The Philosophy Of Friendship Philosophy Essay

The Philosophy Of Friendship Philosophy Essay and its meaning through the eyes of Aristotle. Walking into this class back in the start of September I thought about the concept of love very narrow-mindedly and often reserved my interpretation to a singular entity defined simply as one person strongly caring for another. Never in my right mind did I believe one emotion could be separated into several forms. While it was obvious to me that the admiration I had for my favorite jeans was not quite the same as in how I care about my Mother, it was not until I took my first Philosophy class did I begin to expand my perspective of love and the types of love existent in human nature. While the majority of people seem to think of love in the popularized all-for-nothing, go to the end of world and back sense, what strikes me as more intriguing is the idea of friendship. From this course I have learned that friendship, which stems from the word philia meaning love in Greek is the highest kind of love/relationship. It is a way of loving that can be sought for with many, but sometimes found to be lasting in only a select few. To me, the way to understanding love starts with friendship and not with romance. Although both are closely linked, romance is flexible and arbitrary while friendships are deeply rooted and fixed in nature. Companionship through friends is essential to loving and loving and can create and strengthen our ethnics and morals. To understand love, more specifically friendship it is important to know that we as human are social beings. We enclose ourselves with many different people, and those especially close to our hearts and minds are called our friends. It is in our nature to be social, for we learn about ourselves and evolve through our relations with others. Because of this, we [as humans] are constantly trying to broaden the boundary of our circle of friends. Aristotle understood the importance of friendship and wrote highly of this type of relationship. A modernized view of friendship can be defined as, one joined to another in intimacy and mutual benevolence independently of sexual or family love (Merriam-Webster). Aristotles view on friendship is much more enlightened and expansive than this; however, his assertions are certainly not perfect. In this essay I will outline Aristotles stance about friendship, show both the pros and cons of his arguments and share my personal beliefs on the subject. Friendship for Aristotle (and Greeks in general) is much broader than the dictionary definition. Aristotle regards both less-intimate bonds as well as deeper, loving connections as ways of practicing friendship. Relationships between couples, parents and their children, neighbors, business partners, teammates, teacher and student, etc. would all be seen as friendships in Aristotles eyes. However, he does make it a point to distinguish between different types of friendship and loves role within these relations. Friendships for Aristotle can be divided into three main categories: Friendships of utility. These friendships are based on people who are useful to each other. This is the sole reason behind them being friends. A good example of a friendship of utility might be the relationship between a salesman and a customer. The store clerk needs the buyer because (s)he has to make a living and the buyer needs the clerk because he needs a particular item. Both have something the other wants. Such friendships are only temporary and do not last very long as once the customer is no longer useful to the salesman, or visa versa, the connection is severed and the friendship ceases to exist. Friendships of utility are common among older people, for in old age people pursue the functional rather than the enjoyable. Friendships of pleasure. These types of relationships are based on the amount of pleasure the people get from being in the relationship itself. People who go out together, or enjoy the same activities might be in this type of relationship. They are friends for their own sake, because the friendship brings them pleasure and enjoyment, not for their friends sake. Friendships of pleasure are common among young people. Young people quickly start and end friendships because what pleasures and satisfies them undergoes constant change. Friendships of virtue. Unlike friendships of utility and pleasure which can include a circle of friends, friendships of virtue are strictly one-on-one relationships. They are monogamous in nature and such a friendship can only occur between two people of the same (or closely similar) values and ideals, and both persons have to be virtuous. According to Aristotle, one can only become virtuous through wisdom and age. Therefore friendships of virtue are rarely found among young people. It is a relationship of mutual respect and love. The persons in this type of relationship are not in it because they gain something from the relationship, they are not friends because they find each other useful or bring each other pleasure, but because they see virtues in each other that they see in themselves. Such love has roots in altruism and agape love and rest on the idea of wanting the best for someone else for their friends sake. It is not surprising that such relationships are uncommon according to the philosopher. Aristotle says that a friend of virtue is another oneself in a sense, describing them as soulmates. A friend of virtue is a key part to self-sufficiency. Virtuous friends spend time with each other and make the same choices as each other. One persons happiness influences anothers happiness and visa versa. The friend, in the Aristotelian scheme, becomes an extension of the individual. In a sociological perspective, the other friend becomes the social relative mirror (Marxist term) in which you define yourself meaning, you only know yourself in relation to your external, transfigured Other. It can be argued that Aristotle is wrong when he distinguishes between friendships of utility or pleasure and friendships of virtue. Are we, as human beings, capable of doing a completely unselfish act? Can we truthfully say that we are friends with someone not for our own sake but for the sake of the friends? It may be a harsh reality to some, but I personally disagree with Aristotle on this. Take the example of gift giving Does someone give a friend a gift because they know he/she will like it, or to make a good impression on