The Philosophy The Moral Life Essay - 1164 Words

Before the beginning of the semester, I had a general understanding of three major philosophies- Utilitarianism, Deontology, and Feminism. These three philosophies come up frequently in my life. I judge an event in which philosophy is the main focus. In addition, I like to use these three principles in my moral judgments and decisions. Reaching the end of this class and semester I can say that my knowledge of these three philosophies has expanded immensely. The critical, informational, and literary aspects (stories that provide analysis) of the book The Moral Life has helped to increase my understanding and appreciation of the philosophies. I have used these philosophies in the past for personal, academic, and professional decisions and actions, however, I plan to use these philosophies in the same three areas for future actions and decisions. One area I would apply Utilitarianism is academically. To elaborate, I judge in debate competitions that rely heavily on philosophical theories. During standard rounds of debate, I hear arguments for and against Utilitarianism. I have actually never read, for myself, Bentham’s nor Mill’s interpretations of Utilitarianism. Therefore, The Moral Life and this class will help me in furthering discussions with competitors and fellow judges. Kai Nielsen is a good source of supporting material for Utilitarianism. For example, Utilitarianism answers the ethical question of war efforts for intervening in the Middle East (which has been a pastShow MoreRelatedSocrates s Philosophy On Moral Life1960 Words   |  8 Pageshis wisdom, his power of critical thinking, moral strength and intelligence. In the end it is Plato who immortalizes Socrates in the popular imagination as a man of profound knowledge. Socrates’ effectiveness as a philosopher depended as much on the strength and interest of his personality as on the power of his mind. Socrates’ philosophy was based on discovering the truth, understanding moral life and talking about the elements that make up a good life. In my judgment, one of the most important thingsRead MorePHL 215 Version 6 Moral Social And Political Philosophy Matrix And Essay Parts 1 2 2 2993 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿University of Phoenix Material Moral, Social, and Political Philosophy Matrix and Essay Part 1 Matrix: Analyze moral, social, and political philosophy by completing the following matrix. Provide a definition of the branch of philosophy as given in a philosophical source (the readings, supplemental materials, or outside academic sources) and list a minimum of three historical developments, theories, key contributors, and principal issues. Bullet point answers are acceptable. Read MoreEthical Theory And The Classical And Modern Answers1181 Words   |  5 Pagescompletely different? While the neutral definition of human beings is defined as rational animals, modern and classical philosophy have attempted to explore and answer the question more in depth. Modern philosophy states that human beings are simply higher animals. With the differences between humans and animals as only being secondary, and not essential aspects. This philosophy concludes that humans are defined by their needs and instincts, which results in the aspects of pain or pleasure. PainRead MorePersonal Philosophy : An Organization Level Leader1734 Words   |  7 Pagessituations and dilemmas through their personal life experiences based on inputs from parents, family, experiences and organizations. To define my moral philosophy as an organizational level leader, I will first explain how my personal moral philosophy was shaped, explain and examine my personal moral philosophy and then I will juxtapose my moral philosophy to the E100 ethical concepts by explaining the strengths and weakness in relation to my moral philosophy. I will then conclude with how my beliefsRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Aristotle s Views On Happiness And Human Flourishing With His Philosophy991 Words   |  4 PagesMy moral philosophy is what you put in you get back. For example, I put into my life my thoughts, my beliefs and my behaviors. What I get back from this is my reality that my thoughts, beliefs and behaviors have created. In my philosophy like Aristotle, I believe in Aristotle’s views on happiness and human flourishing with his philosophy. (Aristotle 4) I also believe in some of Kant’s philosophy through his concept of its our duty to live up to our highest moral capacity. (Kant 3) I believe it willRead MorePhilosophy Is The Ultimate Love For Wisdom1524 Words   |  7 Pagestry to explain what philosophy is by presenting the point of view of five different philosophers. At first sight trying to find a definition for what philosophy is seem hard but luckily, the answer is already contained in the word itself. In Greek, philo means love and Sophia means wisdom. Therefore, philosophy is the ultimate love for wisdom. It is a process of reflection and makes the attempt of thinking in critical and rational dimensions on the most important questions of life. Read MoreThe Ethics Of The Integrity Objection1336 Words   |  6 Pagesproposed by Bernard Williams in 1973. It problematizes consequentialist moral philosophy on the grounds that it forces an agent to forfeit their ‘integrity’ – their character and personal values – in order to follow an impartial moral calculus. When an agent performs an action which is morally correct according to a consequentialist calculation, they may experience guilt, sadness, or other negative emotions despite the moral rightness of what they did. Utilitarianism considers such feelings irrelevantRead MorePlato and Platipus1186 Words   |  5 PagesIt is normal to underestimate the power of philosophy. It is a social science that has lost influence in the 21st Century because many do not understand how this science can help humans achieve true happiness. Though philosophy is a heavy subject, it is the science with the most results regarding human nature and knowledg e. Philosophy offers guidance to understand human behavior as well as to question our presence and our real role in society. It is one of the leading social sciences because manyRead MoreAn Argument On Virtue Ethics Essay1140 Words   |  5 Pagesrespond to this objection that moral philosophy is sufficient for a virtuous person to make a decision in any given circumstances because it guides the person to be certain not in making the correct decision but in having virtuous intention. A person’s virtuous intention is based not by what end it reaches. It is by what action is made. Hursthouse might argue in our given example that the surgeon’s action is certain because he makes a decision with the intention to save a life of a patient instead of losingRead MoreEthics Philosophy : Ethics And Ethics Essay976 Words   |  4 PagesEthics Philosophy A personal ethics philosophy helps a person to maintain and employ good morals and values that are important in a one’s life. Understanding the importance of ethics is critical in order to consciously work to develop and effectively utilize ethics. Therefore, accepting the importance of one’s ethical philosophy will result in ethical decision-making, therefore developing the ability to put ethical theory into practice create ethical conditions albeit, personal and professional

A Brief Introduction to William Shakespeare - 2056 Words

A Brief Introduction to William Shakespeare Yet he was more original than his originals. He breathed upon dead bodies and brought them into life. Ralph Waldo Emerson William Shakespeare is the most famous writer of all time, he is the greatest poet England has ever seen, he gave the English a new sense of identity and a new language, and gave the world characters they have loved ever since. Shakespeares success as a playwright depended in part upon royal patronage, he performed his plays in front of the Queen Elizabeth I, in 1594 Shakespeare became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlains Men, one of the most popular acting companies in London, Shakespeare entered one of his most prolific periods around 1595, writing Richard II, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Nights Dream, and The Merchant of Venice. Years later, he joined others from the Lord Chamberlains Men in establishing their own theatre, The Globe. After the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603, the new king, James I, asked Shakespeares company to be his official theatre company, known as the Kings Men, during this time period, Shakespeare wrote many of his most accomplished plays about courtly power, including King Lear, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, hundreds of long poems, and 154 love sonnets, He sweepingly wrote with honesty and intimacy; for he is now considered the most performed a nd read playwright in the world. Birth The name Gulielmus Filius Johannes Shakespeare isShow MoreRelated Essay on Religion in the Works of William Shakespeare1720 Words   |  7 PagesReligion in the Works of Shakespeare       The purpose of this essay is to explore the religious nature of William Shakespeares plays. This essay covers three topics surrounding Shakespeares work: the religious climate of 16th Century England, Shakespeares upbringing (school, parents, Stratford itself), and a brief introduction into the impact his society and upbringing had upon his work.    