Love is Love and Nothing Less Essay Example for Free

Love is Love and Nothing Less Essay In reflecting on my life as a child, adolescent, and adult, I have experienced love and lack of love on many occasions in the relationships I’ve experienced with others. To me, love is something that is present or is not present and cannot be split into various differing forms. I have never met the perfect, most ideal person who has loved me unconditionally, unendingly, and without interruption. The closest I’ve come to the ideal love has been through my religion, my spirituality, in my faithful relationship with God and Jesus Christ. However, even in this relationship, I have had my doubts, even if Jesus Christ, God, has never had them, so in this case as well, love has been interrupted. However, many of my relationships have incorporated loving actions, and it saddens me to recall the situations when love has been absent and hatred has crept into its place. Robert Sternberg has an interesting theory in regard to his attempt to separate out love and dissect it into varying forms, however, it is obvious that he often misses the mark in regard to what love means. The two categories which I consider to be rational evaluations of the presence or lack of presence of love are Sternberg’s two categories of nonlove and consummate love. To me, it’s always either one or the other, and one cannot assume to have a portion of love but not really, as if love has a grey area. In assuming that love has a grey or midrange area, one has to admit believing that badness mixes with good or that right and wrong are somehow united in a mesh of reality, however, in my opinion, good and good and bad is bad, wrong and right are separate, and ethics has to assume a position in regard to defining a loving way of being or loving action. Sternberg assumes that liking someone is only intimacy, devoid of passion and commitment, and in my opinion, this is illogical, as many loving relations with other people who I’ve considered friends or strangers, people who I’ve liked, have contained passion and commitment as well. Loving actions are filled with many aspects, and liking a person includes love, passion, commitment, respect, kindness, and many other values. To like someone most certainly includes having passion and commitment towards this other person. If we as a community and culture don’t have passion, commitment, and intimacy towards all members, then something is surely going wrong. Perhaps Sternberg is trying to imply that relationships with one’s spouse or family members are in some ways different from other relationships? If this is so, then he should focus on the unique attributes of playing the role of wife, son, father, or friend, and not focus on attempting to separate love into differing categories. The way one loves a person may vary, but love itself is constant. The idea that infatuation, fatuousness, or emptiness has anything to do with love is also unreasonable. How can love itself incorporate anything negative? Obsession, falsity, and voidance are certainly not aspects of love, passion, intimacy, or commitment. Has there ever been a time when being loving and kind to another person has incorporated elements of negativity? In and of itself, love is positive. It raises people up and makes them feel wonderful. In Sternberg’s attempt to triangulate love into three arenas, intimacy, passion, and commitment, he attempts to inject love with a poison of hatred or malevolence. If love is always good natured and good acting, then love cannot be split apart. People may, at times, at many times, cease to treat one another lovingly, cease to demonstrate the goods of intimacy, passion, and commitment, but that is simply the fault of the person and not an aspect of love itself. It is refreshing that Sternberg categorizes some of his love categories positively and not negatively, such as liking, romantic, companionate, and consummate, however this does not adequately explain or do justice to the fact that his other four supposed categories of love, nonlove, infatuated, empty, and fatuous are negatively termed. In my opinion, nonloving, infatuated, empty, and fatuous ways of behaving are part of hatred or evil and absent of love. If love is the right action in the right time and place with the right person, then love is fully good and absent of any mistakes. When Sternberg attempts to justify a divorce by claiming that the reason for the divorce is that one or both of the partners were loving one another, just loving one another differently, then he has certainly fallen prone to bad logic (Sternberg, 331). A divorce or a split is never caused by love, but rather by hateful or wrong actions by one person against another. It may be difficult to voice and communicate these wrong actions, however, a split, a lack of love, cannot be caused by love itself, but rather only by its absence. Although love shown towards one person or another may by expressed differently from one situation and person to the next, love itself is never aversive, yet rather uniting. The only culprit of divorce is the person behaving in nonloving ways. Sandelands very adequately states that the business of business is the human person. Everything that people do, everything that people were created by God to do, involves the spirit of the human person. Anyone believing that actions are just actions, that business is just business, devoid of the human person, has lost touch with the meaning of the high moral element of right action (93). In my own life, there have certainly been times when I acted in unloving ways towards other people, when I was empty of goodwill, false in my intentions. I remember lying to my mother, hurting my sisters, screaming at my father. My past boyfriends were often disgusted by my lack of fidelity. My daughter and husband are equally reviled by my bad manners when I overeat or eat sloppily. However, I also thankfully know that I have exuded love towards others. My father, mother, and sisters enjoyed it when I created a restaurant at home and cooked for everyone. My past boyfriends were often amused by my sense of humor in playfully lightening the moment. The caresses and kind words I offer to my husband and daughter are filled with benevolence, peace, and goodwill. It is in the interests of the whole of society to recognize that â€Å"caring as a virtue and an act of ethics is †¦ a natural †¦ point of view inseparably related to love as a universal †¦ value† (Arman Rehnfeldt, 4). When a person decides to love another person, any other person, then one consciously decides to do well towards another person and to not do badly toward another person. The sense that there is any type of human inaction proves false the fact that the universe is in constant motion. Every act or ceasing to act is directly related to cause and effect and can be categorized as fruitful or harmful. Although my mother may believe that being silent towards me is effectively loving and appropriate, I may believe that she does not love me. However, if I change my point of view and see that she is simply being silent and loving me by doing so, we come into agreement with one another and I cease to be negatively resistant to her goodwill. Also, if I loudly kiss my husband and he believes that I’m being sarcastic or hateful towards him, then I may very well be being sarcastic toward him in my actions. However, if I am aiming to love him in my kiss, then he himself is being paranoid for believing that I am not. We human beings are such sensitive creatures and it is often difficult to recognize and show love, however, the clear definition of love as a positive, ethical, valuable, and universal presence is vital in being able to correctly identify, demonstrate, and evoke loving actions. Erikson, a leader in the study of psychosocial human development, believes that people moving through the stage of young adulthood will pass through a phase of either attaining intimacy with a romantic partner or a friend or failing to achieve intimacy and becoming isolated (Goodman Mukulincer, 396). Although intimacy is important throughout the entire life of a person, perhaps it is good to note that young adulthood is primarily the time when people are selecting romantic partners and mates. Despite the fact that people from about puberty onwards toward death may seek romance with another person, many people on the search for romance are indeed young adults. However, it is very important, as in the case with Sternberg’s theory, not to box people in too much. Erickson’s ideas about intimacy and other issues related to life development are valid and worthy of consideration, but human beings crave and need intimacy from birth until death. Romantic love may be a special kind of love involving sexuality and more physical and deep interaction, reserved for one’s mate and life partner, however, love in general is necessary for every person, from conception until natural death. It would be good for people to open their hearts and minds up to the constancy of love and to make it a personal life goal or a life decision to work on demonstrating true self giving loving acts to everyone around them. Even though love may look different in varying situations between varying people, the underlying genuine goodwill is always there, love as a purposeful gift of positive and uplifting interaction. References Arman, M. Rehnsfeldt, A. (2006). The Presence of Love in Ethical Caring. Nursing Forum 41(1), 4-12. Goodman, G. Mikulincer, M. (2006). Dynamics of romantic love: attachment, caregiving, and sex. Guilford Press. Sandelands, L. (2009). The Business of Business is the Human Person: Lessons from the Catholic Social Tradition. Journal of Business Ethics 85, 93-101. Sternberg, R. Triangulating Love. The Altruism Reader, 331-333.

