Monday, August 24, 2020

Uncle Dan Essays - Picaresque Novels, English-language Films

Uncle Dan The odd notions addressed were all common among youngsters and slaves in the West at the time of this story - in other words, thirty or forty quite a while back. Imprint Twain Hartford, 1876 Dealing with the job of enchantment in HF, Daniel Hoffman asserts an unobtrusive passionate complex ties together odd notion: slaves: childhood opportunity in Mark Twain's mind.1We know how Twain felt about childhood opportunity - his wistfulness for it lead him to a portion of his best composition, and it loans its appeal to his most suffering works, The Undertakings of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. How Twain felt toward slaves is increasingly equivocal. In his life account Twain composed of Uncle Dan'l, the man on whom the character Jim was based, that his feelings were wide and warm and that his heart was straightforward what's more, straightforward and knew no cleverness (Autob., 2.) To the time spent on his uncle's ranch in Florida, Missouri Twain credited his solid preference for his [Uncle Dan'l's] race and...appreciation of sure of its fine characteristics (Autob., 3.) To the late-twentieth-century peruser, obviously, Twain's treatment of blacks is incredibly risky. Jim's character presents numerous challenges - are we to consider Jim the man who yearns for his family even as he valiantly runs away from them or the idiot who picks up VIP among the slaves for a story he designs and accepts? How could Twain permit Jim to state his human respect on the pontoon, at that point subject him to a progression of gross mortifications at the Phelps ranch? Complete responses to these inquiries are unimaginable. Anyway they and the reality that they should stay uncertain influence all decisions we make about Twain and his dark characters. In thinking about notion, the third piece of this triangular relationship, we are again left with inquiries concerning Twain's emotions. In Form and Fable in American Fiction, Daniel Hoffman composes that Twain's typical supposition that will be that white people of any status higher than garbage like Pap have little information on, and no confidence in, strange notion 2 Strange notion is fundamentally for slaves and young men. It is critical to take note of that inside the structure of Huck Finn, separating a thing from white culture is by no implies throwing it in poor light. Indeed when put under the investigation of Huck's legitimate portrayal, white culture endures seriously. Miss Watson, however great, is brutal and unpleasant. The King and Duke barely care about deceiving the Wilks young ladies out of their legacy; even the Grangerfords, who are quality, participate in a horrible and savage fight. The brutalities that Huck witnesses - Buck's slaughtering, Boggs' homicide - are submitted by whites. In spite of the fact that Pap has strange notions, society convictions in the story have a place with Huck and Jim, the characters we most trust. While episodes like Jim asking kindness from the apparition Huck and Nat and the witch pie are plainly expected to make the peruser giggle at the obliviousness of the adherents, are we not by one way or another left at long last with the possibility that the fanatical supporters of odd notion are some way or another more secure than their Christian partners? In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer a kid of German parentage remembers eight or ten thousand book of scriptures refrains yet goes distraught from the exertion. In Huck Finn the Shepherdsons and Grangerfords go to church with their weapons. On the opposite side, the slaves originate from all around to see the five penny piece which they and Jim accept was given to him by the fiend. We as perusers realize that the slaves have been hoodwinked by their own notion and by Tom's underhandedness, however are we persuaded that they are more terrible off than the individuals at the camp gathering who give an aggregate of $87.75 to that blackguard, the King, for his strategic the Indian Ocean? Reference index 1. Daniel G. Hoffman, Jim's Magic: Black or White?. American Writing XXXII March 1960, pp. 47-54. back to content 2. Daniel G. Hoffman, Form what's more, Fable in American Fiction. Oxford University Press. New York, 1965.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

To Bury or Exhume the White Gods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

To Bury or Exhume the White Gods - Essay Example It additionally turns into the methods by which the mistreated are made to trust in the moral equity of the frameworks of creation that incite their own persecution. These hypotheses have incredible breadth for application in postcolonial examines that look to challenge accounts that depend on the forms of the colonizer’s memory. There are currently endeavors to update the narratives that have been composed by such authors for the psychological subjugation of the colonized. These counter-accounts as well, be that as it may, stand the danger of being joined into the force structures of the colonialist story. This is partly out of this world for e certain point in history when the impacts of imperialism are as yet being toppled. It is in this setting Camilla Townsend’s article â€Å"Burying the White Gods: New Perspectives on the Conquest of Mexico† gets significant as it endeavors to connect certain holes in authentic accounts and at a similar purpose of time addi tionally looks to point certain blemishes in the counter-stories that one finds in the postmodern age. The paper therefore focuses to the requirement for a history with lesser chinks (Townsend). The exposition tries to discussion of the stories that have been utilized to counter the accounts of Hernando Cortes and his conquistadors. Numerous such accounts discussion of the circumstance where the individuals who were indigenous occupants of Mexico thought of the conquistadors to be divine beings. A detailed arrangement of untruths is developed whereby indigenous frameworks are arm-wound into obliging the colonizer into their account. The joining of Cortes into the story of the Indian God, Quetzalcoatl is an awesome case of this. The God who is considered to have left the Indians’ land for the East was forecasted to come later on at one point of time. This story was changed a great deal to oblige the appearance of the colonizer into Mexico. There are a few viewpoints that one needs to investigate while dissecting

Monday, July 20, 2020

6 Personal Philosophies that Shaped Successful Entrepreneurs

6 Personal Philosophies that Shaped Successful Entrepreneurs Ever since the majority of the world’s population realized the treacherous nature of modern-day employment and the myth of the liberating side hustle, there has been an increase in the inclination towards entrepreneurship as a potential route out of the insecure life of the majority working class.It is actually arguable that one is likely to have a more secure future with entrepreneurial skills as compared to high academic achievement, if the current value of traditional education in a changing global economy is anything to go by.People have realized this, and more and more people are focusing on entrepreneurship as their ticket out of the rat race.A 2016 BNP Paribas Global Entrepreneur Report found that the millennial generation is discovering entrepreneurship considerably earlier than their parents, starting their first business at about 27 as compared to 35 for the boomers.The report also found that millennials are starting more businesses than their parents â€" they have starte d nearly as twice as many businesses as the boomers.This has effectively earned them the unofficial label of the entrepreneur generation based on an evolving mind-set that their career success will stem from nimbleness, independence and