Is Psychology A Science - 2038 Words

Together, can a conclusion be made? The conclusion being that science helps many parts of our lives? â€Å"Like all science, psychology is knowledge: and like science, it is knowledge of a definite thing, the mind† in this quote by James Mark Baldwin, it states that psychology is a science, a science that is being used in many different ways. Unlike usual science, that teach us about cells, rocks, and animals, this science gives us a glimpse of something that everyone has and something that everyone has questions about†¦ the mind! Psychology helps us in many different ways, and one of those ways is to help police catch criminals. Psychology helps the police force catch criminals by looking at behavior patterns that these criminals have when it comes to committing crimes, looking into the criminals’ past, and allowing the formation of a special unit. It is important to remember that the use of psychology to catch criminals isn’t just for any type of criminal, but mostly helps law enforcement catch violent criminals namely, serial killers, serial rapists, serial arsonists, and terrorists. Many argue that using psychology in profiling is not a sound science and law enforcement is making a guess rather than an educated assessment. Looking into behavioral patterns of violent criminals has a lot of important pieces. One of these many pieces is victimology (study of victims, socioeconomic background as well as physical traits, e.c.t.) â€Å"†¦ The victim constitutes roughly half of theShow MoreRelatedThe Science Of Psychology And Psychology2314 Words   |  10 PagesChapter 1: The Science of Psychology Downs, Martin. â€Å"Psychology vs. Psychiatry: Which is better?† WebMd.com. WebMD, Inc., 2005. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. The article is about the importance of psychology, the article is written by the Downs Martin in the year of 2005. This article is very much important and it is providing information about the psychology and about the psychiatrist. In the medical treatment the psychological is very useful and significant means of medical treatment. According to writerRead MorePsychology as a Science1163 Words   |  5 PagesPSYCHOLOGY AS A SCIENCE Psychology is the scientific study of the behavior of individuals and their mental processes. (Fuchs amp; Milar, 2002). But what makes it a scientific study? First of all, why not? Nowadays the idea of psychology as a science seems so natural to us, but it was not always like this. The late-eighteenth-century declaration that a true scientific study of the mind was not possible posed a challenge that was answered in the nineteenth century when the possibilityRead MoreIs Psychology A Science?1518 Words   |  7 PagesWhether psychology is a science or not has been a long running debate between psychologists and other scientists alike. There have been various attempts at making psychology a scientific discipline in the past such as the movement from behaviourism into cognitivism. Researchers such as Wundt and Watson have worked hard to bring psychology into the world of scientific research and through the years have made a very good start but have they managed to achieve scientific criteria? Berezow (2012) definedRead MoreIs Psychology A Science?998 Words   |  4 PagesThe question that ‘psychology is a Science’ motivates a substantially critical debate amongst many professions, having very strong opinions. To come to a vigorous conclusion on this subject we must take into recognition both sides of the argument, what is science, and weather Psychology meets the principles of Science. In doing this the following essay will be debating the principles of science, the scientific unifying approach, poppers opinion on whether psychology is a science through his theoryRead MorePsychology as a Science1774 Words   |  8 PagesDefine Psychology. Is psychology a science? Elucidate your answer with relevant arguments. DEFINITIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY Psychology has been defined in different ways.Some people have defined psychology as an art.Other people have defined psychology as a science.Many text books define psychology as the science of mind and behavior.Psychology involves the study of human nature and/or behavior.Different opinions come from different perspectives. Eric Pettifor at GIGANTOPITHECUS defines psychology as anRead MoreIs Psychology a Science2271 Words   |  10 PagesIs psychology a science? Discuss using evidence from the five approaches. To answer this question I feel it is important to understand the definitions of psychology and science. I will start with definitions of the terms psychology and science and will briefly review the methods of psychology. I will outline the behaviourist approach, the psychoanalytical approach, the cognitive approach, the humanistic approach and the biological approach. In order to confirm whether psychology can fulfil theRead MoreIs Psychology A Science?2372 Words   |  10 PagesPsychology as a science is very complicated, with many parts and attributions to other fields of science. These many parts come together to help explain why humans behave the way they do. Most of this depends on the brain and the way it tells our bodies to react to the environment around us. Our brain function allows us to have these reactions, along with many other things that make up a person. Their motivation, emotions, development, and personality are all products of the different functions andRead MoreP sychology Is The Science Of Natural Science1080 Words   |  5 PagesPsychology as the behaviorist views it is a purely objective experimental branch of natural science. Its theoretical goal is the prediction and control of behavior. Introspection forms no essential part of its methods, nor is the scientific value of its data dependent upon the readiness with which they lend themselves to interpretation in terms of consciousness -John B. Watson There are five main approaches to psychology known as â€Å"schools of thought† that make assumptions about the nature ofRead MoreReflecting On Psychology As A Science912 Words   |  4 Pages Reflecting on Psychology as a Science Before I had ever begun to ponder cognitive abilities, or understand the connections between Dopamine and schizophrenia, my concepts of psychology were shaped by the perverse world of popular culture. Prime time psychologists tend to come in two forms. Viewers are either enticed by an intense and traumatized psychologist who sneaks into the minds of criminals or annoyed be the one episode guest star analyst whose only goal seemsRead MorePsychology As A Modern Science975 Words   |  4 PagesAbout Psychology is a known work of the psychology world which was published in 1986. Beginning courses in psychology use his text frequently. Stanovich primary purpose for writing the text is to bring attention to his observation that the public’s understanding of psychology is different from psychology as a modern science. Psychology as a modern science explains the underlying functions that shape human attitudes and behavior. To the people who misunderstand this, the field of psychology is not

