Why Metal Music Does Not Create Violence in Teenagers free essay sample

However, the most prolific example of the media irresponsibly finger-pointing at metal music has to be the case of Columbine. After the Columbine shootings, the authorities placed sole blame on Marilyn Manson and his music for the shootings suggesting that Masons music, or his fans, incite violence (Strangers). The only problem with their claims was the fact that the two shooters did not listen to, nor where they fans of, Masons controversial music. This brings the question of whether or not the claims placed on metal music for leading to violent behavior are true and can be supported.An example of what those who think metal has a direct correlation to violence say that Masons music promotes hate, violence, death, suicide, drug use, and the attitudes and actions of the Columbine High School Killers (Tangelo). However, the other side of the story can be best stated by Slayer drummer Dave Lombard when he said, Were telling stories. We will write a custom essay sample on Why Metal Music Does Not Create Violence in Teenagers or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Its not actions-its just music. Its fantasy stuff, just putting thoughts on paper, theses a crime? (Consider).Although metal is dark, heavy, and often times inappropriate, it does not have a negative effect on an otherwise aroma and productive listener, especially teenagers, because metal is just a different genre of music, meaning that its lyrics do not have a negative affect on an otherwise normal listener. To begin, artists are too often misinterpreted and bashed with claims that are stretched to the point of lies, creating the opinion that all of their listeners can be stereotyped into a select, violent, group.One case of this can be with the band Slayer, one of the most popular thrash metal bands of all time. Slayer has been sued multiple times and is one of the most controversial ands in history. The band was sued t. ice by California parents who claimed their daughter was murdered in a ritual inspired by Slayers music, yet both suits where dismissed (Consider). It also really frustrates the musicians who work so hard to make music, only to see themselves harmed because of it. As embargo says sarcastically, If they take my drums away, I guess I cant play any more.But I dont see that happening unless Im living in a Communist culture. (Consider). It also agitates the fans who feel that they are construed and all used as inferior examples of what music can do to people. Slayers fanfares contains more MEANS members than any other metal band (Consider). At this point in time it is also safe to say that people know what they are getting into and what to expect from a band named Slayer. No, this is no band for virgin ears, but this does not give reason for it to be said that they immediately turn everyday human beings into monsters.Slayer knows that where they go, controversy will naturally follow, and this for years has been a successful marketing tool (Consider). Although Slayer is only one example, this idea spreads all the way to people trying to explain violence, and finding scapegoats throughout the media with similar attributes to metal. Also, violence in the media has often been exaggerated, and statistics are often inaccurate to the point where a consistent thesis is no longer possible. According to James K. Fitzpatrick, a former teacher at a Catholic school, his former students who listened to metal went on to lead successful, calm, lives, which in his opinion, proved that the lyrics of songs do not have long term effects on the listener. It also brings to mind exactly why kids in an environment like this would choose metal, when it is certainly not condoned or accepted. It can be inferred that they chose this because of the idea that it would offend adults and others in their lives. According to Fitzpatrick, perfectly normal kids listen to shock rock.There are certain types of kids who like being associated with music that offends some adults (Fitzpatrick). There is an emphasis with Fitzpatrick that lyrics are not detrimental to listeners in the long term and that they are in the end generally meaningless n the quality of a persons life. He states that I have seen fans of other rock groups that caused great anxiety to parents in the sass. .. Mature in a similar way. (Fitzpatrick) Another reason for the explanation of why violence is often exaggerated can be the fact that violence is so often overstated since we see so little of it. As Rhodes said we live in one of the least violent eras in peacetime 32). Our society has surely changed in the way we view violence since we are exposed to so little of it. Out society has also changed because of the way we deal with violence. It used to be that we ensured we avoided it all times. Now it seems like we almost react positively to certain types of violence. By viewing violent entertainment individuals will leave with pent up tendencies gone, and anger released (Sparks 115).It seems as though times are truly changing and that in fact violent lyrics do not make mad men, and violence can in fact do some good for certain people. Next, is the fact that metal music is often scapegoat for events where peoples emotions run high, and accusations fly because people feel a need to know a reason. Metal is often first blamed but a majority of these claims are false and without proof. A majority of these claims stating that metal lyrics lead to long term mental problems have been biased, in-conclusive, or accurate. As Harvard physiologist Steven Pinker wrote, Media violence research has been flawed and in-conclusive