The Long Goodbye free essay sample

The film stars Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe, and features Sterling Hayden, Nina Van Pallandt, Jim Bouton and Mark Rydell. The film The Long Goodbye has been described as a study of a moral and decent man cast adrift in a selfish, self-obsessed society where lives can be thrown away without a backward glance and any notions of friendship and loyalty are eaningless. Robert Altman: Hollywood Survivor. Question: Does the plot of this film have unforeseen twists and turns? Is the story technique used in other film noir movies that you have seen in class? Discuss and provide examples. The Long Goodbye is a classic noir who done it filled with twist and turns from the start, with everyone spinning their lies trying to trap Phillip Marlowe. Terry Lennox hides the injuries on his fist with driving gloves. Terry then implied that he only hade a trivial fight with his wife so Marlowe wouldnt ask for details. We will write a custom essay sample on The Long Goodbye or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Terry in fact, did kill Sylvia after she found out that he was having an affair with Eileen Wade and threatened to tell the police of Terrys shady business dealings with Marty Augustine. Eileen Wade lies to Marlowe about her knowing the Lennoxs socially. Eileen also lied about Roger Wade having an affair with Sylvia Lennox to cover up her own affair with Terry Lennox and through Marlowe off the case. In the opening scene we are introduced to chain-smoking, wisecracking, privet eye, Phillip Marlowe and his long time friend, Terry Lennox. Terry is seen driving from his home in the Malibu Colony to Marlowes house, with signs of an altercation. Terry has a scratch on his cheek, and injuries to his fist, of which he covers up by wearing a pair of driving gloves. When Terry arrives, Marlowe notices Terrys face, but Terry Just plays it off as if he had another trivial fght with his wife. Terry then asks Marlowe for a lift to the Mexican boarder. The two hop in Marlowes car and drive to Tijuana. At this point, no knowledge is known about the fate of Sylvia Lenox, except for what seemed to be a minor fght with her husband Terry Lenox. Shortly after Marlowe returns home, two detectives asking questions about Terry Lenox show up at Marlowes house. The detectives arrest Marlowe, take him down to the station, and interrogate him. Marlowe learns that Sylvia Lenox is dead and Terry Lenox is the prime suspect. Upon Marlowes release from his three-day stay in Jail, he sees one of the detectives that interrogated him and questions the detective for information. Marlowe learns that Terry Lenox was affiliated was a mob boss, Marty Augustine. Furthermore, police were claiming the case was solved due to the fact that Terry Lenox committed suicide in Mexico, but not before leaving a suicide note admitting to the murder of his wife. However, Terrys body was never found. We dont know how or why Terry killed his wife. We dont really know if she is actually alive or not and/or how Terry is connected to Mr. Augustine at this point. Nonetheless, Marlowe is more than skeptical of this so called open and shut case and is determined to find out what really transpired. In the meantime, Marlowe is hired by Eileen Wade to find her missing husband Roger Wade, an alcoholic novelist with writers block. Marlowe investigates Malibus sub-culture of private detoxification clinics for rich alcoholics and drug addicts. In the proses of locating Roger Wade in a Malibu rehab clinic. Marlowe questions three women at the front desk about Roger Wade they tell Marlowe that there is no one by that name there. Marlowe then inquires about a Dr. Verringer they claimed he was out of town. Marlowe replys with his catch fraise Its all right by me, and infiltrates the rehab anyway. Phillip Marlowe finds Dr. Verringer trying to extort money from Roger Wade. we learn that Roger checked into the clinic on his own will. Nonetheless, Roger Wade was unable to leave on his own will and was kept heavily medicated. Marlowe returns Roger Wade back to his home in the Malibu colony. Soon after Marlowe returns home, he is meet by Marty Augustine and his thugs. Augustine and his gang begin to interrogate Marlowe and search his home for the 350,000 that