Free Will and Conclusion

In the shooting case of Trayvor Martin, George Zimmerman should not go to prison. A significant amount of speculation exists around the shootings circumstances. There lacks an indisputable, completely factual account of the shooting and its preceding events. Without the support of concrete evidence murder can not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. I intend to show the conclusion, that George Zimmerman should not go to jail, is true because the argument is sound. I think my argument is valid because of the premises that support it.The first premise being that the Stand Your Ground Law in Florida permits the use of a fire arm in self defense. There is no definite proof that George Zimmerman killed for any reason other then his personal protection. He therefore did not break the law. The second premise shows that during the altercation between Trayvor Martin and George Zimmerman, Zimmerman sustained injuries to the back of the head and nose. There severity could not be accounted for b ut their presence is undeniable insinuating the shooting was in fact an act of self defense. The third premise is based on the phone call to the police station moments before the murder.A struggle can be heard along with a voice screaming for help. The voice can not be identified without uncertainty to be that of Martin or Zimmerman. Zimmerman's defense can argue is was him calling for help and there is no way to prove or disprove that claim. The last premise illustrates that it is still unknown if Martin aggressively approached Zimmerman from behind while he was retreating to his S. U. V.. Zimmerman admitted to initially following Martin suspecting he was a hoodlum up to no good, but claims to have given up after losing track of the teenager.According to Zimmerman their next encounter consisted of Martin approaching him from behind and asking him his what his problem, Zimmerman denied having a problem, and claims Martin then reacted by punching him in the nose. Witnesses reported s eeing the two fighting in the distance, while others recount hearing whining followed by a gun shot. Consequently since no spectator observed the incident up close or in entirety, Zimmerman's version which states Martin approached and attacked him can not be disproven with total certainty.These premises support that my argument is sound and help prove my conclusion is true. George Zimmerman should not go to prison for the shooting of Trayvor Martin because of the problems of free will. The problems of free will has two premises that lead to the conclusion that no action is free. The first premise states that if an action must occur it is not free. The second premise is based on determinism and the idea that every event occurs because of antecedent events, dating back to before birth even, ensured the occurrence. Hard determinism believes both of these premises and therefore accepts the conclusion.They do not feel we are responsible for our actions because they are not free. Soft det erminism believes only the second premise, that a there is a past chain of events effecting present actions however they think our own free will is included in the chain. Therefore soft determinism do not accept the conclusion and in assuming we have some free will declare we can be held responsible for our free actions. Libertarianism supports the first premise saying that if an action must occur it is not free but denies the second premise concerning the idea of determinism. They reject the conclusion.They feel you have chance to change a decision in the early stages of deliberation, that being the case they feel we can be held responsible for our actions only when we had the opportunity to do otherwise. The position holding the most merit is soft determinism. It can be used to view the Zimmerman case. George Zimmerman could not control the events leading up to final fatal action. We have no proof denying that Martin aggressively approached him from behind and initiated the violen ce. Based on the only known information we have Zimmerman had no control over this prior event.His next action was in self defense something he could not control therefore can not be held responsible for. If he had shot Martin before the physical clash occurred he would have demonstrated using free will. Since he could not control the fights progression he is not accountable for his actions. This further proves he should not go to jail for the shooting. Morally killing in self defense is a justified action. We previously conveyed the lack of concrete evidence refuting Zimmerman's recollection of the shooting as an act of self defense.Based on this we can determine Zimmerman's killing is morally justified because as far as we know it was an act of self defense. If he had shot Martin before being physically attacked his actions would not be justified and in turn considered immoral. Morally his actions were justified as far as we can prove, adding to the reasons why he should not go to jail. In the shooting case of Trayvor Martin, George Zimmerman should not go to jail. It can not be proven without reasonable doubt that he was not acting in self defense. Disputes over the shootings circumstances provide uncertainty in the case.The arguments presented are sound and prove the conclusion, that George Zimmerman should not go to prison, is true. Bibliography http://topics. nytimes. com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/trayvon_martin/index. html http://www. nytimes. com/interactive/2012/04/02/us/the-events-leading-to-the-shooting-of-trayvon-martin. html http://www. nytimes. com/2012/04/12/us/zimmerman-to-be-charged-in-trayvon-martin-shooting. html? pagewanted=all http://www. nytimes. com/2012/04/24/us/george-zimmerman-released-after-posting-bail-in-trayvon-martin-case. html? gwh=7C04C601D11A47D31E9BF5FF98E24EF4

