I feel that justice and mercy can co exist together. Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, fairness, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics. Mercy refers to the compassionate behavior of the party in power.
For example, in a lawsuit, mercy can be shown when a judge pardons a convict, or when the other party agrees to let the matter rest. However, does this mean that justice is neglected here? The punishment is still there, law has been carried out fairly and equally. It is the warmheartedness of an individual and that has spared the convict of his punishment. The one in power has decided to show mercy in hopes that the convicted would turn over a new leaf.
An example whereby justice coexists with mercy is the case in which a man used acid to disfigure a student's face in Iraq. The law in Iraq states that the man should be sentenced to have an eye gouged out as well as he blinded the student in the process. However, the students mercy let him off at the last minute. Justice still existed as the man was given a punishment but mercy saved his eyesight.
To err is human to forgive is divine. Mercy is an attribute for god himself. God can coexist with justice, and so can mercy.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Term 3 Week 5
Shylock in the Merchant of Venice is a display of anti-semitism and lack of justice. Also, Shylock is being made the antagonist of the story, while Antonio, a christian is the protagonist. The name Shylock gives me an overview of the character. Shy and lock are unpleasant words as they suggest the characteristics of a miser, shying away from human warmth and locking away his money.
Anti-semitism refers to the discrimination of the Jews. Throughout the play, Shylock has been the one who was cunning, evil. Even his own daughter and servant abandoned him. Also, during the court room scene, Shylock was once again shown as a hated person and he lost everything in the end. In Act 1 Scene 3 where Antonio spat at Shylock and made racist remarks such as calling Shylock a dog. However, Shylock cannot do anything about it as this was a common sight during the 16th century Venice.
Anti-semitism refers to the discrimination of the Jews. Throughout the play, Shylock has been the one who was cunning, evil. Even his own daughter and servant abandoned him. Also, during the court room scene, Shylock was once again shown as a hated person and he lost everything in the end. In Act 1 Scene 3 where Antonio spat at Shylock and made racist remarks such as calling Shylock a dog. However, Shylock cannot do anything about it as this was a common sight during the 16th century Venice.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Term 3 Week 4
Jim Rogers feels that a global child is one that goes with the international flow. However, America no longer has the upper hand. Now that China is on the rise, he wants his children to learn Chinese, and to study in Asia. Therefore, his daughter was sent to Nanyang Primary School, to prepare for her globalised future.
In the current society, good education is needed to get good jobs. Singapore boasts one of the best education in the world, sending countless numbers of students into Ivy League colleges. The high emphasis on bilingualism is also a good part of education, uniquely Singaporean. After all, China is increasing rapidly, recently surpassing Japan in terms of economy.
Although finding a best education is important in today's society, the definition of best is still rather difficult to identify. For example, Jim Rogers finds Singapore's education to be fruitful but many Asians are seeking out American education.
In the current society, good education is needed to get good jobs. Singapore boasts one of the best education in the world, sending countless numbers of students into Ivy League colleges. The high emphasis on bilingualism is also a good part of education, uniquely Singaporean. After all, China is increasing rapidly, recently surpassing Japan in terms of economy.
Although finding a best education is important in today's society, the definition of best is still rather difficult to identify. For example, Jim Rogers finds Singapore's education to be fruitful but many Asians are seeking out American education.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Term 3 Week 3
After reading the open letter, I could not help but feel grateful of studying in an IP school. The description of O Levels is quite terrifying. She has to memorise tons of stuff in order to meet the expectations.
Janalle Lee's views on the current education system is that it needs change. After all these years, we are still in a "Third World" education system, yet, we have long moved on to First. We should be taught how to ask "Why" instead of forcing information down our throats. Another flaw is the lack of character development. Character development in school is only taught for the sake of it, instead of concentrating on how to impart the values.
I disagree with her views. Firstly, the education system has changed. During the 1960s, education was survival based. However, it changed in late 19th century to knowledge based. Therefore, the education system was changed from Third World to First World. Furthermore, in the current society, the words first, second and third world are not really feasible. These terms were invented during the cold war to describe the countries in the war. First World being countries were democratic and capitalistic, Second World being the communist states and Third World represented the countries that did not ally with USA. As the world is developing faster and faster, these terms are no longer applicable.
However, asking "why" is appropriate. Yet it is not discouraged in the education system. We can always go online and Google: Why is carbon a metal, or why is the sky blue. It is not whether we are able to ask "why" that is affecting us, it is whether we want to ask "why". If the writer was so curious, she should just research on it using her own free time instead of writing an open letter.
I feel that values should be taught by our parents, not the schools. Schools, are made to impart knowledge from teacher to student, not values. Our bilingualism is needed as English is used to communicate with the Western society and to break the racial barriers while our mother tongue language is used to impart values from parents to children.
Janalle Lee's views on the current education system is that it needs change. After all these years, we are still in a "Third World" education system, yet, we have long moved on to First. We should be taught how to ask "Why" instead of forcing information down our throats. Another flaw is the lack of character development. Character development in school is only taught for the sake of it, instead of concentrating on how to impart the values.
I disagree with her views. Firstly, the education system has changed. During the 1960s, education was survival based. However, it changed in late 19th century to knowledge based. Therefore, the education system was changed from Third World to First World. Furthermore, in the current society, the words first, second and third world are not really feasible. These terms were invented during the cold war to describe the countries in the war. First World being countries were democratic and capitalistic, Second World being the communist states and Third World represented the countries that did not ally with USA. As the world is developing faster and faster, these terms are no longer applicable.