The Influence and Impact of the Media on America Essay

When we consider the advantage of technological advances that we currently have in our society. Cell phones, computers with Internet capability, thousands of channels of television, and other day to day used appliances to make life easier, we seem to have forgotten that these additions to our lives have sometimes made life more complex instead of easier. When we consider the implications of the amount of information that is being fed to us through these devices, we often forget to consider how much that the media controls our society. The media relies on using different factors including propaganda and persuasion techniques to get their message across to the masses. I believe that if we could be more aware of the†¦show more content†¦He is aware that some people have forgotten how to react towards each other, and I can see how the media can influence us on how to react to Mass Communication 3 each other. If we can modify the way that we view each other not through the media’s relation to its views, but by different criteria other than ethnic and economic background or visual image, then we can better relate to each other in a more relevant and peaceful manner. (Festinger Maccoby, 1964) By changing the way others react towards a certain person or persons that dont fit desired views through persuasion techniques such as false information or intimidation(Pryor Steinnfatt, 1978). I can best explain the previous idea with an example. I was watching a certain television program called, Survivor, which I believe is a showcase for the different examples of how we treat each other in our society. The show creates a simple society by stranding two small groups on a deserted area of the Australian outback. These two groups are given simple supplies, and they are supposed to rely on each other for survival. The catch is that each member of the two grou ps can vote other teammates out of the group because the object of this show is to leave only one person left in order to reward them with a million dollars. On this particular episode of survivor, one person felt thatShow MoreRelatedThe Success of the Medias Manipulation on the Publics Opinion of the War920 Words   |  4 PagesThe Success of the Medias Manipulation on the Publics Opinion of the War Source K suggests the media was more influential to the opinion of ordinary American citizens than the elected politicians of their country, whom many of the public had voted for and trusted. The source implies that the reason for this was because the horrific images of the war made the American public realise that the war was not going well, contrary to the claims of their government. TelevisionRead MoreThe Cnn Effect : An Exploration Of How The International Media1732 Words   |  7 Pages THE ‘CNN EFFECT’: AN EXPLORATION OF HOW THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ‘DRAGGED’ AMERICA TO SOMALIA POST 1991 BACKGROUND Mass communication is the process which public messages are transmitted and are directed at large audiences with different values not found at a particular place but in different places. In the media arena globalisation refers to worldwide distribution of the same programme content and the distribution of special interest information that is aimed at a globally dispersed minority audienceRead MoreCoca Cola s Social Media Strategy Essay1459 Words   |  6 Pagesmovies, and other forms of media that are viewed throughout the world. For example, according to Kevin Shively, author of â€Å"Lessons from Coca-Cola’s Social Media Strategy: Cohesive Campaigns and Creative Content† on Simplymeasured.com, â€Å"Interbrand ranks them as the third largest global brand in the world†. Furthermore, this cultural item reflects the idea of wealth and luxury in America, and influences the way of life for other countries as well. This could have a negative impact on other cultures forRead MoreCelebrity And Image Of The Media1539 Words   |  7 Pagesactors, athletes, and models all depend on publicity from the media. Promotions through magazines, newspapers, conc erts, movies, CD’s, sports networks and social media determine their success. Not only do the musicians, actors, athletes, and models depend on social media, but also on the fans. The media allows the public to be involved and interested in what s happening in different aspects of celebrity entertainment.The influence the media has on celebrity and image selling is very effective in producingRead MoreObesity And The American Health Care System914 Words   |  4 Pagesto the rise of obesity in America. Parental influence, media exposure, and individual’s rate at which they metabolize food all play a significant role in contributing to obesity in America. The threat of obesity in this country is growing, and as a nation it is imperative that we understand the underlying cause of the epidemic, and prepare a comprehensive plan on how to tackle it. It is imperative for the nation heath to better understand the causes of obesity in America. The Physiological TheoryRead MoreShould Television Programs Be Banned?1743 Words   |  7 PagesTV programs broadcasted in Malaysia are mainly imported from the USA and other Western countries, and the values are different from the values in Malaysian communities. The government argued that the media had negative influences on the education, attitude, and morality amongst Malaysian youth. With TV programs such as Baywatch, Friends, and several reality shows being popular amongst the youth, a lack of Malaysian values are being expressed. Malaysian TV stations even adopted some of the conceptsRead MoreThe Media s Role Into The Lives Of Our American Youth1405 Words   |  6 Pagespopulation of people around the world grows, the population of people involved with medias does too. Mass media, social media, news papers and so on and so forth all play heavy roles in how we as a society live and interact with each other on a daily basis. According to oxford dictionaries media is defined a s the main means of mass communication (especially television, radio newspapers and the internet). A facet of social media that people all over the world see is television. To get the latest news whetherRead MoreThe Importance Of Mass Media713 Words   |  3 PagesMedia has been changing definetely since it’s inception; developing with new innovation and changing the way individuals see the world. Well before current types of media happened, individuals saw media through verbal connection and compositons like newsletters. Today, media is seen in many structures: TV, radio, cell phones, web, satellites, daily papers, and more. To comprehend broad communications totally, the concentration must move toward the real improvements in the advancement of mass mediaRead MoreThe Media And Its Impact On Society Essay1723 Words   |  7 Pagesonce said, â€Å"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind†. The Media have become one of the most dominant source of education of the 21st century. We could argue that most Americans use the media as their main source of information. The side effect of that is the fact that the media are very polarized. With the ongoing polarization, we could hypothesize that people would have been more politically educated and oriented if the media was not infiltrated. Mass media are expected to be educational.Read MoreThe Media And Its Impact On Society Essay1721 Words   |  7 Pagesonce said, â€Å"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind†. The Media have becoming one of the most dominant source of education of the 21st century. We could argue that most americans use the media as their main source of information. The side effect on that is the fact that the media is very polarized. With the ongoing polarization, we could hypothesize that people would have been more politically educated and oriented if the media was not infiltrated. Mass media is expected to be educational. Public

