Analysis Of Saint Thomas Aquinas And Niccolò Machiavelli

In addition to the centuries that separated Saint Thomas Aquinas and Niccolà ² Machiavelli, their contrasting beliefs also separate them and place them on opposing ends on various debates. One of such debates includes the question of the ideal regime and considers who would be best to create and rule a regime. Maintaining the argument that previous philosophers have presented in their own works, Saint Thomas Aquinas describes how the best type of regime would be a monarchy. Within this type of regime, he argues, the monarch rules over and unites the citizens as part of the common good since â€Å"wherever things are organised into a unity, something is found that rules all the rest† (7). Conversely, Niccolà ² Machiavelli argues that the best type†¦show more content†¦Since people can only unite to a specific point, Aquinas argues that the best ruler is the monarch, who works to ensure that their rule works for the benefit of all. In addition, Aquinas also argues th at the monarch would be less likely to become a tyrant than a ruling party since the monarch will â€Å"more often attend to the common good† (17) than compared to one of the members of the ruling group since â€Å"it often happens that one man rises superior to the others and usurps to himself sole dominion over the community† (17), or that the ruling group could turn into a mob that only looks out for their interests, much to the dismay of those under them. As a result, Aquinas claims, â€Å"it is more advantageous to live under one king than under the rule of several persons† (17) since â€Å"provinces and cities governed by a single king rejoice in peace, flourish in justice and are gladdened by an abundance of things’ (11), since they follow what Aquinas considers the ideal, set up originally through how God is the sole ruler of the universe. Conversely, Machiavelli believes otherwise, claiming that â€Å"when the great see they cannot resist the people, they begin to give reputation to one of themselves, and they make him prince so that they can vent their appetite under their shadow† (39). To Machiavelli, a monarch would simply lead to the oppression of the people since â€Å"he can neither command them nor manage them to suit himself†

The Effects Of Post Traumatic Stress On Brain Functioning

Hypothesis and Aims The aim of this study is to assess the effects of post-traumatic stress on brain functioning, in particular executive functioning and information processing of children and adolescents. This study also aims to evaluate prazosin as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents. Specifically, the study focuses on the treatment of sleep disturbances such as insomnia, nightmares and altered sleep schedules. The hypotheses of this study is that the subjects with PTSD will perform weaker in the tasks given compared to healthy subjects, and that prazosin will improve their sleep cycles and overall conditions. Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition in which an individual†¦show more content†¦In normal brain functioning and NE levels, alpha-2 receptors are strongly stimulated and PFC performance is enhanced, whilst amygdala function is reduced. By blocking alpha-1 receptors or stimulating alpha-2 receptors, stress symptoms can be relieved. Because of this, alpha-1 receptor antagonists and alpha-2 receptor stimulants have been explored for the treatment of PTSD. A successful alpha-1 receptor antagonist that has been used in various studies of PTSD treatment in adults is prazosin. Several studies have shown that prazosin significantly reduces symptoms of PTSD in adults, nightmares and sleep disturbance in particular, and improved the overall wellbeing of patients (5-10). There have been no trials for the effects of prazosin on children and young adolescents. However there are a few case reports of the successful treatment of PTSD symptoms on young individuals as an adjunctive treatment or alone, and with comorbid conditions (11-15). These cases involved a seven year old child (14), two fifteen year olds (11,15) and three sixteen year olds (12,13,15). These cases all involved patients with sleep difficulties and insomnia due to nightmares and avoidance behaviours. Some patients underwent psychotherapy treatments which ultimately failed to alleviate their symptoms, and so prazosin was prescribed. Others had very severe conditions, some of which subsided following psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, but still possessed

7 up video response Free Essays

Seven Up (Bruce) During the documentary, many of the fundamental concepts of development over the lifespan were displayed. Out of the â€Å"seven up† group I decided to focus on Bruce. Although the group of seven came from a very diverse socioeconomic background they are all British. We will write a custom essay sample on 7 up video response or any similar topic only for you Order Now I was particularly interested in how Bruce would turn out, in regards to his influences of culture, class, socioeconomic status, personal attributes, and available role models. In the Bruce’s background I observed that he seemed to be a little better off than the others in the group of seven. I say this because his family sent him off to a boarding school. Boarding schools can be rather expensive relative to the institution. They are also a little stricter in disciple and learning, with a very robust discipline system. As far as socioeconomic class, I believe Bruce may have a better chance at succeeding because, according to our Human development book, â€Å"High socioeconomic status is an important predictor of academic success, according to a study†¦ â€Å". One of Bruce’s main sources for influence is his boarding school environment. Bruce states, â€Å"l think discipline is fair enough† which contradicts what he film says about the average 7 year not thinking too much or not understanding discipline. The film also says, â€Å"This distinction between freedom and discipline is the key to their whole future†. It’s hard for me to make a creative prediction about how Bruce’s racial or ethnic heritage has or will influence his future. Bruce seems to be very calm, well organized, and confident. He’s a white British male living in England. Ethnically and racially he’s at home with others Just like his self, so many of the customs, traditions, and language Bruce should be familiar with while growing up amongst others like imself. Bruce’s gender and his influence on his sense of future prospects is another area that is hard to analyze. When Bruce speaks it’s never for a long period of time but he always seems to reply in a short and brief but realistic answer. While some of the other seven talk about how girls â€Å"don’t do what they want them to† Bruce talks about how he has a girlfriend in Africa that he might not ever see again. I would describe Bruce as a strong, calm and collective boy, he’s not as fidgety as the others. Bruce seems to be very confident in what he says and wants, this may be due to his discipline. These internalizing attributes might help Bruce overcome challenges in the future such as doubt and uncertainty that could arise later in life when choices become more difficult to make. My beliefs are that Bruce has great core values because, he works well with others. In the film Bruce said that he wanted to go to Africa to help uncivilized people; this to me signals that Bruce has some type of either religious or ultraistic background which plays an important role in now Bruce see’s things. Assuming that Bruce’s girlfriend from Africa was black, and the people from Africa that he want’s elp are as well tells me that Bruce doesn’t have a problem with diversity unlike some of the other seven. In regards to the observations I made above I truly believe that Bruce will probably go on to finish school and go to a university of some sort. At the boarding school that Bruce attends discipline is a big part of the curriculum; this leads me to think that Bruce will be good at an authoritative role. Possibly landing a Lead role as a manager, or supervisor, Just because he understood the discipline and learned from young not to have problems with authority. His knowledge of girlfriends seems to be neutral, he id say that he had more than one girlfriend, but I’m not sure if he was speaking in language that I misunderstood; meaning he had more than one friend that was a girl or he actually had a polygamous relationships. If Bruce does have his eyes on more than one girl from young, then maybe the road may lead to divorce, but that’s not to say that he is incapable of change. Lastly Bruce seems to be very content with his current state of being. He doesn’t seem unhappy, but yet very certain of what he wants to accomplish; for example talking about wanting to go to Africa to help the ncivilized. In all I agree with the Jesuit proverb, â€Å"show me a child of seven, and I will give you the man†. Although it served as the inspiration of the documentary, I feel like there is a strong connection between your personalities when you’re young compared to your older self. The fundamental concepts of development over the lifespan were displayed while observing Bruce and it gave me a better understanding of how Bruce would turn out; in regards to his influences of culture, class, socioeconomic status, personal attributes, and available role models How to cite 7 up video response, Papers

Computers Are an Important Part of Most People’s Everyday Lives free essay sample

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Nowadays, computers are an important part of most people’s everyday lives. This change has improved the way people live. By advances in the technology, especially invention of computers, human beings can do their works much easier than the past. They have improved the way of our lives (life) dramatically. The number of advantages that computers can bring us is very much so that its disadvantages can be ignored (Advantages of using computers are so much that disadvantages could be ignored). Cases such as save (saving) time or facilitate (facilitating) job and affairs and improve(ing) our communications are my reasons which will be illustrated in details as following. To begin with, by using of computers we can save the time (more time). In todays’ community, it is told that time is money. With the huge advancements in technology, people’s life has more (become) complicated as it seems. We will write a custom essay sample on Computers Are an Important Part of Most People’s Everyday Lives or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Each of us hasn’t enough time to do all works on time (No one has enough time to do everything on time). The advent of computers in our lives(life), we can save time and do a big part of works more efficiently. For example, instead of going to shop and buying cloths, I (you) can buy it from my home by going to its website and even I (you) have this chance to see which cloth is the top-selling. (or) As an another example, I(you) can choose my (you) favorite five-star restaurant or hotel a couple of weeks before my(your) trip to a certain place. hat shows that I can better manage my affairs(It shows that people can better manage their life and schedule everything). The last example is that I even can control my home or personal room by using of my workplace’s computer (The last example is that home or personal room can be controlled or and monitored by using of a computer in workplace). These examples show computers have revolutionized our lifestyle. The last but not the least, computers improved our social behaviors. For the very first time in the history, Social networks and websites have given this opportunity to people to find friends and know people they never met before. Nowadays, there are a few internet-organizations by which we can find our future wife. It shows that computers even affect our lives (life) emotionally. To take these into consideration, I can confidently draw the conclusion that there are a lot of advantages which computers donate us such as finding new friends or saving the valuable time so that its drawbacks can be ignored.

