My View on Evolution Essay Example for Free

My View on Evolution Essay The creation versus evolution debate is a recurring cultural, political, and theological dispute. As a result, Americans have spent a great deal of time in debate about the origins of the Earth, humanity, life, and the universe. Personally, I believe the world is billions of years old, and that all life on earth evolved. I will attempt to provide concrete facts, logical arguments, and solid evidence supporting my view on evolution. With that said, I will also share my personal intuitions and feelings that have led me to believe in evolution. Lastly, I will make a closing argument as to why you should support evolution as well based on the information presented in my paper. Logically, evolution makes sense to me for many reasons. On the other hand, creationists generally use the Bible as their main doctrine in backing up their argument for creation. However, I believe the Bible, alone, is not enough. With any legitimate argument, multiple sources of evidence are always needed. While I could list a dozen things that serve as real-life evidence that evolution is true, I will narrow them down to just two. The first piece of evidence that supports the idea of evolution is genetics. The DNA in our cells reflects each individual’s unique identity and how closely related we are to one another. The same can be said for relationships among organisms. DNA is the molecule that makes up an organism’s genome in the nucleus of every cell. It consists of genes, which are the molecular codes for proteins and the building blocks of our tissues and their functions. Furthermore, DNA shapes how an organism grows up and the physiology of its blood, bone, and brains (Lunine, 163). Thus, DNA is especially important to the study of evolution. Again, DNA tells us how closely or distantly related we are. With that in mind, think about this. The genetic difference between individual humans is minuscule, at about 0.1%, on average. Compared to human studies, a chimpanzee’s genome indicates a difference of only about 1.2%. The bonobo, which is the close cousin of chimpanzees, and gorillas, another of the African apes, is about 1.6%. Subsequently, it can be concluded that humans are not only related to the great apes, but that we are apes. No matter what the numbers are, the big point still holds. Humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos are more closely related to one another than any other primates. Throughout history, evolutionists have argued that the DNA of humans and apes show that our species and chimpanzees diverged from a common ancestor. Interestingly enough, apes were found to be existent about 17 million years before humans were even around (Moreland, 231). Therefore, the last common ancestors to fit this profile were monkeys and apes. Some evolutionists would see this information as clear evidence of a human evolutionary tree which is strongly rooted within the great apes. The second piece of evidence comes from fossils. If you look at the fossil record, you find a succession of organisms that suggest a history of incremental development from one species to another. You see very simple organisms at first and then new, more complex organisms appearing over time. Moreover, the characteristics of newer organisms frequently appear to be modified forms of characteristics of older organisms (Rieppel, 172). The succession of life forms, from simpler to more complex ones, also shows a relationship between new life forms and those that preceded them. Many evolutionists have made strong speculations of these findings, concluding that this is definitely evidence of evolution. In addition, fossil evidence is even more unique to the argument for evolution because it doesn’t stand alone. In fact, evolution becomes even more compelling when combined with other forms of evidence. For instance, the fossil record is consistent in terms of biogeography. This is paramount, because you would expect that the fossil record would be in harmony with current biogeography and ancient geography, if evolution is true. This also holds truth when examining the anatomy and biochemistry of living species. It appeared that the general order of development for the major types of vertebrate animals was: fish, amphibians, reptiles, and then mammals. If current species developed as a result of common descent, then the fossil record would show the same order of development. Sure enough, the fossil record does show the same order of development. Consequently, fossils and its converging evidence make fossils even more plausible in arguing evolution from common descent (Rieppel, 209). Lastly, I will share my personal feelings towards evolution. Personally, I feel many Christians disagree with the evolution theory, largely because they believe it contradicts the Bible. Yet, many Christians disagree with each other about the basic principles of Christianity. In my opinion, if a Christian doesn’t believe something to be true, they immediately find a way to say how that argument â€Å"contradicts the Bible†. However, the Bible is not always specific, nor is it clear in revealing the truth. In many cases, it almost appears to be written for our own interpretation, which brings me to my point. How can evolution be wrong if everything is based on interpretation? Essentially, I believe in evolution because my interpretation of life and literature, as well as my personal intuition, has led me to believe this. At the same time, my interpretation of the Bible and the book of Genesis is that it’s nothing more than poetry. Christians might see genetics, DNA, and fossils as evidence for creation. My interpretation has caused me to see these things as evidence for evolution. My point is this: everyone’s view is different, because everyone’s interpretation is different. When it comes to this debate, neither creationism nor evolution is a winner. There are many arguments to be made such as: Biblical truth, fossils, molecular biology, DNA, etc. All in all, there is no scientific evidence to prove either one. Evolutionism is based solely on scientific reasoning. Based on science, evolution has yet to be proven right or wrong. Creationism is based on religion and faith. Based on the Bible, creationism cannot be proven true or false either. The best way solve this, in my opinion, is to go with what you feel. With that being said, many people, including myself, feel that evolution is true. Works Cited Books * Lunine, Jonathan Irving, and Cynthia J. Lunine. Earth, Evolution of a Habitable World. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Pr, 1999. Print. * Rieppel, Olivier. Evolutionary Theory and the Creation Controversy. Chicago: Springer, 2010. eBook * Moreland, J.P., and John Mark Reynolds. Three Views on Creation and Evolution. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1999. Print. Articles * Ellen, Roy. Dangerous Fictions and Degrees of Plausibility: Creationism, Evolution, and Anthropology. Anthropology Today. 18. (2002): 3-8. Web Resources * Creation versus Evolution. Clarifying Christianity. N.P., 2001. Web. http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/creation.shtml.