Kant Free Essays

IMMANUEL KANT’S THEORY Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) discussed many ethical systems and reasonings. Some were based on a belief that the reason is the final authority for morality. In Kant’s eyes, reason is directly correlated with morals and ideals. We will write a custom essay sample on Kant or any similar topic only for you Order Now Actions of any sort, he believed, must be undertaken from a sense of duty dictated by reason, and no action performed for appropriateness or solely in obedience to law or custom can be regarded as moral. A moral act is an act done for the â€Å"right† reasons. Kant would argue that to make a promise for the wrong reason is not moral you might as well not make the promise. You must follow a certain code in order to find truth behind your actions. Kant believed that you should treat everyone with value, dignity, and respect. Our reasoning ability will always allow us to know what our duty is. Kant described two types of common commands given by reason: the hypothetical imperative, which dictates a given course of action to reach a specific end; and the categorical imperative, which dictates a course of action that must be followed because of its rightness and necessity. The categorical imperative is the basis of morality and was stated by Kant in these words: â€Å"Act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will and general natural law. † Therefore, before proceeding to act, we must decide what rule we need to follow if we were to act, whether we are willing for that rule to be followed by everyone all over. Kant believes that moral rules have no exceptions. It is wrong to kill in all situations, even those of self-defense. This belief comes from the Universal Law theory. Since we would never want murder to become a universal law, then it has to be not moral at all. Kant believes killing could never be universal, therefore it is wrong in each and every situation. There are never any extenuating circumstances, such as self-defense. I believe Kant is right in making certain moral and ethical codes exempt from being a universal law because there shouldn’t be different rules for different laws. The rules and laws should apply to every situation. An act is either wrong or right, based on his universality law. For example, giving money to a homeless person just to get him/her to leave you alone would be judged not moral by Kant because it was done for the wrong reason. With Kants belief in mind; if the consequence of immoral behavior were dealt with in a legal structure, people would be prosecuted for â€Å"EVERYTHING† since there are no extenuating circumstances. Kant’s categorical imperative is a tri-dynamic statement of philosophical thought:(1) â€Å"So act that the maxim of you could always hold at the same time as a principle establishing universal law. (2) â€Å"Act so as to treat humanity, whether in your own person in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only. ‘(3) â€Å"Act according to the maxims if a universally legislative member of a merely potential kingdom of ends. † In other words, Kant argues that particular action requires conscious thought of the rule governing the action. Whether if everyone should follow that rule, and if the rule is acceptable for universal action, it should be adopted. If the rule is unacceptable, then it should be rejected. In order to understand whether or not an action follows Kant’s â€Å"categorical imperative,† we must prescribe those norms that we wish to be universal laws. We must make the judgment on whether or not universal ethics is possible. I believe that a bit of universality exists throughout the world; don’t kill your neighbor, be kind to others, do not steal, etc. yet, individual perception of the world by people prevents the possibility of an all-encompassing universal code of ethics. I believe along with Kant that we should develop a friendship and code to help our fellow man. We all have a duty to treat others the way we want to be treated. The one thing I disagree with is that we should not be punished for doing good deeds to those even though we might find ourselves backed into a corner when dealing with these individual problems. Overall dealing with Kant’s theory everyone should be truthful and abide by the universal code. We should follow his theory in treating everyone with value, dignity, and respect. Even though everyone should help others, I believe in some situations people have to be persuaded to help even though this goes against Kant’s beliefs. How to cite Kant, Papers Kant Free Essays The philosophy of Kant and Mills represent two ends of thoughts of the same moral spectrum but viewed differently. Their concepts are similar as well as differential in many respects. While both philosophers would loathe admitting the similarities contained in their works and would have highlighted how each was different from the other, the discerning reader could perhaps get a sense of the congruence as well as   contrasts much more easily. We will write a custom essay sample on Kant or any similar topic only for you Order Now (Schopenhauer, 1998) Kant and Mills represent the deontological and utilitarian schools of thought in moral philosophy. (Schopenhauer, 1998). Kant’s philosophy is based on a deeply ingrained sense of actions which are moral when considered in conjunction with intentions with which these are undertaken. The consequences arising from these actions are secondary   to Kantian morality, which is based on motive rather than the ultimate result produced or the happiness achieved. Rationality is a thus a strong basis for Kant’s arguments on morality. (Kant, 1996). This is so as a person who is rational as per Kant is also consistent in following rules. These rules are those which have been framed and accepted universally. The aim of these set of laws is to uniformly guide actions of a person. Since these are derived from universal principles, a normative value can be allotted to the same much more easily. There is one central rule as far as Kant is concerned. This is a rule which can be applied rationally to virtually all situations most impartially. (Kant, 1996). All other rules are to be applied based on a test or a process which is judged within the framework of this main rule. An action can be judged as righteous if it meets the parameters laid down in the universal rule. By this norm, theft is not acceptable in a human transaction as a rule. It is immoral, so would be depriving your fellow being food when two persons are starving and one has access to eatables. Utility is of limited relevance in this context, but following the rule is most essential. Kant values persons as individuals, as human beings in a system who are to be treated with moral dignity provided rights and protection. (Kant, 1996). People thus cannot be treated as an end. The rights of each person guarantees fair treatment and thus develops a sense of respect which is to be valued. Rights will also create duties towards others as per Kant and hence form a mutually supporting dyad. The correlation of one’s rights with duties is thus another important principle of Kantian morality, for rights are not accessible without duties. (Kant, 1996) The strict moral principles evolved by Kant denote that actions are moral not based on the consequences but the motives with which these are undertaken and in pursuance of universally established principles of law. This is a general formula to be applied to specific circumstances. The acceptance of these moral principles as per Kant should lead to freedoms. This will also liberate our will from the consequences as well   as the forces extrinsic to the results. This freedom of will is said to come from intuition rather than experience. (Kant, 1996).   John Stuart Mills’s principal thoughts on the other hand are based on morality arising from utilitarianism. The development of utilitarianism as a liet motif of Mill’s thought occurred as an evolving process. Mill was first introduced to the theory of utilitarianism at the very young age of 15 or 16 and thus by the time he went on to write his major treatise in 1863 propounding the concept his thoughts and ideas had matured considerably. While Mills wrote on a variety of philosophical and ethical subjects, his thoughts on utilitarianism as opposed to Kant’s philosophy of rights, duties and a priori acceptance of moral principles invite the greatest debate. Mills’ utilitarianism derives from a study of the intuitive and inductive considerations of moral theory. The intuitive approach to moral theory relates to our ability to assimilate ethics without having experienced the same. (Mills, 1982). Thus we accept that stealing from another person is unethical without having stolen things ourselves. While inductive morality entails acceptance through observations and experiences, either personal or vicarious. As opposed to Kant who evolves his philosophical thought from the intuitive school of ethics Mills believed in the inductive experiences providing empirical learning of morality. Thus actions are right or wrong based on the consequences that are experience by a person. If the consequences are good, actions are also deemed to be moral and if the results are bad then these will be classified as unethical. Thus Mills considers ethical actions are those which emerge from having experienced their consequences. (Mills, 1982). This could be indicated as the primary difference in the theories propagated by both the philosophers. Happiness is another basis of determined morality as per Mills. (Mills, 1982). Thus actions are right to the extent that they bring about happiness in a person and are wrong if they produce sadness. The utility of action is thus more individual rather than collective in nature and is determined by contentment and sorrow produced by it. This in turn also dictates the rightness or otherwise of every action as per Mills (1982). The principle of utility is expanded by Mills to indicate not just sensual but also intellectual pleasures derived from an action. Motives or traits of character of a person undertaking the action have no bearing on its rightness or otherwise and it is only the ultimate utility through generation of happiness which will determine whether it was right or wrong. Mills thus rejects the model of classical virtues. But he is not totally oblivious to societal good as a basis of morality. From the primary principles of utility as related to personal happiness, as per Mills, would flow the secondary values, which are more in line with classical virtues as are commonly understood. To interpret this he provides some examples. Thus the action of stealing is immoral as it is related to a general feeling of deprivation thereby against the principles of general utility and hence should be avoided being immoral. This example would also amplify Mills reliance on inductive ethics rather than intuitive morality. The ethical flow comes from a person of a group having experienced the larger harm caused by theft in society. Till this group has actually not undergone the experience of damage caused by stealing the morality linked to utility will not be proved. Morality, utility and survival have been intricately linked by Mills. Thus if a person is starving, then he is justified in depriving a fellow being in the same state of food. However a fine judgment has to be made, whether he would derive happiness from seeing his fellow being without food, while he is fulfilling his own hunger or he is willing to stay hungry or on a half empty stomach to feed another man’s craving for food.   This could also be indicated as the theory of proportionality or the righteousness of actions in proportion to the happiness that they produce in a human being which ultimately dictates morality. The concept of morality arising from theory of utility as per Mills is derived from intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. extrinsic motivations are those that fulfill our obligation to make others including God happy by our actions. The other motivation is internal, the feeling of sense of obligation or duty which arises from experiences and emotions developed from these observations. Thus empathy, self esteem and religiosity are all feelings which contribute to happiness in a person which are derived from the experiences developed over a period of time. By not being able to abide by these principles, a feeling of guilt is produced thereby leading to conduct which is judged as immoral. The extrinsic judgment of immorality has greater influence on a person, while an intrinsic one may not be as demonstrative but is equally persuasive. Mills goes on to place even the concept of justice in a utilitarian framework. Justice as a concept is denoted to be utilitarian from the point of view of social utility. Thus if a particular right has social utility at a particular time, it is moral; if not then it may not be deemed so. A review of the main theories propounded by Kant and Mills would reveal that the principles of morality expressed by Kant are a priori or intuitive while those given by Mills draw strength from practical reasoning derived from empirical evidence of its acceptance over a period. While Mills talks of broad principles, these are of a secondary order, to Kant’s morality is derived from the same. Mills would apply them to general circumstances but not so universally. The specific utility to which these are applied will determine their overall relevance. The Kantian test is of universality of acceptance of a principle which guides action, Mills assessment on the other hand is the ultimate utility derived from that action, which will come from the happiness derived from its end result. Taking the example of theft, Kant’s philosophy would decree that theft in all circumstances is immoral. However Mills would be more permissive in accepting theft which for instance is carried out in the interest of saving ones life as morally sanctioned. Kant believes that happiness of others is also inclusive in the concept of happiness of the self, while to Mills this is of secondary nature. Kant has not totally rejected utilitarianism but used it in the form of a categorical imperative. To Mills, this is a misplaced notion of utilitarianism and would go for a more pure version which provides an individual perspective. Reference:   Kant Immanuel. Gregor,Mary J (Editor) (1996). Kant: The Metaphysics of Morals. Cambridge : CambridgeUniversity Mills, John Stuart. (1982). Utilitarianism and Beyond. Cambridge: Cambridge Press. Schopenhauer, Arthur (Author). Payne, EFJ. (Translator). (1998). On the Basis of Morality (Paperback). New York. Hackett Pub Co Inc. How to cite Kant, Essay examples

