The traditional Chinese legal system Essay Example for Free

The traditional Chinese legal system Essay The traditional Chinese legal system has been designed to keep order, rather than to enforce a system of individual rights and equality. (Orts, 2001) The state is protected by reinforcing a social and moral structure that mirrors relationship within family to the relationship of the individual to the state. (Orts, 2001) At the heart of traditional Chinese thought is the idea that everything is dominated by a cosmic universe of which there are three forces: Heaven, Earth and Man. Worship of a Supreme Being is not part of the traditions beliefs, however the political foundation of the state is based on a supernatural order that Heaven’s representative on earth is the Emperor. (Orts, 2001) The Emperor therefore expected his subjects not merely to follow but to worship. The basis for his rule is almighty, but the laws by which he governs have no divine origin except that they are promulgated by the Emperor. (Orts, 2001) A new dynasty could, and usually did, wipe out the previous Code and establish an entirely new one. Since these laws were valid only to the extent that they had come from the Emperor, it would be difficult for a new dynasty to justify using the previous code. (Orts, 2001) Three major schools of thought dominated the Chinese empire: Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism (Fa Jia). (Orts, 2001) Taoism is both a religion and a philosophy, but since its primary influence is on Chinese art and poetry, it has little to say that is applicable to the legal system. The Confucian and Legalist schools of throughout have competed to dominate the imperial system of justice. (Orts, 2001) As the first â€Å"unified† Chinese imperial dynasty, the Qin dynasty relied on a legalist code of laws to ensure unity, obedience and loyalty to the governing body. (Fu, 1996) The later Han Dynasty maintained the Empire using a very different code derived from the teaching of Confucius. Though both dynasties ruled a vast unified Empire for a number of years, the methods, laws and governments they used were markedly different. The question underlying the contrast between legalism and Confucianism is whether either provides a formula for long-lasting, peaceful imperial rule. Although it was very short, the Qin is one of the most important legal system because it is the closest China came to a purely Legalist system. (Fu, 1996) The best original source on law in the Qin dynasty is from the grave of a Qin official discovered in the 1970s. (Fu, 1996)A set of administrative laws inscribed on sheets of bamboo set out common crimes and their punishments. These range from killing children or slaves without permission (as in later dynasties, a parent could seek approval from the magistrate to kill a child who had failed to obey them) to failure to care for one’s horses or not using the standard weights and measures. (Fu, 1996) The Qin were able to centralize their rule in central-eastern China as the most powerful of the Warring States. (Fu, 1996) Under the Qin, a centralized bureaucracy was established and the separate portions of the Great Wall were unified. The Qin dynasty also saw the construction of a road system, the division of the empire into states, and adoption of a series of standards in currency, weights and measures and an official script. (Fu, 1996) Under Qin ruler Qin Xioagong, Shang Yang wrote a series of reforms that would form the basis for the legal system under the Qin. (Fu, 1996) Although there was little time to implement his reforms before the Han took over, Shang’s reforms are considered the basis of the Legalist approach. In 356 BC, Shang ordered the destruction of documents on Confucian thinking, which unfortunately included volumes of material on the pre-Qin Confucian material such as the Book of Songs, and the Book of Documents. (Fu, 1996)He also organized the military into ranks and implemented Li Kui’s book of law. Six years later, Shang reformed the tax system and a standardized system of land allocation. (Fu, 1996)Shortly after the death of the Qin Xiaogong, Shang found himself the victim of one of the harsh punishments he advocated when he was executed by being pulled apart by four chariots. Following the death of Shang Yang, the campaign against Confucian scholars continued and hundreds of Confucian scholars were buried alive. (Fu, 1996) The Qin dynasty is important in comparison to later systems because despite the substantial success it had in establishing an infrastructure and a solid base of power from which to exert authority, the system collapsed upon itself. (Ren, 1997) The harsh punishments caused revolts by people who had incentive to revolt because they would otherwise be executed. (Ren, 1997) The