Amul Probiotic Ice-Cream Essay Example

Amul Probiotic Ice Amul Probiotic Ice-Cream Paper Amul Probiotic Ice-Cream Paper Amul Probiotic Ice-cream Part I: Concept Evaluation As per Market survey, most of the people are today becoming health and calorie conscious. Amul wanted to capture this health conscious market segment of ice cream consumers with the launch of its specially created Probiotic wellness ice cream. Essentially, it would not only convert non-consumers of ice cream into eaters but also increase frequency of ice cream eating. It expects to get 10 per cent additional growth only through the Probiotic range. Since the company will be the first to introduce the innovation, developed in-house, it expects to build the market and capture the entire market for Probiotic ice cream. (Source: scribd. com/doc/13702816/Amul-Prolife-Probiotic-Sugarfree-icecream-Project) Supporting Facts: 1. PROBIOTICS are live beneficial culture which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a beneficial health effect on the host. They help in digestion, improve the immune system, fight against allergic reactions and are effective in controlling travelers diarrhea. They also help in the prevention of formation and growth of colon cancer and enhances brain activity. 2. â€Å"The incorporation of Probiotic bacteria into ice-creams is highly advantageous since, in addition to being a rich food from the nutritional point of view, containing dairy raw material, vitamins and minerals in its composition, it is usually consumed by everybody, being well accepted by the public,† wrote the reviewers, led by Adriano Cruz from Universidade Estadual de Campinas in Sao Paulo. Food Research International. (Source: utraingredients. com/Research/Great-potential-of-Probiotic-ice-cream/) Concept Development Ideas for new products can be obtained from basic research using a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats). Strengths: Its wellness ice cream which improve immunity digestion. Amul Sugar-free Probiotic Diabetic Delight contains 50 per cent less fat and half of the calorie than normal ice cream. (Source: kashvet. org/bb/viewto pic. php? f=12t=123) Weaknesses: The durability of Amul ice-cream is not good, it melts very soon. Not a famous brand among youngsters who are the main customer. Opportunities: Since the company is the first to introduce the innovation, developed in-house, it expects to build the market and capture the entire market for Probiotic ice cream. The target market will be the Health conscious consumer. Threats: Competition from foreign existing brands like Baskin Robbins Gelato etc. Product Design Development Amul Probiotic wellness ice cream will be available in five flavours: vanilla with chocolate sauce, strawberry, chocolate, Anjir and fresh litchi. Also available in so many flavours packed in international packing. (Source: just-food. com/news/amul-set-to-launch-Probiotic-ice-cream_id97947. aspx) Planning Product Development Identify the Needs of Products/Services: With strong emphasis on Education, bigger workforce and longer working hours, there has been a significant change in the eating habits of people (especially in the Metro cities and Tier 2 cities). People have become more health conscious and Diet and Lifestyle related diseases have also been on the rise. In such an environment, a lot of essential food products and FMCG companies have come out with a range of products that focus on the specific needs of ever growing our urban population. Products such as Low Cholesterol Oil, Sugar Free Sweetener and Low Sodium Salt have been quite successful. The following factors have come into light during the process of Needs identification of ‘Amul Probiotic Ice cream’: Rising Educated Workforce in India Greater emphasis on Healthy Lifestyle Weight Consciousness as Ice-Creams are basically considered to be a Sweet/Delicacy that can make you fat if over-eaten High Sugar content in Ice-creams; making it unsuitable for Diabetic people Similar Strategized Products (for Health Conscious) already available and successful in the Market like Low Cholesterol Oil, Sugar Free Sweetener and Low Sodium Salt Infact, these are Healthy Ice-Creams which actually help improve our health in many aspects. Market Segmentation: The overall intent is t o identify groups of similar customers and potential customers; to prioritize the groups to address; to understand their behaviour; and to respond with appropriate marketing strategies that satisfy the preferences of chosen segment. The Needs/Requirements identified above will help in creating or identifying the Market Segment for our product. Let’s use the following four bases to segment our product’s market: Geographic segmentation: The product should be made available in Regions where Amul already has some presence, and especially with Hot Climate, which induces large consumption of Cold products like Ice creams. Demographic segmentation: Since the Product needs an aware, educated consumer market; the Product will have to be targeted towards Metro and Tier-II cities. Psychographic segmentation: The Lifestyle of High End cities; where most of the population is part of the workforce, highly urban preferences with a lot of emphasis on Diet and Health. Such an environment is highly conducive for the launch of Amul’s new healthy Ice creams which should not find it very difficult to find demand for its product. Behavioural segmentation: Urban cities already have a demand of Ice creams, with people mainly relying on packaged sweets and delicacies compared to the rural markets and small towns, where people still prefer home-cooked sweets. Also, High-Incomes in Urban cities would be able to absorb the slight increase in price (if any) for such products, due to the value being derived out of it. Based on the above factors, we could see the our Market Segment for ‘Amul Probiotic Ice cream’ can be defined as ‘Educated, aware, health conscious people living in Urban cities’. Deciding the Product features As per the Needs and Requirements identified and the Market