Remote Sensing Project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Remote Sensing Project - Research Paper Example They also encompass chemical sensors that are used to analyze the intensity of elements in the air, biological sensors are useful in USGS in scientific research is the initials for United States Geological Survey. Scientist who use the United States Geological Survey have the capability of capturing the landscape and learning more about its natural resources and anything else that harms it. USGS focuses on land, its use and change, ecosystems, minerals, energy, natural hazards and environmental health. Drones can be used in scientific research both during the day and night. An object can be observed, measured and identified without direct contact with the satellite. Some of the remote sensing data include multispectral data, satellite imagery, space sensing and digital elevation data. In this process of observing the earth, one needs a device called a USGS earth explorer, (Lillesand, pg.87). In this case, the earth’s data such as maps, satellite data, and land cover products are searched and found online. Remote sensing images are put in digital images. In order for the researcher to be able to get the information that he or she wants, image processing has to be done so as to get the visual interpretation of the image. (Campbell, pg.113). Commercial aerial surveillance is a major area where this topic has been applied previously. This function has been known to enhance security in homes, wildfire mapping, pipeline issues, in roads and when conducting anti-piracy. All objects on earth can be automatically detected and by this doing a scientist is able to achieve his objectives, (James, pg 200). Drones have both biometric and facial recognition systems and therefore are able to recognize a person from a height of 1500 feet. They are used in this case to patrol above 400 feet to prevent possibilities of unlawful immigration or terrorists attack from a countries

Industry analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Industry analysis - Essay Example have serious impact on the profitability, competitiveness and growth as well as the satisfaction in using the product produced by a particular service provider or industry (Willett, 2010). An industry can therefore take advantage of the purchases by customers of the complementary products even if you do not offer them yourself by establishing multiple alliances with those that do not offer them. Our industry which is the cosmetic manufacturing that includes manufacture of products such as hair products, skin care, cosmetics, deodorants, perfumes, oral care and other products including baby items may benefit from complementary industry such as the hair dressing industry. Hairdressing and the cosmetic industry are closely intertwined and aligned and each has got the effect of affecting the profitability of the other in that the demand for the cosmetics will be dependent on the hairdressing and the beauty salon services. These two industries are competitive and the competition in the large number of salons in a particular area is likely to affect the uptake of the demand for these products (Willett, 2010). Further, the competition for sales of hair and beauty products increases with the increasing number of beauty parlors, beauty stores as well as salons showing that these two industries are complementary to each other. The success of our company which is dealing in the sale of cosmetic products and our competitive strategy will therefore depend on how we relate to the hair dressing service industry. This is so due to the fact that the rate and intensity of competition in an industry is dependent on the economics of the particular industry and the fact that each differs fundamentally from the other, and therefore the collective strength of the forces of competition is distinct. Therefore, as a manufacturer dealing in cosmetics products, it is important that to find a position that helps it cope best with hose providing hair dressing services and use the competitive

Integrated Customer Ordering Service

Integrated Customer Ordering Service Introduction (107 words) In this coursework, I have tried to discuss how Information Systems play an important role in the functioning of an organisation. An adequate Information System is a must requirement in todays technology-driven and competitive era. I studied about a system integrated in Marks and Spencer for improving its ordering system and thereby proving to be a reason for its return on investment. The Information system helps to control, coordinate, analyze, interrelate data and also supports in decision making. I have explained how application of an Information System can support organizational success and efficiency by increasing profits and providing services that are easily accessible to meet the needs of organisation in such a way that the organisation can keep up the standards and services smoothly. Marks and Spencer (172 words) Marks and Spencer is one of the leading retail organizations in UK which sell stylish, quality and great value clothing and home products , also quality food. They are one of the most popular brand among people not only in UK but globally. They have more than 600 stores in UK and constantly increasing many more around the world. It was founded when in 1884, Michael Marks opened a stall at Leeds Kirkgate Market. In 1901, its first registered store was located at Derby street , Manchester. By 1924 they started expanding and the head office moved from Manchester to London. Implementation of new policies and maintenance of services and value kept on adding to the success of Marks and Spencer. In 1998, it became the first retailer to earn a profit of  £1billion. The organisation commonly called as MS has always followed the principles of Quality, Value, Service, Innovation and Trust since its founded. This is the reason why it has been successful, distinguished and popular among people. Need of the Information System: Integrated Customer Ordering Service (373 words) MS was facing several backlogs in order processing and complaints were increasing day by day. The company had invested a lot to move ahead in this competitive environment but was unable to overcome this problem. The need of the hour was to have an customer service ordering information system implemented which can accurately and assuredly keep away these problems which were an obstacle in the success of a great retail organisation. The retail market is immensely competitive and keep on upgrading their information system to meet the requirements of services. MS started using up-to-date information system in its ordering system which made it stand different from other rival organisations. On 19 April, 2005 Marks and Spencer signed an alliance with Amazon Services Europe. In this agreement, Amazon Services Europe will host and provide with synchronized information system to MS websites, telephone ordering systems and in store ordering systems. ICOS was launched in 2006 and was based on Microsoft Windows NT Server and Oracle 10g databases. It also comprises various intelligence tools using DOS applications and is called as Rumba Server in MS. This system enables ease of access of data and information across all stores and offices of the organisation. The system is efficient in dealing with the orders , vendors, manage information across the organisation, control the supply of incoming and outgoing products through a common database which gives solution to all problems related to above categories. The business process improvement team has not only developed this application but has also installed it in all stores where in store ordering is available. The information system had to meet challenges like connecting all stores to common database so that all product related information and management related information could be shared across. It was not easy to interrelate thousands of product data and ordering information on websites, in stores and in offices. The system application must be in a way that the data is easily accessible through all channels and can be used through company intranet without paying heed to its location. The system included taking orders, order processing, order dispatch, order location, stock control and order prices. This helped MS to expand their business systematically. Working and Benefits of Integrated Customer Ordering Services (849 words) ICOS is an information system application used by MS employees for various in store functions. This information system comprises data of all products like food, clothing, home ware etc. Each product of MS has a unique identification code called as UPC number which is used in ordering. In a situation where customer wants a certain product for e.g. a TV, and that product is either unavailable or is a special requirement that has to be made or is not displayed in the store, that is when this system plays its role. Order Taking: Every user or employee as its unique ID or access code and a password which makes this system highly secured and prevents it from unauthorized access. An employee assigned to take orders enters his ID and password to find out any information or to take any orders. When a customer orders certain product the agent enters its product code and the whole information from product details to availability and prices is displayed which can be conveyed to the customer. There is a tool bar which consists of different options available for the agent to save information from customer like name and address. This tool bar also has information about billing and lead-time of all products. Some products might not be displayed in the store while some can only be delivered like furniture. The system also proposes extension in delivery time to any date. As and when the agent enters customer name and details, a customer profile is created and a customer code is also generated and saved in his/her profile. The next step is payment. Once all required information from the customer is saved their is an option of payment on the tool bar. When that option is clicked several payment methods are made available on the screen like cash , visa card, credit card or cheque. The agent asks the customer and select the option that is told by the customer. Once all this information is submitted and payment is taken the customer is handed over with a printed receipt of product and money transaction details along with the unique customer code. Order Enquiry: If the customer wants to enquire about the order in future he/she just need to give his unique code to the employee. Once the code is entered on an option of enquiry on the tool bar the detailed information about the product is retrieved. This information states the status of dispatch or progress in order and also status notes entered by the manufacturing department. This information can further be stated to the customer. If required a receipt of the order confirmation can also be provided to the customer. Order Upgrading or Editing: This option on the tool bar enables an agent to add or cancel certain products from the order. This option is also used to edit customer details like address or shipping date or further payments. When an alteration or amendment is to be made, the agent enters the customer code and the information related to the order pops up on the screen. This states if a particular order can be cancelled or not e.g. certain product is a special manufacture order already in process. Special Offers: Many times there are special offers available with certain products like buy one get 25% off on other. All these offers are already saved in this information system and is updated from time to time. Not that there are so many employees working in MS and all employees need to be informed, so a hasslefree alternate is that ICOS already comprises these schemes and offers. There is an option of diary where these details are stored. As the agent enters his code to acquires access , he/ she can review the promotions and sales for the whole day and also take a printout if required. Order Reports: The orders taken throughout the day are stored in the system and can be retrieved as a whole or product category wise. If an agent or manager wants to know what all is sold or how many orders were taken throughout the day, they need to enter their ID and click on reports. The data is immediately available. If they just want to get report of the number of TVs sold they can get separate report as well. In this way the whole day report or report till a particular time can be seen in a summarized manner. Order Display Availability: If an agent in one store wants to know the availability or display of a product in any other MS store he/she can just use the tool bar for display search or update search. This possible because as mentioned earlier all store are networked and data of all products in all stores are available to each store. ICOS helps MS employees to provide hassle free information to the customers and also helps taking quick orders leading to save time both of employee and customer. It also plays a very important role in uplifting customer loyalty. Evaluation Technique (171 words) In this competitive market, it is very important to maintain exceptionally good production and customer services. Implementation of ICOS enhanced competitive advantage to the organisation, thereby maintaining its position. Competitive market requires different and creative ideas to keep up the organisation status. Constant improvement and subsistence enables an organisation to continue with an uplifting business in the market over a longer period of time. According to the changes in market and needs of consumers it is very important for an organisation to keep changing strategies and technologies. Competitive advantage is based on potency to cope up with the rapidly changing market. MS acquired unique skills to overpower its competitors by implementing ICOS. It evaluated the value of competitive advantage. Therefore, it decided to acquire the ordering system which changed and organised its working so much that other competitors couldnt. MS worked on the competitive advantage to combat and sustain in the uncertain market. Competitive advantage empowered MS to grow its profits and give high customer services, thereby conserving the bond . Critical Assessment (281 words) ICOS proved to be boon to the organisations. It replaced the old fashion of ordering through fax or telephone across the units which involved manually entering data. The old process was highly time consuming as well as error prone. The new ordering system entered as an effectual way of providing high customer service, more number of customers handling, quicker response to customer queries, faster processing of orders, and above all having competitive advantage. Integrated Customer Ordering System as set up information flow across all MS outlets and offices to give quality services. MS understood its competitive advantage and focussed on exclusive strategy to sustain in the corporate market. Their sales and advancements have achieved higher levels among competitors. Customers are satisfied by the quick order process, be it in the store or home delivery. Marks and Spencers evaluated utilisation of maximum resources and importance of competitive advantage. Implementation of ICOS helped everybody right from employer to employee to customers. The sharing of data across all units of MS made the work so easily accessible that it could manage very effectively and efficiently. MS has now focussed on development and research for expansion which has come into practice because their information system has made them free from most of the hassles. Now they can tactfully just look forward towards expanding of business. The investments turned out to raise huge profits leading to increase in productivity and also reducing costs. ICOS has proved to be and information system which has given new heights to the company and an ultimate transformation to quality. The investment raised huge profits from this system and it was a transformation to the organisational working and approach. Conclusion (157 words) With the fast growing competition in the corporate market it was very essential for MS to adopt an information system which can handle its data and order processing. All organisations are heading towards acquiring information systems to ease up their work and management. MS required a system which is distinctive and can keep up pace in changing and challenging environment of the competitive market. ICOS provided MS with an altogether different status in the market by upraising profits and giving high returns on investments. It has transformed the organisation and helped in higher productivity, customer loyalty and synchronised working. I could complete my detailed research on this information system by the help of MS manager, Central London where I had worked for 6 months. Its my personal opinion that the ICOS is so efficient and it makes ordering so simple that I almost had to do nothing apart from interacting with the customer or storage unit. References http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/aboutus/ourhistory http://annualreport.marksandspencer.com/operating-financial/financial-review.aspx http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/investors/press_releases/company/19042005_MarksSpencerandAmazonServicesEuropeannounceEcommerceagreement http://homebusiness.about.com/od/growing/a/comp_advantage.htm

