Identity Essay Example for Free

Identity Essay Often times we will hear phrases like, â€Å"loss of identity† or â€Å"identity crisis†. What many people never stop to think about is what â€Å"identity† means. Generally identity can be taken to refer to specifications of a person, personal conception and expression or group expression and affiliation. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary identity carries the following meaning; the distinguishing character and personality of an individual or individuality. Everyone has an identity which they hold dear to them. Identity could be of various types; it could be individuality, racial, gender, political among others. In psychology identity relates to self image or an individual’s mental model of himself or herself. In other word it is relates to self-esteem and individuality. This is the most critical aspect of identity. Self-esteem is an important contribute rot overall well-being of all people. Self esteem is the opinion one has of himself or herself. It is without a doubt that the environment we develop in and the experiences we go through shape our opinion of ourselves and therefore determine our self-esteem. A high self-esteem is when one has a good opinion of himself or herself. Low self-esteem is when one has a bad opinion of himself or herself. Low self-esteem is like a cancer that keeps eating at ones confidence and sense of accomplishment. When one has low self-esteem then often times that person’s everyday life will be affected in that that person begins to accomplish less, kind of like a self-fulfilling prophecy. This is because that person sees himself o herself as unable to achieve compared to other or unreliable or even less attractive compared to others. As a result of this attitude the person’s behavior will almost always reflect this attitude and end up bringing the results that the person expected, failure an underachievement. A positive identity or self-esteem on the other hand will almost always lead one to success. Like an image I once saw on the internet of a cat that was starring into a mirror and what was reflected was a lion! Just like that cat a person with appositive identity will always see himself or herself as capable of overcoming any challenge that comes across his or her way. This attitude goes a long way to ensuring that this person achieves success, think of Lance Armstrong who in spite of being diagnosed with testicular cancer went on to win the Tour de France seven times and founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation (Armstrong Jenkins, pg 10). Another aspect to identity is cultural identity. Cultural identity here covers, racial identity, and religious identity. There is nothing wrong with racial or religious identity as long as it does not border discrimination. However often times we find ourselves so engrossed with our racial or religious identities so that we often unconsciously favor those who identify with our identities and discriminate against those who are of a different racial or religious identity. As an international student I can attest to the truth of this as quite often I have been looked down upon simply for having a different cultural identity. There has been a rise in an â€Å"us’ versus â€Å"them† mentality among non-Muslims and Muslims in the United States, especially following the September 11 terrorist attacks. It is sad to see people who once lived unrestricted by religious identities go to the level of phobia. People should learn push beyond these stereotypes that paint people of other religious and racial identities as inferior or evil. We are the entire human race; black, brown, white Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or Atheist, we are all human beings. We should therefore love one another and appreciate our difference because it is what brings variety into our world. Identity refers to an individual’s opinion of himself or a distinguishing character or personality in the person. A positive identity can go along way in ensuring success in a person’s life, while a negative identity does the opposite. It is therefore important that we cultivate appositive identity for ourselves. Cultural identity is also another aspect. I have learnt that it is important that we appreciate our varying cultural identities and that we foster love and cooperation instead of discrimination and phobia.

Exploring Autism Essay example -- Health Disorders Research Essays Pap

Exploring Autism   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Autism is a developmental disability of the brain, much like dyslexia, mental retardation, or attention deficit disorder. Autism is not a form of mental retardation, and though many autistic people appear to function as retarded, they are frequently quite intelligent. Approximately 15 of every 10,000 individuals and nearly 400,000 people in the United States today have some form of autism (Dowdy).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The word autism may actually refer to several similar disabilities, including Autistic Disorder, Aspergers Syndrome, and "Atypical" Autism. Atypical Autism is a type of Pervasive Developmental Disorder, not otherwise specified. Though there are some differences between these conditions, they are quite similar, and those who have them experience many of the same difficulties in life (All).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The symptoms of autism can vary widely from one individual to the next. Autism is referred to as a spectrum disorder because it ranges in severity across a wide range of conditions, like the colors of a rainbow. In addition, some people may be affected more by one symptom, while others may be affected more strongly by a different symptom. Also, some of the symptoms may have variable manifestations (Twachtman).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Autistic people tend to have unusual sensory experiences. These experiences may involve a sense being too sensitive, less sensitive than normal, and/or difficulty interpreting a sense. These experiences do not involve hallucinations; autistic people have sensory experience based on real experiences, like normal people, but the experience may feel or sound different. Sometimes, the autistic person may have difficulty interpreting the experience. No two autistic people appear to have the exact same pattern of sensory problems. It is not uncommon, for example, for an autistic person to avoid being touched. This is usually because of a heightened sense of touch. A gentle touch to most people may hurt or shock some autistic people. Others may experience confusion, due to difficulty interpreting the sensation or insufficient sensation reaching the brain to interpret (Dowdy). Another, not uncommon pattern is to have the strength of the sensation inverse from that of the stimulation, so that a gentle touch may feel like an electric shock, but firm contact may not be a problem. On the other hand, some autistic people may be insensit... ...e. Some autistic people are "savants," but most are not. Other autistic people are "gifted," however, and have high "general" intelligence. Many autistic people have normal intelligence, and some may be retarded (Twachtman). Autism is not an emotional problem. Autism is a neurological condition which people are usually born with. Psychological trauma doesn't cause it. Autism is not a psychosis or lack of reality contact. People do not choose to be autistic. Autism is not "a fate worse than death." Autistic people have some disadvantages, but some live very happy and rewarding lives. Many autistic people wouldn't want to be "cured," as this would be like erasing them and replacing them with different people. Works Cited 1.) Dowdy, Carol, et al. Teaching students with Exceptional Needs in Inclusive Settings Fourth Edition. United States: Pearson Education   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Inc., 2004. 2.) Twachtman, Diane. A Passion to Believe: Autism and the Facilitated Communication Phenomenon. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1997. 3.) Tustin, Frances. Autism and Childhood Psychosis. London: Karnac   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Books, 1999. 4.) "All About Autism." Autism Info. Autism Society of America. 25 Mar.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2005.

