On August 2nd, 1990 Iraqi Military Forces Invaded And Occupied Essays

On August 2nd, 1990 Iraqi military forces invaded and occupied the small Arab state of Kuwait. The order was given by Iraqi dictatorial president Saddam Hussein. His aim was apparently to take control Kuwaits oil reserves (despite its small size Kuwait is a huge oil producer; it has about 10 per cent of the worlds oil reserves ). Iraq accused Kuwait, and also the United Arab Emirates, of breaking agreements that limit oil production in the Middle East. According to Saddam Hussein, this brought down world oil prices severely and caused financial loss of billions of dollars in Iraqs annual revenue. Saddam Hussein had the nearly hopeless task of justifying the invasion. He plead the fact that Kuwait had been part of the Ottoman province of Basra, a city in the south of Iraq. However, the Ottoman province collapsed after World War I and todays Iraqi borders were not created until then. There was also a further and more obvious blunder in a bid to justify this illegal invasion. Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, had namely recognized Kuwaiti independence in 1963. Furthermore, Hussein claimed that Kuwait had illegally pumped oil from the Iraqi oil field of Rumaila and otherwise conspired to reduce Iraqs essential oil income. By invading Kuwait, Iraq succeeded in surprising the entire world. The USA ended her policy of accommodating Saddam Hussein, which had existed since the Iran-Iraq war. Negative attitude toward Iraq was soon a worldwide phenomenon. The United Nations Security Council passed 12 resolutions condemning the invasion. The ultimate decision was to use military force if Iraq did not withdraw unconditionally by January 15, 1991. Then, when the deadline was set, it was time to start preparing for the worst-the war. President George Bush confronted little difficulty in winning Americans support for the potential war against Iraq. However, the government found it difficult to decide upon and state one overriding reason for going to war. Was it to oppose aggression or was it just to protect global oil supplies? Other powers were more directly concerned as consumers of Persian Gulf oil, but they were not as eager to commit military force, to risk their youth in battle and to pay for the costs of the war. Critics of President Bush continued to maintain that he was taking advantage of the issue of energy supplies in order to manipulate the U. S. public opinion in favor of war. After consulting with U. S. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney in early August 1990, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia invited American troops onto Saudi soil. He had seen Kuwaits destiny; therefore, he wanted protection. It was also the interest of the USA to stop any further advantage of the Iraqi army. The deployment was called Operation Desert Shield. These troops were armed with light, defensive weaponry. On November 8, 1990 President Bush announced a military buildup to provide an offensive option, Operation Desert Storm, to force Iraq out of Kuwait. The preparation of the operation took two and a half months and it involved a massive air- and sea lift. Finally, in January 1991, the U. S. Congress voted to support Security Council resolution 660. It authorized using all necessary means if Iraq did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15. Shrugging off this final warning, Saddam Hussein resolutely maintained the occupation of Kuwait. The United States established a broad-based international coalition to confront Iraq militarily and diplomatically. The military coalition consisted of Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Honduras, Italy, Kuwait, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea, Spain, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The war also was financed by countries which were unable to send in troops. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were the main donors. More than $53 billion was pledged and received. Before the war, it appeared obvious that Iraq would have very little chance against the Coalition. The relative strength between the parties was extremely unequal. The most critical difference was that the Coalition had a total of 2600 aircraft, over three times more than Iraqs 800 aircraft. Most Arab observers thought Hussein would not last more than six months. Lieutenant General Khalid bin Sultan, the commander of the Arab coalition forces, gave Iraqs leader only 40 days, and repeated this prediction many times. Iraqs prospect was dreary. President George Bush waited two days after the UN deadline for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait before ordering the Coalition to begin action against Iraq. The winds of Desert Storm began howling across Iraq on January 17,

The Bondage Breaker Book

