Poekilopleuron - Facts and Figures

Name: Poekilopleuron (Greek for varied ribs); pronounced POY-kill-oh-PLOOR-on Habitat: Woodlands of western Europe Historical Period: Middle Jurassic (170-165 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 23 feet long and one ton Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; bipedal posture; relatively long arms About Poekilopleuron Poekilopleuron had the misfortune to be discovered in the early 19th century, at a time when virtually every large theropod was being assigned as a species of Megalosaurus (the first dinosaur ever to be named). An amazing number of famous paleontologists were involved, in one way or another, with this dinosaur: the type species, Poekilopleuron bucklandii, was named after William Buckland; in 1869, Edward Drinker Cope reassigned a now-defunct genus (Laelaps) as Poekilopleuron gallicum; Richard Owen was responsible for Poekilopleuron pusillus, which Cope later changed to Poekilopleuron minor; and later still, Harry Seeley reassigned one of these species to an entirely different genus, Aristosuchus. Amidst this frenzy of Poekilopleuron activity, at least one species of this middle Jurassic dinosaur was assigned to Megalosaurus, though most paleontologists continued to refer to Poekilopleuron by its original genus name. Adding to the confusion, the original skeleton of Poekilopleuron (Greek for varied ribs)--which stood out for its complete set of gastralia, or ribs, a rarely preserved feature of dinosaur fossils--was destroyed in France during World War II, so paleontologists have since had to make do with plaster replicas (a similar situation prevails with the much bigger meat-eating dinosaur Spinosaurus, whose type fossil was destroyed in Germany). Long story short: Poekilopleuron may or may not have been the same dinosaur as Megalosaurus, and if it wasnt, it was a very close relative!

Epic of Beowulf Essay - Armor in the Epic Poem, Beowulf

Armor in the poem Beowulf Armor mentioned in the poem Beowulf include helmets and chain mail. There are an incredible number of references to these battle-apparel in the poem, making this topic of armor a very relevant one to consider. â€Å"Helmets are the most dramatic and often quoted item of armor found in Beowulf,† says Catherine M. Hills in â€Å"Beowulf and Archaeology.† Indeed, examining the poem, one finds copious references to helmets in just the first 400 lines of the poem: Boar-figures gleamed over plated cheek-guards, inlaid with gold; shining, fire-hardened, fierce war-masks guarded their lives (303-6) iron-gray†¦show more content†¦Both the Benty Grange and Sutton Hoo helmets have boar ornaments on the helmet, on the eyebrows of the latter. In Beowulf the poet describes the helmets of the Geat warriors in the poem: Boar-figures gleamed over plated cheek-guards, inlaid with gold (303-4) (Cramp 117) Representations of helmets in sculpture or in manuscripts indicate that crested helmets, the Anglo-Saxon type of helmet, continued in use through the tenth century (Hils 304). We will return to Benty Grange and Sutton Hoo shortly, but first let’s comment on the other form of armor: mail-link aka chain-mail aka mail-shirts aka war-dress aka battle-shirts aka mail, etc. In the first 400 lines of Beowulf, the references to armor generally, or to mail-link/chain-mail specifically, actually outnumber the references to helmets: I have not heard of a ship so decked with better war-dress, weapons of battle, swords and mail-shirts (38-40) Armored warriors climbed the prow; the sea-currents eddied; they carried no weapons, stored them amidships, all the bright ornaments, stately battle-dress (212-15) Their chain-mail clanked, their bright battle-shirts (236-7) WhoShow MoreRelatedBeowulf, The Epic Hero1373 Words   |  6 Pages12, 2015 Beowulf, The Epic Hero In Anglo Saxon times, Beowulf is considered a well known epic hero. â€Å"Epic heroes are literary characters from ancient mythology and other stories, which were written down in the form of long, narrative epic poems. The hero is the main character, or protagonist of the poem†(Epic Hero: Definition, Characteristics Examples.). The epic hero usually battles for accomplishments to a set of tasks to complete important goals. Beowulf is described as an epic hero becauseRead MoreCourageous Acts by Heroes in Ancient Literature1546 Words   |  6 Pagesmany great stories about heroes from ages. In my essay I will be taking about the courageous acts by heroes in ancient literature. An old English epic poem set in Scandinavia called â€Å"Beowulf† is a brave adventurous poem about the hero of Geats who helps the King of Danes. Secondly, â€Å"The Antigone† a tragedy play written by Sophocles in 400BC. It is mainly focused on a brother sister’s relationship. At last I will talk about the epic Latin poem â€Å" The Aeneid† by Virgil is a legendary story about AeneasRead MoreBeowulf : The Perfect Hero1279 Words   |  6 PagesZeltner Modern Lit 10/11/2017 Beowulf argumentative essay Beowulf is more than just a story, it’s a cornerstone of modern literature as its dynamic structure and theme display great originality and uniqueness. Given its history, the story plot is certainly original as it was constructed over 1300 years ago. Beowulf is an epic poem in which the plot is intended to portray the unique heroism of German warriors. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. The poem explores his heroism in twoRead More Is Beowulf an Heroic Elegy or an Epic Narrative? Essay4711 Words   |  19 PagesIs Beowulf   an Heroic Elegy or an Epic Narrative?      Ã‚  Ã‚   There is considerable debate as to whether the poem Beowulf is an epic narrative poem or an heroic elegy. Which is it. This essay intends to present both sides of the story.    Some great literary scholars think that the poem is an heroic elegy, celebrating the fantastic achievements of its great hero, and also expressing sorrow or lamentation for the hero’s unfortunate death. In â€Å"Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics† Tolkien states:Read MoreBeowulf As An Epic Hero1976 Words   |  8 PagesWhen discussing epic heroes, some of the more prominent ones that come to mind are Beowulf (from Beowulf), Hektor (from The Iliad), and Achilleus (also from The Iliad). These are all characters from literature who have displayed a multitude of the characteristics embodied in epic heroes. Each one of these literary figures has exhibited necessary traits needed to be considered an epic hero. Whether those traits are some of the common ones such as strength, honor, loyalty, perseverance, and braveryRead MoreAn Analytical View of Beowulf Essays2415 Words   |  10 PagesSeamus Heaneys edition of the epic poem Beowulf all of which earn Beowulf some hero ic status for saving the town from the evil antagonists that lurk, but is there a deeper meaning behind these battles than just an old tale? Is there some metaphor we are supposed to perceive? Throughout Beowulf there are a lot of different themes to pick and choose from, some interesting and more prevailing ones are that of pride vs. humility and sacrifice vs. selfishness. Beowulf for example is very proud but atRead More Christian and Pagan Influence in Paradise Lost and Beowulf Essay4093 Words   |  17 PagesChristian and Pagan Influence in Paradise Lost and Beowulf  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   In Paradise Lost, Milton is adept at drawing from both Christian and pagan sources and integrating them in such a way that they reinforce one another (Abrams 1075). Of course it is a commonplace for critics to believe that Milton valued his Christian sources more highly than the pagan ones (Martindale 20); this is most likely due to the fact that he regarded the Christian sources as vessels of the truth. His classical allusionsRead MoreExplaining the Three Stages in The Heros Journey Essay1757 Words   |  8 Pagesthis concept, there are a few stories covered in this class that can be used. Beowulf is an epic poem telling the story of Beowulf, a legendary Geatish hero who later becomes king in the aforementioned epic poem. While the story in and of itself is quite interesting, for the purpose of this paper it is important to look at the character more so then his deeds, or rather why he did what he did. In the story, Beowulf travels to Heorot to help King Hrothgar with a problem involving a monster namedRead MoreImagery in the Old English Poem Beowulf Essay3689 Words   |  15 PagesPopular Imagery in the Old English Poem Beowulf  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Some popular elements of imagery in Beowulf are the mead-hall, the sea, swords, armor including shields. Let us discuss these items and, where applicable, the archaeological support for them.    Remaining true to the Anglo-Saxon culture’s affinity for mead (ale/beer/wine), the characters of Beowulf partake frequently of the strong beverage. And the mead hall was their home away from home, with more entertainments than just fermentedRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Beowulf Essay4217 Words   |  17 PagesTuttle 1 Beowulf- Unfit to be King of the Geats For 1000 years we have been reading of the adventures of Beowulf, and his story was told for hundreds of years before. The tale is full of trials, tribulations, adventure, great loss, great victory, and wonderful battles. But, what do we make of it? Is it a tale told to illustrate the virtues of the epic hero himself, or is it a cautionary tale, told to warn the readers of the dangers of allowing unqualified men (or women) to ascend to a position of

