Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist Views on Benevolence Essay Example for Free

Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist Views on Benevolence Essay Benevolence can be defined as the moral inclination to be kind and compassionate. If people could control their malicious behaviors and focus on participating in acts that are solely beneficial to humanity, the earth would be much more prosperous. Being kind to others gives us a feeling of contentment that is otherwise unattainable. Receiving compassion and kindness provides us with a sense of gratitude and wellness that many cannot help but share with others. No one enjoys being the subject of someone else’s ill will. This is why moral codes such as (but not limited to) Buddhism, Confucianism/Taoism have emerged. If everyone followed any one of the previously stated practices, it would be much easier for humans to grow and develop as a whole because there would be fewer causes of our discontentment. The Buddhists’ ultimate goal is to end suffering by achieving enlightenment, or nirvana (Kessler, pg. 186). Benevolence is indefinitely required to reach this state. Enlightenment can only be obtained by recognizing the Four Noble Truths. This basically states that life is suffering, which is the result of bad karma caused by malevolent actions that are driven by natural human desires. The end of desire will inevitably be the end of suffering. The only way to end suffering is by following in the footsteps of Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment (Kessler, pg. 166). This method of bringing an end to suffering is otherwise known as the Eightfold Path, or the Way of the Buddha. In order to obtain the same enlightenment, Buddhists are required to uphold a strict set of rules regarding the way to behave as a beneficial member of society, including â€Å"right view, right thought, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditati on.† (Kessler, pg. 224). The most devout Buddhist possesses immense self-control and discipline in attempt to live the purest, least harmful existence possible. A good example of the ideal Buddhist is the bodhisattva. Bodhisattvas have reached the ultimate level of moral purity, kindness, and compassion toward the world and therefore live to relieve people from suffering (Kessler, pg. 170). Concerning overall kindness and compassion, the fate and preservation of the entire world should be taken into account before performing any act. No living being should ever be harmed or killed. One should never steal from another, but may receive gifts openly. Buddhists should be chaste, truthful, and fair. They are required to keep peace among people if necessary. A devout Buddhist would never speak to someone in a discourteous manner, including sharing erroneous information (Kessler, pg. 185). This moral code practiced by Bodhisattvas is directly concerned with the wellbeing of the world through good deeds, which leads to the end of eternal suffering, according to the previously stated teachings of the Buddha. Another influential teacher of morality and obtaining widespread human prosperity is Confucianism. The Way, or Tao, is the Confucian concept of human nature. The Mandate of Heaven is dictated by the fact that humans, by nature, want to obtain balance and harmony in the world, which is possible beginning with harmony within the self. Harmony within one’s self leads to harmony among other people, which results in the harmony of natural phenomenon, and thus the world is harmonious. This requires that all human emotional conditions be in balance. Although the notion is truly inconceivable, this can be most closely described as the Confucian concept of heaven. People must be understanding and compassionate towards one another, and make sacrifices for the greater good. When this is achieved, human flourishing is then possible. People are either intelligent enough to possess the sincerity of the way, or they can be instructed to do so. Humans are all capable of making a contribution toward achieving the order of the Way, which results in spiritual salvation (Kessler, pg. 242-243). The most important way this goal is to be achieved by the followers of Confucian teachings is through sacrifice. An honorable person intends to sacrifice in order to spread good will to the earth. This helps emphasize the responsibilities all humans have to maintain peace and harmony in the world for the well being of everyone (Kessler, pg. 240). Humans are born into different ranks, which must be taken into consideration, but the overall goal of Confucian teaching is to uphold the moral obligation of goodness. Elders and authority figures are to be respected in accordance to the Confucian way. For example, a child is respectful to a parent because both are needed to maintain balance in the family. This plays a crucial role in the functionality of the family unit. The same notion can be applied to the citizen and his governing body. The citizen is obedient to the government because defiant behavior would lead to chaos (Kessler, pg. 242). The Buddhist and Confucian doctrines are similar in many ways. The ultimate goal of both sets of teachings is the same: human benevolence leads to moral salvation and the well being of humanity. Renunciation plays a major role in the overall intention of both parties. The crucial difference between the two is the source of the regarded texts. Confucians’ fate is subject to the government no matter what. They pay respect to all people, but understand the necessity to respect the upper class because they play a major part in the well being of the whole. The elders and authority figures â€Å"take care† of the younger or less fortunate. Buddhists focus more on solitude and undergoing suffering for the greater good. They go as far as to give up normal eating habits as to refrain from any selfish behavior that may lead to bad karma. Confucians also undergo suffering, but do not give up basic human desires for the benefit of others. They are undeniably considerate. Any feeling that one would not enjoy feeling would never be bestowed upon someone else. No form of extreme asceticism required of Confucians as it is sometimes in Buddhism. Rather, Confucian success is more important to human flourishing. Although true, both moral concepts have the same intended outcome of benevolence toward everyone. Works Cited Kessler, Gary E. Ways of Being Religious. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Pub., 2000. 166+. Print.

