Financial and non-financial implications of Winston Barkwith’s proposal Essay

Introduction: For my analysis I simplified ‘normative investment process’ model (original source: Pike and Dobbins, 1986), which I would like to use to determine the future viability of the project plan put forward by Winston. The basic idea which underlies the model is that the process of capital investment can be considered to flow from strategic planning through to search for investment opportunities to meet that plan. The opportunities are screened and defined for the subsequent analysis by management. If the project is sanctioned then the investment is made, making sure that there are no cost overruns. Once a project has been commissioned and running for a time it is useful to assess whether it is meeting the expectation promised at the evaluation stage. Audit technique can be used at latter stages to ensure appropriate control. In order to evaluate Winston’s proposal I used in depth qualitative cost-benefit analysis and also numerical techniques, such as cash flow forecast and payback (see Appendix 1). Main body of the report: 1) Strategic plan. Strategic plan of the North West Trust for the Protection of Wildlife is very well reflected in the aims of that organisation, which state the following: â€Å"h to encourage farming practices in the region which will not endanger local animal life; â€Å"h to enable the region’s residents to enjoy the local countryside; â€Å"h to educate the region’s young people on how to look after and enjoy the local countryside and wildlife. 2) Search, Screen and definition of investment opportunities. There are two projects put forward before the committee. One of which is the proposal made by the newly elected chairman of the committee, which involves reorganising Moult Hall property into quad biking course. On the other hand, there is a proposal made by Jonathan and Ingrid, who are senior members of the committee. Their idea is to restructure Moult Hall. This would allow young and disadvantaged members of society access to the property. 3) Evaluation of investment opportunities. In this section of my work I would like to concentrate on the cost-benefit analysis of Winston Barkwith project, because it is one which is most contradictory to organizational aims and raises most concern among the members of the Trust’s committee. I mentioned the word contradictory because according to the opinion of many leading financists capital investment decisions should allocate resources within the organisation to offer the best potential for meeting its objectives. Benefits: As understood by me, the idea of financing profit oriented recreational facility is a relatively new one for the organisation. Therefore, the estimates of future profits and cash flows can’t be made using the past experience as a guide. Consequently, form financial point of view they are going to be subjects to greater risk by being the product of forecasts and estimates. The riskier the project the more return the company is likely to require. In the case of Winston’s proposal we can consider the venture as a diversification, which is usually associated with required return of at least 30%. Although no discount factors are given, the nominal figures predicting amazing cash inflow, which can be used to finance other projects. Use of money from the venture could give the organisation opportunity to help more people than they currently do. Dramatic increase in the capital inflow may  give the Trust prospect to achieve much wider objectives than its original ones, e.g. go nation-wide, create or support government lobby, international ventures, etc. There are other, mainly non-financial, advantages of the proposal as well, such as possible boost to the local economy. Organising of quad biking courses will create money inflow into the local economy, which will be magnified by the positive multiplier effect with the end result being increase in wealth for the local community. Let me demonstrate, employees and sub-contractors paid by the owners of Moult Hall are likely to be spending significant proportion of their incomes in the nearby area, which in turn means increases in revenue for the local businesses. Increase in revenue for businesses is likely to result in greater variety, create jobs and allow for more taxes to be collected by the local council, which than can be spend on such public programmes as support of elderly and disadvantaged members of the local community. Another benefit to the local economy which is likely to occur is an improvement in infrastructure. Improved infrastructure should breathe life into the local community; make Moult Hall’s and the Trust’s facilities more accessible. By accepting Winston’s project the Trust could gain invaluable City contacts. If the situation arises the Trust is likely to be in a better position to raise additional funds. Also, the customer segment the proposal is aiming for are extremely wealthy individuals, they are CEO’s (Chief Executive Officer) of large corporations. By cleverly promoting itself the Trust can attract some very influential beneficiaries or even become sponsored by one of the companies. It is not an unrealistic thought, since in the UK many companies which finance charitable organisations often get tax breaks from the government. To add more weight to my arguments in favour of Winston Barkwith proposal I would like to bring forward idea which belongs to one of the leading economic thinkers of the modern era. Milton Friedman of University of  Chicago holds the view that all businesses should use the resources available to them as efficiently as possible. Friedman argues that making the highest possible profit creates maximum possible wealth to the benefit of the whole society. Costs: A good starting point would be the issue of finance. It may be difficult to find finance capital for such a risky venture. It is unlikely that the Trust will have extra four hundred thousands to spend on the project with such a degree of risk. It is a new to the organisation business, there is a high chance of failure. Few of the possible reasons can be overstated or unrealistic customer figures; it may be illegal to destroy woodlands in the area. Also, the Trust, more likely than not, will have to apply for the planning permission for the stable conversion and the petrol tank installation, etc. To continue I would like to remind that organizational aims are the long-term intentions of the organisation to develop in a certain way. Their purpose is to create a common vision which everyone in the organisation should work towards achieving. They use the language intended to motivate within the firm and to convince those outside it of the company’s sincerity and commitment. By accepting Winston’s proposal the Trust will be acting against its stated aims. If the Trust will decide in favour of quad biking facility it will have serious detrimental effect on the local wildlife and farming practices. It will be especially harmful for the re-introduction of red kites project, which is supported by the Trust. An organisation’s aims should establish which stakeholder needs will be identified and considered when strategic policy is developed. Balancing the interests of stakeholders can be extremely difficult, if the aims of some of these groups conflict. The decision to continue with Winston’s proposal would undermine interests of existing stakeholders of the business, people who donated their money for the Trust to accomplish its organisational objectives. The trust is a charitable organisation. Its ethical behaviour is its unique selling point (USP). It will be really difficult to continue it’s fund raising activities if its existing beneficiaries will be thinking that their money invested into some profitable business ventures. On the finance side the organisation may loose more than it gains, since it is currently receiving eight hundred thousands from donations only. Bad publicity may outset revenue from the project (800k vs. 750k). The committee consists of people who look like they have strong ethical values. Introduction of unethical policy, which Winston’s proposal is, can create divisions within the organisation. One can even argue that by accepting the project the committee members would act in direct contradiction to morals which motivated the founder of the Wildlife Trust Doreen Barkwith. Conclusion: To a large extent but not entirely the proposal made by Jonathan and Ingrid is a better option for the organisations long-term growth and objectives. However, the Winston’s proposal no doubt is a more financially sound one. Nevertheless, one needs to remember that ethics are the moral principles that should underpin decision-making. An ethical decision means doing what is morally right; it is not a matter of scientifically calculating costs and benefits. A decision made on ethical grounds might reject the most profitable solution in favour of one of greater benefit to society as well the firm. On the other hand, we all have different world views and different interpretations of what is beneficial for society. Therefore, I would suggest a more democratic approach to the decision making or find a human solution, such as to use less noisy vehicles, go with a different proposal or even building indoor track course.

Example of speech text Essay

With all due respect to the English teacher ,and all my friends in this class,†¦Good Morning!!! In this chance, I would like to tell you my speech that has the theme â€Å"Using Internet make us healthy and productive!† Internet is not sounds familiar, especially among students now. That because Internet is very useful in the learning. But, not just for learning internet could give all of want. Not only that, using internet could make us healthy anf productive. Why should I say internet could make us healthy? According to a reality, now in the internet had already a lot of entertainment sites, like games. Not only that, internet also provides how to perform a variety of health programs, from variety specialists of health. And not a few people who successfully live with program of healthy living with resources from the internet. Using information from the internet can be done by anyone, without need to pay an expensive, then such as consultations with health professionals. Next, internet also could make us productive. It because in internet available a variety ways to make different products, starting from simple unti rather difficult to do. People could get productive by utilizing information from using internet. Provided there is a desire we could successful is to easy, using much information, especially from the internet that available so much information. So, if we already know that by using the internet could make us healthy, and produktive. Let us use the internet .Of course for purposes that are positive. Because the internet will be good or bad depending on how and to what the Internet was used. Just that could I to say, thankyou for your attention and Good Morning !!! (Source : http://bellapelajar.blogspot.com/2012/06/example-of-speech-text.html)a

1)Danto's 'inferential bypass 2)susan sontag's regarding the pain of Essay

1)Danto's 'inferential bypass 2)susan sontag's regarding the pain of others - Essay Example Nonetheless, there were artists who changed art and art audiences both. One of these, according to Danto, is Bernini’s David. This changed the face of perceptual art and brought it into its own limitless sphere. Some aspects of this sculpture that were different were that this sculpture had movement, cues, and more emotional expression. Now when Danto talks of inferential bypass, this contrast to his opinion of limited art eras which he talks about in â€Å"The End of Art.† Taking Bernini’s David, he becomes an example of technology assisted art. Here art has more representational power which is not just pictorial. Danto’s notions of technology connecting art and audiences, is what he means by inferential bypass and consequently he uses Bernini’s David to highlight this. Sontag herself suffered from extreme experiences such as war and the unlimited pain it brings with it, both for the suffering and for the ones helplessly watching. Perhaps what Sontag meant was that it felt like a movie, in the sense that there is so much action and subsequently so many interpretive meanings to be derived from it. The photographs in questions show what actually happens in a war. The human aspect of it; pain, bleeding, wound and amputated bodies. This is not usually emphasized in photographs and remains an elusive aspect of many people around the world who have been lucky enough to never experience war. Photographs should be actual evidence of war and war happenings. They need to present the true yet hurtful aspect of it. Only when it captures what is true is photography actually authentic. Sontag’s though present an interesting question, do photographs tell the truth and present the entire picture? This is because when the photographs were taken different images conveyed different ideas. All photos were different in their feel, concept, idea and angles. Sontag’s points out that even in a war when photography is involved, there need to be a number of

A critical overview of the three interrelated disciplines of Essay

A critical overview of the three interrelated disciplines of Communication, Media and Culture, and the theoretical and real-world problems they address - Essay Example It strongly emphasizes: how objects contribute in social interaction and how objects can have agency.The way people acquire knowledge by involvement in events and the vital role of networks and sponsors. Literacy is an essential lens for examining changing social practices, such as the effects of new technologies, the phenomenon of the overwork culture,and the growing audit culture. Pursuing how people’s lives are structured by engagement with texts of various kinds’ gives analytic purchase on these and other concepts. In reference to globalization, the examination of literacy practices issues a way of interrogating the complex changes in specific sites. Also, tracing connections between global and local practices, unfolding the exercise of power and documenting local forms of appropriation and resistance. Culture, media, and communication depend on each other for their existence (Golding and Murdock 2000, 70-92.). Communication is the key to a persons’ success, in the workplace, relationships, as a citizen, and across their lifetime (Morreale and Pearson 2000, 1-25). The ability to communicate comes from experience. Effective communication happens when a wanted effect is the outcome of intentional or unintentional information sharing, which translates between multiple entities and acted on in a desired way (Tulsky 2005, 359-365.). This effect ensures that messages do not distort during the communication process. Effective communication should produce the desired effect and maintain the force, with the ability to increase the effect of the message. Thus, effective communication serves the purpose for which sdesigned or intended. Possible purposes might be to invoke change, cause action, create understanding, inform or communicate a particular idea or point of view. When the craved effect is not achieved, factors such as barriers to communicating are explored, with the intention of discovering how communication

From civil rights to black power Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

From civil rights to black power - Essay Example Blacks, many working- and middle-class Whites themselves became angry and suspicious, charging that Blacks had already made too many gains at Whites expense. President Nixon who referred this as â€Å"the Silent Majority" of Americans who supported "law and order" and other white Americans worried about their economic prospects and their own future, law and order meant using the power of the government to keep Blacks in their place; they had already achieved too much, and now must accept their second-class status in American society.(1) From the 1970s on, conservatives, Republicans, and White Southern politicians have used code words about welfare, law and order, affirmative action, drugs and crime, teenage pregnancy, and the breakdown of the family to attract concerned Whites, who feel that Blacks are responsible for their own problems, not the government, not the of Blacks to law and order and the rights of Whites has helped shaped a White backlash against civil rights and further gains for Blacks civil rights since the 1970s. Unfortunately, this White back clash has only made young Blacks more angry, cynical, and suspicious about the government and White Society. Regarding the emergence of civil rights and black power movement we can explore a detailed study related to these occurrences. On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman issued two executive orders, one instituted fair employment practices in the civilian agencies of the federal government; the other provided for "equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin." This was a major victory for civil rights advocates in the quest for full citizenship.(2)Courtesy of the Chicago Daily Defender, Chicago, Illinois.)This was one beginning moment among others from which the racial sufferers gained inner strength to fight for the complete freedom. The African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968) refers to the reform movements in the United

Staffing as the Phase of the Management Process Article

Staffing as the Phase of the Management Process - Article Example Nevertheless, upon their encounter, Fred Western got mesmerized with the noteworthy credentials of Mimi Brewster, not to mention her being knowledgeable and well-versed about the Chinas customs, traditions, and its business situation. However, Mr Westerns impression of Mimi is counteracted by Miss Virginia Flanders discovery of some background information from one search engine on the web. Indeed, the facts that have been discovered by Miss Flanders undeniably stirred the mind of Mr Western, thereby putting him in a considerable dilemma— whether to hire Mimi and approve her candidacy to suit the position, or otherwise. The aforesaid issues revolve around one important management elements or functions, that is staffing. â€Å"Staffing is the third phase of the management process, where the leader or manager recruits, selects, orients, and promotes personal development to accomplish the goals of the organization† (Marquis and Huston 229). As such, the success of this process depends upon how efficient and efficacious is the leader or manager in fulfilling his or her roles and functions all throughout this phase (Marquis and Huston 230). In response to the scenario in the case study, Mimi's academic and previous work backgrounds are undeniably sufficient to meet her desired position. In fact, her credentials are superb: (1) she graduated with honours (cum laude) and (2) excellent recommendations from previous employers. The literature says that it is really very important to check the academic and professional credentials, as well as reference checks, of the job applicants or candidates (Marquis and Huston 246). In this regard, there is really nothing wrong with Mimi's application except for some internet articles describing her as somewhat â€Å"activist†.Nevertheless, since those distracting articles were published more than eight years ago, they can be disregarded. This is supported by the literature as Marquis and Huston affirmed that  information obtained by any method may not be used to reject an applicant unless a justifiable reason for disqualification exists.  