the person, or for the idea that you only give a gift to get something greater in return? There can be any number of reasons why someone would give a gift, but in my opinion the most feasible reasons would be ones where the gift-giver expects to get some form of repayment, even if it is as simple as being liked or appreciated. Altruism is rare to find in modern-day Western culture, and no act is completely selfless. Another example could be helping an elder woman across the road. Would you help her because she needs help or because you would feel a great deal of self-satisfaction by helping her? In my opinion, even if only a small part of the reason why you would help her relates back to self-satisfaction, it would mean that you are not helping her without receiving some form of incentive. We are inherently selfish beings. There is always a degree o f self-interest. Therefore Aristotles definition of friendship of virtue is wrong, in my opinion, or at least too exclusive. One of the books studied in this course, The Meanings of Love by Robert Wagoner identified six types of defined loves present in Western culture. The author illustrates his claims by defining and presenting definitions of six expressions of love. His fourth idea of love moral love is based on the inner principles of moral uprightness, stability, faithfulness and integrity. The characteristics of respect and rationality determine the credibility of a moral love relationship. Moral love in my opinion was one of the most intriguing loves I have learned about because it deals with love not in the highly romanticized sense, but targets the basic foundations of human nature and our social interactions. Using Wagoners definition of Moral love, I related his ideals to principle and came to conceptualize friendship in a much more broadened sense. Wagoner reference to Immanuel Kant, an 18th century German philosopher who stated that the legitimacy behind moral love is found in our rational nature which influences our experiences. Kant says that our ability to apply rational principles is what makes moral experience possible (70). In order to form a moral love we must live consistently by two principles of rational nature. First, the same respect and regard we hold to ourselves must be given to all equally. And secondly, our actions must not be self-regarding but instead our relations should be based on the idea that they can be universalized. If carried out correctly, it is the gratification of mutual rationality and strong sense of moral obligation to each other that unite people to love. Moral love is highly rational and is subject to scrutiny reason in order to achieve integrity. In a moral loving relationship, the lover is not so much committed to the beloved as he/she is committed to the relationship itself, because it de fines the individual. The notion of sexuality in moral love threatens its very nature. Kant states, To truly love others is to care for them as whole persons, that is, as rational and moral sovereigns and not merely as sexual creatures (80). Friendship could evolve into a greater love, which could result in a union such as marriage which holds importance in moral love; for any sexual relation outside of this strictly shows utilitarianism. It is the difference between the good and the right, and in this case of moral love, sexual relations only seek to use the other as a thing which is immoral in nature. Moral love can be best defined as a labor of love where an individual is consistently trying to change themselves into universal beings rooted in moral uprightness. Such a relationship could be described as Aristotles friendship of virtue. However, the counter-argument can also be made. Kant differs with Aristotles definition of friendship. Kant believed that an act could only have moral value if and only if you were not the primary beneficiary of the act. According to Kant with Aristotles theory of friendship it seems the friendship can not be a moral goal. A friendship is morally neutral. He goes on to assert that it does not say, or show anything about your moral character. Of course Aristotle would disagree; he would say having a friend of virtue is a goal that every moral person should strive for. Kant believes that people dont seek friendship for friendships sake but to satisfy needs (friendship of utility). Kant sees true friendship as two people taking care of the others needs. If I take care of my friends needs he/she will take care of my needs. Friendship was based on reciprocity. Kant believes that a truly virtuous man is friends with everyone and should not limit himself to a select few friends, as this would be being exclusive. He should love everyone equally. However, friendships by definition are exclusive, and as a result one is forced to play favoritism. According to Kant friendships are the have of people of lesser virtues blocking out the world. Aristotle would disagree; he would say friendships are the way into the world. Kant has a somewhat negative view of friendship whereas Aristotle thinks friendship is good and therefore sought by everyone. Aristotles basic idea of dividing friendship into sections, utility, pleasure and virtue, is good but it can be said that his ideals are too high. Can he be right in saying that only virtuous people can have true friendships? The rest of us with lesser virtues are left with friendships of utility and friendships of pleasure, as only a select few can be truly virtuous. Many would be offended by this and many would believe that although they may not have friendships of virtue as Aristotle meant it they are not inferior and are true friendships all the same. It would be more beneficial to all if Aristotle made it clear that it is possible for everyone to experience true friendship and not limited it to virtuous people. If virtue is attained by age and wisdom does that not mean that everyone is potentially virtuous and therefore everyone can potentially be in a virtuous friendship? Subjectively speaking, I find many flaws in Aristotles views on friendship. The main ones being that he is too elitist, too exclusive when it comes down to defining true friendship and is far too inclusive when it comes to friendships of utility. Aristotle does however make many good arguments, and does a good job with dividing up friendship into categories. It allows us to look at friendship in a more structured way and lets us evaluate different friendships in our life.

