Is there an afterlife and what would be required for an afterlife Essay

Is there an afterlife and what would be required for an afterlife - Essay Example Death has been considered the only certain thing in life. There is even consensus to the effect that a number of changes take place during the transition from life to death, which therefore follows that changes making up life are distinct from those making up survival. In distinguishing these two varying changes, we can give a number of personal identity criteria through time to explain death (Baillie, 1993). First, we can use a criterion that has been popularized by Hume, Plato and a multiplicity of world religions. According to this criterion, human beings are either immaterial souls or even pure egos (Hume, 1739). This can be construed to mean that human beings possess the physical bodies only on a contingent basis and therefore not a necessity as far as living (in this life and the afterlife) is concerned. This being the case therefore, it is proper to argue that human being continues to live even after death. If anything their bodies are contingent and not necessarily a must-hav e in their living and especially their afterlife (Ayer, 2006). The second criterion has to do with the claim that a human being has two distinct components namely a body and a mind. This criterion, the so-called Cartesian Dualism, named so in honor of Rene Descartes, claim that the two components namely, the material body and the immaterial mind are distinct and therefore can exist separately. In fact it goes on to claim that the immaterial mind can exist separately from the material body particularly when the material body dies. This idea has however failed to convince many people because of a number of obvious faults in the reasoning behind it. For instance, is it logical for an immaterial mind to effect any change in a material body? This is the main problem that this idea has been unable to address, a problem that has since assumed the name â€Å"the problem of interactionism† (Levine, 1989). The reasons that Hume advance in arguing that death is survivable are convincing in whichever one looks at them. For instance, I am convinced that there must be another component that leaves the body to rot, otherwise what happened when a human being is resurrected by a supernatural being. Does he/she resurrect with another body or the same body which at the time must have long decomposed. This clearly demonstrates just how probable a human being might possess a separate invisible component that is left behind after his/her fresh dies and subsequently decomposes (Jerome, 1966). In opposing the idea of an afterlife, Hume argues that every creature’s ability is always proportionate to the task ahead of it. This is best demonstrated in a Hare’s or an Antelope’s ability to out-run a fox or a Lion respectively. It is also the reason why a Hare have not been equipped with the ability to appreciate Operas, which would be superfluous to its life. Given that a match between abilities and tasks has been found to cut across all creatures, it is reason able to assume that we are also matched to the tasks before us (Hume & Sayre-McCord 2006). Looked in the context of our ‘design flaws’ as far as having the ability to anticipate an afterlife is concerned, one can only conclude that there is no afterlife. Look at the way we are normally less concerned with doing good for a reward in our afterlife. Look a

