Hume’s critique of causation Essay Example for Free

Hume’s critique of causation Essay Our work aims to define David Hume’s views on causation. At first we should say that his critique of causation rose from the full theory of causal inference. In this way we may be better able to make out what is critical and what constructive in Humes views of causation and substance. It is sometimes said that Humes analysis of causation and substance is thoroughly dependent on his theory of ideas as to be quiet vitiated by the falsity of that theory. The constructive theory of causal inference, by which Hume connects his sceptical analysis of the causal relation with his final discovery of the impression of necessity in the felt determination of certain habits or customs in imagination, shows the limitations of such criticism as would dispose of Humes conception of experience as atomistic merely. It will be recalled that Hume begins the â€Å"Treatise of Human Nature† with an analysis of the perceptions of mind into impressions and ideas; and that, in the subsequent sections of Part I, he discloses the remaining elements of perception. Therefore, it would be incorrect to identify perception with any one of its elements, or with all of them taken respectively in isolation. Only mere fancies or perfect ideas occur divorced from all associations. Normally, in the experience of mature persons, there occurs, at the least, a lively idea associated with a present impression; which is, by definition, the general nature of belief. These beliefs vary in elaborateness and force between the extremes of proof and mere chance; but only at the extreme of mere chance, or gratuitous fancy, do isolated impressions or ideas exist. Ordinarily, the terms of Humes analysis of perception occur in the synthesis which he articulates in his theory of belief. Normal experience, then, will consist of perceptions, themselves the syntheses in habit which are beliefs. The substantial identity of things present here and now may be compared in direct perception. But only on the assumption that the causes of a things existence remain unaltered may the continued existence of a thing beyond perception be inferred. Again, although times and places as such admit of comparison without inference, still any constancy or variation in such relations may be inferred to exist only as a result of causation. That relation, therefore, is the principle of all inferences about matters of facts. Nothing exists which may not be considered as either a cause or an effect; though it is plain there is no one quality, which universally belongs to all beings, and gives them title to that denomination (Hume, 185). Since, therefore, the origin of the idea of cause and effect is to be found in no quality of our perceptions, it must be derived from some relation between them. Hume at once finds two such relations: causes and effects are contiguous in space and time, and the cause is always prior in time to the effect. Dr. Broad (120-2) points out that Humes proof of the temporal priority of causes is formally vicious. Hume himself seems to have had some doubts about its validity, for he writes: If this argument appear satisfactory, tis well. If not, I beg the reader to allow me the same liberty, which I have used in the preceding case, of supposing it such. For he shall find that the affair is of no great importance (225). But contiguity and succession do not afford a complete idea of causation. A thing at once contiguous and prior to another still might not be considered its cause. There is a necessary connection to be taken into consideration, and that relation is of much greater importance than any of the other two above mentioned (Hume 211). Necessary connection is then the defining characteristic of the causal relation. The impression from which this idea is derived is therefore the one we are looking for. Yet the only relations between impressions Hume has found so far are those of contiguity and succession, which I have already regarded as imperfect and unsatisfactory (216). And he proceeds to divide his problem into two questions: why we believe that every event must have some cause or other; and why we believe that the same cause must necessarily produce the same effect (Hume 223-6). Hume thus distinguishes the law of causality from the law of causation, and takes it that together they are what is meant by a necessary connection among events. Though a general maxim in philosophy, that every even must have a cause is not a matter of knowledge. This Hume demonstrates first on the grounds of his own view of the extent of knowledge. The law of causality may be identified neither with resemblance, degrees of quality, contrariety, nor proportions in quantity and number. The law is therefore not known to be true. Hume thinks that anyone who would controvert this conclusion will be obliged to exhibit a relation at