Physicians Clash over Medical Ethics in Death Penalty Cases Essay

The news clipping is mainly about the dilemma doctors face. They are trained to save people. They did not choose their profession to punish law-violating citizens. Specifically, this topic has been given hype by Dr. Marc Stern who quit on his job of being the head doctor in the state of Washington’s prison whose responsibilities included maintaining the lethal injection table in order for the next death sentence. In the past several years, according to the article, medical ethics and death penalty has clashed. There are a number of instances in the past where doctors bailed out of the execution causing delay in the death penalty; case in point: Michael Morales. The article also stated that the problem does not stop here. This ethical dilemma against professional participation needs careful and further study. Capital punishment and justice would be difficult to serve if all doctors are concerned about ethics. Experts went as far as predicting capital punishment could end because of this ethical issues. Ethical dilemma The whole article is about ethical dilemma. Doctors do not want to continue participating in capital punishment (overseeing death penalties) as this poses ethical issues for them. Most of them belive the punishment is cruel and unusual. Also, doctors are trained to save lives and not to end it. Personal thoughts on the matter I understand that being an object to end another person’s life when one is trained to help save it could have severe impact on one’s conscience. The human world has become civilized enough over the course of history to preserve one another. It is even more emphasized in a doctor’s profession where preservation of mankind has been his chosen field and career. However, if all doctors feel this way, I can see the nation revolting. Without a trained professional in the death sentence chamber, there is no way an execution will happen. I can foresee various forms of protests because somehow, justice must be served according to the laws of the state. The person in death sentence was found guilty of an offense that demerits him his life. The family and friends of his victim/s have turned into the law for support to the injustice done to them. The law cannot fail these people because doctors cannot do their state-given responsibilities. There must be some doctors out there that are willing to do the job. I am not saying that the state must find conscienceless professional so that the death penalty can still be observed. There must be some doctors in the field that understand their moral obligations and their obligations to the state. Like it or not, the prosecution must be finished. They cannot let the convicted criminal die in the hands of non-professionals nor can they let the families and friends of the victims live in injustice.

Founding Fathers Essay

In the past century, there has been a growing debate as to the motives of the founders of the republic and as a result the nature of our constitution. While Marxist analysts such as Charles Beard contended that the founders were wealthy elite that ultimately created a conservative document intended to weaken the poor popular majority, other scholars like John Roche believed that the fathers had no such agenda and they were working purely to reconcile states’ interests. Pluralists, such as Hofstadter, believed that the constitutional insistence of checks and balances intended to create a slow political process in which no interest can completely win and oppress other interests over a long period of time. While the scholars, Beard and Roche, make a strong defense of their opposing argument, it appears, based on the constitutional document and historical analysis that Hofstadter provided a more accurate portrayal of the founding fathers and their purpose in framing the various pi eces of the Constitution. The men who wrote the constitution came from a particular background of wealthy and politically elite people and as a result one of their main concerns in the newly developing nation was the protection of their property. Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no guaranteed right of property and the economy was becoming a mess as there was no power to keep it controlled. Charles Beard states in his document, â€Å"They were anxious above everything else to safeguard the rights of private property against any leveling tendencies on the part of the propertyless masses.† In a country where the majority rules, the wealthy few became vulnerable to possibility of the poor population taking their belongings. Beard believes evidence of this can be seen throughout the Constitution, such as the Contract and Commerce clause which both limit state powers and allow Congress to regulate trading and property rights. The second piece of evidence is that certain branches of the government, the Senate, President, and Supreme Court, are not directly elected by the people. John P. Roche suggests that the framing of the Constitution was essentially a democratic process involving the unification of the state, political, and  economic interests of the nation. Roche recognizes that the framers were an elite, but he is careful to point out that they were a political elite dedicated for the most part to creating an efficient and at the same time controlled national government that would be able to overcome the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The framers were not an organized few dedicated to particular notions of political or economic beliefs beyond the need to create a national government that would be capable of uniting the disparate interests of the state. When the Constitutionalists decided to challenge the Confederation, they used the methods of political legitimacy. The 3/5 compromise allowed more representation of the lower population in the house of representatives and the bill of rights was formed in order to ensure state rights and c heck the central government. Roche believes the bicameral legislation of the constitution was effective at producing pluralism. Finally, the last theory of what the founding fathers intended for the purpose of the Constitution to be was to create a balanced government that followed the philosophy of checks and balance which derived from the Enlightenment ideals of Montesquieu. In â€Å"The Founding Fathers: An Age of Realism,† Hofstadter argues that the agenda of the founding fathers was not only to ensure the rights of property for the wealthy elite, but also for the poorer masses. â€Å"Most of them would probably have admitted that the rich, unrestrained, would also plunder the poor.† The purpose of the Constitution was to create a government that allowed both the elite and individuals to maintain their rights and opportunities in the nation. The framing made sure to include legislation that aided the wealthy but also pieces that helped represent the larger population. The contract and commerce clauses protected property rights and strengthened the central government, but then the Bill of Rights and the House of Representatives gave power to the states and the poor majority. In addition, while the President can veto bills, Congress has the chance to override the veto with a 2/3 majority. The Senate, representing states, and the House of Representatives provide involvement for the majority in the Constitution, while the President and Supreme Court are chosen by the minority and provide protection for the smaller group of individuals. The founding fathers made  sure to include checks and balances when they developed the Constitution in order to ensure a fair government where one group does not hold the most power. Both Beard and Roche have contrasting views on what the purpose was of the founding fathers in their framing of the Constitution, but both are ultimately flawed as it is wrong to say that their agenda was limited to selfish greed or altruism for the majority. The real agenda, as Hofstadter explains, was to form a balanced government that ensures the basic rights for both the majority and minority, allowing the wealthy and the poor to be represented and protected under the branches of the government and legislation through a system of checks and balances.

