Aristotle Vs Plato Essays - Philosophy, Religion, Ontology

Aristotle Vs Plato Aristotle refutes Plato's Theory of Ideas on three basic grounds: that the existence of Ideas contradicts itself by denying the possibility of negations; that his illustrations of Ideas are merely empty metaphors; and that the theory uses impermanent abstractions to create examples of perception. Though the theory is meant to establish concrete standards for the knowledge of reality, Aristotle considers it fraught with inconsistencies and believes that the concept of reality depends upon all forms' correlation to other elements. Ideas, Plato believes, are permanent, self-contained absolutes, which answered to each item of exact knowledge attained through human thought. Also, Ideas are in Plato's view concrete standards by which all human endeavor can be judged, for the hierarchy of all ideas leads to the highest absolute - that of Good. In addition, the theory claims that states of being are contingent upon the mingling of various Forms of existence, that knowledge is objective and t hus clearly more real, and that only the processes of nature were valid entities. However, Aristotle attacks this theory on the grounds that Plato's arguments are inconclusive either his assertions are not al all cogent. Aristotle says, or his arguments lead to contradictory conclusions. For example, Aristotle claims that Plato's arguments lead one to conclude that entities (such as anything man-made) and negations of concrete ideas could exist - such as non-good in opposition to good. This contradicts Plato's own belief that only natural objects could serve as standards of knowledge. Also, Aristotle refutes Plato's belief that Ideas are perfect entities unto themselves, independent of subjective human experience. Ideas, Aristotle claims, are not abstractions on a proverbial pedestal but mere duplicates of things witnessed in ordinary daily life. The Ideas of things, he says, are not inherent to the objects in particular but created separately and placed apart from the objects thems elves. Thus, Aristotle says, Plato's idea that Ideas are perfect entities, intangible to subjective human experience, is meaningless, for all standards are based somewhere in ordinary human activity and perception. Thirdly, Aristotle assails Plato's efforts to find something common to several similar objects at once, a perfect exemplar of the quality those things share. Beauty is a perfect example; Plato considered Beauty both a notion and an ideal, isolated by abstractions and fixed permanently while its representatives fade away. Aristotle claims that abstractions like Beauty cannot be cast as absolutes, independent of temporal human experience; the Idea of Beauty changes with time and individual perceptions and cannot (as Plato felt) exist forever as a concrete standard. Plato and Aristotle reach some agreement, though, on the topic of reality. Plato believes that all reality was derived from his Ideas (which themselves dealt with concrete hierarchy of rational ideas. St. Anselm, though, makes the most dogmatic and logically tortuous case for God's existence, relying not upon explanations of goodness, truth, or rational order of ideas but upon an absurd argument. He claims that everyone has some sense of God, and he claims that for one to deny God's existence is an invalid and contradictory assertion; therefore, God exists. Also, Anselm believes that those capable of understanding God cannot believe that he does not exist as if the enormity of the idea was so clear than only a fool could not perceive it. His arguments seem the weakest of the four viewpoints here, for they are riddled with dogma and assume that God is a constant using faith alone. Anselm considers faith paramount to logic or other forms of thought and asks no questions as to what powers the universe or what goodness is - he basically follows the Christian party line too closely to be valid. In general, St. Augustine combines Plato's idea of a moral hierarchy with his own rational observation s of truth and goodness being embodied in their highest form by God. While Plato wavers on God's superiority, Aristotle views man as god's pawn, and Anselm uses tortuous dogmatic logic, Augustine's arguments seem to make the most sense from not only a Christian point of view but from a moral and rational one as well. The philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, and St. Anselm on the existence of God all vary on the issue