Reading Books Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reading Books - Essay Example se is recommended because reading books to others has positive effects on children’s academic performance, books are a permanent and ever-lasting source of information, and reading books spurs imagination and creativity in the reader. One of the benefits of reading books is that when they are read to the infants, their communication skills are developed and their concepts of emotions, shapes, and colors are improved. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) research found out that children whose parents read with the children frequently during their first school year have long-lasting positive effects on their reading abilities (â€Å"Reading to children†). â€Å"What kinds of investments should we be making to help these kids get ahead?...The results of this study indicate that getting some books into their homes is an inexpensive way that we can help these children succeed† (Evans cited in â€Å"Resources, Reports and†). One factor that provides books with an edge over other sources of information is their permanence. Books, once written, become permanent. They are not websites or blogs that keep changing or modifying or even inaccessible with the passage of time. This is why â€Å"selecting books to support readers’ abilities benefits teachers and children alike so long as teachers make decisions within and beyond leveled books based upon their understanding of students’ interests and capabilities† (Szymusiak, Sibberson, and Koch 11). Many people in the present age consider television a more interacting, engaging, and informative source as compared to reading books, though this is not entirely and always true. On one hand, television provides the audience with a colorful motion picture; on the other hand, books make the readers think imaginatively since they have to assume the looks of characters, the background, and the specific details of the story like the characters’ homes and other places. Another very important benefit of

Australian commonwealth Bank Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Australian commonwealth Bank - Research Paper Example The Commonwealth Bank was founded as per Commonwealth Bank Act during 1911 and finally, it started operations since 1912. This bank is also one of the oldest and the most trusted banks offered a number of corporate and retail financial services. After the rapid development of globalisation and international trade, the bank experienced very rapid growth and currently, there are 800,000 shareholders are associated with the banks with 52,000 employees in the global market place (Commonwealth Bank Group-1, 2011). Australian Commonwealth Bank basically, offers three types of banking and other financial services for the personal, business and corporate. The financial service is one the most important sectors for the growth of economies as the financial institutions offers major necessary financial assistance to the population and industry of the economy. Like the other manufacturing and technology industries, the research and development is also important for the financial services sectors . In financial services, it is easier to develop a product but its viability is always questionable. Moreover, ineffective financial products are harmful for the entire economy; for example, the mortgage backed securities were one of the prime factors which had led to bring the U.S. mortgage crisis. Therefore, the financial institutions should develop their research and development process for innovating viable and effective financial product and services (Financial Services Innovation Centre, 2009). One the key factors for the success of Australian Commonwealth Bank is its innovative operational and product development process. The bank has realized the necessity of the innovation for gaining a sustainable competitive advantage in the global competitions. Innovation requires necessary resources including infrastructure and skilled employees. The banks is financial very stable and has invested significantly to acquired necessary physical resources for infrastructural and technologic al development. Besides, its intangible resources like innovative and highly skilled employees are also vital determinants for innovations in the organisation (Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 2008, p.6-7). The following diagram depicts the structure of Australian Commonwealth Bank that plays a key role in managing the innovation within the organisation. Figure 1: Value Chain Element of Australian Commonwealth Bank (Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 2008, p.7) This bank has been constantly trying to bring innovative products and services to increase the value of its services and its business. Recently, the banks have brought a number of innovative process, services and products signifying the better business performance. During 2010, it has launched a number of successful products and services and some of them are listed below. Introduced Core Banking by 10 million accounts. Launched a savings product with high interest bearing, called GoalSaver. Brought in the new premium prod ucts like Diamond Awards credit card. Better and user friendly technological development has led to increase its netbank users by 20%. Net banking trough mobile device has also been upgraded. It has also brought many new developments and expansion in its School Banking programme for increasing financial literacy. Due to such successful product and process innovation, it has become of the pioneer in customer service satisfaction. These initiatives for innovations have offered the banks a number of

Hazardous Materials Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hazardous Materials Assignment - Essay Example shipment, mitigate the effects of accidents causing the spillage of the hazardous chemical to the environment, and prevent the personnel from accidentally inhaling or ingesting the product: Containment vehicles or trucks will be attached with unobscured markings of chemical name â€Å"Arsenic† and labeling with corresponding photo for â€Å"POISON† with white background using durable materials, as well as coloring the containment unit with colors that contrast the labels, as prescribed in  §172.304 and  §172.430. Bulk transport of arsenic is allowable under  §173.242 through the use of intermediate bulk containers (IBC’s) made out of metal or rigid plastic that meet the passing rate of performance standards such as bottom lift, top lift, stacking, and drop tests as mentioned in  §178.803. Other materials neither are nor recommended due to possible sifting or leakage. It is thus recommended that IBC’s be used to contain the multiple packages of the chemical while inside the delivery

Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Strategy - Essay Example It has 760 stores in UK and 30 countries around the world. (Annual Report) M&S profits peaked in 1998 when it crossed the  £ 1 billion mark that year. It was the highest achieved by a UK retail chain. From then until 2002 it was downhill. In 2004 a new CEO Rose took over the reins and M&S slowly but surely got back to making higher profits every year since, although they are still far from the billion pounds they made in 1998. (see Appendix 1) Several major factors affected profits, the barometer of public support and financial performance. Rivals had switched to source their products from abroad at cheaper prices while M&S continued with the costly UK suppliers. As a result margins came under pressure, sales became stagnant and profits plummeted. From a high of a billion pounds in 1998, the profits fell to a low of 145 million in 2001. M&S were forced to curtail their dependence on UK suppliers and resort to other means for sustenance. (see Appendix 1) The second factor was the company policy not to accept credit cards. This had become a universal phenomenon and denial was luring younger and more mobile customers away to other rival outlets that offered this facility. The third factor was that M&S had abandoned its high street image and had gone for low end products like rivals were doing and it suffered an image loss. It was earlier known for quality of its products and it was no longer a leader in that segment. This forced a serious rethinking in the boardroom and let to a total revamp in both control and strategy of the company. A new post of Chairman as well as a new one for a CEO, as against a combined post, were created and have since seen the company’s fortune turn around. M&S, chastened by the serious erosion in customer loyalty and profits decided to revert to its roots. In the first stage they went back to exploit their core competencies. M&S started off with introduction of a new range of classical clothing for women and it was reported

Huckleberry Finn and The Catcher in the Rye essay Essay Example for Free

Huckleberry Finn and The Catcher in the Rye essay Essay The novels ‘The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn’ and ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ are both set in times where the expectations of society differed from the ones of today. Huckleberry Finn is set in the late 1800s, pre USA civil war and in a time where slavery was an accepted occurrence and the escape of a slave was seen as legally and morally wrong. This was also a time in which church attendance and education were seen as tokens of respectability. A young boy, the eponymous character, Huck, seeks to reject all that he regards as oppressive and cruel in order to establish an alternative life as a wanderer, far from adult control. The Catcher in the Rye’, on the other hand, was set in the late 1940s, a time when teenagers were just beginning to gain their own lives and being allowed more freedom than ever before. The picaresque novel gives the reader an insight into middleclass life in New York in the 50s and how one boy felt trapped by the expectations of his parents and school. His period of comparative freedom leads to unexpected consequences as he falls victim to depression and eventual supervision in an institution, putting paid forever to his dreams of freedom. Both novels present the themes of freedom and escape and the selected extracts portray incidents in the characters’ lives which focus on this theme. In both of the extracts, the characters are pretending to be someone else, Huckleberry Finn a young girl and Holden Caulfield taking a false identity. The reader may infer from this that by assuming a different and fake identity, the two boys can escape from their own lives; ones that are full of problems and worries. Escaping their lives allows them both to live a little more freely, even if just for a little while. However, Huckleberry Finn and Holden take on their new identities for different reasons. For instance, Huckleberry Finn assumes the alternative identity in order to travel across town without being recognised by anybody, as he was supposed to have died not long before. Another reason he had to pretend to be a girl is to protect his and Jim’s safety. Holden on the other hand, assumes the alternative identity in order to befriend people he meets on his journey without the people realising that he should still be at school. Various audiences of the two novels would interpret and receive the occurrences in the extracts very differently. For example, the audience of Huckleberry Finn would be shocked at Huck escaping, living with a slave and then dressing as a girl. This is because the changes in society since Huckleberry Finn was written are significant. In the late 1800s, young boys were to be well educated and then sent off to be a successful businessman, not to escape and run amok. Slaves were also seen as inferior and a possession and anybody helping them was breaking the law. Another thing that the different audiences would feel differently about is the fact that Jim gets called a ‘nigger’ quite often. An audience of the 1880s would accept that as normal as they were used to hearing it, whereas an audience of the 2000s would be shocked by this, as the word nigger has a very malicious meaning nowadays and is considered a racist insult due to the equality rights now instilled in the majority of society, due to the word undergoing perjoration. The audience of Catcher in the Rye would probably not be surprised at the behaviour that Holden employs, as teenagers in the late 1940s were gaining a new sense of freedom and the dangers of letting your children out into the world unsupervised had not yet been considered. They also would accept that he might befriend any stranger that he comes across. However in the 40s there still existed traditional views about respect for authority although they were gradually evaded. His parents however do not approve of him staying in the hotel by himself. In the 2000s however, we would frown upon a young teenager travelling around alone, talking to strangers and booking a hotel room in a large city. The maturity of the two different characters is also very different. Although Holden wants and tries to be mature, the reader very quickly sees that he is in actual fact very childish and naive. This could be so that he can escape the realities of adult life, and stay in his idealistic child’s world forever. Despite this, he does attempt to seem more of an adult by using more taboo language and more complicated language around people who he would like to impress, like the females in the Lavender Room. For example, he says; ‘I’m twelve, for Chrissake. I’m big for my age. ’ Although the word Chrissake, which is the words ‘Christ’s sake’ after undergoing elision and with Holden’s idiolect, is not considered taboo now, it was still frowned upon in the 1940s, as some sectors of society were still highly religious. Another taboo word he used a lot is ‘Goddamn’. Again this word, which is the words ‘God damn’ that have also undergone elision and are with Holden’s idiolect, is no longer considered taboo or offensive, due to the change in society over time. This language choice illustrates Holden’s immaturity as it shows that he believes that using taboo words and more complicated language will make him look more grown up, when in actual fact it simply makes him seem barbaric and pretentious. Huck, on the other hand seems quite comfortable with his maturity level, which is one that seems to fluctuate. For instance, he seems to treat the whole journey in the novel as an adventure, one that fuels his child-like imagination; as is shown when Huck plays a prank on Jim. He says; ‘I went to the cavern to get some, and found a rattlesnake in there. I killed him, and curled him up at the foot of Jim’s blanket, ever so natural, thinking there’d be some fun when Jim found him there’. This illustrates his immature side as children are more likely to play pranks and find them amusing. Another way that Twain shows Huck’s immaturity and failed education is through his speech, as Twain uses elision in depicting Huck’s speech and gives him a very strong idiolect and dialect. One instance of this is; ‘Who done it? we’ve heard considerable about these goings on, down in Hookerville, but we don’t know who t’was that killed Huck Finn. Huck uses the word ‘t’was’ instead of saying ‘it was’. Using elision as strong as this also shows us how badly educated Huck is, despite the attempts of Widow Douglas to correct this. However, you do get to see the more mature side of Huck. One example of this is when he makes plans for his escape from his father. He makes a list of the things he needs and even fakes his own death so that he can never be found. This shows his maturity because he has the initiative to put the plans into place and fool the people he is escaping from. Another example would be when he treats and considers Jim to be his friend, as it is obvious that he has to ignore society and make his own decision to befriend someone who could potentially get him into trouble with the law. Also, he has to overcome a moral dilemma when deciding whether to escape with Jim, or hand him over to Widow Douglas, to whom Jim rightfully belongs. The fact that Jim is a possession of someone else would shock modern audiences as they are not used to this due to the change in society. This particularly shows his maturity because he was making a decision about somebody else’s life as well, as Jim would have been sold on if returned to Widow Douglas, therefore thwarting his plan to find his family. The decision that Huck had to make had consequences beyond his control and Huck was fully and completely aware of this whilst making the choice. The central characters in the two novels respond to the theme of escape in different but not quite contrasting ways. For Huckleberry Finn, the journey he goes on allows him to grow up and realise what he wants for himself in the future. Huck’s resolution to embrace traditional societal values by resuming his studies shows he has come to a positive decision about his future. On the other hand, for Holden the journey is a reality check, as it shows him that he is not ready for the outside and adult world because he hadn’t even got the simple child’s world right. He saw life as a game, and was stubbornly naive. His loss of autonomy at the end of the novel shows loss of dreams of freedom and little hope of escape from the downward spiral he has found himself in along the way.

