The defining feature of Modern culture Free Essays

Modern culture is a direct derivative of and at the same time antithesis of co-existence with nature. The defining feature of Modern culture (adopting the Herder’s definition as â€Å"the practices and beliefs which form the self-identity of a tribe† and not the Humboldt’s version of distinguishing common and high cultures)(Scruton 2) is its increasing distance from the nature and its attempts to understand and divulge the secrets or facets of nature, hither to left unappreciated or not understood. In the history of human civilization (ironically, Civilization means the history of city dwelling population) the pace at which technology improved has grown exponentially since the late 19th century. We will write a custom essay sample on The defining feature of Modern culture or any similar topic only for you Order Now This growth in technology has spurred the redefining of central values attached to human life. The beneficiaries of the technological advances, the huge sections of societies, seldom bother themselves with the philosophical depths of questions that the increasing use of technology and the alienation form nature poses to their central core. However, the tension that resonates between nature and technology is a legacy of inherited historical human values pitted against the negation of the basis of these values in technology. Technology seeks to explore and lay bare while a co-existence with nature demands a certain amount of surrender. Since these two approaches have to be combined in the modern life, there is ambivalence in the approach people are forced to take to their existence. As George Simmel mentions in his work â€Å"The Metropolis and Mental Life†, the deepest problems of modern life are because of the attempts of man to maintain his individuality in the face of changing historic and technological perspectives. (Simmel 11) One basic shift in the modern life to the other forms of society which had a greater correlation with nature is the change in approach to Life in general. Modern life, with it increasing use of technology aims to quantify everything while co-existence with nature left a lot of qualitative and subjective parameters in place. The resultant void is generally seen as the force that generates the tension between nature and technology. (The dismantling of the religious structure by socialist countries without placing an alternate belief system in place, which saw a huge spurt in religious activity once the socialist structures themselves, crumbled, is an example of a void based on qualitative beliefs and necessity of such beliefs). Modern culture instills a sense of measurement to everything involved in daily life, while co-existence with nature demands suspension of reason to a certain extent. There is an Indian Proverb which roughly translates to â€Å"Plucking the petals of the Rose will not reveal where its beauty lies†. Same is the case with the stimuli caused by nature where suspension of reason is a primary requisite to respond to them. A magnificient sunset is a visual pleasure accorded by nature which cannot be deciphered by any technological quantification measures. â€Å"Whilst Man involuntarily moulds his Life according to the notions he has gathered from his arbitrary views of Nature, and embalms their intuitive expression in Religion: these notions become for him in Science the subject of conscious, intentional review and scrutiny. † (Richard Wagner, 73). In trying to explain the basic differences between Nature and technology Wagner also indicates almost accurately at the reasons for conflict. When viewed in the light of Simmel’s description of man’s emotional responses as he says â€Å"Man is a creature whose existence is dependent on differences, i. e. his mind is stimulated by the difference between present impressions and those that have preceded. † (Simmel 325). But the rapidity with which a person part of the modern culture is accosted by such stimuli is what differentiates his responses. The increasing proximity to his species and in a way that would not have been possible to any of his preceding generations creates a sense of detachment from most stimuli and prevents him from reacting with the same intensity compared to only a few generations earlier. In short, modern culture forces man to react with his head than his heart. This, Simmel argues creates a blase attitude – a defining characteristic of modern culture. â€Å"†¦incapacity to react to new stimulations with the required amount of energy constitutes in fact that blase attitude which every child of a large city evinces hen compared with the products of the more peaceful and more stable milieu† Simmel 14 Advancement in technology creates increased urbanization where people are removed from nature and so closely compressed with one another that their nervous stimulation is hyper excited to become blase. This leads to a state of denial to all other impulses accorded by nature, which are inherently non-quantifiable. Wagner articulates this alienation of Science and nature in more vocal and less scientific terms. Technology, as mentioned earlier is a result of efforts to understand and harness the energies available in nature, acquires arrogance through its practitioners that it tries to rob the soul of all human interactions with nature. â€Å"And truly Science, in her overweening arrogance, has dreamed of such a triumph; as witness our tight-reined State and modern Art, the sexless, barren children of this dream. † This tension between nature and its instincts as expressed in human emotions and the increasing needs of rational responses conditioned by a technology-driven society are reflected in the probing questions of the late nineteenth and the early twentieth century literature and art forms. Kafkaesque depictions of society not recognizing its traditional pains and bonds due to the demands of the modern culture are common in most art forms. To drive the point home, in his novella â€Å"Metamorphosis† Kafka paints a picture of the emptiness of modern existence. Seen by many as the gateway to modern literature, it justifies Simmel’s views that the values of modern culture create certain bluntness to responses to stimuli. While it is important to acknowledge the tension between technology (or the changes in life due to technology) and nature as an essential part of the modern cultural set up, it is a learning to understand how this disparity or tension is dealt with. The creation of the modern idiom is largely an effect of the interplay between nature and technology. Additionally, the increased integration of technology has made people more used to viewing their renewed values in a different light. In fact most surviving sensibilities are modern in nature and the exotic feel accorded to romantic art of the previous generations is precisely the result of the contrast. Besides, modern art does adopt the modern life and especially urban living aspect of modern life more readily than was anticipated by the early proponents of modernism. As Wagner argues, Art as an expression of man’s interaction with nature and the resultant emotions – awe or aversion, hope or despair, love or revulsion, harmony or agitation- has in fact been aided by the modern culture. In his typically poetic prose Wagner describes, â€Å" This did the life-force, the life-need, of telluric Nature nurture once those baleful forces – or rather the potentiality of those alliances and, offspring of the elements – which blocked her way in giving true and fitting utterance to the fullness of her vital energy†(Wagner 9) He also seems to say that the potential for abundance brought on by the revolutionary availability of technology affords the luxury of pursuing art for art’s sake for people pf the modern era – all the while remembering that art is the truest form of depicting or connecting with Nature, both internal and external. Besides, a fuller and more complete appreciation of Nature as a separate entity and an ally has blossomed after the initial years of tension with Technology. Though initial years of modern culture and civilization were alarming in the fact that the alienation with nature was at once complete and seemingly irreparable, yet the situation has changed. As with everything and as Darwin would have proudly pointed out, mankind has adapted quite well to this dichotomy of Nature and Technology and has realized the necessity to keep both these aspects of his existence in good humor – all the time. Though it can be argued that most ailments of modern society, like the environmental degradation, lack of trust in human interactions, increasing and pointless violence, or the break down of civilized society in some pockets are essentially the manifestations of the tension between a nature-embracing living and Technology dependent living, it is the way forward. As Man has learnt continuously from all his endeavors both successful and perilously unsuccessful, modern culture has given a unique perspective to watch Nature in all its glory and make it an ally in pursuing higher spiritual goals. Works Cited Wagner, Richard. The Art Work of the Future. Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 2004. Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 2004 Simmel, Georg Kurt Wolff. The sociology of Georg Simmel. Translated by kurt Wolff Washington DC: Free Press, 1950 Scruton, Roger. Modern Culture. NewYork: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2007 How to cite The defining feature of Modern culture, Papers

