17"There are two types of laws: just and unjust. Every individual in a society has a responsibility to obey just laws and, even more importantly, to disobey and resist unjust laws."
(618 words)
The author asserts that the laws can be divided into just ones and unjust ones. He also holds that those just laws must be obeyed by every indicudual, while those unjust ones may be disobeyed and resisted. In my point of view, the conclusion needs to be discussed in a case-by-case way.
Law is important is every society, no matter in ancient or modern societys, no matter in eastern or western nations. In the primarily society, human being didn't have laws, they just fight each other to decide who have the right to eat the food. As time passed by, they found that if such circumstances continue, the society could barely make process anymore, thus they developed laws which helped to set a regulation between mankind. After thousands of years' evolution, modern people can't imagine how could a society survive without laws. In addition, every society has its own history and culture, so the laws are different among each groups, meanwhile, as the culture developed for such a long time, the law also changed along with the history. In short, the laws are diverse during time and among places. No one can easily justify whether the context of a law is just or unjust by a common standard.
However, as there are just and unjust laws, how can one make the line between them clear? In my opinion, the answer is the process of setting the law. The power of a government comes from the pubic, so as the law. Is the law established by the folk, or some repretation voted by the folk? Is the law set through democratic process, not just by a few people's will? If these two things are in case. Then I think that the debate between the just and unjust is just personal. On the contrary, despite the law may help the society become better, I will insist that the law is unjust.
Then, there will be a natural question about how to do with the unjust law, does every method, no matter how violent is suitable? I don't think. In nowadays society, there are many ways to express groups's sound, like through the court or parliament or go on to the street to complain. Martin Luther King, the famous Afirica American, led thousands of black people to the road and delievered them a speech "I have a dream", they don't do any violent things such as robbery, kidnapping, or murder. In the end, they won and got the right which they deserve. Another example is Mahatma Gandhi, who set the India free from the United Kingdom. The way he asked people to resist was legal, as didn't buy the goods produced by the Great Brition and make those production by Indians themselves. Just as Martin Luther King, he made achievement without any blood.
In sum, there are two types of laws: just and unjust. The way to conclusion which kind does a single law belong to is through the way the law set up. After the justification, one must obey those laws which he thinks is just. Meanwhile, those who take some law as unjust have to use legal method to amend them, not by violent. If these legal ways are not effective, one can choose to live in another country instead, living the others who judge these law as just continue to obey them. In short, even if the law may be unjust, we can't use the unjust methods to resist them, because according to the history, those who take the methods of violence to chang the law coule only get another, or even more unjust laws. In the worst situation, another autocracy substitude the contemporary autocracy after the violence.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Argument53
53.Thirteen years ago, researchers studied a group of 25 infants who showed signs of mild distress when exposed to unfamiliar stimuli such as an unusual odor or a tape recording of an unknown voice. They discovered that these infants were more likely than other infants to have been conceived in early autumn, a time when their mothers' production of melatonin-a hormone known to affect some brain functions-would naturally increase in response to decreased daylight. In a follow-up study conducted earlier this year, more than half of these children-now teenagers-who had shown signs of distress identified themselves as shy. Clearly, increased levels of melatonin before birth cause shyness during infancy and this shyness continues into later life.
(456 words)
In this argument, the author comes to the conclusion that increased levels of melatonin before birth cause shyness during infancy and this shyness coutinues into later life. To justify this conclusion, the author cites a study about a group of 25 infants and a follow-up study with these children-now teenagers earlier this year. This conclusion seems to be logical, however, deep scrutiny shows several mistakes in it which I will discuss them below.
Firstly, the studied conducted by some researchers thirteen years ago is statistically unreliable. The researchers just studied 25 infants, which make me suspect that thay can' t represent the general infants. It is highly possible that these 25 infants are special, and the reason why those researchers collected these infants rather than others was to get a result which they want to see. If this is the case, I can't be pursuaded that any data deriving from this study can be used to conclude any sound results.
Secondly, even if these infants are representative, the author can't convince me that this high rate of shyness has anything to do with melation, let alone that the former one has been caused by the later. Maybe the melatonin didn't take any function to effect the shyness, or the melation did something to the mother, not the infants, or maybe the melatonin effected these infants, but just in autumn. Without ruling out these or other possible reasons, any conclusion standing on this assumption are not convincing.
Finally, even if increased levels of melatonin before birth cause shyness during infancy, it doesn't mean that it can also cause this shyness continue into later life. To begin with, the author didn't show any data about those infants who wasn't as shy as these infants in the study, so we didn't know whether the rate of shyness among these infants is high or not. Even if the rate of shyness is higher in these children who was more shy than others during infancy, maybe there are other factors effecting this rate. As we all know that, the family atmosphere, and teaching of the teachers, the enviorment of the surrounding during his or her youths life can do something good or bad to effect or even deciede whether a child is shy when he grow up. Without explaining these or other possible factors, the author can't convince me that the melatonin before birth has anything to do with the shyness in later life.
