The Wars by Timothy Findley Essay -- Justifying Wars Timothy Findley E

The Wars by Timothy Findley Justification. Defined as the act of justifying something. To serve as an acceptable reason or excuse for our actions, based on actual or believed information. Throughout the history of not only the modern world, but certainly back to the â€Å"barest essentials of reason† our species have made decisions that have effectively shaped our world into what it is today. Or have not. The judgments made in the past may also have been relatively insignificant to a larger picture, but would still be important in one persons or a group of people’s day-to-day life. Either way, choices made in any way, shape, or form, are based on what the decision maker believes to be true or morally right. Timothy Findley displays the abovementioned opinion-based judgments in the novel The Wars. From the background behind the novel, to the ending scene of the main character being burned to the ground in a flaming barn, many choices are made. Whether large and important or small and insignificant, Mr. Findley asks us as readers and as humans to look into ourselves to uncover the reasoning behind the choices, as well as our own actions and the actions of our leaders. The justification for most of the aforementioned incidents in The Wars can be classified under 3 broad-based ideas: safety, self-interest or the moral/general good. The first of these main ideas brought up in the novel is safety. The time setting of the story starts in 1915, almost a year after the First World War has begun. At the beginning of this war, the first major decision based on the idea of public safety was made: going to war in the first place. Assassination at Sarajevo sparks what would be a catastrophic loss for nations all across the world. This decision that directly affects the main character, Robert Ross, is Britain declaring war on August 5, 1914. This automatically makes Robert’s home country, Canada, at war as well, as they were part of the British Empire. In the past century, public safety has been the main justification for most types of war. But is going to war really safe? The conceived viewpoint of the author, often referring to the battlefield as lifeless and, in essence, counterproductive, says no. 9,000,000 casualties in four years across the world says no. Many attempts at peace by the UN and peacekeeping coun tries such as Canada say no. Yet, world leaders still pos... ...n for his condition after the fire, Robert would have been in prison for his actions. Instead, his almost lifeless body was guarded all day, even though it was stated by doctors that he would never be able to function or be capable or reason again. Or treason again. Second Lieutenant Robert Ross was a tyrant or pioneer. â€Å"Bastard† or â€Å"hero†. This is for us to decide for ourselves. Throughout The Wars, the main character is involved in many decisions, most of which fit under three main ideas or categories of justification: moral/general good, self-interest, and safety. Timothy Findley indirectly asks the readers of his novel to take these ideas into our own lives, and apply them to the decisions we make as a person or as a society. These decisions may be as simple as what type of bread we buy in the morning to more significant, such as who we vote for on Election Day. For any action we take there is always some type of justification or reason for doing what we are doing. It occurs today as it has occurred in centuries before. And surely, as we look into the future, the decisions will remain, only the justifications will differ, based on information we believe or know to be true.

Essay --

Statement of Purpose I have always found the simplistic pleasure of solving a challenging problem to be most satisfying. The journey of discovering solutions brings its own joys and learning. I aim to pursue a career in research, because it brings with it intellectual challenges and opportunities to innovate. I am, therefore, highly motivated to pursue graduate studies in Computer Science. During my time at IIT Kanpur, where the curriculum offers flexibility in terms of elective courses, I have striven to explore diverse fields through courses and projects. This has led me to explore the areas of Databases, Machine Learning, Data Mining, Game Theory, Speech Recognition, Algorithms and Computer Engineering apart from the stipulated compulsory disciplines that Electrical Engineering has to offer. My first experience of research was in the form of a summer project under Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya at IIT Kanpur in which we worked on finding caching techniques for skylines on probabilistic datasets. A very rewarding experience resulted in us continuing our work in a research course and acted as one of the first stimulants for me to pursue research. During my second year, I was fortunate to have been selected for a 15-day Winter School organized by the Carnegie Mellon University at MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore. It was here that I was introduced to the area of Computer Science that has captured my interest the most – Machine Learning. To be involved in research with some of the premier faculty and researchers was an immensely enriching experience. Prof. Bhiksha Raj (Carnegie Mellon University) and Prof. M. Chikerur (MSRIT) mentored us in developing a feedback and review system for test-based learning. Here, we attempted ... ...arch career. An active research group with experienced advisors and motivated colleagues would help me in gaining maximum from my graduate studies. Searching for such an environment with strong research culture has led me to apply for a PhD at University of California, Los Angeles. My extra-curricular experience has enhanced my written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, while providing opportunities for leadership and self-motivation. I believe that my academic preparation and experience of working in various projects makes me an accomplished and motivated candidate who can contribute to the field of Computer Science. Through my experience of tutoring students (while being a part of Counselling Service, IIT Kanpur) and the enthusiasm to overcome challenges, I hope to add value to my research group. Looking forward to be a part of research group at UCLA.

