The Indigenous People Taino History Essay

The Indigenous People Taino History Essay Jamaica is one of the islands in the Caribbean Sea. Its East to Mexico and South to the United States. Its the third largest island and the largest English-speaking country in the Caribbean. Jamaicas location is near Cuba and the island of Hispaniola. The capital of Jamaica is Kingston. Its also the largest city both in size and population. Jamaica has an area of 10,991 km2. It has a population of 2,889,187 inhabitants. Jamaica is an independent nation. It was the first country of the Caribbean that gained independence. English is the official language in Jamaica. Creole is an English-African dialect that is used all over the island. Its also called Jamaican patois. Its not a written language. Many Jamaicans can speak Spanish. Many of the habitants are descendants of the Spanish colonist. The habitants have a rhythmic and melodic intonation. History The indigenous people, Arawak also called Taino- settled on the island in between 4000 and 1000 BC. They came from South-America. Christopher Columbus discovered the island on 14 May 1494. He named the island Santiago (Saint-James), but the name wasnt used by the original inhabitants. They called the island for Xaymaca, which later became Jamaica. Columbus claimed the island for the Spain. From 1509, the island was under Spanish rule, until the British took it from them in 1655. During this period, the aborigines were enslaved by the Spaniards. Some people were sent to Spain as slaves. Those who remained worked as slaves on the island or got killed. When France exiled the Jews from their country in 1394, many fled to the New World. Jamaica became a refuge for the Jews by 1660. They arrived after Columbus settled on the island. In 1660, the majority of the population was white people, but by early 1670s, the blacks number increased, due to the slave imports. The British invaded Jamaica in 1665. After freeing their slaves, the Spanish colonist fled. The slaves escaped to the mountains. These people were called the Jamaican Maroons. They lived in peace and freedom in the mountains for several generations. In 1807, the British imported Indian and Chinese slaves to produce sugar. The slaves descendants still lives in Jamaica today. Jamaica gradually gained their independence from the British. In 1958 the island joined other colonies of the British in the Caribbean and formed the Federation of West Indies. Jamaica finally became fully independent from Britain on 6 August 1962, when they left the Federation. Two political parties where formed not long after that and the first election of a Prime Minister where held. Jamaicas economy grew stronger after that. The island opened up to the rest of the world and tourism grew. Government Jamaica is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The head of the state is Queen Elizabeth II, but she does not rule the country. She appoints a governor general, who represents her. The monarch, along with the governor general serves ceremonial roles. The head of the government, the Prime Minister, is elected by the citizens of Jamaica. He is the one taking important decisions when it comes to ruling the country. The monarch gets aided by him when its time to choose a new governor general. The Prime Minister nominates a candidate, and its up to the monarch to appoint the governor general. The parliament is built up like the British Parliament. Its made up of a Senate of 21 members and a House of Representatives that consist of 60 members. Religion Christianity is the main religion in Jamaica. The Anglican Church and Church of God are the most practiced. There are also other variations of Christianity practiced in Jamaica, such as Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, Roman Catholic and Pentecostal. Another religion is Rastafarianism, a religion influenced by African spirituality. Buddhism, Hinduism, Bahai and Jehovahs witnesses are other major religions in Jamaica. Obeahism  is a form of Voodoo that is used in Jamaica. Its rarely heard of. The Obeah mans role is the guide evil souls to bring good or bad fortune, using black magic. Practicing of Obeahism is a considered a crime in Jamaica, but the people still use it and risks to be imprisoned. Culture The majority of the population is people with colored skin and comes from many different places in the world. Jamaican food is influenced by different cultures and ethnic groups that settled down on the island: Taino, Spanish, Indian, English and Chinese. The food is usually strong and spicy. Music is important in Jamaica. The Jamaican music is known all over the world, thanks to Bob Marley and other great Jamaican musicians. The most popular type of music is reggae. The melody is catchy and easy to enjoy, a reason why its so popular worldwide. There is many more style of music. Jamaican folk music has been influenced by many cultures over the years. The biggest influence on the Jamaican music is African music. Another type of Jamaican music is the religious music. It is a type of music influenced by the smaller religions on the island: Kumina, Pocomania and Rastafari. Theres a lot of drumming and chanting. The songs also have vocal and other instruments. They are often performed at vigils and services. Along with the music comes dance. The Jamaican people are known for their passion for dance. Some popular dances on the island are the jonkonnu, a dance performed at Christmas time by slaves, and ska. Similar to the music, the type of dances in Jamaica are influenced by many different cultures. Other facts The national drink of Jamaica is rum. There are several famous people from Jamaica, such as Usain Bolt, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Sean Paul and Lennox Lewis. Sources www.jamaicans.com/childsguide/facts.shtml www.mapsofworld.com/jamaica/information-on-jamaica/facts.html www.globeaware.org/jamaican-culture www.wikipedia.com www.my-island-jamaica.com/famous_people_from_jamaica.html