Oral Communication Grammar Mistakes

Oral Communication Grammar Mistakes One of the most common problems during the oral communication is that people dont know grammar rules and how to use them properly. There are people who know a lot of words, but when they want to make a sentence they arent able to do it because they lack knowledge of grammar. There are also a few more problems that affect normal communication that will be mentioned in this paper. This study will deal with problem of people making so many mistakes during oral communication, and with possible resolution of that problem. Key words: oral communication, grammar, mistakes 1. INTRODUCTION Good communication is very important. It is important in terms of the individuals success personally, in their personal relationships, and it is important for their professional succes. In most cases employers are looking for employees who posses good communication skills, and by that, they want them to be able to read and write effectively, to be able to orally communicate with others effectively, to participate in teams. Effective communication skills are one of the major predictors of upward mobility in the organization, that is, people who have good communication skills are more likely to get promoted, to get raises, to end up getting positions that they want. People with good communication skills are not only more effective in informing others and persuading others, theyre also more effective at getting support from others and acquiring information from others, theyre acquiring emotional support from others and getting others to believe in them and what theyre doing. These skill s are extremely important in any aspect of professional life. In the personal sector, good communication skills matter so much in terms of the quality of family relationships, the relationship with close partners. Good communication is part of being a good parent, communicating effectively with your child, with your neighbors, and with others in your community. 2. COMMUNICATION Proper definition of communication could be that it is the activity of conveying information through the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, visuals, signals,writing, or behaviour. Oral communication is purposeful presentation designed to increace knowledge, to foster understanding, or to promote change in the liseners attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviours. Communication requires a sender, a message, and a receiver, although the receiver doesnt need to be present or aware of the senders intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distances in time and space. Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender. Good communication can be considered as creative activity which takes different forms depending from many factors, including the characteristics of the communicator (perception of self, attitude towards language learning, the level of self expectation in language use, perception of others), the process of making the meaning and responding(linguistic components the purpose of interaction) and the context in which the interaction happens. Scientist Lynn Harter said about communication: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾Communication is an integral part of a liber al studies education because what communication helps students to focus on how they use symbolic resources at hand to create and maintain relationships, to participate as a citizen in the public sphere, whether thats attending a city council meeting and exercising their voice about a local initiative or petition. Or maybe its being involved on a board of directors for a local non-profit organization and being the person whos responsible for communicating with various stakeholders of that organization.  [1]   Types of oral communication are: Intrapersonal communication This kind of communication refers to a conversation that people hold with themself in some situations-for example, when a person needs to make an important decision. This kind of communication can be considered as the process of thinking. Interpersonal communication This kind of communication occurs between several people. Interpersonal communication can occur face to face and also through electronic channels like video-conferencing, chat rooms, e-mail,twitter. Small group communication This type of communication occurs in a small group of people. Small group communication helps people to interact with others. On this way peopleteach to exchange ideas,solve problems and share experiences with each other. Public communication or public speaking This typeof communication occurs between a speaker and an audience. Public speaking serves for the speaker to give important informations to audience. It is impotant to have effective public speaking so that the speaker can influence his audience when he communicates with them. Mass communication This type of oral communication is sent out from a source to many receivers all aroun the world. It occurs through media, through internet and blogs. Corporate communication This type of communication occurs between members of an organisation, within that organisation. Good corporate communication has a positive impact on morale, commitment and productivity in corporations. Intercultural communication Intercultural communication can be defined as communication between people of different cultures and ethnicity. The world is increasingly becoming a global village and every country has people of various ethnicities. Thus, it is important to note differences in the communication practices of different cultures if intercultural harmony and understanding is to be maintained. 3. BUSINESS COMMUNICATION To the success of any organization despite its size, geographical location, good business communication is extremely important. Business communication is linked with the internal culture and external image of any organization. This type of communication determines what is communicated, by whom and at what level. Effective communication can help the organization in achieving its goal by informing, persuading and building good will within both the internal environment and the external environment. Communication, internal and external, takes place in a nonverbal and verbal manner: through gestures, expressions, meetings and through listening,speaking and writing. Global environment is quickly changing and if organizations want to survive and prosper they need to change constanttly their way communication process are formed and delivered. Good communication skills can be helpful to peoplein their careers in various ways: It can build selfconfidence, make useful contracts, enable you to help and lead others. Most successful people recognize that communication was vital to their job success.Most of them said that communication skills were more important than the major subject they had studied in college. By improving communication one can help not only himself but the entire organization. That is because as an employee one forms a link in the organizations information chain. Peoples ability to receive, evaluate, use and pass on information gathered from inside and outside the organization affects your companys effectiveness. Managers rely on such information from their employees to take suitable and necessary action. By keeping employees informed about the happenings , by involving them in decision-making, and getting feedback from them regarding their opinions, attitudes and suggestions, managers can raise employee morale. As a result, employees are more willing to assume responsibility and support managements efforts. Communication scholar said: There are three things that I believe are very important to communicating in organizations. The first thing I would say is be aware of the context. If you dont understand the context, you dont know what something means. So what does it mean, for example, if a CEO is earning a thousand times more money than the lowest paid employee in an organization? Well, to an outside watchdog group, that could be corporate greed. To financial analysts on Wall Street, that could be good management. So you have to understand the context if youre going to understand the meaning of communication. The second thing I would suggest that people think about in terms of communicating in organizations is that communication creates relationships. A lot of people think all communication is about getting your point across, making sure that youre clear in your communication. I take a bit of a different view. Communication creates the relationships that you have with people. Theres that old saying, sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me. It is a terrible, terrible axiom because the words we do use can harm people because they create different relationships. So how you talk does matter. The third thing I would simply say is that people need to be curious about communication. I think one of the biggest problems people run into in organizations when they communicate is they think they know what the other person means. Many times we act on false assumptions. You need to get curious about what people are saying and ask questions like, well, what do you mean by that? and where do you think this is going to take us? and just a number of different questions to sort out what it is that people are meaning because we come from different kinds of experiences, different backgrounds and we need to really understand what a person means by the words that they use.  [2]   4. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Communication requires the transfer of informations from one person to another, and this kind of transfer of informations is dynamic. Writing is a static process of transfer of informations. The written language can be more precise. The choice of written words can be done with greater deliberation and thought. Writer can rewrite his text .The reader can read the text as he wishes. He can do it quickly, slowly or the reader can stop thinking in order to think about the informations that he has just read. The reader also has a possibility of re-reading the text. Speeches should be precise. There needs to be a lot of preparations and compresion for oral communication to be precise. When a word is once spoken it cant be retracted. The speaker can only apoligize for a mistake. One can read from a written text and can achieve with it the same degree of verbal precision as written communication. In most cases audience finds speech-reading uninteresting and boring. Oral communication is considered to be effective in expressing meaning to an audience. During the speech a few signals are available to a speaker: gestures, intonation,ninflection, volume, pitch, pauses, movement, visual cues as appearence The speaker has more control over the informations that the listener will hear than the writer has over what the reader will read. Reading an audience is a systematic and cumulative endeavor unavailable to the writer. As one speaks, the audience provides its own visual cues about whether it is finding the argument coherent, comprehensible, or interesting. Speakers should avoid focusing on single individuals within an audience. 5. COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE The notion of communicative competence was introduced by dell Hymes in the late 1960s. Children grow up in the midst of verbal interactions in which they need to pay attention not only to grammatical form (the order of words and their inflection) but also to the implications, for themselves and other participants, of what is said. To the extent to which linguistic research is concerned with the association between forms and meanings, it should recognize that any linguistic expression is associated with and often reproduces a set of attitudes, values, and beliefs about the world. To be a fluent speaker means to be able to recognize and exploit such attitudes, values and beliefs. Furthermore, language is often only one of the codes used for communication. Speakers complement, refine, and sometimes neutralize or even contradict the meaning of words they use by relying on gestures and eye gaze, and by the use of tools and other material resources around them. The notion of communicative competence was also meant to encourage the study of different codes and modes of communicating within and across situations. Although the term competence echoes Chomskys use of the same word, the addition of the adjective communicative broadens the object of inquiry. Furthermore, while Chomskys notion of competence refers to an abstract set of (typically unconscious) rules-based on an innate language faculty and independent of actual usage-Hymes notion of competence refers to the knowledge necessary for adequately communicating in real life situations. Hence the attention to what speakers actually do with language that is implicit in the notion of communicative competence is not only a methodological but also a theoretical concern. That is, it not only allows us to start from what people do with language in order to infer what they need to know, but alsorecognizes that knowledge of language is gained from participation in actual communicative events, implying the simultaneous relian ce on a number of semiotic resources and the collaboration of other participants. In this sense, Hymes notion of competence is not separate from the notion of performance the use of language as it is in Chompskys model. The introduction of the notion of communicative competence was consistent with Hymes earlier call for a new interdisciplinary field, the etnography of communication (sometimes called the etnography of speaking). This field is dedicated to the empirical study of patterns of speaking in different communities around the world. Theoretically, it draw from a number of traditions, most notably Roman JakobsonS functionalism as represented in his speech event model, from which Hymes derived his notion of communicative event, which is a unit of analysis conceived for the study of communicative competence. In This framework, speaker competence is no longer defined exclusively in terms of their knowledge of grammatical rules, but is also defined in terms of the range of communicative events in which they can participate. Such a range defines persons repertoire within a given community. 6. MOST USUAL MISTAKES IN ORAL COMMUNICATION Commuincators in the process of communication are influenced by several inputs and a deficiency in the quality of any of these inputs can prevent successful communication. According to Adler and Rodman(2006), communicators personal and social background, perception of self and others and verbal and non-verbal language skills are the main inputs influencing the process of communication. Communicators personal background factors such as age, motivation, literacy, and social class make the language learning experience of all individuals unique.  [3]   There are a few factors which can affect oral communication: Language difficulties The use of jargon Accent Physical condition affecting speach or hearing Environmental condition Grammar problems If the persons dont speak the same language fluently, normal conversation is hard to expect. Evidently they will have troubles in understanding each other. Here are a few english words whic are most commonly misspronounced: Archipelago Arctic Accessory Athlete Candidate Chaos Clothes Dilate Height Heinous Hierarchy Illinois Interpret Miniature mischievous Orient Old-fashioned Picture precipitation Drowned Preventive Pronunciation Prostate Jewelry Library Medievel Accent is also one of the factors that can strongly affect the communication between people. If two persons have different accents their communication may not be succesful. Their differences in speach may create misunderstandings. Physical condition affecting speach or hearing is one of the important factors that can influence normal communicaton. If persons who are communicating have a speech or hearing impairment the way that they communicate may have to be adapted. One of the factors by which oral communication is affected is enviromental condition. If persons are communicating in noisy conditions there might be the possibility that one of them miss the important information. In this conditions normal communication is very hard to achieve. Jargon is one of the factors that can affect communication. Especially in working situations people use words and phrases that mean something to them and their colleagues in their workplace or industry but which could be a foreign language to others. Grammar problem is important factor which affects communication. If people lack knowledge of grammar it is hard for them to create sentence, and it is hard to have normal communication in this conditions. There are few most common mistakes that people usually make. Here are the examples of a few gramaticaly incorrect sentences: The man which works here is from Brazil. Ana is married with a doctor. John must to call Isabel immadiately. Although it was snowing,but we had a good time. I like very much chocolate. He can to walk. Where I can find this person? (Where can I find this person?) I have been here since five months. The room is not enough big. (The room is not big enough.) There is nine boys in the bus. We didnt see nobody. He leaves in 6:00 am. Do you like a cup of coffee? Nick should not to drink alcohol 7. IMPROVEMENT OF ORALCOMMUNICATION No matter how good one knows the language, during the oral communication people make mistakes. These mistakes happen from different reasons. Even though oral communication is an effective way of receiving your message across to your listeners, it can also create misunderstanding, misinterpretation and confusion. This happens because each person has his own way of interpreting even when you speak the same language as your listener. There are a few ways to avoid this problems and to improve oral communication. One of the ways to improve oral communication is reading (books and other scriptures). If the person wants to avoid the problem of misunderstanding then it would be good to use simple words that can be clearly understood. Also in order to improve oral skills it is recomandable for a person to be a good listener, because effective communication includes speaking and active listening. If a person listens carefully , what the speaker is talking about, he improves his understanding. If a person wants his listeneres to understand the message it is good to tell a story, joke or read a quote. Jokes usually help people to relax, and in that way their mind will be more open to listen to a speaker. The way in which the story is told can affect the thinking of the listeners. Asking the right questions is also helpful in order to improve communication. A à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾Why questions gives a person a lot of reasons, excuses, understanding and explanations. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾How questions set someones brain thinking for a solution, useful information and a strategy. By asking questions one can create a positive debate and interaction that will benefit all involved. If a speaker wants his speech to be good he should think and prepare before he speaks.. Misunderstanding can occur if a speaker exppresses himself without thinking and allows his emotions to take over. It is good for a speaker to create thoughts in his mind first and then to tell them aloud. Communication can be considered effective if a speaker reduces the use of verbal pauses. If a speaker often stops his sentence and adds à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾ah, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾um, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾well it can be very irritating to his listeners. To solve this problemm its good for a speaker to record his own voice and in that way he will be aware of all the mistakes he does during the speech. In this we way the speaker can improve his style of speaking. To have an effective commnication speaker should use words and phrases with care. Speaker shouldnt allow himself that people assume what he is trying to say. Speaker should speak with specifity, and words like never, ever, all, or always need to be avoided. One of the characteristics that speaker should posses is honesty, because if the speaker is promising something to people that is not possible it will break down any trust that the speaker has developed. It is also recomandable for a speaker to relax while speaking. It is important that one doesnt speak in hurry, because that could create impresion that the speaker is confused. Eye contact is also important. If the speaker is facing a crowd he shouldnt look at one person for more than 5 seconds. 8.CONCLUSION From this paper we could learn the most common mistakes people do during oral communication. Most people think that communication is about transferring informations clearly. Regardless of the context, of who youre talking to and of the situation, you need to be clear in your communication. I think thats a misperception because there are times at which being ambiguous can be very effective in your communication. I think one of the reasons that this is a misperception-that we need to be clear-is that our dominant way of thinking about communication is that its about getting your point across, or what some people call transferring information. I think we need to think about communication differently and change the perception of what communication is, that communication is about creating relationships, whether thats creating romantic relationships, whether thats creating relationships in a team, in the workplace, say between an employee and his or her boss, or whether thats creating relationships among nations or countries. It is good to think about communication as a process of creating relationship. So how we communicate creates different things. I think one of the biggest misperceptions is thinking that clear communication is good communication. And I think the reason we think that is because we have a model of communication that says that communication is about transferring information. I think that misperception goes away if we change our perception to one in which communication creates relationships.