Symbols and Motifs in Literature

Symbols and Motifs in Literature When you read a book, you might notice recurring themes within the text, which usually influence the storyline and provide clues into the plot or conflict occurring. In order to build and explain the theme, the author will use symbols and motifs. Many readers fully understand what a symbol is, but not everyone is as familiar with motifs. While they are similar and both serve to help us understand the material at hand, these two types of language arent the same. Both are crucial parts of creating a strong storyline that will draw in the reader and hold his attention. What is a symbol? A symbol is an object that represents something else, and in fact, are a part of your daily life, not just a piece of literature. You may not realize it, but you  encounter millions of symbols in your everyday life, such as: Traffic lights: Red light means stop, green means go, and yellow means cautionThe arrow means this wayA cross represents religion, or more specifically, ChristianityLight bulb means new ideaNumerals 1 and 0, put together, mean tenA heart means loveLogos represent brands, like the Nike swoosh or Macs AppleEven our names are symbols that represent us as individual humans Symbols can hold unexpected meaning, but upon further investigation, can make a lot of sense. For example, if you read a scene that involves a skunk lurking in the background, you might wonder what that animal could signify. But, if  theres something that foul in the works of your story, like a breakup or a bit of bad luck, the skunk begins to bring up imagery of something that is less than pleasant to experience. Thus, the symbolism.   To better understand symbolism, you might  ask yourself to consider what a variety of everyday objects might stand for if they were used in a piece of literation. For example, think about emotions or thoughts that come to mind when you see the following: Flowers (represent nature, birth, growth, femininity, beauty)Lightening bolt  (represents speed, strength, power, electricity)  Spider web (represents entanglement, entrapment, mystery) What is a motif? While a symbol might occur once in literature to signify an idea or an emotion, a motif can be an element or idea that repeats throughout that piece of literature. It is closely related to a theme but is more of a supporting role to the theme than a theme itself. It is within the pattern of repetition that the power and impact of a motif are found. A motif could, in fact, be expressed by a collection of related symbols. How do symbols and motifs work together? Since multiple symbols can be used to explain a motif, lets break down a few examples. Lets say we have a story about a family struggling to stay together, parents considering divorce. We might encounter a motif of fragmentation that could come from several symbols that appear in a book: Shattered glassA runaway (pet, teen, car)An explosionA scattered puzzle Sometimes a motif can also be a study on contrast, like the theme of good versus evil, or light and dark. A series of symbols that could represent this motif might be: Moon shadows (shades of darkness)A candle (a light in the darkness)Storm clouds (temporary darkness)A ray of sunshine (emerging from darkness)A tunnel (through the darkness) The symbols and motifs you discover in your reading will lead to the understanding of an overall theme of your book. To find the theme of a book, you should look for an overall message or lesson. If you do encounter the motif of light and dark in a book, you should think about a message that the author is trying to send about life. The light and dark of a story might tell us: Love survives deathLife renews itselfKnowledge conquers fear Tip: if you see a series of symbols or a collection of motifs, but you cant come up with a theme, try inserting a verb to describe the object.  If you see a lot of references to fire, for example, you can ask yourself what action we might associate with fire. Fire burnsFire destroysFire warms Consider which of these behaviors make sense in the context of the novel or story you are reading.

Exemplification essay on Stereotypes of an American Male in a european

Exemplification on Stereotypes of an American Male in a european counrty - Essay Example Asian Americans are stereotyped as submissive, Math or business wizards, black Americans are either thugs or religious fanatics who are good in basketball and rapping, Latino Americans are lazy and dependent on social welfare, and white Americans are aggressive, loud-mouthed, condescending, violent individuals. Asian Americans are often depicted in the media as submissive. For instance, when speaking with other races, they do not look at them in the eye and tend to bow down. Asian Americans are also portrayed as Math wizards. They often wear large glasses and excel in Mathematics. They are frequently honor students and are severely grade-conscious. Furthermore, Asian Americans are described as businesspeople. They either have restaurants or pharmacies. Many of them become rich doing business. It can be seen that these stereotypes are generally positive compared to other ethnic American stereotypes. Black Americans are shown in the media as either thugs or religious fanatics. The young black male is often a criminal or juvenile delinquent. In TV shows, they are loud-mouthed and do not excel in their studies like Asian Americans. Sometimes, black males are also shown as religious zealots singing church hymns and attending religious services all the time. Black men are also stereotyped as good in basketball and rapping. People sometimes automatically assume that they have Michael Jordans genes running through each and every black man. These stereotypes are generally negative and focus too much on the sports abilities of black people. Latino Americans are frequently stereotyped as lazy. The media shows them as enjoying siestas and parties. It seems that all they do is have fun and that they cannot focus on being productive. The media also depicts Latinos as dependent on welfare. Again, this is a negative stereotype that entails their laziness and lack of motivation in their lives. Like