The Bondage Breaker Book Introduction In most societies, religion plays an integral role in the spiritual growth and development of individuals. In times of tribulations, people tend to seek spiritual intervention for the alleviation of the problems inhibiting their progress in different endeavors. In this regard, religious leaders like those in Christian ministries have been on the forefront in fostering the application of religious perspectives in dealing with spiritual, social, and economic challenges.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The Bondage Breaker Book specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Dr. Neil T. Anderson, the founder of the Emeritus of Freedom in Christ Ministries (FICM), authored a masterpiece book, viz. â€Å"The bondage breaker: overcoming negative thoughts, irrational feelings, and habitual sins†, in a bid to make valid contributions to the alleviation of human suffering. This paper will provide a summary of A nderson’s book before an evaluation and critique are done to determine its application in the mitigation of human suffering from bondage. Summary Anderson wrote the book with the intention of providing readers with a perspective of seeking freedom from the religious point of view based on Christian teachings. He convinces the readers that everyone is entitled to the right to be free from any shackles that may inhibit his/her progress. In this light, behaviors that may be causing one’s tribulations require mitigation through spiritual intervention for the attainment of freedom. According to the author, Christians must challenge demonic powers in a confrontational manner in a bid to break the shackles that bind them. Additionally, the author affirms that Christians can break from their negative thought arrays by combating the temptations that derail them from conforming to the Christian values and expectations. Winning spiritual battles entails the affirmation of oneâ₠¬â„¢s identification with Christ, which fosters the escape from the bondage of sinful behavior (Anderson 2006, 140). Therefore, Anderson outlays a theoretical framework for overpowering irrational feelings, negative thoughts, and habitual sins.  The author explains human behavior by diverging from the old biological and psychological explanations. Christians are faced with slavery, which has been characterized by the emergence of occults and different forms of Satanism (Anderson 2006, 16). This aspect inhibits upright behavior that is expected from Christians since the modern world has embraced a substitute etiology of dysfunctional religious perspectives. The author regards maturity and freedom as the integral aspects of a successful Christian life. The two concepts have Biblical backing since the notions of sanctification and justification represent maturity and freedom respectively. He uses the Bible to show how Satan strives to interfere with the maturity of Christians by prev enting the knowledge of their identity and that of Christ.Advertising Looking for critical writing on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Theologically, Christian healing from detrimental behavior is curtailed by the maturity a continual process, and freedom, which is instantaneous after an individual accepts salvation. Individuals that have been saved by the Christ face Satan’s deception to take them back from their former behaviors, hence it is essential for Christians to embrace maturity. Apparently, â€Å"the kingdom of darkness† enhances its deception by subjecting Christians to sin, failure, and negative habits (Anderson (2006, 34). In this light, Christians combat their tribulations through the application of contemporary means instead of embracing spiritual solutions. Dysfunctional behavior among Christians follows a rational change that starts with the perspective that an act w ould deviate from religious standards that depict the holiness of God. Ultimately, temptations result in immoral conduct that repeats itself to form habits. The loss of one’s control is a gradual process that leads to three detrimental phases of bondage. Self-depreciating judgments and thoughts of guilt characterize the first level of captivity. The second level is manifested by â€Å"strange evil voices† that tend to overwhelm one’s senses. The third level of bondage is depicted by intense oppression by satanic powers that strive to control an individual’s personality over time (Anderson 2006, 106-111). The imposition of the Satan’s illegitimate authority over humanity through deceptive means is accountable for the dysfunctional human behavior (Anderson 2006, 189). Therefore, the healing process is a personal responsibility through the embracement of Biblical ideas and identifying ones personality with Christ. Breaking away from Satanic subjective bondage involves a process of seven steps. The initial step is the counterfeit versus real, which involves the identification and renouncement of the current or prior engagement in false religions or satanic practices. The second step is termed as the deception versus truth and it involves the identification of the Satan’s deceptive approaches as manifested in an individual’s thoughts before replacing them with the truth found in the Bible. Bitterness versus forgiveness is the third step in the process whereby individuals relinquish their privileges to demand impartiality for the injustices they have suffered. The fourth step is rebellion versus submission, which requires Christians to make decisions that would indicate the authority of the biblical teachings through the portrayal that God is the provider and protector. Pride versus humility is the fifth step whereby the continual intervention of God in people’s lives is acknowledged as the factor for an effici ent Christian life.