once identical with causality and known by direct inspection, which it will then be time enough to examine (224). He proceeds next to urge that the law in question is to be demonstrated by apagogic reasoning on no theory of knowledge, and therefore is neither intuitively nor demonstrably certain (228). That every event must have some cause or other means that the ideas of cause and effect are necessarily connected. Was this the case, it would be impossible that those ideas should be separable. Yet, since they are distinct, the ideas of cause and effect are separable; and the denial of their necessary connection involves no contradiction. Here Hume relies on the principle of his atomism. Yet he need not have done so; for the contradictory of the law of causality being not self-contradictory, that law is not demonstrable by apagogic reasoning. For since the relation of cause and effect is the principle of all inference about matters of fact, no inference to a probability can be independent of that relation. Hume takes his analysis thus far to have shown that our only notion of cause and effect is of certain objects constantly conjoined. We cannot penetrate into the reason of the conjunction. We only observe the thing itself, and always find that from the constant conjunction the objects acquire an union in the imagination (128). Our notion of cause and effect, as so far disclosed, is no more than a philosophical relation. Thus though causation be a philosophical relation, as implying contiguity, succession, and constant conjunction, yet it is only so far as it is a natural relation, and produces an union among our ideas, that we are able to reason upon it, or draw any inference from it(Hume 131). And causation is more than a philosophical relation just so far as it is association. Concerning the nature of the transition from impression to idea in causal inference is thus that the transition is the work of associations or habits in imagination, not of reason. So understood, the inference from impression to idea Hume declares to be one part of the definition of an opinion or belief; that it is an idea related to or associated with a present impression (Hume 137). Hume insists that the idea of necessary connection derives from the felt force of the natural relation of cause and effect. The ideas of cause and effect being separable, there can be no contradiction in denying their necessary connection. Here again, however, Humes conclusion is valid independently of the assumption on which he himself makes it out. For the contradictory of the law in question is conceivable. And in going on to show the uniformity of nature to be indemonstrable, Hume points out on the one hand that we can at least conceive a change in the course of nature, which sufficiently proves that such a change is not absolutely impossible; and, on the other, that the uniformity in question being the presupposition of probable reasoning, any attempt at its demonstration by induction could only beg the question. Hume is giving a definition of cause and effect, so in conclusion he is describing the observed or felt nature of that relation. Those impressions may have causes Hume does not deny. He says the ultimate causes of sense-impressions are, in my opinion, perfectly inexplicable by human reason, (223) and he finds the alleged necessity that they have a cause to be not demonstrable. Nor are his arguments that impressions are prior to and productive of ideas advanced as a denial that impressions are thus productive. And the attraction of association is also assumed and its origins are regarded as inexplicable. Yet this means that impressions, ideas, and the attraction of association are found to exist in constant conjunction, not in necessary connection. That the than the logical necessity of Malebranche, means that what has been called a necessary connection is in fact habitual; not that from this conclusion we may infer the non-existence of causes. For the fact that the rational necessity of causation is not to be demonstrated plainly does not imply that nothing in the nature of a cause can exist. If we do not know the laws of causality and causation to be true, neither do we know them to be false. Hence there is no reason, the contradictory of which would be inconceivable, why causes should be or should not be assumed. The law of causation, being demonstrable by neither apagogic nor inductive reasoning, if demonstrable at all, will be on the ground that necessary connection in fact is disclosed within sense-perception. Since Humes failure to find that logical necessity obtains between the elements of sense-perceptions has been held to require his own analysis of experience, it may be well to consider briefly the fact that in other interests, and through a conception of experience not that of Hume, the same conclusion had been reached by three of the Cartesians. Hume may