In sum, in order to support thr conclusion, the author must prove that the infants in the study are representative. He also has to make sure that it is the melatonin effected the extra shyness during infancy and in later life other than ant other possible phenomenon.
(456 words)
In this argument, the author comes to the conclusion that increased levels of melatonin before birth cause shyness during infancy and this shyness coutinues into later life. To justify this conclusion, the author cites a study about a group of 25 infants and a follow-up study with these children-now teenagers earlier this year. This conclusion seems to be logical, however, deep scrutiny shows several mistakes in it which I will discuss them below.
Firstly, the studied conducted by some researchers thirteen years ago is statistically unreliable. The researchers just studied 25 infants, which make me suspect that thay can' t represent the general infants. It is highly possible that these 25 infants are special, and the reason why those researchers collected these infants rather than others was to get a result which they want to see. If this is the case, I can't be pursuaded that any data deriving from this study can be used to conclude any sound results.
Secondly, even if these infants are representative, the author can't convince me that this high rate of shyness has anything to do with melation, let alone that the former one has been caused by the later. Maybe the melatonin didn't take any function to effect the shyness, or the melation did something to the mother, not the infants, or maybe the melatonin effected these infants, but just in autumn. Without ruling out these or other possible reasons, any conclusion standing on this assumption are not convincing.
Finally, even if increased levels of melatonin before birth cause shyness during infancy, it doesn't mean that it can also cause this shyness continue into later life. To begin with, the author didn't show any data about those infants who wasn't as shy as these infants in the study, so we didn't know whether the rate of shyness among these infants is high or not. Even if the rate of shyness is higher in these children who was more shy than others during infancy, maybe there are other factors effecting this rate. As we all know that, the family atmosphere, and teaching of the teachers, the enviorment of the surrounding during his or her youths life can do something good or bad to effect or even deciede whether a child is shy when he grow up. Without explaining these or other possible factors, the author can't convince me that the melatonin before birth has anything to do with the shyness in later life.
In sum, in order to support thr conclusion, the author must prove that the infants in the study are representative. He also has to make sure that it is the melatonin effected the extra shyness during infancy and in later life other than ant other possible phenomenon.
Argument200
200.Statistics collected from dentists indicate that three times more men than women faint while visiting the dentist. This evidence suggests that men are more likely to be distressed about having dental work done than women are. Thus, dentists who advertise to attract patients should target the male consumer and emphasize both the effectiveness of their anesthetic techniques and the sensitivity of their staff to nervous or suffering patients.
(483 words)
In this argument, the author concludes that dentists who advertise to attract patients should target the male consumer and emphasize both the effectiveness of their anesthetic techniques and the sensitivity of their staff to nervous or suffering patients. To support this recommendation, the author cites a statistics which indicates that three men than women faint while visiting the dentist. This argument rests on a series of unsubstantiated assumptions, and is therefore unpersuasive as it stands.
First of all, the author didn't mention the number of male or female visiting the dentist. Just because of the plain fact that three times more men than women faint while visiting the dentist, we can't conclude that the men are more likely to be faint than women. If the number of women who visit the dentist is four times more than men, then the female are more likely to be faint instead. Without accounting these and other possible situations, the author can't convince me that that the possibility is higher for men to faint than women.
Secondly, even if the men are more likely to be distressed while visiting the dentist. We don't konw whether they are more likely to be distressed about having dental work. Maybe they faint just for their worrying about the capability of the dentist, thus while the operation begin, they know that the dentist is competent, most of men calm down instead. Meanwhile, the women still feel nervous, thus the rate of women who are distressed about having dental work is higher than men. I will insist my suspection upon the conclusion until the author can offer more details.
Finally, even if men are more likely to be distressed about having dental work done than women, there is no evidence that the dentistd should target the male consumers, for that maybe the earnings from the women are more than from men, thus such a target may make women angry, along with the declining of the revenues. For the similar reason, the conclusion that the dentist should emphasize both the effectiveness of their anesthetic techniques and the sensitivity of their staff to nervous or suffering patients in order to attract patients is unconvincing. It is highly possible that doing such a job can actually lessen the patients, maybe some other ways are better. Meanwhile, it is also possible that the patients are suffering other pains besides nervous, which need the focus of the dentists more.
In sum, to support the recommendation, the author should make sure that men are more likely to be distressed about having dental work than women are. Simultaneously, the author should prove that targeting on men and emphasizing both the effectiveness of their anesthetic techniques and the sensitivity of their staff to nervous or suffering patients can be helpful to make the patients easy, and in this way, the dentists can attract more patients to come, thus more revenues.