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The Bondage Breaker Book specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The sixth phase of the process is bondage versus freedom, which involves the confession and renouncement of habitual sins. The final step is acquiescence versus renunciation whereby an individual is expected to renounce ancestral sins and curses for the attainment of liberation (Anderson 2006, 192-221). The author suggests that the inevitability of freedom from bondage would be achieved through the application of the healing process resulting in the alleviation of dysfunctional behaviors. In a bid to maintain freedom, the healing process may be repeated if necessary to foster the newly acquired freedom. Evaluation and Critique Anderson approaches the issue of human suffering from the spiritual warfare perspective. In this regard, the book is subject to evaluation to identify its strengths and weak nesses. Strengths of Anderson’s ideas I like the book’s focus on the truth based on faith rather than the application of power in the liberation of individuals from their suffering. It is believed that the truth would free an individual and the author utilizes the teachings of the scripture to influence people to stop entertaining dysfunctional behaviors. Since the attack by demons is viewed as a spiritual problem, battling it through the application of the truth found in the Bible addresses the situation in a logical manner, which is reciprocally balanced.  The author is justified to postulate that the spiritual battles that individuals engage in are struggles of the mind. Anderson suggests that Satan applies tactics that lead individuals to temptation, deception, and the accusation that tend to act as the truth. In this regard, the belief in a religious system exists in the mind and the evil spirit attacks the mind to drive its deceptive ideas. Therefore, an indivi dual is expected to use the same mind as a retaliation tool to combat the evil forces. In this sense, I like the idea that Christians are expected to employ their spiritual beliefs and attitudes in the spiritual battles that would overpower the dysfunctional behaviors induced by satanic forces.  Anderson’s book notes that religious groups including the church have depended on the scientific and psychological understanding of deviant behaviors for a long time.Advertising Looking for critical writing on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More I like Anderson’s approach to the issue of dysfunctional behavior and healing from a perspective that would be considered mythical or superstitious by scientists. Christians also tend to disregard â€Å"the kingdom of darkness† in the development of dysfunctional behavior that enslaves the multitudes (Anderson 2006, 34). Based on the foundations of supernatural circles, Anderson manages to explain how temporal family systems facilitate dysfunctional behavior and its physical manifestation. In addition, I like how Anderson facilitates a demonstration of the need for healing whereby the healing cycle is provided. The author illustrates a seven-step process through which individuals can break from the bondage and attain freedom. Furthermore, a demonstration of the healing process is enhanced by the acceptance of the occurrence of changes in an individual’s life before engaging the mind in the liberation process. The model provided by Anderson advocates the realignm ent of the thinking course from its deceptive attributes to the embracement and integration of biblical knowledge or truth that enhances the need for healing relationships. Weaknesses of Anderson’s Ideas Despite Anderson’s scriptural base to his arguments, criticism from fellow Christians and the scientific community that requires empirical evidence for validation is inevitable. In this light, identifying the weakness of his perspectives on human suffering is essential for the enhancement of the comprehensive understanding of the topic. According to Anderson, personal responsibility is directly subject to personal choices. This assertion implies that individuals may enslave themselves due to the individual choices that they make, and thus they are responsible for their thoughts, choices, and actions. However, the attribution of dysfunction behavior among Christians to â€Å"severe oppression† or â€Å"demonic influences† implies that every individual is r eligious and the issue of bondage is unavoidable. Therefore, I dislike this aspect of the book. Criticisms of the arguments of Anderson may also emerge from the Christian community of which he uses biblical postulations to support his ideas. Therefore, I question the extent to which salvation can be shaken by the efforts of satanic deception and temptations. It is perceived that a born again Christian should portray firm mental and spiritual strength, which is not tempted and deceived easily to engage in negative thoughts, habitual sins, and irrational feelings. Application in individual life and ministerial endeavors Anderson’s ideas on the walk towards freedom from irrational feelings, habitual sin, and negative thoughts can be applied to an individual’s life as a liberation strategy. In this regard, as a Christian, I welcome the arguments put forward by Anderson that demonic spiritual forces restrain us from acknowledging the freedom that is inherited by accepting C hrist through salvation. This assertion implies that I would identify myself in Christian beliefs that would enhance my identification in Christ. Identifying myself as a believer in Christ would entail commitment and belief in the spiritual teachings provided in the Bible. In this regard, my spiritual growth would be enhanced to curtail the demonic strengths that would result in behavioral dysfunctions. Since the author asserts that habitual sins cultivate satanic strongholds in our lives, which in the long-term takes one back to bondage, it would be essential to observe vigilance in my undertakings. In case I go through the healing process, fostering an upright character that upholds morality is essential to curb any possibilities of returning to old habits induced by Satan’s deceptive techniques. Additionally, a repeat of the steps involved in the healing process would be necessary for the attainment of maturity and freedom as a Christian.  