rule of law during the Qin dynasty was influenced by the philosophical tenets of legalism. (Fu, 1996)Legalism is a philosophy that advocates strict adherence to law and obedience to authority. The laws in question tend to focus on punishment for disobedience. (Fu, 1996)The characteristics of legalism were necessary for the government to exercise the degree of control that it did, in order to unify China, and administer this large empire. (Fu, 1996)The legal philosophy of legalism defines law as a tool used by the powers that be to enforce behavior demanded of the leadership in question. As such, legalistic philosophy focuses upon the punitive aspect of law, rather than a positive aspect(Fu, 1996). A 1975 discovery of Qin legal documents gave historians their first detailed look at the specifics of administrative and criminal law in the Qin dynasty. (Fu, 1996) In terms of punishment given for offenses, the Qin legal code offered a gamut of severity that included several forms of execution, five types of mutilation, forced labor, shaving of a beard, and any number of monetary fines. (Fu, 1996) Theft of property had many penalties that were predicated on a number of factors. Such factors included the social rank of the perpetrators, the number of participants, and the value of the property stolen (or targeted for theft). (Fu, 1996)Punishments in the category of theft ranged from monetary fines to terms of bonded service. In the area of violent crimes, the penalties are clear and precise. An act of violence against a spouse or child warrants cutting off of a beard, as does mutilation of another in a fight. (Fu, 1996) The killing of children is punished with tattooing and hard labor. This only applies if the child in question is without physical or mental defects; in other cases, it is not illegal to kill a child. Conspiracy to commit murder is punishable by death, as is the murder of a male heir to a relative. Despite the reputation of Qin justice as cruel and arbitrary, investigation of crimes was done in a fairly meticulous manner. (Fu, 1996) Torture of witnesses, for example, had to be documented, and was only allowed in cases where a witness’ statement, freely given, did not make sense or contradicted known facts of the case. (Fu, 1996)It is also noted in Qin law that flogging is not the preferred way to obtain accurate information. In general, the laws of the Qin dynasty, rather than being arbitrary and cruel, reflect a sophisticated consideration of such matters as intent, mens rea, and degree of severity. (Fu, 1996)While the penalties outlined may seem to be quite extreme, they reflect nothing more than the practices and standards of the time and culture in which they were executed. (Fu, 1996) The Han dynasty is recognized for centralizing the Chinese empire and dissolving the noble-run state system. (Perenboom, 2002) In the place of the feudal system, the Han developed a bureaucracy, ostensibly merit-based, which would last for the next two millennia. Although we know less about the Han legal system than we do the later dynasties, the Han dynasty is worth a discussion because of the foundations it laid for physical and political infrastructure. (Perenboom, 2002) The population of the Chinese Empire under the Han was about 50 million. (Perenboom, 2002) It was during this period that the Silk Road, the trade route to the west, was developed. (Perenboom, 2002) Although the Han adopted Confucianism as the official state doctrine legalist influences remaining in the penal emphasis of the system and the formulaic quality of the laws (the crime of x is punished with y). From a Confucian perspective, modeling proper conduct was the best way to maintain order. (Perenboom, 2002) These rules of behavior are called li, a general code of proper human conduct in human society. (Perenboom, 2002) These rules incorporate institutions and relationships that are necessary for harmonious living. Legalists, however, propounded a written law with specific punishments that would deter bad behavior, which is referred to as fa. (Perenboom, 2002) Where li is designed to prevent conflict, fa is designed to punish it, and thereby deter. The school of philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius (551-479 BC) formed the basis of the traditional political system beginning in the Han Dynasty. (Perenboom, 2002) Confucius was from a minor noble family in what is now Shantung province. Although he never obtained an official position of any significant power, his students passed on his teaching on government and social relationships. (Perenboom, 2002) Confucianism recognizes five key relationships in society, each with its correct virtue. One of the most important was the relationship between father and son, and the primary virtue in that