Essay Sample on Philosophy of Supervision

Essay Sample on Philosophy of Supervision Introduction Supervision is an integral part of a job, and its presence is more than wanted for employees to complete work successfully. As such, it is crucial for a company, an institution or an establishment to setup a supervisory body not only to ensure that work is completed but also accomplish other necessary roles. Thus, supervisors need to have an implementable plan to use while at work. This allows them to plan their way around their job, and succeed in overseeing everything that matters. Moreover, supervisors work to provide the expected results to the stakeholders or management body they are working for in a clinic, for example. How and When to Implement Multiple Roles in Supervision In a clinic, the management or stakeholders employ supervisors who are in charge of other subordinate staff members. In this job position, it is expected that the supervisor checks whether the other workers are accomplishing their work as per the management’s expectations. Thus, the supervisor checks on various factors related to the work being done in the establishment. For instance, the supervisor is responsible for checking the time other staff members report for work. This ensures that all members of the workforce deliver their services within the expected period. Hence, for one to gain that position as a supervisor they have to possess various commendable qualities, for example, being diligent workers who are always on time to deliver their services as expected. When other staff members are reporting, the supervisors have to reach the place of work before everybody. This gives provides them with the opportunity to note the time when other members reported (Sarnat, 2012). Supervisors have the overall duty to check the quality of other members’ jobs. Hence, the supervisors must have the appropriate knowledge and skills to determine whether a subordinate’s work is up to standard or not. If a subordinate’s work is substandard, for example, the supervisor needs to know exactly what to adjust or ask the staff member to change. As mentioned earlier, it is essential that supervisors possess various characteristics, in this case, vast knowledge about the field they are overseeing. Such are examples of cases that prompt supervisors to exhibit multiple roles in their work. This is yet another unique feature that supervisors need to have to perform their work as expected. Moments at work change according to current conditions that may need the supervisor to implement different skills. Supervisors, for instance, need to exhibit authority in situations where confusion is thriving among the subordinates. In such times, the supervisors need to take charge of the situation and guide their subordinates accordingly. Some members of the staff may be overwhelmed by work, and a customer is dissatisfied with the services. In such a situation, a supervisor can swoop in to take care of the matter. Therefore, a supervisor needs to display flexibility at work by implementing multiple roles in their work at any time. Management also expects the same from the supervisors (Watkins, 2012). How to Build a Supervisory Alliance Supervisors need to deliver their work successfully as per the expectations of the superiors. One of the significant factors that impact the quality of the supervisors’ work is their environment. They need to work in a proper environment for them to complete and execute their plans successfully. Other members of the staff are a part of the supervisor’s environment, and it is necessary for one to know the most preferred way to deal with them. It is at this point that supervisory alliances are deemed necessary in maintaining an appropriate working environment. Supervisory alliances are forms of groupings that supervisors coin with their supervisees. The supervisees are placed in the care of their supervisors for various reasons. For example, it is important to have a leader who is ready to take control of things, in this case, the supervisor. Indeed, the supervisor has authority over other members of staff, but alliances are a preferable way for both parties to work toget her. Alliances between supervisors and supervisees work best when there are mutual agreements between the two parties. These agreements can be reached when forming the alliances. The most probable way of coming up with the alliances is the supervisor or management floating the idea to the members of staff. This is followed by collecting data and information in regards to the members’ response. When most of the members agree to create an alliance with their supervisors, the concerned parties sit for meetings. It is during such meetings that all members, including supervisors, come up with the required regulations purported to guide the way things are to be executed (Watkins, 2012). In addition, it is at this point that the two parties come to terms with the reasons behind the formation of the alliance. Taking these steps at the commencement of the alliance binds both the supervisors and supervisees to follow the rules. In case any party breaks the rules they are eligible for punishm ent without objection since they are all aware of the regulations. For example, if a subordinate staff member delivers substandard work, the supervisor has the mandate to request for an explanation from the supervisee. As such, the subordinate member is obliged to provide reasons for submitting substandard work. How to Assess and Enhance Supervisee Development Supervisors have different roles in their jobs, and guiding their supervisees is among their primary jobs. Acting as guides to their supervisees is an elaborate way of helping a clinic gain diligent workers and