How can ICT support the learning of children with special educational :: ICT Essays

How can ICT support the learning of children with special educational needs? ICT can support the learning of children with special educational needs [SEN]. It enables children with SEN to overcome barriers to learning by providing alternative or additional methods of communicating within the learning process. Moreover, it also helps teachers to create a supportive framework, which can enable autonomous learning. When used creatively, ICT can enrich and enhance teaching, motivating pupils and engaging them in active learning. But how is this achieved? The range of special needs covers a very wide spectrum. It will be necessary therefore to examine how ICT can support the various needs. Standard equipment is often suitable for children with SEN. the settings of the computer can be changes to make it more computer friendly. The mouse motion can be slowed down for better control. The toolbar can be created to suit the children's needs. However if this is not suitable there are many peripherals and devices, which can support children with SEN, but not all are appropriate for everyone. For those children with a physical disability a variety of switches, optical pointers, voice controlled devices and word prediction software has been designed to overcome the problems these children have using traditional input devices such as the mouse and keyboard. However according to Semerc [2000] these alternative methods of access are more complex than direct input and therefore place an additional cognitive burden on the child. The system therefore needs to be set up so that it does not become an additional barrier. Children need to be competent with input devices such as switches. The technique may take time to develop and opportunities need to be provided to practise these to avoid frustration. There are a variety of switches available. Some involve hand movement while others can be operated by other parts of the body; even a strong puff of breath can operate a switch. The assessment of the type of switch required is usually carried out by specialists [Hopkins, 1998]. This assessment needs to be continuous. Bowser and Reed [1995] as cited by Bryant et al [1998] argue that as a child progresses through the Education System, their requirements change and this may necessitate a need for different devices. This is not limited to those children with a physical disability but is relevant to all children with SEN as they progress and the Education System places additional burdens upon them. For children with a visual impairment ICT can provide support in various ways; tools to support communication, to improve access to information and as a means of producing learning materials in alternative. There is a wide range of devices and software, which can