Anderson suggests that demonic activities are not responsible for all spiritual battles encountered by Christians. In this regard, challenges faced in my daily endeavors would not be affiliated with demonic forces that have a bearing on the sins that I commit like lying and my strong emotional reactions. Therefore, engaging my mind in rational thoughts would facilitate the enhancement of responsible behavior that fosters morality. In this respect, discerning personal and spiritual factors that undermine my personality would facilitate a better understanding of the battles that I engage in and the response that I should adopt in a bid to triumph. In my evangelical endeavors as a minister, Anderson’s ideas can be used in demon possession teachings. It would be logical to accept that demons exist in the contemporary world and their activities shackle individuals into bondage. Conclusion Anderson provides a good religious approach to the issue of individual dysfunctions by embracing the spiritual battle perspe ctive. His book, â€Å"The bondage breaker: overcoming negative thoughts, irrational feelings, and habitual sins†, provides an in-depth view of the factors that lead to enslavement coupled with how faith can be used in the emancipation process. Evaluating the ideas of Anderson portrays issues like the mental perception of spiritual battles, explanation of human suffering from the religious angle, and the application of a healing process. Criticisms arise in areas of salvation when exerted to demonic energies and the inevitability of behavioral dysfunctions. The application of Anderson’s ideas in real life situations is also practical since the human race is subject to many challenges that may require spiritual intervention. Reference Anderson, Neil. 2006. The Bondage Breaker: Overcoming Negative Thoughts, Irrational Feelings, Habitual Sins. Sisters, OR: Harvest House Publishers.

A Brief History of the Clarinet

A Brief History of the Clarinet Most musical instruments evolve into their present form so gradually over many centuries that it is hard to pinpoint a date they were invented. This is not the case with the clarinet, a tube-shaped single-reed instrument with a bell-shaped end.  Although the clarinet has seen a series of improvements over the last few hundred years, its invention in around 1690 by Johann Christoph Denner, of Nuremburg, Germany, produced an instrument very similar to the one we know today. The Invention Although Denner based the clarinet  on an earlier instrument called the chalumeau, his new instrument made such important changes that it really could not be called an evolution. With the help of his son, Jacob, Denner added two finger keys to a chalumeau- which at the time looked much like a modern day recorder, though with a single-reed mouthpiece. The addition of two keys might sound like a small improvement, but it made an enormous difference by increasing the musical range of the instrument more than two octaves. Denner also created a better mouthpiece and improved the bell shape at the end of the instrument.   The name of the new instrument was coined shortly thereafter, and although there are different theories about the name, most likely it was named because its sound from a distance was somewhat similar to an early form of trumpet. (Clarinetto is an Italian word for little trumpet.)   The new clarinet with its improved range and interesting sound quickly replaced the chalumeau in orchestral arrangements. Mozart (d. 1791) wrote several pieces for the clarinet, and by the time of Beethovens prime years (1800 to 1820), the clarinet was a standard instrument in all orchestras.   Further Improvements Over time, the clarinet saw the addition of additional keys that improved the range and airtight pads that improved its playability. In 1812, Iwan Muller created a new type of keypad covered in leather or fish bladder skin. This was a great improvement over felt pads, which leaked air. With this improvement, makers found it possible to increase the number of holes and keys on the instrument.   In 1843, the clarinet was further improved when Klose adapted the Boehm flute key system to the clarinet. The Boehm  system added a series of rings and axles that made fingering easier which greatly helped, given the wide tonal range of the instrument.   The Clarinet Today The soprano clarinet is one of the most versatile instruments in modern musical performance, and parts for it are included in classical orchestra pieces, orchestra band compositions, and jazz pieces. It is made in several different keys, including B-flat, E-flat, and A, and it is not uncommon for large orchestras to have all three. It is even sometimes heard in rock music. Sly and the Family Stone, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, Tom Waits, and Radiohead are some of the acts that have included the clarinet in recordings.   The modern clarinet entered its most famous period during the big-band jazz era of the 1940s. Eventually, the mellower sound and easier fingering of the saxophone replaced the clarinet in some compositions, but even today, a great many jazz bands feature at least one clarinet. The clarinet has also helped to inspire the invention of other instruments, such as the flutophone. Famous Clarinet Players Some clarinet players are names many of us know, either as professionals or well-known amateurs. Among the names you might recognize:   Benny GoodmanArty ShawWoody HermanBob WilburWoody Allen

