Intro To Philosophy 1030-202 Essay

Socrates was not a Sophist; he never took money for his teaching, and rejected sophistical arguments.For one thing, the sophists taught for money. Socrates did not. For another, the sophists used language to win arguments and to sway people’s opinion regardless of the truth. Socrates used language to attain the truth. Socrates lived as an independent man. he did not want to go under any category. He was not paid for his â€Å"irony† and maieutics. Therefore he was not a sophist, as being a sophist was having a profession. Socrates was genuinely worried about why the young men were so disappointing. Socrates’ young students had been a particular disappointment to him. If Socrates could figure out exactly how the fathers had failed to properly educate their sons, he could save the city and restore Athens to its former glory. Socrates’ interesting idea was that human excellence was really a kind of knowledge. Sophists were skilled in elaborate argumentation; were they would try and make the argument they were focusing on the stronger side, even if it was wrong or weaker. This often made them seem devious as they were working only for the benefit of themselves and their students, who were aiming to become high profile speakers or politicians. Socrates was unlike this in that his main focus was not on argumentation or speaking, he rather focused on questioning virtues to understand morals and ethics. He believed that all opinions were valid which also opposed the views of the Sophists who assumed that the wisest of people were genuinely correct and only they had the ability to teach. The main goal of socrates was unlike that of the sophists. The aim of the Sophists was varied around material possession and desire. They believed knowledge is a means to power and is to be used for political or material gain. Socrates believed his questions would encourage personal growth and create a better society as a whole who would understand philosophy and ethics. Him only questionig rather than focusing on teaching separates him from the Sophists. This is due to the fact that questioning isn’t a real method of teaching and Socrates himself stated â€Å"I know one thing, that I know nothing†. This puts him on the same level as his interlocutor and gives him an insight to other opinions. In Ancient Greece, the sophists were a group of teachers of philosophy and rhetoric. This group of Greek philosophers and teachers in the 5th century BC, who speculated on a wide range of subjects flawed arguments superficially correct in its reasoning, which deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone. There was a difference between the two, sophists showed that equally good arguments could be advanced on either side of any issue; they were skeptics who doubted that there could be any certain or reliable knowledge. On the other hand, socrates was committed to the pursuit of truth and considered it his mission to seek out certain knowledge. Unlike philosophers before them, Sophists claimed to be wise enough to teach whatever you might want to know as long as you. Socrates said he was a citizen of the world. Whether in Athens or elsewhere he was meditating, and he was helping others finding their true selves. Furthermore, Socrates did not travel from city to city seeking new students to teach. He was the opposite in that he remained loyal to his home town of Athens. This is evident as he started becoming popular amongst the people who would often regard him as ‘annoying’. His popularity therefore proves that he wasn’t a travel like the sophists. Socrates has some attributes of the Sophists, such as having students, his overall method and aim was contrary to theirs. Socrates himself states in his apology â€Å"I do indeed admit that I am eloquent. But in how different a way from theirs!† which reinforces the fact that he may be good in rhetoric but his goal is not to teach argumentation and political skills. As a result it is clear that Socrates wanted to simply question people on ethics and morals and not teach for material or prolific gains.