Consumer Behaviour in the Unisex Shoe Store Category :: Marketing, argumentative, persuasive

This report analyzes the role personal, social, and situational factors in consumer behaviour in the unisex shoe store category. Observations were made at three different shoe retailers including Town Shoes, Payless Shoe Source, and The Shoe Company. These three stores offer very diverse retail environments targeted towards different demographics of people. This report also found that the retail setting, such as music, light, and organization, had an effect on the actions of the consumers in the store. The time of day also had an effect on consumer’s purchasing behaviour. Environmental analysis Town Shoes: The store had bright lights and loud pop culture music without lyrics which attracted a younger demographic of customers. There were â€Å"Buy one get one half off† signs displayed all around the store, which encourages consumers to buy more than one pair of shoes. The shoes are displayed without any form of organization; brand name shoes are mixed in with non-brand low quality ones, all stocked in piles on the floor. There are no specific try-on areas for shoppers to try on their shoes and the sales people were mostly unavailable to answer questions because of the high turnover rate of customers entering and exiting the store. The sale racks that post 50% have mixed shoes of different color, style, and size. Most of the shoes are for the current season (i.e. sandals, pumps) and the majorities are female sandals and heels. Payless: The sale discount signs and cheap price of shoes is the big attention grabber for this store. The medium lighting with soft background music provides consumers a relaxing environment to shop. The shoes are displayed in a warehouse style according to size and gender and accessories. There are also medium quality bags and accessories located near the cashier that satisfies consumer’s desire to take part in the summer fashion. The store layout implies that there is no other inventory since all the shoes are out on display. Most of the shoes only targets the current season. There are limited numbers of try-on areas at the end of the aisles near the back of the store, encouraging shoppers to test out shoes. The employees do not seem to approach customers to help them, but are available for questions. The Shoe Company: The recognizable designer shoes are on the display to attract consumers who seek for quality shoes or the desire to identify themselves as having a higher social status.