Rehabilitation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Rehabilitation - Essay Example e can have various effects.   I note that during the earlier stages of my disease that I had mild and uncontrollable muscular movements, stumbling, clumsiness, decreased concentration, decreased short-term memory, depression, and changes in mood (NHS, 2012).   During this time, I often felt confused and could not understand what was happening to me and why.   The diagnosis of my disease later helped me understand what I was going through (NHS, 2012).   As the disease advanced, I found it more difficult to walk, and sometimes had trouble sitting and standing on my own.   I also manifested involuntary movements at times.   I had trouble speaking clearly, and sometimes had difficulties in swallowing (NHS, 2012).   I also lost weight.   I also manifested emotional changes including mood changes, depression, and frustration.   My mood changes also caused a loss of motivation and drive, often causing me to withdraw from normal activities (NHS, 2012).   This disease has caused strain with my family members.   For my family, my disease caused much strain and stress.   Financial burden was one of these issues caused by my disease on my family.   It also made them embarrassed to have a family member suffering from the disease (Knowles, 2006).   My children felt misunderstood and did not socialize well with other children because of the embarrassment they felt.   My children also felt that they were constantly in a stressed household and often had to deal with arguments with my wife and with each other (Knowles, 2006).   My children’s studies were also affected due to the stress they had to deal with.   At times, they also had to deal with abuse, mostly emotional abuse from me (Knowles, 2006).   I would sometimes lash out at them and utter angry and hurting words which caused them much pain and frustration. My family also has a history of this disease, with my father and grandfather having died both in the early 40s due to the ravages of this disease. The fact that they

Conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Conflict - Essay Example The director ought to have communicated to the nurses on the sweeping changes so as to obtain their concerns or contribution. An example of a factor that can cause conflict is the adjustment of work hours or process. Also, Nurses who have vast experience in the department may feel isolated or unappreciated and hence the hostility. Experience is important when making changes to treatment plans, and career development aspects such as promotion. Despite the imminent threat of conflict, nurse leaders can devise methods to avert it. Conflict can be managed through compromise (American Sentinel University, 2011). A nurse leader ought to analyze the motive and the impact of such reorganization. If the actions consider the interest of patients and the nurses, then a compromise can be reached in which all nurses adapt to the changes. If the changes violate the interest of nurses, a nurse leader can take a collaborative approach and engage the director in finding common ground. In this approach, the director ought to cede ground on issues that violate the interest of nurses, and nurses to allow several vital changes in the department. American Sentinel University. (2011, July 27). The Five Styles of Managing Conflict Resolution for Nursing. Retrieved  June  30, 2015, from

The Recent Negative Effect Of Technology On Society Essay example -- e

The Recent Negative Effect of Technology on Society   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ever since the Industrial revolution, technology has been changing at a fast pace. People are always wanting a better lifestyle therefore there is always something new arising so humans can cope with their physical environment. One of the most important breakthroughs for technology was the agricultural system. The agricultural system was the basis for the technology of the future. The agricultural system brought on the need for transportation, workers and even, battles over land. The need for transportation brought vehicles into the market. The need for employees brought mechanical robots into society. Battles over land brought on the need for sophisticated weapons. The agricultural system brought on a revolution. The invention of the television can bring media and other forms of entertainment into your house with video and audio combined. Before 1950, newspapers and radio were the only ways to bring media or entertainment into the house. Mass production and other job opportunities brought many people from the suburbs and farms into the city. We can now have forms of electricity directed into our houses for heating and light. Humans are more reliant on technology then ever before. All of these technological advances sound great, however, there is a negative effect to all this technology. Technology can serve to actually harm humans rather then help them. Competition between companies or even cities can sometimes make lives for humans even worse. Take for example when a city builds better and more roads to attract tourists. This actually creates more traffic, not less. Technology also changes our sense of common purpose. New inventions such as the personal computer and machines can change our lifestyles. Even things we take for granted such as the automobile have negative effects on technology. The oil needed for a car to run needs to be imported and sometimes accidents such as the Exxon Valdez incident spills many gallons of oil into the ocean. All of these examples show how technology has negative effects on society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First, competition can lead to a negative effect of technology. When a company in the U.S. produces shoes and a company in Great Britain produces shoes as well, they must fight for their market