Works of Art Comparison and Contrast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Works of Art Comparison and Contrast - Essay Example The essay "Works of Art Comparison and Contrast" incorporates several works of art placed side by side for comparison and contrast purposes. Matisse Henry paints â€Å"Nasturtiums with the Painting Dance† within the 1900 AD timeline. This artwork emphasizes on illustrating the theme of dancing based on the artist’s version of this subject. Using painting oil, he depicts a tall image consisted of a picture within a picture on canvas. The image depicts the subject matter of dance and dancing, as the two human images seem to dance around the jar sited on the turning table and overflowing with nasturtiums. This image shows fauvism existent the twentieth-century in the European Art. Similarly, O’Keeffe utilizes painting oil on canvas in the artwork, â€Å"From the Faraway, Nearby† in the 1900 AD intended to bring forth the themes of precisionism in modern and contemporary art. Furthermore, to illustrate the same in the twentieth-century American art, the artist shows an animal skull sitting on mountainous landscapes. This art means to represent the women artists in North America through suggestions of physical and emotional realisms of the Southwest. Moreover, O’Keeffe’s â€Å"Cow’s Skull: Red, White and Blue† painted in 1931 precedes â€Å"From the Faraway, Nearby.† Both artworks reveal the artist’s love for use of skulls to pass messages. The â€Å"Cow’s Skull: Red, White and Blue† displays the prominent three colors of the American flag. This use of the distinctive colors illustrates how images symbolized America. ... On the other hand, American scene painters utilized this opportunity to unravel the existent urban problems during that time. Nonetheless, the weathered cow’s skull used by O’Keeffe represented America’s enduring spirit, thus, making the artwork a quintessential West American icon. Pippin, on the other hand, aims at illustrating historical themes in his artwork as the key subject matter. These historical settings mostly rest on his fighting experience in the Infantry regiment wars. Through these artwork pippin also enhances religious and political symbols. In this regard, Pippin’s â€Å"Lady of the Lake† distinctively shows the literary subject matter acquired from the past Arthurian legends through the portraits landscape setting. The personified naked sunbather stretched out on a blanket at the water’s edge demonstrates the exaggeration of scale to give a certain perspective. Most importantly, the use of bright and intense blends of red and green typically illustrates the use of palette during the period of 1900 AD4. Additionally, Hopper in 1930 draws an art piece named â€Å"Tables for Ladies† that most importantly illustrates his personal existence during the Great Depression in America. All through the period, very few Americans afforded to dine in restaurants as illustrated by the restaurant’s emptiness. The artwork positions the viewer directly outside an ordinary restaurant in New York allowing them a clear view through the front window. The artist focuses the viewer past the menu cards placed in order on the table and the mouth-watering foods and the waitress trying to adjust them5. The view presents wooden polished interior characterized by a tiled floor and mirrored walls. In the

Paper on THE KORAN and how it deals with 3 issues listed below Research

On THE KORAN and how it deals with 3 issues listed below - Research Paper Example According to the Muslims the words of The Koran are indisputable and can never be changed by a human being. Various researches, conducted across the world, showed that the words of The Koran are the same as they were at the time of revelation i-e fourteen hundred years ago. The Koran covers many themes but we are going to discuss three chief subjects discussed in The Koran. They are Suicide, Holy War (Jihad) and the use of Alcohol. By going through the various verses of The Koran, we find it lucid and apparent that the suicide is austerely banned in The Koran and there are no exceptions to it. The philosophy of The Koran Says that life is a beautiful thing and it is the gift of Almighty Allah to the human being. It furthers describes that only Allah has the right to take his gift back. No human being is allowed to do so. And if he does, he will face the Wrath of Allah. Not only this that particular human being will never be allowed to enter the paradise. As the Last Prophet Muhammad Says Though it is clear that suicide is strictly forbidden in Islam, but sacrificing life in the Holy war (Jihad) is allowed in Islam. In fact according to The Koran one who fights for the prosperity and the advancement of the religion and sacrifices his life, he will not only be given direct entrance to the paradise but he will also be blessed by the Almighty Allah. â€Å"And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression.† [Al-Qur’an 2:192-193] It should also be noted that Allah has allowed this Holy war only against the forces of terror and corruption not against the normal and innocent human being. It does not matter to which religion they belong. There are various type of Jihad described in Islam. Jihad varies from pen to

