Branches Of Biology Essay Example for Free

Branches Of Biology Essay Levels of Organization Why do we need to learn about levels of organization? Helps us to understand how our world fits together Helps us to organize the structures of living systems and how they all work together 1. Organelles â€Å" little organs† Small structures inside of a cell that perform a specific function. Examples include mitochondria, nucleus, and Golgi body 2. Cell- Basic unit of structure function in life. Cells are the building blocks of all living things. 3. Tissue A group of the same kind of cells working together for a specific purpose 4. Organs A part of an organism made up of tissues that do a specific job. 5. Organ Systems A group of organs that work together for a specific job. 9. Organism Any living thing. 10. Population -A group of the same organism living together. This word is often used to describe the size of the group. 11. Community- Several populations living together and interacting in some way. 12. Ecosystem All the biotic communities plus all abiotic factors. MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY The word philosophy is derived from the Greek words philia (love) and sophia (wisdom) and means â€Å"the love of wisdom.† Pythagoras was said to have been the first man to call himself a philosopher; in fact, the world is indebted to him for the word philosopher. It is said that when Leon, the tyrant of Philius, asked him of who he was, he said, â€Å"a Philosopher† and he likened the Philosopher to spectators at ancient games. Before that time the wise men had called themselves a sage, which was interpreted to mean those who know. Pythagoras was more modest. He coined the word philosopher, which he defined as one who is attempting to find out. According to him, men and women of the world could be classified into 3 groups: (1. those that love pleasure) (2. those that love activity) and (3. those that love wisdom.) MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY. Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is the rational attempt to formulate, understand, and answer fundamental questions. NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY 1. Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the universe, which are often held uncritically. We refer to this meaning as the informal sense of philosophy or â€Å"having† a philosophy. Usually when a person says â€Å"my philosophy is,† he or she is referring to an informal personal attitude to whatever topic is being discussed. 2. Philosophy is a process of reflecting on and criticizing our most deeply held conceptions and beliefs. These two senses of philosophy— â€Å"having† and â€Å"doing†Ã¢â‚¬â€ cannot be treated entirely independent of each other, for if we did not have a philosophy in the formal, personal sense, then we could not do a philosophy in the critical, reflective sense. Having a philosophy, however, is not sufficient for doing philosophy. 3. Philosophy is a rational attempt to look at the world as a whole. Philosophy seeks to combine the conclusions of the various sciences and human experience into some kind of consi stent world view. Philosophers  wish to see life, not with the specialized slant of the scientist or the businessperson or the artist, but with the overall view of someone cognizant of life as a totality. 4. Philosophy is the logical analysis of language and the clarification of the meaning of words and concepts. . Certainly this is one function of philosophy. In fact, nearly all philosophers have used methods of analysis and have sought to clarify the meaning of terms and the use of language. Some philosophers see this as the main task of philosophy, and a few claim this is the only legitimate function of philosophy. 5. Philosophy is a group of perennial problems that interest people and for which philosophers always have sought answers. Philosophy presses its inquiry into the deepest problems of human existence. Some of the philosophical questions raised in the past have been answered in a manner satisfactory to the majority of philosophers. Many questions, however, have been answered only tentatively, and many problems remain unsolved.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"What is truth?† â€Å"What is the distinction between right and wrong?† What is life and why am I here?   Why is there anything at all? IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY 1. The study of Philosophy enables us to think carefully and clearly about important issues. 2. In studying Philosophy, we learn to take a step back from our everyday thinking and to explore the deeper, bigger question which underpins our thought. 3. The focus in the study of Philosophy is to learn not what to believe, but how to think. 4. Studying philosophy sharpens your analytical abilities, enabling you to identify and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in any position. 5. It hones your ability to construct and articulate cogent arguments of your own. 6. It prompts you to work across disciplinary boundaries and to think flexibly and creatively about problems which do not present immediate solutions. 7. Because philosophy is an activity as much a body of knowledge, it also develops your ability to think and work independently. BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY Historically, philosophical concerns have been treated under these broad categories: 1. Logic, 2. Metaphysics, 3. Epistemology, 4. Value theory A. LOGIC Logic is the systematic study of the rules for the correct use of these supporting reasons, rules we can use to distinguish  good arguments from bad ones. Most of the great philosophers from Aristotle to the present have been convinced that logic permeates all other branches of philosophy. The ability to test arguments for logical consistency, understand the logical consequences of certain assumptions, and distinguish the kind of evidence a philosopher is using are essential for â€Å"doing† philosophy 12. B. METAPHYSICS Another traditional branch of Philosophy traditionally known as metaphysics. For Aristotle, the term metaphysics meant â€Å"first philosophy,† discussion of the most universal principles; later the term came to mean â€Å"comprehensive thinking about the nature of things.† It means, usually, the study or theory of reality. The question of metaphysics is: what is reality? What is real? Is reality some kind of â€Å"thing†. Is it one or is it many? If it is one, then how is it related to many things around us? Can ultimate reality be grasped by five senses, or is it supernatural or transcendent? Metaphysics undoubtedly is the branch of philosophy that the modern student finds most difficult to grasp. Metaphysics attempts to offer a comprehensive view of all that exists. It is concerned with such problems as the relation of mind to matter, the nature of change, the meaning of â€Å"freedom,† the existence of God, and the belief in personal immortality. 13. C. EPISTEMOLOGY The technical term for the theory of knowledge is epistemology, which comes from the Greek word episteme, meaning â€Å"knowledge.† In general, epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies the sources, nature, and validity of knowledge. ï‚â€" There are three central questions in this field: ï‚â€" (1) What are the sources of knowledge? Where does genuine knowledge come from or how do we know? This is the question of origins. ï‚â€" (2) What is the nature of knowledge? Is there a real world outside the mind, and if so can we know it? D. VALUE THEORY Value theory is the branch of philosophy that studies values. It can be subdivided into ethics, aesthetics, and social and political philosophy. In broad terms ethics concerns itself with the question of morality. What is right and what is wrong in human relations? Within morality and ethics there are three major areas: descriptive ethics, normative ethics, and metaethics. Descriptive ethics seeks to identify moral experience in a descriptive way.  We seek to identify, within the range of human conduct, the motives, desires, and intentions as well as overt acts themselves.

