Silent Spring Book Review Essays - Counterculture Of The 1960s

Silent Spring Book Review Rachel Louise Carson (1907-64), was an American marine biologist, and author of widely read books on ecological themes. Carson was born in Springdale, Pennsylvania, and educated at the former Pennsylvania College for Women and Johns Hopkins University. Rachel Carson taught Zoology at the University of Maryland from 1931 to 1936. She was an aquatic biologist at the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries and its successor, the Fish and Wildlife Service, from 1936 to 1952. Rachel Carson wrote 4 books including The Sea Around Us for which she was awarded the 1952 National Book Award for nonfiction. At the end of Rachel Carson's career she wrote Silent Spring, which questioned the use of Chemical Pesticides and was responsible for arousing world wide concern for the preservation of the environment. Silent Spring takes a hard look at the effects of the insecticides, weed killers and other common products as well as the use of sprays in agriculture. By introducing these deadly substances, we have poisoned or lakes and streams, or wild and domestic animals, and even ourselves. The book focuses on the importance of balance within the environment. Rachel Carson wrote... Where spraying destroys not only the insects but also their principle enemy, the birds. When later there is a resurgence in the insect population, as almost always happens, the birds are not there to keep their numbers in check. Carson examines the way dangerous chemicals have been used without sufficient research or regard for their potential harm to wildlife, water, soil, and humans, creating an evil chain of poisoning and death. The over use of DDT, dieldrin and other pesticides eventually poisoned an entire world of living things. Silent Spring not only recognizes the severity of the chemicals usage but recognizes the effect of substance use on a community. It helped people to look at the whole picture, to look into the future instead of the now. Carson helps to change this way of thinking by offering solutions to the existing problems. She helps to show that nature will take care of nature. Many times the best solutions are the introduction of other plants or animals. For many thousands of years man has been battling nature, when if he took a step back, he would see that if he just worked with it his problems could be solved. Rachel Carson helped many people to see this ideal and is partly responsible for starting the environmental movement that has become so apparent in today's society. There are many people that do not support Rachel Carson's findings about DDT. These people challenge her experiments and say that the results would have been worse had the controls not been manipulated. The direct effect of DDT may be different on all types of animals. What the people fail to notice that challenge her statements are the chemical bonds that are produced with DDT and other chemical substances. The significance of Rachel Carson's book was not the scientific accuracy but instead the position it took on DDT. Why this book is so recognized has nothing to do with the actual data, it has to do with awareness and the beginning of global consciousness. Suddenly we are not just a species we are a planet. Carson helped us to realize that everything you do has a greater effect on something else. The arguments of human death due to the banning of DDT are serious ones, and need to be addressed. Many critics say that in many ways Silent Spring has caused more death than it has prevented. In no way do i feel that, that was Rachel Carson's intention. This book is merely a tool for awareness and offers solutions to specific agricultural problems. The critics of Carson are looking to this book, as an answer to all environmental questions instead of looking to it as a guide. I don't feel that in any way Rachel Carson wrote this book for that reason. There are two issues in which i do not feel have been addressed properly. The first is the relationship with government and big business and the second the issue of human survival from insect born diseases. There has been little mention about how the legislation would

Euthanasia Types and Palliative Care essays

Euthanasia Types and Palliative Care essays Euthanasia is not an acceptable solution but a disturbing development that undermines the very structure of positive palliative care. Instead of supporting euthanasia we must direct our efforts at improving the therapeutic method of alleviating the sufferings of the terminally ill Euthanasia is the hastening of death or the deliberate ending of life at the request of the patient. Over the last few years we have witnessed heated debates about the medical, ethical, legal and moral aspects euthanasia. At the very base of this issue is the fear factor', which underlies both the sides of the argument. From the patients perspective it is the fear of unbearable pain that cannot be assuaged, the embarrassment of dependence that interminable illness causes, and the feeling of worthlessness and loss of self-love. On the other hand we have a fear of doctors and the possible abuse of the power. Let us have a brief overview of euthanasia before we discuss the ethical and moral implications. The word Euthanasia is actually a combination of two Greek words Eu (easy, painless or happy) and thanatos' meaning death. So euthanasia in essence means pain free and happy end to life. Euthanasia is the term for the act of ending the suffering of the patient by putting him to death. In other words it is physician-assisted suicide (PAS). [Michigan Technological University]. There are basically two different forms of Euthanasia namely Active or Passive Euthanasia and Voluntary or involuntary Euthanasia. Passive Euthanasia refers to the case where there is no medical intervention and the patient is left to himself to a gradual death. Typical of this type of Euthanasia is the withdrawal of life support devices. On the other hand active Euthanasia is a case where death is forced by administration of some lethal dosage. (Sleeping pills or painkillers). It is essential to appreciate the di...