(483 words)
In this argument, the author concludes that dentists who advertise to attract patients should target the male consumer and emphasize both the effectiveness of their anesthetic techniques and the sensitivity of their staff to nervous or suffering patients. To support this recommendation, the author cites a statistics which indicates that three men than women faint while visiting the dentist. This argument rests on a series of unsubstantiated assumptions, and is therefore unpersuasive as it stands.
First of all, the author didn't mention the number of male or female visiting the dentist. Just because of the plain fact that three times more men than women faint while visiting the dentist, we can't conclude that the men are more likely to be faint than women. If the number of women who visit the dentist is four times more than men, then the female are more likely to be faint instead. Without accounting these and other possible situations, the author can't convince me that that the possibility is higher for men to faint than women.
Secondly, even if the men are more likely to be distressed while visiting the dentist. We don't konw whether they are more likely to be distressed about having dental work. Maybe they faint just for their worrying about the capability of the dentist, thus while the operation begin, they know that the dentist is competent, most of men calm down instead. Meanwhile, the women still feel nervous, thus the rate of women who are distressed about having dental work is higher than men. I will insist my suspection upon the conclusion until the author can offer more details.
Finally, even if men are more likely to be distressed about having dental work done than women, there is no evidence that the dentistd should target the male consumers, for that maybe the earnings from the women are more than from men, thus such a target may make women angry, along with the declining of the revenues. For the similar reason, the conclusion that the dentist should emphasize both the effectiveness of their anesthetic techniques and the sensitivity of their staff to nervous or suffering patients in order to attract patients is unconvincing. It is highly possible that doing such a job can actually lessen the patients, maybe some other ways are better. Meanwhile, it is also possible that the patients are suffering other pains besides nervous, which need the focus of the dentists more.
In sum, to support the recommendation, the author should make sure that men are more likely to be distressed about having dental work than women are. Simultaneously, the author should prove that targeting on men and emphasizing both the effectiveness of their anesthetic techniques and the sensitivity of their staff to nervous or suffering patients can be helpful to make the patients easy, and in this way, the dentists can attract more patients to come, thus more revenues.
Argument38
38.The following memo appeared in the newsletter of the West Meria Public Health Council. "An innovative treatment has come to our attention that promises to significantly reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces. A study reports that in nearby East Meria, where fish consumption is very high, people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for the treatment of colds. Clearly, eating a substantial amount of fish can prevent colds. Since colds are the reason most frequently given for absences from school and work, we recommend the daily use of Ichthaid, a nutritional supplement derived from fish oil, as a good way to prevent colds and lower absenteeism."
(441 words)
In this argument, the author comes to the conclusion that the West Meria(WM) Pubic Heaoth Council should recommend the daily use of Ichthaid, as a good way to prevent colds and lower absenteeism. To jusdify to recommendation, the author poinst out that the colds are the reason most frequently given for absences from school and work. He also cites a survey which shows that the fish consumption has something to do with the frequency people visit the doctor for the treatment of colds. However, this argument is flawed in several respects.
Firstly, the fact that people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for the treatment of colds doesn't definitely mean the rate of citizens who catch cold is low. It is highly possible that those people who catch colds in East Meria(EM) just buy some medicine from the shop and don't go to the hospital, or they visiting the doctor for the treatment of other disease which are caused by colds, which means that the doctor wouldn't take such disease as "colds", while actually these are cold in the begin. Thus, without ruling out these and other possible reason, the author can't convince me that the frequency of people who catch cold is low in EM.
Secondly, even if the rate of people who catch colds is low in EM, there is no evidence that this is due to the high fish comsumption. Noboby can make it sure that there is any cause-and-effect relationship between two phenomenon just because they happen during the same time. Maybe the people in EM have a better health than WM, or the climate of EM is warmer. Unless the author can cites some scienfic data to assure their relationship, any conclusion based on this assumption is unreliable.
Finally, even if the fish conssumption can help people preventing the cold, no evidence shows that the Ichthaid(Ic) can also operate the same function. Since the Ic is a nutritioanl supplement derived from fish oil, we may wonder whether the effective parts which can prevent the colds disappear, as we don't know whether the reaction to cold by fish is due to Ic or not. Without explaining these qusetions, the author can't come to any convincing recommendation.
In sum, to convince me that it is suitable to recommend the daily use of Ic, the author should prove that the fish can help people decrease the frequency of cold, and make sure that any other factors that can affect the cold are the same between EM and WM. In addition, the author must show evidence that the Ic which is nutritional suppenlement can also be helpful.
