Rousseau, Hobbes, and Locke : Interpretations of Human Nature Essay

Through time people have always wondered what it is that makes us who we are. It has been our human nature that has kept us intrigued with ourselves, and our relationships with others. With this curiosity came various interpretations as to our human nature, each changing the way we see the societal world we live in. With each interpretation came a new understanding of people and the relationship they hold with each other. Human nature has been one of the most studied elements of the world we live in. From our nature came the interest of how we as humans interact with each other, through the development of our nature some have served and others had ruled. Three philosophers that have focused their political ideas around human nature have given a deeper meaning to their study of politics through the understanding of human nature. Each one of them had a distinctive interpretation of what human nature was and how it impacted the politics of the specific society that they envisione d. It is hard to say that one of them holds the answers to the true essence of human nature but one can say that each of them has given an interesting and strong piece of the puzzle that has linked human nature to politics. The three philosophers in question are Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. I will be referring to them by their last name for simplicity. Starting with the philosophical views of each man we will see how they differ. It will be clear that each man’s idea comes from a very different perspective on human nature. Thomas Hobbes thoughts on human nature derive from his childhood. According to Jean Hampton who wrote, â€Å"She brought twins to birth, myself and fear at the same time† (282) Hobbes believed that fear... ...fear. Locke’s idea that everyone is born free is good for societies that have no established governments because even in his time there was a government. In biblical times his idea would be right on but the transformation of people’s ideas has lead the changes in natural freedom. No one can control where they are born so they may be born in a not so free state. Finally Rousseau’s idea that man is naturally good but corrupted by institutions is somewhat flawed because everyone makes choices to do or not do so people become corrupt through the choices they make in life. Through all this no one philosopher has the right answer to human nature but when we combine their ideas we get a solid way to a good solution that benefits many. Works Cited Cahn, Steven M.. Political philosophy: the essential texts. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.

Criminal Justice Careers Essay

Abstract This paper reflects about criminal justice careers that will help me get knowledge and get a better idea about the career that I choose. Components of criminal justice: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. A brief description about the career, the requirements, and the hiring criteria the career has. Tell why the position interest me, how does it relate to the career path that I want, and finally what I’m looking for in gaining from the career. Keywords: Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), Parole Agent, and a Court Clerk. Law enforcement: CSI One component of the Criminal Justice career is law enforcement. There are many different kinds of jobs in law enforcement, but the career that got most of my attention was CSI. CSI stands for Crime Scene Investigation. The CSI job is to analyze crimes further. They get to take pictures of the crime scene; they collect evidence that will help them solve what happened on the crime. There job is to solve who committed the crime. The requirements to become a crime scene investigator are; 1. Have a H.S diploma (college degree preferred by some agencies) 2. Valid driver’s license 3. Successful completion of background investigation 4. Law enforcement experience possibly required for position of crime scene investigator (other agencies hire civilian crime scene investigators). (Goodman, & Grimming, 2007) As I was saying before some agencies require that first you have to be a police officer to become a Crime Scene Investigator. When you are a new recruit you must successfully complete a hurdle process, meaning that you have to take different kinds of tests and background checks. For example the agencies will check your criminal record, investigate your background, driving record and credit history. There are also written examinations which show the reading skills and the understandings that you have. This will help the police agency predict and tell who will do well in the police academy. (Peak, 2006) The hiring criteria that exist for this position are that you take a physical agility test, personal interview, character investigation, medical examination and drug screening. The physical agility test is important because you have to be healthy and most importantly you have to be in shape. The reason why the police academy does this is because when you are a police officer you never know what is going to happen. You are going to face a lot of different situations and you are going to have to be able to handle them. First you have to get out of the problem, meaning that you have to run, climb etc. Second resolving the problem, sometimes you are going to struggle with the offender so you probably need to fight. Lastly, you need to remove the problem meaning that it often requires that the officer can carry heavy weights. (Peak, 2006) The personal interview evaluates how the new recruit explains how they will behave in a certain situation and what will they do to solve it. The character investigation involves talking to the applicants past and current friends, teachers, and neighbor just to investigate how they are. Polygraph examination tells whether the applicant is honest. Since the job is stressful the applicant needs to be healthy so they have to make a medical examination and a drug screening. The academy training shapes the officers attitudes. (Peak, 2006) I find this position interesting because as a child, I always wanted to do something related to criminal justice. I didn’t really know what specifically I wanted to do, but I had an idea. Everything started when I was a senior in H.S I was taking a forensic science class and that really got my attention. It was really exciting class, we got to do a lot of projects and we actually dissected a frog and a baby pig. That’s when I started to think about being in the CSI. I love to solve mysteries, I like investigating things. The skills that I have are that I like sketching. For example back when I was in H.S when we used to do crime labs I loved to draw what I