Managing and Leading People Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Managing and Leading People - Essay Example The findings from the primary study have been compared with the existing theories of human resource management. The study shows that Fiat follows effective HR strategies that should be emulated by every organization in the globalised world. Fiat, a renowned brand, is the largest automobile manufacturer in Italy and also holds considerable market share in the overseas market. Fiat is the abbreviation of ‘Fabrica Italiana Automobili Torino’. The firm manufactures cars that cater to almost all the segments of the market. The company was established in the early years of the industrial revolution, precisely in 1899. Its first production commenced in the year 1900, with employee strength of over one hundred fifty workers. The famous logo of the company was adopted in the year 1904. The logo gained gradual acceptance and is still recognised as a global brand. The company has grown by leaps and bounds and has a significant market share in the automobile segment (Fiat-a, 2010). In addition to cars, Fiat also manufactures tanks, railroad vehicles etc. In addition to Italy, the firm has its production units based in Brazil, Poland and Argentina. The company is also known for its innovations in the field of automobil es. An example in this regard is the â€Å"Centro Ricerche Fiat† (Fiat-b, 2010). This is a unit that has been developed by Fiat and is based in the Italian town of Orbassano. This division deals with research and development in the field of automobile engines and vehicle systems. Innovation is the buzzword in this unit. Some of its notable contributions in the field of research and development are â€Å"Legambiente 2000† (Common Rail Diesel engine Technology). The unit also received the Ferrari technology award for development of the hybrid methane engine. Some other notable achievements of this unit are the creation of multi jet engine and also the design of models like Idea, Punto, Panda and Stilo (Fiat-b,

Netflix's Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Netflix's - Case Study Example As mentioned above, Netflix can capitalize on the software features, provided by Amazon, by providing tailored services to its customers. However, due to its dependability on Amazon for delivering service features, it is considered that Netflix cannot make vital decisions independently. The software application used by Netflix has created certain values for the company in its domestic market i.e. the United States. However, it has created opportunities for its competitors such as such eBay and Intel to take complete advantage of this application. Netflix has a huge opportunity to expand the market share through effective financial operations, but its share price has been declining significantly. Netflix’s stock has been trading at a lower rate, but the company can increase its stock price value through productive measures. Customer value creation is a potential opportunity for Netflix to increase its market existence through Amazon Web Services, but this particular aspect has adversely affected its managerial functions, due to excessive usage of web servers. Netflix through its relationship with Amazon has increased opportunities to upgrade its cloud services, whereas the decision making process has been problematic to a certain extent. The overall size of its domestic market is relatively smaller due to increased competition, although it has created opportunities for Netflix to expand its subscriber’s base. The average rate of return on services and contents provided by the company is continuously declining. Nonetheless, Netflix has a huge opportunity to replicate its business model and enter in overseas market for greater effectively. Understanding market behavior is quite important for each and every company to sustain in the market for a long term. Thus, it is suggested that marketing managers of Netflix through performing a thorough market research might understand the market behavior as well as customers’

Standards and Standardization Research Paper Essay

Standards and Standardization Research Paper - Essay Example The international method and schemes that are used are applied to the methods and processes used for the creation and maintenance of content, the specific tools used for content creation and maintenance and the interoperability of the contents. The implementation of international standards and other standardization procedures has the effect of reducing the risks that may be met as well as improving the quality of goods and services that may be offered consequently improving an economy as well as the welfare of the society as a whole. Economists propose a mode of categorization of standards that can be based on the economic effects that come across that is useful in the analysis of both the economic forces that determine standardization as well as the impacts of the standardization. Therefore, it can be authoritatively argued that any standard enhances trade as they reduce asymmetries in information, show the consumers that there is quality and create a common basis of discussion for the partners involved in trade that has an effect in the reduction of costs incurred in transaction (Estevadeordal, Suominen and Teh 2009, p.251). International standards can be used to facilitate trade in terms of imports while national standards are essential in protecting domestic suppliers from competition from foreign markets and through this; consumers are protected as well as reduced costs for companies. In addition, due to the fact that industries rely more on a network of suppliers and differentiated value chains, international standards are an important