Mice and Men Injustices Faced Free Essays

â€Å"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere† Martin Luther King regarding justice. This quote considers the injustice that takes place and its potential impacts. Justice is defined as a quality of being just; fairness and injustice is defined as Lack of fairness or justice. We will write a custom essay sample on Mice and Men Injustices Faced or any similar topic only for you Order Now This quote has some relevance and can be related to the issues of justice and injustice which is faced in the book Of Mice of Men. The book is set in the 1900s it takes place on and about a ranch in the Salinas Valley, near the town of Soledad, south of San Francisco. It is about two migrant field workers in California during the Great Depression – George Milton, an intelligent and cynical man; and Lennie Small, an ironically named man of large stature and immense strength but limited mental abilities. They work on a ranch and they hope to one day attain their shared dream of settling down on their own piece of land. Lennie’s part of the dream, which he never tires of hearing George describe, is merely to tend to (and touch) soft rabbits on the farm. In the book many characters are faced with injustices ranging from racism to disabilities. You can read also Justice System Position Paper One such characters who is subjected to this is Crooks. In the novel â€Å"Of Mice and Men† John Steinbeck, the author, uses the character of Crooks to represent racism and to symbolise the marginalization of the black community during the setting of the book. The term â€Å"nigger† is referenced in the book a number of times such as being banned from the bunkhouse, only during Christmas â€Å"they let the nigger come in† and in one scene Curley’s wife threatens Crooks that she’ll ‘ get you strung up on a tree so easy It ain’t even funny† showing the injustice that he faces when working at the ranch. How to cite Mice and Men Injustices Faced, Papers

What Is the Meaning of Sex free essay sample

Does sex refer to a pleasurable thing, is sex beautiful, is sex art, is sex a sign of love, or is sex Just for fun in the moment? Meaningful or meaningless? Sex used to be a special thing, and until now, little has changed about it. If we Just say: sex only for fun, for one night stand, for some people this is fine, it is good, it is fun, it is exploration and so on. We should never Judge what people said about it, we can respect it, because every person is different, unique; with different perceptions, and efferent cultures but can we say, one night stand makes sex to be more priceless or more meaningless these day?Without saying what is right or what is wrong, with people presumably now finding it easier to get laid or have sex with random people who they Just met at a bar or somewhere else, does it make it harder for us to find real love and for experiencing real sex. We will write a custom essay sample on What Is the Meaning of Sex? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I know, its kind of a conservative view but its just what I think because for me, sex should be the special thing that you can do with a special person at the right time. .. But at the end, no matter how different we are as a human, the most important thing is to respect each other.If we can respect each other, then we can accept what the reason is behind everything, Including different perceptions of sex. My thoughts are, if your partner asks you to have sex, and you are not even ready for it, your partner should know what your reasons are and he or she should respect your decision no matter what. If your partner couldnt understand and accept it, then he or she Is not worth it to be with. If your partner loves you, then hey should be willing to wait. If sex is meaningful for you, it is worth the wait.Sex and love are two important things that involve two people in a relationship. Communication Is the basic for building a good relationship. Acceptance, respect, and trust strengthen relationships. The more of these you have, the more you can live a happy loving life; sexually, physically, psychologically together as one. So, what is the meaning of sex for you? Sex without love Is a meaningless experience, but as far as meaningless experiences go Its pretty damn good.