segment decided, a complete range of product features will be formulated. Thereafter, a VOC (Voice of Customer) will be used to determine the Product features, composition, layout, packaging etc. Ensuring design for manufacturability Lower development cost o Same raw materials used to manufacture Probiotic ice cream as used to manufacture basic ice cream with additional process added to the overall process. o Little extra cost for heat treatment, incubation and inoculation to inculcate Probiotic culture. Shorter development time o Same process can be used with addition few activities to add Probiotic culture into the mix. o Flexibility and overlapping of process makes manufacturing time shorter. Faster manufacturing start of build Readily available of raw material and ready resources with same process line makes faster manufacturing start of build. Lower assembly and test costs o Same testing procedures can be used to test both the line of products makes overall testing cost lower. Higher quality o To ensure high quality following will be tested as per FDA standards ? Testing of milk products ? Tests for fat content, total solids ? Pasteurization efficiency ? Presence of antibiotics used to control cow disease PART-II Progress Tracking Metrics This section would focus on the Metrics to be used to track the progress of product development and success for the product – Amul Probiotic Icecream. Different stages and corresponding metrics: 1. Product and Process Design: No. of customer inputs (VOC / other source) converted to product design parameter. Metrics: No. of design parameters / No of significant customer inputs No. of design parameters found technically feasible for incorporation into the product / manufacturing process. Metrics: No. of feasible parameters / No of significant customer inputs Explanation: While launching a new product, the probability of acceptability of the product is increased when maximum number of (significant) customer inputs (culled from a market survey) is incorporated in to the finished product. Customers may provide inputs on preferred flavor of ice cream / packaging / preferred price range and such others. Not all flavors/packaging/price range may be techno-economically feasible. Hence a decision has to be taken for selection of optimum numbers of customer inputs (customer wish list) as product design parameters. This decision will be taken by a cross functional team which would include personnel from RD, Operations, Marketing, Finance and representative of higher management. These metric shall measure the deviation of the product design from the ideal product as per VOC. Management may use this metric to measure the fit of the product design with the market expectations on the product. 2. Manufacturing Process: In order to develop metrics for manufacturing process, a benchmark is required in following terms: (since this would involve mass production the smallest unit shall be one batch of packs instead of per unit pack) Standard time to process one batch of Amul Probiotic Ice cream. (ST) to be determined based on Work study. Standard cost involved to process one batch. (SC) to be determined based on ideal cost of inputs. Standard productivity measure (Value of input / Value of Output) Process performance variables shall be measured based on above benchmarks. Metrics: Actual Time to proce ss / ST Metrics: Actual Cost of Production / SC Metrics: Productivity (Factor productivity as well as total productivity) 3. Quality Control Process: This would entail development of usual QC metrics at various stages of production: QC parameter for raw materials (Variation of characteristics of inputs in comparison to prescribed technical specification. Applicable to all inputs including milk, Probiotic culture, packings etc. ) QC for finished product:- As above. 4. Marketing Process: The metrics involved shall be the usual marketing metrics including: Quantity sold compared with estimated sales at various time (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual sales after launch). Retail outlet wise / segment wise throughput – to assess market reception of the product after launch in various localities/region and across various market segments. Percentage conversion of normal ice cream user to Probiotic ice cream. Number of new converts – non ice cream users buying Probiotic ice cream. The Manufacturing Process Probiotic ice creams manufacturing process involves many common things with rest of the Amul ’s product. Raw material is same as that is used in other milk products of the company. In this way this product being new will be more cost effective and time spent on the production will also be low. Amul Probiotic Ice Cream Process Flow Chart [pic] Process Followed: 1. Milk is a perishable commodity. For this reason, it is usually processed locally within diary. [pic] Cows are milked twice a day using mechanical vacuum milking machines. The raw milk flows through stainless steel or glass pipes to a refrigerated bulk milk tank. Collecting Dairy cows are milked twice a day using mechanical vacuum milking machines. The raw milk flows through stainless steel or glass pipes to a refrigerated bulk milk tank where it is cooled to about 40 ° F (4. 