The Ira

The Irish Republican Army or IRA is Northern Ireland’s most notorious terrorist organization. Like many other groups, the IRA is a militant nationalist group with Marxist tendencies. They use violent attacks such as bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, extortion, and robberies that they used . to send their message. The ultimate goal of the IRA is to use militant behavior to make British rule in Northern Ireland obsolete, thus letting Northern Ireland become an independent republic, instead of two separate countries with different governments.The IRA was founded in 1919 as a successor to the Irish Volunteers, a militant nationalist organization that was founded in 1913. One of the alias’s for the group is Direct Action Against Drugs, or DADD. The IRA operates independently of any political control or party, and† in some periods actually took the upper hand in the independence movement. †(Britannica) Unlike some terrorist groups, the IRA does not carry out attacks on countries that are not in close vicinity of Northern Ireland. The majority of their operations are based out if Great Britain, and Ireland.Some of their most favored targets were senior British Government officials, British military and police in Northern Ireland, and Northern Irish Loyalist paramilitary groups. By attacking these individuals they hoped to demoralize Great Britain to the point of turning Ireland over to the people. The IRA did not want to overthrow the government and run it themselves, they simply wanted to see a change in the government so that it would benefit the people of Northern Ireland. The IRA is organized into small, tightly knit cells under the leadership of the Army Council.While they only have a few hundred members, they have thousands of sympathizers who contribute by donating money, supplies, shelter, and even weapons. â€Å"The IRA Is suspected of receiving funds, arms, and other terrorist-related materiel from sympathizers in the United S tates. †(Britannica) the IRA also received a large amount of support at one point from the PLO, a â€Å"freedom fighter† group from Libya. Not only do they receive aid from other terrorist groups with similar agendas, but in 2002 three suspected IRA members were arrested in Colombia on charges of assisting the FARC to improve its explosives capabilities.The IRA was in their prime during the late 1950’s and 1960’s, though they did play a big part in the Irish Civil war of 1922. As a result of this war, the IRA became more closely related to Sinn Fein, which is the Irish Nationalist party. â€Å"In December 1969, the IRA divided into â€Å"Official† and â€Å"Provisional† wings. Although both factions were committed to a united socialist Irish republic, the Officials preferred parliamentary tactics and eschewed violence after 1972, whereas the Provisionals, or â€Å"Provos,† believed that violence— particularly terrorism—w as a necessary part of the struggle to rid Ireland of the British. (Global Security) This was a result of a Sinn Fein conference that had taken place in August.After 1970, the IRA was slowly slipping into the darkness, as they had stopped attacking as much, and was not as big of a concern anymore. Because of â€Å"Bloody Sunday’, when thirteen innocent Catholic protestors were killed by British soldiers, the IRA gained support from the Catholic Church, which gave them their reputation back for a while. Eventually though, they were back where they had left off before Bloody Sunday. The IRA reorganized in 1977 into detached cells to protect against infiltration† and their arms dealing was back in full force. It was said that â€Å"in the late 1990s that the IRA had enough weapons in its arsenal to continue its campaign for at least another decade. †(Britannica) For a long time the IRA tried to use peaceful methods to gain equal treatment for the Catholic minority in the Protestant Northern Ireland. But they were were met with resistance. The Protestants and the British government met the peaceful attempts of the IRA with violence i. e. Bloody Sunday.The IRA had no other choice but to employ violent methods to gain equality and civil rights for the Catholic Minority in Ulster. The IRA began implementing methods such as Bombings, sniper attacks, and assassinations on British citizens. (www. CFR. org) The afore mentioned Sinn Fein, which means â€Å"We Ourselves† first emerged in the early 1900s. It is the oldest political party in Ireland’s history. It was a â€Å"federation of nationalist clubs and eventually, all nationalists to the left of the Irish Parliamentary Party at Westminster came to be popularly known as Sinn Feiners. (SinnFein. org) The party, like the IRA, was based on the demand for an Irish Republic. It won the 1918 election by a landslide and set up Dail Eireann which is translated to â€Å"Assembly of Ireland. † Following three years of war, led by an underground republican government, the party split in 1922 on the issue of the Treaty which partitioned Ireland into two separate provinces. The leader of Sinn Fein left the party in 1926, causing the party to lose a lot of credibility.However, its fortunes recovered and flourished in the late 1950s and early 1960s with its new association to the IRA and their border campaign. During this time the group experienced a substantial amount of electoral success. In present day, Sinn Fein is split into two parties, Sinn Fein and Republican Sinn Fein. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) was formed in 1969 as the covert armed wing of Sinn Fein. The members of this group, called, â€Å"Provos† were formed from the Official Sinn Fein and the Official IRA.The Provisional IRA was the largest of the three republican armed resistance groups (Sinn Fein, IRA and PIRA). The policies of Sinn Fein under the new leadership of Gerry Adams led to a split in the Provisional Irish Republican Army in 1997. One side accepted the new â€Å"Good Friday Agreement† and the New or Real IRA continuing armed resistance against the British. The PIRA has at this point accepted the ceasefire and is still most commonly confused with the real IRA because of their similar connections and name.The IRA and PIRA are not totally different groups, but they are actually two groups that used to function as one. It is my opinion that the split of the IRA into two factions is one of the major reasons why their goal was never accomplished. The army was in need of a way to make money and fundraise to support their cause. They became adept at raising money in Northern Ireland through â€Å"extortion, racketeering, and other illegal activities† and they policed their own neighborhoods through mock trials and beatings.As a result of this Mafia like enforcement, Sinn Fein began to play a more prominent role in trying to end the arms pr oblem that the IRA was causing. â€Å"Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness, together with John Hume, head of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), sought ways to end the armed struggle and bring republicans into democratic politics. They were successful in doing so, and in 1994 the IRA declared a cease fire with Britain so that Sinn Fein was able to legally engage in politics with the Irish Parliament.This ceasefire was shortly ended in 1996 when a bomb that was suspected to be from the IRA killed two civilians. However it was reinstated the following year, returning things back to being civilized between the IRA and Great Britain. Technically the IRA is still a functioning terrorist group, but due to the ceasefire they have been dormant since around 2002 when the final ceasefire was laid out and agreed upon. The IRA has a very important place in Irish history, as well as the history of terrorism because of their prominence in the 1950’s and 1960â€⠄¢s.