How to Buy Hosting and a Domain Name for Your WordPress Blog

If you are starting a new WordPress blog then the first step of the process is to buy hosting and a domain name. Although this is a fairly straightforward process, if this is your first time purchasing hosting and a domain name, the sheer number of hosting companies, hosting plans, and the hosting terminology itself, can seem a little daunting.Here at ThemeIsle, we recommend using Bluehost to host your WordPress website. So, in this how-to guide, we will walk you through how to buy hosting and a domain name from Bluehost, explaining exactly what you need to do to get your hosting account set up. Let’s get started Bluehost is a popular hosting provider that offers an extensive selection of plans, features, and tools to help users host their websites with ease. Founded in 2003, Bluehost now powers over two million websites across the globe.For beginning bloggers, we recommend the  Basic or  Plus plans because they offer all the features you need for an affordable price:How t o buy hosting and a domain name from BluehostTo buy hosting and a domain name from Bluehost, head to the Bluehost WordPress hosting page and click Select under the shared hosting plan you want to purchase:Bluehost will now walk you through a series of steps that you will need to complete before you can make a purchase.1. Create a new domainThe first step is to set up your domain name, which is your websites permanent address on the Internet. For example, our domain name is themeisle.com.With Bluehost, you can either Create a New Domain or Use a Domain that you Own (which  you  have previously purchased from a third-party domain registrar).Bluehost gives you a  free domain name for your first year, so wed always recommend using the  Create a new domain option to take advantage of that freebie:Choosing the right domain name for your new website isn’t easy. But don’t worry, we have written plenty on this subject to help you choose the perfect name†¦How to Cho ose a Domain Name: 4 Simple StepsNeed a Blog Name Generator: 9 Best Tools ComparedDomain Extensions: An Essential Guide How to Choose One and WhyOnce you have decided on a domain name, type it into the search function  under Create a New Domain and select Next.If your domain is not available, Bluehost will give a list of similar suggestions, or a selection of different domain extensions that you can use.Either pick one of Bluehost’s suggestions, or search again using a different domain name.2. Enter basic account informationOnce you have settled on an appropriate domain name, the next step is to create an account with Bluehost. To do this you will need to fill in some personal information, including†¦NameBusiness Name (if appropriate)AddressPhone NumberEmail AddressAlternatively, you can sign in with Google and allow Bluehost to access your details.3. Choose billing cycleNext, you can choose how long you want to purchase hosting for. Typically, youll pay lower monthly prices if you commit to a longer period. However, youll have a higher up-front price, so youll need to choose which option you prefer.Here are the prices for the  Basic plan:12 Months $4.95 a month ($59.40 total)24 Months $3.95 a month ($94.80 total)36 Months $2.95 a month ($106.20 total)All of the above are discounted prices, and after the initial term all plans renew at the regular rates.4. Select any package extrasNext, scroll down the page to Package Extras  section. Here you will find a list of extra tools and services that you can purchase alongside your hosting plan. These include†¦Domain Privacy Protection ($11.88 a year) This service hides your personal information in the WHOIS domain database, preventing it being available to the public. So if you want to keep your info private then this is good extra to purchase.SiteLock Security ($23.88 a year) Benefit from basic spam, malware, and blacklist scans, as well as a SiteLock verification certificate that will d emonstrate to your customers that you are a reputable and trustworthy business. (Equally, there are numerous WordPress security plugins that you can use on your site Wordfence being a powerful free option.CodeGuard Backup ($2.99 a month) CodeGuard takes automatic daily backups of your website and restores them in one simple click if needs be. (Alternatively, you can install the  UpdraftPlus WordPress plugin if you would like a free backup tool).Bluehost SEO Tools ($23.88 a year) Receive step-by-step instructions on how to improve your site’s SEO, including a detailed marketing report as well as personalized tasks and insights to help your site rank well in the search engines. 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This will be the password you use to log into your Bluehost hosting account, so make sure it is either memorable or you have made a note of it. Wed recommend using a strong password and storing it in a password manager tool.Bluehost will now set up your new hosting account.7. Log into your new Bluehost hosting accountOnce your new hosting account has been created, Bluehost will send you an ema il containing your login details. After receiving the email, open the Bluehost website and click on Login.Now enter your login details.Your new Bluehost dashboard will then open. It is here you can manage your account, create new websites, purchase new domains, browse other apps and services, and access your cPanel.Have a browse of your new dashboard to help you become acquainted with its layout and features. If you have any questions, or would like some help with getting started, simply click on the question mark icon in the top right-hand corner of the dashboard. Bluehost provides an extensive knowledge base packed full of in-depth guides, how-to articles, and a whole Getting Started section, as well as live chat and phone support.You can also follow our guide to install WordPress on your new hosting.Final thoughts on how to buy hosting and a domain name from BluehostIf you are looking to buy hosting and a domain name, then Bluehost is a great option. Extremely affordable, user-fr iendly, and offering a wide range of features and functionality, Bluehost enables you to quickly and easily sign up for one of their many hosting plans and create a new account.So where do you go from here? Well, we have plenty of guides to help you with the next steps in the process:Install WordPressMake a website with WordPressCreate a blog with WordPressAny questions on how to buy hosting and a domain name with Bluehost? If so, please ask away in the comments below * This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and then purchase the product, well receive a small fee. No worries though, youll still pay the standard amount so theres no cost on your part.

Free Essays on Waiting For Godo Essay

Waiting for Godot: A Social Critique One of the few unarguable intents of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot is the author’s desire to impact his audience. With floating images, an obscure story line, and nonsensical dialogue, the reader is continually delving into Beckett’s text for further meaning in the play. Ironically, Beckett’s absurdist messages suggest that it is this sort of search for order in an irrational universe that will only lead to conflict. Within his play Beckett makes several attempts to satirize human beings’ need for order. He targets both religious organization and social structure. More specifically, in Waiting for Godot, Beckett criticizes the institution of western capitalism through the relationships of his characters. Samuel Beckett’s existentialist ideas clearly influenced his writings. The movement’s stress of the individual existence and its portrayal of human beings as totally free and responsible for their own actions does not promote rules in life and structured institutions. The belief in the irreducibility of experience to any system is also at the core of existentialist thought. Thus, reducing people’s lives to economic classes and containing them in this social hierarchy violated existentialist ideas. Beckett places each of his main characters in defined Marxist roles to illustrate this point. Karl Marx’s theories are based on the conviction that socialism is inevitable. He, like existentialists, emphasized individualism. Marx went as far as to claim the individual as the highest being. According to his theories, Marx viewed all of history as torn with conflict. This chaos out of a search for order is very much an existentialist idea. Traditional Marxism places the rich bourgeoisie against the poor proletariat. In this play, both Godot and Pozzo represent an aristocratic ruling class. Vladimir, Estragon, and Lucky are the exploited laborers who are at the mercy of their r... Free Essays on Waiting For Godo Essay Free Essays on Waiting For Godo Essay Waiting for Godot: A Social Critique One of the few unarguable intents of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot is the author’s desire to impact his audience. With floating images, an obscure story line, and nonsensical dialogue, the reader is continually delving into Beckett’s text for further meaning in the play. Ironically, Beckett’s absurdist messages suggest that it is this sort of search for order in an irrational universe that will only lead to conflict. Within his play Beckett makes several attempts to satirize human beings’ need for order. He targets both religious organization and social structure. More specifically, in Waiting for Godot, Beckett criticizes the institution of western capitalism through the relationships of his characters. Samuel Beckett’s existentialist ideas clearly influenced his writings. The movement’s stress of the individual existence and its portrayal of human beings as totally free and responsible for their own actions does not promote rules in life and structured institutions. The belief in the irreducibility of experience to any system is also at the core of existentialist thought. Thus, reducing people’s lives to economic classes and containing them in this social hierarchy violated existentialist ideas. Beckett places each of his main characters in defined Marxist roles to illustrate this point. Karl Marx’s theories are based on the conviction that socialism is inevitable. He, like existentialists, emphasized individualism. Marx went as far as to claim the individual as the highest being. According to his theories, Marx viewed all of history as torn with conflict. This chaos out of a search for order is very much an existentialist idea. Traditional Marxism places the rich bourgeoisie against the poor proletariat. In this play, both Godot and Pozzo represent an aristocratic ruling class. Vladimir, Estragon, and Lucky are the exploited laborers who are at the mercy of their r...