Revenge and Vengeance in Shakespeares Hamlet - Vengeance in Hamlet :: GCSE Coursework Shakespeare Hamlet

Vengeance in Hamlet  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With Outline  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Time and time again, we as a complex society have recognized in many pieces of great literature the idea of man and revenge. Throughout history, the idea of vengeance has destroyed large communities, populations and entire civilizations. The problem with man and revenge is that one may be side-tracted of   why or whom he is avenging. This similar idea is conveyed in the theme of Shakespear's Hamlet ,   "Vengeance can confuse a man's mind and soul to the point where he may not be sure of whom he is really avenging." Shakespear uses foils in this play to allow us readers to understand Hamlet as a man and why and whom he is really avenging.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A foil is   "minor character in a literary work who by the similarities and differences in what he or she does (as compared to a more important character), or by simply being there for another character to talk to, helps the audience understand a more important character." Laertes and the ghost are foils for Hamlet in this play which help us readers understand his character and his actions. During the play, Hamlet ignores his father's (ghost) warning about his mother, pretends to be crazy, betrays Ophelia, and delays the vengeance of his father's murder. What was the cause of these actions? Why did Hamlet delay his duty of vengeance? Through the insight of the ghost and Laertes, one may be able to come to his/her own conclusions.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Laertes was a stable-minded student who was Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother. He was a strong-willed young man whom studied over seas, was protective of Ophelia, loved his family, and kept his loyalty to King Hamlet and then to King Claudius. Hamlet and Laertes had never been friends, for Hamlet was of a higher social class.   In one aspect, Laertes respected their differences and in another, it made him leary of and curious about Hamlet and his ways. Also, hamlet had feelings for Ophelia for which Laertes despised and warranted off. Although Hamlet and Laertes differ, Laertes acts as a stable foil for Hamlet whom makes sound decisions and acts on his words instead of just speaking.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Laertes allows us readers to explore how Hamlet should have acted instead of how he did: Inactive, in a state of delay, and full of words.

History Of Green Technology Environmental Sciences Essay

In this new epoch, engineering is bettering fast and economic is turning quickly due to the epicurean life style of human presents. We can hold every bit much energy as we want by bring forthing expeditiously and continuously. But the negative impact that these energy green goods is more than positive impact because of resources that we need to utilize and blow merchandise that were produce from the procedure of bring forthing energy such as atomic energy and coal energy. On the other manus, the rapid growing of industry from agricultural industry to fabricating industry in the past decennaries has caused the production of energy to increase. However, the addition in these energy production consume a great sum of resource and will do pollution to the environment and besides people today has already cognizant of the effects of pollution that will convey to us in future. Therefore, production of green engineering and energy has been increasing in these few old ages.1.1 History of Green TechnologyIn the early yearss, before the industry revolution, people were utilizing the chief beginning, the Sun, to bring forthing the heat, they besides used the other beginning to help their day-to-day life, such as Equus caballuss as their transit usage, animate beings like cattles and donkeys as their labours, and the air current will utilize to travel the canvass and bring forth the simple machine. However, since the first introduce of modern steam engine by Thomas Newcomen and James Watt in the mid 1700s, people found the possibility of brand usage of the power of steam. The individual steam engines were shortly became powering engines, mills and farm implements after the coal dug from the stat mis of England and Appalachia. In the 1800s, more and more natural resources were founded utile and able to convey us a million of convenience, such as the oil and crude oil which usage in processed the gasolene for machine burning after that. However, this easiness has brought a batch of energy crisis all around the universe today due to the immense ingestion on the fossil fuels such as the oil, coal and the natural gas in the past decennary. Presents, green engineering can mention to many different things, such as clean energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, waste direction and energy preservation. However, it is difficult to happen a history specify for green engineering in the past. During the 1900s, there were a series of energy crisis in the Middle East and things acquiring worse in twelvemonth 1973 when the trade stoppage imposed by the oil manufacturers of Iraq on America led the monetary value of rough oil to lift from $ 3 per barrel to $ 12 in twelvemonth 1974 and about make a mean monetary value of $ 45 in twelvemonth 1980. This determination was in response to the America gave their support for the Israel in the Arab-Israeli War ( Yom Kippur War ) . ( Terry Macalister, 3 March 2011 ) United Stated was wake uping by this oil crisis and realized the importance of the energy resources, hence get downing the initial push for developing the clean energy. In 1978, the National Energy Act became a landmark first measure in get downing the research and development of renewable energy, but the push for renewable criterions truly began in the sixtiess. ( http: //www.greenenergychoice.com/green-guide/renewable-events.html ) After that, Madrigal besides had a important research in solar, air current and other alternate energies because there is a sudden alteration in the energy cost and realisation of environmental crisis. These were the groundss to turn out that since 1900s, green engineering was undergoing a immense and rapid growing until today. In figure 1, the diagram shows the rapid growing of energy ingestion from twelvemonth 1986 to 2011.Figure 1: World primary energy ingestion grew by 2.5 % in 2011, less than half the growing rate experienced in 2010 but near to the historical norm. Rowth decelerated for all parts and for all fuels. Oil remains the universe ‘s prima fuel, accounting for 33.0 % of planetary energy ingestion, but this figure is the lowest portion on record. Coal ‘s market portion of 30.3 % was the highest since 1969.1.2 Research BackgroundEnergy is really of import presents in either industrialised state and besides consumed by family. Most of the energy is coming from oil and natural gas but unluckily these resources are consuming when times goes on. Due to this job, research workers are seeking to develop alternate fuels, new agencies of bring forthing energy and energy efficiency demand. They have developed many beginnings of renewable energy which is chemical energy, electrical energy, beaming energy and atomic energy. Although all these options beginnings of energy is renewable, but it besides pose other negative impact to the environment said Kofi ( 2002 ) . In some states, clean energy is produced which is energy that does non bring forth waste merchandises besides known as green energy. Harmonizing to Bakar, Sam, Tahir, Rajianiand Muslan ( 2011 ) , green engineering is an evolving of assorted sort of methodological analysiss and stuffs sweetening. The use of environmental friendly mechanisms has been increased to cut down the impact ensuing from industrial sector wastage and dodo fuel ingestion due to researches that has been done by scientists related to green engineering indicating to climate alterations and planetary heating due to greenhouse gases. With the menace of planetary heating and dearly-won energy lifting, concerns are get downing to recognize the benefits of utilizing these engineerings to cut down C footmark and waste while giving the concern a positive consequences said Zainura ( 2010 ) . A A A A A A A Harmonizing to Eyraud, Wane, Zhang and Clements ( 2011 ) , they have done research on renewable energy by analysing the tendencies and determiners of investing on green engineering for the last decennaries on advanced and emerging states. They are utilizing multi-country historical dataset and the consequences shows that green investing has become an of import factor in energy sector which is turning quickly largely by China.1.3 Development of Green TechnologyThere are assorted types of green engineering such as air current power, solar energy, hydroelectric power which is derived from the H2O motion, biofuels which is derived from firing workss and animate beings substances. , geothermic energy which is derived from the heat that given off by the Earth, biomass which is produced by the organic stuffs such as workss and animate beings.Figure 2: G20 Renewable Electricity ProductionDegree centigrades: UsersUserDesktopUntitled.png Beginning: NRDC, 2012 ; U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2012 ; Bloomberg New Energy Finance 2012 There is a research and informations aggregation prepared by the NRDC, 2012 ; U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2012 ; Bloomberg New Energy Finance 2012 demoing some of import statistics in per centum of the renewable electricity production and investing of ranked the G20 state. The electricity are produced by assorted sort of renewable resources such as the air current, solar, geothermic, moving ridge and tidal. ( see figure 2 )Table 1: Electricity from Wind, Solar, Geothermal, Tidal and Wave in the G20 CountriesDegree centigrades: UsersUserDesktopUntitled1.png Beginning: Natural Resources Defense Council, Energy Information Administration, and Bloomberg New Energy Finance As of 2011, the EU states are truly taking the battalion, with Germany the most out of the G20 states, acquiring about 11 % of its energy from renewable beginnings. It ‘s followed by the EU as a whole with about 7 % , so Italy and Indonesia. Other states like the U.S. , China, Mexico, and Brazil slowdown buttocks. The US comes in at 7th topographic point, where its measly 2.7 % renewable energy puts it merely a hair in front of Mexico. Russia comes in last, with 0.0 % of its energy coming from renewable beginnings. While all these states have made of import advancement since 2002 they are still significantly behind other states like New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, and Iceland ( see table 1 ) . The NRDC besides ranked the states on how much their renewable energy production has grown since 2002. South Korea has had the most growing: it multiplied its then-puny production 200 times, seting it at a still-puny 0.9 % . China comes in a distant second, holding multiplied its renewable energy more than 80 times. The US is 11th on that list, holding quadrupled its production. Argentina, where production has decreased by 12 % , is last. ( see table 1 )Table 2: Top States for Clean Energy Investments in 2011Degree centigrades: UsersUserDesktopUntitled3.png Beginning: Bloomberg New Energy Finance, 2012 These lifting tendencies are demoing up in the investing in clean energy in each of these G20 countries.A Since 2002, the G20 states have cumulatively invested over $ 860 billion in clean energy, harmonizing to informations fromA Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The bulk of this investing has occurred in the E.U. ( $ 291 billion ) , followed by the U.S. ( $ 215 billion ) , China ( $ 197 billion ) , Brazil ( $ 52 billion ) , and India ( $ 40 billion ) . Saudi Arabia, which has spent a hapless $ 20 million since 2004, comes in last topographic point. This is because in Saudi Arabia the oil monetary value is still low. In the thick of worldwide renewable energy sector growing, some authorities policies encouraged renewable energy growing much more efficaciously than others, such as Germany ‘s feed-in duties. The United States has been prosecuting renewable energy less sharply than Germany has, and, in conformity with the stating â€Å" you reap what you sow, † Germany has far more efficaciously stimulated renewable energy growing. To to the full understand the importance of weighing an aggressive growing policy versus a milder one, it ‘s of import to understand the intent of promoting renewable energy use. Due to the fact that planetary heating is a clip bomb that requires pressing action, a mild growing policy that leaves the United States bring forthing merely 2.7 % of power from renewable beginnings is non equal. Every twelvemonth that coal power workss dominate, they make a important part to our turning planetary heating job. If planetary heating was non an issue, it could be pursued less sharply. However, peak oil is a concern every bit good. The study ‘s writers remind the 20 states of the committedness they 20 made in 2002 to â€Å" well increase the planetary portion of renewable energy beginnings. † They ‘ve made a difference: in the G20 states as a whole, new clean energy investings have increased by about 600 per centum, far outpacing economic growing in those states. But it ‘s non plenty, the study ‘s writers warn. Without a dramatic turnaround, the G20 states are on no path to run into their end. The G20 states as a whole presently use 2.6 % renewable energy. Based on current tendencies, they will be utilizing under 4 per centum by 2015, and less than 6 per centum by 2020. ( Jake Schmidt & A ; Aaron Haifly, Jan 2012 )Problem Statement1.4 Research Objective1.4.1 General Aim: The general aim of this survey is to analyze the factor that enhances the planetary green engineering in economic position. Other than that, the intent of this survey is to analyze the cointegration and long tally relationship among the variables by utilizing Vector Error Correction Model ( VECM ) method. Then, we will establish out which variables are significantly influenced others and how it does in order to detect a more effectual manner in making an sweetening of green engineering in planetary. There are five variables that we used in our survey, which are clean energy index ( green engineering index ) , fossil fuel monetary value, CO2 license ‘s monetary value, engineering index and the market stock monetary value ( S & A ; P 500 ) . Last, the specific aims of this research are as follow. 1.4.2 Specific Aim: Our specific aims are as follows: 1. To analyze whether clean energy index and dodo fuel monetary value has any cointegrated and long tally relationship by utilizing VECM. 2. To analyze whether clean energy index and CO2 permit ‘s monetary value has any cointegrated and long tally relationship by utilizing VECM. 3. To analyze whether clean energy index and engineering index has any cointegrated and long tally relationship by utilizing VECM. 4. To analyze whether clean energy index and S & A ; P 500 has any cointegrated and long tally relationship by utilizing VECM.1.5 Research QuestionMake the clean energy index and dodo fuel monetary value have a important relationship between each other? Make the clean energy index and CO2 permit ‘s monetary value have a important relationship between each other? Make the clean energy index and engineering index have a important relationship between each other? Make the clean energy index and S & A ; P 500 have a important relationship between each other?1.6 Hypothesis of the surveyIn our research, we treated all the variables as our dependent variables. Therefore in this instance there is no demand to stipulate which variables are endogenous variables and which are the exogenic variables by utilizing this VECM method. So, we are traveling to do a hypotheses to calculate out either there are cointegrated and long tally relationship exist among these variables. In fact, as we noticed that, the quickly turning of the green engineering globally in recent decennaries, therefore, we are expected that the variables we had chosen will hold long tally relationship and cointegrated among each others.1.7 Significant of the surveyBack to the old surveies, past research worker have stated that the clean energy index, engineering index, oil monetary value, involvement rate have long run relationship and cointegrated among each other. However, the survey had figured out CO2 license ‘s monetary value had no long tally relationship and no influenced by other variables ( Surender Kumar, 2009 ) . Therefore, in our survey, we decided to look into over the CO2 license ‘s monetary value with other variables once more to calculate out whether there is an being of cointegrated and long tally relationship among them. Due to the aggressively rises of the pollution rate and the energy crisis jobs, it has been pealing a bell to non merely the developed states but globally including those states which are still in developing phase. Based on the antecedently surveies, most of the research workers were merely concentrate the country of survey on developed states and some of them are universe ‘s renewable energy leaders ( Germany, Denmark, Spain ) , such as the OECD states and G20 states. On the other manus, part of other little states besides ca n't be neglected. So, it is of import to look into other developing states which are besides undergoing a immense betterment in their clean energy growing such as Iceland, Lesotho, Albania, Paraguay, Bhutan and Mozambique. Therefore, we decided to make a globally research on our subject. Besides that, the authorities and future research worker may utilize this survey as their mentions. For illustration, authorities will acquire benefit by have some thoughts with how to heighten their green engineering due to the past research had stated that the state gross domestic production has a positive relationship straight with the green engineering growing. Furthermore, hereafter research worker can make a reappraisal on this survey and they may make a more dependable with future theory.1.8 Chapter LayoutIn chapter one, which is the introductory chapter includes background and definition of green engineering and how it benefits to the environment, job statement, aims, hypothesis and in conclusion theoretical model. In the background and definition portion, we discuss about the importance of clean energy besides known as renewable energy and what is benefits it will convey to our environment. After that, our research will go on to job statement. In this portion, we will discourse about the job and issue of the research subject in item. Then we will continue to following portion which is the aim. It is separated into two parts that is general aim which is the chief aim of our research and specific aim which is specific thought of what we are traveling to prove. And in conclusion we will go on with theoretical model that is the construction that supports the theory of a research survey. A In this portion, we will include and depict the theory that we use and apply in this research.

