How to Write a College Essay?

How to Write a College Essay?When you get a Sample AP US History DBQ Essay it will be very useful in your writing. This worksheet is specially made for students who want to learn about the world history and its development from its beginning until now. In this way, students can know about the impact of different events on the society's progress of the country.There are various ways of learning about history. Students may read books that teach them about the important events in history. They may also research the history with the help of some sources in order to learn about the events that took place in the past.The Internet is a good source of information, especially if students have internet access at home. Since students have access to the internet they can easily find information about history. In addition, they can share their knowledge with others and talk about it with others.A Sample AP US History DBQ Essay is also available for students. These worksheets are specially designe d by the college or the high school teaching staff so that the students can find out what he or she needs to write the essay. It is very helpful for students who are writing the college essay as it will guide them in their approach and in writing the essay. For instance, the teaching staff has prepared different worksheets to check the facts and relate it to the essay.It is possible for the students to purchase the work sheets from the college or the high school. A student can buy these from the bookstore or from the internet. The teachers may also prepare the work sheets for the students on their own. Students need to find out which worksheet is suitable for them.Some of the worksheets can be downloaded from the internet and can be printed from your computer. Some of the free worksheets are available in the internet but they may not be suitable for students who are learning the composition skills. Students must be confident enough in writing an essay and use their creativity to pro duce impressive writing skills.It is very important for college students to learn how to write a college essay. It is not enough to read a book or watch a movie, students must have knowledge about how to use the work sheets. Reading the worksheet is not enough for the students, they must also learn how to use the different functions of the worksheet. They must be able to organize their thoughts and use proper grammar to write their college essay.Many of the college students are confused about using the various functions of the worksheet. Before writing their college essay, students must be aware of the different functions of the worksheet. In this way, students can be able to be confident in writing their college essay. In order to write a college essay effectively, students must have knowledge about the different functions of the worksheet.

Business Environment Assignment Essay Example

Business Environment Assignment Paper Also known as business operations. Business sector: An area of the economy in which businesses share the same or a related product or service. Economies are comprised of four sectors. The primary sector involves the extraction and harvesting of natural products from the earth (e. G. , agriculture, mining and forestry). The secondary sector consists Of processing, manufacturing and construction. The tertiary sector provides services, such as retail sales, entertainment and financial services. The quaternary sector is made up of intellectual pursuits, like education. Business purpose: The purpose of the business is to fill a need. Money comes after. So, Basically Money is secondary. You should focus on a need to succeed the business. Filling that need with something that makes money will make the business grow and succeed. The difference between a profit and a non-profit business is that one aim for the business is to make money and an the opposite for the other Ownership of a business: Forms of business ownership vary by jurisdiction, but several common forms exist: Sole proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is owned by one person and operates for profit. We will write a custom essay sample on Business Environment Assignment specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Business Environment Assignment specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Business Environment Assignment specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The owner may operate the business alone or employ other people. Stakeholders: A key stakeholder is someone who can help your planning effort succeed or fail the person who has information you need, or other important resources for solving the problem ; access to money or legislative or regulatory fixes. Laid: Laid is a franchise company in the private sector, it is a private limited company because it was founded by two brothers named, Karl and Thee Albrecht. It is a global company which means that is has more than one location worldwide. The purpose of Laid is to supply high quality goods and offer an amazing service to their customers. The key stakeholders for this equines are, customers, employees, suppliers and owners. The ownership of Laid is Karl and Thee Albrecht, Thee Jar and Borehole Albrecht. Reference: http://en. Wisped. Org/wick/Laid INS is a national company which is owned by the government, it is a public limited company which means its government owned. This business is a non- profit business which means they do not aim to make a profit . Key stakeholders include: Commissioners Customers Collaborators Contributors Commentators Consumers Competitors The INS is in the tertiary sector because it is a service. Unit 1 Business Environment, Activity 1. PA-PA This task will describe the organizational structure of the two chosen businesses and explaining why that structure helps the business to fulfill its needs.. Purpose: The purpose of the business is to fulfill a need. Money comes after. So, Basically Money is secondary. You should focus on a need to succeed the business. Filling that need with something that makes money will make the business grow and succeed. Ownership organizational structure: Organizational structure refers to the way in which workers are arranged in a business. A hierarchy is an organization that is structured in layers. Those at he top of the hierarchy have more authority than those lower down. Strategic planning: Strategic planning is an