The Need for Gun Control

Shortly after dusk, a sixteen-year-old boy stands on the street corner talking with a friend about what happened at school today between himself and another student. He nonchalantly stands there sipping his Pepsi when all of a sudden a black Honda with tinted windows drives up to the corner. The window rolls down, a voice calls out, and the boy walks up to the car. He bends down to peer into the car to see who it is when three rounds from a .38 caliber pistol rip through his chest and neck. The other boy frantically runs off into the distance. He stumbles backwards and trips on the curb behind him and falls to the sidewalk the car speeds off into the dark alleyway across the street. The young boy struggles to breathe as he coughs up blood. He chokes to death with every effort to breathe. He dies a minute or two later. These kinds of events are all too familiar to us and perturb us as we see an increasing number of handguns fall into the hands of the young. I am shocked at the sight o f these events where innocent children are being gunned down on the street because of petty little arguments over something so minuscule as a pair of shoes, a particular type of jacket, or simply just a misinterpreted look. I believe that more strict handgun regulations are a must in today's society. I'm not saying that we have to ban handguns, but we have to take legislative measures in order to limit the possibility of handguns falling into the hands or youths. Peter Annin and Tom Morganthau state that according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Report, murders committed by persons under the age of eighteen who were arrested jumped from 1,193 in 1985 to 2982 in 1994. [1] This report shows a substantial increase in the number of killings by people who are under the age of eighteen. Most of these people are often participants in gangs and involved with drugs. Many of these people find that guns are a much easier method to defeat his or her opponent in a quarrel. This problem is made worse by the increasing availability of guns. Residents of gang-ridden areas are afraid to leave their homes for fear that their children or themselves might fall victim to a gunshot. I believe that many people feel we need tighter control over the sale of handguns while many others believe that we shouldn't. Many people say that it is a right to own firearms and handguns in this country because it is guaranteed by the second amendment of the United States Constitution. The second amendment states, â€Å"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.† First of all, very few states today in the U. S. have militias because we have the five branches of the U.S. Military, the Army, Navy, Marines, Airforce, and Coast Guard. The military provides this country with enough support to fend off any war levying or belligerent nations. That is the military's obligatory purpose today. There is no necessity for a state-run military. The U.S. Military's purpose is to keep this land free. Second, the Bill of Rights was designed to protect the people from our government should it transcend to tyranny. These laws and rights were established in the period of colonial times when monarchies and dictatorships were commonplace in society. Today, they're just about non-existent except for subtle hints of them in communist governments which exist in areas such as the People's Republic of China. We have no need to protect ourselves from the possibility of a dictatorial government materializing from our democracy because it is highly unlikely that this would occur. The United Nations, which the United States is a member of, would not allow this because their main function is to stop the spread of communism. We are not living in that era anymore and that is why I believe that guns aren't really needed that much by civilians.As I mentioned before, I'm not suggest ing that we, the people, totally ban guns. Firearms and handguns still have their recreational purpose in society. For a lot of people, the sport of hunting wild game is an enjoyable pastime and tradition that has been passed down through the ages. People have always hunted. From Paleolithic man to the Middle Ages and to the present, hunting has and provides us with food even though that same food can be purchased at the local supermarket. Other activities such as target shooting and enrollment in gun clubs are also enjoyable. They are sports, just like any other sports, that give men and women a sense of pride and satisfaction that fulfills the primitive instinct of competition in our minds.Another important argument among civilians of the country is that if more restrictions on firearms and handguns are passed, this would gradually lead to a total ban on all guns sometime in the future. In an article written by Robert J. Blendon, John T. Young, and David Hemenway, they include a G allup/CNN/USA Today poll which shows how gun owners, non-owners, and the nation as a whole were surveyed. Sixty-five percent of all people, including owners of guns and non-owners, believe that stricter legislation would gradually lead to a total ban on all guns. In addition, a majority of gun owners, approximately fifty-five percent, believe that these laws would violate the second amendment of the U. S. Constitution while non-owners don not believe this. The survey was asking about how stricter laws would reduce certain aspects related to guns. The national figure is sixty-nine percent for those who believe that stricter laws would reduce the number of people killed by guns in arguments. Sixty-eight percent of the nation believe that laws would reduce the number of accidental deaths and suicides attributed to guns. Fifty-eight percent of the nation agrees that more laws would reduce violent crime. However, in both cases of owners and non-owners, the difference of agreement is over twenty percentage points in favor of non-gun owners. [2] I certainly agree that stricter legislation would definitely reduce the number of gun-related deaths and that if handguns were restricted from the hands of minors and criminals, the rate and recidivism rate, the rate of repeat offenders, of violent crime would be reduced. I believe that we need more strict laws to curb some of the violent crime that is being committed by America's youth. I also believe that the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) will not let the government ban all firearms since the NRA is the biggest lobbyist in the gun control debate today because it has so many active members. Finally, most people feel that they need handguns for protection of their property and themselves. I believe that protection of your own property, such as you home, is perfectly fine, but if you carry a gun around for protection, that can become dangerous. For example, gang members who carry guns are an enormous threat to ot hers. If someone should irritate or annoy them, they might possibly resort to using his or her gun on that person. Innocent children and bystanders could fall victim to a stray bullet. Minor arguments could erupt into bloodshed on the street corner or in a dark alleyway. Other people are also a possible threat, especially to police officers. If for some reason, a gun-toting civilian was pulled over for a traffic violation, that person could decide to shoot that police officer in an attempt to get away. This would cause major problems in society. Another thing is that people under the influence of drugs or alcohol might use their guns on somebody without reason because of impaired reasoning and judgment associated with inebriation. Now I'm not saying every person would be and is like that, but there are some people that are. I believe that this presents a danger to society and why handgun access and sales should be restricted. I believe that we need tougher legislation on handguns. C itizens should be registered for each and every gun he or she owns and that they should be obligated to pay a high fee for that registration. Also, juveniles and convicted felons that have already served time should not be permitted to purchase or possess and handgun. I believe that if someone who has purchased a handgun, should be required by federal law to take a safety and training course in order to lawfully possess a handgun. This course would be directed by the federal government and would ensure that a handgun purchaser's record would be checked out. This country should have tougher laws in order to restrict handgun access and sale. I'm not saying this will work, but it will be a step forward in the direction of effective gun control. If we and the government can work together on it, we can slowly minimize the problem and keep guns out of the wrong hands. Bibliography [1] Annin, Peter; Morganthau, Tom. â€Å"The lull before the storm?† Newsweek 4 December 1995 [2] Blendon, Robert J.; Hemenway, David; Young, John T. â€Å"The American public and the gun control debate† The Journal of the American Medical Association 12 June 1996 [3]  Historical Perspective:  http://essaylab.com/blog/gun-control

