Eating Meat Essay Example for Free

Eating Meat Essay Premise 1: Meat eating in humans is a natural phenomenon that has been practiced since prehistoric times, as evidenced by human dental structure and some scientific studies. Premise 2: Not eating meat can lead to various health problems unless there is a thorough understanding of the nutritional needs of the human body and the person ensures measures are taken to maintain good health. This is not feasible in undeveloped countries, tribal cultures or other societies that do not yet have the advantage of advanced science and technology that aids in understanding the various needs of the human body. Conclusion: Yes, it is ethical to eat meat. ___ The question of whether eating meat is ethical or not implies an assumption of a universal standard of ethics, so whether eating meat is ethical or not needs to be addressed from different viewpoints. The ethics of meat eating is highly subjective—it depends on many factors, such as culture and religion. From a (general) religious standpoint, meat eating is not unethical. Most religions do not absolutely forbid eating meat. Also, there has been evidence for the â€Å"naturalness† of meat eating. As evidenced by some scientific studies (such as a quick internet search (http://tinyurl.com/a6mdk) will bring up), meat eating has been practiced by humans since prehistory. In fact, the assimilation of animal protein is the easiest way of preventing some health problems (this is not to say that meat should be a major part of human diet). The concept of a vegan diet is relatively modern and is usually only feasible in a setting where the people have, through the advantage of modern science, gained sufficient knowledge about human nutrition. So, the question should not actually be one of ethics, but of health, in which case, the answer is yes—meat is okay (as long as it is only a part of a balanced diet).

The Behavior of Cult Leaders and Members Explained by using Psychologic

This essay will examine and describe the behavior of cult leaders and cult members by using and applying psychological principles. I will specifically highlight the behavior of Jim Jones and his followers and explain what factors that caused them to believe wholeheartedly in the doctrine of Jim Jones. I will also explain what psychological tactics were used to influence his believers to be participants in mass suicide and the psychological factors that contributed to the belief that this was their only option. What is a cult? According to (Pratkanis & Aronson, 2001,p.307) the term cult is used to described to describe a pattern of social relations within a group† and that cults can be â€Å"centered on a range of issues, including race, politics, therapy, self-help as well as spirituality and religion.† Another distinctive feature of cults or new religious moments are that they have â€Å"distinctive religious rituals and beliefs related to its god or a person, they also practice isolation from the surrounding culture and have a charismatic leader† (Myers, 2011, p.197). Cults are by no means new phenomena; they have been around since before the beginning of written history. Some of the earliest cults were recorded by the ancient Mesopotamian, Greek and Egyptian civilizations. There were also early Christian cults, such as the Essenes and the Gnostics. There are also the examples of modern cults, such as The Children of God, Heaven’s Gate and the Branch Davidians. In addition to cults, there are also modern new age organizations and movements. These groups tread a fine line between being an authentic religious organization and have some of the same characteristics of being a cult. In these types of organizations; it is often di... ...al psychological principals for his own purposes. I firmly believe that in the very end Jones used the power of informational social influence to gain obedience and conformity. This was the decisive factor that caused his followers to drink the cyanide laced Kool- aide and commit what Jones called a â€Å"revolutionary suicide.† Works Cited The Ford Foundation. (96-10). PBS,The American Experience . Jonestown the Life and Death of Peoples Temple. Retrieved 4/6/2012, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/jonestown-california/. Myers, D. G. (2002). Exploring psychology (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Myers, D. G. (2012). Exploring social psychology (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Pratkanis, A. (2002). Age of propaganda: the everyday use and abuse of persuasion. New York: W.H. Freeman.