harmful legalization Essay -- essays research papers

Harmful Legalization The United States government has seen fit to pass laws prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and possession of dangerous and destructive substances such as marijuana. In opportunistic and negligent haste, fringe aspects of society are seeking to undo laws regarding the restriction of marijuana. These factions have ignored the risks associated with marijuana, falsified information regarding its medical use, and ignore the greater issue with regards to the legalization of harmful substances. LSD, angle dust, and cocaine have several things in common, not the least of which is like marijuana, they are each responsible for the deaths of countless individuals. While a subject will find it difficult to outright end his life with marijuana, it does cause harmful damage to both the user and those around him. Each marijuana cigarette is exponentially more damaging to the lungs of the smoker and those around him than a typical tobacco cigarette. Further, contrary to claims of the harmlessness of marijuana by some advocates, each time it is used, it obliterates a portion of brain cells that can never grow back. Also the active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, has been linked to fetal damage, hormonal swings, a slight addiction rate, lower sperm counts and accelerated heart rates, none of which are anything approaching good health for a user. Other aspects besides a user’s physical body suffer when he or she decides to use marijuana. The emotional damage marijuana causes can be best summed up by a quote from researcher Damon Linker â€Å"†¦it (marijuana) does produce a pathology of the soul† (Linker). Everyone around the user suffers, because while he or she is in a drug-induced haze he or she neglects his or her friends, family and responsibilities. By escaping the subject simply dulls his or her pain from various troubles for a moment and does nothing to solve that which plagues him or her. Because of this, users will find themselves trapped within a vicious, unending cycle of getting high and forgetting, to coming down and needing the next fix, to getting high again. Upon realizing that the marijuana isn’t what is required to take away their pain, some will turn to other harder drugs such as cocaine. There may be other reasons for people to start using marijuana, but there is an unacceptable large risk that some of these new users w... ... For to claim the latter logically leads one to the bizarre judgment that Mother Teresa is no more and no less virtuous than Adolph Hitlerâ€Å"] (Beckwith). This way of thinking is detrimental to our society as a whole. When we refuse to take a stand against something that is morally wrong, we in fact, aid that cause. This allows the minority to dictate the terms to the majority. Look at Germany, 1932; Hitler was elected to power, because only fifteen percent of the country came out to vote. In our own country less than one-third of the people are in favor of marijuana legalization; of that number surely not all of them will ever use marijuana. We know that marijuana physically and emotionally harms people, has no medicinal value, and only a small minority of people of the country will use this drug, so why should it be legalized? The answer obviously is that it shouldn’t. Nor should we let the minority dictate terms to the rest of the country. This situation reminds me of a quote I heard from my grandpa: â€Å"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.†  The chart above shows the Ohio drug-violation arrests starting from 2000 to 2004.

