...philosophers such as Alvin Plantinga and Descartes, defines God as “a being that which nothing greater can be conceived”. In my opinion the argument does not only fail to go beyond this definition, but we cannot be sure than it defines God correctly either. Firstly we cannot argue that the argument goes beyond the definition of God because as Kant points out the argument has a major flaw, the ontological argument is based on an assumption that to exist is a property of perfection. He uses the analogy of money saying that 100___ that existed in reality were no different in value to 100___ that existed hypothetically as both, in theory were worth the same and therefore equal. Bertrand Russell makes a similar point, he claims that the ontological argument uses the word ‘exists’ incorrectly and that existence is not a property of things, but of the idea of those things. Russell uses the example of dragons, saying that if someone says a dragon does not exist what they mean is of all the things that exist the word dragon refers to none of them, however this fact is not part of the definition itself and changes nothing about the description of the features of a dragon, therefore existence is an extension of an intention and not a definition. Alvin Plantinga attempts to redeem the ontological argument with his possible world’s theory, planting argues that if it is coherent to believe that in a possible world a maximally great being could exist then in order for him to have maximal greatness he...
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...earlier stage should be aborted. It results that the existence of one person should counted as overpopulation, and it is good for human to extinct. In the introduction, Benatar first claims that his argument can be applied to all sentient beings, but his focus will be on humans. In the part subtitled “Who is so lucky”, Freud's claim that there is no good or best for the non-existent people elicits the 'non-identity' problem, which will later be solved. By speaking about the 'never-existent' which refers to nothing, Benatar is using this expression as a convenient term to mean those possible but non-actual beings. In Chapter 2, Benatar firstly claims that the expression 'a life worth living' should be specified as either 'a life worth starting' or 'a life worth continuing'. Then he tries to explain why coming into existence is always a harm by the asymmetry of pleasure and pain: (1) the presence of pain is bad, (2) the presence of pleasure is good, (3) the absence of pain is good, (4) the absence of pleasure is not bad unless it implies a deprivation. The first two points are evident, but (3) and (4) are controversial. The 'non-identity' problem can be raised against (3), since (3) can be interpreted as the absence of pain is good for the nonexistent being. Benatar replies that (3) claims that “this absence is good when judged in terms of the interests of the person who would otherwise have existed” (2006: 31). However, this reply is still problematic since it implies a...
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...God—proofs that were dependent on reason and observation, not the revealed word of God. 1. Aquinas recognized that for motion to take place, there had to be something that interacts with it to cause it to move. This, in turn must be an infinite being outside of creation and hence is God. 2. Every effect must have a cause, if you eliminate the cause you eliminate the effect. It only posits that a God exists who is the cause of all things and who is the effect of nothing. 3. Aquinas argued that from observation, the things around him had the possibility of being (or existing) or not being. Yet, if that first being exists, he must necessarily not have the possibility of not being. In other words, as non-existence cannot bring about existence, the first being necessarily has to have always existed. And this entity that necessarily exists and cannot not-exist, is God. 4. Note that this is not the suggestion that we get the idea of goodness or hotness from God, but simply that there must always be something that is more good or more hot than that which we are viewing and since there is a gradation, there must always be a top to the gradation that can never be surpassed. Such a top or asymptote, by definition, requires an infinite being, hence it must be God. 5. Fifthly, Aquinas points out that there are entities in creation that have no consciousness at all, yet still act in a regular fashion and in such a way that it is beneficial to their continued existence. Trees, for example...
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...horses did not exist, there would be no such thing as the form horse. Is this correct? * I believe Aristotle was incorrect by saying there could be no form of a horse if there were no actual physical particular horse with which to base the form on. I justify this based on my understanding of the notion of a form, namely – the form of the object is purely human convention that assigns words to concepts and then judges wheter particular objects conform to our definition. We could conceive if something that we would call a horse even if there was never an object that we could find which conformed to our conception. 4. Can there be essence without existence? * Everything has two principles that explain its being, essence and existence. In all beings except for God, these principles are both required in order for the actually existing individual thing to be. Each is distinct from the other, yet this distinction is a real, not merely logical. 5. What are the two kinds of substance * For Aristotle two kinds of substance is from and essence. The kind of essence or form that Aristotle counts as primary substance is one that is not in any way universal; a form that is as individual as the compound whose form it is. The “individual forms” solution is not to be found in Aristotle, and is unavailable to him. On their view, the primary substance of the Metaphysics is species form - something that is common to different members of the same species, but is still, in some...