3 Examples of How Missing Words Cause Confusion

3 Examples of How Missing Words Cause Confusion 3 Examples of How Missing Words Cause Confusion 3 Examples of How Missing Words Cause Confusion By Mark Nichol In each of the following sentences, the absence of a word or phrase is an obstacle to clarity. Discussion after each sentence explains the problem, and a revision provides the solution. 1. The naturally occurring electrolytes are significantly higher than other brands. The comparison in this sentence is not between electrolytes and other brands; it is between electrolytes in a product marketed under one brand and electrolytes in a product marketed under other brands. This revision uses a pronoun and a preposition to communicate the true equivalency: â€Å"The naturally occurring electrolytes are significantly higher than those in other brands.† 2. The contraception app has become a popular alternative because it doesn’t involve taking any medicines, inserting devices, or hormone patches. Three older contraceptive methods are listed in counterpoint to a newer one, but while the sentence structure requires a verb to precede the word or phrase for each method, â€Å"hormone patches† lacks one. This revision inserts a verb: â€Å"The contraception app has become a popular alternative because it doesn’t involve taking any medicines, inserting devices, or using hormone patches.† 3. Financial institutions are no longer required to implement the rule and retain the option of including mandatory arbitration clauses in their contracts. This sentence is structured as if it consists of a single main clause, but logic requires that it be constructed of two independent clauses. It reads as if â€Å"implement the rule† and â€Å"retain the option . . .† are equivalent, but the complementary phrases are â€Å"are no longer required to implement the rule† and the entire portion of the sentence following the conjunction, so a noun or pronoun must be inserted after the conjunction (along with a comma before it) to form the second independent clause: â€Å"Financial institutions are no longer required to implement the rule, and they retain the option of including mandatory arbitration clauses in their contracts.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:"Latter," not "Ladder"25 Idioms with Clean

Ethical Theories and National Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethical Theories and National Security - Essay Example In act utilitarianism, opinions of function are involved straightforwardly and openly to every option of the state of affairs. Consequently, the operation of performance bringing the finest and excellent effect is regarded as correct. Opinions of function in rule utilitarianism are incorporated in the determination of resolutions of the strength and legitimacy or ethical behavior (White and Klein 33). Therefore, in rule utilitarianism, an action is regarded as correct and acceptable or erroneous in regard to whether ethical behavior was involved or not. Deontological theories are principled assumptions creating particular rules of behavior and position the significance of whether an action is correct or erroneous in accordance to the rule of law and ethical standards. Deontology theories are categorized in to monistic and pluralistic deontology. Monistic deontology was proposed by Kant and it stipulates that deeds of accomplishment in compliance or meeting the requirements of being c orrect and legitimate conducted logically and under good judgment are considered the embodiment of ethically admirable and commendable deeds. However, on a critical point of view, monistic opinions lack an approach or technique or determining solutions to a disagreement. Under monistic deontology, a common rule may congeal to become an unconditional rule. Pluralistic deontology was postulated by W. D. Ross and he asserted that certain manifestations disclose various obligations and responsibilities that lack the capacity for attachment. These obligations are generally embraced (Pera and Tonder 31). Examples of these obligations include the need not to hurt others, to assist others, and to be truthful. Ethical egoism is categorized into psychological egoism and ethical egoism. According to the psychological egoism, individual’s acts and deeds of accomplishment are abridged self-centeredness. This theory asserts that people behave in particular ways with the expectation of bene fitting from that behavior. On a critical point of view, this theory is evocative and suggestive; therefore, it is prone to being refuted. The assertions in psychological egoism are also considered wide-ranging, and they affirm a diminutive assertion towards individual deeds of accomplishment. Ethical egoism on the other hand elucidates the fact that individual deeds should be conducted on self-centeredness perspective (Shafer-Landau 194). On a critical point of view, people have varying interest and hence an individual performing his deeds in accordance to his interest may not necessarily do so in consideration of other people. Ethical egoism and utilitarianism have some similarities in that in both deeds are done in accomplishing what is preeminent to an individual. Ethical theory to live by It is of significance for an individual to be governed by the assertions of a particular ethical theory. The most favorable theory to live by is psychological egoism. Psychological egoism posi ts that an individual is motivated to act or behave in a particular manner as a result of individual believes that that particular behavior or action will bear fruits. It shows that people act according to their individual interests. We live in a competitive and harsh world. People in the modern world have been faced with difficult financial situations. Therefore, to survive necessitates that one should first according to his needs and be optimistic his/her actions

Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Analysis - Essay Example The stories tell about a group of soldiers engaged in wartime activities. Most of them are there since they have been compelled to do so. The narrator himself feels that the war is not worth sacrificing his life for. Although the book is filled with stories of the Vietnam War, but it is not a war story. It does not tell about the battles fought or the causes behind them. It is about search of answers by man about the logic behind wars and making sense of the brutality that one sees during war. The Vietnam War shattered the idea of American culture because of the enormity of evil celebrated during the entire period of war. The war and its consequences changed a soldier’s philosophy of life. The author states that a war story can never give a message on morality because of the grave sins that are committed by the soldiers in the battlefield – â€Å"A true war story is never moral. It does not instruct, nor encourage virtue, nor suggest models of proper human behavior, nor restrain men from doing the things men have always done† (O’ Brien, 65). A war can never be a solution to anything and can never be moral and nor can the incidents related to a war be justified. The only thing that a war is capable of doing is cultivating hatred in the hearts that were innocent before joining the war. This emphasizes upon the uselessness of a war as long as a nation’s dreams are concerned. The dreams, which could have blossomed amongst the young people of a nation, finally end in facing the harsh truth of a war and fighting for a cause which could never be moral. In the chapter Good Form, he drew the line between â€Å"happening-truth† and â€Å"story-truth†. He recounted a soldier he once killed near the village of My Khe. In this context the author portrays the real image of the war he witnessed. The author illustrates the frightful sight of a man he killed in the war. In his

