the rising of technology, higher problem solving skill on mathematics and science are needed. They found that students who not able to master literacy skills and cannot not learn and develop higher ordering skills and problem solving ( Kirkly, 2003). Problem solving that mainly can be found while study mathematics. However, Baron (2012) found that a lot of students face the difficulty to pass the test math no matter how much of tutoring, extra classes had given. In addition, not only college students face this kind of problem, children also face similar problem. Types of math problem that face by children is word math problem. Word math problem is type of math that uses English word to explain the question instead of using the equation to explain the questions that need students to be solved. As a teacher, they ways those mathematics teachers teach the next generation also one of the problem that need to discuss. In the old days, teacher only can provide few ways to teach student to solve the math problem. However, not all students have the skill to absorb teaching style on providing information, guideline to solve the question. Moreover, teacher style on teaching students in the few past decade may not be efficient or work on current generation. When a person learn how to solve a particular modal, it will become as a short cut as the person only need to remember the process of solving the problem from the beginning, it only apply on the similar problem that solve before( Kirkly,2003). One of the model that explain problem solving process is when individual doing a problem solving, their cognitive will start by representing the problem then do a solution search, finally implement the solution (Gick, 1986 as cited in Kirkly,2003). If a person successfully find a solution, their cognitive will stop there, conversely, they will redo the step searching solution and representing the problem if they fail to find the solution (Kirkly).When a similar problem is presented, it become short cut as a person cognitive will be able to recall and implement the solution by remembering how they solved similar problem before. Problem solving require a lot of abstract representation that the reason we need to master basic literacy skill. For example, when a learner trying solved a word math problem, learner need to understand the meaning of the word such as increase, product of, less than, equally pieces and others. Then they need to transfer into mathematics symbol and form an equation form to solve the problem. However, human cognitive not able to hold too much representation at the same time and human only able to remember three to seven items ( Medin et al., 2004). Different types of mathematics problem use different types of problem solving method. Types of problem solving method can categorized at algorithm and heuristics. Heuristic have three ways which is using hill climbing, mean ends analysis and working (Medin et al., 2004). For example, a mathematics question that asks how much plus three will be ten? A younger child might use algorithm technique test all the number in order to find the correct answer. As for older child, the will likely use working backward method to find the answer. There are a lot of solution that can be found in educations field. For example, teachers will let provide a lot of similar problem to let their learner or students to solve and in the end createshort cut thinking. By this students will notice the similarity of each problem and able to transfer their skills. This solution can be found in teaching mathematics skill. Students math textbook present a lot of solution to student as an example to solve the similar problem but broader schema that expert are actually use is not available to student (McAllister, 1995). Student dont know which and how is the appropriate first step to do when they faced a problem (McAllister,).Teacher who use explicit translation strategy (ETS ) found to be effective in solving math word problem (INQUIRE, 2008). Explicit translation strategy is to teach students how to translate concrete problem into mathematical equation(INQUIRE, 2008). Research also found that students who teach using the ETS and receive extra learning lesson are able to perform better than other group in the math problem solving that held two weeks later (Darch, Carnine Gersten, 1984). As stated above, students who want to develop problem solving skills need to master basic literacy skills well (Kirkly, 2003). Therefore students need to keep practice different types mathematics problem regularly. Then, students should be teaches by teacher who are expect, more important teachers should be able to provide different method to solve a problem and more complicate example when students able to solve basic mathematical problem. Extra learning material should be given to help students to learn the ability to transform the skill that students learn from other problem. Severin(2007) found students who be given change to learn different type of problem solving strategies able to help student to solve others problem. Technology item also can be use to helps teacher and student improves their problem solving a ability. Teacher can create a learning site and provide different types of fun, stories problem solving question to attract their interest and provide them change to do trial and error while they playing problem solving game while learning. This is because how much a student put effort while doing a math problem will have an effect on their success rate (Severin, 2007). In addition we also can use computer technology to help us in teaching because technology make easier for students to access more information. In the days that computer still not able to own by every family, information on solving a math problem only depend on the knowledge of the teacher. Now, students can asses and absorb more and more idea to solve a math problem. Conclusion, problem solving can be use in different field. By knowing how to teach and learn are the key to teach students and children to develop their problem solving better in the future.

