The Philosophy of Religion Essay Example For Students

The Philosophy of Religion Essay Philosophy of Religion, by David Elton Trueblood is an attempt to fathom not religion as a whole, but the thought processes that are the basis of modern religious thought. The book makes no attempt to explain any individual religious preferences or motifs, only to gauge the reasons for religion in its entirety. While Trueblood doesnt pass judgment on other religions, his personal beliefs are apparent. He is a Protestant Christian, and has been writing books on religion since 1935. Philosophy of Religion is in the spirit of his other books, such as The Logic of Belief which merely serves to explain why persons believe what they do believe. 1957, the year of publication, was exactly in the middle of a period of great change in the world. The space age was developing, and new scientific discoveries were turning many people away from theistic explanations of everything from natural history to outer space. Communism was spreading over Eastern Europe like a wildfire, sweeping up millions i nto the not-so-comforting arms of spiritual agnosticism. I feel Trueblood has done an excellent job with this book, and anyone interested in the Whys of religion should find it an interesting manuscript. Religion has reached a previously unheard-of footing in this world, and it is impossible to simply ignore it. One is forced to agree with or oppose with religions, which of course has led to a great deal of friction, especially between radical sects. Unfortunately, many of the most stringent followers as well as opposers of religions suffer from the same malady: ignorance. The most devoted Islamic guerrilla may well be involved in an anti-Semitic movement only because his father was. He may actually have the same fundamental beliefs, i.e. the belief in one supreme God or Creator; as a Jew, but is blinded by his cause and cant see the similarities, or attempt to cohabitate in the world with an opposer of his religion. In religion, there is to much gray area for there to be just one p ossible solution. Even communism, always considered the antithesis of religion may well be one of the most dogmatic faiths in the world. The main fundamental in religion is commitment. Most commonly it is the faith in God or other supreme being, but dialectical materialism is most certainly built on total commitment . We will write a custom essay on The Philosophy of Religion specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Another factor many people fail to realize, but which Trueblood points out more than adequately is that philosophy is not religion. Philosophy is the search for knowledge for the sake of understanding, while religion seeks knowledge for the sake of worship. One may also be religious and scientific. While science has redefined a good deal of the natural world, the supernatural is still unchanged; more people are turning to a God for comfort and stability in a world of constant flux. Quite possibly one of the most important factors in religion is its reliance on faith. All religion is based on word of mouth, and there is no way of proving its validity. If any part of a religion is ever proved false, then the belief as a whole is thus untrue. One cannot maintain, or pretend to maintain, a religion merely because it is comforting, socially proper, or convenient. If there is no God, then to pray and worship is a waste of time, according to Trueblood. Indeed, he considers a false religion to be inherently evil! Of course, many people feel that something cannot be quantitatively evil, unless there is a supreme Good to compare to and fight the evil, so this There must be, then, room for ambiguity in religion, if not doubt. This requires the argument for realism, which Trueblood sufficiently provides. Realism is a theory that holds that there are objects of knowledge which actually enjoy independent existence. These objects of knowledge are assumed by most religions to be the causation, directly or not, of all things. Their divinity or plurality has been the subject of great debate between separate religions, and religion as a whole and science. Platonists believe in a spontaneous, four-fold causation, while most Western religions believe in a singular, omnipotent God. Meanwhile, non-Theistic scientists feel that everything happens out of random chance, with no higher goals or creator. The next major topic that Trueblood explains is the nature of truth. Is something rendered true merely because it hasnt been disproved? Is positive evidence enough to classify something as true, or proved? If A implies B, and B is true, does that mean A is true as well? There is no definite answer to this, as Trueblood points out:If John was in the wreck he must have bruises. .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e , .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e .postImageUrl , .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e , .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e:hover , .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e:visited , .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e:active { border:0!important; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e:active , .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ufc3181b1b18027239f81aec48ceca71e:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Growth And Development In Babies EssayThis same type of fallacy can easily be used to explain the origins of the Earth, or the possibility of a creator. In the same section of the book as the nature of truth, there is a discussion on the nature of authority. Why are there certified geniuses in the fields of music, science and philosophy, but religious greats, prophets and teachers are considered illusionists, crackpots, or worse? Are these men and women misunderstood, or underestimated: insane, or truly messengers from a higher level? Another significant error about authority is that it conflicts with reason in the search for the truth. Many books infer this, but Trueblood illustrates that authority is dependent upon reason in the search for the truth. As previously mentioned, there are many irrefutable scientific facts which tend to nullify traditional fundamentalist beliefs. Trueblood devotes an entire chapter to this very important topic, and attacks it in a very logical manner, that should hope to pacify most readers, myself included. When most people are asked how they know there is a God, they most always refer to nature and th e world around them, and how only a supernatural power is capable such creations. While this seems a clear-cut, simple answer, that most people tend to agree with and use, Trueblood sees this as a theological cop-out: there is to much evidence to be classified by such a simple answer. The so-called natural order of things, and the fact that it had been going on for quite awhile before Man came onto the scene is perhaps the best evidence, along with the third law of thermodynamics: matter cannot be created or destroyed. One must wonder, then how things can simply be created out of nothing, as most Christian religions teach. Many people have turned to a type of theological evolution to explain things: that God did in fact set the world in motion somehow, long ago, and has let things continue on their own natural evolutionary path. Next, Trueblood searches for positive evidence of the existence of God. In his now-familiar, leave no stone unturned method, he points to the existence of beauty and aesthetics in Nature and elsewhere. This is a very good point that most theologians have never pointed out. Socrates and Plato both felt that beauty was evidence of a supreme Good in the world. While they didnt believe in a God, per say, their One is in the same