Role of the Health and Social Care Worker | Reflection

Role of the Health and Social Care Worker | Reflection Sharon Heather Ferguson-Guy Outcome 1 – Understand working relationships in health and social care 1:1Â  explain how a working relationship is different from a personal relationship: A working relationship is where your attitude is to be more reserved yet professional. You will be placed with people that you would work with as part of a team, each of you will work towards achieving the same priorities of care, working together knowing the procedures of the workplace. You must be aware of your responsibilities for any errors or mistakes, being aware that you are accountable for your actions. You are not in the job to like the people you work with but, having respect for your fellow work colleague is vital as well as obtaining the same in return. So then your personal opinions and feelings are best kept to yourself. A working relationship must have good professional communication skills. A personal relationship is a relationship through your own choices, like a friend that can share the same things as yourself, such as hobbies and interests. You may share your thoughts and opinions, the relationship is reciprocated because of the friendship you have formed with them, also; with a personal relationship you can say what is on your mind without the worry of being reported for stepping out of line. This is where trust bonds a personal relationship and communication is relaxed. 1:2Â  Describe different working relationship in health and social care setting: Two types of working relationships in social care are; Professional relationships i.e. with a doctor, district nurse, service users and the friends or family of them. Working relationships i.e. with my manager, colleagues. (It would be disrespectful to talk to a Doctor for example in the same manner as your work colleague) Outcome 2 – Work in ways that are agreed with the employer: 2:1Â  describe why it is important to adhere to the agreed scope of the job role: It is important to adhere to an agreed scope because by straying outside of this I may put individuals at risk, such as patients in my care and fellow work colleagues. Knowing that I was employed for my skills and qualifications that are in the job description, my employer would be assured in my capabilities for the position. You must not undertake a job role if you are not trained or qualified to do as this can put people in danger as well as yourself, and you will be made accountable. If I was asked to undertake a task that was not in my job role; I would have to refuse as I may not be qualified for that particular task. My colleague should be understanding in my refusal as I wouldn’t want to put anyone in danger. 2:2Â  Access full and up-to-date details of agreed ways of working: Agreed ways of working includes policies and procedures. The employer would have given me my role and responsibilities for my scope of practice; this is to make sure that the information given to me for my role is done in the correct manner. They also trust me that I shall do my job within the role with a professional attitude. 2:3Â  Implement agreed ways of working: It is important to update policies to reflect changes in legislation and make sure that staff understands them, as these will give a general guidance on how you should carry out your duties within the workplace. If something changes and you are not so sure on the proceedings then you should ask your senior or workplace manager for advice. They will be pleased that you have taken notice of any changes and asking them for advice. Outcome 3 – Work in partnership with others: 3:1Â  explain why it is important to work in partnership with others: By working in partnership with others we can use their expertise and provide more effective care, as you will be providing more of a holistic type of care. You will be looking at the individual as a whole person and you will be in touch with their family and friends, also you would be in contact with other carers, social workers and Doctors. You are all taking part as a team of support providers that will benefit the individual with their overall care. 3:2Â  Demonstrate way of working that can help improve partnership working: Working in small teams and regular meetings and keeping good communication all improve partnership working. This will include keeping any information to the relevant persons involved. Having agreed values or outcomes. Ensuring confidentiality. 3:3Â  Identify skills and approaches needed for resolving conflicts: Skills needed for resolving conflict include diplomacy, patience, empathy and good communication skills. There will come a time where a conflict will arise between work colleagues service users or others that you may have to encounter. Working together as part of a team you can put together knowledge and any ideas to resolve the matter. There will be social factors, values and also conflicts from differences in opinions; these can add fuel to the fire. Communication problems can arise with a lacking of listening skills; this can build up the walls so lack of information sharing can falter. You must find a quiet area where conflicts can be discussed so things cannot be misread; using mediation skills between parties involved you should therefore use the example below: All importance is to listen to all sides Anything that is said even if it is criticism must responded to, with empathy Being impartial to those involved and the points of conflict Don’t take criticism to heart as it won’t be directed to you personally If help from someone else is needed, ask for it Is the person showing congruence to what they are trying to put across Look for a compromise that will resolve the issue Resolve and defuse for the desired outcome Staying calm Staying focussed and without interruption 3:4Â  Demonstrate how and when to access support and advice about: Partnership working – I should access support and advice about partnership working before taking responsibility for any major decisions. Resolving conflicts – To take advice on resolution before any conflict gets out of hand. References Caroline Morris, 2011. Level 3 Health and Social Care Diploma. By Caroline Morris, Val Michie. Edition. Hodder Education. 96-108 Doane, GA, 2002. Beyond behavioural skills to human-involved processes: relational nursing practice and interpretive pedagogy. Journal of Nursing Education, 41 issue 9, 400-404. Higgins, M, 2013. Use your influence for good. Nursing Standard, 27 issue 49, 62-63. Tingle, J, Cribb, and A 2002. Nursing Law and Ethics. 2 Edition. Wiley-Blackwell. 22. 2.2 Webb, K, 2013. Stand up and be accountable care. Nursing Standard, 27 issue 29, 26. Sharon H Ferguson-Guy / NVQ3 Diploma ECA 1 of 2

The Viability of Fission and Fusion for our Planet Essay -- essays res

The Viability of Fission and Fusion For our planet As the global population increases exponentially, having passed six billion in 1999, the world population is expected to be 8.9 billion by the year 2050. The worlds energy consumption will increase by an estimated 54 percent by 2025. Energy demand in the industrialized world is projected to grow 1.2 percent per year. Energy is a critical component of sustained economic growth and improved standards of living. One of the major requirements for sustaining human progress is an adequate source of energy. As the world’s technological enhancements and standards of living improve, so too does their appetite for electricity. The largest sources of energy at the moment are the combustion of fossil fuels; coal, oil and natural gas. Fossils fuels account for nearly 88 % of the world's energy needs, with Oil at 41 percent, Coal providing 24 percent, and natural gas, the remaining 22 percent. In the next five-hundred years, the globe will need a considerable increase of energy. Nuclear Fission Fission is a nuclear process that takes place in the nucleus of an atom. It is a process whereby a nucleus of a heavy, neutron enriched atom, usually Uranium-235 (U-235), splits into two or more smaller nuclei. This process releases substantial amounts of energy as a by-product. In a common reaction in a nuclear reactor a nucleus of U-235 captures a neutron and then undergoes a fission event releasing two or three neutrons of about 14 MeV (Mega electron Volts) energy. A pair of fission products is formed which is accompanied by the release of huge amounts of energy (100 million to several hundred million electron volts of energy). Nuclear Fusion Nuclear Fusion is the energy-producing process which takes place continuously in the sun and stars. In the core of the sun at temperatures of 10-15 million degrees Celsius, Hydrogen is converted to Helium providing enough energy to sustain life on earth. On earth, the most suitable use of fusion occurs when the nuclei of heavy isotopes of hydrogen - Deuterium (D) and Tritium (T) join and form a larger nucleus. At the temperatures required for the Deuterium-Tritium fusion reaction, the fuel has changed its state from gas to Plasma. Scientific advancements on how fusion reactions can be contained need to be made before we can use fusion as a practical source of energy. The basic ... ... fission has the ability to make a long-lasting major contribution but suffers from problems of public and political acceptability. Fusion offers an additional, secure, virtually resource-unlimited, source of supply, with important environmental advantages. Because of the environmental advantages summarised above, there should be no constraints on grounds of public acceptance to the widespread, intensive and indefinite deployment of fusion power. Considering the fact that fusion possesses environmental and safety advantages over all current alternatives for electricity sources, its development is a very important component in any strategy designed to allow economic growth to continue world-wide in the longer term, without generating major global environmental deterioration. Thus the case for investing a small part of our current output in the development of fusion is an aspect of the more general case for sustainable development. Involvement in the world-wide programme to bring fusion technology to a commercially usable state is a wise contribution to sustainable development. Fusion technology brought to completion would be an asset of the utmost value to give to our descendants.

The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan :: English Literature

Review of The comfort of strangers by Ian McEwan ================================================== This is a very interesting book by McEwan as well as being rather confusing. The name ‘the comfort of strangers’ fits the storyline perfectly. This is a very mysterious book in which the two of the main characters Caroline and Roger are slowly tightening the noose on the necks of the other two main characters Mary and Colin. I think the book fits into the mystery genre as far as the writing of the author goes and I found that some parts of the book reminded me of ‘Enduring Love’. The way that that Colin and Mary blindly get involved with Roger shows one of many weaknesses in the novel. Roger’s shady character and his weird story about how his father was very strict and how his jealous sisters made him eat chocolate so that he would get into trouble with his father along with other things should have kept Mary and Colin away. Stories like this one, which require the reader to suspend disbelief as the actors venture further and further into the abyss are extremely hard to pull off, so it's not surprising that McEwan doesn't quite manage it. An author can get away with making his characters naive, but at the point where the reader is yelling at them and calling them idiots for following along with the novel's plot, that author has lost control of his own narrative. A big complaint that reviewers have had with this novel or rather this ‘short story’ is that the author works around taboo issues meaning he may talk about them for a moment or two and then ignores them. Another problem which links onto this is that many times the author builds up the story as something really dramatic is going to happen and then nothing out of the ordinary happens for example when Mary jumps in the water you would think that one of them may drown but it turns out to be something just ordinary. I think this has a negative effect on the reader as well as the fact that sometimes the reader is left to ‘fill in the gaps’ themselves when we are not given enough detail on the characters or the storyline. There is no real solution at the end of the novel. Another problem with the novel is how Mary and Colin’s sex lives suddenly become great again after meeting Caroline and Roger. Another similar instance is when Roger punches Colin in the stomach for NO reason. The setting of the novel, which is Venice, is not really used well by

Use of Birds in Keats Ode to a Nightingale and Shelleys To a Sky-Lark

Use of Birds in Keats' Ode to a Nightingale and Shelley's To a Sky-Lark Of particular interest is the use of birds by two romantic poets. John Keats once listened to a bird song and gifted us with his Ode to a Nightingale. The sky-lark inspires Percy Shelley and through his vision of the bird we are privy to its beauty. Birds have always held a significance in human lives. While some animals were companions, others for labor or a source a food, our flying companions held an other-worldly place. They achieved heights unattainable to humans -- and sung while they did that. These two poets use a bird as their muse and also symbolically for the human experience. Keats' ode begins with his feeling drowsy, lethargic and sad, as if he were under the influence of a drug. In the background of his mind he hears the nightingale "In some melodious plot" (1.8) singing joyfully. The first stanza seems to be the beginning of an awakening. The poet is lost in his own world, in a drugged state, where the only sound allowed to enter is the bird's song. Alone in a saddened state a person can feel isolated and withdraw from others. In the first part of this stanza Keats conveys this solitary depression, where the mind is so overwhelmed with preoccupation that the outside world cannot intrude. This is similar to someone being told devastating news and that person walks about in a daze, even to the point of walking into traffic without realizing it. The second part reveals a touch of redemption. Something from outside the mind is allowed to enter the consciousness. A healing of the mind can happen and the song of a bird is the catalyst. This melancholy is carried over into the second stanza and the poet speaks of wanting to "leave the worl... ...eats lacks resolution; his poem is slightly disturbing. While the reader can discern seeds of happiness in Keats' poem, it never fully develops. Both poets though convey a sense of being one with the bird. In effect the birds become anthropomorphic. It is interesting to see how these poets use their imagination to seemlessly blend human life with the respective birds. Works Cited Heyen, William. "In Consideration of Percy Shelley." Southern Humanities Review Spring. 1983: 131-42. Jarrell, Randall. "The Profession of Poetry." Partisan Review Fall. 1950: 724-31. Knight, G. Wilson. Percy Shelley and the Poetry of Vision. New York: Barnes and Noble Inc., 1960. Maurer, Robert E. "Notes on John Keats." John Keats: A Collection of Critical Essays. 1972: 79-99. Williams, Meg Harris. Inspiration in Milton and Keats. Totowa: Barnes and Noble Books, 1982.

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet Essay

The tone of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is set by the theme of madness and deception. The death of Hamlet’s father and the appearance of his ghost to his son sets into motion a series of events that end in leads to the near total destruction of the Danish court. No one proves to be safe from the pervasive nature of their own guilt, real or imagine, as the character’s fall victim to Hamlet’s madness and the king’s deception. Revenge and fear, in particular, play central roles in the eventual conclusions of the play, as it provides a vehicle for the concepts of madness and deceit, as well as the bloody and darkening shadow that falls upon Denmark itself. Even before he sees his father’s ghost among the castle walls, the seeds of suspicion and disgust have already grown to fruition within Hamlet’s mind. All that is needed to touch off this dark depression into full-blown action is a spark. This spark comes in the form of the deceased king, who gives voice to his son’s suspicions. It’s interesting, given the full blown form that Hamlet’s madness later takes, to consider that the conversation between father and ghost may have been a delusion. Though it’s hard to write off the apparition itself as false, since it is the guards who first see the ghost walking silently, the conversation between father and son is private and serves to provide justification for Hamlet’s later actions. In this way, it’s possible that this conversation was simply the beginning point for Hamlet’s growing insanity. From this first act, the other events fall in quick succession as though predicted. Death becomes a central almost fated result of the lethal mixture of Hamlet’s growing insanity and the guilt of the king There is a fine line between Hamlet’s realities and his delusions, as shown in the truth of his uncle’s deceit. It’s important that the tragedy of Hamlet begins and ends with death, providing a full-circle to the King’s murder of his brother and Hamlet’s own revenue and death. This is due in part to the larger significance of death both as an ending and a beginning. The tragedy of Hamlet itself begins and ends with death while the dead themselves provide witnesses. It’s important to note that even as the death should be released by the chain of events, they are not allowed to truly rest. From Hamlet’s father the king, to Ophelia’s drowned memory, they are allowed little reprieve. Instead their deaths act as cataclysms for more tragedy and death. It is Ophelia and Polonius’s deaths that cause Laertes to meet his death at the end of Hamlet’s poison-tipped blade. Connected to the idea of revenge, the dead are fuel to the fire and darkness that seep into the minds and actions of all involved. Given the heavy presence of death, it is no wonder that the images of darkness and the adjective â€Å"black† is repeated throughout the book. It seems to be almost an eternal night in Hamlet’s Denmark. There is no comfort. There is no hope, only sadness and death. Revenge, madness, and pride are connected in Hamlet through their common dark designs and darker endings. The need for revenge, which is bred from Hamlet’s encounter with his father’s ghost and eventually drives his madness, is not justice. This revenge is part duty, part self-preservation. Hamlet is lost in his new role in his family, with his mother’s marriage to his uncle and the usurpation of the crown from Hamlet’s own head. In taking action against his uncle, Hamlet is defending the honor of his family and attempting to reclaim his own self which has been lost (I. iv. ll. 21). With the new developments, Denmark itself has become a prison (II. ii. ll. 241), and he is a prisoner to the awareness of his position and the growing need to exact revenge. It is important to make the distinction between the two, revenge and justice. Hamlet is seeking to right the wrong of his father’s death, at first through revelation but then when this fails through violence. There is not the sense that Hamlet expects to escape his own death in the process of exacting revenge but at the same time there is the maddened sense of invincibility about him. He hopes to regain part of himself in destroying his uncle, however, he is already lost to his own fear and insanity. The concept of blood is important throughout the play, both in literal form in showing the brutality of Hamlet’s actions, and as representative of family. The physical presnece of blood is seen throughout the play in the deaths of even those who do end in bloodshed, like Ophelia;. The final scene in Act V is the bloodiest, with the deaths of Laertes and Hamlet, the wounding of the King, and the poisoning of the Queen. That final scene is also a good example of the power of blood, in the family sense, as Hamlet finally gains resolution in the deception of his uncle and his mother’s marriage and Laertes himself is able to avenge his sister and father. However, the concept of family goes much farther back in the play, to the very beginning with the first appearance of the dead king, still linked to his son and the tragedy of his blood, who himself is heard by Hamlet to call for revenge. For Hamlet, the concept of blood is perhaps the most sensitive and the core root to his own madness. A chief source of hurt pride for Hamlet is the marriage of his widowed mother to his uncle. In Hamlet’s eyes, not only has the new king usurped the role of his dead (murdered) brother but he has also taken over his brother’s position in the Queen’s bed. This is not a difficult idea to understand; Hamlet obviously feels a strong loyalty to his father and to the idea of his own succession. However, Hamlet’s constant condemnation of the King and Queen’s marriage being â€Å"incestuous† shows more about Hamlet than his mother, who is constantly condemned by her son for the marriage. The king is Hamlet’s paternal uncle and therefore, unrelated to the Queen except through the marriage of his deceased brother, Hamlet’s uncle. Therefore there is no real incest going on between the newly married couple but rather a joining of past and present. Instead Hamlet is showing an intolerance to change, that when divorced of his uncle’s treachery, is not quite as damning. However, true to the form of the play, the marriage has been built upon the dark deeds of the King. Their marriage is a deceptive continuity, the Queen herself innocent to the dark deeds of the King. She is not wholly innocent, as she ignorantly believes in the innocence of the new King. While she obviously loves her son, in sensing and fearing Hamlet’s growing restlessness and insanity, she does in a manner turn away from him. Seeing only death in her son’s countenance, it is understandable that she would ally herself with the calm presence of the new king. However, there is something of a resolution between mother and son. When the queen drinks the poison, the King has prepared for Hamlet, she joins the ranks of the innocent dead. Like Ophelia, the Queen becomes a kind of martyr to the ulterior motives of royal ascendency and the revenge of her only son. Though the King may have had larger ideas of their marriage, the Queen’s tragedy seems to be a belief in hope. In remarrying she is hoping to continue her life and in Hamlet she sees hope for her love and affection, even as he rejects her. Without the morality of justice, Hamlet’s revenge fails to provide any resolution. While death is certainly an end and a recurrent theme throughout the play, the persistence and skewed senses of madness prevent the carnage of the Danish court from representing an absolute ending. Instead, there simply seems to be no one else to truly die, no one else to suffer within this narrative of tragedy. Hamlet’s madness had acted in a way to bring about the complete destruction of all he’d ever held dear, it spent not only the resolve of it’s master but everything which it touched. The court of Denmark is withered but no longer a prison to Hamlet as he can depart in death as he was never able to in life. Though Hamlet finds his revenge and his end, he does not find true peace. Fueled by his own depression and anxiety, the injured pride of a fallen son, Hamlet instead creates a cycle of violence and fear which in the end even he falls prey to.

