Abstractions in Power-Writing Essays - American Enlightenment

Abstractions in Power-Writing There are many abstractions in the Declaration of Independence. These abstractions such as: rights, freedom, liberty and happiness have become the foundations of American society and have helped to shape the "American Identity." Power, another abstraction that reoccurs in all the major parts of the Declaration of Independence plays an equally important role in shaping "America identity." One forgets the abstraction of power, because it appears in relation to other institutions: the legislature, the King, the earth, and the military. The abstraction of power sets the tone of the Declaration, and shapes the colonists conception of government and society. Power in the Declaration of Independence flows from distinct bodies within society such as the King, the legislature, the military, and the colonists. The Oxford English Dictionary defines power as, "the ability to do or effect something or anything, or to act upon a person or thing" (OED 2536). Throughout the ages according to the dictionary the word power has connoted similar meanings. In 1470 the word power meant to have strength and the ability to do something, "With all thair strang *poweir" (OED 2536) Nearly three hundred years later in 1785 the word power carried the same meaning of control, strength, and force, "power to produce an effect, supposes power not to produce it; otherwise it is not power but necessity" (OED 2536). This definition explains how the power government or social institutions rests in their ability to command people, rocks, colonies to do something they otherwise would not do. To make the people pay taxes. To make the rocks form into a fence. To make the colonists honor the King. The colonialists adopt this interpretation of power. They see power as a cruel force that has wedded them to a King who has "a history of repeated injuries and usurptions." The framers of the Declaration of Independence also believe powers given by God to the people must not be usurped. The conflict between these spheres of power the colonists believe, justifies their rebellion. The uses of the word power set the tone of the Declaration of Independence. In the first sentence of the Declaration colonists condemn the King's violation of powers given by god to all men. When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of natures God Entitle them (Wills 375). In this passage the writers of the Declaration of Independence are explaining their moral claim to rebel. This right finds its foundation on their interpretation of the abstraction of power. Colonists perceive power as bifurcated, a force the King uses to oppress them, and a force given to them by God allowing them to rebel. In the Declaration of Independence the colonists also write about power as a negative force. In the following quote power takes on a negative meaning because power rests in the hands of the King and not the people, "to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned" (Wills 376). Power when mentioned in association with the power of the people to make their own laws has a positive connotation, "He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to Civil power" (Wills 377). These two different uses of the word power transform the meaning and tone of the Declaration of Independence. The meaning changes from just a Declaration of independence from Britain because of various violations of tax laws, military expenditures, and colonists' rights; to a fundamental disagreement about power. Whether the King or civil authorities have a right to power. The colonists believe in the decentralization of power. The British support a centralized monarchy. The colonists believe power should flow up from the people to the rulers. The British believe power should flow down from the King to the subjects. The two different uses of the world power also change the tone of the document. The colonist's definition of power as coercive in the hands of the King and good in the hands of civil authorities identifies the King as the

Digital tools and architectural visualization Term Paper

Digital tools and architectural visualization - Term Paper Example The report has found out that technology has changed the way designing used to be done. There is a whole lot of digital tools and computer software’s in use currently that have eased the work of an architect. Architects are using animation technologies and software’s that are projecting building in an almost real manner. The report analyses in detail the use of technology in the profession and its significance in future world of architecture. Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 4 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 5 3.0 ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN ARCHITECTURE 10 4.0 Digital Visualization Technical Overview 13 Benefits of the transition to digital Architectural Visualization 15 5.0 CONCLUSION 16 Revit 16 ArchiCAD 16 SketchUp 17 Rhinoceros 3D 17 AutoCAD 17 Works cited 19 1.0 INTRODUCTION Architecture is probably ranked among the world’s oldest professions of all time, it is an art in itself and only people with unrivalled creative genius were associated with the professio n. Many buildings and monuments have been built through this science right from the medieval times. Architectural design is among the professions in the world that have direct effect on us, we probably would not be seeing the kind of buildings that pride our skylines today were not for this profession. A while back architects performed their trade through sheer creativity and drawing. It called for individuals who are highly creative, good in drawing and men who were good in mathematics. We can say, it called for artists who are above the basic level, to come up with sketches and designs, it required for calculation and good drawing capability since architects did not have the advantage of technology assisted designs during their time. This is a profession that requires at most care in order not to make mistakes that will be threatening to the whole process of construction. Technology has come up with tools to help in the development of architectural designs which are more accurate and deliberate on quality to cut down on costly mistakes. All said and talked about, architecture has not gained the necessary audience and not many people care to understand the ropes. Therefore despite the improvement in technology some segments of architects have refused to move with technological tide deciding instead to maintain the traditional way of doing things. The researcher hence found it necessary to bring to light all the gains made in the architectural world primarily focusing on technology and tools available to architects to make their work stand out while improving on quality. It should be understood that the current complex designs seen in the first world countries would not have happened without complex digital technology to birth a design. Currently it is possible to build structures that seem to defy gravity and structures which respond positively to environment thanks to improved technology on architecture. Without architects great structures cannot be created, hence the researcher found motivation with the kind of progress that has taken place and needs to be known. In this report the researcher meant for it to address the following points while making them the main objectives points-: Types Digital tools used in architecture focusing also on available software’s What is visualization and how it has helped in designing The impact of technology on arc

International Studies(History) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International Studies(History) - Essay Example The migration of technology and cultures can be represented by the Semites, Indo-Europeans, and Chinese. While there is mingling of cultures, agricultural advancement also takes place in isolation. Still, there is widespread and diverse opinion about the roots of the revolution and the spark that ignited this great change. The fragmented historical record reveals that the Neolithic Revolution was propelled by the confluence of a number of positive feedback loops. Positive feedback loops in nature dictate that a small change instigates another force, which magnifies the original change. It is often debated whether the population expansion dictated more agricultural production, or if the increase in the availability of food resulted in more people. Prior to the Neolithic period, man domesticated dogs, presumably for the purpose of hunting (McNeill, 1963, p.8). This would be followed by the domestication of the "cow, sheep, goat, pig, and horse" (Diamond, 1999, p.159). In each case the animal served a purpose, such as transportation, packing cargo, or as a source of food. However, the keeping of animals also allowed the tribe to become less nomadic and more sedentary in their lifestyle, and demand that the tribe cultivate its plant food sources. As the animals provided work and food, the need to feed them would necessitate agricultural techniques that would form a positive feedback loop to increase the available food supply and expand the popul ation. As tribes began to settle in one area, the production of food became the paramount concern. Large draft animals made the plow and large-scale tillage possible by 4000 BC (Diamond, 1999, p.89). These improvements would allow the formation of villages and permanent residences occupied year around. Plant breeding and selection for the best producing crops could take place. This would allow a larger population and would make long-range expeditions more likely as they would be able to