relationship was filial piety. (Perenboom, 2002) Another key relationship was that between ruler and subject, where loyalty was the proper attribution. (Perenboom, 2002) Brothers should exhibit, not surprisingly, brotherliness, and between husband and wife love and obedience was paramount. (Perenboom, 2002) Finally, between friends there should be faithfulness. (Perenboom, 2002) The moral feelings and obligations between people generally, and in the five relationships especially, are called jen. In Confucian thought, there is no separation between duties and mores in and to the family and the state. (Rosett, Cheng, Woo, 2003) Although the emperor has the greatest responsibility because he must care for his subjects as his children but he has little accountability to them. (Rosett, Cheng, Woo, 2003) The people’s relationship with the emperor is within the relationship of filial piety, they depend on him to be fair and act in their best interest, but they have no right to expect him to do so, and no recourse when he did not. The emperor was not accountable to the law; he had absolute authority to change and overrule the law on a case-by-case basis. He could also issue edicts to change the laws, and create ex post facto law. The hierarchy of relationships (li) was primary to the codified law (fa), and where the two conflicted the li should triumph. (Rosett, Cheng, Woo, 2003) Individual rights were subjugated to the paternalistic authority of the state. (Rosett, Cheng, Woo, 2003) Adherents to Confucianism were suspicious of an institutional law but accepted it as a necessary evil. Confucianists argued that a legal system of fa would encourage people to act exclusively in self-interest and lead to corruption. (Hucker, 1975) If everyone acted in their proper roles in accordance with the li and in the interest of their family and the state as the two concentric duties, theoretically there would be no need for a legal system. (Hucker, 1975) Practically, however, Confucian officials knew punishment would still be necessary where people failed to obey the li. However, Confucian scholars continued to argue that the moral training of the ruler was more useful to promote harmony than coercion. (Hucker, 1975) In the end, the Chinese legal system had a healthy amount of both. (Hucker, 1975) The first Han Emperor, Gaozu (256-195 BC), was one of only two Chinese emperors to rise from the peasant class. (Hucker, 1975) During the Qin dynasty, he was a low-level police officer in Jiangsu province who was detained in his duty of transporting prisoners by bad weather. According to the laws of the legalist Qin, this failure, even though he was not at fault, was punishable by death. Having nothing to lose, he led the prisoners in revolt. (Hucker, 1975) This group eventually grew into an army and he ended up in position to overthrow the Qin and establish a dynasty of his own. (Hucker, 1975) Although Confucianism was embraced as the official state doctrine, Gaozu recognized the importance of creating a written legal code. (Dull Chu, 1972) The official in charge of the legal code was Xiao He, who had served with Gaozu during the uprising. The code eventually the legal code took up 906 volumes, and was divided into 60 sections. (Dull Chu, 1972) Under Emperor Wu Di, the official Dong Zhongshu required that the verdicts be supported by a rationale which applied the statutes to the facts of the case. (Dull Chu, 1972) It was during this period that the first laws against the killing of slaves appeared. In addition, nobles and officials were not permitted any deference compared to peasants when it came to prosecution and punishment. (Dull Chu, 1972) Dong also imbued the laws with elements cosmic harmony. He believed that the legal system should try to sort out imbalances in yin and yang and reflect the harmony of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. (Dull Chu, 1972) Despite the wide application of laws, severe and grisly punishments were still popular. (Dull Chu, 1972) Typical punishments included killing of the defendant’s relatives, facial tattooing (particularly for theft), castration, amputation of the nose or of one or more of the feet, wearing an iron collar, exile, and a variety of methods of execution, such as death by cutting in two at the waist, boiling and beheading. Among the non-capital punishments, minor offenders were often subject to long terms of servitude on state projects. (Dull Chu, 1972) Exile was also used as a common punishment during the Han dynasty. (Dull Chu, 1972) Despite the similarities between Qin and Han law and punishment, the Confuscian philosophy of the Han dynasty became the one from which the rule of future dynasties would derive, while the legacy of the Qin dynasty was largely lost in the annels of history.