Application of auction theory in the context of the Indian Premier Essay

Application of auction theory in the context of the Indian Premier League - Essay Example This theory is highly essential from a theoretical, empirical and economic perspective. This paper aims to discuss the main principles of the auction theory along with the considerable issues and their solutions associated to the phenomenon of auction market. For this paper, we shall consider an example of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to relate it with the relevant theoretical principles of the auction theory. Auction Theory: Auction theory is a branch of economics which takes a number of concepts into analysis that includes the risks, behaviors, challenges and activities of bidders within the auction processes. The process of auction has been used from earliest traces of economic activities. Economists have contributed in the auction theory including Vickrey (1961), Griesmer, Levitan and Shubik (1967) etc. Extension of Auction theory is referred to as theorem of revenue equivalence (see appendix 1.1). As per the contributions of different economists, there are four standard types of auctions. These bids are commonly known as the English Bid, the descending bid which also known as the Dutch bid, first sealed bid and a second seal bid. Each one is unique and possesses interesting factors, which grasp attention of the interested buyers (Besanko and Braeutigam 2000). Now we shall analyze each type of bid separately supported with relevant examples. English Bid: According to Gul and Stacchetti (1999), English bid is a type of bid that slowly goes higher. Sometimes this type of bidding appears as most simplistic, however at the same time it can create complexities for both buyers and sellers. English auction begins with a bid which is placed by an auctioneer who places the starting bid which is a given price of the product being sold. The bids are then placed one by one in an increasing order. English bid is different from other bids such as sealed bids because it is open to all bidders with no policy of hiding (Gul and Stacchetti 1999). The one who makes the highest bit wins the product. In this type of bid prices increase comparatively with small margins and the buyers intend to win the item at low price than its original value at which the product bidding started i.e. starting bid. For example, there is a likelihood of quick sale of a car during an auction as the standing bid will be lowest, which will be affordable for a sing le buyer, who will finally take the commodity home (Auctus Development, Inc, 2004). It should also be noted that the English auction can be win by the standing bidder which can only be displaced by a competitively higher bid than the standing bid (Jaiswal 2010). Furthermore, Klemperer (1997) noted that English bids or ascending bids are usually used for selling household items such as cars, appliances, furnisher and sometimes properties as well. This type of bid facilitates sellers to make great sum of money and an amazing opportunity for the buyers to win the bid (Klemperer 1997). A reserve or minimum price is charged for house hold commodities in English auction (Auctus Development, Inc 2004). Dutch Bid: According to Besanko and Braeutigam (2000), the Dutch system is entirely

Abstract Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Abstract - Essay Example ng to the authors, combining of new and inexpensive technological methods may increase the availability of more flexible ways for dealing with the common challenges in forensic science. They, therefore, intended to present a method of 3-D laser scanning of chewed gum found at a crime scene into a digital file format. In a bid to justify the aim of their research, they point out that the procedure they used in their research project does not include any form of contact and is nondestructive thus more efficient prior to extracting DNA from the gum. The theme of their research is that their method, which involves generating a digital file, could be used to for dental comparison in the future in case the original chewed gum gets damaged by forensic analysis following 3-D scanning. In their research, they used an automated 3-D laser scanner that ensures a reliable, affordable, and reproducible means for scanning a 3-D object fast and at a possible resolution of 127 microns. They scanned a piece if chewed gum that had air dried for 24 hours by placing it on the tip of a tuberculin syringe needle, and then positioning it on the scanning stage of the laser scanner that is fully robotic. Using precise scan parameters of the laser scanner for a 360 degree scan, they used macro 0.005 inches precision, 125 seconds scan speed, and 0.005 triangle size. This process took less than three minutes given that they set the light in color of the target surface to that of the matte finish, and the smoothing had auto-align of the eight segments on with a setting of 1. After all the procedures involved in the process had produced digital files, they were able to come up with a virtual block that showed the shape and contours of the teeth impressions just like those in the original gum. They then used a Web-based prototyping service called Shapeways to order for clear resin as well as white plastic models of the gum from their digital files. All this took less than 10 minutes, and they