Speech on save water save life free essay sample

Save water, save life Water is necessary for life. Water is needed for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes. Three-fourth of Earths surface is covered by water bodies. 97 per cent of this water is present in oceans as salt water and is unfit for human consumption. Fresh water accounts for only about 2.7 per cent. Nearly 70 per cent of this occurs as ice sheets and glaciers n Antarctica and other inaccessible places. Only one per cent of fresh water is available and fit for human use. So it is very important to conserve this precious resource. And yet we are contaminating the existing water resources with sewage, toxic chemicals and other wastes. Increasing population and rapid urbanisation has led to over-use of water resources leading to water pollution and scarcity. Water scarcity can be defined as a situation when people dont have enough water to fulfil their basic needs. India is one of the many countries that are facing water scarcity today. We will write a custom essay sample on Speech on save water save life or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat, women have to cover long distances on foot in order to get a pot of water. In cities like Bangalore, a family has to spend from Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 to meet their daily water needs. The problem becomes severe during summer months when availability of water decreases again. A recent study has revealed that about 25 per cent of urban population lack the accessibility to fresh water. Also there are several cases of privatisation of water bodies. This often leads to water scarcity in the nearby areas. There are different methods to deal with water scarcity. Rain water harvesting is the best and most suitable method. Forest and other vegetation cover reduce surface runoff and recharge ground water. So, practise afforestation. We can also promote water conservation through media and by conducting public awareness programmes. By practising these simple steps we can conserve water and ensure the availability of water to future generations. So dont tarry; start saving each and every drop of water. Let our motto be â€Å"Save water, save life, save the world†. Save Water Save Life Water being one of the most essential necessity of life, becoming an increasing scare resource, needs careful planning and management. Availability of safe quality drinking water is being reduced due to pollution from sewage and industrial waste. So water should be meticulously  harnessed and carefully conserved. It should be economically used and safely disposed off after usage. The need of the hour is sustainable water management, specially in the context of meeting the demands of an increasing population. Simply put, it means managing our finite water resources for present needs while keeping in mind the future requirement of next generation. It also means looking at fresh water as an exhaustible, natural and essential resource and seeing watershed areas as sustainable units of water resource development and management. Uttarakhand State, whose glacial peaks and beautiful valleys hold age-old ecological secretes, is a measure water bank for North India. Its 1917 glaciers spreadi ng over 3550 Sq. km, comprise a perennial source of water. The state is largely made up of mountainous areas full of forest, which cradle many rivers and natural water sources. These natural sources are nourished by rain water, which is the biggest source of water on this planet. Ironically, today the people of these mountainous areas are in the vice-like grip of water scarcity. Increasing population has resulted in an unsustainable demand for water, soil erosion in watershed areas, increasing silting of rivers and streams, and depletion of groundwater reserves. Uttarakhand receives an average annual rainfall of 1240 mm, much of which flows into the rivers. If we conserved a bare 0.68% of this rainwater, it would fulfill the drinking water requirement of Uttarakhand. The conservation of 2.36% would suffice irrigation requirement. It means the conservation of a mere 3% of annual rainfall holds the key to the alleviation of the States woes! Considering the importance of water as a life sustaining resource we should launch intensive awareness campaigns for optimum water utilization and management. We should give information on different techniques of water collection, conservation and harvesting. To save water, the ground water table should be properly recharged by water harvesting schemes (making roof harvesting structures). The ancient Naulas, Dharas, Gadharas, Khals and Ponds should be protected from being polluted at their source because these are the main sources of drinking water schemes. The quality of drinking water should also be monitored. Further, linking water conservation programs with Income generating activities will also be beneficial. So water should be save and conserved.