Bohol, in the Eyes of a First-Time Beholder Essay

Perched on a very young palm tree, the tarsier fidgeted as I aimed my camera on its direction. It was only a few centimeters away, so easy to touch and yet I reminded myself to avoid the temptation. I read in an article how traumatizing it can be for these velvety creatures to be held, that they would hurt themselves to death after being â€Å"violated† by curious tourists who are never content with taking pictures. So imagine my surprise when it landed very near me to catch the cricket hiding behind the leaves. Without even thinking, I brushed my fingers on its brown fur in what seemed to be a second or two; it didn’t flinch, but the click of the camera (there was no flash since it was daytime) alerted it, and it darted back to its highest hiding place in the palm tree. Like that unlikely encounter with the tarsier, my trip to Bohol was something worthy to remember. Thanks to the invitation of a friend, poet and journalist Michael Ortega Ligalig, my memory of Bohol was not limited to beaches, Chocolate Hills, and yes, tarsiers. But there is no denying that Bohol is teeming with natural and man-made assets. If you are artsy and into culture, Bohol can offer you a lot with its cultural and historical riches. If you are into nature and adventure, there are surprises that the island can offer. Churches and Heritage Houses For somebody like me who is fascinated with old things and history, Bohol is like a gold mine with its old churches and heritage houses. Almost all of the 47 towns have old, massive, stone churches that have survived natural ravages, wars and even climate change. I asked to be brought to some of the most fascinating ones, like the Baclayon and Loboc churches. The Church of the Immaculate Conception or the Baclayon Church is one of the country’s oldest churches. First built in 1595, the Jesuit frailes built the Neoclassic structure piece by piece using adobe and coral that were joined together by adhesive made from egg whites (imagine all the chicken eggs used to build such a magnificent structure!). From the front door, one could see the marble tombstones that were embedded on the walls and pylons, the names of the dead intricately written in Spanish. The retablo or the church altar was also an imposing piece of art, though we were unable to see the church’s pipe organ. It also has a museum similar to that of San Agustin in Intramuros. The fee is not very expensive, but cameras are not allowed. Still, one can take pictures of the saints on the ground floor joining the museum and the church, where they kept a coterie of human-size religious images or statues. St. Peter Parish Church or Loboc Church is the second oldest church in Bohol. Originally built in 1602, a stronger one was built in 1638. Located near the famous Loboc River cruise, it has survived a number of floods. Inside the church, murals depicting religious events can be found on the dome right on top of the main altar. A Spanish coat-of-arms can be found near the entrance of the convent which today houses the Museo de Loboc. This museum houses a few religious images and artifacts, like registry books from the 1800s and choir books. There is also a magnificent bell tower adjacent the church. One can also find a bridge that was never completed; it would have joined the two parts of the town separated by the river, but it would mean demolishing part of the church. It is also the home of the famous Loboc Children’s Choir. There are also plenty of heritage houses all over Bohol, particularly in Baclayon and Dauis. Owned mostly by merchant families and old political clans, its interiors are characterized by wide and thick wooden floor planks and wide stairways with wooden balusters. The interiors often feature wooden sala and table sets, cabinets and dressers and rocking chairs, while the walls often hold portraits of its departed residents. Some of the houses include the ancestral houses of the Clarin, Villamor, Malon, Luza, Sofia and Abueva, and some of them actually accommodate tourists for a bed-and-breakfast experience. Beaches and Diving Bohol is getting its fair share of tourism fame with its pristine white sand beaches, the most famous of which is Panglao Island and Dauis, although there are plenty of other beaches minus the flock of tourists and expensive. The most famous is Alona Beach, an 800-meter stretch of white powdery sand located south of Panglao Island. Many full-service beach and dive resorts reside there. The sea around Pamilacan Island is frequented by whales and dolphins, as it is also a favored breeding and feeding site of tuna, snappers, groupers, mackerel and surgeonfish, making it a perfect spot for those who want to see the teeming natural fish population at work. There are a number of diving spots that offer priceless views of the sea beneath. Balicasag is known for its rare, beautiful seashells and its beds of corals are considered one of the best dive spots in the country. On the other hand, Danajon Bank is the only double barrier reef in the Philippines and is one of only three such sites in the Asia-Pacific region, spread across almost 130 kilometers of seabed and consist of three large reefs. Flora and Fauna Because of its geographical features, Bohol’s endemic flora and fauna makes it a hot spot for nature lovers. The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella town is a 134-hectare land that has been set aside as a protected area for its most celebrated creature considered the world’s smallest primate. However, there are many mini-â€Å"tarsier zoos† that are maintained by resorts. These resorts or mini-zoos often put these tarsiers in small cages and crowded, considering the wild nature of these animals. While my friend assured me that these resorts have â€Å"adoption certificates† from the local environmental offices, I still find it disturbing to find these magnificent creatures caged like birds. In the town of Albuquerque, there is a mini-zoo that claims to hold the biggest python in captivity ever known. Its name is Prony, approximately almost 30 feet and an estimated weight of about 300 kilograms. They also have a variety of birds species like parakeets, pigeons and other avians. However, a star attraction would be the entertainer which we humorously call â€Å"Kakambal ni Prony.† Clad in shiny gaudy costumes, she would dance near the snake’s spectators. We were also fortunate to visit the Mahogany Man-Made Forest in the town of Bilar, a two-kilometer stretch of densely planted mahogany trees located in the border of Loboc and Bilar. River Cruises The ultimate part of our trip would be the scenic Loboc River Cruise. We took the nighttime cruise as my friend advised because of the lamps that would light up as our boat would pass by. The boat fee includes a buffet meal that included seafood, meat and desserts. As the boat commenced its trip, a man with his electric guitar started to sing, his repertoire including American hits from the seventies. My companions and I found the lineup rather distracting as he started with Don McLean’s Vincent then to assorted songs from Bread and Air Supply. However, as the colored lamp posts began glowing from the sides, we were already transfixed and astonished. We briefly stopped on a floating raft that has a big group of singers belting their original songs. We all got off and started clapping. I interviewed some of the children and the adults who actually make a living from the song and dance number, and it ended with them selling their very own musical CD to the tourists. The visit to Bohol was short and partly fulfilling. I am decided to pursue this island more and look forward to seeing more of its assets very, very soon.