4 ° C). A refrigerated bulk tank truck makes collections from dairy farms in the area within a few hours. Before pumping the milk from each farms tank, the driver collects a sample and checks the flavor and temperature and records the volume. At the milk processing plant, the milk in the truck is weighed and is pumped into refrigerated tanks in the plant through flexible stainless steel or plastic hoses. Separating The cold raw milk pas ses through either a clarifier or a separator, which spins the milk through a series of conical disks inside an enclosure. A clarifier removes debris, some bacteria, and any sediment that may be present in the raw milk. A separator performs the same task, but also separates the heavier milk fat from the lighter milk to produce both cream and skim milk. The excess milk fat is drawn off and processed into cream or butter. Fortifying Vitamins A and D may be added to the milk at this time by a peristaltic pump, [pic] A clarifier removes debris, some bacteria, and any sediment that may be present in the raw milk. The milk is then fortified and pasteurized,which automatically dispenses the correct amount of vitamin concentrate into the flow of milk Pasteurizing The milk- either whole milk, skim milk, or standardized milk- is piped into a pasteurizer to kill any bacteria. There are several methods used to pasteurize milk. The most common is called the high-temperature, short-time (HTST) process in which the milk is heated as it flows through the pasteurizer continuously. Whole milk, skim milk, and standardized milk must be heated to 161 ° F (72 ° C) for 15 seconds. Homogenizing Most milk is homogenized to reduce the size of the remaining milk fat particles. This prevents the milk fat from separating and floating to the surface as cream. It also ensures that the milk fat will be evenly distributed through the milk. The hot milk from the pasteurizer is pressurized to 2,500-3,000 psi (17,200-20,700 kPa) by a multiple-cylinder piston pump and is forced through very small passages in an adjusta ble valve. The shearing effect of being forced through the tiny openings breaks down the fat particles into the proper size. The milk is then quickly cooled to 40 ° F (4.  ° C) to avoid harming its taste. This milk after undergoing all the above stated processes is finally used in the preparation of Probiotic ice creams. Packaging Packaging process includes the same process as used for Amul Ice-creams, the packets are of same size some as paper packs, plastic bowls etc, but the picture the packs contain is different stating Probiotic Ice-creams. Quality Control The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes the Grade A Milk Ordinance which sets sanitation standards for milk production in most states and for all interstate milk shippers. The composition of milk and milk products is specified in Agricultural Handbook 52 published by the United States Department of Agriculture. It lists both federal and state standards. Testing of milk products includes tests for fat content, total solids, pasteurization efficiency, presence of antibiotics used to control cow disease, and many others. 1. Village Dairy Cooperative Society (VDCS) The milk producers of a village, having surplus milk after own consumption, come together and form a Village Dairy Cooperative Society (VDCS). The Village Dairy Cooperative is the primary society under the three-tier structure. The main functions of the VDCS are as follows: Collection of surplus milk from the milk producers of the village payment based on quality quantity Providing support services to the members like Veterinary First Aid, Artificial Insemination services, cattle-feed sales, mineral mixture sales, fodder fodder seed sales, conducting training on Animal Husbandry Dairying, etc. 2. District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Milk Union) The Village Societies of a District having surplus milk after local sales come together and form a District Milk Union. The Milk Union is the second tier under the three-tier structure. The main functions of the Milk Union are as follows: Procurement of milk from the Village Dairy Societies of the District Arranging transportation of raw milk from the VDCS to the Milk Union. Providing input services to the producers like Veterinary Care, Artificial Insemination services, cattle-feed sales, mineral mixture sales, fodder fodder seed sales, etc. Conducting training on Cooperative Development, Animal Husbandry Dairying. Providing management support to the VDCS along with regular supervision of its activities. Establish Chilling Centers Dairy Plants for processing the milk received from the villages. Process milk into various milk milk products as per the requirement of State Marketing Federation. Decide on the prices of milk products. 3. State Cooperative Milk Federations (Federation) The Milk Unions of a State are federated into a State Cooperative Milk Federation. The Federation is the apex t ier under the three-tier structure. It has membership of all the cooperative Milk Unions of the State and is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of one elected representative of each Milk Union. The main functions of the Federation are as follows: Marketing of milk milk products processed / manufactured by Milk Unions. Establish distribution network for marketing of milk milk products. Arranging transportation of milk milk products from the Milk Unions to the market. Creating maintaining a brand for marketing of milk milk product (brand building). Decide on the prices of milk milk products to be paid to Milk Unions. Decide on the products to be manufactured at various Milk Unions (product-mix) and capacity required for the same. Conduct long-term Milk Production, Procurement Processing as well as Marketing Planning. Designing providing training on Cooperative Development, Technical Marketing functions. Technological hurdles for the incorporation of Probiotic bacteria into ice-cream 3. 1. Fruit pulp or juice as an ingredient of Probiotic ice-creams 3. 2. Addition of Probiotic cultures to ice-cream 3. 3. Stability of the Probiotic cultures during ice-cream stor age 3. 4. Overrun and Probiotic microorganisms 3. 5. Influence of storage conditions on the characteristics of Probiotic ice-creams Plan for Vendor/Suppliers and Supply Chain Management Existing supplier / vendors will be used who are currently supplying raw materials for normal ice cream to supply extra milk, yoghurt to manufacture Probiotic ice cream In addition to that, there will be some raw material used to add Probiotic Culture into the ice-cream. We will be requiring Vendors for the supplying. Capabilities of Vendor On time Delivery Well educated and technologically competent. Able to understand the process and technical aspect like specification provided. Number of years in the supply chain business. Good market reputation and business size.