Manage Own Performance in a Business Environment Essay

1: Understand how to plan and be accountable to others.1.1 There are a number of guidelines and procedures in place to enable me to do my job not only to the best of my ability but in a professional manner. In administration, there are procedures that need to be followed relating to various aspects of the job including correct procedures to, answer the telephone, confirming tickets, dealing with outgoing mail, rooms as well as other procedures. All of the administrators procedures are kept in a file at the office area where any member of admin staff can revise them as and when necessary. In my work place, these general procedures cover a wide range of skills used within any administration such as how to deal with a telephone call and how to used the office printer. They are available on the system for any staff member to review. 1.2 As a employee I am accountable to my employer. They have a right to see that my work is up to standard. Having a plan allows for my manager to see a quick overview of my daily tasks and allows them to check that I understand what needs to be done through out the day. It also helps to agree timescales and goals, and helps with performance managing.Planning skills allows me to be efficient and to successfull in my job.I have to be able to set and achieve targets and help others to do the same.1.3 The purpose for agreeing realistic targets for work is to keep everyone on task and focused, there is no point setting a target that is impossible to complete in the time scale given. Things will always get rushed and missed if the target is unrealistic. Work will not be done to the highest standard. However you should always push yourself at work. There should be a balance between the time it takes, how much work you have to do and making sure your work is to the highest standard. This wa y, everyone can contribute effectively and reach targets efficiently instead of struggling to achieve the impossible. 1.4 I need to make sure that the deadline is fair and be honest about how much work I can handle. When speaking to my manager I will gain respect by being straight about how much I can do. If I set too easy a target for myself I won’t be pushed to improve myself and it will be clear to my manager. If I make it impossible to reach my manager will be unimpressed by my inability to work out how long I need and missing the deadline. Setting targets is part of planning so the more accurately you can stick a plan usually the more likely you are to succeed. 1.5 The first thing I do in the morning is to prioritize my work. That is, place the most important job at the top; the least, at the bottom. When judging priorities, I need to do several things: I need to determine what is required. This is the number of jobs that need to be done. I need to figure out what is required. I need to ask myself â€Å"What must I do that nobody can or should do for me?† I have a list on which I write every target I need to Achieve and then I plan this around my day. If I’m stuck or behind on an important job I can ask my office manager Jack or other employees to help me. I don’t put everything into a ‘pending’ or ‘jobs to do’ file. I Classify my targets into those that are: both urgent and important (class 1) urgent (class 2) important (class 3) neither (class 4).1.6 So other people can help me when I am stuck and it doesn’t waste time. We can work as a team together to get the task finished.They can give me tips and say how I could improve my work.If someone is relying on a piece of work from me to complete their own tasks then it is important to keep them informed of where I am. By doing this I can also gain information on timescales, when this work needs to be completed. If I am unable to complete something by the time requested then other people will have to re-prioritise their own workloads to fit around me and by keeping them informed of my progress I can show where I am with my work.1.7 It respects people’s time and allows people to be better prepared for work, mentally, physically and tools-wise. It is respectful of the other person’s time to give him or her a good idea of what and how you want them to do something and when they need to start. If these plans change, respect demands that you infor m others involved of the changes to these plans. 1.8/1.9Computer crashingWork not getting savedPower cutsPhotocopier runs out of tonerPhotocopier runs out paper. All of these issues can be resolved very simply.Any technical fault that involves my computer I would report this to my manager or director. Things like photocopier running out of paper would be common sense I would fill the paper tray myself with the correct size and type of paper. If there is a jam I would try and resolve this myself without creating danger or ask somebody I would ask my manager who knows how to fix this. 1.10 The importance of learning from mistakes is so that you will not make the same mistakes (or similar mistakes) in the future, and you will thereby make more right decisions and fewer wrong decisions, and therefore will enjoy more success and less failure. Outcome 2: Understand how to behave in a way that supports effective working.2.1 The purpose of agreeing and setting high standards for work assures that each person tries their hardest and achieves there goals. By setting high standards you are showing a good example to the hole work team. Your building trust with your employer, it can give you benefits such as a pay raise or promotion and It gives you a great sense of satisfaction. You must always make sure you have the right amount of work for your time scale. This allows you to make sure your work is to the highest standard and isn’t rushed. I have learnt from working at h2o the its better to take a little bit longer doing something than doing it to quickly and having to go back and correct your mistakes. 