share... ...n conclusion, society has recently seen the negative effects of society. Competition between cities and companies has taken away jobs and brought unwanted and costly projects into pleasurable areas. A change in lifestyle among almost every human being is yet another negative effect of technology. What has happened to people since supermarkets came to town? People do not want to hunt for food anymore. They find it much easier to walk into a store and purchase it. A third reason why technology has a negative effect on society is the advent of highly reliant possessions such as the automobile. Many people count on traveling to work everyday by car. If the car was somehow taken away from people then there would be chaos. It is much too late to take it away. Humans are much too reliant on it. There is not enough mass transit to transport all of the present car users. Hopefully, future technologies will be fully considered. We must look at the advantages and consequences and measure if society will benefit or suffer from the technology. Past technologies weren't fully considered and if they were, there is a chance that the automobile never would have went into production.

Acquiring Knowledge Essay

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Knowledge means power; the whole world craves for knowledge, to know things, to understand, to make accurate calculations and to make wise decisions. But philosophers since ancient times struggle with the question regarding how knowledge is acquired. Is it through the physical senses – of touch, smell, hearing, seeing, and taste? Is it through reason alone? Three great philosophers tackled this question, they are Descartes, Locke, and Kant and all three of them presented three different methodologies when it comes to acquiring knowledge. The pursuit is serious and intense that a whole body of knowledge is dedicated to finding out the answers. It is called epistemology and these three philosophers will serve as guides in the quest to know the truth about knowledge. Descartes   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Rene Descartes is said to be the father of modern philosophy. He attempted to break with the philosophical traditions of his day by rejecting the Aristotelian philosophy of the schools which is the authority of tradition and the authority of the senses (Craig, 1998). He developed a methodology on how to investigate nature by reducing complex problems to simpler ones and then analyzed further using direct intuition (Craig, 1998). Therefore, his main argument is that by mere thinking one can discover solutions to problems.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Interestingly Descartes had to die to his old beliefs and everything that he considered truth in order for him to determine once and for all that indeed there is a way to discover truth by mere use of intuition and not the reliance of the senses and traditions handed down from one generation to the next. His first guinea pig was himself, he had to doubt his existence to know the truth, and not simply believe that he exist because society tells him that he does exist. He had what inventors and scientists called a â€Å"eureka† moment or a moment of great insight, when he finally blurted out â€Å"Ego cogito, ergo sum† a statement in Latin famously translated as: I think, therefore I am (Broughton, 2008).   This was the breakthrough that he was looking for and he used it as a foundation from where he would build upon his theory of knowledge acquisition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Descartes’ idea is cutting edge at that time. He was one of the first to establish the principle of gaining knowledge and studying things that are beyond the capabilities of the five senses. There are many aspects of mathematics that can be ascertained not by using the five senses but by the mere act of intuition. Intuitively man has the ability to know the truth; this is the main argument of Descartes. This is strengthened by the concept of prior knowledge. A good example is the ability of a baby to suck from the mother’s breast the much needed nutrients for survival. A baby is almost blind from birth and yet able to perform such actions. Locke The capability to use the sense of sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste is one major path in gaining knowledge (Hartnack, 2001). It is in fact the ancient way of knowing the environment and the complexities of human interaction such as language and relationships. John Locke is one of the major proponents for this method of knowledge acquisition – that man has the capability of understanding the world around him by observing and utilizing the power of the five senses to harness information. Thus, it can be argued that man can only observe the world through his senses. In this model knowledge is true when it can be measured and observed through the senses. This is also known as empiricism. The significance of this method can be seen in scientific applications of the use of observation and careful measurements. Scientists, sociologists, and even philosophers from all over the world use this technique and it can even be argued that most people use empiricism without even thinking about it. It is just natural for man to use his senses to understand his environment and the stimulus that he receives every waking moment. Immanuel Kant   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kant is a central figure in modern philosophy because he was able to synthesize early modern rationalism and empiricism (Rholf, 2010). But this does not mean that Kant was completely successful in reconciling Descartes and Locke’s views concerning the acquisition of knowledge. Kant’s critics even asserted that he had made it more complicated and therefore making it harder to determine the perfect methodology that can help humans master the ability to acquire knowledge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nevertheless, Kant’s major contribution can be summed up in two statements: 1) human beings experience only appearances, not things in themselves; and 2) space and time are noting other than the subjective forms of human sensible intuition (Rohlf, 2010). This is an important conclusion because there are things that empiricism and rationalism cannot cover but can only be ascertain if there is complete understanding of everything – this is knowledge gained after using other people’s insights and breakthroughs.   