eventually help the establishment gain success. In addition, supervisors help supervisees know where they have made mistakes in their work. This is necessary as not all employees would work as per the company’s expectations. It is crucial for supervisors to assess their subordinates’ work, which they can do using different means. One of the common means is making direct and physical supervision of the work as it is being done. Consequently, they view the workers’ job in person. Ultimately, they can request them to make amendments or repeat the work. This is to ensure that work is completed within the company’s standards (Scott, Ingram, Vitanza, Smith, 2000). In other areas, the work done may be too large for the supervisor to make a physical visit to check whether the work done is standard or not. Such a case calls for efficient measures to keep track of the employees’ works. The supervisor may choose to scrutinize an employee’s products, but only a few samples. This way, the supervisor attains a general picture of the rest of the products. In other situations, a supervisor requests reports from the workers in concern to the work already done. Consequently, supervisors are furnished with the full details of the completed work (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, 2012). In all these cases, not all the employees present commendable jobs. Such jobs need corrections and the supervisees require development. The most appropriate way to make these changes is exposing the employees to the preferred training session. Training provides employees with the necessary skills required by the clinic. Employees are taken in for a job position because they have the required skills, but these may fall short of what the employers expect. Instead of firing such employees, the employers find it preferable to take the subordinates through training. In turn, the employees hone their skills appropriately and in accordance to the employers’ expectations. Caring for employees is a sure way that employers can advance supervisee development. This is because the employees feel cared for and important to the establishment. Additionally, with such a mentality, it is clear that employees will work diligently and for the benefit of the whole institution (Milne, Aylott, Fitzp atrick Ellis, 2008). How to Monitor Ethical and Legal Compliance Clinics and other establishments often have Codes of Ethics to act as guidelines that determine how all employees function while at work. Ethical and legal compliances at work are two important factors that employees need to observe and practice. It is for the interest of the clinic and the clients that compliance of ethics must be observed. Therefore, the management has the ultimate duty of enforcing these practices and finding ways to ensure that all employees follow them. It is not easy to follow laws, but the consequences are too serious to ignore. Hence, employees at time abide by the rules to avoid facing the negative impacts. As much this may be true to many employees, it is in the interest of several employers to make the workplace as comfortable as it can be for various purposes. One of the key purposes of making a workplace comfortable is for employees to have a proper working environment. In turn, they are able to deliver their services as per their employers’ expec tations (Scott, Ingram, Vitanza, Smith, 2000). Employers have so far formulated means of helping employees work within the ethical standards provided. Use of supervisors to communicate to other employees about the ethical and legal compliances at the place of work forms a key implementation management uses to reach out to its staff members. Supervisors have authoritative capacities they can use to implement ethical standards in an establishment. The initial step the supervisors need to do is familiarize with the set ethics. With that done, the supervisors have ample knowledge to recognize when an employee has gone astray. Moreover, the supervisor will know the most appropriate means of correcting the mishap that happened. Supervisors have several ways they can use to monitor whether employees are following the ethics at work. One of the means the supervisors can use is to be physically present among the employees and make observations. In turn, the supervisors check whether the employees are acting and working as per the expectations of the employers. If they are not following the guidelines and ethics of the establishment, the supervisor has the mandate to act on the spot or later. The vital thing is to amend the situation using the correct means, for example, via word of mouth or in writing. In cases where the ethical violation is too challenging to handle, the supervisor may forward the matter to the management (Milne, Aylott, Fitzpatrick Ellis, 2008). How to Provide Effective Feedback in Supervision Feedback at work is an essential part of helping everyone work with a common goal. Supervisors expect supervisees to provide appropriate feedback to them. Concurrently, the management expects appropriate feedback from the supervisors concerning the job. In addition, feedback can be given from the management to the supervisor. The same can happen from the supervisors to their supervisees. The information provided by each party is crucial for the benefit of the institution and everyone working in it. Hence, there is a proper need for the information to be relayed effectively among the involved parties. This not only guarantees the information is relayed fast but also to the appropriate party. One of the key ways to provide effective feedback in supervision is to use a means that all the concerned members comprehend. In addition, accessibility to the means is essential because it gives the concerned