Philosophies & Democracy Essay

Democracy and capitalism gave way to concentration of wealth amongst a small group of people. Private entrepreneurship got a boost due to capitalism. Given this scenario, many private entrepreneurs rose to build their industrial empires. There are many examples, where, the starting point of a given business was zero, and it rose to become a leading international business house. Increase in business, resulted in exaggerated accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, and that was the time, when these new class of rich entrepreneurs, gave a thought to the society, in which they have been operating, and which has supported their enterprise in its rise. Carnegie Melon, at the beginning of industrial revolution, and Bill Gates, at the end of the twentieth century, are two solid examples of business rise from zero to international giants. Both of them, spent their full life, in amassing wealth, and as they grew, they started framing corporate philosophies, which put society at the focus of their activities. While they applied the rule of ‘everything is fair in business’, they turned towards society at the fag end of their lives. Corporate philosophies, by and large have nothing new to say, except that they work for the society, and they care for their customers. All corporate philosophies are concentrated around these central themes, in different words and sentences. Often, it is proved that corporate philosophies are not as sweet as they sound. When it comes to business, these philosophies are sacrificed, partially or fully. Was only genuine software skill responsible for the stupendous rise of Bill Gates and Microsoft? Of course no. There is in fact, considerable shrewdness going into the rise of Microsoft. In fact, corporate houses, as they grow, turn their attention towards betterment of society, in one or the other way. There are numerous examples to prove this, in the time gap between Carnegie Melon and Bill Gates. However, they are targeted at multiplication of business. An average American fully understands the implications of these corporate philosophies, and their implied meanings. For example, when cyber attacks started assuming alarming proportions, Bill Gates ordered a change in their corporate philosophy. It implied change in the approach of all software development. Now, instead of adding new features to the software, the focus was to be laid on protection of the software, because, Bill Gates argued, â€Å"In the past, we’ve made our software and services more compelling for users by adding new features and functionality, and by making our platform richly extensible . . . but all those great features won’t matter unless customers trust our software,† wrote Gates. â€Å"So now, when we face a choice between adding features and resolving security issues, we need to choose security. † ( Trustworthy computing, para 2) â€Å"Some of Microsoft’s perennial critics claim the initiative is long overdue, and question whether or not Microsoft will follow through on its promises, as the company could be forced to bear a reduction in the number of new features in its programs and significant new product delays. Some go further in arguing that such a massive security initiative cannot be undertaken without subjecting the Windows operating system source code to public domain — something the company has fought hard to avoid†. Writes an observer, in his opinion. ( Trustworthy computing, Para 4) What is true of Microsoft , is perhaps true of other companies also. An average American is well aware of the status of the company, and its capacity to deliver the promised goods, and is also right in judging the ethical behavior of a company. Conclusively it can be said that despite the tall claims made by the corporate philosophies, the average American of the ins and outs of that firm. References: 1) Trustworthy computing, Security and privacy deemed Microsoft’s top priorities, retrieved on 5 May 2009 from :

Summary of World Future Society

The article entitled â€Å"World Future Society† talks on how the world economic system has made different countries interconnected with each other through the growth of the information and technology system.Nowadays, the current trend of immense development within the field of information technology has outgrown all of the technological innovations from the past decades altogether. And as such, businesses across countries rely heavily on such developments in this field.However, despite these improvements and developments in the realm of information technology, this same field is also deemed as the probable reason of economic breakdown in the future.The saturation in terms of market and development, the inevitable breakdown and its characteristic vulnerability to error may be experienced in the future in this field and will greatly affect how the system will work and how certain business enterprises will respond.In addition, the development in this field will enormously put in to jeopardy the individual talents that each person holds.As such, though technological development may be one of the greatest achievements ever discovered by human beings, it still has downsides that the society must carefully watch out for.Although it has been proven that through the years, technological innovations allowed for great changes and development in the society, too much reliance on it may be dangerous to the people in general.ReferenceBrown, A. (2000). World Future Society. Gale, Cengage Learning. Retrieved September 22, 2008, from http://www2.bc.edu/~rappleb/informationoverload.htm