well emphasize the conclusion that all of our beliefs that are justified by experimental enquiry and all of our accurately successful causal inferences will depend upon the operation in the understanding of those fundamental habits by which cases of constant conjunction are disclosed and inferred. The nature of the understanding thus is what constitutes the foundations of induction. That the habits of which the understanding consists can in no case yield demonstrably certain conclusions, means that the foundations of induction are essentially illogical, to be neither demonstrated nor denied either by the reason of the Cartesians or by inductive theory itself. It is, finally, of the nature of the understanding that logic proper consists: the pretensions of our scholastic headpieces and logicians are simply to be set aside† (312). The assumption that the elements of experience are intrinsically self-identical is thus requisite to the view of impressions as complete in themselves. But the finding of elements by analysis is itself not the further explanation that these elements may be regarded as self contained because, like being simple, resemblance is not the name of a qualifying predicate. Whether or not the theory of philosophical relations be rejected along with the doctrine of impressions and ideas, the conclusion, as such, that apagogic reasoning is powerless in matters of existence, remains no less free of that theory and that doctrine, than is the conclusion itself of Humes failure to find necessary connections among matters of fact. For, as Professor Kemp Smith has pointed out, it was Hume who first perceived the falsity of the Cartesian, rationalistic view of the causal relation (537). Malebranche could discover no necessary connection between events, yet he continued to conceive of the causal relation as being intelligible to the pure understanding, and, as a consequence of his theory of knowledge as the vision in God, failed to draw the conclusion that the law of causation is neither intuitively nor demonstrably certain. For a real cause, Malebranche says, is a cause between which and its effect, the mind perceives a necessary connection (Rome 94). This conclusion drawn, Hume can attack the root of any assumption that the law of causation may be justified by experience. The attempted justification could only be inductive; and the law of causation is the presupposition of induction. Since causal inference is found to be neither rational nor merely sensory, if explicable at all, it will be so through an analysis, not of the fancies of the philosophers, but of the imagination that is the foundation of the senses and the memory. It is thus found that probable inference consists of the habits of imagination, or beliefs, which are the perceptions that constitute the mind, and of which the more firmly established in the imagination are the understanding. To conclude the work we should say that Humes chief innovation in association’s theory is his inclusion of cause and effect among the natural relations, or modes of association. Yet even a moderately detailed examination of Humes theories of causal inference and belief in substance may suffice to indicate how groundless is the charge of total scepticism, while at the same time it discloses the character of unanalysed experience in Humes view. The relation between his critical analysis of causation and that of the Cartesians, as well as the logical nature of Humes arguments in that regard, make it plain that his analysis here is independent of his chief psychological dogma. Works Cited Baillie, James. Hume on Morality. London: Routledge, 2000. Broad, Charlie Dunbar. Perception, Physics, and Reality; an Enquiry into the Information that Physical Science Can Supply About the Real. New York: Russell Russell, 1972. Hall, Roland. Fifty Years of Hume Scholarship: A Bibliographical Guide. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1978. Hendel, Charles William Jr. Studies in the Philosophy of David Hume. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1925. Hume, David. A Treatise of Human Nature. New York: Penguin Classics, 1986. Kemp Smith, Norman. A Commentary to Kants Critique of Pure Reason. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003 Noonan, Harold W. Philosophy Guidebook to Hume on Knowledge. London: Routledge, 1999. Potkay, Adam. The Fate of Eloquence in the Age of Hume. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1994. Rome, Beatrice K. The Philosophy of Malebranche: A Study of His Integration of Faith, Reason, and Experimental Observation. Chicago: H. Regnery Co. , 1963. Stewart, John B. The Moral and Political Philosophy of David Hume. New York: Columbia University Press, 1963. Strawson, Galen. The Secret Connexion: Causation, Realism, and David Hume. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1989. Stroud, Barry. Hume. London: Routledge, 1977.