Thai Pantene Ad: You Can Shine

Yesterday, I saw an impressive video posted by my friend on Facebook. It’s a Thai Pantene commercial about a deaf and mute girl who plays the violin. At first, I didn’t know that it was actually a shampoo commercial because it’s quite long (4:30) and looks more like a movie trailer. A lot of people was inspired by the advertisement while a few contradicted it. I, for one was captivated by the video but I have to admit that the advertisement failed in so many levels. Well, for being a shampoo commercial, it failed. The story is unrelated and too deep and dramatic for a shampoo. But if it was a movie trailer, it would have been brilliant. The plot and storyline are beautifully intertwined. It actually ruined the mood when one founds out that it was just for a shampoo. (The â€Å"Pantene. You Can Shine.† part) Though putting the shampoo concept aside, this is still a great idea well executed. Honestly, what I really liked about this ad was the use of the piece, Pachelbel Canon in D Major. Maybe because it is my favorite piece. It’s actually the reason why I wanted to play the piano because every time I hear it, it makes me want to play the piece so I can really feel the music. I agree with the old man in the ad who said that â€Å"Music is a visible thing. Close your eyes and you will see.†

The Immortality of the Soul Essay - 1427 Words

Plato has roused many readers with the work of a great philosopher by the name of Socrates. Through Plato, Socrates lived on generations after his time. A topic of Socrates that many will continue to discuss is the idea of â€Å"an immortal soul†. Although there are various works and dialogues about this topic it is found to be best explained in The Phaedo. It is fair to say that the mind may wonder when one dies what exactly happens to the beloved soul, the giver of life often thought of as the very essence of life does it live on beyond the body, or does it die with it? Does the soul have knowledge of the past if it really does live on? In Plato’s The Phaedo, Plato recounts Socrates final days before he is put to death. Socrates has been†¦show more content†¦On the contrary Socrates believes that the soul is in fact immortal and if one wants to become free of pain they way to do so is to exempt themselves from the physical pleasures of the world. In this dia logue Socrates and the philosophers explore several arguments for this idea of an immortal soul. These arguments were to illustrate and verify that death is not the dying of body and soul collectively, but when the body dies the soul continues to live on. Socrates offers readers four main arguments: The Cyclical Argument, which is the idea that forms are fixed and external. The soul is the sole purpose of life in this argument, and therefore cannot die and it is also to be seen as virtually never-ending. Next is The Theory of Recollection, which insists that at birth everyone has knowledge that the soul experienced in another life. Meaning that the soul would have had to be existent before birth to bear this said knowledge. The Form of Life Argument confers that the soul bears a resemblance to that which is imperceptible and godly because it is abstract. The body bears a resemblance to the perceptible and the corporeal because it is objective. The Affinity Argument maybe the simplest of all. It reiterates Socrates thoughts of the body and soul, in saying that when the body dies and decomposes our soul will continue to exist in another world. Since the soul is immortal it has been recycled many times, and has also experienced everythingShow MoreRelatedPlato: Immortality of the Soul1505 Words   |  7 PagesPHAEDO: IMMORTALITY OF SOUL In the dialogue Phaedo Plato discusses the immortality of the soul. He presents four different arguments to prove the fact that although the body of the human perishes after death; the soul still exists and remains eternal. Firstly, he explains the Argument from Opposites that is about the forms and their existence in opposite forms. His second argument is Theory of Recollection which assumes that each and every information that one has in his/her mind is related toRead MoreThe Argument For The Immortality Of The Soul1250 Words   |  5 PagesThe Affinity Argument is the third argument for the immortality of the soul. This argument compares the soul to a greater level of reality: the Forms. The Affinity Argument In order to demonstrate more clearly that the soul coheres as a single entity after death, Socrates draws a distinction between things that breakdown and things that remain one, and then reasons that the soul belongs with the latter. Socrates states