2.2/2.3 I can set high standards of work by putting 100% into every task I do. By being the best I possibly can be. If I challenge myself in areas I will improve at my work, impress my employer and set a high example to all of the staff. By not challenging myself I am not learning anything. I should always take on new challenges if given them. This means I will earn new skills and will allow me to become experienced at my job. 2.4 If there are changes, its best to find out the purpose and make a plan, gather as much information as you can. Discuss the changes with your manager as understanding the situation helps you plan an appropriate course of action. Find out if the changes will affect your salary or benefits. There are always changes made in our workplace such a new office equipment, new staff, change in role. It gives me new challenges and experience. 2.5 The purpose of treating others with respect, honesty, and consideration is to treat others how you would like to be treated. To help people when you can. Never judge anyone and understand people as individuals. This gives people self confidence and positive a work environment. In my workplace we always listen and respect one another. 2.6 Behaviour is vital to the workplace because it can affect everyone. A person’s negative outlook can spend to those around that person. The workplace can immediately become a hostile environment due to the action or attitude of a single person. 2.7 Types of behaviour that display honesty, respect, and consideration are listening to others’ ideas and providing thoughtful feedback, being sensitive to the needs of others, seeking a solution that will benefit all, cooperating with everybody, treating others fairly and with dignity. Some negative behaviours are not listening to people, ignoring the opinions of others, having a selfish attitude, disregarding the efforts of others, and spreading false or hurtful information about others like spending rumours.

This essay discusses the role television soap operas have...

This essay discusses the role television soap operas have in generating discussion about the issues of gendered identity and sexuality. It is based on the study conducted by Chris Baker and Julie Andre, who argue that because soap operas draw huge audiences and centre on the sphere of interpersonal relationships and sexual identity, the talk generated from them will reflect such aspects (Andre and Barker 21). The discussions generated from the study show examples of working through, gender differences, and add evidence to the ‘active audience’ concept discussed in early media audience studies and research, as opposed to research that proposes a ‘media effects’ orientated argument. To ensure honest opinions were provided, the research†¦show more content†¦He was also regarded for his status as a â€Å"dickhead† and his wayward nature was admirable, traits we would assume to be of negative connotation (Andre and Barker 24). This can then be contrasted with less masculine characters, such as Ricky, who displays characteristics that the participants find undesirable in men. Ricky is regarded as ‘loser’ because of the nature of his relationships. He allows himself to be ‘pushed around’ by his girlfriend and is treated as a subordinate by her friends (Andre and Barker 24). Female characters were also used to stimulate discussion about what participants perceive as socially acceptable within gendered identity. East Enders character Natalie was described by female participants using derogatory terminology, such as â€Å"a right slag† and â€Å"a bit of a cow† due to her assertive and pushy nature, and confidence in her sexuality (Andre and Barker 26). Similar terms were given to the character Bianca, who was labelled â€Å"trashy† and â€Å"tarty† due to her promiscuous nature and licentious attire. (Andre and Barker 26) While these judgements may be regarded as sexist, as waywardness and promiscuity are valued in men and rejected in women, the discussions do not always enforce traditional gender roles. One participant criticised Helen, a character from Neighbours for her commitment to domesticity â€Å"all Helen does it sit there baking casseroles, giving advice† (Andre and Barker 26). Because soap operas are centred around interpersonalShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesE SSAYS ON TWENTIETH-C ENTURY H ISTORY In the series Critical Perspectives on the Past, edited by Susan Porter Benson, Stephen Brier, and Roy Rosenzweig Also in this series: Paula Hamilton and Linda Shopes, eds., Oral History and Public Memories Tiffany Ruby Patterson, Zora Neale Hurston and a History of Southern Life Lisa M. Fine, The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown, U.S.A. Van Gosse and Richard Moser, eds., The World the Sixties Made: Politics and Culture

The Structure and Function of Proteins

