Egypt & the Pyramids Essay Example for Free

Egypt the Pyramids Essay Has it ever occurred to anyone who was the mastermind behind the great pyramids? Who could have built such a magnificent structure back then with such poor construction, transportation and organization. Well, I strongly advocate the concept of Egyptians building the Great Pyramids because there is plenty of evidence conveying this. Many journalists or Egyptologists may agree that it is a true fact that people built it with the aid of technology. Margaret Sears a journalist bases one of her articles specifically on Who built the Great Pyramid? (1990). She provides ample evidence supporting Egyptians being the builders and labourers of the Great Pyramids in Egypt. There are three main points that substantiate the production of the Great Egyptian Pyramids which are transportation, construction and organization. Since, the great pyramids have been built they have always been a controversial topic. Many people agree that the Egyptians were the ones who formed innumerable piles of bricks into the Great Pyramids. But, before building such a complex structure the Egyptians were quite intellectual and focussed on organization. The Egyptians were originally inspired to build the pyramids by religious conviction and were fully committed to take on the critical task. The Egyptians were able to determine the site of pyramids by religious beliefs. They decided to place the Pyramids on the west bank of the Nile because they asserted that the west was the dwelling place of the dead. This is where all the majestic and honourable people would be kept mainly pharaohs that accomplished major achievements. But, the most essential factor for building a marvellous structure was the authoritarian god-king. The article Who built the Great Pyramids elucidates that during the influential pharaoh, Khufus reign Egypt was rich, united and at peace which allowed the authoritarian god-king to focus all attention on the salient task. Which moves onto how the Egyptians were able to transport the heavy loads of material efficiently. One of the biggest absurd concerns about the Great Pyramids is how they were able to transport the massive amounts of stone blocks to long distances. In Margaret Sears article in 1990 she clearly states how did the Egyptian cut and moved the stone blocks? The evidence that has been provided to substantiate it is in the Cairo museum where there are many wooden rollers, rafts and sleds that are displayed. We also assume that they may have used ramps to speed the process. Evidence also shows that coniferous wood was imported from Phoenicia at the same time of Sneferu. Which distinctly portrays that wood was available when required because Khufus wooden funerary boat was found buried beside the pyramid, along with abundant quantities of rope. The article provides affirm proof of a picture from the later tomb of Djehutihotep showing 152 men moving a huge statue of the pharaoh on a wooden sled. The picture asserts that to lessen the friction of the 53.5 ton load, a liquid is poured along the route. The famous architecture from France Henri Chevier inquires and discerns that a man who would be harnessed to a rope can lift 1 ton blocks on a slippery and hazardous path of Nile mud. He distinguishes with team of workers, they could easily transport 2.2 tons of blocks that made up most of the pyramid. Also, using pulleys and ropes the labourers could drag the stone up the embankments of earth and once the project was terminated they could have simply removed the earth. Lastly, you must ponder how the Egyptians were able to build the marvellous pyramids with such intricacy and embellishment. Since, they were formerly able to envision the elegant and regal edifice all that was left was building. Which leads to the last essential component to creating the structure which is construction. We know that the Egyptians had sophisticated tools to enhance the complexity of the structure. Evidence shows that tools for cutting the stone included copper chisels, dolerite hammers and wooden wedges. All of these constructive tools were enough to carve beautiful and impressive lines and drawings considering we are able to see the final edifice ourselves in Egypt. Margaret Sears says that the feat was accomplished by trimming the blocks before they were hauled into places. All of this could not have been done by the ordinary labourer but, this is where the stonemasons come in. Since the stonemasons were experts, they cleaned up and smoothed the outer limestone surfaces. The Egyptians were also able to get plenty of limestone from the Gizeh Plateau south of the pyramid. In 1988 Leher and Zahi Sawass enclosed a series of galleries and excavations of some galleries revealed bits of flint blade, copper, sandstone rubbers which were used to polish stone and grinding pigments. There were many other excavations found such as bread and bear and grain which was the food for the labourers. All this evidence and support solidifies that Egyptians were the ones whom constructed the Great Pyramids. Now, that most of us agree that Egyptians were the builders of one of the most famous wonders of the world there is a weakness in this alternative. Many of the evidences provided in this article gives us a lot of knowledge about The Great Pyramids, but the author does not provide enough details to absolutely convince the reader that the pyramids did not drop from the sky. The alternative however, does sustain the topic but doesnt provide complete details which the audience would be curious about such as when excavations of transportations were discovered or when the Khufus funerary boat was buried beside the pyramids before or after. The author leaves these vague phrases and statements leaving the reader skeptical. But, the main motive why I choose this alternative was because it provided a basic sense that people used special ramps and transportation to create the pyramid themselves. I also think that logically only humans could have built the pyramids with sophisticated equipment and I highly doubt that the gods created them because of all the excavations located. I found this alternative to ultimately be the most convincing because of the basic evidence provided that ramps aided them to build the great pyramids. Therefore, plenty of evidence shows historians that the Egyptians built the Great Pyramids themselves. The three key elements which support the concept of Egyptians building the pyramids are organization, transportation and construction. In my opinion another point of view that can be brought up is if the pyramids were made by moulds which could be possible but, I dont agree because there is not much evidence to support it. Overall, Margaret Sears and Clifford Wilson are promoting the accurate message that the Egyptians built the Great Pyramids with teams of workers and technology.

