The Role of Religion and Philosophy as as a Basis for the Establishment of Social Structure and Politics

Table of Contents Buddhism Confucianism Socratic Philosophy Summary Conclusion The creation of ancient societies require the participation of the individual either as an ordinary member of the community or as a leader. Both ruler and subject require a set of principles or a belief system that will guide them. In most cases this is provided by the state religion. In others it is supplied by a philosophy that guides them in their thought process and provided ground rules in making crucial decisions.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on The Role of Religion and Philosophy as as a Basis for the Establishment of Social Structure and Politics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In ancient India one can find a religion established by Gautama Buddha. In ancient China one can find Confucianism as a guiding light. In Greece one can find the Socratic philosophy that was so influential it even transformed the whole of Weste rn civilization. In this study Buddhism, Confucianism, and Socratic philosophy will be examined side-by-side to understand how principles gleaned from these three systems of belief were used to help individuals discover their role in ancient society. Buddhism In Buddhism one of the most influential principles can be gleaned from Gautama Buddha’s Four Noble Truths. In the First Noble Truth there is an important teaching about misery its causes and how to eradicate from a person’s life. This idea has transformed the way Buddhist societies functioned especially when it comes to the role that individuals should play in society. One of the most significant idea that can be found under the First Noble Truth is the one that says: â€Å"to wish for what one cannot have is misery† (Stearns, p.70). It was a radical statement in those times. Just like today, people in ancient worlds lusted for power, wealth, and prestige. One can just imagine the striving, the competition, the desire to get ahead and the need for more influence, clout, more money, more servants, more properties. All of a sudden this teaching comes along and people were told that the desires of men is the root cause of misery. It must had been a sobering thought for many. For those who struggle to get ahead in the social rat race the idea was revolutionary. It was as if a burden was lifted from the shoulders of those who cannot handle the competition and the exploitation. When this teaching became popular it was no longer necessary to aspire for greatness and to accumulate wealth because all were vanity. More importantly these things will not make a person happy. This is probably the reason why Buddhism became very popular in this region during ancient times. It gave people hope. It gave them direction in life. It gave them rest, a respite from a life full of strife, deceit, and suffering.Advertising Looking for term paper on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your fir st paper with 15% OFF Learn More From a political standpoint the teachings of Buddha is also very important because the leaders, especially if they were Buddhists themselves can make the people calm down, make them less restless and help them feel more contented with what they have. In other words leaders can actually use these principles to create a society filled with individuals that are less prone to rise up in rebellion and demand for more benefits and more individual rights. Buddhism also teaches that it is the unfulfilled desires of men and women that causes misery and therefore the removal of these desires from the consciousness of the individual will solve all of society’s problems. This is why in the Third Noble Truth, one can find this maxim: â€Å"Where anything is delightful and agreeable to men; there desire wanes and disappears, there it is broken up and destroyed† (Stearns, p.72). One can easily imagine the consequence of this belief system, es pecially when Buddhism became the state religion. This meant that political leaders who were Buddhist can make the general population submissive to their ideas without them knowing that they are being subjugated. On the other hand a good leader, one who is truly noble can use the same belief system and inspire people to build a just and humane society. Rules need not be enforced by strong-arm tactics because the citizens will come to realize the importance of peace for it is one of the paths to the cessation of misery. In theory there will be less conflict because the community who embraced the tenets of Buddhism need not struggle for material wealth, fame and power. They had everything they need by letting go of their desires. Confucianism In comparison to Confucianism, Buddhism seems to lack focus, structure, and direction. Buddhism is more fluid while Confucianism is more rigid. However, there are similarities. Buddhism aims to remove misery and therefore it abhors conflict. It s trives to remove conflict within the individual and within society. Nirvana the state of bliss which is the primary goal of all Buddhist is characterized by inner peace and an existence without misery. In Confucianism, bliss is understood to come in the form of a stable government and structure of governance that can help all those who are under it experience a better life. But this means that the people will submit to this government and even contribute what they can to sustain it. Buddhism asks the individual to let go of his desires. Confucianism asks the individual to have more restraint especially when it comes to dealing with the government. In Buddhism the goal is the cessation of misery. In Confucianism the goal is tranquility. It can be argued that there are major similarities here because Buddhism also talks about inner-peace. However, the methodology differs because in Confucianism there is a principle that says tranquility can be achieved by abiding in the highest good a nd by loving the people (Strearns, p.36). This is very important because Confucianism teaches the individual to put society above self.