Friday, November 8, 2019
Humpty Dumptys Philosophy of Language
Humpty Dumptys Philosophy of Language In Chapter 6 of Through the Looking Glass Alice meets Humpty Dumpty, who she recognizes immediately since she knows about him from the nursery rhyme. Humpty is a bit irritable, but he turns out to have some thought-provoking notions about language, and philosophers of language have been quoting him ever since. Must a Name Have a Meaning? Humpty begins by asking Alice her name and her business:            ‘My name is Alice, but––‘           ‘It’s a stupid name enough!’ Humpty Dumpty interrupted impatiently. ‘What does it mean?’           ‘Must a name mean something?’ Alice asked doubtfully.           ‘Of course it must,’ Humpty Dumpty said with a short laugh: ‘my name means the shape I am–and a good handsome shape it is too. With a name like yours, you might be any shape, almost.’ As in many other respects, the looking glass world, at least as described by Humpty Dumpty, is the inverse of Alice’s everyday world (which is also ours). In the everyday world, names typically have little or no meaning: ‘Alice,’ ‘Emily,’ ‘Jamal,’ ‘Christiano,’ usually do nothing other than denoting an individual. They can certainly have connotations: that’s why there are so many more people called ‘David’ (the heroic king of ancient Israel) than are called ‘Judas’ (the betrayer of Jesus). And we can sometimes infer (though not with perfect certainty) incidental acts about a person from their name: e.g. their sex, their religion (or that of their parents), or their nationality. But names usually tell us little else about their bearers. From the fact that someone is called ‘Grace,’ we can’t infer that they are graceful. Apart from the fact that most proper names are gendered, so parents don’t usually call a boy ‘Josephine’ or a girl ‘William,’ a person can be given pretty much any name from a very long list. General terms, on the other hand, cannot be applied arbitrarily. The word ‘tree’ can’t be applied to an egg; and the word ‘egg’ can’t mean a tree. That is because words like these, unlike proper names, have a definite meaning. But in Humpty Dumpty’s world, things are the other way round. Proper names must have a meaning, while any ordinary word, as he tells Alice later, means whatever he wants it to mean–that is, he can stick them on things the way we stick names on people. Playing Language Games With Humpty Dumpty Humpty delights in riddles and games. And like many other Lewis Carroll characters, he loves to exploit the difference between the way words are conventionally understood and their literal meaning. Here are a couple of examples.       ‘Why do you sit out here all alone?’ said Alice†¦..           ‘Why, because there’s nobody with me!’ cried Humpty Dumpty. ‘Did you think I didn’t know the answer to that?’ The joke here stems from the ambiguity of the ‘Why?’ question. Alice means ‘What causes have brought it about that you sit here alone?’ This is the normal way the question is understood. Possible answers might be that Humpty dislikes people, or that his friends and neighbors have all gone away for the day. But he takes the question in a different sense, as asking something like: under what circumstances would we say that you (or anyone) are alone? Since his answer rests on nothing more than the definition of the word ‘alone,’ it is completely uninformative, which is what makes it funny. A second example needs no analysis.            ‘So here’s a question for you{says Humpty]. How old did you say you were?           Alice made a short calculation, and said ‘Seven years and six months.’           ‘Wrong!’ Humpty Dumpty exclaimed triumphantly. You never said a word like it.’           ‘I thought you meant â€Å"How old are you?†’ Alice explained.           ‘If I’d meant that, I’d have said it,’ said Humpty Dumpty. How Do Words Get Their Meaning? The following exchange between Alice and Humpty Dumpty has been cited countless times by philosophers of language:            ‘†¦and that shows that there are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents––‘           ‘Certainly,’ said Alice.           ‘And only one for birthday presents, you know. There’s glory for you!’                 ‘I don’t know what you mean by â€Å"glory†,’ Alice said.           ‘Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. ‘Of course you don’t–till I tell you. I meant â€Å"there’s a nice knock-down argument for you!†’           ‘But â€Å"glory†doesn’t mean â€Å"a nice knock-down argument†, Alice objected.           †˜When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean–neither more nor less.’           ‘The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean different things–that’s all.’           ‘The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master–that’s all’ In his Philosophical Investigations (published in 1953), Ludwig Wittgenstein argues against the idea of a â€Å"private language.†Language, he maintains, is essentially social, and words get their meanings from the way they are used by communities of language users. If he is right, and most philosophers think he is, then Humpty’s claim that he can decide for himself what words mean, is wrong. Of course, a small group of people, even just two people, could decide to give words novel meanings. E.g. Two children could invent a code according to which â€Å"sheep†means â€Å"ice cream†and â€Å"fish†means money. But in that case, it is still possible for one of them to misuse a word and for the other speaker to point out the mistake. But if I alone decide what words mean, it becomes impossible to identify mistaken uses. This is Humpty’s situation if words simply mean whatever he wants them to mean. So Alice’s skepticism about Humpty’s ability to decide for himself what words mean is well-founded. But Humpty’s response is interesting. He says it comes down to ‘which is to be master.’ Presumably, he means: are we to master language, or is language to master us? This is a profound and complex question. On the one hand, language is a human creation: we didn’t find it lying around, ready-made. On the other hand, each of us is born into a linguistic world and a linguistic community which, whether we like it or not, provides us with our basic conceptual categories, and shapes the way we perceive the world. Language is certainly a tool that we use for our purposes; but it is also, to use a familiar metaphor, like a house in which we live.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Man on Wire is a documentary based on Philippe Petits emotional and physical journey as a tightrope walker Essays
