S Corporation vs. Corporation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

S Corporation vs. Corporation - Essay Example Incorporating as either of these provides shareholders with a number of tax and non tax advantages, which are gained by any company that is incorporated in either of these categories. Focusing on the tax issue, there is the fact that corporations are able in certain situations to help one in reducing their tax obligations. In states where the corporate tax is lower than individual income tax, one can incorporate thereby paying the lower corporate tax. Being a corporation allows the corporation to write down losses that may result from start ups, thereby reducing the tax burden that they have to meet. Corporations are also able to avoid tax by retaining income earned. This will limit the tax burden of the shareholders as well as the corporation. Though there are regulations in place that set a limit to the amount that can be retained without accruing taxation. The flipside that may exist as far as taxation of corporations goes is that of the double taxation effect. This is where the c orporation gets to pay tax on its profit. The profit after tax that is then paid to shareholders as dividends is also taxed as income tax. This may be remedied if the corporation is recognized as an S corporation. The advantage of S corporations comes from the single taxation of the corporation’s income. ... This will therefore increase the overall tax obligation of the shareholders (Lederman, 2002). There are various justifications that can be provided to the management for the election of scuba view Inc. to be a corporation. There is reduced tax obligation on the shareholders due to the reduced payment of tax on income. This is because corporations enjoy various deductions that other entities may not. One case is any company related expense may be expensed thereby reducing the income before tax. Also the income tax rate for individuals currently rests at between 10% and 39.6%. This is comparable to the current corporate tax rate that is between 15% and 35% (Landes, 2013). There is evidence suggesting that the effective rate that has been paid by corporations in terms of corporate tax has been dropping and it is quoted as being 31.9% by the financial times (Demos, 2012). The move towards making Lost and found Corp. an S corporation has been informed by the need to limit shareholders tax burden. In making this corporation into a designation S one, means that the shareholders still enjoy the benefits of a corporation without the need for double taxation. Shareholders who have lower tax rates can utilize this new designation to cut the tax that they pay the federal government. This is because in being an S corporation the shareholders only get to pay income tax on the income that the corporation pays to the shareholders. There is also the possibility to reduce the tax liability by retaining most of the income of the corporation. This retained income will only get taxed when it reaches a certain limit. For an entity to be recognized as an S corporation there are certain criteria that it must meet. To begin with the corporation is only limited to seventy five

Speech Course Reflection Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Speech Course Reflection Paper - Essay Example Thus, rational speech gains instant approval and favor irrespective of the cultural diversity present in the audience. Meticulous development, planning and analysis of speech/communication are necessary steps to gain attention and trust of the listeners. Truth cannot be told in a simple straight forward manner and in a flat tone. It requires careful analysis of situation and audience. Moreover, meticulous selection of words is required to deliver the ‘right message’ to the intended audience. Blunt truths can damage personal reputation and can hinder the process of understanding on the part of listener. They tend to obstruct the speech of speaker and listeners act according to prejudged criteria (pessimistic perception). Once, I took a stance in a challenging situation and I was perceived antagonist instead of a person who stood by truth. Through, persuasiveness, special occasion speaking and informative speaking lessons I learnt that establishing a proactive stance is necessary to deliver intended purpose of one’s speech. Furthermore, defensive, judgmental, skeptical and aggressive tone conveys a wrong impression even if the person is stating true facts. Moreover, slanted and biased questions intricate the possibility of rationality at all and it is highly significant to keep the questions clear and concise, so one can establish good impression and gains immediate listening attention. Controversial truths or facts before delivery need to be concealed or mixed with many aspects like appreciation, acknowledgement and open-ended hypothesis for the audience in a neutral and pleasant tone. Hence, it is extremely necessary to avoid trite sentiments through subtle use of language and to initially analyze the type of audience one intends to communicate with. Ethnical specific agendas cannot be understood aptly in a diverse cultural audience. They are often misunderstood and give a

