Existentialism Essays (1221 words) - Philosophy Of Life, Modernism

Existentialism Existentialism refers to the philosophical movement or tendency of the nineteenth and twentyth centuries. Because of the diversity of positions associated with existentialism, a precise definition is impossible; however, it suggests one major theme: a stress on individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individual freedom, and choice {3}. Existentialism also refers to a family of philosophies devoted to an interpretation of human existence in the world that stresses its concreteness and its problematic character. Existentialism is often seen as an irrationlist revolt against tradiational phylosphy. Although this may be true to a certain point, existentialism has played a key role in the way people look at the world. Existentialism, for several reasons, rejects epistemology and the attempt to ground human knowledge. First of all,existenalist believe, human beings are not solely or even primarily knowers. They also care, desire, manipulate, and, above all, choose and act. Secondly, the self or ego, required by some if not all epistemological doctrines, is not a basic feature of the prereflective experience. It emerges from one's experience of other people. The cognizing ego presupposes rather than infers or constitutes the existence of external objects. In other words, you are not born with an ego, or thought of ones self, but it is created through experiences with other people. Finally, man is not a detached observer of the world, but in the world. He exists in a special sense in which objects suck as stones and trees do not; he is open to the world and to objects in it. There is no distinct realm of consciousness, on the basis of which a person might infer, reason why project, or doubt the existence of external objects {1}. Most philosophers since ancient Greek thinker Plato have held that the highest ethical good is universal. Nineteenth-century Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard {4, 333} reacted against this tradition, insisting that the individual's highest good is to find his or her own unique vocation. In terms of moral choice, existentialists have argued that there is no objective, rational basis for decisions; they stress the importance of individualism in deciding questions of morality and truth. Most existentialists have held that rational clarity is desirable wherever possible but that life's most important questions are not accessible to reason or science. The first to anticipate existentialism's major concerns was seventeenth-century French philosopher Blaise Pascal, who denounced a systematic philosophy that presumes to explain God and humanity. He saw life in terms of paradoxes: The human self, combining mind and body, is itself a contradiction. Later, Kierkegaard rejected a total rational understanding of humanity and history, stressing the ambiguity and absurdity of the human situation. Nineteenth-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche espoused tragic pessimism and life-affirming individual will. Heidegger argued that human beings can never hope to understand why they are here; instead, each individual must choose a goal and follow it with passionate conviction, aware of the certainty of death and the ultimate meaninglessness of one's life. Twentieth-century French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre first gave the term existentialism general currency by using it for his own philosophy. Explicitly atheistic and pessimistic, his philosophy declared that human life requires a rational basis but the attempt is a futile passion {2, 99-106}. Nevertheless, he insisted that his view is a form of humanism, emphasizing freedom and responsibility. Freedom of choice, through which each human being creates his own nature, is a primary theme. Because individuals are free to choose their own path, they must accept the risk and responsibility of their actions. Kierkegaard held that a feeling of general apprehension, which he called dread, is God's way of calling each individual to commit to a personally valid way of life{1}. The twentyth-century German philosopher Martin Heidegger {3} felt that anxiety leads to the individual's confrontation with the impossibility of finding ultimate justification for his or her choices. There are many other themes in existentialism, here are just a few. First, there is the basic existentialist standpoint, that existence precedes essence, has primacy over essence. Man is a conscious subject, rather than a thing to be predicted or manipulated; he exists as a conscious being, and not in accordance with any definition, essence, generalization, or system. Existentialism says I am nothing else but my own conscious existence. {4,21-22}. A second existentialist theme is that anxiety, or the sense of anguish, a generalized uneasiness, a fear or dread which is not directed to any specific object. Anguish is the dread of the nothingness of human existence. This theme is as old as Kierkegaard {5} within existentialism; it

