Wednesday, April 15, 2020
6 top phone interview questions and how to answer them
6 top phone interview questions and how to answer them Youââ¬â¢ve put your resume in for a job opening, and now youââ¬â¢ve got your first bite- a phone interview. The phone interview doesnââ¬â¢t happen in every application/interview process, but you might encounter it for two reasons: Youââ¬â¢re currently far away from the hiring company.The company wants to do a preliminary interview to see if they want to bring you in for a more traditional sit-down interview.Either way, the phone interview is likely a precursor to some kind of physical meeting, before significant time and resources are invested. The main goal of a phone interview is usually to see if you meet certain requirements and would likely be a good fit for the job- or at least for the next round. If a company has a lot of great-on-paper applicants for a single position, phone interviews are a way to narrow the candidate pool to the most appropriate people.How is a phone interview different?Thereââ¬â¢s the obvious format difference, for starters. Instead of physi cally sitting face-to-face with someone, shaking hands, and being able to read body language cues, youââ¬â¢re sitting by yourself and have no in-person contact or visibility with the person interviewing you. That can be a benefit (itââ¬â¢s the one interview you can attend in your pajamas! Unless itââ¬â¢s a Skype interview), but also a drawback. Youââ¬â¢re in a bit of a void, counting on your conversational skills above all else to get you through to the next round.Also, while an in-person interview is usually with the hiring manager for your position, that may not be true for a phone interview. You may be talking to a Human Resources representative or even a recruiter. Itââ¬â¢s important to know up front the person with whom youââ¬â¢ll be speaking, so you can adapt your answers accordingly. If itââ¬â¢s a recruiter or HR person, you can be a little more general. If itââ¬â¢s the hiring manager, you should be more detailed about your qualifications in the specif ic field, with nitty gritty details.How to prepare for your phone interviewAlthough you donââ¬â¢t need to prep your interview outfit or work on your handshake, you can still work on your speaking and listening skills.Make sure your voice is calm, confident, and conversational. If it helps you to call someone else first (like a friend or a family member) right before the interview to get into conversational mode, do it. Anything that puts you at ease and gets you ready to talk about yourself confidently is good. If it helps to dress up in your normal interview clothes to get into that mode, go for it.Be sure that when youââ¬â¢re speaking, your voice is also warm and conversational. Part of the purpose of the phone interview is (letââ¬â¢s be blunt here) to verify that youââ¬â¢re, well, interviewable. You want to come across as friendly and competent; if your voice is stressed or your tone is cold, the interviewer may think there are some red flags lurking beneath your word s.As for your listening skills, you wonââ¬â¢t have the advantage of doing the head nod + thoughtful ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m listeningâ⬠face, so itââ¬â¢s important to make sure the interviewer knows youââ¬â¢re listening. Make sure youââ¬â¢re allowing the person to finish speaking before you answer, and donââ¬â¢t feel like you need to fill in brief silences with nervous chatter.Before your phone interview, do your homework on the company, the job, and the interviewer him- or herself, if possible. Put those Google stalking skills to good use so that you understand whoââ¬â¢s on the other end of the phone. The beauty of the phone interview is that you can have notes right in front of you, without the interviewer knowing youââ¬â¢ve got a crib sheet of details about the company, or the talking points about your resume that you want to emphasize.And lastly, just before the interview, make sure youââ¬â¢re settled in a quiet spot where you can conduct your phone interv iew in peace, with no interruptions. This rules out busy public places, or home if things are chaotic with kids, pets, ambient noise, etc.The interview questionsNow that youââ¬â¢re prepped for the interview, what can you expect from the interview itself? Weââ¬â¢ve put together some of the most common phone interview questions, and how to approach them.ââ¬Å"Tell me about yourself.