spirit as Western religions God. That most everything, natural or manmade has some intrinsic beauty is not in dispute. But is an ugly object evil, from Satan or some other corollary of God? This, unfortunately, Trueblood doesnt delve into. Historical and religious experience is another vast factor in the philosophy of religion. To quote Martin Buber, All religion is history With only very minor exceptions, most historical manuscripts have been written, preserved, etc. by religious characters. As far back as the Sumerian civilizations, it was the priests who recorded everything. In the Middle Ages of Europe, were it not for monks, all of the Greek and Roman manuscripts would have been lost, and no new records would have come about. Coincidentally, many of the religious leaders of the Middle Ages were philosophers, such as St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, etc. Only in the Renascence did the fields of History, Religion, and Philosophy once again diverge, yet to this day, their paths cross more often than not. The Holy Bible, in many places is just a collection of ancient history, and reads like a lecture. Only the prophecies and slanted views found in it prevent it from being the first history textbook. The codependency of separate religions and history is also illustrated by the Hebrew and Christian faiths: The Christian faith has developed largely at the expense of the Hebrew faith, and has no independent foundation, and the Hebrew faith is stagnate, with no definitive end. The Christians even registered the Hebrew Canon as part of the Bible, providing the faith with some tenuous roots, although the true development of Christianity is somewhat vague. The next two sections of Philosophy of Religion deal with problems encountered by those attempting to be faithful to a religion. Trueblood considers Dialectical Materialism, i.e. Marxism to be one of the greatest challenges. Marxism and the Nazi movement of the 1930s and 40s are both, technically, religions, but they act as a severe detriment to Christianity or other theistic beliefs. Both of these movements are atheistic, embracing manmade values, mainly economic: although the similarities stop there. Another challenge pointed out in this section i s That of Freudian psychology. Trueblood considers this a threat almost as severe as the aforementioned blight of Dialectical materialism. Freud and others like him, including Ludwig Feuerbach, consider the idea of Gods to be nothing more than personified wishes. Feuerbach contends that each segment of belief is an attempt to objectify the thinkers wish. Freud himself felt that the Christian God was the manifestation of mans desire for a father figure to be feared, and depended upon, thus we view natural occurrences as coming from a central parent. I personally dont agree with Trueblood on this point: many people see Freuds views as anachronistic, not a viable explanation of mans desire for God, and certainly not a challenge to religious faith. .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf , .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf .postImageUrl , .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf , .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf:hover , .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf:visited , .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf:active { border:0!important; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf:active , .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3a21db98daaa2c236848f0fffe631adf:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Beloved-Water Motif EssayThe third challenge to religious faith, according to Trueblood, is Logical Positivism. While Marxism and Nazis point-blankly scoff the idea of God, and Freud writes it off to psychological instability, this third attack simply views religion and metaphysics as worthless and idle undertakings. Positivism restricts knowledge and fact as sense experiences, basic definitions only elaborated on as the subject of personal whims. Positivists feel there is a definitive answer to every question, and only one answer, is right. It is a very dogmatic and intolerable school of philosophy. I fully agree with Trueblood that this is a serious challenge to religiou s faith, perhaps more so than dialectical materialism. With no room for opinion, there can be no room for free-thinking, thus no expansion of religious thought. Indeed, this attitude is a threat to not only religious freedom, but to intellectual expansion. Should logical positivism ever come into widespread acceptance, than the world would take on an Orwellian shape, with all religions a thing of the past. There are many enduring problems that religion faces, that dont come and go like political fads or philosophical sects. The central of these problems is science vs. religion. It is impossible, as mentioned at the beginning of this paper to compartmentalize the two. As fast as one theologist finds a new biblical text proving creation, geologists pull up a fossil of man a few more hundred thousand years older. Fortunately, however the Genises/geology dogmatism has relaxed, with both sides able to find a happy median. But the great strides in medicine have sparked an enormous amount of confrontation, with people unsure of where science and chance ends, and miracles begin. Of course, what is miracle? Could not have God influenced the doctor, pulling his hand in the right way as the delicate incision was made? There are a million what-ifs in medicine, and one must draw the line, and have faith in his fellow man instead of chalking every successful recover up to divine intervention. If eve ryone waited for a miracle, nothing would ever get done, and then the need for miracles would be even greater, according to Trueblood. I fully agree with Trueblood on this point. The remainder of Philosophy of Religion deals with such topics as evil, God himself (or her/its self), freedom, and immortality. I didnt feel these topics are necessarily an important part of the book. They are impossible to validate, and Trueblood gives them a slanted approach. He only spends two pages on the religious significance of freedom, and doesnt even mention the value of the freedom of religion. I didnt agree or disagree with anything in the last section of the book; I just felt it was redundant. As a whole, Trueblood has done a very good job with Philosophy of Religion and I truly enjoyed reading it. It is very unique, the first book Ive ever seen that strictly explains the motives and processes behind religious thought, without attempting to justify one sect, or judge, positively or otherwise a personal religious belief. It was very insightful, and has helped to clear up questions Ive had about religious thought. Perhaps if more religious leaders understood the whys of their beliefs, there would be less intolerance and fanaticism, and religions could cohabitate in the world they feel they are protecting from evil. 1) Stumpf, Samuel Enoch. Philosophy: History and Problems. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2) Trueblood, David Elton. Philosophy of Religion. New York: Harper ; Brothers,Note: all footnotes, unless otherwise noted from Philosophy of Religion. Bibliography:Additional Work(s) Cited1) Stumpf, Samuel Enoch. Philosophy: History and Problems. New York: McGraw-Hill, inc., 1971, 1994. 966 pp. 2) Trueblood, David Elton. Philosophy of Religion. New York: Harper ; Brothers,1957. 324 pp. Note: all footnotes, unless otherwise noted from Philosophy of Religion. Preface: xi-xvp. 11William Temple, as quoted, p.9p. 33p. 36p. 63von Hugel, as quoted p. 69p. 71p. 94-95, 102pp. 118-119as quoted p. 131Stumpf : timelinep. 132pp. 138-139p. 162p. 177p. 179p. 181pp. 189-190p. 192p. 206p. 209pp. 209-210

