Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Philosophy - Essay Example While there is a general dictionary understanding of a gadfly, when examining the lives of Socrates, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X, one can view their thematic similarities and come to understand the definition of gadfly incarnate. In these regards, all men share a similar propensity towards upsetting the status quo. In the case of Socrates it was through his influence on the Athenian youth that upset the upper level powers that ultimately put him to death. In the instances of Dr. King and Malcom X they work towards upsetting the status quo through fighting, albeit in different ways, for equal rights. In letters from a Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. speaks of a creative tension that must exist for true social progress to occur. In discussing this creative tension, King has been addressing criticism he has received for protests in which took part in with which he has been imprisoned for. The general theme of his letter is addresses the reasons for this non-violent protest . When he reaches the part that refers to creative tension, he is actually referring to the necessity of protest to bring individuals to the negotiating table. This is in essence the creative tension that king is referring to; it is not a violent way of sparking negotiation or change, but a non-violent yet direct means of creatively producing tension in the social environment so that political powers will take notice and engage in meaningful discussion. C) Creative tension is demonstrated in both the lives of Socrates and Martin Luther King Jr. As is noted above, Martin Luther King’s understanding of creative tension is non-violent protest that leads to the implementation of social change. In ‘Letters from a Birmingham Jail’ King brilliantly elucidates his stance on this issue as he demonstrates the reasons behind his engaging in the non-violent protest, One of the basic points in your statement is that the action that I and my associates have taken in Birmingham is untimely. Some have asked: "Why didn't you give the new city administration time to act?" The only answer that I can give to this query is that the new Birmingham administration must be prodded about as much as the outgoing one, before it will act. We are sadly mistaken if we feel that the election of Albert Boutwell as mayor will bring the millennium to Birmingham (King). Here King is demonstrating that the protest was necessary to so that the mayor would agree to negotiate. In Socrates, one sees a slightly different incarnation of creative tension. Both Socrates and Dr. King demonstrate a willingness to challenge society based on a belief that there are aspects of the social order that must be overturned to enact a more fair and balanced means of existence. In the Apology, Socrates states, For know that this is the command of God; and I believe that no greater good has ever happened in the state than my service to the God. For I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but first and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul (Plato 30a). In these regards, Socrates version of creative tension is much more closely linked to a belief in a higher state of consciousness that must be followed rather than the constructs of the social order. While Socrates is speaking to society at large, his message of creative tension is ultimately a more personal one. Socrates is indicating that one should improve their soul and follow this path to genuine existence and knowledge even at the cost of death. D) When considering Malcolm X, one notes that his ultimate goal is similar to Dr. King’s in that both men desire equal rights for the races. With Malcolm X, the main difference is his extremity, as he believes this should be achieved at all costs, even violence. His rational for this is related to historical precedent, as he points to the bloodshed that was lost in the Re volutionary War over achieving equal rights, and argues that similar steps must be

Critical analysis of the report Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Critical analysis of the report - Case Study Example 2. The research conducted (and what type of study) An ergonomic study was conducted by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on the rangers of Yellow Stone Park. Several tests were used such as the Rhythmic Test, Tremor Test, and the Vibroactile Test, to determine the reason why the rangers are experiencing musculoskeletal disorders and to find a way to prevent this kind of disorder. The first test used was the Rhythmic test. This test is used to determine the reaction time and coordination on the right and left hands. The rhythmic tests required the participants to tap a circular pad (4–inch diameter) in time with a steady metronome beat (1.0 Hertz [Hz] slow test, 2.5 Hz fast test), either alternating palm side of hand to back of hand (supination/pronation) or tapping with the index finger. At the end of the test administration a numerical coordination index is calculated, which can be compared to the normal coordination index (CI) range provided with the test battery documentation (NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report, Yellow Stone Park, 2001). With this data, the reaction time and hand coordination of the rangers can be easily compared to the normal reaction time index. The difference will determine the effect of the vibrations experienced while riding a snowmobile on hand coordination. The second test used was the Tremor Test. This test used the Tremor 3.0 software for data analysis. The data collected were: (1) Tremor intensity, often called amplitude or vibration power, calculated as the root–mean–square (RMS), measured in meters per second per second (m/s2) of acceleration in the 0.9 to 15 Hz band during the 8–second test; (2) Center frequency, which is the average frequency of acceleration in the test band, so that 50% of the energy that drives the tremor is produced at frequencies above the center frequency and 50% is produced below; (3) Tremor Index, calculated for each hand from five parameters (e. g., tremor intensity, center frequency, standard deviation of the center frequency, harmonic index, and standard deviation of the harmonic index.); and (4) Combined index for both hands (NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report, Yellow Stone Park, 2001). This test measures the vibrations experienced by the rangers in riding the snowmobiles and the intensity of the vibration that will likely cause the musculoskeletal disorder. The third test used is the Vibroactile Sensitivity test. This test was selected to determine the effect of the hand–arm vibration produced by snowmobiles on vibration perception thresholds. The test device used was the Bruel & Kj?r Model 96–27 Vibrometry System. This fully automated system produces a mechanical stimulus (sinusoidal vibration) at a chosen frequency to the pulp of a finger tip; the participant indicates perception of the vibration by means of a hand–held button similar to that used in a hearing test. The software was configured to test vibration at four frequencies: 31.5 Hz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz, and 500 Hz. Participants placed their right arm on an ascending armrest with the palm lying open on a circular pad, allowing the fingers to hang freely above the vibrating post. The test finger was then placed on the vibrating post with the finger slightly curved and resting lightly on the post. Participants controlled the intensity of vibration with the hand–held button, tracking back and forth between levels of stimulus perception and