Power

Political history and political science deal with the concept of power. Simply defined, power is the ability to make someone do what they would not normally do. This essay discusses the origin of power, the legitimate power and the right for one person to exert power over another.

Exhibiting influence is one of the fundamental desires of man. In a temporal and materialistic sense, nothing feels better than to control others and influence them. These principles result in mankind’s desire and continual quest for power and influence. To go along with Machiavelli’s notion that power comes from imposing will and chance, power is given an origin that society judges based on the magnitude of its influence and the submissiveness of those influenced. However, Machiavelli fails to see that power is best exerted with virtue and without competition.

The origins of power are clear. Since power can be applied to any setting, it either originates from someone who exhibits greater will or someone who is given power (chance). You can be given power by nature (i.e. strong and smart versus useless and unintelligent) or nurture (i.e. family success and skillful upbringing). Someone can also work harder at what they do (imposing will). Since power is also a social phenomenon, someone who grooms themselves and works at their appearance gains power in the social context for example. Pure power comes from the triumph of will over chance. When someone has control to exert influence by their will instead of luck, they exhibit pure power that allows them to effectively control their surroundings in a sustainable and direct way. This is also called absolute power. (This is why absolute power corrupts absolutely because the influence is unstoppable).

Power is best defined by its influence. Legitimate power is more a result of imposing will then chance. Absolute power, as previously stated, is entirely constructed of imposing will. Thus, the more direct the relationship between will and power, the more validity the power obtains.

Machiavelli argues that power is best exerted for self-preservation and advantage. However, this aids society little if at all. In many scenarios, cooperative effort produces a greater result than competition. Imagine if researches could find intrinsic motivation equal to their current extrinsic motivation, but instead we devoted resources to specialized and separate tasks. The result would be a greater production of greater research functioning similarly to a smooth economy. The only difference is economies run based on competition to motivate people. Machiavelli ignores this intrinsic component implying it is not real. However, when just means are used to reach a just end, power does not corrupt in any respect. Undesirable means may reach desirable ends in one respect, but Machiavelli fails to gauge the other external effects of these means. Thus power is best used by intrinsic motivation for a just end using healthy means.

Power

Political history and political science deal with the concept of power. Simply defined, power is the ability to make someone do what they would not normally do. This essay discusses the origin of power, the legitimate power and the right for one person to exert power over another.

Exhibiting influence is one of the fundamental desires of man. In a temporal and materialistic sense, nothing feels better than to control others and influence them. These principles result in mankind’s desire and continual quest for power and influence. To go along with Machiavelli’s notion that power comes from imposing will and chance, power is given an origin that society judges based on the magnitude of its influence and the submissiveness of those influenced. However, Machiavelli fails to see that power is best exerted with virtue and without competition.

The origins of power are clear. Since power can be applied to any setting, it either originates from someone who exhibits greater will or someone who is given power (chance). You can be given power by nature (i.e. strong and smart versus useless and unintelligent) or nurture (i.e. family success and skillful upbringing). Someone can also work harder at what they do (imposing will). Since power is also a social phenomenon, someone who grooms themselves and works at their appearance gains power in the social context for example. Pure power comes from the triumph of will over chance. When someone has control to exert influence by their will instead of luck, they exhibit pure power that allows them to effectively control their surroundings in a sustainable and direct way. This is also called absolute power. (This is why absolute power corrupts absolutely because the influence is unstoppable).

Power is best defined by its influence. Legitimate power is more a result of imposing will then chance. Absolute power, as previously stated, is entirely constructed of imposing will. Thus, the more direct the relationship between will and power, the more validity the power obtains.

Machiavelli argues that power is best exerted for self-preservation and advantage. However, this aids society little if at all. In many scenarios, cooperative effort produces a greater result than competition. Imagine if researches could find intrinsic motivation equal to their current extrinsic motivation, but instead we devoted resources to specialized and separate tasks. The result would be a greater production of greater research functioning similarly to a smooth economy. The only difference is economies run based on competition to motivate people. Machiavelli ignores this intrinsic component implying it is not real. However, when just means are used to reach a just end, power does not corrupt in any respect. Undesirable means may reach desirable ends in one respect, but Machiavelli fails to gauge the other external effects of these means. Thus power is best used by intrinsic motivation for a just end using healthy means.

Determinants of One's Personality

This essay is all about how others view our personality based on our room and its possessions.

I asked my girl on the reasons behind her room arrangement and its possessions. The following lines is here response.