Proteins are very important molecules that are essential for all living organisms.  By dry weight, proteins are the largest unit of cells. Proteins are involved in virtually all cell functions and a different type of protein is devoted to each role, with tasks ranging from general cellular support to cell signaling and locomotion. In total, there are seven types of proteins. Proteins Proteins are biomolecules composed of amino acids that participate in nearly all cellular activities.Occurring in the cytoplasm, translation is the process through which proteins are synthesized.The typical protein is constructed from a single set of amino acids. Every protein is specially equipped for its function.Any protein in the human body can be created from permutations of only 20 amino acids.There are seven types of proteins: antibodies, contractile proteins, enzymes, hormonal proteins, structural proteins, storage proteins, and transport proteins. Protein Synthesis Proteins are synthesized in the body through a process called translation. Translation occurs in the cytoplasm and involves converting genetic codes into proteins. Genetic codes are assembled during DNA transcription, where DNA is decoded into RNA. Cell structures called ribosomes then help transcribe RNA into polypeptide chains that need to be modified to become functioning proteins. Amino Acids and Polypeptide Chains Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins, no matter their function. Proteins are typically a chain of 20  amino acids. The human body can use combinations of these same 20 amino acids to make any protein it needs. Most  amino acids  follow a structural template in which an alpha carbon is bonded to the following forms: A hydrogen atom (H)A carboxyl group (-COOH)An amino group (-NH2)A variable group Across the different types of amino acids, the variable group is most responsible for variation as all of them have hydrogen, carboxyl group,  and amino group bonds. Amino acids are joined through dehydration synthesis until they form peptide bonds. When a number of amino acids are linked together by these bonds, a polypeptide chain is formed. One or more polypeptide chains twisted into a 3-D shape forms a protein. Protein Structure The structure of a protein may be globular or fibrous depending on its particular role (every protein is specialized). Globular proteins are generally compact, soluble, and spherical in shape. Fibrous proteins are typically elongated and insoluble. Globular and fibrous proteins may exhibit one or more types of  protein structures.   There are four structural levels of protein: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. These levels determine the shape and function of a protein and are distinguished from one another by the degree of complexity in a polypeptide chain. The primary level is the most basic and rudimentary while the quaternary level describes sophisticated bonding. A single protein molecule may contain one or more of these protein structure levels and the structure and intricacy of a protein determine its function. Collagen, for example, has a super-coiled helical shape that is long, stringy, strong, and rope-like—collagen is great for providing support. Hemoglobin, on the other hand, is a globular protein that is folded and compact. Its spherical shape is useful for maneuvering through blood vessels. Types of Proteins There is a total of seven different protein types under which all proteins fall. These include antibodies, contractile proteins, enzymes, hormonal proteins, structural proteins, storage proteins, and transport proteins. Antibodies Antibodies are specialized proteins that defend the body against antigens or foreign invaders. Their ability to travel through the bloodstream enables them to be utilized by the immune system to identify and defend against bacteria, viruses, and other foreign intruders in blood. One way antibodies counteract antigens is by immobilizing them so that they can be destroyed by white blood cells. Contractile Proteins Contractile proteins are responsible for muscle  contraction and movement. Examples of these proteins include actin and myosin. Eukaryotes tend to possess copious amounts of actin, which controls muscle contraction as well as cellular movement and division processes. Myosin powers the tasks carried out by actin by supplying it with energy. Enzymes Enzymes are proteins that facilitate and speed up biochemical reactions, which is why they are often referred to as catalysts. Notable enzymes include lactase and pepsin, proteins that are familiar for their roles in digestive medical conditions and specialty diets. Lactose intolerance is caused by a lactase deficiency, an enzyme that breaks down the sugar lactose found in milk. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that works in the stomach to break down proteins in food—a shortage of this enzyme leads to indigestion. Other examples of digestive enzymes are those present in saliva: salivary amylase, salivary kallikrein, and lingual lipase all perform important biological functions. Salivary amylase is the primary enzyme found in saliva and it breaks down starch into sugar. Hormonal Proteins Hormonal proteins are messenger proteins that help coordinate certain bodily functions. Examples include insulin, oxytocin, and somatotropin. Insulin regulates glucose metabolism by controlling blood-sugar concentrations in the body, oxytocin stimulates contractions during childbirth, and somatotropin is a growth hormone that incites protein production in muscle cells. Structural Proteins Structural proteins are fibrous and stringy, this formation making them ideal for supporting various other proteins such as keratin, collagen, and elastin. Keratins strengthen protective coverings such as skin, hair, quills, feathers, horns, and beaks. Collagen and elastin provide support to connective tissues like tendons and ligaments. Storage Proteins Storage proteins reserve amino acids for the body until ready for use. Examples of storage proteins include ovalbumin, which is found in egg whites, and casein,  a milk-based protein. Ferritin is another protein that stores iron in the transport protein, hemoglobin. Transport Proteins Transport proteins are carrier proteins that move molecules from one place to another in the body. Hemoglobin is one of these and is responsible for transporting oxygen through the blood  via red blood cells. Cytochromes, another type of transport protein, operate in the electron transport chain as electron carrier proteins.