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...expected and required. * These policies should include conflict of interest and code of ethics section. * Procedures should be updated every year * It is important that employees are taught and trained in the policies so that they learned of their existence and they get a sense of what is expected of them. * It is also important to exercise segregation of duties in the workplace. This means require different parties to perform key parts of the transaction. Specifically, separate the authorization, custody, record keeping and reconciliation duties. In the case, not only is Jessica in charge of the custody and record keeping duty, but there also seems that there isn’t any supervising bank reconciliation activity being performed. There are different controls that this entity could have used to avoid segregation of duties problems experienced that led to the burglary of funds by Jessica. Some of these are: * Implement a bank lockbox system that receives the entity payments. These system would have avoided Jessica or any employee to have to deal with cash by just getting bank notifications of the daily deposits for recording. * If a lockbox system is unavailable/undesirable, two entity’s employees should receive payments, list the payments and generate deposits. * This control could be circumvented by collusion of employees. * Additionally, periodic reconciliations of cash receipts for entities books should be performed...
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...TRANSCENDENTAL PROPERTIES OF BEING By: MBAKWE NICHOLAS CHUKWUNWEIKE Introduction Metaphysics is not just a science in Aristotle’s conception of it, but one that distinguishes itself from all the particular sciences by firstly raising the question of the first and most universal causes and secondly by taking as its subject of consideration ‘being’ simply as ‘being’ in its most universal and in its most concrete sense as present in experience. Implicitly, being must be taken as analogous from the very beginning of the investigation, not in the sense that it would diffuse the unity of this science into a mere difference of differences, but in the sense that it would raise this science to a higher kind of unity according to an order of different degrees of being as they relate to a primary analogate as the one to which all relate more or less distantly. To delve more deeply into this analogous subject of consideration one must further distinguish transcendental properties that follow being in its analogous and transcendental sense. In the end, when the question of a first, universal cause of being as being, or of a summit of being that would be totally transcendent, is finally raised, all of this a priori conception of being as analogous according to different degrees with its corresponding degrees of oneness, activity, truth and goodness must be brought into play in relation to things as they come under sense experience as moved, caused, contingent and exhibiting different degrees...
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...having a hidden meaning, and as I have quickly learned, philosophy is a very mystifying subject and is open to a wide variety of interpretation. Due to this obscurity, each person will have a different view on philosophy and will likely have changing opinions and views as they continue on their path. Heidegger describes this path as one of responding to life. More specifically, “responding to the voice of Logos which he defines as the Being of all beings, One, One which is all, Life.” As previously stated, this is a very cryptic definition that takes much deeper thought than simply reading off the page. Despite being cryptic, this vague definition gives a strong guideline to the basic idea of philosophy while still giving the reader an opportunity to interpret the definition in their own way. This definition shines light on both the basic idea of philosophy while also showing that everyone will interpret philosophy in their own way. By saying that philosophy is the One which is all, it shows that each individual person makes up a greater being which is Life. Each individual person provides their own interpretation based on their own lifestyle and past. Therefore, philosophy is the sum of all lives that can only be defined with the sum of everybody’s views and opinions. With this is mind, philosophy will be ever changing as people grow older and more people are brought into the world. What is most important about this definition is that it is timeless. This definition can...