I. THE RELIGIOUS CLIMATE OF 16TH CENTURY ENGLAND    In order to understand the religiousRead MoreHamlet, Prince of Denmark825 Words   |  4 PagesHamlet, Prince of Denmark By William Shakespeare Submitted by: Tariq Khan Dated: Monday, 24th September, 2012 Hamlet as a Tragedy by William Shakespeare 1.1. Brief Introduction to Tragedy: Greek and English: Elizabethan tragedy is traced back to Greek tragedy, since Greeks are said to have pioneered the Western knowledge, be it Science, Arts, or Humanities—not necessarily Technology. The rich contribution of Greek dramatists like Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus and AristophanesRead MoreCritical Review of Macbeth by William Shakespeare1008 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Running Head: Macbeth Critical Review of Macbeth by William Shakespeare [Aijaz Ahmed Shaikh] [Karachi University] Critical Review of Macbeth by William Shakespeare Introduction Not only is Macbeth by far the shortest of William Shakespeare’s great tragedies, but it is also anomalous in some structural respects. Like Othello (1604) and only a very few other Shakespearean plays, Macbeth is without the complications of a subplot. (Bradley, 1905) Consequently, the action moves forward in aRead More The Admirable Lieutenant in Othello1352 Words   |  6 PagesOthello, William Shakespeare’s moving tragedy, gives the audience a number of victims, one of whom is Cassio. But this rugged guy keeps recovering and coming back to enter the fray. Let’s talk about him in detail. Kenneth Muir, in the Introduction to William Shakespeare: Othello, explains the ins and outs of Cassio’s personality: Cassio is defined partly by the exigencies of the plot, which require him to have a poor head for drinking and to have a mistress; but his chivalric worship of DesdemonaRead More The Repentant Lieutenant in Othello1463 Words   |  6 PagesThe Repentant Lieutenant in Othello  Ã‚        Ã‚   Othello, a William Shakespeare classic, sees the attempted ruination of the general’s right-hand man on more than one occasion by the insidious and jealous ancient. Let’s achieve a better understanding of the lieutenant’s case in this paper.    Cassio’s biggest fall is with the Iago-schemed incident of inebriation. In The Riverside Shakespeare Frank Kermode explains the total meaning of the loss which Cassio’s drunkenness cost him:    Read MoreEssay about The Evolution of Shakespeares Henry V1621 Words   |  7 PagesThe Evolution of Shakespeares Henry V Foremost among the characters William Shakespeare develops in his series of historical plays is, undoubtedly, the character of Henry V. Henry, also at times referred to as Harry or Hal, develops through the course of four plays: Richard II, I Henry IV, II Henry IV, and Henry V. From the brief mention of Henry in Richard II to the full focus upon him in Henry V, a dramatic change clearly takes place: the playful carousing youth portrayed in the first playRead MoreShakespeare - Sonnet 116 Analysis and Interpretation887 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeare – Sonnet 116 Analysis and interpretation Sonnet 116 was written by William Shakespeare and published in 1609. William Shakespeare was an English writer and poet, and has written a lot of famous plays, amongst them Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare lived in the Elizabethan era. At that time, the literature and art was in bloom, and his works are clearly characterized by that era both as language and theme goes. A sonnet is a poem consisting of 14 lines, three quatrainsRead More Emilia, A Heroine of Shakespeares Othello Essay1305 Words   |  6 PagesA Heroine of Shakespeares Othello   Ã‚   Shakespeare, in his tragedy Othello, presents a minor character who does great things in the final act. Her character is deserving of analysis. Kenneth Muir, in the Introduction to William Shakespeare: Othello,   explains the motivation of Emilia through most of the play: Emilia’s character, too, is determined by the plot. In the source, the villain’s wife is privy to the nefarious designs. Shakespeare wisely makes her, like the other charactersRead More Gender and Social Norms in Shakespeares As You Like It Essay1670 Words   |  7 PagesLike It      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeare based his comedy As You Like It primarily on three other works.   Its plot follows the basic structure of Rosalynde, published in 1590 by Thomas Lodge.   The Tale of Gamelyn, written by an unknown author in the mid-fourteenth century, is a violent Middle English narrative that was found among Chaucers papers and provides further details for Shakespeares work.   With the Forest of Ardenne serving as an escape for our main characters, Shakespeare takes his details fromRead More Shakespeare in my World Essay1580 Words   |  7 PagesShakespeare in my World These are the forgeries of jealousy: And never, since middle summers spring, Met we on hill, in dale, forest, or mead, By paved fountain or by rushy brook, Or in the beached margent of the sea, To dance our ringlets to the whisteling wind, But with thy brawls thou hast disturbed our sport. ~ Titania A Midsummer Nights Dream 2.1 I first truly gazed upon William Shakespeare during college. I had to do a monologue of Joan of Arc from Henry VI part I. I remember

Educating Children With Learning Disabilities - 1612 Words

Educating Children with Learning Disabilities Research Compiled for Termpapermasters.com, Inc. by M. Hall 8/2009 Introduction Educators and parents sometimes have very different views on the education of their children and the best approaches to classroom process. Educational initiatives since the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has led to increasing focus on providing parents with adequate data for decision-making and promoting positive parent/teacher interactions. For children with learning disabilities, the team approach based on interactions between parents and teachers is one of the most effective in addressing student needs. Interview â€Å"Jane† is a 48 year-old special education teacher working primarily in the resource room. She has been working in special education for 25 years and stated that she has watched her role in special education change over the years. Specifically, Jane stated that the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act has defined a specific change in how she interacts with other educators and with family members. Jane stated that when she began working in Special Education in the 1980s, parents rarely felt the need to intervene. She could enter a Pupil Evaluation Team (PET) meeting, present her information about the needs of a student, have them sign off on the student’s individual education program (IEP) plan and never hear from them again until they appeared for the next PET meeting. Increasingly, though,Show MoreRelatedEducating Children With Learning Disabilities And Needs1207 Words   |  5 Pagesknowledge, skill, and disposition to address the needs o f young children. Teachers asses children because it provides them needed information to help children with learning disabilities and needs. Assessment also gives teachers a more guided approach to teaching that is fitted to each child individually. The purpose of assessing young children is not merely to learn about children, but uncover and plan for their individual learning styles, behaviors, weaknesses, skills, and personalities. Teacher’sRead MoreMainstreaming Of Children With Disabilities1286 Words   |  6 PagesMainstreaming of Children with Disabilities One of the most important factors in a well, social functioning child with a disability is education. Proper education will offer a child the opportunity to be successful on a higher level than a child without an education. When a child enters the school system they are entering in an environment that is unfamiliar and challenging. Children with physical disabilities and lack of full cognitive reasoning, sense their differences around other children. AccordingRead MoreEducating Special Needs Students Essay1347 Words   |  6 PagesEDUCATING SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS Educating Special Needs Students Katy J. Kaldenberg Grand Canyon University: SPE-226 Educating the Exceptional Learner Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Educating Special Needs Students It can be a difficult task to teach the typical child who has the ability to grasp concepts effectively. The task of teaching children with disabilities can be even more challenging. One of the most challenging tasks that a teacher today may have to preform is effectivelyRead MoreHistory of Special Education1539 Words   |  7 Pages526 ABSTRACT Individuals with disabilities have the same passion, drive, determination and ambitions of traditional students. Students living with disabilities are just as capable of learning and retaining information just like traditional students in the classroom. In today’s society, there are an abundance of laws and regulations that are in place to protect and educate individuals with disabilities. However, the idea of educating individuals with disabilities was not always a positive and fairRead MoreEffective Methods For Accommodating Students With Disabilities Essay1479 Words   |  6 PagesResearch Question: What are effective methods for accommodating students’ with disabilities in inclusive settings in elementary schools? Preface The right to equal education should be in reach of all students’ regardless of their educational needs and backgrounds. The barriers that students’ with disabilities face are evident in today’s public school education. We as educators sometimes ignore the capabilities of some of our disabled students’ and impede them from achieving their fullest potentialRead MoreEquality Diversity Inclusion1538 Words   |  7 Pagesbeing a part of what everyone is, being welcomed and embraced as a member who belongs. In other words, to make others feel included. Inclusion is supporting and educating children with learning difficulties and disabilities in classrooms with children without these problems. It allows students with learning difficulties and disabilities to be educated in age-appropriate classes in their home schools along with their friends and neighbours. Whilst receiving specially designed instruction and supportRead MoreEducating The Mind Without Educating Our Heart Is No Education At All1507 Words   |  7 Pages‘Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.’