that composite things have the ability to break since theyRead MoreSummary : Immortality Of The Soul 1542 Words   |  7 PagesSierra Bauer Philosophy 110 Final Paper Immortality of the Soul Phaedo, also known to ancient readers as On the Soul, is one of greatest dialogues of Plato’s period. Phaedo centers itself around the death of Socrates. Throug Plato, Socrates lived on generations after his time. Phaedo begins with Socrates addressing his death and stating a true philosopher should look forward to death. He asserts that the soul is immortal and the philosopher spends his life training and detaching itself from the needsRead MoreSummary : The Immortality Of The Soul 1116 Words   |  5 Pages027 1. In the Phaedo, Socrates offers several proofs of the immortality of the soul. One of them is the so-called Recollection argument. In your paper, explain and analyze the argument with a careful attention to the text. Precisely identify why Socrates thinks that the argument shows that the soul is immortal. Evaluate whether the argument shows what Socrates thinks it shows as well as whether the argument has any problems. Our souls existed before we were born. Within Plato’s Phaedo, SocratesRead MoreThe Immortality of the Soul in Platos Phaedo2878 Words   |  12 PagesDao Le Prof. Mark Cronin HU 102 - HD April 2, 2012 The Immortality of the Soul in Plato’s Phaedo Among Plato’s dialogues, which serve to honor the realm of philosophy in general and Socrates’s life in particular, the Phaedo dramatically and poignantly portrays the death scene of Socrates. The Phaedo evokes such tragic sentiments of pity and fear while at the same time glorifies Socrates as the martyr for the truth. He dies because of human’s injustice yet faces his own death with extraordinaryRead MorePlato s Views On The Immortality Of The Soul1391 Words   |  6 PagesIn one of Plato’s famous dialogues Phaedo, Plato touches on some of the theories of Socrates that focus on the immortality of the soul. Plato explains four main arguments that attempt to prove that the soul is indeed immortal. After reviewing and analyzing the arguments given, I have come to the conclusion that Plato’s premises are not true. I believe that the arguments he offers are in some way invalid. In order to prove the validity of each discourse, I will evaluate eac h of the four argumentsRead MorePlato s Phaedo For The Immortality Of The Soul1701 Words   |  7 Pagesfinal argument in Phaedo for the immortality of the soul is one of the most interesting topics of all time. The argument of whether the soul exists has been debated for years and even today. It goes hand to hand with the application of the theory of forms to the question of the soul s immortality, as Plato constantly reminds us, the theory of forms is the most certain of all his theories. The Phaedo is Plato’s attempt to convince us of the immortality of the soul by using several main arguments.Read MoreLife after Death, Reincarnation, Resurrection and Immortality of the Soul1735 Words   |  7 PagesLife after Death, Reincarnation, Resurrection and Immortality of the Soul Belief in life after death has taken many forms, some which are unique in particular religious belief systems, though; others can be found in more than one religion. For most religions, life after death is an article of faith. In Western religions, the belief is founded in scriptural evidence, but for all religions the belief in life after death is the same: life after death has been promised toRead MorePlato’s 1st Argument for the Immortality of the Soul from Opposites and Theory of Reincarnation999 Words   |  4 PagesPlato’s 1st argument for the Immortality of the Soul from opposites and Theory of Reincarnation Plato’s Phaedo is a dialog between Phaedo, Cebes and Simmias where Socrates gives some arguments for the immortality of the soul. In this work, Phaedo tells us about Socrates’ final days, who has been convicted to death. Great philosopher does not have a fear of death because he believes that when a man dies, the soul still exists even if the body perishes. Trying to prove his argumentsRead MoreDiscussion of D.Z. Phillips Conception of Immortality Essay1087 Words   |  5 PagesDiscussion of D.Z. Phillips Conception of Immortality In his book Death and Immortality, D Z Phillips starts by asking the question: does belief in immortality rest on a mistake? The first two chapters are negative in the sense that they examine traditional philosophical, as well as common sense, conceptions of what immortality means. Phillips argues that philosophical analyses centred on the notion of immortality have generally been constructed around certain essential