Coketown

Coketown Coketown is a novel written by Charles Dickens in 1854. Coketown is a description of a typical town in the Victorian age after the industrial revolution which occurred during the 18th century. Charles Dickens describes the other side of the coin during the Victorian age by using figure of speech in his description of the town: â€Å"Coketown [†¦] was a town of red brick, or of brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but, at matters stood it was a town of unnatural red and black like the painted face of a savage. (line 1-3) He uses the figure of speech to describe how the smoke and ashes have painted the red bricks black, by comparing the colors with a â€Å"savage†. By doing this, Charles Dickens makes the description more accurate because the reader gets an even better picture of what it is he is trying to describe. Charles Dickens uses figure of speech numerous times. Among other things he compares a mad elephants’ head mov ement with the monotonously movement of a steam-engine and describes the many factories as â€Å"vast piles of building full of windows. The text is in general very melancholic, and it really makes the Victorian age look like rubbish. Charles Dickens is probably trying to show, that with the factories and the new way of life, life has become much more planned and organized but not necessarily better, because the individuality is gone and every day is like the one before: â€Å"inhabited by people equally like one another, who all went in and out at the same hours, with the same sound upon the pavements, to do the same work, and to whom every day was the same as yesterday and tomorrow, and every year the counterpart of the last and the next. †(line 10-13)

How Napoleon Became Emperor of France

How Napoleon Became Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte first took political power in France through a coup against the old government, but he had not instigated it: that had principally been the plotting of Sieyes. What Napoleon did was to capitalize on the situation in order to dominate the new ruling Consulate and gain control of France by creating a constitution which bound his interests to many of the most powerful people in France: the landowners. He was then able to use this to leverage his support into being declared Emperor. The passage of a leading general through the end of a revolutionary series of governments and into an emperor was not clear and could have failed, but Napoleon showed as much skill in this area of politics as he did on the battlefield. Why the Landowners Supported Napoleon The revolution had stripped the land and wealth from the churches and much of the aristocracy and sold it to landowners who were now terrified that royalists, or some sort of comprise government, would strip them of it, in turn, and restore it. There were calls for the return of the crown (small at this point, but present), and a new monarch would surely rebuild the church and aristocracy. Napoleon thus created a constitution which gave many of these landowners power, and as he said they should retain the land (and allowed them to block any movement of land), ensured that they would, in turn, support him as leader of France. Why Landowners Wanted an Emperor However, the constitution only made Napoleon First Consul for ten years, and people began to fear what would happen when Napoleon left. This allowed him to secure the nomination of the consulship for life in 1802: if Napoleon didn’t have to be replaced after a decade, land was safe for longer. Napoleon also used this period to pack more of his men into government while debasing the other structures, further increasing his support. The result was, by 1804, a ruling class which was loyal to Napoleon, but now worrying what would happen on his death, a situation exacerbated by an assassination attempt and their First Consul’s habit of leading armies (hed already nearly been killed in battle and would later wish he had been). The expelled French monarchy was still waiting outside the nation, threatening to return all ‘stolen’ property: could they ever come back, such as had happened in England? The result, enflamed by Napoleon’s propaganda and his family, was the idea that Napoleon’s government must be made hereditary so hopefully, on Napoleon’s death, an heir who thought like his father would inherit and safeguard land. Emperor of France Consequently, on May 18th, 1804, the Senate – who had all been chosen by Napoleon - passed a law making him Emperor of the French (he had rejected king as both too close to the old royal government and not ambitious enough) and his family was made hereditary heirs. A plebiscite was held, worded so that if Napoleon had no children – as he hadn’t at that point – either another Bonaparte would be selected or he could adopt an heir. The result of the vote looked convincing on paper (3.5 million for, 2500 against), but it had been massaged at all levels, such as automatically casting yes votes for everyone in the military. On December 2, 1804, the Pope was present as Napoleon was crowned: as agreed beforehand, he placed the crown on his own head. Over the next few years, the Senate and Napoleon’s Council of State dominated the government of France – which in effect meant just Napoleon – and the other bodies withered away. Although the constitution didn’t require Napoleon to have a son, he wanted one, and so divorced his first wife and married Marie-Louise of Austria. They swiftly had a son: Napoleon II, King of Rome. He would never rule France, as his father would be defeated in 1814 and 1815, and the monarchy would return but he would be forced to compromise.