organizations process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. Laid (Ltd) Laid is organized by a divisional structure, their structure looks like this: This structure helps fulfill their needs because every member of staff knows where they stand in the business. Hardships School (PL) Hardships would be organized with a divisional Structure. The purpose of this is to see how each department is split up and you can easily find where each member of staff is. This task is going to be describing the influences of two contrasting economic environments on business activities within a selected organization. Imports and Exports Imports- goods or objects coming into a country Exports-goods or objects going to a different country Impact of the economic environment: Economic environment refers to all of the factors that affect the behavior of businesses and consumers. The rate of growth of the economy, the level of employment changes in the level of prices or the cost of borrowing can have a significant influence on demand for products and therefore the level of reduction. Inflation The rate of inflation measures to the annual increase in the average level of prices within the economy. An annual fall in the average price lead is referred to as deflation. Rising levels of inflation can cause a number of problems for businesses Reduced profit levels if firms are unable to pass on increasing costs of materials and power by increasing the prices they charge to their own customers perhaps because they operate in fiercely competitive markets. How businesses are affected by government policy Governments create the rules and frameworks in which businesses are able o compete against each other. From time to time the government will change these rules and frameworks forcing businesses to change the way they operate. Business is thus keenly affected by government policy. Changes in GAP and in demand in economies studied. Economic growth is important if businesses are to grow and prosper. It relates to growth in the output of the economy as a whole. Growth is measured as the change in the gross domestic product (GAP) of a country over one year. For comparisons over time this figure must be adjusted to allow for inflation and the resulting value is called real growth. KEF In England and China: The chief of kef in the I-J and Ireland has revealed plans to create 9000 as recession hit British consumers opt for cheaper ways of eating out. Reference: http://www. Telegraph. Co. UK/finance/newsworthy/ retail and consumer/4733058/Recession-finger-licking-good-for-CIFS-UK-chief- Martin-Shaker. HTML The chain of fried chicken stores, which currently employs about 20,000 people in its 760 British stores, said it was making an investment of up to mm in an expansion drive that will see it open between 200 and 300 restaurants in the next three to five years. Reference: http:// www. Independent. Co. UK/news/UK/home-news/fasted-nation-kef-bucks- trend-with-9000-new-jobs-1623799. HTML KEF china: After six months of labor negotiations, KEF China raised minimum monthly wages to approximately $0. 82 hourly, it doesnt seem much but it is nearly a 30% rise KEF accounted for 40% of Chinas fast food market across almost 4,000 restaurants, and there were another 16,000 planned. The chain had localized the menu sufficiently to appeal to the Chinese palate, but kept the restaurants American enough, giving diners an affordable way to live the Western dream. Cuffs sales in China crashed 36% in April. Some of it was due to Bird Flu fears, but sales were falling before the news of HON.. Broke. The discovery of excessive levels of antibiotics in KEF chickens had already harmed the brands image of a good safe meal and the novelty factor of KEF was also wearing off for many of Chinas consumers, especially those in the big cities. Reference: http://skyjackings. Com/blob/china-fast-food-fast- changes PA This task will be describing the political, legal and social factors impacting on business activities of my two selected organizations and their stakeholders. LAID And INS) LAID: Political factors- Laid, short for Albrecht Discount, operating in a globalizes environment with stores all around the UK. It is a German multinational headquartered in Essen (reference). Hence Lids performance is highly influenced by the political and legislative conditions of these countries, including the EX.. Legal factors-The UK market is highly regulated which makes market entry for Multi-national difficult. European commission has made displaying nutrition facts of eatable products mandatory for retails industry. EX. Wide standards will help consumers to a more balanced diet. Most companies already show nutrition facts on their products. Government legislations and policies have a direct impact on the performance of Laid. Social Factors- Auks population is shrinking and aging. Impact of population shrinking on UK could lead to shortage of labor in the market place and rising expenses in services like medical services, education services. Eventually government will have to cut down on benefits and pension, or increase tax to provide to pay higher contributions and health insurance. The trend of rising expenses is affecting Auks shoppers buying behavior, and effecting their nature and forcing them to compromising on quality. INS: Political factors- Although all the major political parties pledged to protect the INS from spending cuts, after a period of unprecedented growth there is the prospect of a three-year real-terms funding freeze, or close to it. This would be the most austere period for the INS in over thirty years. Legal factors- When the coalition came to power, they said they would protect the INS budget. They did, but only just. Funding in England is rising by O. 1% a year during this parliament. The situation is little better elsewhere in the UK. That is the longest period of flat growth in the history of the INS and for a service that is used to average rises of about 4% a year it feels much more like a cut. Social factors- many large supermarkets are selling cheap fast food and alcohol which effects peoples health, which means more people need treatments so the more people needing treatment the more people are going to be waiting to get treated, which leaves people feeling annoyed and because INS is seen as a Provider of health care people start blaming their health problems on INS which gives them a bad reputation.

