Russell On Platonic Universals Essays - Ontology, Universal

Russell On Platonic Universals The consideration of Platonic universals consequently rouses controversy among philosophers. Thinkers like Bertrand Russell and Thomas Hobbes contribute reflective explanations for the undeniable usage of question-begging ideas in language and thought. While the deliberation of Platonic universals might seem to be fruitless and, at best, obscure to the layperson, it does function as a critical foundation for metaphysics and epistemology. Whether a philosopher agrees or disagrees with the idea of Platonic universals is irrelevant to the certain truth that he or she must form some opinion of them preceding most any philosophic endeavor. To attempt to summarize Plato's theory of universals in a paragraph would do it a great injustice but a simple, working definition of the theory is necessary to move any further. Plato's theory can be condensed as follows: A universal (or form) is an independently existing, nonspatial, nontemporal "something" known only through thought and that cannot be known through the senses; independently existing objects of thought; that which makes a particular thing uniquely and essentially what it is. In even simpler terms, a universal would be something like the "redness" of an apple. According to Plato, the red quality of the apple must exist because the apple is red. But"redness" itself isn't a tangible thing that can be directly experienced with the senses. You cannot produce "red" itself, only things that are red. But it is not only the fact that an apple is red that distinguishes it from other objects in the world. In addition to its "redness", an apple is an apple. An apple is not a pear. The quality unique to the apple is its "appleness". Thus, by appealing to the Platonic universals one can make a distinction between an apple and a pear, or all other things in the world. I. Thomas Hobbes' Nominalism Plato concluded that universals must actually exist. That is, that when "appleness" is appealed to, something ?out there' provides classification for the thing in question. This was (and still is) a radical notion that demanded explanation and was highly susceptible to criticism. Among those critics was Thomas Hobbes, a 16th Century social and political philosopher. In his work, The Leviathan, Hobbes argued that thought is a purely material event and that universals are just a result of language. Hobbes was a nominalist. Nominalism is the view that there are no universals over and above particular individuals2. For Hobbes, one of the answers to the question of universals could be found in the commonality of things. For instance, if a rock and a table are both hard, it is not because we refer to a universal, "hardness" for them, it is because we use the word "hard" to describe both of them. Another point made by Hobbes was that humans place things into categories in order to satisfy certain needs. Heimir Geirsson made a good analogy of this idea in his Metaphysics textbook, Beginning Metaphysics. He uses a weed for the analogy: A good example of this is the term "weed," which is defined as a plant that is not desired or cultivated by human beings and grows profusely. This is not a natural species that would exist even if human beings had never decided to classify some plants as "weeds." Many human beings are interested in having a special category for plants they don't like and that grow abundantly, and they create that category for plants they don't like, and they create that category with that name and definition. If human beings had not worried about weeds, then there would be no weeds. Of course, there would still be plants that we now call "weeds," e.g. dandelions and crabgrass, but they would not be weeds. Whether or not there are weeds depends on human beings classifying these plants as weeds.2 Geirsson's analogy is an interesting one because of the question it evokes. Why aren't all definitions like that of the weed, i.e., human classification? Hobbes thought that they were. For Hobbes, there were no real universals. Those things, which we refer to as universals, are simply created by humans out of a need to organize the world. II. Bertrand Russell on Platonic Universals Bertrand Russell attempted to defend the theory of Platonic universals. In order to do this he first thought it necessary to distinguish between universals that were qualities of things and those that were relations between things. The most practical way to separate qualities and relations is to understand them through their linguistic functions. Adjectives and common nouns express qualities or properties of

Childrens fairy tales Essays

Childrens fairy tales Essays Childrens fairy tales Essay Childrens fairy tales Essay The Pardonner and the Summoner are the last two portraits in the prologue and perhaps two of the most interesting. They appear to be not only partners in work but also in a homosexual relationship. The bond is strong and they are open about their affections; on the journey they sing a love song together, and rather loudly too! Ful loude he soong come hider, love to me! / this the Summoner bar to him a stif burdoun. They are both quite similar in their visage, both being relatively ugly, and yet at the same time they have something about them of the fascination of the incongruous in childrens fairy tales. A Summoner was a person appointed to bring the ecclesiastical courts to those who transgressed against the laws of the church. The position offered many chances for corruption and abuse of power, and we see that this Summoner readily indulges in doing so. In Chaucers era the face told many tales and was reflective of inner character. We see almost immediately that the Summoners face epitomises his inner torment and struggle with morality. The reference to his fyr reed