Who Was Benjamin Franklin Religion Essay

Who Was Benjamin Franklin Religion Essay Benjamin Franklins ideas on God and human nature were significantly different from the puritan norm at the time.   While Franklin saw God as a good and wise creator, the puritans feared Him as an almighty being.   The puritans saw human nature as the ultimate conduit for sin, while Franklin believed that humans as products of God were good at heart.   Franklin believed in a God discrete from both mans activity on earth and the puritan ideal of who He was, and in humans not as slaves to sin and redemption, but as masters of their own destiny. Puritanism was a very widely held belief system in the early colonies. A direct descendant of Calvinism, Puritanism had strong roots among a vast number of the colonists throughout early American settlements. As a sect of Christianity, they believed in the bible as the word of God, and Jesus as Gods son. It was common for puritans of the time to fear God and look at all misfortune that befell them as punishment for their sins. And as it struck my hand, so it struck my heart; for I suddenly rose up and went into a wood; and there I cried bitterly, and now concluded that God, God had found me out. (Dane, 4) The puritan God can almost be seen as a tyrannical leader; one who strikes fear into the hearts of His subjects, yet demands their love and respect. Franklins semi-present creator-God was distinctly different from that of the punishing overseer of the puritans. Franklin was one of few deists at the time. It is said that had he published his deism tract thirty years earlier, he would have risked imprisonment and execution in the British Empire. The norms of the time, the puritans, were an overwhelming majority. The puritan God was always there, always watching over his creations. As John Dane repeated from his mother, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Go where you will, God he will find you out. (Dane, 2) The puritans spent their lives with the ever present notion of Gods wrath hanging over their shoulders. Franklins God was not the same entity. He was the creator, and that to Franklin was as far as His relationship with man went. God did not inspire man to write the books of the bible, nor did he send His Son to die on a cross for mans sin. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦after doubting by turns of several pointsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I began to doubt of Revelation itself . (Franklin, 5) Franklins God gave man life and free will, and then gave him the reigns to control his own destiny. The puritan conception of human nature was based on the idea of original sin. Original sin is a term used to describe the bibles story of Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the tree of good and evil under temptation of Satan. Puritans believed that because of this original sin, humans are all inherently corrupt and impure of mind; because man is born into sin, it is impossible for him to escape it. Your best duties are tainted, poisoned, and mingled with some sin, and therefore are most odious in the eyes of a holy God. (Wigglesworth, 4) In the eyes of the church, the only redeeming quality of human nature was that they themselves were made by God. They were obedient to God and His word because they were afraid of his punishment. The only hope the puritans had in life was that they might be chosen in Gods eyes as worthy of redemption. Franklin saw the nature of humans in a very different light. While he did look to God for wisdom and insight, he believed that man could be good without God. He came to this conclusion not with religion, but with intellect and logic. He created a list of thirteen virtues that he believed could bring a man to moral perfection. These too were not created with any particular religious sect in mind, but rather with the idea that all people could better themselves through them. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦that vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful, the nature of man alone consideredà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Franklin, 15) He believed that evil or morally wrong actions were wrong, not because God said so, but because they were hurtful to humanity. Human nature by itself was not corrupt, and it was possible for a man to be truly good. Franklins beliefs on human nature were different in many ways than that of the puritans. While the puritans saw man as essentially evil from conception, Franklin saw man as able to create his own destiny. While both parties believed in God as being important to the life of men, Franklin saw his importance as more of a guide, and less as a strict path like that of the puritans. The Puritans had only one way to achieve completion in life; to earn Gods redemption. Franklin believed that as man tried to be a better person, he was achieving his destiny in life. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦tho I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtainingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I was, by the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Franklin, 14) The puritans did not believe this was the case, as good works to them meant nothing if God did not give favor. Your good duties cannot save you, yet your bad works will damn you. (Wiggleswort h, 4) The separate parties idea of human nature was directly affected by their respective ideas of God. The puritans believed in a God that was almighty and all encompassing. They thought of themselves as unworthy beasts without purpose, and only with the favor of God did they have any chance of happiness on this earth or after it. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦everyone sinned in Adam and everyone deserves eternal deathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Wigglesworth, 4) Franklin saw a God that was less involved in the lives of men. He put much more emphasis on the worth of a persons works and endeavors, and less on whether or not this person had been chosen by God. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦there was in [my scheme] no mark of any of the distinguishing tenants of any particular sect. I had purposely avoided themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ that it might be serviceable to people of all religionsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Franklin, 15) Both groups ideals were founded in belief, and were distinctly different because of the differences in the belief of each re spective God. As much as the puritan ideals were similar to that of the deist Benjamin Franklin, the differences of each faith is what defines them. Franklin believed in a God based in logic, while the puritans God was founded in faith and tradition. From this belief in separate Gods, separate belief in human nature arose; the puritans believing in Human nature as evil and Franklin believing in it as independent and just. Franklin found that the path to righteousness could be obtained through good works that bettered humanity; while the puritans believed that only strict adherence to the guidelines set forth by God could bring salvation. Each point of view has its own foundations and each gives historians a different yet equally relevant perspective on life in the early American colonies.

GM Tries to Sharpen Its Car Images Essay -- BTEC Business Marketing GC

GM Tries to Sharpen Its Car Images Executive Summary General Motors, the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer took the industry leadership from Ford Motors Company in 1931. With its customer oriented objective and significant marketing programs, GM protected its position since then. Starting from 1990, GM became industry’s biggest money loser in the U.S. market by tracking out of the road it always had been and forgetting how it became and protected its leadership for over 60 years. Top management moved slowly by taking important decisions, lost control over the divisions and did not stop the production of the dogs on time. GM also lost touch with its customers and dealerships, so, the well-respected brand name became a dog itself in consumers’ minds. After assigning a new CEO and top management team, GM tried to recover as soon as possible. To mend the broken brand, a new marketing manager, a brand guy himself was needed. Ron Zarella was transferred from Bausch & Lomb to change the image of GM products. Zarella took long and short-term decisions successfully and ended the arguments inside of the company. He changed marketing structure by creating brand manager positions to work with the services such as design team, public relations, customer satisfaction, sales, service and distribution. Five-Phase Vehicle Development Process was created, engineers and marketing groups from different brands combined to work with each other. As results of these innovations, GM was able to design new cars shorter; although still not shorter than its competitors, market its products more successfully and gained consumer confidence back again. Situation Analysis A. Environment Fast technological changes and increasing affordability changed consumer expectations in 90’s. Big, heavy cars had still market share but the cars which are smaller and have low gas mileage were stars for the Generation Y. Power doors, power windows, power steering and air conditioning became standards for all consumers which were found in luxury cars or offered as an extra in 70’s and 80’s. Starting from 1990; especially following the Gulf War, The U.S. economy started recovering after recessing in 80’s. The federal budget deficit was getting smaller, long-term interest rates were lower and U.S. businesses had equal cost of capital compared to their foreign competitors. Oil ... ...ing should work together as one body and help each other as possible as they can and the time for designing products should be shortened. For brand management positions, not only insiders but also outsiders should be installed to get new and fresh ideas. The teams containing brand managers and engineers from different divisions should be made up to share ideas and experience to solve the quality, production and distribution problems of every division. Consumer confidence can be gained back by changing products’ characteristics, smart pricing strategies by concentrating cost administration or cost management, training salespeople and dealerships in consumer friendly way, offering flexible financing solutions with promotions and, teach the consumer the benefits of the product. Summary and Conclusion GM can be successful in its profit-maximization and â€Å"A car for every purpose, a car for every pocketbook† objective by using these solutions. The company will have better operation, production design will be faster, employee participation and motivation will be high, customer oriented approach will be applied and protect its industry leader position against its competitors.