Man on Wire is a documentary based on Philippe Petits emotional and physical journey as a tightrope walker Essays Man on Wire is a documentary based on Philippe Petits emotional and physical journey as a tightrope walker Essay Man on Wire is a documentary based on Philippe Petits emotional and physical journey as a tightrope walker Essay Documentary filmmaking was created to provide objectivity, authenticity and truthfulness on a particular subject matter something first seen in movies such as Nanook of the North, Robert Flaherty. Man on Wire is a documentary based on Philippe Petits emotional and physical journey as a tightrope walker whose sole dream was to achieve the impossible and walk across the two world trade centers. Its subject matter aside, what is particularly interesting about this documentary is the fact that it does not follow all of the typical documentary film conventions that we see in a vast number of Michael Moore films for example. Accuracy is often a critical factor in documentary films, clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½d by unsteady, handheld camera shots, cramped framing (the rule of thirds is often entirely ignored) and the utilization of natural lighting is employed. Often times the use of diagetic sound is entirely natural as well, in particular Nick Bloomfields Biggie and Tupac where which we notice the natural sound runs out and is looped on several instances. However, Man On Wire focuses more on versimilitude as opposed to accuracy itself, where fear is intensified to a whole new level and the camera recreates frantic movements, unlike conventional documentary filmmaking. Documentarians often go to great lengths to convince us that the footage is real and unaltered in anyway, although editing and voiceover can affect the reality we, as viewers, see. To aid authenticity and to add further information, the use of recreated events and scenes is used in Man On Wire as obtaining archives and footage of the event was diffic ult. In this way, Man On Wire does not follow this in the sense that the events are artifice; the music is greatly exaggerated, diagetic sounds are heightened to create fear and suspense and there are actors recreating events. Most would agree that films such as Spurlocks Supersize Me would easily fit under the documentary film genre as it follows many of the documentary film conventions, however, there are several scenes in which the use of childish music totally undermines the McDonalds Corporation. This technique is similarly, and unconventionally, used in Man On Wire. Other ways in which Man On Wire doesnt follow conventional film documentary styles is the fact that a particular mood and tone is created and enhanced. It can be perceived as Avant-garde to a certain extent through its innovative and experimental ways pushing the boundaries so to speak.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Nakheel and the launch of blue communites Essay
Nakheel and the launch of blue communites - Essay Example 3; Dubai). There is a need for research, development, and positive transformation of these locations with a long-term aim for Blue Communities to provide leadership in the development of sustainable coastal communities. Nakheel is still a young company, formed in 2001, but bin Salayem notes that the company is already a leader in the region, as well as internationally, and offers its pioneering approach as applied to Blue Communities (Dubai par. 7). Dubai's Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has made developers responsible for any structural damage to a property and defective installations for 10 years after project completion. The aims of the new law are to "monitor real-estate and development brokers, prevent fraudulent activities and increase investment" (Special Report par. 4). A Nakheel spokesman noted that the new policy is similar to already existing legislation in the UAE Civil Code. Nakheel's projects include The Palms, The World, and the forthcoming Waterfront, which when completed will add 1000 km of waterfront to Dubai. According to the spokesman for Nakheel, "We already guarantee the structural integrity of our properties for 10 years in our standard contracts, so this is not new to us" (Special Report par. 8). Nakheel has more than 1800 employees. It currently has US$60 billion worth of major projects spread across more than 2 billion square feet. The company is committed to ensuring leadership for Dubai in all areas of life with special focus on sustained development and environment (Zakaria). The idea behind Blue Communities, according to Abdul Rahman Kalantar, the company's managing director for design and development, is to "launch new thinking and working methods, given that the initiative itself is not confined to one company or one country, [but] it's rather available for all parties concerned with coastal communities" (Zakaria par. 4). When Dubai's building projects created land where none had existed before, a whole series of environmental concerns were raised. Nakheel met the challenge by initiating a global charter to define the best practice on how coastlines can be developed around the world. It's called Blue Communities and over the next three years is a call to action to the world (Think Blue). Almost half the world's coast is presently threatened by development related activities. At present, Dubai is building its coastline in harmony with nature. But, as more and more projects compete, how long can this be the case In North and Central America nearly a third of the coastline faces moderate to high threats from building for houses and industry. About half of South America's towns, resorts, and leisure communities are mushrooming, turning natural habitats into steel and concrete. It is noted that "an estimated 80 per cent of all life on earth is found in the sea" (Think Blue par. 2). The future of the planet depends on looking ahead and meeting challenges to sustain a natural environment. Issues that must be addressed on a worldwide basis, not just in Dubai and its environs, but throughout the globe, are part of Nakheel's Blue Communities initiatives, as follows (Lamb): Climate