Human Evolution Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human Evolution - Article Example In this case, relating human evaluation with how humans connect to animals is a new idea altogether. This is because in most cases and with most scientists, human evolution is generally considered as a physical change. The author believes that most developments in the evolution of human beings are contributed by the care shown by humans towards other animals. For example, about 2.6 million years ago, when hunting was the main activity among humans, after hunters were attacked by tigers and lions, they developed weapons and advanced tools for defense. Connecting with other animals compel humans to learn more about them, as well as, having a better understanding of one self. This is because, caring for other animals humans is an ecological transition that no other living thing has made. In addition, by doing these, humans are in a position to learn what other living things do, where they are, their way of communication, as well as, the way they move. There are a number of development o bserved as a result of human connection with animals. The first one is development of symbols and language. The author indicates that human beings developed symbols to alert or warn their fellow humans upon a threat by either predators or dangerous animals. The second one is domestication of animals. Roughly 40,000 years ago, human being started rearing animals not only to get food but also with the motive of getting other resources such as clothing and security, therefore, these prompted them start selectively breed certain animals with specific traits. Lastly, evolution in the means of transport where animals are used as an aid in transporting goods. For example, in the arid areas hardly animals such as camels were used in transporting cargo across the deserts. From the article it is clear that the connection of human to animals has led to human evolution. However, the article does not illustrate how human connection to animals influence physical change. Also not all people like o r are close to animals as such. Therefore, how did such people evolve? The second article is driven by the desire to find out the truth claims advanced by some scholars that human beings are still evolving. This article provides an analysis of the research done by a leading scientist Stephen Stearn who believe that human beings are still evolving. This article ascertains that human beings are evolving gradually and over the years an average human being will be 2cm shorter and 1kg heavier. The study was carried out in great caution to eliminate the chances of cultural and social influences. The study also suggests that natural selection in today’s environment is not based on survival but on the fertility levels of women. It asserts that women with high fertility levels are likely to pass on certain traits on to their children and grandchildren. In addition, the physical characteristics of mothers had a direct correlation with the number of children that she gave birth to. The other thing that has emerged from the article is that evolution is a gradual process that is difficult to notice. The author asserts that cultural factors tend to play a larger role in influencing evolution of human beings than natural selection. This makes persons to neglect the idea of evolution, Genetic evidence also proves this assertion by indicating that about 1800 variant genes have spread faster due to their modern day evolution benefits. In addition, it was realized that mutations

Distributed and Parallel Systems Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Distributed and Parallel Systems - Term Paper Example A parallel system is a computer with more than one processor for parallel processing. Although there are many kinds of parallel computers, they are basically distinguished by the kind of interconnection between processor, known as processing elements (PES), and the memory. One major way to classify parallel computers is based on their memory architectures. Shared memory based parallel computing systems have multiple processors that access all available memory as a global address space. Distributed system is a network of a set of asynchronously connected computing devices. Communication in DS is either through shared memory or through messages. In wide-spread distributed systems, work and information are physically distributed, implying that computing needs should be distributed. Along with improvement in response time, this system contributes to offering a local control over data. With this solid background of multiprocessor systems, parallel computing, distributed systems and shared memory; speed-up performance law such as the Amdahl's law was introduced to throw light on algorithm design for speed-up and operational efficiency of parallel system. Concurrency is another important factor which enables distributed systems to share memory; and to better understand its execution, Dining philosophers' algorithm Bully's algorithm and Logical clocks were introduced. 2. Amdahl's Law The memory organization of parallel system also has a profound impact on algorithm design. In systems in which memory

American Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

American Architecture - Essay Example In 1879, after four years of studies spent under the tutelage of another famous architect of that time John Edelmann, Sullivan was hired as a junior partner by the famous structural engineer Dankmar Adler. Their partnership lasted until the year of 1896 when Sullivan started to experiment with new materials such as steel girders that made possible construction of much taller buildings than before. Sullivan had certain creative differences and disputed intensively about style issues with Daniel Burnham, the author of the Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park in 1893 and with one of his students, Frank Lloyd Wright. Sullivan insisted that 'form should follow function' thus proclaiming the primary importance of the purpose of a building as compared to the design1. Sullivan's legacy is an important element of modern Chicago. The Jewler's Building at 17 S. Ashland Avenue designed and built by Adler and Sullivan in 1882 was designated as one of Chicago landmarks a century later. Together with Adler he also built the Kaufman Store and Flats at 2312-2314 N. Lincoln Avenue designated a city's landmark in 1996. Another famous masterpieces of Sullivan which became Chicago landmarks are the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Rectory located at 1121 N. Leavitt Street build by Sullivan alone in 1903, the Auditorium Theater at Roosevelt University, and the Carson, Pirie, Scott Store at the corner of State and Madison. Integrity of structure and ornament, emotional tension of the form, and outstanding individuality of the building are the most noticeable features of Sullivan's style: "Nurtured by the artists sympathy with life, the ornament spoke: it was the voice of the artist and the building -- indeed they were one, the building a 'stock personality' and the architect an interpreter and prophet"2. Today Sullivan is considered perhaps the most influential architect and critic of the Chicago School, the father of the modern skyscraper, and a mentor to another outstanding American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Frank Lloyd Wright Frank Lloyd Wright (June 8, 1867 - April 9, 1959), one of most innovative and prolific American architects of the last century, was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin. Wright attended but did not finish the high school in Madison, Wisconsin, and in 1885 entered the University of Wisconsin where he studied civil engineering. In 1887 Wright moved to Chicago to go apprentice to a well-known Chicago architect, Joseph Lyman Silsbee. It was during that time that Wright worked with Louis Sullivan whom he would later acknowledge as a mentor. At the end of 1880s Wright got married and moved to Oak Park, Illinois. In 1893, he quit his partnership with Sullivan and established his own firm in Chicago. After five years Wright transferred his practice to Oak Park where he had his most productive and stable days. Sidetracked by romantic misadventures, Wright designed some buildings in Arizona and Wisconsin, but those works were not as good as the works of his Illinois period. Frank Lloyd Wright founded the Prairie School of Architecture characterized by long and horizontal designs and organic architecture that won a wide domestic and international acclaim. Wright's rehash of the famous Sullivan's