Causes and Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect Essay

Child abuse is defined by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services as being, "Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation"; or "An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm."(Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect 2015). Abuse can be divided into three different categories: physical, sexual, and mental. In our society, the act of abuse is a common factor in everyday life. Every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving more than 6 million children. One widely accepted estimate of sexual abuse is that one in four girls and one in eight boys will be abused before the age of eighteen.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A common definition that is given for child sexual abuse: â€Å"child sexual abuse is any action perpetrated upon or nearby a child that is sexual in nature and disturbing to the child.† Parents may find this definition too easily applied to parental affection. It would be very easy for a stranger seeing a mother or father kissing their child to believe it was an act of sexual abuse, according the definition above. It’s not likely, nor desirable that parent’s will stop showing affection to their children. If that were to occur, then we would be introducing another way of hurting children, depriving them of affection they need to grow and develop into healthy adults. However, in today’s day and age, many parents have a fear that well-meaning strangers may misunderstand their actions. Unfortunately, there are the instances when this does occasionally happen.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The courts have an empirically verifiable definition for child sexual abuse in order for them to be able to convict someone accused – put simply, they need a definition that can be proven with hard, physical evidence. This makes a problem for all the children abused in ways that do not leave a mark.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my research, I came across this definition by author Jean Renvoize, who attempts to take all three points of view into consideration. Her definition is as follows: Child sexual abuse is any type of sexual exploitation of a child or adolescent by any older person or adult for the stimulation and/or gratification of that person, which is not necessarily confined to physical contact and which may range from exhibit... ... gone over the most important points and facts about the different types of child abuse and what their effects are on children. Child abuse has always been around, and it will always be around as long as other people care more about themselves, than about others. The golden rule is the ultimate answer, the most dignified quest. The last hundred years have only brought about changes in the discussion, description, and definition of child abuse. These things have helped do away with child abuse significantly, but the eradication of this most cursed disease is not in the sight of those who look to the future. The effect that child abuse has not just on the victims, but on their subsequent victims and on society as a whole, is, in my judgement, far more devastating than the threat of drugs, or political upheaval, of economic disaster, or of environmental destruction†¦I really think that child abuse is the most significant threat not just to the quality of life in this country, b ut to life in this country. "Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect in Federal Law." U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Web. 4 March 2015. https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/can/defining/federal/

Application of Statistical Concepts in the Determination

Experiment 1: APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL CONCEPTS IN THE DETERMINATION OF WEIGHT VARIATION IN SAMPLES LEE, Hyun Sik Chem 26. 1 WFV/WFQR1 ————————————————- Nov. 23, 2012 A skillful researcher aims to end his study with a precise and accurate result. Precision refers to the closeness of the values when some quantity is measured several times; while accuracy refers to the closeness of the values to the true value. The tool he utilizes to prevent errors in precision and accuracy is called statistics.In order to become familiar to this tactic, the experiment aims to help the researchers become used to the concepts of statistical analysis by accurately measuring the weights of ten (10) Philippine 25-centavo coins using the analytical balance, via the â€Å"weighing by difference† method. Then, the obtained data divided into two groups and are manipulated to give statistica l significance, by performing the Dixon’s Q-test, and solving for the mean, standard deviation, relative standard deviation, range, relative range, and confidence limit—all at 95% confidence level.Finally, the results are analyzed between the two data sets in order to determine the reliability and use of each statistical function. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This simple experiment only involved the weighing of ten 25-centavo coins that are circulating at the time of the experiment. In order to practice calculating for and validating accuracy and precision of the results, the coins were chosen randomly and without any restrictions. This would give a random set of data which would be useful, as a statistical data is best given in a case with multiple random samples.Following the directions in the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Manual, the coins were placed on a watch glass, using forceps to ensure stability. Each was weighed according to the â€Å"weighing by differenceâ₠¬  method. The weighing by difference method is used when a series of samples of similar size are weighed altogether, and is recommended when the sample needed should be protected from unnecessary atmosphere exposure, such as in the case of hygroscopic materials. Also, it is used to minimize the chance of having a systematic error, which is a constant error applied to the true weight of the object by some problems with the weighing equipment.The technique is performed with a container with the sample, in this experiment a watch glass with the coins, and a tared balance, in this case an analytical balance. The procedure is simple: place the watch glass and the coins inside the analytical balance, press ON TARE to re-zero the display, take the watch glass out, remove a coin, then put the remaining coins back in along with the watch glass. Then, the balance should give a negative reading, which is subtracted from the original 0. 0000g (TARED) to give the weight of the last coin. The p rocedure is repeated until the weights of all the coins are measured and recorded.The weights of the coins are presented in table 1, as these raw data are vital in presenting the results of this experiment. Table 1. Weights of 25-centavo coins measured using the â€Å"weighing by difference† method| Sample No. | Weight, g| 1| 3. 6072| Data Set 2| Data Set 1| 2| 3. 7549| | | 3| 3. 6002| | | 4| 3. 5881| | | 5| 3. 5944| | | 6| 3. 5574| | | 7| 3. 5669| | 8| 3. 5919| | 9| 3. 5759| | 10| 3. 6485| | Note that the data are classified into two groups, Data Set 1 which includes samples numbered 1~6 and Data Set 2 which includes samples numbered 1~10.Since the number of samples is limited to 10, the Dixon’s Q-test was performed at 95% confidence level in order to look for outliers in each data set. The decision to use the Q-test despite the fact that there were only a few, limited number of samples and to use the confidence level of 95% was carried out as specified in the Laborat ory Manual. Significance of Q-test The Dixon’s Q-test aims to identify and reject outliers, values that are unusually high or low and thus differ considerably from the majority and thus may be omitted from the calculations and usages in the body of data.The Dixon’s Q-test should be performed, since a value that is extreme compared to the rest can bring inaccurate results that go against the estimated limits set by other calculations and thus affect the conclusion. This test allows us to examine if one (and only one) observation from a small set of replicate observations (typically 3 to 10) can be â€Å"legitimately† rejected or not. The outlier is classified objectively, by calculating for the suspected outlier, Qexperimental, Qexp, and comparing it with the tabulated Qtab. Qexp is determined by Qexp equation (1). Qexp=Xq-XnR (1)Where Xq is the suspected value, Xn is the value closest to Xq, and R is the range, which is given by the highest data value subtracted by the lowest data value. R=Xhighest-Xlowest (2) If the obtained Qexp is found to be greater than Qtab, the outlier can be rejected. In the experiment, the sample calculation for Data Set 1 is given below: Qexp=Xq-XnR=3. 7549-3. 60723. 7549-3. 5574=0. 14770. 1975=0. 74785 Since Qtab for the experiment is set as 0. 625 for 6 samples at 95% confidence level, Qexp>Qtab. Thus, the suspected value 3. 