North America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

North America - Essay Example However, reading through some of the material left behind by actual European explorers and settlers such as De Vaca, Morton and Anne Bradstreet reveals a very different picture of how the Indian and white races compared. In his narrative, De Vaca describes arriving at an abundant land, full of a wide variety of tall trees, which would provide the necessary lumber for construction, as well as fertile fields and a number of game animals. This land is sparsely populated, with a brief mention of scattered houses. However, this impression is a deception as he moves inland and southward. The land becomes largely populated and relatively barren, causing many, including the Spaniards, to go hungry for many days at a time. According to De Vaca, the Indians all along the initial portion of his journey harassed his party continuously, killing some of the men while others began to fall sick with some mysterious illness. He is careful to include the information that this harassment is brought about because the Governor refuses to return one of the tribe’s women. After a harrowing sea voyage of escape, the men are cast ashore again and this time make friends with the Indians, who show them how to survive o n prickly pear cactus and permit the men to winter with the tribe. Life with this tribe depicts the Indians as a compassionate yet practical race. During times of hunger, everyone goes hungry. The protection of the race begins when the woman discovers she is pregnant as husbands will not have sex with them until the child is two years old. It is continued in De Vaca’s account with the suggestion that children are permitted to suckle until age 12, also as a means of survival in a land that requires strong bodies and offers little sustenance. While men may come and go from a relationship with a woman without children, once children are born,

Discussion on the treatment of assylum seekers in Australia Essay

Discussion on the treatment of assylum seekers in Australia - Essay Example His much longer article, â€Å"Escape from a Life in Limbo† (October 27, 2007) tells the personal story of Ahmed al Kateb until he was finally granted a permanent residency visa in 2007 nearly seven years after being rescued from a beached fishing boat. During the interim al Kateb Was stateless, alternating periods of detention with those of temporary release and bridging visas. Briefly, I would classify the earlier article as an impersonal critique of a High Court decision, whereas the later one puts a human face on the consequences of the decision to a particular victim of it. This personal article I submit would more likely elicit sympathy from the reader for al Kateb’s plight and stir emotional outrage rather than the intellectual criticism of the firs one. Effect of Process on Identity of Us as Australians and on al Kateb Marr( 2005 p.1) implies that the Australian detention process denigrates Australia’s identity in the international community because high courts in counties such as the US and the UK are â€Å"tracking in the opposite direction† since â€Å"they have been telling their governments that its’ not lawful to detain at will and indefinitely†.

Writing Poetry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Writing Poetry - Essay Example Understanding its meaning and rich undertones can be a challenging task for the reader. Several readings and a careful, systematic analysis is called for, in order to fully comprehend its significance. But in the long run the effort is worthwhile as â€Å"The Snow Man† is a remarkable poem and reading it can be an enriching and rewarding experience. The poem begins by introducing the reader to a human, and it is through the eyes of this person that the paradoxical nature of winter, with its cold beauty and innate harshness is revealed. Initially the poet emphasizes the importance of being finely attuned to the nuances of winter at a mental level. Further by dint of prolonged exposure one must be inured to the hardships brought on by the wintry winds. Only then will it be possible for the process of metamorphosis to take place, transforming one into a snowman, which is truly integrated with the magnificent landscape. One evolves into â€Å"†¦the listener, who listens in the snow, / And, nothing himself, beholds/ Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is† (Stevens 9). Speculation as to the events that led to the shaping of the poem may help the reader to better grasp its import. It would appear that Stevens had written this poem, while merely gazing at a wintry landscape and studying its nature. Or, on a more profound note the poem may be his way of giving expression to the realization that the winter of his own life had approached, bringing with it a curious mixture of despondency and hope and the need to shed the unnecessary trappings of civilization, in order to become one with nature, and thereby achieve a purer state of being. This probably explains the sheer intensity of the poem and its theme of learning to let go - giving up everything and thereby acquiring everything which may just turn out to be nothing. From looking at the poem’s antecedents, the reader may divide it into its structural parts for purposes of comprehension. The

