...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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...are the specific qualities that Connie misses? What roles do they play in Connie’s belief and fate? What can we learn from it? Largely influenced by the rest of her family, Connie’s lack of self-awareness and critical thinking ability result both the carelessness that distances her from the support she needs and the immaturity that makes her vulnerable to deception. This deeper analyzing of Wegs ideas of Oates’ story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, urges us to understand the survival and moral significance of self-awareness and generosity, and to maintain an authentic and generous mind in the modern society. As a teenager, Connie is not able to learn the sense of self-awareness and generosity from her parents and sister. Connie’s mother, who shares the closest relationship with Connie, lack the generosity, and critical thinking skills herself to teach Connie. For example, she lacks the self-awareness and generosity when she speaks. Disapproving Connie’s hair spray, she questions harshly, “What the hell stinks? Hair spray? You don’t see your sister using that junk” (Oates 651). With out what was considered proper manner herself, Connie’s mother criticizes Connie’s misbehaves and praises Connie’s elder sister, June, “all the time” (Oates 651), without acknowledging their age and personality differences. The mother never recognizes the impact that her unfair treatment has on Connie’s view of the world. As Wegs mentions in her essay, Connie’s mother seems to...
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...Throughout the history of North American captivity narratives, many of them varied from experience. However, there are many other aspects to creating a reliable narrative that displays accurate material. Cabeza de Vaca created the most reliable narrative out of the three that show Native American captivity practices among Indians because he was there the longest, participated in traditions, and remained unbiased. Unlike the other two narratives, Cabeza de Vaca remained around Indian territories for almost a decade by traveling around the gulf. He remained in the Texas Gulf Coast where he was able to get a better idea of how Indians lived and attained a certain respect for them that can only be achieved over time. He developed more experience...
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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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...NT1 The Prince: Machiavelli’s Methodology on Leadership Niccolo Machiavelli, the first modern thinker, dedicated The Prince to Lorenzo De Medici and the De Medici family as a “how to guide” on becoming a successful ruler and more importantly, how not to be a successful ruler. As in any philosopher’s works, there are many components that are comprised into one common theme. Machiavelli presents a strong methodology and main concept which is to act in your own self-interest if you want to become a leader, and to do so by any means necessary. In The Price, one of his most famous works, Machiavelli establishes his leadership guidelines on specific categories such as virtue, goodwill, hatred, and reputation, just to name a few. Machiavelli’s goal in The Prince is to distinguish why human nature is the leading cause of a princes’ ultimate success or failure. Machiavelli strongly feels that the idea of politics is not a natural, innate part of humankind. It is crucial for a prince to reflect on the actions of great men that came before him and the history surrounding them. Within the text, Machiavelli does not focus on unity nor does he focus on the virtuous soul. He strictly concentrates on consequences because they are facts which we can verify. Due to this belief, Machiavelli’s ideas represent the consequentialist approach to morality. Meaning, consequences are driven purely by an individual’s actions. Therefore, the means by which individuals go about taking those actions...
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...until 1942. In 1951 he became keeper of the Orleans library. He also edited scholarly journals and in 1946 founded an influential literary review, Critique, which he edited until his death. George Bataille’s “Theory of Religion” is an attempt to sum up religion in as succinct a manner as possible. To be all things to all religions, the book is very vague and difficult to understand. Bataille created a chart or table to explain what he was doing and to give body to the work. ALAS! The chart is not in the book, lost to time. Thus, as it exists, Bataille’s book is a glimpse into the inner workings of a genius mind. It is a colorful attempt to understand “religion,” whatever that is. Further, it is an off-the beaten path romp through the daisies of the study of religion, sweet flowers that often remain unromped. Theory of Religion brings to philosophy what Bataille’s earlier book, The Accursed Share, brought to anthropology and history; namely, an analysis based on notions of excess and expenditure. Bataille brilliantly defines religion as so many different attempts to respond to the universe’s relentless generosity. Framed within his original theory of generalized economics and based on his masterly reading of archaic religious activity, Theory of Religion constitutes, along with The Accursed Share, the most important articulation of Bataille’s work. Theory of...