at best, and a great funding scam at worst. (Rehire 25). These claims are strong, and his claims have been backed up by other sources fighting against the claims of others. MIT Professor Henry Jenkins observed that the idea that violent entertainment ad consistent and predictable effects on viewers was inadequate and simplistic. (Rehire 27). Another reason for the increased blame put on metal is the rise of the digital age, and with it the rise in metal music videos and horror movies.Some would go as far to say that these videos alter the mind producing a mentally unstable person. Yet, as others would claim, media depictions of violence are inherently attractive to the masses, only truly affecting a few people, and are never the sole reason for any mental instability. This is called the Aesthetic Theory of Vandalism or The Aesthetic Theory of Destruction. The theory states that the same things that account for the enjoyment associated with socially acceptable experiences are similarly responsible for the pleasure associated with acts of destruction.Not to mention the fact that from what limited televised media there was in the sass and 1 9605, a majority of it was uncensored, and unregulated. Ass TV was profoundly routed in guns and gunfire, to a degree that would provoke outspread outrage today (Rehire 31). The explanations for blaming metal are not true and barely factually based. Furthermore, metal does not have an effect on the mental stability of a listener, and the there have yet to be a definitive solution to explain that it does. In short, it becomes apparent that there is no correlation between metal and violent behavior, and in fact anger can released when listening to metal. It is also true that metal being blamed for social problems can be generalized into the topic of media violence being blown out of proportion when in fact, our society is generally less violent and more regulated than in previous generations. The question becomes, what can be done about it? The gap between the fans of metal and those against it has always been a large gap, and one that has rarely attempted to be bridged. Why Metal Music Does Not Create Violence in Teenagers free essay sample Loud, aggressive, and fast, metal music has been accepted worldwide as an acceptable genre of music. Yet, some people cannot comprehend a genre of music that thrives on being the horror movie of music, and purposefully creates controversy at nearly every turn. The media has irresponsibly finger-pointed (Stronghold). One of the most recent examples of metal being blamed for a national tragedy was In the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford. Here, a song by Drowning Pool was blamed as the sole motivator for the shootings.However, the most prolific example of the media Irresponsibly finger-pointing at metal music has to be the case of Columbine. After the Columbine shootings, the authorities placed sole blame on Marilyn Manson and his music for the shootings suggesting that Masons music, or his fans, Incite violence (Stronghold). The only problem with their claims was the fact that the two shooters did not listen to, nor where they fans of, Masons controversial music. We will write a custom essay sample on Why Metal Music Does Not Create Violence in Teenagers or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This brings the question of whether or not the claims placed on metal music for leading to violent behavior are true and can be supported. An example of what those who think metal has a direct correlation to violence say that Masons music remotes hate, violence, death, suicide, drug use, and the attitudes and actions of the Columbine High School Killers (Tangelo). However, the other side of the story can be best stated by Slayer drummer Dave Lombard when he said, Were telling stories. Its not actions-its Just music. Its fantasy stuff, just putting thoughts on paper, thats a crime? (Consider).Although metal Is dark, heavy, and often times inappropriate, it does not have a negative effect on an otherwise normal and productive listener, especially teenagers, because metal is Just a different genre of USIA, meaning that Its lyrics do not have a negative affect on an otherwise normal listener. To begin, artists are too often misinterpreted and bashed with claims that are stretched to the point of lies. Creating the opinion that all of their listeners can be stereotyped into a select, violent, group. One case of this can be with the band Slayer, one of the most popular thrash metal bands of all time.Slayer has been sued multiple times and Is one of the most controversial bands In history. The band was sued twice by California parents who claimed their daughter was murdered in a tidal inspired by Slayers music, yet both suits where dismissed (Consider). It also really frustrates the musicians who work so hard to make music, only to see themselves harmed because of it. As Lombard says sarcastically, If they take my drums away, guess I cant play any more. But I dont see that happening, unless Im living in a Communist culture. (Consider)_ It also agitates the fans who feel that they are misconstrued and all used as inferior examples of what music can do to people. Slayers fanfare contains more MEANS members than any other metal band (Consider). At this point In time it Is also safe to say that people know what they are getting into and what to expect from a band named Slayer. No, this is no band for virgin ears, but this does not give reason for it to be said that they immediately turn Nail naturally follow, and this for years has been a successful marketing tool Consider).Although Slayer is only one example, this