The Gospel According to Spiritism

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SPIRITISM Contains explanations of the moral maxims of Christ in accordance with Spiritism And their application in various circumstances in life By ALLAN KARDEC Author of THE SPIRITS’ BOOK Unshakable faith is only that which can meet reason face to face in every Human epoch ____________ This English translation is taken from the 3rd edition of the original French, as being the one containing all of Allan Kardec’s final revisions, published in 1866. INDEX NOTE: The numbers placed at the end of the various items in each chapter indicate the number(s) of the paragraph, for quick location.PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD TRANSLATOR’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE PREFACE INTRODUCTION 1. The objective of this work. – 2. The authority behind the Spiritist doctrine. The Universal control of the Spirit teachings. – 3. Historical facts. – 4. Socrates and Plato, the forerunners of the Christian idea and Spiritism. Cha pter 1. – I HAVE NOT COME TO DESTROY THE LAW The three revelations: Moses, Christ, Spiritism: 1 – 7. – The alliance of science and religion: 8. – Instructions from the Spirits: The new era: 9 – 11. Chapter 2. – MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORD 31 The future life: 1 – 3. – The regality of Jesus: 4. A point of view: 5 – 7. – Instructions from the Spirits: An earthly regality: 8. Chapter 3. – IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS 37 The different states of the soul in its spiritual wanderings: 1 – 2. – The different categories of inhabited worlds: 3 – 5. – Earth’s destiny. The cause of earthly miseries: 6 – 7. – Instructions from the Spirits: Superior and inferior worlds: 8 – 12. – Words of tests and atonements: 13 – 15. – Regeneration worlds: 16 – 18. – The progression of the worlds: 19. Chapter 4. – EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN HE CANNOT SEE THE45 KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Resurrection and reincarnation: 1 – 17. Reincarnation strengthens family ties, whereas a single life would destroy them: 18 – 23. – Instructions from the Spirits: Limits of incarnations: 24. – The need for incarnation: 25 – 26. Chapter 5. – BLESSED ARE THE AFFLICTED 55 The justice of afflictions: 1 – 3. – Causes of present-day afflictions: 4 – 5. Past causes of afflictions: 6 – 10. – Forgetfulness of the past: 11. – Motives for resignation: 12 – 13. – Suicide and madness: 14 – 17. – Instructions from the Spirits: To suffer well or badly: 18. – Evil and its remedy: 19. – Happiness is not of this world: 20. – Losing loved ones. Premature deaths: 21. If he had been a good man he would have died: 22. – Voluntary torments: 23. – True misfortune: 24. – Melancholy: 25. – Vo luntary trials. The true hair shirt: 26. – Should we end our neighbor’s probation? 27. – Would it be licit to hasten the death of someone incurably sick who is suffering? : 28. – Sacrificing one’s own life: 29 – 30. – Making one’s own suffering useful to others: 31. Chapter 6. – CHRIST THE CONSOLER 77 The gentle yoke: 1 – 2. – The promised consoler: 3 – 4. – Instructions from the Spirits: The advent of the Spirit of Truth: 5 – 8. Chapter 7. – BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT 81What should be understood by the words ‘poor in spirit’? : 1 – 2. – He who exalts himself shall be debased: 3 – 6. – Mysteries that are hidden from the learned and prudent: 7 – 10. – Instructions from the Spirits: Pride and humility: 11 – 12. – Mission of the intelligent person on Earth: 13. Chapter 8. – BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART 91 Simplicity and pureness of heart: 1 – 4. – Sinning by means of thought. Adultery: 5 – 7. – True pureness. Unwashed hands: 8 – 10. – Offences. If your hand is the cause of an offence, cut it off: 11 – 17. – Instructions from the Spirits: Let little children come unto me: 18 – 19. Blessed are those whose eyes are closed: 20 – 21. Chapter 9. – BLESSED ARE THE MEEK AND THE PEACEMAKERS 99 Insults and violence: 1 – 5. – Instructions from the Spirits: Affability and mildness: 6. – Patience: 7. – Obedience and resignation: 8. – Anger: 9 – 10. Chapter 10. – BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL 105 Forgive others so that God may forgive you: 1 – 4. – Reconciliation with your adversaries: 5 – 6. – The sacrifice most agreeable to God: 7 – 8. – The mote and the beam in the eye: 9 – 10. – Do not judge others if you do not wish to be judged in return. He that is without sin, let him be the first to cast a stone: 11 – 13. Instructions from the Spirits: The pardoning of offences: 14 – 15. -Indulgence: 16 – 18. – Is it permitted to reprehend, observe imperfections or to comment on the evil in others? : 19 – 21. Chapter 11. – LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF 115 The greatest commandment. Do unto others as we would have them do unto as. The parable of the creditors and the debtors: 1 – 4. – Give unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar: 5 – 7. -Instructions from the Spirits: The law of love: 8 – 10. – Selfishness: 11 – 12. – Faith and Charity: 13. – Charity towards criminals: 14. – Should we risk our life for a criminal? : 15. Chapter 12. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES 125 Return goodness for evil: 1 – 4. – Discarnate enemies: 5 – 6. – Whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also: 7 – 8. – Instructions from the Spirits: Vengeance: 9. – Hate: 10. – Dueling: 11 – 16. Chapter 13. – DO NOT LET YOUR LEFT HAND KNOW WHAT YOUR 135 RIGHT HAND IS DOING Do good without ostentation: 1 – 3. – Hidden misfortunes: 4. – The widow’s mite: 5 – 6. – To invite the poor and the lame. To give without thought of recompense: 7 – 8. – Instructions from the Spirits: Material and moral charity: 9 – 10. – Beneficence recompensed by ingratitude: 19. Exclusivist beneficence: 20. Chapter 14. – HONOUR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER 151 Filial devotion: 1 – 4. – Who is my mother and who are my brothers? : 5 – 7. – Corporeal relationship and spiritual relationship: 8. – Instructions from the Spirits: Children’s ingratitude and family ties: 9. Chapter 15. – WITHOUT CHARITY THERE IS NO SALVATION 159 What the spirit needs in order to be saved. The parable of the good Samaritan: 1 – 3. – The greatest of the commandments: 4 – 5. – The need for charity, according to Saint Paul: 6 – 7. – Without the Church there is no salvation. Without truth there is no salvation: 8 – 9. Instructions from the Spirits: Without charity there is no salvation: 10. Chapter 16. – IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SERVE BOTH GOD AND 165 MAMMON The salvation of the rich: 1 – 2. – Preserve yourself from avarice: 3. – Jesus in the house of Zacchaeus: 4. – The parable of the bad rich man: 5. – The parable of the talents: 6. – The providential utility of riches. Trials of riches and misery: 7. – The inequality of riches: 8. – Instructions from the Spirits: True property: 9 – 10. – The application of riches: 11 – 13. Detachment from earthly possessions: 14. – Transference of riches: 15. Chapter 17. â €“ BE PERFECT 179Characteristics of perfection: 1 – 2. – The good person: 3. – The good Spiritist: 4. – The parable of the sower: 5 – 6. – Instructions from the Spirits: Duty: 7. – Virtue 8. – Those who are superior and those who are inferior: 9. – The worldly person: 10. – Look after both body and Spirit: 11. Chapter 18. – MANY CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN 191 The parable of the wedding feast: 1 – 2. – The narrow door: 3 – 5. – Not all those who say: Lord! Lord! will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven: 6 – 9. – Much will be asked if he who receives much: 10 – 12. – Instructions from the Spirits: To those who have will be given more: 13 – 15. A Christian is recognized by his works: 16. Chapter 19. – FAITH TRANSPORTS MOUNTAINS 201 The power of faith: 1 – 5. – Religious faith. The state of unshakable faith: 6 – 7. The p arable of the dry fig-tree: 8 – 10. – Instructions from the Spirits: Faith, the mother of hope and charity: 11. – Human and Divine faith: 12. Chapter 20. – WORKERS OF THE LAST HOUR 207 Instructions from the Spirits: The last shall be the first: 1 – 3. – Mission of the Spiritists: 4. – The workers of the Lord: 5. Chapter 21. – THERE WILL BE FALSE CHRISTS AND FALSE PROPHETS 211 A tree is known by its fruits: 1 – 3. – The mission of the prophets: 4. The prodigies of the false prophets: 5. – Do not believe all the Spirits: 6 – 7. – Instructions from the Spirits: The false prophets: 8. – The character of the true prophet: 9. – The false prophets from the spiritual world: 10. Jeremiah and the false prophets: 11. Chapter 22. – WHOM GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER LET NO MAN PUT 221 APART The indissolubility of marriage: 1 – 4. – Divorce: 5. Chapter 23. – STRANGE MORA L 225 Hate the parents: 1 – 3. – Abandon father, mother and children: 4 – 6. – Leave to the dead the care of burying their dead: 7 – 8. – I have not come to bring peace, but dissension: 9 – 18. Chapter 24. DO NOT HIDE THE LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL 233 The light under a bushel. Why Jesus spoke in parables: 1 – 7. – Do not keep company with the Gentiles: 8 – 10. – The healthy do not need a doctor: 11 – 12. – The courage of faith: 13 – 16. – Carry your cross. He who will save his life, shall lose it: 17 – 19. Chapter 25. – SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND 241 If you help yourself then heaven will come to your aid: 1 – 5. – Behold the fowls of the air: 6 – 8. – Provide not gold in your purse: 9 – 11. Chapter 26. – GIVE FOR FREE WHAT HAS BEEN RECEIVED 247 GRATUITOUSLY The gift of healing: 1 – 2. – Paid prayers: 3 – 4. The m oneychangers expelled from the Temple: 5 – 6. – Gratuitous mediumship: 7 – 10. Chapter 27. – ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN 251 The quality of prayers: 1 – 4. – The efficacy of prayer: 5 – 8. – The action of prayer. Transmission of thought: 9 – 15. – Intelligible prayers: 16 – 17. – Prayers for de dead and for suffering Spirits: 18 – 21. – Instructions from the Spirits: The way in which to pray: 22. – Happiness proportioned by prayer: 23. Chapter 28. – A COLLECTION OF SPIRITIST PRAYERS 261 Preamble 261 1. GENERAL PRAYERS 262 The Lord’s Prayer: 2 – 3. – Spiritist Meetings: 4 – 7. – For the Mediums: 8 – 10. 2.PRAYERS FOR THE ONE WHO PRAYS 270 To Guardian Angels and Protecting Spirits: 11 – 14. – To turn away the bad Spirits: 15 – 17. – In order to ask that some defect within ourselves may be corrected: 18 †“ 19. – To ask for strength to resist temptation: 20 – 21. – Thanksgiving for victory over a temptation: 22 – 23. – To ask for advice: 24 – 25. – Afflictions of life: 26 – 27. – Thanksgiving for the obtaining of a favor: 28 – 29. – An act of submission and resignation: 30 – 33. – When in imminent danger: 34 – 35. – Thanksgiving for having escaped a danger: 36 – 37. – At bedtime: 38 – 39. – On sensing approaching death: 40 – 41. 3.PRAYERS FOR OTHERS 280 For someone who is afflicted: 42 – 43. – An act of thanksgiving for a benefit received by someone else: 44 – 45. – For our enemies and those who wish us ill: 46 – 47. – Thanksgiving for blessings received by our enemies: 48 – 49. – For the enemies of Spiritism: 50 – 52. – Prayer for a child that has just been born: 53 – 56. – For one who agonizes: 57 – 58. 4. PRAYERS FOR THOSE NO LONGER ON EARTH 286 For someone who has just died: 59 – 61. – Those for whom we have affection: 62 – 63. – For suffering Spirits who ask for prayers: 64 – 66. – For an enemy who has died: 67 – 68. – For a criminal: 69 – 70. For a suicide: 71 – 72. – For repentant Spirits: 73 – 74. – For hardened Spirits: 75 – 76. 5. PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND OBSESSED 294 For those who are sick: 77 – 80. – For those who are obsessed: 81 – 84. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SPIRIT COMMUNICATORS 301 PUBLISHER'S FOREWORD Ask any Spiritualist in the United Kingdom how many branches of Spiritualism there are, most will reply two: National Spiritualists and Christian Spiritualists. Yet in Brazil there is a group of Spiritualists or, as they call themselves, Spiritists who follow the teachings of Allan Kardec who far outnu mber all the Spiritualists in the U.K. Kardec wrote a number of books on the subject of Spiritism. It has been our policy to publish all aspects of Spiritualism leaving the reader to make up his or her own mind as to which path to follow. When Janet Duncan of the ALLAN KARDEC STUDY GROUP asked us if we would be interested in publishing a new translation of The Gospel According to Spiritism, we decided yes. This volume is the result. We hope The Gospel According to Spiritism will be the first in a series of all the Kardec works.The Gospel According to Spiritism is the Spiritists view and explanation of the New Testament as brought to us by the Spirits and codified by Allan Kardec. TRANSLATOR'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am most grateful to all members of the ALLAN KARDEC STUDY GROUP and to all those who have helped in any way whatsoever, be it through prayer, advice, motivation or help with typing and most especially I wish to offer my heartfelt thanks to Martin Edmonds for hours of painstak ing corrections, to Chloris Morgan our Publisher's Reader, and finally to Glaucius Oliva for undertaking the responsibility of the final verifications with the original French.Our most grateful thanks go to the Spiritist ‘brother' who generously donated the entire cost of publication. May he be eternally blessed and may his desired anonymity be respected. We, the incarnate workers, have done our best to make this translation as authentic as is humanly possible. Our very special thanks must however, go to all the many Spiritual Helpers who have taken an active part in this translation. Many are the times I have been conscious of their presence, offering incentive and sometimes even dictating passages.This work has brought me great joy and I can only hope that all who come to read it may likewise receive comfort and enlightenment, be strengthened and upheld along life's troubled pathways. J. A. Duncan TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE This is no ordinary book. This is not a book which is usu ally read from cover to cover, afterwards to be placed on a bookshelf and forgotten. This is a book for daily use, for moments of trouble, when we feel in need of orientation and guidance, a bedside book, a book to be constantly on hand, to take with us in our hand-luggage when we travel.In other words this is a book offering something very special to each person who may read and study it. A book which brings peace of mind and which comforts in times of bereavement. A book even for those who have only a faint knowledge or belief in God and Jesus. This is a book which can change lives by bringing tranquility out of chaos, certainty out of disbelief, compensation for both material and spiritual losses. But most importantly it brings us answers to many questions that we may have been asking, those famous questions such as ‘Who and what am I? ‘ ‘Where did I come from? ‘What am I doing here? ‘ ‘Where am I going? ‘ It brings us rational and logica l explanations of such matters as reincarnation, inequality of wealth in the world, the reasons why we sometimes hate certain people on sight, and the many disharmonies that exist between husband and wife, brother and sister, parents and children, and many more. Probably this book will play its greatest part in helping humanity towards a better understanding of LIFE and lead Man towards spiritual enlightenment through its usefulness when used as readings in Churches and Study Groups.It can also be of great help at times of stress, grief or when we are at a loss to know what to do, to open the book casually, after a moment’s thought and read at the point where our eye first falls upon the page. Finally, but certainly not the least of its uses is that it brings the ‘key' to the Bible parables in everyday language together with the deep meanings behind the teachings of Jesus. This is the third book of the Doctrine as codified by ALLAN KARDEC whose real name was HIPPOLYTE L EON DENIZARD RIVAIL and we offered here a brief biography of this remarkable and dedicated man.He was born in Lyon, France on 3rd October, 1804 into a family who for many generations had been either lawyers or magistrates. He was an intelligent child and was taught high principles of honor and morals by his parents. At an early age he showed strong inclinations towards the sciences and philosophy. When he was ten years of age he was sent to the Institute of Pestalozzi at Yverdun in Switzerland, where he soon acquired the habit of investigation and learnt the art of free thinking.At the age of fourteen he began to give free lessons to school fellows who were less advanced and on occasion was asked to teach officially by Pestalozzi himself in his absence, due to his natural ability in this field. He became a fervent disciple of Pestalozzi and was much loved by the great man. In 1822 at the age of eighteen, Hippolyte returned to France. A year later he took up residence in Paris and in 1824 published his first book entitled: ‘A Theoretical ; Practical Arithmetic Course. ‘ This was so successful that it continued to be reprinted till as late as 1876.He had an instinct for methodology and this was only the beginning, for he was to publish many other books on varying subjects including ‘A Classical Grammar of the French Language' (1829). Some of these were adopted by the French University and the sale of these books rendered him a sufficient income to live on while he continued to give free lessons to school children. He taught chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, physics, rhetoric, comparative anatomy and physiology. He spoke fluent Italian and Spanish, had a profound knowledge of German, English and Dutch and some knowledge of Latin, Greek and Gallic.He also translated a number of books, choosing those which he liked best. These included several by Fenelon which he translated into German. He opened his first school in 1825. It bore the name ‘ First Grade School' (Ecole de premier degre), for superior teaching and the following year he opened ‘The Rivail Technical Institute' whose teaching was based on that of Pestalozzi. He married Amelie Gabrielle Boudet on 6th February 1832. She was nine years his senior, a writer, teacher of fine arts, poetess and artist. She was a perfect companion and helper, being dedicated and uncomplaining.She played an important part in all her husband's activities and sustained him through many financial difficulties encountered during his life, and greatly assisted him in his teaching. This extraordinary man could have become renounced and wealthy through his various talents, but this was not to be. He was a man with a mission! Between 1848 and 1850 an explosion of spirit phenomena occurred in America and even more strongly in Europe. In the last book of the codification ‘Posthumous Works' published by Amelie, Kardec had written: â€Å"It was in 1854 that I heard about ‘Tabl e-turning' for the first time. His friend Mr. Fortier brought him the initial news of these extraordinary happenings: â€Å"The tables also talk! † Kardec's reply to this was: â€Å"I will only believe when I see it and when it can be proved to me that a table has a brain which can think, nerves to feel with and can also become somnambulic. Until then, allow me to see nothing more than fantasy in these stories! † He had always been a disbeliever of such things as ghosts. After various encounters with Mr. Fortier, in 1855 he was finally persuaded to attend a seance and his curiosity was aroused.He then became a frequent visitor at the seances held in the house of a certain Mr. Baudin. It was in fact here that he began his studies and research. He was never to become a medium, but was highly intuitive. On 30th April 1856 a medium in his group received the first indications from Spirit of his mission. His wife always accompanied him to all the meetings and eventually beca me his secretary, upholding him in every aspect of his work. He adopted the ‘nom de plume' of ALLAN KARDEC at the suggestion of Spirit, so that the works of the codification should not be confused with his own works.The first book of the codification (The Spirits' Book), was published in 1857. This same year he also began meetings in his own home. A year later he founded ‘The Parisiene Society for Spiritist Studies'. The few remaining years of his life were dedicated to his work, the completion of the Codification, and to lecturing on Spiritism and its