Warren Buffet s Leadership Style - 859 Words

Warren Edward Buffet Warren Buffet is apparently the most successful investor in the history of the world. (1) He is the Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, USA, leading over 300,000 employees with values-based and authentic style of leadership. He makes his employees his top priority and gives them equal credit in the success he achieves. This has resulted in making the company the fifth-most-valued, in America. (2) Buffet is known for his authenticity and ethics. He is also described as generous, trustworthy and supportive. He is the 3rd wealthiest person in the world (3) and has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth to philanthropy. (4) Leadership style: Warren Buffet’s personal qualities like simplicity, humility and shrewdness†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago† - Warren Buffet Values and Self-Discipline: Warren Buffet is widely respected not only for his business acumen but also because he always been a model of integrity and believed in values. While the world is driven by thirst for exponentially increasing money, Warren Buffet stands solid on his values and is very frugal while investing. This is not only because he is disciplined but also because he understands that careless spending has an impact on the investors. Despite the fact that he is one of the world’s richest persons, he still resides in the same house in Omaha, Nebraska that he bought in 1958 for $31,500. (8) He has been earning a base salary of $100,000 since the past 25 years. He has also promised 99% of his wealth ($50bn) to the Gates Foundation. All these attributes speak voluminously about how generous and humble Mr. Buffet is. â€Å"We can afford to lose money – even a lot of money, we cannot afford to lose reputation – even a shred of reputation†¦It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.† - Warren Buffet Relationships and Connectivity: One of the very interesting characteristics of Mr. Buffet is the way he treats his employees. He maintains professionalism at all times and considers the stakeholders as the owners of the company and treats them very respectfully. He trusts his employees and allows them to have complete autonomy on their roles.Show MoreRelatedThe Leader I Will Position This Paper On Is Warren Buffet929 Words   |  4 PagesThe leader I will position this paper on is Warren Buffet. 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In 2008, Tesla Motors launched its first product Roadster, a pure electric sports car sold at a price of over US$100,000. Tesla ceased production of Roadster in 2012 and focused on the Model S, a cheaper yet more sophisticated model that helped Tesla to penetrate into new markets. Model 3, the model aimed at the

Tarahumara Indians Free Essays

The Running People Rex Pace, an ultrarunner, once said, â€Å"Pushing your body past what you thought it was capable of is easy; the hard part is pushing yourself even further †¦ past what your mind wants to let you. That’s what ultrarunning is all about; introducing you to a self you’ve never known. † The human body can do amazing things, especially when it comes to running. We will write a custom essay sample on Tarahumara Indians or any similar topic only for you Order Now Although most people think of running as a pain in the behind, a small minority are crazy about it. These people live and breathe running. People like a Scott Jurek, or Ann Trason, well known endurance runners, can clock in more than 150 miles a week because to them, running is not just a sport, but a lifestyle. Because of these people, ultrarunning was born and has taken its hold. All over the country, races anywhere from 50 to 300 miles long are taking place, and only the best runners complete them. That is, the runners who want to be known. However, there is a group of people who have been called â€Å"the finest natural distance runners in the world†, yet barely anyone has heard of them. These very shy and isolated people are known as the Tarahumara Indians, and they are incredible endurance runners. This is evident in the way they live and how they incorporate running as a part of their lifestyle. The Tarahumara Indians also call themselves the Raramuri, which translates to mean foot runner. These Indians live in the Sierra Madre of Mexico, in â€Å"small isolated clusters with most of the population concentrated in the†¦Copper Canyons† (Beauregard). The Copper Canyons consists of five canyons, three of which are deeper than the Grand Canyon. The terrain is very rugged, nearly impassable to outsiders, and there is a lot of vegetation. Due to cold temperatures, the soil is bad for growing crops, and so the â€Å"Tarahumara are semi-nomadic and cave dwellers for part of the year† (Beauregard). They also live under cliffs or in small cabins. Because they live so deep within the Copper Canyons, they do not receive many visitors, so the Tarahumara are a very shy bunch. Life is very simple because â€Å"the Tarahumara still want nothing to do with money and material things that are not important to them† (Beauregard). Family and running are probably the two most important things to a Tarahumara Indian. Speaking of running, the incredible endurance of these Indians may be, in part, due to their healthy diet. The main staple food is corn. Almost