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...I believe that a person’s religious views should not affect treatment of others because it does not make someone better than others or give them the right to judge someone else. I do not think it is a bad thing to discuss different religions amongst each other but to push someone’s religion on others is not acceptable. Everyone has the right to choose what they believe in. Any religion should aide in helping people to live the right way and being kind to people around them. We all need to have some faith that there is a higher power watching over us but not act as though one person is better than the other. In my opinion, the “humble generosity” described in column 2 does not exist in today’s world as it used to. People are so involved and busy in their own lives that they forget to stop and look around to reach out and help others that are in need of help. Unfortunately, with the economy as it has been lately, people do not feel that they have any monies left over to donate as it seems it used to be. The Salvation Army and United Way are great causes to donate to but again because of the economical situation people have endured, the donations have lessened greatly for each of these organizations. To talk about this story in modern times, I think of my daughter’s Girl Scout troop. This year during the holidays, the girls volunteered their time to help out at a local shelter by redecorating a room used by the children that are staying there with their parents, making...
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...conduct or "order". Enthusiasm Great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause. Friendship Is a relationship between two people who hold mutual affection for each other. Generosity Is the habit of giving without expecting anything in return. It can involve offering time, assets or talents to aid someone in need. Often equated with charity as a virtue, generosity is widely accepted in society as a desirable trait. Hospitality The quality or disposition of receiving and treating guestsand strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way. Intelligence Has been defined in many different ways including, but not limited to, abstract thought, understanding, self-awareness,communication, reasoning, learning, having emotional knowledge, retaining, planning, and problem solving. Joy Is a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.[1] A variety of biological, psychological, religious, and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources. Kindness Is the act or the state of being kind, being marked by good and charitable behavior, pleasant disposition, and concern for others. It is known as a virtue, and recognized as a value in many cultures and religions Leadership Has been described as “a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and...
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...Foundation Paper I have chosen The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations. We live in a world today were everyday the economy grows weaker and weaker and with the world being in such great desire it is people like Bill and Melinda Gates who makes so much possible for people like you and I to survive. Through their foundation so many lives are being save every day, so many children are being educated with technology made for this generation of children to learn. I will explore several aspects of the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation to show just how they truly make a difference in the world today. Bill and Melinda Gates are two very high profiled people their foundation is one of the largest in the world. With the founders being some of the richest people in the world with a net worth in the billions dollars, Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation has become a source of endless fascination and discussion in the nonprofit world. This foundation is about giving everyone an equal opportunity to thrive. It helps to reduce or eliminate obstacles in people lives things like poor health and nutrition and weak educational systems. Although there are a lot of things this foundation does most of it spending goes toward three main issues improving education in American, global health, and global development. When it comes to global health in January of 2010 Bill and Melinda announced their foundation would double the amount of money being spent on vaccine within the next 10 years to a sum of...
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...Islam and Judaism Islam and Judaism share a common origin in the Middle East and share many cultural and philosophic aspects between themselves. The similarities in the two religions derive largely from the influence of Muslim culture and philosophy on the practitioners of Judaism and Islam. In the Middle East Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are the three great religions. They all share similarities, especially in their origin, but also hold their differences. Judaism is a monotheistic religion, as is with Islam. It originated from the Hebrews, who believed that God was their special protector and was everything, the most powerful, and is present everywhere. Like Islam, Judaism has a holy book called the Torah, a sacred recording of laws and events in the Jewish history. The Jewish faith believes that God gave them the Ten Commandments through Moses, “the Lawgiver”. According to the Jewish tradition, God made a covenant, or agreement with Abraham, the founder of Judaism. Islam was strongly influenced by Judaism. Islam was founded by Mohammad and also holds a monotheistic approach to religion. Just like Judaism it has a holy book similar to Judaism’s Torah, called the Koran. The Koran contains the sacred text as spoken to Muhammad from God. The Koran not only teaches about God, but about how to lead a good, faithful life. Muslims believe in one all-powerful, compassionate God, known in Arabic as Allah. Similar to the Ten Commandments given by Moses in Judaism...