entrepreneurialism as a survey released by the Bentley University on the mind of the millennial suggests.Only a paltry 13% of the respondents indicated that their ideal career goal would involve climbing the corporate ladder to become a chief executive or president.Nearly two thirds (67%) of those surveyed reported that their career goals include starting their own businesses.The study authors observed a growing trend in suspicion of traditional pathways to success and an aspirational preference for own forays into income generation.But despite this optimism and sustained enthusiasm on the importance of entrepreneurship in thriving in the increasingly difficult lives of today’s evolving world, it is for the most part an uphill task.It takes a lot o f patience and hard work, and it is rife with risks and uncertainties.Due to the high risks and uncertainties involved, a significant number of new business fail every year. In fact, the bleak and hard truth is that nine out of ten start-ups will fail before their third year.This is according to the 2012 Startup Genome Report â€" a comprehensive project co-authored by Berkeley and Stanford faculty members analysing 3,200 start-ups.The contributing factors could range from lack of funding to bad business decisions such as premature scaling or even an economic crisis.Nevertheless, there is a ten percent of new businesses that survive the third-year curse to thrive and cruise to profitability becoming global brands.These are led by visionary entrepreneurs who, as EY Global Chairman and CEO, Mark Weinberger says do not get distracted by short-term pressures but rather stick to and follow through a long-term strategic vision.Fledging entrepreneurs can learn a lot by evaluating the guidin g principles that have led established entrepreneurs to lock on strategic goals to achieve monumental success.While a well-thought-out product development process, market knowledge and an accurate customer persona are undeniably important in breaking even, navigating the intricacies of launching a new business requires an even higher, even abstract psychological orientation.Since entrepreneurial ventures are by and large a creation of individuals, one of the most enduring characteristics that all successful entrepreneurs have is a strong personal philosophy.A personal philosophy is simply the most basic thoughts, beliefs, concepts and attitudes of an individual about everything.It is one of the most essential instruments of an individual’s existence, a personal motto that could be expressed in about two sentences as a sort-of window into your soul. For such a deliberate identity-affirmation, it is quite surprising that many of us don’t have one.Those who do have been characteris ed to be, among other things, believing in being natural, organic and authentic in achieving persisting success and happiness which they have over time grown to be confident they deserve.Venturing into business for the first time is probably best suited for these kind of people.Those who can adhere to their self-defined beliefs as building blocks for their businesses where the bigger picture is well defined.Below we examine some personal philosophies of uniquely successful entrepreneurs of our time and how you can apply them to your business endeavours.TREAT YOUR LIFE LIKE AN ADVENTURE â€" SIR RICHARD BRANSONIn a 2017 keynote at the Veritas Vision conference, Branson narrates how his entry into the airline business came by accident after a flight he was booked in to the Caribbean was cancelled at the last minute.Not intending to keep his ‘beautiful lady waiting in BVI’ Branson says he hired a plane and borrowed a blackboard and as a joke wrote ‘Virgin Airlines, $39 one way to BVI.’He was surprised when all the passengers who had been inconvenienced by the cancellation bought his idea and filled up the plane.After favorable feedback from his first ever airline customers, Branson would soon call Boeing and secure an unused 747 for rent, birthing Virgin Atlantic Airlines.Since starting off with a mail-order record business in 1970, Branson has built eight billion-dollar companies in eight different sectors, written several books, has a non-profit foundation and always finds time to play tennis and kite regularly.“I have always lived my life by thriving on opportunity and adventure. Some of the best ideas come out of the blue, and you have to keep an open mind to see their virtue.”Branson believes that if the pursuit of happiness is the ultimate goal, then leading an adventurous life is an utmost priority.The interesting part is that while the adventure might sound like the destination, it is actually the journey much like one of those long road trips in your childhood where often the most memorable part was the stopovers and the scenery more than the final stop.Branson lives live precisely like this, enjoying the journey even when it’s perfectly okay to look forward to the destination.As early as the late 1970s, Branson had already achieved considerable business success with Virgin Records but was still hungry for new experiences and reaching greater heights which spurred him to become the billionaire we know today with interests in land, sea, air and space travel.Branson teaches us that treating your business voyage as an adventure and exercising patience while at it, can have generate rewards for your business and contribute significantly to your happiness goals.Michael Corrigan, the cofounder of cult-favorite travel pillow company Trltl Pillow, whose business approach is highly influenced by Branson, says cultivating an adventure mindset is critical.To truly embrace the journeying experience you have to bear in mind that it is impossible to anticipate eventualities, but rather you should be ready to take whatever happens and run with it, as you would on an adventure.When you have an adventure mindset, you are more likely to spot new opportunities to try different things which could have a huge impact on your business.MOVE FAST AND BREAK THINGS â€" MARK ZUCKERBERGThis was Facebook’s original motto inspired by Zuckerberg’s college dorm-room days when he conceptualized the idea of the world’s biggest social network.This outlook to product development evolved by Facebook’s 10t anniversary in 2014 to what observers described as a more ‘mature’ move fast with stable infrastructure.But it is Zuckerberg’s early personal philosophy that was translated into Facebook’s business philosophy that can be credited for the startup’s meteoric rise.It was at the same time that Google was a fast-growing web company and Apple was flexing its muscles, although neither of them could rival Facebook’s stro ng growth.This philosophy enabled Facebook to be nimble, take huge risks and think outside the box.Zuckerberg’s worldview contains two dimensions. The first one is speed.He saw that this as a key component of how products should be developed, a heightened sense of urgency that if lacking among the workforce would likely deter the speedy attainment of any substantial achievements.He realized that as businesses grow, there is an inevitable development of bureaucratic bottlenecks that hamper rapid progress.His solution to this was elevating the speed with which his teams work and accelerate decision making.John Kotter, a professor at the Harvard Business School and the author of A Sense of Urgency  found that corporate urgency was a core component of several successful businesses in the world.He describes urgency as a combination of thoughts and feelings that are gut-level determination that ‘there are great opportunities out there, we will do something now and we are doing it to w in’.He observes that the primary reason that makes urgency important is the increasing rate of change in global business and the need to stay on top.The second dimension of Zuck’s philosophy is breaking things, which stands for experimentation. As