As I Lay Dying :: Essays Papers

As I Lay Dying In William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, references to â€Å"the right† by numerous characters serve to propel the reader on a quest for truth. Cora and Tull make allusions to what is right as defined by religion, while Cash evokes a more innate sense of right and wrong. Anse has a sense of right that is deceptive to both himself and others, yet it also conveys his view of the world which Faulkner shows to be just as accurate as anyone else’s. Faulkner’s blending of these versions of right make a unified idea of what is right, even if that idea is at once a confusing and complicated one. Cora and Vernon Tull believe completely in the absolute power of God and that His will is ultimately what will be done. Cora is Vernon’s source of strength and faith, and even when he waivers in what he believes to be right, he ultimately sides with his wife. Cora is constantly exclaiming both in speech and in song that â€Å"I trust in my God and my reward.† (70) This belief is a great comfort to Cora. Even when she makes cakes for a wealthy woman in town and the woman changes her mind, Cora only thinks â€Å"Riches is nothing in the face of the Lord, for He can see into the heart.† (7) Cora also believed it right for people to suffer; seeing it as their â€Å"mortal lot† (159). However, this deep faith is also blinding to Cora. Cora is blind to the fact that Addie has an understanding of sin and salvation and â€Å"right† beyond the mere words that she uses. Cora mistakes Addie’s lack of faith for vanity and pride, and gets down on her knees in hopes of rescuing her from the clutches of damnation (160). Addie’s response to this is that â€Å"people to whom sin is just a matter of words, to them salvation is just words too.† (168) Vernon Tull at times questions whether his wife is altogether right, but then catches himself and pulls himself back. Cora may have seen it as people’s mortal lot to suffer, but Vernon questioned this, especially in the case of Vardaman’s pain. Vernon says, â€Å"It aint right. I be durn if it is.

Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” Essay

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a man of action. He will never sit idly by while danger is afoot. He steps in, takes charge, and does the job right. Atticus is a man the town can call upon when crisis has arisen. One concrete example of this ability would be the Mad Dog incident. Tim Johnson ran rabid in the streets of Maycomb, and the man called for the job was none other than Atticus Finch. Atticus solved this problem with one well placed gunshot, but this would be only the beginning. The rabid dog Atticus shoots is echoed later in the novel in his attempt to save the community from committing an act of madness. The responsibility of defending Tom Robinson is given to Atticus in the identical matter that Heck Tate gave Atticus the responsibility of defending the town from Tim Johnson. Shooting and wounding a rabid dog can just make the situation worse, just the same as wounding a town’s system of beliefs and values, and as Heck says, both situations are â€Å"a one shot job.† (109) One Shot Finch is brought in to solve the problem. Defending Tom to the point of waiting outside his jail cell, protecting him from a lynching mob shows Atticus’s willingness to carry out a task completely. In this scene he comes against an entire pack of mad dogs armed torches and pitchforks and running rabid with prejudice, ignorance and rage. This situation is a great deal more intense for Atticus, because this time his children are involved. Even with a pack of vengeful, drunken, and angry men staring down Atticus and his two children Atticus still stays calm and â€Å"put the newspaper d own very carefully, adjusting its creases with lingering fingers.† (173) The same calm is shown in the dog scene Scout believes he moves gracefully, â€Å"like an underwater swimmer.† (109) In the trial scene, Atticus must face the toughest pack of mad dogs, yet; the jury. Foaming at the mouths with preconceived notions of how the trial will end, Atticus must attempt the impossible and try to convince a panel of white people that a black man is innocent. Like making a careful shot, Atticus takes aim and sets up all his opponents. He then strikes them all down with one swift move. The sad thing about this fight is that everyone knows that there is no way Atticus can win. â€Å"Atticus Finch won’t win–he can’t win. But he’s the only man in these parts who could keep a jury out so  long in a case like that.† (247) This, however, is all beside the point. The point is that everyone in that courtroom sees Atticus gun down the prosecution with cold, hard evidence, and does so with a certain finesse and dignity that no other lawyer in the town of Maycomb could possess. â€Å"He’s not supposed to lean, Reverend, but don’t fret, we’ve won it. Don’t see how any jury could convict on what we heard.† (238) No matter how good of a shot Atticus is, the jury was already infected with a seemingly incurable madness. Bob Ewell is the ideal personification of a mad dog to the town of Maycomb. Most of the community doesn’t even attempt to treat the Ewells like citizens. â€Å"The Ewells are members of an exclusive society made up of Ewells.