The Activity Theory Of Aging - 933 Words

1) The article from The Gerontologist supports the activity theory of aging. This states that as people age, it is very important for them to be engaged in various activities and social roles. As described in the lecture, studies have shown that those who stay involved have less signs of depression and have a lesser decline in mental health. In addition, they are considered more competent than others in their age group by the general population since they are actively participating in society. The research described in the article proved that those who had moderate or high participation in activities such as working, volunteering, and caregiving had a better psychological well-being. It is not necessarily just taking part in these, but the level in which one does so is also crucial. It appears that moderate participation is the best way to a better psychological well-being, as one does not want to be overworked, but should still be involved. I chose to read article C entitled â€Å"Do productive activities reduce inflammation in late life?† from The Gerontologist. It also supports the activity theory of aging, but relates it more to physical health instead of psychological well-being. The study proved that older adults between ages 57 and 85 have less bodily inflammation, which can cause cardiovascular diseases, if they participate in activities like volunteering and caregiving. These findings are very similar to those found in the required reading because they both agree thatShow MoreRelatedActivity Theory of Aging Essay4128 Words   |  17 PagesRUNNING HEAD: ACTIVITY THEORY Activity Theory of Aging Long Island University-C.W. Post Campus Jennifer L. Bifulco Throughout this semester we have come across many psychological and social theories. From Vaillant’s aging well, to Erikson’s life stages, to Leont’ev’s activity theory, there is a lot to learn and to understand. For the purpose of this paper, I am going to focus on the Activity Theory of aging. After some thorough research on this topic I was able to come up with some greatRead MoreSociological Aging : A Sociological Perspective Essay902 Words   |  4 PagesSociological Aging Social aging is referring to the changes in individual’s roles and relationship in the society as they age. There are many different theories concerning sociological aging. Social theories on aging examine the relationship between individual experiences and social institutions e.g., aging and retirement; aging and institutional care; aging and government policy etc (Barkan 2012). All have limitations, and some can be considered more than others when attempting to understand socialRead MoreTheoretical Perspective on Aging Hcs/548 Essays1183 Words   |  5 PagesRunning head: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE ON AGING Theoretical Perspective on Aging Rachael Porchia HCS/548 September 3, 2012 Deborah Ayers Theoretical Perspective on Aging The study of aging has not been around long. Aging is natural, and occurs during an individual’s lifetime. Essentially, no one can escape the aging process many individuals 60 and over are in good health, and hold his or her independence status. However, some individuals over 60 experiencesRead MoreDisengagement Theory Is The First Formal Theory Of Aging873 Words   |  4 PagesDisengagement theory is the first formal theory of aging. It was first proposed in 1961 by Elaine Cumming and William Hendry. They both were researchers from the University of Chicago. The two developed their theory in their book Growing Old: The Process of Disengagement. In the book they criticized the implicit theory that people can adjust, be satisfied, and happy in old age. They can also be physically involved and remain active throughout their lives. â€Å"Cumming and Henry argued that normal aging involvesRead MoreThe Theory Of An Assisted Living Home909 Words   |  4 Pagesof aging that a re continuously being looked at and studied. Through a process of studies on the aging, those who study gerontology can make conclusions about the elderly and their behaviors. These conclusions, or theories, can be applied to many different disciplines of gerontology. One particular discipline of interest is the role of activities in institutional living facilities. Two theories that are applicable to the role or impact of activities are activity theory and disengagement theory. Read MoreExplain Factors Influencing Ageing, and Explain Ways in Which Health and Social Care Workers Support the Independence and Wellbeing of Older People.980 Words   |  4 PagesP1 explain theories of ageing. In this assignment I will be explain 4 theories and link it to a scenario that was given by the teacher in class. Sociological/psychological theories; * Disengagement theory * Activity theory Biological theories: * Genetically programmed theory * Disposable soma theory * Disengagement theory This theory Cumming and Henry in 1961 suggests that when Andy is to get older he will withdraw from the society in preparation for death and this couldRead MoreTheory of Successful Aging1648 Words   |  7 PagesTheory Of Successful Aging INTERNAL CRITICISM Adequacy: The Flood’s Theory of Successful Aging (Flood, 2005) was developed to addresses a nursing theory for care of the older adult regarding to the lack of nursing theory that offers clearly delineated guidelines for care of aging. Flood’s(2002) unique definition of successful aging among other explanations includes mental, physical, and spiritual elements of the aging person and emphasizing the individuals self appraisal. She used existing knowledgeRead MoreThe Aging Process For The Older Adults Essay1587 Words   |  7 Pages Successful Aging Paper Albatul Albulayhi University of the Incarnate Word â€Æ' Successful Aging Paper Aging is inevitable; as people age in the second half of life, the body often faces some challenges mentally and physically. Aging was defined by Robert Arking (1998), as a â€Å" Time-dependent series of cumulative, progressive, intrinsic, and harmful changes that begin to manifest at reproductive maturity and eventually end in death† (p. 520). The aging process for the older adults is influenced byRead MoreAn Accurate Plan Of Care For Older Adults1522 Words   |  7 PagesAs individuals age changes occur physiologically that are part of normal aging. These changes occur in all organ systems and can impact an individual’s quality of life. The changes related to aging can be attributed to an individual’s genetic make up, lifestyle, physical activity, and dietary lifestyle. Being able to differentiate between normal changes in aging against disease process is important because it can help clinicians develop a plan of care (Boltz, Capezuti, Fulmer, Zwicker, 2012) . CreatingRead MoreEssay about Growing Old1073 Words   |  5 Pageswill go through the aging process. However, how well each endures that process depends on the individual. After my Visit at English Oaks Convalescent Home, a skilled nursing facility for adults’ age 55 and older, I found this to be true. During my visit, I conversed with many â€Å"residents† whom were alert and oriented and very aware of the aging process. We conversed about the process of aging and the factors that appear to account for a longer life. We talked about adjusting to aging as well as the positives

