Importance Of Experts Opinions In Search For Knowledge Philosophy Essay

Importance Of Experts Opinions In Search For Knowledge Philosophy Essay Searching through newspapers, TV news or radio I can easily find the so called: opinions of  experts. Almost every article in The Economist, Guardian consists of at least two quotations of economists, sociologists or lawyers who are mainly professors of the world most famous Universities such as  Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yell or workers of the specialised institutes. All these opinions may be useful in gaining knowledge yet would it  be  reasonable to uncritically accept them as  a  definite knowledge or call it my own knowledge? To answer the question of how important are the opinions of experts in the search of  knowledge I will carry out an in depth analysis of  three main aspects. First of all I  will try to examine who an  expert is and what conditions need to be completed in order to  call someone an authority in  a  specific field. Secondly, I will focus on the process of  transforming an  opinion into my  own knowledge. The last aspect will set down where do  experts gain their knowledge and what are the bases of their opinions. I believe that an  analysis of these three dimensions, extended by an examples of my everyday life and based on specific areas of  knowledge, will be,  to large extent, sufficient for answering whether experts and their opinions are able to  provide me  with an adequate evidence to accept it  as  a  reliable component of  my  knowledge. As I was thinking of how to define an expert I ended up realizing how complex the perception of experts is. I would say that there is no one, ideal definition. However as I think about it,  this is  a person who possess an in depth knowledge in a specific field and relying mostly on the empirical evidence makes researches developing his/hers own understanding of  a  specific phenomenon. My brief definition seems to find an  application in everyday life for example professors from Universities specify only in narrow fields and by probing particular factors, they form their own proven conclusions which are further presented in  magazines or books as  experts opinions. As  I  am most interested in  economics it seems most reasonable to evoke an  authority specialising in this area. Let me focus on Leszek Balcerowicz, who is considered an  expert in regulating the interference of  the government on  the market. First of all he  graduated from the economics faculty, performed in  the most respected national and European posts and was an author of the famous Balcerowicz Plan which transformed Polish economy what provided him with an  empirical evidence. To  my  mind he  possesses enough knowledge to form reliable conclusions of  what he  observes in  market. Yet we need to be aware that he  is  devoted to  a  specific economics school monetarism, therefore his opinions may be  to  some extent subordinate to  his personal beliefs or  biases. However whenever I see his opinion being expressed I know that it will for sure affect my understanding of a given case as  his authority based on experience, reasoning and although inevitably emotions and personal attitude are sufficient for me to call him an  authority whose opinion I base on when creating my own conclusions, point of view that I  call my own. It  may be claimed that I treat Balcerowicz as an expert just because I  am  sympathetic to his creed yet even people that have contradictory economical opinions do  accept his high appointments and take his opinion into consideration at least to confront their and Balcerowiczs ideas. Therefore an authority is not only a person that people agree with and share the same opinion but rather  someone who can  provide us with evidence of his claims. The process of transforming opinion into knowledge is also worth focusing. Studying in the IB programme I realized that experts opinions are only hints that help to interpret facts more widely. The most important thing for me was realising that even if  an expert does his/her best to be fair minded a bit of subjectivity is inevitable. Yet as I became aware of it the subjectivity turned out to have its positive effects. Historical experts seem to  thrive on the conflicts between their opinions about events in their search for knowledge and better understanding of  the past. The same event can attract vastly different opinions, for example the causes of the First World War. Marxist historians blame the development of capitalism whether as German historian, Geiss blames the failure of  diplomacy.  [1]  Hence being a critically thinking person the contradiction of experts opinions makes me understand the problem in  a  wider way, analyse of who I  trust more, whose evi dence is strongly supported and hammer out a compromise. Experts are not born specialists, they gain knowledge and due to  work and understanding of  specific processes they may start being perceived as authorities within the area of their interest. Yet my look concerns mainly history, natural sciences, human sciences but when it  comes to ethics the knowledge that books or expertises may provide becomes less usable. For example my mother is for me the expert of husband wife relations instead of  the fact that her knowledge is   based only on personal experience. Yet the evidence she can provide me with her successful relationship with my father is at that point sufficient for me. The evidence is in my opinion the most important thing while starting to believe in  something and gaining my own understanding of a given thing (note that in the presented essay I am not discussing religion beliefs). First of all the opinion needs to have rational grounds. This means that if my history teacher said that the First World War started as  a  consequence of the assassination of Grand Duke Constantine without giving any proof or  explanation I would probably doubt whether it  is reliable and true. However if he supported it with opinions of  other experts, primary sources (which may be for example some political documents) or  other evidence the thesis would became more reliable and therefore probably accepted by  me for further consideration of context. The last aspect of my concern is the origin of the need to rely on the opinions of experts. Looking for example at arts, what do I need experts opinions for? As it is the most subjective area of knowledge at first I almost saw no difference whether a painting was commented by  an expert or  a  non expert. The only difference that I considered worth pointing was the fact that experts may be more used to commenting on arts and therefore their language and ability to  express feelings may be clearer and more focused. However, as I thought about it more I realized that there is at least one more aspect. A good example is De Aardappeleters (The Potato Eaters) by Vincent van Gogh which I found to create different interpretations in  different context. When I showed the painting to my friends, almost all of them found it  ordinary and only one person out of ten recognized the author. However when I showed them the painting once more, but prefacing it with a history of masterpie ce and Van Goghs assumptions (therefore I was acting like an  expert) all of them changed their attitude towards the painting and started to see it with a wider perspective appreciating the atmosphere and bright idea. To my mind when it comes to history experts opinions are one of the most important aspects in  gaining knowledge for me. Even the primary sources, which seem to be most reliable and unspoiled source of knowledge, have to be interpreted as well. Therefore experts act like an interpreters. Due to their contrary opinions they create an  opportunity for me to see different attitudes to the same event. This not only extends my  perspective but also reminds me that looking at things from only one point of view is like not looking at them at all. To conclude in my opinion experts opinions are valuable in the search of knowledge. Authorities opinions may be sometimes misleading, lack evidence but as I take them into consideration while creating my own point of view I believe that it provides me with better analysis of the subject. Each opinion is somehow true therefore, whenever an expert or a  non expert expresses an opinion I think that it expends my perspective and hence makes me  think more specifically on the problem, analyse it and create my own conclusion.