saw. The reason why is because that helps me go back and analyze what happened. I  also like investigating: I like to think beyond the things that actually happened. This will really help me in becoming a crime scene investigator because you have to record everything you see and you have to collect evidence. You have to think beyond what you see because you have to try to find the person that did it. The entry level salary range of $30,000- $40,000 depending on the agency. To be honest I don’t really look at it for the money, this is something that I want to do, it what I like. (Goodman, & Grimming, 2007) Corrections: Parole Agent Another component of the Criminal Justice system is corrections. One of the jobs that the correction has is a parole agent. The goal for a parole agent is to protect the public. The responsibility for a parole agent is to assist ex- offenders so that they can adjust to life in a save and free community. They are also responsible to prevent future criminal acts. They help the people become a better person so that they can have a productive and normal live. Parole agents supervise the offenders who had been released from prison. (Careers in criminal, 2006) What the parole agent has to do is that they need to investigate the offender. For example the parole agent investigates the offender’s background so that they can gather information and write reports for the parole board hearings. Parole agents are able to issue arrest, hold, and release orders. They can photograph offender, crime victims or evidence. Parole agents also can perform alcohol and drug testing by observing, collecting and taking urine samples and testifying in courts. (Careers in criminal, 2006) The working conditions for a parole agent are that it requires traveling. They have to provide their own transportation and have to be on 24 hour call. The situation may vary; sometimes the parole agent may be assigned to high crime areas. By being a parole agent you are risking your life because you never know how the people are. They risk violence, vicious animals, visiting unpleasant living conditions. (Careers in criminal, 2006) The qualifications and the job training that you need to be a parole agent are 1. Bachelor’s or associates degree from accredited educational institution 2. Must be able to carry a firearm 3. Valid state driver’s license 4. One or more year experience in criminal justice, correction, law enforcement, social service, or a related field 5. Parole agents may have to acquire and maintain certification in unarmed self- defense, firearms, and pepper spay 6.Background check, drug screening, and or polygraph examination may be required. (Careers in criminal, 2006) I find this position interesting because I like helping people. I think that everybody deserves a second change. People have to learn from there own mistakes so that they will not commit it again. Everybody can be successful in life the only thing is that we have to try. To be honest when I help someone I feel happy because I know I did the right thing. Sometimes you can’t do everything alone so you need a little push. I want to serve the community I want to help people to make the right decision and so that they can become better person. By doing this not only I ‘am helping a person, but I’m also helping the community become a safer place. Court: Court Clerk Court is another component of the criminal justice system. One of the jobs in the court is a court clerk. The court clerk maintains the case records, and prepares statistical reports (secure information for judges). Court clerks are responsible to contact witness, attorneys, and litigants to obtain information for the courts. There are many things that a court clerk has to do. A court clerk may prepare agendas for town or city councils; answer correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; record data; collect fees; file documents; retrieve and deliver files and documents to court or appropriate parties and much more. Court clerks are very important because they are responsible for handling the majority of the courts administrative activities. (Careers in criminal, 2006) The qualifications to becoming a court clerk are 1. High school diploma  or GED 2. One or more years of increasingly responsible experience in court administration or other legal field 3. Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in court administration, criminal justice, public administration, or a related field 4. Valid state driver’s license. In order to become a court clerk you are required to have a background check, fingerprinting, and physical examination. You are also required to reside in the jurisdiction of employment. (Careers in criminal, 2006) I find this position interesting because in this career you learn how to be more responsible and organized. This position is very hard because you can’t make mistakes. Everything depends on you. As I always say not everything is easy in life you have to struggle to get what you want. This can relate to my career path because in a court clerk you are also responsible in contacting witness, and attorneys which means that it’s involving a crime or other situations. I’ am never going to give up; I’m always going to give it my all. I know that there are going to be obstacles in life that not everything is going to be easy, but I have to overcome them. Nothing in this life is easy we have to work and struggle to get what we want. Nothing is going to be given to our hands. The best way to ensure my success and become who I want to be is to always keep going no matter what until I reach my goal. Reference: Goodman, D.J, & Grimming, R. (2007). Work in criminal justice an a-z guide to careers. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Peak, K.J. (2006). Policing america challenges and best practices . Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Careers in criminal justice. (2006). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Research Proposal on Do People Who Take Vitamins Recover Faster From the Flu