parties a clear mode of acquiring the feedback. In turn, everyone is supplied with information related to the feedback and acts appropriately. The effectiveness of feedback is measured through various ways. Firstly, feedback is categorized effective if it reaches all the concerned parties. Additionally, the feedback should reach all the intended parties within the stipulated time (Milne, Aylott, Fitzpatrick Ellis, 2008). Effective feedback is also measured by the reaction of the parties who receive it. For example, if the recipient parties act according to the feedback given by the supervisor, the information relayed can be categorized as understandable. Apart from relevance, it is always necessary for the supervisor or supervisee to give feedback on time. This saves crucial time and avoids cases where the feedback loses meaning because the time to use it has elapsed. It is also vital to provide unbiased feedback at the place of work. This way, employees do not feel that the feedback given is unjust. They are able to work efficiently because the feedback targeted everyone. However, cases arise where feedback has to be directed to specific people at the workplace. It is essential for employees to recognize that such feedback is aimed at helping them become more effective at work and not a way of being biased to them. How to Balance Clinical (Client Welfare) Needs and Training (Trainee Development) Needs A supervisor in a clinical setting has the ultimate goal of maintaining the client’s welfare and trainee development. A clinic has a vital job of safeguarding its goals, which include promoting the clients’ welfare and maintaining high standards of services. Apart from that, the clinic has a crucial goal of providing the required support to see to it that the trainees work their way to become certified physicians. Thus, supervisors are a fundamental part of this journey as they keep the trainees on track. Supervisors have a duty to execute multiple roles while at the clinic, a situation best seen when they take care of trainees and the clinic simultaneously (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, 2012). When clients visit the clinic, they hope to get the best services from the employees at the establishment. The supervisor expects the same from the workers. Thus, much effort is directed to ensure that the workers attend to all customers accordingly. In such situations, a trainee may be shown how to handle customers by the supervisor. However, it is essential that the supervisor and supervisee work without interfering with the client. It is challenging for a supervisor to keep track of the trainees’ progress while at the same time take care of the clients. A supervisor has to strike a clear balance between the two factors, which is best achieved by having a clear plan of handling things. This plan may involve the supervisor making observations of how the workers conduct their work. Atop that, it is necessary for the supervisor to note the strengths and weaknesses of the supervisees. Once the supervisors have ample information concerning their workers, they can sermon them at an appropriate time. The supervisors have to be meticulous not to interfere with the clients. Thus, the timing to make amendments or commend the workers needs to be perfect lest they interfere with the client’s schedule. This way, the client’s comfort and expectations are met, and the trainees’ development is maintained. As such, balance is struck between the two important factors that are vital to the functionality of the clinic. How to Demonstrate Competence in Responding To Diversity in its Many Forms in Supervision Supervisors are bound to experience diversified situations in their work because of the different supervisees they oversee. Supervisees have varying backgrounds, separate lines of thoughts, act differently at work, and respond diversely to a situation. Hence, supervisors have the ultimate duty to identify each supervisee’s characters that direct their conduct at the place of work. Comprehending these personal characters helps supervisors plan out a way that suits everyone at the clinic. Indeed, the supervisor has to be stringent in his work, but for the sake of promoting effectiveness, it is essential to leave room for understanding if a worker behaves in an unexpected manner. Supervisors demonstrate competence in responding to diversity by listening to explanations given by workers once they act in an unexpected way. Such are cases when a worker is questioned by the supervisor in concern to an inappropriate behavior or action displayed at work. The supervisor has the mandate to attain as much information as possible about an occurrence that has unfolded at work. Supervisors need to be just and offer chances to supervisees to explain their unwarranted behavior. Indeed, a clinic’s code of ethics, for example, expects supervisees to work in line with the rules. However, due to diversity, they end up functioning according to their understanding, which in this case is wrong. At this point, the supervisors need to take appropriate actions that respond to such behavior from their supervisees. Firstly, the supervisors need to identify the problem and seek a solution. Correcting the supervisees needs to be the next agenda in the plan to resolve the problems. Although the problem may be too big to handle, the supervisor needs to deal with it before handing the matter to the management. All these actions are taken as precautions to accommodate diversity and the adverse effects it has at the place of work. In addition, these actions are meant to formulate an appropriate way of resolving the issues at hand. What is needed in the Current State of Supervision Knowledge Supervisors and supervisees