Rhetoric and Religion in Mary Astells a Serious Proposal Essay Example

Rhetoric and Religion in Mary Astells a Serious Proposal Essay The late 17th century is known as a time of religious devotion. Though the Church of England’s monopoly on Christian worship was coming to an end, its ideological influence remained. Throughout the scientific revolution and into the enlightenment, many notable thinkers (i. e. Newton, Descartes and Spinoza) shaped the intellectual landscape while remaining devout in their faith. Despite the obvious challenges their discoveries yielded, the groundwork for modern science and philosophy was set in Christian values. The origins of feminism are not dissimilar; Mary Astell, often accredited with being the first English feminist, was a deeply religious writer. Her Tory Anglican views helped persuade the highly devout and conservative aristocracy in advocating the establishment of academic institutions for women, which otherwise may have been dismissed as radical. In her book, A Serious Proposal to the Lades for the Advancement of Their True and Greatest Interest, Astell aims to promote women’s education by appealing to Christian values. The thesis and key points of part I of A Serious Proposal are nicely summarized in the excerpt titled â€Å"A Religious Retirement†, in which Astell outlines her argument for the erection of a â€Å"monastery† dedicated to women’s education (Astell 18). This monastery, or institution as she calls it (deliberately eschewing the word convent), is suggested to be a kind of seminary where women would be taught things like literature, philosophy and â€Å"Christianity as professed by the Church of England† (22). We will write a custom essay sample on Rhetoric and Religion in Mary Astells a Serious Proposal specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Rhetoric and Religion in Mary Astells a Serious Proposal specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Rhetoric and Religion in Mary Astells a Serious Proposal specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Astell says that such an institution will have a two purposes; to keep women â€Å"out of the road of sin† (19), and to â€Å"expel that could of ignorance which custom has involved [women] in† (21). That it would function as both an isolated retreat, where women would be kept innocent and uncontaminated, and academic academy, where useful knowledge could be feasted upon. Astell stresses quality over quantity. In true Anglican fashion, she boldly (or, perhaps, naively) envisions a perfect educational ideal. [The retreat] will be the introducing you into such a paradise as your mother Eve forfeited, where you shall feast on pleasures that do not disappoint your expectations,† she writes, â€Å"[which] will make you truly happy now, and prepare you to be so perfectly hereafter† (19). This undoubtedly sounds pretty appealing. To anyone ignorant of the â€Å"good works† she refers to (namely, most women of the time), this highly romanticized account of e ducation as â€Å"entertaining employment† would sound not only fun, but life-affirming. Astell’s vision is of a high-functioning, efficient institution, committed solely to necessary and relevant works, always striving toward perfection and against impertinency. The genius of this argument is it’s ability to appeal to more several demographics. It not only appeals to women readers enticed by this pedagogical utopia, but male readers as well, many of whom would have been highly educated and conservative. In the passage, â€Å"[She need not] trouble herself in turning over a great number of books, but take care to understand and digest a few well chosen and good ones† (22) Astell speaks to the erudite, conservative male mentality. Astell argues that women have an equal capacity for knowledge as men. The influence of Descartes (whom she later mentions) is apparent in her treatment of mind and body as separate entities. â€Å"For since God has given women as well as men intelligent souls, why should they be forbidden to improve them? † she writes, â€Å"Since he has not denied us the faculty of thinking, why should we not we employ our thoughts on himself their noblest object? † (22). This statement is the crux of Astell’s argument and was probably its most controversial, the assertion that both sexes have equal intelligence would have been highly disputed. Astell supports her claim by pointing out the egalitarian root of Christian values. â€Å"Being the soul was created for the contemplation of truth as well as for the fruition of good,† she writes, â€Å"is it not as cruel and unjust to exclude women from the knowledge of one as from the knowledge of the other? † (23). This line of reasoning is rhetorically brilliant because of its multi-audience appeal; on one hand it speaks to women about the unjustness of being denied education, on the other it appeals to the men of the time by its appeal to Logos. As the argument progresses, the intended audience seems to shift further toward males. Astell points out that the education of women would benefit not only the women themselves, but those who have to spend time with them. The line â€Å"learning is therefore necessary to render them more agreeable and useful in company† (23) suggests that uneducated women are not very good conversationalists, and are likely to tend toward insipid or banal subjects. Astell argues that the view that women are concerned only with vapid, frivolous issues is merely the result of ignorance, and that with a better education, women would be more relatable and easier to talk to. There is a prevailing sense that education allows women to be better judged by God. Astell argues that our earthly â€Å"habitude and temper of mind† carries over into the afterlife, and that those who have reflected upon â€Å"noble and sublime truths† will be better prepared for Heaven (23). She criticizes the idea that innocence, when resulting from ignorance, relieves a woman of sin, evident in the line, â€Å"seeing our beatitude consists in the contemplation of divine truth and beauty† (23), which shows that she believed active engagement in theological issues was necessary for salvation. She underscores the importance of a deep, spiritual seriousness in intellectual pursuits and warns against studying the trivial, secular topics of plays and romances. This is seen in the lines, â€Å"There is a sort of learning indeed which is worse than the greatest ignorance: a woman may study plays and romances all her life, and may be a great deal more knowing but never a jot the wiser† (23). Astell makes a strong distinction between spiritual and secular knowledge, her entire argument is in support of the former. To her, the spiritual is the practical, and the only type of knowledge worth pursuing. She defines practical knowledge as that which â€Å"will convince us of the absolute necessity of holy living as well as of right believing, and that no heresy is more dangerous than that of an ungodly and wicked life† (24). Her vision of â€Å"necessary† knowledge taking precedence over the frivolous â€Å"froth and trifles† (23) popular in women’s entertainment of the time is given considerable weight throughout the book, which turns her argument, in part, into a critique of superficiality. Modern readers may have trouble reconciling Astell’s religious convictions with her feminist beliefs. Indeed, her version of feminism is a far cry away from the sexually liberated second- and third-wave feminism we know today. I would urge such readers to look closely at what she really means by things like holy retirement, and freedom from sin. What Astell is suggesting is an earnest commitment to a pursuit; she is asking women to take themselves seriously. The greatest obstacle she saw for the establishment of women’s education was an obsession with â€Å"froth and trifles† (23). She saw that in order to effect significant change one first had to care deeply and sincerely about their cause, and it was in spiritual devotion that she saw this. It is no surprise she reveres the biblical saint Priscilla, who found the inspiration to do missionary work from her profound devotion to her cause. And much like Priscilla, Mary Astell found the strength to lead her cause in the face of fearsome opposition from a deep, sincere commitment to Truth. She had no idea, at the time, of the enduring influence her writing would have thereafter. Works Cited Astell, Mary. A Serious Proposal to the Ladies. London: Pickering Chatto Ltd. 1997