(Aristotle). This quote stood out to me as I feel it is absolutely crucial in order to learn; this quote also supports Maslow’s Hierarchy as it suggests there is more to learning then having a pedagogy. My first theme for my learning journal will be to demonstrate an appreciation to the lifelong learning; in order to do this is will reflect on my own personal learning journey and to discuss different types of learning. The sec ondRead MoreReflection on Learning Disabilities723 Words   |  3 PagesLearning Disabilities I believe that of the millions of young children who are diagnosed with a learning disability, only a few receive the full scope of assistance that they need in order to grow and succeed. Despite the advances our society has made when it comes to special education and offering resources to special needs children, I still believe that society is falling short of operating at its greatest potential to aid those with learning disabilities. I also feel that our culture devaluesRead More Learning Disabilities: ADHD Essay1709 Words   |  7 PagesLearning Disabilities: ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can affect any person’s behavior and way of life. In their book, Special Education, J.Ysseldyke and B. Algozzine state that no area has experienced as much growth as learning disabilities. It is by far the largest of all special education categories. Enormous changes in the last century have changed the way society treats children with disabilities. Psychologist William Lee Heward affirms that in theRead MoreEssay about Special Needs Education999 Words   |  4 PagesOne of the most controversial issues facing educators today is the topic of educating students with disabilities, specifically through the concept of inclusion. Inclusion is defined as having every student be a part of the classroom all working together no matter if the child has a learning disability or not (Farmer) (Inclusion: Where We’ve Been.., 2005, para. 5). The mentally retarded population has both a low IQ and the inability to perf orm everyday functions. Activities such as eating, dressing

Daoism Paper - 669 Words

Daoism Paper Daoism is a philosophical theory developed by Lao-tzu advocating a simple honest life and noninterference with the course of natural events. There are some images that come to mind when one thinks of Daoism, such as simplicity, nature, and harmony. When I think of Daoism I think of Winnie the pooh, Ying Yang, and the painting of the 3 sages. These images are the epitome of Daoism, and replicates what Daoism is all about. Ying Yang is a universal symbol of harmony. Ying Yang is also a simplistic design that represents Daoism, and its harmonious and simplistic ideas. Ying is dark and Yang is light, they are opposites of each other and together they are harmonious. Within the black there is a white dot and within the white†¦show more content†¦Each one has dipped his finger into the vinegar and tasted it. The expression on each mans face shows his individual reaction. Since the painting is symbolic, we are to understand that these are no ordinary vinegar tasters, but are inste ad representatives of the Three Teachings of China, and that the vinegar they are sampling represents the Essence of Life. The three masters are Confucius, Buddha, and Lao-tzu . To Confucius, life seemed rather sour. With government by man as harmony to him, all the knowledge of rules made life sour to Confucius. To Buddha , life on earth was bitter, filled with attachments and desires that led to suffering. He believed human suffering was a part of life. To Lao-tzu, life is sweet so no matter how sour something is it is still sweet. As he stated in his Tao Virtue Book, earth was in essence a reflection of heaven and is ran by the same laws, and not by the laws of men. These laws affected everything that exists in nature. According to Lao Zi, the more man interfered with the natural balance produced, the further away from harmony you will be. The more complex you make it the harder it gets. Everything had its own nature already within it, which could not be violated without caus ing difficulties. When overcomplicated and arbitrary rules were forced from the outside, struggle was inevitable. This painting shows the blissful simplicity that Daoism believes in. Through these images Daoism is presented inShow MoreRelatedJainism And Daoism On Religion Essay1420 Words   |  6 PagesJainism and Daoism Introduction The world is full of diversities which are mostly characterised by the geographical disparities. These diversities range from the way people interact with one another socially, economically and politically. Through the lens of social organization, religion stands out to be one of the major aspects of human life. Everybody has some element of religiousness in him. Fortunately or unfortunately, often people adapt to the religious partners they find at the place of theirRead MoreRelationship between Daoism Confucianism864 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Ethan Martinez Rel1300 Dr. Benjamin Murphy October 21, 2013 Relationship Between Daoism Confucianism History has shown us, that Daoism and Confucianism have many things in common as well as many differences, let me start with what is Daoism and Confucianism. Daoism is also known as Taoism, is a religious tradition originated from China in the 550 B.C.E, it was founded by Lao Tzu, a great philosopher and the author of the â€Å"Dao De Jing† .The â€Å"Dao De Jing† or â€Å"Tao Te Ching† is a Chinese textRead More Daoism: A Journey Essay1162 Words   |  5 PagesBy traditional accounts, Daoism, or Taoism as it is also known, was founded during the sixth century BCE in China under the influence of the legendary philosopher Lao Tzu and the Tao Teh Ching (Coogan 222), but, as with every religion, this origin has been questioned (Jurji 24). The validity of Lao Tzu has been brought into question, and many believe the Tao Teh Ching is actually the work of several authors in one compilation of ideas thought well before the sixth century or even fourth centuryRead More The Daoist Philosophy Of Life977 Words   |  4 Pages Philosophical Daoism Isabel Dominguez King s University College The Dao de Jing is a collection of ancient Chinese texts which describe the Daoist philosophy of life. According to tradition, these texts date back to around the 6th-5th centuries BCE (Daoism 1, pg. 5). However, very little is known about the author who is simply referred to as Laozi (Daoism 1, pg. 4). The exact publication of these texts is also debated (Daoism 1, pg. 4). The Dao de Jing became an importantRead MoreSimilarities Between Confucianism And Confucianism893 Words   |  4 Pages For centuries, Eastern religions and philosophies of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism Daoism have been practiced by millions. Three similarities distinguishable by all four practices is the focus and teachings of virtuous humanistic practices, compassion and respect for the world around us. Although, similar in intentions each system carries unique attributes. In 1027 BCE after the rebel tribe, Zhou overthrew the Shang dynasty a time of cultural sophistication, and philosophical achievementRead MoreConfucianism : Confucianism And Confucianism1131 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to Russell Kirkland and the Daoism Handbook, â€Å"among many world religions, Daoism is the most incompletely understood religion †. Referred to as Daoism or Taoism, it is to be understood that most of the basic facts are unclear, nor understood properly . This paper will clearly define the religion of Daoism/Taoism. It will point out how it is practiced, where it is practiced and the basic facts that are necessary to build a picture of what Daoism/Taoism is. Taoism is an ancient religionRead MoreHappiness State of Mind1180 Words   |  5 Pagesnot the way per se. The Daoism literature on human life and the end of it, suggest that Daoists are interested in, and have been on a continuous quest for immortality. Daoism, like other ancient Asian traditions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, offer a way out of cyclical human existence in a practice known as asceticism. However, the motivations and the methodology behind asceticism vary greatly in each of these Asian traditions in the East. The main focus of this paper is on asceticism as it isRead MoreEssay on The Daoism and the Confucianism in Han Dynasty1623 Words   |  7 PagesThe Daoism and the Confucianism in Han Dynasty Yang Yu History 135: Imperial Chinese History Professor: Robert J. Culp Paper I March 4th, 2011 The Daoism and the Confucianism in Han Dynasty As the dominant philosophical school for around two thousand years in Chinese imperial history, Confucianism is always regarded as the most representative ideology of China, associated with numerous books, poems, artworks and stories that glorify Confucianism’s permeation into every corner of ChineseRead MoreThe Unification Of China And Han Dynasty873 Words   |  4 Pagesthought is Daoism. Daoists were the most prominent critics of confucian activism. According to tradition, Laozi was the founder of Daoism. The most important Daoist work was the Zhuangzi named after its author, philosopher Zhuangzi. The central concept of Daoism is â€Å"the way† or â€Å"the way of nature†. The doctrine of Wuwei required that individuals refrain from advanced education. He recommended that individuals should live simply and in harmony with nature. there were political implications of Daoism. ByRead MoreThe Discipline of Chinese Painting: An Internal Reflection of Life Art1 548 Words   |  7 Pagesone must attain internal discipline. This was required before one began mastering their brushwork in Chinese culture. In Mai Mai Sze’s â€Å"The Way of Chinese Painting,† 1959, New York: Vintage Books, Random House, Sze discusses the philosophy known as Daoism/Tao, or â€Å"the way.† Before one became a skilled painter, one trained in the personal disciplines of poetry, art, calligraphy, and internal reflection/achievement. Only after reaching this internal state of tranquility between brushstrokes and idea