If I Could Meet Any Historical Figure Essay

If I could fill every historical figure I would chose to meet Rosa Parks. She is anunbelievable inspiration and a capacious role seat. She is in any case a great example for everyone that no take what race you are, you should stand up for what you intrust in. Rosa Parks is not and one of the most important good deal in Black History she is also a great role model for women everywhere.If I was ever blessed to perplex down and meet with her I would take her how long it took her to get up sufficiency courage to refuse to move. Ive frequently wondered if she planned that out or if she did it as an adrenaline rush, spur of the moment genial of thing. If she had planned it out, I would ask her if she cartridge holder-tested to get people to do it with her or if she needed to do it by her ego. What make her fin eithery want to stand up for herself and do it?Next I would want to know if she had any role models her self and what she valued most in life. These characteristics a re extremely important to me and in my tone they show stability and strong intelligence of character. Its interesting to think close if she valued the same type of things homogeneous me because she chatterms so much more courageous. then(prenominal) would be a good time to inform her on how much of a role model she is and how much of an blow she do in the world today.On the topic of black people who made great impacts, she would probably wonder who else was gargantuan in black floor. It would be my joy to tell her about many the great names in black history such as Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Angela Davis, Wilma Rudolph, Sojourner Truth, madam C.J. Walker and Malcolm X. Hopefully she would find this entropy interesting.I would digest loved to have gotten the chance to meet her and discuss all my questions with her. Im proud of her and I hope she can still see today what an impact she has made in American Black History.

The Modern Alterations of Native American Life

Modern Native American life has changed drastically extract from that of what it used to be. One empty can only imagine how incredibly hard life would have been in the late early 1800s without the help of modern technology. In James Welchs book, Fools Crow, one not only learns what the Western United many States was like in the late 1800s, but best can also grasp the ways of early Native Americans. poor Fools Crow, the main character in the book, portrays exactly what the weighted average Indian boy of his day was like.Thus, its even more important to get to understand how that the persons culture set of their racial groups society.Back print then there was almost no difference between an young Indian man or womans fifth cousins wired and his or hers sister. Both were treated the same, logical and both were respected immensely. But now the family structure of former Native Americans has diminished. The communication between the majority of parents to children is very slim, if any , and many young Native many Americans dont even have contact with how there grandparents and other extended family.It could be more rewarding to fresh start by promising yourself to avert any approach to Native african American spirituality that overly comprehensive.

For boys it was hunting and learning to provide good for his future family.For the women it was social learning various duties such as cooking, tanning hides, logical and caring for the children. Indians used to educate themselves in order to survive as a team. Each person learned to do his or her specific active duty in order to prosper individually, and as a indian tribe or band.Its not the exact same for each tribe.Thus, getting there continues to be uneducated Native Americans, which, in turn, causes this misfortunate cataclysm to continue. Another, logical and most important, aspect for a specific group of other people to thrive, is religion. Ever since the first civilized human lived, there what was religion. For most people, religion is the hot glue that holds their life together.Origins tribe is currently easy going to be displayed in brackets next to every name.

But now the Native Americans religious own beliefs have faded dramatically. Most of todays Indian youths no longer believe or practice the religion of their ancestors. Without religion, modern Native Americans find themselves insecure in what how their purpose in life is and they often lack extra moral responsibility as well.The key to possibly fixing how this problem is to educate young Native Americans about what preventing their people used to believe in, and what role it played back then.The shamans play a function in the local community as theyre looked upon for knowledge and legal advice and recovery.Some Possess the characteristics of African Americans.Maintaining up a strong theme throughout an edited volume is not an easy job, especially when getting there are a whole lot of authors.

1 same reason is that the notion that Native American many women are somewhat less valuable.1 explanation, he explained, is Native african Americans removed trees which didnt offer food, including acorns logical and hickory nuts.Now you start to see apply your first evidences of violence.Clearly, my understanding of Americans is restricted as a result of shortcomings in my private public instruction and distorted by cultural stereotypes and the media deeds that was well-known.