Thomas Coles The Oxbow essays

Thomas Coles The Oxbow essays A Romantic study of America in the European landscape style The painting of "The Oxbow" is on its surface merely a landscape portrayal of a meandering river that folds back upon itself in the shape of a bow or oxtail. Today, the work hangs in The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the section of the museum devoted to American Romanticism. The American painter Thomas Cole originally painted the work 1836. This was during the end of the Romantic period of art in Europe, but only the beginning of the flourishing of the Romantic Movement in American art. The painting's style, perspective, and ideological themes makes use of European aspects of the landscape tradition and Romantic ideology, yet ultimately its rendition of these themes is quintessentially and uniquely American in the ways that it portrays the themes of humanity versus nature and the wilderness versus In gazing upon the painting, the viewer notes that the painting is situated in its perspective in such a fashion, in traditional Romantic style, that the individual gazer's perspective has predominance over the natural subject. The subject of the oxtail of the river is situated at a distance, with trees closer to the viewer's line of perspective. Thus, the act of gazing upon the river is given equal importance to the actual depiction of nature itself. Thus, the Romantic stress upon nature, but specifically humanity's perception and interpretation of nature thus is at the forefront of the organization of the painting. The painting's organization ultimately asks not what is nature, but what transpires when humanity gazes at and interacts with nature. Furthermore, the apparent random organization of a natural body of water is not present in "The Oxbow." In Romantic renderings of art, but in American Romanticism in particular, "Romanticism set up opposition to the Neo-classic insistence on order and hierarchy b...

Moral and learning development in children Essay

Moral and learning development in children - Essay Example According to Piaget, the moral makeup of a child is a product of his/her own conception and understanding of the world. This view is contrary to the conventional view that children are taught what is right and wrong by parents and teachers. While moral preaching inevitably goes on, children made moral judgments based on their own observations of their environment. Further, morality is a product of interaction with peers and authority figures do not influence it much. Key moral concepts like fairness, equality, justice and mutual reciprocity were all largely constructed through their interactions with other children. Moreover, as per Piaget’s definition of morality, contemporaneous social norms do not matter much to children, but instead morality comprises of universal, generic principles. Of course, while these tendencies are evident during early childhood, the nature of moral development matures and becomes more sophisticated as they grow up. Lawrence Kohlberg’s work m odifies and refines several of Piaget’s theses. Kohlberg noted that the moral evolution of children is a lot more gradual and complex than what Piaget had proposed. Kohlberg identified a total of six stages of moral development, grouped under three major levels. Each of these levels represents a fundamental shift in the social-moral understanding of the individual.