Holidays and Ideal Vacation Free Essays

My ideal vacation would have to star with the weather being nice and warm. The place I would like my ideal vacation to be on a sandy beach with no parents to be annoying and boss me around. I would take a couple of my really good friends that I hang out with all the time. We will write a custom essay sample on Holidays and Ideal Vacation or any similar topic only for you Order Now It wouldn’t have to plan anything on this trip or have to book anything it would all be ready to go. The food and everything we need would not cost a penny. The hotel we would be staying at would be a five star resort and the best around. We would have the best room in the whole hotel and it was be amazing. In our room would be an indoor pool to begin with. The hotel room would be the size of a house and it would have flat screen televisions, cable, laptops, and high-speed internet and a hot tub in every bathroom. There would be a huge kitchen so we could cook and it would be stocked with all the great food we like. Next, to our huge room would be a spa that is open to us all day and night. That day we could go to it whenever we wanted. The spa people would treat us like royalty and they would wait on my friends and I hand and foot. We would go to the beach and tan and relax because it only allows my friends and I. The beach also would have a huge snack bar and board walk. The second floor of our hotel would have a huge mall with lots of cool stores that we like. We would be able to get any shoes, clothes, and anything else we wanted for free. We would stay as long as we want and do whatever we want and have no rule. That is what my ideal vacation would be and yes it will never happen. My ideal vacation was to explore, and see Alaska’s greatness, for the first time. The glaciers are real floating pieces of ice, the mountains are majestic, and the ocean is ice deep dark blue. There are waterfalls, and don’t miss the much talked about Northern Lights. There is also a lot of preserved undomesticated land with wild horses and habitat. Nothing could be further from the truth when you think of all the things people say about it coming true. Everything is wondrous; the air is very fresh. You can’t help but absorb the mountain fresh air through your body. Stepping into Alaska is like stepping into an internal spa unit. All great vibes surround you. Now that’s a worthy vacation to me, one where you feel the difference inside and out. What makes these things so great is that they are a permanent fixture of this earth. There is beauty enough to last through one’s life. The glaciers and mountains will last longer than any brick building or house. When I was in the eighth grade, I remember walking to school during the winter, and it was so cold I developed icicles on my eyelashes. It was not cold enough for the schools to close. And snowshoes were not needed because I walked on a path, but having actual icicles on my eyelashes was more fun than having a snowball fight, and cool. The impact of that great vast land of preservation on my life is permanent. Once you see it, you will always remember how big that bear or moose was you saw, or how blue that ice was the glacier was made out of. Sometimes when I’m in the city I still confuse the tall buildings with what I thought was a mountain. And when you compare city life to terrain life, it’s very similar. The obstacles are the survivals of mother earth, instead of products of mankind. One of my favorite family traditions is summer vacation. Every summer without fail we go on vacation. For the past ten years we have been going to Disney World with our family friends the Battaglia’s, so it has turned into a tradition up until last summer when we broke our florida adventure to go to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We have been going on vacation with the Battaglia’s for so long for a very good reason. It is because everyone gets along. My mom, Mr. Battaglia and Mrs. Battaglia are very good friends. Ronnie Battaglia, who is 19, is my best friend and we get along great. My sister Katie, 16, and Beth Battaglia, 18, also get along very well. This works out great because we are all old enough to go out and do our own thing without getting the parents too much involved. Since most of the fun things to do are located right near the hotels we stay at we rarely need to ask them for a ride anywhere, so everyone gets there way and it turns into a great vacation for all of us. We have been going to Disney World together for as long as I can remember. We know the place inside and out. Where all the best rides are, which park is the best, it even got so bad that we knew what time the lines for each ride was shortest. Disney World always comes out with some kind of new ride or show each year so that is what mostly kept us continuing to come back year after year. On day though while we were planning our next trip we decided it was time for a change of pace. We thought that Myrtle Beach, South Carolina would be a nice place to visit. My mom had already ventured down there with a friend and new that everyone would enjoy it. So we went down there last summer and it was a big transition for all of us. it was more of an adult vacation which was good because we were getting a little too old for Disney World. At first no one was too fond of it, but then after visiting many places such as the boardwalk, golf, and clubs we all began to enjoy it a little more. In conclusion, I found that traditions don’t always have to stay the same. We changed things up a bit and it might be for the better. Who knows, Myrtle Beach could be a new vacation spot for us and a new tradition in the making. How I Spent My Summer Vacation My boyfriend, Greg and I felt it would be a great opportunity to spend some quality time with our friends. We were going on a three day camping trip with long time friends, another couple, Chris and Heather. Chris is the go-with-the-flow type of guy but only if Heather allows him to do so. Heather  is a very kind person who looks out for others. She just crosses that line of being concerned to being motherlike. See we spend a lot of time with them, but it’s like other people’s children, you can  go home  and leave them, this time we couldn’t. You maybe asking yourself why would we decide to go camping with such people . . . I just don’t know. This question would overwhelm Greg and me for the next two weeks while planning this getaway. Greg looked more pessimistically at the trip then I did. I thought if you go looking for a bad time, the only outcome will be a bad time. Realizing that we could be each other’s only sanity from Heather’s overpowering behavior and Chris’s childlike mind, we made up little cues to give each other if we needed to getaway. We stocked up on interesting reading material to get lost in and relaxing  alcoholic beverages  to take off the edge. We packed up the trucks and we were off. Chris’s friend from work recommended the campsite so we decided to follow him since he had the directions. We traveled up interstate 84 east bound over the Newburgh Beacon Bridge and made our way to the State Taconic Parkway. Now, this is where Greg and I looked at each other in agreement that the trip was going to go only down hill from there, the parkway that we had gotten ourselves onto by following Chris was for passenger cars only. We both had commercial trucks. About fifteen minutes on the highway we passed a State Trooper, thank God he didn’t budge from where he was sitting. Through that hour on the parkway we must have passed four Troopers, none of whom pulled us over. Finally, and I mean finally, we arrived two and a half hours later at our campsite. All four of us got out of the trucks to observe where we were going to spend the next three days with each other, Greg and I actually found some humor with our surroundings. We were roughly twenty steps from the bathrooms and ten steps from our neighbors. We knew it couldn’t possibly get any worse until we heard the BANG of the bathroom door. I guess the camp people wanted to make sure the door would close properly to it’s full closer, a spring used to shut the volt door at a bank was used to shut this simple hollow wooden door. With the startling noise of the door our neighbor let out several YEE-HAWS to his full capacity. With our minds made up that we were doomed, we applied our bug spray and set up camp. Chris was predetermined to create the largest campfire at the grounds. Greg said it is because he’s a pyro. So with the evening closing in, Chris sparks up a fire with a flare no less. Maybe he was just biding his time but I’ve gotten a larger fire on my grill at home. Either way he was happy, Heather allowed him to play before he had to go to bed. Shortly after Chris got his pyro like tendencies out our neighbor decides to do the same. Tex, as we all agreed on calling him because of his big white cowboy hat, threw a fourteen-foot log and a couple bushes in a pile and to create his masterpiece. Watching him light it with gasoline Chris’s manlyhood was on the