Gun Ban Violates 2nd Amendment Essays

Gun Ban Violates 2nd Amendment Essays Gun Ban Violates 2nd Amendment Paper Gun Ban Violates 2nd Amendment Paper Essay Topic: Gun Control The Second Amendment states, â€Å"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. † This amendment has caused many debates throughout the years due to the different ways in which it could be interpreted. Most federal appeals courts have said that, when read as a whole, this amendment protects only the rights of the militia to bear arms. However, on a decision made on March 8, 2007, the majority focused on the second clause, saying that the amendment protects the rights of individual people to own firearms as well. The decision was made in a federal appeals court in Washington to strike down a gun control law in the District of Columbia that made it impossible for residents to keep handguns in their homes. The court ruled that banning the right to own firearms was a violation of the Second Amendment. It is too bad the people of the late 1700s/early 1800s did not perceive this to be a problem in the future. If they did surely they would have made their intentions much more clear. During that time period, Antifederalists had many fears regarding the new government. The part of the amendment about the militia was meant to reassure them that the new national government would not abolish state militias. It was not meant to transform into an argument over individual rights. However, if they were to see the conflict over the amendment today they would have trouble believe that individuals owning and/or carrying firearms could be a problem. They would not understand that in the present people often used guns unfairly against each other. This is why it is left to the people of today and of the future to determine our own meaning of the Second Amendment. It is always difficult to predict the outcome of our future. What is important to us today may mean absolutely nothing to the people of tomorrow. In 2828, when our world has advanced far beyond our imaginations, a young student may be assigned this topic for a history essay. It is possible that she will have only heard of what a gun is and what it can do from horror stories she heard as a child. : A law could have been passed long before her great-great-grandparents were born that banned the existence of firearms. In that case this topic may fascinate the girl. She would want to learn more about this â€Å"devil device†. She would do so much research that she would teach her history class about it and start a debated over the Second Amendment. It would mean more to them than it does to the people of the present because they would be upset because it was the people of the present who caused them to lose on of their constitutional rights. They would fight for it the same way we are. In conclusion, from no matter which perspective you look at this debate, the Second Amendment is one of great importance not only to the people of the present, but also to those of the past and the future. That does not mean we should stop debating over the subject. We need to make sure we are making the right decision. We can never predict the future with complete accuracy.

Do You Approve of Khan and Mandira's Marriage Essay

Do You Approve of Khan and Mandira's Marriage - Essay Example The conflict between Khan and Mandira’s marriage begun with the death of Mandira’s son Sam. Mandira was so disheartened by the death of her son Sam to the point that she blamed her husband Rizwan for having his last name â€Å"Khan† which triggered the bullying and beating that caused her son’s death. This was highlighted in the film (youtube a) where Mandira was hysterical in the scene blaming Rizwan’s religion as the cause of Sam’s death, that he had not been a Muslim, her son would have not been beaten and still alive. There are two issues in the marriage why it was questioned whether it should be approved or not. First is the difference of religion between the two (Khan is a Muslim and Mandira is not) and second, Khan is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a type of autism that makes him socially awkward and lacking in nonverbal communication skill that makes his eligibility for marriage questionable. I approved the marriage because conside ring it otherwise meant subscribing to the stereotype against the Muslims that caused divisiveness in our society. Disapproving the marriage would mean alienating Islam, the faith of Rizwan Khan and that would fuel hatred between Muslims and non-Muslims. It would also tantamount to dismissing Islam as incompatible with other religion when we are striving religious tolerance to achieve harmony in our society. Also, the basis of marriage should be mutual love which Mandira and Khan (particularly Khan) were obviously shown to be in love with the film (Youtube a). They were happy until society’s intolerance towards the Muslim begun after the 911 attack that typecasted all Muslims to be terrorist. By approving the marriage, we are also sending the message that people can love and coexist even if they have different religions.

Critical review of journal of counselling psychology qualitative Essay

Critical review of journal of counselling psychology qualitative research - Essay Example Both therapies are illustrated in detail through corresponding case studies. The purpose of the abstract is to draw the readers’ attention to the issues that the paper deals with such as the eating disorders Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa and to focus their attention accordingly on the details of the main topic of the paper which are the evidence-based treatments for children and adolescents afflicted with these eating disorders. The article was crafted very well that it was able to achieve its goal of informing the readers thoroughly about the eating disorders of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa as well as the available psychological interventions effective for treatment and management of the disorders. 2. What are the main areas of information contained in the Introduction? In the introduction, eating disorders were discussed, specifically, the onset of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) in children and adolescents. ... It was not reported what factors may be responsible for it and if family-based interventions were suggested, it was not clear why. On the other hand, the introduction gave a clear overview of what the readers may expect throughout the article, focusing on treatments and how patients will go through them. This is useful for individuals interested in such psychological interventions for personal reasons and for future envisioning of a career as a psychotherapist. 3. How has the rationale for the Research questions been developed? Rationale for this study is the need for effective interventions to help out children and adolescents suffering from eating disorders such as AN and BN which not only disrupts their normal functioning but also affects the family dynamics of the patients, most often leaving negative outcomes. This rationale was developed from giving examples of the presenting problem and its deleterious effects detailing the causes and corresponding effects leading to the need for interventions. These cases were well-chosen as they represented a majority of patients suffering from similar symptoms for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Although there may be other symptoms and causes in other cases that are not reported in the examples, the two chosen examples were enough to present a general overview. 4. What are the research questions in this study? The study does not pose any overt research questions, but it is presumed from the content of the study that it asks about effective methods and interventions in dealing with eating disorders of children and adolescents. It may also ask for specific ways how the patient’s family may come into play with regards to the treatment interventions and how