Is God Real Essays - Philosophy Of Religion, God, Singular God

Is God Real The existence of God has been questioned since the beginning of time. Religions thrived on answering the unanswerable questions of the universe and people were able to find solace in the answers. As science has expanded and been able to answer these questions with natural, as opposed to supernatural answers, many people stopped looking to God and religion for the causes of things and started looking towards science. God was dead, according to many scientists and people of all professions. Many philosophers, however, have different conclusions. In the article, ?Science Finds God? (Newsweek 1998) it was recognized that although theologians and scientists differ sharply in their views and do not see any type of middle ground between the two fields, others feel that religion and science do not contradict each other, but compliment each other. Science discovers more of God's creations and the intricacy of which the world was created and God provides the explanation of the complexity and wonder of the natural world. He fills in where science leaves off. With Darwin's idea of evolution came the greatest controversy between science and religion. Darwin denied the creationist ideas of Christians and caused, an uproar in the Christian community. Some drastically decided to deny all science. To deny science, however, would be to deny the natural world. Others searched for ways to confirm and hold on to their faith. One way that people found to confirm their belief in a God was philosophy. St. Thomas Aquinas used the science of philosophy to prove God's existence. He showed five ways in which the existence of God must be absolutely concluded. His first proof dealt with the mover and the unmoved mover. From just one observation of movement it can be concluded that movement is. Whatever is moved must be moved by another, because nothing can have potential and actual energy at the same time. To actually move a thing must be moved by another thing that is actually in motion. Therefore that thing must have been moved by another. However this cannot go on infinitely. There must be something that is the first unmoved mover that causes all movement. This being, in a state of pure actuality, is what people call God. An example of this is a stone is moved by a stick. The stick is moved by a hand. The stick moved from a state of potential movement to actual movement by the hand. In order to move the stick the hand must move from potential to actual by something else. What moves the hand must be also be moved by another because nothing can be moving both potentially and actually at the same time. Whatever was the original cause of all movement must be pure actual movement. This being is the unmoved first mover, God. Aquinas's fifth proof relates more directly to ?Science Finds God.? This article states that the complexity of the natural world is more evidence that God must exist. Thomas says that there is some pure act of intelligence that causes all other acts of intelligence. As an archer shoots an arrow towards its target, God aims everything to its ultimate end. Everything is ordered towards an end and that end is determined by a being we call God. Using empirical sciences, it is evident that everything has its purpose and functions for the good of something else. This purpose is determined by God. Another philosopher whose teachings seem to correspond directly with the article is Paley. He presents this situation. If a man finds a stone and wonders how it got there, it would not be that unreasonable to conclude that it had been there forever. However, if a man stumbles upon a watch in a field, he could not reasonably reach the same conclusion. ?Because a watch performs such a specific function and has a clear purpose, which is grasped by the human mind, Paley concludes that ?the inference?is inevitable; that the watch must have a maker.'? (Stumpf 381) Every part of the watch is designed towards the specific function of telling time. It would seem absurd to think that all of the pieces in the watch just happened to come together in that way to

Educated Person in America Essay Sample

Educated Person in America Essay Sample Educated Person in Todays America Essay Example Educated Person in Todays America Essay Example Nowadays, many people argue that high school is not as effective as it should be and fails to create an educated person who would become successful in adult life. Hence, an educated person is commonly associated not only with the diploma of higher education, but the achievements in life. However, as the world and society changes, the way to success also gets altered. What Does It Mean to Be an Educated Person in America? In such a way, it is necessary to understand that the features related to a successful person are to be closely interrelated with the trends of the contemporary world. At the same time, education and high school in particular need to develop an understanding of such issues by a person. High school plays a crucial role in shaping people’s worldview and peculiar features throughout generations. Hence, it is necessary to understand the role of the school system in making children understand these trends and the role of exterior social influences and world change in providing them with the ability to adapt to changes, communicate with representatives of different cultures and perceive information critically. Therefore, the current paper argues that perception of an educated person is based on a number of features, which a public school often fails to provide. It suggests that the school curriculum should become more corresponding to the aim of developing critical thinking of peopl e instead of making them equally limited by the social norms of the consumers’ society. Who Is an Educated Person? This question is crucial for analyzing the effectiveness of the American education system because explanation of this notion will provide an understanding of the real goals of education. Hence, it will give an understanding which goals are met and which ones are neglected. An educated person has to possess a variety of competences. However, not all of them are effectively studied at school. In the modern society, each person has to possess a multicultural competence that would ensure effective communication with other people, technologies awareness, ability to adjust to a variety of situations rapidly and some other qualities. It is obvious that these competences are only partially taught at school and often are obtained not during the learning process but due to communication in the society. Instead, in order to bring up responsible, aware and educated people, schools have to consider all of the above mentioned aspects. The religious beliefs and cultural peculiarities can be discuss ed a lot. However, the social experience and direct communication are more effective in teaching nowadays. Hence, public schools should be oriented to providing information from various perspectives in order to let children understand the complexity and manyfacetedness of life problems. Such approach can be effective for creating qualified workforce. Instead, dictating the only correct decision can lead only to educating workers who can perform tasks without any possible innovations or optimized decisions. Active Learning Each person has to be an active learner. Freeman et al. have provided the research on active learning to prove that education is reflected in the performance level of people (8410). The ratings in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and other subjects show how educated or not educated a person is (Freeman et al. 8410). However, the same writing emphasizes the idea that active learning is more effective than passive lectures perception. The same tendency can be observed in life. Thus, a person who has learned to get knowledge and analyze it is more likely to solve various problems. As a result, one can argue that either problem-solving skills or abilities to reproduce information are more important to be perceived as a proof of an educated person. In the modern rapidly developing world the first issue is more important, and mainly the ability to think critically leads people to success. However, it is still closely interconnected with the basic competences one should have. Education and Success The connections between education and success is quite complicated and primarily predetermined by the personal abilities to choose between more and less important information. The existing educational standards are not oriented towards success of a person. Such idea is based on the realities of life and can hardly be denied with regard to a great number of congressmen and other public personalities who fail to answer easy questions about American history. For instance, Moore’s â€Å"Idiot Nation† provides quite interesting evidence of discrepancies between school education and what is necessary to become a valued member of the society. The examples of presidents and other people who could not respond to the questions of the high-school level not only prove that human success and achievements are hardly dependent on the existing school programs, but also suggest that the education curriculum is not very effective in making people remember things (Moore 138). At the same time, the examples of public people show that there is no necessity to do so. The main aim of education is usually associated with getting a good job and becoming successful. In the same way, understanding of what is important in education changes along with demands to a person who wants to be successful. However, with a great amount of information, it is not possible to remember everything. Hence, understanding what exactly is more important to study is also an important step on the way to success and profound understanding in some sphere. Moreover, â€Å"getting involved into the community† is one of the most effective ways to develop a personality and become successful (Moore 140). Hence, if one associates education with future success, the current education system fails to educate students effectively. Teachers’ Influence Not only public people, but primarily the teachers are those who may increase or decrease students’ interest in subjects. A number of teachers who do not work for inspiration fail to set a proper example to students and enhance qualities that are obligatory for an educated person. Gatto’s story outlined how studying can turn into a boring and ineffective learning process due to the teacher’s behavior (Gatto 145). At the same time, the writer represents how teachers who blame kids for being not interested much in their work fail to provide decent education. If a teacher is not interested in learning new things and developing, analyzing, he or she can hardly teach students to do so (Gatto 146). According to Gatto, the features that must be learnt at school include curiosity and adventure (146). Consequently, one can see that the ability to think critically should be highly appreciated and valued. Children should not become solely employees and consumers with limite d knowledge and abilities beyond the standard school programs. In case school does not provide abilities to analyze various phenomena more deeply, parents should become those who do that. To a great extent, modern technologies provide possibilities to study without anyone’s help. In such a way, the lack of a proper teacher’s example can make school unnecessary at all. However, it is not completely so because school communities and classes are necessary to develop an understanding of social roles and develop abilities to adopt among other people. Such skills are also an important part of education process as far as students should definitely be prepared to become decent members of the society who can communicate with others effectively and differentiate themselves among others (Gatto 150). As far as such features are positive for people’s future success, Gatto also defined some negative aspects of the public school system. Among them, integration into a large group that can be easily manipulated, being obedient regardless of how boring the material can be, labeling and diagnosing future life, division of students into poor and elite groups (Gatto 1 51). Theory and Practice The current education system also fails to provide an ability to draw parallels between theoretical knowledge and real life. For example, the existing K-12 system does not combine subjects properly to provide various analytical and problem-solving skills. On the one hand, each subject can provide a person with skills that should be applied in the real life. Thus, Math provides people with an ability to think and reason abstractly and quantitatively (Stage et al. 276). At the same time, it lets people use structures and understand them, be precise and express some regularities. Science contributes to analytical abilities and explanation construction (Stage et al. 276). Language and Arts contribute to communicative abilities and cultural understanding. In general, these competences form a good background for solid education. On the other hand, the current curriculum does not ensure a proper understanding of all spheres. Thus, the work by Stage et al. provides evidence that CCSS is more than the existing K-12 school system oriented to success of a person not only in studying but also in the future career. Technological Impact Globalization and development of technologies are probably the major factors that have widened the worldview of students as well as their possibilities. At the same time they have contributed to the understanding of education and an educated person. Nowadays, one can hardly imagine an educated person who cannot use Internet, uses handwriting instead of printing or cannot work with the widely spread soft or hardware. Nevertheless, it is highly important to understand that far not always electronic, audio and visual devices are helpful in developing proper skills. They are often used improperly and lead to entertainment rather than studying. Moreover, the same advances can help to improve the education process in class as well as provide new opportunities. Picciano et al., who have examined the possibilities of online learning in the existing K-12 system, explained that online learning at high school can become a bridge to career building and college education (132). Such type of education is effective in rising student’s responsibility and the level of independence. Such features are crucial for any success-oriented person. Standardized Testing does not Let Students Think Critically According to Mann, universality is one of the most valuable features of school (113). It provides people with equal opportunities to learn the basic truths of life and get prepared to future work. To some extent, it is true and there are a number of useful life skills that children get while studying. However, the opportunities are far not always equal. Firstly, tagging and labelling children according to some abilities or disabilities is a common practice (Gatto 151). Secondly, social status is a crucial factor to define the possibilities of a student and especially his or her right to higher education (Strauss). Finally, globalization and multinationalism of the American society are also essential issues that destroy equality at schools and often predetermine future perspectives even before graduation. At the same time, standardized testing, which is aimed to provide unbiased and equal attitude to students, does not support the â€Å"spirit of justice† that was emphasized as important by Mann (114). On the contrary, it limits creativity of students and does not allow estimating their critical skills. High Schools Are Effective in Preparing Children for College One the greatest advantages of American high schools education is that students have the right to choose the class with some advanced learning of the subjects that might become a basis for the choice of future profession. However, in reality, it is not so. Ability to choose subjects does not contribute to success in college. The problem of high schools’ level of preparation to future college challenges seems two fold. The quality of training depends on various constituents. Thus, school program usually includes too many subjects, a great number of which are often unnecessary due to the narrow specialization at college. Although, the American system of education is considered to be one of the best arranged in terms of future prospects, there are some disadvantages claimed to lessen its effectiveness. To improve the situation, schools include active teaching with involvement of technologies, online sources and visual aids aimed at achieving a high level of professional skills necessary for future education (Freeman et al. 8411). However, researchers estimate that due to a huge number of remediate courses at colleges, the level of high school preparation is not enough to comply with the demands not only for colleges but for future jobs as well (Gerber). Despite being prepared for entering a college after high school graduation, students face numerous disadvantages such as entrance fees, which are rather high for middle- and low-income families. Hence, high schools should keep up with the latest demands of the labor market in order to prepare students for obtaining future professions and being ready for what expects them in college or at workplace. High Schools Are Effective to Prepare the Workforce The task of the government is to encourage the professional preparation of specialists. Moreover, there exists a definite number of people with creative thinking and a definite number of leaders. Hence, educational establishments have to be effective in training specialists. Otherwise, there would be no proper work in any business. However, it is arguable whether high school education is proper for future professions if it does not provide sufficient preparation for college. Our SamplesThe best way to know how to write good essays is by getting a sample of an essay from competent experts online. We can give you the essay examples you need for future learning. Free Essay Examples are here. In fact, the sectors of education and labor have to cooperate in order to provide the market with a sufficient number of qualified and trained personnel. The institutions and establishments of â€Å"private and public sector must work together to fix the deficit of technical skills and knowledge† (Gerber). However, the presence of such deficit shows that trainings are not effective to ensure the necessary skills. Moreover, low-income families, whose children study at â€Å"inadequately funded schools with the largest class sizes and lowest paid teachers† get little to no possibility to become good specialists (Strauss). The reason is that social class is highly important to shape the worldview of people and the views on the personal possibilities. The majority of such professionals are those, who had a good higher education. In such a way, inability to provide education to the lower classes leads to inability to make them good professionals and confident leaders. Hence, the education system is ineffective due to the lack of the equal possibilities. To sum up, the research paper has proved that the current education system has a number of failures that do not let the country get well-educated people. Moreover, sometimes high schools are less effective in educating children than the family or social influence. With regard to cultural, technological and other competences, an important feature of any educated person is the final success in career and communication with people. With this in mind, adapting ability, active learning and critical thinking are inseparable characteristics of such people. Hence, the problems of the current education system are predetermined by inability of high schools to provide active and inspiring examples represented by teachers, failure of the existing K-12 system to combine subjects properly in order to provide various analytical and problem-solving skills to students, globalization and technological development that predetermines the necessity of some skills that are rarely learnt at school. There i s a view that school provides equal opportunities to students. However, a number or evidences shows that such idea is erroneous. Some opponents argue that the existing education system is effective in preparing children for college and future profession. However, the truth is that a person who is not able to analyze effectively and learn quickly can do very little with high-school level knowledge. Instead, the above mentioned skills are the main tasks of education and the basis for future success.