† (34) Bob Ewell has gone mad with jealousy and hatred. He feeds on hatred. Though Atticus attempts to retain some respect for Mr. Ewell, he thoroughly maintains his higher standards whenever Bob comes looking for trouble. â€Å"Atticus was leaving the post office when Mr. Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him†¦ but Atticus didn’t bat an eye†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (249) Even in a literal sense, Bob Ewell is foaming at the mouth. This mad dog is shot down by means of public humiliation, however. â€Å"I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with.† (250) Bob Ewell’s reputation had been shot dead. In conclusion, the series of events after the mad dog incident are all too similar to be purely coincidental. A common theme of the mad dog runs through crisis just as a common theme of the mockingbird runs through peace. Situations involving mad dogs are Atticus’s responsibility, and it becomes evident that Atticus is called upon to pull a lot of weight in the town of Maycomb. Atticus Finch will continue to answer the call for help, no matter where it comes from, or what its for.

Arguments for and Against Essay Example Pdf - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2372 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Compare and contrast essay Tags: Corporate Social Responsibility Essay Did you like this example? Corporate Social Responsibility Defined Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is when a corporation exceeds statutory business standards (Johnson and Scholes 2008). CSR policies are relevant because they state what a company intends to achieve, in addition, to its statutory obligations. A corporation has to comply with legal standards such as employment contracts. However, a company can exceed those principles if it chooses to pay a living wage rather than the minimum wage (Bloomer 2014). Introduction to the Critical Discussion The discussion will examine a traditional criticism of corporate social responsibility through the work of Friedman. This is a view which proponents of CSR will need to refute. The essay will then discuss how social and environmental responsibility can be reconciled, with profitability, using the work of Porter. The example of Hewlett Packard is discussed at length. This is because its policies emphasise how a multi-national company can achieve both environmental and social responsibility together with corporate profitability. The work of Handy is then considered. This argues that companies should have corporate objectives which are broader than just profitability and consider the purpose of the business. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Arguments for and Against Essay Example Pdf" essay for you Create order Friedmans View of Corporate Social Responsibility Friedmans view is a non-interventionist or laissez-faire vision of commerce. In his view business should aim to earn money while complying with the basic rules of the society such as paying taxes (Friedman 1970:1). It assumes that consumers are sovereign and are able to significantly influence corporate decision-making. This view of commercial organisations underplays the significance of consumer market failure. It is assumed that consumers can take their business elsewhere as Friedman believed that consumers can transfer their business to other producers (Friedman 1970). However, this is not possible if the consumer is unable to pay for another competitor firms products. This is the case if a consumer were unable to pay for the safety features, offered by a car manufacturer such as Volvo, as discussed below. To summarise, socially responsible polices, can be seen as unrealistic if consumers are unwilling to pay for them. Friedman argued that socially responsible business polici es, such as promoting equality, can harm company performance. For example, Ben and Jerrys adopted a payment scheme where the highest paid employee could only earn no more than five times the income of the lowest paid firm employee (Barney and Hesterly 2010:7). This payment scheme made it difficult to recruit senior managerial talent to make sure that the company grew and remained profitable (Barney and Hesterly 2010). A More Progressive View of Corporate Social Responsibility There is an increasingly an expectation that companies will contribute to society to a greater extent than when Friedman was writing in the early 1970s. Companies operate in a social environment as well as an economic environment (Grant 2008). A firms ability to survive depends upon its acceptability among consumers who give the firm social legitimacy (Grant 2008:446). Examples of social awareness, such as a demand for safer cars, suggest that companies are wise to respond to consumer concerns (Grant 2008).Corporations have come under increasing pressure to contribute to the societies in which they operate and to adopt more socially responsible business practices (Christodoulou and Patel 2013:467). The corporate setting of voluntary objectives can be seen as an adequate response to the needs of society. Companies can set voluntary standards: to reduce the extent to which their actions cause negative externalities or side-effects (Barney and Hesterly 2010). For example, if a car manufacturer builds a car with a large number of safety features which more than comply with legal requirements. Volvo has promoted the benefits of a relatively safe car which adds