element in the assessing the quality of products and the reduction of risks to both consumers and the suppliers. Swann (2010) states that there is a positive relationship between international standards and standardization of exports or imports whereby for national standards, the results are inconclusive while internationally it affects trade and the economies depending on their design and mode of implementation (Swann 2010 , p.6). Standardization is a voluntary, consensus-driven activity carried out by all interested parties and along with the code of mutually recognizing others, it plays a noteworthy role in the in the proper running of both the internal and international markets. Harmonization of standards helps ensure that there is a free movement of merchandises within the national and international markets thus making the businesses or enterprises to be more competitive in the market (Chrisdoulaki 2010, p.5). The standards set up by different criteria of standardization has got the beneficial effect of protecting the health and the safety of consumers of the products offered in the market place whether locally or internationally as well as the protection of the environment in which we live in. National/international Product Certification schemes Canadian Standards Association (CSA) The Standards Council of Canada whose main task is to improve and promote efficient as well as effective standardiza tion procedures for products and services used within Canada and internationally has accredits the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). It conducts both standardization and certification after which it awards the CSA certification mark when products meet the required safety and performance levels in its fifty-seven areas of operation. Within the arm bit of CSA group is the CSA International that tests

Compare between two companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Compare between two companies - Essay Example This is also evident in HRM where the two words are mostly used in the same context. However, the two words have different precisions in that training stands as both a segment of as well as a pre-condition for training. Training entails the changing of behaviors of non-managers and this may be through such efforts as vocational education among others (Noe, 2002). Conversely, development would be involves building managers whether individually or as a group for future needs. Development does not focus upon immediate needs but rather future demands. Building employees at an individual level entails such actions as mentoring them as well as conducting a self-analysis of each employee personally. Contrary, developing workers as groups would includes letting them engage in outdoor trainings meant to increase their competence. Therefore, whereas training focuses on imparting employees with skills to tackle their current tasks, development focuses upon future engagements. Training arises ou t of various needs that a company may point out. For example, training may be to ascertain that employees match with the procedures stipulated for the said company, or it may for aligning the employees with the ethics of a particular company (Pride et al, 2010). Training process includes such measures as identifying organizations as well as the HRM’s strategies to make sure that the two do not conflict. The other step includes identifying the need or areas that call for training. What follows is the training and an evaluation to check the efficiency of the process. Various methods may be suited for either training or development. For example On –the-job-, this happens when an inexperienced person learns under the supervision of a worker already acquainted with skills. Classroom – whereby, trainees get into classroom situations to learn skills. Role-playing- This happens when a trainee works in another person’s job or placement to understand it best (Pride et al, 2010). Simulations- This occurs when employees have to take training away from their job areas to get away from the baffles associated with work and engage seriously in training. Training entails various accrued benefits and one of them would be ensuring that employees match with the organization’s goals. It also brings about improved skills to enable people tackle their jobs effectively and there is lowered labor turn over (Aguinis & Kraiger 2009). In addition, trained employees display heightened morale while going about their jobs. Disadvantages associated with training include the fact that it may render a financial burden upon an organization in that it at times calls for lots of capital. Background of the two companies Coca cola Coca Cola Company traces its roots in 1886 at the heart of USA. The company stands in recent times as a leading manufacturer in soft drinks globally. It also boasts of being the biggest distributor and spearheads marketing of soft drinks as well. It sells an estimated 6,000,000 drinks a day. The company serves over 200 states globally and has a vision of making the best profits and creating the best job platform, where employees derive motivation from what they do (Cola, C. 2011). The company’s mission is that it aspires to refresh the globe with their wide range of drinks as well as make a difference in their manufacture and supply of

Human Resources - Compare and Contrast Interview Paper Essay