Ideaistic versus materialistic motivations Essay Example for Free

Ideaistic versus materialistic motivations Essay Behind every great society, there is always a story. Today, the nation of America is referred to as God’s own land. With population of approximately 293,500,000 and land mass of GDP of approximately $10. 98 trillion per year, the country commands the respect of many of its fellow nations. The question that readily comes to heart is that; has this always been so? What we see in the nation of America today did not just start in a day. It was a process – one that was filled with patriotism from dedicated hearts. In fact, the wonderful story we hear of the great nation all started from the period called the American Revolution of 1775 when the then thirteen colonies of America gain independence from the British colonial power. Many people have from different schools of thought hold different views about this revolution. Some are of the idea that the revolution was based on the mere idealistic and scholarly works of some philosophers and sages of that time. On the other hand, some are of the opinion that these seeming patriots were merely motivated by their materialistic class interest. To this, I will say both sides have a point. I state the reason for my assertion in the following paragraph. Evidently, ideological belief in the notion of individual liberty and human equality was part of what motivated the revolution. This can be seen in the works of John Locke and Montesquieu. We can also see this in the declaration of independence. On the other hand, looking at it critically, some patriots of this revolution knew that the independence will bring political position to them. Some of the we motivated by the savour of power and authority that will be passed into their hands However, I think that no matter what the motivation was, it was a good fight. Generations to come will forever be grateful to them that they did and their name will be in the sand of time. Reference: Fleming, T. (1997). Liberty! : The American Revolution. New York: Viking.