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 153

Summary - Essay Example It is noted that by going to the public too frequently causes people to pay less attention to the president. Different assumptions were reviewed as the president was not to go to the public unless the public supported his view otherwise the Congress would vote against him. Also the president had to gain influence on the policy issues he had chosen to promote the public appeals. The president’s likelihood to appeal to the public over issues that would increase if the A president’s public opinion apparatus was designed to provide the administration with a comprehensive view of the public’s preferences. Who as a voracious consumer of the public opinion, President Johnson had sought to assess the state of it from a various sources, including both polls and mail addressed to him by the ordinary citizens.   At white House two types of opinion provided different stories as to the direction the salience of the public sentiment regarding the Vietnam War. Difference in opinion between the public and the opinion polls and the mail opinion may have been given bby the Johnson administration as a good reason to think that they could lead a loyal opinion on Vietnam, which was more hawkish than those registered by the polls of the masses rallying for the war protesters. These findings helped them to resolve interpretations of President Johnson’s strangeness with the public opinion during the Vietnam War, since he was clearer as to give the kind of opinion the president was following. They clearly demonstrated the importance of including mail opinion in the studies of the public support toward the presidential policies, and the response of the administration to it. This were the most publicized and controversial battles that had occurred at Khesanh which happened both on the ground and air in January 20. There was a final which was known as the Tet Offensive which

Marketing strategies Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing strategies - Case Study Example Equal also used pricing strategies to market its products. It has been reported that Equal priced its product 3 times more than its competitors in order to recover the higher branding cost it incurred as well as to attract customers through unique pricing strategies (Buss, p.193). On the contrary, Sweet’n Low’s utilize advertisement strategies brand positioning marketing strategies. It can be observed that Sweet’n Low’s had created a unique brand image before and after the introduction of Equal. In addition, Sweet’n Low’s utilized promotion-marketing strategies. It has been reported that Sweet’n Low’s had spend 5 million on adverting. However, Sweet’n Low’s relied heavily on brand positioning strategies to market its products. 2. The product-line branding strategies of Cumberland and Nutra Sweet in 1990’s may be described in various ways. It can be observed that Cumberland used Brand extension strategy by launching a new multipurpose product called Sweet One. This product could be used as both a baking and a sweetener. In addition, Cumberland used the blue color similar to the one used by Nutra Sweet to package its products. On the other hand, Nutra Sweet used extended product-line branding strategies by maintaining the existing product and making additional innovations to attract more consumers (Buss, p.193). 3. (a). Based on the evidence provided, I think the market of tabletop artificial sweetener is at maturity stage in the product life cycle. This is because at this stage a promotion may be required to help the product to become differentiated from those of other competitors. Moreover, additional features may be added to enhance the product quality and differentiate it from that offered by the competitors in the market. In addition, the company is should lower the prices of its products to attract more customers. Further, the company is encouraged to utilize both intensive and

Jury Trials and Plea Bargaining Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Jury Trials and Plea Bargaining - Essay Example Some of these issues have been addressed through a variety of initiatives but the perception still persists that a judicial system that is skewed towards the mighty, the rich and the influential have a built-in bias against the poor litigants and other members belonging to the lower strata of society. The view is that justice is not blind, instead, there is a tiered or layered dispensation of justice which favors the elite of this country and disregards the rights of the common poor people. As they say, justice delayed is justice denied, as the rich can exploit the loopholes in the system, hire the best lawyers and use all the means and devices to delay a trial by numerous postponements and appeals. This is the prevailing view today, which requires government action to remedy this bad situation in order to improve the administration of justice and restore the people's faith in the system. Discussion Court administration falls under the rubric of public administration and many people do try to improve its efficiency through various reforms and initiatives. Judges and the other court personnel, both at the trial and appellate tribunals, try hard to find new ways to process the cases more speedily through more efficient use of both judicial time and court facilities to avoid the so-called litigation crisis increasingly seen today and experienced by litigants (Swanson & Talarico, 1987, p. 40) which should translate to a smoother functioning and avoid these costly delays. The judicial administration has previously persistently resisted attempts at reforms due to a prevailing view that judicial independence is paramount regardless of however it works with the other government agencies, mainly the police, in the administration of justice. Its independence is a stumbling block at introducing reforms because any attempt to do so is interpreted or easily misunderstood as undue interference in the so-called separation of powers doctrine, it being the co-equal branch of th e other two branches of government, the executive and the legislative. This view has slowly changed over the years, as there is now an increasing realization that the sheer number of cases, both civil and criminal, have swamped the courts. This has necessitated a good number of initiatives which shifted the focus from adjudicative to administrative justice. De-clogging the courts – one good way to clear the courts is to prevent many less serious cases from even reaching the formal court system by dealing with it as early as possible while it is still in the pretrial stage. This is achieved by a number of ways like diversionary schemes, arbitration, mediation, plea bargaining and administrative penalties in an assembly-line manner which is utilitarian in nature, as contrasted to the previous rights-based theories of justice like the human rights and due process issues which are both inefficient, prone to delays and expensive (King, 2009, p. 186) because of economic considerati ons which trumped social considerations due to chronic budget deficits and other fiscal constraints today. Many of the rights of the accused are seen to be causing excessive delays, like the right to be presumed innocent, right to an attorney, right to remain silent, right to post bail and the right to file an appeal.