Chestnut Blight and American Chestnut Trees Essay -- Ecology Conservat

Chestnut Blight and American Chestnut Trees Since the early 1900's a disease known as Chestnut Blight has infected many American Chestnut trees and causing their removal from forests. A greater look at the history of this fungus as well as the mechanisms of action will allow us to learn on how to preserve the American chestnut. At one point, the American chestnut was virtually eliminated. With the help of government acts and conservation agencies, the American chestnut is slowly growing back in population. Two methods of restoration of the chestnut include a hybridization and the use of hypovirulant strains. This issue shows a variety of interest from ecologists to those in the timber industry who cannot lumber Asian species of chestnut primarily because of their size. In the 1880's a harmful fungus known as blight, inhabited the United States from imported Japanese chestnut trees. Blight quickly spread, killing chestnuts and chinquapins, which is another species of chestnut that produces 1 nut per bur. In 1904, Chestnut blight appeared infecting trees in New York City and spread at a rate of 20-50 miles per year. By 1906, W.A. Murrill reported that this disease is known to occur in New Jersey, Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia. In 1912, the Planet Quarantine Act was passed to reduce the chances of plant deterioration or devastation prevention. Chestnut Blight or Chestnut Bark Disease was originally found in 1904 and within 50 years, it spread across the eastern United States, from Maine to Georgia and as far west as the edge of Michigan. By 1950, the American chestnut was essentially eliminated as a forest tree. In 1972, importation from Italy gave a biological control in which a virus helped prevent the blight f... ...thesis does, however, lack experimental evidence of any kind. The American chestnut which was once almost eliminated from existence in the late 1950's has once again emerged thanks to conservation efforts. Chestnut blight, a deadly fungus, has the ability to kill chestnut trees. However, some chestnut species in Asia have resistance to blight. As a result, a method of conservation has been through hybridizing American species with Asian species. Another method of conservation has been through hypovirulence strains in the infection is reduced. Independently, this hypovirulence method may be a reason why some American chestnuts are surviving despite being infested with chestnut blight. This issue remains important to both the timber industry, although that isn't why chestnuts are being restored, and certain ecological organizations including the Nature Conservancy.

Burqas Should Not Be Banned

Religion and Society Article Assignment. Articles used – 3A and 3B. The Burqa. Sylvie Maclean. A Burqa is an article of clothing that is generally considered as a religious statement. The Burqa consists of full robes and a mesh veil over the eyes. There are other options of robes that can be worn including the Hijab and the Niqab, where the eyes remain uncovered. According to come interpretations of the Islamic sacred text – the Koran (Qur’an) – women must wear a full veil in order to be modest. Many Muslims wear the Burqa because it is symbolises and is a part of their spiritual journey, so they wear it by choice.While others wear the Burqa because they believe they have to, as it is one of the commandments of god to dress modestly. There are many Muslims who choose not to wear the Burqa at all. They may opt for a simple headscarf and normal clothing; they also can wear the Hijab or Niqab. But then again there are many Muslims who choose to dress in norma l clothes, therefore bringing no attention to their religion. Not wearing the headscarf or robes does not make a person any more religious, nor does wearing the Burqa make someone more religious than another Muslim who is not wearing any religious clothing at all.Just through reading articles A and B, we see that there is a lot of controversy involved in this topic, and something I would like to address is how we have the right to tell others how to dress when their clothing choice brings no harm upon us and is a completely individual and personal choice. Image Source: http://www. hopeitw. com/knowledge/abaya-niqab-burqachadordupatta-hijab/#sthash. OXN8dy8O. dpbs Image Source: http://www. hopeitw. com/knowledge/abaya-niqab-burqachadordupatta-hijab/#sthash. OXN8dy8O. dpbs Throughout article A ‘Why I’m proud to wear the Burqa’ we see examples of the controversies over the banning in France.The author – Oumkheyr – is a Muslim woman who wears the full B urqa by choice, and is being strongly threatened by the French Government where a ban of Burqas may soon be implemented. Oumkheyr says â€Å"I really believe that France is scared of Muslims, which is the motivation for this law, but people shouldn't generalize as not all Muslims are the same. Yes, some have done terrible things, but it is done in the name of man, never in the name of God. † But, although in the Koran there are verses that say some hateful things like â€Å"slay them wherever you catch them† (Quran 2:191), these quotes are taken completely out of context.The rest of that particular quote is as follows â€Å"fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter†¦ But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful†¦ If they cease, let there b e no hostility except to those who practice oppression† (2:190-193). The Koran gives messages of hope, faith and peace.It’s easy to take something out of context and quote it, but it means that what was originally being said loses all meaning. Linking back to the Burqa ban, maybe the French government would stop being so scared of muslims if someone actually bothered to read the full quote. Oumkheyr makes some very strong points in her article, that everyone should take into consideration when deciding their personal opinion of the Burqa ban proposal. The second article, ‘The Burqa is a war on women’ addresses the reasoning for a ban. The author – Virginia Haussegger – has successfully outlined the views of many non-muslims.Within the first two lines Ms Haussegger has already accused the Burqa of subjectifying women, and stated that the reason for wearing the Burqa is what ‘God Demands’. What the author doesn’t seem to real ise is that for the majority of muslims, wearing the Burqa is a personal choice, and most say they don’t think it is a ‘demand’ as such, but more of a way to become more in touch with god and the rest of their religion. Some Islamic tectsstate that women should dress modestly, but wearing the Burqa is the individuals’ decision, and it reflects on the individuals’ values and beliefs about the word ‘modesty’.This article brings up many points about equality. Saying that while ‘men roam free while women wear a sackcloth that dehumanises them. Although it is true that Muslim men do not walk around shrouded head to toe, this is for a reason that Haussegger seems to have forgotten: women’s bodies are constantly being subjectified and having their bodies sexualized, and men are not. Although this is not necersarily the ‘politically correct’ thing to say, it is the truth, and wearing the Burqa is a way for this to stop .The author does have some very valid points on the subject of actual legitimacy of the commandment about the Burqa, but even if the Koran does not state ‘Women must cover their face and bodies to hide from public view’, the Burqa, Hijab, and Niqab are just clothes. By reading these articles it is clear to see that both authors are fighting for the rights of Muslim women. Although Virginia Haussegger clearly believes that by wearing the Burqa women are being further objectified, both authors agree that what we wear is our choice and no one elses.Muslims live by their holy text and if the individual interprets its commandments to believe that to be a good muslim you must wear the burqa, then that it their choice, and freedom of choice is a human right that we should all have. What Haussegger sadly doesn’t appear to understand is that no matter how a Muslim chooses to dress, their beliefs are the same and they are living by the same god, so banning one article of c lothing cannot change how the individual will behave.My opinion on the Burqa is that although the outfit may be somewhat demeaning, it is a personal choice that I will never fully understand. Now that I have done further research into the topic I understand the choices and decisions that are made when the Burqa is concerned, and I am definitely more open to other people’s opinions. I think it is completely unreasonable for non-muslims to call a ban on the Burqa as it is a human right that we are free to express ourselves however we see fit, and if this is how some Muslims choose to express their religion, then good for them.Form| Title| URL| Date accessed| Article| Should Burqas Be Banned? | http://middleeast. about. com/u/ua/religionsectarianism/burqa-hijab-ban. htm| 14/03/2013| Book| Islam beliefs and teachings| Written by Ghulam Sarwar| 20/03/2013| Article| We too should ban the Burqa| http://www. telegraph. co. uk/comment/columnists/allison-pearson/8449101/We-too-should-b an-the-burka. html| 23/03/2013| Article| Europe must not ban the burka| http://www. guardian. co. uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/08/europe-ban-burqa-veil|