line, Tex’s fire was blazing. I’m sure you figured it right, Chris added more wood doing nothing but smothering it. On that note we decided to head to our tents and go to sleep. Did I say sleep? We wanted to sleep but Tex seemed to have a snoring problem. Chris and Heather slept right through it, Greg and I on the other hand didn’t. We actually found it funny. We couldn’t believe how Mrs. Tex slept with that but I guess she was used to it. We finally made it to sleep around three or so to be woken up by the crashing of the door and Yee-haws by our loud friend Tex. We got up and had our necessary dosage of coffee. It surprisingly was a relaxing day of no required energy. I found the greatest chuckle in Greg’s experience of taking a shower. He told me in the most serious voice how he has never felt so violated. The showers were small, very dirty and overly populated. That second and last night I think is the most vivid to me of the entire time. Earlier a middle-aged woman, by herself, set up camp, well her chair at the site next to us behind Tex. We didn’t pay much attention to her all day. Night drew in and cries played with his fir, Greg sat back and laughed and Heather and I cleaned up from our chicken dinner. From our lights at the campsite we could see the lonely lady sitting by herself in the dark. Chris, being told by Heather, went over to offer the woman a lantern and interrupted her. She was crying hysterically. Little did we know from that moment on she would not leave us alone until midmorning. We all found out a lot more about this stranger then I think we knew about each other. Her name was Kim. She was crying because she just experienced a serious heartbreak after five years. We became very aware of her stalking potential by the way she explained how her heart got broken. A cup, which she brought to our site, was soon to be believed as full of alcohol. She was sloshed, repeating everything. I lost count of the times she told us of her breakup, her children, her job, her breakup and her job. She also seemed to take to Greg very well; you could tell she liked him. I thought it was quite humorous since she could have been his mother. So since you have a basic understanding of what I did this summer I’ll close on this, gather more information on where you will be staying if you choose to go away with friends, find the humor in the people like Tex he could be better company then middle-aged drunken women named Kim. MY BEST VACATION. Today, I would like to tell you about my best vacation. A few summers ago, my sister, her  colleagues and me took a vacation to Nha Trang for  5 days. As you know, vacation was special days! We visitted many well-known places such as: Vinpeal Land, Hon Tam Island, Diamond Bay, Thap Ba Pagoda,†¦ and so on. On the way riding in the cable car  to go to Vinpeal Land,  we saw  several jelly fish in the very blue water. It  is the first time I have ever seen an  extremely  beautiful view like that,  so I  felt very  interested and relaxed. We stayed there all day to play games,  visit the aquarium, take photographs;  we spent another day  diving into the sea to view the colorful coral. At the moment I  felt  anxious  because I couldn’t swim, but when I saw the coral, its beauty made me forgot all things. In the next day, I  took a boat for somewhere that I don’t know to eat seafood such as: fish, cattle fish,  shrimp†¦ The food  was so fresh and delicious. At night, we rent bicycle to ride along the seacoast. It was so romantic journey. After we utterly exhausted, we dropped in shift  shop where we ate lobster, grilled meat roll and drank sugar-cane juice†¦ The last day before came back home, we went to the market to buy  specialties and souvenirs for our family and friends. Although  I got sick after the vacation but I felt so happy from my heart. I love my vacation so much. How to cite Holidays and Ideal Vacation, Papers

Organic and Biodynamic forms of Agriculture Ecological basis

Question: Discuss about The Philosophical and Ecological Basis of both Organic and Biodynamic forms of Agriculture. Answer: Topic: The Philosophical and Ecological Basis of Organic and Biodynamic Agriculture Philosophical and Ecological principles govern the production of food and other agricultural yields, which, is being produced organically or bio-dynamically. On a broader podium, organic and biodynamic agriculture retains the physical as well as the biological attribute of the soil by improving the biological interactions that exist in the soil with microorganisms (Chalker-Scott, 2013). The main concern of these two types of agricultural practices is concentrated on striking a balance with the ecology. It involves improving the soil quality, dealing with the pest and disease oriented problems. Application of methods such as crop rotation, symbiotic relation, application of organic manure and biological means of pest control are applied to these types of agriculture (Staudenmaier, 2013). The philosophy between these agricultural practices is similar, to establish a healthy interaction between human and environment because these two systems are interconnected. Any damage inflicted upon the environment will ultimately lead to damaging mankind. Humans cannot walk unscathed by carrying out a one sided deal with nature (Olsen, 2014). The philosophy behind these two types of agricultural practices is the co-existence of all sorts of biological entities with nature. The philosophical and ecological contexts have been discussed keeping in mind the working principles of the two agricultural practices. A brief insight into the basics has been stated along with the standards that are practiced to maintain their individual sustainability. The self-sustaining nature of both the types of agricultural practices has been explored. Sustainability is an attribute, which is imparted to all sorts of concepts such as success, development, and to several others (Boudreau, 2013). The idea of sustainability is to be able to support the present as well as the future progeny in a comfortable way. Agriculture too has a sustainable aspect. In terms of ecology, sustainable agriculture helps in protecting the health and welfare of the humans as well as the environment (Stein-Bachinger Fuchs, 2012). Industrial approach towards agriculture has rendered the agricultural lands barren due to over cropping. Due to excessive use of harmful pesticides and insecticides, the soil has become toxic for the crops to grow as well as made the pests resistant towards these chemicals (Arbenz et al., 2015). Not only the pests and plant pathogens, but also the weeds have become resistant towards the weedicides due to frequent application. On the face of global crisis of food, barren lands are a matter of great concern. To avoid such a situat ion, sustainable agricultural practices should be followed to restore the fertility of the soil. There are several methods that exists for carrying out sustainable agricultural, for example, organic farming, biodynamic farming, permaculture (Sandhu, Porter Wratten, 2013). The two commonly known types of sustainable agriculture has been described as, namely, organic agriculture and biodynamic agriculture. Organic agriculture involves a holistic approach to carry out farming without the application of harmful chemicals present in the fertilizers (Altieri, 2016). Sir Albert Howard (1943) has facilitated in coining the term organic agriculture (Reganold Wachter, 2016). He had boiled down to the idea by discussing the means of recycling sewage and agricultural wastes to harness it in preparing organic manure. Organic agriculture specifically involves the usage of sustainable form of energy source such as solar and wind, application of crop rotation and green manure, utilization of mineral-based rocks in the field and planting legumes (Storl, 2013). Unlike conventional method of farming, the use of pesticides is restricted in organic agriculture. The organic agriculturalists mainly concentrate on drawing a strategy that will involve healthy options of farming such as intelligent management of pest control and weed control. Other than these, this type of agricultural aids in retaining the soil moisture too which, is very helpful for drought prone areas, and it also helps in preventing soil erosion which in return aids in retaining the nutrient content of the soil (Koepf, 2005). Application of IPT (Integrated Pest Management) proves to be an efficient technology for facilitating organic agriculture. IPT comprises of applying physical, chemical and mechanical methods to combat the problem of pests and weeds. Uses of traps, physical repellants such as oils and microbial solutions that are insecticidal in nature are involved in IPT (Leifeld et al., 2013). The philosophical foundation behind organic agricultural practice is inspired from the preservation of the ecology. It is motivated by the philosophy that solely biological processes will be involved in the agricultural practice. Organic agriculture helps in promoting the biodiversity (Tuck et al., 2014). Reports have shown that the diversity of species at organic farms was observed to be higher as the chemical free environment promoted a healthier biome. Organic agriculture has a negligible effect on global warming and it reduces environmental pollution too. When harmful chemicals as pesticides are applied to the soil, the plants uptake the chemicals and leads to bioaccumulation of the chemicals in the leaves and fruits. During rains, the chemicals are washed off into the field run-offs, which fall into a bigger water body such as the rivers or canals or even lakes at times. This leads to the process of eutrophication where the fishes also accumulate the chemicals in their body, whi ch is further consumed by humans (Tuomisto et al., 2012). This entire process can be avoided on practicing of organic agriculture. A healthy option of agriculture is also established in organic agriculture when the livestock is allowed to graze outside and not incorporated with antibiotics or artificial hormones. The idea of genetic engineering of plants is also discouraged in organic agriculture (Andersen et al., 2015, Altieri, 2016). If care is not taken, there will hardly be anything left for the future progeny to experience and explore. The ecological basis of organic agricultural practice is contingent on the recycling of wastes and economic utilization of resources. The core of organic agriculture revolves around the concept of presence of organic carbon in the soil. The main contributor to the soil carbon is the leguminous plants (Gattinger et al., 2012). They have root nodules, which houses microorganisms that facilitate nitrogen fixing in the soil, providing the crops with the necessary nutrition. Hence, organic agriculture contributes to the sequestration of the carbon in the soil. This step has proved to be advantageous from the point of view of helping to curb the excessive production of carbon dioxide, which, is normally observed in conventional agricultural practices (Sale et al., 2015). Sustainable aspect of organic agriculture is dependent on several practices of organic agriculture, first, application of conservational measures involving water, usage of crop rotation, the mulches are employed to plants and lastly, zero application of tillage so that the soil level is not perturbed. Secondly, sustainable organic agriculture can be practiced by being concerned about the well-being of the biological entities of the soil, by applying manures as well as composts (Nowak Szewczyk, 2015). Thirdly, recycling of nutrients leads to effective practicing of sustainable organic agriculture. Recycling of nutrients include rotation of crops, establishing mixed systems by involving crops or livestock, usage of leguminous plants to retain the nutrients in the soil and the usage of trees in the cultivation of crops. Fourthly, sustainable organic agriculture can be followed by managing the habitats by introducing biologically affable pest control measures, which effectively deals wi th the pests without harming the soil biome (Bedoussac et al., 2015). By following these measures, the soil can be made resilient. It can counter the effect of droughts or floods. Organic agricultural practices help in the retention of moisture and this helps the crops to grow during drought. Whereas, crops are not washed off during floods as the soil act as sponge like properties and it aids in absorbing water and as a result helps in the reduction of the water level. Biodynamic agriculture works based on the principle that the farm en bloc is treated as a single biological entity, which is managed with a holistic approach. Rudolph Steiner was responsible for highlighting the principles of biodynamic agriculture (Giannattasia et al., 2013). Biodynamic agriculture is dedicated in promoting ecology, economic and as well as human health by practicing a responsive agricultural practice in a social context. It is basically an advanced form of organic farming. Foods grown with the help of biodynamic agriculture possess a higher nutrient quotient. The application of GM (Genetically Modified) crops is restricted in biodynamic agriculture and this is a common aspect of agricultural practice for both organic as well as biodynamic agriculture (Ponzio, Gangatharan Neri, 2013). The Demeter system of certification was introduced to label foods that have been purely procured out of biodynamic agriculture. A dwindling forest cover and loss of biodiversity at an alarming rate should be a matter of concern for everyone. The ecological basis of biodynamic agriculture is dependent on several principles, namely, system involving the incorporation of livestock and crop, principles applied in the application of pesticides and fertilization concerns, implications in respect to the society, usage and respect adhered to the landscape, cosmic sequence and biodynamic provisions. The principle of incorporation of livestock and crop involves the formulation of a nutrient cycle, which is independent of the external parameters. The application of nitrogen based fertilizers is restricted in biodynamic agriculture. In biodynamic agriculture livestock are believed to have souls so they are treated fair and square by avoiding the incorporation of antibiotics and growth hormones (Smith, 2015). They are never bred in isolation and dehorning is prohibited too. In biodynamic based farms, crops are grown along with plants that help in contributing to the enhancement of the biodiversity of the region. The principle regarding application of pesticides and fertilization concerns involves techniques such as rotation of crops and cover cropping to retain the inherent nutrient of the soil. Crop rotation prevents the uptake of same type of minerals from the soil by the plants (Paull, 2014). Growing a different crop in intervals helps in replenishing the nutrient level in the soil. Cover cropping prevents the loss of soil by wind erosion. Growth of legumes is necessary for biodynamic agriculturalists. It helps in fixing nitrogen in the soil with the help of nitrogen fixing microorganisms inhabiting the root nodules of the legumes. The principle of implications in respect to the society involves practicing farming with a holistic approach where along with crops; the surrounding lands well being is taken into consideration (Paull, 2013). The principle of implications in respect to the society involves everybody who lives in and around the area where biodynamic agriculture is practiced so that an all round upliftment of the community takes place (Pechrov Vlasicov, 2013). The principle of cosmic sequence involves following the patterns of the moon cycle as well as the phases of the moon. To practice agriculture, a calendar is followed and based on that cultivation; harvesting, and several other farming practices are carried out. Biodynamic agricultural practices triumph over conventional agricultural practices as well as industrialized organic agriculture (Paull, 2013). The cycles of moon are evident in having an effect on the seas and the oceans. This concept is applied by the biodynamic agriculturalists by following the waning and waxing patterns of the moon to practice agriculture. The principle of biodynamic provisions involves the application of the originally composed eight different kinds of preparation that enhances the growth of the plant when incorporated in the soil. Different types of composts and manures composition was designed by Steiner ranging from 500-508 respectively (Steiner, 1993). The philosophical foundation associated with practicing biodynamic agriculture involves a contribution to nature with the help of practices that are sacred and involve agricultural practices that takes into account the well-being of the nature, human health and welfare. It has a religious approach towards agriculture. Steiner had explained biodynamic agriculture to be responsible in encompassing all aspects of farming involving the wellbeing of the animals and farmers involved as well as nature (Smith Barqun, 2016). He has laid main emphasis on the idea of metaphysics which lay stress on the concept that biodynamic agriculture is based on the application of forces that exist but cannot be perceived. It has a philosophical approach towards agriculture. Biodynamic agriculture requires the farmer to spare 10% of his land for allowing the natural biodiversity of the area to flourish (Perumal Vatsala, 2013). A large number of farmers are joining the league of practicing biodynamic agric ulture as they are slowly becoming aware of the damaging effect of conventional agricultural practice. Biodynamic agriculture helps in adding a spiritual facet to the agricultural practice where science and technology takes a back seat. The philosophy that also lay behind biodynamic agriculture relates to the ignorance of man regarding the implications his actions may befall on the environment (Damery, 2015). This attitude renders harm to the environment. By practicing biodynamic farming, the adverse effects of industrialized farming can be avoided. The ignorance is evident in the form of usage of GM based seeds. There is hardly a prior knowledge of the implication these GM crops can have on the human system (Gidley, 2012). GM crops are synthesized in the laboratory where their genetic make-up is tweaked with the help of genetic engineering and thorough study needs to be carried out to determine the extent of effect it can have on the body. The sustainable aspect of biodynamic agriculture pertains to the idea that agriculture practiced in a particular area is not dependent on any external source (Parpinello et al., 2015). It runs on the resources available in that area itself. It renders the farm as a self-sustaining body. The sustainability is also added to dynamic agriculture with the help of the eight different techniques as described by Steiner to increase the growth of the plant by enriching the soil with nutrients. Like the different fossil fuel resources, which are becoming endangered in an accelerated fashion, soil as a resource has also joined the list. The sustainability factor is enhanced on the application of biodynamic agriculture as the quality of soil is highly improved and this leads to imparting better fertility (Botelho et al., 2015). Better fertility is equivalent to greater produce. The microbial population of the soil determines the quality of the soil. The higher organic content of the soil also pr oves a greater sustainability limit for areas subjected to biodynamic agriculture. The