Diary free essay sample

Include a list of 5 ways In which you have been a positive role model for children in your setting The first way in which I would be a positive role model is respect and courtesy. In the setting, I would do this by following the supervisors instructions, by using good manners when in and around the setting, showing respect to the staff and children and also by respecting each child’s needs and choices. The second way in which I would be a good role model is having good personal hygiene. I would do this in a setting by, washing my hands after any messy activities, before eating or handling food, covering my mouth when I sneeze and cough, and by also having my hair tied back. Another way in which I would be a positive role model is by promoting an anti-discriminatory environment, I would do this by doing activities where all the children’s abilities are acquired for, I would treat all the children fairly and I would do activities from all around the world, by having books, dolls and costumes from different countries and religions. We will write a custom essay sample on Diary or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The fourth way in which I would be a positive role model is by valuing diversity. I would do this by respecting all children’s cultures and religions and a child’s family background, and by doing activities that involve celebrations of different religions and festivals. The last way in which I would be a positive role model is by having a consistent approach. I would do this by following the staff’s instructions, expectations and rules, and I would also be interested when in the setting and I would also be caring towards all the children in the setting. P3. 2 Give reasons to support your list In a setting I would need to be respectful and show courtesy, because children in a setting will copy what the adult is doing, so if I was not being respectful to any of the staff or courteous towards them, then the children would see this and think that it is ok to act that way. So when the children are growing up, they may not know how to be respectful or courteous. I would also need to have good personal hygiene, because children in any setting need to learn how and when to wash their hands, after the toilet and before and after eating. This is because they may catch germs that could make a child ill. If the children see their practitioner washing their hands regularly, then they will want to copy them because they know it is the correct thing to do. Next, I would need to promote an anti-discriminatory environment, so that children in the setting feel equal to every other child in the setting. This would also make sure that they are valued, and that every practitioner in the setting cares about them. If they see a practitioner do this, then they will learn that this is the correct thing to do when growing up. Valuing diversity would also be very important for children to learn when in a setting. Practitioners value diversity by respecting children’s religions and cultures. If practitioners in a setting do this, then the children will not feel left out, and feel that other children are learning about their religion as well as other children’s religions. Lastly, I would need to have a consistent approach when in a setting, by following rules and instructions set by the practitioner. This would mean that children will then follow the rules and stick to them, and also help the other children learn and know the rules. They will also keep this with them for later life, when learning instructions and setting rules.