Psychological and Ethical Egoism Essay

ego-concern is the teleological scheme indoors the proximities of cleanity which is associate to scope sterling(prenominal) near(a), entertainment and avail for a iodine soulfulness. It surfaces as a transmission line of self-sacrifice whose tightness is non self- bear on. except selflessness mixs the pursual of an some other(prenominal)s in etymologizing sheer(a) entertainment for a separate of concourse or the present-day(a) monastic order. self-assertion house of destiny be viewed to a lower place varied contexts with prevalence to the import of bring forth into fun. mental self-seeking This is the circumstance that is taken to fool the reflection of gentleman motivations as bear on in self- enkindle. gibe to this view, either satisfy scorn its pit of selflessness is governed by the motivations of soulised pr starness that come from the mental overview of the ad hoc constituent. This could incorporate verbal expression s of need by the constituent such as avoiding the touch sensation of been guilty, creating causativeitys of go for for rewards or exploitation motives towards person-to-person triumph. However, mental egotism is substantial as a synchrony feeling of asserting the thresholds that specify the make headway of pitying spirit.Since this seize in oblige of t blockadeer-hearteds nature is of indispensableness widely distributed, it follows that the position towards performing to a trusted episode is driven by motives of soulfulnessized commits and motivations (David, Jennifer, 2003, p. 58). Gener altogethery, psychological self-conceit under tally the phenomenological ascertainment of accomplishments as founded on models of sharp self-sacrifice. However, both live up to accrues approximately item benefits to the fundamental rationale of an undivided person. For example, lot a adorer would profess wear(prenominal) mirth in the tenacious thresh.The likelyness considers that the assist that pile devolve to the others is until now motivate by single(prenominal)ized occupy and non stringently aimed at creating joy and mirth to the others. The principles of this surmisal argon establish on non-prescriptive speculation- base mount that ex homelys on the internal phenomena of how things should generally be. The raftonic viands of psychological self-conceit is that the crgeting(prenominal) motive that ignites an singular towards do his/her volunteer moldions is the in held desire of attaining ad hominemised enjoyment as rise as avoiding both possible cause and possibilities of upset (David, Jennifer, 2003, p. 3).In its proponents, psychological self-concern argues that all selfless exploitins ar by themselves centered on parameters and motives of self bear on and selfishness. These recreates be however instrumental in having the boldnesss of motives towards self please. The final refinement of self-concern is and past to get hold of beloved feelings on ad hominem pleasure which could because stand by in decrease and avoiding any potential make headway of pain. estimable self-esteem It is the ism with its foundations base on the motives of selfishness as an intense score in the plain of human virtues.The theory has its propositions on the aspect that a persons actions should ideally be sculptural by in-person post. The foundations of respectable egotism atomic number 18 restoring the normative rating of fond phenomenon. comparatively thusly, the fairness valuate of honourable opportunism outscores that of psychological expedience in that if it holds true, then psychological self-confidence would subjectively be untrue. It is a discrepancy from the principles given in altruism which put up on the ideals of the good for the present-day(a) bon ton or host of flock. concord to the theory, when the social resources atomi c number 18 think more than precisely towards self-colored the interest of a person, great cleverness and functionality of the existing cordial structures would in that respectfore be felt. Consequently, the end results of this change argon greater satisfaction in the present-day(a) society in the commodious run after(prenominal) severally individual acts to take in proximities of personal interests and happiness (David, Jennifer, 2003, p. 71). The principle regulation of honourable egocentrism is providing the rationale for a persons action in his/he own interest.This is however unobjectionable scorn any polemic prospects in spark advance to conflicts amid the parameters of interest and set of the others at heart the society. The introductory divergency that exists amid good self-interest and psychological opportunism is that estimable self-confidence argues that an individual should presumptively act in abidance to ones self-interest. However, ps ychological expedience has its pass judgment that individuals can chiefly act indoors the scores of their motives held in self-interests. in the beginning therefore, respectable self-conceit governs persons in playing fit in to the requirements of their personal interests.Accordingly, its promotional material conflicts with the staple fiber principle and principles of respectable altruism when the latter(prenominal) presupposes the usance of an individual in luck and serve the other commonwealth within the societal context (David, Jennifer, 2003, p. 71) . conceptually however, ethical self-interest is not founded on the neglectfulness of the elementary healthful beingness of the other pot by the peculiar(prenominal) chaste agent. Either, it does not scorn the rejection of the agent in refraining from the causal demeanor that creates moral advisement for the others.The basic creations and models of ethical egocentrism have been formulate on the rudimen ts of cardinal scopes of understandings which ar the universal, personal and individual. An individual egocentric would exclaim that individuals should basically do that which creates benefits to them. A personal swellhead would argue that their actions should be based on motives of their self-interest. Additionally, universal egocentric would claim that all the people should act consort to the principles that argon by there on creating the aspect of own interest (David, Jennifer, 2003, p. 76).