TV Show and Advertising- at the Right Time in the Right Place Case Study

TV Show and Advertising- at the Right Time in the Right Place - Case Study Example During the TV Show, there were three commercial breaks of two minutes each after every eighteen minutes of the show. During the first commercial break, the following commercials were aired: - Nike (1-minute commercial): In this commercial, a cricket team is showed sitting in a bus, which is stuck in a traffic jam. Now they want to play cricket but they cannot as there is no space but then they have an idea and they start playing cricket on the roof of the bus with smashing shots all around the traffic jam running over cars. Demographic: Age: Nike has targeted teenage boys who have a passion for cricket. Gender: The commercial is targeted mostly towards the teenage boy. Income: This commercial is targeted to each n every income class. Race: Targeted to all race. Psychographics: Nike has targeted this commercial to viewers with the same interest that is cricket. Nike has promoted a positive and confident attitude in this advertisement. Nokia N-Series (44 seconds): This commercial shows the N93 and all of its features. Age: 15-45. Gender: Male and Female.   Income: Individuals who are in the middle or upper class. Race: Targeted to all race. Psychographics: Nokia targets consumers who want different features in their cell phones.   Target to a specific social class, this commercial is targeted to the consumers who have an interest in Cell phones. Malaysian Airlines (15 seconds): This commercial shows an executive is getting late for his flight and he hasn’t picked up his tickets. He has to drink coffee but to make coffee it will take some time so he takes a spoon of coffee and puts in his mouth then he takes a spoon of sugar and put in his mouth and then water and shakes his mouth and drinks it all up. N, in the end, it says to better book tickets online before than to leave everything for the last moment.