Free Essays on California Economy

California's Unemployment Crisis According to statistics compiled by the U.S. government and mined by BridgePath (bridgepath.com), California has a far higher unemployment rate than most of the country (see chart). While areas like the Silicon Valley continue to flourish, much of the nation's most populous state still remains in recession. In fact, only four other states have a higher unemployment rate for 1997 than California (two of them being Hawaii and Alaska states with traditionally high unemployment). California's 6.3% overall 1997 unemployment rate is almost a point and a half greater than the national rate of 4.9%. That rate ranks California fifth worse in the country though it is an improvement over 1996 (where the state was plagued with 7.2% unemployment). The BridgePath analysis suggests that two Californias may exist. Regions like Modesto (13.4%), Fresno (12.5%), Bakersfield (11.4%), and Stockton (10.8%) are experiencing double-digit unemployment like many European countries. Even Los Angeles has 7.0% unemployment. These alarming numbers are offset by regions like the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Diego Area, and Orange County which all have unemployment far below the national average. San Jose, for example, has a 1997 unemployment rate of only 3.1% (the lowest in the country). This dichotomy has come about chiefly due to California's changing economy. Though much of the state's economic progress relies on agriculture, technology is quickly becoming the largest employer. Regions like San Diego, Orange County, and the Bay Area all rely heavily on technology while cities like Bakersfield have been slow to adopt. It is not surprising that all these new growth areas have grown up around world class universities that help spur innovation. But California's situation is not unique. All around the nation, two economies are springing up the educated and the non-educated ... Free Essays on California Economy Free Essays on California Economy California's Unemployment Crisis According to statistics compiled by the U.S. government and mined by BridgePath (bridgepath.com), California has a far higher unemployment rate than most of the country (see chart). While areas like the Silicon Valley continue to flourish, much of the nation's most populous state still remains in recession. In fact, only four other states have a higher unemployment rate for 1997 than California (two of them being Hawaii and Alaska states with traditionally high unemployment). California's 6.3% overall 1997 unemployment rate is almost a point and a half greater than the national rate of 4.9%. That rate ranks California fifth worse in the country though it is an improvement over 1996 (where the state was plagued with 7.2% unemployment). The BridgePath analysis suggests that two Californias may exist. Regions like Modesto (13.4%), Fresno (12.5%), Bakersfield (11.4%), and Stockton (10.8%) are experiencing double-digit unemployment like many European countries. Even Los Angeles has 7.0% unemployment. These alarming numbers are offset by regions like the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Diego Area, and Orange County which all have unemployment far below the national average. San Jose, for example, has a 1997 unemployment rate of only 3.1% (the lowest in the country). This dichotomy has come about chiefly due to California's changing economy. Though much of the state's economic progress relies on agriculture, technology is quickly becoming the largest employer. Regions like San Diego, Orange County, and the Bay Area all rely heavily on technology while cities like Bakersfield have been slow to adopt. It is not surprising that all these new growth areas have grown up around world class universities that help spur innovation. But California's situation is not unique. All around the nation, two economies are springing up the educated and the non-educated ...