you experiment, it is inevitable that you will break a few things here and there.However, experimentation is what made it possible for Facebook to challenge the status quo and establish itself as one of the leading tech companies.Zuckerberg was not afraid to go against what was already deemed and accepted as best practice.The second dimension of Zuck’s philosophy is in line with Austrian Economist Joseph Schumpeter’s theory of creative disruption which relates to the deliberate destruction of longstanding processes to allow for innovation into improved methods.At Facebook, the idea was to never get comfortable with existing achievements but to keep with break-neck pace of Internet innovation.While there is ongoing debate whether th e “move fast and break things” philosophy is dead, in the sphere of startups it has a lot of potential to accelerate the success of a new business venture.Australian advertising entrepreneur Simon Reynolds offers two approaches to practicing this agile principle.First, set short, unreasonable deadlines â€" You will need to put time pressure on both yourself and your team if you are going to achieve something meaningful at an unusually fast rate. The opposite, normal, reasonable deadlines has the likely effect of keeping you on the tail of your competition. This pressure will almost always bring out the best of the talent in you and your team.Second, always ask how would the NEXT great company in my field do this? â€" The philosophy of moving fast and breaking things requires lots of experimentation with new processes. It calls for imagining the next disruption in the market that you are operating in, rather than just aiming for the top position. It is here that you stand a shot at being a game-changer and building a highway to longer-term market leadership.RELENTLESS HARD WORK â€" DR MANU CHANDARIAChandaria is a Kenyan industrialist who served as the chairman of the Comcraft Group, a multi-billion dollar industrial conglomerate with a presence in over 50 countries, until his retirement in 2018.He was instrumental in the titanic growth of this family business from a small shop in Nairobi during an arguably turbulent Kenyan business environment, battling legislative nightmares and navigating the many challenges of doing business in Africa.Dr. Chandaria attributes his huge success to his philosophy of hard work. In one interview, he describes his philosophy as:My philosophy is zero multiplied by zero is always zero. You stay home, you don’t do anything, it is always zero the next morning.You work a little bit and it becomes one, but one multiplied by one is also one again. Until you reach two, four, eight… then the multiplication and addition starts.”Un til his retirement at the age of 90, Chandaria averaged 16 working hours a day, which he has consistently maintained since the early days of the company.He says he barely played any games popular with his wealthy peers and watched the World cup for the first time in 2018, but rather found the work environment innately fulfilling.While Chandaria’s philosophy might not sound as attractive or catchy as the first two and may be a little extreme, it is absolutely important that an entrepreneur understands that to achieve the mammoth business success levels such as Chandaria’s, he has to put in more work than the ordinary Joe.As Chandaria puts it, if you want to achieve success, simply have a clear vision of where the venture is headed, create a robust network of partners, mentors and advisers whose wealth of knowledge you can tap into, and then put in the work required to get you there.FAILURE EVENTUALLY BEGETS SUCCESS â€" MICHAEL DELLThe founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, one of the largest technology infrastructure companies in the world started off in a college dorm-room to become the 25th most richest person in the world today.Dell says that he initially did business with fear of failure, but he later tuned his fear of failure into a motivation and went on to revolutionize the personal computer purchase process and manufacturing.While failure is rarely tolerated in business, Dell refused to let it get in the way of the immense possibilities awaiting him on the other side of taking risks and as the company grew he ensured his employees had the liberty, especially in Research and Development, to come up with new ideas, without being held back by the fear of failure.Another component of failure that Dell shunned was naysayers.When starting off Dell knew that seeking many opinions from those seemingly more knowledgeable in the PC business would probably have the setback of him second-guessing his ideas and delaying experimentation. He says:“The good thing for me is that I was not going out and seeking a lot of advice from people. If I did, they would have tried to dissuade me or told me it wouldnt work. Entrepreneurs have to be a little bit crazy.”Dell has carried on with this philosophy to date with more than 140,000 employees, recognizing that for an organization of its size there might be several moving parts that hinder a fast-moving, nimble culture.He compares the fear of failure with the opportunity cost of failing to take a risk because the outcomes might not be so well defined. Dell believes that desperately avoiding risk is actually the risky part itself.When it comes to implementing Dell’s philosophy, you need to realize that business is not about getting rich quickly â€" don’t start a business just because it looks like an easy way to make money, but rather do what you have a passion for and be guided by a longer-term vision that can weather early uncertainties.This will make it much easier for you to keep going in t he face of fear. In addition, you should seek to disrupt. If you are looking for a real breakthrough, this will probably not be achieved by replication.You need to turn the fear of failure into the fuel for your daring product.Finally, you should yearn for continuous learning. In most cases, fear is usually caused by desire for perfection.Instead of letting your fear of not achieving perfection stop you, it should motivate you to get on a path of continuous learning and iteration that will eventually help your business to take off.WITH A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY COMES A SENSE OF PURPOSE KIRAN MAZUMDAR-SHAWThis Indian billionaire entrepreneur is a pioneer of the biotechnology industry in India and the founder of Biocon, the country’s leading Biotechnology Company based in Bangalore.Despite graduating as a Master Brewer from an Australian university in the late 70s, she faced a lot of hostility and gender bias back home in the brewing industry spurring her into entrepreneurship.At t he age of 25, with no business experience and as a woman, she struggled to raise funding and get suppliers in the risk-ridden business which eventually strengthened her resolve to bridging the gender gap in science innovation and a commitment to affordable healthcare.Her early experiences and experience bootstrapping culminated into a personal and business philosophy of living a purposeful life through cultivating a sense of responsibility.To her, living with a sense of responsibility is what gives purpose to her life.Her innovation-led biopharmaceutical company now has a footprint in over 120 countries ploughing back up to fifteen percent of the revenue in Research and Development.She attributes her success on her mission to deliver affordable medicines to the world’s population and make a difference in global health access.She felt it was her responsibility to make a difference.Like Kiran, you should take your business mission as a personal responsibility.When you know that what you are working on has an impact on the lives of people, this will give you a sense of purpose, and provide you with the motivation to chase your dreams.CONSTANTLY THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU COULD BE DOING THINGS BETTER â€" ELON MUSKArguably one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time, Elon Musk has been able to revolutionize two separate industries that have not experienced any disruptive innovation for decades â€" space and auto.Musk’s imagination in the founding of Tesla and SpaceX is probably the most expansive in human history, flying far beyond where few have dared to go.Musk’s temperament is one that causes him to seek knowledge in technology and business rather than a monolithic obsession with profit and recognition.In one of the few times the billionaire entrepreneur has voiced his personal philosophy, Musk said on a casual interview with Mashable that he found it very important to have a feedback loop where one constantly thinks about the things they are doing and how t hey could do them better.To him, this is the greatest piece of advice. Evidently, Musk is on a league of his own in his conviction that postponing profit is excusable if it the path to making his vision a reality.He dwarfs most other CEOs stuck in their zombie-like pursuit of profit and amassing wealth which he demonstrates inhibits bigger dreams and masks an appreciation for what is truly of value to humanity.Just like Musk, you should aspire to have a feedback loop that is driven by the need for self-evaluation and self-improvement.Despite your greatest achievements, never settle. Instead, you should constantly think of ways of doing even better.AN INDIVIDUALS  CHOICES AND THOUGHTS ARE CENTRAL â€" OPRAH WINFREYOprah is ranked #6 on the Forbes list of richest self-made women in America 2019 with a net worth of over $3 Billion, having transitioned her hit talk show into a media and business empire.She is one of the most well-liked female entrepreneurs of all time dubbed the ‘Queen of All Media,” based on her career as an actress, talk-show host, TV Producer and author of several books.She was the wealthiest African-American of the 20th Century, with the Oprah Winfrey Show being the highest rated show from 1986 to 2011.In an exhaustive expedition to map out Oprah’s personal philosophy, Marc Bodnick, in article published on Forbes.com opines that it is multifaceted and best presented in these three key elements: (1) take control of your own life, (2) An individual’s choices and thoughts are central and (3) Living your dreams. As she says:  â€œMy philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”Oprah believes that the choice to excel starts with an alignment of one’s thoughts and words with the intention to ask more of yourself.She had a rough childhood, moving from home to home from her maternal grandmother to stints between her father and mother.But her d ream of being ‘paid to talk’ was fashioned at an early age as she discovered her talents amid a tumultuous childhood, hence her conviction that biggest adventure can only be living the life of one’s dreams.The main point from Oprah’s philosophy is that the life you live is up to you.It’s not up to your background or your circumstances.Your life is shaped by your choices and thoughts. If you are not satisfied with where you are, you need to change your thoughts and choices.WRAPPING UPWe have established that over and beyond excellent market research, developing an amazing product and timely launching, the most successful entrepreneurs are led by encompassing personal philosophies that greatly influence everything from workplace culture to investment decisions.In the grander scheme of things, these philosophies are most probably what makes some enterprises such as Elon Musk’s stand out from the rest in achievement and the impact on the world that we live in.With the above examples in mind, and the accompanying tips on how to get started on emulating any of these approaches to life and business, you should be able to get started on figuring out your very own personal philosophy.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Founding Brothers The Revolutionary Generation Essay

Joseph J. Ellis, American historian and novelist has written many awards winning novels. One of his most recognized, â€Å"American Sphinx†, winner many prestigious awards such as the National Book Award for Non-Fiction in 1997, and the Ambassador Book Award for Biography in 1998. His Pulitzer Prize winning novel, â€Å"Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation†, talks about the founding fathers’ interactions with each other in the decades that followed the Constitutional Convention of 1787. During the times after the creation the United States Constitution the Founding Fathers, or Founding Brothers as this book calls them, explored many different challenges. â€Å"Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation† talks about this challenges and events in different sections that focus on seven historical figures at the time: George Washington, John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and Adam Burr. Joseph J. Ell is talked about six events, in six chapters, from the time in American history that shaped the ideas that created the United States government that is known today. The chapters are called as followed The Duel, The Dinner, The Silence, The Farewell, The Collaborators, and The Friendship. After a brief introductory chapter called The Generation , in which the reader is introduced to the setting and characters, the story begins. Joseph J. Ellis writes in a way to be not only informative, but interesting. Throughout the whole book theShow MoreRelatedFounding Brothers : The Revolutionary Generation903 Words   |  4 PagesContributing the New Government The book Founding Brothers - The Revolutionary Generation consists six stories, each of them focuses on a significant creative achievement or failure of seven important men of the early United States. They are George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and Aaron Burr. Joseph Ellis has depicted these founding brothers – or founding fathers - in their efforts to lay the republic’s foundation of the most liberalRead MoreFounding Brothers The Revolutionary Generation Chapter Summary1467 Words   |  6 Pagesdeliberation amongst the leaders of our nation when drafting the Constitution. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation, Chapter 3: The Silence, highlights the monumental political and economical debate over the tight-lipped issue of slavery while illuminating the Founding Fathers’ fear of disunity and emphasizing the nation’s glaring division between states. Joseph Ellis’s, Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation, takes place in the late eighteenth century after the American triumph overRead MoreSummary Of Founding Brothers : The Revolutionary Generation By Joseph J. Ellis1377 Words   |  6 PagesReview Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Joseph J. Ellis work concentrates on crucial events after the Revolutionary war in the young nation of America. The writer unbiasedly analyzes vital moments in the lives of the Founding Fathers and how relationships between them influenced and were influenced by the unstable era in which they happened to live in. Through the six chapters and preface, Ellis examines the key revolutionary leadersRead Morefounding fathers book report873 Words   |  4 Pagesdegree from the college of William and Mary, and his masters and Ph.D. at the University of Yale. Ellis is currently a full time professor of the Commonwealth at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In addition to Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation Ellis has written many books and editorials. His books include; The New England Mind in Transition: Samuel Johnson of Connecticut (Yale University Press, 1983), School For Soldiers: West Point and the Profession of Arms (OxfordRead MoreThe Pivotal Political Decisions On The Young American Republic Of The Late 18th Century1515 Words   |  7 Pageshistorian and a biographer, Joseph Ellis, these crucial decisions with an astounding aftermath came about â€Å"in a sudden spasm of enforced inspiration and makeshift construction† (3). In addition, in his new non-fiction erudite study, Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation, published in the year 2000, Ellis strives to illustrate how these decisions came about â€Å"in a sudden spasm of enforced inspiration and makeshift construction during the final decades of the eighteenth century.