Finding Refuge in Ignorance free essay sample

This paper looks at Socrates belief that one knows nothing and examines what virtue actually is. A discussion of whether it is possible to arrive at the truth by purely asking questions and refuting poorly constructed arguments and how one defines and recognizes virtue. The author examines the philosophies of Plato and Socrates in order to determine whether one in fact knows nothing and whether virtue or in fact anything, can be taught or learned. Socrates was killed for the radical ways in which his questions undermined the defined reality of Grecian society. Plato certainly did not want to follow in his teachers footsteps in this particular fashion, and one can find within elements of his dialogues a hesitance to take his questions regarding the foundation of culture to their logical extents. For example, in Meno he temporarily defines virtue as wisdom in order to prove that it cannot be taught, and while he takes that definition away again, the fact that this line of questioning might eventually discredit virtue altogether is neatly sidestepped. We will write a custom essay sample on Finding Refuge in Ignorance or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Plato claims for Socrates ignorance only to the degree of innocence, but by pitting Socrates against flawed opponents, he does not push that radical ignorance to such a degree that it could threaten the supports of society.

Napoleons Conflict With Russia Essays - Russia, Free Essays

Napoleons Conflict With Russia Essays - Russia, Free Essays Napoleon's Conflict with Russia Napoleon was one of the greatest military leaders of all time. By 1812 Napoleon had expanded the territory of France all over Europe including Spain, Italy, Holland, and Switzerland. The countries that Napoleon did not directly control, he was usually allied with. The turning point of Napoleon's career also came in 1812 when war broke out between France and Russia because of Alexander I's refusal to enforce the continental. Even the French nation could not provide all the manpower and supplies needed to carry out the Emperor's grandiose plan for subduing Russia. Throughout 1811, he worked to mobilize the entire continent against Russia. He not only levied the vassal kingdoms in Spain, Italy, and Germany but also summoned Austria and Prussia to furnish their share of men and goods. Altogether, Napoleon could count on nearly 700,000 men of 20 nationalities of whom more than 600,000 crossed the border. Grown far beyond its original intended size, the army was difficult to assemble and hard to feed. Between Tilsit and Moscow, there lay over 600 miles of hostile barren countryside. Because of lack of supplies and the difficulty to feed the large army, Napoleon's plan was simple: bring about a battle, defeat the Russian army, and dictate a settlement. Apparently neither he nor his soldiers, who cheerfully began crossing the Nieman River, thought beyond the immediate goal. Already 300 miles into Russia, Napoleon had not yet found a way to exploit his advantage. In the Emperor's programming the resources necessary to achieve his objective, he had anticipated fighting a battle within a month after crossing the Nieman. Toward the end of that month Napoleon began to realize that events were disproving the validity of his estimates. Dying horses littered the roads and the advanced guard found little forage as Russians everywhere abandoned their homes. Napoleon knew that he needed to fight. At Smolensk, he set up for a battle and waited but the Russians, afraid of a trap steadily withdrew their troops from Smolensk and continued to retreat deeper into Russia. The only major battle in the Russian campaign proved that something was definitely lacking in Napoleon's judgment. Borodino was a battle of legendary proportions. Before the battle Napoleon proclaimed, "Soldiers, here is the battle you have so long desired!" However, the fight was inconclusive. At its end, Napoleon found himself the possessor, not of a victory, but of a barren hillside and an increasingly compelling commitment to advance further into the east. Well into the battle, the French had almost cracked the left side of the Russian Army. Several French generals had requested that Napoleon would commit the guard infantry into battle. This would create the final blow and insure the Russian defeat. After 14 hours of intense combat, the fighting died out at nightfall, and Mikhail Illarionovich Kutusov, the Russian general, gratefully began to retreat his troops. The guard infantry had remained unused. After the Battle of Borodino, in which losses on both sides totaled ! over 70,000 men, Napoleon had 100,000 effectives remaining, while Kutusov probably had no more than 55,000. Both sides claimed a victory, whereas actually, both sides had lost. While the Russian army filed disconsolately toward Moscow, the Emperor of the French rationalized his indecision at Borodino by contenting himself with the capture of the city. On September 14, Napoleon rode into Moscow at the head of a fraction of the Empire's military strength. Meanwhile, Napoleon's opponent had made a decision that was to shape the remainder of the campaign. Kutusov made up his mind not to fight another battle in defense of Moscow. Kutusov ordered the city's population out into the countryside, released all inmates from the city jails, and destroyed the city firefighting equipment. Napoleon and his army of 100,000 arrived only to find a handful of the original inhabitants and several hundred criminals and lunatics freely roaming and plundering the streets. That night, fires sprang up all over the city. Fire swept through the city for several days and by morning it was apparent that most of the city had been consumed by the flames. Left with no choice, Napoleon sent peace proposals to Alexander, but Alexander refused to even

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 4

Case study - Essay Example Because of higher demands, price quotation would also not be a problem for the company because it can be assured that consumers will be ready to pay. This way, the company will not be forced in making price quotations that affects its expenditure and ratio balance (Blunt, Jones, & Richards, 2003). What is more, the market segment to be used for this proposal would ensure that there will be less expenditure on shared cost such as transportation. This way, the company will be looking at a revenue ratio that far outweighs its expenditure, making it easier to realize profits. Even though the risks identified with this proposal are realistic, it is hoped that there will be equally effective risk mitigation and contingency procedures that will be used to meet such risks as political inconsistency, which may bring about new financial policies that may be unfavourable for the company. 2.0 Risk Log for Recommended Proposal Risk Category Risk Name Risk Number Probability (1 – 3) Impact (1 – 3) Risk Score Mitigation Contingency Action by Action when National Uncertainty in success rate due to Scottish referendum 1.1 2 2 4 Look for new markets outside of Scotland Start a new market right away Eddy Ware Now National Political change that affects existing economic policies 1.2 1 3 3 Engage in pre-referendum economic policies that hedge the company against any possible economic shocks Hedge from a new capital market Elaine Morgan Now Local people Scottish locals accepting foreign brand 2.1 1 2 2 Introducing the product to a more foreign oriented market Find substitute products to introduce to the market Eddy Ware Now Currency Exchange risk emanating from possible change of currency 3.1 1 2 2 Currency market hedging that puts the company ahead of any possible currency shocks in about one year after new currency introduction Buy hedged currency product Elaine Morgan Upon announcement of new currency Raw material downturn in this year’s yield of organic suga r crop 4.1 2 2 4 The use of alternative and backup suppliers Stock company inventory now Paul Hollywood Now 3.0 Stakeholder Analysis 3.1 Identifying key stakeholders and their interest The implementation of the proposal to expand cake and biscuit production needs the input, consent, power, support and approval of several people, who together come to form a stakeholder base for the proposal. In line with the conditions needed to kick start the proposal and also to control the risk, the following people are identified within the organization as stakeholders. Gordon Blanc: As the CEO and head chef of MOP Restaurant, he is included as a stakeholder who would have authorizing powers to give approvals to the starting, continuation and stoppage of various tasks within the proposal. Particularly with areas that have to do with the MOP restaurant, it is expected that Gordon Blanc will make extra roles such as quality control roles for the manufacturing of cakes and biscuits for the restauran t. Martin Inch: He is also needed for his capacity as the CEO to give authorities on the start, continuation and conclusion of projects. It is expected that the project manager would make direct reports to him about the progress, successes and challenges within the project as he is the eventual overseers of