Multiple Sclerosis and Autism Spectrum Disorder Causes

Multiple Sclerosis and Autism Spectrum Disorder Causes Multiple sclerosis and Autism spectrum disorder are two neurophysiological diseases that are found to develop in the genetically susceptible population. The exact causes of these diseases and the exact interplay between the genetic factors and environmental factors in the development of the disease are serving to be a billion dollar question. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Symptoms and Progression: MS is a chronic neurological condition which affects the central nervous system (CNS).1 The CNS consists of the brain, optic nerves and the spinal cord. As the CNS controls various motor and behavioural functions in the body, an array of symptoms develops. The symptoms as well as the progression of the disease varies significantly from individual to individual. The symptoms in most individuals though, start at the age of 20 to 40, but the symptoms are really slight that they usually go unnoticed till the disease progresses. In few individuals, the symptoms are noticeable right at the onset of the disease itself.2 SYMPTOMS: VISUAL IMPAIRMENT: As the disease attacks the optic nerves, visual problems arise in the patients. The inflammation of the optic nerves lead to severe pain behind the eyes. Double vision is a really common symptom in MS patients. In certain patients, even vision loss is reported. BLADDER AND BOWEL PROBLEMS: 50% of the patients have constipation which sometimes lead to faecal impaction. Bladder problems arise which makes the patient to urinate more frequently. COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS: Hearing impairment, loss of memory or short term memory loss, slurred speech, attention troubles. Dizziness and depression are reported as well. MOTOR SYMPTOMS: Numbness, tremor, gait, muscle spasms and seizures, fatigue and vertigo. SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS: Males affected by MS have difficulty in getting / maintaining an erection. Females affected by MS have difficulty in getting orgasms.2 PROGRESSION OF DISEASE: The progression of disease, just like the symptoms, vary from one individual to another. There are five types of progression seen in MS patients. Relapsing-remitting MS: Majority of patients show this kind of progression. As the name suggests, there are episodes of mild/severe symptoms followed by episodes of very mild or no symptoms at all. The episode of attacks usually lasts between few hours to a few months! Primary progressive MS: About 10-15% of the patients have primary progressive MS. The severity of the symptoms worsen progressively. No relapse and remission cycle is seen in these patients. Secondary progressive MS: The initial stages of the disease show relapse and remission cycles. But after a certain point, the symptoms worsen gradually, just like in the primary progressive MS. Progressive relaxing MS: In these patients, the symptoms are followed by recovery, but the severity of the symptoms increase gradually. Benign MS: The individuals undergoes episodes of mild symptoms but gets recovered completely ergo no permanent disability.3 GENETIC FACTORS: The researchers have identified certain genes and environmental factors which most likely cause and progress the disease. One striking observation is that genetic linkage studies have shown the variation in the genes associated with the Major Histocompatibility complex (MHC) promotes the risk for developing MS in individuals.4 The group of genes called the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes encodes for Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in our body.5 The HLA genes are present in the short arm of chromosome no 6. The MHC consists of two classes. The genes HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C form the MHC class I. The genes HLA-DP, HLA-DQ and HLA-DR make up the MHC class II. The MHC proteins bind to the T-cells to recognize antigens.6So, the MHC basically helps the immune system to differentiate between self and non-self cells (a property called as MHC restriction).6 It has been identified that the HLA-DRB1 mutant alleles and HLA-A alleles increases the risk of developing the disease.7,8 Though these are the most commonly reported variant gene present in MS, variants in genes present in the HLA system such as HLA-DR15, HLA- DQ6,etc have been linked to the disease as well.7 Also, variants in IL7R have been linked to MS. Presence of C risk allele of the IL7R gene decreases the expression of IL7R.9 IL7 signalling pathway is essential for the T cell differentiation of CD4-CD8- thymocytes.10It also plays a major role in maintaining the T-cell homeostasis. Variant of the IL7R results in the decrease in the expression of IL7R which affects the interlukin pathway, thereby disrupting the T cell development and T cell homeostasis.10 But with the help of genome wide association studies (GWAS), a set of 12 susceptible genes which promotes the risk for developing MS have been identified recently.11,12,13 Although the effect of variations in these genes are not as profound as the variations in the HLA gene system.11 Demyelination: The neuron/nerve cells comprises of a cell body and an extension from the cell body called axon. The axons play a central role in carrying the message from one neuron to another. The axons in the body usually have a coating rich in lipids, called the myelin. Myelin insulates the axon and protects it (just like an insulating coating over an electrical wire).14This helps in the efficient nerve transmission. Myelin present in the central nervous system are produced by a special set of cells called the oligodendrocytes.15 It is believe that in MS patients, a wayward immune system is unable to differentiate between the self and non-self cells and cause an inflammatory response, most likely because of the variations present in the HLA gene system and IL7. This triggers the T-cells to attack and destroy