Gandalf as the Guide Archetype - 1222 Words

Gandalf as a â€Å"the Guide† What is Gandalf’s Archetype? The dictionary defines it as the original pattern or model from which all things of same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype. J.R.R Tolkiens The Hobbit is a story of growth that centers on Bilbo Baggins a Hobbit who is perfectly happy in his Hobbit hole eating, drinking and smoking. Everything in Bilbo’s life is as he likes it, until the day that Gandalf the Grey strolls into his life and although Bilbo doesnt know it Gandalf is his Guide. The Archetype of The Guide points the hero in the direction he is destined to go. Gandalf is the one who chooses Bilbo as the 14th and luckiest member of the party making the trek†¦show more content†¦Finally the Bilbo that Gandalf has been talking about the whole story has emerged. Gandalf always gives off the impression that he knows everything before it happens. Just by speaking with Bilbo he knew that there was an underlying power that Bilbo didnt even know what was there. Gandalf seems to take a special interest to Bilbo that he doesnt have for any of the dwarves. He doesnt even speak to Fili and Kili or any of the dwarves except for Thorin of course and Im sure he wouldnt try to go back for any of them if they were left behind in a goblin cave. But he was very adamant that they go back for Bilbo even calling him his friend. Gandalf was trained by some of the strongest Valar or gods and he considers the tiniest of creatures a Hobbit his friend. Gandalf and Bilbo share an unspoken bond. Gandalf was trained by the Valar to aid the people of middle-earth in the fight against evil, for over 2000 years, Gandalf worked most faithfully against the rising powers of evil in Middle-earth. Gandalf has never showed a real interest in the treasure that was awaiting them at the end of the journey. He was more interested in the growth of Bilbo as a hero and the goblin cave is a perfect example. While the Dwarves are only concerned wi th moving on to there gold, He is insistent that they go back for Bilbo. Why would he do that? Why would someone who just fought is way out of those caves barely escaping with hisShow MoreRelatedThe Hero s Journey And The Lord Of The Rings1630 Words   |  7 Pagesmodel, archetypes, reluctant heroes, and the description of the stages to help you understand, support, and complete your work.) Leave my numbers as they are and write a paragraph under each number (in a dark text color that is different from the color of my text (you choose) - and thank you, remember I am half blind). In this paragraph, explain what major events in the film happen at each stage of the journey. Be descriptive, and in addition to the events, include the archetype titlesRead MoreMaking Of A Hero : Tolkien s The Hobbit And The Monomyth1951 Words   |  8 Pagesis a key representation of the heroes â€Å"call to adventure†, a challenge often triggered by external obstacles that prompt the protagonist to develop his heroic traits. Baggins’s development as the story’s protagonist and hero follows a visit from Gandalf the wizard, prompting him to take part in an adventure comprised of an army of thirteen battle-ready dwarves. In this paper, I will show that Tolkien’s fictional novel The Hobbit follows the rudimentary structuring discussed in Joseph Campbell’s hero’s