Strategic Human Resource Management In Globalization And Internationalization Business Essay

Strategic Human Resource Management In Globalization And Internationalization Business Essay In the world of global competition, rapid technological development, the importance of human resource holds the key for the development of the overall organization. Strategic human resource management is a modern approach which links human resources with strategic objectives and goals to improve business performance and develop organizational culture (HR book) to promote innovation, flexibility and competitive advantage with the aim of implementing the complex strategies for the realization of the goals. Basically, it deals with policy formulation, and overall goal setting with the major concern being positioning of the organization in its environment through its HR activities such as recruiting, selecting, training, and rewarding personnel (Boxall, 1992). The main focus is on human resource programs with long-term objectives and increase employee productivity by focusing on business obstacles that occur outside of human resources. It is considered to be the key to enhance business p erformance. In the world of globalization and internationalization, older solutions and recipes that worked in local context do not work. As a result, Human Resource Management professional faces issues of human resource flow, employee participation, reward system and high commitment work system. Cross cultural (Armstrong, 1992) issues plays a major role. There are various issues associates with the strategic HRM in the global context such as increased competition, may not be local or even national but through free market ideology (Armstrong, 1992), speedy technological change, internationalization of market integration, cross cultural issues, shifting of economic gravity from developed to developing countries, and frequent change of ownership and resultant corporate climates. HR professionals can play a vital role for the execution of the strategy in the organization. Before implementing strategies in the organization, understanding of the implication in various organizational components in long-term is very important. Non-HR components such as Finance, Sales, Marketing and Operations department are core of any organization. Understanding these components and having a good relation for the formulation of the strategy is essential. Organizations are not free from politics and internal rivalries which is a hindrance for the implementation of the strategy. In those cases, they should build a good relationship with them and other top line executives. Gauzing the HR in terms of business results to achieve the targeted goal, being confident and optimistic for the business change and always branching out for the support of any kind will help in implementation of the strategy. Organizations can evolve around the following areas for the best implementation and total profitability of the organization: Focusing in areas such as competencies and guidance around the acquisition, deployment and development of human capabilities through performance management, clear understanding of roles and responsibilities of each employees, and implementation of control mechanism in those areas with effective reward system helps increase profitability of the organization. Managing the projecting in an effective manner making sure that when implementing new people systems they are implemented correctly and aligned with other business systems side by side. Facilitating the transfer of certain core competencies and skill sets to everyone in a management. http://www.atyaasaa.com/newsletter/2011/feb2011.pdf The desire for work -life balance in the work place is unhidden truth. Finding ways to provide what employees seek will help employers to recruit, engage, and retain talent across the organization. Particularly, with added flexibility and recognizing the knowledge and talent as significant to the organization will encourage those employees to remain in the workforce longer and pass along their experience and knowledge to the younger counterparts. However, perception (OB Book) of employees is always one challenge to organizations. They take it as an earned freedom to excel and always expect for better environment. HR manger should possess mentoring capability to balance those views in the organization. As an efficient manager, it is always imperative to create a culture where different generations of employees are not only valued but are truly desired by the organization to enhance the profitability of the organization. http://www.diversityjournal.com/corporate/generations/changing-perceptions-multi-generational-workforce/ Implementation of SHRM in an organization is challenging. Strategic human resource management takes on the main modern challenges which are faced by human resource management.   Employee participation, performance management, employee reward system, high commitment work systems and human resource flow because of globalization are heightened issues for the challenge. Because of the change in technologies, globalization of market integration, cross cultural issues, increased competition which may not necessarily be local, introduction of new concepts of general management, constant change in ownership, resultant corporate climates, HR managers and top management faces issues in implementation of strategy. Strategic  human resource management  is vital for every organization: Large organization and Small Organization too.. In small organization, the process may be simple as the manager or the owner himself must be taking time to observe employees, along with assisting, assessing and giving regular reviews. However, in Large Organizations, they require a whole department to be in charge of those activities for the development of employees. The quality of staff members can be improved by meeting their needs in such a way that it may benefit the organization. Investing in employees and providing them with tools which they require to flourish and prosper in the company proves to be a good investment in the long run for any organization. Purcell and Boxall argue that, Strategic HRM is concerned with explaining how  human resource management influences  the performance  of an organization. They also point out that, Strategy is not the same as strategic plans. Strategic planning defines how things need to be done and it usually takes place in larger organizations in the form of a formal process. However, it is also true that strategy exists in all organizations regardless of their size; though it may not necessarily be written down or expressed. SHRM defines how the organization behaves and tries to cope with its  business  environment. Because strategic  human resource management  is based on human resource management  principles it always incorporates the concepts of strategy; which proves that human resource management  is actually a coherent approach to the management of workforce So, strategic human resource management is designed to assist organizations to meet the needs of their employees in the best way they can so that company goals can be promoted. We can also say that SHRM is actually managing people proactively because it requires planning ways for an organization to meet the needs of its employees, thinking ahead, and also helping the employees to meet the needs of the organization. This process changes the outlook and affects the way things are done at a business site, in other words it helps to integrate modern ideas and models into the traditional human resource practices to come up with better solutions which not only benefit the employees but the organization. This is mainly a process where everything is improved, from the  hiring  of employees, to the training, assessment and discipline techniques used by the HRM department. http://www.mba-tutorials.com/human-resource-management/487-shrm-strategic-human-resource-management.html A crucial aspect concerning SHRM is the concepts of fit and flexibility. The degree of fit determines the human resource systems integration with organization strategy.   It is the role of HR Managers to ensure this fit in between Human Resource System with the Organization Strategy Conclusion As global business competition shifts from efficiency to innovation and from enlargement of scale to creation of value, management needs to be oriented towards the strategic use of human resources.  Strategic human resources management practices enhance employee productivity and the ability of agencies to achieve their mission. Integrating the use of personnel practices into the strategic planning process enables an organization to better achieve its goals and objectives. Combining human resource practices, all with a focus on the achievement of organizational goals and objectives, can have a substantial affect on the ultimate success of the organization.  To manage future operations effectively, it is essential that companies produce business leaders and innovators through SHRM Approach.