Steam Engine 2 essays

Steam Engine 2 essays The steam engine was invented by Thomas Newcomen in 17121. It was a very important invention and helped give way to the Industrial Revolution. It was very useful invention of his time. Many people like James Watt and Richard Trevithick used the atmospheric steam engine to produce more sophisticated inventions. Thomas Newcomen was a very important inventor. He was born in 1663 in Britain. He worked as a blacksmith until he worked with Thomas Savery, who had already tried to make a steam engine but couldnt do it. Thomas Newcomen invented the first working steam engine in 1712 with the help of Savery. At first the steam engine wasn't very popular, later the steam engine was considered the centurys most important invention when used in mines. Thomas Newcomen also made tools for coal miners and often visited mines, this is how he knew the needs of miners2. The first steam engine was used to work at a South Stafforshire colliery3. Most of the early engines produced the steam by using coal. This is why steam engines were installed in coal mines where coal was free. Even though Thomas Newcomen actual invented the first steam engine, James Watt is usually known for making it4. Watts engine was much more efficient than Newcomens because it prevented the loss of steam. Watt started out repairing Newcomens engines, and then began making major improvements to it. James Watts engines were much larger than Newcomens with a larger cylinder which pumped more water out of mines5. His engines were designed with a rotating shaft and a flywheel which was more sufficient. Later he further improved his engines by adding another condenser and cylinders. He also added throttle controls on his engine to control the rate that the engine pumped water. Without Watt's study in the field of mechanics, the steam engine might not have been made, and the industrial...

Reflective paper on Baldridge principles, organizational issues, Assignment

Reflective paper on Baldridge principles, organizational issues, personal and organizational learning - Assignment Example The Baldridge criteria are a results oriented and proven management techniques that feature on the characteristics of organizations that do very well. Whether in the education sector, healthcare, security or business organizations, the Baldridge process importantly helps ensure that organizations that use this model are kept accountable, are managed in a sustainable manner, are properly aligned, improved, rewarded, recognized, while also immensely helping with the organization’s recruitment endeavors. In truth, there are a myriad of different approaches of organizational and personal improvement and management, but the Baldridge criteria stands solidly apart. For one, unlike other approaches, this process offers an improvement framework that is non-prescriptive. Additionally, the techniques are all-inclusive and integrated, addressing all the factors involved within the organization, its workings and outcomes. Moreover, the brilliance of the process resides in its focus on common needs of the set-up, rather than on benign aspects such as techniques, tools and procedures. The technique addresses the desires of all the stakeh olders in an organization and is essentially adaptable and accommodative to various organizational and personal practices and needs. The criteria of the Baldridge allow for organizations to conduct self-assessment and gives insightful feedback to users. The criteria also assist in enhancing the performance capabilities, practices and results while further facilitating proper communication methods/ techniques within the organization. Not only do the Baldridge criteria focus on improving the organization, but it also focuses on personal (individual) learning within these settings of application. This is significantly contributed by its core values and concepts which strongly advocate for visionary leadership (that demands the setting of proper examples from leaders so that ethical behavior, values and expectation are reinforced even as

Business Morals and Social Responsibilities Essay

Business Morals and Social Responsibilities - Essay Example Business organizations through the code of ethics benefit in enhancing their reputation and winning the trust of its clients. For instance, Nike’s code of ethics has assisted the organization to regains its reputation that was ruined by activities carried out by its contractors in Asia. However, like in the case of Nike, the code of ethics may influence the profits of business organizations. For instance, Nike developed its code of ethics following criticism over the unethical activities carried out by their contractors in Asia. The contractors unethically used labor from the poor communities in Asia to, cheaply, produce products for Nike. Nike’s high profits came from utilizing these activities that were orchestrated by their contractors in Asian countries (The Blake project 2008). Since the creation of the code of ethics, Nike’s profit reduced since they have to observe and adhere to the contents of that code of ethics. Society’s expectation for corporat e social responsibility may only change for the better. Corporate social responsibility affects the business’ profitability in a great manner. For instance, Nike’s major corporate social responsibility is to produce quality footwear for its customers. Compromising the quality of its products will lead to great losses and tarnishing the image of the company (Kidd 2008). It also has a social responsibility to produce its products without harming the eco-system. It is evident how business organizations work towards achieving their corporate social responsibilities. For instance, Nike has developed Nike environmental design tool to produce products with higher sustainability standards (Nikebiz).