McDonalds Company Analysis

McDonalds Company Analysis There are a number of local business establishments which are characterized by a properly chosen JIT (just-in-time) philosophy and helpful approaches to manufacturing planning and obligatory control (Vollmann et al., 2005). Each industry develops considerably taking into account customers’ demands, expectations, and interests; and one of the most successful industries is considered to be the food one.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on McDonald’s: Company Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Modern business environment undergoes numerous changes day by day, this is why each establishment has to take particular steps in order to grow and gain prosperity required. McDonald’s is the fast food business establishment chosen for the analysis in this paper. This company is one of the most successful examples of how JIT philosophy turns out to be helpful to organize services, satisfy customers, and cre ate products in accordance with customers’ expectations. The essence of JIT philosophy is all about minimizing waste that is possible during the process of manufacturing in order to â€Å"subdivide waste into time, energy, material, and errors† (Vollmann et al., 2005, p. 301). The success of JIT is possible in case service operations remain repetitive, qualitative, and innovative. In other words, JIT philosophy that is used by the representatives of McDonald’s establishment has to involve all types of manufacturing-like operations and services. For this organization, it is not enough to demonstrate the quality of services and products in one particular place and time but promote this quality in broader meaning: for example, â€Å"in order to ensure process quality, it industrialized the service delivery system so that all workers would be able to provide the same eating experience around the world† (Lai Cheng, 2009, p. 16). To make use of JIT philosophy properly and succeed in the chosen business, it is very important to identify what McDonald’s’ customers may expect from this establishment. Martin (2008) admits that â€Å"satisfaction is based on expectations† (p. 75). What McDonald’s’ visitors may expect is a high quality of food, fast services of good quality, and comfortable environment.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The evaluation of the production process steps helps to define strong and weak sides of McDonald’s. First, this company aims at providing the best quality of food at lower prices within a short period of time. It means that the main steps of the production process should be getting the order from the customer, transmitting information to the other department, using the best technologies to prepare necessary food fast, proper communication with customer, and satisfaction of customer’s need by providing the order. The process of how the production is introduced to the customer looks like this: The main point about this flowchart is the presence of standardized and non-standardized process steps which may influence the quality of service and its speed. High quality of services and fast speed provided are the major advantages of McDonald’s company. This is why to support the chosen way of service, it is very important to define standardized production and try to improve its quality as frequent as possible. The organization under consideration makes use of standard production like hamburgers, cheeseburgers, or fish burgers (innovation). The customer who comes to this fast food organization is already aware about the variety of possibilities, this is why less time is spend to make a choice and to prepare the order. As for some non-standardized process steps, they are connected to the quality of food that may be required by the customer. The effectiveness of the process that is demonstrated by McDonald’s is evident indeed. First of all, many people are eager to visit this establishment all the time. It means that they are satisfied with the services and the quality of food and that they have already done their choice and they are satisfied with it. As for my personal opinion about the effectiveness of the process and services presented, I think that McDonald’s is one of the most successful and caring organizations in regards to their customers. They try to present fast services; they pay attention to each customer; and they work for people to save people’s time and efforts. The idea to create McDrive is another powerful attempt that helps to attract more customers and demonstrate that good and fast services are still possible and available for people. To improve the process, several ways may be used.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on McDonald’s: Comp any Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of the most evident problems in many countries is connected to lack of places for customers. Very often, when people make orders and get their fast food ready, they are deprived of the opportunity to find a free table to enjoy the meal. This is why to attract more attention, it is possible to enlarge establishments and give people more space. In this case, all customers may come to this fast-food restaurant and be sure to get an order quickly and find a free space to have a rest. In general, the quality of service in McDonalds is good indeed. People know what to expect from this establishment; they can even evaluate how much time they should spend at this restaurant; and what is more important they know that prices are stable there, and their costs may be evaluated beforehand. Reference List Lai, K Cheng, C.E. (2009). Just-In-Time Logistics. Farnham: Gower Publishing Limited. Martin, N. (200 8). Habit: The 95% of Behavior Marketers Ignore. Saddle River: Pearson Education. Vollmann, T.E., Berry, W.L., Whybark, D.C., Jacobs, F.R. (2005). Manufacturing Planning and Control for Supply Chain Management. New York: McGraw Company.

Case Attrition

The exercising of discretion by all system actors, public and private, and from the nature of the criminal process itself is a result of case attrition. Basically, case attrition is when an arrest does not end in a trial conviction, which happens quite often in the court justice system. This is not new experience, nor one limited to the United States; several other Western countries and in the early parts of the twentieth century reported the same high rates of case attrition (encyclopedia. com). The effect case attrition has on the criminal justice system is observed at the different levels of the criminal justice process, because an arrest or no arrest affects everything. Law enforcement officers becomes burnt out, or have negative feelings about the justice system. Full enforcement has never been achieved, nor is likely to be achieved; it may be undesirable citizens and their political leaders must keep these findings in mind when making decisions about criminal justice polices. The high levels of case attrition in modern systems shows that the criminal law has very substantial limitations as an direct crime control such as, deterrence, incapcitation, and rehabilitation. Criminal convictions and penalties impose deserved punishment (retribution) and reinforce important societal denunciation, but if these penal consequences are imposed according to procedure that are widely perceived as fair and just. Attrition can get rid of individuals in the over-worked justice system that were arrested that either had a problem with the legality of the arrest or it was the result of an overworked, or bad officer in a situation where an arrest was not necessary. When these cases are removed from the justice system, it is possible for attorneys and judges to be able to focus on more serious crimes.

If you could change one thing to make the world a better place, what Essay

If you could change one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be - Essay Example Today, the inner world of the man is in shambles. Accumulating more and more wealth is not the solution to find peace within. Spirituality is not the domain of any particular religion. It is all-embracing, and concerns each and every individual. It is about reforming the evil tendencies by changing one’s thought processes. When the thoughts are changed, the mind is changed; when the mind is changed, the man is changed; when the man is changed, the society is changed; when the society is changed, the nation is changed. When the nations change for the better, one can claim that world peace is attainable. Turn the pages of human history, one finds that systems of political philosophies have failed to deliver permanent peace for humanity. An individual is the unit of the society. Changing the individual is the safest and surest of the options for total change. The suggested steps to take spirituality within the reach of the common man are: a) Spiritual education should be made compulsory at the primary school level. It is the wrong notion that spirituality is an after-retirement project and one should take to path of spirituality when one has nothing else to do. b) It should be taught at the higher grades and universities. c) Periodical interactive sessions must be held at all levels to enable the students to have a good grasp of the spiritual truths.

On A&P by John Updike Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

On A&P by John Updike - Essay Example As they glanced through the merchandises, Sammy stares at them and afterward admires the most attractive and most imposing of the three. He calls her Queenie. When Lengel, the manager of the supermarket, scolds the three girls for being so indecently dressed, Sammy hastily quits his job to show his boss and the girls that he can fight for his principle. Even though the plot is straightforward, the central theme of the narrative is powerful: a dignified act that represents a useless attempt to defy socioeconomic hierarchy. The social inequality that forms the foundation of the narrative is seen through the point of view of Sammy. The teenage girls are obviously from an upper class because of the aura they exude and their noticeable difference from the other customers in the store. At this point, the issue of social class is highlighted (Kirszner & Mandell 1996, 1512). Sammy describes the other customers in a derogatory way, such as â€Å"an old party in baggy gray pants† and â €Å"house slaves in pin curlers† (Kirszner & Mandell 1998, 73). ... Nevertheless, both Sammy and Queenie behave in ways that are somewhat similar. Both are making an attempt to fit into new realities, with Queenie wanting to experience the life ‘below’ and Sammy struggling to experience the life ‘above’ (Searles 26). As Queenie approaches the cashier, Sammy sees, â€Å"Now her hands are empty, not a ring or a bracelet,†¦ and I wonder where the money’s coming from. Still with that prim look she lifts a folded dollar bill out of the hollow at the center of her nubbled pink top† (Kirszner & Mandell 1998, 74). Through this act, she not merely tries her sexual ability but also goes down to the ‘supermarket’ class. It is obvious from the story that the supermarket caters to the low class, as shown in the characteristics of most of its customers. Yet Sammy is aware of the social and economic gap between him and Queenie (Kirszner & Mandell 17): I slid right down her voice into her living room. Her fat her and the other men were standing around in ice-cream coats and bow ties and the women were in sandals picking up herring snacks on toothpicks off a big plate and they were all holding drinks the color of water with olives and sprigs of mint in them. When my parents have somebody over they get lemonade and if it’s a real racy affair Schlitz in tall glasses with â€Å"They’ll Do It Every Time† cartoons stencilled on. However, by quitting his job, Sammy defies economic and social boundaries. Even though the decision of Sammy to quit his job is reckless and unwise, it seems that he is making a decisive opposition against what he believes is social prejudice (Searles 29). But not like Queenie’s boldness, Sammy’s insubordination and rebelliousness will have lasting outcomes. Sammy’s

Corrections Module 4 Writing Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Corrections Module 4 Writing - Coursework Example This is where the defendants are screened and interviewed to determine who is eligible for a pre-trial release. The other is the supervision function. At this stage, the defendants are supervised after their release into the community. A jail can be defined as a confinement facility that usually operates under city or county regulations. They are, however, managed by the government’s law enforcement agency in that area. There are some differences that exist between jails and prisons. One is the authority that governs each. Jails are operated by local governments while prisons by the federal government. The second being the type of people they hold. Prisons hold convicted felons whose sentencing is of more than one year, while the jail is people with minor sentences. The detention functions of jail include housing suspected criminals from going back into society to cause more harm. This is after screening has been done to determine if they are qualified for release. The confinement functions require much more than the detention. This is because in confinement, the defendants need more attention and more care, while the facilities need to be more secure. The mental and physical needs of the defendants must also be catered for. There have been improvements that have led to the better supervision of inmates in jail. This is by improving the living conditions of inmates in jail. The security and safety of inmates has also become a priority to the correction system. Much more attention is given to inmates arriving in jail so as to better understand who the system is dealing with. This is usually carried out by the jail staff. This redesign has led to the better supervision of defendants who range from the most dangerous to the least. The system has been designed to take in fingerprints, photos, and even allow phone calls to the defendants’ friends, and immediate contact. This enables the staff to determine the defendant’s security

Ten Things I Hate About You Film Review Coursework

Ten Things I Hate About You Film Review - Coursework Example Although I am not much into teen movies and stumbled on this one due to entirely unforeseen circumstances, I was surprised to see a non-irritating teen movie. Kat (Julia Stiles future agent Parson in Bourne Identity) and Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) are sisters but despite their blood relation, their personalities are exact polar opposites. Bianca, the younger is one of those cheesy teenage girls in the college that are just too popular for their own good. On the other hand Kat (as in Shakespeare’s Kate), the older one, is one of those tomboyish girls in the college who are Emo enough to hate everything but still have a soft yet unseen desire in their hearts." Kat and Bianca's father, Walter (standup comedian Larry Miller), has a rule that in order to for Bianca to date someone her older sister Kat has to get a date first. As night of the prom party approaches Bianca finds herself being the object of affection of two boys, Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan) and a typically Hollywood style shy and kind guy ( a species that don’t really exist in real life) Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt – future Arthur in Inception!). As an unwilling duo (e.g. Pak and USA), Joey and Cameron select a prospective candidate for Kat: Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger future Joker in The Dark Knight), the local bad boy. They conjecture that (however unlikely it might seem) that of they could pay Patrick to hook up with Kat then one of them can then date Bianca.