However, asking "why" is appropriate. Yet it is not discouraged in the education system. We can always go online and Google: Why is carbon a metal, or why is the sky blue. It is not whether we are able to ask "why" that is affecting us, it is whether we want to ask "why". If the writer was so curious, she should just research on it using her own free time instead of writing an open letter.
I feel that values should be taught by our parents, not the schools. Schools, are made to impart knowledge from teacher to student, not values. Our bilingualism is needed as English is used to communicate with the Western society and to break the racial barriers while our mother tongue language is used to impart values from parents to children.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Term 3 Week 2
Water, also sometimes known as blue fuel, is essential for survival of all living things. It might cover two thirds of the earth but only a small amount is drinkable. Over the years, global warming has reduced this number due to pollution. Therefore, an increase in demand of water. There is definitely a difference between treating water as a human right and as a commodity. A human right refers to a right that is believed to belong justifiably to every person. On the other hand, a commodity is something of value which can be sold. If every person should have the right to have access to water, how can it be a commodity. The poor people would not be able to buy any water.
In my opinion, water should be treated as a human right as nobody can really "own" water. After all, water is given by nature and every human, animal or plant has the right to have access to it. We did not make water so what right do we have to make it a commodity. If it is turned into a commodity, what would happen to the poverty stricken families, would they just die of dehydration? Therefore, I support water as a human right.
In my opinion, water should be treated as a human right as nobody can really "own" water. After all, water is given by nature and every human, animal or plant has the right to have access to it. We did not make water so what right do we have to make it a commodity. If it is turned into a commodity, what would happen to the poverty stricken families, would they just die of dehydration? Therefore, I support water as a human right.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Term 3 Week 1 (Weekend Assignment)
Most Singaporeans nowadays have at least one maid in their houses. It is convenient and not too expensive, perfect for the Singapore society. Maids are people to so they too need their rest. However, this matter can be quite trivial compared to other cases but only 12% of maids get days off. In the end, it all boils down to the morality of the employer. Therefore, I agree that days off should be legislated.
Some people confuse their maids for machines. Tell them to do something and they expect total obedience. However, even machines need to be recharged. These maids work on an average of 14 hours a day. Also, more than half the maids start work at 6am and end work between 8pm and 9pm, according to their employers. A quarter end work at 10pm. Think about it, if you employer makes you work 14 hours a day and no days off even on Saturdays and Sundays, how would you react. I do not even think one would take up such a job. Furthermore, it is proven that resting helps improve a person's performance. A while rested maid will certainly be more efficient than one who works non-stop. Maids need the rest whether you like it or not, if employers cannot see this point, compulsory days off should be legislated.
On the other hand, this matter is can be quite small compared to cases such as murder or scams. Resources should be concentrated on more the more important cases. There have been many cases that have been rejected due to the lack of importance in the subject. However, the severity of this topic must also be brought into consideration. If only 12% of maids are given weekly days off, the scale of this case expands. If one person falls sick from food poisoning, nothing much would happen but if 90% of the people who eat from a stall gets food poisoning, the stall would most likely be closed down for lack of cleanliness. Even if the case might not seem much, the number would show that this is something that needs to be improved on.
I am appalled by the way these Singaporeans treat their maids. It is morally wrong to make someone work without giving them any rest. Even construction workers get at least one day off. By not giving employees their holidays, it is only dragging down your moral standards. One might be extremely rich, but if he or she does not treat the people working for him well, that person is trash.
In conclusion, being a made is a job and having a proper job means having days off. If people are unwilling to do that, it should be a law.
Some people confuse their maids for machines. Tell them to do something and they expect total obedience. However, even machines need to be recharged. These maids work on an average of 14 hours a day. Also, more than half the maids start work at 6am and end work between 8pm and 9pm, according to their employers. A quarter end work at 10pm. Think about it, if you employer makes you work 14 hours a day and no days off even on Saturdays and Sundays, how would you react. I do not even think one would take up such a job. Furthermore, it is proven that resting helps improve a person's performance. A while rested maid will certainly be more efficient than one who works non-stop. Maids need the rest whether you like it or not, if employers cannot see this point, compulsory days off should be legislated.
On the other hand, this matter is can be quite small compared to cases such as murder or scams. Resources should be concentrated on more the more important cases. There have been many cases that have been rejected due to the lack of importance in the subject. However, the severity of this topic must also be brought into consideration. If only 12% of maids are given weekly days off, the scale of this case expands. If one person falls sick from food poisoning, nothing much would happen but if 90% of the people who eat from a stall gets food poisoning, the stall would most likely be closed down for lack of cleanliness. Even if the case might not seem much, the number would show that this is something that needs to be improved on.
I am appalled by the way these Singaporeans treat their maids. It is morally wrong to make someone work without giving them any rest. Even construction workers get at least one day off. By not giving employees their holidays, it is only dragging down your moral standards. One might be extremely rich, but if he or she does not treat the people working for him well, that person is trash.
In conclusion, being a made is a job and having a proper job means having days off. If people are unwilling to do that, it should be a law.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Task 2
(1) Point of View:
The point if view of this poem is through the poets own eyes
(2) Situation and Setting:
There are many settings in this poem as war can happen in many places
(3) Language/Diction:
One specialty of this poem is that it uses both past and present tense.
(4) Personal Response:
I feel that this poem encompasses a holistic view of war. The sorrows, deaths and friendship are all included
The point if view of this poem is through the poets own eyes
(2) Situation and Setting:
There are many settings in this poem as war can happen in many places
(3) Language/Diction:
One specialty of this poem is that it uses both past and present tense.
(4) Personal Response:
I feel that this poem encompasses a holistic view of war. The sorrows, deaths and friendship are all included
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