Roles of a father for childhood development

Roles of a father for childhood development Improved Cognitive Abilities The old myths that a father is not important in a childs development as compared to a mothers are false. Recent research studies show that the fathers role is very crucial to a childs development. This persuasive essay will discuss the benefits of a single father and the positive benefits of their active involvement. Being an involved father ensures adequate cognitive ability, supports the childs educational achievements and awareness of general health and social behavior. Fathers are far more than just second adults in the home. Involved fathers-especially biological fathers- bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring. (Popenoe, 1996, p.163). Educational Achievements Recent reports by the National Principles Association Report (2009) state that 71% of all children from fatherless homes are high school dropouts. The impact of a positive biological father or father figure produces better verbal skills and nonverbal skills. These skills in turn help develop things like planning and building (UMPC, 2009). Father absence is a risk factor that makes it more difficult for children to succeed in school. Brisnaire, et al, (1990) further states that access two both parents seemed to be the protective factor for better academic adjustment. Men in general help children transition from a life of financial dependence to independence. Parents should stay involved with their childrens education from elementary school through high school and beyond to help them maximize their academic achievement.Childrens social, physical, and intellectual development benefit greatly from the involvement of fathers, observes Yale child psychiatrist Kyle Pruett (quoted by Judsen Culbreth, What Dads Are Made Of, Readers Digest, June 2005, p. 72A). Childhood Development of Social Behaviors and Well Being Without a father figure in the early stages of childhood can have a negative impact in their social behavior and general health. Children from fatherless homes account for the following statistics: 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders (Center for Disease Control), 71% of pregnant teenagers. (US dept. of Health and Human Services), 63% of youth suicides (US dept of health and human services, Bureau of the Census), 90% of all homeless and runaway children. These statistics alone are very frightening and dishearten. Another important role of a father is the role modeling regarding the interaction with the opposite sex. Being a positive role model can include the development of a strong positive relationship with the childs other parent. They are less likely to abuse their wives or children (Gallagher and Waite, 2000). They are taught to observe how men treat woman. Sometimes they will choose a good companion of proper standards. Fathers also help with filtering out comp anions with bad standard. A fathers presence alone can provide a sense of justice and fairness which teaches the child the consequences of right and wrong as well build independence and confidence. A father tends to oversee their childs relation to the world. They basically focus their attention on what their children will or will not be prepared for or encounter in the world. A father can guide a child through everyday experiences guiding their development of problem solving techniques. Conclusion I can concur growing up as a child without a father and being a part of those statistics. Now that Im a father myself, I play an active role in my childrens lives. I have personally seen an improvement in my sons academic achievements as well his overall well being. He has stated to me that he is more confident and actively seeks me out to discuss problems at school which he did not do when he lived with his mother. Being an involved single father will make a change in that childs life; changing the statistics. Our presence, will give our children a chance to live a positive, healthy, well-balanced respectful life. REFERENCES: Brent, David A. (1995). Post-traumatic stress disorders in peers of adolescent suicide victims: Predisposing factors and phenomenology. Journal of the American academy of child and adolescent psychiatry, 34, 209. Bisnaire,L., Firestone, P., Rynard, D. (1990). Factors associated with academic achievement in children following parental separation. American Journal of Orthopsychiarty, 60 (1). Culbreth,J. (2005). What dads are made of? Readers Digest, p. 72A. Encyclopedia of childrens health: cognitive development (2009). Retrieved Nov.22, 2009 from http://www.healthofchildren.com/C/Cognitive-Development.html#ixzz0XcbcPna Gallagher, M. Waite, L. (2000). The case of marriage. New York: Doubleday. Popenoe, David (1996). Life without father. New York: The free press, 163. Stanton, G. (n.d.). How Fathers matter for a healthy child development. Retrieved Nov. 27, 2009 from the website: http://www.glenntstanton.com/3.html The importance of fathers in the healthy development of children (2006) Retrieved Nov. 19, 2009 from child welfare information gateway website: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/fatherhood/chaptertwo.cfm UPMC (2009, May). The importance of a father. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2009, from http://www.upmc.com/HealthAtoZ/Pages/HealthLibrary.aspx?chunkiid=46224

Lasers :: essays research papers

L A S E R S   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Did you know that some laser beams are small enough and powerful enough to drill two hundred holes on a spot as tiny as the head of a pin?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first major advancement in laser development came in 1954. This was the year that Charles H. Townes, an American physicist, created a device that amplified microwaves. This device was actually called a maser at first, which was short for Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Masers. It produced microwaves of just one frequency. Then the laser was developed from the maser.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Several people have been accredited for the development of the laser’s basic design. These people are as follows: American Arthur L. Shcawlow, the Russians Alexander M. Prokhorov and Nikolai G. Basov, and the American Gordon Gould. But the first laser was constructed in 1960 by American physicist T.H. Maiman and it is still one of the most powerful lasers available. This laser used a ruby rod for its active medium, which is its way of producing light. Ali Javan then created the first gas laser later in 1960. Three separate teams of American scientists operated the first semiconductor laser in 1962. Then in 1966, the American physicist Peter Sorokin built the first dye laser.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To begin with, I will explain the definition of a laser: It is a device that produces a very narrow powerful beam of light. A laser light is a narrow beam of light, in which all the waves are traveling exactly at the same length and moving together as one. A laser light is made up of only one wavelength and it is a single pure color, while a normal light has many different wavelengths or colors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The most common laser has three parts to it. They are energy source, an active medium, and optical cavity. An energy source can be anything that can give energy to the active medium through a process called “pumping.'; Lasers often use electricity; usually a device called a flash lamp, as the energy source. An active medium is any material that can be used to create a laser light. The optical cavity is the structure that encloses the active medium. Most cavities have mirrors on both ends, one that fully reflects light and another that partially reflects light. The laser beam actually exits through the mirror that is partially reflecting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The central process of the laser is called stimulated emission.