cherrubinnes face reminds us hells fire and therefore symbolises his lecherous nature. The ironic juxtaposition of fyr reed and cherrunbinnes highlights the darker side of his personality. The description of the Pardonner is equally as repelling. His hair is as yelow as wex,,/But smothe it heeng as dooth a strike of flex hanging in greasy rats tails, his eyes narrow and these, coupled with an unbroken voice and boyish complexion, appear inappropriate for a grown man and force the Pardonner to cover his inadequacies by pretending to be a stylish, homosexual, young man. Both men work for the church, and both exploit people to the full. The Summoner is prepared, if adequately bribed, to condone most offences, as he believes money is more important than the excommunication that the courts can give, purs is the ercedekenes helle. For only a quart of wine he will permit the priests to have a mistress, in fact he will allow almost anything; for the right price! We can overlook nearly all of this as most sins no longer punishable in todays society, but perhaps the most chilling and disturbing aspect to his character is that he has the girles1 in his diocese at his mercy. After hearing of his lecherous nature we wonder just what this man does with these young people. The Pardonner, like the Summoner, earns his living through deceiving people. Pardonners were sellers of Papal indulgences, whereby a sinner could buy penance; but this Pardonner earns extra money to that which he gains selling penances; he sells relikes. A pilwe-beer which he claims is the veil of the Virgin Mary, pigges bones masquerading as those of a saint, fragments of the sail and a cheap cross and with these and feyened flaterie and japes,/ He made the person and the people his apes. Perhaps, howver, the ultimate irony is that this loathsome creature is extremely convincing in church But trewely to tellen at laste,/ he was in chirche a noble ecclesiate. In writing the portrait of the Summoner, Chaucer appears to be flattering the man when he is in fact his scathing satire is reaching new intensities. When describing the Pardonner, on the other hand, Chaucer is openly hostile. One source claims that this si so that we can empathise with his spiritual sterility, but in my opinion Chaucer merely created a character to be totally loathed and detested. The Friar is third ecclesiast in the prologue and the last of the trio of deviants who set their desires against the ordained patterns of behaviour. Of all of them, the Friar is by far the worst. This Friar, like others, has moved form being an itinerant teacher and defender of the faith, to being an exploiter of the poor and a parasite on the community. Perhaps Chaucer was trying to warn us when he opened the portrait by describing the Friar as a wantowne and a merie,/ A limatour, a ful solempne man. These adjectives seem to have been randomly thrown together by Chaucer and in fact this sort of moral chaos is perfectly fitting for the Friar. He hadde maad ful many a marriage/ Of yonge wommen at his owene cost. This altruistic gesture seems more in keeping with the duties of a devoted Friar, but I discovering his lecherous nature the gesture begs the question why? The Friar is not selfless and we wonder what was in it for him? It becomes apparent that these marriages are merely a despicable front, a way of offloading his own sexual mistakes and a means of allowing him to negate responsibility for his actions. Unto his ordre he was a noble post, This is heavily ironic as we find it hard to conceive that this man is the pillar of any community. Chaucers use of adverbs such as sweetly and plesaunt only serve to highlight the sarcastic and ironic tone of this portrait. The Friar abuses his power of confession He was an esy man to yeve penaunce, /Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce which is a great contrast to the Parson who would snibben sharply for the nonis any man who transgressed, regardless of his social position.

Learn German Numbers, Dates, and Arithmetic Terms

Learn German Numbers, Dates, and Arithmetic Terms For each number below, two forms are shown for German language learners: Kardinalzahl (Cardinal  number: 1, 2, 3, etc.)Ordinalzahl (Ordinal  number: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) Notes on Fractions, Decimals, Articles, and Gender In some cases, a  fractional  number (Bruchzahl: 1/2, 1/5, 1/100) is also given. To make fractions (Brà ¼che) for five and above, just add -el  to the number, or -tel  if the number does not end in t: acht  Ã‚  el  Ã‚  achtel  (an eighth)zehn  Ã‚  tel  Ã‚  zehntel  (a tenth) For Dezimalzahlen (decimal numbers), Germans use das Komma (a comma), not a decimal point: 0.638 0,638 (null Komma sechs drei acht)1.08 1,08 (eins Komma null acht) Fun Fact The German expression in null Komma nichts (â€Å"in zero point zero†) means in an instant or in a flash. Although the masculine (calendar date) form is shown for the ordinal numbers, they can also be feminine (die), neuter (das) or plural, depending on the noun they are used with: das erste Auto  (the first car)die zweite Tà ¼r  (the second door)die ersten Menschen  (the first humans) When referring to individual numbers in German, you say die zwei (two) or die einundzwanzig (twenty-one), short for die Nummer/Zahl. An example would be naming the winning numbers for the lottery on television. Numbers From One to Ten (1-10) 0:  null  (zero or nought)1:  eins (one)der erste,  der 1.  (first)Time Construction: no ending on ein in ein Uhr (one oclock); but eine Uhr (one clock or a clock)  with -e ending on the article eineDate Construction: am ersten (on the first);  am ersten Mai or  am 1. Mai (on May first, on the first of May, on 1 May, or on May 1st)2:  zwei (two); the alternative form  zwo  is often used to avoid confusion with  dreider zweite,  der 2.  (second)halb, die Hlfte  (half or one-half)Time Construction: zwei Uhr (two oclock), but zwei Uhren (two clocks)3:  drei (three)der dritte,  der 3.  (third)drittel  (one third or a third)4:  vier (four)der vierte  (fourth)viertel-, das Viertel  (one fourth, one quarter, a fourth, a quarter or quarter)5:  fà ¼nf (five)der fà ¼nfte  (fifth)6:  sechs (six)der sechste  (sixth)7:  sieben (seven)der siebte  (seventh)8:  acht (eight)der achte  (eighth)9:  neun (nine)der neunte  (ninth) 10s, Tens, or Teens 10: zehn (ten)der zehnte,  der 10.  (tenth)11: elf (eleven)der elfte,  der 11.  (eleventh)12: zwà ¶lf (twelve)der zwà ¶lfte,  der 12.  (twelfth)13: dreizehn (thirteen)der dreizehnte,  der 13.  (thirteenth)am dreizehnten (on the thirteenth)14: vierzehn (fourteen)der vierzehnte,  der 14.  (fourteenth)am vierzehnten (on the fourteenth)15: fà ¼nfzehn (fifteen)der fà ¼nfzehnte,  der 15.  (fifteenth)am fà ¼nfzehnten (on the fifteenth)16: sechzehn (sixteen)der sechzehnte,  der 16.  (sixteenth)17: siebzehn (seventeen)der siebzehnte,  der 17.  (seventeenth)18: achtzehn (eighteen)der achtzehnte,  der 18.  (eighteenth)19: neunzehn (nineteen)der neunzehnte,  der 19.  (nineteenth) 20s or Twenties In German, to say in the twenties, short for the 1920s, you say in den zwanziger Jahren. The same method is used for the following decades. The 1900s and the teens are a little different. 20: zwanzig (twenty)der zwanzigste, der 20.  (twentieth)am zwanzigsten Juni, am 20. Juni  (on the twentieth of June or on June 20th)21: einundzwanzig (twenty-one)der einundzwanzigste,  der 21.  (twenty-first)am einundzwanzigsten Juni,  am 21. Juni  (on the twenty-first of June or on June 21st)22: zweiundzwanzig (twenty-two)der zweiundzwanzigste,  der 22.  (twenty-second)23: dreiundzwanzig (twenty-three)der dreiundzwanzigste,  der 23.  (twenty-third)24: vierundzwanzig (twenty-four)der vierundzwanzigste,  der 24.  (twenty-fourth)25: fà ¼nfundzwanzig (twenty-five)der fà ¼nfundzwanzigste,  der 25.  (twenty-fifth)26: sechsundzwanzig (twenty-six)der sechsundzwanzigste,  der 26.  (twenty-sixth)27: siebenundzwanzig (twenty-seven)der siebenundzwanzigste,  der 27.  (twenty-seventh)28: achtundzwanzig (twenty-eight)der achtundzwanzigste,  der 28.  (twenty-eighth)29: neunundzwanzig (twenty-nine)der neunundzwanzigste,  der 29.  (twenty-ninth) 30s or Thirties Note that unlike the other tens,  dreißig  has no z in its spelling. 30:  dreißig (thirty)der dreißigste,  der 30.  (thirtieth)31:  einunddreißig (thirty-one)der einunddreißigste,  der 31.  (thirty-first)32:  zweiunddreißig (thirty-two)der zweiunddreißigste,  der 32.  (thirty-second)33:  dreiunddreißig (thirty-three)der dreiunddreißigste,  der 33.  (thirty-third)34 to 39: consistent with the system from the 20s 40s or Forties 40:  vierzig (forty)der vierzigste,  der 40.  (fortieth)41:  einundvierzig (forty-one)der einundvierzigste,  der 41.  (forty-first)42:  zweiundvierzig (forty-two)der zweiundvierzigste,  der 42.  (forty-second)43:  dreiundvierzig (forty-three)der dreiundvierzigste,  der 43.  (forty-third)44 to 49: consistent with previous systems 50s or Fifties 50:  fà ¼nfzig (fifty)der fà ¼nfzigste,  der 50.  (fiftieth)51:  einundfà ¼nfzig (fifty-one)der einundfà ¼nfzigste,  der 51.  (fifty-first)52:  zweiundfà ¼nfzig (fifty-two)der zweiundfà ¼nfzigste,  der 52.  (fifty-second)53:  dreiundfà ¼nfzig (fifty-three)der dreiundfà ¼nfzigste,  der 53.  (fifty-third)54 to 59: consistent with previous systems 60s or Sixties 60:  sechzig (sixty)der sechzigste,  der 60.  (sixtieth)61:  einundsechzig (sixty-one)der einundsechzigste,  der 61.  (sixty-first)62:  zweiundsechzig (sixty-two)der zweiundsechzigste,  der 62.  (sixty-second)63:  dreiundsechzig (sixty-three)der dreiundsechzigste,  der 63.  (sixty-third)64 to 69: consistent with previous systems 70s or Seventies 70:  siebzig (seventy)der siebzigste,  der 70.  (seventieth)71:  einundsiebzig (seventy-one)der einundsiebzigste,  der 71.  (seventy-first)72:  zweiundsiebzig (seventy-two)der zweiundsiebzigste,  der 72.  (seventy-second)73:  dreiundsiebzig (seventy-three)der dreiundsiebzigste,  der 73.  (seventy-third)74 to 79: consistent with previous systems 80s or Eighties 80:  achtzig (eighty)der achtzigste,  der 80.  (eightieth)81:  einundachtzig (eighty-one)der einundachtzigste,  der 81.  (eighty-first)82:  zweiundachtzig (eighty-two)der zweiundachtzigste,  der 82.  (eighty-second)83:  dreiundachtzig (eighty-three)der dreiundachtzigste,  der 83.  (eighty-third)84 to 89: consistent with previous systems 90s or Nineties 90:  neunzig (ninety)der neunzigste,  der 90.  (ninetieth)91:  einundneunzig (ninety-one)der einundneunzigste,  der 91.  (ninety-first)92:  zweiundneunzig (ninety-two)der zweiundneunzigste,  der 92.  (ninety-second)93:  dreiundneunzig (ninety-three)der dreiundneunzigste,  der 93.  (ninety-third)94 to 99: consistent with previous systems 100s or One Hundreds 100: hundert  or  einhundert (hundred, a hundred or one hundred)der hundertste,  der 100.  (hundredth)(ein) hundertstel  (one-hundredth or one out of one hundred)101: hunderteins (hundred-and-one)der hunderterste,  der 101.  (hundred-and-first)102: hundertzwei (hundred-and-two)der hundertzweite,  der 102.  (hundred-and-second)103: hundertdrei (hundred-and-three)der hundertdritte,  der 103.  (hundred-and-third)104 to 199: continue in the same way 200s or Two Hundreds, and Other Hundreds 200:  zweihundert (two hundred)der zweihundertste,  der 200.  (two-hundredth)201:  zweihunderteins (two-hundred-and-one)der zweihunderterste,  der 201.  (two-hundred-and-first)202:  zweihundertzwei (two-hundred-and-two)der zweihundertzweite,  der 202.  (two-hundred-and-second)203:  zweihundertdrei (two-hundred-and-three)der zweihundertdritte,  der 203.  (two-hundred-and-third)204 to 899: continue in the same way 900s or Nine Hundreds 900:  neunhundert  (nine-hundred)der neunhundertste,  der 900.  (nine-hundredth)901:  neunhunderteinsder neunhunderterste,  der 901.  (nine-hundred-and-one)902 to 997: continue in the same way998:  neunhundertachtundneunzig  (nine-hundred-ninety-eight)der neunhundertachtundneunzigste,  der 998.  (nine-hundred-ninety-eighth)999:  neunhundertneunundneunzig  (nine-hundred-ninety-nine)der neunhundertneunundneunzigste,  der 999.  (nine-hundred-ninety-ninth) 1000s or One Thousands In German, one thousand is written or printed as either 1000, 1.000 or 1 000,  using a Punkt (decimal point) or a space instead of a comma. This also applies to all German numbers above 1,000. 1000:  tausend  or  eintausend (thousand, a thousand, or one thousand)der tausendste,  der 1000.  (thousandth)tausendstel  (one-thousandth or one out of a thousand)1001:  tausendeins (thousand-one or one-thousand-and-one)der tausenderste,  der 1001.  (thousand-first)1002:  tausendzwei (thousand-two)der tausendzweite,  der 1002.  (thousand-second)1003 to 1999:  continue in the same way Fun Fact 1001 Arabian Nights becomes Tausendundeine Arabische Nacht, but its 1001 Nchte (tausendeine Nchte) otherwise. 2000s or Two Thousands, and Other Thousands 2000:  zweitausend (two-thousand)der zweitausendste,  der 2000.  (two-thousandth)2001:  zweitausendeins (two-thousand-one or two-thousand-and-one)der zweitausenderste,  der 2001.  (two-thousand-first)2002:  zweitausendzwei (two-thousand-two)der zweitausendzweite,  der 2002.  (two-thousand-second)2003:  zweitausenddrei (two-thousand-three)der zweitausenddritte,  der 2003.  (two-thousand-third)2004:  zweitausendvier (two-thousand-four)der zweitausendvierte,  der 2004.  (two-thousand-fourth)2005 to 9998: continue in the same way9999:  neuntausendneunhundertneunundneunzig (nine-thousand-nine-hundred-ninety-nine)der neuntausendneunhundertneunundneunzigste,  der 9.999. (nine-thousand-nine-hundred-ninety-ninth) Talking About Jahre (Years) For the years 1100 to 1999 in German, you must say the  hundert rather than the tausend, as for 1152 (elfhundertzweiundfà ¼nfzig) or 1864 (achtzehnhundertvierundsechzig). 1100:  elfhundert  (year, number)tausendeinhundert  (number only)1200:  zwà ¶lfhundert  (year, number)tausendzweihundert  (number only)1800:  achtzehnhundert  (year, number)1900:  neunzehnhundert  (year, number)2000:  zweitausend  (year, number) In the year 2001 can be spoken or written in German as im Jahre 2001 or im Jahr 2001 (zweitausendeins). The phrase im Jahre means in the year, as in: Im Jahre 1350 (dreizehnhundertfà ¼nfzig) (In the year 1350). If the word Jahr is left out, then the year is used by itself, with no im (in the). For example: Er ist im Jahre 2001 geboren. | Er ist 2001 geboren. (He was born in (the year) 2001.)Er ist im Jahre 1958 geboren. | Er ist 1958 geboren. (He was born in 1958.)Kolumbus hat 1492 (vierzehnhundertzweiundneunzig) Amerika entdeckt. (Columbus discovered America in 1492) To convey the Christian calendar use of A.D. (anno domini, year of our Lord) and B.C. (Before Christ), German uses  n.Chr.  (nach Christus) for A.D. and  v.Chr.  (vor Christus for B.C. C.E. and B.C.E., for Common Era and Before Common Era, were used mostly in East Germany like so:  u.Z. (unserer Zeitrechnung) for C.E., and v.u.Z. (vor unserer Zeitrechnung) for B.C.E. 10,000 and Up 10,000:  zehntausend (ten-thousand)der zehntausendste,  der 10.000.  (ten-thousandth)20,000:  zwanzigtausend (twenty-thousand)der zwanzigtausendste,  der 20.000.  (twenty-thousandth)100,000:  hunderttausend (hundred-thousand)der hunderttausendste,  der 100.000. (hundred-thousandth)1,000,000: (eine) Million (million, one million, or a million)der millionste,  der 1.000.000.  (millionth)2,000,000: zwei Millionen (two million)der zweimillionste,  der 2.000.000. (two-millionth)1,000,000,000: (eine) Milliarde (billion, one billion, or a billion)der milliardste, der 1,000,000,000. (the billionth)1,000,000,000,000: (eine) Billion (trillion, one trillion, or a trillion)der billionste, der 1,000,000,000,000  (the trillionth) Fun Fact In German, one million is  eine Million, but two million is  zwei Millionen  (two millions). An American billion is a German Milliarde. A German Billion is an American trillion.​ Mathematische Ausdrà ¼cke (German Math Terms) German English addieren "add" die Algebra "algebra" das Differentialrechnendas Integralrechnen "calculus" dividieren "divide" durchzehn durch zwei (10/2) "divided by""ten divided by two" istgleichfà ¼nf und sechs ist elf "equals""five plus six equals eleven" die Gleichunge Gleichungsformel "equation" die Formel "formula" die Geometrie "geometry" minusweniger "minus""less" multiplizieren "multiply" plusundzwei und/plus zwei "plus""and""two plus two" subtrahieren "subtract" die Trigonometrie "trigonometry"

Electronic Banking Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Electronic Banking - Case Study Example According to New Dawn Magazine (1995, pg. 1), "Money - in the traditional sense no longer exists. It died two decades ago when Richard Nixon forever abolished the gold standard. Since then, money as we once knew it has been replaced by an unstable new global medium of exchange that is called 'megabyte money'... megabyte money is a threat not only to our country's long-term growth and prosperity, but to the individual as well." The public now has quite a few electronic money counterparts available at their disposal. The United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing still prints greenbacks in sheets of 32. "In fiscal 2007, the government will print about 9.1 billion individual bills. But 95 percent is to replace worn currency, not to expand the supply. THE BUCK STARTS HERE, say signs on some printing presses. In reality, today's buck usually begins (and ends) as a mere data entry" (Samuelson, 2007, pg. 1). * U.S. currency (dollar bills of all amounts) totaled $784 billion in 2006, but probably