idea spreads all the way to people trying to explain violence, and finding scapegoats throughout the media with similar attributes to metal. Also, violence in the media has often been exaggerated, and statistics are often inaccurate to the point where a consistent thesis is no longer possible. According to lames K. Fitzpatrick, a former teacher at a Catholic school, his former students who listened to metal went on to lead successful, calm, lives, which in his opinion, proved that the lyrics of songs do not have long term effects on the listener. It also brings to mind exactly why kids in an environment like this would choose metal, when it is certainly not condoned or accepted. It can be inferred that they chose this because of the idea that it would offend adults and others in their lives. According to Fitzpatrick, refectory normal kids listen to shock rock. There are certain types of kids who like being associated with music that offends some adults (Fitzpatrick). There is an emphasis with Fitzpatrick that lyrics are not detrimental to listeners in the long term and that they are in the end generally meaningless in the quality of a persons life.He states that l have seen fans of other rock groups that caused great anxiety to parents in the asses.. . Mature in a similar way. (Fitzpatrick) Another reason for the explanation of why violence is often exaggerated can be the fact that violence is so often overstated since we see so little of it. As Rhodes said We live in one of the least Eileen eras in peacetime 32). Our society has surely changed in the Nay we view violence since we are exposed to so little of it. Out society has also changed because of the way we deal with violence. It used to be that we ensured we avoided it all times. Now it seems like we almost react positively to certain types of lenience. By viewing violent entertainment individuals will leave with pent up tendencies gone, and anger released (Sparks 115). It seems as though times are truly Changing and that in fact violent lyrics do not make mad men, and violence can in act do some good for certain people. Next, is the fact that metal music is often scapegoat for events where peoples emotions run high, and accusations fly because people feel a need to know a reason. Metal is often first blamed but a majority of these claims are false and without proof.A majority of these claims stating that metal lyrics lead to long term mental problems have been biased, in- conclusive, or accurate. As Harvard physiologist Steven Pinker wrote, Media violence research has been flawed and in-conclusive at best, and a great funding scam at Norms. (Rehire 25). These claims are strong, and his claims have been backed up by other sources fighting against the claims of others. MIT Professor Henry Jenkins observed that the idea that violent entertainment had consistent and predictable effects on viewers was inadequate and simplistic. (Rehire 27). Another reason for the increased blame put on metal is the rise of the digital age, and with it the rise in metal music videos and horror movies. Some would go as far to say that these videos alter the mind producing a mentally unstable person. Yet, as others would claim, Edie depictions of violence are inherently attractive to the masses, only truly affecting a few people, and are never the sole reason for any mental instability. This IS called the Aesthetic Theory of Vandalism or The Aesthetic Theory of Destruction.Ninth socially acceptable experiences are similarly responsible for the pleasure associated with acts of destruction. Not to mention the fact that from what limited televised media there was in the asses and asses, a majority of it was uncensored, and unregulated. Ass TV was profoundly routed in guns and gunfire, to a degree that Mould provoke outspread outrage today (Rehire 31). The explanations for blaming metal are not true and barely factually based. Furthermore, metal does not have an affect on the mental stability of a listener, and the there have yet to be a definitive solution to explain that it does.In short, it becomes apparent that there is no correlation between metal and violent behavior, and in fact anger can released when listening to metal. It is also true that metal being blamed for social problems can be generalized into the topic of media violence being blown out of proportion when in fact, our society is generally less violent and more regulated than in previous narrations. The question becomes, what can be done about it? The gap between the fans of metal and those against it has always been a large gap, and one that has rarely attempted to be bridged.First, it takes understanding that it is not okay to generalize fans and bands into a group of evil people, and understand also that a majority of the listeners understand that indeed the music they listen to is offensive, and that they enjoy that aspect of it. Certain people who want to listen to this music ill, and if they like it, obviously they will continue (Fitzpatrick). It is also important to rule know the person, and never assume that something like listening to a genre of music immediately translates into a personality characteristic or flaw. People like idi olect in your face things in spite of, not because of, violence only in rare circumstances where the media itself is too good for the violence to negatively affect the experience. (Sparks 115). When debating the human psyche it is important not to let emotions, biases and Judgments interfere with rationale. It is important to listen, and look at facts, proof, and remember that those who appear like a metadata would, are very different people than you may think.