â⬠This one is always tricky, no matter what the interview format is. And given that the phone interview is likely an introductory interview, you can probably expect this one to pop up. An open-ended question is difficult because itââ¬â¢s all on you. Donââ¬â¢t go too broad here- the interviewer isnââ¬â¢t interested in your third grade spelling bee victory or your favorite television show. Limit your answer to a few highlight points about your professional career, especially those relevant to the job for which youââ¬â¢re interviewing. An elevator pitch comes in very handy here, because it covers relevant high-level info that works nicely for a ââ¬Å"tell me about yourself.â⬠Example: ââ¬Å"I recently graduated with my bachelorââ¬â¢s in accounting, and Iââ¬â¢m ready to translate my internship with Prestigious Financial Firm and my strong accounting skills into the next steps of my career.â⬠ââ¬Å"What interested you about this job/company?â⬠This is where your pre-interview research comes in handy here, because ââ¬Å"your job listing on TheJobNetwork matched my keyword searchâ⬠is not a great answer. Instead, talk about one of your goals that this job would help you achieve or mention something you really like about the company. And remember: whether this is your dream job or one of dozens for which you sent out your resume, make it clear that this job is an opportunity you didnââ¬â¢t want to miss. The more specific and authentic your answer sounds, the better.Example: ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m ready for the next level in my career, so I was excited to find this opening in X Corpââ¬â¢s sales department. Itââ¬â¢s an incredible opportunity, and I know my skills and experience would be a good fit.â⬠ââ¬Å"Tell me about your current/most recent job.â⬠Like the ââ¬Å"tell me about yourselfâ⬠question, donââ¬â¢t get sucked into the open-endedness of this question. The interviewer isnââ¬â¢t necessarily interested in every one of your daily tasks, thoughts, and opinions about the work. Instead, focus on the parts of your job that relate most directly to the job you want, and highlight the accomplishments.Example: ââ¬Å"I work directly with clients to coordinate orders and shipments. For example, I recently onboarded a brand new client, and we were able to get them up and running with no interruption in sales.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why are you leaving your job?â⬠Part of the phone interview process is weeding out people who set off initial red flags, or arenââ¬â¢t a good fit for this particular job or c ompany. They want to know youââ¬â¢re not a flight risk or unable to work as a member of a team. So this question is pretty popular in interviews of all kinds- especially a preliminary phone interview. The answer shouldnââ¬â¢t focus too much on what dissatisfies you about your current job (like ââ¬Å"my boss is a micromanagerâ⬠or ââ¬Å"my job is boring and I want to try something elseâ⬠). Instead, emphasize your goals and this new job itself.And if you got fired or left under not-great circumstances, donââ¬â¢t panic. Also donââ¬â¢t lie, especially if the reason you were fired will come up in a background check or in a conversation with your references. Frame it as a learning experience. And definitely talk about your major takeaway from the experience, and how youââ¬â¢ve used that to overcome your challenges and become a better professional.Example: ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve learned a great deal in my current position, but I feel like there wasnââ¬â¢t enough r oom to grow and develop as much as Iââ¬â¢d like. It helped me realign my goals and figure out that I want a job that is more focused on customer service.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you have any questions for me?â⬠In a phone interview, this is your chance to do a little extra research, especially if youââ¬â¢re talking with someone other than the hiring manager (who would likely handle the next round interview). Youââ¬â¢re not likely to get candid insights like, ââ¬Å"I think this company does a lousy job at work-life balance,â⬠but you can at least get some on-the-record opinions and information from someone closely related to the company. Think of it as a bit of professional snooping that can help you prepare for the next phase if youââ¬â¢re offered an in-person interview.Examples:ââ¬Å"What qualities are you looking for in applicants for this position?â⬠ââ¬Å"What are the opportunities for advancement in this position?â⬠ââ¬Å"How does this company provide e mployee feedback?â⬠ââ¬Å"Why is the person who last held this job leaving?â⬠ââ¬Å"What is the most challenging aspect of this particular job?â⬠A phone interview may not be the main interview in your hiring process, but itââ¬â¢s such an important first step that it should be treated every bit as seriously as any other kind of interview. Making sure youââ¬â¢re prepared and understanding what your gameplan is will help you be more relaxed and ready to answer any question that comes your way.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