Friday, November 1, 2019
Perfect Competition, Monopolistic, Oligopoly, Monopoly Essay
Perfect Competition, Monopolistic, Oligopoly, Monopoly - Essay Example Perfect competition Many Sellers The perfect competition market have many sellers. The sellers are adequate in the market such and therefore a single decision by a particular firm in terms of prices, and output attract no impact on the equilibrium prices and quantities in the market. Many Buyers There are many buyers in the market with perfect information about the prices and quantities. Sellers cannot, therefore, manipulate the customers based on prices and quantities as the value of costs is determined by the economic forces of demand and supply. Firm are Prices Takers The firms in the perfect competition markets are price takers. The firm cannot, therefore, sell at different (at) price that the prevailing rates. Homogeneous Goods The sellers and buyers in the perfect competition marketing trade in homogeneous goods. The goods sold are similar and thus a seller has no option to sell at the prevailing prices in the market to make the normal prices. Perfect Information There is complete knowledge with respect to goods sold, prices and quantities. Sellers cannot manipulate the buyers who attach values to the commodities sold making firms operate under normal prices. No transportation costs There are no transportation costs in the market. The market structure assumes that sellers only sell around their local markets and hence walk into the markets freely with their goods. Free entry and Exit There are no barriers to entry and exit, and this is at the discretion of the sellers. Firms tend to enter the market when it is favorable and quite during the upheavals. Sellers may switch in between the various homogenous products depending on the one that sells and demanded. Monopolistic competition There are many firms with less market share. There are a vast number of differentiated products a feature that distinguish it from perfect competition market structure. Products differentiation is in the form of styles, location, pricing strategies, brand name, packaging, and advertisement. The firms enter or leave the market at their discretion. Monopoly There is restricted entry and exit from the market Monopolist restricts entry into the firm due to increased market power arising from economies of scale. A single firm may own a fundamental factor input hence locking out others hence enjoying a greater market share. Due the economies of scale the marginal cost of production declines and reduced total costs of production. A single Seller and Many Buyers In a monopoly market structure, there is a single seller producing a product with no close substitutes hence synonymous industry and firm. However, the firm benefit from a range of buyers that have no option hence buy at the Monopoly’s set prices despite restricted quantities. Unique Products (Heterogeneous) The firms in a monopoly market structure produce heterogeneous products. Therefore, there is less competition in the industry, and the firm can make supernormal profits in the short run since there are many buyers. Monopoly is the Price Maker The power possesses a higher degree of market power. The firm was thus able to charge prices at the equilibrium prices by manipulating the quantity of outputs supplied, but still find consumers buying in bulks as the firm is sole in the industry. Oligopoly Sell standardized or differentiated commodities. There are restrictions to entry due to economies of scale
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Communication in Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2
Communication in Economics - Essay Example Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize winning economist argues that the move to raise the minimum wage would not lead to job loss because big companies like McDonalds cannot replace workers by machines nor move these jobs overseas. However, the implications may not be the same for small companies. According to the U.S Department of Labor, raising the minimum wage can be beneficial to the economy, for instance, it would reduce employee turnover and increase consumer purchasing power. Increasing the minimum wage may be beneficial to those who receive it even though this might have little impact on the U.S economy. Therefore, it is prudent to review critically the move by L.A to increase the minimum wage from a socio-political dimension rather than an economical point of view. It is high time that the electorate figure out the motive of many elected officers as that of garnering votes rather than boosting the
Monday, October 28, 2019
The effects of concentration on reaction rates Essay Example for Free