(441 words)
In this argument, the author comes to the conclusion that the West Meria(WM) Pubic Heaoth Council should recommend the daily use of Ichthaid, as a good way to prevent colds and lower absenteeism. To jusdify to recommendation, the author poinst out that the colds are the reason most frequently given for absences from school and work. He also cites a survey which shows that the fish consumption has something to do with the frequency people visit the doctor for the treatment of colds. However, this argument is flawed in several respects.
Firstly, the fact that people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for the treatment of colds doesn't definitely mean the rate of citizens who catch cold is low. It is highly possible that those people who catch colds in East Meria(EM) just buy some medicine from the shop and don't go to the hospital, or they visiting the doctor for the treatment of other disease which are caused by colds, which means that the doctor wouldn't take such disease as "colds", while actually these are cold in the begin. Thus, without ruling out these and other possible reason, the author can't convince me that the frequency of people who catch cold is low in EM.
Secondly, even if the rate of people who catch colds is low in EM, there is no evidence that this is due to the high fish comsumption. Noboby can make it sure that there is any cause-and-effect relationship between two phenomenon just because they happen during the same time. Maybe the people in EM have a better health than WM, or the climate of EM is warmer. Unless the author can cites some scienfic data to assure their relationship, any conclusion based on this assumption is unreliable.
Finally, even if the fish conssumption can help people preventing the cold, no evidence shows that the Ichthaid(Ic) can also operate the same function. Since the Ic is a nutritioanl supplement derived from fish oil, we may wonder whether the effective parts which can prevent the colds disappear, as we don't know whether the reaction to cold by fish is due to Ic or not. Without explaining these qusetions, the author can't come to any convincing recommendation.
In sum, to convince me that it is suitable to recommend the daily use of Ic, the author should prove that the fish can help people decrease the frequency of cold, and make sure that any other factors that can affect the cold are the same between EM and WM. In addition, the author must show evidence that the Ic which is nutritional suppenlement can also be helpful.
Issue74
74"The most effective way to communicate an idea or value to large groups of people is through the use of images, not language."
(475 words)
Which is the most effective way to communicate an idea or valut to large groups of people, through th use of images, or through the language? Some people may prefer the former one, while others may hold that the later one is better with their own good reason in it. However, I think we should not decisive opinion upon this issue to which I will give my ananysis below.
To begin with, the language is more accurate than images, it will express what one thinks more explicitly to the audience than images. Meanwhile, if there are some ambiguity needed to be quit, adding extra languages is more convenient, and more convincing than giving another images. For instance, you may know that there exists universal gravitation if you have seen a picture in which an apple is fall off a tree and is about to hit the head of Newton, but you will never understand what creates such a force unless you try to check up and understand those intricate phisics phenomenon and formular.
In the other hand, the image has its own advantages. It is visual and vivid, thus easiler to understand. Meanwhile, the audiences don't need to conquer the difficulies of language, anyone can understand the meaning of an images without learning another strange language before. Those who defend the author may contest that even one doesn't know another language, he or she can recur to the translation. However, we all know that there isn't any absolutely exact translation in the world, it always distort the original intention more or less. And the most important reason we use image to communicate is that it can express feeling which is hard to be transmitted through mere language. Why are those images on arts amazing? Because they can inspire the people's imagination, and there are not any two single person who will have the same feeling after they have scaned the same picture.
In short, as science and technology are developing so rapidly today, more people are starting to think about which is best media to communicate an idea or value. From visual communication to carved stone to simple spoken language to the appearing of character, every step is rough but firm, no matter in antient or modern period, no matter in easten or westen society, people are trying to find a better way to communication. In my point of view, the best choice is to have a balance among all kinds of methods, that is, to pick up any advantages of each media and make the best of technology and human wisdom to integrate them into more effective ones. Only through this, can we raise the ability to give out what is in our heart and the ability to understand what is in others' heart, thus we can work together and make a bright future.
(475 words)
Which is the most effective way to communicate an idea or valut to large groups of people, through th use of images, or through the language? Some people may prefer the former one, while others may hold that the later one is better with their own good reason in it. However, I think we should not decisive opinion upon this issue to which I will give my ananysis below.
To begin with, the language is more accurate than images, it will express what one thinks more explicitly to the audience than images. Meanwhile, if there are some ambiguity needed to be quit, adding extra languages is more convenient, and more convincing than giving another images. For instance, you may know that there exists universal gravitation if you have seen a picture in which an apple is fall off a tree and is about to hit the head of Newton, but you will never understand what creates such a force unless you try to check up and understand those intricate phisics phenomenon and formular.