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...WHAT IS ISLAM Islam is the final religion with which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him), son of Abdullah, was sent by his Lord to convey it to all mankind. Islam means “peace and submission”, and a Muslim in someone who totally submits himself to the will of Allah. Therefore, it is the same in essence, whether given to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus or to Muhammad (May peace and blessings be upon them). For the message it calls to is the same, namely to worship Allah alone, and the source of unity is the revelation from Allah: “He has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Noah, and that which We have revealed to you, and which We ordained for Abraham, Moses and Jesus: namely that you should establish religion and make no divisions.” (Surah Ash-Shūraa, 42:13) Islam is complete and perfect and is not subject to abrogation for any additions. Allah says: “This day, I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Surah Al-Mā’idah 5:3) Being the final religion which had abrogated religions before it, Islam in the only religion that Allah will accept: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and in the life to come he will be among the losers.” (Surah Al-Imrān, 3:85) When Angel Jibreel asked the Prophet (peace be upon Him) about Islam, he replied, “Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of...
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...more importantly were the thousands of different ideas and religions that were shared amongst others. The movements of goods, people, and ideas had innumerable short- and long-term impacts on the people of the Middle East. Empires and cities flourished during the Common Era. All cities had basic needs: food, fabric, fuel, and building materials. Due to trades along the silk routes, it was much easier for the people of the cities to get what they needed. As population increased and the needs became higher, this pushed people to new discoveries. For example, “the demand...
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...The Morals of the Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli The first great political philosopher of the Renaissance, Niccolo Machiavelli was born in 1469 in Florence, Italy. He was a politician whose fortunes mirrored those of the republic that was founded in the absence of the ruling Medicis and ended upon their return to power in Florence. The Prince, written in 1513 but not published until 1531, is the work that earned Machiavelli his lasting reputation and is a seminal text of political philosophy still widely regarded—and read—today. It is a study of leadership and an argument that leaders must do anything necessary to hold on to power. It is this message that turned Machiavelli's name into an adjective. As you read the following excerpt from The Prince, observe the different qualities of Machiavelli's ideal prince and compare it to those qualities we refer to when we call something or someone "Machiavellian." ON THE REASONS WHY MEN ARE PRAISED OR BLAMED —ESPECIALLY PRINCES It remains now to be seen what style and principles a prince ought to adopt in dealing with his subjects and friends. I know the subject has been treated frequently before, and I'm afraid people will think me rash for trying to do so again, especially since I intend to differ in this discussion from what others have said. But since I intend to write something useful to an understanding reader, it seemed better to go after the real truth of the matter than to repeat what people have imagined. A great many men have...
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...Confucius agree that virtue is entrenched in one’s character and thus should be visible in all kind of situations and in specific situations (Yu, 1998). The twophilosophersalso agree chiefly on some components of virtue but disagree on others. One of the chief virtues that the two agree on is piety. According to Aristotle, humans serve the gods by improving the moral state of the human state. To him, being virtuous is a form reverence to the gods. Confucius has a similar take on piety noting that by following the ‘dao’ in heaven embedded in ‘li’, human beings act in accordance with the wishes of the gods(Yu, 1998). Aristotle has different set of key virtues to Confucius. Aristotle believed that the main virtues were courage, generosity, magnificence, high mindedness, gentleness, friendliness, truthfulness, wittiness and wisdom. On the other hand, Confuciusbelieved that the...
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...Greek culture began to develop around 1150 BC with the emergence of Greek religion, drama, and Athenian values coming together to create a common value of individualism and pride. Ancient Greece relied heavily mythology, which functioned as religion in Greek society and was comprised of stories, or myths, that explained their beliefs about life, the world and their gods. As a polytheistic culture, they believed in many gods, examples being Apollo the sun god and Zeus the god of the sky. These gods were important to Greek culture as they were the center focus of worship for the Olympic Games, which still carry on to this day, even though they are not directly connected with pagan worship any more. The Olympic Games were culturally impactful...
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