Spatial Decoupling methods for Digital Suscriber Line

Spatial Decoupling methods for Digital Suscriber Line In this paper, we present a novel method of spatial decoupling method to the pre- and post-processing of bundled digital subscriber line (DSL) systems using polynomial matrix decomposition algorithms. The proposed algorithm introduce a novel analysis and synthesis frequency splits in addition to upper frequency limits that play a major part in achieving the expected data rates. Instead of the traditional discrete multitone (DMT) architecture, sophisticated modulation structures known as filtered multitone (FMT) precoder for the downstream, and its upstream counterpart an inverse FMT equalizer are evaluated. Simulation results confirm that per-band equalization of polynomial matrices can enhance data rates by using this proposed spatial decoupling approach for DSL lines. Index Terms- Polynomial Matrix Decomposition, Filtered Multitone, DSL, DMT, WHAT IS OFDM? In this paper, we present the foundation for a future generation of spatial decoupling method to the pre- and post-processing of bundled digital subscriber lines (DSL) systems. The paper proposed a new analysis and synthesis frequency splits in addition to upper frequency limits that play a major part in achieving the expected data rates. Instead of the traditional discrete multitone (DMT) architecture, a more sophisticated filtered modulation structure known as filtered multitone (FMT) is proposed in the downstream, and its upstream counterpart an inverse FMT operation. DSL have for decades used DMT to allow the transmission of several high speed broadband signals through the twisted pair copper wire at the same time. Each broadband signal is on a separate frequency or, more specifically, assigned to independent DSL tone/ channel. For instance, what we call Channel 2 occupies 54 MHz-60 MHz. Within each channel used for NTSC analog TV transmission, one will find an amplitude modulated (more specifically, vestigial sideband amplitude modulation or VSB-AM) visual carrier located 1.25 MHz above the lower channel edge, and a frequency modulated aural carrier 4.5 MHz above the visual carrier. A color subcarrier is located in between the visual and aural carriers, approximately 3.58 MHz above the visual carrier. When the cable industry made the jump to digital transmission several years ago, the modulation of choice was QAM. Each downstream QAM signal which is really a double-sideband, suppressed-carrier analog RF signal occupies the same six megahertz of bandwidth as an analog TV signal. The current method of QAM transmission is known as single carrier QAM (SC-QAM); the latter is true even when DOCSIS 3.0 channel bonding is used. Each channel slot carries only one modulated carrier a QAM signal hence, the SC-QAM moniker. The entire data payload transmitted in the channel modulates just that one QAM signal. Now imagine transmitting a large number of individual very-narrow-bandwidth QAM signals hundreds or even thousands within a given channel. A 6-megahertz-wide channel could, for example, contain up to 480 narrow QAM signals that are spaced only 12.5 kilohertz apart. Each of these narrow QAM signals, called a subcarrier, subchannel, or carries a small percentage of the total payload at a very low data rate. The aggregate of all of the subcarriers data rates comprises the total data payload. For improved spectral efficiency, the subcarriers actually overlap one another. This sounds counterintuitive, because one would be inclined to think that, if signals overlap each other, interference will occur. With OFDM, the subcarriers are mathematically orthogonal to that is, distinguishable from one another, which takes care of the interference concern. Orthogonal in this case means the subcarriers are independent such that there is no interaction between them despite the overlap in frequency. The concept is analogous to having zero inter-symbol interference (ISI) in the time domain. Orthogonality is achieved by spacing the subcarriers at the reciprocal of the symbol period (T), also called symbol duration time. This spacing results in the sinc (sin x/x) frequency response curves of the subcarriers lining up so that the peak of one subcarriers response curve falls on the first nulls of the lower and upper adjacent subcarriers response curves. Orthogonal subcarriers each have exactly an integer number of cycles in the interval T. With OFDM, the concept of a six-megahertz-wide channel no longer is necessary. The previously mentioned NCTA paper includes an example of a downstream OFDM channels bandwidth being as wide as 192 megahertz, supporting some 15,200 subcarriers spaced 12.5 kilohertz apart. Along with the subcarriers are pilot tones for synchronization and other purposes. There are guard bands at each end of the 192- megahertz-wide channel, resulting in a useful bandwidth of 190 megahertz. The useful symbol duration time is 80 microseconds (ÂÂ µs), the reciprocal of which is the previously noted subcarrier spacing: 1/0.000080 second = 12,500 hertz. The total symbol duration time is 84.13 ÂÂ µs, which includes what are called guard interval samples and symbol shaping samples. Assuming 4096-QAM on each subcarrier, the 192- megahertz-wide channel supports 2.11 Gbps without FEC. Other example channel bandwidths discussed are 96 megahertz and 48 megahertz. All of these particular OFDM channel bandwidths are multiples of six and eight megahertz, which allows easier coexistence with todays North American and European channel plans. If the spectrum doesnt have enough room for a full OFDM channel, some of the subcarriers can be nulled, which effectively turns them off. OFDM can be used for multiple access say, as OFDMA in the upstream by assigning different subcarriers to different users. OFDM also can be used in combination with such other multiple access schemes as time division multiple access (TDMA). In this case, the full channel would be assigned to one user at a time, and the multiple access achieved via time division. When combined with TDMA, OFDM can deliver a very high peak-data rate, which may be desirable for some applications. Pros And Cons Advantages of OFDM include the ability to adapt to such degraded channel conditions as severe microreflections without the need for complex adaptive equalization algorithms. One reason for the latter is that a very narrow bandwidth subcarrier typically experiences what is known as flat fading when micro-reflections affect channel response. This is in contrast to a SC-QAM signal that occupies the full channel bandwidth and is susceptible to amplitude ripple (standing waves) across that full bandwidth. Each OFDM subcarrier sees just a tiny portion of the ripple, which for the most part affects only the amplitude of the narrow subcarrier. Compensating for what amounts to little more than an amplitude variation among subcarriers simplifie s the fix. Likewise, the composite OFDM signal is more robust than SC-QAM in the presence of interference. For example, a narrowband ingressor like a pager transmitters signal affects only a few subcarriers rather than taking out the full channel. Depending on the severity of the interference, FEC may be able to deal with it. Alternatively, the OFDM transmitter simply can disable a few subcarriers to avoid narrowband interference on problem frequencies. Inter-symbol interference is generally less of a problem with OFDM because of the low data rate per subcarrier. As discussed earlier, the overlapping nature of OFDMs subcarrier transmission provides high spectral efficiency. If information about the channels condition is sent back to the transmitter by the receiver, then adaptive modulation, FEC and power allocation can be applied to all subcarriers, blocks of subcarriers or even individual subcarriers. In other words, some subcarriers in the channel can use higher orders of modulation than other subcarriers, some subcarriers can have more aggressive FEC, and the power of individual subcarriers can be varied all on an as-conditions-warrant basis. OFDM does have a few disadvantages: It is susceptible to frequency and clock errors, although the pilot carriers that accompany the subcarriers help to mitigate this by providing the receiver a means of synchronization. OFDM has a high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), but a spectrum full of SC-QAM signals does, too. While PAPR-reduction techniques are available for OFDM and OFDMA, they probably wont be necessary in a typical cable network. Some of OFDMs high spectral efficiency is reduced by the use of cyclic prefixes, which help to maintain subcarrier orthogonality. Why Bother? You may be wondering why one would even consider a new PHY for a possible future version of DOCSIS. After all, SC-QAM works well, and channel bonding can be used to significantly increase data throughput. The good news is that OFDM isnt some new-fangled technology without a proved history. It is used in Wi-Fi networks, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), long term evolution (LTE), digital audio broadcasting (DAB), ultra-wideband (UWB) and Europes digital video broadcasting (DVB). A variation of ODFM also is used in asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) and very high-speed digital subscriber line (VDSL). The previously discussed advantages bring a lot of signal transmission flexibility to the table. When OFDM is combined with more powerful FEC like LDPC, higher orders of modulation can be used within the limits of the channel conditions, of course. Toss in new frequency splits and upper frequency limits seem improving the future DSL systems, supporting far higher data rates than are possible the existing DMT-QAM.