Ambition, Commitment and Enthusiasm in My Education Essay

Ambition, Commitment and Enthusiasm in My Education - Essay Example Despite my commitment to education in my childhood education, I always liked being close to my parents. Rodriquez explains that sometimes he would be detached from his parents due to his ambitious reading (Bartholomae & Petrosky, 2005). In my case, reading and education never threatened my relationship with parents and siblings. Whenever my parents were hasty to go somewhere or do something, I would go with them, bringing my book along with me. I learned to balance between family and education life since I was young. My parents always encouraged me, giving me the motivation to improve my study skills and perform better in school. I was not confident in my education when I was young, just like Rodriguez. However, my parents always reminded me that I had the ability to achieve my dreams. I built my confidence slowly, and by High School I was confident. Before making any significant decisions regarding my education, I consulted my parents who would always give me pieces of advice that c hanged my approaches positively. Rodriguez also changed his attitude from the third year, showing the similarity between his education and mine.   From a middle-class family, my adjustment to the classroom was also difficult, but my desire to improve academically led me to adjust easily. I was used to the home’s plentiful love, support, food, and play with my siblings and parents.   It was not easy for me to adapt to this system, but I always reminded myself of the achievements I targeted in education.

Corrections Module 4 Writing Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Corrections Module 4 Writing - Coursework Example This is where the defendants are screened and interviewed to determine who is eligible for a pre-trial release. The other is the supervision function. At this stage, the defendants are supervised after their release into the community. A jail can be defined as a confinement facility that usually operates under city or county regulations. They are, however, managed by the government’s law enforcement agency in that area. There are some differences that exist between jails and prisons. One is the authority that governs each. Jails are operated by local governments while prisons by the federal government. The second being the type of people they hold. Prisons hold convicted felons whose sentencing is of more than one year, while the jail is people with minor sentences. The detention functions of jail include housing suspected criminals from going back into society to cause more harm. This is after screening has been done to determine if they are qualified for release. The confinement functions require much more than the detention. This is because in confinement, the defendants need more attention and more care, while the facilities need to be more secure. The mental and physical needs of the defendants must also be catered for. There have been improvements that have led to the better supervision of inmates in jail. This is by improving the living conditions of inmates in jail. The security and safety of inmates has also become a priority to the correction system. Much more attention is given to inmates arriving in jail so as to better understand who the system is dealing with. This is usually carried out by the jail staff. This redesign has led to the better supervision of defendants who range from the most dangerous to the least. The system has been designed to take in fingerprints, photos, and even allow phone calls to the defendants’ friends, and immediate contact. This enables the staff to determine the defendant’s security

Ambition, Commitment and Enthusiasm in My Education Essay

Ambition, Commitment and Enthusiasm in My Education - Essay Example Despite my commitment to education in my childhood education, I always liked being close to my parents. Rodriquez explains that sometimes he would be detached from his parents due to his ambitious reading (Bartholomae & Petrosky, 2005). In my case, reading and education never threatened my relationship with parents and siblings. Whenever my parents were hasty to go somewhere or do something, I would go with them, bringing my book along with me. I learned to balance between family and education life since I was young. My parents always encouraged me, giving me the motivation to improve my study skills and perform better in school. I was not confident in my education when I was young, just like Rodriguez. However, my parents always reminded me that I had the ability to achieve my dreams. I built my confidence slowly, and by High School I was confident. Before making any significant decisions regarding my education, I consulted my parents who would always give me pieces of advice that c hanged my approaches positively. Rodriguez also changed his attitude from the third year, showing the similarity between his education and mine.   From a middle-class family, my adjustment to the classroom was also difficult, but my desire to improve academically led me to adjust easily. I was used to the home’s plentiful love, support, food, and play with my siblings and parents.   It was not easy for me to adapt to this system, but I always reminded myself of the achievements I targeted in education.