Teaching English With Pictures

Teaching English With Pictures TEACHING ENGLISH VOCABULARY USING PICTURES TO THE SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS (A Pre-Experimental Research to the Sixth Grade Students) ABSTRACT Vocabulary is an important component in teaching English and in teaching vocabulary, teacher needs to use technique or media in order to help students to have good understanding on new words being learned. The teacher can use media, such as pictures because pictures can be used to help students become familiar with new vocabulary in an enjoyable way and pictures can motivate the students in learning vocabulary. The main objective of this study is to find out whether or not pictures can improve the students in vocabulary mastery. The research method used is experiment method or more specifically the pre-experimental design with one group pretest and posttest design. The sample is one class consisting of 39 students. Based on the data analysis, the result shows that the tobs was higher than t-table (13.197 > 1.686), so the alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted. It means that there was significant difference between the mean of students pretest score and the mean of posttest score. It indicates that teaching English vocabulary using pictures was effective in improving the students vocabulary mastery. Introduction English has become more important language in the world. This is because people need a universal language to communicate with other people from other countries. People who are able to speak or communicate in English will be easy to get more knowledge or informations. According to Mc Arthur (1992:571 in Kaswan 2010:8), language refers to â€Å"a human system of communication which uses structured vocal sounds and can be embodied in other media such as writing, print and physical signs.† In addition, language is a systematic means of comunicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings (Webster’s 1961:1270 in Brown 1980:5). In order to make a good communication in English, we must have a good foundation in vocabulary and grammar. because they interact with each other to convey an idea. English as a foreign language is taught at the early age. In Indonesia English has been introduced in kindergarten and elementary school. While in junior high school and senior high school, it is a compulsory subject. Thornbury (2002:13) states that without grammar very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed. It means if we spend most of our time studying grammar, we can say very little with grammar. But if we learn more words and expressions, we can say almost anything with words. According to Linse and Nunan (2005:121) vocabulary is the collection of words that an individual knows. Meanwhile, Hiebert and Kamil (2005:3) states â€Å"vocabulary is the knowledge of meanings of words. Learning vocabulary is important as a part of learning English or other foreign languages since learners learn vocabulary first before they master more complex structure†. Vocabulary is one of the most important element in the language, without vocabulary we cannot communicative effectively, according to Allen and Valette (1977: 149) â€Å"Vocabulary is an important factor in all language teaching. Students must continually be learning words as they learn structures and as they practice the sound system.† It also means that teaching in speaking, writing, reading, and listening cannot be separated from teaching vocabulary. In teaching vocabulary, teachers needs to used technique in order to help students have good understanding on new words being learned. In line with this Nation (1990:51) in Cameron (2001:85) lists some basic techniques by which teachers can explain the meanings of new words, all of which can be used in the young learners classroom. They are by using demonstration or pictures (using object, a cut-out figure, gesture, performing an action, photographs, drawings or diagrams on the board, and pictures from books). Based on Allen (1983:12) there are three ways to show the meanings of vocabulary words: Pictures Explanations in the students own language. Definitions in simple English, using vocabulary that the students already know. Furthermore, Cameron (2001: 84) states â€Å"Vocabulary needs to be met. In different activities, with new knowledge and new connections developed each time the same words are met again. Nation (1990) in Cameron (2001: 84) suggests that a new word needs to be met at least five or six times in a text book unit before it has any chance of being learn. Teaching English vocabulary using pictures is a kind of technique for students in memorizing their vocabularies easily and fast. Pictures can be used as media in teaching and learning process, especially in teaching English vocabulary. According to Allen (1983:24) â€Å"Picture helping students understand the meaning of a word†. Pictures which have been cut out of magazines and newspapers are also useful. The use of picture in teaching vocabulary is a fun activity bacause pictures can motivate for the students to learn vocabulary. Based on Thornbury (2002:80) the use of pictures or objects for teaching vocabulary can be used to present new vocabulary items, but they can be used to practice them. It also means they can explore their abilities to increase their vocabularies. Pictures can make the material is easy to understand and to help the students memorize the word easily especially by the children. The used of pictures also simple and easy to use, can makes learning more fun and the students are not bored in learning. Regarding this, Wright (1989:136) adds â€Å"Pictures can be motivated the students, made the subjects they are dealing with clear, and illustrated the general idea, and forms an object or action†. It means pictures are important to help motivated the students in learning English vocabulary and memorizing the meanings. Research Question and Hypothesis There are research question and hypothesis of the research: Research Question Teaching English vocabulary to the students will not be an easy work to do. This study seek the problem that are formulated in the following question: â€Å"Is pictures effective to improve students’ vocabulary mastery?†. Hypothesis In this research, the writer has formulated the hypothesis as follow: â€Å"Teaching English vocabulary using pictures can improve the students’ vocabulary mastery†. Objectives of the Research The study discussed the way of the teacher taught English vocabulary to the students. The writer has formulated an objective as follows: â€Å"To find out whether or not pictures can improve the students’ vocabulary mastery.† Research Methodology Research Design In this research the writer used pre-experiments with one group pretest-posttest design. According to Fraenkel. et al. ( in Kaswan and Suprijadi 2013:34) experimental research refers to research in which at least one independent variable is manipulated, other relevant variable are controlled, and the effect on one or more dependent variables is observed. The method used in this research was pre-experimental studies. Pre-experimental is a research procedure that has no control group. The observation that is done before the experiment is called pre-test and observation after the experiment is called post-test. The form of pre-experimental study that the researcher applies can be seen below (Ary et al, 2010:303). Figure 1 Pre-experimental Design Notes: 1. Apply Y1 is pre-test that is given before the teaching or the treatment. 2. Apply X, is considered as treatment given. 3. Apply Y2 is post-test that is given after having treatment. 2. Research Method In the research the writer used quantitative method. According to Kaswan and Suprijadi (2013: 13) â€Å"Quantitative research is a deductive theory-based research process that focuses primarily on testing theories and specific research hypotheses that consider finding differences and relationship using numeric data and statistical methods to make specific conclusions about phenomena†. Population and Sample Population According to Singh (2007: 88) population is a group of individuals, objects, or items from among which samples are taken for measurement. So, population is a complete set of all those things, people, numbers societies, or other that can be used in taking data sources in the research. In this case the population of the research was the sixth grade students of MI Cireundeu in academic year 2014/2015. There were 39 students as the population. Sample The writer chose the entire population as the sample. According to Webster (in Singh 2007: 88) a sample can be defined as a finite part of a statistical population whose properties are used to make estimates about population as a whole. It can be defined a set of target respondents selected from a larger population for the purpose of a survey. In addition, Tavakoli (2012: 471) defines, a sample is the smaller group which is a portion of a population. In collecting the data, the writer used pretest and posttest. The pretest was administered to know the students’ vocabulary before given the treatment. The posttest was given at the end of program to find out the difference of students achievement in vocabulary mastery after the treatment using pictures was given. To collect the data, the writer decided an achievement test that has been developed based on the material. The writer used a test that consisted of fill-in-the-blank and arrange the jumbled letters. The test consisted of 10 items and time provided to do the test was 30 minutes. Result and Discussion The Result In this research the writer used one group to collect the data. The writer gave pretest to the students to identify the students’ ability in vocabulary mastery, before giving the posttest, the writer gave treatment to the students. During the treatment, the writer taught about vocabulary using pictures. Then, the writer gave a posttest to the students to find out the students’ ability after getting treatment. The result of pretest and posttest can be seen below. Table 1 The result of pretest and posttest No Pretest Posttest D 1 70 90 20 400 2 60 70 10 100 3 65 70 5 25 4 80 100 20 400 5 80 100 20 400 6 85 100 15 225 7 70 80 10 100 8 80 100 20 400 9 75 85 10 100 10 65 80 15 225 11 60 65 5 25 12 70 85 15 225 13 60 65 5 25 14 60 80 20 400 15 65 70 5 25 16 50 65 15 225 17 60 75 15 225 18 75 85 10 100 19 50 65 15 225 20 75 80 5 25 21 65 75 10 100 22 75 100 25 625 23 70 85 15 225 24 70 80 10 100 25 70 85 15 225 26 45 60 15 225 27 70 80 10 100 28 60 70 10 100 29 60 70 10 100 30 75 75 0 0 31 70 80 10 100 32 55 60 5 25 33 80 95 15 225 34 75 85 10 100 35 65 70 5 25 36 75 85 10 100 37 65 70 5 25 38 65 80 15 225 39 40 60 20 400 SUM 2605 3075 470 6900 MEAN ( 66,4 78,4 Result of the Research by Using SPSS 17 To find out whether the data normal or not, the writer used SPSS program. This program was used for testing the assumption of normality of the data. The result of normality test can be seen below. Table 2 Tests of Normality Kolmogorov-Smirnova Shapiro-Wilk Statistic df Sig. Statistic Df Sig. Pretest .138 39 .058 .951 39 .087 Posttest .132 39 .087 .935 39 .026 Based on the table above, the data was normal. It can be seen on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov column to know whether the data was normal or not. The significance of pretest was .058 and the significance of posttest was .087. It means the data was normal because the significance result of pretest and posttest were higher than .005. After the writer found that the data was normal, the writer continued with calculating the t-test. This test was used to determine whether or not there was a significant difference between teaching vocabularies using pictures to elementary school students before and after treatment. It can be seen as follow: Table 3 Paired Samples Statistics Mean N Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean Pair 1 pretest 66.7949 39 10.03200 1.60641 posttest 78.8462 39 11.83558 1.89521 According to Kaswan and Suprijadi (2013:189) â€Å"standard deviation is the most widely used measure of variability of a set of data in inferential statistical procedures†. Based on the table above, Standard deviation of pretest was 10,03 and standard deviation of posttest was 11,83. Table 4 Paired Samples Test Paired Differences T Df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean 95% Confidence Interval of the Difference Lower Upper Pair 1 pretest – posttest -12.05128 5.70295 .91320 -13.89996 -10.20260 -13.197 38 .000 After the writer calculated the data by using SPSS program, from the result of statistic calculation the data above, t observed is 13.197 the level significance = 0.05 and the degree of freedom (df) = 38. So t-table with the level significance = 0.05 and the degree of freedom (df) = 38, the writer found the t-table was 1.686. Because tobs was 13.197 and t-table was 1.686. It means that, tobs was higher than t-table 13.197 > 1.686. The writer conclude that the alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted and null hypothesis (Ho) was rejected. . It means that there is a significant improvement of students vocabulary mastery after giving treatment of pictures. In other words, teaching English using pictures to the sixth grade students of MI Cireundeu was efective to improve the students’ vocabulary mastery . Discussion In this research, the writer applied the significance of 0.05 with degree of freedom (df) = N-1 (39 – 1 = 38) 1.686. As the result, t-test (13.197) was bigger than t-table (1.686). The writer concluded that the alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted and null hypothesis was rejected. Based on the research findings, it indicated that the achievements of the students were influenced significantly by the process of teaching and learning using pictures technique in teaching vocabulary, which had a positive effect to the students achievement. The previous studies of the research by using pictures can help the students to recognize the English vocabulary. Elsy (2013) in her research explained that the used of pictures can increase students’ vocabulary mastery. The second research conducted by Sholihah (2009). According to her research the positive effects of using pictures in teaching English vocabulary, were: pictures could improve the students’ motivation, pictures could attract the students attention, pictures help the students to memorize the vocabulary, and pictures make the teaching and learning activities interesting. Conclusions and Suggestions Conclusions Based on the research findings and discussions, the writer can conclude them as follow: The mean scores of pretest who were not taught with pictures as a media was 66,4 and the mean students scores of posttest was 78,4. The standard deviation of the pretest was 10,03 and standard deviation of posttest was 11,83. In order to know whether the difference between the two means was significant or not, t-test was applied. The result of computation was 13.197. So t-table with the level significance (É‘) = 0.05 and the degree of freedom (df) = 38, found that the t-table was 1.686. This research. showed that tobs was higher than t-table (13.197>1.686), so the alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted. It meant that there was significant difference between the mean of students’ pretest score and the mean of posttest score. It indicated that teaching English vocabulary using pictures was effective in improving the students vocabulary mastery. Suggestions The result finding showed that teaching English vocabulary using pictures can improve the students vocabulary mastery and based on the conclusions above, some suggestions are proposed as follow: The students’ achievement in learning vocabularies by using pictures was increase than without pictures. So, it is wise for teachers to use pictures in teaching vocabularies as teaching media for the students. Teacher should select pictures which are appropriate and familiar with the students’ the pictures should be interesting. The teacher needs to provide pictures in larger size and clearly, in order to attract students attention about the materials given. In addition, the larger size and clear pictures can make the students easy to look what the teachers showing. The teacher should be able to increase the students motivation in teaching-learning English, especially in teaching vocabularies. REFERENCES Allen, D. E. Vallete, R. M. (1977). Classroom technique : Foreign languange and English as a second language. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, inc. Allen, F. V. (1983). Techniques in teaching vocabulary. New York: Oxford University Press. Ary, D. Jacobs, C. L., Sorensen, K. C. (2010). Introduction to research in education. Canada: Cengage Learning. Cameron, L. (2001). Teaching language to young learners. USA: Cambridge University Press. Brown, H. D. (1980). Principles of language learning and teaching. United State of America: Prentice-Hall, inc. Englewood Cliffs. New Jersey 07632. Elsy, Y. (2013). Research article: Teaching vocabulary by using picture to the third grade students. Pontianak: Universitas Tanjungpura Press. Hiebert, H. E. Kamil, L. M. (2005). Teaching and learning vocabulary : Bringing research to practice. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers. Kaswan, et al. (2014). Metode dan teknik penulisan karya ilmiah (Usulan penelitian dan proceedings). Cimahi : STKIP Siliwangi Press. Kaswan Suprijadi, D. (2013). Research in English language education. Bandung: STKIP Siliwangi Press. Linse, T. C. Nunan, D. (2005). Practical English language teaching: young learners. USA: McGraw-Hill Companies. Mintarsih, M. (2014). Teaching speaking using pictures to the third grade of SDN Cibeber Mandiri 1. Unpublished Paper. Cimahi: STKIP Siliwangi Press. Singh, K. (2007). Quantitative social research methods. New Delhi: Sage Publications Pvt Ltd. Sholihah, H. (2009). Teaching English vocabulary using pictures to the fifth grade students of SDN Tugu Jebres No.120 Surakarta. Semarang: Universitas Sebelas Maret. Tavakoli, H. (2012). A dictionary of research methodology and statistics in applied linguistics. Tehran: Rahnama Press. Thornbury, S. (2002). How to teach vocabulary. Edinburgh gate: Longman. Wright, A. (1989). Pictures for language learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