7549 is rejected in the calculations for Data Set 1.The same process was done for the lowest value of Data Set 1 and the values for Data Set 2, and the values were accepted and will be used for further calculations. This is shown in table 2. (Refer to Appendix for full calculations. ) Table 2. Results of Dixon’s Q-Test| Data Set| Suspect Values| Qtab| Qexp| Conclusion| 1| 3. 7549| 0. 625| 0. 74785| Rejected| | 3. 5574| 0. 625| 0. 15544| Accepted| 2| 3. 7549| 0. 466| 0. 53873| Accepted| | 3. 5574| 0. 466| 0. 048101| Accepted| The statistical values were then computed for the two data sets, and were compared to relate the significance of each form of statistical functions.The values required to be calculated are the following: mean, standard deviation, relative standard deviation (in ppt), range, relative range (in ppt), and confidence limits (at 95% confidence level). Significance of the mean and standard deviation The mean is used to locate the center of distribution in a set of values [2]. By calculating for the average value of the data set, it can be determined whether the set of data obtained is close to each other or is close to the theoretical value. Thus, both accuracy and precision may be determined with the mean, coupled with other statistical references.In the experiment, the mean was calculated using equation (3). The sample calculation used the data from Data Set 1, which had 5 samples after the outlier was rejected via the Q-test. X=i=1nXi=X1+X2+X3†¦+Xnn 3 =(3. 6072+3. 6002+3. 5881+3. 5944+3. 5574)5=3. 5895 Mean is represented by X, the data v alues by X, and the number of samples by n. It can be observed that the mean indeed shows the precision of the accumulated values, as all the values are close to each other and the mean. The standard deviation, on the other hand, is a relative measure of precision of the values.It shows how much the values spread out from the mean. A smaller standard deviation would show that the values are relatively closer to the mean, and a bigger one would show that the values are spread out more. This does not determine the validity of the experimented values. Instead, it is used to calculate further statistical measures to validate the data. The equation (4) was used to calculate the standard deviation, where s represents standard deviation, and the rest are known from the mean. The data set used is the same as the mean. s=1n-1i=1nXi-X2 4 =15-1[3. 072-3. 58952+3. 6002-3. 58952+3. 5881-3. 58952+3. 5944-3. 58952+3. 5574-3. 58952] =0. 019262 Mean and standard deviations by themselves are relative ly poor indicators of the accuracy and precision of the data. These are manipulated to give clearer views on the data. One of the measures of precision is the relative standard deviation. RSD=sX? 1000ppt (5) =0. 0192623. 5895? 1000=5. 3664 The relative standard deviation is a useful way of determining the precision of the data compared to other sets of data, as the ratio would be a good way of differentiating the two.This will be expounded further. Range is easily found with equation (2) to give the value of 0. 0498, taking note that the highest value was rejected via the Q-test. R=3. 6072-3. 5574=0. 0498 The relative range is also a way of comparing sets of data, just like the relative standard deviation. Again, it will be discussed when comparing the values from data sets 1 and 2. RR=RX? 1000ppt (6) =0. 04983. 5895? 1000=13. 874 Significance of the confidence interval The confidence interval is used to give the range at which a given estimate may be deemed reliable.It gives the in terval in which the population mean is to be included in. The boundaries of the interval are called confidence limits, and are calculated by equation (7). Confidence limit=X ±tsn 7 =3. 5895 ±2. 780. 0192625 =3. 5895 ±0. 023948 Using the confidence limit and the interval, one can easily determine the value that can be estimated if the same experiment was performed. The confidence limit shows that there is a 95% confidence that the actual mean lies between the values of 3. 5656 and 3. 6134. Difference between Data Set 1 and Data Set 2The statistical values computed from the two data sets are arranged below in table 3. Table 3. Reported values for data sets 1 and 2| Data Set| Mean| Standard Deviation| Relative SD| Range| Relative Range| Confidence Limts| 1| 3. 5895| 0. 019262| 5. 3664| 0. 0498| 13. 874| 3. 5895 ±0. 023948| 2| 3. 6085| 0. 057153| 15. 838| 0. 1975| 54. 731| 3. 6085 ±0. 