Blood Diamond Review free essay sample

Blood Diamond Reaction Paper One of the greatest ills, committed by the United States on the African people, was the exploitation of African labor. The slave trade became the most â€Å"successful† African commodity until the middle of the 1800’s, when westerner’s began to exploit other natural resources of the continent. The expansion of capital in Africa enabled the US and Europe to fund both the scientific and industrial revolutions. In addition, when Apartheid began in 1948, after WWII to segregate black, white, Indian and colored people from each other, three defining systems were established: a legal system, a socioeconomic system, and a political system. It segregated the land and people by law and set up city ordinances segregating most areas of public life including education. As one might predict, the African people were disenfranchised, creating political and financial unrest. In 1994, Apartheid was dismantled, but the social, economic and ideological impacts of the western world will remain indefinitely (Khapoya 115-146). We will write a custom essay sample on Blood Diamond Review or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page One African commodity still exploited today is the diamond. The year 1868, marked the beginning of the diamond trade, when astounding amounts of diamonds were unexpectedly discovered in the inland area now known as Kimberly, South Africa. By the beginning of the 20th century, Cecil Rhoades, a British entrepreneur had rendered nearly one million square miles of Africa under British dominion and had gained control of over 90% of the world’s diamond output (Sweet). The movie â€Å"Blood Diamond† is a modern day example of the political and economic corruption established and perpetuated by the diamond trade and Cecil Rhoades. For the greater part of the 20th century, Africa was in a state of civil war. The economic and political unrest of the people bred a culture of fear, instability, aggression and greed. Disenfranchised, the African people sought opportunities for economic and political freedom offered by the diamond trade. As the movie portrayed, the offer came at a very steep price and often against better moral judgment. Children were coerced into soldiers of war, families were separated, townships were destroyed and hundreds of thousands of Africans lost their lives. The historical precedent had been set however, in order to get anything done in Africa the white man was needed and it was the white man who perpetuated corruption. This can be seen in Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in the film. In one memorable dialogue he stated, â€Å"People killing each other is the way of life. It’s the way it’s always been. † For some, it seemed, the only choice was to either be a victim or an oppressor. Despite political efforts by the United States to prohibit the sale of indirect and direct diamonds from combat zones, the diamond trade was readily used to purchase fire arms and finance civil war. The inability to track the diamonds made it nearly impossible to detect diamonds from combat zones. In addition, the U. S. and our consumer culture are responsible for 2/3 of the diamond purchases worldwide; this is a startling fact considering the blood and misery engendered in obtaining them. As a college graduate with a degree in Liberal Studies, I have taken more than one class dealing with the history, literature or ideologies of the African people. I was taught about the collectivist culture, paternalistic in nature, as one can see in the character, Solomon. Solomon was brave, selfless, and loyal and eternally dedicated to his family. Until watching the movie, however, I had no idea the exploitation continued. Someone once said, â€Å"Ignorance is bliss,† and it’s quite possible I am just that blissful, but I’m not entirely convinced. Instead, I am more apt to believe the capitalistic nature of our economy concealed the truth from us the consumer. Intellectuals and educators are generally known for exposing the truth, so why was I so unaware about the current situation within Africa? I will never be able to answer that question, but I can no longer choose ignorance. Works Cited Khapoya, Vincent B. The African Experience: an Introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998. Print. Sweet, Matthew. Cecil Rhodes: a Bad Man in Africa. Editorial. Independent. Independent. co. uk, 16 Mar. 2002. Web. 4 Aug. 2011.

Conflict in N. Ireland essays

Conflict in N. Ireland essays The union of church and state, economic highs and lows, and nationalism are all global issues that affect different areas of the world in different ways. Protestants and Catholics have been fighting in Northern Ireland since the early 1900s and possibly even before that. While the two religious groups seem to be the main parties in the dispute, nationalism has played a very large role in the conflict between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The dispute is caused mainly by the presence of the United Kingdom as a control group in Ireland, and the nationalists and the unionists have formed sides in the controversy. In this essay, I will discuss a brief history of the conflict in Northern Ireland, describe the main groups that are fighting, why religion and nationalism play a role in the disagreement, and how the economy has been impacted. Some historians believe the conflicts in Northern Ireland began as long ago as 1609. At this time, Queen Elizabeths military was dominating the globe and, after many struggles, overtook the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland. Once the English took control the land was commandeered and British colonists began to push the native Irishmen out (Darby, 1995). So the broad outlines of the current conflict in Northern Ireland had been sketched out within fifty years of the plantation: the same territory was occupied by two hostile groups, one believing the land had been usurped and the other believing that their tenure was constantly under threat of rebellion...They identified their differences as religious and cultural as well as territorial, (Darby, 1995). In 1905 the Ulster Unionist Party was created and it was made up mostly of Protestant members of the British Parliament who represented Ireland, (Ulster Unionist Party, 2002). This party came up with a plan, which became known as Home Rule, which would give Ireland its own Parliament f...

The importance of information to organisations Essay

The importance of information to organisations - Essay Example e package designed to engage and entertain its customers such as the the Starbucks Entertainment division which is engaged in promoting and marketing of popular books, music and films. It’s outlets spread worldwide are equally popular in local as well as international markets. Owing to the ongoing environmental crisis and the heightened awareness of global warming, the company contributes its share by adopting environmental friendly measures. Starbucks was ranked at #17 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of the Top 25 Green Power Partners for the purchase of renewable energy2. The company strives to establish itself as a market leader by promoting business practices which would assist them in engendering social, environmental and economic assistance for communities where they operate. It centers its efforts in offering excellent work environment for its employees, making positive contribution to its communities, establishing long term and cordial working relations with the coffee farmers and taking stringent measures in reducing their environmental footprints4. Starbucks Entertainment comprises of a selection of finest quality music, books and films aimed at offering maximum ease and satisfaction to its customers and has several strategic alliances with some of the major players in the entertainment industry and has teamed with Apple iTunes which offers exclusive soundtracks which can be downloaded from the site. Strategic decisions involve the choice of alternatives which has the potential of having a significant impact on the company’s success in the long term. Tactical decisions on the other hand involve decision making in the day to day process that are required to reach the ultimate strategic goals of the organization. Operational decisions involve decision making in the routine decisions that affect the functioning of the organization such as planning, production sales, staffing, adjusting production rates, as well as controlling the