Weaponry during the Elizabethan Period Essay -- History, Long Distance

The weaponry during the Elizabethan period was the most advance weaponry known to the world. The most common weapons used were crossbows, longbows, war hammers, spears, early forms of pistol and cannons. With all this weaponry Europeans also needed armor, like chainmail and plate armor. Different types of weapons and the different kinds of armor were a key component to warfare during the Elizabethan period, in Europe. Long distance weapons were essential to European combat. The main long distance weapons used by Europeans during that time were the longbow and the crossbow. Each form of weaponry had its unique advantages and their pejorative. The long bow (shown in figure 1) was the original form of distance weapons. The term ‘bow’ means to be made from wood, iron or steel. The Welsh, who inhabited England, were the first people to use longbows. Longbows were 6-7 feet long and had a range of 250 yards, and still had the ability to pierce a knight’s armor (Byam 12). A well trained archer could shot 10- 12 arrows in a single minute. Despite these pro’s the longbow had a lot of disadvantages as well. One draw back was only skilled archers, who were costly to train, could use a longbow. Another disadvantage was it didn’t have a ready loaded arrow (Edge 34). The crossbow (shown in figure 2) on the other had been emphatically different. The crossbow had a span of 2-3 f eet and could kill a knight on horseback with one shot, because of good aim (Byam 30). Crossbows had ready loaded projectiles, while the longbow didn’t and the crossbow could be used by anyone since it didn’t require any skill. The crossbow did have a down side though, it had slow reloaded because of a crank and it was expensive. Crossbows were also used for other thi... ...n in her book â€Å"WEAPONS†, â€Å"Gold plating, or gilding, was sometimes used to embellish borders or bands of decorations and, in some cases, entire armors.† By the 15th century, knights were protecting themselves with full suits of plate armor† (Byam 41). His armor usually represented his class or authority. Each knight’s coat of arms had a different personality ranging from different helmets to different metals to different emblems. During the Elizabethan period Europeans mainly focused on warfare. War required long range weapons to slow down the approaching enemy and short range weapons were needed for combat. This era started the usage of combustion and developed cannons and pistols. The advancements of weaponry also lead to the advancements in armor from chainmail to plate armor. Various weapons and armor’s were needed for warfare during the Elizabethan period.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Vs. Abraham Lincoln Essay