Marty Augustine claims Terry Lennox stole from him. Marty Augustine: miour friend was a murder and a thief. Phillip Marlowe: Thats a lie. I know he didnt kill her. Augustine then Brutally attacked his own mistress Just to show Marlowe what would happen to him if he didnt find the money, saying: Her, I love. You, I dont even like. Marty Augustine leaves and heads for Roger and Eileen Wades house. Marlowe tails Augustine and sees Marty Augustine talking to Eileen Wade. Although the conversation was not heard, Marlowe now knows that there is a connection between the Lennoxs, Wades and Augustine. The next day Marlowe goes to see the Wades to find the connection between the wades and Marty Augustine. Roger wade said he didnt know terry Lennox and claimed that Marty Augustine owes him 50,000. At this point its hard to know whom to believe. Later that night a drunk Roger Wade commits suicide by swimming out into the ocean. After the police arrive, Eileen Wade lies and claims that Roger Wade was having an affair with Sylvia Lennox and may have killed her. Marlowe reports this information to the detective on the scene who informs Marlowe that the police were aware that Roger Wade saw Sylvia Lennox, they know when he left and when he checked into Dr. Verringers rehab clinic. Marlowe receives a letter with a 5,000-dollar bill arrives from Terry Lennox, sent from Mexico. On suspicions that Terry is still alive, Marlowe heads down to Mexico to get some answers. Soon After arriving in Mexico, Marlowe finds the Doctor and the police chief that found Terry Lennox dead. The Doctor and the Police chief both claim that Terry Lennox death was a suicide. Marlowe returns home only to be eet by Marty Augustine and his thugs. Augustines thugs start stripping off Marlowes close and expose a S dollar b Augustine immediately suspects Marlowe of lying about the whereabouts of his money. Right before things go from bad to worse and Marlowe is about to get stabbed, the missing money reappears and Marlowe is free to go. On his his way out, Augustine gives Marlowe back the 5,000- dollar bill and says, here, for your troubles, and if your in the neighborhood stop by some time. Marlowe replys Oh yeah, thanks a lot, especially since my fairy godmother came and dropped your three hundred and fifty grand back into your ap. It is clear to Marlowe that Terry Lennox is alive as a result of the letter with the 5,000-dollar bill and the money having been returned to Marty Augustine. Marlowe returns to Mexico for the second time and bribes the Mexican police and the Doctor with the 5,000-dollar bill that Terry sent him. Marlowe finds out that the suicide was staged and Terry is in Mexico somewhere. Marlowe finds Terry Lennox alive and well laying on a hammock. Terry confesses everything to Phillip. He told Marlowe how he was running money for Marty Augustine, his affair with Eileen Wade and the murder of his wife Sylvia. Terry says to Marlowe, Terry Lennox: I was in a bind. I needed help. Nobody cares. Phillip Marlowe: Nobody cares but me. Terry Lennox: Well thats you, Marlowe. Youll never learn youre a born loser. Phillip Marlowe: mieah, I even lost my cat. Marlowe shoots Terry, spits on the ground, and walks away. In the last scene Marlowe passes Eileen Wade on her way to Terry Lennox. Eileen slows down to catch a second glimpse of Marlowe walking the other way and had a realization. Terry, Sylvia, and Roger are now dead, and everyone lost in the end. The Long Goodbyes storytelling technique is very similar to that of the film Out of the Past (1947). Both male leads Phillip Marlowe and Jeff Bail y were privet detectives hired to find their employers spouse. Both were dragged through the under belly of society, being double-crossed at every turn and lead astray by everyone they come in contact with. In the film out of the Past, a small-town gas station owner with mysterious past is hired to by a criminal Whit Sterling to find a woman named Kathie who shot Whit and stole $40,000 from him. Jeff locates Kathie in Acapulco. Nonetheless, Kathie tells Jeff that she didnt steal the $40,000 and confesses her love for him. The two run away from Whit to an Isolated cabin in the woods. Jeffs former partner Fisher finds the couple hiding out in the cabin. Kathie guns down him down and Jeff buried the