Product and Service Marketing Analysis Essay

Product and service marketing are highly related. Take the success of a company like Apple, for example. The technology giant operates nearly 400 retail stores, employs more than 42,000 people and hosts more than a million visitors each day. In 2012, Apple’s retail operations generated nearly $19 billion. Furthermore, it’s estimated that Apple’s Fifth Avenue store generates more than $35,000 per square foot, making it the highest grossing retailer in New York – ever. Those statistics reinforce the company’s product and service strategies of those of a highly successful company. Apple continues to hold a number one spot on a list of the world’s most admirable companies. However, the success of Apple hasn’t always been so great. It wasn’t until the company combined good products with good services, that profits increased exponentially. Slide 12-12: Service Differentiation Apple actually had a point in business in which it struggled. That was in the 1990s when the company was selling products through larger retailers such as CompUSA and Sears. It was then, that Apple computers were shoved to the side, out of the main view of customers, as just another computer brand available on store shelves. Apple employees didn’t pay enough attention to the installation of the product in the big box stores in which it was being sold, so there wasn’t a true selling point for buyers. Also, the product delivery took a major hit. In fact, the brand became so weakened when retailers did not market the products properly, that the inventory wasn’t fully stocked. While Apple products plummeted in sales, the Gateway company was offering direct sales to consumers in its own stores, and Apple had to reinvent its business model, and quickly learn how to operate in a different manner. Less than two years after Apple launched its retail stores, Gateway shut down all of its shops and laid off 2,500 workers. Only three years later, CompUSA closed its chain of 23-year-old stores as well. Apple went against much of the advice it had received, and clearly the company was doing something right. Apple created retail stores that offer more than just a product. The stores offer a shopping experience that consumers often give raving reviews on. That includes ordering ease, smooth delivery, clear installation, the right customer training and consulting, and simplified maintenance and repair. Slide 12-11: Product Differentiation Apple Stores are now the highest performing stores in retail history. This isn’t due to just good in-store and online service. The products typically set the bar among all other technology products offered in the industry. Many Apple products come with customizable features based on a customers wants and needs. That includes hard drive and disk space, all the way down to the detail of an optional custom engraving on a product. In addition to the features, Apple products are known to hold superior performance quality. Sure, the products aren’t cheap, but typically when a customer buys an Apple product, they know that product will pay for itself over time. Slide 13-5: Categories of Service Mix When you’re dealing with a product that Apple designs and sells, it’s typically a highly technological device. That tangible good brings on accompanying services. The more advanced the product, the greater the need for those high-quality supporting services. When a customer goes into an Apple store looking for a new computer or an iPad, there’s a chance they don’t know how to maximize its use to its full capability. Apple found a way to assist costumers, so they can learn about the devices they’re purchasing for free. Employees at each Apple retail shop hold free workshops for consumers to teach the basics. In addition to workshops, customers can sign up for one-on-one training sessions to dig even deeper into their product’s capabilities. Slide 13-6: Service Distinctions These services offered by Apple require the client’s presence; therefore employees need to be considerate of the consumer’s needs. That is why Apple is known for hiring â€Å"customer-obsessed, empathetic employees.† Apple cofounder Steve Jobs offered a unique insight about how consumers interact with technology. Jobs said often the problem was that consumers are limited to thinking in terms of only what they know, instead of what is possible. Jobs once said that one of the keys to Apple is that the company builds products that turn the employees on. That is certainly to the benefit of the customers, that it â€Å"often means products are exactly what they want because Apple employees are so deeply entrenched in and committed to the customer’s experience.† Slide 13-8: Distinctive Characteristics of Service While many consumers know the physical products Apple offers are those of high quality, the company has made it a point to â€Å"manage the evidence,† and â€Å"tangibilize the intangible.† In doing so, Apple had to create stores that have a clean layout, in which traffic flows steadily, have employees that are busy, but they can still manage the workload, have equipment that is state of the art, have a symbol that suggests quality in both product and service, and finally, has a reasonable price for service. We already know that Apple services are offered for free, the company’s logo is iconic, and that the equipment is top notch. So, Apple’s stores had the main focus of a clean layout and employees readily available, yet still busy. When a customer walks into an Apple store, the aesthetics are clean and well thought out. Each product is on display for testing use, and the floors, walls, and counter spaces are clean and tidy. In addition to that, carefully recruited and trained sales associates are encouraged to take customers on a â€Å"ride.† They give each willing customer a short, informative tour of the space to be able to have a conversation and connect with each and every visitor. Then, of course, there’s the offering of support for each customer, which is just another delight to those who shop at Apple. The end result of Apple’s mix of product and service marketing combined is certainly one of success. Apple has the highest retail sales per square foot than any other U.S. retailer. The stores average more than $6,000 per square foot, which is more than twice the former gold standard Tiffany & Company. That success did not come with quality products alone, but quality product marketing coupled with quality service marketing. The company’s marketing strategy is unique, but the company figured out how to attract and retain customers, generate an extremely large amount of word-of-mouth and brand appeal to give it a huge competitive advantage. Works Cited Chazin, S. (2013). The Retail Secrets of Apple. Retrieved from http://www.marketingapple.com/marketing_apple/2013/01/the-retail-secrets-of- apple.html on 07/23/2013. DuBois, S. (2011). World’s Most Admired Companies. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2011/snapshots/670.html on 07/23/2013. Kotler, P; Keller, L (2011). Marketing Management (14th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Moorman, C. (2012). Why Apple is a Great Marketer. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/christinemoorman/2012/07/10/why-apple-is-a-great-marketer/ on 07/23/2013.