philosophy. He also made exhaustive journeys in order to take the word to as many places as possible, all of which he completed at his own expense. In 1867 he met Leon Denis, who became his disciple, and who later published a series of classic works on Spiritism.On March 31st, 1869, having just finished drawing up the constitution and rules of a new society that he planned to form, while seated in his usual chair at his st udy-table in the Rue Sainte Anne, in the act of tying up a bundle of papers, his busy life was suddenly brought to an end. The passing from Earth into the Spiritual World was instantaneous, a peaceful falling asleep a fitting end to a life well lived. But although the physical man is no longer with us he lives on in Spirit, continuing his work by inspiring, stimulating and encouraging us to continue our search for knowledge.In his introduction to THE SPIRITS' BOOK, Allan Kardec expresses his opinion that new ideas need new terms and so he formulated the words SPIRITIST and SPIRITISM to give a clear and precise meaning to this doctrine. In his day the word Spiritualist meant the opposite to Materialist, but it did not follow that a Spiritualist believed in the existence of spirits or the possibility of communication with the invisible world. He employed the word Spiritism to stipulate the fundamental principle of the Spiritist theory which is the relation of the material world with s pirits or the beings of the invisible world.A Spiritist is one who adheres to this doctrine. We continue to use these terms today as the ideas they represent become more fully understood. Amongst those ideas is the study of the interrelationship between the two worlds, visible and invisible; the scientific, philosophical and religious aspects of existence; the ever pressing need for man to instruct himself, to cast aside all mystery and superstition; to accept responsibility for the life he leads today and the life he is making for himself in the future by his present actions, or lack of them, as the case may be.As life gathers momentum, as the world goes from crisis to crisis at this time, we are more and more conscious of the reality of the truths contained in Kardec's books. As the world prepares for a New Epoch, which is already dawning, we realize the need for all humanity to grow towards this knowledge, to seek enlightenment so as to be prepared. When this time will finally be upon the world then mankind will be able to appreciate the greatness of this man's vision into the future. However, we must not forget one important fact, that in order to meet the future we must make preparations in our TODAY!Each moment that passes cannot be recovered, therefore we must make use of every instant to grow SPIRITUALLY! To open up our horizons, to broaden our minds, to seek and cultivate our SPIRITUALITY! We are Spiritual Beings, we are all immortal creatures! If we are to one day find happiness and peace then we must consider our whole being! While we go on thinking of ourselves as material people, we are only looking at half of ourselves and here lies the secret of so many mistakes, so many unhappiness and so many failures. But in order to recognize these truths we must also be prepared to accept the responsibilities that go wish them.For every person this wider and deeper knowledge of LIFE carries with it the need for self analysis, self-correction and self- impro vement. Without these things we are all standing still, marking time, going nowhere! If this book helps even one person to take just one step forward then it will have done its work. God never demands the impossible of any one of us, nor gives us burdens for which we do not have the strength; so if we try to make a conscious effort to better ourselves then we have begun our journey into the future, towards the LIGHT, where one day victory, peace and joy will be ours.London, 1987 Janet Duncan PREFACE The Spirits of the Lord, who are the Virtues of Heaven, move as does an immense army upon receiving orders from their commander spreading out over the face of the Earth and, similar to the stars which fall one after another from the skies, are come to illumine pathways and open the eyes of those who cannot see. In truth I say unto you the times are come when all things will be established in their true light, when the darkness shall be dissipated, the prideful confounded and the just glo rified.The great voices of Heaven reverberate like the sound of trumpets and the choirs of angels assemble. Mankind, we are inviting you to this divine concert. Take up the harp and lift up your voices in unison so that, in a sacred chorus, the sound may extend and reecho from one extreme of the universe to the other. Fellow beings, beloved brothers and sisters, we are here beside you. Love one another and say from the bottom of your hearts: Lord! Lord! In so doing you fulfill the wishes of the Father who is in Heaven; then you too may enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH INTRODUCTION 1.THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS WORK The Gospel can be divided into five parts: the events in the life of Christ; the miracles; the prophecies; the words taken by the Church on which they based their dogmas; the moral teachings. The first four have been the object of controversies. But the last, however, has remained constantly inviolate. Before this divine code even incredulity bows down. Thi s is the common ground where all cults may be united, the flag under which all may gather, whatever their creeds may be, because it has never been a matter of religious dispute, which always and in all places has originated from dogmatism.Moreover, if it had been discussed, then all cults would have found their own condemnation within it, seeing that, in the majority, they have held on to the more mystical rather than the moral part, which demands an intimate reform from each one. Specially prepared for mankind, it constitutes a code of rules on how to behave in every circumstance of private and public life and offers the basic principles for all social relations, founded on rigid justice. It is, finally and above all, the infallible route to lasting happiness and the uplifting of a comer of the veil that hides the future life.This is what forms the exclusive objective of this work. Everyone admires the moral behind the Gospel; everyone proclaims its sublimeness and the need we have of it. However, of the many who proclaim their faith, believing what others have said or relying on maxims which have become proverbs, few know the basis and even fewer understand it or are able to deduce the consequences of it. In many cases the reason for this is in the difficulty of understanding the Gospel, which for many is quite unintelligible.The allegorical form used and the intentional mysticism of the language make it something we read because we feel we ought to, because our conscience tells us to or because we are obliged to, as one would read prayers, without understanding them and consequently without taking any benefit from them. In this way the moral precepts go unnoticed, scattered here and there between a mass of narrative. This makes it impossible to get the general idea of the whole or to take these ideas as specific subjects for reading and meditation. It is true that various works have already been written concerning the evangelic moral.But after being put int o modem prose they have lost their primitive simplicity, which at the same time constitutes their charm and authenticity. Many others also deal with the best known maxims reduced to the simplest form of proverb. These then are no more than aphorisms, deprived of part of their value and interest due to the lack of accompanying accessories and the circumstances of the enunciation. In order to avoid this undesirability’s, we have collected together in this work all the subjects, so to say, that go to form a universal moral code without distinction as to creed.In these citations we have kept all that is useful to the development of these ideas, putting aside only that which does not pertain directly to the matter. Apart from this we have kept scrupulously to the translations by Sacy (1) and to the division of the verses. But instead of following a chronological order, which would have been impossible and have made no sense, we have methodically grouped and classified the various maxims according to their respective natures so that they fallow on, one from the other, as much as possible.Indication of chapters and verses permit reference to the original texts whenever desired. These details refer only to the material side of our work, which its own would be of secondary importance. The main objective was to put these teachings within easy reach of everybody by means of clear explanations, especially those passages which have, until now, remained obscure and so unfold the full consequences of these teachings and the manner in which they may be applied Tu. all walks of life. This is what we have attempted to do together with the help of the Good Spirits who assist us.Many paints in the Gospel, the Bible and in the writings of the sacred authors are in general unintelligible, some even appearing nonsensical for lack of key which would help in understanding their true meaning. This key is to be found in its mast complete form within Spiritism, as those who have a lready made a serious study of it can verify, and as many more in the future will also come to recognize. Spiritism is to be found throughout ancient times and repeatedly during the different epochs of humanity. We find vestiges in many places in the form of writings, in beliefs and in monuments.This is the reason why at the same time it is opening new horizons for the future, it is also projecting a no less brilliant light upon the mysteries of the past. As a compliment to each precept we have added some well chosen instructions from amongst those dictated, in various countries and to different mediums, by the Spirits. If they had been taken from only one origin they would probably have suffered the influence either of the person or the ambient, whereas the diversification of origins proves that the Spirits give teachings without distinction and that no one person is specially rivileged. (2) This work is for the use of everyone. From it we may all discover the means by which we may apply Christ's morals to our daily lives and how best to go about it. This applies very be able to understand them and will see themselves incessantly compelled to put them into practice, according to the counseling of the Spiritual guides. These instructions coming from Spirit are really the voices from Heaven who have come to enlighten mankind and invite him to specially to Spiritists. ________________ 1) The version by Le Maistre de Sacy was always used by Kardec, but for the English translation the King James Version has been quoted. (Translator’s note. ) (2) It would have been possible, without doubt, to have presented many more communications from Spirit on each subject, all of which were received in cities and centers other than those cited. We wished, however, to avoid monotony and useless repetition and so have limited our choice to those which, from their base and form, apply more adequately within the plan of this work, reserving for future publication those we ha ve not been able to use here.With respect to the mediums, we have refrained from naming them. In most cases they themselves asked not to he mentioned and so we have made no exceptions. It is also a fact that the names of these mediums would not add more value to the work of the Spirits. The mentioning of them by name would only be an incentive to personal pride, to which serious mediums give no importance. They understand fully that their part in the work being merely passive, the value of the communication in no way exalts their personal merit.It would be foolish to allow oneself to become vain about an intelligent work to which one had only lent mechanical assistance. Thanks to the relationship between man and the invisible world, which has henceforth been established on a permanent basis, the law of the Gospel which the Spirits have taught to all nations, will no longer be a matter of dead words because each one will put the Gospel into practice. 2. THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE SPIRI TIST DOCTRINE The Universal Control of the Spirit TeachingsIf the Spiritist Doctrine were of a purely human conception it would offer no more guarantee than the enlightenment of those who actually conceived it. But no one on Earth could seriously contemplate the pretention of possessing the exclusive and absolute truth. If the Spirits who made these revelations had manifested to only one man we would have no guarantee of their origin since we would need to believe, on his word alone, what he said he had received as teachings from them. If we accepted perfect sincerity on his part, the most he could do would be to convince his circle of acquaintances.He would be able to form a sect, but never be able to form a world congregation. God wished the new revelations to reach mankind by the quickest and most authentic path, so He entrusted the Spirits to deliver them from pole to pole, manifesting everywhere without conferring the exclusive privilege of hearing these words to any one indivi dual. One person might be deceived, could even deceive them self, but this could not happen when millions of people see and hear the same thing. This constitutes a guarantee for each one and for all.For the rest, it is possible to make one man disappear, but it is not possible to make everyone disappear. It is possible to bum books, but you cannot bum Spirits, and even if all the books were burnt, the base of the doctrine would still be inexhaustible because it is not to be found on Earth and would reappear in every place so that all might partake of it. If there is a shortage of men to diffuse it, there will always be Spirits whose action reaches everyone and even those whom no person can reach.So then, it is the Spirits themselves who do the propagating with the help of innumerable mediums, disseminating all over the world. If there had been but one interpreter, however favored be might have been, Spiritism would barely be known. To whatever class is belonged, that interpreter wou ld have been the object of caution to many people and not every nation would have accepted him, whereas the Spirits communicate to the four corners of the Earth, to all peoples, to all sects, to all parties and everyone accepts team.Spiritism has no nationality and does not stem from any known cult that might exist; nor is it imposed by any social class seeing that any person may receive instructions from parents, relatives and friends from the beyond. This is haw it had to be accomplished if it was to lead all mankind towards brotherhood. If it did not maintain itself in neutral territory it would nurture dissensions instead of pacifying them. The force of Spiritism, as well as the cause of its rapid spread, resides in this universal teaching.Where the word of one solitary person, even with the help of the press, would take centuries to become known by all, millions of voices are making themselves beard simultaneously in every corner of this planet. All are proclaiming the same pri nciples and transmitting them on all levels, from the scholarly down to the most ignorant, in order that no one is disinherited. So far, this is an advantage that no other doctrine bas to offer. If Spiritism then be the truth, it is not afraid of being unwanted neither by man, nor of modern revolutions, or of the physical subversions of this globe, because nothing can touch the Spirits.This is not however the only advantage which comes from this exceptional situation. It also offers an unattackable guarantee against all misgivings which might arise, be it from someone’s ambition or be it through the contradictions of some Spirits. We cannot deny that these contradictions are obstacles, but they bring their own remedy with them alongside the ill. We know that Spirits, due to differences in their various individual capacities, do not possess all the truth and do not claim to. It is not given to all to be able to penetrate certain mysteries.The knowledge of each one is proportio nal to their evolution. Ordinary Spirits know nothing more than does Man himself, but amongst them, as amongst men and women, are those who are presumptuous and falsely wise, who think they know everything, boot who in fact are ignorant; these are the systematical ones who take their own ideas to be the truth. In short, it is only the highly evolved Spirits, those who are almost completely dematerialized, who find themselves free from earthly ideas and prejudices.It is also known that less scrupulous Spirits do not hesitate to deceive by taking names which do not belong to them in order to impose their utopian ideas. As a result of all this and in relation to all that is outside the exclusive field of moral education, the revelations that any one medium may receive will have an individual character, without any stamp of authenticity and should be considered as personal opinions, from this or that Spirit, and it would be imprudent to accept them or thoughtlessly propagate them as abs olute truths.The first corroborative test to be undertaken is without doubt that of reason, to which it is wise to submit, without exception, all that comes from Spirit. Any theory in evident contradiction to good sense, or against rigorous logic, or positive facts that have been previously acquired should be rejected, however apparently respectable be the name by which it is signed. This test will no doubt be left incomplete due to the lack of illumination of some people and the tendency of many to take their own opinions as judgments of truth.That being the case, what are those who deposit absolutely no faith in themselves to do? They should seek what seems to be the majority and take this as a guide. This then, is the manner in which you should proceed when judging what is said by the Spirits, who are the first to offer the means of so doing. Complete concordance of Spirit teaching is the best proof of authenticity. However, it is important that this be received only under determ ined conditions.The weakest type of concordance is obtained when the medium, of his own accord, interrogates many different Spirits about a doubtful point. It is evident that, if the medium is under an obsessing influence or dealing with a mystifying Spirit, then that Spirit may say the same thing under different names. Neither is it any adequate guarantee to conformity when communications are received by different mediums at the same centre because they may be under the same influences.Only one sure guarantee exists for spirit teachings: This is the concordance that exists between revelations which have been received spontaneously by a large number of mediums not known to each other and located in different places. It is understood that we are not referring to those communications which deal with secondary interests, but those referring to the basic principles of the doctrine. Experience has taught us that when a new principle is to be presented, it always happens spontaneously in different places at the same time and in the same way, if not in actual form at least in general content.On the other hand, if by any chance a Spirit formulates eccentric doctrine based exclusively on its own ideas and excluding the truth, you may be sure that this idea will remain confined and undoubtedly will collapse when confronted with instructions received from many other places, similar to many examples which are already known. It was this exclusiveness which destroyed all the biased doctrine which sprang up at the time of the initiation of Spiritism, when each one explained the phenomena according to their own beliefs, before the Laws that govern the relationship between the visible and invisible worlds became known.That is what we have based yourself on when formulating a principle for the doctrine. We do not insist on it being true just because it might be in accordance with our own ideas. Neither do we have the least desire to uphold our self as being the sole possessor o f the whole truth and we have never said to anyone: â€Å"Believe in this because it is I who tell you†. We consider that our own opinion is nothing more than personal, which might be true or false, as we are no more infallible than anyone else.It is not because we were taught a principle that we believe it to be true; it is due to the fact that it has received the sanction of concordance. The position in which we find our self is that of receiving communications from almost a thousand