Legionnaire`s disease

Since the identification of Legionella two decades ago, a significant amount of information has accumulated concerning the microbiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, control, and therapy of infections caused by these organisms. The number of species in the genus Legionella has increased dramatically. Legionella is considered to be responsible for 2–13% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization (Brieman and Butler, 1998). The various Legionella species can cause two distinct diseases: a severe form of pneumonia known as Legionnaire disease or a less serious, influenza-like illness known as Pontiac fever, which is generally recognized only during those outbreaks in which a cluster of cases of Legionella pneumonia sparks an epidemiologic investigation that uncovers these less serious infections. Microbiology The organism is a Gram-negative bacillus. There are currently 42 described species of Legionellae representing 64 serogroups in the family (Benson and Fields, 1998). Legionellaceae and the genus Legionella. The phenotypic characteristics of Legionellae are defined by growth requirements, and biochemical characteristics including fatty acid analysis and ubiquinone analysis, protein profiles, carbohydrate analysis, serology, monoclonal antibodies, and molecular techniques (DNA-DNA hybridization). L. pneumophila is a facultative intracellular pathogen that invades and replicates within free-living protozoa (i.e. amoeba) and mammalian cells (Benson and Fields, 1998). Within natural environments, L. pneumophila can persist as a free-living microbe, but it replicates exclusively as an intracellullar parasite within amoeba. L. pneumophila causes Legionnaire's disease by replication in alveolar macrophages and monocytes. During infection the Legionnaire's disease bacterium survives and multiplies within a specialized phagosome that is near neutral pH and does not fuse with host lysozymes. Studies show that the regulation of macrophage resistance versus susceptibility to infection is mediated by specific genetic mechanisms. The induction of cytokines by Legionella can activate immune cells, especially T helper cells. Activated macrophages restrict the growth of Legionella (Segal and Shuman, 1998) Epidemiology Cases can occur in clusters or sporadically from the community or in the hospital setting. The disease is much more common than previously appreciated with at least 13 000 cases estimated to occur per year in the United States (Brieman and Butler, 1998). There may also be local environmental factors that are important and still not well defined. Although immunosuppressed patients and specifically transplant patients seem to have a higher risk of developing Legionnaire's disease, there are many more non-immunosuppressed individuals in the community who may be infected with Legionella. nvestigations into community outbreaks still find cooling towers to be a source of the Legionella Clinical manifestation Luttichau et al(1998) investigated an outbreak of Pontiac fever in children and adults, caused by a contaminated whirlpool. The authors isolated L. pneumophila serogroup OLDA from one of the children and believe that this represents the first reported culture-confirmed case of Pontiac fever. The outbreak was characterized by a short incubation period, influenza-like symptoms, and rapid recoveries, all features typical of Pontiac fever. The median incubation period for the children was shorter (43 h) than for the adults (70 h). The median duration of the illness was 87 h for the children versus 61 h for the adults. The most common symptoms noted by the adults were fever, dizziness, headache, cough, fatigue, arthralgia and abdominal pain. Ear pain and rash were more common in children. Diagnosis The diagnosis of Legionnaire's disease remains troublesome in many hospitals. Serological studies are useful too late for the clinician and cultures must be incubated for at least 3 days. Legionella urinary antigen assays are useful early in clinical disease but the kits that are currently available only identify patients with disease caused by L. pneumophila serogroup 1. Recent improvements in the methodology for performing polymerase chain reaction on bronchoalveolar lavage solutions are encouraging (Chiba etal, 1998) Treatment Antimicrobial agents generally considered clinically effective for Legionella infections include macrolides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and rifampins. In a study several new antimicrobial agents with in-vitro activities against Legionellae that were found   better than those of erythromycin; included were a new rifampin-like drug, rifapentine, dalfopristin-quinupristin, and a new ketolide (HMR3647). The advantages of the quinolone agents include bactericidal activity against Legionella and a prolonged post-antibiotic effect whereas erythromycin is only inhibitory. In an additional study using HL-60 cells to evaluate new macrolides, Stout et al (1998)documented that the most active inhibitors of L. pneumophila intracellular multiplication were (in order of activity) azithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, dirithromycin and clarithromycin. In a recent editorial, Edelstein (1998) suggested that azithromycin or one of the more active fluoroquinolones should be used in preference to erythromycin for the treatment of Legionnaire's disease in immunocompromised patients, based on their greater in-vitro activity as well as their better pharmacodynamic properties. In addition to producing a potentially better outcome, these agents will often improve patient compliance because of fewer side-effects and the shorter duration of therapy. Conclusion Infections caused by Legionella spp. are a significant cause of morbidity and occasionally mortality. The projected number of cases of infection caused by Legionella spp. are much greater than those reported to CDC's surveillance system, indicating both underdiagnosis and under-reporting. Hopefully, new information concerning the molecular biology and pathogenesis will provide a better understanding of infection caused by these organisms. Recent studies suggest that the newer macrolides and newer fluoroquinolones are the optimal agents for these organisms. References 1 Benson RF, Fields BS. Classification of the genus Legionella. Semin Respir Infect 1998; 13:90-99. A comprehensive update of the microbiology and tetonomy of Legionellae 2 Breiman RF, Butler JC. Legionnaire's disease: clinical, epidemiological, and public health perspectives. Semin Respir Infect 1998; 13:84-89 3 Segal G, Shuman HA. How is the intracellular fate of the Legionella pneumophila phagosome determined? Trends Microbiol 1998; 6:253-255. 4 Luttichau HR, Vinther C, Uldum SA, Moller J, Faber M, Jensen J. An outbreak of Pontiac fever among children following use of a whirlpool. Clin Infect Dis 1998; 26:1374-1378. 5 Chiba Y, Okamoto H, Nagatomo A, Kunikare H, Watanabe . Legionnaire's disease diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage. Int Med 1998; 37:153-156. 6 Stout JE, Arnold B, Yu VL. Activity of azithromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, dirithromycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin and erythromycin against Legionella species by intracellular susceptibility testing in HL-60 cells. J Antimicrob Chemother 1998; 41:289-291 7 Edelstein PH. Antimicrobial chemotherapy for Legionnaire's disease: time for a change. Ann Intern Med 1998; 129:328-330.      