Human Resources - Compare and Contrast Interview Paper - Essay Example The individuals have been chosen for the study based on the fact that they have been involved in the core human resource activities for a significant number of years and have gained substantial knowledge and expertise on the subject too. The topic chosen for the study is compensation and the problems that employees face with regards to the same. The interview questions are prepared with the aim to bring forth the opinion of the two managers with regards to the effectiveness of the compensation policies in their organizations in terms of employee and organizational performance. The questionnaire is designed to help the two organizations make analysis of their respective human resource practices. Also the compensation package of employees is perceived as the value organization assign to their employees. An analysis of the same would reveal the employees’ worth in the organization as valuable assets. Comparison and Contrast of Interviews Various factors came forth with regards to the compensation structures of the two organizations and how satisfied were the employees with the compensation structure and policies of the organization.... Also considering the improvements in then labor markets, organizations have been driven towards the upliftment of the salaries of employees. Employers failing to do so confront with various human resource problems, such as dissatisfied and de-motivated employees, employees’ resistance towards work and their jobs. From the responses that follow, it is apparent that the former organization considers the industrial standards at the prevailing time before setting the salaries of employees. However, the latter sets its salary independent of the industry standards. The responses demonstrate that the former organization would face fewer problems in attracting and retaining human resource in comparison to the latter. With the upward inflationary pressures in most nations and rapid technological advancement organizations have been increasingly confronting with the problem of upward revision of the basic salaries of employees in terms of their dearness allowances. In such a condition or ganizations not considering the industrial standards would be faced with the problem of high employee attrition rates. Employees would be more tempted towards organizations offering higher salaries as salaries are the prerequisites of attracting and retaining talents in organizations. With the intense competition existing in the market, the compensation packages are the only and most important alternative left with the companies to motivate employees and attract them from the labor market. The increment system in the former organizations is found to be better and profound in comparison to the latter. Employees remain concerned about their career

Fluency in a Foreign Language Essay Example for Free

Fluency in a Foreign Language Essay Thesis: Fluency in a foreign language should be required for all students before graduation from high school. Introduction: In a world of advancing technology and higher education, it is imperative that students take the time to develop unique talents and skills in order to gain a competitive edge over the average individual. I. Fluency in a foreign language builds character. A. The time and commitment required from students to learn an entire new alphabet and vocabulary builds diligence. B. The achievement realized by students as they begin to understand and converse in a second language produces confidence. II. Fluency in a foreign language builds life skills. A. The ability to converse fluently in another language with an entirely new realm of people builds communication skills. B. The readiness to alternate between languages with family and friends builds flexibility skills. III. Fluency in a foreign language creates unique opportunities. A. Fluency in a foreign language gives unique traveling opportunities. B. Fluency in a foreign language creates unique job opportunities Fluency in A Foreign Language Should Be Required For All Students Before Graduation From High School In a world of advancing technology and higher education, it is crucial that students take time to develop unique talents and skills which will give them a competitive edge over the average individual. Though many doubt the ability of fluency in a foreign language to advance students in society, businesses, educational systems, governmental offices, and health care departments are all eager to hire students with skills in foreign languages. As globalization becomes more prevalent, foreign language skills are quickly becoming a vital factor in preparation for the future. Fluency in a foreign language should be required for all students before graduation from high school. First of all, fluency in a foreign language builds character. The time and commitment required from students to learn an entire new alphabet and vocabulary builds diligence. According to Walter Pauk, a prominent professor of education at Cornell University, developing an open mind to new phrases and grammar structures along with finding the time required to practice them are two difficulties commonly encountered when studying a foreign language (Pauk 2). Young mindsets are impressionable, and habits are installed early on as students begin to discover and incorporate grammatical structures particular to their mother tongues. In order to break these habits, students in foreign language study must constantly open their minds to accept new rules that are introduced. While relearning and sounding out basic vowels, students must also adjust to sentence patterns that have been completely inverted. Students learn to work efficiently with limited time allowances available between their busy schedules of daily life, striving to move beyond formerly learned language habits. Distractions are pushed aside as students repeat new sentence patterns, rewrite new alphabets, and reread literature that seems to make no sense. The Department of Education from the University of Pennsylvania reports, â€Å"The nature of language immersion