Argument Analysis for First Meditation free essay sample

When we are dreaming, such particulars as these are not true: that we are opening our eyes, moving our head and extending our hands. (Assumption) 2. Things seen during the slumber are like painted images. (Assumption) 3. Painted images could only have been produced in the likeness of true things. (Assumption) 4. Therefore, the general things of painted images are true and exist. (Conclusion from 3) 5. The general things in dreams are not imaginary things, but are true and exist. (Conclusion from 2 and 4) 6.When painters are painting images, by means of bizarre form or even by creating utterly flouters and false fashion, the color Is true and exists. (Assumption) 7. In dreams, although the general things could be imaginary, certain other things which are even more simple and universal are true and exist. (Conclusion from 2 and 6) In this part of First Meditation, Descartes tries to set up the argument that although there are many false inceptions and things in dreams, there must be some simple and universal things which are true. We will write a custom essay sample on Argument Analysis for First Meditation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page His idea is explanatory and interesting but bears some defects.So I would say his argument is not convincing enough. In the first place, the definition of dream is not clearly defined and the analogy between the things in dreams and the painted images Is hard to accept. Therefore, he couldnt reach his further conclusion. On one hand, painted Images are created on real materials, Like papers and colors. Painted Images could be saved and protected. However, we couldnt keep, save or touch dreams. Dreams dont have a solid material to stick to. How should we define dreams? Descartes are not explaining these ambiguous concepts for dreams.