Assess The Usefulness Of Labelling Theory In Explaining Crime And Deviance

Focusing on interactionist approaches such as Becker (1963); labelling theory suggests that deviancy is a social process usually related to power differences but it doesn't explain the causes of crime. It does however explain why some people or actions are described as deviant, and can help in understanding crime and deviance. Becker argues deviance is a behaviour which has been labelled deviant by the reaction of others. This suggests that there is really no such thing as a deviant act. An act only becomes deviant when others perceive it as such.The application of a label to someone has significant consequences for how that person is treated by others and perceives him or herself. Studies such that by Jock and Young (1971); exemplify Becker’s claim that there is no such thing as deviant behaviour. Interpretivist sociologists (interactionist) argue that we form our self-identity by interpreting how others respond to us and internalising the reaction. A label can have positive and negative effects on an individual and it helps define them in the ‘eyes’ of others. Becker calls this the ‘self-concept’.Interactionist theory suggests that being labelled as deviant can actually increase deviant behaviour. For example if a person is in trouble with the police then they are more likely to resort to criminal activity or criminal behaviour. Jock Young (1971) used his study of drug users in Notting hill to demonstrate the process of becoming deviant. The studies showed 4 different stages. Firstly, the marijuana users developed a deviant self-concept because their drug of choice was illegal; then the deviant element became their main identity in society.They were considers ‘hippies’ first and foremost ; then the negative response of those around them and the police made the drug taking a significant part of their live and then their drug taking increased. Labelling theory is clearly validates behaviour. Additionally, Lemert (19 72) identifies primary and secondary deviance. Primary being when deviance is not publicly labelled as much; secondary is deviance that follows once a person has been publicly labelled as deviant.Lemert drew a distinction between primary and secondary deviance through a study ofstuttering amongst a Native American nation. He observed that public oratory was important among the nation yet displayed high levels of stuttering. When young boys showed any speech defect parents reacted with such concern that the child became worried about it and more nervous causing him to stutter. Therefore the primary deviance of the speech defect was not that important, it was the effect of the worried parents, labelling the child, causing the nervousness, leading to the secondary deviance of stuttering.Thus showing that societal reaction, promoted by a concern about particular forms of deviance can actually produce those forms of deviance. Contrastingly there are critiques of Lemert and Becker’ s studies. Akers (1967) criticises both Becker and Lemert for presenting individuals as powerless it make decisions or take control of their own identity. Deviance, according to Akers, is not something which happens to an individual, but a choice an individual makes.Goffman (1961) substantiates the idea of labelling theory via his study of a deviant career in mental illness. He stated that the negative label of being mad is imposed on the patient by society and psychiatry, and the patient must eventually conform to it. However, critics such as Taylor, Walton and Young (1973) argue many forms of behaviour are widely viewed as deviant- so deviants actually know that they are breaking the law or social rules before the societal reactions however they still continue to do it.Marxist sociologists accuse Interpretivist of ignoring the role of power in defining crime and deviance. Marxists state that certain groups have the power to influence what is classified as criminal or socially acce ptable. Furthermore, Gouldner (1973) accused interactions sociologists of being fascinated with deviance, and even suggests they enjoy observing ‘cool’ deviants, and hanging out with the ‘underworld’.In evaluation, it is evident that there are contrasting views on labelling and social influence on deviance. It is also evident that interactionist sociologists focus on ‘the little things’ and take the ‘micro’ approach to issues such as crime and deviance. They focus on interactions between individuals. One can criticise that by also focusing on the ‘bigger picture’ it may be evident how the small interactions affect the larger scale infrastructure of society.