have vital responsibilities at the clinic with regards to customer satisfaction and deliverance of quality services. One of the leading responsibilities that both parties have is displaying adequate knowledge in relation to their clients. The ultimate goal of the two parties is to deliver quality services and meet clinic’s expectations. Hence, it is appropriate to have ample comprehension on the services their clients require and the most preferable way to deliver them. Clinic stakeholders expect supervisors to know the supervisees’ duties. In turn, the supervisors identify whether the work is done to the expected standards or not. Additionally, being familiar with the supervisees’ work makes it is easy for the supervisors to make proper corrections where the work results are substandard. In a clinic, there are several laws that all workers need to adhere to while working. Thus, all employees, supervisors and supervisees, have to be aware of as they carry out their duties. Laws and policies act as proper guidelines that each worker is expected to follow. Therefore, familiarizing with each law and policy avoids situations where employees break them without their knowledge. A supervisor is also at an advantage if they are familiar with the set laws and policies at the clinic. Firstly, they are able to identify a situation where a supervisee breaks the law. Additionally, the supervisors have the knowledge to correct the situation as per the clinic’s laws and policies (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, 2012). Proper communication is a vital factor to uphold while working at the clinic. Supervisors and supervisees have vital information to relay to each other while at work. Thus, there is a dire need for both parties to communicate professionally and in accordance to the clinic’s expectations. This is yet another necessary factor that all parties in a clinic must have knowledge about to ensure that all things run smoothly. In addition, this creates functional relationships among all the workers in the clinic and patients. Clients are crucial in a clinic, and they need to be addressed accordingly, which is best achieved by proper communication. Conclusion Indeed, supervision is a necessity in a clinical setting for various vital reasons. Supervisees need an elaborate guide who is always present to ensure that the work delivered is up to the expectations of the clinic. This provides both clinic satisfaction and customers’ contentment. All parties in a clinic are essential and are expected to function in a way that gets the job done and in the expected standard. Supervisors, for instance, have the obligation to implement multiple roles to keep everything functional at the clinic. Moreover, they form alliances with supervisees to encourage cooperation between the two parties. When the supervisors and supervisees work together, the work is done as per the expected standards. It is extensively crucial for supervisors to observe the ethical and legal measures in the clinic. Also, it is essential for the supervisors to ensure that the supervisees work within the same ethical and legal measures. As such, discipline is maintained at the clinic and extended to the clients. Proper communication is vital to maintain in the clinic as it fuels effective feedback. Consequently, both supervisors and supervisees are aware of the occurrences unfolding at the clinic. Client welfare and trainee development are two crucial factors that supervisors find ways to maintain at the clinic. They are both necessary for the development and maintenance of proper services at the establishment. Visit CustomWritings.com paper writing service to order a custom essay, research paper or term paper on any topic. We work with the best academic writers.

Logistics - FedEx Distribution Systems Coursework

Logistics - FedEx Distribution Systems - Coursework Example The company is observed to use a distribution system of its own known as the ‘FedEx International DirectDistribution’ which is said to be an easy and cost-effective process, resulting in the distribution of various shipments in proper time along with decreasing its operational cost. This mechanism thereby facilitates to ensure that low cost is charged from the customers. This, in turn, plays a vital role in ascertaining the preference of FedEx amid consumers. With reference to the above graphical representation i.e. ‘FedEx International DirectDistribution’, it can be viewed that the distribution system of FedEx comprises three steps that include packaging of the shipment received from different sources, making transportation of goods with the help of different means, as well as the concluding step is to deliver the shipment to the final customers or retailers. The different steps have been elaborated below: The packaging of the shipment received: In the first step of the distribution process of the company, the shipments received are packed according to their requirements. The packaging process is considered to be a vital part of the distribution process of the company as the shipment of the goods in proper order or quality is reliant on the way in which the packaging is done. FedEx does have different packaging policies for diverse forms of products. The different packaging policies comprise stacking the shipment received in order to have a proper estimation of the width, length, and breadth of the boxes that would be needed to pack the product. The next step is the process of cushioning and bracing, resulting in the proper handling of the products while transporting the shipments from one location to another. And, the last step is banding and wider packaging so that no damages occur owing to an inadequate stacking of the products (FedEx, 2013).