Orientalism in Tayeb Salih’s Season of Migration to the North

William Usdin ENGL 157 – Exam #1 8.15.12 Orientalism in Tayeb Salih’s Season of Migration to the North â€Å"Prospero, you are the master of illusion. Lying is your trademark. And you have lied so much to me (lied about the world, lied about me) that you have ended by imposing on me an image of myself. Underdeveloped, you brand me, inferior, that is the way you have forced me to see myself, I detest the image! What’s more, it’s a lie! But now I know you, you old cancer, and I know myself as well.† Caliban, in Aime Cesaire’s â€Å"The Tempest† In his Introduction to Orientalism, Edward Said asserts that the â€Å"Orient has helped to define Europe as its contrasting image, idea, personality, experience,† (71). Therefore, in Season of Migration to the†¦show more content†¦Sa’eed’s aptitude for the English language, and western thought in general, inspires envy on behalf of his schoolmates. He is ostracized and thought of as different. His intellect â€Å"would fill† the other students â€Å"with annoyance and admiration at one and the same time. With a combination of admiration and spite we nicknamed him ‘the black Englishman.’† Sa’eed’s transition to the â€Å"other†, to a lighter gradation of â€Å"blackness†, began even before he traveled to England. â€Å"Isolated and arrogant,† he spends his time â€Å"alone† (43). There are many intertextual references within Season of Migration, the most apparent being Salih’s a llusions to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. Where Conrad’s novel centers around a westerner traveling to Africa in an attempt to realign himself with emotion, Salih’s book is a reversal—a story of an African venturing into the heart of Europe in an attempt to buffer raw impulse with philosophy. In his interview with Phillips, Chinua Achebe asserts that â€Å"Africa is presented to the reader as the antithesis of Europe and therefore of civilization [†¦] a place where man’s vaunted intelligence and refinement are finally mocked by triumphant bestiality,† (40). Africa is used as a â€Å"backdrop,† devoid of any â€Å"human factor,† it is a â€Å"metaphysical battlefield [†¦] into which the wandering European enters at his peril,† (404).Show MoreRelatedImperialism In Frantz Fanons The Wretched Of The Earth1424 Words   |  6 Pageshybridity among the colonized and the colonizers — reflecting that homoge neity is nonexistent in post-colonial societies; yet, homogeneity was highly emphasized upon colonized societies by the colonizers through their colonial power discourse of Orientalism that allowed the establishment of Western imperial hegemony over the Orient. In his book The Wretched of the Earth, Frantz Fanon specifically articulates on the â€Å"nervous condition† of native intellectuals and their struggle to cope with their hybrid