body. Meanwhile, Jeff finds a deposit slip in the amount of $40,000 in Kathies purse and leaves her. But, when Jeff inevitably meets Whit, he finds out that Kathie is living with Whit. Whit Request one more Job from Jeff to release Jeff from his debt. However, Jeff finds out that Whit was framing him. Question: Is the seeker-hero of this film on a quest? Is he tested, interrogated, attacked, and/or persecuted? Does he emerge safely from this ordeal and uncorrupted and strong? Or is he killed? Explain, providing examples. Phillip Marlowe is on a quest to prove his friends innocence both to the police and himself. Marlowes is physically attacked and persecuted by two detectives that arrive at Marlowes house upon his return from dropping off Terry. Det. Green and det. Dayton physically man handle Phillip as they attempt to question him about Terry Lennox. However, Marlowe replys, look guys, I dont nave to answer any Questions unless you guys have a specific charge. Det. Green signals to Det. Dayton to push Marlowe into Det. Greenly and arrest Marlowe on a trumpet up assault charge. The detectives take Marlowe to the police station to interrogate him. During the interrogation Marlowe only responses are sarcastic cynical remarks to their questions like, Detective: What are you doing here Marlowe? Phillip Marlowe: well Im here cause Im gettin ready for the big game Saturday. You know, were playing Notre Dame and I hope I catch a touchdown pass. The only time Marlowe becomes concerned is when he hears that Sylvia Lennox was murdered and Terry Lennox was the main suspect. The detectives become frustrated with Marlowe and send him to a holding cell for three days. Phillip Marlowe is tested when he is hired by Eileen Wade to find her missing husband Roger Wade. When asking about the details of Roger Wade, Eileen tells Marlowe This isnt the first time this has happened. My husband has a drinking problem. Eileen shows Marlowe a letter to a mysterious Doctor V asking for help. In the course of investigating Mrs. Wades missing-husband case, Marlowe visits a Malibu private detoxification clinic for rich alcoholics and drug attacks. There he finds three unhelpful nurses and a doctor. Marlowe shows them a picture of Roger and asks if they have seen or herd of him. All three nurses claim that nobody by that name or anyone who looked like that was there. Marlowe infiltrates he rehab anyway and to no ones surprise, finds Roger Wade. A known gangster Marty Augustine and his henchmen later visit Phillip Marlowe. Augustines henchman punches Marlowe after he makes a wisecrack about only seeing hoods by appointment. After questioning Marlowe about Terry Lennox and a missing $350,000 that Terry stole, Marty Augustine brings an atmosphere of mobility when making a point to Marlowe by smashing a coke bottle on his mistresss face and saying Her I love. You, I dont even like! This violent display shocked even the henchmen. Augustine tells Marlowe to find the money or else! Marlowe receives a $5,000-dollar ill from Terry Lennox leaving Marlowe suspicious that Terry might still be alive somewhere in Mexico. Nevertheless, Augustine catches up with Marlowe a second time. This time Augustine demands that Marlowe strip down and get naked. Marlowe refuses but Martys thugs pull off his Jacket to reveal a $5,000-dollar bill. Augustine immediately assumes that Marlowe and Terry are in cahoots together and commands one of his goons to Stick Marlowe. It seems as if Marlowes death is inevitable. Just in the nick of time, one of Augustines hoodlums informs Marty Augustine that the money was mysteriously dropped off. Marlowe was attacked, tested, persecuted, and interrogated by Dr. Verringer, Eileen Wade, the police, and Marty Augustine. However, Marlowes cynical attitude and sarcastic attitude toward the world remained fixed and unwavering. Phillip Marlowe survived his ordeal with Marty Augustine and the Police. However, Marlowe did shoot and kill Terry Lennox in the end. This can be viewed as Marlowe decent into corruption or Justice for Sylvia Lennox Question: What is the world view of this noir film, or rather, what is the films attitude toward humanity and the human condition, as expressed by the films writer and director? Explain, providing examples. The story and plot ot the 1973 