Marriot Being a Marketer Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marriot Being a Marketer - Case Study Example The marketer offers excellent positioning and segmentation to the multinational business entity. The marketer utilizes several marketing strategies for his target market and offers the ideal segmentation for all the business undertakings around the globe. The marketer gives more concentration on the consumer than any other element to make the business a success. He utilizes market researches too obtain feedback that is usually utilized in the provision of the best services within the multinational business. Key marketing Issues Market research-Marriott utilizes market research to deal with certain marketing issues or create competitive advantages towards its competitors. The multinational utilizes different methods to collect information for market evaluations. Forecasting methods- Marriott utilizes dissimilar forecasting techniques for different brands offered within its business empire. Markets- Marriott is a business-to-consumer market since it comprises of consumers and purchaser s of products without the intention of gaining any profits from the provided services. Market targeting-Marriott utilizes three strategies in market targeting for its products. The three strategies are concentrated, differentiated and undifferentiated target strategies. Market positioning-Marriott has successfully positioned its products in the thoughts of its consumers by providing products that effectively address their desires. Positioning has also assisted Marriott in marketing segmentation in several ways. Market segmentation-Marriott segments its market accordingly to suit all consumers visiting its hotels all over the globe. Segmentation has extensively done to group consumers according to their needs and preferences. Personal Case Analysis Marriot case introduces the basic and most imperative concepts in the market strategies. The case presents the difficulties that a marketer undergoes to keep the business running. Market targeting, segmentation, and positioning offer the m arketer with the best strategies to run the business. Marriott obtains a huge market share by operating on dissimilar countries around the globe. Case Questions 1. How is Marriott segmenting the market for hotel services? Marketing segmentation offers different or distinct groups of consumers with homogenous needs and characteristics (Shoba 1). Marriott has effectively segmented the market into Marriott and Renaissance consumers who bear dissimilar preferences. Renaissance customers presented the urge to open the windows up and look outside upon arrival in their presented rooms. The customers who spent their time within the Marriott’s property showed interest in undertaking various high-tech activities such as video conferencing. Marriott has responded to this call through the institution of equipment such as the most recent recording and communication gadgets within the meeting places. The property has also created an affiliation with AT&T as well as Cisco to provide virtual meeting facilities. Marriott has also presented another segment within its brands that consist of customers and commerce travelers conscious about the environment. Marriott has responded to this segment through the development of model green hotels. The hotel brands bearing these green hotels are designed to hold communal spaces, and visitor’s room that are more oriented towards preserving water, and energy than the earlier versions. Marriott brand with the green hotels aims at operating in ecosystem friendly environs. The hotels in this segment offer pads manufactured from recycled paper and key cards developed out of recycled plastics. The achievers serve as another of the many segments that Marriott has developed.

Psychology essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Psychology - Essay Example Normally, these performance appraisals tend to be â€Å"tick the box† exercise. This in essence creates anxiety on the side of the management and that of the employees. After the performance appraisal has been competed they should not be shelved until the next exercise but they should be looked at immediately to allow for appropriate review actions. This can help employees improve their performance. In most cases, problematic feedbacks are usually postponed or hidden or sometimes cheated about when filling the performance Appraisal form. Majority of managers do not want to report that those under them are not performing well for the fear of being responsible of their lack of promotion or a pay rise. The performance appraisal should be objective in nature. This is to say that, they should be full of professional perspectives and should not have any personal views. Usually personal views in the performance appraisals are biased and this is very detrimental. The process of perfor mance appraisal should not come as a surprise to the employees. This is because, if all emphasis is placed on the process then, there is a possibility of generating tension at the build up phase. This can also reduce motivation on the side of the employees, which as a result can lead to decreased productivity. Majority of the employees in the organization should be satisfied with the performance appraisal processes. An appropriate performance appraisal should be a truly consented abstract of what has been going on continuously in the organization between appraisals. Surely, if the appraisal process is reviewed twice or thrice annually, all the chances to sustain and direct the workers to get better are missed. This is because managing of people is a continuous process and not a one-time activity. The managers should not put more focus on the process alone as this is very dangerous but they should rather look at the continuing performance management. The managers should place their e mphasis on the reason why the performance appraisals are carried out. The main purpose why appraisals are conducted is to help employees become more effective. They also help the managers manage those under them well. The performance appraisal process should be an exercise that tries to unearth the truth about an individual’s performance on the work function assigned in the organization and therefore it should be realistic and clear. Briefly, a sound performance appraisal should be unbiased and purposely a continuous two way and specific process. It should not be an exercise that brings in fear and embarrassment to the employees but an exercise that motivates them. Part 2 Recommendations about how the success of a new performance appraisal process should be evaluated The success of a new performance appraisal process can be evaluated through various ways namely: Peer evaluations The organization can form a task force of four to seven employees. The mandate of the task force s hould be to set a peer evaluation program. The task force should be to set targets and objectives of the evaluation program and can carry out a pilot program. When conducting the pilot program, participants can be persuaded to offer feedback on whether the performance measurement system is good. This is because pilot program is significant for a new performance