African Americans in Science and Their Accomplishments
African Americans in Science and Their Accomplishments African Americans have made significant contributions in various fields of science. Contributions in the field of chemistry include the development of synthetic drugs for the treatment of chronic ailments. In the field of physics, African Americans have helped to invent laser devices for the treatment of cancer patients. In the field of medicine, African Americans have developed treatments for various diseases including leprosy, cancer, and syphilis. African Americans in Science From inventors and surgeons to chemists and zoologists, African Americans have made invaluable contributions to science and humanity. Many of these individuals were able to have great success in the face of bigotry and racism. Some of these notable scientists include: Otis BoykinDOB: (1920 - 1982)Major Accomplishments: Otis Boykin invented 28 electronic devices including the control unit for the heart pacemaker. He patented a wire precision resistor that was cost effective to manufacture and improved function in electronic devices such as transistor radios, missile systems, televisions, and IBM computers. Other inventions of Boykin include a burglar-proof cash register, an electrical resistance capacitor, and a chemical air filter. Dr. Ben CarsonDOB: (1950 - )Major Accomplishments: This Johns Hopkins pediatric neurosurgeon and professor led a medical team that became the first to separate Siamese twins successfully. Dr. Ben Carson was also the first to perform an interuterine procedure for the treatment of a hydrocephalic twin. He also performed a hemispherectomy (removal of half of the brain) in an infant to stop severe epileptic seizures. Emmett W. ChappelleDOB: (1925 - )Major Accomplishments: This biochemist worked for NASA and discovered a method for detecting bacteria in water, food, and body fluids through studies of bioluminescence. Emmett Chappelles studies in luminescence have also produced methods for using satellites for monitoring crops. Dr. Charles DrewDOB: (1904 -1950)Major Accomplishments: Best known for his work with blood plasma, Charles Drew helped set up the American Red Cross blood bank. He also established the first blood bank in England and developed standards for collecting blood and processing blood plasma. Additionally, Dr. Drew developed the first mobile blood donation centers. Dr. Lloyd HallDOB: (1894 - 1971)Major Accomplishments: His work in food sterilization and preservation improved processes in food packing and preparation. Dr. Lloyd Halls sterilization techniques have been adapted for use in the sterilization of medical equipment, spices, and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Percy JulianDOB: (1899 - 1975)Major Accomplishments: This research chemist is known for developing synthetic steroids for use in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Dr. Percy Julian also developed a process for creating a soy protein foam that was used to extinguish fires on aircraft carriers. Dr. Charles Henry TurnerDOB: (1867-1923)Major Accomplishments: This zoologist and behavioral scientist is known for his work with insects. Turners studies with honey bees demonstrated that they can distinguish colors. Dr. Charles Henry Turner was also the first to demonstrate that insects can hear sounds. Dr. Daniel Hale WilliamsDOB: (1856-1931)Major Accomplishments: Dr. Daniel Williams founded the Provident Hospital in Chicago. In 1893, he performed the first successful open heart surgery. He is also the first African American surgeon to perform surgery on the pericardium of the heart to repair a wound. Other African American Scientists and Inventors The following table includes more information on African American scientists and inventors. African American Scientists and Inventors Scientist Invention Bessie Blount Developed a device to help disabled persons eat Phil Brooks Developed the disposable syringe Michael Croslin Developed the computerized blood pressure machine Dewey Sanderson Invented the urinalysis machine