cinematic adaptation deviate drastically trom those ot the 1953 novel; screenplay writer Leigh Brackett took many literary liberties with the story, plot, and characters of The Long Goodbye in adapting it. The Long Goodbye satirizes the changes in culture between the 1950s. Such as Phillip Marlowe working for Fifty bucks a day. A wage a privet eye would be charging in the 1950s. Marlowes chain-smoking, contrasted with a health-conscious California in which no one else in the movie smokes, is cited as another example of Marlowes incongruity with his surroundings. Altman did not read Chandlers entire book, but instead utilized Raymond Chandler Speaking, a collection of letters and essays. He gave copies of this book to the cast and crew, advising them to study the authors literary essays. However, Altman and Brackett did spend a copious amount of time discussing the plot and ending. Altman wanted Marlowe to be a loser. He even nicknamed Phillip Marlowes character Rip Van Marlowe, as if he was asleep for twenty years, woke up, and wandered around Los Angeles in the early 1970s but trying to invoke the morals of a previous era. Altman conceived of the film as a satire and made several changes to he script, like having Roger Wade commit suicide and having Marty Augustine smash a Coke bottle across his girlfriends face. Altman said, it was supposed to get the attention of the audience and remind them that, in spite of Marlowe, there is a real world out there, and it is a violent world. Question: Who are the male villains of this film? Are they corrupt? What has corrupted them? Explain, providing examples. The male villains of this film are Marty Augustine, his gang, the police, Dr. Verringer, and Terry Lennox. Using their authority weather it is lawful or otherwise, hese men used tactics like intimidation, manipulation, deceit, physical violence, and/ or all of the above to achieve their goals. Marlowe is first unknowingly conned by Terry Lennox into helping him escape from the murder of his wife with $350,000 dollars that doesnt belong to him. Upon Marlowes return home, he is ensnared by two corrupt detectives asking questions about Terry Lennox. Detective Green and Detective Dayton begin questioning Marlowe but he is uncooperative saying, l know how it works, I dont have to answer any questions unless you have a specific charge, and you dont have a specific charge. Det. Green signals to Det. Dayton to push Marlowe into Det. Green so they can arrest him with a charge. After he is released, Marty Augustine and his thugs confront Marlowe. Marlowe up to this point was unaware of the $350,000 that Lennox stole. Marty Augustine breaks a glass coke bottle over his own mistresss face to show Marlowe the consequences of crossing him. Phillip Marlowe is then hired by Eileen Wade to find her missing alcoholic husband Roger Wade. In the mites of investigating the missing Roger Wade, Marlowe meets Dr. Verringer. Verringer attempts to manipulate and deceive Phillip Marlowe in believing that Roger Wade is not under Dr. Verringers care nor has he ever seen or meet Roger Wade. Marlowe is does not buy into the doctors story and rescues Roger Wade and takes him home. Marlowe receives a letter in the mail from Terry Lennox with a $5,000 dollar-bill saying, Im sorry. Signed Terry. Soon atter Marty Augustine visits Phillip Marlowe once more, threatening and interrogating him again. Augustine finds the $5,000 dollar-bill and commands one his henchmen to Stick Marlowe with a knife. Nevertheless, the stolen $350,000 dollars was mysteriously returned Just in time and Marlowe was free to go. Marlowe heads to Mexico and uses the $5,000 dollar bill to ribe the Mexican police and doctor into revealing what really happened to Terry Lennox as well as where Terry was. Marlowe finds Lennox alive and well lying on a hammock. Terry Lennox confesses how he killed his wife, stole $350,000 dollars from Marty Augustine and used Marlowe as the fall guy. The Villains of this film distort the line between good and evil from a clear distention of black and white to an ambiguous grey line. There was not a genuine difference between the behavior from Marty Augustine to the police detectives that arrested and interrogated Marlowe. Both parties used violence and intimidation to achieve their goals.