Aldous Huxleys A Brave New World Essays -- Technology A Brave New Wor

Aldous Huxley's A Brave New World The New World, a man-made Utopia, governed by its motto, Community, Identity, Stability (Huxley 3). A man-made world in every way. Human beings fertilized in bottles. Identity, gender, intelligence, position in society, all predestined. Human beings classified in the order of precedence: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon. Every one conditioned to be a certain way. Every one works for every one else (Huxley, 74). All man-made to ensure social stability. Is society in the New World truly better than in the 2000s? Are people in the New World truly happier than we are in the 2000s? Do we in the 2000s have any thing in common with the New World? Are there significant sociological differences between the 2000s and the New World? These are questions I found myself pondering as I lay down Aldous Huxley's brilliant A Brave New World. We have tremendous expectations of our Mothers. In the 2000s , our ideal Mother give life to her child, provides unconditional love to her child, and nurtures her child. There is a special bond between a Mother and her child. We have learned to recognize, respect, and appreciate the self-sacrifices and hardships that a Mother endures for her child. Those of us less fortunate, craves the love, care, and attention of a good Mother and good parents. To provide good parenting to our children are the goals and concerns of every good parents. Parental affection and guidance, or lack thereof, plays a vital role in our lives. We promote childbirth as a natural, fulfilling experience for women (Lamaze International, Online). In the New World, Mother is a smutty word (Huxley 36). Mothers, parents, and families were taught and understood as viviparous. Our 90s society woul... ...itics, the social instability. Should we sacrifice the good of the 2000s for the social stability of the New World? I want to say that I can not be certain, for I do believe in different systems, different values. But I can not say that. I live in the 2000s society and I grew up with my own set of belief. My own ideology. Therefore I have my bias opinion. Isn't social instability the path to finding true happiness? Without the bad, how will you recognize the good? If every thing is predestined, what is the purpose of life? If there is no individual love, what is there to live for? Self-happiness verses state-happiness. If self-happiness is selfish - then I am. Works Cited Huxley, Aldous. A Brave New World. 1932, 1946. National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) 10 February 1998 . Europe Against Drugs (EURAD) Date Unknown . Lamaze International Date Unknown .

Role of Cognition in Counseling

ROLE OF COGNITION IN COUNSELING TABLE OF CONTENT. Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 3 Cognitive therapy†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 4 Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy†¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 4 Characteristics of cognitive-behavioral therapy†¦. 5 Virtual Reality Therapy†¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 Rational Emotive Therapy†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 Transactional ANALYSIS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 8 conlusionâ⠂¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 9 reference†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦10 Role of cognition in counseling Introduction Cognitive therapy centers on the belief that our thoughts are influenced by how we feel.There are a number of different cognitive therapies, including Cognitive-Behavioral, Reality, Rational Emotive and Transactional Analysis. Each of these cognitive approaches to counseling can help a client through the counseling process, by providing further understanding of the way our thoughts are sometimes distorted. Cognitive therapy focuses on the present. This means that issues from the past that are influencing current thinking, are acknowledged but not concentrated on. Instead a counselor will work wi th the client on identifying what is causing distress in present thinking.What links these different forms of cognitive therapy is the way in which the counseling relationship, between a counselor and client, develops. Assertiveness exercises, role-playing and homework are also part of the supportive one-to-one sessions a client will have with a counselor. In this paper will review and analyze the role cognition in counseling. Cognitive therapy Studies have shown that cognitive therapy is an effective treatment for depression. It is comparable in effectiveness to antidepressants and interpersonal therapy or psychodynamic therapy.The combination of cognitive therapy and antidepressants has been shown to be effective in managing severe or chronic depression. Cognitive therapy has also proven beneficial to patients who have only a partial response to antidepressants. There is good evidence that cognitive therapy reduces relapse rates. In addition, some evidence has shown that cognitive therapy is effective in treating adolescent depression. Here are a number of the different cognitive therapies, including Cognitive-Behavioral, virtual Reality, Rational Emotive and Transactional Analysis. Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyThis cognitive approach to counseling is based on the belief that learning comes from personal experience. Counseling will focus on a client’s ability to accept behavior, clarify problems and difficulties and understand the reasoning behind the importance of setting goals. With the help of self management training, assertive exercises and role-playing the counselor can help a client work towards goals. Characteristics of cognitive-behavioral therapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and vents. The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change. Cognitive-behavior al therapy is considered among the most rapid in terms of results obtained. The average number of sessions clients receive (across all types of problems and approaches to CBT) is only 16. Other forms of therapy, like psychoanalysis, can take years. What enables CBT to be briefer are its highly instructive nature and the fact that it makes use of homework assignments.CBT is time-limited in that we help clients understand at the very beginning of the therapy process that there will be a point when the formal therapy will end. The ending of the formal therapy is a decision made by the therapist and client. Therefore, CBT is not an open-ended, never-ending process. A sound therapeutic relationship is necessary for effective therapy, but not the focus. Some forms of therapy assume that the main reason people get better in therapy is because of the positive relationship between the therapist and client.Cognitive-behavioral therapists believe it is important to have a good, trusting relati onship, but that is not enough. CBT therapists believe that the clients change because they learn how to think differently and they act on that learning. Therefore, CBT therapists focus on teaching rational self-counseling skills. Cognitive-behavioral therapists seek to learn what their clients want out of life (their goals) and then help their clients achieve those goals. The therapist's role is to listen, teach, and encourage, while the client's roles is to express concerns, learn, and implement that learning.Not all approaches to CBT emphasize stoicism. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Rational Behavior Therapy, and Rational Living Therapy emphasize aspects of stoicism. Beck's Cognitive Therapy is not based on stoicism. Cognitive-behavioral therapy does not tell people how they should feel. However, most people seeking therapy do not want to feel they way they have been feeling. The approaches that emphasize stoicism teach the benefits of feeling, at worst, calm when confronted with undesirable situations. They also emphasize the fact that we have our undesirable situations whether we are upset about them or not.If we are upset about our problems, we have two problems — the problem, and our upset about it. Most people want to have the fewest number of problems possible. So when we learn how to more calmly accept a personal problem, not only do we feel better, but we usually put ourselves in a better position to make use of our intelligence, knowledge, energy, and resources to resolve the problem. Cognitive-behavioral therapists want to gain a very good understanding of their clients' concerns. That's why they often ask questions.They also encourage their clients to ask questions of themselves, like, â€Å"How do I really know that those people are laughing at me? † â€Å"Could they be laughing about something else? † Cognitive-behavioral therapists have a specific agenda for each session. Specific techniques / concepts are taught duri ng each session. CBT focuses on the client's goals. We do not tell our clients what their goals â€Å"should† be, or what they â€Å"should† tolerate. We are directive in the sense that we show our clients how to think and behave in ways to obtain what they want.Therefore, CBT therapists do not tell their clients what to do — rather, they teach their clients how to do. CBT is based on the scientifically supported assumption that most emotional and behavioral reactions are learned. Therefore, the goal of therapy is to help clients unlearn their unwanted reactions and to learn a new way of reacting. Therefore, CBT has nothing to do with â€Å"just talking†. People can â€Å"just talk† with anyone. The educational emphasis of CBT has an additional benefit — it leads to long term results. When people understand how and why they are doing well, they know what to do to continue doing well.A central aspect of rational thinking is that it is based o n fact. Often, we upset ourselves about things