value that the customer is willing to pay a premium for (Thompson and Martin 2005:95). However, this approach can also be seen as merely serving a premium segment of the market, rather than being particularly socially responsible. In this case, Volvo is taking a marketing position which conforms to sales objectives while offering better safety to the motorist (Johnson and Scholes 2008). Corporate social responsibility is only conforming to financial requirements. Porters View on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Environment The concept of CSR is useful as it can help reconcile the financial needs of business with say the safety needs of society. Porter argues that it is a mistake for business to see environmental legislation as a threat to be resisted (Porter and van de Linde 1995). Rather, socially responsible businesses can view regulation in a positive manner; that environmental regulation can be built upon to utilise resources more effectively. It is argued, that there are costs incurred with the elimination of environmental problems but that these are outweighed by the benefits, including financial savings and improvements to product quality (Thompson and Martin 2005). Therefore, it is possible for corporations to be socially responsible without compromising the financial status of the organisation. Porters argument is useful. It has allowed thoughtful companies, such as Hewlett Packard, to reconcile investment in environmental initiatives with corporate profitability. The Hewlett Packard Report Hewlett Packard has a strong reputation in terms of corporate social responsibility (thecro.com 2010). The companys CSR policies are detailed and indicate a high level of social responsibility. For example, the company presents environmental information, in a proactive manner, with evidence of wanting to improve recycling programmes. It aims to improve environmental programs to reduce the waste from its production operations (Hewlett Packard 2011). Through these environmental initiatives, the company can help reduce business costs. Hewlett Packards CSR report discusses how it aims to extract value from products which are at the end of their product life (Hewlett Packard 2011). An example is the companys commitment to re-manufacture its printer cartridges so that they can be used again. The company is attempting to promote a strong corporate responsibility through proactive environmental investment. Hewlett Packard has demonstrated strong social responsibility policies. This sugg ests that such policies can be implemented on a large scale. The company has provided a significant amount of disclosure on a wide range of corporate areas from the environment to human resource management. The detail provided by Hewlett Packard is superior to other companies given that online trade publications have viewed Hewlett Packards performance favourably (thecro.com 2013). Given that Hewlett Packard was assessed favourably then the information provided, in its CSR report, can be interpreted as thorough and accurate. The company attempts to improve the wider business community with measures to develop its external supply chain. The company aims for strong standards of behaviour outside the companys core business. This suggests that it is attempting to improve working relationships with its component suppliers (Hewlett Packard 2011). Hewlett Packards CSR document conveys that the company is enabling social responsibility to be addressed. The company suggests that it has a grievance procedure so that different stakeholders can report social or ethical problems to senior management (Hewlett Packard 2011). The company is clearly investing in a responsible approach as it describes legal observance as an absolute minimum which it expects of different stakeholders (Hewlett Packard 2011:82). They argue that their decision making achieves better employment standards, than laws in the different countries in which the company operates (Hewlett Packard 2011). Concerns over Hewlett Packards Stated Policies Hewlett Packard attempts to make the company accountable, to external industry scrutiny. Procedures have been outlined which should make sure that ethical labour standards are achieved (Hewlett Packard 2011). The concern is that ethical objectives could be difficult to implement. There does not appear to be a specific example of how this guidance statement could be delivered in practice. However, there is a well structured diagram which outlines how the company will provide a governance structure so that the company can comply with ethical challenges (Hewlett Packard 2011:82). Some of Hewlett Packards environmental statements can be interpreted as platitudes. The company claims that that it wants to conserve more resources than it consumes (Hewlett Packard 2011). The concern is that it is easy to provide such statements. However, it is more difficult to assess how they are going to conserve more than they consume. This is because environmentally acceptable re-manufacturing progr ammes will still require energy consumption despite the conservation of the materials. Hewlett Packard may have worse polices, in practice, than those conveyed by its report. This is because suppliers could be forced to comply with the companys standards. There are power relationships between dominant multi-national companies, such as Hewlett