Changinng Life Style Essay Example for Free

Changinng Life Style Essay Indian Culture is time tested and represented the progressively refined way of life, that had unfortunately suffered a set back, a sub culture process as it were, drifting from its salutary ways of living. Did not Lord Mecaulay say in the UK parliament how the Indians had such a perfect social harmony and faith in their way of life, that they can not be subdued unless they were weaned from their prestige and made to adore the alien way of life, to feel subordinated to a superior culture, wherefore they could be easily subdued and dominated for the best advantage of the colonial rule! That was perfectly achieved and Indians forgot their own merits in a strange infatuation with alien culture! Foreign culture was best for them, unique to them, deserved respect, but not fit for absorption into our own way of life! Apart from an initiation into new unfolding findings of secular science and technology which was absent in our nation under colonial subjugation we had gained least in other spheres, particularly in the social and ethical qualities. We became divided, in the names of religion and castes losing the force of harmony that united us under the princely states! The increasing divorce culture, night clubs and pub culture, promiscuity and desertions etc among youth, the divide and rule policy among the politicians, the aggressive conversions (against more benign missionary activities a century ago) are the only major impacts in the social domain. So except the technological inputs, even economic exploitations under free trade or repressive regimentation under socialist govts that came from the west, have least served the society to achieve equality. Social impacts have been worse. The break down of joint family system due to new life styles, uncontrolled deviancies in the name of liberty etc have made youth defy control of society and family in a big way. In a chapter on Consequences of Innovations in the book by Rogers and Shoemaker entitled, Diffusion and  Adoption of Innovations, it is discussed how any change made in any aspect of social sphere agriculture or medicine or arts or whatever may end up in unexpected side effects as well. The chaos in the aborigins of Australia after replacement of traditional stone tool etc make interesting reading! In India itself, the introduction of rural TV programme for education of people in modern agricultre, health care etc was studied in UP state when Indiraji was Minister of Broadcasting, in 100 villages. The study revealed significant increase in knowledge and attitude of people in modern techniques and the project was cleared for large scale introdcution across the country. After govt project was ended, many behavioural scientists took up studies in change of life pattern in the villages. They came across many critical adverse changes traceable to exposure of untreated entertainment programmes given by TV apart from the educatinal inputs! Like that our adoration for the modern knowledge gained from the west, had made us adopt their other life styles as well to the detriment of society. So the demerits have been devastating as we see from the increase of family courts to deal with increasing divorce cases, the skewed development of trade and industy at the cost of other primary enterprises, policy of social divide by politicians for vote bank advantage etc! In my opinion, we had paid a heavy price for all the technological good we received from the west, by our own unwise emulation of their social perceptions and political strategies as well! have a good day! TRADITIONAL CULTURE AND MODERNIZATION R. BALASUBRAMANIAN BACKGROUND This paper focuses upon three issues. First, I want to show that the perennial elements in traditional cultures like those of India and China are  relevant even today as they play an important role in the achievement, on the one hand, of harmony between the individual and society at the social level, and, on the other hand, of harmony of spirit, mind, and body at the individual level. Second, we should not lose sight of the distinction between knowledge and information, between wisdom and knowledge, and more importantly between life and living. The perennial elements in the traditional culture have helped us to care for life, knowledge, and wisdom, which are essential for spiritual development. Third, modernization as interpreted by the West has a narrow connotation and is, therefore, a distorted concept. Through science, it brings in the colonial attitude, the imperialism of the West. It is possible for one to be modern without accepting all that is implied by modernization. Culture, which comprises philosophy and religion, art and literature, science and technology, social organization and political administration, is the mirror of the theory and practice of a people. It is originated, developed and sustained by the people over a period of time. In turn, the perennial elements which constitute its core inspire and sustain the posterity to whom it is transmitted from time to time. Traditional cultures like those of China and India are undoubtedly ancient, but not antiquated; their ideals and practices, which are relevant in any situation, help the people to meet the new challenges which surface from time to time. As a result they not only survive, but are admired, adored, and accepted by the people. There cannot be a better explanation of the way a culture is able to hold the people and sustain them than the one given by Sri Aurobindo: The culture of a people may be roughly described as the expression of a consciousness of life which formulates itself in three aspects. There is a side of thought, of ideal, of upward will and the soul’s aspiration; there is a side of creative self-expression and appreciative aesthesis, intelligence, and imagination; and there is a side of practical and outward formulation. A people’s philosophy and higher thinking give us its mind’s purest, largest, and most general formulation of its consciousness of life and its dynamic view of existence. Its religion formulates the most intense form of its upward will and the soul’s aspirations towards the fulfillment of its highest ideal and impulse. Its art, poetry, literature provide for us the creative expression and impression of its intuition, imagination, vital turn and creative  intelligence. Its society and politics provide in their forms an outward frame in which the more external life works out what it can of its inspiring ideal and of its special character and nature under the difficulties of the environment. We can see how much it has taken of the crude material of living, what it has done with it, how it has shaped as much of it as possible into some reflection of its guarding consciousness and deeper spirit. None of them express the whole spirit behind, but they derive from it their main ideas and their cultural character. Together they make up its soul, mind, and body.1 Of the various components of culture the role of philosophy and religion is significant. Philosophy and religion can never be separated though they can be distinguished. It may be that in a particular culture, philosophy is in the forefront and religion in the background. It can also be the other way with religion at the surface and philosophy in the background. The point to be noted here is that philosophy and religion interact with, and influence each other. Philosophy is made dynamic by religion, and religion is enlightened by philosophy. If it is admitted that there is the need for a unity of theory and practice, p hilosophy cannot remain merely as a view of life; it must also be a way of life. In other words, philosophy has to become religious if it is to mold, organize and regulate life. Religion is not an untouchable; its need for life can neither be ignored nor underestimated. It will be helpful to contrast the pursuit of philosophy in Europe with that in India and China. Unlike the Europe of the Enlightenment where philosophy did not touch life at all, there was a tremendous impact of philosophy on life both in India and China. In the words of Sri Aurobindo: Philosophy has been pursued in Europe with great and noble intellectual results by the highest minds, but very much as a pursuit apart from life, a thing high and splendid, but ineffective. It is remarkable that, while in India and China philosophy has seized hold on life, has had an enormous practical effect on the civilization and got into the very bones of current thought and action, it has never at all succeeded in achieving this importance in Europe. In the days of the Stoics and Epicureans it got a grip, but only among the highly cultured; at the present day, too, we have some renewed tendency of the kind. Nietzsche has had his influence, certain French thinkers also in France, the philosophies of James and Bergson have attracted some amount of public interest; but it is a mere  nothing compared with the effective power of Asiatic philosophy.2 There is no doubt that the average European who draws his guidance not from the philosophic, but from positive and practical reason, puts the philosophical treatises on the highest shelf in the library of civilization. The situation is entirely different in India. Sri Aurobindo says: The Indian mind holds . . . that the Rishi, the thinker, the seer of spiritual truth is the best guide not only of the religious and moral, but [also of] the practical life. The seer, the Rishi is the natural director of society; to the Rishis he attributes the ideals and guiding intuitions of his civilizati on. Even today he is very ready to give the name to anyone who can give a spiritual truth which helps his life or a formative idea and inspiration which influences religion, ethics, society, even politics.3 The phenomenon known as modernization is a product of the one-sided pursuit of both philosophy and science — philosophy purely as an intellectual affair without any bearing on life and science as the most effective instrument for the possession of unlimited power, eliminating the sacred. I shall take up the problem of modernization later. It may be added here that what is said about the Indian mind is equally true of the Chinese mind. Confucius, Mencius, and others are the great Rishis of China, the seers who exhibited the most uncommon insight into men and matters, into the moral and social problems of human beings. Drawing a distinction between two kinds of philosophers, systematic and edifying, Richard Rorty characterizes Wittgenstein as an edifying philosopher, like Kierkegaard, Heidegger, and others. In a brief analysis of the spirit of Western civilization which is fully manifest in the industry, architecture, and music of our time, in its fascism and socialism, Wittgenstein openly admits that he has no sympathy for the current of European civilization, that he does not understand its goals, if it has any, and that it is alien and uncongenial to him.4 He goes on to say: A culture is like a big organization which assigns each of its members a place where he can work in the spirit of the whole; and it is perfectly fair for his power to be measured by the contribution he succeeds in making to the whole enterprise.5 Wittgenstein’s brief explanation of culture requires some elucidation. He says that culture is a whole, that every individual has a place in it, that every individual has to function as a member of the whole, and that what he does is significant socially as well  as morally. The two traditional cultures, Chinese and Indian, have recognized the importance of the ideas embedded in Wittgenstein’s explanation of culture. While the Indian culture appears to be predominantly spiritual and religious, the Chinese culture seems to be basically humanistic, with a clear emphasis on the moral and social dimensions of life. It must be pointed out in this connection that the difference between these two traditional cultures is only at the surface. Since the traditional culture comprehends the total life of a person, it provides a place for the different dimensions of life — spiritual, religious, moral, and social — which can be distinguished, but not separated. The spiritual and religious dimension of life presupposes the moral and social realm ; and the moral and social sphere of life points to the religious and spiritual goals. That the two realms, ethico-social and religio-spiritual, are complementary, has been recognized by both these cultures, even though the Indian culture lays emphasis on the spiritual and religious side of man while the Chinese culture focusses on the ethical and social side of man. The motif of the two cultures is the harmony of spirit, mind, and body; and it is to achieve this harmony that they take care of both realms of life. Once again what Sri Aurobindo says in this connection is worth quoting: A true happiness in this world is the right terrestrial aim of man, and true happiness lies in the finding and maintenance of a natural harmony of spirit, mind, and body. A culture is to be valued to the extent to which it has discovered the right key of this harmony and organized its expressive motives and movements. And a civilization must be judged by the manner in which all its principles, ideas, forms, ways of living work to bring that harmony out, manage its rhythmic play, and secure its continuance or the development of its motives.6 There is need to harmonize the eternal and the temporal, for the spirit works through mind and body, which belong to the temporal; and this is what every great culture has aimed at. There are four components in the traditional culture associated with India and China. They are: (1) the primal Spirit which is the source and support of the universe may be viewed both as transcendent to, and as immanent in, the universe; (2) this Spirit which is immanent in all human beings can be realized by every human being; (3) it lays down a discipline which is both moral and spiritual for realizing the Spirit; and (4) it has provided an organization of the  individual and collective life not only for the sake of the harmony between the individual and society, but also for the sake of the harmony of spirit, mind, and body. Each one of these components needs some explanation in the context of these two cultures. INDIAN CULTURE Though Indian culture as it is today is composite in character, comprising Hindu, Jaina, Buddha, Islamic, and Christian elements, it can be characterized as Vedic culture since not only Hinduism, which is predominant, but also Jainism and Buddhism, which originated in protest against Vedic ritualism, have been influenced by the Vedas, the basic and oldest scriptural text in the world. Islam and Christianity entered the Indian soil consequent on the invasion of India by the foreigners — by the Moghuls in the former case, and by the English, French, and Portuguese in the latter case. Though they try to retain their identity, the followers of these two religious traditions have been influenced by the Vedic culture. Kabir (1398-1518 AD), for example, who is a greatly respected personality in the religious history of India, is a product of both Hinduism and Islam. In recent times, Indian Christians talk about and practice inculturization, which is a new and growing phenomenon. The predominant Hindu culture which has a long and continuous history is the Vedic culture; and the Vedic culture, which has its beginning round about 2500 BC, may be characterized as primal culture, since it traces everything in the universe to the primal Spirit, which is variously called Brahman, Ä€tman, Being, and so on. Spirit or Being is the primal reality. It is that from which all beings arise; being supported by it, they exist; and all of them move towards it as their destination. In the language of T.S. Eliot, the beginning is the end. The Upanisad says: That, verily, from which these beings are born, that by which, when born, they live, that into which, when departing, they enter. That, seek to know. That is Brahman.7 Spirit or Brahman is primal in the sense that it is foundational. It is the sole reality; it is one and non-dual; and there is nothing else beside it. It is spoken of as the First Cause, Unmoved Mover, of the entire manifest universe. With a view to bring o ut the independent nature of the primal Spirit on which the manifest universe is dependent, it is referred to as the Ground. That which is