Personal Learning Profile Essay

What technological development, during the early history we covered, do you feel was either a detriment or an enhancement for people to move away from spending all of their lives finding sustenance? The Greeks were a highly civilized society when they came up with the idea of domestication in the Neolithic era (New Stone). It enhanced there civilization and made them be able to accomplish other thing that were important. They didn’t start out that way, but thing where able to change in the Mesopotamian area. The Mesopotamia area is between two rivers the Tigris and the Euphrates. Mesopotamia was the creation of the universe with their ruler Marduk. He made things possible to achieve which made and kept the gods happy. During the Paleolithic era, people where hunting to find food instead of farming before civilization occurred. This made them not be able to focus, maintain order on earth, and honor the gods as much as they wanted to. They had to move around and follow there food. The woman gathered plants close to camp providing most reliable supply of nourishment. On the other hand, the men hunted the most dangerous wild animals far away from camp. They praised and worshiped their gods to help find food. They even believed in animal gods that stood for love, hate, and fear which was known as animism. As time progressed the climate started to change that altered the pattern of plant growth which brought the Neolithic era (New stone). During this time period, people came up with new inventions such as agriculture and permanent settlements that grew into cities. In the fertile crescent woman were sowing seeds from wild grains to produce regular harvest. On orchard fields they grew fig, olives, and dates. The wheel helped them move more efficiently and getting the job done a lot faster. Men continued to hunt, but also started to domesticate animals like sheep, pig, goat, and cattle. This became known as the â€Å"Farming Pack Age†. Because of this it became a gigantic political state under a single ruler controlling formerly independent territories. Since they had more time, learning was able to occur. They learned from one another, adapting the knowledge, and beliefs of others. Trading vegetable oil, woolens and leathers with one another they acquired metals, timber, and precious stones. Through this they were able to build, make better tools, and weapons. They were also able to irrigate the arid flatlands with water channel from the rivers maintaining a system of irrigation. This led to the centralization of authority in Mesopotamia cities, which controlled the farmland and irrigation canals lying outside their fortified walls. With so many enhancement, Greeks were able to obtain order on earth and honor the gods as much as they wanted to. The Greeks need a way to track food, animals, and in trading. So, they came up with cuneiform; a way of writing. They wrote it on clay tablets it looked like tallies marks. Through this they were able to become good at math and science. The Greeks came up with the decimal system, 60 seconds in the clock, and the 360 degree circle. Some of the things the Greeks did we still do today. In school we learn from the teachers that math and science is a very important subjects that you will use through your whole life. The math is divided into different groups such as algebra, calculus, and geometry the one that the Greeks teach us about with the 60 seconds in the clock and the 360 degree circle. In the South, where it is more rural areas we still have farming and they use the same system like irrigation and plowing, but with a twist of new technology.