Islamic Religion Term Paper

Islamic Religion Term Paper Islamic Religion Term Paper Islamic Religion Term Paper: Islam is in the Quran There is no bad faith, there are bad people Islamic religion term paper: Intro. If you write Islamic religion term paper you should begin with general introduction. Say that Islamic papers religion term is very interesting theme and close to you. However, today Muslims are branded as terrorists It is incorrect and immoral. Each faith has the right to exist. The religion of Islam is a very peaceful and loving religion. However, people recall terrorist when they think about the religion of Islam. Everybody knows that Quran is a holy book for Muslims; this fact should be mentioned in your Islamic religion term paper. Islam is the second largest global religion. Translated from the Arabic, Islam means submission. There are five basic dogmas shared by all Muslims:faith in one God (he us the only) and all prophets belief in angels faith in the book (Quran) faith in the Day of Judgment faith in fate (Kadar) According to Islami c primary sources, the essence of God is incomprehensible to human reason. Muslim traditionally believes that the Quran is a message of Allah sent to him by the angel. Islam respects all rights of personality and states clearly that none of them can be upset or changed, even if doing so would be in the societys favor. Muslims view their present life on Earth as a test of god. These facts should not be missed while writing the Islamic religion term papers. Muslim religion never supported to any kind of criminal activities such as bombing facilities, kidnapping and killing innocent people. Islamic term papers are very wide theme where small details cannot be ignored. Islamic religion term paper: Islam Like Way of Life. The main idea of Islam is to create all-sufficient person, a healthy family and a harmonious society. If you are a Muslim you should satisfy rules of religion. A basic element of society in Islam is family. Marriage in Islam is a civil contract which usually co nsists of two qualified parties in the presence and two witnesses. Today, in real life almost none Muslim woman can get an education, work and associate with people, if the man against. These facts will help you in passing good successful Islamic term paper. Women wear dresses of dark color, therefore, you could seen no body, no figure, no real beauty of women.At the head they wear long scarves that covered their neck and hair. In such clothes females seemed to be sad, and mysterious. Searching information about Islam women for your Islamic religion term paper, you may find a lot of contradictory elements. For example, such faith forbids smoking, but now it is a personal choice for everybody. Islamic religion term paper: Conclusion. Good luck in your Islamic term paper writing! I hope this article inspired you to create a written masterpiece!

How and why are the Swedish and American welfare states so different Essay

How and why are the Swedish and American welfare states so different - Essay Example Welfare states can also be discussed on the basis of the state welfare. This is an interpretation of the forms of welfare being provided by the country. Analysts argue that this form of welfare is mostly evident in countries like U.S.A. where the government has displayed endless efforts, in an attempt to care for all its citizens. Over the years, U.S.A. has been rated among the many countries that have shown endless efforts in the provision of services to the country. In terms of social protection model, many welfare states, especially the ones that are in the Scandinavian regions and West Europe, protection of the citizens is provided by a group of voluntary organizations, the government, public service amongst other groups of people and individuals. Such countries that enjoy the provision of services by a group of people and organizations are regarded as welfare states. In this context, therefore, it is justified to argue that, welfare states have a wide range of meanings on the basis of various analysts and researchers. In order to understand to the concept of welfare states, it is important to highlight the issue of welfare states by evaluating welfare states. A comprehensive comparison of the policies of different countries, by analyzing the actions taken by each in these countries, welfare can be understood on these grounds. For instance, an analysis of the policies in U.S.A. and Europe display variations in countries of these regions. An analysis of the resources that are useful for wellbeing provision should be the focus on population structures of the countries. Production can be also sensible attribute in measurement of the positions welfare states are holding at the moment. Various states have various means of operating their structures that are peculiar for other welfare states. An understanding of welfare states can be made possible by c omparing the operations of various welfare states.