International Business Management Control Essay

International Business Management Control - Essay Example Globalisation has been the common term heard everywhere from the year 1990 and in today’s world there is no chance of the globalisation to get diminished. Globalisation means growth in the trade and business along with the expansion in the international market. In order to build a successful business in the global market, it is very important to set the business policies and strategies in such a way that it can accommodate the international business finance environment. The technological developments have made the international communication easier. This is helping the individuals to know the events that are happening outside their home land. This increased awareness of the individuals is leading to the increase in the international trade and also the number of business that are running outside the domestic land. This shows that the economies all around the world are closely linked. In order to sustain in the global market, it is very important for the business managers to rem ain conscious that the operation market, the suppliers, the business partners, the investors and the competitors will not be restricted to the domestic country only. They can belong to the international market as well. A successful business will anticipate the future downfalls and will always make proper utilisation of the opportunities to achieve competitive advantage in the market. The managers should understand the similarities and the differences existing across the national boundaries in order to grab the opportunities and cope up with the potential downfalls. In order to develop appropriate strategies for operating in the global market, the managers need to consider the advantages as well as the disadvantages of the globalisation.... Some companies develop different products and services to supply to the customers in different countries. There has been a growth in the international companies from the developing countries. This trend will increase in future. There are increasing political, legal and other environmental barriers related to the businesses operating in the international market. Effective measures should be taken by the business managers in order to achieve competitive advantage in the market. Literature Review Many research have been made on the management of business policies in order to accommodate with the international business finance environment. There should be maintenance of transparency in the business activities and the business policies should be followed by the managers in order to avoid the international business barriers. a) It is very important for a business to assess the management goals and objectives semi annually in order to achieve competitive advantage in the changing market and the regulatory international environment. The main objective of a firm is to gain competitive advantage in the market. Researchers like Horngren et al. (2005) stated that management accounting is a method which can influence the behaviour of the managers and enhance the achievement of the organizational objectives. A firm needs to allocate and utilise its resources effectively in order to reach its objectives. The short term resources are reflected in the operating budget of the firms. The short term resources are obtained from the bank credits, trade credits etc. The long term resources are reflected in the capital budget of the firms. The long term resources are allocated by a firm by the issue

Research Methodology and Research Design Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Methodology and Design - Research Paper Example Much of the interest in organizational culture can be sourced to studies in early 1980s which claim that the astute management of organizational culture is associated with improved performance (Deal, 1982) (Peter, 1982). Furthermore, managers and academics have recommended that organizational culture should be considered during periods of change such as mergers and acquisitions, growth or downsizing phases in an organizational life-cycle, and periods of conflict or diversification (Schwartz, 1981) Despite a range of thoroughly interesting empirical studies on organizational culture, the systematic evaluation of the relationship between organizational culture and conflict resolution methods is comparatively uncommon and deserves further research. While on the one hand authors have always devoted special attention to the study of organizational culture, on the other hand they have faced difficulty in studying organizational culture and in establishing a standard method for its study. ... ture of organizational culture that makes it particularly difficult to access; thirdly, the political issues involved, for example with power groups having various self-interests in maintaining or changing the culture; and finally, the possible existence of multiple subcultures. Therefore, the organizational culture is characterized by a diversity of research methods and it would not be an exaggeration to experiment with a new methodology to study organizational culture. Hence, the aim of this paper is to document a creative framework for the research by analyzing the theoretical context in which the present research lies and by critically analyzing the methods, techniques, tools and instruments to be used for the study. THE RESEARCH FRAMEWORK Renowned authors on organizational culture, Fox and Tan (Langan-Fox & Tan, 1997) have set out a methodology to measure organizational culture by implementing a repertory grid technique. Their study assumes the view point that an objective study offers rigor of research, in its suitability for theoretical testing, in developing universal statements, and in facilitating intra- and inter-unit comparisons. They have set out to test the theory based on past research evidence and hypothesis. Setting out my study on a similar paradigm as laid by Fox and Tan, the hypothesis for this study can be stated as: organizational culture will affect the conflict resolution methods used within the ministry of education in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The organizational culture is an independent variable (IV) and conflict resolution method is a dependent variable (DV). According to this, the aim for the study is to determine the relationship between organizational culture and conflict resolution methods used in Saudi institutions of education. The study