040846| The two data differ in all the components, but what’s important are the relati ve standard deviations and the relative range. The standard deviation and the relative range, along with the confidence limits went up from data set 1 to 2.This shows that the data became less precise as more values were added, which is normal since one cannot always expect perfect results from every trials. The relative values all show the precision of the data from each other—the lower the number, the more precise they are. However, since the number of elements increased as the relative values increased as well, we can say that data set 1 is more precise but it isn’t accurate, since the sample population is quite limited. Statistical values have been computed and analyzed so that when further, more difficult research arises, the researchers will be able to accomplish them without problems.These values are significant in determining the accuracy of the experiment. For example in this experiment, the actual weight of 25 centavo coins is found to be 3. 6g for brass plat ed steel coins minted from 2004. It can be deduced that the majority of the coins used are indeed from that value, and that the mean became more accurate to the true value as more samples were used. REFERENCES Silberberg, M. S. (2010). Principles of general chemistry (2nd ed. ). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Jeffery, G. H. , Bassett, J. , Mendham, J. , & Denney, R. C. (1989).Vogel’s textbook of quantitative chemical analysis (5th ed. ). Great Britain: Bath Press, Avon http://www. bsp. gov. ph/bspnotes/banknotes_coin. asp. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012. Appendix Working Calculations Q-test Data Set 1 (Highest) Qexp=|3. 7531-3. 6921|0. 1920=0. 3177 0. 3177

Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee - 1290 Words

Harper Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird during a rough period in American history, also known as the Civil Rights Movement. This plot dives into the social issues faced by African-Americans in the south, like Tom Robinson. Lee felt that the unfair treatment towards blacks were persistent, not coming to an end any time in the foreseeable future. This dark movement drove her to publish this novel hopeful that it would encourage the society to realize that the harsh racism must stop. Lee effectively fashions her characters to help further drive this point to the reader. Atticus Finch, and his children, Jem and Scout, play a pivotal role in this story. Atticus makes a very honorable name for himself, while Jem and Scout s innocence is exposed to the real world and unacceptable behavior there is throughout society. Harper Lee eloquently portrays a theme of good overcoming evil during the Civil Rights Movement in her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, through the beliefs of Atticus honorabl e actions, Jem and Scout s innocence, and Tom Robinson s trial. Harper Lee depicts the character, Atticus Finch, with many ethical characteristics. His noble actions help good overcome evil during the Civil Rights Movement. Unlike the majority of southern society, Atticus sees through all the racism and segregation, and chooses to treat Hilliard 2 everyone equally. This is quite evident when Atticus says, â€Å"I do my best to love everybody† (Lee 112). This is a direct quote from AtticusShow MoreRelatedKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1049 Words   |  5 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird: How a Story could be based on True Events in Everyday LifeDaisy GaskinsCoastal Pines Technical Collegeâ€Æ'Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama. 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In To Kill a Mocking Bird, Lee establishes the concurrence of good and evil, meaning whether people are naturally good or naturally evil. Lee uses symbolism, characterization, and plot to portray the instinctive of good and evil. To Kill a Mocking Bird, a novel by Harper Lee takes place during the 1930s in the Southern United States. The protagonist, Scout Finch,Read MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1656 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Mockingbirds don’t do any harm but make music for us †¦ that’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird†, is a famous quote from the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus, the father of the main character Scout, says this to her and her brother Jem when they receive rifles for Christmas. This book is considered a classic due to the allegory between the book title and the trial that occurs about halfway through the book. In the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout is six. She is an innocent