Network security Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 12500 words

Network security - Dissertation Example The consequences of plagiarism have been explained to me by my institution; and 3. The project is all my own work and I have acknowledged any use of others’ published or unpublished works. 4. The project was completed over the period from January 2011 to June 2011. Student Signature:_______________ Date: __________________ Acknowledgements I would like to thank all the technical staff of Majan College who have helped me throughout the completion of this project with various ideas. Also I would like to thank my friend Mr. Bader who actually was a major support with his connections in the educational institutions of Oman. Special thanks for my friend Mr. Safi Ullah Sharief who has helped me in proof reading of this project. I extend all my thanks to all the network administrators and the supporting staff in the computer department of various colleges in Sultanate of Oman, who despite of their busy schedule help me in providing the information and technical details, without which this project could not have be done by me. I express my gratitude to my family for their patience, understanding care and support which they provided to me during this period. And sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Kim Heng Teo for the advisory support during the formulation of this project Abstract Network security is a crucial issue. For wired network and wireless network, somewhat transformed security measures are required as wireless network requires more strict security as compared to wired network. The educational institutions make use of wired as well as wireless networks for their processes and procedures. Students, staff and other faculty members make use of the network for accessing required data and information. The combination of wired and wireless networks plays an important part in enabling network users to enjoy a network that is more optimized and resourceful. When wired network is combined with wireless network, there are some implications for security on educational institutions. A research is conducted with the help of a questionnaire that is generated to collect the responses of respondents on the issue of security needs for wired and wireless networks. A total of forty one respondents submitted filled in questionnaires. The research is set in colleges in the context of improvising the security of the college network after adding the wireless network (Wireless LAN) with the existing wired network (Local LAN). The problem for the Network administrators is focused on understanding that the security needs to be strengthened when a wireless network is added to the wired network. In addition to the questionnaire, interviews are also conducted with some questions to know the security issues raised after interconnection of the two networks. The research analyzes that the business impacts of combined wireless and wired network security in educational institutions. The benefits associated with the usage of combined network are better speed, enhanced bandwidth, wider communication and better information retrieval. Disadvantages such as theft of passwords and personal financial data are there. The combined network will be more beneficial than disadvantageous for the users of the network. Abbreviation IT Information Technology PC Personal Computer LAN Local Area Network MAC Mandatory Access Control WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy ADSL Asymmetric

Argue Analysis Worksheet Essay Example for Free

Argue Analysis Worksheet Essay †¢ A statement is any unambiguous declarative sentence about a fact (or non-fact) about the world. It says that something is (or isn’t) the case. †¢ An argument is a series of statements meant to establish a claim. †¢ A claim or conclusion is the statement whose truth an argument is meant to establish. †¢ A statement’s truth value is either true or false. o All statements have a truth value. A statement is false when what it says about the world is not actually the case. A statement is true when what it says about the world is actually the case. †¢ A premise is a statement that is used in an argument to establish a conclusion. What we can say about an argument: †¢ An argument is valid if its premises necessarily lead to its conclusion. That is, if you accept that the premises are all true, you must accept that the conclusion is true. †¢ An argument is sound if it is valid and you accept that all its premises are true. †¢ A good, convincing argument is a sound argument. That is, since you accept all the premises are true, you must accept the conclusion is true (because the argument is valid). †¢ A bad argument is any other kind of argument. Examples: †¢ â€Å"Every animal needs to breathe in order to live. Fish are animals. Fish cannot breathe in the air. Therefore, fish cannot live in the air.† Here, the claim is that â€Å"fish cannot live in the air.† The premises are â€Å"Every animal needs to breathe in order to live,† â€Å"Fish are animals,† and â€Å"Fish cannot breathe in the air.† The argument is valid – the premises necessarily lead to the conclusion. The argument is also sound – the premises are true. It is a good argument. †¢ â€Å"Oranges are green. All green things make me sick. Therefore, oranges make me sick.† The claim is â€Å"oranges make me sick.† The premises are â€Å"Oranges are green,† and â€Å"All green things make me sick.