THE EVOLUTION OF CARIBBEAN SOCIAL POLICY Essay -- essays research pape

THE EVOLUTION OF CARIBBEAN SOCIAL POLICY: Reasons for the Changes and Shifts in the Social Policy Agenda From the 1940’s to the Present Period. Social Policy may be broadly defined as a system of social welfare that includes economic as well as non-economic objectives and involves some measure of progressive redistribution in command over resources1. Using Mishra’s typology of social welfare models (see Fig. 1 below), this paper describes the evolution of social policy in the English-speaking Caribbean. Drawing primarily from the experiences of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, four chronological periods are used to highlight the factors contributing to the major developments in social policy: 1) the Immediate Post-War Period and the Moyne Commission (1940 to 1950); 2) Transition to Self-Government (1950 to 1961); 3) Ideology and the Immediate Post-Independence Period (1962 to 1973); 4) the Oil Crisis, World Recession and Structural Adjustment (1970 to 1980’s); 5) (Conclusion) The Present Period (1990 to present)2. A review of the literature revealed that a combination of social, economic, political/ideological and international factors contributed to policy development at each stage of this evolutionary process. This paper argues that as a result of these factors, Caribbean social policy gradually moved from a strong residual approach prior to the Moyne report, and tended to a more institutional approach during the transition period to full internal self-government, then to a more structural approach in the immediate post-independence period, and back to a residual approach when structural adjustment policies were instituted in the 1980’s. Of course, in reality the policies formulated in the various periods do not conform perfectly to Mishra’s types. However, this does not detract from the applicability of the model to the present analysis, as it is an inherent feature of all ideal types (as is implied by the descriptor â€Å"ideal†). Also, while the general factors contributing to the evolution of Caribbean social policy has been highlighted, the specific ways in whi ch these factors manifested in each country are extensively discussed. Fig. 1 Mishra’s Welfare Models1 Main Features Type of Welfare Residual Institutional Structural State responsibility in meeting needs (ideology of state intervention) Minimal Optimal... ... Henry, Ralph and Moesire, Alicia. â€Å"Poverty Alleviation and Reduction Programmes: the Commonwealth Caribbean Experience† in Poverty, Empowerment and Social Development in the Caibbean. Ed, Norman Girvan. Mona: Canoe Press UWI, 1997, 101 – 136. Mac Pherson, Stewart. Social Policy in the Third World: The Social Dilemmas of Underdevelopment. UK: Wheatsheaf Books Ltd. 1982. Neil, Joan. Targeting and Poverty: New Trends in Social Policy – Social Projects for Alleviation in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. UNECLAC, 1992. Robothom, Don. Social and Economic Policy: Starting Gates and End-States, UWI, 1995. Sinha, D.P. â€Å"Health Care of The Population† in Children of the Caribbean. CFNI/PAHO, 198 8. 123-144. Stone, Carl. â€Å"Power Policy and Politics in Independent Jamaica† in Jamaican in Independence: Essays on the Early Years. Ed, Rex Nettleford. Kingston: Heinemann Caribbean, 1989, 19-53. Thomas, Clive, Y. â€Å"The interrelationship between economic and social development† in Poverty, Empowerment and Social Development in the Caribbean. Ed, Norman Girvan. Mona: Canoe Press UWI, 1997, 20-49. Titmuss, R. Social Policy: An Introduction.