independent is real; what is dependent is an appearance. The ground-grounded  relation brings out the reality of Spirit and the appearance of the universe. Ordinarily we distinguish the material cause from the efficient cause; the one is different from the other. The wood from which a table is made is the material cause; and the carpenter who works on the wood and makes a table according to a certain design is the efficient cause. The carpenter is different from the wood. What makes the primal Spirit unique is that it is both the material and efficient cause of the universe, because it alone existed in the beginning and nothing else beside it. Like wood, it is the material cause of the world; and like a carpenter, it is the efficient cause of the world. So, the Vedic culture traces all beings, living as well as non-living, to one source, viz. Spirit or Being. It may be pointed out here that in recent times quantum physics attempts to trace everything in the manifest universe to one source which is non-material or spiritual. Einstein declared: Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the Laws of the Universe — a Spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we, with our modest powers, must feel humble.8 That Spirit or Brahman is the source, support, and end of everything in the universe, is the major premise of the Vedic culture. Derived from the major premise are two minor premises, one relating to living beings called jÄ «va and the other, to non-living beings called jagat. Since Spirit or Brahman is immanent in jÄ «va and jagat, neither jÄ «va nor jagat is isolated from the primal Spirit. It means that all living beings, whatever the y may be — humans, animals, birds, reptiles, and so on — are spiritual or divine. Non-living beings which are material constitute the physical universe. They are the products of the five elements — ether, air, fire, water and earth — which are material. The divine principle is present not only in living beings, but also in non-living beings, and so they are also divine. Characterizing Brahman as the indwelling Spirit (antaryÄ min), the BrhadÄ nrayaka Upanisad says that Brahman is present in all beings — the sun, the moon, and the stars, the elements which constitute the physical universe, and the organs of the jÄ «vas. Just as our body does not know the Spirit inside it, even so the beings, whatever they may be, do not know Brahman, the indwelling Spirit in them. The following text is relevant here: He [Brahman or Spirit] who dwells in all beings, yet is within all beings, whom no beings know, whose body is  all beings, who controls all beings from within, he is your Self, the inner controller, the immortal.9 That which dwells in material objects and controls them also dwells in all living beings and contr ols them. Just as all living beings are essentially divine, even so the entire physical universe is essentially divine. Whatever may be the differences among the species and within the individual members of a species, all are essentially one, because one and the same divine Spirit is present in all of them. The message conveyed by these two minor premises of the traditional culture deserves careful consideration. First of all, if the land and the water and the sky of the physical universe are divine, then we should take care of them in the same way as we take care of our body. The claim that human beings are rational, that they are superior to the physical world, and that they are, in the words of Descartes, the masters and possessors of nature resulted in the unscrupulous, cruel, and destructive despoliation of nature in the name of the quest for knowledge, scientific development, and technological progress. It is not nature that is red in tooth and claw, but the human being who is unabashedl y selfish and blatantly aggressive and makes nature bleed and scorch. Fortunately for us, there is a global awakening to the significance of the earth and the water and the sky as sources of sustenance and nourishment. Secondly, the application of this principle of the oneness to the human realm is of great consequence. The understanding that all human beings are essentially one and that differences of color and caste, of gender and race, of sharpness and dullness of mind, and so on are due to the mind-sense-body adjunct by which the Spirit is enclosed will help us to tackle the universally rampant problem of discrimination of all kinds — social, religious, economic, and political. VedÄ ntic philosophy, which is an important component of culture, tells us what a human being is, does, and should do in order to achieve the harmony of spirit, mind, and body. A human being (jÄ «va) is a complex entity consisting of Spirit and matter. The term used in VedÄ nta for Spirit is the Self or Ä€tman. Matter which is totally different from the Self i s referred to as not-Self, as other-than-the-Self. According to VedÄ nta, the not-Self, which is the material outfit of the human being, is made up of the mind, the senses, and the body. The Self in the human being requires a physical medium for its involvement in the day-to-day life as the subject of knowledge, the  agent of action, and the enjoyer of the consequences of action. The mind and the senses are the cognitive instruments. With the help of the mind, the five senses give us knowledge of the things of the external world. The work of the mind does not stop with the cognitive support it gives to the senses. As the internal organ (antahkaraa), the mind generates the knowledge of the subjective states such as pleasure and pain. It also does something more, which is very important from the moral and spiritual perspectives. It gives us knowledge of the right and the wrong, dharma and adharma as they are called. When chastened by the moral and spiritual discipline, it is the mind which helps us to realize the primal Spirit or Brahman. So the work of the mind is manifold. The mind is the most marvelous instrument that a human being possesses. The emergence of the mind has not only accelerated the evolutionary process in its upward movement, but also has given enormous powers to the human being, making him/her the crown of creation, unique among all living beings. In the course of his commentary on the scriptural account of the creation of the world, Sankara raises the question about the preeminence of the human being among all creatures and answers it by saying that the human being is preeminent because he alone is qualified for knowledge and the performance of prescribed duties (jnÄ na-karma-adhikÄ rah).10 Why is it that he alone has this competence? Sankara justifies the supremacy of the human on three grounds. First, he has the ability for acquiring knowledge not only of the things of the world, but also of the supreme Being, the primal reality. This is because he is equipped with the mind which, being inspired by the Self or Spirit in him is capable of comprehending everything including the highest reality. Secondly, he has the distinctive quality of desiring certain ends as a result of discrimination, deliberation, and choice. Thirdly, when he has consciously chosen an end, he is earnest about it, finds the right means for achieving the end, and persists in it till he reaches the goal. A scriptural text which is quoted by Sankara in this connection says: In man alone is the Self most manifest for he is the best endowed with knowledge. He speaks what he knows; he sees what he knows; he knows what will happen tomorrow; he knows the higher and the lower worlds; he aspires to achieve immortality through perishable things. He is thus endowed (with discrimination) while other beings have consc iousness of hunger and thirst only.11 According to  VedÄ nta, the Self in the human being is eternal, whereas his material outfit, the mind-sense-body complex, is temporal. The birth and death of a human being are connected with, and because of, the body. They are illicitly transferred to the Self with the result that we think of it as perishable and finite. The human being is caught in the cycle of birth and death because of ignorance (avidyÄ ) whose beginning is not known. The empirical journey of the Self through its association with the material adjunct is due to avidyÄ . It is avidyÄ  that pulls down the trans-empirical Self into the empirical realm, superimposes on it, which is non-relational, a relation with matter, and is thus responsible for the fall of the Self. What is above categorization is now categorized and made an object of knowledge; what transcends relation is now explained through the logic of relation; and what is beyond the scope of language is now brought within the grammar of language. Thus, just as a tree and a table are known through perception and other means of knowledge, even so Brahman or the Self, we claim, is known through the scriptural text called Sruti. The trans-relational reality is viewed as characterized by omniscience and other qualities and also as the cause of the world. What is trans-linguistic is now spoken of as real, knowledge, infinite, and so on. In other words, we employ the categories of substance and attribute, cause and effect, whole and parts for the purpose of understanding the highest reality. It will be of interest in this connection to refer to the views of two influential thinkers from the West — one belonging to the pre-sixth century and the other our own contemporary. Pseudo-Dionysius, who occupies an important place in the history of Western spirituality, observes: [The supreme reality] is neither perceived nor is it perceptible. It suffers neither disorder nor disturbance and is overwhelmed by no earthly passion. . . . It endures no deprivation of light. It passes through no change, decay, division, loss, no ebb and flow, nothing of which the senses may be aware. None of all this can either be identified with it nor attributed to it.12 Again, he says: It falls neither within the predicate of non-being nor of being. Existing beings do not know it as it actually is and it does not know them as they are. There is no speaking of it, nor name, nor knowledge of it. Darkness and light, error and truth — it is none of these. It is beyond assertion and  denial. We make assertions and denials of what is next to it, but never of it, for it is both beyond every assertion, being the perfect and unique cause of all things, and, by virtue of its preeminently simple and absolute nature, free of every limitation, beyond every limitation; it is also beyond every denial.13 Pseudo-Dionysius conveys in the most unambiguous terms the VedÄ ntic conception of Brahman or the Self. Instead of terms such as Brahman or the Self used by the VedÄ ntin, Wittgenstein uses terms such as the metaphysical subject, the I, the philosophical ‘I’ and contrasts it with the body. The human body, he says, is a part of the world among other parts , but the Self or the philosophical I is not a part of the world; it is outside the space-time-cause world. In the words of Wittgenstein: The subject does not belong to the world, but is a border of the world.14 The philosophical I is not the human being, not the human body, or the human soul of which psychology treats, but the metaphysical subject, the border — not a part — of the world.15 What is obvious from the foregoing account is that we have to make a distinction between two concepts, Brahman-in-itself and Brahman-in-relation-to-the-world, for the purpose of analysis. The latter concept is meaningful only on the presupposition of the fall of Brahman or the Self. When did this fall take place? No one knows, and no one can answer. Once there is the fall, the empirical journey of the Self goes on in different forms, conditioned by the space-time-cause framework. However, the promise of VedÄ nta is that the empirical journey of the lÄ «va can be put an end to, that the vicious cycle of birth and death can be broken by destroying avidyÄ  through knowledge of oneâ€℠¢s Self. That is why there is the scriptural instruction of Know thy Self. Not only does scripture say that the Self should be realized or seen, but it also suggests the means for realizing it. It will be difficult to understand the full significance of the distinction between Brahman-in-itself and Brahman-in-relation-to-the-world without a reference to the principle of standpoints which is enshrined in Indian culture. There are two sets of features, perennial and temporal, in Indian culture which contribute to its continuity as well as its change. While the basic doctrines constitute its perennial dimension, religious practices covering a wide range are temporal and transitory. Decadence sets in when the temporal and transitory features gain importance almost to the point of ignoring or sidetracking the  perennial features. Historical, social, and political changes call for modification, sometimes radical, sometimes minor, in the religious practices and social norms of the people, while the basic doctrinal side remains intact. Continuity of the essentials amidst the changing flow of life helps to preserve the cultural tradition. The essential structure which has endured through the vicissitudes of time contains the basic doctrines as stated in the major premise and the two minor premises to which reference was made earlier. The three basic doctrines are: primal Being or Spirit is the source, support, and end of everything, sentient as well as non-sentient; all living beings are divine; also, the physical universe which has originated from the primal Spirit is spiritual. The monistic vision, which is pervasive in the Vedic corpus, is a notable feature of Indian culture. The doctrine of levels or standpoints skillfully adopted by Indian culture helps to reconcile monism and polytheism as well as monism and pluralism. Though each pair contains two extremes in the religio-philosophical thinking, they have been accommodated as different standpoints at different levels. They are irreconcilable only when they are placed together at the same level. For example, one of the oft-quoted hymns of the Rg-veda provides a clue for reconciling the problem of one Godhead and many gods and goddesses. It says: What is but one, wise people call by different names — as Agni, Yama, MÄ tarisvan.16 Reference to gods, such as, Agni and Yama may be replaced by the well known gods of the Hindu pantheon such as Siva, Visnu, Sakti, and so on. Sankara explains the distinction between the supreme Godhead and its various forms such as Siva, Visnu, and so on, as the distinction between the unconditioned reality, what we referred to as Brahman-in-itself, and its conditioned forms such as Siva and Visnu, all of which can be brought under Brahman-in-relation-to-the-world. _iva, Viu, and other gods are conditioned beings endowed with a name and a form and other qualities, whereas the One is unconditioned, devoid of name and form, specifications and qualities and is, therefore, trans-empirical, trans-relational, and trans-linguistic. This mode of drawing the distinction between the supreme Godhead and its many forms for the purpose of worship and other religious practices of the devotees, which is unheard of in other religious traditions of other cultures, is of great consequence in the religious practice of the people.  Since it is the one reality that is worshipped in many forms such as Agni, Siva, and so on, one who worships Agni or Siva, should not quarrel with one who worships Yama or Visnu, because Agni, Yama, Siva, and Visnu are the conditioned aspects of the same reality. This significant idea of the Rg-Vedic hymn was accepted, fully elaborated, and further deepened by the Upanisads. It provides a theoretical framework for religious harmony, which is one of the characteristic features of primal culture and which has received special emphasis right from the beginning till this day. What makes primal culture valid for all times and in all places is its inclusiveness. It includes everything by providing a place for it in the whole. Religious, social, economic, scientific, and political activities are necessary and meaningful; but they must be made subservient to, and must be viewed and judged in the context of the spiritual goal of life. A culture which is mainly concerned with the bare economic necessities of life, social institutions, and political organization will be neither enduring nor elevating; it may look energetic and enterprising, but it is not worth the name, if it is not geared up to the spiritual side of life. Once again, what Sri Aurobindo says is worth quoting here: A mere intellectual, ethical, and aesthetic culture does not go back to the inmost truth of the spirit; it is still an ignorance, an incomplete, outward, and superficial knowledge. To have made the discovery of our deepest being and hidden spiritual nature is the first necessity and to have erected the living of an inmost spiritual life into the aim of existence is the characteristic sign of a spiritual culture. 