† The argument is valid – if we accept the premises, we are forced to accept the conclusion. However, the argument is not sound – oranges are not, in fact, green, so one of the premises is false. This is a bad argument. †¢ â€Å"Broccoli is green. Some green things make me sick. Therefore, broccoli makes me sick.† The claim is â€Å"broccoli makes me sick.† The premises are â€Å"Broccoli is green,† and â€Å"Some green things make me sick.† Here, all the premises are true. However, the argument is not valid – even if we accept the premises, we are not forced to accept the conclusion. Just because some green things are sickening does not mean that broccoli is. This is a bad or unsound argument. (Notice, it doesn’t make any difference whether or not broccoli makes me sick – whether or not the conclusion is true. Even if the conclusion is true, the premises have not given us reason to believe that it is true.) †¢ â€Å"Whales know how to play hockey. Therefore, Canadians like winter.† The claim is â€Å"Canadians like winter.† The premise is â€Å"Whales know how to play hockey.† The argument is neither valid nor sound. It’s a bad argument. (Again, it doesn’t make any difference whether the conclusion is true.) Part II: Analyzing an Argument Reconstructing the argument The examples I’ve given are overly simplistic. Usually arguments come in complicated prose. It is therefore difficult to figure out what the argument is, let alone whether it is good. Our first step is to reconstruct the argument. That is, we must convert the argument into a series of statements, identifying the premises and the conclusion and laying them out so that the premises lead to the conclusion. Take Socrates’s argument in the Apology: â€Å"For Death is to be as it were nothing, and to be deprived of all sensation And if no sensation remains, then death is like a dreamless sleep. In this case, death will be a blessing. For, if any one compares such a night as this, in which he so profoundly sleeps as not even to see a dream, with the other nights and days of his life, and should declare how many he had passed better and more pleasantly than this night, I think that not only a private man, but even the great king himself, would find so small a number that they might be easily counted.† The first step is to identify the conclusion. Go through the passage and try to find the point. What is Socrates trying to establish? It’s buried in there: â€Å"Death will be a blessing.† To proceed, we first have to get rid of anything unnecessary – mere rhetorical flourishes, repetitions, and irrelevancies. Go through the passage and get rid of anything that doesn’t support the conclusion in some way: â€Å"For Death is to be deprived of all sensation if no sensation remains, then death is like a dreamless sleep. death will be a blessing. if any one compares such a night [of sleep without dreams] with the other nights and days of his life, and should declare how many he had passed better and more pleasantly than this night, I think.. [he] would find so small a number† Once we’ve dispensed with what we don’t need, we can reformulate the argument as a series of statements: 1. Death is to be deprived of all sensation. 2. If no sensation remains, death is like a dreamless sleep. 3. Anyone will consider a dreamless sleep better than most days and nights. 4. Death is a blessing. Now we’re ready to add anything that seems to be missing. Are there any premises that seem to be assumed, but aren’t stated? 1. Death is to be deprived of all sensation. 2. If no sensation remains, death is like a dreamless sleep. 3. Death is like a dreamless sleep. 4. Anyone will consider a dreamless sleep better than most days and nights. 5. Anyone will consider death better than most days and nights. 6. Anything that is better than most days and nights is a blessing. 7. Death is a blessing. Now, we need to say something about the inference in the argument. We need to say how the argument is put together. We should identify assumed premises and sub-arguments – conclusions that are premises for the main conclusion. This will also help us to identify if anything else is missing. 1. Death is to be deprived of all sensation. (Assumption) 2. If no sensation remains, death is like a dreamless sleep. (Assumption) 3. Death is like a dreamless sleep. (Conclusion from 1 and 2) 4. Anyone will consider a dreamless sleep better than most days and nights. (Assumption) 5. Anyone will consider death better than most days and nights. (Conclusion from 3 and 4) 6. Anything that is better than most days and nights is a blessing. (Assumption) 7. Death is a blessing. (From 3, 5, and 6) At this point, we’ve completed the reconstruction of the argument. No reconstruction is perfect, and I don’t mean to suggest that this is the only possible reconstruction of Socrates’s argument. It just seems to me as if this is what Socrates is saying. If you disagree with my critique, you can always question the faithfulness of my reconstruction. That’s a standard philosophical move. Analyzing an Argument Once we’ve reconstructed an argument – shown what we think it is and how it is supposed to work – we can begin to say whether an argument is good or bad. We need to evaluate the argument’s validity and soundness. First, take a step back. Assume that you don’t have any prior opinion about the conclusion. In this case, are you convinced? If you are, then you need to figure out why. If you aren’t, you need to figure out why not. That’s the point of the critique – to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the argument. It’s