...She herself was quivering but when her sickly mother started yet again another coughing fit, she couldn’t take it any longer and took off her all too small jacket and offered it, against her mother’s disapprovals. Both mother and child were beggars, living off on alms handed out to them. They lived on the street by the church corner and waited for some sort of miracle to happen. That simple gesture of warmth and caring was enough to set my heart to a shudder. This child indeed holds within her the true and real essence of generosity in such a cold and unkind time. The true essence of Christmas and giving is not found under the roof of a very wealthy family who shower their spoiled kids with toys and gadgets while they are away at work, it is found under a “nipa” roof of a complete family sitting in front of the table, sipping soup, looking into each others eyes, ready to offer their bowls to the little ones who still yearns for more. Generosity and Christmas are truly intertwined with one another but do not necessarily mean gifts and material things. It could be hugs that could be offered by anyone or smiles that would always warm somebody’s heart. It is with open hands and full hearts that one gives or receives during Christmas. No trace of malice or anything of the...
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...Alex Schroeder Sociology 101 Current Event 2 Religion and Generosity The article I have chosen is about a study done that shows that children who grew up in religious households were significantly more likely to not share. This contradicts our notions on religious people being more generous. Jean Decety of the University of Chicago, conducted the experiment on children. Decety and his colleagues asked more than 1,100 children between the ages of five and twelve from all around the world with different religious backgrounds to play a game in which they were asked to make decisions about how many stickers to share with an anonymous person from the same school and similar ethnic groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. Max Weber would describe religion as shaping a person’s image of the world, and this image of the world can ultimately shape their interests and how they decide to take action. Emile Durkheim, a functionalist, would say that it is the social cohesion of a society that ultimately determines whether to go for or against your religion. Both theorist believe morality comes into play for religion and how people act towards others shapes the person and religion itself as a whole. For a religious family, according to Durkheim, people see religion as a contributing to the health and continuation of society in general. Which in turn, religion functions to glue together members of society to share common values and beliefs on a regular basis. So with all that being said...
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...If this interpretation is correct then even from the opening line there is an air of positivity in the way Chaucer writes about the monk, whilst his more frivolous life could lead to him being viewed negatively Chaucer doesn’t openly portray him as such. The phrase “manly man “ could be interpreted in two ways leading to different meanings for the line. Either the Monks generosity/friendliness is being described or his virility, which carries an undertone of sexuality not commonly associated with a man of the church. This break from the archetype of a typical Monk is shown throughout the extract. The fact that the Monk owns stables of fine horses and the fastest hounds adds to the idea that rather than being based on any one man as it was previously thought, this character is an allegorical hyperbole for the more frivolous of the estate. Yet again Chaucer chooses to present the Monk in a rather jovial way, his description of the mans shiny head and face due to being rubbed with oil could be seen as almost accepting of the monks love of life, his vitality. However whispers of sarcasm and disapproval can arguably...
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...In the story, Maniac Magee, Spinelli develops Amanda to be a generous character; she is the model mother and citizen in many ways. One way the author showed this trait is when Amanda gave Jeffrey her book to borrow. This represents generosity because Amanda was in a rush when Jeffrey asked her for the book and Amanda was kind enough to give him her most prized possession. Next, Amanda showed generosity when she let Jeffery use her room. This is an example of generosity because she was willing to do the right thing by welcoming Jeffrey to his new home. I also believe that this was a very mature thing of Amanda to do as well. Lastly, is when Amanda tried to get everyone to like Jeffery. This is a standard of being generous because Amanda took...
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...1. Grace and Generosity II (2 Corinthians 9:6-15) INTRO- In last week’s sermon we looked into the previous chapter, where Paul begins his plea with the Corinthian church to follow Jesus the way the Macedonians had followed in generosity. In last week’s sermon we heard the what, why and how’s of generosity. This week the point, the price and, the promises of generosity. It’s very important to understand that generosity goes beyond just giving your money (v.11). Keep that in your back burner as we dig into this text and address this issue once more. I- THE POINT OF GENEROSITY A) v. 12 - According to Paul generosity is a crucial ministry of the church that all believers should take part of for a twofold purpose. 1. Meet the needs of people - Paul talks about the “saints” here. “Saints” is what sinners are called when they believe in Jesus. So, the principle is to first take care of those within the spiritual family. Then of course, the needs of all. Early Christians did both. We must do it as well. 2. Lead people to praise God - Generosity is a means by which God himself has appointed to exercise his providence. When there is an acknowledgement in the part of the giver that God gave to supply and then the gift is offered up in his name, the one that receives is able to see God as a loving and a caring Father. This moves people to worship God. a. What the church can do is not simply to feed people but lead them to praise God. b. The...