Crime Reduction and Prevention Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Crime Reduction and Prevention Proposal - Essay Example Most affected by crimes in the City are the poor neighborhoods where fear and mistrust are at their peaks and the social bond among residents severely vulnerable. The main reasons for the high crime prevalence in such neighborhoods are the flourishing opportunities for crimes such as illegal drug and arms trade and possession, violence, and gun markets. If left unchecked and unchallenged, the souring crime levels may result in neighborhood or community neglect and disintegration. In addition, there would be little if any incentives for the citizens to invest both socially and economically in the neighborhoods marred with incidents of crimes and other disorder problems. To challenge this negative cycle caused by crimes and disorder problems in the City, there is need for all the stakeholders to formulate, implement, evaluate, and reform various crime prevention strategies that would ensure a safe and secure environment in the City for both its citizens and visitors (United Nations, 20 02). This paper explores some of the effective policies that may be established by the security stakeholders in the City of New York to assist crime victims, prevent crimes, and achieve effective justice for all. In addition, the paper addresses the effects that criminological theory and research have had on contemporary and historical crime control policies in New York City. Criminology Theories and their Influence Various theories proposed by scholars and other stakeholders in the subject of criminology have been rather important in the fight against crimes in New York City. Among the theories of criminology that have contributed to the fight against crime in New York City is the ‘Broken Window’ theory. According to this theory, the smallest or least noticeable evidences of crimes should never be ignored. In New York City, minor indications of neglect and disintegration of life in the City’s neighborhoods such as abandoned cars and buildings, littered streets, and prostitution have been accorded the right attention by the law enforcement agencies as they are the precursors of more serious crimes such as gang activity, drug dealing, and violent crimes among others. To this effect, a ‘zero tolerance’ approach based on the ‘broken window’ theory has been implemented by different law enforcement agencies and personnel in New York City. The theory further postulates that the fear of crime inherent in the City’s neighborhoods and other related crime factors, which play numerous roles in creating crimes in the City should not be ignored by the authorities. Besides endeavoring to avail equal economic opportunities for all in the City, the City of New York authorities do not spare any efforts in seeking to strengthen the social bonds that hold the diverse residents of the City. In other terms, any efforts to make the neighborhood of the City safer and more secure have incorporated other development activities, whic h create and attract jobs and avail affordable services to the populace. Importantly, all the crime prevention projects in the City have been based on sound scientific evidences. Evidence based Crime Prevention One of the benefits of the various criminology theories to the fight against crime in the City of New York has been in the formulation and implementation of evidence-based approaches to crime prevention. Important in such approaches is the emphasis laid on the need for crime prevention policies in the City. These crime prevention

Womens Liberation through the Equal Rights Amendment Research Paper - 1

Womens Liberation through the Equal Rights Amendment - Research Paper Example The aim of this scholarly treatise is not only to provide pertinent information regarding the women rights advocacy but also to demonstrate insightful ideas and recommendations for the now and the future. In 1848, the first-ever Women’s Rights Convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. Abolitionists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott spearheaded the two-day meeting of over 300 people who rallied for justice and equality for women who author outline from the rights and privileges of a citizen. The said convention generated the Declaration of Sentiments among other eleven resolutions denouncing inequality and proposing suffrage. However, the nation was far from ready to seriously pay attention to the issue of women’s rights and thought that the call for justice was not only ridiculous but also a worthless endeavor (Becker 39). After the Civil War, while the constitutional reformation centered on giving freedom to the slaves, Susan B. Anthony and Sojourner Truth, as well as the already-veteran Stanton, fought for the legal ground of providing the same civil and political rights that men enjoy to the American woman. Citing the 14th and 15th Amendments of the Constitution that the right to vote shall not be deprived to citizens on basis of their race, color and previous states of servitude, these women freedom fighters underscored the obvious and utter neglect of women in the laws of the land (Whitney 57).   In 1872 during the presidential election, Anthony cast her ballot in one of the poll precincts in New York invoking her right as a citizen as provided in the 14th Amendment. Her somehow rebellious act prompted her arrest, conviction and a penalty of $100, which she refused to pay.