Objectives And Techniques Of Fiscal Policy Economics Essay

Objectives And Techniques Of Fiscal Policy Economics Essay Fiscal Policys first word Fiscal is taken from  French  word Fisc which means treasure of Govt. Fiscal policy concerns itself with the aggregate effect of government expenditure and taxation on income, employment and production. It refers to the instruments by which a government tries to regulate or modify the economic affairs of the economy keeping in view certain objectives. Thus, fiscal policy is a package of economic measures of government regarding its public expenditure, public revenue and public debt .Fiscal Policy is the most important part of Economic Policy .So ,we can define fiscal policy as the revenue and expenditure policy of Govt. of India .It becomes the prime duty of Government to frame fiscal policy . By making this policy , Govt. collects money from his different resources and utilize it in different expenditure . Thus fiscal policy is related to development policy. Through this paper the objectives , techniques, stances and limitations of a fiscal policy are b eing discussed .An attempt is also been made to highlight the achievements and progress of the fiscal policy of India. Introduction The term fiscal has been derived from the greek word fisc, meaning a basket to symbolize the public purse.. Fiscal policy thus means the policy related to the treasury of the government. Fiscal policy is a part of general economic policy of the government which is primarily concerned with the budget receipts and expenditures of the government. All welfare projects are completed under this policy .It also suggests measures to control economic fluctuations which may become violent and create great upheavals in the socio-economic structure of the economy. It also outlines the influence of resource utilization on the level of aggregate demand through affecting the level of aggregate consumption and investment expenditure. Definitions According to U. Hicks Fiscal policy is concerned with the manner in which all the different elements of public finance , while still primarily concerned with carrying out their own duties, may collectively be geared to forward the aims of economic policy. According to Arthur Smithies Fiscal policy is a policy under which the government uses its expenditure and revenue programmes to produce desirable effects and avoid undesirable effects on the national income ,production and employment. Objectives of Fiscal Policy There are following objectives of fiscal policy :- 1.  Development of Country :- Every country has to make fiscal policy for development of Country . With this policy , all work like govt. planning and proper use of funds for development functions is done . If govt. does not make fiscal policy , then it can happen that revenues are misused  without  targeted  expenditure of Government. 2. Employment :- Getting the full employment is also the objective of fiscal policy . Govt. can take many actions for increasing employment. Government can fix certain amount which can be  utilized  for creation of new employment opportunities for unemployed people . 3. Inequality :- In developing country like India , we can see the difference one basis of earning . 10% of people are earning more than Rs. 100000 per day and other are earning less than Rs . 100 per day . By making a good fiscal policy , govt. can reduce this difference if govt makes it as its target . 4. Fixation of Govt. Responsibility:- It is the duty of Govt. to effective use of resources and by making of fiscal policy different ministers accountability can be checked . I was seeing the Episode of Chanakya on  YouTube  in which I found that in old time fiscal policy was made and treasury officer and even prime minister are also responsible for any shortage of govt .fund Techniques of Fiscal Policy   1. Taxation Policy   It is one of the powerful instruments of fiscal policy in the hands of public authorities which greatly affects changes in disposable income ,consumption and investment. Taxation policy is relates to new amendments in direct tax and indirect tax . Every year Govt. of India passes the finance bill . In this policy govt. determines the rate of taxes . Govt. can increase or decrease these tax rates and amend previous rules of taxation .Govt.s earnings main source is taxation . But more tax on public will adverse effect on the development of economy. à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ If Govt. will increase taxes , more burden will be on the public and it will reduce production and purchasing power of public . à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ If Govt. will decrease taxes , then publics purchasing power will increase and it will increase the inflation. Govt. analyzes   both the situation and will make his taxation policy more progressive . 2. Govt. Expenditure Policy   There are large number of public expenditure like opening of govt schools , colleges and universities , making of bridges , roads and new railway tracks . For the above projects govt has paid large amount for purchasing   and paying wages and salaries ,however ,all these expenditures are paid after making govt. expenditure policy . Govt. can increase or decrease the amount of public expenditure by changing govt. budget . So , govt. expenditure is technique of fiscal policy by using this , govt. use his fund   first on very necessary sector and other will be done after this . 3. Deficit Financing Policy   If Govt.s expenditures are more than his revenue , then govt. should have to collect this amount . This amount is deficit and it can be fulfilled by issuing new currency by central bank of country . But , it will reduce the purchasing power of currency . More new currency will increase inflation and after inflation value of currency will   decrease . So, deficit financing is very serious issue in the front of govt. Govt. should use it , if there is no other source of govt. earning . 4. Public Debt Policy If Govt. thinks that deficit financing is not sufficient for fulfilling the public expenditure or if govt. does not resort to deficit financing , then govt. can take loan from   world bank , or take loan from public by the way of issuing govt. securities and bonds . But it will also increase the cost of debt in the form of interest which govt. has to pay on   the amount of loan . So, govt. has to necessarily make solid budget for this and after taking into consideration the amount which is taken as debt. This policy   can also use as the technique of fiscal policy for increase the treasure of govt. Internal sources of debt include market loans, compensation bonds,15 years annuity certificates ,small private savings through various saving schemes. External sources includes in borrowing from the external market ,from international institutions such as the World bank, IMF IDA etc and the governments of other countries. 5.Budget .Fiscal policy operates through the budget .Thus it is also called budgetary policy. The term budget is derived from a French word Bougette which means a leather bag or a wallet used to carry financial papers. The budget of a nation is a useful instrument to assess the fluctuations in an economy. Different budgetary principles have been formulated by the economists ,prominently known as the annual budget ,cyclical balanced budget and full y managed compensatory budget. Fiscal Consolidation à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ With recovery taking root, there is a need to review public spending, mobilise resources and gear them towards building the productivity of the economy. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Fiscal policy shaped with reference to the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission, which has recommended a calibrated exit strategy from the expansionary fiscal stance of last two years. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ It would be for the first time that the Government would target an explicit reduction in its domestic public debt-GDP ratio. Stances of fiscal policy The three possible stances of fiscal policy are neutral, expansionary and contractionary. The simplest definitions of these stances are as follows: A neutral stance of fiscal policy implies a balanced economy. This results in a large tax revenue. Government spending is fully funded by tax revenue and overall the budget outcome has a neutral effect on the level of economic activity. An expansionary stance of fiscal policy involves government spending exceeding tax revenue. A contractionary fiscal policy occurs when government spending is lower than tax revenue. However, these definitions can be misleading because, even with no changes in spending or tax laws at all, cyclical fluctuations of the economy cause cyclical fluctuations of tax revenues and of some types of government spending, altering the deficit situation; these are not considered to be policy changes. . Thus, for example, a government budget that is balanced over the course of the business cycle is considered to represent a neutral fiscal policy stance. Methods of funding Governments spend money on a wide variety of things, from the military and police to services like education and healthcare, as well as transfer payments such as welfare benefits. This expenditure can be funded in a number of different ways: Taxation Seigniorage, the benefit from printing money Borrowing money from the population or from abroad Consumption of fiscal reserves. Sale of fixed assets (e.g., land). All of these except taxation are forms of deficit financing. Some facts about fiscal policy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Government revenues and expenditures dont need to balance every year but over one business cycle à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Functional finance is the principle that government budgets should be geared to the yearly needs of the economy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Defenders of functional finance are those who believe fiscal policy is a powerful stabilization tool. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢The choice of fiscal policy guideline depends on the governments belief in fiscal policy as an effective tool for stabilizing the economy . à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢In 1970s and 1980s Canada believed in functional finance but recently has made unsuccessful attempts to move toward cyclically balanced budgets. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Government deficits were highest during recessions during the early 1980s and early 1990s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Tax revenues fell with slumping incomes during that time as a result of the automatic stabilizers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Discretionary expansionary policy also contributed since federal government increased purchases of goods and services to counteract the effects of sagging outputs and incomes. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢1990s downturn caused a concern over increased public debt and lowered confidence in discretionary fiscal policies to counteract a recession. Achievements of fiscal policy in India The fiscal policy has played an important role in the following fields. Mobilization of resources To finance the development need of India ,the government has extensively used the fiscal policy. The policy of public borrowing and deficit financing has enable the government to raise huge amounts of resources for development. Increasing tax GDP ratio is a good indication of the increasing mobilization of resources. The tax GDP ratio was only 6.7 percent in 1950-51 but it has reached to 17.3 % in 2006-07. Increase in savings The fiscal policy has been successful in raising the rate of savings in the household sector, corporate sector and public sector. To encourage savings, prize based schemes to encourage savings, expansion of the network of savings bank, post office schemes. Increase in capital formation Capital formation involves three stages-incentive to save, mobilization of savings and investment of savings .The fiscal policy has tried to influence all the three stages .A well spread network of postal banks ,savings bank, commercial banks, financial institutions and money market is there to collect peoples savings .The government has also been successful in using the savings of the public of the public sector for development. Incentives to investment The government has exclusively used it to influence the government decisions of the private sector. Various tax concessions ,tax rebates, subsidies and fiscal incentives are given to investors. Cottage and small scale industries have survived due to the support of the fiscal policy. The government is mobilizing increased amounts of resources through public borrowings and deficit financing to push up the level of investment in infrastructure ,social sectors, exploration and development of natural resources. Reduction in Income and wealth Inequalities To create equitable conditions in the society ,a progressive tax system has been adopted in the realm of direct taxes. The rate of taxes on income goes on increasing with the increase in income .Direct and indirect taxes are used to mop up more resources from the richer sections of the society. Luxuries are heavily taxed. The government has also launched several poverty eradication programmes to directly benefit the poor people. The poor sections of the society are provided with subsidized grains and other essential items of consumption. Reduction in inter regional variations The states like Bihar, U.P. ,Rajasthan ,Madhya Pradesh, Orissa etc. are given preference while transferring resources from the center to the states .Both statutory and non statutory channels of resource transfer are being used for the purpose. The government of India also gives discretionary grants to economically poor states. In addition to this special incentives, subsidies and concessions are given for locating industrial units in backward regions. Limitations of Fiscal Policy   1.Inadequate resource mobilization The fiscal policy has achieved a mixed success in mobilization of resources. The defective tax system ,limited base of direct taxes ,exemption of agriculture from direct taxation ,evasion of taxes ,inefficient and corrupt tax collection machinery are some of the causes of poor tax collection in the country. Another cause of poor resource mobilization is the low share of non-tax revenue in the total revenue receipts. 2. Inflation of India is increasing rapidly after issuing new notes for payment of govt. of expenses and in this inflation, prices of necessary goods are increasing very fastly. Living of poor people has become difficult due to this . So , these signs show the failure of Indian fiscal policy. 3. Govt. fiscal policy has failed to reduce the black money . Even large amount of   past minister is in the form of black money which is deposited in Swiss Bank. 4. After taking loan from world bank under the fiscal policys debt technique , govt. has to follow the rules and regulations framed by world bank and IMF . These rules are more harmful for developing small domestic business of India. These organizations are inter related with WTO and they intend to stop Indian domestic Industry. 5.  After expending large amount for generating new employment under fiscal policy , rate of unemployment is increasing fastly and big lines on govt. employment exchange can be seen generally in working days . Database of employment exchanges are full from educated unemployed candidates . 6. Fiscal policy and inflation The direct taxes are the main instruments of the fiscal policy. The rise in the rates of direct taxes result in the reduction of the disposable income of the people .The indirect taxes contribute more than four-fifths of the tax revenue .Taxes on commodities, sales taxes ,excise duties, customs etc .add to the prices of commodities .Increase in the rates of sales taxes and excise duties immediately cause a rise in the price level. Conclusion Thus, the fiscal policy encompasses two separate but related decisions; public expenditures and the level and structure of taxes. It occupies the central place for maintaining full employment without inflationary forces in the economy. With its various instruments it influences the economic stability of an economy. The fiscal policy of the Indian government has been very successful in several fields such as mobilization of resources for economic development, increasing rate of savings and capital formation, developing cottage and small scale industries ,reducing the incidence of poverty etc. Despite a few drawbacks of this policy, India has truly achieved a considerable level of fiscal maturity.