The Oddysey Land of the Dead

Oddyseus started to seak to the spirits of the promising to sacrifice his best cow before she had her calve. Then he promised to sacrifice a black lamb whick was the finest in his heard. After promising to sacrifice the animals he did it. The spirits started to gather at the edge of Erebus, the place where the dead reside. The spirits included those of the young and the old; male and female. There were also many warriors who were still in possesion of their armor and weaponry. The spirits started to try to escape from the pit of Erebus. Oddyseus told his men to skin the animal that they had killed and make them into offering for Hades and Persephone, the god and godess of the dead who reside in the underworld. He sat waiting with his sword out to defend himself from the from the spirits until he noticed te presence of Tieresias, a blind prophet from Thebes, who came forward and spoke to Oddyseus. Tieresias asked him why he was in the land of the dead and to put down his sword. Then the prophet said that he wanted to taste the blood of the sacrifice he had made. Oddyseus stepped aside and sheathed his sword and the prophet bent down to drink. Tiereseus then tells him that anguish and hardship lie ahead and that poseidon is the one that will cause it because Oddyseus blinded his son Polyphemos the cyclops. He then says that Oddyseus will pass through a narrow straight that will take him home, and that Oddyseus will reach Thrinakia, the land of Helio's grazing cattle, where the sun god sees and hears everything. He says to avoid the cattle of the sun god and to stick with trying to get home, but if you butcher the cattle there will be destruction of ship and crew and only you will survive. Tiereseus then says that he will reach home on an unfamiliar ship only to find that men are in you home eating your food and trying to marry your wife. He then says that Oddyseus will kill these men either by stealth or open combat. He then tells Oddyseus that he will travel by land and sea to a landlocked place. The spot will be plain to you he says and the people will ask what kind of wheat sowing device you have. He tell Oddyseus that he will then jam the device, his oar, into the ground. Oddyseus is then told to make a sacrific to poseidon in the form of a ram, bull, buck boar. He tells Oddyseus to then go home and kill 100 pure cattle in the name of poseidon and all the gods. The final thing that Oddyseus is toldis that he will receive an easy death at sea will come to him when he is old, and then the prophet says that all that he has just said will be true as his journey home takes place.