In the other hand, the image has its own advantages. It is visual and vivid, thus easiler to understand. Meanwhile, the audiences don't need to conquer the difficulies of language, anyone can understand the meaning of an images without learning another strange language before. Those who defend the author may contest that even one doesn't know another language, he or she can recur to the translation. However, we all know that there isn't any absolutely exact translation in the world, it always distort the original intention more or less. And the most important reason we use image to communicate is that it can express feeling which is hard to be transmitted through mere language. Why are those images on arts amazing? Because they can inspire the people's imagination, and there are not any two single person who will have the same feeling after they have scaned the same picture.
In short, as science and technology are developing so rapidly today, more people are starting to think about which is best media to communicate an idea or value. From visual communication to carved stone to simple spoken language to the appearing of character, every step is rough but firm, no matter in antient or modern period, no matter in easten or westen society, people are trying to find a better way to communication. In my point of view, the best choice is to have a balance among all kinds of methods, that is, to pick up any advantages of each media and make the best of technology and human wisdom to integrate them into more effective ones. Only through this, can we raise the ability to give out what is in our heart and the ability to understand what is in others' heart, thus we can work together and make a bright future.
Issue159
159."The human mind will always be superior to machines because machines are only tools of human minds."
(549 words)
It is always said that the wisdom of human being are heritaged from generation to generation, and the active learning is the difference between human and animal. Since the industrial revolution in the late 18th century, the science and technology has been advancing rapidly, more and more mundane and boring job has been given to the machines. Is it possible that one day, you may wonder, machines can also think and learn actively, thus they may be superior to humans? This question needs a case-to-case analysis.
In my viewpoint, the reason why we make machines is to make us out of some tenuous and meaningless works, thus we can concentrate ourselves into other things which are more interesting or need initiative. In addition, the machines can use natural resourses which we can't use such as coal, petrol, to do much more job than human, in this way, the production capability can be growing strongly. Thus there will definitely be one day, people find those things defined as "interesting" today become boring or the rate of procreation of the production can't suffice to the human's needs. In this case, I may concede that the machines will be more superior, if this tendency move on and on, the capability of machines will be unlimited. Even this day become reality, I still won't take this as "superior".
Meanwhile, those who opppses the author may cite the game between Deep blue and Garry Kasparov. It was in 1997, that a chess computer invented by IBM called "Deep Blue" defeated world champion Garry Kasparov. Since that time, the scientific fictions and film predicting the situation of "robot domination" boomed. Public paniced, some of them even asked the government to set some law to forbidden, or at least postpone the technology, until mankind can find a way to prevent such things happen. It seems to me ridiculous that someone doesn't want to use machine to raise the quality of our lives. The key point is, what does the "superiotr" means? If this word just means the speed of calculation, the wearriless upon job, the capability to store data and materials, then yes, the machine has surpassed us since long time ago, and it is barely possible that we can be over them; in the other hand, if "superior" means the feeling, the imangination, the sensitivity of love to other people or animals or even the world, then I will never believe that the machines will exceed human, because they don't know anything about these things that we cherish most. As the machines can just be "superior" to human on those normal aspects, I suppose the humanmind will always be superior to machines which can be nothing but only tools of human minds.
Generally speaking, we human develop the machine in order to serve us, to make the production capablity advanced, to manticipate us from boringness and focus on something more worthy time and energy. Maybe one day the machines will make most of the achivement in the world, and all we need to do is just stay at home, put down some buttons. However, it is only us who can know the reason of producing, can give meaning to the works, thus can control when and how the machines stop or continue to serve us.
(549 words)
It is always said that the wisdom of human being are heritaged from generation to generation, and the active learning is the difference between human and animal. Since the industrial revolution in the late 18th century, the science and technology has been advancing rapidly, more and more mundane and boring job has been given to the machines. Is it possible that one day, you may wonder, machines can also think and learn actively, thus they may be superior to humans? This question needs a case-to-case analysis.
In my viewpoint, the reason why we make machines is to make us out of some tenuous and meaningless works, thus we can concentrate ourselves into other things which are more interesting or need initiative. In addition, the machines can use natural resourses which we can't use such as coal, petrol, to do much more job than human, in this way, the production capability can be growing strongly. Thus there will definitely be one day, people find those things defined as "interesting" today become boring or the rate of procreation of the production can't suffice to the human's needs. In this case, I may concede that the machines will be more superior, if this tendency move on and on, the capability of machines will be unlimited. Even this day become reality, I still won't take this as "superior".