Comparison of Hemingways Hills Like White Elephants and Cat In The Rai

Comparison of Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" and "Cat In The Rain" "Cat In The Rain" is set in an Italian hotel where we meet an American couple. Outside a cat is trapped in the rain, and the wife wants to save it. When she goes to get it, it is gone but the maid later brings her one. The point of view in the story is a third person narrator, but the perspective changes going from the wife to the husband and an objective narrator who tells it like it is. The story is told retrospectively in the past tense. The narrator is omniscient - that is 'he' knows all but judges nothing. On the first page it seems it is the waiter objectively telling us what is going on whereas the second page is told by the wife and the last paragraphs of the third and fourth [and last] page in our story is told to us by George (the husband). In his composition of "Cat In The Rain", Hemingway frees the story from narrative interpretation and leaves it up to us, his readers, to interpret what is going on. The story seems strangely ambiguous in its narrative nature. This is apparently due to the objective narration and the no-judging attitude in it's style. The people we meet in this story are the couple (George and the nameless wife), the padrone, the waiter, the maid and the rain coat man. We are not supplied with any information about the waiter (who appears on the first page and seems to voice the first part of the story), nor are we supplied with information on the rain coat man. The padrone is attentive and seems to be everything her husband is not. Putting the couple up against each other reveals something quite interesting and gives us the impression that they are total opposites. The wife symbolizes natu... ... nameless and the man in "Hills" is nameless. I think the couples in the two stories are one and the same couple. Again the two stories are about having someone to care for - in "Cat" she wants to have a baby, and in "Hills" I think her wish is about to come true. Jig is pregnant, but the man (George?) does not seem at all excited and pleas with her in this story to have an abortion. He tells her "it's a simple operation" but that she should not do it if she does not want to. It is not hard to see that she does want to have the baby, and if you believe the two women are actually the same, you can surely understand why she wants her long-desired wish to come true. The themes in the two stories are also close to being the same - the lack of love and the lack of communication. So - are the two stories an 'evolutionary tale' about a couple? I do not doubt it.