Use of Computers :: Technology Computers Essays

Use of Computers After reading Dr. Alan Bundys web page, I realized of all the ways we rely on computers in this day and age. Computers and the technology today allow people to receive any type of information in the world right at their fingertips. With all the written information that is in libraries, it seems as though people just skip right over that and head straight for the computer. Ità °s as thought they feel that the computer does all the work for them and finds all the information that they need. Ever since I was in elementary school I was introduced to working with computers. If it was from writing a paper, playing computer games, or using the many resources on the Internet, the computer has always been on my beckoning call. I could never imagine not being able to use the computer and its many possibilities to find information. I was taught at first to be able to find books in the library and to find information out of books, but this was when the Internet was not as popular. Today the very first thing that I would go to help me with a report is the Internet and the computer. Ità °s as thought I donà °t really remember how to use the library to find a resource I need because I am so used to the computer. I feel that children today are brought up to much on relying on the Internet and the computer. I think that it would have been more useful if I were taught when I was younger to rely on using resources from the library or by looking it up in books. Even though the Internet was not as big as it is now when I was younger, children should be taught to use books and other resources besides the computer. Ità °s as though all they use for their information is the computer. By teaching children just to depend on the use of computers, it makes them lack skills in penmanship, since they use the computer to write all their papers and reports. It also does not allow them to develop skills in revising and spelling because the computer has all those programs all ready in it.

Advantage and disadvantage of Budgeting

â€Å"Budgeting is ok in a certain environments but everything changes so quickly that budgeting is a waste of time. It provides no useful purpose and is purely an academic exercise†.â€Å"Traditional budgeting wastes time, distorts decisions, and turns honest managers into schemers. It does not have to be that way- if you are willing to sever the ties between budgets and compensation†.While discussing and making an evaluation of these statements, understanding of advantages and disadvantages of corporate budgeting is very important.This understanding is followed by the perceptive of Budget, its need and its pros and cons (advantage/disadvantage). In such term, raised questions are respectively ‘what is budget’, ‘why budget’ and ‘objective of budget’. (www.tuliptrees.com)Critical Discussion of the StatementWhat is Budget?Budget is taken as the most fundamental and the most effective financial management tool available. Nevertheless , it is an absolute time taking activity if performed correctly. It is also considered as an arduous work. But budgeting is important and beneficial†¦there are many reasons that make budgeting a good deal. (www.tuliptrees.com ) (Journal of Performance Management, 2005 by Nolan, Gregory J)Why Budget?Budget plays a very important role in planning, control and evaluation of operations. It provides a vehicle for translating programs in financial resource programs. (www.awesomelife.com )Advantages of Corporate BudgetingPlanning- It forces organization to plan to the fore and analytically anticipate the future.Maximum managers deal with a very eventful schedule and tough official activities.This prone those to avoid formalized planning unless budgeting is part of their job. If a formal plan of attack is created, it allows managers or individuals to focus on problems before they actually occur. Daily operating interruptions are therefore decreased, due to knowledge of possible problem s; they generally initiate corrective actions, rather than imprudent solutions. (Journal of Performance Management,   2005   by Nolan, Gregory J)Organizing- A proper budgeting places   economic and human resources in the most financially rewarding areas and making managers aware of any scarcity of resources.Controlling- It examines variances from conventional targets (i.e. differences between actual and budgeted) and takes counteractive actions. Actual presentation can be compared against budgeted amounts, giving managers an insight whether operations are meeting expectations or not.If scarcities arise, corrective actions can be implemented to bring the operation back on target. Specific areas can be identified and investigated. (www.methodist.com, www.awesomelife.com )Coordinating- a proper budgeting is very useful in formal harmonization, as it helps system managers of different functions to operate in various directions and to work for the profit of the company.If everybody concerned sticks to the formal plan adopted by a budget, they become aware of where the enterprise is heading and ensures that it stays on track. In a large