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eat this essays Imagine being in a position that gave you the power to inspire a race and gain the respect of another. Booker T. Washington, a prominent and extremely successful African-American had that opportunity. This opportunity came in the times of the emancipation of slavery. And when given the chance he excelled. In his book, Up from Slavery, Booker T. Washington exposes readers to the hardships he faced from the time he was a slave, until the times he became a leader among African-Americans. His book gives detailed accounts of his life, from a first. It speaks of slavery, racism, triumph, and struggle, which all couldn't overpower handwork. Hard working was something Washington believed in and was. The most in unheard voice at the time of slavery both past and present, was that of the African-American women. During these periods, female accomplishments were not recognized. These accomplishments have been brought forth for people to view them in one of many books. The book, Voice from the S outh, by Anna Cooper combines works of fiction, poetry, autobiographies, and biographies. Cooper was one of few black woman of her time to earn a Ph.D. She was a feminist who believed that women's voices shouldn't go unheard. The book displays great moments of triumph that conquer over hard bearing obstacles. The book is quite interesting one that focuses on black women's writings in the nineteenth and twentieth century. The context however seems to jump around from subject to subject, which could often confuse the reader. This book seems to be drunk on syntax blind to semantics. In other words this book tended to use words that went around the subject. These books try to focus on all aspects of the struggles of both women of color and of African Americans as a whole. A big difference between these books is the fact that one of the voices was heard while the other silenced. Though in times of racism, black males still received more respect then women. My ...

Case Study Analysis - Facebook Faces Up Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case Study Analysis - Facebook Faces Up - Essay Example With 200 million users, Facebook has no other way but up as it will naturally grow in number over time and eventually affect our lives because of the impact it brings (Mezrich, 2009). With the vast number of applications available at Facebook, it is no wonder that it is the current number one networking site. It is an amalgamation of all the good things that the now generation is hoping to see and simultaneously utilize. It has photo sharing, video sharing and wall posting among other things. Connectivity has never been easier, in it there’s almost no need for any messaging software as you can easily see who among your friends are online and automatically chat with them. An inbox is also at the users’ disposal which functions pretty much like an email. Friends can also be tagged in personally posted photos where it will instantly be included in their photo list. Perhaps one of its groundbreaking applications that have gained tremendous popularity is the advent of social networking games within the site that are quite addicting. Pet Society, Mafia Wars, Farmville, Farmtown, RestaurantVille and YoVille are just some of these. Here, members can take part in interactive and Role Playing Games that mostly involves having interface with other members of your community. These applications are very helpful in how Facebook is viewed as a marketing goldmine and how this now billion-dollar business is continually growing by the second. The fact that it has grown as more than a niche for college students and recent college graduates post a problem for the website as it may turn to the alienation of its target market. This is a common problem as the company grows. And since it is a web-based social networking tool, the possibility of something to come forward and attract its market is tantamount. The current traffic can be attributed to 11.5 million 35 years old and above visitors and the 150, 000 daily new

Compare and contrast the classical and Keynesian theory of Essay

Compare and contrast the classical and Keynesian theory of unemployment. Conclude by discussing which argument has been more convincing for you and why - Essay Example A lower wage rate will lead to an increase in the number of workers being employed and the vice versa. Unemployment occurs when there is excess supply of workers in the market at a particular wage level. The equilibrium level of the demand and supply for labour is established after the unemployed workers accept lower wages. The full employment level is associated with the equilibrium level in the labour market (Blanchard, 2005). Unemployment occurs when the wage level is above the equilibrium wage; hence, leading to a higher labour compared to the quantity being demanded in the market. As a result, unemployment can be classified as the difference between the supply and the demand. The flexibility of the wages has a direct effect on the level of unemployment. A decrease in the demand for a product will lead to a decrease in the demand for labour; hence, leading