Meanwhile, those who opppses the author may cite the game between Deep blue and Garry Kasparov. It was in 1997, that a chess computer invented by IBM called "Deep Blue" defeated world champion Garry Kasparov. Since that time, the scientific fictions and film predicting the situation of "robot domination" boomed. Public paniced, some of them even asked the government to set some law to forbidden, or at least postpone the technology, until mankind can find a way to prevent such things happen. It seems to me ridiculous that someone doesn't want to use machine to raise the quality of our lives. The key point is, what does the "superiotr" means? If this word just means the speed of calculation, the wearriless upon job, the capability to store data and materials, then yes, the machine has surpassed us since long time ago, and it is barely possible that we can be over them; in the other hand, if "superior" means the feeling, the imangination, the sensitivity of love to other people or animals or even the world, then I will never believe that the machines will exceed human, because they don't know anything about these things that we cherish most. As the machines can just be "superior" to human on those normal aspects, I suppose the humanmind will always be superior to machines which can be nothing but only tools of human minds.
Generally speaking, we human develop the machine in order to serve us, to make the production capablity advanced, to manticipate us from boringness and focus on something more worthy time and energy. Maybe one day the machines will make most of the achivement in the world, and all we need to do is just stay at home, put down some buttons. However, it is only us who can know the reason of producing, can give meaning to the works, thus can control when and how the machines stop or continue to serve us.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Issue48
48"The study of history places too much emphasis on individuals. The most significant events and trends in history were made possible not by the famous few, but by groups of people whose identities have long been forgotten."
(521 words)
The author asserts that the study of history places too much emphasis on individuals, meanwhile, the most siginificant events and trends in history were made by groups of people whose identities have long been forgotten, not the those famous few. I agree with the auuthor that it was the group effort that made the difference during the history. However, whether the leader have been too much emphasized in the study of history needs to to analyzed side by side.Firstly, it is sure that no matter in the antient or modern periods, no matter in the easten or the westen areas, the most significant events in history were made possible by groups of people. Without folk's attendance and support, neither could Mahatmas Gindhi set Indian free from the Great Britain nor could Matin Luther King pursuit the equality for African American. Maozedong, the former president of China, noce said, "folk is the exclusive motion of the world history." Another great politican, Abraham Lincoln praised thoes soldiers in the civil war in Gettysburg, "the world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." Without the folk, even such great men can't achieve their success.In other respects, the funtion of the individuals is more important. There would be some one else discovered the Relativity Theory sooner or later if Albert Einstein had not done the job in 1905, yet if this is the case, the great progress in physics will be postponed, and the life we enjoy now may still seem like 20 or 30 years ago. Another example is Bill Gates. Those who defend the author may wonder, if this guy didn't quit Harvard and became a normal person, whether the humankind today have a convenient operating system. Of course we still have many, just not one of them is called "Microsoft". Yet, the scientific and technological development would be lagging for several years. In short, though the individuals can't decide the main tendency of the history, they are sure to determine when, where and how these significant changes are done.Finally, as for the author's first statement, it is natural that historians always do more research on individuals. The materials of individual is always more explicit the normal persons, which can contribute to the research. In addition, the life of the great person was often permeated with legend, which appeals to the people too. On the other hand, the great individual is sometimes miniature of the society in that periods. It is helpful to understand the folks and the history by researching those individual who are representative of the nation, even the world. When it comes to study of the reform-and-open up policies, the former Chinese leader, Dengxiaoping always gets a huge share of the limelight. One who knows about the individuals can better understand the history during that time.In conclusion, the history always belongs to people. Both individuals and folks must be emphasized in the respects of study history. Though history immoralities the memories of a few individuals, trying to make a balance is a better choice.
(521 words)
The author asserts that the study of history places too much emphasis on individuals, meanwhile, the most siginificant events and trends in history were made by groups of people whose identities have long been forgotten, not the those famous few. I agree with the auuthor that it was the group effort that made the difference during the history. However, whether the leader have been too much emphasized in the study of history needs to to analyzed side by side.Firstly, it is sure that no matter in the antient or modern periods, no matter in the easten or the westen areas, the most significant events in history were made possible by groups of people. Without folk's attendance and support, neither could Mahatmas Gindhi set Indian free from the Great Britain nor could Matin Luther King pursuit the equality for African American. Maozedong, the former president of China, noce said, "folk is the exclusive motion of the world history." Another great politican, Abraham Lincoln praised thoes soldiers in the civil war in Gettysburg, "the world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." Without the folk, even such great men can't achieve their success.In other respects, the funtion of the individuals is more important. There would be some one else discovered the Relativity Theory sooner or later if Albert Einstein had not done the job in 1905, yet if this is the case, the great progress in physics will be postponed, and the life we enjoy now may still seem like 20 or 30 years ago. Another example is Bill Gates. Those who defend the author may wonder, if this guy didn't quit Harvard and became a normal person, whether the humankind today have a convenient operating system. Of course we still have many, just not one of them is called "Microsoft". Yet, the scientific and technological development would be lagging for several years. In short, though the individuals can't decide the main tendency of the history, they are sure to determine when, where and how these significant changes are done.Finally, as for the author's first statement, it is natural that historians always do more research on individuals. The materials of individual is always more explicit the normal persons, which can contribute to the research. In addition, the life of the great person was often permeated with legend, which appeals to the people too. On the other hand, the great individual is sometimes miniature of the society in that periods. It is helpful to understand the folks and the history by researching those individual who are representative of the nation, even the world. When it comes to study of the reform-and-open up policies, the former Chinese leader, Dengxiaoping always gets a huge share of the limelight. One who knows about the individuals can better understand the history during that time.In conclusion, the history always belongs to people. Both individuals and folks must be emphasized in the respects of study history. Though history immoralities the memories of a few individuals, trying to make a balance is a better choice.