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on The Role of Religion and Philosophy as as a Basis for the Establishment of Social Structure and Politics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Socratic Philosophy The Socratic philosophy is centered on the individual. The core ideal of Socratic philosophy is the importance of the individual. This is seen in the life and teachings of Socrates who was sentenced to death for allegedly corrupting the youth of Athens. But in his trial he pinpointed the main reason why he was put on trial, and it was the charge that he was responsible for undermining the morality and religious traditions of Athens (Bulliet et al., p.122). In other words Socratic philosophy did not only encourage people to value the person but also to question what was perceived to be ir reversible trends and to challenge traditions that were in existence for hundreds of years. The Socratic philosophy is also based on the Socratic method of asking questions. An individual was taught to ask hard questions regarding life, society, and politics. Even if Greek city-states were ruled by aristocrats, as time passed by, an ordinary person in Athens was given the chance to acquire rights, privileges and even the capability to say and do what he believes is important. As a result a democratic movement was birthed and henceforward, â€Å"Athenians of moderate or slender means could hold office and participate in politics† (Bulliet et al., p.119). Power was transferred to popular organs of government such as the Assembly, the Council of 500, and the People’s Courts so that the Assembly of all free citizens â€Å"held open debates several times a month; anyone could speak to the issue of the day† (Bulliet et al., p.119). Without a doubt this system of gover nance was far from perfect but it was a precursor to modern democracies. The ability to debate the aristocrats and the right to question traditions is something that is uniquely Greek. No one in the ancient world could challenge the gods but they did, especially Socrates who blazed a path for them. This is very interesting because it contrasts with other forms of nation-building mofrld discussed earlier. Buddhism was purely spiritual and although its main goal was to free human beings from the negative effect of unfulfilled desires the ultimate goal was intensely personal not the establishment of a nation. Socratic philosophy as utilized by the Greeks also differed sharply from Confucianism because in China the individual is not the most important component of society – it is the State or the government. Everyone will benefit if they focus on building a centralized government that in turn will be the source of administrative power that will ensure stability and peace.Advertis ing Looking for term paper on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Summary If one will compare and contrast Buddhism, Confucianism, and Socratic philosophy in the context of the individual then one can see only a few similarities but many differences. Although Buddhism deals with the individual, it is done from a spiritual perspective. In fact it does not bother with the evolution of human society from primitive to modern. It is not even concern with the eradication of poverty and the establishment of a just government that will serve the people. Without a doubt Buddhism can still be utilized by power-hungry men who would love nothing more than to dominate others. They can profess their adherence to Buddhist teachings and for them to effectively rule they can convince others that the path to nirvana is by learning how to let go of all forms of desires. However, this kind of position is difficult to sustain because ideally speaking the ruler does not have any incentive to govern his people. Confucianism and the Socratic philosophy offers a more prac tical solution to socio-political problems. Confucianism and the Socratic philosophy are philosophical frameworks that are also interested in the plight of the individual but less concern with the spiritual aspect of life and more on the political. Confucianism in a nutshell asserts that an individual will benefit greatly not from being individualistic but in the acknowledgement that he must serve society and the State. In ancient China, just like in other ancient civilizations the masses were forced to obey by coercion such as the teaching that Kings descended from the gods. But with the correct application of Confucianism there was no longer any need for all of that. The main thrust was to educate the individual and make him understand that being part of a system – in their case it is the Civil Service – is not only beneficial for the individual but also the whole of society. Socratic philosophy applied to the individual is less rigid compared to Confucianism. The St ate or the ruling class does not impose its will on the individual but a democratic form of government is preferred. This is less stable, and based on the history of the Greek people not always reliable. One has to remember that Alexander the Great came after Socrates and Plato. This is proof that Greek people clamored for a tyrant to keep them safe from their enemies and ensure stability. Conclusion Buddhism, Confucianism and the Socratic philosophy gave birth to different models of how individuals should behave in ancient societies. Buddhism is focused on the spiritual aspect of the individual and cared less about the socio-political consequences of its teaching. Confucianism on the other hand offers a solution to problems of society but requires absolute adherence to rules and systems. The Socratic philosophy values the individual by giving him freedom to ask questions, to challenge the status quo. However, it proved to be unreliable in many occasions. Nevertheless, it became the precursor to establishment of modern-day democratic societies. This term paper on The Role of Religion and Philosophy as as a Basis for the Establishment of Social Structure and Politics was written and submitted by user Tanner H. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