Detrimental Affects of Affirmative Action Essay -- Argumentaive

Detrimental Affects of Affirmative Action Beginning in the 1960's several government programs were introduced in order to ensure equality in the job market. However, these programs accomplished the exact opposite by judging potential employees by their race and gender and excluding possibly more qualified persons. This is not the plight of women or African-Americans, but that of the white male. Affirmative Action is not only an ineffective method for compensating for past disadvantages, but also widens the racial and gender gaps in today’s society. President John F. Kennedy was the first person to use the words â€Å"Affirmative Action† in a speech in which he expressed desire to create equal rights. Later, in 1961, he created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that explicitly states that employers, specifically construction businesses employed by the government, must use a system that ensured workers would be hired â€Å"without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin† (Eisaguirre 29). Though a step in the right direction, this vague definition left it open to further debate and thus Affirmative Action was allowed to change. Over the next decade, through influence from the former President Kennedy, several new bills and laws were passed that gave minorities more protective rights concerning employment, housing, and voting. Such bills included the Civil Rights Act in 1964, the Voting Rights Act in 1965, and the Fair Housing Act in 1968. Finally, in 1969, then President Richard Nixon implemented the first actual Affirmative Action plan, called the Philadelphia Plan, requiring exact percentages of minorities hired (Eisaguirre 31). Though there were several smaller cases concerning this new governm... ...erican incomes were skyrocketing and becoming closer and closer to that of Caucasians. In 1970, incomes reached its highest percentage and since then has fallen dramatically. Also during the 1960s, African-American enrollment in colleges was increasing significantly in comparison to the population. Since then, it has been stagnant (Sowell 130). Affirmative Action must be stopped immediately if our society wishes to become a utopia for all walks of life. Hiring people based on such information not only hurts those who are not hired in the short run, but it also damages the new employee even more. Besides teaching one person they are not good enough because of things they cannot control, it teaches the other that sub-par work is good enough. This begins the snowball affect, thus causing millions to learn values that are not beneficial for society as a whole.

Graduation Speech: Live Life to the Fullest -- Graduation Speech, Comm

I would like to begin this evening by welcoming all of my classmates, staff, parents and guardians, the school board and superintendent, friends, and relatives to the commencement of the class of 2012. Commencement is a critical juncture in our lives; it is a momentous occasion where we believe we are about to start anew. However, graduation is the bittersweet moment where the forces of past and future are simultaneously acting on us. Consequently, the past is not dead. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, suggests that our past experiences will be with us forever as he states, " [we] are a part of all that [we] have met; yet all experience is an arch where through gleams that untraveled world." That is why graduation, similar to other turning points in our lives, possesses two halves, which accentuate each other. We are looking forward, but the "arch" of experience beckons us to remember, value, and learn from our past experiences. Thus, I feel that in order to appreciate commencement fully, we must remember our own past, and in particular, the last four years: For we are leaving many of ...