the myelin sheath of the axon or the oligodendrocytes (cells that produce the myelin sheath), keeping the nerve fibres unprotected and uninsulated. This is called as demyelination.14This consequently causes destruction to the nerve fibre (as the protective sheath is degenerated). This produces many scar tissues or lesions (hence the name multiple sclerosis) along the nerve cells, thereby limiting or blocking the transmission of impulses through the nerve cells. Consequently, the brain cannot communicate properly with the other parts of the CNS and eventually causes the various symptoms that are seen in the MS patients. In a nut shell, the disease is believed to be caused by the interplay between inflammat ion and neurodegeneration.1 After the episode of attack, the inflammation reaction may get halted and the neurons that are not demyelinated resume their normal function and even some recovery is possible (as seen in the relapsing-remitting type of progression). It has also been shown that the demyelinated axons tend to produce more sodium channels and this helps in the remission.16 So, sodium channels are rightfully targeted for the MS therapy now.17 Also, even though the oligodendrocytes are not present around to remylinate immediately, myelin does grow back, but it may take a real long time.15 Picture Source: [eMedicineHealth, (2014).Myelin and the Central Nervous System Causes, Symptoms, Treatment What is myelin? eMedicineHealth. [online] Available at: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/myelin_and_the_central_nervous_system/page2_em.htm] AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes social, cognitive and language impairment and the tendency to show repetitive behaviour, interests and activities in the individuals.18 ASD is a collection of neurodevelopmental disorder.19The main types of ASD are: Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). The rare disorders in the class are Rett syndrome and Childhood disintegrative disorder.18 Symptoms and Progression: Symptoms include impairment of social relationships, lack of communication and lack of imagination skills and signs of repetitive behaviour. Symptoms vary from one individual to another significantly. 18Asperger’s syndrome patients did not have significant cognitive impairment/delays like autism patients. PDD-NOS is considered as the milder form of autistic behaviour and usually show symptoms in one area, for instance, just lack of social communication.19 The progression of the disease is also different in different patients. Symptoms in childhood may include constant crying, sleeping problems, absence of speech, repetitive movements like handshake or clapping, lack of eye contact, etc. Symptoms in the adolescence and adulthood may be mood imbalance, presence of disability becomes more obvious and prominent, increased anxiety levels, epilepsy and seizures in rare cases.19 Genetic factors: ADS is more of a syndrome than a disease, caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors.19 Whole genome screens, next generation sequencing (NGS) and cytogenetic studies have been carried out to figure out the genes involved in the cause of the syndrome.20 ADS is a really complex neurological condition which is linked to about 100 genes as of now. 21The genes generally fall into: genes regulating synapsis genes regulating transcription Mutation of genes that are involved in the synaptic functions are commonly observed in ASD. A few important genes are discussed below: Neurexin (NLGN3, NLGN4) and Neuroligin (NRXN1): The genes involved in the production of Neurexin and neuregulin are commonly found mutated genes in ASD. Neurexin and Neuregulin act as neuronal cell surface receptors and organize the interaction between the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons. Neurexin interacts with CASK in the pre-synaptic neuron. Neuroligin interact with PSD95 in the post- synaptic neuron. The two proteins interacts with intracellular factors as well as scaffolding protein, forming a trans-synaptic interaction necessary for a synapsis to exist. Mutations in the genes encoding for these proteins have been reported in ASD patients. Also, the targeted knock out of these genes in the mouse model have caused deregulation of synaptic function. Mutation of neurexin in mice have shown to disrupt the voltage-gated calcium channel, thereby hindering pre-synaptic release of vesicles. Mutations in neuroligin in ASD patients reduced the expression of neroligin, thereby causing less interaction with neurexin thereby causin g synaptic transmission defects.22 SHANK: SHANK consists of three genes: SHANK1, SHANK2, SHANK3. SHANK is involved in the post-synaptic neuron. It interacts with PSD95 and SAPAP and form a protein complex which regulates the formation of dendritic spine. Overexpression of SHANK3 results in the increase in the dendritic spine and the knockdown results in the decrease of dendritic spine formation. Reduced dendritic spine formation leads to defective postsynaptic structure thereby inhibiting synaptic transmission.22 Also, mutations in cadherin9, cadherin10 and cadherin15 are observed in ADS patients. Mutations in these genes destabilize the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic interactions, thereby inhibiting synapsis, leading to autistic symptoms.22 Contactin associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2): CNTNAP2 is a member of the neurexin family that encodes for a neuronal membrane protein that helps in the trans-synaptic interaction. Mutations in this gene have been reported in autistic patients.20 MECP2 gene: Methyl –cytosine binding protein (MECP2), a transcriptional regulator, is mutated in Rett syndrome. The gene is present in the X chromosome. This mutation occurs exclusively in females as the mutation of this gene in males is lethal. Mutation of this gene results in leads to reduced release of vesicles in inhibitory synapsis and affecting the excitation to inhibition ration. 