25 Unforgettable James Joyce Quotes

25 Unforgettable James Joyce Quotes James Joyce was one of the most famous and controversial writers of the 20th century. His epic novel,  Ulysses  (published in 1922),  is widely considered one of the greatest books in Western literature. However, it  was criticized and banned in many places upon its release. His other key works include  Finnegans Wake (1939), A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916),  and the short story collection  Dubliners (1914). ï » ¿Joyce’s works are often known for using a stream of consciousness  literary technique, through which Joyce gave readers insight into his characters’ thought processes. Below are some famous quotes from James Joyce. Fast Facts: James Joyce James Joyce was born in Dublin in 1882 and died in Zurich in 1941.Joyce spoke numerous languages and studied at University College Dublin.Joyce was married to Nora Barnacle.Although most of Joyce’s works are set in Ireland, he spent very little time there as an adult.Joyce’s famous novel Ulysses was considered controversial when it was first released and was even banned in many places.Joyce’s works are considered an example of modernist literature, and they use the â€Å"stream of consciousness† technique. James Joyce Quotes About Writing, Art, and Poetry He tried to weigh his soul to see if it was a poets soul. (Dubliners) Shakespeare is the happy hunting ground of all minds that have lost their balance. (Ulysses) The artist, like the God of the creation, remains within or behind or beyond or above his handiwork, invisible, refined out of existence, indifferent, paring his fingernails. (A  Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race. (A  Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) Writing in English is the most ingenious torture ever devised for sins committed in previous lives. The English reading public explains the reason why. (letter to Fanny Guillermet, 1918) Poetry, even when apparently most fantastic, is always a revolt against artifice, a revolt, in a sense, against actuality. It speaks of what seems fantastic and unreal to those who have lost the simple intuitions which are the test of reality; and, as it is often found at war with its age, so it makes no account of history, which is fabled by the daughters of memory. (Selected letters of James Joyce) He wanted to cry quietly but not for himself: for the words, so beautiful and sad, like music. (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) The supreme question about a work of art is out of how deep a life does it spring. (Ulysses) The object of the artist is the creation of the beautiful. What the beautiful is is another question.  (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) To discover the mode of life or of art whereby my spirit could express itself in unfettered freedom. (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) [A writer is] a priest of eternal imagination, transmuting the daily bread of experience into the radiant body of everliving life. (Selected letters of James Joyce) James Joyce Quotes About Love I had never spoken to her, except for a few casual words, and yet her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood. (Dubliners) I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes. (Ulysses) His heart danced upon her movements like a cork upon a tide. He heard what her eyes said to him from beneath their cowl and knew that in some dim past, whether in life or revery, he had heard their tale before. (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) Love loves to love love. (Ulysses) Why is it that words like these seem dull and cold? Is it because there is no word tender enough to be your name? (The Dead) Her lips touched his brain as they touched his lips, as though they were a vehicle of some vague speech and between them he felt an unknown and timid preasure, darker than the swoon of sin, softer than sound or odor. (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) I did not know whether I would ever speak to her or not or, if I spoke to her, how I could tell her of my confused adoration. But my body was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires. (Dubliners) James Joyce Quotes About Fame and Glory Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age. (Dubliners) A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery. (Ulysses) James Joyce Quotes About Being Irish When the Irishman is found outside of Ireland in another environment, he very often becomes a respected man. The economic and intellectual conditions that prevail in his own country do not permit the development of individuality. No one who has any self-respect stays in Ireland but flees afar as though from a country that has undergone the visitation of an angered Jove. (James Joyce, lecture:  Ireland, Island of Saints and Sages) No God for Ireland! he cried. We have had too much God in Ireland. Away with God! (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) This race and this country and this life produced me, he said. I shall express myself as I am. (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) The soul ... has a slow and dark birth, more mysterious than the birth of the body. When the soul of a man is born in this country there are nets flung at it to hold it back from flight. You talk to me of nationality, language, religion. I shall try to fly by those nets. (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) When I die, Dublin will be written on my heart. (Selected letters of James Joyce)

Igor Stravinsky Essays - Igor Stravinsky, Free Essays, Term Papers

Igor Stravinsky Essays - Igor Stravinsky, Free Essays, Term Papers Igor Stravinsky As a composer, Igor Stravinsky knew many conductors. Later, he wrote an essay about them. What could he write about them? What would your typical composer have to say about conductors? Surprisingly, when Stravinsky wrote about conductors he became very critical. Sarcasm and mockery permeate throughout the passage when he discusses them. Stravinsky uses a few schemes to convince his reader of the conductor's insignificance. First, the language Stravinsky uses in his passage is very caustic. In a few places, he goes beyond his arguments into simple denunciations and attacks on the conductors. "The conductor is encouraged to impose a purely egotistical, false, and arbitrary authority, and that he is accorded a position out of all proportion to his real value in the musical, as opposed to the music-business, community," he says in one of such places. It is obvious that Stravinsky holds a personal grudge against the conductors; being a musician, he must have come across them many times. He says, "conducting, like politics, rarely attracts original minds." Stravinsky uses the word "original" in a different way than it is normally used. In English, "original" means first, or new. In Russian, however, to call a person original means to say that he is smart, that he comes with resourceful ideas. Since Stravinsky was Russian, that is what he probably meant. Therefore in his first sentence, Stravinsky say! s that, more or less, almost all conductors are stupid. The whole passage is more of an insult to all conductors, rather than an informative text. Secondly, Stravinsky uses comparisons to politicians in order condemn the conductors. "Conducting, like politics, rarely attracts original minds ? His [the conductor's] first skill has to be power politics," he says in the first paragraph. Politicians are always thought to be corrupt, dishonest, and insidious. In fact, politician is a word that is always associated with something evil. This method of attacking is effective, though primitive; there is a bit of politics in practically every job. Furthermore, Stravinsky fails to note exactly how a conductor is similar to a politician, apart from saying that conducting, like politics, is not a profession for the exact and standardized disciplines. In another quote, he compares the effect of the public on the conductor's ego to the effect the sun has on a tropical weed. Again, this is based more on emotion than cold logic; yet, it manages to convince the reader that conducting is not a profession to be admired. It is clear that St! ravinsky is not appealing to the logic of the reader, but to his emotions. Another strategy Stravinsky uses is sarcasm. He shows a quote naming a conductor to be a "titan of the podium, and is such very nearly the worst obstacle to genuine music making." Furthermore, he names the conductors to be "great," and he discusses the "cult of the great conductor." These names, as opposed to his entire passage, are ironic. After spending an entire passage criticizing conductors and their socalled "greatness," praising them seems satiric. As we have seen from his language and comparisons, it is part of Stravinsky's strategy to undermine the conductors in any way he can, and sarcasm fits well into his plan. The sarcasm is an effective way of criticizing the conductors: Stravinsky even finishes the essay with it in his last sentence "If you are unable to listen to the music, you watch the corybantics, and if you are able, you had better not go to the concert." Most of Stravinsky's argument is based on the fact that people mistake the conductors gestures for the meaning of the music, and place more emphasis on the conductors looks rather than the way he makes music sound. This makes the people think the conductor is "great" while the conductor is actually unfit for his role. This is part of a human tendency to "judge a book by its cover," to formulate an opinion based on what something appears to be, while a closer examination may reveal something different.