17 The VedÄ nta philosophy solves the problem of monism versus pluralism on the basis of the distinction between two levels or standpoints called pÄ ramÄ rthika and vyÄ vahÄ rika, or absolute and relative respectively. The Upanisads make use of this distinction in the explanation of the epistemological, metaphysical, axiological, and soteriological problems. What is true at one level may not be so at another level. A dream-lion which is accepted as real in dream experience loses its reality at the waking level. What is accepted as a value at one time may turn out to be a disvalue at another time. The pluralistic universe which is accepted as real may cease to exist in the state of liberation following the spiritual ascent. The pÄ ramÄ rthika or absolute standpoint is higher, whereas the vyÄ vahÄ rika or the relative standpoint is lower. It must be borne in mind that the  higher standpoint which transcends the lower does not invalidate it. One who has moved from th e relative to the absolute standpoint knows the truth of the former; but one who is tied to the relative standpoint cannot understand the truth of the absolute standpoint. Consider the case of two persons who attempt to climb up a mountain in order to reach the highest peak. While one of them reaches the top, the other, due to some disability, is not able to proceed beyond the foothill. The person who has reached the summit knows what kind of experience is available to one at the foothill; but one who is at the foothill does not understand the kind of experience one has at the top. We have to apply this logic to the different kinds of experience without subverting the pÄ ramÄ rthika-vyÄ vahÄ rika hierarchy. The Upanisads describe the two levels as signifying higher wisdom and lower knowledge. Experience of plurality is quite common; it is quite natural; we have it in our daily life. No special effort or discipline is required for such an experience. But experience of oneness is uncommon. One does not get it without special effort or appropriate discipline. The transition is from the common to the uncommon. A text of the BrhadÄ rayaka Upanisad describes the two levels of experience as follows: For, where there is duality as it were, there one sees the other, one smells the other, one knows the other. . . . But, where everything has become just one’s own self, by what and whom should one smell, by what and whom should one know?18 Without disregarding the pragmatic value of day-to-day empirical knowledge, primal culture emphasizes the importance of higher wisdom. It will be of interest to quote Wittgenstein in this connection. He says: In religion every level of devoutness must have its appropriate form of expression which has no sense at a lower level. This doctrine, which means something at a higher level, is null and void for someone who is still at the lower level; he can only understand it wrongly and so these words are not valid for such a person. For instance, at my level the Pauline doctrine of predestination is ugly, nonsense, irreligiousness. Hence it is not suitable for me, since the only use I could make of the picture I am offered would be a wrong one. If it is a good and godly picture, then it is so for someone at a quite different level, who must use it in his life in a way completely different from anything that would be possible for me.19 The teaching of the VedÄ nta philosophy is positive. According to it, life in this world is meaningful  and purposive — meaningful for the reason that it serves as the training ground for one’s spiritual uplifting through the proper use of the objects of the world by the mind-sense-body equipment of which one is in possession, and purposive as one has to achieve freedom or liberation by overcoming the existential predicament. Freedom or liberation which is projected as the goal must be understood in the spiritual sense. It is true that human life is made difficult by economic constraints, political oppression, social hierarchy, and religious discrimination; and a situation of this kind points to, and calls for, freedom of different kinds so that a person can exist and function as a moral agent enjoying economic, political, social and religious freedom. However, the goal of life remains unfulfilled in spite of these different kinds of freedom. Though they are necessary, they are not sufficient. The highest freedom which is eternal and totally satisfying is spiritual freedom, which is called moksa in Indian culture. A socio-political system may ensure political freedom, social justice, economic satisfaction, and unrestricted religious practice; but still there is no guarantee of harmony of spirit, mind, and body which one can achieve only through the teaching of philosophy and religion. The socio-political machinery cannot be a substitute for religion and philosophy, though it can and should maintain a system of rights and obligations in which alone a human being can lead a moral life as formulated in religion and can pursue the goal of liberation as projected by philosophy. Sri Aurobindo says: The whole aim of a great culture is to lift man up to something which at first he is not, to lead him to knowledge though he starts from an unfathomable ignorance, to teach him to live by reason, though actually he lives much more by his unreason, by the law of good and unity, though he is now full of evil and discord, by a law of beauty and harmony, though his actual life is a repulsive muddle of ugliness and jarring barbarisms, by some law of his spirit, though at present he is egoistic, material, unspiritual, engrossed by the needs and desires of his physical being. If a civilization has not any of these aims, it can hardly at all be said to have a culture and certainly in no sense a great and noble culture. But the last of these aims, as conceived by ancient India, is the highest of all because it includes and surpasses all the others. To have made this attempt is to have ennobled the life of the race; to have failed in it is better than if it had never at all   been attempted; to have achieved even a partial success is a great contribution to the future possibilities of the human being.20 Excepting the CÄ rvÄ ka, which advocates a thoroughgoing materialism, all other philosophical systems in India accept the ideal of moksa. The Indian mind, right from the beginning, has accepted a hierarchy of values, ranging from the bodily and economic values at the bottom to the spiritual values of which liberation is at the top. The human being leads his life at two levels — organic and hyper-organic. Bodily and economic values which he pursues belong to the organic level. In so far as the pursuit of the organic values is concerned — values which are necessary for life preservation — his life and activities are in no way different from those of animals; at this level, hunger and sleep, shelter and sex are common to man and animals. Endowed as he is not only with the body, but also with the mind, he also lives at another level, pursuing higher values such as truth, beauty, goodness. The life-activity of man which is fully reflective of his cognition, desire, deliberation, and choice cannot stop short of the highest value called moksa. It is not necessary here to discuss the broad scheme of values accepted in the Indian tradition. Suffice it to say that, though artha and kÄ ma, which emphasize the importance of the material and hedonistic side of life, have been accommodated in the scheme of values, the moral and spiritual side of life has received special attention in Indian culture. That is why it has accepted two higher values, dharma and moksa, the former functioning as a moral guide, and also as a regulative principle of artha and kÄ ma pursued in our secular life, for the realization of the latter. All the philosophical systems, Vedic as well as non-Vedic, hold the view that moksa as the highest value is both ultimate and all-satisfying — ultimate since there is nothing else to which it can be the means, and all-satisfying since it comprehends all the higher values. Sankara says that one gets the feeling of the fulfillment of all values when one attains moksa.21 There are three questions that we have to consider in connection with the ultimate value. The first one is whether it can be realized at all. There is the view that the ultimate value is only an ideal to inspire and regulate our conduct and that it can never be attained. We can regulate our life so as to come nearer to it from time to time, from stage to stage; but we can never reach it. Suc h a view is untenable. Also, it goes against the spirit of Indian  culture. Realization of one’s true nature is liberation. We have already pointed out that the human being is a complex entity consisting of Spirit and matter. Spirit by its very nature is ever free and never bound. But it appears to be bound because of the material adjunct with which it is associated in the empirical life. Overwhelmed by ignorance, the human being does not realize that he is essentially Spirit and therefore free. When he attains the right knowledge and knows his real nature, he is no more under the limitation or bondage of the psycho-physical material outfit, because ignorance which conceals his real nature is removed by knowledge. It means that the ideal of moksa has a basis in the very constitution of the human being; also, the human being, not being satisfied with the material achievements, what the Upanisad calls preyas, longs for spiritual freedom, which is called Sreyas. The Upanisad says: Both the good and the pleasant approach a man. The wise man, pondering over them, discriminates. The wise chooses the good in preference to the pleasant. The simple-minded, for the sake of worldly well-being, prefers the pleasant.22 One cannot have both Sreyas and preyas. The pursuit of the former requires the renunciation of the latter. Spiritual illumination follows purgation. Speaking about the importance of the ideal and its close relation to human nature, Hiriyanna observes: Ideals are rooted in needs inherent in human nature. It is their reality that constitutes their true charm. Take this charm from them, and they reduce themselves but to pleasant fantasy. The reality of such a value may not be vouched for by common reasoning. But we should remember that neither is there any adequate proof for denying it. Not to admit the ideal would therefore be to be dogmatic in the sense that we deny it without adequate proof for the denial.23 The second question is wheth er the ideal of moksa can be realized by all. Here also the great philosophical traditions, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, are unanimous in their affirmative answer. There is nothing in human nature which either disqualifies or incapacitates him from attaining this ideal. Whatever may be the differences among human beings at the bodily, vital, and mental levels, everyone has the right and duty to aspire for the highest value by virtue of what he/she is. As every human being is endowed with the mind, the most precious and unequalled instrument through which one can look before and after, know the things given to him, and choose from them after  discrimination and deliberation, he is not in any way incapacitated from pursuing the ultimate value. Indian culture looks down on the doctrine of the chosen few. Since ignorance is the obstacle that stands in the way of realizing one’s divine nature, realizing one’s Spirit, which is liberation, it can be removed by knowledge which anyone can acquire through moral and spi ritual discipline. The philosophy of VedÄ nta, according to which every human being is divine, is opposed to the theory of privilege — of birth, intellect, spirituality, etc. It is anti-hierarchical. In everyone there is a sleeping Buddha, a hidden Brahman, to which everyone can have access. That the doors to the spiritual realm do not remain closed to anyone is conveyed in a forthright manner by Sri Aurobindo: A wider spiritual culture must recognize that the Spirit is not only the highest and inmost thing, but all is manifestation and creation of the Spirit. It must have a wider outlook, a more embracing range of applicability and, even, a more aspiring and ambitious aim of its endeavor. Its aim must be not only to raise to inaccessible heights the few elect, but to draw all men and all life and the whole human being upward, to spiritualize life and in the end to divinize human nature. Not only must it be able to lay hold on his deepest individual being, but to inspire, too, his communal existence. It must turn, by a spiritual change, all the members of his ignorance into members of the knowledge; it must transmute all the instruments of the human into instruments of a divine living. The total movement of Indian spirituality is towards this aim. 24 The third question, whether the ultimate value can be realized here in this life or only hereafter, is answered in two different ways. Some philosophical systems maintain that the proper preparation that a person undertakes for achieving this end will help him to realize it only after death, whereas some other systems hold the view that it can be realized in this life itself, if one follows the prescribed moral and spiritual discipline. The former view is called the eschatological conception of moksa while the latter is known as lÄ «van-mukti. LÄ «van-mukti means liberation-in-life. The person who has attained enlightenment or wisdom is free even while he is in the embodied condition. It is not necessary to discuss these two views of moksa in detail. It may be pointed out here that the view that it is possible to overcome bondage and attain liberation here and now deepens the significance of the present life. A  lÄ «van-mukta does not run away from society. He lives in societ y for the benefit of others; when he is engaged in activities, he has no sense of I and mine; his activities, that is to say, are impersonal. Also, he imparts spiritual instruction to others, for, having realized the truth, he alone is competent to do this. The life of a lÄ «van-mukta, as portrayed in the Hindu tradition, is comparable to that of a Bodhi-sattva as explained in the MahÄ yÄ na tradition. The ideal of life goes beyond self-perfection; it also includes work for the universal good. According to the Indian tradition, knowledge is different from information, and wisdom is different from knowledge. We may say that information, knowledge, and wisdom constitute a hierarchy. To know a thing is to know it in a determinate way, as such-and-such — as a substance possessing qualities, as a whole consisting of parts, as the cause or effect of something, and so on. Every object has two kinds of relations, internal and external. A lump of clay, for example, is internally related to its color, its parts of which it is made. It is also externally related to the ground on which it is placed, its immediate surroundings, and so on. No object remains isolated from other things; on the contrary, it has a network of relations with other things in such a way that it is what it is because of other things. When the poet says that, to know a flower seen in a crannied wall, one must know the plant, root and all, and also the wall, its location, and so on, he draws our attention to the fact that every object is an integral part of the cosmic system and that, to get an insight into the nature of a thing, one must know the whole of which it is an integral part. Bits of information do not constitute knowledge. Piecemeal information about the roots, the trunk, and the branches of a tree cannot be viewed as the knowledge of a tree. Just as knowledge is different from information, even so wisdom is different from knowledge. Though knowledge is superior to information, it cannot be a substitute for wisdom. The Vedic tradition draws a distinction between two kinds of knowledge, higher (parÄ ) and lower (aparÄ ).