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...Transcendental Attributes of Being A research paper submitted to [Professor Name] In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements For The course [Course Name] [Seminary Name] By [Student Name] Place Date Introduction While Plato had also covered the notions surrounding the properties of being, Aristotle was the first to bring the term transcendental to the context of the attributes of being. Plato offered valuable insight regarding the four transcendental attributes of being. [1] Aristotle shaped the transcendentals in a specific manner and refined his own perspective. Later philosophers also expanded the discussion surrounding the transcendental attributes of being. These transcendentals become significant in the context of theology because they possess a link with Christian theology and unfold in the form of what man desires. For explicating the four transcendental attributes of being, it becomes significant to first explore the definition of an attribute. An attribute falls under the category of that aspect which does not exist in the form of the embodiment but originates from the same. As regards ‘being’, it can only give rise to what is also being and thus, a ‘being’ cannot spawn attributes or properties while discussing these terminologies in a firm manner. Nevertheless, while approaching the subject in a broader manner, an attribute can be defined for a specific perspective on being as long as it applies to each instance of being and overall entities that fall...
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...religious thinking. It is important to point out that Heidegger’s philosophy is extremely complex and he never completed his second half of his endeavour, hence a brief explication will not do his thinking justice but a complete explanation is outside the scope of this essay. Therefore, in this essay I will primarily focus on Heidegger’s five key concepts; i) the transience of reality, ii) human existence, iii) Being-in-the world, iv) objects and things and v) metaphysics and Being. The transience of reality This ‘transience of reality’ according to Heidegger reflects the idea that everything is “temporary and changeable” (RST3708 Study Guide 2008:59). Whereas modern subjectivism refers to the “attitude in terms of which the whole of reality is traced back to the subject” (RST3708 Study Guide 2008:58), Heidegger contends that reality exists before the subject can be identified, as written in the Study Guide (RST3708 Study Guide 2008:58), “reality as a mystery has already happened”. Heidegger claims that only once a comprehensive examination is made into Being, will there be space for a new revelation, a “postsubjectivist experience – of reality”...
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...Evaluation Essay Wii Fit Exercising can be so monotonous sometimes, and boring! Many people love to exercise, however, for others it seems like it is a tiresome and occasionally painful process. For those who love exercising and who have made it a lifestyle, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Nintendo came up with a video game, Wii Fit, which was intended to make exercising fun and interesting targeting those less dedicated individuals. The primary intent of the game was for working out. As such, many gamers', including my son, bought it since they were given the idea that it was just like working out or going for a jog. The game, along with the Balance Board controller, is able to weigh, evaluate the user and guide them through exercises and yoga poses. I do question how it makes the user have a positive experience when, as you first step on the Balance Board for your initial weigh in, and each time you come back and step on the board, it makes a sound like a moan making the user feel as if they are too heavy, as it starts the process of recognizing you and recording your weight. The intent of the game is to keep the user motivated and coming back and I wonder if that sound appropriately reinforces the initial goal. Parts of each game strongly imitate exercise that could also be learned from a good exercise video or book. Wii Fit is a brilliant concept that can keep bringing people back to have fun while they exercise; however, it lacks depth and many features that...
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...covering one specific example of a few types of SMART technologies that exist today. First of all, what is SMART technology? According to TechTerms.com, SMART stands for, “Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology.” It is often times used to protect and prevent errors in hard drives. Put more simply, it’s basically technology that is dynamic, economical (most of the time), and engages in multiple long term solutions towards the health of humans and the productivity, through interactive multisensory technology, action based learning, and brain-body integrated exercise. This type of technology can be used through the use of SMART bands, or wearable equipment, such as the Garmin Vivofit or the Adidas Fit Smart: Fitness tracker, video game based systems such as the Wii Fit or XBOX Kinect, Personalized Apps that can be downloaded onto your smart phone, and even built-in to large workout equipment, like treadmills and ellipticals. One major type of this product is a multisensory fitness suite of products by Multisensory Products. One of the proprietary technologies within MultiSensory Fitness Inc., SMART is Multisensory Brain-Body Fitness Training, a leading technology. This type of technology is designed to create a unique workout that can be used by people of all ages and abilities. Their products combine brain and body fitness, that are designed to improve physical, sensory, and cognitive performance, all while doing it...