The History of Computers :: Technology Computers Essays

The History of Computers To those of us that have grown up during the computer age, computers seem like a normal part of our everyday lives. The idea that only a few decades ago computers were virtually unheard of is inconceivable. Computers are now so essential that they basically run our society and the whole of the modern world. They track hurricanes, forecast the weather, predict natural disasters, control satellites and missiles and keep countries around the world in constant contact. The technology that revolves around the computer industry is forever changing and growing, becoming more advanced and doing things that seem beyond anyone ¦Ãƒ s wildest dreams. The development of computers during the last few decades is astronomical and could be one of the fastest developing inventions ever created. The dawn of the computer age can be traced back to the period of 1936  ¡Ãƒâ„¢ 1945, when the first computers were being built in several countries (Tomaselli vii). Although they came about as a result of the war, it is certainly safe to say they would have developed on their own in the business industry. Regardless, computer technology has grown by incredible leaps and bounds since the very beginning and as Barnes says,  ¡Ãƒ we have been living amidst the fastest technological revolution of all time ¡ÃƒÅ" (vii). Every couple of years something completely new and more advanced comes out and takes over the previous style of production and pretty much exterminate it as well. The technology is forever changing and constantly growing. There are so many technologies associated with the computer industry that it ¦Ãƒ s almost hard to keep track of. The technology that is most directly related to the greater society in this country at least is the personal compute r, or the PC. A personal computer can be defined as a computer built around a microprocessor for use by an individual, as in an office or at home or school. The PC, also known as the microcomputer, was developed from the semiconductor industry (Barnes 622). In 1968, Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore created Intel and started developing a photolithography method to put three components on a single chip (Barnes 622).