hard to decide where to start. Often, the issues of validity and soundness get tangled up. In general, you just have to choose whatever is convenient. In this case, let’s look at soundness first. Do we accept the premises to be true? The first premise seems acceptable. At least I’m willing to give Socrates the benefit of the doubt. The second, however, seems questionable. Does the lack of sensation really imply a similarity to dreamless sleep? It seems to me that (permanent) lack of sensation is different from dreamless sleep in at least one important respect – sleeping includes waking up. Lack of sensation does not. I mean, is it right to say that a corpse, or even a stone – neither of which senses – does something like sleep? The third premise is a conclusion of a sub-argument. Our willingness to accept its truth depends on the soundness of Socrates’s argument for it: 1. Death is to be deprived of all sensation. (Assumption) 2. If no sensation remains, death is like a dreamless sleep. (Assumption) 3. Death is like a dreamless sleep. (From 1 and 2) We’ve already considered the truth of this argument’s premises. We concluded that (1) was fine, but (2) was questionable. What about validity? It seems that this argument is valid. If we accept (1) and (2) we must accept (3). So we are convinced of (3) as much as we are convinced of (2). The fourth premise is an assumption about what humans in general would think. These kinds of generalizations are notoriously difficult to establish. Who’s to say what everyone would think? That said, I think it’s a fairly reasonable assumption that most people would consider a dreamless sleep better than a hum-drum day at the office or a normal night of tossing and turning. I know I would. The fifth premise is another conclusion of a sub-argument, which goes like this: 3.Death is like a dreamless sleep. (From 1 and 2) 4.Anyone will consider a dreamless sleep better than most days and nights. (Assumption) 5.Anyone will consider death better than most days and nights. (From 3 and 4) Is this sound? Clearly the argument is valid. Ignoring any lingering misgivings about (4), then, the argument is as sound as (3), whose acceptance depends on (2), as we said above. The only major problem identified, so far, is with (2). This does raise an interesting point, though. What if we compare death – non-existence – to the days of our lives? It just might be that a state of death – lacking all sensation, including pain and suffering – might be better than some of our days, though certainly worse than more pleasurable ones. Perhaps, then, death is not something to seek, but also not something to fear. The sixth premise is another assumption I’m willing to grant Socrates. People might disagree about what the definition of â€Å"blessing† is, but Socrates’s seems reasonable enough. Now, on to the conclusion. Is the argument valid? Do (3), (5), and (6) lead to (7)? Well, not quite. Properly speaking they only support the claim that â€Å"Anyone will consider death to be a blessing.† Socrates hasn’t established what death really is, just what people would usually think of it. But perhaps this is splitting hairs. As for soundness, we’ve already accepted (with reservations) (5) and (6). Again, (3), and thus (2), is the major sticking point. We can consider Socrates’s argument sound only if we accept (2). Critiquing an Argument At this point, it’s time to state what we’ve learned about Socartes’ argument in an argument of our own. We’ve ready to write our critique: Socrates’s argument that death is a blessing in the Apology is interesting, but suffers from some weaknesses. As it stands it is not convincing. In the first place, Socrates cannot establish what death really is, but only what people think about it. He never discusses what death is, only what people think about it. Therefore, he cannot reach his intended conclusion. Moreover, the whole argument hinges on whether it is correct to say that lack of sensation is like a dreamless sleep. Sleeping seems to imply the possibility of waking, so it is quite different in this respect from a complete lack of sensation. Is it fair to say that a corpse, or even a stone, is doing something â€Å"like sleeping† just because they cannot sense anything? If we do not accept this assumed analogy, Socrates’s argument does not follow. That said, Socrates does raise the interesting point that death might be compared to the rest of the days of one’s life. In this case, it might be that death is better than some days, but worse than the very best days. If so, then death is perhaps not something to seek, but not something to fear, either. Even if death is not a blessing, perhaps it is not a curse, either. Socrates’s argument does lead us to reconsider our common view of death as something invariably bad and the worst of all possibilities. Note how I’ve first identified the conclusion and said what I think about the argument as a whole. Since I don’t think the argument is good, I’ve said why I think so. In particular, I point out two important weaknesses, I say why they are weaknesses, and I say which is more problematic. I then comment on what I think is a strength of the argument, and why I think it is a strength. Finally, I summarize what I draw from the argument. Now, an argument critique should contain all of these elements, though not necessarily in this order. Most importantly, an argument critique has to say what the strengths and weaknesses of an argument are, and why they are strengths and weaknesses.