half or more is held outside the United States by foreigners who prize dollars--especially $100 bills--as a store of value. That suggests that less than $400 billion in currency supports a $13 trillion economy. In 1970, the economy's relative need for cash was almost twice as high. * In 2005, Americans held 1.7 billion credit and debit cards (about seven for everyone over 15), says The Nilson Report, an industry newsletter, and in the past decade, debit-card use has soared. In 1996, checks and cash represented almost 80 percent of consumer payments, estimates Nilson; they're now less than half. (The latest firm figures for 2005 show all paper payments at 50.3 percent of the total, with cash at 20.7 percent; by 2010, Nilson expects electronic payments to exceed 70 percent of the total.) * From a peak of almost 50 billion in 1995, the number of checks written in the United States fell to 36.6 billion in 2003, while the number of electronic payments rose from 15 billion to 44 billion, estimates the Federal Reserve. (The Fed survey doesn't directly measure cash use.) Companies are even marketing products to kids that are supposed to help get them used to the cashless society that supposedly lies ahead. For instance, Mastercard came out with a credit card made just for children. One of the biggest dangers of this card is that it can allow children to go into debt by purchasing and consuming large amounts of products without using cash. "Supporters regard the cards, which are issued by Bluecorner, as the natural step in an increasingly cashless society. They argue that the prepayment cards will familiarise children with plastic without spending too much. The cards are designed to get children used to the fact that cash is obsolete and their money, and the amount they are allowed to spend is controlled by someone else who also profits from their spending" (Watson, 2006, pg. 1). The Role of Information Systems According to New Dawn Magazine (1995, pg. 1), "Certainly there are jumps in technology that have facilitated this. For instance, a product that we market at Norwest is a debit card. It is a Visa Card (credit) but it's a debit card, so the money comes out of your checking account. This year [1994] across the country, Visa's volume (the number of times that the Visa Card is used) is up massively. Check

Ethical professional and cultural issues of ICT Essay

Ethical professional and cultural issues of ICT - Essay Example around the world, rights which have already legally been recognized are daily being violated, whether it is in the name of economic advancement, some religious causes, political stability, the fight against terrorism, or for various personal greed and interests. These violations of rights has created new problems in the human social systems, such as the digital divide, digital security, cybercrime and a number of privacy concerns, all of these have affected people’s lives either indirectly or directly. It is important for the countries like Britain to come up with an assessment of the current situation, followed by a guideline for a plan of action to combat the incidence of malicious attacks on the integrity, confidentiality and availability of electronic data and systems, forgery and fraud, computer crimes, content related offenses, such as those which are related to child pornography and violations of the intellectual property rights (IPRs). Taking this another step forward there are threats to the critical infrastructure and national interests are arising from the use of the internet for criminal and terrorist activities which has become a growing concern over the past few years. The damage incurred to governments, businesses and individuals in these countries in which the internet is used widely, is fast gaining scope and importance. Consumers have started losing confidence in transactions and businesses, due to this opportunity costs may rise to substantial heights. Information technology has had a massive impact on people from all walks of life, all around the world. Major developments in ICT has made it possible for a transition of information processing, storage and dissemination, from paper to virtual, which is now setting new heights of speed, accuracy and efficiency in all human activities. Latest computerized databases are being extensively used to store all forms of confidential data of political, economic, social or personal nature for the support

The KBR Swindon Essay Example for Free

The KBR Swindon Essay INTRODUCTION The KBR Swindon warehouse facility is responsible for the receipt, storage, maintenance and out-loading of equipment in support of KBR global contracts. It is also the long-term storage and logistic facility for UK KBR based projects. The Warehouse Manager has overall Health and Safety responsibility for all the projects working out of this facility. The Swindon Safety Management System is based on BS OHSAS 18001:2007 certification. As part of KBR Management System review, the Swindon Warehouse completes quarterly Project Status Review (PSR) to feed information in to the overall KBR management system review. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this report is to ensure that all projects working in this facility are in compliance with the KBR Health and Safety management system and is meeting legal requirements. This report will also provide an opportunity to review the effective communication and cooperation between different projects sharing one facility and identify the effectiveness of the management system, conclusions, recommendations and an action plan if improvements are required. METHODOLOGY The methodology of this audit is to review the policies, objectives and management system of the KBR Swindon warehouse facility for the safe receipt, storage and maintenance of equipment. This will entail reviewing the implementations of risk assessments, communications between the management and the workforce which includes compliance with current legislation, KBR Instructions and Procedures, various safety meetings and the KBR Safety Policy. The documentation that will be used in the audit will include: The warehouse Health and Safety plan to ensure that there is management commitment to health and safety in the warehouse. Emergency procedures to ensure suitable and sufficient procedures are in place in case of an emergency. Minutes of meetings to review whether Health and Safety concerns are being discussed and review the outcome and corrective actions. Accident records to assess whether there are any trends and significant near miss incidents. Risk assessments to ensure that all risks has been assessed and that mitigation measures put in place is suitable and sufficient to control the risk as low as reasonably practicable. Method statements to ensure that the tasks are being conducted in a safe manner. Training records to ensure that all employees and visitors are aware of the Health and Safety arrangements. DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANISATION The building is a large 240,000ft2 open-plan warehouse containing two-storey offices on the North end of the warehouse. The warehouse also has 2 integral two-storey offices, welfare and canteen units. The warehouse is a rented facility and the Warehouse Manager has regular meetings with the landlord representative to deal with issues regarding the fabric of the buildings, services and surrounding hard standing within the tenanted estate. The occupancy of the warehouse consists of six KBR staff including the warehouse manager. Approximately five agency employees are used dependant on the activities scheduled for the week. Main work patterns for the warehouse staff are to move the equipment in to the testing area, test the equipment,  clean and fix any defective equipment to ensure the readiness for deployment. The main risks to the warehouse staff include forklift truck operations, manual handling and mechanical hazards working with power tools. In addition, the offices at the warehouse are used as a call centre which is completely separate from the work being conducted in the storage facility. This is a secure access area and is set up in an open-plan office environment with approximately 30 desks. This call centre is manned 24 hours a day and will always have a minimum of 2 occupants. However, occupancy could increase to 30 for training days, interviews and meetings. The main risks to the call centre operators are Work Related Upper Limb Disorders as a result of poor ergonomics and lone working hazards. LEGAL ENVIRONMENT There is no Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or Environmental Agency (EA) censures or improvement notices placed on the site by the HSE or EA. Pertinent hazards addressed by risk assessments at this facility are categorised below. There is a duty on the Warehouse manager to ensure that adequate arrangements are in place for work equipment as described in The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). A lot of different types of machinery will be used in the warehouse area which the warehouse manager will need to ensure complies with the PUWER before they are commissioned for use. Regulations 4 to 10 sets out the management duties of PUWER covering the selection of suitable equipment, maintenance, inspection, specific risks, information, instructions and training. Seeing as the equipment has been bought second hand, it will need to be inspected by a competent person, producing a risk assessment and providing information, instruction and training to all warehouse staff on the use of the machinery. Regulations 11 to 24 of PUWER cover guarding of dangerous parts of work equipment, the provision of appropriate stop and emergency stop controls, stability, suitable and sufficient lighting and suitable warning markings or devices. The inspection of machinery will identify dangerous parts of the equipment  and the warehouse manager will need to ensure that the guards are fitted to the machines before the machines are commissioned. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) apply in relation to all work activities undertaken by KBR where lifting equipment and operations as defined by the regulations are used. This legislation expands on the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and complements the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). KBR has a duty under these regulations in situations where lifting equipment is used by employees at work, to ensure that the lifting equipment and associated lifting operations are carried out safely. In addition, persons who have any control of lifting operations, or who supervise or manage the use of lifting equipment also have a duty under the Regulations, but only to the extent of their control. LOLER requires the Warehouse manager to conduct a risk assessment on the forklift trucks which will be used inside the warehouse and the measures needed to eliminate or control the ris ks. Regulation 6 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and its supporting Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) provides the warehouse manager with general requirements about ventilation of the warehouse and equipment used to ventilate the warehouse. Regulation 7 of The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) requires the warehouse manager to prevent or control the exposure of employees to substances hazardous to their health. Compliance with this Regulation is particularly important as incident reports from the warehouse has indicated a near miss incident where an employee took receipt of a delivery and spilled a chemical due to poorly packaged bottles. If any of the risk assessments identifies