Oneness Of Being Unity With God Religion Essay

Oneness Of Being Unity With God Religion Essay In attempting a study on Sufism one cannot ignore the theology and life of Ibn Arabi. Knà Ã‚ ¾wn by some aц¢ thà Ã‚ µ grà Ã‚ µatà Ã‚ µÃƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢t of Muslim philiosophers, Ibn à Ã‚ rabi waц¢ bà Ã‚ ¾rn in MurÑ ia in ц¢Ãƒ Ã‚ ¾uth-à Ã‚ µaц¢tà Ã‚ µrn à Ã¢â‚¬ ¦pain, during the time of the development of à Ã‚ ndaluц¢ian Mà Ã‚ ¾Ãƒ Ã‚ ¾riц¢h Ñ ulturà Ã‚ µ. He was born in a situation and moment in time which Jewish, Muslim and Christian intellectuals gained knowledge from each other. Depicting the most sophisticated metaphysical and theoretical philosophy of his era, Ibn Arabi generated an astonishing mystical theology that fundamentally developed from his own spiritual realization. He has been recognized for 800 years as the Sheikh al-Akbar, or the Greatest Master, because the sophisticated characteristics of his wisdom. In these works he presented some unique theological perspectives. One of the most pivotal is his teaching about humanitys unity with God. It is the goal of this paper to attempt to explain why Ibn Arabi stressed this concept as being essential to ones spiritual life. To understand the oneness of being with God, one must first comprehend what Ibn Arabis beliefs were between of the universe and ontology. Ontology for him consisted of three different levels of existence. These were rendered as: Absolute Being, or the unrestricted existence of God, the necessary; the Self Existent, the Absolute non-Being Page 2 which is non-Self Existent; and the Mediator or Separator whereby these two are distinguished one from the other.  [1]   God is the only necessary being. All of the rest of creation depends on God for existence. Creation reflects Gods attributes. Ibn Arabi believes that all things pre-exist as ideas in the knowledge of God. The world is merely an outward aspect of that which in its inward aspect in God.  [2]     Creation should not be confused with God himself, however it is a reflection of God. When you look at creation you realize that is upheld by God but in its very nature buried in it is Gods own nature. It is natural to say that all that exists has a connection with God. This has to be balanced with still acknowledging tanzih as well. This might suggest that this is almost a pantheist view. But Ibn Arabi was not claming that God and the Universe are identical. God created the world that is very different from himself but he still wants to hold a relationship with it. This ends up with humankind seeking union with God. In his manuscript, the Bezels of Wisdom, Arabi makes the claim that what we see and experience is only a dream. While nearly all people are ignorant that we aren not seeing reality, everything that we perceive and sense is an delusion, we know what we see only a representative manifestation of what is the one genuine Reality. Ibn al-Arabi writes, All Page 3 men are asleep; only when they die, do they wake up.  [3]  Ibn Arabi does not signify that one has to expire so one can recognize true Reality. However it is showing that the progression human beings have had to undertake so they can understand apparent actuality to reveal the Reality. It was Ibn al-Arabis estimation, this divine development is a self-annihilation analogous to ones demise. Following the alteration making residence, humans awaken to an totally dissimilar world, liberated of the rationale that conceals the absolute Reality. This death or awakening which Arabi comprehends as reality directs to a new state of knowning the Reality. It is inaccurate to articulate that the two are not connected because the absolute Reality is unlike that we perceive to be as reality. Actually Ibn Arabi upholds that they are very much interconnected. We might think that which we perceive as real is not fully worthless, but is a symbolic representation of the Reality. Both our imaginings or reality are not what they appear to be. The theory concerned in the employment of symbols is a indispensable one. Ibn Arabi labels this as tawil, which can be defined as bringing something back to its foundation. Nothing is what it appears to be. In Islamic terms, every exterior (Zahir) must have an enterior (batin). Tawil means going from Zahir to the batin, outward reality to the inner one. The Universe articulates to him in the language of symbols. The progression of tawil can be relevant to all the wonder of Nature and all that encloses humans in this life. The precepts of religion and the experience within the heart of man are also responsible for the Page 4 deep-seated method of personal interpretation. One must undergo five levels of Divine self- manifestation for this death or conversion that one must experience to interpret these symbols. For Arabi there are five levels of Divine self-manifestation. They are: The plane of the Essence (dhat), the world of the absolute non-manifestation (al-ghayb al-mutlaq) or the Mystery of Mysteries The plane of the Attributes and the Names, the Presence of Divinity (uhulhiyah) The plane of the actions, the presence of Lordship (rububiyah) The plane of Images (amthal) and Imagination (khayal) The plane of senses and sensible experience (mushahadah)  [4]   Together these create completion, however the exacting planes mirror the stages recorded above. The same as was conveyed previously, everything contained by these stages are a depiction of facet of Divine Existence. The entire entity is a revelation, an instruction, or a communication from God.  [5]  To be capable of discovering the uppermost plane, we need to discover the connection that exists even within the transcendence and immanence of God. We can find this possible if one rejects the corporeal nature but also with some of the sense of reason to reach a level of unadulterated intelligence. While understanding this position we will recover the reason we discarded, just the reason we recover with be an entirely different Page 5 type then the one that was thrown away. Liberated of corporeal confines, thethe entirety things on all the planes will be disclose concerning their proper nature. When we distinguish that every of these descriptions are purely diverse varieties of the Divine Being, according to Ibn al-Arabis theology, we will have arrive at ed the uppermost plane of Being. We will be faultless. Regrettably, though it is achievable to attain this plane and get the capability to know Reality on the greatest sacred point, Muhammad is the only one that has accomplished such consciousness. Even though Ibn al-Arabi deems every part of of existence is a dream, he too believes it is feasible to arouse from this dream and discover the unqualified Reality. By freeing ourselves from reason and our corporal nature, we are capable to fuse the transcendence and immanence of God. This permits us to deduce the figurative descriptions of the Divine Existence reflected at the distinctive planes of Being, ultimately directing us to recognize that they are entirely one and the same. Each dream, and all of existence, are a expression of the Absolute. Actuality is the Absolute. Ibn al-Arabi deem that what we see as reality and what we understand of Reality is achievable throughout the course of our minds prospects. Imagination oversee every thing: complete nothingness, the unattainable, the Necessary, and the possibility, and makes them clear through symbols that we can understand. Imagination provides the outline to where all aspects of the Divine Existence, despite whether reason informs us they can or cannot exist. Yet opposites and contradictions, even being in two distinctive places at the same instance, turn out to be reasonable with imagination. Anything that is rational is created by ones imagination. Every part that is reasonable should be interpret. Imagination makes the Page 6 sensible world of reality connect with the spiritual. Accepting imagination role is the solution to interpreting the metaphors imagination generates and unleases what they are aiming to communicate. Humans were originally made in the form of Allah but have forgotten this knowledge and ultimate position that it puts them. Arabi thought that there existed a Perfect Man that remembered and acknowledge the relationship with God and humankind. One should try to become like this person. Ibn Arabi claimed that Muhammad was this Perfect Man. The Quran portrays Muhammad as a highly moral man. He saw clearly who he was by through the actualization of divine names.  [6]  He stands as an example of knowing God and therefore knowing himself. This means of realization connects God and our place in the universe. One must follow the path of takhalluq, or assuming the traits of Muhammad.  [7]  The knowledge of the oneness of God is not just for the Perfect Man but one who receives the idea and is affected by it. But it is through striving to be the Perfect Man that this can happen. One must be able to extinguish the self into the presence of God. This happens within the human heart. This changed person achieves unity with God and becomes a reflection of God in humans. For Ibn Arabi, the soul attains a state of self-annihilation and is able to perceive the unity of all things especially God and its creation. God reveals himself because God wanted to be known. Page 7 It seems that the idea of oneness is almost shirk for a Muslim but Ibn Arabi made a distinction between God as the transcendent and the God that related to the cosmos. Humans were only able to draw near to the God that related to the world. This only happens as one becomes perfected. Then one may be able to acknowledge Gods presence within oneself. Man as barzakh, the connection involving Being and non-Being, is important to Ibn Arabi. Humans are given the important role of being the link between God and creation. When God created Adam and breathed his spirit into him, he placed all of his attributes in humans. We all have the potentional of reflecting Gods nature, living the realities of the Divine Names. Humans reflect Gods Divine Names. This is comparable to Christians claiming that we are made in Gods image. Humankind may have been created with all of Gods attributes in them but we have somehow lost this knowledge. This would correspond with traditional Islamic belief that we have a tendency for forgetfulness. The only path to open up our eyes is through revelation from God. Unity comes when one has realized that our very existence belongs to God. One must be completely absorbed in God. We are limited but we can be connected to God the absolute. To connect with God is the aim of the Sufis life. Within all of us is the desire for God. When we finally come to the knowledge of how the cosmos works and pondering the Divine Names can one attain unity with God. One might even say you must get lost in God. Page 8 This can only happen by certain means. Humanity can draw near to God through the experience of oneness through asceticism. There must be self-purification and self-stripping as well as abstinence and solitude. In this environment real conversation can take place with God. There must be certain guidelines that must be followed. Arabi wrote, do not enter your cell until you are aware of your station and of the extent to which you able to oppose the power of the imagination. If your imagination has power over you, you must go into retreat only under the guidance of a teacher.  [8]  People must have the capacity to receive and encounter God on such a deep level. For the Sufi, it is not to be taken lightly. There is a connection between ones preparedness and the measuring out or ones destiny. This is determined by Allah. Before God brought us to be, he knew the qualities we would need to be able to have the capacity to receive. He brings humans from nonexistence to existence. We cannot worship God in His very Essence only by what is allowed by are preparedness and our destiny. The practice of the dhirk is tremendously important. Dhirk does not simply mean repeating the names of God for a Sufi. It is a liturgy of sorts that includes recitation but also music and dance. These acts will bring to remembrance who God is and what over relationship to him is. At some point in his days, Muhammad predicted that Islam would be divided just as Christianity had started to be separated. Certainly this prophecy was accurate which can be Page 9 seen through the commonness of many sects and atypical viewpoints that are found in the faith of those who assert to be Muslim. One of these division is seen with those who call themselves Sufis. They began engaging in some different behaviors. A number of people initiated in unusual types of devotion and worship. Some began to reject the world surrounding them by way of ascetic exercises. Originally they were regarded as Muslims, though what they were engaged in was an fresh and different. After awhile, a Sufi practice and philiosophy began to advance. Some began to deem those who practiced it to be beyond the religion of Islam. There are similar fanatical Sufi practices that have similarities in Christianity. Equally Christianity and Sufism have roots in a supernatural outlook of God and the religious experience. It is a personal practice concerning an inner voyage of the person to God, not just an practice of relating truths. It is rooted on spirituality more than reason. The understanding is somewhat purposely fashioned by participant through bodily and intellectual exercises, as the encounter does not manifest itself. One must participate in the exercise. There is an stress put on in encountering a personal God. This discovery comes through prayer, meditation, music and even chating and meditation. Another place of common ground is the belief that God addresses people directly to in both Christian and Sufi circles. Christians accept as true that God articulates revelation to them directs them through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is one aspect of the trinity, the other essences of God being the Father and also Jesus. Most Christians would agree that they can obtain a relationship with God by communing with the Holy Spirit. This happens through prayer and reflection. Most would say that the Holy Spirit is present in each person Page 10 as part as a outcome of Jesus atonement on the cross to rescue and save humankind. The Holy Spirit was sent after Jesus ascension. The Holy Spirit can articulate openly to people whether they are wide awake or during dreams. Sufis also claim that God communicates directly to them and divulges to special hidden knowledge to them that is not known to others. This idea derives itself from the Sufi belief that Allah inhabits in their souls and that people have divine characteristics. This is precisely the equivalent as the Christian thought of the individual soul that is enlightened and steered by the Holy Spirit. Sufis have created a specific tafsir of the Quran in which they utilize, which exposes the concealed connotation of language and terms of passages that are not clear when trying to uunderstanding them. For instance, Ibn Arabi deduces that the verse Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearings to mean that They hear not except from Him (Allah) and understand not except from Him. They see not except by Him, and they neither turn to you nor to what you have because of what We have made and placed with them.  [9]  Ibn Arabi purports that Allah has sealed the hearts and hearing of Sufi s to everything except from what Allah shows them candidly through their prayers and meditation. Ibn Arabi trusts that his tafsir was divinely inspired and inscribed by way of Divine transcription and Allah placing the implication in his heart. Because there is a focus on personal relationship with the Divine, directly through the Holy Spirit, both religions seem to take on a especially personal manner about them. On the whole the focal point is distracted from the others and society. Their association with God as a whole, only seems to concentrate on the connection to the individuals relationship with Page 11 God. The mystical path can become a distinctively individual solitary way to find God, all relying on the self. The Christian and Sufi prays and mediatates; they may even attend worship, whether in a mosque or other group gathering. Nevertheless, the prominence of thought is generally constantly on the self. The accountability to the others is makes one indifferent and narrowed the importance of others appreciably. This is in disagreement to the overall rationale of