company, operations are normally divided into different departments and under the accountability of different managers.To attain overall objectives, close coordination of activities is a necessity. The problems that could arise from a lack of coordination are massive. (Budget Basics)When a budget for the overall organization is in place, every department knows where they fit into the overall plan and can be expected to work towards it. Thus budget brings a harmony, which is very important for the growth of any company. (Management Accounting Summer   By David E Stout,   summer2008)Communicating – Budget helps in exchanging information concerning goals, ideas, and achievements. It also grows necessary interaction and develops an awareness of how each of their activities contributes to the firm's overall operation. (Bu dget Basics)Motivating – Corporate budgeting acts as a catalyst for managers of the enterprises and motivates them to work hard. It also helps in maintaining an enthusiastic attitude among them towards their jobs. It can be achieved by realistic goals and the thrill it gives when such goals are met or achieved. (Management Accounting Summer By David E Stout, summer2008)Budgeting PlansThe book ‘Budgeting Basics and Beyond’ says that budgets are prepared in two term plans. One is short term plan is another is called long term plan. (Budgeting Basics and Beyond by Jae K. Shim, Joel G. Siegel, pp27,28,29)Short term plan- these plans are typically one year plan. Nevertheless, few plans are for two years and few are just week or month long plans. These plans examine cash flow, expected earning and other expenditures. These plans basically rely on internal information and tactical objectives. Structures of such budget plans are predictable, fixed and persistently determ inable.These are based on strategic plans and concerned with existing markets and products. Short term budget area covers – product, service, department, territory, division, project and functions. These are usually expressed on a departmental basis. (Budgeting Basics and Beyond by Jae K. Shim, Joel G. Siegel, pp27, 28, 29)It includes sales, manufacturing, marketing, management, research and consolidation plans. Short term planning generally involves lower grade managers in providing inputs. In making of such budget plans, the line manger supervises and includes data in the making of long term budget planning. (Budgeting Basics and Beyond By Jae K. Shim, Joel G. Siegel, pp27, 28, 29)Long Term Planning- This is normally of a broad, tactical nature to accomplish objectives. This plan is usually five to ten years long (even more in few cases) and looks forward for the futuristic up-gradation of the company.This considers economical, political and industrial conditions too. These are formulated by upper management of the organization. They deal with products, markets, services and operation. Long term planning boosts sales, profitability, return on investment and growth of the organization.These plans need constant revision for the input of new information. It covers all major areas of business including manufacturing, marketing, finance, engineering, law, accounting, and personnel. Planning for such areas should be matched into a wide-ranging plan to achieve corporate objectives. (Budgeting Basics and Beyond By Jae K. Shim, Joel G. Siegel, pp27, 28, 29)This is taken as a combination of operating and development plans. This plan should specify ‘whet is the need’, ‘who needs it’ and ‘when it is needed’. Its responsibility should be assigned to segments.Goal of long term planning includes market share, new business areas, new distributive channels, cost reduction, capital maintenance, and risks of cost reduction.Features of a good long term planning include flexibility, motivation, measurability and compatibility. These planning’s are intended for growth of the organization, product development, plant expansion and financing. (Budgeting Basics and Beyond By Jae K. Shim, Joel G. Siegel, pp 27, 28, 29)Long term budget planning is believed to be details of accomplishments of strategic plans. It incorporates evaluating alternatives, developing financial information, analyzing activities, allocating resources, manpower planning, finance analysis and production planning.Time period for a long term plan depends on the time required for the product development, life cycle of the product and construction of capital facilities. Long term planning offers more alternatives in the comparison of short term planning.It is more effective when there is greater uncertainty in economy and business environment. Nevertheless, planning of short term budget is easier than long term budget, as a long term budget de als with greater uncertainties. (Budgeting Basics and Beyond By Jae K. Shim, Joel G. Siegel, pp27, 28, 29)

Computer and Internet Effects on Society