On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense

1. IntroductionIn the following I will consider Nietzsche’s essay ‘On truth and Lies in a nonmoral sense’.   First I will look at a small section of this to work out his views on language, then I will examine the whole of the essay in order to consider his use of metaphor, metonymy and anthropomorphisms in detail. This examination will lead, by way of a consideration of the ways in which he uses metaphor and other devices, into a consideration of his arguments regarding the nature of language. I will put forward the view that his interpretation of the nature of language undermines itself as it seeks to put itself forward as a truth while denying that truth exists as such.2. Truth and LanguageFirst, I consider the passage which starts â€Å"What then is truth†.   In this passage, Nietzsche wants to convey the flexible and changing quality of language.   The statements which we take as truth, straightforward and easy to understand, were in fact original ly more akin to poetry in their relationship with how things really are. Language which was originally used in a metaphoric, metonymic or anthropomorphic way has lost the vital force of the original statements, the original power of the symbolic use of language has become lost and only a shell remains.Over time the non-literal original sense has become literal so we take the words as a straightforwardly true or false statement.  Ã‚   In the original use of language, people could understand that the terms were not meant literally but a rich and evocative picture of how things are. This richness has become lost and we are left only with the empty structural force of the language, which we interpret as simple truth.This is my overall understanding of this paragraph. However it is difficult to paraphrase accurately, due to the richness of the language Nietzsche uses. We could in fact say that his contention that â€Å"truths are illusions which we have forgotten are illusions† is couched in terms which are in themselves heavily metaphorical, rather than the propositions which would be easy to paraphrase.Truth, in the paragraph in question, is ‘a movable host’, an ‘illusion’, something which is ‘drained of sensuous force’ and a ‘coin’.   The associations of these are rich, but not necessarily reconcilable. A coin, for instance, is not an illusion as it is an everyday part of economic exchange.   Therefore, the most important facet of Nietzsche’s argument would seem to be that it is not a conventional argument; rather he uses poetry and metaphor to demonstrate the nature or language, rather than explain it in a step by step way.I now turn to the larger essay of which this quotation is a part.   There are a host of metaphors, metonymies and anthropomorphisms in it[1], and as pointed out in the question it is easy to overlook these.  Ã‚   I will pick out a few of these to discuss why it is eas y to overlook them.   Part of the reason would seem to be that the text is simply so dense with them. In some sentences,   several of these devices being crammed into it. Take, for example, the first few sentences (1).   â€Å"World history† is described as â€Å"arrogant and mendacious†; an anthropomorphic device ascribing human characteristics to an abstract notion.Nature, likewise, is said to â€Å"draw a few breaths† which combines anthropomorphism with the metaphor of taking a while to pause.   Later in the same paragraph, nature is said to â€Å"swell up like a balloon† which again combines metaphor and anthropomorphism.   As well as the denseness with which these devices are packed, it is also the case that a more obvious device masks one in the same sentence which is less flamboyant.   For example, in the sentence quoted immediately above, nature is also described as â€Å"reprehensibleâ€Å": a quality which properly speaking should really be ascribed to humans only. This less noticeable anthropomorphism somehow comes across as a literal statement. I suspect this is part of Nietzsche’s intention, as it shows the way in which language can slip from being thoroughly poetic to less obviously so.The structure of his essay works to underline this. Passages of a less metaphorical or metonymic nature occur in between passages where the use of these devices, together with anthropomorphism, is dense.  Ã‚   For example, Nietzsche discusses (4) how metaphor is involved in every step of verbalization and conceptualization from sense perception to abstract terms. This discussion is couched in reasonably straightforward language without obvious use of metaphor and the like.Passages such as these are, however, set against ones in which the language is dense with poetic devices, where, as Nietzsche says there is â€Å"a moveable host of metaphors, metonymies, and anthropomorphisms† (5).  Ã‚   Such poetic pas sages require a different type of reading, one in which we are forced to recognize language as the dense and image-packed structure Nietzsche would have us believe it is in its entirety. In other words, I would contend that the mixing of metaphorical passages with more ’straightforward’ ones is a device intended to remind us of the inherently metaphorical nature of all words.Another way in which Nietzsche uses the devices reinforces the above. The metaphorical, metonymical and anthropomorphic passages provide a vivid and strong illustration of his points in the more straightforward sections. For example, he talks about man’s need for deception (2) â€Å"a continuous fluttering around the solitary flame of vanity†. The visual image thus constructed powerfully reiterates the later points he makes about the nature of truth and the value it plays for mankind.  Ã‚   He appeals, as it were, to both our intellect and our senses.Section two of the essay is rich    in unusual use of metaphor and other devices.   Perhaps the most dense passage occurs at the end, where Nietzsche talks about intuitive (as opposed to rational) man.   He piles device upon device to reiterate the way he portays intuitive man. He is said to â€Å"reap† â€Å"a harvest† from his intuition, but Nietzsche takes the unusual step of elaborating this metaphor in another direction, for what man reaps is â€Å"continually inflowing illumination†, a metaphor one would associate with a river, not a harvest.I believe Nietzsche compounds metaphors in this way in order to demonstrate that the sense of what he is saying is not straightforward but has depths and resonates in different directions. It is also unusual that these two metaphors hide another, at the beginning of the sentence, where man is said to be â€Å"standing in the midst of a culture†.   Here one could almost overlook the metaphoric nature of the expression, as it is close to a common-sense expression. I’d suggest that here Nietzsche is using the more unusual figures of speech as a way of alerting   us to the metaphorical nature of all expression, including cases like this where the metaphor has almost passed into ordinary use.Another remarkable passage starts section two. Here the scientist is described as building his â€Å"hut†, which is equated with his understanding of the world. The imagery here is particularly rich and evocative, drawing up a visual image of a towering structure.   It would seem that Nietzsche uses such particularly visual imagery to introduce his discussion of dreams, for the words evoke images akin to dreaming consciousness.A final point I would make about the use of metaphorical devices centers on his use of different metaphors (in this case with an animal theme) to reinforce his points.   For example, when talking about the development of conceptualization, he compares it to both building upon a spider†™s web and to a bee’s building with wax (7).   Earlier in the same passage he talks of this conceptualization in the context of the Roman gods.  Ã‚   Because he repeats metaphors taken from levels ‘above’ and ‘below’ that of man, it is as if he is creating an over-metaphor which draws attention to man’s nature and its distinctness from the animal kingdom and that of the gods, which in turn serves to reinforce his notion of the subjectivity of language and perception.I now turn to the general points made about language in the essay as a whole. Firstly, I will give an overview of the essay itself before turning to a critique of Nietzsche’s points.   The essay divides into two parts, and the tone of each is slightly different. The first contains more argument of a philosophical nature, although in the context of rhetorical passages, whereas the second is more lyrical in tone throughout.   In part one, Nietzche discusses manâ€⠄¢s intellect. We think we are the centre of the universe, and that our knowledge is a special thing, but so do the most lowly members of the animal kingdom.Our nature is inherantly deceptive, not aimed towards truth, however due to social constraints we feel it necessary to embrace truth in order to become part of a social world.   He then turns to the nature of truth, which for Neitzsche is inherantly illusionary and based on metaphor. Looking at the way in which we come to understand the world, this is based not on an actual coherence to things in themselves but an illusion,   even at the most basic perceptual stage.   Likewise concepts and abstractions have no inherant connection to the ‘real’ state of the world.The moral impulse towards truth is nothing more than a Darwinian survival of the fittest.   Man cannot escape the trap of his inherantly metaphorical viewpoint, which is also specific to the human species alone. However, to give ourselves a sense of security, we have to forget the metaphorical nature of understanding and take our experience as an experience of how things really are. Nietzsche concludes part one with a summary of the subjectivity of man’s experience.Part two has a different tone, being more poetical overall.   He starts by dismissing the claims of science to impart general truths which hold for all time. He reiterates that the drive to metaphor is the most important. Dreams are a way in which we can begin to understand the richness of the creative and metaphorical drive for what it is, a drive which is distinct from the scientific, rational one. In this section, Nietzsche seems to be hinting, against the first section, that through dreams and art man can perhaps come to an understanding of the role metaphor plays in language and truth.Nietzsche makes several general assertions about the nature of language in his essay. His foremost point is that language is inherently metaphorical.   As pointed out, h e reiterates this by use of the type of device he believes is a model of language.  Ã‚   This, I think, is the central theme of his essay, and one which, by his use of language, he puts across most subtlety.   However, there seems to be a problem with his view point.   He seems to be taking the viewpoint of someone who can say what is true and what is not.He wants to say that truth as we perceive it is an illusion, but does not explain why we should believe his illusion rather than any other.   He does not merely want to suggest by poetic devices that truth is an illusion, but to argue that this is the case.  Ã‚   He wants to do philosophy, not poetry, and philosophy is concerned with using rational argument to put forward ones own case, and dismiss opposing views.   The problem is that any argument he uses to support his own view also works against this view.I believe Nietzsche’s other points are flawed also.   Man’s nature, he contends, is to deceive hi mself, and this, he postulates, is for a Darwinian end, the survival of the individual (2).  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first instinct of the individual is self-preservation, and hence to deceive. However, social forces come into play; if man wants to exist happily with others he cannot be seen to tell lies, that is, to disagree with the herd.   Therefore the desire for truth comes into play.Truth is useful to society. Man does not desire truth for his own sake, as the philosophers say, rather he â€Å"desires the pleasant, life-preserving consequences of truth† (3).  Ã‚   Nietzsche thus postulates a socially driven theory of truth, where the quest for knowledge is an illusion, and social reality the only reality.   My argument with this would be it fails to explain cases where individuals act in a way which they know will make their position in their social group uncomfortable and unpleasant, and do so because they want to find the truth.Nietzsche talks about the way in which huma ns develop language to argue that metaphor is always present from original sense perceptions (3-4).   He says â€Å"a nerve stimulus is transferred into an image: first metaphorâ€Å" (4).   After this, he says, each subsequent stage is also built upon metaphor. However, I would argue that in order to distinguish a metaphor as such, we need to have a concept of how things really are, in order that we can know when descriptions are metaphorical (that is, not literal).   If, as Nietzsche argues, metaphor exists from the very first act of perception, then how can we make sense of a distinction between metaphor and non-metaphor?There is also, I believe, a confusion in the essay about the status of what Nietzsche proposes. He suggests that man had to erase the understanding of the metaphorical nature of language from his consciousness in order to live with any sense of security, and also that if man could escape from the confines of this prison-like viewpoint, â€Å"his â€Å"s elf-consciousness† would be immediately destroyed† (8).   This suggests that man is permanently trapped in the view of language as a truth bearing vehicle, unable to see things as they really are.This is problematic in two ways. First, that Nietzsche obviously thinks he can stand outside this language trap in order to explain how others are bound by it. Secondly, he seems to suggest at the same time that man can come to the realization that the nature of language and indeed life is other than he believes it to be, which assumes that the prison of language is one that can, and should be overcome.   This confusion seems at least partly to derive from the two sections of the essay, which are different in tone. In the second section he seems to be saying that art is one way in which man can free himself from the confines of language and â€Å"confuse the conceptual categories and cells by bringing forward new transferences, metaphors, and metonymies† (10).3. Concl usionIn the above, I have attempted a brief analysis of Nietzsche’s essay. I have attempted to bring out his central point, that language is essentially metaphorical, and also to look his other discussions of the nature language and truth plays for man.   I have looked at the ways in which he uses metaphor, metonymy and anthropomorphism in different ways, each of which underline his central ideas about language.   I have tried to show that, for me, his arguments although subtle and dense are ultimately not coherent, as he tries to step outside the framework of metaphor to explain how things ‘really are’.I also suggest that although Nietzsche is attempting philosophy, to convince the reader that he has a valid thesis and to present the argument for this, it is difficult to answer his case fully as he uses the resources of a poet as well as a philosopher.   It is not within the brief to use poetry and metaphor to answer Nietzsche, so there’s a sense in which I am unable to answer him on his own terms.[1]   briefly, a metaphor is when one thing is compared to another by saying â€Å"a is b† or similar, for example â€Å"my heart is a fountain†, where b is something which a is not normally literally said to be.   Metonymy is where a feature of something is used as a shorthand for the thing itself. For example, a school child might refer to a particular teacher as ’big nose’.   Finally anthropomorphism is when human characteristics are ascribed to animals: Nietzsche’s use seems also to include the ascription of specifically human traits to an impersonal non-human world.