The effects of concentration on reaction rates Essay I could back this conclusion up by doing two things. Firstly, I could use my average time graph (graph 1) to work out what time any concentration would take to complete its reaction. This is especially because of the fact that all my results I tested followed a trend. What I can do is to look where any concentration level is in line with the line of best fit, and then I could take this point on the line of best fit and look to see where that point lines up with the time taken. An example is on the next page: Here you can see that the point indicated as the intersecting point is where the concentration levels and time taken axis meet on the line of best fit. This is exactly how I could prove my conclusion correct, by taking any concentration, and then test the concentration in the same way as in my method to see if the time taken follows this pattern. If it does, then I could easily prove my conclusion to be correct. Evaluation: The times would have been very unlikely to be the same, particularly under the conditions of the fact that we had a strict time limit of two lessons, including getting the equipment out and clearing it up again. Overall, this was a very tight deadline to meet, and I eventually realised I needed to try and run my first and second tests simultaneously in the second lesson, as I was nearly out of time. This rush could easily have affected my final results in several ways, all because of the rush I was in to get all my results. The magnesium floating in the HCl may have been a problem too. I dont think it would have affected the results much, but because it was floating, not all of the magnesium was in the acid at the same time throughout the reaction, and therefore this may have meant the reaction took longer as it couldnt react with all of the magnesium straight away. I could have got over this by poking the Mg down, but that may have affected the results as well. If I were to use a substance that would react with the HCl in ANY way (even if it would be unnoticeable to the naked eye), then the reaction rates would have probably slowed down, because some of the HCl would have reacted with the other substance, leaving less of it to react with the Mg. The other (more obvious) point is that I would have found it hard to poke three pieces of Mg in different test tubes down at once. The other way which I could have solved this, would be to make the density of the Mg larger, so that the Mg would sink naturally to the bottom of the test tube. This could have been done either by redoing the tests with more magnesium (a longer strip), or by using less HCl. I would have done this, but the tight time limit meant that I couldnt redo all the tests that I have already done in time, before realising this. Another way my results could have been affected is that because the 0. 1 reading took a long time to complete, meaning that I may not have noticed that the reaction had finished straight away. I dont think this happened, though, so Im not too worried about this. Finally, and this occurred in my second test which could indeed explain my ringed faulty result, I admit, time got the better of me and so I didnt wash out my measuring cylinder out after measuring each concentration of acid. I may have measured smaller concentrations first and these concentrations could have mixed with the one I was using then to not give the mole that I said I was using for this test. To get over this problem, I could either have rinsed out the cylinder before measuring each concentration, or even by sharing cylinders with other people, of which each cylinder would only be used for one concentration. Overall, despite these problems, I dont think I will have made a bad attempt at the experiment, because the results were similar both times and they did follow a trend on my two graphs. 1 Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Patterns of Behaviour section. Download this essay Print Save Heres what a teacher thought of this essay 3 star(s).
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Fatherhood and the Unmarried Adolescent African-American Male Essay
Just about a quarter of all children are now born out of wedlock.... Add to that the substantial fraction of children born into marriages that will not survive.... What do these high rates of marital instability imply for patterns of childbearing, and especially for fathers’ involvement with their children? (Furstenberg & Harris, 1992, p. 199) The vast amount of research on the topic of adolescent pregnancies has historically focused on the female (such as Furstenberg, 1976 and Stack, 1974). Social scientists have tried to understand the problem and also help the adolescent mother following her decision to give birth to a child. In some places, such as Oakland, California, 73% of adolescents giving birth are African American (Smith, 1988, p.269; Massey, 1991, p. 117). With this in mind, social workers have spent most of their efforts helping adolescent African-American women. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Aid to Families of Dependent Children (AFDC) offer help for many women and their children. Unfortunately, the social workers usually â€Å"viewed Black adolescent fathers either as a cause of the problem of adolescent parenthood or as a partial solution in their assigned role of financial provider†(Smith, 1988, p. 269). Introductory quote focuses on an important public conversation about children born out of wedlock and fathers' involvement with their children. Furtstenburg is considered an expert on the topic of pregnancy among adolescents and the changing American family. The writer further identifies the context for the research as the social sciences and suggests how this research has influenced social workers. Sources provide general background information, sp... ...ing American family: Sociological and demographic perspectives (pp. 197-223). Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press. Furstenberg, F. (1976). Unplanned parenthood: The social consequences of teenage childbearing. New York: Free Press. Hendricks, L. E. (1988). A preliminary report on three ethnic groups. Adolescence, 91, 711-720 Horton, C. P. & Smith, J. C. (Eds.) (1990). Statistical record of Black America. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc. Massey, G. (1991). The flip side of teen mothers: A look at teen fathers. In B. P. Bowser. (Ed.), Black male adolescents: Parenting and education in community context (pp. 117-128). New York: University Press of America. Smith, L. A. (1988). Black adolescent fathers: Issues for service provision. Social Work, 33. 269-272. Stack, C. B. (1974). All our kin: Strategies for survival in a black community. New York: Harper & Row.
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