In today’s society the world could not function 10 minutes without the technology it has readily available for its inhabitants. The world today is too depended on the convienience that these products of future abilities offer. They make entertainment, work, social networking, education, and communication so much easier. However, there are some significant negative effects like, eye sight problems, social problems, and general laziness issues. The question is, do computers and internet benefit or devastate society.Computers and internet has advanced humanity in various ways. One way includes typing papers. Before computers were invented people had to use typewriters which were much slower and if the writer made a mistake, he or she would have to cover it up with white ink rather than â€Å"backspacing†. Another example of something that computers and the internet have changed, is the way people are entertained. Not only can a person play games on a computer, but they can also watch movies, socialize, find new people, listen to music, and create extremely awing works of art.Also before computers and the internet, the only way of gaining knowledge was literally through others; speeches or reading articles, books, magazines, or any other printed document. Now, computers and the internet makes all of this incredibly convenient. In today’s society people more than likely could not even function without the internet, let alone gain knowledge because more and more kids are reading less and less books due to the internet. In most ways computers are beneficial to society, one major way is through that of the work force.In general, a computer makes typing, which is needed by nearly every profession in one way or another, easier to do. Computers are much faster than old typewriters and obviously faster than hand writing anything. Another reason why they make typing more convenient is the backspace key. Back when it was the typewriter, if a person made a mistake while typing they had to take out the paper and put white ink over the mistake. Or if it was a giant mistake, the writer would then have to take a completely new piece of paper and start anew.Also, instead of looking up how to spell word in the dictionary or knowing how to spell every word in the English language, if the writer were to misspell a word on the computer, it would show an derror on the scree, therefore reducing mistakes as well. In saying this, computers save a vast amount of paper due to not writing directly on the paper itself. Another way computers benefit the work force is through email. These instant messages go from person to person, or from one person to a quantity of people.This, compared to writing out one letter, or even making multiple letters, saves time and is more convenient. Again this method will save paper which in turn helps save the environment. Yet another great example of how computers and internet benefit the work force is through online communication. A specific example of this is video calls. A person who needs to go across the world to present something to a business partner for example, could easily just setup a video call and presen right from his or her own office to another computer somewhere else.This gaain is convenient in saving traveling time and saving money the person would have to spend to travel to wherever was needed. Furthermore, another benefit is a job itself. With today’s technology people have designing careers that need a computer to make, view, or edit photos and movies. They can take a picture with a camera, upload it to a computer, and begin their own form of artwork on the photo. In general there are countless ways that computers effect the work force. Another major benefit computers have to offer is that they improve everyday normal living.One way they do this is by helping people manage their financials. With a computer, a person can open a spreadsheet, create a budget, and manage that budget over time. This could help a person save money in the long run. Also, computers come with on board calculators so there is no need of getting one yourself. Another way computers make everyday life better is that in all appliances, microwaves, ovens, televisions, washer and dryers etc. , and handheld devices, mp3’s, phones, or any other media device, all have what’s called â€Å"embedded systems† which is like a mini on board computer.Without these systems our laundry would take longer to clean, our food would be harder to prepare, and entertainment like movies, shows, or music, might not even exist. Also, people can go onto the internet to research a product before they buy it. This would save time and money because instead of going to the store to ask customer support about a product, a person can look up online what the product has to offer. Order it if they would like, and someone else can deliver it for them. â€Å"Although these tasks can be do ne without a computer, the invention makes doing such tasks much easier. An example of this is something previously mentioned, entertainment. People are able to access millions of websites that offer movies, short videos, games, or music. Because these are so easy to get to people can entertain themselves as much as they would by going out to the movies or going to an arcade. Something else that computers make easy is making cards. There are computer programs that help a person setup any type of card they need, which would save money rather than going out and