Do people who take vitamins recover faster from the flu and produce a more significant immune response? Flu, also commonly known as influenza or Grippe, is a virus disease that attacks by infecting the respiratory system, nervous or gastrointestinal system (stomach flu). Rarely fatal, it often opens the door to Pneumonia, Eye and Ear infections and Brian inflammation that do threaten life.   Common colds are usually confused with Influenza, in view of both these ailments attacking the upper respiratory system and showing similar symptoms. In fact they are both caused by different viruses. The worst catastrophe was a devastating world-wide epidemic (pandemic) of Influenza stuck during the summer-winter of 1918 taking the total death toll to about 10 million which included a half-million in the United States of America alone. Actually Influenza virus is around, most of the time harbored by many human beings. They indeed fall ill when their resistance is lowered. Epidemics begin when circumstances to the spread of Flu virus are favorable. There are 3 types of Flu virus.   They are A, B and C.   A type of flu is the most severe and sometimes fatal among these, usually affects the adults. Individuals that are healthy, seldom need diagnosis by a physician, unless of course, he has been haunted by the Flu for over few weeks or the disease itself is very severe in attack. Usually in a strong immune system the Flu weans away after a few days or weeks, leaving no traces. But when a person’s defense system of the body or the immune system is weakened, the flue takes over and complicates the body’s condition. In such situations, the healthcare professionals or the physicians advise complete bed–rest, with adequate intake of fluids, supplemented by good nutritious food for a speedy recovery in order to prevent dehydrated conditions. â€Å"Feed† the cold and â€Å"fast† the fever. The big question here is, whether proper diet taken along with medicines is sufficient for cure and relief from Flu. There is an argument that adequate intake of vitamins on the other hand is very useful for a faster recovery from flu and contributes to significant immune response. Harri Hemila, an author-professor affirms that it does not make any sense to administer vitamin C on every single day hoping for reducing the chances of getting afflicted with Flu and cold. However, using vitamin C is justifiable if the person already contracted with cold and flu or physical stresses. But then, this theory also needs more research to confirm these results. According to Catherine Collins, a registered dietician at the British Dietetic Association, the optimum intake of vitamin C, per day, should be 200 mg which indeed helps the immune system in a Flu-affected person. She claims that this could also be obtained from out of vegetables and fruits, adequately eaten every single day and that any over dose of vitamin C does not get absorbed into the body but will be removed. Mrs. Collins further stated that, although the vitamin C is useful for white blood cells for fighting the infections, no proper evidence is available suggesting that vitamin C could be useful as a preventive for Flu and cold. Mrs. Collins further avers that it might sound feasible, biologically, to most that since vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system, it also prevents any illness from occurring, and that there is no conclusive proof to that thought. Vitamin C is needed for a healthy immune system but then, one could always get it out of fruits and vegetables that he eats in the regular diet in order to derive the benefit of getting other important nutrients, anti-oxidants and fiber. It is reiterated that no scientifically supported evidence is available for the theory that consuming large doses of vitamin C could be effective in preventing or reducing the symptoms of Flu. Nevertheless, the intake of dietary supplements ensures getting adequate vitamin C on any day on which sufficient fruits and vegetables are not consumed. Vitamin E taken orally could have a protective effect against the Flu (which infects the upper respiratory tract). The intake of vitamin E is to be cautiously administered in view of possibility of certain adverse effects like increased bleeding and drug interactions. Pregnant and Breast-feeding women should take vitamin C only under the supervision of a doctor. Ascorbic acid or Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin, is quite necessary for the body in the formation of collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels and   Ã‚   helps absorption of iron. Although the scientific research generally indicates that vitamin C does not help prevent the Flu symptoms, there is a school of thought amongst the people that live in certain extreme conditions or circumstances (like Soldiers, Marathon runners and skiers) run a reduced risk of contracting with Flu by about 50%, reportedly. However this warrants an additional study. It is observed that consumption of large doses of vitamin C could lead to diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset and vaginal yeast infections in sensitive women population. It is recommended that in spite of taking the Flu vaccine, vitamin C and vitamin D should be taken in high dosage, since these health supplements have been proved to be effective in the prevention and treatment of Flu. An extremely important vitamin that is quite effective in post Flu regimen is vitamin A, because the Flu virus reduces the vitamin A levels that are stored in the body. However, an expert health professionals advice should be sought when the Flu-affected person is required to take vitamin A over a long period of time in non-mycelized form, since this can be potentially toxic. Because mycelized A, is a form of vitamin A, taken in high dosage for short duration is remarkably effective. According to a study published in October, 1999 ( ref: journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics ), 1000 mg of vitamin C and Ascorbic acid taken, had a significant effect in reducing Flu symptoms in comparison with the usage of pain relievers and decongestants. Study by Gorton HC and Jarvis k with an enlistment of 463 students between ages 18 and 30 as controls and 252 students belonging to the same age group as test subjects; has shown a remarkable result. The test subjects in 1991 were compared with controls in 1990 for similar symptoms of Flu and cold. While the controls were treated with pain relievers and decongestants, the subjects were administered with 1000 mg of vitamin C every hour for first six hours of reporting of symptoms of Flu; followed-up by three doses per day, for the next three days. Very significantly enough, the research showed that the reported Flu and cold symptoms decreased by 85% in the Test Group compared with the control group. In conclusion, it is largely suggested by many a study group and research that intake of vitamins as supplements will only contribute to the building-up of resistance levels in the body to withstand the flue but does not build-up any immune system, as is generally assumed by the public. Vitamins do help the immune system but might not act as preventive or curative agents. The recovery from flu could be accelerated due to boost of resistance level in the body by the vitamins.   Mega doses of vitamin C intake in both pre and post flu symptoms relieved and prevented the flu condition.