Hip Hop, A And Creative Aspect Of Music - 928 Words

Breaking through in the heart of the Bronx, Hip Hop was designed to empower and teach the youth, while providing them an outlet for creative expression. Developed on five essential pillars, all working towards: giving African Americans knowledge that they didn’t have access to, inspiring them to read and acquire true knowledge of self, and to understand the role that self has in America in relation to the actual worth of self. Since the inception of Hip Hop, the genre has evolved through the times while transcending new depths aligned with its original pillars. An innovator in a sense, DJ Kool Herc founded Hip Hop by the early 70’s. MC’s, DJ’s, breakdancing, graffiti and music encompass the five pillars of Hip Hop. Modern inversions interpret these pillars in many different ways. Prevalent through all major cities, graffiti evolved to the murals on the side of buildings, and the creative aspect of music videos. Artists have visions interpreted in the way they decide to imagine their visuals. Breakdancing has become the advance dance crazes that sweep the nations. People in Japan are hitting the â€Å"Nae-Nae† because of Hip Hop’s mass globalization. MC’s are the talk show host and commentators of award shows and hosts of events and red carpet specials: media. Dispersion of Hip Hop through channels that connect Blacks across different scopes happens through the media. Modern day DJ’s introduce the new music with sets that keep nightclubs jumping from dawn to dusk. Displaying theShow MoreRelate d Music Essay - America Needs Rap and Hip Hop1366 Words   |  6 PagesRap and Hip Hop Ever since it became popular in the late eighties, hip-hop music has been a target of moral disapproval. Many critics have labeled the music as an offensive, vulgar, misogynist form of expression, which negatively influences its listeners, particularly children. Early in rap musics development concerned citizens and various government officials held protests against the release of certain rap albums. Rap musics opponents demanded strict censorship. But hip-hop was increasinglyRead MoreEssay on Analysis of Hip-Hop and Youth Culture1376 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of Hip-Hop and Youth Culture Throughout the last twenty-five years, a new form of expression has continued to evolve. Hip-Hop, once limited to urban music and dance has become a widespread form of communication exhibited and enjoyed by young people throughout the world. Hip-Hop is no longer limited to rap music and break dancing; today it represents a multi-billion dollar industry that influences everything from fashion to prime- time television programmingRead MoreHip Hop Is Not Going Anywhere1545 Words   |  7 PagesSince Old School’s Hip Hop conception, the genre has gone way beyond what the genre’s originators could have imagined. Each period since the founding of Hip Hop has added to the evolution of the culture and have altered it into something that is more than just a hobby, but a mindset and a part of life that cannot be separated from many different cultures globally. In 1977, popular Hip Hop MCs and Djs lived in poverty in New York and in 2016 artist like Sean Combs, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z are worth $2Read MoreHip Hop Rap Music And Subculture1643 Words   |  7 Pages Hip-hop Rap Music and Subculture The topic I have chosen for this review is the association between a particular music genre and a subculture. In particular, the issue of focus is the association of the hip-hop rap genre with the black youth subculture in America. As a youth subculture, hip-hop emerged in the 1970s from New York City’s borough of the Bronx. The African American community was the root of the music genre, which gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. As part of its growthRead MoreHip-hop was a cultural movement. 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Hip Hop plays a major part in African American culture, dialogue, fashion, and self expression. Today, Hip Hop has a joined people of many nationalities, races, and ethnicities as a society. The Hip Hop Generation has begun to redefine African American cultural normsRead MoreRun DMC and the Commodification of Subcultures998 Words   |  4 Pageshow does this redefine Hip-hop? Introductory Section: From the socio-economic struggles of 1970s New York, a new kind of subculture emerged with a new style of music known as Hip-hop. The group Run-D.M.C pioneered, to some extent the transformation of Hip-hop from an underground phenomenon to a genre recognised as mainstream and an asoect of pop-culture. Run-D.M.C produced the first rap album to go tripple platinum and the first rap song to be featured on the 24 hour music channel, MTV. The groupRead MoreEvolution of Hip-Hop1215 Words   |  5 PagesEvolution of Hip-Hop From where it started to where it is now, Cuban hip-hop has transformed greatly. Without the United States, hip-hop in Cuba certainly would not be where it is today. The United States is the hub of hip-hop and helped to jumpstart hip-hop in Cuba. While this is true, hip-hop in the United States completely differs from that of Cuba for the better. Even though hip-hop in Cuba did not start from much, the amount of development and influence this music has towards Cuba is immeasurableRead MoreHip Hop : A Cultural Force1568 Words   |  7 PagesHip-hop is a popular art form in today’s society, and it consists of rhyming lyrics that are delivered rhythmically over a musical beat. Knowing how far rap has come, from all the way back then starting out on the streets of New York in the mid 1970’s. Hip-hop has since become a multifaceted cultural force. It’s more than just music some people say and others think it is negative promoting bad things for young listeners. Now hip-hop is something people can relate to. A man by the name of RussellRead MoreHow Authentic Images Of Artists Are Within The Music Industry1445 Words   |  6 PagesThe following discussion will aim to answer the question of how authentic the images of artists are within the music industry. The question stemmed from research about identity work, in particular within the creative industries. Artists are faced with a lot of identity struggles and tensions which a lot of creative people encounter as well. The main prevailing issue or tension creative people constantly encounter that is unresolved is creativity versus commerce. This idea describes the way in which