Biotanicals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biotanicals - Essay Example Along with their continued use as a spice, many are processed for sale as dietary and medicinal supplements. Two of these spices, garlic and turmeric, have been used by healers for centuries and their use continues today as science confirms and unlocks the mysteries behind their healing powers. Garlic and turmeric have both received increased attention in recent years as science has studied their healing properties. They are interesting healing agents as they have been used for over two thousand years in Chins, India, and throughout Asia. In addition, recent scientific studies have confirmed the positive effects of garlic and turmeric, while demonstrating the underlying mechanisms by which they work. They are also of a culinary importance and are common spices that are found in many home kitchens today. With a basic understanding of their qualities and the associated health benefits, garlic and turmeric can be incorporated in just about anyones diet. Garlic, a pungent bulb, is a spice often associated with Italian cooking, but its value goes beyond its pleasant flavor. It has been used by the ancient Egyptians and has been known by just about every civilization as a curing and healing agent (Rivlin 713S). According to Amagase, "It prevents cold and flu symptoms through immune enhancement and exhibits anticancer and chemopreventive activities" (716S-717S). It is theorized that garlic fortifies the immune system by reducing free radicals or diminishing the negative impact that they have on the body. (Amagase 722S). However, it should be noted that the health benefits of garlic typically require a long term supplemental use, and is considered preventative rather than therapeutic (Amagase 721S). Garlics health benefits to the immune system are best acquired through the regular consumption of garlic or its derivatives. Garlic not only enhances the immune system, but recent studies have indicated

Steve Jobs speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Steve Jobs speech - Essay Example To better prepare the audience for what they were about to hear, President John Hennessy reminded everyone of some of Steve Jobs’ main achievements in his life. Once Steve Jobs stepped up to the podium, he gave a more detailed summary about the key events in his own life. To better get his message across, Jobs focused on three main stories: connecting the dots, love and loss, and death. These three stories are very different from one another, yet in another way they are remarkably similar. There is one theme that runs through all of these stories—you can achieve anything at all as long as you put your mind to it. This theme was appropriate considering the demographics of his audience: young, college graduates who are looking to find their place in the world. Steve Jobs’ first story, connecting the dots, used his real life experiences to show how certain events can influence the course of someone’s life. The story of his birth showed how unwanted he was as a child, and yet at the same time his life’s journey was being planned for him before it had even began. Back in the 1970’s, becoming a college graduate was seen as the ultimate success in life (in some ways, this is still the same today). Jobs described his emotions when he was attending college even though he did not want to be there. I can relate to this because I develop these feelings from time to time. Jobs felt that college was a waste of time and he would be better served by selected only the classes that interested him. I feel that this is a very bold decision to make, especially in the context of today’s environment, where the minimum expectation is a college degree. Jobs’ choice to drop out of college would be quite radical even for today, not to mention 30 or 40 years ago. However, this brave and bold decision allowed Jobs to be influenced by calligraphy, which would later go on to influence the design of the Apple computer. Overall, Jobs†™ key instruction here is to go with what feels best in your heart. There are so many other people and institutions that tell us what we should be doing, when in fact we are the ones who know what we want to achieve and succeed at. In my view, the choices made in our lives lead to consequences, both good and bad, and it is our choices that determine the path that our life takes us down. Jobs’ second story, love and loss, shows how plans can go astray, yet the ultimate goal can still be fulfilled. Jobs found a career that he loved, not just as a means to get by. This is something that he alludes to throughout his speech, although he does not actually mention it directly. I agree that success in life is always easier if you are doing something that you actually love. If so, you are more likely to put your heart and soul into it and receive a great reward from it. For Steve Jobs, this was working day in and day out at Apple. However, he came across a fork in the road—he was ousted from the company by the Board of Directors. Many people would react badly to this, yet Jobs knew that he still loved working with computers and would not let this setback stop him from achieving his dream. He ended up creating his own company and later rejoined Apple. None of this would have been possible had he not been fired from Apple in the first place. I found this concept really hard to grasp because it seemed like his life had been taken away from him, although he eventually got it back. This unfortunate event