when, in fact, the situation isn't like we think it is. If we knew that, we would not waste our time upsetting ourselves. Therefore, the inductive method encourages us to look at our thoughts as being hypotheses or guesses that can be questioned and tested. If we find that our hypotheses are incorrect (because we have new information), then we can change our thinking to be in line with how the situation really is.If when you attempted to learn your multiplication tables you spent only one hour per week studying them, you might still be wondering what 5 X 5 equals. You very likely spent a great deal of time at home studying your multiplication tables, maybe with flashcards. The same is the case with psychotherapy. Goal achievement (if obtained) could take a very long time if all a person were only to think about the techniques and topics taught was for one hour per week. That's why CBT therapists assign reading assignments and encourage their clients to practice the techniques learned.Virtual Reality Therapy This form of therapeutic approach works well in treating fears and phobias. This is because virtual reality therapy (VRT) concentrates on accurately duplicating the distressing situations. Counselors, who use this form of cognitive approach, during counseling sessions, will recreate situations in order to expose the client to what triggers their fear. VRT also works well in treating anxiety disorders. Rational Emotive Therapy Rational Emotive Behavior therapy (REBT) centers on the belief that human beings have a tendency to develop irrational behavior and beliefs.These are the ‘musts’ and ‘shoulds’ that many people fill their lives with, and which influence thought and deed. REBT acknowledges that past and present conditions affect a person’s thinking and utilizes a framework so that the counselor can apply activating events that allow the client to identify beliefs and conseque nces. Transactional Analysis TA, as Transactional Analysis is also known, is based on the notion that our personality consists of three states of ego – parent, adult and child. During interaction with others one of our ego states will predominate, depending on the situation we find ourselves in.Certain types of behavior are associated with each of the ego roles, and using this form of cognitive approach to counseling allows the client to understand the different ego stages and how they interact with each other. conlusion In conclusion, Cognitive therapy (or cognitive behavioral therapy) helps the client to uncover and alter distortions of thought or perceptions which may be causing or prolonging psychological distress. However, there are key principles that aim counselors with the best tools to provide the kind of supportive guidance that is conducive to creating a positive counseling outcome for their clients.References David, Daniel. , Szentagotal, A. , Eva, K. , & Macavei, B. (2005). A synopsis of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT): Fundamental and applied research. Journal of Rational &Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Josefowitz, N. , & Myran, D. (2005). Towards a person-centered cognitive behavior therapy. Counseling Psychology Quarterly Retrieved January 20, 2006, fromAcademic Search Premier. Kirschenbaum, H. (2004). Carl Rogers’s life and work: An assessment on the 100

Reasons for Mexican Revolution essays

Reasons for Mexican Revolution essays There are many sociopolitical reasons why political conflicts lead to revolution marked by violence and death. Ultimately, political systems that do not allow constructive dialog, and a loyal opposition breed discontent amongst the masses, causing mayhem and revolution. During the mid to late 1800's, Mexico was under colonial rule. The country had been invaded by several foreign powers. This came to an end when a General by the name of Porfidion Diaz first tried to overthrow President Benito Juarez in 1872 but was unsuccessful; then again, rebelled against President Lerdo de Tejada in 1876 and won. Don Porfirio, as he was called, became the president and governed for more than 30 years (1876-1911). Under his rule, Mexico had political stability and grew in many areas, creating new industries, railroads, miles of railroad tracks as well as the increase of foreign capital. Nonetheless, this progress was not translated into the peoples well being. Soon there was political unrest. The unhappiest sectors of the Mexican society were the peasants and labor workers. To defend these two popular sectors, Ricardo Flores Magn founded the Mexican Liberal Party. Flores Magn was persecuted by the Porfirist regime, and eventually died in an American prison. In 1906 the army brutally repressed a strike of miners in the Cananea mine in Sonora. As you can see, DÃ ­az did every thing in his power to crush any uprisings. The Cananea massacre is historically considered the spark that finally ignited Mexicos Revolution. This led the downfall of General Porfirio DÃ ­az. Although, he promised free elections, he ultimately reneged and incarcerated his opposition Francisco Madero. Eventually, he was overthrown in 1911 and Madero became the president. Unfortunately peace did not come to this country for a while. Several Revolutionary leaders couldnt settle their differences. Madero wanted to work ste...