that personal protection is required, then the Warehouse manager will need to ensure that personal protection equipment (PPE) is provided in accordance with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. The Warehouse manager needs to ensure that a stock of PPE is available for visitors and employees who do  not have the right PPE when entering the warehouse. The Warehouse manager also has a duty under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) to conduct a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment and to ensure that Fire safety arrangements are in place to elimination or reduction of risks from dangerous substances. The warehouse manager faces the challenge to manage both the warehouse and the call centre employees during an emergency. Under the same regulations the Warehouse manager should ensure means are available for fire-fighting and fire detection and that there are adequate emergency routes and exits from the warehouse. KBR will have generally assessed fire evacuation routes, means of detection and raising the alarm at all of its sites. Details of these arrangements are usually contained in the fire risk assessments kept at each site. KBR managers are required to do the following to maintain fire prevention measures: Ensure that a suitable fire risk assessment is in place. Ensure that any actions arising from external inspections are acted upon in an appropriate and timely manner. Often this will mean monitoring improvements to be carried out by the client, and in all cases will require the addition of information to local health, safety and environmental plans. Carry out regular housekeeping checks to ensure that items are not being stored inappropriately, especially near hot or electrical equipment, that escape routes are not blocked and that fire safety equipment has not been interfered with. Ensure employees do not increase the fire risk at an office or similar by using faulty electrical goods, smoking in a non-designated area or storing refuse inappropriately. Ensure that records are completed whenever there have been any checks or maintenance of fire safety equipment/fixtures using Fire Equipment Inspection Sheet. Ensure fire prevention measures are communicated to staff, contractors and visitors. The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 (HSCER) requires the Warehouse manager to consult employees on the information required about risks to their health and safety and preventative measures in place. All management and staff in a working environment need to follow the KBR FIRST AID guidance as a minimum standard in order to ensure the health, safety and welfare of KBR employees and other persons who may be affected by our undertakings. First Aid at work covers the initial management of any injury or illness suffered at work. First Aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 (as amended 2009), all workplaces must make provisions for first aid, to be readily available at appropriate times. The Control of ASBESTOS Regulations 2012 requires KBR to prevent the exposure of its employees to asbestos so far as is reasonably practicable. To achieve this KBR must ensure perform suitable and sufficient assessments in accordance with HSG 264 Asbestos: the survey guide that determines whether asbestos is present on the premises. This was arranged by the premises owner prior to KBR occupying the premises and Asbestos areas were identified within the warehouse. KBR must ensure that the warehouses owner: †¢ Determines the risk from the asbestos. †¢ Prepares a written plan identifying the area of the premises concerned and the measures necessary for managing the asbestos risk. †¢ Implement the measure in the plan. †¢ Record the measures taken to implement the plan. These measures should include adequate means for: †¢ Monitoring the condition of any asbestos or suspected asbestos. †¢ Maintaining the asbestos or its safe removal. †¢ Providing information identifying the location and condition of identified asbestos to any person likely to disturb it and making this information available to the emergency services. The Control of NOISE at Work Regulations 2005 will need to be considered for a backup generator placed inside the warehouse where Warehouse staff will be working during their normal working day. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 places the following duties on to the Warehouse manager: †¢ Carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk to the health and safety of employees who are liable to noise exposure at or above any Lower Exposure Action Levels. †¢ Record the significant findings of the assessment and ensure that it is reviewed regularly and revised as required. †¢ Record any measurements taken. †¢ Ensure that the risk assessment has been carried out by a competent person. †¢ Reduce noise exposure to as low as is reasonably practicable, by means of organisational and technical measures other than personal hearing protectors, where any employee is likely to be exposed above any Upper Exposure Action Levels. †¢ Hearing protection is to be available on request for any employee exposed above the lower exposure action value, and must be provided to any employee exposed at or above the upper exposure action level. †¢ Designated areas where employees are likely to be exposed to or above the upper action level as hearing protection zones. †¢ Ensure that no employee enters designated hearing protection zones unless they are wearing ear protectors. †¢ Provide employees with information, training and instruction about risks, control measures, hearing protection and safe working practices. Warehouse staff will be conducting manual handling activities during their normal working day so the warehouse manager will need to ensure compliance with the MANUAL HANDLING Operation Regulations 1992. The