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...simplicity and reconstruct the harmonic relationship for both mind and environment. Furthermore, generosity towards many others, as a dynamic tension inside both classical Confucianism and Daoism, can be practiced through strangification. And this generous strangification towards many others, is the source of practical value in classical Confucianism and Daoism (295). In this reading report, I will try to show my critical reflection on Professor Shen’s wisdom in Chapter 8 and 13 of his anthology. For classical Confucianism represented by Confucius, reciprocity in social relationships is the fundamental phase of...
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...such as military soldiers or even some kids. The reason is because they have they have the most important qualities to be a hero, bravery and generosity. Bravery is one of the key factors to be a hero, because we’ve been taught that things most of the times won’t go exactly how we want it to. If it doesn’t go out way, most of the times we’ll have start...
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...Virtue is a habit involving choice related to a mean relative to the person. This is concerned with emotions and actions and aims for the median. There are excesses and deficiencies relative to the median, but to achieve virtue or excellence one’s actions have to be the median. To clarify, the median is feeling pleasure correctly in an act ordered in relation to a rational principle. First off, the mean of generosity needs to be explained. Aristotle best puts generosity into words as “the mean in giving and taking material goods,” (1120b27) Material goods are goods with a value measured by money. Wealth is certainly useful as money is necessary for life. Excellence in this mean consists in doing good and giving rather than having...
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...It is often said that the tradition of American generosity and compassion began with the Native Americans. This is prominent in the report “La Relacion” by Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, where he details his experience with the Karankawa people and their generosity in his time of need. Cabeza de Vaca and his men fell to the mercy of the Karankawa people on Galveston Island, when he was on the brink of death, and starvation had its clutches on his crew. However the generosity and kindness of the Native Americans allowed the emaciated men to prevail during trying times. Cabeza de Vaca writes “The Indians appeared… bringing an abundance of fish and of certain roots”(Vaca 74). Even without a prior relationship, the Native Americans helped the desperate...
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...The Scrutiny of Virtue Virtue is a mean condition which falls between the extremes of excess and deficiency which are both subject to vices. Either of those two vices, or the practices of base behaviors, happen to rely on the virtue that one aims for. For instance, courage is a virtue of which cowardice and rashness are the deficiency and excess of respectively. Evidence of this is seen in Book II, Chapter 9 of Nichomachean Ethics where Aristotle mentions “…virtue of character is a mean condition, and in what way, namely because it is a mean between two kinds of vice, the one resulting from excess and the other from deficiency…” It is important to understand that virtue is not acquired naturally but rather through being-at-work. Virtue is not merely a habit of preoccupation of what one deems right or wrong, on the other hand it is an adherence to active states. The latter matter mentioned above can also be thought of as being-at-work. If one does not captivate to see how being at work is indispensable to the meaning of virtue, one cannot practice virtue. For this reason, one might ponder, “What are the implications of being-at-work?” The implications of being-at-work lay the foundation of the path to happiness. A happiness that contrary to popular belief, is not slavishly tied to circumstances whose lasting effects are but temporary, but a happiness that can only be obtained as a result of living a virtuous life. Likewise, a true friendship will help an individual in...