The effects of Rebellion on Contemporary Music †Music Research Paper

The effects of Rebellion on Contemporary Music – Music Research Paper Free Online Research Papers The effects of Rebellion on Contemporary Music Music Research Paper Throughout history, music has perhaps been one of the most influential elements in different cultures and societies. Music has become a universal language in which individuals of all sexes, races and ethnic backgrounds are able to unite and relate with one another through for a common purpose. The ancestry of music is one of the earliest forms of communication that has served as a tool for entertainment as well as holding educational purposes (Pleasants 1955:7). Over time, thousands of different styles and genres have evolved to make up the diverse world of music that is available for different preferences and interests. With this said, it is understandable that there are many different perceptions and interpretations that have a large impact on contemporary music. Each and every one of us has our own preferences for different beats, rhythms and lyrics that are valuable to ourselves however seem distasteful and possibly obnoxious to others. In these following paragraphs we will further examine the concept of rebellion within the musical institution and how it in fact plays a significant role on the evolution of contemporary music. The definition of music is highly variable across different cultures, age groups and audiences. Different sounds and patterns are interpreted and understood in different ways depending on one’s preferences, interests and choice of individual expression (Brackett 1995:24). These opinions are what motivate composers to continue creating new and innovative rhythms, tempos, tones and styles. The expansion of musical movements has reached great heights in the 1900’s with the emergence of genres such as Techno in the late 60’s, Punk Rock in the 1970’s, and also Reggae (Borthwick Moy 2004:42). Each of these movements has evolved with new ideas, technologies, artists, and audiences. Rebellion is a commonality to all of these different movements and is responsible for the uniqueness of each genre. It is a concept that often is perceived with a negative connotation while in fact it is a form of expression that is used all the time to convey new ideas. The true definition of rebellion is â€Å"An act or a show of defiance toward authority or an established convention† (Salzman 1988:8). This description is perhaps why so many people often consider elements of rebellion as being destructive and vicious when in fact rebellion in music is a significant source for innovation. It is depicted through aspects such as fashion, hair styles, drugs, sex, art and politics. Each different period in musical history represents a plethora of new ideas, opinions and attitudes that are expressed through various forms of rebellion that has permitted the emergence and existence of so many brilliant advances in contemporary music. The late 1960’s was a period in musical history that marks great shifts in political, technological and social norms. This period in history also known as the â€Å"Summer of Love† is responsible for the explosion of what is known as Psychedelia (Borthwick Moy 2004:43). During this time, people started breaking free of the traditional attitudes and norms that had existed for so long. This genre is an amalgamation of various components including jazz, folk, RB as well as classical tones (Borthwick Moy 2004:44). The era was full of social reformation and alterations from the mainstream, traditional life. In cities across the world, particularly for the British population who was recovering from repercussions of The Second World War, this was a significant time in which individuals were able to experiment with new music, people and culture. With rising employment levels and the increase in wages, drugs were being integrated for the first time into the social scene at a rapid rate (BorthwickMoy 2004:45). London earned its name â€Å"Swinging London† during this time because of society’s overall rebellion towards the mainstream moral (Borthwick Moy 2004: 54). Adolescents became more outspoken, open- minded and eager to adopt different attitudes. The former fashion was now being replaced with different hair styles, costumes and general clothing that fit the psychedelic scene. Bright colors, fabrics and patterns that accentuated the unique aura of this period were prevalent among both the artists and the audience (Borthwick Moy 2004:54). The Psychedlic phase lasted only a few years, and yet the impact on contemporary music is apparent in many forms presently. The studio effects and instrumental achievements that resulted from this period are still used by composers today. Recording elements such as ADT, phasing and fuzztone are all products of this time and are still incorporated in the production of a variety of music (Borthwick Moy 2004: 57). More than just the audible and physical elements of the psychedelic era are apparent in cultures across the world today. The attitudes regarding politics and alternative lifestyle are still very much prevalent in our society (Brackett 1995:26). Punk Rock is another movement that is has had a great impact on contemporary music. Punk or ‘garage’ flourished in the 1970’s and grew tremendously within just a few months (Borthwick Moy 2004:79). Punk is identified by its loud noise, rhythm, intensity and often times violent tones (Salzman1988: 201). It originated as a reaction to political issues of the time, and an overall frustration to the post war concerns