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Liberal and Republican Citizenship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Liberal and Republican Citizenship - Essay Example The second, the citizen is considered a political agent; he actively is involved in political activities. The third states that the citizens are a member of a political organization with distinct characteristics. Thus, to enhance cohesion in the society one has to display a tremendous sense of belonging to a political community. , The citizen enjoys rights depending on the political they belong in and this gives individual some respect too. The two models of citizenship include the liberal and the republican. The republican sources are found in the writings of authors like Machiavelli, Aristotle, and Cicero. The main principle of the model of citizenship is the aspect of civic self rule (Dworkin 76). Aristotle characterized it as the ability to be in charge and to be ruled. The fact that they co authored through general will, the writing of the laws this makes them freer and legitimate of the law. In the real sense, being a republican one is a political agent. On the other hand, the liberal model traces its roots back in the Roman Empire. Liberal citizenship meant being protected by the law instead of being in the process. Being liberal was just a legal status than a fact in daily living like the republican. It may mean that the membership is in a community that shares law or has common law. It is still common. This is a distinctive characteristic of the liberal citizenship. Other factors that make liberal citizenship are that it is a legal status and that people are free from interference by other authorities or even other individuals. The liberal tradition majorly started back in the 17th century. Citizens with it exercise the freedoms they have mainly in private associations other that a political community. The liberal citizen is in charge of contemporary constitutional freedoms. The civic virtues are evident in many theories; they can be categorized in various ways. This includes community citizen virtues, self governance citizen virtues and of course the one in discussion, in this paper liberal citizen virtues (Macedo 100). These virtues are autonomy, cooperation, obedience to law, participation, respect for rights, deliberative excellence, responsibility, restraint, allegiance to liberal democratic community and vigilance. A dutiful citizen accomplishes tasks successfully by coordinating with others, and he also helps back in return to the good deeds he receives from others too. Cooperation is extremely healthy in a community as it helps the community grow socially. Although there is the aspect of conditioned cooperation where someone expects the same in return if they help, but also this is usually in the effort to obey laws (Macedo 108). Participation as a virtue is portrayed by the active involvement of the citizen to politics and being well informed and interested in the same. Part of the participatory actions is making justice claims, registering voters, running for presidency, being part of the neighborhood associations and v oting. The excellent participation depends highly on the initiative of individuals and their interest in participating. The purpose of being participative is that it is an excellent way to help the community effortlessly (Dworkin 103). Vigilance is another virtue; the virtuous citizen should be able to decide they want in power and refuse to be harassed by those in power. The
Saturday, February 8, 2020
INFLATION TARGETING AS A STRATEGY FOR THE CONDUCT OF MONETARY POLICY Research Paper
INFLATION TARGETING AS A STRATEGY FOR THE CONDUCT OF MONETARY POLICY (IN CANADA) - Research Paper Example Monetary policy is one of public intervention measure around at influencing the level and pattern of economic activity so as to achieve certain desired goals. The task of keeping the rate of inflation low is given to authority bodies such as the central bank. Monetary policy covers all the action of the bank of Canada and the government which influence the quantity, the cost and availability of money credit in the economy through open market operations and setting of banking reserve requirements. 2. DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO CONDUCT MONETARY POLICY I. Attainment of full employment Full employment simply refers to involuntary unemployment. Monetary policy can raise the level of employment by encouraging credit availability to labor intensive section like rural agriculture and other small scale factories. Policies that lower the interest rates constitute expansionary monetary and is likely to lead to an increase in investment hence more employment opportunities. II. Price stability Econo mics sometime suffer from inflation and deflation; both have their effects either positively or negatively. Monetary policy helps in controlling inflation pressure. Price stability can be maintained by regulating money through tools of credit control like discount rate and minimum reserve requirement ratio. It helps in maintaining equilibrium in income and wealth inequalities. III. Economic growth expansion Money policies are put in place to ensure that more money is injected in circulation to finance developments of projects, which may in turn cause a price increase. Monetary also controls real interest rates and its effect are