Secondary legal sources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Secondary legal sources - Essay Example Based on the evidences collected and being the one representing Samatha Smith on this case, a good defense hence has to be made for her to win and get compensated for the damages she had incurred during the injury process. In the case of Garcia v. Delgado Travel Agency in 2004, the complainant, Garcia lost the case. The case fact involved Garcia slipping on a wet floor as she was entering the office of Delgado Travel Agency. On suing Delgado, her case was dismissed on the grounds that Delgado was not permanently liable for causing the wet floor and the rain that caused the wet floor. In addition, the court ruled that Delgado was not obliged under any law to continuously mob rain water (Garcia v. Delgado Travel Agency, 4 A.D.3d 204, 771 N.Y.S.2d 646 [2004] ). Therefore, due to lack of evidence of Delgado being the cause of the wet floor, it was attributed Garcia falls to be an act of negligence on her part. In the case involving Galietta v. New York Sports Club, the complainant Galietta sued New York Sports Club for injuries sustained after he slipped on a spilled liquid on a staircase. Galietta failed to provide factual evidence as to whether the spilled drink had been there with the knowledge of the management. In addition, it could not be established who actually made the spill hence could not be pinned down on the defendant. Hence due to lack of evidence, the case was dismissed (Galietta v New York Sports Club, 4 AD3d 449 [2004]). In the case between Theodouro v. Aphis Realty Inc., Theodouro was the plaintiff while Alphis Reality Inc. the defendant. Theodouro complained of having slipped and fell while he was on the dance floor and sustained serious injuries. He blamed Alphis for being negligent to the situation whereby dancers and musicians were thrown paper money and flowers. The case was dismissed based on Theodouro involvement in a dangerous activity, something which he should not have blamed the

Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Argument - Essay Example Virtue ethics states that we should be good for the sake of being good which could sometimes be impractical in modern world because others would tend to take advantage if we are too good all the time. Utilitarianism will balance it because utilitarian ethics seeks to practice ethics only when it is beneficial. Utilitarianism left on its own is also not good because it could lead to selfishness as it only concerns with itself. Being good and finding its good use will surely make a good pair of ethics. Moreover when we add deontological ethics to utilitarianism and virtue ethics we would become duty bound to follow sound ethical guidelines in our lives. Deontological ethics states that we should determine our duties and obligations and follow them. If we are able to create a set of ethics that is a combination of utilitarianism and virtue ethics, that is, good ethics that is grounded on reality, and make it a set of rules in this world, then there is a good chance that we will be following a set of ethical guidelines that is grounded on the reality of the

Computer forensics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Computer forensics - Essay Example This research will begin with the definition of computer forensics as a method utilized for the analytical analysis and investigative methods to identify, gather, inspect and preserve information and evidence which is magnetically encoded or stored. Typically computer forensics is used to offer digital evidence of a broad and specific activity in any area of life. Additionally, a forensic analysis is performed for a wide variety of reasons. In the majority of cases, computer forensics is used for the high profile civil litigation or criminal investigation, however digital forensic methods can be of value in a broad range of circumstances, comprising, basically re-tracing steps formulated when information has been lost. Companies that the author has selected for this report are 1) New York Computer Forensics [Web site: Â  http://newyorkcomputerforensics.com]; 2) Guidance Software Professional Services [Web site: http://www.guidancesoftware.com]. New York Computer Forensics Company ha s skilled and expert computer forensic staff and experts. These people effectively utilize the proven methods and sophisticated software, and tools which can be used to analyze and retrieve the entire data on a crime scene system to an absolute level as probable. In this scenario, this kind of material can include deleted files and e-mail and logs and other details that can be related to the problems and issues being examined.

Arab and Israel Conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Arab and Israel Conflict - Essay Example In a reflective exploration of the role of international actors in the Arab-Israeli conflict, it becomes obvious that several prominent world nations and organizations have taken part in the conflict at various stages of its development, although it is basically a conflict between the two parties of the Middle East today, the Israeli government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). A conflict resolution perspective of the Arab-Israeli conflict indicates that it is a complicated conflict which requires a careful investigation of the issues that must be resolved to achieve a final peace settlement as well as an analysis of the past conflict resolution efforts and the current state of the conflict. "When you come to the Arab-Israeli question, you face a very difficult kind of conflict. It is not a straightforward conflict leading itself to a straightforward conflict resolution." (Safty 2003, P 126). However, it is fundamental to realise that there have been important argument s for and against the international community providing conflict resolution. ... Arab and Israel Conflict: Role of international actors in conflict resolution The Arab-Israeli conflict is the most complicated wars in the modern history of man and there are various factors such as the involvement of religion, philosophical differences, the role of the neighbouring states and international community etc which contribute to the complexity of the conflict. A careful analysis of the history of the conflict suggests that the role of the various nations of the world, especially in the region, has been crucial in every stage of the development of the conflict. "The Arab-Israeli conflict is the most complicated, most intractable and most spectacular for international community at the beginning of the 21st century." (Weijan 2002. P. 169). Several peace-keeping processes initiated by the international community have incorporated various parties taking side with any of the conflicting nations. Significantly, the international contingent known as the Quartet on the Middle East (the Quartet) has been concerned with the official negotiations in the confl ict and special envoy representing this international body include the United States, Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations. Another important participant in the various phases of the conflict has been the Arab League which has proposed an alternative peace plan for the resolution of the various issues in the region. Similarly, Egypt, which was a founding member of the Arab League, has played an essential role in the settlement of the various issues in the region. It is fundamental to undertake an exploration of the short history of the conflict resolution efforts to determine if the role of international actors in the conflict resolution, if this

Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) - Essay Example Even after retirement, he remained active and productive. The assassination of Malcolm X became the turning point of his life where he changed his name to Amiri Baraka and dissolved his marriage to Hettie Cohen. He became a leader of Newark’s African-American community. Amiri Baraka was well known for his writing. He used his popularity as a way of defending the weak from social injustices (Koolish, 2001). Through poems, plays, fiction, and essays, he showed his leadership by condemning oppression and racial injustice of the African American community in the United States (Epstein, 2006). Through his works and words, Baraka was able to he was able to promote drama created by African American playwrights and performed for the African American audience that showed African American issues (Baraka, 1995). For example, his two plays The Toilet and The Slave which were both written in the year 1962 showed his mistrust and hostility towards the white society. His award winning production, Dutchman, showed the damage that America inflicts on African men (Baraka, 2000). In 1960s racial discrimination against African Americans was still high. Many black leaders started to rethink their goals, while dome embraced more militant ideologies of self-defense and separatism (Lie, 2006). The struggle for civil rights was high aimed at drawing the attention of the nation to the brutality and injustice that African Americans faced. Even though the economic situation was good in the country, many blacks lived under poverty which was evident in many black urban neighborhoods. Leadership is the ability of a person to lead a group of people or a team to achieve specific task (Northouse, 2012). After studying Amiri Baraka, it is clear that leadership is an in built quality. It can also be attained through an individual’s experience which inspires the leader (OSullivan, 2009). Leadership cannot be learnt by simply reading about it but it is something that someone gets

Online Inventory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Online Inventory - Essay Example As the discussion highlights his learning styles are visual, physical, social, aural, verbal, logical, and physical according to learning-styles-online.com and; sensitive, active, sequential, visual, solitary and referral according to Solomon and Felder. In terms of visual, the author pay attention to images to understand while, in verbal terms, use of explanation is useful to him. He scored highly on visual learning skills as compared to verbal. Images help him to remember what was taught in class and thus very effective on the author.This discussion stresses that there were similarities and differences in my study methods as portrayed by the two different websites. The similarities were that my learning styles are physical or active of which he do enjoy exercising and sports for instance football and basketball.   Another common aspect is that images help me study better and achieve my goals. On the other hand, the major differences is that his learning style is social, and solit ary. The differences might have resulted from the question structure which led to his different interpretation on the same. The author  found out that he has to improve some certain aspects like verbal, social and logical learning styles. The hints given by the two websites provided a platform for him to improve and make himself better.  The author has to improve on his verbal skills because visual learning requires explanations.

Transfer application for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Essay Example for Free

Transfer application for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Essay My high school years demonstrate a strong history of community involvement and social work that gave me a chance to develop my communication skills, translate leadership potential into real actions and let me help other people in meaningful and effective ways. The combination of various activities and burden of multiple responsibilities also proved a challenge to my academic achievements. Thus, I must admit that being involved in volunteering work a few hours a week, working as President of the Snowboarding club and church leader and Vice-President in my Korean church, I spent less time and effort on studies than other students. With this said, the broad variety of activities did develop my personality and increase my potential to add to diversity on Urbana Champaign campus. Working as President of the Snowboarding club, I learned a lot about this sport and organization of different sports events. Throughout my community involvement, such as work in the asylum and in the institution for physically handicapped people, I gained knowledge about life that is very different from our usual patterns. As baby-sitter in the orphanage, I got to know many disadvantaged kids whose perspective was different from mine. Learning to help these people, I realized that humans are very diverse and at the same time united by common feelings of love, hate, trust, hope and sympathy. Besides, being of Korean origin, I can bring to the campus an understanding and appreciation of our rich culture and customs. During my life in the US, I have retained my ethnic culture through involvement in the initiative in my Korean church that was aimed at helping new people fit into the US environment. I hope to bring this experience in helping new people to University of Illinois, making my experience at transition work for other people. International studies have long captured my interest and hold it to this point. A foreign national, I am most interested in international trade and development, and specifically the interconnection between these two phenomena. My experience in changing the national environment proved a trigger causing my interest in the field and motivating me to pursue it as a profession. Coming from Korea, I became interested in national political and economic system and their reflection in people’s contemporary experience. Korea had a rather painful history, being to this point divided into two parts. The striking difference in life standards between North and South Korea intrigued me because not so long ago we were one nation. As I grew up, I realized the importance of a choice of a political and economic system the nation makes. Reading a lot about different economic theories and practices, I developed an interest in how to help poor nations develop better. I come from a relatively prosperous background and feel obliged to help countries with a very low income level to overcome dire poverty and provide their people with basic benefits. Developing international trade, I believe, can be the answer to many of their problems. Working for one month in 2006 in Essen Tech Co – The Department of Trade, I gained further insights into the nature of international trade. There I mingled with professionals in the field who shared with me their expert knowledge and opinions formed on the basis of relevant information, which was very interesting for a novice. At this point, I have some theoretical and practical background in the chosen field. Now I need more substantial knowledge to let me use my potential to the fullest. With deep interest in the field, I believe I can make my involvement into an important contribution.

Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods NAME: LUCKY AMADI DISCUSS QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS. INTRODUCTION. What is Research? Research is an inquiry to describe, explain, predict and control the observed development. Research helps to acquire knowledge about a particular thing it is done to understand. It can also be seen as the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Research methods are often divided into two main types: Qualitative Research methods Quantitative Research methods Qualitative Method of Research. Qualitative research which is also called Field research is done to gain a deep understanding of a specific organisation or event rather than the surface description.it is aimed at getting a better understanding through first experience, truthful reports and quotation of actual conversations, also aims to know how participants derive meaning from their surroundings and how their meaning influences their behaviour. Qualitative research makes use of observation as a data collection method; this is the selection and recording of behaviours of people in their environment, observation is useful for generating in-depth descriptions of organisations or events, for obtaining information that is otherwise inaccessible, and for conducting research when other methods are inadequate. The context or background of behaviour is included in observations of both people and their environment. Stages in Participatory Observation Selection of a site and definition of problems, concepts and indicators. The problem or phenomenon of interest is first identified by the researcher; he tries to discern what will yield the greatest understanding of that problem. The researcher then identifies preliminary concepts and what data will be gathered as indicators of those concepts. The researcher chooses a strategy to move into the researcher. This involves an overt or a covert role for the researcher, issues may include how to record observations (writing notes, tape recordings, video tape) as well as ethical issues (privacy, confidentiality, etc.) Strategies include: adopting a passive role at first, learning the ropes; don’t seek data aggressively until later; be a researcher not a therapist, answer questions but don’t become closely identified with any one person until you are sure it will not cost you information in the long run, be non-persistence. Selecting people and events to observe. Primary sources also known as â€Å"key informants† of information are identified by the researcher. These people may be relied upon in the beginning to help the researcher get acculturated to the situation. The statements of key informants can be taken as evidence, even if their statements are somewhat self-serving. The researcher must also be aware of possible differences between the validity and intention of volunteered statements that are made in response to the researcher’s questions. Develop relationships with the participants. Researchers must have the trust and confidence of the informants. Researchers must speak their â€Å"language† and understand their â€Å"world†. The researcher can note the differences rather than accept one and reject the other. The researcher must determine whether certain things are not being said because of his or her role as â€Å"researcher† or whether they can use their position as â€Å"neutral outsider† to gain more information. Analysing observations. The researcher can check whether none, all or some proportion of behaviours or events occur under distinct circumstances. A preliminary model can be generated to explain the data collected. Further observations are then collected which can strengthen or weaken the researchers preliminary model. Final analysis and interpretation. Models are checked against the evidence. Advanced concepts and evidence for their support and refutation are checked. The major problem is how to present the data in a brief but meaningful form. Advantages of Qualitative research. It gives the researcher freedom to let the study unfold more naturally. The researcher gains more detailed and rich data in the form of comprehensive written descriptions or visual evidence such as photographs. It looks at the context and social meaning and how it affects individuals. Disadvantages of Qualitative research. It is time consuming. It is difficult to code data. It is not applicable to widely dispersed social settings It is difficult to control for researcher bias. Quantitative Research of Method. Quantitative research can be seen as explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analysed using mathematically based methods; this method reduces the data into numbers, the researcher helps to analyse the data with the help of statistics. The researcher knows in advance what he/she is looking for and all aspects of the study are carefully designed before the data is collected. Its objective is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena. Process of Quantitative research method. Developing models, theories, and hypotheses of what the researcher expects to find. Developing instruments and methods for measuring the data. Experimental control and manipulation of variables. Collecting the data. Modelling and analysing the data. Evaluating the results. Principles of Quantitative Research. Objectivity is important. Methods and conclusions are examined by researchers for any possible bias. Researchers go to great length to ensure that they are really measuring what they claim to be measuring. External factors which might affect the result must also be controlled as it might be the other factor which produces the result. When looking at results the P value is important, P stands for probability. It measures the likelihood that a particular finding or observed difference is due to chance, P is between 0 and 1, the closer the result is to 0 the less likely it is that the observed difference is due to change, the closer the result is to 1 the greater the likelihood that the finding is due to chance and that there is no difference between the variables. Advantages of Quantitative method of research. It allows researchers to measure and analyse data. It helps to carry out test for hypotheses in experiments because of its ability to measure data using statistics. The researcher is more objective about the findings of the research. Disadvantages of Quantitative research. It doesn’t study things in a natural setting or discuss the meaning things have for different people unlike qualitative method of research. A large sample of population must be studied; the larger the sample of people researched the more statistically accurate the results will be. CONCLUSION. Each of these researches are done for a purpose just like Qualitative is done to gain understanding of a specific organisation or phenomena, Quantitative is done by analysing data with the help of statistics it has to do with numbers. Just like everything they both have their advantages and disadvantages. REFERENCES Anderson, ML and Taylor, H.F (2009) sociology. The essentials Belmont C.A Thomson Wadsworth.