School-Based Physical Education Programs and Childhood Obesity Essay

School-Based Physical Education Programs and Childhood Obesity - Essay Example A growing segment of the population for which obesity is becoming a serious problem is school-aged children. Current research shows that obese children perform worse academically than normal weight children. Obese children affected by deteriorating physical and mental health lack the ability to stay intellectually focused in school. Thus, childhood obesity in the context of educational settings will be the focus of this dissertation. Specifically, this study will delve into the subject matter with a particular focus on African American female high school students. Furthermore, the focus of this study is the connection between the efficacy of exercise programs and regimens for school aged children. The United States, like other countries, depends upon having a healthy youth base to take over and eventually lead. If we cannot reasonably conceive that our youth will be healthy enough to lead, that presents substantial political, economic and national security problems. More fundamentall y, however, as adults, we represent the first and last line of defense for children as their caregivers. In this regard, the role of caregiver is not merely relegated to children’s parents, but also their educators, and those in the community. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), when students are physically unhealthy, they are also at risk for deficiencies in other areas pertaining to their health including mental health, intellectual health (ability to learn), and the ability to socialize. Further, the CDC observed that a sick body often translates into a deficient ability to stay focused, learn in school and grow (Centers for Disease Control, 2012). Attending school is not exclusively meant for studying the subject matter, but also for enhancing individual and social growth. Thus, mental health can rarely thrive, without physical health, since physical health ultimately affects learning ability (Bailey, 2006). Thus, there are several potential positive socia l outcomes that can arise from this study. First, by investigating the relationship between childhood obesity and the efficacy of physical education programs, answers can be provided to a number of related questions. The answers can provide information to educators and administrators as how they can alter current educational methodologies and pedagogy to effectively create physical, mental, intellectual, and social environments that are conducive to youth development. Second, such a study will further a dialogue about the importance of applied educational research into topics that are not traditionally thought of as germane to education such as physical education. This study has potential to demonstrate that adequate physical education programs are necessary to support physically healthy students, which will help to facilitate improved health in other categories that ultimately affect learning outcomes. Early childhood through adolescent years mark the most critical physiological, p sychological, and physical development periods (Belgrave, 2009). Thus, without good physical health, the corresponding steps of individual growth can be disturbed, and growth can be stunted to the degree that youth can fail to thrive in the educational setting with respect to actual learning, as well as feeling secure in their bodies. Background The broader discussion of how to tackle childhood obesity, especially in the