COUNTER CULTURE, COUNTER MEMORY AND PARTICIPATION Essay

COUNTER CULTURE, COUNTER MEMORY AND PARTICIPATION - Essay Example At some point in the 1970s, global economic depression destroyed the illusion of post-World-War-II prosperity and the idea of a ‘post-scarcity society’ (Kellner 1995, 3) was substituted by discourses demanding rationalising expectations, restrictions to growth, and the inevitability of economic and state reform (Kellner 1995); such reform occurred in most regions of the capitalist world throughout the 1980s under the command of conventional regimes which curtail social welfare agendas, while strengthening the military sector and adding to national deficits, with enormous debts that remain unpaid (Jameson 1991). The past decades have also witnessed the downfall of Soviet communism and the culmination of the Cold War (Sebestyen 2009). Communist and capitalist countries, after World War II, begin vying for political, economic, and cultural supremacy. Forces in both leagues provoked hot and cold armed conflicts, leading to intense militarisation and overt and covert hostilities between replacements of the superpowers (Katz 2000). Outrageous military organisations on both blocs and weapons of mass destruction generated an edgy, fearful age, where fanatic and suspicious bureaucrats could pressure citizens into recognising social policies that mostly benefited and profited the powerful and greedy, while delaying major social reform and the construction of a more fair and reasonable social order (Sebestyen 2009). Innovative technologies have also appeared in the recent decades which have altered the orders of everyday life and impressively reorganised work and leisure (Klein 2001). These new globalised infrastructures and networks also offer effective types of social control through more effective, ingeniously hidden strategies of propaganda and manipulation (Klein 2001). Definitely, their very presence might weaken political forces and keep individuals securely installed within