to high levels of unemployment. Consequently, the wage rate will fall but competition between the workers will cause them to accept the low wages; therefore, leading to a new equilibrium state. The theory explains a situation where low wage rates do not result to higher employment levels due to the employers are facing low demand for services and goods when the economy is in a recession (Phoa, Focardi and Fabozzi, 2007). The aggregate demand is the main determinant of the level of economic outputs during recessions. However, it does not have an equal effect on the productive ability off the economy but is influenced by certain determinants such as inflation and employment rates. According to the Keynesian theory, the changes in aggregate demand have short run effects on employment and output unlike in the prices. The unemployment occurs when the aggregate demand function intersects the aggregate supply function since the economy cannot experience a full employment level. The theory states that the government can use public investment programs to raise the aggregate

Amputation Mishap, Negligence Cited Research Paper

Amputation Mishap, Negligence Cited - Research Paper Example To protect the rights and safety of patient’s certain terms are devised to distinguish between the low qualities of attention paid by Health Care Staff. Negligence is tolerated to some extent, but gross negligence and malpractice raises legal queries and requires authentic actions to ascertain the rights of all. Negligence is an act of failure to provide the required care or attention towards a medical patient, which is his fundamental right. It is a type of slack attitude of carelessness of a health care personal towards the owed responsibility of care and attention, directly affecting lives of people in need of medical attention. If health care staff is unable to provide the legal care with responsibility, which is designed for the sole purpose of care and safety, the personal is said to be negligent towards his obligations. (Ignatavicius,2010).   Gross Negligence is an incurable act of carelessness which comes into the category of extreme negligence. As adults, one is exp ected to be responsible for his actions in professional and private affairs. In healthcare sector mistakes and casual attitude can become a cause of serious damage to the person being taken care of. Thus, gross negligence is intolerable irresponsibility of a nurse, physician or any health care personal, which is lower the ordinary standard of care. It breaches other people’s privilege to protection. ... d as an intentional wrongdoing by nurses of physician, either due to lack of required skill or inability to meet the required standards, which results in fatal injury or death of a person in care. It also includes the deficiency of skill in certain training and failure to see the consequences of his actions. (Kelly, 2008) An article by A. Lowell â€Å"Amputation mishap, negligence cited†, tells the story of Joseph Benson a diabetic 62 year old, who received an amputation on the wrong leg. Benson, who suffered from poor circulation of blood, woke up after the surgery, to his horror he was amputated in the right leg below the knee instead of left which needed treatment. The article states it as a negligent act, but actually it was gross negligence posed by the hospital staff. The gross negligence or malpractice on the part of hospital and physician, who operated surgery, is a case which requires urgent action from the authorities. Benson has not filed a case of malpractice again st the Hospital of Neighborhood, but he completely holds the right to do so. On his behalf the cost of gross negligence by Nurses and Physician, would only be endured by him. Due to gross negligence a legal term in such cases, Benson has faced irreversible loss. Patients suffer greatly especially from low supervision of Nurses. According to NPA (Nursing Practice Act), Nurses are accountable for the decisions they make regarding the patient’s under their care. They have an obligation of taking care of patients regardless of their race, cast or financial status. Code of ethics for nurses is used often in the malpractice cases as evidence where a nurse neglects the need of a patient (Westrick, 2009). In Benson’s case, the documentation was wrong, which specifically directs negligence on the part

Importance Of Experts Opinions In Search For Knowledge Philosophy Essay