serious Spiritual Centers, scattered over highly diversified areas of this planet. This gives us the possibility of observing on which principles concordance is established. It is this concordance which has guided us till today, and it is the one which will go on guiding us in new fields still to be explored.We have noticed while studying these communications, coming from France and outside, that from the very special nature of the information a new path is being sought and that the moment bas arrived to take a step forward. These revelations, many times given through veiled words, have frequently passed unperceived by many who receive them. Others have thought themselves to be the sole receivers. Taken in isolation, we would have given them no importance and it is only the coincidence which proves their seriousness.Later, when these new teachings reach the public, there will be many who will remember having received the same orientation. This general movement which we are studying and observing, together with the assistance of our Spiritual Guides, is what helps us to judge whether it is the correct moment to do something or not. This universal verification constitutes the guarantee of the future unity of Spiritism and will annul all contradictory theories. It is here that in the future we shall find our criteria for the truth.The cause of the success of the doctrine as put forth in THE SPIRITS' BOOK and THE MEDIUMS' BOOK was due to the fact that everybody bad received c onfirmation, direct from Spirit, of what these books contain. Whereas if all the Spirits bad come to contradict them they would have received the same fate suffered by others who expounded imaginary concepts. Not even the support of the press would have saved them from shipwreck. But on the contrary, deprived as they were of this support, they nevertheless opened new paths and have made rapid advancement.This is because the Spirits offered their support and goodwill which not only compensated but surpassed the lack of goodwill and the part of Man. This is what will happen to all ideas, whether emanated from Man or Spirit, which prevail even in the face of this confrontation and this is the final test whose strength no one can deny. Suppose it pleased some Spirits to dictate a book, under whatever title you choose, offering contrary teachings; let us suppose their intention was hostile, with the object of discrediting the doctrine and maliciously provoking apocryphal communications.W hat influence could these writings exercise if they were refuted by all other Spirits? Anyone wishing to launch a doctrine in their own name should first seek assurance in combined concordance from the Spirits. There is no comparison between a system devised by only one person to that of another devised by everyone. What can the arguments of slanderers, wishing only to belittle, achieve against the opinion of the masses, if millions of friendly voices from space make themselves heard in opposition in every comer of the Universe, as well as in family homes?What happens to the innumerable publications which have the pretention of destroying Spiritism? Which of them has as much as caused a hesitation in its march? Till now no one has considered the matter from this point of view without forgetting the most important fact: each one has been depending on themselves, without counting on the Spirits. The principle of concordance is also a guarantee against any alterations to which Spiritis m might be subjected by other sects wishing to take possession of it for their own ends, and so change it to suit their own ideas.Whosoever tries to deviate Spiritism from its providential objective will never succeed, for the simple reason that the Spirits, as a universal body, will cause any ideas contrary to the truth to fall. From all this stands out the main truth which is that he who wishes to oppose the established and sanctioned ideas could, to be sure, cause a localized perturbation lasting but a short while, but could never dominate the whole, not even for a moment and certainly not over a period of time.We should also like to point out that instructions given by Spirits on points not yet elucidated by the doctrine should not be considered as law, until these instructions have been duly isolated and proven. Neither should they be accepted except with all doe reserve and under the heading of ‘awaiting confirmation'. From this we understand the need for greater prudenc e before making any such communication public. But if they are deemed fit to be publicized they should be presented as mere individual opinions, possibly true, but awaiting confirmation.It will be necessary to wait for this confirmation before proclaiming it as a complete truth, unless you wish to be accused of levity or of irreflected cruelty. The Superior Spirits proceed with extreme wisdom in their revelations. They never touch on the most important questions, except gradually, until our intelligence shows itself to accept a more advanced truth and when circumstances show themselves to be favorable to a new idea. This is why they did not reveal everything from the outset, and still have not told everything.They never give themselves to impatience, like those who want to eat the fruit before it is ripe. It is useless to try to hurry things forward beyond the time designated by Providence for its revealing, and if you do try, the serious Spirits will always deny their assistance. T hose Spirits who are frivolous are not the least preoccupied with the truth and consequently will give answers to anything and everything. So it is in this manner that whenever a question is premature, contradictory answers will always be found.The principles mentioned above have not been formed as the result of a personal theory; they are consequences which have been forced upon us from the varying conditions within which Spirit communication is manifest. It is quite evident that if one Spirit says one thing and thousands of other Spirits say something different, we presume the truth does not lie with the solitary communicant. For someone to imagine they possess the troth against all the rest would be quite illogical, be it man or Spirit.The really ponderous Spirits, if they do feel completely or sufficiently clarified about any subject never give a definite answer, but declare that they are merely giving their own point of view and suggest that we await the necessary confirmation. However large, beautiful or just an idea appears, it is impossible to unite opinions right from the first moment. The conflicts which arise in this case are the inevitable consequences which such a movement would cause, and they are necessary so that the truth may be emphasized and the sooner this happen the better, so that any false ideas may be discarded.Any Spiritists who feels worried by this situation may be tranquil, as all these isolated claims will fall before the enormous and discerning force of universal concordance. It is not the opinion of any man which will produce unity, but the unanimous voices of the Spirits; it will not be any man, least of all myself, who will destroy the Spiritist orthodoxy, neither will it be a Spirit wishing to impose whatever it may be. This unity will be accomplished by the universal gathering of Spirits who communicate throughout the world, by order of God.This is the essential character of the Spiritist Doctrine; this is its force and its a uthority. God desired that His Law be set upon an immovable base and so did not trust the se fundamentals to only one fragile being. Before such a powerful tribunal, where neither conspiracy, rivalries, sects or nations are known, all opposition, ambition and those who seek individual supremacy will fall. We ourselves will fall if we try to substitute our own ideas for those of God. He alone will decide all lawful questions, impose silence a disagreement and give reason to those who have it.Before this imposing accord, from the voices of Heaven, what value has an opinion of a mere man or that of one Spirit? It makes no more impression than a drop of water in the ocean and even less than a child’s voice in a tempest. Universal opinion, like that of a supreme judge, is the one which is pronounced last, being formed from all the individual opinions. If one of these contains the truth it merely shows its own relative weight in the balance and if it is false it cannot prevail agai nst the rest.In this immense concourse all individuality disappears and this constitutes yet another disappointment for man's pride. This harmonious assemblage is already being formed and before the turn of this century we shall see its full brightness shining forth in such a manner as to dissipate all doubt. The field is prepared and from now a patent voices will receive the mission of making themselves heard in order to congregate Man under one banner. But until this actually happens, all those who fluctuate between two opposing points of view can observe in which way general opinion forms.This will be the correct indication as to the declaration of the majority of the Spirits and the varying subjects about which they offer orientation, and are an even more accurate sign as to which of the two systems will prevail. 3. HISTORIC FACTS In order to better understand the Gospel, it is necessary to know the true meaning of many of the words used which bear relation to the customs and th e Jewish society of the time. Some of these words no longer have the same meaning and have frequently been misinterpreted, which in tom has led to uncertainty.When the full meanings are explained, it shows the real sense behind certain maxims which, at first sight, appear rather strange. SAMARITANS – After the division of the ten tribes, Samaria became the capital of the dissident kingdom of Israel. Destroyed and rebuilt various times, under Roman rule it became the administrative head of Samaria, one of the four divisions of Palestine. Herod the Great beautified Samaria with sumptuous monuments and to gratify Augusto, gave it the name of Augusta, in Greek Sebaste. The Samaritans were almost constantly at war with the kings of Judah.Profound aversion, dating from the time of the separation, perpetuated between the two tribes causing them to avoid any kind of reciprocal relations. In order to widen the schism, and to avoid going to Jerusalem for religious festivities, they bui lt themselves a private temple and adopted some reforms. They only admitted the Pentateuch, which contained the laws of Moses, rejecting all other books to which these were annexed, and their sacred books were all written in ancient Hebrew characters. According to orthodox Jews, they were heretics and consequently despised, excommunicated and persecuted.The antagonism between the two nations was founded exclusively upon their religious divergences, despite the fact that the origin of their belief was the same. They were the Protestants of their time. Some Samaritans are still to be found in certain regions of the Lavent, especially near Nablus and in Jaffa. They observe the laws of Moses more strictly than other Jews and only marry amongst themselves. NAZARITES – The name given in olden times to Jews who took the vow, either temporary or perpetual, to remain in perfect purity. They promised to observe chastity, abstain from alcoholic drinks and not to cut their hair.Samson, S amuel and John the Baptist were Nazarites. Later on, the Jews gave this name to the first Christians, alluding to Jesus from Nazareth. This was also the name given to a heretical sect from the first phase of the Christian epoch and who, like the Ebonites, from whom they adopted certain principles, mixed the practice of the Mosaic Law with those of Christian dogmas. This sect disappeared during the fourth century AD. PUBLICANS – In ancient Rome this was the name given to those who rented out the collection of public taxes and all kinds of incomes, either in Rome itself or in other parts of the Empire.They were like the general collectors and auctioneers of taxes in the ancient system in France, which still exists in some regions. The risks they ran made most people close their eyes when it came to their frequently amounted riches which for some were the fruits of levies and scandalous gains. Later on the name ‘Publican' was extended to all those who superintended public monies and their underling agents. Today, the term is employed in a disparaging way, to denote financiers and agents with very few scruples.It is said: â€Å"As greedy as a Publican† or â€Å"as rich as a Publican†, referring to their ill-gotten gains. During Roman role the question of taxes was what the Jews found most difficult to accept, causing great irritation amongst themselves. Many revolts resulted from this problem, so turning it into a religious question, as it was considered to be against the Law. Indeed, a powerful party was formed at whose front put a certain citizen was named Judah the Gaulite, whose objective was to abolish all taxes. The Jews consequently abominated these taxes and all those entrusted with collecting them.Thence sprang up the aversion shown to Publicans of all categories, amongst whom could be found many people of esteem, but who due to their functions, were despised together with whomsoever kept company with them. Prominent Jews consid ered it a compromise to have any personal relationship with these people. TAX COLLECTORS – These were the lower class of collectors, entrusted principally with the collection of tools entering cities. Their function corresponded more or less with those of the customs officials and the granting of passes.They shared the rejection suffered by Publicans in general. This is the reason why, in the Bible, we frequently meet the ward Publican alongside the expression – sinful people. This did not imply debauchery or vagrancy but was a term of scorn, synonym for people who kept bad company persons unworthy to mix with decent people. PHARISEES (From the Hebrew, meaning division or separation. ) – Tradition is an important part of Jewish theology. It consists of a compilation of the successive interpretations given to the Scriptures which became articles for dogmas.Amongst scholars this was the subject for interminable discussions, most of which were over simple questions as to the meaning of words and their form, just like theological disputes and subtleties of scholastics in the middle Ages. From all this resulted different sects, each one wishing to have the monopoly of the Truth and consequently detesting one another, as so often happens. Among these sects the most influential were the Pharisees, whose chief, Hillel, a Jewish doctor born in Babylonia some 180 or 200 years BC, was the founder of a famous school where it was taught that faith should be put only in the scriptures.The Pharisees were persecuted at different times, especially under Hyrcania (who was sovereign pontiff and king of the Jews), Aristoblus and Alexander, who was a king of Syria. However, Alexander granted them honors and restored their properties which made it possible for them to reacquire their old powerful status. This was conserved until the ruin of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD, at which time the name disappeared in consequence of the scattering of the Jews. The Pharisee s took an active part in religious controversy.They were faithful practitioners of exterior cults and ceremonies, full of ardent zeal, proselytism, and enemies of innovations, maintaining great severity of principles. But behind the cover of punctilious devotion lay dissolute habits, a great deal of pride and above all an excessive desire to dominate. Religion was actually a means to an end, rather than an object of sincere faith. It possessed nothing of virtue beyond outward appearances and ostentation. Nevertheless, they exercised a great influence over the people, in whose eyes they were sacred. This is how they became powerful in Jerusalem.They believed, or made out they believed, in Divine Providence, the immortality of the soul, eternal punishment and the resurrection of the dead (See chapter 4, item 4). But Jesus, esteeming simplicity and the qualities of the heart above all else, whose preference within the law was for the spirit which vitalizes to the word which kills, appl ied Himself throughout His mission to the unmasking of their hypocrisy, and because of this was considered by them to be their enemy. This then is the reason why the Pharisees, together with the High Priests, incited the people to eliminate Him .THE SCRIBES – This name was given in the main to the secretaries of the kings in Judea and to certain people who understood matters relating to the Jewish army. Later it was applied to those scholars who taught the Law of Moses and interpret it to the People. They joined in common cause with the Pharisees, sharing their principles as well as their aversion to all innovations. This is why Jesus included them when He launched criticism against the Pharisees. SYNAGOGUE(From the Greek SUNAGOGUE meaning assembly, congregation. ). There was only one temple in Judah, that of Solomon in Jerusalem, where all the great ceremonies of worship were held.Every year all the Jews would go there in pilgrimage for the principal festivals, such as the P assover, the Dedication and the Feast of the Tabernacle. It was on the occasion of these feasts that Jesus would also be present. The other cities did not have temples, only synagogues, buildings where the Jewish people would collect for their Saturday meetings and public prayers, under the leadership of their Eiders, the scribes, or scholars versed in the Law. It was due to this fact that Jesus, although He was not a priest, was able to teach at the synagogues on Saturdays.Ever since the ruin of Jerusalem and the dispersal of the Jews, the synagogues, in the cities where they went to live, became temples for the celebration of their cults. SADDUCEES – Another Jewish sect founded about 24 BC whose name came from Sadoc, us founder. They did not believe in immortality or resurrection, nor in good and bad angels. However, they did believe in God. But as they expected nothing after death, they served Him having in mind only temporary recompenses which, according to them, were lim ited by Divine Providence.With these thoughts in mind, their main objective in life was the satisfaction of all physical senses. As to the scriptures, they followed the texts of the old laws. They would not accept traditions or any form of interpretation. They put good works and the pure and simple observance of this law before all outward practices of worship. They were, as you see, the materialists, deists and sensualists of their time. The sect had few followers, but amongst them were some important personages and it became a political party constantly in opposition to the Pharisees.ESSENES – They were a Jewish sect founded about the year 150 BC in the time of the Maccabeans, whose members, living in types of monasteries, formed amongst themselves a kind of moral and religious association. They distinguished themselves by their pacific ways and austere virtues, taught the love of God and neighbor, the immortality of the soul, and believed in resurrection. They were celibat e, condemned war and slavery, held all their worldly goods in common, and devoted themselves to agriculture.Contrary to the Sadducees, who were very sensual and denied immortality, and the Pharisees of rigid external practices and only apparent virtues, the Essences never took part in the disputes which caused antagonism between the other two sects. In their way of life they were similar to the first Christians, and the moral principles they professed caused many people to suppose that Jesus had belonged to their community before He began His mission. It is certain that He knew them, but there is nothing to prove that He was related to them, so all that has been written to this effect is simply hypothetical. 1) THERAPEUTS (From the Greek THERAPEUTAY, formed from THERAPEUEYN to serve, meaning: servants of God or Healers. ) – These were Jewish sectarians and contemporaries of Christ, being mostly established in Alexandria in Egypt. Like the Essences, whose principles they adopt ed, they also practiced all the virtues. They were extremely frugal in their eating habits, were celibate, dedicated to meditation, lived solitary lives and constituted a truly religious order. Felon, a platonic Jewish philosopher from Alexandria, was the first to speak of the Therapeuts, whom he considered as a Jewish sect.Eusebius, Saint Jerome and other originators of the Church believed them to be Christians. Whether they were, or whether they were Jewish, the fact remains that, like the Essences’, they represent a link in the union betwe