Relationship Between Ontology Epistemology And Methodology Philosophy Essay

Relationship Between Ontology Epistemology And Methodology Philosophy Essay There is no doubt that one can only grasp the sociological knowledge when examining the process of thoughts that stand behind every single research in social science. In essence, the ontological and epistemological positions represent the basis of the work of political scientists. On the surface, these positions are often not apparent but they can be demonstrated by the process of methodology. Therefore, it is, to a large degree, necessary to apprehend the connection between the foundations of research. The first part of this essay will focus on the definition of the these key concepts of research: ontology, epistemology and methodology. Furthermore, the essay will examine and evaluate the connection between the ontological and epistemological positions, such as Positivism and Interpretivism. Secondly, the essay will concentrate on the analysis of the relationship between these three stances in terms of social research. It will be argued that there is a close and logical relationship between the ontology and epistemology but also methodology, however some other perspectives will be take into account as well. Ontology and epistemology play very significant role in philosophy but also in the work of political scientists because both terms are used in relation to the discussion of theoretical issues in their thesis. It can be argued that these theoretical positions are fundamental to their process of research and scientists inclination to subject as they shape the approach to theory and the methods that are employed by social scientist (Marsh Furlong, 2010: p. 184). It is vital to recognize that both ontology and epistemology are mainly based on the researchers beliefs and personal persuasion about the conception of world and have certain methodological consequences (Hay, 2002: p. 61). The first term ontology can be used to relate to the scientific and philosophical theory of being. It primarily deals with the elementary structure of the world and what exactly does it signify to exist in that world. In other words, ontology is concerned with the question: is there a real world out there that is independent of our knowledge of it? (Marsh Furlong, 2010: p. 185).1 To point out, there are two distinct ontological positions: firstly, foundationalism postulates that the real world exists as a mosaic which is consisted of various substances existing in the world, individually of human experience, knowledge and thought; secondly, anti-foundationalism predicates that the real world does not occur independently of our knowledge, however it is socially constructed by human actors (Grix, 2004: p. 61). It must be noted that the ontological issues have substantial theoretical significance. To a certain extent, ontological matters are inextricably linked with the epistemological foundation of research. The second term epistemology represents the theory of knowledge and its epistemological assumption is focused on the study of the nature of the world and how we know what we know (Marsh Furlong, 2010: p. 185), so it is directed at knowledge-gathering process (Grix, 2004: p. 63). In case of epistemology, there are also two major epistemological positions being associated to foundationalist and anti-foundationalist ontology: firstly, positivist epistemology2 views the world as existing independently of knowledge of it (Marsh Furlong, 2010: p. 190), therefore the objectivity is achievable due to the fact that the things are perceived by individuals in the identical manner; secondly, interpretivist epistemology3 concerns with the disputability of objective or value-free observation which is largely influenced by the personal perceptions and social constructions of the world. The key aspect of this argument is that the essence of the world is illuminated by various actors whose interpreta tions are construed by the observer, therefore this double hermeneutic4 results in limited objectivity (Grix, 2004: p. 81).5 The term methodology arises from the ontological and epistemological position of the researcher, therefore it is more than evident that between ontology, epistemology and methodology is close interconnection. Methodology is mainly associated with the design of the research, and the approach to data analysis. Furthermore, this term is generally employed to refer to the whole process of data collection in the research. It is indispensable to realize that certain types of epistemologies require the specific use of survey methods (Hay, 2002: p. 63).6 ____________________________________________________ 1 In terms of political realm, the ontological question can be formulate as: what is the nature of the social and political reality to be investigated? (Hay, 2002: p. 61) 2 Positivism results from the empiricist tradition of natural science and emphasizes that there is analogy between social science and natural science; hence according to positivists view, the relationship between social phenomena may be formed, using theory to generate hypotheses which can be tested by direct observation (Marsh Furlong, 2010: p. 194). From this follows, that the real world exists and represents an objective entity, therefore it is possible to perceive the reality around us, independently of our knowledge of it. In positivism, quantitative research tools 7 are involved in order to be able to generalize and replicate collected data. It is important to underline that the main aim of positivists is to explain a particular behavior rather than the meaning of this behavior (Marsh Furlong, 2010: p. 194). 3 On the other hand, Interpretivism (or Relativism) is characterized by its denial of objective real world. According to interpretivists, the real world does not exist as it is constructed through the interactions of individuals (Grix, 2004: p. 83). Additionally, it is impossible to use a pure observation in order to perceive social phenomena, mainly because they are dependent on the personal interpretation. So it might be said that every observation affects what is observed thus objectivity cannot be maintained considering that researcher are not detached from the subjectà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Grix, 2004: p. 83). In interpretism, qualitative research methods8 are applied to create a more precise understanding of social behavior and clearly ignore aspects, such as the meaning and explanation of that behavior. 4 The term double hermeneutic relates to the act of interpreting an actors perception and interpretation (Interpretation 1) of his or her situation in a particular context (Interpretation 2): effectively an interpretation of an interpretation (Grix, 2002: p. 81); therefore this double interpretation is less unbiased and objective than the initial interpretation. The Analysis of Relationship between Ontology, Epistemology and Methodology It is essential to highlight that the relationship between the key terms ontology, epistemology and methodology is directional in the way that ontology logically precedes epistemology which logically precedes methodology (Hay, 2002: p. 63). Furthermore, these concepts should be set apart considering that they are inextricably linked (Grix, 2004: p. 60). According to Marsh and Furlong, ontology and epistemology represent a skin not a sweater therefore it is clearly impossible to put on and take off these research foundations whenever the research chooses (Marsh Furlong, 2010: p. 184). This reflects the methodological consequences of different positions and indicates that researchers demand various positions in order account for their selected method. Nevertheless, the ontological positions are very significant in terms of interrelationship between epistemology and methodology, thus it could be said that certain ontological positions result in epistemological positions. It is worth noting that the foundationalists beliefs (ontology) represent a premise for positivist or a realist traditions (epistemology) of research whereas the anti-foundationalists views result in an interpretivist position. This implies that there is strong link between all components of research, therefore it is vital to approach these major blocks of research col lectively. According to Mason, the role of epistemology lies in the fact that it leads to creation of knowledge and explanations about the ontological components of social world (Grix, 2004: p. 64). Moreover, it is substantial to realize that there might be more than one particular epistemology, thus at the same time they will not be analogous or coincident with their own ontological position. However, it is clear that various epistemological positions require to employ a divers methodology, therefore it can be argued that there is dependency between epistemology and methodology.7 To a certain extent, this means that different ontological and epistemological positions can result in completely diverse views of the same type of social phenomena. Another relevant point is that Spencer raises a very apt question: how can we have a theory about what knowledge is, without some presupposition about the nature of the knowledge? (Marsh Furlong, 2010: p. 188) Therefore, in Spencers opinion, ontology is prior to epistemology so that knowledge can be logically generated from their close relationship. While these two concepts are narrowly related, they have to be kept separate in order to start the research from a persons view of the world (Grix, 2004: p. 66).8 Conclusion In conclusion, it is extremely crucial to recognize that these three theoretical positions play a pivotal role in a set of conceptions concerning the research theory. Due to the high level of generality, ontology is a type of concept that is rarely utilized. However, epistemology and methodology are used more frequently. Most importantly, otology, epistemology and methodology are interlinking and dependent on each other and together denotes the most important contrasts between various ways of knowing. Finally, Marsh and Furlong maintain a position that there is an evident interdependence between epistemology and methodology, also Hay sees a directional dependence in relation to ontology, epistemology and methodology. However Smith advocates that it is not possible to create a hierarchy between these terms because all of them are narrowly interrelated together. ____________________________________________________ 5 In a sense, epistemology can be employed in the connection with positivist epistemology which means that the knowledge claims basically are grounded on the universal principles of the natural science. The most crucial point is, therefore, that the ontological assumptions made about the nature of the reality and world, in some way, have far-reaching consequences for the chosen epistemological position. 6 In case of a positivist epistemology, the research methods are in form of surveys and questionnaires in order to be analyzed quantitatively. Whereas, a interpretists epistemology uses methods, such as participant observations and unsystematic interviews to gain quantitative analysis and data. 7 In Brymans view, there is nothing inherent in the properties of the different methodologies which prevents their use by researchers who are operating from different epistemological positions (Read Marsh, 2002: p. 232-3). 8 On the other hand, it is crucial to highlight that some scholars, such as Smith, consider ontology and epistemology as two interconnected realms. According Smiths view, neither ontology nor epistemology [is] prior to the other, but instead [he] sees the two of them as mutually and inextricably interrelated (March Furlong, 2010: p. 188). From this statement follows that it is not possible to undermine the importance of ontology at the expense of epistemology or the other way around, therefore ontology cannot be considered as prior to epistemology. Appendix Appendix 1: The Definition of Qualitative and Quantitative Data in Social Research 7 When qualitative data is adopted in social science as a way for conducting an experiment or analysis, its aim is principally to create a complete and detailed description for a particular fact. Qualitative data is presented in form of words and images. In this case, the knowledge claim can be supported by individuals who develop subjective and direct concern with the meaning of involved experience in order to understand the complexity of views. Therefore, it is important for researcher to become subjectively engaged in the subject matter (Grix, 2004: p. 117-8). 8 The quantitative data has a very straightforward purpose, to classify features, count them, construct statistical model in an attempt to explain what is observed. For that reason, quantitative data involves numbers and statistics. This type of data reflects a need to explore causes that affect certain results, thus the assumption is also based on thorough observation and measurement of objective reality in the world. The researcher, in this instance, tends to be objective in terms of the concerns (Grix, 2004: p. 122). However, as it follows from the description of qualitative and quantitative data, the major difference between these two types of data lies in their distinct functions. It is quite essential to realize the fact that qualitative data is related to research that inclines to use an inductive approach to develop theory; therefore the researchers gather the data from the study of a particular sample of people and maintain an understanding of social behavior as it arises from this data. On the contrary, quantitative data is involved in research that is directed to deductive approach, using predominantly hypothesis and examining it in order to prove true for the general sample (McBride Schostak, 2011).