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...Pre-Islamic Arabia (al-Jahiliyya). This paper aims to explore the virtues and qualities celebrated and shunned through the medium of Pre-Islamic Jahiliyya poetry. Jahiliyya poetry embodies the ethics, outlook on life, and desires of Bedouin of the Arabic peninsula. It gives us a sense of the traditions, customs, wars and heroic exploits. Jahiliyya poetry serves as the mirror showcasing values upheld by the Pre-Islamic society collectively and individually as well. During the Jahiliyya period, virtues such as forbearance, valor, courage, generosity, honor, manliness, hospitality and loyalty towards one’s clan/tribe were celebrated. W. Montgomery Watt, a leading biographer of Muhammad defines these virtues as tribal humanism (Denny 41). Socio-economic and political structures and environment of the arid Arabian peninsula are the leading causes for upholding these values. According to Denny, courage was displayed by raiding caravans, generosity was expressed in hospitality, honor was protected by one’s manliness (muruwa) (Denny 36). But, the most importance of all was the virtue of forbearance which could be only...
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...ambition and good luck in America, great love towards his family, and his generosity towards others. One of the first things noticeable in the Coat of Arms are elephant trunks/tusks, which represent “good luck and ambition” according to the family trees and crests website. Throughout the book Firoozeh includes tales by her father and how his incredible luck has allowed him to get a Fulbright grant, which let him study abroad in America. While he did not speak english his luck allowed him to make a Pakistani friend in which both of them bonded over food and their similar situation of not speaking...
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...Sharing is Caring To snap off one’s head in today’s culture simply seems taboo and unjust. But according to our book, Buddhist Scriptures, “In Buddhism, no deed is more universally praised than the act of giving (Dana)” (142). To physically give yourself up to something or someone is the best gift you can ever give, and also be well on your way to enlightenment. Throughout the book the Bodhisattvas do many different tasks, tell different stories and meet different people that will help them to enlightenment. Each chapter shows a different way, level and physical form of generosity and compassion about the Buddha that leads him to enlightenment. Chapter 18 takes generosity and the notion of ‘no self’ to a whole different level. It’s a bittersweet take on generosity. The title ‘A King Gives Away His Head’ no better describes the story in just a few words. To be a Bodhisattva means abundant giving. They dedicate their live(s) to attaining the higher being, contributing to the well being of the, and focusing on the six virtues of the Mahayana: giving, ethics, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom. Giving is among the first on both the Mahayana and Theravada lists –therefore the most important and is ruled before any of the other virtues. King Candraprabha fulfills his role of Bodhisattva giving to his kingdom everything they could have ever wanted or desired for. He allowed them feel, look and act the way he would, “All of Jambudvipa resounded with a delightful noise,...
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...Americans at a Glance Lisa Williams MAN 2604 International Management November 16, 2014 Mr. McCaskill, Sr Dimensions of Organizational Culture Profile (OCP) Introduction This white paper describes a generalized cultural profile of me personally, as an American using the 8 criterions or 8 distinct values in a study conducted by Philip R. Harris and Robert T. Moran, which provides a basis of comparison with other cultures and, thus, suggests the likely differences in workplace behaviors. As an American, I feel justified in admitting that those who grow up in the United States are generally poorly prepared for cross-cultural relationships. Although from the lessons of this course, my experience and exposure of living locally within a different culture have held me in good stead throughout my career and personal life, parts of it were a struggle how an understanding of the local culture and business environment can give managers an advantage in competitive industries. Americans at a Glance It is relatively simple for Americans to pull together a descriptive profile of U.S. culture, even though regional and individual differences exist, because Americans know themselves and because researchers have thoroughly studied U.S. culture. The results of one such study by Harris and Moran, provides a basis of comparison with other cultures and, thus, suggests the likely differences in workplace behaviors. As generally understood, the culture of a society comprises the...
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...During the 1200’s, along the upper Niger River, the kingdom of Mali formed, starting with the Madingo people, ultimately growing into a powerful and rich empire. From the start of this kingdom, to the end of Mali, the empire rose to become the most honored empire in all of medieval western Sudan. The worshiped founder of this medieval empire was Sundiata whom defeated the Sumanguru Kingdom in 1235. He expanded the empire of Mali into further conquests dominating gold producing regions in the south. In 1255, Sundiata died, however, his grandson, Mansa Musa took over Mali, bringing glory to the kingdom. Mansa Musa was a passionate Muslim who came took over the empire in 1307. He spent a great deal of time “encouraging the growth of Islam as...
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