religion, as God sent prophets to the people and countries not to just individuals. Islam and Christianity both should integrate the society or atleast others from different ways of life. We are all diversely joined and should be inseparable. When focus is taken off the individual the whole scheme of belief changes. Religion should not be something every individual does absent from the society on his or her own; it is also displayed through every deed that the person makes. There is not enough to emphasis on the community and together their relationship to God. One worries about getting people saved and not how live in community. If one mainly concentrates on their own individual bond with God, the church and the world populace is lacking because of it. Another problem that arises from an individualistic way of expressing religion, every person can develop their own system and beliefs supported by anything they sense God fancies them to do, not what God says they should do. This somewhat explains the mystical understanding where imagination, not reason is implemented. This personal tone of Sufism and Christianity is too often the outcome, whether it has been intentional or not, which can isolate people from God, since they are not following there own way not the way God gave them. Page 12 In trying to evaluate Ibn Arabi individually from a Christian perspective, he makes some claims one can seem to agree with. Christians tend to claim to want a relationship with God and that we are made in the image of God. At first glance this seemed to be similar to Christian thought. This is different for the Christian because it was not just forgetfulness that separates us from God but rebellion. We cannot do anything to bridge to gap between us and God. One needs a savior to pay the atonement for ones sins which make it possible for relationship. Knowledge is not path to get someone there. Christians do talk about how someone must decrease and God increase in their lives. This is very similar to the oneness that is spoken in Sufism. The more someone becomes like God, the less we are like themselves. An attempt is made to leave the carnal nature behind. Those that follow the teachings of John Wesley speak of working towards perfection. Wesley taught that perfection, or sanctification, was possible in this lifetime, though he never claimed to achieve total perfection. This could only happen by intentional behaviors meant to hone in your carnal nature. This is also completemented by first the working of the Holy Spirit in ones life. Most Christians would say that perfection is an unattainable goal. Only Christ was the perfect man. We still need to mature in our faith. That will change us into better people. Sufis have always honored Jesus as the ultimate contemplative. Jesus achieved the ultimate ideal for intimacy by displaying the ascetic life and love for God. Jesus had long Page 13 periods of fasting and prayer retreats that many Sufis would consider a good model. Many Christians shrug off fasting and retreat as unnecessary even though it is commanded by Jesus. This paper sought to explain how for Ibn Arabi, union with God is a pivotal theological concept. This can only be understood by looking at the way he viewed the world including symbolism. These all influence how one sees creation and how one relates to God. For Christianity, Sufism brings some challenges as well as at time places of agreement. It is important for one to understand other concepts to be able to understand ones one theological framework better. We both agree on a personal loving God. Some other ways, like prayer and meditation, are exceptionally important to both groups. One can be challenged as we try to understand each other so there can be more peace. Only in that environment can Christianity be heard and understood. Christianity can not make as much an impact if we do not strive to understand other religions. Christ would want us to observe and interact with people of other religions so others could see Christ through us. Page 14

Evaluating Historical Views of Leadership Essay

How does a civilization attain the most effective leadership? More importantly what is considered effective leadership and who developed the theories surrounding it? These questions are debated through the ages of postmodern and modern civilization. Bass (1974) wrote that, â€Å"from its infancy, the study of history has been the study of leaders† (Wren, 1995, p. 50). Four of the godfathers of what is considered modern leadership theory are Plato, Aristotle, Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli. Over the course of this analysis, the leadership theories of each of these titans will be evaluated. Each view contains commonalities and disparities which offer conflicting perspectives on the complex topic of leadership throughout the ages of modern society. The goal is to broaden these views with critical evaluation, vetted scholarly sources and well-reasoned judgments. The conclusion arrived at will offer heighten awareness at the age old highly debated question; what is effective leadership? Plato vs Aristotle Plato and Aristotle were both titans of Greek thought during the fourth century BCE Athens, and both shared similar experience and backgrounds. Partly this was because Plato was Aristotle’s teacher. Takala the author of Plato on Leadership states â€Å"Ancient Greece (400 B.C.) has been regarded as the home of systematic administrative thinking; it has been seen as the place where the Western administrative