teaches students how to stick to difficult tasks. This diligence translates to better performance on exams, because students will be more likely to persist on challenging problems† (in White 2). Regardless of how difficult a task appears to be, students who have mastered another language view the situation simply as one giant project to be conquered bit by bit. Constant and sincere effort spent learning a foreign language produces a firm determination in students to persevere and achieve their set goals. While the important character trait of diligence is being formed through foreign language study, the achievement realized by students as they begin to understand and converse in a second language is also producing a separate character trait of confidence. Introductory lessons in a foreign language start out as seemingly impossible to master, yet in due time begin to make sense. Excitement escalates as the brain starts functioning in another language and continues beyond the first few lessons alone. Dincay, a professor at Istanbul Arel University, notes, â€Å"the feeling of accomplishment that comes with [students’] first steps toward a second language can spur them on to a deeper and broader passion for learning in general† (Dincay 1). Students who reach an expertise level in foreign language carry that same capability acquired first through language studies over into other realms of life, producing competent results beyond areas concerning language alone. In her article, â€Å"Benefits of Being Bilingual,† Marcos writes, â€Å"Studies suggest that persons with full proficiency in more than one language (bilinguals) outperform similar monolingual persons on both verbal and nonverbal tests of intelligence† (Marcos 1). Proficiency in a foreign language develops a needed sense of accomplishment in students, enabling them to move on and conquer other tasks and responsibilities with rare poise and fortitude. They realize that unlike monolinguals, their lives are not confined to one culture alone, but can easily extend to impact an incredible realm of people throughout their lives. Fluency in a foreign language builds character traits such as diligence and confidence, both needed in daily life yet hard to produce. Secondly, fluency in a foreign language builds life skills. The ability to converse fluently in another language with an entirely new realm of people builds communication skills. Students unfamiliar with another country’s language will find it more difficult to understand and accept the specific guidelines associated with the language; however, as Ting-Toomey, professor of Human Communication studies at California State University, writes in her book, â€Å"To the native speakers, the rules of their language make perfect sense and are naturally more logical than those of any other languages† (Ting-Toomey 86). Fluency in a foreign language carries students far past the simple phrases of â€Å"Hello,† â€Å"How are you,† and â€Å"I love you,† and allows them, like the natives, to converse comfortably through a completely foreign vocabulary and grammatical set-up. Once students comprehend and begin to intelligently utilize a foreign language, they are able to understand and relate to the society and culture in a way that many never will. Ted Ward, Dean of International Studies and Missions for a time at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, writes in his book that â€Å"a highly competent level of [foreign] language skill allows [students] to conceive ideas and communicate them in a way that is synchronous with those of the people of the host culture† (Ward 154). Whereas monolinguals are often confined to the society of others who speak their language, students fluent in a foreign tongue are free to get involved in a second world. Benefits produced from the time and effort spent in mastering another language include filling out visa forms, reading public newspapers, and ordering from local restaurant menus with ease. Teaching, debating, and participating in discussions with words and phrases making the most sense to native speakers are yet other privileges opened up to students with foreign language skills. Along with better communication, the readiness to alternate between languages with family and friends builds flexibility skills. Bhattacharjee, author of the article â€Å"Why Bilinguals Are Smarter,† states, â€Å"In a bilingual’s brain both language systems are active even when he is using only one language, thus creating situations in which one system obstructs the other† (Bhattacharjee 1). Students must constantly determine which language their listeners will understand and recall the correct words and grammatical format to use with that particular language. Though it might seem terribly overwhelming at first, Bhattacharjee concludes that â€Å"this interference . . . isn’t so much a handicap as a blessing in disguise [,] . . . [forcing] the brain to resolve internal conflict, giving the mind a workout that strengthens its cognitive muscles† (Bhattacharjee 1-2). Students fluent in a foreign language respond immediately to one picture, sentence, or idea with two answers from two different languages. Sometimes one particular language carries a better explanation or definition than another, and for the student fluent in a second language, the opportunity is open to decide which language better suits certain situations. Definitions go beyond one explanation alone, and society life is extended to two worlds rather than one. Students can be taught, or teach others from two vastly different spheres of humanity and not be overwhelmed. Third and finally, fluency in a foreign language creates unique opportunities. Fluency in a foreign language gives unique traveling opportunities. While