Limit

Q1. What is the difference between a left neighborhood and a right neighborhood of a number? How does this concept become relevant in determining a limit of a function? Answer: Left neighborhood of a number ‘a’ represents numbers lesser than the number ‘a’ and is denoted by ‘a-’ or ‘a-d’, where d is infinitesimally small. Similarly, right neighborhood of a number ‘a’ represents numbers greater than the number ‘a’ and is denoted by ‘a+’ or or ‘a+d’, where d is infinitesimally small. This concept is very important in determining limit of a function. A function f(x) of ‘x’ will have a limit at x = a; if and only if f(a-d) = f(a+d) = f(a); where d is infinitesimally small. Q2. A limit of a function at a point of discontinuity does not exist. Why? Give an example. Answer: For existence of limit of function f(x) of ‘x’; at x = a; the necessary and sufficient condition is f(a-d) = f(a+d) = f(a); where d is infinitesimally small. At a point of discontinuity, f(a-d) ≠  f(a+d). Therefore, limit of a function does not exist at a point of discontinuity. The following example will make it clear. Let us take example of integer function. This function is defined in the following manner: f(x) = a;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   where ‘a’ is an integer less than or equal to x. Let us check if limit exists for this function at x = ‘a’, where ‘a’ is an integer. Now left hand side limit = f(a-d) = a-1 And right hand side limit = f(a+d) = a Thus, f(a-d) ≠  f(a+d); and hence limit does not exists for this function. If this function is plotted, there is discontinuity at all integer points. Thus it can be seen that limit of a function does not exist at a point of discontinuity. 3. What is the difference between a derivative of a function and its slope? Give a detailed explanation. Answer: Derivative of a function is another function, which remains same throughout the domain of the function at all the points. Slope of a function on the other hand is the value of the derivative. This value may change from point to point depending on the nature of the function. Let us take an example. Derivative of Sin(x) is Cos(x) for all values of ‘x’. If one looks at the slope of Sin(x), its value keeps changing in [-1, +1] range from point to point. Slope of Sin(x) is -1 for x = odd integral multiples of p; +1 for x = even multiples of p and 0 for x = odd multiples of p/2. Thus, it can be seen that while derivative of a function remains the same while its slope could be changing from point to point.

Juvenile Delinquency Is Defined As A Legal Term - 1435 Words

Juvenile delinquency is defined as a legal term describing the behavior of a youth that is marked by violation of the law and antisocial behavior. Delinquent acts fall under two categories: adult-committed crime and â€Å"age-related† crime. Adult related crimes are crimes that an adult would be punished for had they committed the crime. Adult related crimes are considered more serious and may include burglary, drug use, and murder. Sometimes children may get charged as adults depending on the severity of the crime. The only difference is the child does not receive a trial; they instead receive adjudication and later disposition and sentencing. Age-related crimes are acts that would not be punishable had an adult committed these crimes.†¦show more content†¦Juvenile delinquency is at a steady decline; however it is still a problem. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention said an estimated one million arrests were for people under the age of 18 . The arrest rate is 50% less than it was in 2005. How is the problem defined? According to Lentz, â€Å"some parents do not provide adequate supervision for a number of reasons (Lentz 25).† When parents stay in low income based housing they may have to work overtime at their jobs to provide for their families. They may also have to work a certain amount of hours to receive healthcare benefits from their jobs. They do not get the luxury to see their children off to school or have the chance to be home when their child gets out of school. Some parents may not have enough money to afford day care of afterschool services. This causes their children to become â€Å"latchkey kids†. Latchkey kids are children â€Å"who spend their after-school hours unsupervised (Lentz 25).† This gives children the opportunity to do things that they would not typically do when if their parents were around. They may leave the house and roam the streets trying to find something to do which can include crimes such as burglary. Some parents also may not show their children â€Å"parental warmth†. Lack of parental warmth can be for a number of reasons. Some parents that work