This paper will compare and contrast Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. I will compare and contrast both of their childhood and education. Then I will compare and contrast their presidency. This paper will also cover the similarities and differences on how they tried to improve our country and what they wanted to happen when they were in office. Finally, I will close with the similarities and differences about both of their deaths. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States. He became president in March of 1933. He led a big part in the World War Two . He died while he was still in office on April 12 1945 of a cerebral hemorrhage. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. He became president on November 6, 1860. He helped free the slaves and he was a great speech and poem writer. He was murdered when he went to a play on April 14, 1865, with a gun shot to his head. The comparison of these two presidents early life is not really good comparison, But let me tell you the similarities. They both went to school and got an education. They loved to read and they preferred learning to working physical labor. They both would set there and read a book–after a book–after a book. This led to a difficult relationship with their fathers, who was just the opposite. Abraham and Franklin were constantly borrowing books from the neighbors. They both lived a sheltered life and never really got into big trouble. They were both Tall, handsome, athletic, and outgoing. They loved to go outside and play with the neighbors or just go out side and play by themselves Abraham and Franklin both moved around when they were little. They both adapted to their environment quickly. It never seemed to bother them. They both had to go threw the feeling of losing a member of their family at such a young age. The differences of Abraham and Franklin’s childhood were not much of a difference, But there was some differences Abraham was taller than all of the men in his neighborhood and Franklin was tall, but he wasn’t taller than everyone else. Abraham loved to go out and help his dad chop wood or do any  other chore that was needed to be done around the house. But Franklin on the other hand, He would help his dad and his mom but, he would rather read a book or go outside and play. Franklin went to a prep school, while Abraham went to a school that all you did was study at your own pace and and work indivitualy. This school was more like independent studies, yet, it wasn’t for bad children. â€Å"When Abraham was around 9 years old, his mother; Nancy Hanks Lincoln, died from milk sickness, a disease obtained from drinking the milk of cows which had grazed on poisonous white snakeroot.† (1) His sister, also died, But she died from childbirth. As you can see, Abraham went threw allot of deaths as a young boy. He had to deal with the mental pain of all of these feelings that come along with death. Roosevelt never had to go threw any deaths in tell he was much older. When they started to grow up, they started to explore the world. Abraham started to travel. But Franklin was a student at Harvard University. Then he went to Law school, but he never graduated. In Springfield, Lincoln met Mary Todd. Three years later they were married and over the next 11 years had 4 children. Lincoln became a successful attorney, and the family bought a home on Jackson. In 1846 Lincoln ran for the United States House of Representatives and won. When he was in Washington he became known for his dedication to the Mexican War and to slavery. He returned home after his term and resumed his law practice more seriously than before. Franklin married a distant cousin, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, on Mar. 17, 1905. They had six children, but the sixth one died at birth. The Roosevelt’s were active in New York social circles and Franklin handled small-claims cases. He also won a seat as a Democrat in the New York state senate. Lincoln was against the spread of slavery into the territories but was not an abolitionist. He also ran for Senate, but someone else won. But after that, he gained national recognition. They both were trying really hard to get into politics, and they seemed to be doing fine. The Roosevelt name and his new image helped him win the Vice-Presidential nomination in 1920. The Democrats had little hope for him winning. The number one similarity of these two presidents was that they were both presidents of the United States. Lincoln won on the 3rd ballot of the  Presidential nomination in 1860. Lincoln was elected the 16th President on November 6, 1860. In 1930, Roosevelt began to campaign for the presidency. He started to run because the economic depression damaged Hoover, and it was a better chance for him to win. In 1932, Roosevelt won the nomination as the Democratic Party candidate for president. In November 1932, Roosevelt beat Hoover by seven million votes. They both wanted the best for the country and they tried their hardest to make the country the best it can be. There are so many differences between the two Presidents and what they had to do when they were in office. Lincoln really didn’t have much to do compared to Roosevelt. Roosevelt ran four terms and he had to make decisions for World War Two. In taking office in 1933, Roosevelt had promised the United States to a â€Å"good neighbor† policy. He had carried out this pledge in Latin America. He tried to follow the policy of goodwill with all of the world. As war became more likely to happen in the 1930’s, both the president and the American public wished to remain neutral. But at the same time, Roosevelt did not want to see the aggressors get mad. War finally broke out in Europe when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. Roosevelt wanted to help the democratic nations without bringing the United States into the war. But after a while, it was harder to keep the US out of the war. After the fall of France in 1940, Roosevelt rushed allot of weapons to Britain to help the British in the war against Germany. As you can tell, Roosevelt was a really busy man. Abraham on the other hand, Had a totally different kind of presidency. He played a big role in freeing slaves and he also gave really good speeches One of his favorite poems was: â€Å"Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud? Like a swift-fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud, A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave, He passes from life to his rest in the grave. The leaves of the oak and the willow shall fade, Be scattered around, and together be laid; And the young and the old, the low and the high, Shall molder to dust, and together shall lie. The infant a mother attended and loved; The mother that infant’s affection who proved; The husband, that mother and infant who blessed; Each, all, are away to their dwelling of rest. The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye, Shone beauty and pleasure – her triumphs are by; And the memory of those who loved her and praised, Are alike from the minds of the living erased. The hand of the king that the sceptre hath borne, The brow of the priest that the mitre hath worn, The eye of the sage, and the heart of the brave, Are hidden and lost in the depths of the grave. The peasant, whose lot was to sow and to reap, The herdsman, who climbed with his goats up the steep, The beggar, who wandered in search of his bread, Have faded away like the grass that we tread. The saint, who enjoyed the communion of Heaven, The sinner, who dared to remain unforgiven, The wise and the foolish, the guilty and just, Have quietly mingled their bones in the dust. So the multitude goes – like the flower or the weed That withers away to let others succeed; So the multitude comes – even those we behold, To repeat every tale that has often been told. For we are the same that our fathers have been; We see the same sights that our fathers have seen; We drink the same stream, we feel the same sun, And run the same course that our fathers have run. The thoughts we are thinking, our fathers would think; From the death we are shrinking, our fathers would shrink; To the life we are clinging, they also would cling – But it speeds from us all like a bird on the wing. They loved – but the story we cannot unfold; They scorned – but the heart of the haughty is cold; They grieved – but no wail from their slumber will come; They joyed – but the tongue of their gladness is dumb. They died – aye, they died – we things that are now, That walk on the turf that lies over their brow, And make in their dwellings a transient abode,  Meet the things that they met on their pilgrimage road. Yea, hope and despondency, pleasure and pain, Are mingled together in sunshine and rain; And the smile and the tear, the song and the dirge, Still follow each other, like surge upon surge. â€Å"ËÅ"Tis the wink of an eye – â€Å"ËÅ"tis the draught of a breath – From the blossom of health to the paleness of death, From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?† (2) The deaths of theis two presidents are very different. Let me tell you how they both happened. On Good Friday, April 14, 1865, the Lincoln’s went to a play called Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater During the performance Booth arrived at the theater, entered the State Box from the back, and shot the Lincoln in the back of his head at about 10:15 P.M. Lincoln was carried across the street to the Petersen House where he passed away the next day at 7:22 A.M. This was the first Presidential assassination in American history, and the nation mourned its leader. Lincoln’s body was taken to Springfield by train, and he was buried in the Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery on May 4, 1865. Roosevelt’s health, which had been getting worse and worse ever since early 1944, did not improve. After returning from the Yalta Conference, he went to Warm Springs, Georgia, to rest. He was laying in bed on April 12, 1945 and he died he of a cerebral hemorrhage. As you can tell, The deaths of these two great men were very different and hard for the American people to handle, But they changed out history of our country in a big way. In conclusion, You can see how these two president were so alike yet so different at the same time. I believe that we can learn so much from these two people and benefit off of it in a great deal. If more of our presidents would be more like these brave, kind, intelligent men; our world be in a lot better condition than it is today. If these two men were not in out history, I think that our whole life would be so different. And that’s in more ways that one. I hope you have learned a couple of things from this report. Because I know I sure have.

Arnold Friend Essay

One of the big mysteries In Joyce Carol Oates’s â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?,† Is Arnold Friend the devil or not. Arnold Friend portrays the devil in many ways. In the story, Arnold friend is the devil, he went to Connie’s house and tries to get her to go for a ride with him and his friend Elli Oscar so, he can rape and kill her. Arnold Friend is none other than the devil himself, which shows in his appearance, his speech, his actions and supernatural psychic powers. Arnold Friend’s appearance is the main reason people think he is the devil. His hair is not natural looking â€Å"He placed his sunglasses on top of his head, carefully, as if he were indeed wearing a wig†. His hair is shabby and all over his head like he is wearing a wig to hide his devil horns. Arnold Friend’s eyes are another thing that is devilish. Arnold Friend’s eyes are very weird looking â€Å"He took off the sunglasses and she saw how pale the skin around his eyes was, like holes that were not in shadow but instead in light. His eyes were chips of broken glass that catch the light in an amiable way† Arnold Friend’s eyes look very weird as if he was some sort of demonic being. Arnold Friends other devilish characteristics include his nose and neck. Arnold Friend’s nose does not seem to be natural â€Å"The nose long and hawked-like, sniffing as if she were a treat† . Arnold Friend’s nose is not human like which means it must be the nose of the devil himself. Arnold friend’s neck is so different form a human neck â€Å"Even his neck looked muscular†. Arnold Friend’s neck seems to be the neck of a muscular animal which is a devilish characteristic which makes Arnold Friend the devil. In conclusion Arnold Fiend represented the devil because he was nothing, but trouble. His first words to Connie were â€Å"I’m Gonna get you, baby.† That can also represent Connie’s sexual desires because she continued to converse with him and seemed interested for the most part. He was there purely for sex and Connie was hesitating, but couldn’t resist his manipulation. You could also tell he was demonic because he knew a lot about her and walked in a really creepy way. He was evi l because he threatened to hurt Connie’s family which caused her to get inside the car. Arnold Friend also knew things about Connie that only she could  have known. He knows a lot of information about Connie, and he tells Connie what her family is doing at that same moment like some sort of psychic demon.