Socio-Economic Consequences of Ecotourism Essay Example for Free

Socio-Economic Consequences of Ecotourism Essay Discuss the environmental and socio-economic consequences of ecotourism. What additional factors need to be considered in establishing ecotourism projects? Ecotourism aims to protect landscapes and wildlife, promoting also financial benefits to the local communities. According to Chaynee (2010), in Malaysia, ecotourism is the second largest source of Gross Domestic Product. It provides job opportunities and stimulates voyagers to show respect for the conservation of the environment. There are numerous positive and negative effects of ecotourism, and as a result, there is the need to apply additional actions to minimize the unbalanced outcomes. This essay will discuss the environmental consequences of ecotourism, such as, the conservation and deterioration of the surrounding areas. Secondly, it will analyse the socio-economic effects; finally the essay will suggest some factors for future ecotourism projects. The implementation of ecotourism has positive environmental consequences. Firstly, ecotourism allows the discovery of new places and the improvement on territory conservation. In her case study, Nikitina (2007) shows that in Russia, ecotourism has been showing off the natural areas, which during the Soviet Period were strictly protected. She also points out that the populations have more appreciation of the nature. What this means is that ecotourism may be seen as an environmental education program. Ecotourists are interested to respect rules and acquire knowledge about nature; consequentially, local communities may look at tourists as a correct model to imitate (Chaynee 2010; Waylen et al. 2009). Furthermore, according to Chaynee (2010), there is a positive impact on the attitude of local people towards conservation of their own culture. Being ecotourists interested to learn, local communities are incited to protect the cultural property value such as rituals, ceremonies, arts and crafts. However, besides protecting natural sites, ecotourism may also be the indirect reason of negative environmental consequences. This view is commonly shared; as Hueter in Jaffe (2009: 1) states, â€Å"There comes a time when you have so much interference through ecotourism that you affect the thing you’re trying to protect†. The reason for this could be that as ecotourism is becoming a phenomenon widely promoted, the large number of ecotourists attracted, may cause a higher rate of pollution and an increased deterioration of the environment. The island of Damas shows how over-crowing of tourists influences the natural behaviour of wildlife; penguins in contact with people may abandon their own natural habitats (Ellenberg in Jeff 2009). In addition, in Tortoguero, the significant amount of rubbish left by tourist harms the habitat of the animals (Meletis in Jeff 2009). Furthermore, according to York (2005), the establishment of tourist accommodations and the need of firewood have caused water contamination and deforestation. In conclusion, environment and wildlife are often victims of the ecotourism activities. Furthermore, ecotourism produces consequences in the socio-economic status of the local community, as the creation of new businesses increases job opportunities and improves the economy. For example, it involves host communities in the tourist industry, such as restaurants, accommodation, and local tours. In addition, in Zapovednik, a natural area in Russia, extra financial helps often occur by visitors for supporting the population (Nikitina 2007). On the other hand, it needs to be underlined that socio-economic consequences can also be negatives. A study to find out the effects of ecotourism on the Masai population claims that â€Å"The Masai have faced eviction from tribal lands, economic dislocation, assaults on traditional values, and environmental degradation† (York 2005: 2). For the local community, forests were the main source of income, allowing them to practice farming and other activities. However, since wildwood has become protected for the landscape conservation or destroyed for lodge constructions, the Masai are unable to use the natural resources for practicing their own businesses. In addition, in these places, industries duplicate traditional homemade products and sell these at a cheaper price; as a result the local economy is compromised (York 2005). Secondly, he believes that the prices of products and services have increased as an economic result of the turnout of a wide number of tourists. Indeed, in the Philippines, many people migrate due to the higher cost of living. Furthermore, a lack of water emerges due to the growing demand, both from the tourist facilities and local families (ibid). In conclusion, the drawbacks for the local people are various. Almost all of the above outcomes, both environmental and socio-economic, may be improved by applying corrective actions when considering future projects. Firstly, according to Libosada (2009) ecotourism should be managed like as a business and seen as a networked industry: tourist agents should work on tour promotions, the host communities provide accommodation, and the government should fix rules within the ecotourism business. In fact, a successful model for the development of ecotourism requires the participation of all of the subjects involved. In addition, by developing an accurate framework become possible resolving the conflict of interest between them, planning the use of resources and also auditing the results during the implementation of the project. Furthermore, in order to avoid some negative effects of mass tourism, Libosada (2009) suggests to identify the physical limits of the local area, in relation to carrying capacity of tourists, and use these limitations to plan future strategies; this is known as the LAC concept. Another example of how minimize the environmental deteriorations is the creation of buffer zones close to the core-protected areas. In these are promoted all the tourist activities in order to attract people and leave the protected sites intact (Nikitina 2007). Finally, in order to prevent the migration of local people, Jaffe (2009) points out that an agreement should ensure that they are employed in the village activities, so that money remains in the economy of the local area. This essay has discussed the wide impact of ecotourism on the environment, and how it may affects the socio-economic status of the communities. The several drawbacks may be minimized with the adoption of an accurate framework as guideline, the creation of buffer zones and the identification of physical limits of the ecotourism hosting areas. These actions may be fundamentals for the establishment of future ecotourism projects. Therefore, co-operation between government, local people and tourist industry is the key tool. If all the potential beneficiaries of the projects work together for the same targets, ecotourism will be more profitable and successful. List of References Chaynee, W. (2010). Benefits of Ecotourism for Local Communities. Available at: http://www.mier.org. [Accessed 22/05/10]. Jaffe, E. (2009). Science News.  © 2009 Science Service, Inc. 170(14). Libosada Jr. C.M. (2009). Ocean Coastal Management, 52, 390–394. Available at: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ocecoaman. [Accessed 15 Nov 2012]. Nikitina, E (2007) Ecotourism: an Opportunity for Sustainable Development Available at http://www.russianconservation.org [Accessed 19/05/09]. Waylen, K.A., McGowan,P.J.K., Pawi Study Group and Milner-Gulland, E.J. (2009). Ecotourism positively affects awareness and attitudes but not conservation behaviours: a case study at Grande Riviere, Trinidad. Fauna Flora International Oryx. 43(3), 343–351 Available at: http://journals.cambridge.org [Accessed 28/05/10]. York, S. (2005) Eco-Tourism Can Be Both a Boon and a Curse for Indigenous Peoples. Available at: http://commongroundmag.com. [Accessed 16/05/06].