50 Best Topics and Ideas for a Persuasive Essay

50 Best Topics and Ideas for a Persuasive Essay The goal of everyone who writes a persuasive essay is to convince readers to accept a certain point. You have to write about various ideas and prove that one of them is right, as well as others are wrong. Your arguments must be logical. Persuasive essays are somewhat similar to argumentative essays, but these two types also have many differences. For example, argumentative essays imply a discussion which may help you prove your point. Persuasive essays require you to write in details all arguments that support your point, so that readers could accept it as the only right one. No matter what topic you have, your point must be expressed clearly, and your essay must leave readers with no doubts. Usually, students get a certain topic assigned, so they dont have an advantage of choosing it themselves. On the contrary, when you can choose a topic yourself, it simplifies your task significantly, since you can do a choice in favor of the most familiar subject. At the same time, some students would rather take an assigned topic, because they are not sure what to write about. If this is exactly your case, we can help you with a list of good topics. How to Choose a Topic We already mentioned that this type of essay requires special attention paid to your particular point. Your opinion is the most important part of the paper, and its what defines the whole chain of arguments and evidence. Dont try to impress your instructor, think what seems to be your favorite topic, what you know best. At the same time, we suggest considering the audience, since such an essay must convince them. A great advantage of choosing a topic yourself is that it gives you additional motivation. Writing on your favorite topic, you will work better, paying attention to all details, and thinking about your style. Moreover, you will be involved in the process, since you want to prove a point that is really valuable to you. Check out a few useful tips that may help you choose a topic worth writing with passion: Always brainstorm ideas. Call your friends or meet with other students, and discuss as many ideas as possible. You all will profit from it, since such an approach provides you with many creative thoughts that may be used in work. Note everything that looks interesting. When you have a list of interesting ideas, you have a range to choose from, and you can sort your thoughts by priority. If you narrow your topic, it will be easier for you to write about it. Make your topic specific, and youll be able to convince your readers easily, because your point will be specific and clear. Dont forget to discuss something that you really like. Write about something that touches your emotions, because emotions are a very important tool for convincing. And last but not least: remember that providing readers with most detailed information isnt your main agenda. They have to accept your opinion, and you need as many facts as it takes. Easy Topics for Persuasive Essays Social isolation and social media. Exotic pets. Is the school schedule optimal? Should kids by soda in restaurants? Breastfeeding in public. Dependence on technologies. Criminal responsibilities of parents. Professional football: is it too dangerous? Dress code in the workplace. Athletes: are they overpaid? Controversial Topics Hunting and its role in the development of small business. Adoption by single parents. Climate change issue: is it political or scientific? Does childhood determine sexual orientation? Should euthanasia be legal? Do most people all over the world benefit from religious freedom? Whether or not Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be solved? Capital punishment: is it a crime? Certification of parents who want to have children. Is human behavior determined by genetics? Best Topics for College Essays How smartphones affect concentration? Marriage between people with the same level of education. Is online education more effective than the classical method? Girls in football and wrestling. Work and college. Are private schools better than private ones? The efficiency of grades as an indicator of how smart students are. Should foreign languages be required in universities? Homeschooling as a preparation for a university. Should we read more books? Topics for Masters Degree Essays Free healthcare. Are any things really good or evil? Should the internet be free? Helping others: can it make you happy? Should smokers pay special taxes? Do young women receive negative signals from magazine advertisements? An impact of TV violence on people. The right for euthanasia for people with terminal illnesses. Is current driving age optimal? What role model celebrities show kids? Still Have Problems? Get Our Help! Choosing a topic may be not the only problem for you. If it looks like you never will write a really good essay, we suggest relying on our professional team of graduated experts. We will write your essay fast and good, and we always care about every client!