clearly reflected in investment. If the central government goes for an affordable and available credit policy by cutting down on the interest rates, the investment level of the economy is encouraged (Ben and Woodford 94). Increase in investment simply means higher economic developments. IV. Balance of payments equilibrium The balance of payments has two aspe cts, that of surplus and that of deficit. The latter reflects stringency of money and the former an excess of money. If the monetary policy succeeds in maintaining monetary equilibrium than the balance of payments, equilibrium can be achieved. V. Exchange rate stability This refers to the value of home currency expressed in terms of any foreign currency. If the exchange rate is volatile, causing rapid changes frequently, the international society might lose confidence in the economy. The monetary policy hopes to achieve and maintain relative stability in the exchange rate. The central bank tries to influence the demand for foreign exchange and also maintaining its stability. VI. Equal income distribution Fiscal policy was s used to maintain economic equality according to some economist. In recent years, it is believed that the monetary policy can also play a role in attaining that equality. It can make unique provisions for the neglect availability like small scale factories, agricu lture and many more by providing for them cheaper credits for longer terms, thus assisting in reducing economic inequalities. Inflation is the increase in general level of prices of commodities in an economy over time. When prices rise, a buyer of goods and services is forced to pay more money for lesser goods and services. This simply means that inflation erodes the purchasing power of money. Inflation rates are used to measure the price of inflation. Economists argue that inflation is generally caused by a growth of the money
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Oral Presentation on Drink Driving Essay Example for Free
Oral Presentation on Drink Driving Essay Intro: The topic I will be discussing today is a problem that occurs not only on Australian roads, but on roads worldwide. It is the topic of drink driving. I will be arguing why the Australian government should lower the Blood Alcohol Concentration limit to at least 0. 02 for full licenced drivers. Drink Driving is a serious offence that has MANY negative outcomes to it. Not only are you at risk of losing your licence, affecting day to day tasks and also receiving a heavy fine, but you are also putting yourself, your passengers and any personââ¬â¢s life, who is on the road, in DANGER. Paragraph 1: Each year on Victorian roads, approximately a quarter of drivers are killed or injured from drink driving related incidents where the driver has had a Blood Alcohol Concentration level of at least 0. 05 or greater. According to the Transport Accident Commission, with a blood alcohol concentration limit of 0. 05, the driver is already doubling their chance to be involved in an accident. At 0. 08 it is seven times the risk. At 0. 15, it is 25 times the risk. Statistics from the Transport Accident Commission have also shown that drink driving is most common between the ages of 17 to 25, promoting my main ARGUMENT that a personââ¬â¢s Blood Alcohol Concentration level should be at least 0. 02 which would significantly reduce the chance of an accident. Paragraph 2: Drinking Alcohol has a serious effect on our bodies. Drivers who drink alcohol before driving can be left with a loss of memory, blurred vision, slow reflexes, and lack of concentration and can also lead to dizziness. Drinking alcohol also increases self-confidence, which can lead the driver to feeling strong and invincible (LIKE SUPERMAN) . Look more:à problem solution speech essay Do you really want to be in a car with someone that canââ¬â¢t perform simple tasks such as reciting the alphabet or walking in a straight line? Each year Victoria Police breath tests over one point five million people. The government also exposes the public to many advertising campaigns through television about drink driving and its effects. An example includes the Transport Accident Commission advertisements that are shown regularly on television. Here is an example of one. [Drink Driving Advertisement 1 minute] Paragraph 2: In the commercial just shown, we witness some of the serious consequences that can take place as a result of drink driving, being serious injury, imprisonment, paraplegia and death. It goes to show a mother who has lost a son to drink driving, a woman killed by a drink driver, a man left paralysed after his drunk mate crashed the car he was in, and a drink driver entering jail. It shows the grief and loss families are left with, a sort of grief