buying one from a store. Yet another ability computers make easier is communicating with people.People are able to go online and get on video chat and talk to someone across the world with no problem. If a family member is on vacation and would like to talk with you more than over the phone, he or she could just open up a computer and be face to face with whoever they’d like. Also, online gaming provides a vast opportuni ty to talk with people. The chat boxes that these games provide hosts hundreds, or even thousands of people at a time, all able to talk with each other. Along these same lines lies online chat rooms.People can get on one of these websites and talk with people from around the world, this function is sometimes used for online dating as well. If these ways of communication are not available then there are always emails. These are like notes passed to one another but instead of across the room, it’s to wherever the sender would like. â€Å"Communication with others is growing as an application of computers by children, particularly as more homes and schools gain access to the internet. † A fourth way computers and internet impact society is through education.Computers are becoming less and less expensive so schools are able to afford more and more of them. Computers can help kids learn by having software that teaches them the needed information for a class. Also, with the internet, kids have millions of sources to gather for any necessary research papers or projects. There are online textbooks, so if a kid forgets his or her book at school, they can access the exact same information online. Another example is that online games that educate are very helpful to learning children.

Describe your key leadership experiences and evaluate what leadership Personal Statement

Describe your key leadership experiences and evaluate what leadership areas you hope to develop through your MBA experience - Personal Statement Example However, I realized that due to my relative inexperience, I would be facing two immediate problems. First, I had no experience of how to allot shares and at what prices. I approached managers of the firm to know their intentions and discussed with them the different parameters to be followed in the proposed buyout. I than approached a Merger & Acquisition expert to work as our consultant. Through formation of dynamic and multi-dimensional team, I succeeded in defining criteria for allotting shares as well as their prices. Secondly, due to my unknown business characters, I was unaware of how to acquire bank loans to finance the acquisition of shares by the managers. I had to coordinate with the local municipal government to facilitate us through banks and pursue them to provide necessary finance for buyout. I pursued them because my mother grew in reputation because of her contribution to the local society and government. Finally, we were able to sign off the deals with the banks to get bank financing for our managers to get the shares in acquisition. The second occasion when I was able to demonstrate leadership was during 2007 when I was working at IBM's China Development Lab. I served as the project manager for the renovation of the Next Generation TPMS (Translation Planning and Management System), a tool for managing the IBM globalization and localization processes. The previous generation system, developed by a team in Egypt, had failed to deliver what users really needed, which translated into super-low customer satisfaction ratio at 26 percent. My background investigation suggested four important variables which were the main cause of the failure of the system to deliver the results. This included the fact that system was slow, did not cater user requirements, too complicated as well as difficult to use. Building on that information, I thought that an upgraded system should be built around with more of the customer focus rather than technology driven as it should attempt to reflect what actually end users require. During our investigation, some of the users required us to develop a web based application whereas some of the users demanded that the system may be developed as a desktop application therefore we also decided to build a system which serve both the purposes. We begun our work around this idea and succeed in developing a systems which was hybrid of a web application as well as desktop application and which catered most of the needs of our end users. Subsequent testing by most of the users across different countries appreciated our efforts and due to my strong presentation and persuasion they agreed to test the application and provide their feedback on the new system after thoroughly using it. Both of these situations were unique for me however I believe an MBA would have provided me a better understanding of both the situations and I would have been able to address both of these issues with much more details as well as professional maturity. An MBA would also provide me more theoretical as well as practical education regarding the nature of leadership and how it can be effectively used to get things done through others. I also believe that an MBA will make my