Battle Of The Little Big Horn :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The journey of exploration to the western territories brought the white man many great things, but they did face some opposition. The US government made plans to explore the Black Hills, after hearing of the gold it contained. This was not an easy task. The Sioux, with strong force, were not giving up their sacred land easily. The only way to gain the territory of the Black Hills was to wage war against the Sioux. The Battle of the Little Big Horn was one battle that the US will never forget. General George Custer led an army of men to take out the Sioux, one of the battalions was completely wiped out including Custer. The Sioux were very strong, but US had a lot more power and technology. Why did we get massacred? This question has been a mystery to many people throughout the years. Sergeant Windolph, of Benteen’s cavalry, and John F. Finerty, from General Crooks cavalry, bring us some personal accounts and memories of this tragedy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many factors that did affect the outcome of this battle. George Custer could be to blame for such a tragedy. He did make the critical decisions that brought his soldiers down. Custer’s personal ambition got the best of him. Windolph explains, â€Å"Custer was partially disgraced because General Terry had superseded him in command of the expedition† (Windolph 174). He felt that he should have received control over the entire expedition. Custer made no secret of his intention to cut loose from Terry. General Terry, General Gibbon, and General Custer were all to meet on June 26, at the Rosebud, and plan their attack. But as soon as Custer struck the trail of the Indians he followed it till he came upon the Indian village on June 25. He disobeyed Terry’s orders.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While Terry and Gibbon were meeting in Rosebud, Custer was already dividing his regiment into three separate battalions. Sergeant Windolph, from Reno’s battalion, recalls: The enemy increased so greatly in numbers that we were forced into the timber for protection, but I firmly believe that if, at that moment, all our companies had been together the Indians would have been driven from their village (Windolph 166). If Custer had not separated his troops into three battalions, they might have left victorious over the Sioux. Windolph also states that â€Å"The Indians also stated that the separate detachments made their victory over the troops more certain† (Windolph 161).