everything the Tarahumara eat contains corn, such as their favorite: Pinole. Pinole is basically corn ground to a powder and then toasted. A few other common foods would be squash, beans, chili, wild greens, and handmade tortillas. Meat is only eaten on special occasions because animals are usually kept for farming purposes only. The Tarahumara eat â€Å"approximately 10% protein, 10% fat and 80% complex carbohydrates† (Lutz 31). This ratio keeps the Tarahumara fueled with energy all day long, and helps them stay fit by consuming so little fat. Although the â€Å"Tarahumara diet is very simple†¦nutritionists agree that it is very healthy† (Kennedy, 20) and is linked to why the Tarahumara are such great distance runners. They also have a special drink that can only classify as the best energy drink around. Made with only the seeds of the chia plant, water, and a little lime juice, this drink, which they call iskiate, can energize a person for the entire day. The chia seeds are tiny, but are â€Å"superpacked with omega-3s, omega-6s, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, fiber, and antioxidants†¦ [and aid in] building muscle, lowering cholesterol, and reducing your risk of heart disease† (McDougall, 44). Their diet keeps these Indians strong, fit, and always ready to run. For the Tarahumara, running is simply a part of daily life. In some ways, their running abilities are due to the biggest social event in their culture: the rarajipari. The rarajipari, or foot throwing game, is a competition between the male adults of two neighboring villages that involves running along a set race course while â€Å"throwing† a wooden, baseball sized ball with the foot. The first team to cross the finish line with the ball wins. A game that lasts for two days â€Å"is not unusual†¦ and many [courses] are 60 to 90 miles long† (Kennedy, 92) or longer. The runners do not get breaks, but must constantly be alert at all times as to where the ball is, and no hands are allowed. In the beginning of a race, â€Å"spectators frequently run along with the runners†¦ [and] a great deal of fun is generated† (Lutz, 26). The game is taught to kids at an early age, and is the only sport the Tarahumara play. Competitions happen very often because â€Å"the rarajipari [is] the heart and soul of Tarahumara culture† (McDougall, 41). This game is part of the reason the Tarahumara are such great endurance runners, and without it they would not be the same people. However the rarajipari is not the only way the Tarahumara incorporate running into their lifestyle. The Indians run almost everywhere they go, apparently because they like to† (Lutz 33). There are almost no roads in the Sierra Madre, and most paths are rugged, steep and narrow. For this reason, foot travel is the preferred mode of transportation by the Tarahumara to get from point A to point B. If point B happens to be another village, it is most likely more than 50 miles away, so the Indi ans must be in amazing physical condition. It would not be uncommon for a Tarahumara to â€Å"run 200 miles over a period of three days and nights† (Lutz 22). Since they tend to move around according to the season, the family’s â€Å" small plots of land are frequently miles from where the family lives, [so] every member of the family must be able to travel long distances in order to perform his everyday tasks† (Lutz 33). Also, when the Tarahumara go out hunting, they do not use traditional hunting techniques because they do not have guns or other weapons. Instead, â€Å"in order to catch such wild animals as deer, wild turkeys, and rabbits, the Tarahumara simply chase after the animal until the animal drops from exhaustion† (Beauregard). This is, again, an example of their super endurance and incorporation of running in their lives. When these amazing runners became known, a man named Rick Fisher, a wilderness photographer, decided it would be great publicity to sponsor an all-Tarahumara team and sign them up for the Leadville 100 mile race in Leadville, Colorado. Leadville happens to be the highest city in North America, and so the â€Å"Leadville Trail 100 boils down to nearly four full marathons, half of them in the dark, with twin twenty-six-hundred-foot climbs smack in the middle† (McDougall, 57). Basically, the trail is a nightmare, and only about 50% of the participants ever finish. So Mr. Fisher trekked into the Copper Canyons to find his all-star team, promised their village a pile of corn, and in 1993, Victoriano Churro, Cerrildo Chacarito, Manuel Luna and Felipe Torres ran the Leadville 100. About half way through the ultra-marathon â€Å"even the best ultrarunners†¦are heads down and digging deep†¦ [but] by mile 60, the Tarahumara were flying† (McDougall, 65). Victoriano, Cerrildo, and Manuel had swiftly crept up and passed all the other runners. In the end, Victoriano came in first, Cerrildo in second, and Manuel came in fifth because of a broken sandal. â€Å"The first non-Tarahumara finisher was nearly a full hour behind Victoriano†¦ [and the Indians] had done serious damage to the record book† (McDougall, 65). Having never trained for or run the Leadville 100 before, the Tarahumara team managed to grab three of the top five spots because of their amazing endurance. Later, in 2008, the Tarahumara participated in another ultra-marathon. However, this race had never