How to Get Organized at Work When Youre a Marketer

How to Get Organized at Work When Youre a Marketer Getting (and staying) organized at work is no easy feat. Your inbox is constantly filling up with emails and meeting invites Your desk is covered in random piles of sticky notes†¦ And your office messaging system is blowing up non-stop. It’s no wonder you struggle like craaazzzy to *actually* get anything done. #truth But when you’re a marketer who is responsible for a million projects, tasks, and deadlines†¦ being organized is a more than just a nice-to-have†¦ Being organized at work is a necessity. And by the end of this post you will: Know how to get organized at work (thanks to # organizational tips) Learn about # powerful organization tools that can help you get organized AND have access to a couple of *very* helpful organizational templates. Let’s get organized, shall we? How to Get Organized at Work When Youre a Marketer via @How To Get Organized At Work Getting organized at work doesn’t have to be a struggle†¦ BUT it does take some effort. And when I say â€Å"effort† I mean that getting organized at work is about more that just â€Å"getting organized at work.† Because honestly, your life *outside* of work also has to be a bit organized for it not to cramp your style from 9 to 5. 😕 Another thingif you’re one of those people who thinks that their disorganization is part of their â€Å"creative genius† Let me stop you right there with a series of cold, hard facts about organization (which come from our latest marketing research report  (as of 2018): Fact #1 Marketers who document their strategies are 538% more successful than those who don’t (which means it’s not left to chance). Fact #2 Marketers who document their processes are 466% more successful than those who don’t (which means success is actually linked to getting organized). Fact #3 Marketers who set goals are 429% more successful than those who don’t (and goal setting doesn’t just happen by accident it takes an organized effort). ^^^Said another way, it’s proven that marketers who proactively organize are more successful than those who constantly fly by the seat of their pants. Getting organized is proven  to help marketers like you succeed. (And tbh that’s pretty sweet). So without further ado†¦ Let’s dive into a series of organizational tips that are going to help you organize your life, your desk (cough cough), and your workload so that you can be a successful (and hella organized) marketer. Organizational Tips Getting organized at work is more than just cleaning off your desktop and sorting files (even though that’s a great place to start) Getting organized at work should actually start with making sure certain aspects of your life are well-organized, too. So before we jump into how to get organized at work, let’s jump into 5 ways you can organize your life. Organized Life Tip #1: Get a good amount of sleep First things first to really feel organized, you need to make sure to always get a good amount of sleep. 😠´ It’s literally impossible to think  clearly when you’re running on a shortage of snoozin hours and WAY too much caffeine. It’s literally impossible to think  clearly when you’re running on a shortage of snoozin hoursTip #2: Rely on a planner Rely on a planner (digital or paper) to help you remember (and show up on time for) every meeting. Plus, writing down important dates + times actually a) makes it easier to remember (because you’ve taken the time to write it down) and b) lets your brain free up important space for idkactually executing a marketing strategy. ;) Tip # 3: Begin your day by knocking out small tasks Begin your day by knocking out small tasks (check your email, put away laundry, unload the dishwasher, etc). You not only get more organized in the process (bonus.) But accomplishing small tasks right away in the morning also means you’re being productive right away.  It’s a feeling of accomplishment that you can carry with you throughout the workday. Tip #4: Schedule regular breaks Managing your mental state at work is KEY to getting organized. You need to give your brain a chance to relax    otherwise you’re going to feel mega-burned out by 3pm (and making decisions when your brain is tired is never awesome). For best results, try to give yourself a break in the morning AND one in the afternoon (about 15 minutes each). Take a walk around the office, around the block, change up your environment by hitting up a coffee shop whatever works best for you and helps you feel refreshed when you get back. Tip #5: Pick up the phone or use chat Pick up the phone or use chat  to communicate with others. Direct communication means you *actually* get answers. Sending emails back and forth is no good for anyone (and usually just results in a cluttered email inbox). Whether you’re checking in on your mom or getting information about an upcoming project at work picking up the phone or sending a chat (Slack or Google Hangouts are great chat tools) makes sure your email inbox doesnt get overloaded (at least as quickly as usual)and you’ll usually get the answer you’re looking for MUCH faster. 👠 To recap: here’s a nice little graphic of the 5 tips you can use to organize your life: Onto the next phase of how to get organized at work†¦ An organized desk. ðŸâ€" ¥ Organized Desk Who doesn’t love a nice and clean desk (and desktop), am I right?. Here are TWO tips to help you maintain a clean, organized workspace.

Infection Control Practice in Acute Care Centers Essay

Infection Control Practice in Acute Care Centers - Essay Example Other recent estimates indicate that the average annual costs related to hospital acquired infections currently range from$4.5 billion to $11 billion. The substantial patient morbidity of the healthcare associated inflections is particularly attributed to a number of risk factors that significantly increases the susceptibility of hospitalized patients to infections by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. Compared to others, patients hospitalized or under intensive care units often have a significantly higher risk of developing infections. Generally, some of the major risks include poor or compromised immune systems of hospitalized patients due to illnesses, overcrowding, invasive medical procedures that are often carried out in patients in acute healthcare centers and most importantly, poor infection control practices among nurses and other medical staff in many acute healthcare centers. Although hospital-based infection control measures and policies have been in place since the 1950s, the risk of health care acquired infections continues to be higher due to the lack of proper application, malpractices and implementation of these policies. For example, in most cases, the absence of effective infection practices such as failures to follow proper procedures or conform with the infection control guidelines often result in poor conditions thereby causing hospitalized patients to develop infections. Some of the likely reasons for the non compliance with hospital acquired infection control policies among nurses and other medical staff in acute healthcare centers often include work overload, lack of motivation, time, education, patient turnover, staff attitude and state barriers. However, substantial empirical evidence suggests that many hospital acquired infections can effectively be prevented or reduced through a number of strategies of improving infection control