How to Write an Executive Memo free essay sample

Your strategy professors have asked the English faculty to cover the executive memo, which you will use in your strategic management class, for two reasons: * The ability to write a short, informative, well-written memo like this will serve you well in your future careers. * Writing a good memo is difficult and requires practice. Students in past strategic management classes have had trouble with the guidelines you’ll see in the following paragraph. Please read this document carefully and be prepared to demonstrate your understanding during the next class session. An executive memo is a short (no more than 500 words) internal document whose purpose is to make strategic recommendations to a company. The executive memo has 4 parts: the issue, the recommendation, the action plan, and the discussion of alternatives, in that order. When you write your executive memo, there are several important guidelines to keep in mind: * The memo is short, so every word should count. We will write a custom essay sample on How to Write an Executive Memo or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Don’t waste time giving the company information it already has (i. e. , what the company does, how much it’s sold, etc. * It’s important that you present the material in the order given here. This is not creative writing! * Everything in the memo should be connected to the issue at hand: the recommendation, the action plan, and the alternatives should all serve to resolve the issue. * Since the memo focuses on the issue, it is crucial that you state the issue clearly. Starting your memo: the subject line Make sure your subject line encapsulates the main issue of your memo. Section 1: The Issue * The memo should begin with a statement of the strategy problem you will address (i. . , you are defining the problem). This definition is key because it determines the direction which the rest of the memo will take. * It is vital to distinguish between observational information and the problem you want to solve. Be crystal clear and specific about the issue you will address. Your issue section should do the following: * Identify the root problems associated with the issue. * Provide a measure of how significant the problem is. * Provide a sense of how urgent the problem is. * Iden tify the risk if the issue is not addressed. Section 2: Recommendation(s) This section comes early in the memo because it’s more important that the reader see it than the alternatives. Nevertheless, it’s best to write your alternatives first and choose from among them. * Your recommendation must be one of your alternatives and must relate back to the issue and causes you have defined initially. * State CLEARLY what solution you recommend and briefly why it represents the best alternative. * Normally, the recommendation will be one alternative; however, sometimes it may incorporate one aspect of a second option. Indicate briefly that you understand whatever drawbacks may exist to the solution you have chosen. * Make sure your recommendation is realistic given physical and economic limitations. This section should be a brief bullet list. The action plan is a schedule for the implementation of the recommendations you have made. * The goal of the action plan is to show the reader (your boss) the scope of the activity involved and demonstrate your understanding of what has to be done to complete it. * Since someone else will probably carry out the recommendations, your action plan gives that person a template to follow. Break it up into activity periods – Immediate, Short term, etc. , with days in brackets. This gives the reader a sense of the time period the program will be finished in. Section 4: Discussion of alternatives. This section helps the reader understand how you came to your decision and demonstrates that you considered the issue thoroughly. Be sure to present three reasonable alternatives. * The section should begin with a brief introductory paragraph for background; this paragraph should include the basic criteria which the alternatives are judged on. You should then move on to discuss THREE alternatives, which should all have a similar focus: 3 on a new target market, 3 on a marketing strategy, 3 on new distribution channels, etc. * For each alternative, you need to give factors in its favour and the reasons for your rejection, in other words, the pros and cons of each alternative. As you analyze each alternative, keep in mind the risk factor(s) you identified for the issue. * Remember that alternatives and the arguments you make for it must address the issue you have defined.