Canopic Stopper of King Tut

It is very useful for those, who study history, archeology or other related subject, to support their knowledge and understanding with some visual materials. In such cases, visiting some geographical territories of historical events, or archeological museum, or an exhibition of antique arts would be perfect help for better picturing of realistic details and environment of ancient times. The exhibition of the treasures of Egyptian King Tut, which were revealed during the discovery of his Tomb in the beginning of XX century, is a perfect example of visual support for those, who are interested in history and culture of Ancient Egypt. A lot of different statuettes, busts, vases, elements of decorations, etc. from those times were presented at the exhibition in Los Angeles County Museum of Arts. But I was especially fascinated with a little bust from the canopic chest of King Tut, made of delicately patterned transparent calcite. This elegant bust reproduces King Tut himself wearing the nemes head-dress. The creators of it used subtle black and red paints to underline facial details of good-looking Egyptian king: his big eyes, eyebrows and lips, demonstrating feminized nature of this person. Traditionally, the face of King Tut is presented with decorations of protective cobra and vulture, appearing from his head-dress. This small statuette is typical exemplar of Egyptian ancient art, which is characterized with features of early frontalism: every picture (in painting) or figure (in sculpture) was presented in rigid and formal posture. This bust was found in a shrine of King Tut, on a magnificent canopic chest made of alabaster and gorgeously decorated with golden staples. There were, actually, four of such busts, which were located in every corner of the chest and served as stoppers. These stoppers were sealing four compartments of the chest, in which four miniature anthropomorphic coffins, containing mummified inner organs of the king, were stored. King Tut (Tutankhamen) is one of the most known and recognizable pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. He was the Ruler of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egyptian Kings, who started his reign in the age of 9 and died at the age of 19. Certainly, he ruled under supervision and control of his adult advisers: in particular, his vizier and future successor Ay. The main social reconstruction, made by King Tut, is conversion of heretical Atenism, launched by his predecessor King Akhenaton, to previous traditional ancient Egyptian religion. Causes of his death still remain unknown, and there are some suggestions on this issue. Some specialists consider him to be murdered; the others consider his death to be accidental. After watching this sculpture of young pharaoh for some long period of time, first of all, I started paying more attention on its divine material. This transparent calcite is called Egyptian alabaster, which was, probably, enriched with some phosphoric materials. That is why the bust looks so lucid and shining, as if time did not touch it at all. I noticed that in this magic shining the representation of King Tut looked exceptionally graciously, and he seemed to me to be very calm and friendly as a person. The more I watched, the more I could realize, how different it is to see figures and statues in real dimensions, not as reproductions in the books. This way so many details, like features of the face, head position, profile line, vivid natural colors, and so on, can be better observed and considered. There is no printed picture, which can properly show the light, color, shape or delicacy of ancient artworks. So, if we want to receive some good idea about such treasures, we have to see them live. That is why such exhibitions are extremely popular and always crowded. There are many known representations and images of King Tut, which remained from ancient times. Recently the revolutionary event took place, when the team of Egyptian, American and French specialists managed to receive a new facial image of Tutankhamen. It was presented in three-dimensional CT scans of the Pharaoh's skull, but the only uncertainty was left, which is the tone of King Tut’s skin. Of course, such researches are priceless. But, to my mind, there is no better imagination of a historical personage, than the one, which can be received from observing original artworks and genuine historical materials. After visiting this exhibition, I have formed my own clear picture of this Egyptian legendary king in my mind, which, I suppose, is not very different from his real appearance and character. Bibliography: â€Å"Canopic Stopper of King Tut.† King Tut. King Tut Exhibition, Los Angeles County Museum of Arts. 8 Nov. 2005 ;http://www.kingtut.org/gallery/Gold_57.htm;. â€Å"Tutankhamen.† Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia Online. 6 Nov. 2005. 8 Nov. 2005 ;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Tut;. ;

Rape is Not Motivated by Sex Essay - 1413 Words

Rape is Not Motivated by Sex Introduction Rape is not a new phenomenon. The act of forcing someone to engage in sex against his or her will dates back many years. However, the motivation behind it has remained a controversy. Though it seems that rapists are after sex, the argument that violence is predominantly behind rape has, in recent times, become a widely held view. It is estimated that 371 out of 100,000 women will become the victims of rape each year. Incidences can reach as high as one-in-four when attempted rape and coercion are also considered. This number does not take into account rapes that go unreported. The underreporting of this crime is a result of a number of reasons that are related to the ways in which rape is†¦show more content†¦There are occurrences of rape by male animals that include insects, birds, fishes, etc#8230; This is evidence of the biological factor in the need for sex and consequently, rape. The most common type of rape is acquaintance rape. Acquaintance rape that i nvolves some degree of relationship accounts for between 80% and 90% of all rapes. Rapists whose motives lie in sex, will almost always turn to someone they know rather than rape a stranger. Also, in the rapists mind, the rape might be considered a seduction. This suggests that these sexual situations are the result of misunderstandings, rather than a mans intentional desire to hurt a woman. Here, the issue of gender-roles becomes relevant. For men to fulfill the role expected of them by society, they must be dominant, powerful, sexually aggressive, and able to gain sexual access to reluctant women. According to this theory, rape is seen as an extreme extension of traditional gender roles and male -- female sexual interaction, not as deviant or pathological behavior. So, rape is also an extension of the social expectations behind sex. 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