that no one should have to endure, especially because of one such reckless decision one decided to make, leading to the end of a life. Paragraph 3: I myself have lost a family member who was hit and killed by an intoxicated driver. He was not only a good and funny kid; he was a brother, a son, a nephew, a grandchild. I remember as a young child never seeing John again, I remember my family going through the grief, the in-denial, the anger, that someone so close to my family had died from such a careless and preventable act. It is hard to comprehend that someone you cared so much about has taken their last breath, smiled for the last time and is never coming back. It is something that no one should ever have to suffer. To see a mother and a father say goodbye to their young child is heartbreaking and inhumane to watch. Once again I hope that you understand that this is why the blood alcohol concentration limit should be lowered down to at least 0. 02. Many Australian experts and scientists believe that a blood alcohol concentration limit of 0. 05 is perfect and there is no need for it to be lowered. Experts argue that lowering it less than 0. 05 will do nothing in lowering deaths related to drink driving. But this is not the case. In two of the most developed and wealthy countries in the world, Sweden and Norway, the blood alcohol concentration limit is 0. 02. Drink driving is considered a very serious crime in Sweden and there is very little tolerance for alcohol. Laws where introduced in 1995 and 2001 in Sweden and Norway respectively which lowered the legal blood alcohol concentration limit to . 02 from the previous level of . 05. Since the blood alcohol concentration limit was changed, both Sweden and Norway have seen a dramatic reduction in deaths related to drink driving, some of the lowest rates in the world. I believe that by following the same lead set by Sweden and Norway we too in Australia can lower the amount of deaths related to drink driving significantly. Conclusion: Drink driving is something that takes place every day. Every day someone is involved, every day we are informed of it on the news, the radio, and through other various media outlets. Every day someone cries themselves to sleep, knowing they will never see that person again. I believe that by lowering the limit we can significantly reduce road trauma and the number of deaths related to drink driving. So, think, is that last glass really that important?
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Janies Wardrobe in Their Eyes Were Watching God :: essays research papers
In Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie goes through several marriages in her journey to seek love. As Janie's husbands change so does her wardrobe. Janie's different marriages are symbolized by her very different wardrobes. Janie's first marriage was to Logan Killicks when she was just a young girl at the age of seventeen. Janie?s wardrobe mainly consisted of aprons and work clothes. Logan was very demanding and controlling over Janie, he made her work in the field and cook all day. Most of her time was spent cooking and she almost always wore her apron. ?That made her feel the apron tied around her waist. She untied it and flung it on a low bush beside the road an walked on(page 32). Janie threw off her apron while she was leaving Logan, symbolizing how she was no longer under his control and she was now back on her journey for love. Jody Starks was Janie?s second husband and was even more controlling over Janie than Logan. Janie usually wore very nice designer dresses because Joe was the mayor of Eatonville and felt that the mayor?s wife had to wear the best. The dresses symbolize the control and arrogance of Joe, because he forced Janie to wear things she was not comfortable in just to show off their money. Joe also made Janie wear head rags to cover her hair after an incident in the store. ?This business of the head-rag irked her endlessly. But Jody was set on it. Her hair was NOT going to show in the store.? (page 55). The head rags symbolize not only the control of Janie like in her first marriage but it also shows the jealousy Jody has towards his wife and other men. Once Janie was an older woman in her forties she finally found the love of her life Tea Cakes. Tea Cakes soon became her third husband and has no comparison with the other two marriages. While married to Tea cakes Janie wore whatever she wanted because he was not controlling over her like in either of her other two marriages. Janie usually would wear overalls like Tea Cakes symbolizing how free and not under control she was. ?They don?t need to worry about me and my overhalls long as Ah still got nine hundred dollars in de bank. Tea Cake got me into wearing?