Thrasymachus Perspective on Human Nature Essay -- Thrasymachus Morali

Thrasymachus' Perspective on Human Nature Thrasymachus' perspective of human nature is that we all seek to maximize power, profit and possessions. He gives the argument that morality is not an objective truth but rather a creation of the stronger (ruling) party to serve its own advantage. Therefore definitions of "just" and "unjust", "right" and "wrong", "moral" and "immoral" are all dependent upon the decree of the ruling party. Thrasymachus argues that acting "morally", in accordance with the ruling party, benefits the ruling party, while acting "immorally", injures the ruling party and benefits oneself. Thrasymachus perceives human nature as our ruthless drive toward superiority. He believes that unless we are foolish "moral simpletons," we will act according to what is best for us, namely living immorally on a quest to becoming ruler of the world. He believes that our human nature has no qualms about committing immoral actions. In describing human nature Thrasymachus says, "immorality has a bad name because people are afraid of being at the receiving end of it, not of doing it." (Republic 344c) When we finally reach the goal, the ideal of human nature, we will be able to practice "immorality in its most perfect form," stealing "what doesn't belong to [us] - consecrated and unconsecrated objects, private possessions, and public property - and [we do] so not on a small scale, but comprehensively." (Republic 344a-b) Thrasymachus makes the assumption that we are all driven to acquiring as much power, profit and possessions as possible. His argument for living immorally rests on the assumption that our human nature's burning desire is for more of the three p's (power, profit and possessions), and that there is more ... ...ity is created by those in power, and thus, there is no absolute true morality, he concludes that the best way to satisfy his human desire is to acquire as much power as possible, and take from others as much as he can. Because his view of morality is not fixed but created by those in power, he defines words like "moral", "just", and "right" based on one's compliance with the rules of the ruling party. He claims that acting "morally" serves the ruling party because the ruling party designed the legal structure for its own benefit. Socrates raises some criticisms, especially the criticism showing that people behaving immorally would not be able to act in concert with others and would fall out with others, which are compelling and discredit Thrasymachus' position. From this it is conclusive that Thrasymachus has not entirely captured the essence of human nature.

Lucy Gault

In the novel, The Story of Lucy Gault, chance plays a tremendous role. There are numerous examples of this. From the very beginning, the fact that Lucy goes for a swim, and then gets hurt on her way back through the woods, starts the plot. With her not returning home, and the chance happening that her clothes were not all washed out to see, her parents left the country with out her, a critical point, never to see her again. If they had not found any of her clothes, or her sandal, they may have continued to look for her in the countryside.At this same time, the fact that Henry happened upon her under the black coat at Patty Lindon’s old place was another chance happening. And what if Henry had not needed the stones to repair the O’Reilly’s sheep fence, the reason he went to Liindon’s. Lucy survived and the story continues. And what about the first visit by Ralph – he got lost, came up a strange road that to him did not look like an avenue, did not ex pect to find a house, and it happened to be Lahardane, and by chance, once again Lucy was home and came out of the house. These suggest the hand of fate during not only Lucy’s life, but that of her parents and Ralph as well.The tragic consequences of Lucy’s mother and father finding her clothes along the shore prove to them that she had drowned, lost at sea while swimming alone. Convinced of this, they stop looking for Lucy and decide to continue with their plans to leave Ireland without her. They never look back. They move to England, and then continue to move from place to place, never contacting anyone at Lahardane with their updated location. Thus no one was able to let them know that their daughter had survived and was growing up without them. And likewise, they not seeing her mature.When Lucy first disappeared, Bridget confirmed that she had seen Lucy come home in prior nights with damp hair, proof that she had been swimming alone. They could not get past this fa ct of dishonesty. They had called her name in the woods to no avail. They blamed themselves, and seeing her clothes, and just one sandal, meant that she had drowned. As nothing was seen by the fisherman, it could only remain the sharks. There was no other answer. Misinterpretation plays a major role in this novel, and in everyone’s lives. Communication of all forms is vital.