Leadership in the Team

Capability to manage a team effectively is one of the main qualities which any employee seeking success needs to possess. However, the position of a leader requires many outstanding skills, and it may be very challenging at times. According to Sun Tzu, Chinese General who lived in the 5th century B.C., â€Å"when one has all 5 virtues together: intelligence, trustworthiness, humanness, courage, sternness, each appropriate to its function, then one can be a leader†. The combination of these qualities can very rarely be seen in people’s characters, therefore not everybody can be a good leader. Leadership means the ability to influence other people and guide them to the success. During many centuries it has been believed that the key to success in a team lies in the skills of the manager. No company can remain on top unless it has an outstanding manager who guides it into the right direction. The task of leading 3 members of the team in a philanthropic organization with 1 million dollars capital is very challenging, and it requires the leader to have deep understanding of the tasks which are set before the team. In order to manage the team efficiently, first of all I need to get a full idea of the characters of employees in the team. It’s very important to understand the group members from the very beginning, and become a part of their group. All the members of the team have similar working skills because they all have worked in the consulting field for a long time. Since A.T. Kearney consulting company has very high requirements for its employees, there is no need for me as a leader to worry about the employees’ knowledge and capability to perform. They are all very knowledgeable in the consulting field. They all have lots of experience in consulting companies and government. Besides, all the employees have very good communication skills, outstanding problem-solving skills, creativity and capability to learn new things fast which are all required in consulting. However, the task of the leader is to manage the team in such a way that all the skills which the members of the team possess turn out applied at their maximum. This task is very complicated because â€Å"building the winning team requires more than just hiring a bunch of talented people. It means hiring people who will work well together. It means developing a shared vision and commitment. It means physically bringing people together in formal group meetings for open discussion of broad-based issues. It means encouraging positive, informal interactions between group members. It means instilling a â€Å"winning† attitude throughout the organization. It means watching for and quickly trying to reverse team-building problems such as jealousy, cynicism, and defensive behavior.† /www.businesstown.com/ My task of building a winning team is not easy to achieve because I need to show to members of the team first my capability of being a leader. The team needs to know that they are managed by a strong leader who is able to guide them to the success. The members of the team need to perceive me as a leader, even though some of them may be even more experienced than me in the field of consulting. However, through showing my undoubtedly good leadership skills, brilliance, good knowledge of consulting, deep insight, setting correct and realistic goals for the members, choosing right forms of motivation for them, I can become a leader against whom they will not rebel but will want to cooperate with. The most important issue in managing the team is choosing the right form of motivation for them. Since all people are different, all the employees in the team need different forms of motivation. For some employees, only money works, and they don’t get motivated by any other benefits. For others, there is nothing more important than social recognition of their efforts. Other employees will care about the possibilities of future promotion in case of their successful performance. Therefore, in order to manage the team effectively, the first task to do is to define where the needs of employees fall in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. After some communication with the members of the team it was easy to discover that out of three employees two are very ambitious. They have a very high need of esteem. They need to be praised for the work they do, get recognition from senior-level management, be aware about the possibilities of their future promotion, and fulfill tasks which require lots of responsibility, like consulting the largest and the most important clients of the company. These employees are very experienced in the consulting field, they have already made large contributions into the company’s success, and therefore they can be motivated only through getting more and more complicated tasks to fulfill. The third member of the team is not as success-oriented, and he is not as experienced. He is rather knowledgeable in consulting but he doesn’t seek promotion because he is quite happy with his present work. Therefore, he can be motivated by money awards and praise for his work because his needs fall into the category of belonginess and love. The next step of successful management of the team is defining relationships between employees, and making a sociogram which identifies the types of interactions within the social network. Without the knowledge of interactions between the employees, there is no way to manage the team effectively. In order to manage the members of the team, it’s useful at times to apply the approach of influencing some members of the team through other members. It’s necessary to identify the member of the team who has the strongest influence on other members because teams are usually aligned to such employees. The last step of managing the team is choosing the leadership style. In order to manage the team effectively, the leader can apply the following styles when managing the team: supporting, directive, coercive, â€Å"transformational leadership† styles. Each of them has special recommendations for usage in different situations. For example, supporting and â€Å"transformation leadership† styles are very efficient in situations when a new leader comes into the organization, and seeks to establish warm relations with all the members of the team. Directive and coercive styles can work only in the teams which welcome this style and are ready to fulfill all the management’s assignments. However, nowadays such employees are quite rare, therefore, in my work, it’s necessary to combine the styles. I should be supportive in many situations but I should also be directive in certain issues when I know that I’m providing the most efficient policy. It’s very difficult to make the team function effectively, but this task can be achieved through the right choices of employees’ motivation and leadership style. The field of consulting requires a leader with good communication skills, able to provide success-oriented policy, capable of solving all the possible problems which may arise in the team. Due to my strong leadership skills, good analytical skills, capability to achieve all of the goals I set for myself, I can guarantee success to the team I’m managing.                                 

Why Herbalife Essays

Why Herbalife Essays Why Herbalife Paper Why Herbalife Paper Maybe you already heard about Herbalifes breakthrough products and how they can make you lose weight and be more energetic. You may even know someone who uses these products, perhaps a close neighbor or a relative, someone from work or even a friend. Its almost certain someone in your immediate circle of influence knows something about Herbalife products. There are many different benefits to incorporating Herbalife into your new life style. For instance; When you use the products, you lose weight. For ladies, this means, youll be able to fit in the dress you kept all this time in your wardrobe and put it on once more. You wont be shy to show off your new toned body. For men, you wont have to tuck in that tummy anymore and be out of breath in doing so. Nowadays, everybody has a pretty hectic schedule. Trying to maintain a good nutrition can be quite the balancing act. With Herbalife products, your worries about giving your body what it needs are gone. All the basic nutrients are included, insuring you of a healthy lifestyle. Save time and gain an extra boost in energy. When you first try Herbalife products, especially the Formula 1 meal replacement shake, you cant help the fact it tastes great. This alone can be a good incentive in wanting to lose weight. Having a shake for breakfast instead of plain old toasts can be quite enjoyable. The shake comes in a variety of flavors. Pick your favorite. In order to effectively lose weight, you need to reduce your calorie intake. Herbalife products are low in calorie, thus making you lose weight more easily. More free time for you to enjoy life and be stress free of the calorie counting syndrome. Herbalife is a well-known company that offers multiple products to improve your health and aide with weight loss. This program acts quickly and gives you the extra boost in reaching your goal in weight loss. Herbalife offers many different types of products including vitamins and shakes. The products are made from all natural ingredients. Due to the natural ingredients, your body no longer craves the junk food that it once did. It offers benefits to people who do not even want to lose weight. Among these are lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol. It also claims to help with joint pain and strengthen your bones. ShapeWorks Weight Loss Quickstart, is one of Herbal lifes weight loss products. This will give you a jump start on losing weight. It offers delicious flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, wild berry and tropical fruit. The program offers a product called Total Control, that helps curb your appetite. It contains green tea extract, which will raise your energy level and boost your metabolism. The product is ephedrine free and will not cause the nervousness associated with some diet products. The programs also offer great snack bars for your convenience. If youre interested in improving your health and losing weight, HerbalLife can help you achieve these goals. You dont have to worry about buying a lot of food that is required for many diet programs. The HerbalLife program offers so many products that you will find one just right for you. Also, you will enjoy the taste of tea while losing weight. As you can see, Herbalife products can give you great benefits. When you take the products, you dont feel like you are on a diet. You dont starve yourself to death. You feel healthy and you are filled with energy. It tastes great. You can enjoy them in a variety of flavors