Dinosaurs Extinction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Dinosaurs Extinction - Essay Example Variations in the time range of activities often render the theory somewhat problematic. However, the theory provides some important insights that attend to issues relating to meteorite activity in relation to the extinction of the dinosaurs. The explanation weaves into other scientific explanations such as the Darwinian Theory of survival for the fittest in order to expand the understanding of the nature of impact as it affected the survival of various animal species following the massive disruption of the food chain (Michael 1). In this regard, the weight of this theory could be assessed from the perspective of some of the issues that attend to the relationship between organisms and nature. This study assigned significant focus on the theory of volcanism in order to provide alternative points of view to the causal relationship between the theory and the other attendant factors that affected species in various ways.The theory of volcanism is based on the relationship between climate change and the extinction of species. In general, terms the volcanic activities that happened within the Cretaceous period in regions of western India. According to those who hold onto the theory of volcanism, the heavy volcanic activities resulted in the emission of massive amounts of sulfur and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Therefore, processes such as photosynthesis were significantly affected (Michael 2). The result was a shortage of food that led to the extinction of vulnerable species such as dinosaurs.... In this regard, the weight of this theory could be assessed from the perspective of some of the issues that attend to the relationship between organisms and nature. This study assigned significant focus on the theory of volcanism in order to provide alternative points of view to the causal relationship between the theory and the other attendant factors that affected species in various ways. The theory of volcanism is based on the relationship between climate change and the extinction of species. In general, terms the volcanic activities that happened within the Cretaceous period in regions of western India. According to those who hold onto the theory of volcanism, the heavy volcanic activities resulted in the emission of massive amounts of sulfur and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Therefore, processes such as photosynthesis were significantly affected (Michael 2). The result was shortage of food that led to the extinction of vulnerable species such as dinosaurs. However, the stu dy points out one challenge that relates to the difficulty in pinpointing the exact point in time when these volcanic activities took place. The concerns raised in the study are consistent with other refutations that have established a problematic relationship between the action and consequence of the activity. Fastovan and Sheekan (4) study the extinction of the dinosaurs with special focus on North America. The two authors argued that the event took place in an instantaneous fashion. This study explores multiple other perspectives that attempt to situate the dinosaur extinction phenomenon within definite geographical and historical setting. Fastovan and Sheekan

The Split-Cycle Engine Essay Example for Free

The Split-Cycle Engine Essay The Split-Cycle Engine changes the heart of the conventional engine by dividing (or splitting) the four strokes of the Otto cycle over a paired combination of one compression cylinder and one power cylinder. Gas is compressed in the compression cylinder and transferred to the power cylinder through a gas passage. The gas passage includes a set of uniquely timed valves, which maintain a prechargedpressure through all four strokes of the cycle. Shortly after the piston in the power cylinder reaches its top dead center position, the gas is quickly transferred to the power cylinder and fired (or combusted) to produce the power stroke. Split-cycle internal combustion engine claims have the potential to double fuel efficiency for same size engine, while reducing the manufacturing price by up to 50% which includes a built in dedicated compressor. Rather than using batteries and electric motors/generators to harness braking energy, the engine uses the air compressor. A split cycle engine includes a novel compressor apparatus driven by the combustion engine, a closed-cycle refrigeration system in cooperation with the compressor apparatus, and a pneumatic motor driven by compressed air from the compressor apparatus. Refrigerant in the compressor absorbs thermal energy from compressed air and assists in compressing the air. High-pressure air from the compressor is stored in a storage tank and may be used to drive the pneumatic motor or other auxiliary equipment in addition to providing high-pressure combustion air for the internal combustion