been run before, and will never be run again. Put together by a man who calls himself Caballo Blanco, a very good friend of the Tarahumara people, this race took place in Urique, Mexico, heart of the Tarahumara country. The start and finish line was the village of the Urique Tarahumara. Caballo Blanco had â€Å"laid out a diabolical course; [they would] be climbing and descending sixty-five hundred feet in fifty miles† (McDougall, 258) and the entire course had been planned â€Å"in a Y pattern, with the starting line dead in the center† (McDougall, 262). There were a total of 25 participants: 20 Tarahumara, including the legendary Arnulfo and Silvino, and 5 Americans, including Scott Jurek, one of the best ultra-marathoners in the world. When the race started, the Urique group bounded out with a burst of speed to lead the pack. However, it became suspicious when,â€Å"in the space of just four miles, the Urique crew had opened up a four minute lead†¦ [and so] they were disqualified† (McDougall, 262) for cheating. With the Urique out, Silvino and Arnulfo took the lead, with Scott Jurek right on their heels. In the end Arnulfo took the gold, Scott the silver, and Silvino the bronze. The last racer to finish, Christopher McDougall, crossed the finish line 12 hours after the race began, â€Å"meaning that Scott and Arnulfo could have run the course all over again and still have beaten [him]† (McDougall, 273). Most of the Tarahumara who competed finished the race within 6 or 7 hours, again displaying their incredible endurance. When it comes to the test, these Indians sure know how to take the gold. Completely isolated in the Sierra Madre from the rest of the world, these Indians and their abilities were unknown for a very long time. Many people still have never heard of them, but if they did, they would surely be blown away and inspired. The Tarahumara are the best endurance runners out there and completely by accident. Due to the simplicity of their lives, a very healthy diet, and the importance that running has in their lifestyle, the Tarahumara have every right to call themselves the Raramui, or running people. These Indians are an inspiration to me, and probably to many other runners out there. Hopefully one day I can be half as good an athlete as they are. How to cite Tarahumara Indians, Essay examples

Deutsche Allgemeinversicherung free essay sample

Deutsche Allgemeinversicherung (DAV) is one of the worlds largest insurance companies. In 1996, 51% of DAVs business was in Germany (in which 60% was in retail insurance). Managers of other firms say DAVs strengths lie in both sound, traditional insurance management (most likely the core insurance product offering) and outstanding customer services (most likely the human contract element in the insurance product). The insurance company has cutting-edge technology. DAV seeks to lower its defects internal costs and external costs by increasing its appraisal and preventation costs. Competition Concern#1: Insurance service products are increasingly becoming homogeneous (and easy to replicate), and not only does DAV compete against the other giants of the industry such as Allianz, Credit Lyonnais and Aetna, but in addition the company has many smaller insurance companies as competitors. Differentiating DAVs customer service can be used as an advantage over competitors. Customers In the case quality for customers is what customers value, i. Dav’s goal:improve info accuracy quality PDCA –cycle – quality improvement Steps in PDCA cycle Plan: Identify and recognize problem. Develop an action plan that includes a workable solution. lack of information accuracy and quality lack of employee skills within the organizations PDCA cycle †¦. Action plan Identify different tools within SPC Tools: Flow charts -visual representation of the process -identify point where problems occur -intervention points for solution PDCA cycle †¦. PDCA cycle †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Cause and effect or Fishbone diagram Identifies,displays graphically,explores possible causes relating to the problem to discover the root of the problem Eg. The core problem was information Accuracy poor quality PDCA cycle †¦. PDCA cycle †¦. Develop training programmes for internal employees E. g.. In the case we find that there are forexample 154 permanent employees 132 temps PDCA cycle †¦. Do: implement solutions Implementation of a pilot PMV project Employed an academic consultant to develop a statistical sampling plan Provide more training to employees i. e. PMV PDCA cycle †¦. Check:Review and evaluate change check that solution has intended result Employees multiskilled – reduce no of temps employed Identify SPC tools applicable to specific Departments –check sheets,flow chart etc PDCA CYLE †¦. Electronic charting – saves time,cost effective General principles not applied correctly as employees did not know whether a phone number or a clients address can be viewed as critical information Hence if more training is given improvement will be achieved PDCA cycle †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Act: Reflect and act on the learning experience SPC technique is a good measure of processes and improvement however Dav didn’t apply it effectively The Spc technique can be standardized within the company with the right tools and training provided.