Monday, January 13, 2020
Plato and Aristotle Essay
Plato and Aristotle were two philosophers who made an impact on philosophy as we know it as today. Plato is thought of as the first political philosopher and Aristotle as the first metaphysical philosopher. They were both great intellectuals in regards to being the first of the great western philosophers. Plato and Aristotle each had ideas in how to better life by improving the societies in which they were part of during their lives. The views of Plato and Aristotle look different but they do have some similarities to them. Plato is mostly known for his Theory of Forms and Aristotle is known for his thoughts in universals. Even though they both thought a bit differently they did agree in a few things. Plato and Aristotle not only had an impact on society in the past but todayââ¬â¢s society as well. Plato was a teacher to Aristotle and lived during the Peloponnesian War, which lead to the end of the Athenian democracy. He had eyewitness account of Socrates, his mentor, trial and execution. Unhappy with the political corruption that plagued the Athenian democratic government, he removed himself from politics. He strongly felt that neither a moral individual nor a state could be established in a democratic environment. Plato felt that the common man was not intelligent enough to deal with concepts that influence the state such as economics, policies and other relative matters. He thought of philosophers as being the most intelligent among men. He viewed political incumbents in the Athens government basically as bought individuals in office for the good of themselves and not society as a whole. Another danger was that extreme liberties given to the people in the democratic society could potentially lead an anarchy. Aristotle was a student of Platoââ¬â¢s and teacher of Alexander the Great. He created his own school in Athens. He thought of metaphysics to be the first philosophy, which was a large interest to him. Aristotleââ¬â¢s stated that forms were universal. According to Aristotle, notion of Essential properties makes something what it is, and accidental properties are the differences of that item. Aristotle believed the state and the individual are similar and democracy would be the better government. In Book VII of The Republic by Plato, Socrates describes the Allegory of the Cave. It is a metaphor to illustrate the effects of education on the human soul. It can also be understood as what is real and what is believed to be real in life. Even though Plato had his ideal city, the forms was really what people could connect with. There is so much one can take from his thoughts on the forms that could be applied to society today. Plato starts out comparing people that are uneducated to prisoners chained in a cave, unable to turn their head. All they can see is the wall of the cave in front of them. A fire behind them burns bright. Between the fire and the prisoners, there is an area for puppeteers to move around and hold up the puppets to cast shadows on the wall that is in front of the prisoners. This is what the prisoners see every single day. This is all they know; shadows, echoes, the smell of the fire, and darkness. They believe that that shadows are reality. One of the prisoners is allowed to go outside of the cave. Once they reach the outside of the cave, they are blinded by the light because they have not seen such. Once their eyes start to adjust, they start seeing shapes and objects around them. They see that the sun is what creates light and that the tall objects with leaves are trees. They are colorful with moving parts. They go back outside to tell the prisoners, but they are not believed. Those still inside of the cave thinks the person just came in from the outside ill because that is not what they see in the cave, they did not see the outside for themselves, so therefore, it does not exist. So now the person that just came in from the bright sun light cannot see very well in the darkness of the cave, their eyes have not adjusted to the darkness, and people think they are crazy. This is where this view fails for Aristotle because it is not realistic. Aristotle rejects Platoââ¬â¢s Theory of Forms, and makes the way for his realistic approach, which underlines observation first and abstract reasoning second. Being a student of Platoââ¬â¢s, I believe he was indebted to justify at lengths why he disagrees with doctrines of his teacher. He provided detailed arguments against many of Platoââ¬â¢s doctrines, a lot of his major works, focusing in particular on the Theory of Forms. In Aristotleââ¬â¢s critique he thinks this theory is essentially an assertion of the superiority of universals over particulars. Plato argues that particular instances of beauty or justice exists only because they participate in the universal Form of Beauty. Say a there are two objects, one is colorless and the other one is red. The colorless one goes where the red on is located. Since the colorless object and the red object are participating, they are both red objects. They have a certain nurture and nature. However, Aristotle argues that universal concepts of beauty and justice derive from the instances of beauty and justice in this world. We only arrive at an idea of beauty by observing particular instances of beauty. This universal quality of beauty has no existence beyond this idea that we build from particular instances. He is staying that the particulars come first and the universals come after and therefor, Aristotle places emphasis on the importance of observing the details of this