thinking was born† (Takala, 1998, p. 787). This fact cemented Plato’s title of godfather of modern leadership theory that presented a systematic political and administrative model linking what life could be in an ideal state (Takala, 1998). There are many parallels in Plato’s rhetoric that mirror contemporary leadership debate. The most glaring is the emphasis on education and a class based system that focuses on what he termed, just social order. A† just social order† is defined as â€Å"one where order and harmony are maintained by each class of citizens carrying out the tasks for which they are suited and not interfering with the work of others† (Takala, 1998, p. 791). Plato in his most famous work the Republic speaks to the importance of virtue derived from knowledge. His top three credos for a unified and virtuous state were: 1. Know the good is to do the good. 2. All the virtues boil down gaining wisdom or what he paraphrased the †unity of the virtues† (Takala, 1998). 3. In order to become happy in a new state virtue must be present. The second titan of the three discussed is Plato’s protà ©gà © the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. Aristotle had many views that mirrored the views of his mentor the most glaring being the dependence on education for laying the foundation for a modernized society (Kodish, 2006). Where these two minds disagree comes down to the action needed to secure leadership. Aristotle poked holes in all of the three points above given by Plato is these fundamental ways: 1. Just knowing the good was not enough for Aristotle. The concept of free will was relatively new, and he failed to see the need to practice being virtue. 2. For this reason, although wisdom is the highest form of virtue, it is by no means the key to possessing all virtues. In other words, Aristotle denies the unity of the virtues. 3. Finally, Aristotle thinks that although virtue is necessary to the good life, it isn’t sufficient. That is to say a person can be virtuous but still be unhappy. In particular, does a person truly need good fellow citizens to achieve happiness (Kodish, 2006). The most general difference Aristotle and Plato held was a difference of values surrounding the human condition. Aristotle saw the positives in society, and therefore prescribed freedom and equality; Plato saw the negatives and prescribed various illiberal and discriminatory ideals (Wren, 1995). Lao-Tzu vs Machiavelli The third titan of thought was Lao-tzu â€Å"an ancient sage of the sixth century and his book the Tao Te Ching (how things work) was used by political leaders† of his time in history (Wren, 1995, p. 69). The forth titan in Nicollo Machiavelli and his work the Prince is a classic on the pragmatic  use of power in society (Wren, 1995). Aristotle and Plato represent the western view of leadership during the age of modern leadership theory. To further broaden our view of leadership theory and practice this analysis also explores eastern views through the eyes of two more of history’s most influential minds. Lao-tzu’s theory is fundamentally different mainly due to its message of simplicity. He believed that a truly effective leader should be loved by the people he/she lead (Gerald, 2005). Compared to other scholars of the time like Machiavelli who felt fearing a leader was the best way to get results (Wren, 1995). In Machiavelli’s own words he wrote â€Å"I reply that one should like to be both one and the other, but since it is difficult to join them together, it is much safer to be feared than loved when one of the two must be lacking† (Machiavelli, 2006, p. 44). The differences between these two influential minds stem from the trusting (Lao-Tzu) or not trusting (Machiavelli) your followers to make good choices. The Tao Te Ching attempts to foster leadership by stepping away from the era-specific tyrannical view of what motivates the human condition. The 46th chapter of Tao Te Ching bares these words: â€Å"There is no greater misfortune than wanting more.† If you are content, Lao Tzu continues, â€Å"you will always have enough.† Unfortunately for Westerners, our motto seems to be â€Å"more for me now† (Gerald, 2005, p. 48). Conclusion Throughout the above analysis, there have been commonalities and disparities presented from the classic works of four godfathers of modern leadership theory and practice. Each mind brings a modified view of what leadership should or could be in a modern society. Whatever personal views arise after reviewing these masterworks there are some truths furthering the argument that leadership theory is an ever evolving door and a melting pot of ideas derived from many figures throughout history. The only constant is that there is no ideal way to lead; there are only methods that have garnered results in their own time and place in history. References Gerald, W. P. (2005, April 9). A look at thoughts from Tao-Te-Ching. Kingston Whig, 1-48. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/352713307?accountid=458 Kodish, S. (2006). The Paradoxes of Leadership: The Contribution of Aristotle. Leadership, 2: 451, 451-458. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1742715006069175 Machiavelli, N. (2006). Qualities of the Prince. New York Bedford/St Martin: in World of Ideas. Takala, T. (1998, May). Plato on Leadership. Journal of Business Ethics, 17, 785-798. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/25073123 Wren, T. J. (1995). The Leader’s Companion Insights on Leadership Through the Ages. New York NY: The Free Press.