Kinds of Non-Profit Organizations :: Internal Revenue Services

Many people know about 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, but other types of nonprofits are not as commonly known. The IRS established several sections of the Internal Revenue Code that nonprofit organizations can qualify under. An organization desiring to apply for nonprofit status, must apply under the section that fits its purpose. Understanding the types of nonprofits available and the qualifications for each helps you choose the correct section to apply under. According the IRS, five basic classifications of nonprofit organizations exist under Section 501(c)(3)of the Internal Revenue Code. Classifications include charitable, religious, educational, scientific and literary. A nonprofit organization may fall under one or more classifications. For example, a Christian charity providing food to homeless citizens could fall under charitable and religious classifications. Nonprofits must apply for federal tax-exemption as a 501(c)(3) by completing Form 1023. 501(c)(3)nonprofits can offer tax-exempt donations to individual contributors. Nonprofit organizations formed to promote social and community welfare can apply for federal tax-exemption under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify, organizations must provide a benefit to the general public. Organizations catering to a private group of people do not meet eligibility requirements. An example of a 501(c)(4) is an organization that provides social resources to retirees. Charitable, educational and recreational organizations that do not qualify for 501(c)(3) status can apply under this section. Unlike 501(c)(3) nonprofits, 501(c)(4) organizations can participate in lobbying activities. Organizations whose primary business with the public reflects that of a for-profit corporation cannot qualify as a 501(c)(4). Nonprofits must apply for this status by completing Form 1024. Social clubs formed for nonprofit exempt purposes can apply for federal tax-exemption under Section 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. Form 1024 is used to apply for a 501(c)(7). To qualify under this section, nonprofits cannot discriminate against citizens based on race, color or religion. However, religious 501(c)(7) organizations can limit its membership to those belonging to a particular religion. 501(c)(7) nonprofits must receive support from memberships fees and dues. Example of nonprofits with this status include college fraternities and sororities, country clubs and homeowners associations that meet for the purpose of preserving its recreation areas and facilities.

Growing Up With Nature – William Wordsworth’s “Nutting”

Touch-for there is spirit in the woods.† That small extract from William Wordsworth's â€Å"Nutting† represents very well the theme throughout the poems I will look at, the theme of growing up with nature and how nature teaches and guides him through life. In the poem â€Å"Nutting† Wordsworth starts off the day as he has done many times before, going out and looking for chestnuts, the childhood ritual which all children do at one stage during their life. But unlike before he goes to a part of the wood he has never been and which no one else has been to either, â€Å"I came to one dear nook Unvisited.† This untouched area of the wood delights Wordsworth and he is overjoyed to have found it himself, â€Å"A little while I stood, Breathing with such suppression of the heart As joy delights.† A tree full of, â€Å"tempting clusters†. This â€Å"virgin scene† began to seduce Wordsworth and he falls in love with it and begins to think that he owns the tree. So of course trouble is inevitable. â€Å"Then I rose, And dragged to earth both branch and bough, with crash And merciless ravage: Deformed and sullied, patiently gave up.† Wordsworth has totally â€Å"mutilated† this tree and feels â€Å"rich beyond the wealth of kings.† He really does feel delighted with the work he has just done but as the reality of it sets in and the picture of what this scene once was begins to give Wordsworth â€Å"a sense of pain.† This pain caused by the anguish of what he has just done to this defenceless tree. From this sense of guilt Wordsworth begins to realise that â€Å"there is a spirit in the woods.† And the foundations for his future beliefs in pantheism have been set. Wordsworth has moved on from his previous thought of a tree just being an object but now believes it has a kind of life force in it. In the poem â€Å"The Prelude (I)† Wordsworth follows a similar theme of growing up. In this poem young Wordsworth takes a boat which is not his and he is feeling very adventurous. â€Å"It was an act of stealth And troubled pleasure.† He felt very good when he took the boat and was having a very good time, until Wordsworth realises what he has done wrong but this is not realised until he reaches his destination in the lake. â€Å"The horizon's bound, a huge peak, black and huge, As if with voluntary power instinct Upreared its head.† This is the climax of the poem and helps show the sudden change in mood. Wordsworth is happily rowing the boat when suddenly this huge big thing shows itself. To Wordsworth this is some sort of hideous creature. But in fact as you go through the poem you learn that this is the first few signs of his developing conscience. â€Å"For many days my brain Worked with a dim and undetermined sense Of unknown modes of being; o'er my thoughts There hung a huge darkness†¦. †¦moved slowly through the mind By day, and were a trouble to my brain.† These show the signs of a guilty conscience, guilty from knowing he took the boat: a conscience Wordsworth is being taught about from nature and it again points to his emerging belief of Pantheism, that nature is God. The main focus in this poem â€Å"The Prelude (II)† is that of moving on. The poem has a picturesque setting of the â€Å"twilight gloom† This type of light however would tell Wordsworth to go inside, as if nature was telling him as a parent calls their children. But â€Å"I heeded not their summons.† So he carried on â€Å"All shod with steel, We hissed along on the polished ice in games:† a nice use of alliteration to convey the movement of ice skating. But Wordsworth being a Pantheist he cannot stay so he wonders off â€Å"not seldom from the uproar I retired.† Wordsworth here shows his poetic ability and understanding of nature because he realises that the hills are â€Å"melancholic.† His subconscious understanding of nature forces him to go off and explore. What he realises is that everything around him is moving. â€Å"With visible motion her diurnal round! Behind me did they stretch in solemn train, Feebler and feebler, and I stood and watched Till all was tranquil as dreamless sleep.† As a child he is travelling with the spirit of nature. I think everyone could relate to Wordsworth poems in someway: I know that I can relate to his feeling of a spirit in the woods. When I was lost I in the woods I felt as if someone was there showing where to go. So I will end on this note â€Å"Touch-for there is a spirit in the woods.†