Rates of Reaction Essay Example for Free

Rates of Reaction Essay An enzyme is a protein molecule that helps other organic molecules start chemical reactions with one another; however, the enzyme itself is not affected by the reaction. A substrate is the substance acted upon by the enzyme. In this lab, catalase is the enzyme and hydrogen peroxide is the substrate. Catalase is found in both plant and animal tissues, and is abundant in plant storage organs. In this experiment, catalase is used from potatoes. Catalase is important to living things because it prevents the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the cell. Hydrogen peroxide is produced naturally as a byproduct of metabolism. It tends to disrupt the cells’ chemistry, too much can kill a cell. Therefore, the presence of catalase is needed to survive. Catalase breaks down the toxic hydrogen peroxide into harmless water and oxygen. If the concentration of the substrate hydrogen peroxide is related to the reaction rate of the enzyme catalase, then an increase in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide will increase the reaction rate of catalase. Catalase: Methods and Materials In order to experiment and determine the affects concentration has on reaction rate, you will need several materials. Such as, potato extract, crushed ice and water in a large beaker to keep the catalase cool, since catalase is sensitive to temperature. Hydrogen peroxide solution is needed at six different concentrations (10%, 25%, 40%, 60%, 75%, and 100%). Also, 0% hydrogen peroxide is needed, which is just simply water. In addition, you will need a 10 ml graduated cylinder, a 50 ml beaker, forceps, paper dots (Whatman #1 filter paper, 1 cm diameter), a paper towel, a stopwatch, and graph paper. During this lab, be careful of the hydrogen peroxide because it can damage skin and clothes. Be sure to immediately rinse and spills with water. Throughout the lab, always keep the potato extract in the ice-water bath; catalase is very sensitive to warm temperatures. For starters, 0% hydrogen peroxide was tested as the control group; 10 ml of hydrogen peroxide was measured of using a graduated cylinder. This sample is then poured into a 50 ml beaker. After swirling the potato extract, using forceps a paper dot is picked up and immersed into the potato juice for five seconds. Then the dot is drained on a paper towel for 10 seconds. Using the forceps the dot is picked up and placed in the bottom of the beaker containing the hydrogen peroxide solution. Soon the dot was expected to rise to the surface because the potato juice’s catalase would break down the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. The oxygen gas gets trapped in the pores of the paper and caused to float. A stopwatch was used to measure the time in seconds from when the dot touched the solution until it reached the surface. The data was then recorded. The class was split into groups and each group was assigned a different percentile of hydrogen peroxide solution.