23Another rare mutation in the form of the transcriptional regulator, ARX, is seen in autistic patients.23 Picutre Source: [Walsh, C., Morrow, E. and Rubenstein, J. (2008). Autism and Brain Development.Cell, 135(3), pp.396-400.] Role of demyelination in the disease: Mutations in HLA region (like MS) and increased level of IL12 are reported in autism.24 This causes the T cells to attack the myelin sheath. The damage of myelin sheath ergo nerve cells (mechanism explained above) have been a factor of brain damage in autistic individuals. Neuropathological findings suggest a role for demyelination in the damage of amygdala, hippocampus and cerebellum of autistic patients.24 Environmental factors: Along with the genetic factors, the environmental factors also seem to play a role in the development and progression of these two diseases. Lack of Vitamin D supposedly plays a role in increasing the risk of developing MS.2 Mercury vaccines have been suspected to increase the risk of developing ASD.25 Mercury vaccine results in the deficiency of zinc and that in turn impacts the level of vitamin B12.25 Vitamin B12 in turn is essential for myelin sheath formation.25 In sum, these two neurological diseases are really complex and not yet fully understood yet. Tonnes of research are being performed in order to understand the cause and the exact interplay of genetic factors in the development of disease. Fully understanding the diseases would also provide better ways to treat individuals affected by these devastating complex neurological diseases. REFERENCES: McDonald WI, Ron MA. Multiple sclerosis: the disease and its manifestations.Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences1999;354(1390):1615-1622. Irishhealth.com, (2014).Multiple sclerosis irishhealth.com. [online] Available at: http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?con=191 [Accessed 15 Dec. 2014]. Irishhealth.com, (2014).Multiple sclerosis irishhealth.com. [online] Available at: http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?con=191 [Accessed 15 Dec. 2014]. Rubio JP, Speed TP, Bahlo M, Kilpatrick TJ, Foote SJ. The current state of multiple sclerosis genetic research. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. 2000;29(3):322-30. Baranzini SE. Revealing the genetic basis of multiple sclerosis: are we there yet? Current Opinion in Genetics Development. 2011;21(3):317-24. Kindt, T., Goldsby, R., Osborne, B. and Kuby, J. (2007).Kuby immunology. New York: W.H. Freeman. Genetic risk and a primary role for cell-mediated immune mechanisms in multiple sclerosis. Nature. 2011;476(7359):214-9. Genetic risk and a primary role for cell-mediated immune mechanisms in multiple sclerosis. Nature. 2011;476(7359):214-9. Gregory, S., Schmidt, S., Seth, P., Oksenberg, J., Hart, J., Prokop, A., Caillier, S., Ban, M., Goris, A., Barcellos, L., Lincoln, R., McCauley, J., Sawcer, S., Compston, D., Dubois, B., Hauser, S., Garcia-Blanco, M., Pericak-Vance, M. and Haines, J. (2007). Interleukin 7 receptor ÃŽ ± chain (IL7R) shows allelic and functional association with multiple sclerosis.Nat Genet, 39(9), pp.1083-1091. Lundmark F, Duvefelt K, Iacobaeus E, Kockum I, Wallstrom E, Khademi M, et al. Variation in interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain (IL7R) influences risk of multiple sclerosis. Nature genetics. 2007;39(9):1108-13. The Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium The Australo-Anglo-American Spondylitis Consortium.Association scan of 14,500 nonsynonymous SNPs in four diseases identifies autoimmunity variants.Nature Genet.39,1329–1337(2007) The ANZgene Consortium.Genome-wide association study identifies new multiple sclerosis susceptibility loci on chromosomes 12 and 20.Nature Genet.41,824–828(2009). The International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium.Risk alleles for multiple sclerosis identified by a genomewide study.N. Engl. J. Med.357,851–862(2007). Waxman SG. Demyelination in spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis: what can we do to enhance functional recovery? Journal of neurotrauma. 1992;9 Suppl 1:S105-17. eMedicineHealth, (2014).Myelin and the Central Nervous System Causes, Symptoms, Treatment What is myelin? eMedicineHealth. [online] Available at: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/myelin_and_the_central_nervous_system/page2_em.htm [Accessed 15 Dec. 2014]. Moll C, Mourre C, Lazdunski M, Ulrich J. Increase of sodium channels in demyelinated lesions of multiple sclerosis. Brain research. 1991;556(2):311-6. Waxman SG. Sodium channels as molecular targets in multiple sclerosis. Journal of rehabilitation research and development. 2002;39(2):233-42. Muhle R, Trentacoste SV, Rapin I. The genetics of autism. Pediatrics. 2004;113(5):e472-86 Webmd.com, (2014).Autism Spectrum Disorders Symptoms, Types, Causes, Treatments. [online] Available at: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-spectrum-disorders [Accessed 15 Dec. 2014]. B., J., L., T., Benson, M., Bray-Ward, P. and R., A. (2011). Immune Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder.Autism A Neurodevelopmental Journey from Genes to Behaviour. Ucsf.edu, (2014).Dozens of Genes Associated with Autism in New Research | ucsf.edu. [online] Available at: http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2014/10/120146/dozens-genes-associated-autism-new-research [Accessed 15 Dec. 2014]. Zhan, Y. and Kong, X. (2011). Synaptic Dysfunction Attributes to Autism Spectrum Disorder.American Chinese Journal of Medicine and Science, 4(3), p.112. Walsh, C., Morrow, E. and Rubenstein, J. (2008). Autism and Brain Development.Cell, 135(3), pp.396-400. Ashwood P, Wills S, Van de Water J. The immune response in autism: a new frontier for autism research. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2006;80(1):1-15. The vaccine-autism connection: a public health crisis caused by unethical medical practices and fraudulent science..The Annals of pharmacotherapy45(10): 1302–4.