price of produce from organic agriculture is comparatively higher that the ones produced with the help of conventional agricultural practice (Penfold et al., 2015). This was the main reason why it took so long for the organic produce to gain popularity among the consumers. However, the introductory dip has been overcome mostly due to the surge in the ecological, philosophical as well as the social concern related to the organic movement. Dynamic agriculture provides with an economic system in comparison with the industrial agricultural techniques because dynamic agriculture takes into account the well being of the environment as well as the human (Altieri, 2016). Industrial agricultural practice leads to loss of large extent of lands and the environment being heavily polluted due to the conventional methods of farming. The efficiency is also very low for a conventional farm as compared to an organic farm. Other than this aspect, farmers have faced difficulty in applying the techn iques shortlisted in organic agriculture and forms part of the biodynamic agriculture (Crittenden et al., 2014). They require proper training and resources to carry out these types of agriculture. These agricultural types are not economic in the face of production and the failure rates are considerably high. The yields are also considerably low as compared to the conventional agricultural practices (Batary et al., 2013). The only benefit is that, the nutrition aspect remains same and the health quotient seems to be uplifted as they avoid the usage of harmful chemicals. The ecological and philosophical basis of organic and biodynamic agriculture provides us with a window into the world of agriculture that is dedicated in retaining the inherent properties of the soil. These two agricultural practices aid to maintain the nutrient level of the soil by promoting the growth of the soil micro-flora. These kinds of practices protect the top soil cover by preventing them from being eroded. The crops that are being produced from these agricultural fields is high in nutrition as well as high on the health quotient too. Since these agricultural practices do not entertain the usage of harmful chemicals present in the pesticides, the crops are safe to consume as they are devoid of any accumulated chemicals in their leaves or root tips or in fact in the fruit or grain itself. The farmers should further sustainable agricultural practices as the shortage of food is felt globally. The environment has to be stopped from being degraded any further. Bioremediation tech niques need to be applied to the agricultural fields to revert its original condition. The biological method is preferred as their side effects are next to none. A conglomerated effort from agriculturalists across the globe can help revert back the degradation of soil that has set in. As a result it will also indirectly contribute, to remediate the environment too and lessen the extent of water pollution led by agricultural run offs. The lessened use of fossil fuel based resources in farming will also help the cause of environment friendly approach of sustainable agricultural methods. The commercial perquisites are minimal in this case, but the perks associated in the long run should motivate more farmers to embrace these types of sustainable agricultural practices. All these measures are taken in order to create a healthy relationship with the nature rather than violating its resources . References Altieri, M. A. (2016). Agroecological principles for sustainable agriculture.Uphoff, N., ed. 2002. Agroecological Innovations: Increasing Food Production with Participatory Development, 40-46. Sterling, Va.: Earthscan Publications. Andersen, M. M., Landes, X., Xiang, W., Anyshchenko, A., Falhof, J., sterberg, J. T., ... Sande, P. (2015). Feasibility of new breeding techniques for organic farming. Trends in plant science, 20(7), 426-434. Arbenz, M., Willer, H., Lernoud, J., Huber, B., Amarjit, S. (2015). The World of Organic AgricultureStatistics and Emerging Trends (Session at the BIOFACH 2015). Batry, P., Sutcliffe, L., Dormann, C. F., Tscharntke, T. (2013). Organic farming favours insect-pollinated over non-insect pollinated forbs in meadows and wheat fields. PloS one, 8(1), e54818. Bedoussac, L., Journet, E. P., Hauggaard-Nielsen, H., Naudin, C., Corre-Hellou, G., Jensen, E. S., ... Justes, E. (2015). Ecological principles underlying the increase of productivity achieved by cereal-grain legume intercrops in organic farming. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 35(3), 911-935. Botelho, R. V., Roberti, R., Tessarin, P., Garcia-Mina, J. M., Rombol, A. D. (2015). Physiological responses of grapevines to biodynamic management. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 1-12. Boudreau, M. A. (2013). Diseases in intercropping systems.Annual review of phytopathology,51, 499-519. Chalker-Scott, L. (2013). The Science Behind Biodynamic Preparations: A Literature Review.HortTechnology,23(6), 814-819. Crittenden, S. J., Eswaramurthy, T., De Goede, R. G. M., Brussaard, L., Pulleman, M. M. (2014). Effect of tillage on earthworms over short-and medium-term in conventional and organic farming. Applied Soil Ecology, 83, 140-148. Damery, P. (2014). Farming soul: A tale of initiation. BookBaby. Gattinger, A., Muller, A., Haeni, M., Skinner, C., Fliessbach, A., Buchmann, N., ... Niggli, U. (2012). Enhanced top soil carbon stocks under organic farming. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(44), 18226-18231. Giannattasio, M., Vendramin, E., Fornasier, F., Alberghini, S., Zanardo, M., Stellin, F., ... Rizzi, V. (2013). Microbiological features and bioactivity of a fermented manure product (preparation 500) used in biodynamic agriculture. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology, 23(5), 644-651. Gidley, J. M. (2012). Steiner, Rudolf (18611925). In Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning (pp. 3188-3191). Springer US. Koepf, H. H. (2005).The biodynamic farm. SteinerBooks. Leifeld, J., Angers, D. A., Chenu, C., Fuhrer, J., Ktterer, T., Powlson, D. S. (2013). Organic farming gives no climate change benefit through soil carbon sequestration. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(11), E984-E984. Nowak, M. M., Szewczyk, Z. (2015. Organic Farming as an Innovative Product Supplier for the Food Industry. Roczniki Naukowe Stowarzyszenia Ekonomistw Rolnictwa i Agrobiznesu, 17(3). Olsen, E. K. (2014). Biodynamic Agriculture: A Valuable Alternative to the Industrial Farming System. Parpinello, G. P., Rombol, A. D., Simoni, M., Versari, A. (2015). Chemical and sensory characterisation of Sangiovese red wines: comparison between biodynamic and organic management. Food chemistry, 167, 145-152. Paull, J. (2012). Book review: Rudolf Steiner-Alchemy of the Everyday. Journal of Organic Systems, 7(2), 61-63. Paull, J. (2013). The Glass House: Crucible of Biodynamic Agriculture. News Leaf, 95(Winter), 17-21. Paull, J. (2014). Ernesto Genoni: Australias pioneer of biodynamic agriculture. Journal of Organics, 1(1), 57-81. Pechrov, M., Vlasicov, E. (2013). Technical efficiency of organic and biodynamic farms in the Czech Republic. Agris on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, 5(4), 143. Penfold, C., Johnston, L., Marschner, P., Bastian, S., Collins, C. (2015). The relative sustainability of organic, biodynamic and conventional viticulture: Part 1: Soil health. Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker, (616), 40. Perumal, K., Vatsala, T. M. (2013). Utilization of local alternative materials in cow horn manure (BD 500) Preparations: A case study on biodynamic vegetable cultivation. Reprint copy, 16-18. Ponzio, C., Gangatharan, R., Neri, D. (2013). Organic and biodynamic agriculture: A review in relation to sustainability. International Journal of Plant Soil Science, 2(1), 95-110. Reganold, J. P., Wachter, J. M. (2016). Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century.Nature plants,2, 15221. Sle, V., Aguilera, P., Laczko, E., Mder, P., Berner, A., Zihlmann, U., ... Oehl, F. (2015). Impact of conservation tillage and organic farming on the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 84, 38-52. Sandhu, H., Porter, J., Wratten, S. (2013). Experimental assessment of ecosystem services in agriculture.Ecosystem Services in Agricultural and Urban Landscapes. Oxford, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 122-136. Smith, D., Barqun, J. (2016). Biodynamics in the wine bottle. Skeptical Inquirer. Smith, K. M. (2015). CAN BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE OFFER A WAY TO INCREASE BIODIVERSITY IN FOOD DESERTS? A QUANTITATIVE STUDY WITHIN A JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY. Staudenmaier, P. (2013). Organic Farming in Nazi Germany: The Politics of Biodynamic Agriculture, 19331945.Environmental History, ems154. Stein-Bachinger, K., Fuchs, S. (2012). Protection strategies for farmland birds in legumegrass leys as trade-offs between nature conservation and farmers needs.Organic Agriculture,2(2), 145-162. Steiner, R. (1993). Agriculture. SteinerBooks. Storl, W. D. (2013).Culture and Horticulture: The Classic Guide to Organic and Biodynamic Gardening. North Atlantic Books. Tuck, S. L., Winqvist, C., Mota, F., Ahnstrm, J., Turnbull, L. A., Bengtsson, J. (2014). Landà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ use intensity and the effects of organic farming on biodiversity: a hierarchical metaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ analysis. Journal of Applied Ecology, 51(3), 746-755. Tuomisto, H. L., Hodge, I. D., Riordan, P., Macdonald, D. W. (2012). Does organic farming reduce environmental impacts?A meta-analysis of European research. Journal of environmental management, 112, 309-320.