The Progressive Movement free essay sample

Progressivism implies a philosophy that welcomes innovations and reforms in the political, economic, and social order. The Progressive movement, 1901 to 1917, was ultimately the triumph of conservatism rather than a victory for liberalism. In a general sense, the conservative goals of this period justified the Liberal reforms enacted by Progressive leaders. Deviating from the traditional definition of conservatism (a resistance to change and a disposition of hostility to innovations in the political, social, and economic order), the Progressivism Movement Progressivism implies a philosophy which welcomes innovations and reforms in the political, economic, and social order. The Progressive movement, 1901 to 1917, was ultimately the triumph of conservatism Conservatist triumph was in the sense that there was an effort to maintain basic social and economic relations vital to a capitalist society. The Progressive leaders essentially wanted to perpetuate Liberal reform in order to bring upon general conservatism. Expansion of the federal government s powers, competition and economic distribution of wealth, and the social welfare of American citizens concerned the many leaders of this era. The business influence on politics was quite significant of the Progressive Era. Not Progressivism Movement Progressivism implies a philosophy which welcomes innovations and reforms in the political, economic, and social order. The Progressive movement, 1901 to 1917, was ultimately the triumph of conservatism rather only did the three leading Progressive political figures, Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson, bring upon new heights to government regulation, but also the great business leaders of this era defined the units of political intervention. With political capitalism rising to fame, Progressive politics experienced new themes and areas. The inevitability of federal regulation policies, reformation of social welfare, conservation, and various innovations with banking led to one conservative effort: the preservation of existing powers and economic/social relations. The political leaders of Progressivism ProgressivismThe period of time between the Spanish-American War and World War I is known as the Progressive Era. It was a period marked by idealism, reform, his ear were conservative in that they all believed in the fundamentals of basic capitalism. The various forms of anti-trust legislation presented by each president made the nation one step closer to providing a stable, predictable, and secure, therefore, conservative capitalist society. Theodore Roosevelt s statist tendencies brought new meaning to government regulation. Roosevelt s Anti-Trust policy of 1902 pledged government intervention to break up illegal monopol ies and regulate corporations for the public good. Roosevelt felt that bad Progressivism U. S. History Progressivism trusts threatened competition and markets. in order to restore free competition, President Roosevelt ordered the Justice department to prosecute corporations pursing monopolistic practices. However, the Judicial Branch repudiated its duty (right of reason) and now, even if the impact of the market was not harmful, actions that restrained or monopolized trade would automatically put a firm in violation of the Sherman law. In 1902, the United Mine Workers were willing to submit to arbitration, but the coal operators adamantly opposed Progressivism 2 Progressivism The period of time between the Spanish-American War and World War I is known as the Progressive Era. It was a period marked by idealism, reform, and significant any recognition of the union. Thus, the union members decided to strike over wages, safety conditions, and union recognition. The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902 ended with the appointment by Roosevelt of an arbitration commission to rule on the issues. Business men did not regard politics (government regulation) as a necessary evil, but as an important part of their position in society. Roosevelt did not see big business as evil, but a permanent development that was necessary in a modern Desertion And Decline For Progressivism Desertion and Decline for Progressivism The decade of the 1920s discouraged the progressive movement. It was a period that had an extraordinary reaction against idealism and reform. The economy. Roosevelt couldn t rely on the courts to distinguish between good or bad trusts. The only solution was for the executive to assume that