Questions on Financial Management Essays

Questions on Financial Management Essays Questions on Financial Management Essay Questions on Financial Management Essay Essay Topic: Questions Sensitivity analysis provide information for decision makers to more informed about project sensitivities, to know the room they have for judgemental error and to decide whether they are prepared to accept the risks. During the implementation phase of the investment process the original sensitivity analysis can be used to highlight those factors which have the greatest impact on NPV. Decision makers can draw on key parameters differ significantly from the estimates. For example, this project is highly sensitive to the price of product. $50 of change can make a great impact on NPV. Managers after recognising this from the sensitivity analysis should make some plans to avoid big change of price. From sensitivity analysis of Pentre plc, we can see market size in year 2 to year 5 is more sensitive than market size in year 1. Thus the company should take more efforts to keep and extend its market share from second year. Sensitivity analysis also has many drawbacks. For example, the absence of any formal assignment of probabilities to the variations of the parameters is a potential limitation. Change of government policy, eventuality impact such as SARS. Another criticism is that each variable is changed in isolation while all other factors remain constant. For example, if inflation is higher then both anticipated selling prices and input prices are likely to be raised. b) Merits and Drawbacks of the Use of Internal Rate of Return The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is the discount rate at which the Net Present Value (NPV) of a project equals zero. The IRR decision rule specifies that all independent projects with an IRR greater than the cost of capital should be accepted. When choosing among mutually exclusive projects, the project with the highest IRR should be selected). IRR method has many advantages that make it one of the most widely used methods for evaluating capital investments. First, the IRR makes an appropriate adjustment for the time value of money. The value of a dollar received in the first year is greater than the value of a dollar received in the second year, and even cash flows that arrive several years in the future receive some weight in the analysis. Second, the hurdle rate itself can be base on market returns obtainable on similar investments. This takes away some of the subjectivity of other analytical methods that must be made when using payback or accounting rate of return, and it allows managers to make explicit, quantitative adjustments for differences in risk across projects. Third, because the answer that comes out of an IRR is a rate of return, it is easy for both financial and nonfinancial managers to grasp intuitively. Fourth, the IRR technique focuses on cash flow rather than on accounting measures of income. Though it represents a substantial improvement over payback or accounting return analysis, the IRR technique has its own set of problems that should analysis. One common problem is the difficulty associated with its calculation. In most circumstances the IRR of a project can only be found by trial-and-error. This is because the number of periods (or cash flows) involved in the project needs to be solved to calculate the IRR. IRR is the discount rate at which the NPV of a projects cash flows in equal to zero. Since zero is a number that lies between a positive number and a negative number, IRR must lie between two discount rates. So we need to guess a starting point to perform the interpolation. The second problem is that the nature of the rule must be modified depending on whether the project under evaluation is an investing project or a financing project (e.g. borrowing money from a bank). In the case of an investment, a corporation will accept a project with a high rate of return. With a financing project, the corporation is looking for the cheapest source of finance. Hence, the decision rule for a project must be modified to take into account whether it is an investment project or a financing project. Another problem with the IRR technique arises from the fact that a rate of return does not take into consideration the size of a project. This is sometimes referred to as the problem of scale. Incorrect investment decisions could be made when applying the IRR rule, because it ignores projects sizes. QUESTION 2: Valuing Shares Year 1 2 3 4 5 Retentions 180.00 148.80 124.99 111.97 116.17 Retention ratio 60% 40% 30% 25% 25% Incremental earnings 72 44.64 31.25 16.80 Incremental earnings ratio 40% 30% 25% 15% Profit 300.00 372.00 416.64 447.89 464.68 Dividend paid 120.00 223.20 291.65 335.92 348.51 g = retention rate * return on investment = 25% * 15% = 3.75% a) i. Dividend model V4 = D5 / (r g) = 348.51 / (15%-3.75%) = 3097.87 V0 = 120*0.8696+223.2*0.7561+291.65*0.6575+335.92*0.5718+3097.87 *0.5718 = 104.35+168.76+191.76+192.08+1771.36 = 2428.31 a) ii. Earnings based model E * 1/15% = 3001/15% = $2000 Vt = 180*0.8696 + 148.8*0.7561 + 124.99*0.6575 + 111.97*0.5718 = 156.53+112.51+82.18+64.03 =$415.25 R5 / (r g) * 0.5718 = 116.17 / (15%-3.75%) * 0.5718 = 590.45 V0 = 2000 + 415.25+ 590.45 = 3005.7 a) iii. Assumptions There are no taxes. The absence of corporate income taxes is assumed. There are no costs of financial distress. For example, there are no transactions costs, and all securities are infinitely divisible. There are no asymmetries of information. It implies that the expected values of the probability distributions of expected operating earnings for all future periods are the same as present operating earnings. The investment and operating policies of the firm are given and investors are assumed to be rational and to behave accordingly. b) Price earnings ratio A price-earning ratio is a commonly used way to simplistically value a company, determine what a companys stock should be worth. It is also known as P/E, is calculated by dividing the companys stock price by the companys earnings per share, or EPS. The P/E ratio gives an indication of how many times shareholders paying for a companys stock compares a companys earnings. P/E ratios can be used to compare against other companies, or against a companys own historical P/E ratio. Investors usually are willing to pay a higher P/E for companies they judge will be growing faster than the norm even though they do not pay those earnings out in dividends but retain them to fund future growth. If that growth is realized, the price of the companys stock usually grows faster than the overall stock price of the slower growth or higher dividend paying company. However, if estimated earnings are not realized or the stock market itself loses favor with the investor, such as higher interest rates attracting investment capital, the downside potential is greater as well. The risk is not just the ability of the company to create profits, but the investment risk in the higher price you paid relative to earnings. OSIM International LTD FY2003 Dec FY2002 Dec FY2001 Dec FY2000 Dec Adjusted EPS (Earnings/Current no. of Shares) $0.05387 $0.03836 $0.02997 $0.02113 P/E Ratio (Current price/Adjusted EPS) 18.93 26.59 34.03 48.27 listedcompany.com/ir/osim/web/stock.cgi OSIM is a global leader in healthy lifestyle products. It is the leading Asian brand for healthy lifestyle products. OSIMs P/E ratio decreased in the four years though the EPS increased rapidly. This means investors predict companys future isnt as good as former years. The price is going down, but the risk is lower than before. However, this is also a good growth stock for those who can buy and hold for further growth including bonus issues which the company had given every few years because healthy lifestyle products has a good outlook in the future. Brilliant Manufacturing Limited. FY2003 Sept FY2002 Sept FY2001 Sept FY2000 Sept Adjusted EPS (Earnings/Current no. of Shares) $0.04622 $0.01526 $0.00350 0.01327 P/E Ratio (Current price/Adjusted EPS) 12.98 39.32 171.43 45.21 listedcompany.com/ir/brilliant/web/stock.cgi? Brilliant Manufacturing produces precision machining of 5.25 floppy disk drive aluminium housing for Tandon in Singapore. After the acquisition of Tandon by Western Digital, The Company grew substantially from servicing Western Digital to other valued customers in the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) sector. P/E ratio decreased rapidly from 2002, this is because the boom of computer and internet industry in 2001. Stepped to 2003, due to the down results for the financial year, P/E ratio dropped quickly from 39 to 13 but the earnings also increased almost 4 times last year. That means the investment is worth and the company is still earning profits. Giant Wireless Technology FY2004 Mar FY2003 Mar FY2002 Mar FY2001 Mar Adjusted EPS (Earnings/Current no. of Shares) $0.02283 $0.02825 $0.02638 $0.02751 P/E Ratio (Current price/Adjusted EPS) 14.89 12.04 12.89 12.36 listedcompany.com/ir/giant/web/stock.cgi? Since commencing its operations in 1988, Giant Wireless Technology has grown to become a leading developer and manufacturer of wireless telecommunications solutions and electronics products for the U.S., Europe and China markets. Though the EPS decreased from FY2003 to FY2004, the P/E ratio increased 2 percent. This means investors give a high prediction to company. They willing to pay a higher P/E for company, judge company will be growing faster than the norm even though they do not pay those earnings out in dividends but retain them to fund future growth. If that growth is realized, the price of the companys stock usually grows faster than the overall stock price of the slower growth or higher dividend paying company. QUESTION 3: Financing Decisions a)i. earning per share Current Proposed Assets Debt (9%) Equity Market Value/Share Shares outstanding EBIT Interest Tax (30%) Return on equity(Earnings after Interest ;Tax) $1680m 0 $1680m $4 420m $300m 0 $90m $210m $1680m $600m $1080m $4 270m $300m $54m $73.8m $172.2m Earning per share(EPS) $0.5 $0.64 a)ii. Level of earning at which EPS will be same Current Proposed Assets Debt (9%) Equity Market Value/Share Shares outstanding EBIT Interest Tax (30%) Return on equity(Earnings after Interest ;Tax) $1680m 0 $1680m $4 420m 0 EBIT*30% ? $1680m $600m $1080m $4 270m $54m (EBIT-54)*30% ? Earning per share(EPS) $0.5 $0.5 EBIT 0 EBIT*30% = EBIT 54 (EBIT-54)*30% 420 270 EBIT = 151.2 b) Discuss some of the factors that are likely to limit the amount of debt that a company is likely to want to employ in its financing. Company is financed by ordinary shares (equity) or debt. Generally, debt has a cheaper direct cost than equity. There are two distinct reasons for this: ; Debt has low risk results in a low required return. Thus, company can reduce the cost of financing. ; Interest can be paid before taxation, whereas dividends are not. However, borrowing isnt perfect. To determining how much debt to use, corporate should first consider taxes. The government allow corporations to deduct interest payments from income before taxation, this essentially subsidizes dollar paid in interest. But any borrowing at all will cause the cost of equity capital to rise, offsetting the cheap direct cost of debt. Financial distress may also keep firms from loading up on debt. Explicit financial distress costs include the payments made to lawyers, accountants, and so on. they reduce the cash flows that will eventually be paid to the bondholders and stockholders. Clearly, investors would prefer that firms stay out of financial distress so that these losses are not incurred. Corporations must also consider the indirect costs of bankruptcy. As the firm takes on more and more debt, the probability of bankruptcy increases. This cause the firm will not be able to meet interest payments in any given year and will be forced into default goes up as the amount of debt and corresponding interest increases. It includes the costs of low inventories, higher costs of inputs from suppliers who fear the company might not pay its bills next month, and the loss of customers who desire a long-term relationship with the firm. These costs prevent firms from maintaining exceptionally high levels of debt. A fourth factor limiting the use of debt is desire for control by current shareholders. MM theory in a 1976 article, noted differences between the firm that is 100 percent manager owned and one where the equity is owned partially by managers and partially by outsiders. The managers should run the firm to maximize its value. But managers may not implement their decisions because of the control of shareholders. On the other hand, debtors cannot control the firms management that is advantaged. Availability of assets for pledge also limits the use of debt. In order to ensure its security of loan, bank always acquires pledges from the company and this kind of pledges should be easy to be realized. If the company lack of assets that can be used as pledges, it must be difficult to raise money as debt. When a company starts to borrow, the advantages always go with the disadvantages. In order to minimize the cost of capital and maximize the earning, company should consider above-mentioned factors carefully to gain benefits from financial leverage. c) Dividend Payment Policies 1. residual dividend pay dividend only if more earnings available than are needed to support optimal capital budget NTUC Income Shares 1999 ; 2000 6% each year 2001 5% 2002 3.5% 2003 5% Its dividend policy is to reward shareholders for investment earnings on their capital, which is used to back our business. Dividends are declared on all shares held during the financial year and are based on their business performance during the year. It is declared at the Annual General Meeting and is credited directly to your bank account. Dividend is payable in full on shares held for a duration of 12 calendar months during the financial year and on a pro-rated basis on shares held for less than 12 months. google.com.sg/search?q=cache:XweOBesthMcJ:incnet.income.com.sg/uishare/main.aspx+dividend+policy;hl=en 2. stable growth rate set target growth rate for dividend and strives to increase dividend by that amount every year ACOM CO., LTD. (Tokyo Stock Exchange) ACOMs dividend policy is to provide shareholders with stable dividend growth. Dividends for the fiscal year under review included an amount equivalent to the commemorative dividends paid last year in the interim and year-end dividends as well as a à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½5.00 per share increase in the term-end dividend, to à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½22.50. Consequently, the total year dividend for fiscal 1998 was à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½40.00 per share, a rise of à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½5.00 from the previous year. This represents a payout ratio of 13.3% and a 2.0% dividend on equity. www.c-direct.ne.jp/english/ divide/10108572/8572_98/8572e_02.pdf 3. Constant payout pay certain amount of earnings as dividends (or pay a constant $ amount each year). Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) NOL is a global transportation company, with core businesses involved in container transportation and supply chain management. NOL intends to maintain an annual dividend of 8 Singapore cents per share net, or a full year dividend payout of 20% of net profits, whichever is higher. In line with this policy, the Board of Directors has declared an interim dividend of 7 Singapore cents per share net (8.75 cents gross). This dividend is issued out of existing Section 44 tax credits and is payable on 30 August 2004. nol.com.sg/newsroom/04news/040727.html 4. low regular dividend plus extra pay a low regular dividend and an extra at the end of the year (depending on the earnings performance that year) SINGAPORE Exchange (SGX) July 30, 2004 SGX proposed a final dividend of 4.075 cents per share and a special dividend of 6.5 cents, bringing the total payout for FY04 to 13.5 cents per share. It paid 40.5 cents per share in dividends last year, including a special 34-cent dividend from the liquidation of assets. http://business-times.asia1.com/story/0,4567,124036,00.html