world. Which leads me to understand his thoughts on happiness a little more. With putting the weight on observing happiness can measured by a personââ¬â¢s life. Aristotle lays out in Book X in the Nicomachean Ethicââ¬â¢s, the continuation of his thoughts on pleasure, happiness and the end of life, and ethics and politics. His view on happiness and the end of human life really made me question his way of thinking. Aristotle suggests that happiness is the final end of life because nothing is greater than happiness or the good life and it goes against his universal theory. Aristotle proposes that happiness, or the good life, is taken to be a most final end. ââ¬Å"We said, then, that happiness is not a characteristic, for in that case it could be present even to someone asleep thought his life, living the life of plants, and to someone undergoing the greatest misfortunes. â⬠(Nicomachean Ethics, 1176a-1176b). The good life for humans is the life of choosing to life the life according to the virtues. ââ¬Å"For we choose everything, so to speak, for the sake of something else-except happiness, for it is the end. â⬠(Nicomachean Ethics, 1176b). Also, it seems that only humans can be happy because the happiness is an important nature of every individual human and it is unique to humans in that the function of humans is what distinguishes them from other kinds of things. Happiness is a self-sufficient activity desirable for its own sake. One seeks nothing from happiness beyond the actual experience or performance of it as an activity. Activities that are desirable in themselves are activities in conformity with virtue and indicates that the greatest happiness must be activity in conformity with the highest virtue. It is wrong to confuse happiness with various kinds of amusements involving bodily pleasures, as many people do. Such amusements are neither virtuous nor ends in themselves, but are merely relaxing diversions in which one occasionally engages for the sake of future activity. The greatest happiness is activity in conformity with the highest virtue is excellence. Intelligence is manââ¬â¢s highest possession and the objects of intelligence are the highest objects within his grasp. It is clear that the life of contemplation and theoretical wisdom must be the greatest of human virtues and the highest form of happiness. The objects of the contemplative life are the unchangeable and eternal verities that underlie and govern the universe. From contemplation of these truths the soul derives a feeling of purity and stability. ââ¬Å"Further, this active is most continuous, for we are more able to contemplate continuously than we are to do anything else whatever. â⬠(Nicomachean Ethics, 1177a). Also, the wise person is able to contemplate by himself, the wiser he is the more adept he will be doing so. Contemplative happiness is not dependent on other men. It is the form of life in which human beings come most nearly to being divine, the life that harmonizes with intellect, and that life seems to be the happiest, according to Aristotle. There is another kind of happiness, based on moral virtue and practical wisdom, which is concerned with feelings that spring from manââ¬â¢s bodily nature. It can be defined as the harmonious coordination of all parts of manââ¬â¢s complete being. This kind of happiness is not as exalted as the contemplative, but it helps prepare us for the higher happiness and, since man is not all mind and reason, gives us something to fall back upon when we are unable to remain continuously at the higher level. ââ¬Å"For if there is a certain care for human things on the part of gods, as in fact there is held to be, it would be also reasonable for gods to delight in what is best and most akin to them ââ¬â this would be the intellect ââ¬â and to benefit in return those who cherish this above all and honor it, on the grounds that these latter are caring for what is dear to gods as well as acting correctly and nobly. â⬠(Nicomachean Ethics, 1179a). This person is the happiest and a wise person would be extremely happy. I believe this idea has some hints of Platoââ¬â¢s forms. The one person who went outside of the cave and saw it all was brought down by all the people in the cave that didnââ¬â¢t see the outside. Aristotle states that you cannot be happy with a lot of friends because they are not true friends. I believe those excess friendships would be a similar situation in the cave. They would not bring your happiness, only suffering. Aristotle and Plato have similarities in their city states as well. Plato gives a place to women, but Aristotle does not seem to care for women. When reading Plato, the texts are in Socratesââ¬â¢s voice. It makes it hard to connect what he is saying, especially in the Republic since it is a play. Also, one cannot tell if Socrates, Plato, is being serious or straightforward or if itââ¬â¢s Socratesââ¬â¢s thoughts or Platoââ¬â¢s. In Nicomachean Ethics, the text is Aristotleââ¬â¢s lecture notes and he is the author of them. While reading, it seems that Plato comes out and gives his opinion on matters, but Aristotle presents them, but does not come out and say what his thoughts are. Plato and Aristotle were two philosophers who made a huge impact on philosophy. They were both great western philosophers. Plato and Aristotle each had ideas in how to better life by improving the societies in which they were part of during their lives. Although they are thought to have completely different views, when laid out, their views have some similarities.
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