Transpersonal Psychology Essay Example for Free

Transpersonal Psychology Essay The field of Transpersonal Psychology is the fourth field of psychology in addition to psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and humanistic psychology which covers the concepts regarding â€Å"Near Death Experience reality’, ‘dream reality’ and ‘waking reality’. According to Lajoie and Shapiro from the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, â€Å"Transpersonal psychology is concerned with the study of humanity’s highest potential, and with the recognition, understanding, and realization of spiritual and transcendent states of consciousness. (Lajoie and Shapiro, 1992:91). However, Walsh and Vaughan started to criticize the many definitions of transpersonal psychology and referred it as the branch of psychology which studies transpersonal experiences which can be experienced during a distorted consciousness and other phenomena related to realms of mind and consciousness. (Walsh Vaughan, 1993, p203). Near Death Experience Near Death Experience (NDE) has been regarded as a phenomenon connected with several aspects such as the after-life experience and physiological experience that has both spiritual and psychological effects depending on how it is perceived. According to Jansen and Phil, â€Å"NDE is an altered state of consciousness of potentially great importance to psychology, philosophy, religion, medicine, neuroscience, art, and humanity in general. The mystery which it represents is of universal significance.† (Dr. Karl Jansen MB.ChB., 1998). According to Jody Long, a person who experienced NDE integrates it to his existing belief and strengthens their sense of spirituality which may involve change of religion. (Long, 2003) Generally, Kenneth Ring (1980) classified NDEs on a 5 stages in progression: 1. feelings of peace and contentment; 2. a sense of detachment from the body; 3. entering a transitional world of darkness (rapid movement through a long dark tunnel: the tunnel experience); 4. emerging into bright light which maybe a religious figure; and 5. entering the light. According to van Lommel, et.al., based on the clinical studies, some factors that lead to NDE include cardiac arrest, postpartum loss of blood, anaphylactic shock, coma, asphyxia, suicide, apnoea, near-drowning and serious depression.(van Lommel, 2001) However, it was observed that there are quite similarities among the description of NDEs and the skeptics understood it to be attributed to the pathology of the dying or reviving brain as suggested by Dr. Vladimir Negovsky. (Pravda, 2004). Dream Reality: A dream, as defined by American Heritage Dictionary (1978), is â€Å"a series of images, ideas, etc., occurring in certain stages of sleep.† Physiologically, it is commonly understood to be the product of the subconscious brain in processing waking reality and oftentimes outside the control of the dreamer. Eventually, studies showed that there is an exemption in lucid dreaming where the dreamer can control some aspects of the dream and experience it clearly. Stephen LaBerge, a popular experimenter has defined it as dreaming while knowing that you are dreaming. The clarity of the lucid dream signifies good dream recall. Practicing the control of the dream and recreating it may sometimes need tests to determine whether one is dreaming or not. Most common reality tests applied includes pinching oneself, holding one’s nose, or facing a mirror.(LaBerge, 1993) According to Eugen Tarnow, lucid dreaming is similar to NDE in that the persons involved both recall them with clarity. Both gives color and sound and become part of a long-term memory even during waking life. During waking life an executive function interprets long term memory consistent with reality checking. (Long, 2003) This coincides with Grosso’s observation that both stem from the same matrix of consciousness and involve the same mechanisms. (Grosso, 1983) It can also noted that as the NDErs consciously knows that they are experiencing reality, so the lucid dreamers knows that they are dreaming. It was shown in a study entitled Dreams and NDE that dreams rarely reproduced any part of the experience. (Long, 2003) This became the strongest evidence that NDEs and dreams are generally different states of consciousness.   Another way to interrelated the dreams, NDE and waking life is by looking at the thickness or thinness of boundaries an individual may have. According to Abraham Maslow â€Å"an individual’s capacity to experience transcendent states depends on a quality of openness that permits them to occur. (Kohr, 1983) p.171 Apparently, the â€Å"thicker† or more rigid the person, the less dreams the person recalled while the â€Å"thinner† or more fluid the person, the more dreams and waking reality blended. REFERENCES: Lajoie, D. H. Shapiro, S. I. (1992). Definitions of transpersonal psychology: The first twenty-three years. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, Vol. 24. p. 91. Walsh, R. Vaughan, F. (1993). On transpersonal definitions.Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 25 (2) 125-182 Dr. Karl Jansen MB.ChB., M. M. S., D. Phil (Oxon), MRCPsych. (1998). Ketamine Near Death and Near Birth Experience. Retrieved February 26, 2007, from http://www.lila.info/document_view.phtml?document_id=91 Grosso, M. (1983). Jung, Parapsychology, and the Near-Death Experience: Toward a Transpersonal Paradigm. The Journal for Near-Death Studies, 3(1), 19-22. Kohr, R. (1983). Near-Death Experiences In, Altered States, and Psi Sensitivity, Anabiosis. The Journal for Near-Death Studies, 3(2), 169-172. LaBerge, S. a. L., Lynne. (1993). The Light and Mirror Experiment Nightlight 5(Summer), 10. Long, J. A. a. L., Jeffrey. (2003). Dreams, Near-Death Experiences, and Reality Retrieved February 26, 2007, from www.nderf.org van Lommel, P. e. a. (2001). Near Death Experience In Survivors of Cardiac Arrest: A Prospective Study in the Netherlands. The Lancet( 358 ), 2039-2042.