"The nameplate with the fluffy lilac edging on the door reveals my name but what you will discover inside will enlighten you a lot more about me and my (fascinating) personality.

I’m not into feng shui and I’m not interested in generating positive energy by situating my bed alongside the window. My belongings are just in order to meet my needs and wishes.

The on the wall may hit you immediately and you may conclude that I’m a girl. Nonetheless, the subtle lilac on the lower half of the room suggests otherwise. Gentle but vibrant. Girly yet sophisticated. The delicate lilac contrasts with the bold lime perfectly and reveals my true character – self-assured but sensitive.

A visitor may perhaps become considerably puzzled with the contrasting aspects of my bedroom. It’s almost like a split personality. I think I’m a tidy person, or at least look tidy, but the cluttered surfaces in my room tell a different story. Shoes and clothes strewn across the floor, homework and makeup scattered over my desk and dressing table may allow an outsider to assume I am utterly disorganised.

I do try to keep everything tidy but when all’s said and done, it’s my breathing space and I’ll choose if I want to live in disorder. It may be hard to believe that I have a perfectly made up bed. It’s habitual. No, it’s an obsession for me to make sure that my bed is made flawlessly in the morning. I don’t think I have ever left my room with my bed unmade. Duvet tucked in at all sides, pillows underneath it, and two cushions on top. Perhaps this reveals the fact that, on some level at least, I am an organised and efficient personality.

My drawers are littered with bits and pieces that I have had for years but I still can’t bear to throw out. I don’t even know why I’m still clinging on to these useless things. I suppose it’s a bit pathetic to hold on to meaningless objects that are years old and bear no value. On the other hand these things may bear sentimental value; my excuse for not throwing anything out is that I think I will probably use them one day. Well I’m definitely not kidding myself if I believe that.

A stranger may conclude that I am self-obsessed. I’m not, honestly. It’s just that the full length mirror and dressing table full of cosmetics suggests that I may be a little self-involved. These things are all necessary to me and I don’t think I’d survive without them. In fact I don’t even want to consider living without them. It may be concluded that I’m a little insecure and I suppose this is true as I don’t normally leave the house in the morning without my face fully made up. Despite this I don’t feel any different from other girls because I could name a few who have incredibly ridiculous insecurities."

Well, I guess a room and its possessions can not fully define a person’s character. The things in it are all materialistic and only enough to construct your own mental image of someone before you meet them.

Determinants of One's Personality

This essay is all about how others view our personality based on our room and its possessions.

I asked my girl on the reasons behind her room arrangement and its possessions. The following lines is here response.

"The nameplate with the fluffy lilac edging on the door reveals my name but what you will discover inside will enlighten you a lot more about me and my (fascinating) personality.

I’m not into feng shui and I’m not interested in generating positive energy by situating my bed alongside the window. My belongings are just in order to meet my needs and wishes.

The on the wall may hit you immediately and you may conclude that I’m a girl. Nonetheless, the subtle lilac on the lower half of the room suggests otherwise. Gentle but vibrant. Girly yet sophisticated. The delicate lilac contrasts with the bold lime perfectly and reveals my true character – self-assured but sensitive.

A visitor may perhaps become considerably puzzled with the contrasting aspects of my bedroom. It’s almost like a split personality. I think I’m a tidy person, or at least look tidy, but the cluttered surfaces in my room tell a different story. Shoes and clothes strewn across the floor, homework and makeup scattered over my desk and dressing table may allow an outsider to assume I am utterly disorganised.

I do try to keep everything tidy but when all’s said and done, it’s my breathing space and I’ll choose if I want to live in disorder. It may be hard to believe that I have a perfectly made up bed. It’s habitual. No, it’s an obsession for me to make sure that my bed is made flawlessly in the morning. I don’t think I have ever left my room with my bed unmade. Duvet tucked in at all sides, pillows underneath it, and two cushions on top. Perhaps this reveals the fact that, on some level at least, I am an organised and efficient personality.

My drawers are littered with bits and pieces that I have had for years but I still can’t bear to throw out. I don’t even know why I’m still clinging on to these useless things. I suppose it’s a bit pathetic to hold on to meaningless objects that are years old and bear no value. On the other hand these things may bear sentimental value; my excuse for not throwing anything out is that I think I will probably use them one day. Well I’m definitely not kidding myself if I believe that.