For example ancient people see the sun orbiting around the earth, rationalism and empiricism will not refute that claim until there is already a capability to improve on that knowledge and modify it because now people know more about the movement of heavenly objects. Comparison   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Descartes did not agree that there can only be one method when it comes to knowledge acquisition. The use of the five senses is not enough to know the truth. There are things in this world that can only be understood by accepting the existence of prior knowledge and the use of intuition. There are mathematical equations that proved useful in improving man’s existence but the steps in developing these mathematical equations was not derived by simply observing the world trough the fives senses. These came forth as a result of institution, simply because mathematical truths belong to an abstract world inaccessible by sense of smell, hearing, taste, touch, and sight. In the privacy of thought, a person can apply these mathematical equations and gain knowledge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another weakness of using the five senses is that it is very subjective. Kant already pointed this out by stating that the five senses cannot be reliable all the time. For example the refraction of light creates optical illusions. The eye communicates to the self and says that the spoon appears to be bent. But the spoon was only perceived to be deformed because of the effect of the action of light when it passes through water. Another problematic aspect of relying on the five senses is its unreliability when human beings are subjected to harsh conditions. For example, a hiker lost in a desert will succumb to the effects of dehydration and begins to see mirage and other images that seem to be real but are not. Even with the obvious weaknesses of the empirical method of acquiring knowledge, it must also be pointed out that the five senses are indispensable tools when it comes to knowledge acquisition. No matter how subjective the five senses may seem to be it must be acknowledge that human beings can live within a community because people understand each other’s languages and respect the rules laid down by the leaders or the elders. This would have been impossible without the use of the five senses. Moreover, the aforementioned weakness of the empirical method can be easily corrected using a third-party that will help verify the information. For example a person hallucinating in the middle of a desert can be rescued by paramedics. And the perfectly healthy rescuers can help the disorientated person to gain his or her bearing. If two people disagree with regards to the exact height of the Statue of Liberty, they need not quarrel, they only need to ask an unbiased participant to measure the statue for them and settle their dispute. Thus, empiricism has only one valid weakness and it is the inability of man to know more than he should and therefore making conclusions without first knowing the big picture or having a complete understanding of the scientific law that governs a particular phenomenon. In this regard Kant’s ideas will be of great help. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Descartes’ view that there is indeed prior knowledge is an important first step in knowledge acquisition. The world is so complex and at the same time working like a well-oiled machine. However, it is not enough to simply say that knowledge can be gained by mere intuition. One has to agree with Locke that the five senses are indispensable tools when it comes to understanding the world. There is a need to observe and to measure in order to know the truth. But even so there are limitations so that it is important to take into consideration what Kant said regarding the inability of the mind to make sense of everything. For example the movement of the earth and sun could never be completely understood by mere intuition or observation alone. There is no perfect methodology in epistemology; there is a need to use each method to know the truth. References Broughton, J. (2008). â€Å"Self-Knowledge.† A Companion to Descartes. MA: Blackwell   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Publishing. Craig, E. (1998). Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. New York: Routledge. Cicovacki, P. (2002). Between Truth and Illusion: Kant at the Crossroads of Modernity. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Hartnack, J. (2001). Kant’s Theory of Knowledge: Introduction to Critique of Pure Reason. IN: Hacket Publishing, 2001. Rohlf, M. (2010). â€Å"Immanuel Kant.† Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Accesed 27 July 2010. Avaiable from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant/#TraIde   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