responsibility. Roosevelt s ingenious square dealings and gentlemen s agreements controlled many firms. In 1903, a new cabinet position was created to address the concerns of business and labor (Department of Commerce and Labor). Within the department, the Bureau of Corporations was empowered to investigate and report The Progressive Era 2 THE PROGRESSIVE ERA: ROOSEVELT AND WILSON The progressive Era began in 1900. It came to a halt in 1917 due to Americas entrance into World War 1. During this time, on illegal activities of corporations. The abuse of economic power by railroads proposed another problem for Roosevelt. However, in 1903, the Elkins Act empowered the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission, first American federal regulatory agency) to act against discriminatory rebates. Also, in 1906, the Hepburn Act increased the ICC membership from five to seven. The ICC could set its own fair freight rates, had its regulatory pwer extended over pipelines, bridges, and express companies, and was empowered to require a Progressivism: Opposing Viewpoints Progressivism: Opposing Viewpoints At the commencement of the twentieth century, a period referred to as progressivism swept through America. Precisely, this era in American history began soon after uniform system of accounting by regulated transportation companies. Besides economic relations, Roosevelt involved himself in many important conservative social relations. The Secretary of treasury created an inspection organization to certify that cattle for export were free of disease. With disappointing results, Germany and other European countries banned the importation of American meant. Federal regulation helped improve exports to Europe, free competition, another conservative effort. In 1906, the Meat Inspection Act provided for federal and sanitary regulations and inspections in Progressivism: Opposing Viewpoints Progressivism: Opposing Viewpoints At the commencement of the twentieth century, a period referred to as progressivism swept through America. Precisely, this era in American history began soon after the Spanish-American meant packing facilities. Also, the Pure Food and Drug Act prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of adulterated labeled foods and drugs in accordance with consumer demands. Roosevelt assed many conservation laws from 1902 to 1908 to create federal irrigation projects, national parks and forests, develop water power, and establish the Nation Conservation Commission to oversee the nation s resources. Taft, hand picked by Theodore Roosevelt, had two primary political goals in 1909. One was the continuation of Roosevelt Progressive Movement Of 1918 1918 The Progressive Movement Progressive Education assumes the world changes, and that in a universe that is not particularly concerned with ability to think straight Rychard Fink trust-busting, and the other was the reconciliation of the old guard conservatives and young progressive reformers in the Republican Party. Taft, being an anti-statist, was a poor progressive politician. Instead of the positive outlook toward big business and competition resembling Roosevelt, Taft was an advocate of minimum governmental regulation. However, in perusing anti-monopoly law enforcement, Taft and his Attorney General George Wichersham brought44 indictments in anti-trust suites. Taft was successful in healing the Republican split between conservatives and progressives Theodore Roosevelt and Progressivism Despite the criticism of their reform efforts, Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson’s commitment to and success in achieving national reform made them successful progressive presidents. There hasn’t yet been over such issues as tariff reform, conservation, and the almost dictatorial pwer held by Republican Speaker of the House, Joseph Cannon. Taft s inability to bring both wings of the party together led to the hardened division which would bring about a Democratic victory in the 1912 elections. In 1910, Republican progressives joined with Democrats to strip Speaker Cannon of his pwer to appoint the Committee on Rules and serve on it himself. Although critical of Cannon, Taft failed Progressism Vs. Populism Americans were not aware of the division among populists and progressivists during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, yet they were aware of the division between Democrats and Republicans. to align himself with the progressives. Also, another event pushing the greater split in the Republican