Communism Essay -- Communism Essays

I  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Introduction Communism: A theory and system of social and political organization that was a major force in world politics for much of the 20th century. As a political movement, communism sought to overthrow capitalism through a workers’ revolution and establish a system in which property is owned by the community as a whole rather than by individuals. In theory, communism would create a classless society of abundance and freedom, in which all people enjoy equal social and economic status. In practice, communist regimes have taken the form of coercive, authoritarian governments that cared little for the plight of the working class and sought above all else to preserve their own hold on power. The idea of a society based on common ownership of property and wealth stretches far back in Western thought. In its modern form, communism grew out of the socialist movement of 19th-century Europe. At that time, Europe was undergoing rapid industrialization and social change. As the Industrial Revolution advanced, socialist critics blamed capitalism for creating a new class of poor, urban factory workers who labored under harsh conditions, and for widening the gulf between rich and poor. Foremost among these critics were the German philosopher Karl Marx and his associate Friedrich Engels. Like other socialists, they sought an end to capitalism and the exploitation of workers. But whereas some reformers favored peaceful, longer-term social transformation, Marx and Engels believed that violent revolution was all but inevitable; in fact, they thought it was â€Å"predicted by the scientific laws of history.† They called their theory â€Å"scientific socialism,† or communism. In the last half of the 19th century the terms socialism and communism were often used interchangeably. Ho wever, Marx and Engels came to see socialism as merely an intermediate stage of society in which most industry and property were owned in common but some class differences remained. They reserved the term communism for a final stage of society in which class differences had disappeared, people lived in harmony, and government was no longer needed. The meaning of the word communism shifted after 1917, when Vladimir Lenin and his Bolshevik Party seized power in Russia. The Bolsheviks changed their name to the Communist Party and installed a repress... ...that lacked the preconditions he and Engels considered essential, namely capitalism and a mature industrial economy. The first of these countries was Russia, a huge, poor, relatively backward nation that was just beginning to acquire an industrial base. IV  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Communism in the Soviet Union Communism as a concrete social and political system made its first appearance in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the state erected by the victors of the October Revolution in Russia in 1917. Soviet communism took some of the core notions of Marxism to an extreme, realizing them through a tyrannical political structure. Within a decade, the Soviet dictatorship, having eradicated all dissent, unleashed an industrialization drive premised on near-total state control of physical and human resources. Authoritarianism reached its zenith during the long reign of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. The limited reforms undertaken after his death in 1953 did not alter the essential character of communism in the Soviet Union. Destabilized by the far-reaching reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s, the Soviet system disintegrated in 1991.

Pros and Cons Essay

Globalization can be defined as the increasing flow of products, people, money, and ideas across the globe. National economies are being swept into the global economy. One can thus think of globalization as rushing through four channels: †¢ Freer trade goods; †¢ Freer mobility of labor; †¢ Freer investment; and †¢ Freer communication, thanks to telecommunications and the Internet. Pros and Cons 1. Capitalism Free enterprise is now the dominant economic system in the world. China is very much capitalist and her late Communist Party leader Deng Xiaoping coined the slogan, â€Å"To get rich is glorious. † Only Cuba and North Korea are holding on to the central planning system of running the economy. Capitalism brings along free trade and the free flow of money across the earth. Countries belonging to the World Trade Organization are trying to bring down tariff barriers. Today, immense portfolio investments zip in and out of countries at the click of a mouse (Baylis & Smith, 2001). With free trade comes economic integration. It is possible to download an album of songs in the United States of America, turn it into CDs in Europe, print the cover and lyric sheet in France, and sell it in Asia. The greatest story of economic integration is the European Union, with its common currency, the euro (Brecher & Costello, 2004). 2. Information economy Another driving force is the knowledge economy. Land, labor and capital are bowing in importance to brain creativity. In the United Kingdom, over a three-year span, manual jobs dropped by 750,000, while professional jobs shot up by 1. 5 million (Brecher & Costello, 2004). 3. Mass Media The invention of the printing press helped scattered people become a national community. In the same way, the evening news is nurturing world’s community. The suffering in India and Indonesia are brought home through CNN. 4. Telecoms There is a global boom in telecommunications. A fourth of all Europeans, have mobile phones. The people in Finland gave the greatest access to cell phones at 417 for every 1,000 people (Brecher & Costello, 2004). Reference: 1. Baylis, John, and Smith, Steve, eds. The Globalization of World Politics. 2nd ed. , 2001. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2. Brecher, Jeremy, and Costello, Tim. Global Village or Global Pillage: Economic Reconstruction from the Bottom Up. Boston, MA: South End Press, 2004. Radical critique of recent patterns of economic globalization.