Outline and evaluate Bruce and Young’s theory of face recognition Essay

The face recognition model developed by Bruce and Young has eight key parts and it suggests how we process familiar and unfamiliar faces, including facial expressions. The diagram below shows how these parts are interconnected. Structural encoding is where facial features and expressions are encoded. This information is translated at the same time, down two different pathways, to various units. One being expression analysis, where the emotional state of the person is shown by facial features. By using facial speech analysis we can process auditory information. This was shown by McGurk (1976) who created two video clips, one with lip movements indicating ‘Ba’ and other indicating ‘Fa’. Both clips had the sound ‘Ba’ played over the clip. However, participants heard two different sounds, one heard ‘Fa’ the other ‘Ba’. This suggests that visual and auditory information work as one. Other units include Face Recognition Units (FRUs) and Person Identity Nodes (PINs) where our previous knowledge of faces is stored. The cognitive system contains all additional information, for example it takes into account your surroundings, and who you are likely to see there. fMRI scans done by Kanwisher et al. (1997) showed that the fusiform gyrus in the brain was more active in face recognition than object recognition, this suggests and supports the idea that face recognition involves a separate processing mechanism. This model suggests that we process familiar and unfamiliar faces differently. That we process familiar faces using; structural encoding, FRUs, PINs and Name Generation. However, we use structural encoding, expression analysis, facial speech analysis and direct visual processing to process unfamiliar faces. However, there is evidence by Young et al. suggesting that the idea of double association is poor. He studied 34 brain damaged men, finding there was only weak evidence for any difference between recognising familiar and unfamiliar faces. An issue with this study and the model itself, is the use of brain damaged patients to prove it works. This is because there is only a small sample size so it is hard to generalise to the wider population. It is also unclear if it is the brain injury itself that causes the result and if it is the same for healthy people. There was a study done by Young, Hay, and Ellis (1985) that uses people with no medical issues. They asked people to keep a diary record of problems they experienced in face recognition. They found people never reported putting a name to a face while knowing nothing else about that person. This supports the model as it suggests that we cannot think of a person’s name unless we know other contextual information about them. Prosopagnosia is a condition where a person cannot recognise familiar faces, but only the features, not the whole face. The condition contradicts the model as it suggests that the process are most likely not separate. As most patients had severe problems with facial expression as well as facial identity, this suggests they are processed separately. The model can also be seen as reductionist, as it only gives a vague description of what the cognitive system does. However, there is research that does support the concept that there are two are separate paths for processing face recognition and facial expression. One being Humphreys, Avidan, and Behrmann (2007) who studied three participants with developmental prosopagnosia. All three had poor ability to recognise faces, but their ability to recognise facial expressions was similar to that of healthy individuals. A study that suggests that units of face recognition are separate is Bruyer et al. (1983). Who investigated a patient unable to recognise familiar faces, but who could understand their facial expressions, which implies that facial expression analysis and name generation is separately processed. This supports Bruce and Young’s idea of separate units. Further support for the idea of separate components of face recognition was shown by Campbell et al. (1986). They found a prosopagnosic who could not recognise familiar faces or identify their facial expressions, however they could perform speech analysis. This study suggested that facial speech analysis is a separate unit of face recognition.