Argument117
117.The following is a memo from the business manager of Valu-Mart stores. "Over 70 percent of the respondents to a recent survey reported that they are required to take more work home with them from the workplace than they were in the past. Since Valu-Mart has not seen impressive sales in its office-supply departments in the past, we should take advantage of this work-at-home trend by increasing at all Valu-Mart stores the stock of home office machines such as printers, small copy machines, paper shredders, and fax machines. We will also increase stock of office supplies such as paper, pens, and staplers. With these changes, our office-supply departments will become the most profitable component of our stores."
(433 words)
In this argument, the author comes to the conclusion that Valu-Mart(VM) stores should increasing at all VM stores the stock of home office machines and office supplies. To justfy this conclusion, the author cites a recent survey. This argument rests on a series of unsubstantiated assumptions, and is therefore unpersuasive as it stands.Firstly, the survey the author mentions in the argument seems not statistically reliable. Do those responders reporting that they are required to take more work home with them from the workplace than they were in the past represent the customers VM aimed at? It's highlyl suspected. Even if it's representive, the plain fact that there is more work needed to done doesn't definitely contribute to more machines. Maybe they have already worked at home for a long time, thus extra machines is unnecessary. In a similar way, maybe the office suppies such as paper, pens, and staples are supplied by the company which wanted its employees to work at home, thus the total demand for these supplies doesn't increase.Without counting for these and other factors, the author can't convice me that the need for office machine and supplies will be growing.Secondly, even if the office machine and supplies will actually be more popular, it is highly possible that there are other factors causing the impressive sales in VM's office-supply deparments in the past, maybe it is due to the high price or the poor quality, thus increasing the stocks of machines can't be sure to promote the sales. If this is the case, the statement that increasing the stock can help increasing the sales can't be convincly trusted.Finally, the standpoint that the office-supply departments will become the most prefitables component of our stores is highly suspected. As we all know that, the profit is a function of both cost and sales. In addition, the author didn't mention any data about how much will these machines and supplies cost, as well as what are their prices. Moreover, we don't know anything about the profits of the other department of VM, so it's ridiculous to justify that the office-supply department will be the most profitable one just due to its growing sales. Thus, the author cannot justifiably rely on this claim to bolster its recommendation.In sum, to convice me that VM should increase the stocks of office machiens and supplies, the author must prove that the demand for these items will surely increase. In addition, the author must also supply details about the cost and price of the commodities VM will purchased, together with the profits of other department.
(433 words)
In this argument, the author comes to the conclusion that Valu-Mart(VM) stores should increasing at all VM stores the stock of home office machines and office supplies. To justfy this conclusion, the author cites a recent survey. This argument rests on a series of unsubstantiated assumptions, and is therefore unpersuasive as it stands.Firstly, the survey the author mentions in the argument seems not statistically reliable. Do those responders reporting that they are required to take more work home with them from the workplace than they were in the past represent the customers VM aimed at? It's highlyl suspected. Even if it's representive, the plain fact that there is more work needed to done doesn't definitely contribute to more machines. Maybe they have already worked at home for a long time, thus extra machines is unnecessary. In a similar way, maybe the office suppies such as paper, pens, and staples are supplied by the company which wanted its employees to work at home, thus the total demand for these supplies doesn't increase.Without counting for these and other factors, the author can't convice me that the need for office machine and supplies will be growing.Secondly, even if the office machine and supplies will actually be more popular, it is highly possible that there are other factors causing the impressive sales in VM's office-supply deparments in the past, maybe it is due to the high price or the poor quality, thus increasing the stocks of machines can't be sure to promote the sales. If this is the case, the statement that increasing the stock can help increasing the sales can't be convincly trusted.Finally, the standpoint that the office-supply departments will become the most prefitables component of our stores is highly suspected. As we all know that, the profit is a function of both cost and sales. In addition, the author didn't mention any data about how much will these machines and supplies cost, as well as what are their prices. Moreover, we don't know anything about the profits of the other department of VM, so it's ridiculous to justify that the office-supply department will be the most profitable one just due to its growing sales. Thus, the author cannot justifiably rely on this claim to bolster its recommendation.In sum, to convice me that VM should increase the stocks of office machiens and supplies, the author must prove that the demand for these items will surely increase. In addition, the author must also supply details about the cost and price of the commodities VM will purchased, together with the profits of other department.