† (3). Thus, in orderRead MoreBook Review: Founding Brothers by Josep h Ellis Essay1437 Words   |  6 PagesIn the book Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis, the author relates the stories of six crucial historic events that manage to capture the flavor and fervor of the revolutionary generation and its great leaders. While each chapter or story can be read separately and completely understood, they do relate to a broader common theme. One of Ellis main purposes in writing the book was to illustrate the early stages and tribulations of the American government and its system through his use of well blendedRead MoreThe Revolutionary Generation By Joseph J. Ellis1350 Words   |  6 PagesThe Revolutionary Generation Most novels or documentaries regarding the Revolutionary Generation, largely focus on the war for independence, which includes the Continental Congress. Not often in media, does one find a post-war political book. The Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis dives in the complexities faced by the Founding Fathers of America. As they saw themselves as brothers (with the exception of Abigail Adams), they often did not agree on most of each other’sRead MoreFounding Brothers Book Review Essay627 Words   |  3 PagesEllis, Joseph J.  Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000. Print. The book being critiqued in the following review is Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis. Ellis’ goal in writing this book was to define the political events and achievements that gained historical significance because they framed the successive history of the United States. Ellis wrote on this specific topic because he felt the need to argue the fact that the American Revolution and the greatnessRead MoreThe American Revolution : A Historiographical Introduction846 Words   |  4 Pages If I were to continue writing the article â€Å"The American Revolution: A Historiographical Introduction,† provided by The British Library I would choose to use a book titled â€Å"Revolutionary Characters: What Made The Founders Different,† written by Gordon S. Wood, and a book titled â€Å"Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation,† written by Joseph J Ellis as reference. The article â€Å"The American Revolution: A Historiographical Introduction,† provided by The British Library, goes over howRead MoreFounding Brothers1172 Words   |  5 PagesFOUDNING BROTHERS READING GUIDE INTRODUCTION 1. Why were major accomplishments of the Founding Brothers during the Revolution unprecedented? (3 Reasons) 2. What were the assets and liabilities of the men in New York in 1789 as they began to govern under the new Constitution? The assets and liabilities of men in New York in 1789 as they began to govern the New Constitution states on the asset side bountiful continent an ocean away from European conflict; young population of nearly 4

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Human Nature A Compilation of Many Definitions - 975 Words

Human nature is a widely controversial term, because it is so broad. Philosophers, writers, and thinkers throughout time have debated exactly what â€Å"human nature† refers to. Locke, Rousseau and Freud have very differing opinions on human nature. Although in some cases, they seem to contradict each other, the core roots of these three opinions can actually fit together to form a well-rounded definition of human nature: Humans are free at birth, with just primitive, instinctual needs, free to take justice into their own hands. After eventually entering society for safety, there are many more ideas and rules to be interpreted, so humans figure out how to cope with a civilized society, and still deal their natural instincts. This definition of human nature compiles three very different people’s theories, but because it works with three separate definitions, it actually covers all the bases in defining human nature. Locke’s ideas about human nature are spread throughout many of his works. He explains that humans in a natural state are in â€Å"a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature; without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man† (T 110). So essentially, before civilization, humans were absolutely free, and if someone were to wrong someone else, they would be free to punish them as they saw fit. Locke explains that this is â€Å"a state of equality whereinShow MoreRelatedHappiness and Impossible Standards in Aristotles The Nicomachean Ethics563 Words   |  3 PagesHumans, throughout recorded history, have searched for a proper way of living which would lead them to ultimate happiness; the Nicomachean Ethics, a compilation of lecture notes on the subject written by Greek philosopher Aristotle, is one of the most celebrated philosophical works dedic ated to this study of the way. As he describes it, happiness can only be achieved by acting in conformity with virtues, virtues being established by a particular culture’s ideal person operating at their top capacityRead MoreBenjamin Franklin Henry David Thoreau1043 Words   |  5 PagesFranklin had a lot of similar ways of life. The men didn’t believe in the Christian religious conviction of the time. Franklin supported Deism, in which people think that God shaped human beings and the soil, but would not get in the way of human development in it. Thoreau supported Transcendentalism, which is the faith that human beings are independent, unique people, who are one with the natural world. The beliefs of both these philosophers were very different than what the rest of society deemed sociallyRead MoreMeasuring Intelligence Through Objective, Culturally Unbiased Testing1236 Words   |  5 Pageslarge number of informal definitions of â€Å"intelligence† that [the y] collected over the years (A Collection of Definitions, 2007), the authors acknowledged that a complete list would be impossible as many definitions of intelligence are buried deep inside articles and books (idem). Beyond their own recognition about the limits of their compilation, even after careful analysis carried out by philosophers, psychologists and other scientists throughout human history, still there is notRead MoreDesign and Art by Alex Coles Essay814 Words   |  4 PagesIn this text, three essays extracted from the compilation â€Å"Design and Art† by Alex Coles, are being analyzed or commented. This three essays seek to explain a clear definition of the word design and then proceed to relate/separate design, giving details about the function and goals of design and determining the motto and characteristics of art. What is design? (Vilem Flusser, 1993) According to Charles Eames, design is the arrangement of elements, which accomplish a particular purpose. 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We experience this fallen world though the aspects of a novel: plot, setting, characterization, and theme (De Vore, Domenic, Kwan and Reidy)

The importance of the Baghdad School of Sufism Free Essays