Warehouse manager need to ensure a suitable and sufficient assessments of all such manual handling operations are undertaken and have taken into account all foreseeable risks. In addition to the legal environment in the warehouse, the Warehouse manager needs to ensure compliance with The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 to minimise to eliminate or reduce possible eyesight or musculoskeletal disorders due to the effects of continual display screen equipment use. REVIEW OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM The KBR Swindon Safety Management System is based on BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Standard and follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology. DESCRIPTION The general requirement of the Planning stage is to define and document the scope of the management system. This information is captured in the KBR Corporate HSE Policy which is a global document and is written in a very general and broad manner in an effort to comply with all possible projects on a global level. The management system has a process in place for hazard identification, risk assessment and determining controls covered in various  work methods. The HSE Risk Assessment work method provides guidance on the specific duty placed upon KBR to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of all risks to the health and safety of employees and others, arising at or from a work activity. The Identification and Evaluation of HSE Legislative and Other Requirements process map identifies relevant HSE legislative requirements applicable and is recorded in the HSE Requirements Register. The KBR Swindon HSE Plan contains an organisation charts which clearly identifies roles, responsibilities and accountability for everyone working at the warehouse. KBR needs to ensure that everyone working in the warehouse is competent and experienced for the work that they are doing. The KBR Swindon Training Strategy contains a Training matrix to ensure appropriate level of competence at different levels of authority. The HSE Management system is available to all employees on the KBR intranet and regularly reviewed, updated and communicated via the intranet. KBR operates a three-tiered emergency response procedure whereby all projects and locations will ensure a Local Emergency Response Plan (LERP) is in place to manage low level emergencies. The KBR warehouse can then escalate the emergency to a Level 2 Incident Commander if it is deemed necessary and the Level 2 Incident Commander can escalate to a Level 3 global status in severed circumstances. KBR operates an integrated management system so the Audit Management System process required by the Quality Management System is used to conduct audits to determine the effectiveness of the controls in place. Health and Safety performance is measured using incident and accident statistics and completing monthly project reviews. Each project is set a target, usually a 10% reduction from the previous years incident rate, and is monitored against this target. This information is then discussed in a management review meeting on a quarterly basis.

The Nike Essay -- Greek Greece Symbolism History Athletics Essays

The Nike A Greek would say, "When we go to battle and win, we say it is Nike." According to Greek Mythology, The Nike was the winged goddess of victory. Daughter of the titan Pallas and the river Styx, Nike sat at the side of the omnipotent Zeus for the duration of his plight with the titans. The goddess Nike came to be an everlasting symbol of victory and dominance on the battlefields of ancient Greece. In light of her conquests, a popular footwear company of the 20th century designed products in her name to push new levels of achievement in athletes worldwide. The Swoosh logo at the side of each shoe is intended to represent the wing of the Greek Goddess Nike. The vibrant spirit of this ancient goddess has bridged the gap between ancient mythology and modern technology, and manifested itself through the most successful shoe company of all time. The Nike of Samothrace captures the essence of the goddess in a dramatic pose. Her body leans forward as her robust wings heave upwards, creating a magnificent balance and sense of motion. Recovered in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods by a French explorer in 1863, the statue stands 8 feet tall. The deep lines and contrasting textures of the feathers, fabric, and skin allude to the elegance of past Greek style. Of all similar remains from ancient Greek art, this famous Hellenistic sculpture best reflects the sense of pride, honor, and victory associated with the goddess. The Swoosh logo was created by Caroline Davidson in 1971. Davidson was asked by Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, to create a logo that could be placed on the side of the shoe. She gave him the Swoosh, and he in return gave her $35.00. When the Swoosh is inverted and placed next to the wing of The Nike of Samoth... ...oddess of victory, a company of highest ideal was born. As depicted in The Nike of Samothorace and Nike Adjusting Her Sandal, honor and achievement were of highest importance to the Ancient Greeks. The victory Nike brought the Greeks in the war with the titans is analogous to the victories our athletes bring us in the Olympic games. The vibrant spirit of the ancient goddess has bridged the gap between centuries, and proved itself as the paramount shoe company. The Nike Swoosh embodies the vitality of the winged goddess who brought inspiration to the most courageous and chivalrous warriors at the dawn of civilization . Bibliography Stokstad, Marilyn, Volume One Art History. Prentice Hall, and Harry Abrams Inc., 1995. The History of Nike, http://www-personal.engin.edu/~jhwiii/nikehist.html alt.culture:Nike, http://www.altculture.com/site/entries/nike.html