Labelling Theory And Criminal Behavior In Society Criminology Essay

Labelling Theory And Criminal Behavior In Society Criminology Essay Labelling theory is very useful in explaining criminal behaviour. Labelling theory is one of the theories which explain the causes of deviant and criminal behaviour in society. It gives an insight on what could make an individual be attracted to criminal behavior as opposed to morally desirable behavior. This is very important for criminologists, law enforcement bodies and health care professionals who try to rehabilitate criminals. This paper will discuss the labeling theory with respect to crime. Various theorists who discuss this theory will be studied in order to better understand criminal behaviour. A summary of issues discussed will also be given at the end. This theory was advanced by Becker and it explains the causes of criminal and deviant behaviour in society.  [1]  This theory emphasizes that criminal behaviour occurs as a result of the dominant social group labelling minority groups who are viewed to be committing acts which are against social norms. The theory discusses how the behaviour and self identity of an individual can be influenced or determined by different terms which the dominant population uses to classify or describe them. According to this theory, when the society gives negative connotations to an individual, this influences the individual to adopt the labels which are attached to them. When the society labels a person as deviant, such people internalise the negative label and after time, they adopt the nature of a deviant person so as to conform to societys expectations. Every person knows how other people judge them through previous interactions with other members of society. The self can be said to be moulded according to this perception by society. When the society changes the perception which it has on an individual and sees them to be deviant, an individual may re-evaluate their self depending on the authority of other peoples judgement. The society or dominant group has the power to decide what constitutes deviance. This group defines deviance and explains the levels which can be tolerated by society.  [2]  When this group labels someone as deviant, they may change their treatment of the individual. This change usually depends on the extent of deviance exhibited by the individual. The change in treatment of the individual affects their self image. The higher the change, the higher their image is affected. In some cases, especially when the self image is greatly affected, the individual changes their nature to conform to the labels which are given to them. Becker identifies two groups in society; rule makers and rule breakers. Rule makers and breakers are seen to be two different groups which are in state of contrast. The rule breakers perceive themselves to be in contrast with rule makers as far as moral values are concerned. Rule breakers therefore detach themselves from society and become outsiders. However, there is a bond which exists within rule breakers, and they may perceive themselves to be the mainstream society and the rest of society to be outsiders. It is important to note that Becker did not support any deviance theories which were advanced as explanations for causes of crime. Various theories such as differential association, strain theory, control theory and others attempt to explain the causes of crime. However, Becker was opposed to these theories since he was of the opinion that deviance does not exist. The dominant social group was seen by Becker as imposing their view of deviance, and accepting deviance would be accepting the views shared by this majority. Primary and secondary deviance Becker explains that there are two levels of deviance; primary and secondary deviance. Primary deviance is the initial level of deviance which is committed by a person. This deviance may either be unintentional or intentional.  [3]  Many people fantasize or think of committing deviant actions and this may trigger the commission of deviance. Secondary deviance is the deviance which is committed after the labelling by society. The labels which societies give to a person trigger secondary deviance. There are various steps in which secondary deviance is achieved. The first step is being seen committing a deviance act and being labelled a deviant by society. Accepting the deviant label is the second step towards achieving secondary deviance. Some people may accept the deviant label and begin committing deviant acts as opposed to their normal way of life. The third stage is commission of acts which are consistent with those of a deviant. This occurs after a rule breaker has accepted th e deviant tag and they begin practicing a culture which is consistent with that of deviants. Beckers case study Becker carried out a case study in which he attempted to find out how marijuana came to be associated with deviants in the United States. During the late 1930s, the Bureau of Narcotics began campaigns against marijuana use in the US. Since the bureau was new, it began these campaigns as a way of justifying its existence. The ethnic Protestants were the prevailing religion during this time and they despised actions taken purely for achieving ecstasy. The Protestant group can be said to be the dominant group as discussed earlier. This group preached of the need to free people from the bondage of drugs. The bureau then began explaining the adverse effects of drugs, including showing the public evidence from Mexico, which had one of the highest rates of drug abuse in the world. As a result, legislation was passed to discourage the vice. However, in spite of the legislation, the abuse of marijuana has continued. This can be explained by the labelling theory. The dominant group, the Protes tant, branded people who use marijuana deviants. Many of them accepted the tag and continued abusing the drug since this was perceived to be the expectation of the society which branded them a deviant. Another case, which was observed by Thomas Scheff relates to people with mental illnesses. Most people who the society brands as mentally unstable usually begin acting according to how the media portrays the mentally ill.  [4]  Once they do so, they have access to professionals in mental illnesses. Most people act like the mentally unstable to at a point in life. However, not all are branded mentally unstable and only those who society perceives as weak are. This is consistent with the labelling theory in which the dominant group labels the minority group. Erving Goffman and labelling Goffman explains the concept of labelling through the use of social stigma. Stigma is behaviour, reputation or attribute which discredits a person or group. Goffman describes it as the difference between actual and virtual social identity.  [5]  Goffman explains that people often make certain assumptions based on interaction with other people. These assumptions often translate to expectations and people are expected to behave in certain ways based on these assumptions. These expectations gradually become demands and everyone demands that certain people act in a certain way based on the initial assumptions. When we begin analysing whether out expectations will be met we realise that all along we had been making assumptions. There are six levels of stigma which were associated with Goffman. The first is concealment and this is the ability of one to hide stigma.  [6]  The second is disruptiveness and this is the ability of stigma to affect social relations. Aesthetics is the reaction by other people to stigma. Origin relates to the beginning of stigma and can either be deliberate, accidental or by birth. Course is the fifth aspect and it relates to the progression of stigma over time. The sixth aspect is peril and this is the ability of stigma to pose as a danger to other people. Goffmans contributions to the theory of labelling are important. They explain what may make the dominant social group label the minority group. This also explains why the minority group may be under pressure to change their normal way of life and adapt to the labels which have been given to them. In order to reverse the adverse effects of labelling, stigma should be eliminated through avoiding assumptions about people. People should judge others through long term interaction rather than short term or casual interaction. Importance of labelling theory in understanding crime Labelling theory has been seen to alter the normal actions performed by actors who the society has branded or labelled. The labelling makes them alter their actions and adopt those which are consistent with the labels which are attached to them. This is important in understanding crime since criminal behavior can be explained by this theory. When a person commits a criminal act, this is primary deviance and it may be unintentional or intentional. However, when the society brands that person a criminal, this may alter his or her self and they may start committing criminal activities. This is secondary deviance since it is influenced by the label which the society has given the person. Gradually, such people form groups in which they seek identity. They perceive the law abiding citizens to be a threat to their existence and they target them in their criminal activities. In order to reverse the criminal behavior and reduce crime, the society should avoid giving negative connotations to people, and see criminal behaviour as a mistake which can be rectified through rehabilitation. The society should understand the adverse effects of giving labels to people, since instead of being a deterrent to crime, it becomes a catalyst to crime. Labelling theory, amongst other theories serves to inform the public, law makers, law enforcers and health practitioners of the ineffectiveness of labelling minority groups. Criticism of labelling theory One of the criticisms of the theory is that it is impractical. Empirical tests have not been tested on the population and it therefore cannot be taken to be accurate. It is difficult to test and many sociologists do not perceive it to be a true theory. Another weakness of this theory is that it does not explain primary deviance.  [7]  This theory only explains secondary deviance but does not explain what motivates one to commit primary deviance. It is therefore perceived to be inconclusive. Further research should be done on the labelling theory in order to determine whether it is accurate and applicable to the society today. Summary and conclusion Different aspects of the labelling theory have been discussed. Labelling has been seen to facilitate crime and deviant behaviour through encouraging people to act according to labels which are attached to them. Initially criminal activities may be unintentional or intentional depending on the actor, and this is the primary stage of deviance. However, subsequent crimes may be committed as a result of labelling and this is the secondary stage of deviance. In order to reduce crime we should reduce the negative connotations which are given to people, especially criminals. The society should take crime as a mistake committed by a person, which should be reversed through rehabilitation, rather than admitting that crime is the nature of the person. Goffman has also been seen to discuss stigma, and this is important in explaining the labelling theory. Due to the assumptions discussed by Goffman, criminals are stigmatised and this encourages them to commit criminal acts according to labels designated to them. However, the research done on labelling theory is inconclusive due to the weaknesses which have been discussed. The absence of practical tests and inability to explain primary deviance shows that more research is needed on the topic. This will prove whether labelling theory is applicable to the modern society. This paper is useful to sociology students, law makers, health care practitioners, law enforcers and the general public since it enables all these groups understand the nature of crime.