BarnesBSKS7000 8 Assignment 7 Essay

BarnesBSKS7000 8 Assignment 7 Essay BarnesBSKS7000 8 Assignment 7 Essay NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET Student: Brad Barnes SKS7000-8 Willmore Kanyongo Doctoral Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies Business Integration and Evaluation Faculty Use Only Faculty comments here Faculty Name Grade Earned Date Graded Barnes Consulting LLC ïÆ'ËœMarketing XYZ Construction for Success ïÆ'ËœWorkforce and Operational Management ïÆ'ËœOrganizational Structure ïÆ'Ëœ International Operations ïÆ'ËœFinancial and Accounting Management ïÆ'ËœCompliance and Legal Considerations ïÆ'ËœInternal Control and Evaluation ïÆ'ËœInformation Technology ïÆ'ËœLeadership ïÆ'ËœConclusion â€Å"Reputable companies are vital to homeowners and achieving high standards and positive feedback that can be shared with potential customers is a key element to making a decision in hiring a contractor for any service† (Jefferies, 2011) 1. Adding recognition to our company through active marketing that reaches the target audience adds more visibility in the market 2. Roll-out the marketing flyer 3. Focus on the residential customers – Adding emphasis on residential customers will add value to our marketing scheme 4. Marketing products that sell themselves 5. Creating a niche market that draws customers 6. Building a future through repeat customers 7. Framework for success through international marketing initiatives 8. Keeping employees â€Å"in the know† throughout the transition To continue on a positive trend of growth at XYZ Construction we must continue to focus on the needs of our employees. The best way to understand the needs of our employees is to keep accurate records on the overall value of each employee and how they can assist in keeping XYZ headed in the right direction. Be honest with employees through accurate feedback and remember the management team sets the standard of expectations. (PRO, January, 2007) The success at XYZ Construction is based on the continual growth of the organization. As the leaders of this organization we must make decisions that are based on the best interest of the company and not endeavor unethical decisions that could adversely affect every member of our organization. Strategic Management Journal, 2012  Building a reputation in international markets that is mission directed Focusing on the operations strategy in every country must be unique to the needs and demands of that country New product development is a key element to the outreach of international markets Sourcing the goods and building a sales team to infiltrate new territories internationally Finding ways to overcome the language barriers in international markets Fight or flight marketing and sales techniques in international markets International logistics â€Å"Working capital measures the ability to pay current liabilities with current assets † (Pearson, 2011 p.81) At XYZ Construction our financial future depends on our decisions that we make. If we are going to achieve the IPO status that we are all fighting to achieve we must stay within budget and operate efficiently. The better success that we have as a company will give us stronger roots in investor relations. No one wants to invest money into a sinking ship we must report all financials to shareholders of our organization quarterly. Financial reporting must be accurate with no errors. We have to make sure that we are reporting accurate data to our shareholders in the company. With our new international presence we have to keep a close eye on the ever changing exchange rates. At XYZ Construction it is every employees responsibility to operate both legally and ethically. Every member of management must convey the message that we want our employees to carry-on. Without excellent leaders performing with a high level of ethical standards XYZ Construction will fail. XYZ Construction will be challenged by a future of employee laws that must be abided by to the highest standard. We must obey all international, state and local laws that govern

7 Steps to Becoming a Freelance Writer

7 Steps to Becoming a Freelance Writer 7 Steps to Becoming a Freelance Writer 7 Steps to Becoming a Freelance Writer By Mark Nichol You love to write, and perhaps you’ve even had some of your work published, but you just can’t seem to get your career as a freelance writer of nonfiction off the ground. Here are some flight lessons: 1. Focus Nonfiction is an enormous universe. Map out a very small segment of the cosmos. Do you enjoy writing creative nonfiction long articles and essays with a narrative flair that reads almost like fiction? Or do you have a more practical bent, tending toward how-to articles or procedural guides? Perhaps you’d like to write reviews of books or video games or software or appliances. Narrow your topic field; you can always widen your scope later. 2. Adopt What are your favorite Web sites or magazines or books? Are there writers whose styles inspire you? Find the publications that publish the kinds of content you like to read, and study the writing techniques on display. Don’t strive to imitate; use this step simply to help you find your niche. 3. List Create a short directory of publications or publishers to target. Assuming you’re just starting out, list targets more likely to publish writing by a beginner, but don’t be afraid to include a couple more high-profile publications. And don’t neglect what’s right under your nose: community newspaper(s), local magazines, and Web sites that publicize your region’s businesses or cultural and natural assets. 4. Compile Collect some of your best writing published or otherwise that represents you well and matches the type of content those publications are looking for. 5. Contact Go to your publisher directory, look up the URL for publication Web sites, and search for submission guidelines. If there are none, send a request for guidelines to the editorial department’s email address or the information address. 6. Pitch Come up with proposals for a few articles or essays you’d like to write, match them to various publications, and send them in. Alternatively or in addition, submit completed articles on spec. (â€Å"On spec,† short for â€Å"on specifications,† means tailoring an already written piece toward a specific market and offering it for publication.) The strategy of writing on spec has its detractors, but it’s a good way to break into the writing market, and even if the piece itself is turned down, it may demonstrate to an editor that your pitch is worth a look, or that you might be a good match for an article they need a writer for. 7. Persevere Repeat step 6. If your pitch or your spec article is rejected, send it to someone else. If you strike out five or ten times, retire the idea, call in another one, and start another round with a new batch of publications. (Wait a few months before circling back around to those that turned you down previously, but never delete them from your directory.) Repeat. You may get an acceptance or an assignment on your first try. (It’s happened.) You may get turned down once, or ten times, or a hundred times. Don’t give up. If you want it bad enough, you’ll get it, eventually. Your goal is not to hear â€Å"No† a given number of times, but to hear â€Å"Yes† once, and then once more, and then once more after that, etc. An unpublished writer is a writer who has given up. If you would like more help to get started freelance writing online stay tuned for the re-opening of our Freelance Writing Course early in May. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Freelance Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Words for Facial Expressions7 Tips for Writing a Film ReviewPersonification vs. Anthropomorphism