string(91) " in order to grow closer to God was important and cemented the path forward for adherents\." Abstract The Baghdad School of Sufism has been argued to have had many important contributions to religion and the world. This study will examine the philosophy with the goal of determining the reach of Baghdadi Sufism and the influence that it has had on the world today. The evidence presented in the study confirms the argument that the tradition is well rooted throughout the religious establishment and has been a defining factor in modern international culture. We will write a custom essay sample on The importance of the Baghdad School of Sufism or any similar topic only for you Order Now This study will be of value to anyone studying the evolution of the Sufi tradition and the influence it has had. The importance of the Baghdad School of Sufism The Baghdad School of Sufism has had a profound impact across the entirety of the world of Islam from its inception to the modern day[1]. The â€Å"Sufiyya†, or Sufis, were forged out of a convergence of differing religious ideals that coalesced into a distinct movement within Baghdad during the second half of the third/ninth century[2]. The critical nature of this evolution of Islam was to give rise to a form of worship that devoted attention to attaining experiential knowledge of God, profound examination of the concept of a spiritual path, as well as the elevated nature of the friends of God[3]. The Sufi school of thought was built on the foundation of emerging trends taking root in the evolving cultural centre of Baghdad[4]. Brought about as a cultural means of bringing together disparate pieces of worship, Baghdadi Sufism serves to form a vital and valuable link to God for many around the world. This study will examine what importance the Baghdad School of Sufism has had on the world. Beginning with an overview that illustrates the definition of the Baghdadi Sufism tradition alongside a portion of the rich history that has given this tradition form, this essay will build an infrastructure upon which to develop theory. Following this section by identifying key leaders and teachers within the tradition will serve to demonstrate the nature of the philosophy and its attraction. A combination of the first sections will provide evidence that illuminates the fundamental value and importance that many have come to associate with the Baghdad School of Sufism. Baghdadi Sufism â€Å"Sufism is a reality without a form†[5]—Ibn al-Jala Baghdadi Sufism is argued to have taken shape as a social movement directly challenging the existent interpretive justification of the exoterically minded traditionalists[6]. The city of Baghdad was perceived as a centre of culture during this period of Sufi evolution which adds to the value of the emerging concepts capacity to reach most of the classical world. The rise of the city of Baghdad provided a fertile crossroads for mysticism and religion to come together in classic society[7]. Known as the â€Å"the lords of declaring God one†, there have long been debates regarding the veracity of the Baghdadi Sufi claim to a distinct school[8]. Others hold that the Sufi tradition is deeply unique and separate from all others[9]. The distinction between the Baghdadi Sufi and other classical traditions were evident during this period with some equating the early Sufi’s traditions with a moral laxity and private exploration[10]. Teachers among the early Sufi travelled in every direction with the intent to teach the emerging style of piety, which in turn was a fundamental shift away from existent practice[11]. In every respect, the nature of the Baghdadi Sufi stood ready to change the tradition and instil a growing sense of companionship with God. Ma’ruf al-Karkhi is argued to be present at the inception of the Bagdad School of Sufism[12]. This legendary social figure was born of a Christian background in the karkh quarter of Bagdad. Through his teachings, he brought the element of Kufan ascetic piety to the Sufi tradition[13]. Incorporating the elements of mysticism and Islamic asceticism served to offer insights into the nature of God. Others argued that his combination was adverse to the traditional paths to worship[14]. This element of teaching was of a critical nature as it was a counter point to the ecstatic and uncontrollable religious immersion of the era[15]. Conversly, opposition to this used these very elements to prove that the sect was mistaken[16] Islam is built upon the concept of social religion that compels a believer to take an active role in the family or community as defined by the Qur’an and hadij[17]. This fostered a very important sense of duty and respect for culture and society which in turn was a critical component of the teachings of the Baghdadi Sufism traditions. Bishr al Hafi, the barefooted, served as an important example to the worshipers during the formation of the Baghdadi Sufism[18]. He led the masses to a life of scrupulous expression of religious piety, whereby they grew closer to God. Succinctly, al-Hafi incorporated the simplicity of his worship in these words illustrating his devotion, â€Å"Nothing is left to me of the pleasures of this world but lying down on my side under the heavens in the Dome of the Rock.†[19] This unswerving devotion to God, served to build a following that would develop into Sufism. Leaders and Teachers of Baghdadi Sufism â€Å"If intellect were a man, it would have the form of Junayd†[20].One of the fundamental teachers of the Baghdadi Tradition has been heralded with finding a means to transform the nature of Islam away from excess into a more ‘sober’ form. Junayd is argued to have refined the very art of speaking in isharat, an allusion to the truth that became a fundamental characteristic Sufi writing[21]. The importance of this concept is fundamental as Junayd utilized his connection with God to consistently purify the mind and body in order to be closer to the divine[22]: â€Å"We did not take Sufism from talk and words, but from hunger and renunciation of the world and cutting off the things to which we were accustomed and which we found agreeable†[23].This concept of divesting the individual in order to grow closer to God was important and cemented the path forward for adherents. You read "The importance of the Baghdad School of Sufism" in category "Essay examples" In this tradition, Junayd was able to divide the Sufi tradition into recognizable elements including the renunciation, the devotion and remembrance of God, sincerity and contemplation[24]. This establishment of tradition was vital during an era that had an influx of mysticism and religious devotions. Further, this division led to the formation of understandable steps to finding God[25]. This attainment of spirituality or ‘fana’, or the passing away of self-consciousness taught a believer how to find the wisdom of God in order to live a better life[26]. This approach was a clear distinction from other forms of worship taught by Junayd that related to the logical expression of mysticism thereby forming the ‘sober’ attribution[27]. The creation of a ‘sober’ Sufism was an important concept in that it sought to rein in those that absorbed themselves in the worship of God to the exclusion of all else[28]. In this form of Sufism it was vital that the adherent allow God to return them to their body in order to retain their footing in the world. This was a very transformative teaching as Junayd asserted that as a person approaches God, they must become separate from their ego or self-consciousness in order to escape the imprisonment or the diminishment of progress[29]. Further, this was a concept that suggested a return to a higher state of spiritual being as in the Day of the Covenant. Junayds teaching demonstrated that the Baghdadi Sufi tradition was a light in the darkness, describing their vital role as: â€Å"God has made them unfurled flags of truth, lighthouses erected for guidance, beaten path for humanity. These are indeed the scholars among the Muslims, the truly trusting among the faithful, the noblest of those who are pious†[30] This set the Sufi apart from the typical adherent in that it allowed them to teach that their approach was mirrored in the eyes of God. Further, these teachers were given important positions in the culture following the teachings of Junayd: â€Å"They are those who guide in the crises of religion and theirs is the light which leads in the darkness of ignorance†¦.God has made them the symbol of His mercy for His creatures, and a blessing of whom He chooses. They are the instruments whereby he instructs the ignorant, reminds the negligent, guides the seeker aright.