engine Introduction An engine includes a crankshaft having a crank throw, the crankshaft rotating about crankshaft axis. A compression piston is slid ably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion piston is slid ably received within an expansion cylinder. A connecting rod is pivotally connected to the expansion piston. A mechanical linkage rotationally connects the crank throw to the connecting rod about a connecting rod/crank throw axis such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke of the four stroke cycle during the same rotation of the crankshaft. A non-circular path is established by the mechanical linkage which the connecting rod/crank throw axis travels around the crankshaft axis. Moving Engine Technology into the 21st Century The first four-stroke piston engine was developed in 1876. This four-stroke piston arrangement is still the primary design of engines built today. Today’s engines operate at only 33% efficiency. This means that only 1/3 of the energy in each gallon of fuel is used the rest is lost through friction and heat. With over a billion engines currently in use worldwide, even small gains in efficiency will have huge impacts on the economy, dependency on foreign oil, and the environment. Despite immense efforts over the past century, engine efficiency has remained the same. The Heart Of The Engine Needs To Change: The heart of the internal combustion engine is a piston moving up and down in a cylinder connected to a crankshaft. Its simplicity makes improving performance almost impossible. Small improvements have proven difficult and large improvements have been considered impossible. Improving the four-stroke piston design has become the Rubik’s Cube of engineering, a puzzle that nobody has been able to solve until now. While the industry struggles for gains in the 1% range, the design of the Split-Cycle Technology pushes engine efficiency and performance to an entirely new level. Conventional Engine Design The heart of the internal combustion engine is a piston connected to a crankshaft, moving up and down in a cylinder through the four strokes of the Otto Cycle, the intake, compression, power and exhaust strokes. In a typical four-stroke cycle engine, power is recovered from the combustion process in these four separate piston strokes within each single cylinder. This basic design has not changed for more than 100 years. The Various Strokes And Stages Involved A. Intake and Compression: The basic concept of the Split Cycle Engine is to divide the four strokes of a standard engine over a paired combination of one compression cylinder and one power (or expansion) cylinder. These two cylinders perform their respective functions once per crankshaft revolution. The concept is illustrated in Figures 1 through 8. A common misconception is that twice as many cylinders are required. This is simply not accurate. Because this engine fires every revolution instead of every other revolution, the number of power strokes produced is equal to the power strokes produced by two of the conventional piston/cylinder designs. A four cylinder engine would still have four cylinders. There would simply be two sets of paired cylinders instead of four individual cylinders. In the configuration shown, an intake charge is drawn into the compression cylinder through typical poppet-style valves. B .Compression Stroke The compression cylinder then pressurizes (Fig. 2) the charge and drives the charge through the crossover passage, which acts as the intake port for the power cylinder. In this illustration, a check valve (best seen in Figures 6, 7 and 8) is used to prevent reverse flow from the crossover passage to the compression cylinder, and likewise a poppet-style valve (crossover valve) prevents reverse flow from the power cylinder to the crossover passage. The check valve and crossover valve are timed to maintain pressure in the crossover passage at or above firing conditions during an entire four stroke cycle. C. Power and Exhaust: Combustion occurs soon after the intake charge enters the power cylinder from the crossover passage. This means that the start of combustion occurs after the power cylinder passes through its top dead center position. The resulting combustion drives the power cylinder down. Exhaust gases are than pumped out of the power cylinder through a poppet valve to start the cycle over again. D. Previous Split-Cycle Designs There have been other similar split-cycle engine designs in the past, but they have never been able to match the thermal efficiency levels of the standard four-stroke engine. This is due in large part to the fact that, as the gas is transferred from the crossover passage to the power cylinder in the prior engine designs, the gas has always been allowed to over-expand in the power cylinder and then must be recompressed before initiating combustion. The extra work required to recompress the gas greatly reduces efficiency levels.