How the Vietnam War Effected the American People and the American Presi

?The Vietnam War was fought during 1960 to 1975. It began as an attempt by Communist guerrillas?in the South to overthrow the ?government of South Vietnam. The struggle widened into a war between South Vietnam and North Vietnam and ultimately led to a international conflict. The United States and some 40 other countries supported South Vietnam by supplying troops and the?USSR and the People's Republic of China furnished munitions to North Vietnam and the Vietcong. ?Despite the massive American aid, the VC numbers continued to increase. By November 1961, the VC fighting forces had grown from the ?2,000 fighters that had been left after Diem's ruthless anti-Communist ?campaign in 1957, to nearly 16, 000. Regardless of American weapons and money, the VC was winning the support of the villagers.?The US military response to the deteriorating position in South ?Vietnam was to apply more military force. The Joint Chiefs of Staff?wanted six US divisions and 200,000 men sent immediately to So uth ?Vietnam. In response, Kennedy refused to send in US?ground forces. Under Kennedy, the US commitment remained at an?advisory level. On November 22 of 1963, a tragic event took place. President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in a limousine through the streets of Dallas. The same day, Deputy Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President. Johnson further increased the number of ?advisors and equipment being sent to Vietnam. He wanted to declare war, destroy North Vietnam and Communism as soon as possible, even if ?he had to sacrifice his plans for a ?Great Society.? ? Losing the Great Society was a terrible thought, but not so terrible ?as the thought of being responsible for America's losing a war to the ?Communists. Nothing co... ... the right thing, and the ?US had a right to stop what it thought was wrong. In conclusion, I believe that the Vietnam War had a massive impact?upon US society and domestic politics. The war bitterly divided the ?nation and caused protests and political conflict between supporters ?and opponents. It ruined Johnson's chances of being re-elected ?president in 1968 and even damaged Bill Clinton when he stood for the ?presidency in 1992. It may be that after more than 20 years the war ?now causes fewer problems in the United States. But some of the ?effects of the war have remained. The Pentagon Papers proved that ?American governments had misled the people and even lied to them about ?the war. As a result, many Americans are much less willing to believe ?what their government tells them. Today, governments won't win back the?trust of these Americans that easily.

Unended War and Intervention in Iraq

Iraqi people might find already immuned of the uproar in different areas in Iraq. The tragedies that were happened more than two decades ago and are still happening nowadays are really marked the history of Middle Eastern conflict. Such bombings, bombarding, invasion, and protests are really taken the big part of the history of Iraq.It was during 1980 when the Iraq tried to invade the Iran, but of course, the Iran did not let it happen(Shalom, 1993). Though the Iraq made its initial success, the people of Iran used their man power as many population they have.At the middle of the 1982, the Iran was triumphant with their goal of pushing out the invasion of Iraq. But considering the fact that Iran has much weaponry, they were able to prevent the moves of the Iranian, and it was year 1988 when the silence screams of the gun and war men were off heard.However, though the war was ended (temporarily), the blame was on the both government of the two countries when in Saddam Hussein was the one who was ruling the Iraq. Letting the bloodshed among Iraqi citizens was considered as one of his callous in leading   his constituents.This was the time when the United States (US) started to intervene so as to help out the Iraq in settling the untapped war that had been started before and to help the people of Iraq to recover from the hell of war and from the ruthless government of Hussein.The US sent military troops in Iraq whereas they created several bases in different regions in Iraq. And nowadays, the US is continuing lurking around the Iraq. They are doing they ‘surge’ (Reuters, 2007) together with the British troupes. According to the report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (2007), the rush forward being done in Iraq is nearly unsuccessful such that an insurgency is more likely to happen again.The critical condition of the mission of the US in the Iraq together with the British government pertained that war between the Hezbollah and Israel last August 2006 . The war between them was hardly to ceasefire. The criticism of the event is more likely on former Prime Minister Tony Blair since he was the one who refused for a call of an immediate stop fire between the Israel and Hezbollah (Lebanon) in their war last year.I have chosen this event to be use as application in theoretical analysis since this is widely known by everybody and that the lives of the people living in the countries involved are severely affected by the war that is happening.(Part B)The clash between Iran and Iraq seemed more likely though during the early 90s. However, since the Iraq was suffered under the Hussein’s regime, lots of militant groups and civil underground rebels emerged and rebellion took place.And it is in nature of the United State, being considered as the most powerful country in the world, to help, in any way, those who are in depth recovery of the war. But in the case of Iraq, the peace seemed not finding its place. Until now, clashes are stil l going on, but not necessarily war against another nation, but war among civil there.The surgency that the US has been doing and trying to imply in the Iraq, does it really pure surgency? As we all know, the US is one kind of imperialist in the world. Widely, it colonized a lot of country in Asia, explicitly and implicitly. Once one touched the hand of Uncle Sam, you would definitely touch it along the way.The reason why Iraq still has its internal conflict between civilians is not because they rebel with each other, it may probably because of the intervention of the US in their nation. Come to think of it: whose nation would like to handle by different hands instead the hands of its people?Politically speaking, this could be a way of euphemizing the real intention of the US. We could deny the fact that the US wanted to hold more power, and imperialism is the instrument and effective tool for them to accomplish their goal.