Week 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Week 6 - Essay Example Manufacture of aircraft parts involves many risks and therefore the need to develop a good risk response plan. The risks involved in the manufacture of aircraft parts vary widely. The risks may be financial, supplier related or directly related to the manufacturing process. Aerospace manufacturers rely more heavily on the global suppliers which increase to risks. Aircraft parts manufacturers therefore are more exposed to supply chain disruptions leading to disruptions in the production schedules. This is harmful to the learning of the business as there is usually corporate upheaval and loss of sales. The risks of a supplier of raw materials may be reputational, financial regulatory or worse still penalties. Some of the parts manufacturing may also be outsourced to other manufacturers therefore the company may face risks of getting parts that are incompatible with one another. This further delays the manufacture of the aerospace industry parts. The manufacturers also face the challenges of overrelying on one supplier of specific parts. In case there is a problem with the supplier, the manufacturing process is disrupted and the manufacturer incurs huge losses. The manufacturing process risks include injury from the metals parts, chemicals and the power. This may generally harm the employees who may seek compensation from the manufacturer. The manufacture of aerospace parts involves use of high temperatures and high voltages. Also the chemicals used are inflammable therefore if handled without care they may explode (Huskamp & Lyons, par 2). The probability of risk occurrence can be measured through use of previously collected data. The probability of occurrence of raw materials and parts suppliers related risks can be estimated through the evaluation of the financial status of the supplier. When the financial status of the supplier is above board, there is less

Cultural Encounters and Cultural Exemptions Essay

Cultural Encounters and Cultural Exemptions - Essay Example t can then allow for a further examination of the how cultural exemption can be defined in terms of fitting into the liberal philosophical point of view. In searching for avenues of autonomy, the liberal philosophic can find a great example in the concept of cultural exemption. Cultural exemption allows a culture to continue traditions that might otherwise be considered illegal. One example of this can be found in the United States where Native American’s are allowed to use peyote and mescaline drugs because of their cultural traditions while other citizens would be arrested for this use. As well, the Native American’s are allowed to kill eagles, a protected bird in the United States, and use the parts of the body for religious ceremonies (343). This type of exemption is noble in its preservation of a culture that is all but gone from the world. However, in terms of global engagements of enterprise between countries, the act of allowing a cultural exemption within a country may prevent other countries from interacting with them in trade when the exemption is too controversial (Crane, Kawashima, & Kawasaki 2002: 82). a foundation of belief. According to Barry (1996), classical liberalism â€Å"begins with a ‘realistic’ view of man and his condition†(8). The foundation of the philosophy is that government should be limited and the freedoms of individuals should be widely available. Some of the other basic ideals are freedoms of religion, the press, speech, of assembly and for a free market (Sarder 1997: 74). However, liberalism also has a strong sense of the concept of autonomy. This concept is so important to the theory that a rejection of the idea of community accompanies this concept. According to Sarder, the liberalist views the community as a place where too much sacrifice of individual freedom exists and that each individual should define their own sense of morality, not adhering to the overall values of a culturally connected society (74). However,