Expert Guide Which SAT Subject Tests Should You Take

Expert Guide Which SAT Subject Tests Should You Take SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Feeling lost and confused about which SAT Subject Test to choose? There are a lot of options - 20 to be exact - so it can be bewildering to know which ones will be best for your college applications. Not to worry! We've gathered the most important considerations in selecting an SAT Subject Test. As long as you approach your decisions with these ideas in mind, you'll be sure to choose the best SAT Subject Tests to take for you. We're going to go step by step through the most important questions to consider. First and foremost, what do your colleges require? Then, which subjects are you good at and which will you score highest in? What SAT Subject Tests Are There? Before we begin discussing which Subject Tests you should take, let's first go over all your options. There are currently 20 Subject Tests, and they're each listed below. Biology E/M Chemistry Chinese with Listening French French with Listening German German with Listening Italian Latin Literature Japanese with Listening Korean with Listening Math Level 1 Math Level 2 Modern Hebrew Physics Spanish Spanish with Listening US History World History What Do Your Colleges Require? First, you need to understand your colleges' specific requirements. Do they want to see one, two, or three subject tests? Are you applying to technology schools that want you to showcase your achievement in math and science? Or are you aiming for liberal arts schools that want to see a range of academic knowledge, including both literature and math? More often than not, selective colleges prefer the latter - they like to see that you possess a diversity of knowledge across various domains. More and more colleges are adopting test optional and test flexible policies, which offer you the option of sending Subject Test scores in place of the general SAT or ACT. If you feel that these specialized tests could better represent your skills and abilities, then you may want to take advantage of these flexible policies. Check out the full list of test optional and test flexible schools here. Finally, some schools use the SAT Subject Tests for placement purposes, like in a language level once you arrive on campus, or to make up for lower than desired SAT scores. Research your college of interests' approaches by checking out their admissions website or calling their admissions office and speaking to an officer directly. It will help your application to leave no stone unturned, and most admissions officers are happy to help and will appreciate your detail-oriented approach. You probably have a lot of strengths, but which ones are your best? Take SAT Subject Tests to reflect your greatest ones. Which Subjects Are You Best At? Once you've figured out what your colleges require, you need to figure out which tests will most strengthen your application. The SAT Subject Tests are a chance for you to demonstrate subject mastery, that you know a subject really well and have devoted a good deal of time to learning all about it. The subject tests are less about general reasoning skills and more about specific knowledge of content, whether it's in Math, Biology, Chemistry, Spanish, or U.S. History, among many others. Since you're demonstrating your knowledge in a particular subject, you have to ask yourself: What do I know well? What have I studied? Which classes have I excelled in? Do you love reading and writing and have always been excited to go to English class? Then the Literature test is likely for you. Do you immerse yourself in understanding the natural world and have taken at least one year of Biology in high school? Then you should direct yourself toward the Biology Subject Test. Within these subjects, there may be variations of tests among which to choose. For example, there are two versions of the Biology Subject Test, one with an ecological focus and another with a molecular focus. Math offers Level 1 and Level 2, and some Language Tests offer Listening and non-Listening options. For a more detailed explanation of the various formats of the Subject Tests, check out this article. So once you have your subject chosen, you may have to decide where your knowledge is most specialized. Are you more interested in populations and energy flow or cellular division and photosynthesis? Are you confident with trigonometry and pre-calculus or do you prefer to leave those subjects off the test, as in Level 1 Math? Are your listening skills extremely strong in your understanding of another language? By understanding where your knowledge is specialized, you'll be able to narrow down your choice to the right subject and the right format. Finally, if you have taken and feel you excelled in several subjects, then you should ask yourself which subjects you felt most connected to and interested in. Like with the rest of your college application, your choice of Subject Tests communicates something about you to admissions officers. It indicates your own unique interests, interests that you might pursue further in college. So if you're having trouble narrowing down your choices, consider which subjects you like the most and want to highlight in your applications. Which Exams Are You Most Prepared For? You may have taken several classes in the subjects covered by the Subject Tests. Which ones are most fresh in your mind? The best time to take a Subject Test is often at the end of a school year in which you have been studying that subject. May