discussing various advantages given to foreign language students, Dincay shares that although thousands of people gain from their travels across the globe each and every year, it is the bilingual students, particularly, which receive the much broader traveling experience. While everyday tourists remain simply outsiders peering through a glass into another country’s unique culture, those familiar with and fluent in the native tongue are able to step beyond that glass barrier and enjoy their visits with full easy and liberty (Dincay 2). Whether visiting historical landmarks, using public transportation systems, or shopping in local markets, students fluent in the foreign language of the country are not restricted to taking pictures, relying on others’ directions, or following suggested prices. They may raise questions over history, follow posted transportation signs, and bargain for better values. Fluency in a foreign tongue gives traveling students an opportunity to stand out with something special that most tourists cannot claim. In his book Why Johnny Should Learn Foreign Languages, Huebener states, â€Å"The American businessman who can speak the foreign tongue fluently and who can make intelligent comments on the art and literature of the country will gain not only the business but also the respect of the person he is dealing with† (Huebener 46). Tremendous time and energy are required to reach fluency in a language, and communicate incredible care and consideration to the country’s citizens as the student is seeking to enter their world and communicate with them on a much more intimate level than sign language alone. Many societies take great pride in their native language and culture and when another individual has developed a firm knowledge and unders tanding of it, the natives, in turn, form a strong appreciation and respect for these students that many outsiders have not taken the time to earn. Fluency in a foreign language does not only create unique traveling opportunities, but also gives unique job opportunities. As the world advances in higher education and technology, men across the globe are seeking to make resources available to all. As one director in the Center for Applied Linguistics shares, â€Å"The need for individuals who can speak and understand languages other than English is acute . . . from business and social services to national security and diplomacy† (Malone et al. 1). A stronger focus on internationalism is emerging, making interaction with people from different linguistic backgrounds inevitable. Washington State University advertises a brochure that considers careers such as â€Å"government, business, law, medicine and health care, teaching, technology, the military, communications, industry, social service, and marketing† to be promising fields for students fluent in a second language, namely because â€Å"an employer [sees them] as a bridge to new clients or customers† (â€Å"Knowing Other Languages Brings Opportunities† 2). Students fluent in a foreign language can easily connect businesses with customers from a wide array of linguistic backgrounds and handle international business without hiring outsiders to translate. Proficiency in a second language is a skill envied and sought after by several employers as they seek to hire a staff to serve and elevate their organization to its maximal potential. Fluency in a foreign language should be required for all students before graduation from high school. The advantages produced from foreign language fluency are incredible and the opportunities limitless. Students are set up for successful futures in modern society as they leave high school and transition into the career world as young adults, able to communicate freely and work confidently in global communities around the world. The foundation laid is vital for young people going out to begin their adult lives in today’s world. Bibliography Bhattacharjee, Yudhijit. Why Bilinguals Are Smarter. The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Mar. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. Budig, Gene A. Foreign Language Study Vital to U.S. Students. Lawrence Journal World (8 May 2010): SR12. LJWorld.com. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. Dincay, Turgay. Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language at an Early Age. Todays Zaman. Todays Zaman, 25 Nov. 2011. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. Hawkins, Eric W. â€Å"Foreign Language Study and Language Awareness.† 1999: 124-42. Web. 2 Nov. 2012. Huebener, Theodore. Why Johnny Should Learn Foreign Languages. Philadelphia: Chilton Company, 1961. Print. â€Å"Knowing Other Languages Brings Opportunities.† New York: Washington State University, n.d. Foreign Languages and Cultures. Washington States University. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. Malone, Margaret E., et al. Attaining High Levels of Proficiency: Challenges for Foreign Language Education in the United States. CAL.org. Center For Applied Linguistics, 2005. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. Marcos, Kathleen M. Benefits of Being Bilingual. CAL.org. Center For Applied Linguistics, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2012. Pauk, Walter. Studying Foreign Languages. UWEC.edu. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 13 Jan. 2012. Web . 7 Oct. 2012. Ting-Toomey, Stella. Communicating Across Cultures. New York: Guilford, 1999. Questia. Questia. Web. 2 Nov. 2012. Ward, Ted W. Living Overseas: A Book of Preparations. New York: Free Press, 1984. Print. White, Mercedes. Language Immersion Classrooms: Programs Are Popular, Diligence Translates to Performance. Deseret News. Deseret News.com, 29 Jan. 2012. Web. 1 Nov. 2012.