Housing the homeless in willow county Essay Example

Housing the homeless in willow county Essay Example Housing the homeless in willow county Essay Housing the homeless in willow county Essay 1.) The Major Participants in the Willow County Case are: The Helping Hand Foundation, Priority Care Fund, Willow County Administration, and the Human Service Department. These groups or bodies are out for the good of the people of Willow County in terms of providing shelter for the homeless or people at the risk of being homeless. But the Values held by these participants are in conflict due to their different assumptions. The County staff assumed that the meeting called was for role clarification and understanding among other agencies, while the other two participants(the city and Helping Hand) thought   the role clarification had been discussed in the meeting with Good fellow and the Mayor which was prior to this meeting they were having with the County Staff. They felt that the meeting they were having was for the program implementation. 2.)   Considering the issues before the Administrator, Gardner, and the major constraint of the County –which is the inability to fund all the projects alone, Gardner may have to source for other means of bringing to reality the plan, by seeking the assistance of the government; since he has to satisfy the other agencies involved and the county board. 3. The administrative staff members that should be involved are: Craig Beckwith , director   of policy Analysis Division, Molly Parsons, the Head of Helping Hand Foundation, the City , Janet Hamilton, the Director of Human Services. 4.  Ã‚   Factors to be considered in the development of the recommendation include: The County Policy, the conclusion reached at the meeting Gardner would involve the majority of opinion expressed at the Public hearing. Also the approval given by the County Chair, Nancy Able concerning the preferred option of 2,. Goodfellow’s preference for Option 1b, also one of the commissioner’s concern about the inability to fully fund both projects, the expectations of the City and the ultimatum of the Helping Hand Foundation. 5. Gardner should recommend the County’s assumption of the responsibility of Option and the clarification of roles for the other agencies involved. References: Bryd, J,   Schutten , T, Sherlock , S (2009) ‘Housing the Homeless in Willow County’ (pp.81-86)

Week 4 summary and one discussion question Essay

Week 4 summary and one discussion question - Essay Example Actual authority is where there is a legal relationship with consent and the agent and principal are solely involved. Express and implied authorities are the two heads of actual authority. Express authority is construed by words (if contract written) or by evidence (if oral). Implied authority can be found by looking at actions of agent. Apparent authority is where principal represents to other persons that he has delegated authority to the agent. Theoretically the affirmative action is a way through which equal opportunities to minorities and females is provided . It has been seen that there has been a change in attitude towards hiring of the minority and females, it has still been seen that high positions have still been dominated by the majority, this can be seen by looking at the statistics of CEOs of company, Heads of Defence and Judiciary. In today’s world there is a strong need for further affirmative action to be taken so as to allow equal opportunities to minorities and to females, so as to prosper. Finally pre-employment testing has been allowed to the extent of their relevance to the job. Thus any tests which are found to be discriminatory to persons with disabilities or any other sort have been termed unlawful. Thus it has been said that extreme precaution must be taken if such tests are to be carried out, by looking at scientific validity, relevance to job and respect to right of privacy. The trend of allowing employees to leave the company when they desire has been seen in the professional world. The ethics has been that if such employees are not allowed to leave they will possibly convince others to leave the company as well. However, this is not the only reason for allowing the employee to leave. Other reasons include benefits which accrue might come the company’s way if the employee leaves. The next issue which will now be considered is that of the re-hiring of the employee. It has been said that a

The gospel of Mark Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The gospel of Mark - Essay Example It is a critical time in the history of the Church and the passage in Mark 7:1-23 must be seen against this particular historical background. There is one major theme throughout this passage, and that is the difference between purity and defilement, and the key motivation of Jesus appears to be to announce a very significant shift from Jewish to Christian thinking. It is a transitional passage, therefore, and this can be seen in two ways. Jesus signals a transition from the Old Covenant based on the law, to something that transcends the law, and he shifts his mission from the Jewish heartlands to the Gentile territories. These two dimensions are, of course, connected. The passage in question introduces a phase of preaching and teaching in the Gentile territories. The major difference between Jews and Gentiles is the observance of Jewish law by the Jews only. As a Jew himself, Jesus attracted much criticism from Jewish authorities for his liberal attitude to some of the Jewish command ments, and no doubt also some apprehension from the Gentiles who would need to know whether following Jesus would mean converting to Judaism with all that this entails. It is clear from the text that some of the followers of Jesus observed the Jewish dietary rules, and some did not. The issue was, therefore, not clearly settled and this was a potential cause of disunity in the early Church. In fact this issue is documented again and again, as reported in Acts2 and in the letters of Paul.3 The gospel passage spells out what the Jewish laws entail, even though the disciples are already well aware of these rules. This detail is evidence that the teaching of these points is designed for Gentile listeners in the first instance, to explain what the issue is about and invite them now to join with the followers of Jesus on an equal basis, not constrained by the laws that had previously separated all those of Jewish heritage form all those of gentile birth. In other words, this is a message intended for non-Jews. This point is raised now because it is necessary in order to remove social boundaries that could hamper Jesus’ mission to the Gentiles.4 The issue is not completely resolved, however, and commentators note that the position of Jews who became followers of Christ is left open, suggesting that continued observance of the dietary laws is an option for them.5 In the first part of the passage, Mark 7:1-14 the writer of the Gospel clearly is setting down a definitive teaching here which absolves Gentile followers from having to obey the Jewish laws. The position for the disciples is further discussed in the remainder of the section, and in this case the message is taken to a different level. Some commentators suggest that the passage signifies a departure from the old Jewish laws: â€Å"the Markian Jesus declares that in fact all people are defiled – not by what they eat and drink but by what they will say and do†.6 This utterance signals a depa rture from the situation that pertained when God gave the law to the Jews, since, in the words of Boring it is â€Å"not descriptive, but performative; not explaining what has always been the case, but changing the situation by Jesus’ authoritative declaration†.7 The distinction between purity and impurity is maintained, but the source of defilement is now defined in terms of what a person does, and not what kind of food he or she eats. It opens the door for Jesus to go on and mingle with lepers, male and female Gentiles, and all kinds of sinners without fear of defilement in the traditional Jewish sense. When Jesus or his disciples are accused of defilement, he responds â€Å"by dismissing these boundaries as â€Å"