especially in the UK (Borthwick Moy 2004:78). Through the music, adolescents were able to overtly verbalize their discouragement and aggravations with the social and economic troubles that had transpired during this time. The lyrics of Punk were often controversial and addressed contentious matters within society. Bands such as Sex Pistols’ and Buzzcocks’ were renowned for their radical lyrics and extreme undertones (Borthwick Moy 2004: 81). The developing Punk community thrived on their freedom, autonomy and individuality. The fashion that was adopted by this community was everything but conventional and was another way for this culture to suggest their independence. Articles of clothing displaying swastikas and often offensive slogans were standard modes for voicing passionate opinions and attitudes. Fifties sunglasses, leather jackets, and an overall ‘grunge’ look was a universal way for the Punk community to support the tough reputation that they ascertained (Borthwick Moy 2004: 83). The degree of rebellion throughout the Punk society was a bit more profound than that of other music styles throughout history. The intensity and passion that is rooted in this movement has been recognized and admired for its impact on contemporary music (Brackett 1995:25) . The philosophy behind punk has been incorporated into other styles of music such as rap and techno (Borthwick Moy 2004:92). The emphasis on limited resources and simplicity that is grounded in Punk Rock has also been incorporated in new developments such as New Wave, Goth, Oi!, and Anarcho-punk. Even though the concept of this genre originated years ago, its influence over punk bands and punk rock can be seen in many different aspects of the culture today. The late 1960’s is also a benchmark for yet another great advancement in music. Reggae, also known as ‘Roots’ is a rhythmic form of Jamaican music which incorporates various elements from Africa and Europe (Borthwick Moy 2004:99). The lyrics found in this style are greatly reflective of Rastafarianism and accentuates Jamaica’s political and cultural independence from the United States and Europe (Borthwick Moy 2004:108). While the context of Reggae was extremely significant for the African community and exposed strong emotional reflections of monumental events such as slavery, the lyrics were more peaceful and largely focused on anti- violence. With the deterioration of the sugar and banana markets, Jamaica began falling into a period of economic disaster (Borthwick Moy 2004:109). As a reaction to these harsh times, the society turned to music for emotional relief. Afro-centrism and communality became the focal point for the general morale of the Ra stafarian community at this time. Over the years, the influence of Roots spread and encouraged the emergence of subunits such as Lover’s Rock, Dub, Rocker’s and The British Style (Borthwick Moy 2004:110). Style was another aspect of Reggae that was unique to the Rastafarian culture. The visual elements of this period were a large part of the communal atmosphere that played such a significant role in the industry. Images, colors and drawings are very popular forms of representation that are incorporated in almost all artifacts relating to this genre (Everything 2005). The outline of Africa is often times depicted on albums as with the red, green and gold colors of the African Flag. Dreadlocks, wigs, big jewelry, and flashy clothing are all part of the attire that represents the Reggae movement (Borthwick Moy 2004:108). In contrast to some other genres, this unique style of this period never truly faded. The 1990’s sparked a revival in Reggae production after the death of Bob Marley in 1981 (Everything 2005). The influence of both the music as well as the aesthetic elements is still apparent across different cultures today. Popular artists still incorporate elements of Jamai can Rap and dancehall into influential contemporary music (Borthwick Moy 2004:111). The world of music has been changing, evolving and improving ever since the first note was played. It has become a second language for so many people in which social, cultural and political contexts are shared, interpreted and revolutionized through passing generations. With every new artist, song, lyric and beat that is created, we unknowingly open so many doors for further improvements. Accentuating differences and diversity is essential to the further development of influential music. Rebellion in a sense is another form of constructive criticism when it is applied and interpreted in the appropriate manner. It has played a significant role in the progression of ideas, concepts, styles, technologies and so many other elements critical to contemporary music. Rebellion is a freedom that has proven to have profound benefits on the progression of the musical industry. It is imperative for the advancement of music all together, that individuals take the initiative to raise questions ag ainst tradition, and challenge mainstream society. Borthwick Moy (2004). Popular Music Genres. Edinburgh, University Press. Pp. 42-60, 77-118 Brackett, David (1995). Interpreting Popular Music. Cambridge, NY, Cambridge University Press. Pp.19-27 Pleasants, Henry (1955). The Agony of Modern Music. New York, Simon and Schuster NY. Pp. 4-15 Salzman, Eric (1988). Twentieth Century Music. Englewood Cliffs, Prentice Hall. Pp. 5-9, 201-211 The History of Reggae Music. (Online) New Dancehall Magazine. Available from: everytingjamaican.com (Accessed 08/10/2005). 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A Comparative Analysis of Natural Inclinations Essay