gatcolor Symbols and Symbolism Essay - Symbolic Colors in Great Gatsby :: Great Gatsby Essays

Symbolic Colors in Great Gatsby Colors can accentuate the meanings of a story and explain certain actions of a character. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald applies many important colors that allude to the personality of his characters. The colors given are repeated multiple times so that they can be established. To fully understand the characters of the story, one must recognize the associated colors that are given. Green is the color of "healing, money, prosperity, greed, luck, and fertility"(Nadia Davis). This color is closely associated with the green light at the end of the dock. "and distinguished nothing except a single green light/...might have been the end of a dock"(24), Fitzgerald symbolized the green light as the key to reaching Daisy. While on the beach, Gatsby is stretching out his arms to the light as if he will acquire it somehow. This green light represents money and prosperity, which Gatsby has obtained over the years in order to finally reunite with Daisy. Another important color in The Great Gatsby is the color black. Black symbolizes "Absorption of negativity and the destruction of negativity"(N. Davis). Gray is mostly related to the Valley of Ashes and Wilson. The black atmosphere surrounding it represents the hopelessness of their insolvent situation. "This is the valley of ashes.../where ashes take the forms of ashes and chimneys and rising smoke"(27), the ashes represent the black and how it puts a negative burden on Wilson and restricts him from future success. Gold also has an important meaning in the story. Gold symbolizes "God, healing, money power, and wildlife"(N. Davis). Tom is the most relevant character to gold. In relation with money, gold is represented as old wealth. Tom has always had this "old wealth" in his possession, and it is what attracted Daisy to him. In order to win back Daisy, Gatsby also tries to portray himself as having old wealth, even though he only has new money. These actions are shown through some of Gatsby's possessions, "here's my little golden pencil"(111).

Reproductive and Therapeutic Cloning Essays -- Technology Science Gene

Reproductive and Therapeutic Cloning New areas of science often raise questions about safety. Reflecting back on the past medical technologies invented, people have always opposed it but often benefit from it later on in life. The use of in-vitro fertilization, for instance, was once a controversial issue. Some people worried that society could discriminate against humans produced as a result of IVF and humans could spread diseases. Furthermore, its usefulness cannot be predicted because it is just a research tool, and so on. Today, those worries and concerns have not manifested, but instead have brought joy and happiness to families. The people born through IVF process are as happy and equal as any other average child. It is the same with cloning technology. Upon all that we have gained from past medical technology, a majority of people have failed to see that new medical breakthrough will become as beneficial as the past ones if it is allowed to be researched. Cloning is a controversial issue because it is a new area of science and people are once again worried that, this technology will become a dangerous weapon to the society. Cloning is the creating of a genetically identical copy of an original plant or animal by using biological materials such as DNA segment (e.g. a gene or other region). According to Wilmut, The copies produced through cloning have identical genetic makeup and are known as clones. Many organisms in nature reproduce by cloning (asexually). Scientists use cloning techniques in the laboratory to create copies of cells or organisms with value traits. Their work aims to find practical applications for cloning that will produce advances in medicine, biological research, and industry.... ...ld pass a similar law and allow at least research, if not experimentation. Anxieties people have about cloning are similar to concerns about past medical technologies. This is also true about technologies in general, for instance people questioned the importance and abilities of computers, etc. Some new areas of science in the past brought up apprehensions, these technologies turned out to be beneficial to mankind. Cloning technology is now a new area of science and people are concerned about the safety and morals behind it. This system could become as stable as past medical technologies only if research is allowed. If laws are pass (with some restrictions) it could ensure that research is carried out without interfering with the principles of nature, ensures that everyone has equal access to the technology, and also used in serious cases not for pleasure.