Packard, and their suppliers (Locke et. al. 2012). The international sourcing of computer components has left suppliers vulnerable to the dominant buying policies at Hewlett Packard (Wetherly et. al. 2011). These power relationships will tend to be overlooked, in corporate social responsibility reports, because companies will want to portray themselves in a favourable light. Corporate social responsibility policies have been criticised. The development of CSR policies have been difficult to implement for many firms (Birchall and Cook 2006). However, these criticisms should, generally, not be directed at Hewlett Packard due to the level of detail contained in its CSR report. Arguably, they have made an honest corporate attempt to contribute to society (Porter and Kramer 2002). The report goes beyond the legal compliance advocated by Friedman. The detail provided is of a superior standard when compared to a minimum level of legal compliance. The Business and Ethical Concepts of Handy The work of Handy, arguably, goes beyond the corporate responsibility work of writers such as Porter. This is because Handy emphasises the importance of mission statements and the purpose of the organisation. Handy argues that the purpose of a business . . . is not to make a profit, full stop. It is to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better. That something becomes the real justification for the business (Sage Publications 2015:15). Handy argues that a firms profit should be the means to a larger end (Sage Publications 2015). There are companies which adhere to a deeper purpose than merely profit. Tradecraft, in the UK, would be a good example as the companys purpose is to operate life-changing development projects (Traidcraft 2015). However, Traidcraft operates in a niche area of the retail market where affluent consumers, who are willing to pay higher prices, contribute to international development. Therefore Handys ideas may have limited application to businesses throughout the whole of the United Kingdom. However, his ideas are useful where they can be applied. Tradecrafts mission moves beyond immediate stakeholders, such as owners and clearly considers the needs of the broader society (Dess et. al. 2010). The company is an excellent example of a company which incorporates social and environmental, as well as financial factors, into its decision making (Dess et. al. 2010). The challenge for proponents of social responsibility is that many retailers only undertake social and environmental policies which do not damage their sales and profits. Many retailers will concentrate on environmental responsibility in their stores, where they can achieve resource efficiency targets (Jones et. al. 2009). Many retailers social responsibilities are guided by what they can achieve within their financial imperatives (Jones et. al. 2009). However, such corporate policies could lead to accusations of greenwashing. In other words, that the re tailers commitment to the environment is limited and that social responsibility reports can play a public relations role rather than a social responsibility role. Many firms are engaging in greenwashing to mislead consumers about the extent of their environmental activities (Delmas and Burbano 2011). Conclusion There is evidence of improvements to companies social responsibility polices. This is because firms have realised that it is financially prudent to use environment resources wisely. It is also necessary for business to be sustainable and to invest in good employment practices and proper labour standards. However, there is a concern that corporate social responsibility is limited by what the consumer is willing, or able, to pay for more ethical approaches. There are few examples of businesses which are willing to adopt socially responsible policies which affect their profitability. Ben and Jerrys is one example before its takeover by Unilever. 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(2011), The Drivers of Greenwashing, UCLA, California Manag ement Review. Retrieved from https://www.ioe.ucla.edu/media/files/Delmas-Burbano-CMR-2011-gd-ldh.pdf Friedman, M. (1970), The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits, The New York Times Magazine, September 13, 1970. Retrieved from https://www.umich.edu/~thecore/doc/Friedman.pdf Grant, R. (2008), Contemporary Strategy Analysis, Sixth Edition, Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. Hewlett Packard, (2011), HP 2011 Global Citizenship Report. Retrieved from https://www8.hp.com/us/en/pdf/hp_fy11_gcr_tcm_245_1357670.pdf Johnson G. and Scholes, K., (2008), Exploring Corporate Strategy: Eighth Edition, Harlow: Pearson Education Jones, P., Comfort, D. and Hillier, D. (2009), Marketing Sustainable Consumption within Stores: A Case Study of the UKs Leading Food Retailers, Sustainability 2009, 1, 815-826. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/1/4/815 Locke, R, Distelhorst ,G., Pal, T. and Hiram M. 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(2005), Strategic Management: Awareness and Change, Fifth Edition, London: Thomson Lear ning Traidcraft, (2015), Traidcraft: Fighting Poverty Through Trade. Retrieved from https://www.traidcraft.co.uk/ Wetherly, P. and Otter, D. (2011), The Business Environment: Themes and Issues, Second Edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press