†[31] This is a concept that divided the tradition as Junayd taught that this state of spirituality could be attained and still provide for God in a person’s everyday life, or the state of baqa[32]. It was this critical formation of fana/baqa that enabled society to understand the devotion necessary to attain spiritual remedies, yet remain effective in the culture. This approach further elevated the Sufi in the eyes of their fellows, making this an important allocation of authority[33]. This Sufi concept as taught by Junayd illustrated the perception that â€Å"Only the extinction of the ego in the divine Oneness could satisfy both the necessity of initiation and religious orthodoxy†[34]. Sufism strives to reach the ideal balance that Junayd taught could be attained between esoterism and exoterism in the expression of Islam. This method early on taught the very important concept that reverberates in the modern era: ‘There is no god but God’[35]. In the Baghdadi tradition, humans are viewed as God-servants, which in turn grant them opportunity for audience on the Day of the Covenant[36]. This illustration of value in the tradition is vital to provide incentive for the believers to work for the promised intimate closeness that is to arrive upon the Day of the Covenant[37]. A far reaching implication of the adherence to the Baghdadi doctrines rests in the cultural adjustment that accompanies the spiritual journey. The piety measures instilled in the sober approach are attained through the domestication of the lower self, through deprivation and reduction, which in many cases means seclusion and poverty[38]. This was broadly appealing to those outside the Sufi circles as well. Upon Sufism becoming a recognized tradition these same principles attracted a substantial number of Jews interested in Conversion[39]. Judaism is credited with having a large influence during the early years of Sufi emergence enhancing the ease of inco rporated elements of each tradition, which in turn added depth and attraction for potential followers. This formation of tradition based on Baghdadi Sufism resulted in an important cultural result including the formation of Sufi communities[40]. Utilizing the core teaching of the Baghdadi Sufi tradition enabled a thriving community to grow, which in turn elevated the leaders into positions of societal power. Alongside the expansion of reach and power of the Sufi tradition rests the leaders, or Shayks ascension into the leadership opportunities[41]. This is a direct result of the religious expression of value within the Sufi society that has allowed the society to take a greater control in the governing of their world. The Baghdadi Sufism tradition As the Baghdadi Sufi tradition gained ground there was a very real expansion of the philosophical conception that served to influence generations of worshipers[42]. The Sufi tradition began to spread across Western Iran into Arabia and beyond. This in itself signalled a growing integration that has led to modern issues. Many equate the Sufi movement with a branch of the Sunni Islam, which is a division of wider cultural identifications[43]. This modern cultural division has arisen in part due to the separate interpretations of the means to attain spirituality. The modern world of Sufi has a clear delineation for those that rest outside of their philosophy[44]. Yet, this value of tradition among the Baghdadi Sufi culture has the potential to lead to tremendous examples of piety[45]. Over time the Sufi communities that have sprung up due to the teaching of Baghdadi Sufism tradition, have become a brotherhood that profess specific forms of worship[46]. This practice continues the teaching of the Sufi and enables interpretation of the traditions. In every facet of life the modern impact of the Baghdadi Sufi tradition influences adherent’s day to day existence in a dramatic fashion[47]. Conclusion Junayd described the Baghdadi Sufi tradition as: â€Å"†¦noble qualities made manifest by the Noble One (Al-Karim) at a noble time through a noble man from among a group of noble men†[48]. This philosophy served to provide the mystical essence of Islam a place to take form. Serving the vital purpose of welding the diverse cultures and beliefs together into an understandable concept, the very inception of the Baghdadi Sufi tradition was a very important religious evolution. The subsequent adherence to the ‘sober’ Sufi led to a piety movement that has transformed a culture, shaping the very means by which believers live their daily lives. Lessons espoused by the Baghdadi Sufi’s, including the need to step away from the self in order to find God have found their way into people’s lives across the world. Further, the concept that it is possible to both find God and still walk in the world enable the Sufi culture to thrive in a very complicated religious environment. The influence of the Baghdad School of Sufism has managed to touch even those that are unaware of it as followers continue to live their life as an example of what it means to be truly spiritual. In the end, the Baghdadi Sufism expression of reverence has not only been fundamentally important to the evolution of modern religion it has incorporated many elements that are continually echoed around the modern world. Bibliography Abun-Nasr, J. 2007. Muslim communities of grace. New York: Columbia University Press. Chiabotti, F. 1970. A Soaring Minaret. Abu Bakr al-Wasiti and the Rise of Baghdadi Sufism (Albany, 2010). Bulletin d’’etudes orientales. Ephrat, D. 2008. Spiritual wayfarers, leaders in piety. Cambridge, Mass.: Distributed for the Center for Middle Eastern Studies of Harvard University by Harvard University Press. Frank, D. and Leaman, O. 1996. Routledge history of world philosophies. London [etc.]: Routledge. Geoffroy, E. and Gaetani, R. 2010. Introduction to Sufism. Bloomington, Ind.: World Wisdom. Karamustafa, A. 2007. Sufism. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Knysh, A. 2000. Islamic mysticism. Leiden, the Netherlands: Brill. P. 1-200 Landolt, H. and Lawson, T. 2005. Reason and inspiration in Islam. London: I.B. Tauris. Melchert, C. 2001. The hanabila and the Early Sufis. Arabica, 3 (1), pp. 352-367. Melchert, C. 2005. Ba?ran Origins of Classical Sufism. Der Islam, 82 (2), pp. 221–240. Melchert, C. 2001. Sufis and competing movements in Nishapur. Iran, 39 pp. 237–247. Neale, H. 2007. Sufism, godliness and popular Islamic storytelling in Fari?d al-Di?n ?At?t?a?r’s Tad?kiratu-l- ?awliya. Renard, J. 2009. Tales of God’s friends. Berkeley: University of California Press. Schimmel, A. 1975. Mystical dimensions of Islam. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. Sells, M. 1996. Early Islamic Mysticism: Sufi, Koran, Mi’raj, Poetic and Theological Writings. Mahway, New Jersey. Pauliast Press. Silvers, L. 2013. A soaring Minaret: Abu Bakr al-Wasiti and the Rise of the Baghdadi Sufism. Wong, E. 2005. Sufis Under Attack as Sunni Rifts Widen. NYTimes, 1 (2), pp. 1-3. [Accessed: 2 Dec 2013]. Wright, J. 1995. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. Cambridge Univ Press. [1] Karamustafa, A. 2007. Sufism. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. p. 20 [2] Ibid p. 20 [3] Ibid p. 20 [4] Knysh, A. 2000. Islamic mysticism. Leiden, the Netherlands: Brill. p.48 [5] Geoffroy, E. and Gaetani, R. 2010. Introduction to Sufism. Bloomington, Ind.: World Wisdom. p. 1 [6] Silvers, L. 2013. A soaring Minaret: Abu Bakr al-Wasiti and the Rise of the Baghdadi Sufism p. 3. [7] Ibid. p. 3 [8] Ibid, p. 26 [9] Geoffroy et al p. 2 [10]Melchert, C. 2001. The hanabila and the Early Sufis. Arabica, 3 (1), p. 352. [11] Karamustafa, A. 2007 p. 30 [12] Frank, D. and Leaman, O. 1996. Routledge history of world philosophies. London [etc.]: Routledge. [13] Ibid p. 49 [14] Schimmel A. 1975. Mysitical Dimensions of Islam. Chapel Hill: University fo North Carolina Press. P. 57 [15] Ibid. p. 58 [16] Neale, H. 2007. Sufism, godliness and popular Islamic storytelling in Fari?d al-Di?n ?At?t?a?r’s Tad?kiratu-l- ?awliya? [17] ?.Ibid, p. 20 [18] Ephrat, D. 2008. Spiritual wayfarers, leaders in piety. Cambridge, Mass. p. 16 [19] Ibid, p. 18 [20] Schimmel, A. 1975. p. 58 [21] Schimmel, A. 1975 p. 61 [22] Ibid, p. 58 [23] Ibid, p. 59 [24] Sells, M. 1996. Early Islamic Mysticism: Sufi, Koran, Mi’raj, Poetic and Theological Writings. p. 27. [25] Sells M. 1996. p. 28. [26] Karamustafa, A. 2007 p. 2 [27] Ibid p. 28 [28] Geoffroy, E. and Gaetani, R. 2010. Introduction to Sufism. Bloomington, Ind.: World Wisdom. p. 72. [29] Karamustafa, A. 2007 p. 3 [30] Ibid. p. 18 [31] Karamustafa, A. 2007 p. 18 [32] Ibid. p. 72. [33] Ibid p. 72 [34] Ibid. p. 72 [35] Karamustafa, A. 2007. p. 19 [36] Knysh 2000 p. 755 [37] Ibid. 20. [38] Ibid. 21 [39] Knysh 2000 p. 755 [40] Karamustafa 2007 p. 31 [41] Ibid. p. 31 [42] Karamustafa, A. 2007 p. 56 [43] Wong, E. 2005. Sufis Under Attack as Sunni Rifts Widen. NYTimes, 1 (2), pp. 1-3. [Accessed: 2 Dec 2013]. [44] Ibid. p. 2 [45] Ibid. p. 3 [46] Abun-Nasr, J. 2007. Muslim communities of grace. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 1 [47] Ibid. p. 140 [48] Renard, J. 2009. Tales of God’s friends. Berkeley: University of California Press. How to cite The importance of the Baghdad School of Sufism, Essay examples

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Plastic Sergury Essay Example

Plastic Sergury Essay A study by Psychology Today magazine shows that many people are not satisfied with their looks: 60,000,000 do not like their noses; 30,000,000 do not like their chins; 6,000,000 do not like their ears and another 6,000,000 do not like their eyes. Unfortunately, with the help of cosmetic surgery, society tries to meet the perfect body image. But is it the universal remedy? Certainly not. To begin with, however small the operation might be, there is always a chance something goes wrong. The numbers are very alarming: in 20% of surgical operations, the patient has to recover from the damage experienced. Although serious risks such as blindness and heavy lung problems are rather rare, less serious ones should not be neglected: chronic pain, allergic reaction, delayed or prolonged healing, In any case, cosmetic surgery is far from pain free. And what is more, a rather large number of surgeries have already failed. That is to say: the ‘miracle worker caused many people to die because of operations that were far from needed. Take the 36-year old housewife, Lorraine Batt, for instance. As a result of a surgery which was attempt to remove a scar caused by a caesarean section, she came to an untimely death. We will write a custom essay sample on Plastic Sergury specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Plastic Sergury specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Plastic Sergury specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Such tragic events are a strong warning that our society has to be less appearance-focused. In addition, effects of surgery will not last. The cosmetic surgery may make you younger for a few years, but life goes on and the wrinkles come back. It is as unnatural to try to possess eternal youth, as it is to oppose the ageing process. Moreover, silicone implants have to be replaced within fifteen years. Yet the fact that this implies a new surgery is often forgotten. A common ground to go through this procedure is to make oneself more confident, comfortable and stronger than others. There are, however, costs to such modifications. The notion that millions of pounds are spent on cosmetic surgery, while millions of people in developing countries need that money, is objectionable. Is it impossible in our modern world to realize this ‘technical innovation is in fact another example of our western selfishness and self-love? Furthermore, is it right to change the body you are given and transform it into ‘something you are not? Every single person is unique and that is what makes life so special. The outside appearance is the representation of the inner-self. Therefore, drastically redesigning your looks causes strange effects, which was, for example, the case with Michael Jackson. If your personality is lacking, your appearance will suffer too. Consequently, cosmetic surgery does not make you a different person. As wonderful as this piece of modern medical technology may sound, cosmetic surgery is not all that advantageous and in most of all cases, it is not needed. There is no point in transforming a healthy body. That is why the idea of the perfect body image has to be forgotten, and it has to be recognized that everyone is a special human being. nd May 2008 julielai: I suggest taking out the fourth paragraph all together. But make sure your essay is long enough for your assignment. Perhaps elaborating a bit more on the deaths? Cosmetic surgery: a miracle worker? A study by Psychology Today magazine shows that many people are not satisfied with their looks: 60,000,000 do not like their noses; 30,000,000 do not like their chins; 6,000,0 00 do not like their ears and another 6,000,000 do not like their eyes. Unfortunately, with the help of cosmetic surgery,  society tries  (people, not society? to meet the perfect body image. But is it the universal remedy? Certainly not. To begin with, however small the operation might be, there is always a chance something goes wrong. The numbers are very alarming: in 20% of surgical operations, the patient has to recover from the damage experienced. (This kind of contradicts the the deaths you mention later):  Typical side effects include  chronic pain, allergic reaction, delayed or prolonged healing,  not to mention the pain the patient will feel after the operation. But the real risk lies in the possiblitity that the surgery may fail. That is to say: the ‘miracle worker caused many people to die because of operations that were far from needed. Take the 36-year old housewife, Lorraine Batt, for instance. As a result of a surgery  Ã‚  to remove a scar caused by a caesarean section, she came to an untimely death. Such tragic events are a strong warning that our society has to be less appearance-focused. In addition, effects of surgery will not last. The cosmetic surgery may make you younger for a few years, but life goes on and the wrinkles come back. It is as unnatural to try to possess eternal youth, as it is to oppose the ageing process. Moreover, silicone implants have to be replaced within fifteen years. Yet the fact that this implies a new surgery is often forgotten. Furthermore, is it right to change the body you are given and transform it into ‘something you are not? Every single person is unique and that is what makes life so special. The outside appearance is the representation of the inner-self. Therefore, drastically redesigning your looks causes strange effects, which was  the case with Michael Jackson. If your personality is lacking, your appearance will suffer too. Consequently, cosmetic surgery does not make you a different person. As wonderful as this piece of modern medical technology may sound, cosmetic surgery is not all that advantageous and in most of all cases, it is not needed. There is no point in transforming a healthy body. That is why the idea of the perfect body image has to be forgotten, and it has to be recognized that everyone is a special human being.