A Comparative Analysis of Natural Inclinations - Essay Example A philosopher like Hobbes would disagree. He would argue that our natural inclinations are competitive, and that we are naturally destined for destruction. In between these two extremes is the notion of rationality. Kant, for instance, argues that we can overcome our natural inclinations, whatever they may be, by using reason.This question is significant because the answer has important implications. How we choose to govern ourselves depends, in large part, on how we answer the question of natural inclinations. How constitutions and legislation treat notions of liberty and freedom of expression, for example, depend on the extant to which the drafters perceive human beings to be capable of moderating their behavior. In short, how we choose to form laws to govern ourselves is dependent on our assumptions regarding our natural inclinations.These are a few of the questions posed and addressed in the works of John Stuart Mill, Thomas Hobbes, and Immanuel Kant. This essay will identify eac h thinker's analysis of the human being's natural inclinations, the implications of each thinker's analysis, and then offer a brief comparative analysis.As an initial matter, John Stuart Mill, in Utilitarianism, argues that natural inclinations are not innate. Human beings are not born with a natural predisposition to compete (Mill, 1863). Satisfaction of our basest needs, such as food, shelter, or a mate, does not compel us to satisfy our needs at all costs. We do not begin hunting for food until we are taught how to hunt. We do not steal the food of others until we are aware of the possibility of stealing. Nor do we believe in monogamy or polygamy at birth. These are not natural drives. They are not genetic predispositions. Who we are is the product of our environment. Our inclinations, as they develop throughout our lives, are taught and learned. In Mill's view, therefore, an innate compulsion or natural inclination is absent in the very beginning. On this basis, he reasons that the formation of laws should be used to condition people. More specifically, he believes that the creation of a fair and just society will create fair and just citizens. We should discourage authoritarian forms of government, for instance, because they are unnecessary and because they will teach us destructive habits. To this end, he advocates personal liberties and freedom of expression. The government does not need to dominate its people because its people are conditioned by these broader concepts of justice, moderation, and restraint. They will follow the examples set forth in just and reasonable laws. More specifically, he advocates the formation of laws which emphasize the satisfaction of the people rather than the domination of the people. Mill states that, "Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness" (Mill, 1863). His notion of happiness is twofold. First, happiness is physical pleasure. Laws should encourage and allow people to pursue interests of importance to the individual. Second, happiness is mental pleasure. Freedom of expression and diversity of opinion are to be valued rather than prohibited. Proper laws can, in the final analysis, teach us how to be happy and thereafter operate to sustain our happiness. The significant point is that human beings are not naturally inclined to commit bad or destructive acts; on the contrary, we are capable of forming laws and principles which can result in moderate political and social structures. Mill employs a balancing test. The goal is to promote maximum happiness while minimizing unhappiness. This tends toward

Judaism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Judaism - Essay Example This paper will examine Judaism and argue that it may be largely defined as a communal behaviour that is rooted in knowledge of the reality. To begin with, one should note that just like Islam Judaism also has a legal dimension to it. In other worlds, there is a legal system that is based on the sacred text of Judaism, namely Torah (Solomon 1996, 56). Indeed, this means that the latter should not be considered to be merely a spiritual text, but a set of rules and regulations that might be used to resolve different issues. What is more important is that the very name might be interpreted as teaching which implies the practical application of knowledge that is stored in it. That is why it is not surprising that the Jews also applied the text that contained the religious dogma to daily affairs. One should also note that this application is recognized on the state level. For example, according to the tradition of Judaism, on the seventh day of the week, which is Saturday, the Jews should not do any work, but only rest. While this might seem as a peculiar religious tradition; nevertheless, on every Saturday trains do not run in Israel, planes do not fly and the majority of the stores are closed. All this shows how religious principles are able to modify communal behaviour. Moreover, while some rules might have some theological support, they still impose severe restriction that other people, regardless of their involvement into the spiritual practice have to face. The next point that should be noted while considering the nature of Judaism and its communal dimension is the way the above mentioned sacred text is regarded. Thus, there is no doubt in the fact that Torah is the corner stone of this religious tradition (Harvey 2005, p. 74). However, it must be noted that Judaism recognizes two kinds of Torah – Written one and Oral one. As a result, what people tend to mostly