Effectiveness of the Opening Chapter to Great Expectations Essay

Charles Dickens ?Great Expectations? was written during the 19th century, published in weekly installments in a magazine. The novel is based around Pip, the opportunities he is presented with and the difficulties he has to face. In the first chapter we are introduced to Pip, and Magwitch, an escaped convict. The theme of crime and punishment immediately draws us in. Dickens uses a number of techniques to ensure the readers continuing interest, such as pathetic fallacy, metaphor, themes, symbolism, and adjectives. When the convict appears, Dickens describes him using powerful word such as ?stung? ?glared? ?growled? ?terror? and ?savage? which immediately grabs the readers attention. Pip is described here as ?the small bundle of shivers growing afraid of it all and beginning to cry? which makes the reader feel sympathy and encourages them to read on to find out what happens next. Pathetic fallacy is used in the first chapter as the windy cold gloomy marshes in which Pip first encounters the convict are perceived as a fearful, sinister place. In chapter 1 we are introduced to Pip, an orphan, and Magwitch, a convict, the two main characters and who the novel is based around. The events are described by Pip, the protagonist, whom we immediately feel sympathy for. Dickens writes ?My father's family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip? ? his innocent childish tendencies appeal to the reader and makes them want to read on. As Dickens describes the bleak marshes in which Pip encounters the convict, a sinister, gloomy picture is painted in the readers mind. This is reinforced by the convicts threatening behavior towards Pip, as he threa... ...oung Pip and uses his power to his advantage when commanding him to do things for him. Pip is left weak and powerless. ?Parents and children?, another theme is shown during the first chapter, when Pip describes how his parents and five brothers died and he was brought up by his elder sister. The theme is revisited, concerning Ms Havisham, who adopted Estella when she was a baby and raised her as her own daughter. After reading the first chapter, the reader is left on a cliffhanger, and with unanswered questions. Will Pip keep his terrifying meeting with the convict a secret? Will he do what he has ordered him to do? How will their relationship develop? Dickens uses a variety of methods and techniques effectively, the reader is immediately drawn in. The techniques Dickens uses grab the readers attention and encites them to continue reading the rest of the novel.

Analysis of Maus: the Animal Behavioral Stance Essay

I want to use Maus as my analysis. I feel like you can gain insight into this blend more easily because the connections Spiegelman used was so closely related to how people view society. The intentionality behind it so obvious, trying to tell the story of a World War Two survivor in way that people could relate to without getting too emotionally evolved. It’s like Art’s psychiatrist says to Art, â€Å"I’m not talking about YOUR book now, but look at how many books have already been written about the Holocaust. What’s the point? People haven’t changed†¦ Maybe they need a newer, bigger Holocaust.† I think what he was trying to say is that most people don’t understand what those survivors really went through. There is about a thousand different depictions of the Holocaust, but none that tell the story like Maus does. It’s something about the way you see through Vladek’s eyes, as a mouse rather than human, that perhaps makes it easier for us to â€Å"get it†. However, the types of animals he used made it a little complicated to not get involved emotionally. Viewing the Jews as vermin and the Germans as cats trying to exterminate those vermin, made it even more real, I felt. The way people feel like the Polish are dirty people (pigs) and how Americans feel they can conquer or take anything they feel (dogs), just adds to the subjectivity of the situation. We want to feel for the mice as the cats treat them so, but we only know mice as vermin, not hopeless creatures being picked on, or exterminated in this case, by the creature in higher power. On top of that, I believe the Behavioral Stance (animals are intelligent and are capable of associative learning, that is they are capable of grasping that certain actions or a certain chain of events are linked to others) applies to this novel because when Vladek is continually finding a way to provide or hide his family, shows that he has an understanding of the horrors that could possibly happen to him if they were captured.