Chaining Open Source Software: The Case Against Software Patents :: Technology Essays

Chaining Open Source Software: The Case Against Software Patents Software has become an integral part of our society. The economic success of our country depends on the success of the software industry. ``Open source'' software, software which users are allowed to modify and redistribute, is a very important part of the software industry. Unfortunately, the increased use of software patents threatens the future of this type of software. The importance of open source software is evident in the number of people who make use of it. Most users do not realize that they make use of open source software because much of this software lies on servers. Many Internet Service Providers have Linux, FreeBSD, or another open source operating system on their systems to provide reliable dial-up service to customers. Most email goes through at least one sendmail server or some other open source email server. BIND is the most widely used software for DNS services---the services that translate server names such as ``www.gnu.org'' to a numerical IP address. According to a recent survey by E-Soft of almost 1.5 million web servers, over fifty-percent of web servers run Apache, an open source web server (``Web''). Everyone should be concerned about any possible hindrances to open source software. Without this type of software many services would not be widely available today. It is also probable that a decentralized worldwide network such as the Internet would not exist if open source software was not such a force. Software patents have hindered the proliferation of open source software in the past and they could easily damage the future of open source software and the rest of the software industry. Supporters of software patents claim that the involvement of the patent system is needed to provide incentive to innovate new software technology. They believe that the developers of new software technology have a right to a monopoly on the technology as it falls under the category of ``intellectual property.'' Many companies that support software patents have large investments in existing patent portfolios. This includes companies such as IBM, Unisys and Microsoft. They collect royalties from their patents which supporters of software patents feel they are entitled to. Supporters of software patents believe that recent advancements in the strength of software patent protection give ``a powerful new legal tool to software developers'' (``High Court''). Their belief is that the software industry is just suffering ``growing pains'' and should endure while the legal system clarifies law.

Critical Theory and the Middle East Essay

Critical theory is actually tackled by two different intellectual traditions from which the term is derived – critical theory in literary studies and critical social theory. The former is primarily a form of hermeneutics, or knowledge that is gained through the interpretation in the understanding of the meanings presented through human texts and symbolic expressions. On the other hand, the latter is a form of knowledge that is self-reflective which involves both understanding and theoretical explanation which intend reduction of entrapment within systems like domination and dependence, in the advancement of emancipator interest to expand autonomy and reduce domination. Critical theory from a sociological perspective, is best defined as that social theory that is in contrast to some of the principles of the 20th century positivism, and is, in fact, sometimes referred to as negative philosophy. Contrary to the general idea that knowledge comes from people’s sense-experience, critical theory proposes rationalism which posits that the source of knowledge and the source of common humanity is the fact that humans are rational beings. This paper adopts the sociological perspective of critical theory, and relates it with the Middle East scenario, taking Qatar into particular focus, as an example of the Middle East countries. Historical Background The concept of critical theory dates as early as 1937, with Max Horkheimer of Frankfurt School giving meaning to it as a social theory that is oriented toward critiquing and changing the society in general, contrary to the traditional theory that is oriented merely in the understanding or explaining the society. Most accounts of the theory closely link it with the Frankfurt School of Social Research (or Frankfurt School which later became the International Institute for Research at Columbia University, New York in 1933), while some trace its origins to as far back through Hegelianism and Western Marxism. Most of the key contributors to the theory are employed at the Frankfurt Institute, like Theodore W. Adorno, Herbert Marcuse, along with Hokheimer who was the Institute’s Director at that time. The other contributors who were not employed at the Institute were Walter Benjamin and Ernst Bloch, both published their materials in the Institute’s journal as well as engaged in other activities of the Institute. Later on, in 1945, a certain Hannah Arendt also helped by extending the concern for liberation as developed in the works of the Institute. After 1945, in Germany, Jurgen Habermas and Axel Honeth continued the advancement of critical social theory. Marx’s Influence on the Critical Theory It has been said by analysts of today that the common thread between and among the German critical theory and the French post-structuralism is that they are both anchored on Karl Marx’s theory of social change, which generally proposes for philosophers and thinkers to not just interpret the world, but rather change it. Such Marxian theory has been revised by critical theorists to posit that the critical theory rests on the concept of intervention which comes from appropriate understanding of the