Home Burial: Gender Roles In Grief Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When it comes to dealing with grief there are very distinct gender roles. In a marriage or a relationship there is always the so-called strong one who never shows any emotion, which is usually the male. Then there is what people call the drama queen, who often lets her emotions control her entire life; more than likely this describes the woman in the relationship. In this poem, â€Å"Home Burial†, Amy and her husband fit these gender roles perfectly. They argue about the way grief should be express and fail to see it from the other’s point of view.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We learn that Amy’s sorrow began from the moment that she saw her husband â€Å"making the gravel leap into the air† (982) as he dug the grave. She believed through what she saw him do that he could have no â€Å"feelings† (982). This forces Amy to go to â€Å"somebody else† (983) and share her feelings instead of bonding with her husband, who also shares the loss, but remains unable to discuss it. Amy needs to express her feelings with somebody who feels her pain, and she thinks that her husband is not capable of doing such a thing. Later in the poem, she goes onto say that she doesn’t think that any man can do such a thing. This shows the way that many people perceive men to be unable to show their feelings as easily as women do. It isn’t as if they cannot feel, but it is that they have difficulty expressing their emotions as freely as women do. Part of this can be blamed upon the way that...

Quest for Identity in Maxine Hong Kingstons Autobiography, The Woman W

Quest for Identity in Maxine Hong Kingston's Autobiography, The Woman Warrior Maxine Hong Kingston's autobiography, The Woman Warrior, features a young Chinese-American constantly searching for "an unusual bird" that would serve as her impeccable guide on her quest for individuality (49). Instead of the flawless guide she seeks, Kingston develops under the influence of other teachers who either seem more fallible or less realistic. Dependent upon their guidance, she grows under the influence of American and Chinese schools and the role models of Brave Orchid, Fa Mu Lan, and Moon Orchid. Her education by these counselors consequently causes her to abandon her search for an escort, the bird to be found somewhere in the measureless sky, and she begins to look inside herself for "the ideograph 'to fly'" (Kingston 35). The new song Kingston finally creates with her "talk story" of Ts'ai Yen, verifies her optimistic distinction from her educators, cultural norms, which have indoctrinated and restricted her childhood. During much of her childhood, Kingston goes to the "American School" during the day and the "Chinese School" in the evening as she filters the conflicting material given in each of these environments to determine what works in her Chinese-American life. In attending the American school, Kingston discovers American ideologies of loquaciousness and arrogance. From the influence of their American schoolmates Kingston and her siblings "never said, 'Oh, no, you're too kind. . . . I'm stupid. I'm ugly.' They were capable children. . . . But they were not modest" (Kingston 134). The children expected their Chinese parents to join in their arrogance, and Kingston proudly tells her mother, "I got straight A's, Mama" (45). H... ...d not the measureless sky, her voice begins to sing a distinctly Chinese-American song. Kingston sings just as Ts'ai Yen "sang about China and her family . . . [from] savage lands," and speaking of her newly found identity, established in America but conceived in China, Kingston decides, "It translated well" (Kingston 209). Works Cited Hunt, Linda. "'I Could Not Figure Out What Was My Village': Gender Vs. Ethnicity in Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior." Melus 12.3 (1985): 5-12. Kingston, Maxine. The Woman Warrior. New York: Vintage Books,1989. Ling, Amy. "Maxine Hong Kingston and the Dialogic Dilemma of Asian American Writers." Ideas of Home: Literature of Asian Migration. Ed. Geoffrey Kain. East Lansing: Michigan SUP, 1997. 141-56. Wang, Veronica. "Reality and Fantasy: The Chinese-American Woman's Quest for Identity." Melus 12.3 (1985): 23-31.

Descartes Meditation Essay

Descartes holds that you are more mind than body. Do you agree? What sort of priority does he intend? † In the Meditation Two: Concerning the Nature of the Human Mind, Descartes describes himself â€Å"as if I had suddenly fallen into a deep whirlpool† (pg. 492), expressing the need to work his way up and pick up where he left off the day before. He basically exclaims that he will put off all doubts and â€Å"suppose that everything is false (492)†. In this meditation he plays on the concept that the mind is greater than the body. In some respects’ I do agree with what Descartes is saying about dualism concept and how we are â€Å"thinking things (493)†. I believe the mind is more important in some manner than the body because the power the mind has to think, reason, create, dream, imagine, believe, memorize, react, desire, feel, and the ability to know and have endless ideas. Descartes agrees that he â€Å"doubts, understands, affirms, denies, wills, refuses, and that also imagines and senses (494). †In this section I do agree with Descartes on his view of this â€Å"thinking thing†. The mind is so incredible that we humans can’t grasp the intricate complexes that the mind has. When Descartes describes the wax example I was rather confused but after critiquing the concept I have come to realization that it does make sense. I think Descartes was desperate to find away, some way to describe the importance of the mind and using this illustration was a creative way to do so. So he describes this piece of wax how it’s hard and cold, malleable, has a slight honey flavor (494). Then he describes what happens to this wax when it goes through the different temperature cycles and how the structure of the wax changes etc. So we know that when the piece of wax is going through those physical changes it still remains to be the same piece. So seeing that we understand that the hard piece of wax and now melted piece of wax have the same properties’ must not just come from the senses because all of the sensible properties were changed. As Descartes describes that â€Å"the sense of smell, sight, touch or hearing has now changed; and yet the wax remains (495). † So from this one may think that the imagination is what this piece of wax is, but Descartes exclaims, â€Å"Therefore this insight is not achieved by the faculty of imagination. Instead he concludes that â€Å"I (Descartes) perceive it through the mind alone. † Learning this illustration is shows the importance of the mind and the corporeal body. That the body can take on many different changes, yet the mind is beauty behind everything. I can’t say that I agree with everything that Descartes is trying to express, but I do agree with the fact there are hard concepts to grasp and understand. We each have unique mind, and understanding the mind will take time and will take patience.