Importance Of Experts Opinions In Search For Knowledge Philosophy Essay Searching through newspapers, TV news or radio I can easily find the so called: opinions of  experts. Almost every article in The Economist, Guardian consists of at least two quotations of economists, sociologists or lawyers who are mainly professors of the world most famous Universities such as  Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yell or workers of the specialised institutes. All these opinions may be useful in gaining knowledge yet would it  be  reasonable to uncritically accept them as  a  definite knowledge or call it my own knowledge? To answer the question of how important are the opinions of experts in the search of  knowledge I will carry out an in depth analysis of  three main aspects. First of all I  will try to examine who an  expert is and what conditions need to be completed in order to  call someone an authority in  a  specific field. Secondly, I will focus on the process of  transforming an  opinion into my  own knowledge. The last aspect will set down where do  experts gain their knowledge and what are the bases of their opinions. I believe that an  analysis of these three dimensions, extended by an examples of my everyday life and based on specific areas of  knowledge, will be,  to large extent, sufficient for answering whether experts and their opinions are able to  provide me  with an adequate evidence to accept it  as  a  reliable component of  my  knowledge. As I was thinking of how to define an expert I ended up realizing how complex the perception of experts is. I would say that there is no one, ideal definition. However as I think about it,  this is  a person who possess an in depth knowledge in a specific field and relying mostly on the empirical evidence makes researches developing his/hers own understanding of  a  specific phenomenon. My brief definition seems to find an  application in everyday life for example professors from Universities specify only in narrow fields and by probing particular factors, they form their own proven conclusions which are further presented in  magazines or books as  experts opinions. As  I  am most interested in  economics it seems most reasonable to evoke an  authority specialising in this area. Let me focus on Leszek Balcerowicz, who is considered an  expert in regulating the interference of  the government on  the market. First of all he  graduated from the economics faculty, performed in  the most respected national and European posts and was an author of the famous Balcerowicz Plan which transformed Polish economy what provided him with an  empirical evidence. To  my  mind he  possesses enough knowledge to form reliable conclusions of  what he  observes in  market. Yet we need to be aware that he  is  devoted to  a  specific economics school monetarism, therefore his opinions may be  to  some extent subordinate to  his personal beliefs or  biases. However whenever I see his opinion being expressed I know that it will for sure affect my understanding of a given case as  his authority based on experience, reasoning and although inevitably emotions and personal attitude are sufficient for me to call him an  authority whose opinion I base on when creating my own conclusions, point of view that I  call my own. It  may be claimed that I treat Balcerowicz as an expert just because I  am  sympathetic to his creed yet even people that have contradictory economical opinions do  accept his high appointments and take his opinion into consideration at least to confront their and Balcerowiczs ideas. Therefore an authority is not only a person that people agree with and share the same opinion but rather  someone who can  provide us with evidence of his claims. The process of transforming opinion into knowledge is also worth focusing. Studying in the IB programme I realized that experts opinions are only hints that help to interpret facts more widely. The most important thing for me was realising that even if  an expert does his/her best to be fair minded a bit of subjectivity is inevitable. Yet as I became aware of it the subjectivity turned out to have its positive effects. Historical experts seem to  thrive on the conflicts between their opinions about events in their search for knowledge and better understanding of  the past. The same event can attract vastly different opinions, for example the causes of the First World War. Marxist historians blame the development of capitalism whether as German historian, Geiss blames the failure of  diplomacy.  [1]  Hence being a critically thinking person the contradiction of experts opinions makes me understand the problem in  a  wider way, analyse of who I  trust more, whose evi dence is strongly supported and hammer out a compromise. Experts are not born specialists, they gain knowledge and due to  work and understanding of  specific processes they may start being perceived as authorities within the area of their interest. Yet my look concerns mainly history, natural sciences, human sciences but when it  comes to ethics the knowledge that books or expertises may provide becomes less usable. For example my mother is for me the expert of husband wife relations instead of  the fact that her knowledge is   based only on personal experience. Yet the evidence she can provide me with her successful relationship with my father is at that point sufficient for me. The evidence is in my opinion the most important thing while starting to believe in  something and gaining my own understanding of a given thing (note that in the presented essay I am not discussing religion beliefs). First of all the opinion needs to have rational grounds. This means that if my history teacher said that the First World War started as  a  consequence of the assassination of Grand Duke Constantine without giving any proof or  explanation I would probably doubt whether it  is reliable and true. However if he