and June are popular dates, and it can help to schedule your Subject Test close to a final or AP exam so you're fully immersed in studying that subject. Read more about the best dates to take the SAT Subject Tests and schedule them in and around the general SAT or ACT. Since the Subject Tests are about content readiness, you don't have to wait until junior year to take them. You might be prepared to take Biology at the end of freshman year for example, or perhaps you're ready for Math Level 1 or Level 2 by the end of sophomore year. If you familiarize yourself with the tests and plan ahead, then you might be able to get these tests over and done with before the busy spring and fall of junior and senior year. Most colleges should take your highest scores, so you can always retake a Subject Test if you're not totally satisfied with your score. What are your future goals? What Are Your Future Goals? If you have a sense of what you would like to study in college or what professional field you want to pursue, then you might want to take a Subject Test related to that area. If you'd like to study engineering, for example, then the Math and Physics Subject Tests could demonstrate your relevant interest and talent. If you're gearing up for pre-med, then the Biology Subject Test is a good bet. As mentioned above, liberal arts schools, especially the selective ones, often like to see diversity in your choice of tests, one from the humanities and another from math or sciences. So make sure you ask for advice from the school as to what scores and tests will most impress them in your application. What Are Your Language Abilities? If you are fluent in a language other than English, then the SAT Subject Test in that language could be a fantastic way to showcase your multilingualism. You still need to prepare and familiarize yourself with the test, to make sure you know what to expect. Since the majority of students tend to score highly on many of the language tests, you will have to achieve a high score to compare favorably with the other test-takers. As long as you make time for test prep and have strong language skills, then you should be able to get a great score and highlight this additional asset on your applications. If you're not very confident in your language abilities or have only studied the language in the classroom without much exposure to or development of your speaking and listening skills, then the language tests may not be the best choice for you. Since native and fluent speakers will be taking the test, you may end up in a low percentile even with what seems like a relatively high score in the upper 600s or even 700s. College Board recommends at least two years of study of a language. If you'd like to take a language test but aren't sure if your language skills are sufficient, definitely read over the content and try some practice questions. If you're still not sure, then a different Subject Test is probably your best bet for achieving a high score. Which Subject Tests Are Easiest? Another consideration when choosing a Subject Test is how students score on average. A low average score may suggest the test is particularly challenging. If scores show a large standard deviation, then it means that students scored across a broad range. Overall, students show very high averages on the Math Level 2, Chinese with Listening, and Korean with Listening tests, meaning you have to very confident and prepared to take these tests as you'll be compared with high-achieving students. You can also take a look at our more in-depth analysis ofthe easiest SAT Subject Tests. To Sum Up When asking yourself, "What SAT Subject Tests should I take?" you can find your answer by considering these questions: What exactly do my colleges require and want to see? What do I know? What classes did I do well in? You can even ask your family and teachers for feedback here. What classes am I currently taking that will prepare me for the Subject Test by the end of the year? How advanced are my language abilities? What do I want the admissions committee to know about my academic interests and strengths? How does this Subject Test relate to my future academic and professional goals? Which Subject Tests have the most favorable scoring curve? You have likely already chosen or been placed in classes that will help to determine your content readiness. Plus by answering all these questions, you should have a clear sense of what Subject Tests are best for you and your college applications. Now it's up to you to study so you can best demonstrate your knowledge and interests on the SAT Subject Tests of your choosing. What's Next? For a more detailed look into all the SAT Subject Test options and their different formats, check out our article here. Another important consideration about SAT Subject Tests iswhen to take them, especially when you have to schedule around the SAT or ACT and all your other activities. Check out our article on thebest dates to take the SAT Subject Tests. Are you also taking the SAT or ACT? Find out exactly when you should start preparing so you can balance your SAT prep with your Subject Test prep and achieve your best target scores. Need a little extra help prepping for your Subject Tests? We have the industry's leading SAT Subject Test prep programs (for all non-language Subject Tests). Built by Harvard grads and SAT Subject Test full or 99th %ile scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so that you get the most effective prep possible. Learn more about our Subject Test products below:

Multiple Choice Tests Strategies for Students

Multiple Choice Tests Strategies for Students Multiple choice tests are one of the most popular forms of assessment utilized by classroom teachers. They are easy for teachers to construct and score. Mastering multiple choice exams are one part mastery of content and one part skillful test taking. The following multiple choice tests strategies will help students improve their scores on a multiple choice assessment. These strategies are designed to increase the chances of a students answer being correct. Making it a habit of using each of these strategies on a multiple choice test will make you a better test taker. Read the question at least two times before you look at the answer. Then read the answer choices at least two times. Finally, re-read the question one more time.Always cover up the possible responses with a piece of paper or with your hand while you read the stem or body of the question. Then, come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers, this way the choices given on the test wont throw you off or trick you.Eliminate answers you know arent right. Every answer you can eliminate increases your odds of getting the question correct.Slow down! Read all the choices before choosing your answer. Do not assume that the first answer is correct. Finish reading all the other choices, because while the first may fit, a latter one may be the better, more correct answer.If there is no guessing penalty, always take an educated guess and select an answer. Never leave an answer blank.Do not keep on changing your answer; usually your first choice is the correct one unles s you misread the question. In All of the above and None of the above choices, if you are certain one of the statements is true do not choose None of the above or one of the statements are false do not choose All of the above.In a question with an All of the above choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then All of the above will be the correct answer choice.Tone can matter. A positive answer choice is more likely to be correct over a negative answer choice.Wordiness is a good indicator. Usually, the correct answer is the choice with the most information.If all else fails, choose response (b) or (c). Many instructors subconsciously feel that the correct answer is hidden better if it is surrounded by distractors. Response (a) is usually least likely to be the correct one.Stay within the lines. Be sure that you have filled the appropriate bubbles carefully WITH A #2 PENCIL. Be sure that there are no stray marks.Take the time to check your work before you hand in the answer sheet. On a timed test, utilize every second of time that you have to go over your answer choices as much as possible. On an untimed test, check over everything multiple times.

Unit VII Assessment#1 Gaussian Plume Models Essay

Unit VII Assessment#1 Gaussian Plume Models - Essay Example Screen 3 models are an air pollution dispersion method used to investigate environmental aspect and condition of the atmospheric air (Livermore, 1998).it is a model designed to estimate worst case ground level concentrations of a single source as well as that in a cavity zone and the concentrations resulting from inversion break and shoreline fumigation. Therefore, SCREEN3 is a screening version of the ISC3 modeling. Its initial modeling works towards removing the need for a complicated modeling and helps in saving time and resources (Gaujar, 2010). It was developed in 1995 following the Gaussian plume modeling to cover regional scales. (Nieuwstadt and Dop, 1975). SCREEN3 has various advantages compared to other modeling types. First, it investigates ground level concentrations over large zones saving on time consumptions and minimizing resource inputs. It also covers models over any terrain while setting up any sources and pollutants in one file, it sets thresholds concentrations quickly while identifying specified value. In addition it analyses results in different formats such as graphical, text and use of tables (Nieuwstadt and Dop,

OHIO & DUBAI (Comparative Essay) in Business Research Paper

OHIO & DUBAI (Comparative Essay) in Business - Research Paper Example However, the economic prospects of Ohio today are quite unattractive and that this adversely affect investing or doing business in the state. This is reflected in a study conducted by Bo Carlsson (2002) wherein the firms in Ohio report a lack of regional venture capital firms as well as a lack of venture capital firms based outside the state particularly those interested in Ohio-based startups. (p. 171) All in all, the dismal business environment in Ohio can be seen in the economic activity, population trends, tax and real estate. There is an ongoing competition among US states for a share in investment as they compete with each other in regard to which locale is able to provide the best investment climate. In this landscape of escalating inter-state competition, selective interests within traditional industrial states sough to mobilize governmental powers and resources behind a strategy of inward investment. In Ohio’s case, construction of an inward-led model of economic development consisted of three elements. According to Nicholas Phelps and Philip Raines, these are: a set of economic and political interests that provided the social base for the strategy; formal institutions dedicated to a particular form of economic development; and, a framework for coordinating economic development practices. (p. 84) In Ohio’s economic history, it is clear that development came from the interconnection of these three elements. The first involved the establishment of the Ohio Department of Industrial and Eco nomic Development; the second is the codification of the relationship between State and private interests in the form of Ohio Economic Development Council; and, the third involves the routine practices through which inward investment has been pursued as a policy for the last four decades. (p. 85) Today, however, one fact stands out for Ohio: it is dramatically losing its competitiveness. Since the twenty-first