The Principle Of The Global Business Standards Codex

Responsiveness Principle The final underlying principle of the Global Business Standards Codex is the responsiveness principle. This is the belief that employee’s have a responsibility to give requested information by the stakeholders about the business operations and respond to any suggestions the stakeholders may have to improve the company. This principle also sets the expectation that all goods and services offered will exceed the expectations of the customer. If there are any complaints about the product, employees must uphold the duty to respond in a timely manner. It also applies to any issues raised by employees inside the company, suppliers, stakeholders, and the community around the business. To interpret this principle, Christian ethics always encourage people to be responsive to those in need. When Jesus walked this earth he was very responsive to the request of his people. As Christians we look to God in our prayers, we interpret that he responded by the positive change that occurs in our life. When things don’t change or get better people lose faith in their worship. As an employee you have a duty to respond to your customer or they will lose the need for your product or service. General Motors Incorporation of the Codex Principles The auto industry has had its troubles over the past decade and caused so many problems for the economy of the United States. It caused millions to lose their jobs and caused severe damage to the local economies in which they hadShow MoreRelatedCompare and Contrast the Guiding Principles of the Global Business Standards Codex and the Mixed Framework Principles.764 Words   |  4 PagesCompare and contrast the guiding principles of the Global Business Standards Codex and the Mixed Framework principles. 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