Corporate Governance and Ethics The Organizations Functioning

Question: Describe about the Corporate Governance and Ethics for The Organizations Functioning. Answer: Introduction The organizations functioning in the present world work under complex business strategies and require proper monitoring of all its activities from time to time. The industries require undertaking steps for the development and maintenance of the environment it functions and the society living in the surrounding. There have been several steps initiated by the companies to value and credit the environment and society so that they are satisfied and a peaceful and happy working environment is created. This report deals with the ethical and corporate social responsibility Origin Energy, an industry functioning in the coal seam gas industry in Queensland and its relationship with its stakeholders. According to the Petroleum and Gas Act 2004, the land owned by the landholders is theirs, but any mineral under the land is the property of the State. Such a statement has created a problem in the minds of the farmers living in the Bowen and Surat basin in Queensland. These lands are thus taken as tenements by the CSG industries and have thus forced the landholders to leave their land. George Bender a farmer holding a large part of the land in Chinchilla and Valencia has denied giving his land to the CSG industries. Such an incident has created a negative CSR and ethical values between the stakeholders and the industries (Tricker 2015). This study will analyze the ethical questions and stakeholder analysis with respect to George Bender and Origin Energy long with the corporate governance decisions with respect to the ASX 2010 principles. The Corporate social responsibility and performance along with the ethical analysis is also evaluated in the report. Background and Ethical Question The background of the study deals with the industries focused in the coal seam gas industries working in the Bowen and Surat basin in Queensland. It is because of the fact that the area is full of methane gas available between the layers of seams of coal. The coal seam gas is used for the creation of liquefied natural gas, which is useful for domestic and commercial use. However, the problem associated with the extraction of these gas are the owners of the land. They are mostly farmers and thus use the land for cultivating purpose. The minerals are lying beneath the land and thus the organizations need to acquire the land in order to dig and extract the gas. The Petroleum and Gas Act 2004 states that the farmers are the owners of the land but the minerals underneath it belong to the Government. The gas available beneath the land in Queensland has thus been given out as tenement to few industries to extract the same. The organizations have thus started obtaining land from the farmers by providing compensation to them. However, George Bender, a farmer holding plots in Chinchilla and Valencia has refused to give out his land to these industries. He feels that the gas extracting procedure will not only have a sentimental effect on him as he had been living there since his birth and many memories lingers around the land but also lead to financial loss as the compensation provided by the industry is not sufficient to value all the infrastructure constructed for so many years. Another factor being that the extraction method will lead to environmental pollution leading to illness to the animals and the people dwelling nearby. George has been fighting for this cause for a long time and has obstructed every firm coming for land reclamation when most of the other famers had given out their land. However, on 13th October 2014 when he committed suicide because of all the tensions and pressures that he had to face for the past few years. The ethical issues thus arrive in this matter are the organizations role towards the stakeholders while claiming the land from them. If proper measures and initiations were taken on the part of the firms then the land claiming process would have been smoother. The other question with respect to ethics is the measures taken to protect the environment from the extensive digging and boring of the land in search of coal seam gas (Rao and Tilt 2015). The extraction of these gases generate plenty of wastes in the form of high salted water and other gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide etc, which are affecting both the animals and humans living in the neighborhood. The firms are only concerned about their profit neglecting such ethical values. Stakeholder Analysis Every organization has its stakeholders with whom they function their business. Stakeholders are thus groups or individuals with numerous numbers of demands, interests and expectations regarding what the firm should provide to the community. Origin Energy, a CSG industry functioning in Queensland comprises of stakeholders like government, the employees, the society, consumers and the entrepreneur. Origin Energy is primarily concerned with the community and society in this case as the they are not happy with the land reclamation and the process used for the extraction of the gas as it hampers the local environment and hygiene of the society. The other stakeholders in this case are not much of concern for Origin as the government is helping these organizations and the firm looks after the values of the consumers and the employees as they satisfying them will lead to higher sales and production of the gas. The stakeholders can be categorized according to their importance in the organization. The primary stakeholders are the local farmers and the landholders as they have a crucial impact on the functioning of the business. The success of the business is dependent on the landholders because without their land, the organizations will not be able to perform its production. The consumers are also the primary stakeholder of the firm as the revenue of the firm is dependent on the response of the consumers. The other primary stakeholders include the employees for Origin energy. The secondary stakeholders represent the government, the competitors, trade bodies media etc as they play a special stake in the organization. Origin Energy is primarily concerned with the landholders and mainly George Bender as he has objected from giving his land for boring and digging of gas. The stake of the stakeholders also needs proper evaluation as the stake depends upon three factors namely power, urgency and legitimacy. Such a typology was developed because attributes towards these things were found. Power refers to the ability to create an effect to get something done. Therefore, power means that the ability of a stakeholder to affect the business. Legitimacy means the appropriateness of a stakeholder to hold a stake in its hand. All the stakeholders like the customers, local community etc show a high degree of legitimacy as they have a direct connection with the organization. Urgency on the other hand means the responsiveness of the stakeholders towards the organization during the time of emergency and immediate attention. In case of Origin energy all the three typologies are present with respect to their stakeholders. But the local communities, which is of primary thought of the company falls under the legitimacy and power typology as they can affect the functio ns of the business as well as have a direct relation with the organization (Lee. and Fargher 2013). With respect to the opportunities and challenges with respect to the stakeholders, a firm has a lot of analysis to be made. Both opportunity and challenges are two parts of a coin and the challenges arise from the demand, expectation and threats from the stakeholders. Origin Energy has both the two traits present as they have an opportunity through the government who provides tenement for the lands for extraction. On the other hand, the employees and the consumers are also having a good relation if all their demands and expectations are met accordingly. But the local communities pose a challenge to the firm as they are reluctant to give out their land specially George Bender. The land reclaiming method of Origin Energy is not ideal and the farmers are getting affected and thus it creates a challenge as their opposition can stop the production function of the organization. Origin Energy holds all the features of the responsibilities like the legal, economic, ethical and philanthropic. It is necessary for the organization to value all the stakeholders according to their expectations. The firm needs to value the landholders ethically and needs to look after their expectations as well unlike forcefully reclaiming lands and affecting the economic and environmental condition of the farmers as well as the nature. Origin Energy also needs deal with these actions directly through accommodation and negotiations through a variety of strategies so that the farmers dont feel that they have been cheated. Proper compensation and accommodation for the losses incurred by the landholders will motivate the landholders to leave their land and will thus create a harmonious relationship with the firm (McAllister, McCrea and Lubell 2014). Corporate Governance Discussion based on ASX 2010 Principles and Recommendations The principles and recommendations are created to serve proper corporate governance practices for the firms listed in the ASX so that a appropriate governance is created that is according to the expectations of the situations. The council feels that every firm uses different techniques of corporate governance plans depending on various factors like corporate culture, complexity etc. therefore, these principles and recommendations are not compulsory and does not seek to prescribe any governance practice that an organization is listed in ASX. Such principles are applicable to all the firms listed in the ASX regardless of their legal form. There are some changes in the plan if the firm is managed externally. The structure of the principles and the recommendations are created to promote the core principles like establishing a solid foundation for supervision and management (Ferretti, 2016). The structure created thus adds value through the board created to discharge the decisions appropr iately. The organization needs to act ethically and responsibly and should protect the corporate reporting of the firm. These principles provide disclosure of the information on time and in balance. The rights of the shareholders need to respected and needs to control and manage the risks pertaining to the business. The remuneration system of the firm needs to be on time so that the employees and the creditors get their payment enabling them to get motivated. Origin Energy thus needs to follow this method and needs to create a good governance structure so that it can function its business without injuring any stakeholders and the environment where it works. The firm thus through a this structure can create a good governance framework so that people like George Bender are satisfied and no one needs to give up their life due to tension and pressure. Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility is a type of self organizing mechanism that integrates the business model. This model ensures that the firm works according to the spirit of law, ethics and the national and international standards. The organizations through this mechanism try to improve the society and thereby create a harmonious relationship with the local community, suppliers and customers. Through this social responsibility, the organizations generate awareness towards conserving the environment through eco-friendly activities. From this study, it is quite clear that Origin Energy does not have a proper corporate governance framework. This sentence is true because of the fact that the firm first enters into the premises of George Bender with a polite and nice gesture just to do a seismic test on the land. George, being a layman was impressed the way the representative of the firm approached him. But after entering the premises, the organization started showing its true colors and started digging bores and wells to extract gas from the land. After a year later George Bender came to know that the bores were drying up due to extensive use of the land and thus George filed a case which asked Origin Energy to pay remuneration to along with assessing the problem. But the company delayed its assessment and when methane gas started extracting from the land it asked the George to sell the land to them at a negotiable amount. They forcibly tried to hold the land as George did not want to sell the land. Thus, it is se en that the organization concentrates only on making profit rather than caring about the society and the environment in which it operates Saeidi et al, 2015). Ethical Analysis The meaning of ethics is distinguishing between what is right and what is wrong. It is seen that in case of Origin Energy the ethical values are diminished as they only focus on the revenue of the firm and does not look after the benefit of the environment and the local community. The firm forcefully claims land from the landholders by providing a minimum compensation to them and sucks out the resources of the land optimally thus damaging the environment. The disposal of waste on the land after extraction is also disturbing the balance of the environment and this disposal is hampering the local hygiene as well. The extra gases emitted during the extraction of coal seam gas are also causing illness to the nearby animals and the people dwelling in the surrounding. George Bender, an old resident of that place reluctant to give land was forced to sell the land, which created a tension in his family with difference in opinion among the family members, which forced George to commit suicide . It was all due to unethical behavior of the company. The company knowing that George was not ready to give out his land forced him year after year neglecting the corporate social responsibility and the ethics. Therefore, there is no ethics of the firm (Korschun, Bhattacharya, and Swain 2014). Recommendation The above study reveals that there is no corporate responsibility and ethics available in Origin Energy, which is creating a revolt from all the sections of the community. The firm therefore needs to analyze its corporate governance and ethics and create new plans to improve these activities. The firm needs to focus on the welfare of the environment and the citizens and should come into a negotiation so that interests of both the parties are maintained. 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