past and present conditions which provides adequate insight towards change, or possibilities of it. Further down the history of critical theory, Marx’s great influence can be traced with the Praxis School, which was a Marxist humanist philosophical movement originating from Zagreb and Belgrade in Yugoslavia in the 1960s. This Praxis School was closely linked with the Frankfurt School and the Critical Theory. In fact, the term critical theory is derived from Marx’s concept about his work Capital as a form of critique of political economy. Middle East in Context The Middle East or the Muslim world in particular, has been perceived by the rest of the world as an oppressive society where only men have the freedom to live the way they want to live, while women are repressed and stay in the shadows of their men. It is anchored basically on the Islamic teachings which have shaped the Muslim people’s beliefs, culture and traditions. In a traditional Muslim society, the women are raised and trained to obey and serve men without questions or opinions. Muslim women are not allowed to decide on anything, even for their own personal concerns, since it is the men who have the right to decide – this comes from the practice of betrothing the women, and the men paying dowry for the women they marry. This technically makes the women possessions of men. Through the years, the plight of Muslim women who also want to pursue careers, who also want to live freely and have more options than to be betrothed and raise a family, have been slowly heard by the world. Through the years, things have changed dramatically and drastically in the Muslim World. Contemporary Muslim societies have successful Muslim women on boob tube talking about pleasurable sex, albeit maintaining that it be in the context of marriage, but still, such freedom to speak about sex in public was a big taboo in years past. Qatar’s Shiekah Muzah Bint Nasser Al Misned, is another example of an emancipated lot of Muslim women now successfully treading career paths that were never trodden before. How did it all happen? What brought about such changes in the society that was once repressive but now tolerate and allow women to have choices? Critical Theory in the Middle East (Qatar) The Middle East, particularly Qatar, has gone through a lot of upheavals, significantly changing the social, political and cultural landscape of the nation. Applying the critical social theory, which seeks to critically study the interrelated facets of society – political, economic and social – with interventions appropriately based on understanding, Qatari society has been led by its leaders into a more tolerant society in the interest of further development and advancement. Looking back to the socio-political and economic landscape that gave birth to the Marxian theory and the critical theory, it was a repressive society and constrictive governmental policies that were sought to change by the proponents. Mere analysis and understanding of such society and government were not enough, and thus interventions based on appropriate understanding was proposed. The Qatari situation is no different. Awakening to the real situation, deep understanding of them, led the people and the leaders to create changes which now manifest in its media, which is rich in stories of women achievers. One of the leading women figures in Qatar is none other Her Highness Shiekah Muzah Bint Nasser Al Misned, who heads the nation’s Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Summary The sociological definition of critical theory generally posits that it is necessary that matters be tackled in a multi-dimensional perspective, and that rationalism is as a key to understanding situations need to be coupled with interventions. In societies where societal norms tend to repress some sectors’ freedom, it is a necessity to pursue a critical outlook of the situation and provide measures to address the issues. In Qatar, for instance, the nation underwent various upheavals which significantly changed its social, political, cultural and economic scenarios, giving freedom to women as they have never experienced before. Personal Opinion Oppression or repression of any kind is always an unpleasant situation, much less to a more vulnerable group in the society, the women. History is replete with situations of oppression and repression, and almost all those situations ended up wrecking nations, which means that ultimately, the people are wrecked as the ultimate victims. The proponents of critical social theory emphasizes the rational nature of people which, if given deeper interpretation, only emphasizes that as rational beings, people must be treated as such, rational. Further, the argument of Marx that it is not enough for people or philosophers to merely interpret society, but rather must change it, rings a bell of truth in the contemporary times. For instance, in the Middle East, much have been written about the societal repression, but only recently have changes been felt and manifest. Only when some things have been done to change the situation. References Ahmed, L. , 1993, Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate Edition: reissue, illustrated, Published by Yale University Press, 1993. Calhoun, C. J. , 1995, Critical social theory: culture, history, and the challenge of difference, Edition: reprint, Published by Wiley-Blackwell, 1995. Held, D. , 1980, Introduction to critical theory: Horkheimer to Habermas,Published by University of California Press, 1980. Swank, A. ,2007, Sexual healing: How big is kalaam kibeer? , Arab Media and Society. Issue 2, Summer 2007, Published by The American University in Cairo. UNDP-POGAR, 2007, Women in public life, gender and women, Gender and Citizenship Initiative, 2007.

Chicago Is A Diverse City - 1669 Words

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