Evaluation sheet of key research studies Essay Example for Free

Evaluation sheet of key research studies Essay I decided not to revise anything for the essay part of the exam paper. This was because I felt that I had done enough research for my specialist modules and would be able to recall it when needed. In the weeks leading up to the exam I spent about 30 minutes a day going over various chapters in my study skills folder, and if there was a particular item I had trouble with I would make a note of it and go over it again the next day. Finding time at home to revise was a bit of a problem and I found that the best time was in the evening when the children had gone to bed. This meant that I was sometimes quite tired when I tried to revise and wasted some sessions simply because I could not absorb any information. In future I may choose to do my revision somewhere other that at home, for example, the library. This means I will be away from the distractions of children and phone calls. I will also give my friends and family a copy of my revision time-table so that they know not to bother me. I felt that we were given enough information before the exam to know what to expect though I would have liked to have seen a copy of an old paper and perhaps given the opportunity to have a go at completing one. When we were allowed to look at our paper I read it through once before answering any questions. Once I had done this I first answered the questions I did not need to think about too much before going on to the others, and if there were any I did not know then I left them blank. I then went onto the essay question and decided which to do, though I found making a choice difficult as I did not know how I would get on once I had started. Once I got started on the essay I realised the mistake I had made by not revising my specialist modules. I wanted to be able to include examples, statistics or case studies in my essay by could not remember any. Once I had completed the essay I went back to the questions and any that I did not know the answer to I guessed. I then proof read the whole paper and corrected some errors which I had missed. If I could have done thing differently I would have planned my revision better to avoid distractions. I found that spending 30 minutes a day trying to revise while cooking dinner and running around after the children does not work. Before the exam I was not nervous but I think this was to do with the fact I did not have time to think about it too much. I also think that I did not take it as seriously as I should have and therefore did not revise enough. While waiting outside the exam hall I seemed to catch nervousness from other people but cannot see any way to avoid this. During the exam I was more nervous than I expected and was really aware of how quickly the time was passing. I wanted to work out how much time I could spend on each section, but this seemed to make me feel worse as I could not remember how many points would be awarded for each. After the exam I felt a bit disappointed as I feel my lack of revision meant I could not do my best. Dealing with stress during my revision sometimes helped. It made feel more awake sometimes, though this was often short lived and I usually ended up feeling worn out. Stress often meant I could not concentrate properly and I would try to do too much in one session. In future I will try to avoid the negative affects of stress by taking regular breaks, planning my revision better, finding a better location for my revision, not revising when I am tired and taking revision more seriously. I also think that revision is something that should be a continuous process not only used just before an exam. Reviewing work monthly or termly is something that I will try in the future.