A stranger may conclude that I am self-obsessed. I’m not, honestly. It’s just that the full length mirror and dressing table full of cosmetics suggests that I may be a little self-involved. These things are all necessary to me and I don’t think I’d survive without them. In fact I don’t even want to consider living without them. It may be concluded that I’m a little insecure and I suppose this is true as I don’t normally leave the house in the morning without my face fully made up. Despite this I don’t feel any different from other girls because I could name a few who have incredibly ridiculous insecurities."

Well, I guess a room and its possessions can not fully define a person’s character. The things in it are all materialistic and only enough to construct your own mental image of someone before you meet them.

Mother: The Most Important Person in my Life

The role of a mother in shaping and nurturing the behavior of an individual.

Each and every one of us considers one important person that has made a huge impact in our lives. Some of us consider our mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, best friend, husband and wife as the most significant individual in our lives. Although this may look cliché, I consider my mother as the most important person in my life. Based on Wikipedia (2007), a mother is the biological and social female parent of a child. However, the word mother means more than a biological and social part of the society for me. For me the mother hones the future leaders, entrepreneurs, religious leaders and important individuals in the society. The prominent figures in our society nowadays are the product of not the individual's goals and ambitions but by the knowledge, attitudes and information that the mother have imparted.

My mother is the most significant figure in my life because without her I will not live, from her womb until today my mother have sacrificed her life just to make her children happy. She always eats last during dinner time in order to see her children get enough food. She puts behind her wants in order to address our needs. Her unwavering support for my goals and ambitions has been my key in pursuing my dream. And what makes my mother the most important individual in my life aside from those that I have mentioned? It is the fact that even though how many times we fight, and even if I am not the best child she could ever have, she always makes me feel that I am the best gift she ever received from God.

Mother: The Most Important Person in my Life

The role of a mother in shaping and nurturing the behavior of an individual.

Each and every one of us considers one important person that has made a huge impact in our lives. Some of us consider our mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, best friend, husband and wife as the most significant individual in our lives. Although this may look cliché, I consider my mother as the most important person in my life. Based on Wikipedia (2007), a mother is the biological and social female parent of a child. However, the word mother means more than a biological and social part of the society for me. For me the mother hones the future leaders, entrepreneurs, religious leaders and important individuals in the society. The prominent figures in our society nowadays are the product of not the individual's goals and ambitions but by the knowledge, attitudes and information that the mother have imparted.

My mother is the most significant figure in my life because without her I will not live, from her womb until today my mother have sacrificed her life just to make her children happy. She always eats last during dinner time in order to see her children get enough food. She puts behind her wants in order to address our needs. Her unwavering support for my goals and ambitions has been my key in pursuing my dream. And what makes my mother the most important individual in my life aside from those that I have mentioned? It is the fact that even though how many times we fight, and even if I am not the best child she could ever have, she always makes me feel that I am the best gift she ever received from God.

Sex or Fireworks: the Choice is Yours

Men in Naples,the original Italian Naples that is, were caught between a rock and a hard place as they marked the turn of the year this time round.

Neapolitans normally celebrate in that world wide, time-honoured waste of money - the firework display, and they tend to be extravagant, excessive and hyperactive in their chosen method of celebrating. Cheap, illegal fireworks flood the market and even the youngest of children have access to them, leading to the injury of handlers and spectators, and (more significantly) to much annoyance and lack of sleep for all those citizens who, like me, fail to attribute any special merit to the movement of the hands of the clock.

In Naples 2008 was heralded with 1 death and 473 injuries resulting from home made bangers, and that was after police had managed to confiscate a massive146 tonnes of the things beforehand, but how do you stop young men from letting off fireworks?

The answer to the problem comes in the form of Naples housewife, Carolina Staiano. Carolina's father was seriously injured handling illicit fireworks as a young man and suffered from epilepsy for the rest of his life as a result.

Carolina's method of pyrotechinic reduction is simple and even more time-honoured than the firework displays she intends to wipe out. She has persuaded hundreds (it is clamed) of women in Naples to give their men a choice on New Years Eve: fireworks in the street or fireworks in the bedroom, but definitely not both. And it seems that even the city fathers (who may be too old for either it must be admitted) appear to be persuaded, urging the authorities to adopt the slogan “Make love, not explosions”, advice that might be taken the wrong way by some lusty young stallions.

So I wonder which was the more lit up this year - the Naples sky or the bedrooms of Naples? Which do Neapolitan men prefer - fireworks with their men friends or fireworks with their women? And why was the part of Belfast I live in devoid of fireworks this year (the gunpowder kind)? And what choice did the redoubtable Carolina's husband make? He wouldn't dare!

Way to go Carolina.