Banco Popular a Company Overview on Banking essays

Banco Popular a Company Overview on Banking essays Banco Popular is the third largest commercial banking company in Spain. While Spain is the base and the largest market for Banco Popular, the institution has operating facilities in several other European countries, as well as joint operating agreements to provide banking services in Mexico and some South American countries (Banco Popular, 2004). This overview of Banco Popular includes the history of the banking institution and a description of the markets in which the bank participates. The opportunities available to Banco Popular in the markets in which it participates are discussed. The effects of government regulations on the operation of the bank are considered. The performance of the bank (with a primary focus on financial performance) is reviewed. Banco Popular was founded in 1926 in Madrid, Spain as Banco Popular Espaňol. Within the Spanish market, Banco Popular operates as a national bank with headquarters in Madrid where it operates under the name Banco Popular. Banco Popular also operates five regional banks in the Spanish market under the names Banco de Andaluc, Banco de Castilla, Banco de Crdito Balear, Banco de Vasconia, Banco de Galicia (Banco Popular, 2004). Operations were established in the French in Paris in 1968, and, in 1991, the operation in Paris was expanded to 14 other locations in France. The company's operations in France were reorganized as Banco Popular France, which now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Banco Popular In 2000 Banco Popular established a network of commercial banking branches in the Portuguese market. The bank expanded its operations in Portugal in 2002, with the acquisition of Banco Nacional de Crdito Inmobiliario (BNCI). Banco Popular merged its existing banking operations in Portugal into BNCI, which now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Banco Popular al...

Chinese in London Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Chinese in London - Essay Example The author of the paper tells that Britain promotes cultural connections with many countries through the use of cultural festivals and events. This is particularly prevalent in terms of Chinese culture. The interest that Britain people in general have towards China and the Chinese culture can be seen in the dramatic increase of people learning Chinese within Britain. There are close to 100,000 people throughout the United Kingdom who are learning to speak Chinese through language classes. One explanation for this interest is the focus that Britain has placed on Chinese culture. This interest in the culture and history of China has continued to grow among United Kingdom citizens. This evaluation will consider the China in London cultural festival that occurs annually around the time of the Chinese New Year. The festival is an example of the celebration and teaching of the values of one culture within another. In this case, the annual festival is continuing to grow, driven by an increa sing interest in aspects of Chinese culture. There are many different aspects to this festival, including a variety of events, exhibitions and concerts. For London residents who have a Chinese heritage, the event provides a way to express cultural pride. Additionally, China in London makes use of many Chinese people and groups from China itself, forming and maintaining relationships between the two countries. The process of organising and planning the event each year is a substantial logistical effort involving a large amount of long-distance communication and coordination. The festival lasts approximately a week, beginning with the lighting of Chinese lanterns, which occurs in Oxford Circus. The final component of the cultural event is a celebration of the Chinese New Year. This occurs at Trafalgar Square, and consists of a large number of performances and events. The exact dates of the festival are different each year, but they generally centre on the dates of the Chinese New Year . For example, in 2010, the festival ran from February 14 to February 21, where February 14 was the official date of the Chinese New Year. China in London is a celebration of values and traditions that are an ingrained part of Chinese culture, but are not well recognised in the Western world. It is now considered to be the largest celebration of the Chinese New Year outside of China. This case study considers the China in London festival, with particular reference to the 2009 and 2010 festivals. Theme One: Globalisation and the visitor experience The world continues to grow more globalised, with travel between countries becoming commonplace, and many aspects of different cultures intermingling with one another.

Substance Abuse among the elderly populatin Article

Substance Abuse among the elderly populatin - Article Example Some participants were â€Å"early onset† drug users. These users started substance abuse at an early age especially during adolescences and early adulthood periods. The habit began as a result of experimentation, peer pressure and recreational use. Other respondents began use of substances later in life due to stressful life experiences like death of close relatives, divorces or pressure from drug user partners and friends. The research found there were negative effects on health status of drug abusers. In addition, the substance abusers lived poor quality of lives compared to other people. Most of the substance users lived alone with evidences of social isolation. Among the eleven interviewed, divorced respondents were five and the rest six had not married. Eight respondents lived alone. The research also found that the older people who were abusing drugs died earlier than other elder people who did not abuse substances. According to results of the study, ageing people used drug according to personal choice in accordance to effects and availability of drugs and substances. Drugs abused included cannabis, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), amphetamines, morphine, heroin, tobacco and alcohol. Participants had various adverse health conditions such as circulatory problems, diabetes, liver cirrhosis and hepatitis. In addition, there were evidences of weight loss, anxiety, impaired mobility, obesity, malnutrition, paranoia and memory loss. The study on substance abuse and elderly population should be expanded, and numerous study be done. It is important to know what influences the ageing population into substance abuse. I recommend for further research to determine why the ageing population engages in substance abuse. As a social worker, the study will help me in dealing with the ageing population and advise them on various activities they can engage in instead of substances abuse. Roe. B, Beynon. C, Pickering. L and Duffy. P (2010). Experiences