Issue207
207."Rituals and ceremonies help define a culture. Without them, societies or groups of people have a diminished sense of who they are."
(486 words)
The identification of people in a societies or groups is very important. It can help person know the history of the society around him or her, thus will let him or her understand some special customs and ethics of the groups. Can, you may wonder, rituals and ceremonies help define a culture? Yes. However, are they the only way? In my point of view, besides rituals and ceremonies, there are many other methods can help doing this.I concede that rituals and ceremonies play an important role in helping define a culture. For example, since it is a long-held tradition for most Chinese people to reunite with their families during Chinese New Year, people in China today still return home from work or study to have Reunion dinner with their families on New Year's Eve, dispite the expensive ticket, dispite the tired spring transportation. Why people do this every year and never feel boring? Tradition. It is this rituals and ceremonies that help Chinese people solidifying the sense of the group, spur them proudness as a Chinese, whereever they are and wherever they go.However, in some respects, preserving cultural identity cannot be the mere purpose of ritual and ceremony. In fact, isolated cultures that do not need to distinguish themselves to preserve their identity nevertheless engage in their own distinct rituals and ceremonies. The initial purpose of ritual and ceremony is rooted not in cultural identity but rather superstition and spiritual belief. On an island near South American mainland, the citizens there today still have a ritual of some sort of dancing before every dinner, it is said that there once was an epidemic in that island and many people died, a wizard told the people that the phenomenon is due to an evil who poison the meal of the villagers, he then asked the people to dance to drive away evil spirits, and that worked. This is how such a ceremony remains till today, which has nothing to do with the sense of who they are.In addition, the cultural identity can also by solidified through other ways, such as the education upon history and language, the establishing of the regulation and law, the featured music and film, ets. When it comes to the modern society, more and more people in a groups discard their traditional rituals and ceremonies, which are always taken as lagging and superstition. They need more methods to preserve the identification belonging their own group, because did they forget where they were, they can't know where they will be.In sum, retuals and ceremonies help define a culture, and culture can help mankind in a certain society or group sense who they are. However, they are not the only way to reinforce the sense of the group. People today in such a changing world should develop other way to help increasing the sense, together with the development of the technology.
(486 words)
The identification of people in a societies or groups is very important. It can help person know the history of the society around him or her, thus will let him or her understand some special customs and ethics of the groups. Can, you may wonder, rituals and ceremonies help define a culture? Yes. However, are they the only way? In my point of view, besides rituals and ceremonies, there are many other methods can help doing this.I concede that rituals and ceremonies play an important role in helping define a culture. For example, since it is a long-held tradition for most Chinese people to reunite with their families during Chinese New Year, people in China today still return home from work or study to have Reunion dinner with their families on New Year's Eve, dispite the expensive ticket, dispite the tired spring transportation. Why people do this every year and never feel boring? Tradition. It is this rituals and ceremonies that help Chinese people solidifying the sense of the group, spur them proudness as a Chinese, whereever they are and wherever they go.However, in some respects, preserving cultural identity cannot be the mere purpose of ritual and ceremony. In fact, isolated cultures that do not need to distinguish themselves to preserve their identity nevertheless engage in their own distinct rituals and ceremonies. The initial purpose of ritual and ceremony is rooted not in cultural identity but rather superstition and spiritual belief. On an island near South American mainland, the citizens there today still have a ritual of some sort of dancing before every dinner, it is said that there once was an epidemic in that island and many people died, a wizard told the people that the phenomenon is due to an evil who poison the meal of the villagers, he then asked the people to dance to drive away evil spirits, and that worked. This is how such a ceremony remains till today, which has nothing to do with the sense of who they are.In addition, the cultural identity can also by solidified through other ways, such as the education upon history and language, the establishing of the regulation and law, the featured music and film, ets. When it comes to the modern society, more and more people in a groups discard their traditional rituals and ceremonies, which are always taken as lagging and superstition. They need more methods to preserve the identification belonging their own group, because did they forget where they were, they can't know where they will be.In sum, retuals and ceremonies help define a culture, and culture can help mankind in a certain society or group sense who they are. However, they are not the only way to reinforce the sense of the group. People today in such a changing world should develop other way to help increasing the sense, together with the development of the technology.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