supported it with opinions of  other experts, primary sources (which may be for example some political documents) or  other evidence the thesis would became more reliable and therefore probably accepted by  me for further consideration of context. The last aspect of my concern is the origin of the need to rely on the opinions of experts. Looking for example at arts, what do I need experts opinions for? As it is the most subjective area of knowledge at first I almost saw no difference whether a painting was commented by  an expert or  a  non expert. The only difference that I considered worth pointing was the fact that experts may be more used to commenting on arts and therefore their language and ability to  express feelings may be clearer and more focused. However, as I thought about it more I realized that there is at least one more aspect. A good example is De Aardappeleters (The Potato Eaters) by Vincent van Gogh which I found to create different interpretations in  different context. When I showed the painting to my friends, almost all of them found it  ordinary and only one person out of ten recognized the author. However when I showed them the painting once more, but prefacing it with a history of masterpie ce and Van Goghs assumptions (therefore I was acting like an  expert) all of them changed their attitude towards the painting and started to see it with a wider perspective appreciating the atmosphere and bright idea. To my mind when it comes to history experts opinions are one of the most important aspects in  gaining knowledge for me. Even the primary sources, which seem to be most reliable and unspoiled source of knowledge, have to be interpreted as well. Therefore experts act like an interpreters. Due to their contrary opinions they create an  opportunity for me to see different attitudes to the same event. This not only extends my  perspective but also reminds me that looking at things from only one point of view is like not looking at them at all. To conclude in my opinion experts opinions are valuable in the search of knowledge. Authorities opinions may be sometimes misleading, lack evidence but as I take them into consideration while creating my own point of view I believe that it provides me with better analysis of the subject. Each opinion is somehow true therefore, whenever an expert or a  non expert expresses an opinion I think that it expends my perspective and hence makes me  think more specifically on the problem, analyse it and create my own conclusion.

The Role of Sacred Space in Judeo-Christian Religions Essay -- Religio

The Role of Sacred Space in Judeo-Christian Religions Certain physical locations take on important meanings in the world’s religions. Religions consider various geographic elements such as different cities, regions, mountains, and rivers to be sacred. For example, Hindus travel to the Ganges River to cleanse themselves from their sins (Momen 157). One of the requirements of all Muslims is that they make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca (Eastman 398). Judeo-Christian religions also have certain places that are held sacred to their followers. The concept of sacred space is important to Judeo-Christian religions, because it helps to explain the questions of existence. Sacred space provides something tangible to represent religions while reducing the obstacles that prevent religious people from having religious experiences. Judeo-Christian religions have extensive histories in which the concept of sacred space has been instrumental to their developments. Today, sacred space remains important in separating these religion s from the rest of the world. As seen in historical stories and reflected through the symbolism of religious architecture as well as in nature, sacred space is an important aspect of Judeo-Christian religions. One reason that believers of Judeo-Christian religions find certain locations to be important is that God has declared that certain places should be considered sacred. In the Book of Exodus, the Lord speaks to Moses on the mountain of Horeb, saying â€Å"Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground† (Exo. 3.5 NAB). In the Book of Genesis, God sends Abraham to the land of Moriah. â€Å"When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar t... ...stance religions from each other by fostering a feeling of superiority among some religions and inferiority among others. Judeo-Christian religions rely on sacred space to do these things for believers. Works Cited Barbour, Ian G. Religion and Science: Historical and Contemporary Issues. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1997. Eastman, Roger. The Ways of Religion: An Introduction to the Major Traditions. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. Eliade, Mircea. The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion. San Diego: Harcourt, Inc., 1987. Holy Bible, New American Bible (Iowa Falls, Iowa, 1986) Johnson, Kevin Orlin. Why Do Catholics Do That?: A Guide to the Teachings and Practices of the Catholic Church. New York: Random House, Inc., 1994. Momen, Moojan. The Phenomenon of Religion. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 1999.