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...A STUDY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING TOURISM INTRODUTCION: Tourism faces a challenging change in its framework conditions: The geopolitical as well as the economic situation require new strategies. Technological innovations, demographic change and a powerful costumer have to be met in politics, marketing and planning. New destinations, new products with prices on a level, which would have been incredible some years ago, compete with the established tourism offer. There are a number of factors affecting tourism. They are: Economic Factors * Cost of certain vacations can act as a travel barrier * Economic prosperity can encourage people to take more trips * Good economic time, people have more discretionary income – money left over after paying taxes & basic living expenses Technological Factors * Methods of transport have become faster & more fuel efficient = more cost efficient – cheaper for people to travel * The more tourist facilities (infrastructure) a country has, the greater a success it achieves as a tourist destination * Developments in information technologies have also had a great impact. Example: internet – people are aware of more travel options and can book trips instantly. Political Factors * Tourists avoid areas of political unrest * If a region is politically stable it can influence the #’s of visitors * Reports of terrorism or high crime rates can keep people away Demographic Factors * Demography...
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...ugfgfhhjjkk hlklgfgfCreative Toys Case Creative Toys Inc. 1. If Inventory were to be written down in the 4th quarter instead of the 2nd quarter, it could cause the company to be compromised. One of the reasons that the allowance occurs in the 2nd quarter is because Browne realizes that it will make expenses appear too high, but, it will reduce the impact of the lack of future sales. However, if inventory were established in the 4th quarter, where they are expected to increase quite a bit, the transition would be easier. This is the reasoning behind Gurchick’s insistence of waiting for the 4th quarter. On the down side, if sales do not increase as expected, the company would be in substantial trouble. They will have a great deal of over stated income, which will be caught by auditors. They will make adjusting journal entries for this, which will decrease net income. If this decrease is too substantial then the books will be in the negative. Browne understands that the Chatter Chick was over produced, and is prepared to deal with the consequence. Gurchick prefers to take a gamble and hope for the best. 2. The corporate culture at Creative Toys is probably quite tense at this point. With Browne and Gurchick disagreeing over the course of action, the employees at this point are most likely wondering what the outcome of the decrease in demand will be and whether the company will be able to make it through this. I think that everyone is probably quite worried and tense at this...
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...Business have created a subject called Student in Enterprise Programmed (SIEP) where all students University Malaysia Kelantan business faculty must enroll in the subject. SIEP is an exceptional project to be carried out by the students for 10 days. Students can choose any company to do business and work there to gain experience in business and how to run a business. SIEP is the early exposure of students to the business world. Through this project, students can gain experience and have greater knowledge concerning the world of business. I personally gained many benefits through this assignment and get to know more about how a company being operated and how they handle their daily operation. I can explore how this company handle their logistic and how they manage their production in daily activity. I need to acquire more knowledge about how a company being operated in order to train myself to enter employment sector and to face global growth in business especially in logistic industry. I also find out...
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...Organisation Culture Research Commonwealth Bank Australia Executive Summary Organisation culture is a unique combination of the set of values that the members of an organisation believe in. It is a very important determinant of the conditions prevailing in an organisation and the culture says a lot about the values, beliefs and structure of a company. The essence of the culture of an organisation is captured by seven primary characteristics. These are measured on a high to low scale and they are very commonly used to provide a synthesized picture of an organisation’s culture. Eventually, this serves as a basis for the feeling of the shared understanding that members have about the organisation at hand, the way in which the members are expected to behave and the way in which things are done (Lok & Crawford, 1999). Commonwealth Bank has a good employee friendly organisation culture and is more or less a blend of the seven characteristics of organisation cultures. However, it is always better to avoid the flaws in each type of culture and adapt to only the meritorious attributes of these cultures. For this purpose, it is significant to analyse one’s own corporate environment and then figure out which blend of cultures suits best to the organisation as whole. The Bank focuses greatly on the incentivising the performance of the employees, in making the organisation more people oriented, getting a perfect mix of both innovative and stable organisation, in improving the collaboration...
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