10 Ways to Keep Your Class Interesting

10 Ways to Keep Your Class Interesting Have you ever been in the middle of teaching a class, glanced at your students, and caught them staring into space? Just when you think youve created the perfect lesson plan or engaging activity, you may find that your students are unfocused and out to lunch. Yet its essential that you find ways to keep your classes interesting so your students can absorb and retain the information that you present. For decades, educators have been trying new teaching strategies to keep their students on their toes and get them excited about learning. Although some strategies have failed, others have been found to be quite effective. Explore 10 teacher-tested ways to keep your class interesting so your students will stay engaged all the time. 1. Incorporate Mystery Into Your Lessons Learning may be the most fun for your students when they dont know what to expect. Try to incorporate a sense of surprise and mystery into your lessons. When youre about to unveil a new lesson, give students a new clue each day up until the last day before the start of the lesson. This is a fun way to make your lesson mysterious, and you may find that your students are actually looking forward to finding out what theyll be learning about next. 2. Dont Repeat Classroom Material Its appropriate and essential to review classroom material, but try not to repeat it verbatim because this can make it less interesting for students. The next time you need to review material, try playing a review game during which you present the information in a way thats different from the first time you taught the students. The 3-2-1 strategy is a fun way to review and not repeat material. For this activity, students draw a pyramid in their notebooks and write down three things they learned, two things they thought were interesting, and one question they still have. 3. Create Classroom Games Whether youre 5 or 25, playing a game can be fun. Games are also a great way to keep lessons interesting. If your students need to remember their spelling words, conduct a spelling bee- a contest in which participants are eliminated when they misspell a word. Or if the students need to practice math, have a math bee, which is similar to a spelling bee, but with math problems or facts instead of spelling words. Games make learning fun, and games in class are a prescription for happy kids. 4. Give Your Students Choices One strategy that teachers have found to be effective is offering their students the ability to make their own choices when it comes to learning. Choice can be a powerful motivator because it helps to foster student interest and independence. The next time youre planning an activity, try making a choice board. Print out a tic-tac-toe board and write down nine different tasks for students to complete. The goal is for each student to choose three tasks in a row. 5. Use Technology Technology is a great way to keep your lessons interesting. Children love electronics, so try incorporating it into your overall teaching strategy. Instead of standing in front of the room and lecturing, try using a Smartboard interactive display. Expand your cooperative learning activity lessons by connecting to a classroom in another city or country via videoconferencing. Use technology in a variety of ways, and youll see the interest level in your classroom increase by leaps and bounds. 6. Dont Take Teaching so Seriously Being an effective teacher is an important job, but that doesnt mean that you have to remain serious in class at all times. Try to loosen up a bit and acknowledge that your students may have different interests and learning styles than your own. Its OK to laugh at yourself at times and to have some fun. You may find that your students are more interested when youre a little more relaxed. 7. Make Your Lessons Interactive In a traditional classroom, the teacher stands in front of the room and lectures to the students as the students listen and take notes. Unfortunately, this is not the most effective way to hold students interest. Make learning interactive by creating hands-on lessons that involve students every step of the way. Try using the Jigsaw cooperative learning activity in which each student is responsible for his or her own part of a group activity. Or try a hands-on science experiment. When you involve students and make your lessons interactive, your class becomes more interesting. 8. Relate Material to Your Students Lives Try to create a real-world connection to what your students are learning. This will give them a better understanding of why they need to learn what youre teaching. If theyre constantly asking you why they need to learn something and youre always answering with â€Å"because,† you will soon lose credibility. Instead, try giving them a real answer such as, Youre learning about money because in the real world, youll need to know how to buy food and pay your bills. By giving a straightforward answer, youre helping them make a connection between what theyre learning in class and how theyll use this information in the future. 9. Flip Your Lessons The flipped classroom has been gaining in popularity since the term flipped entered the broader education world in 2012. When it was first presented, the idea that students could learn new information at home and then come to school and use class time for critical thinking activities and reinforcement of concepts was unique. However, many teachers are using this strategy and achieving positive results. Students in a flipped classroom are able to work at their own pace (which is great for differentiated learning) and engage with their peers in a more interactive, meaningful way when theyre in the classroom. Try using the flipped teaching strategy for your next lesson and observe the depth of your students engagement. 10. Think Outside the Box Lesson plans dont have to include worksheets or lectures during which students sit and take notes time and again. Try thinking outside the box and plan a lesson thats completely out of the ordinary. Invite a guest speaker, go on a field trip, or take learning outdoors. When you try something new and different, theres a good chance that your students will respond positively. When planning a lesson, try collaborating with another teacher or taking your students on a virtual field trip. Learning that engages students is the most effective. Your students will find it more interesting to learn when you present the material to them in a variety of creative ways.

Homosexuality, Morality, and Human Rights

Homosexuality, Morality, and Human Rights In today's society, there exists a myriad of issues which, when discussed, tend to raise the temperature of the citizens' proverbial blood. There are a handful of topics that always seem to escalate this temperature to the boiling point among individuals who earnestly participate in discussion, debate and argument. Some examples of such delicate subjects are the death penalty, abortion, and euthanasia. An issue that has in recent years, begun to command the intensity of the foregoing, is the acceptability of homosexuality in mainstream society. Until recently, homosexuality was considered strictly taboo. If an individual was homosexual, this revelation was considered a grave secret to be kept from all family, friends, and society at large. However, it seem that society has begun to accept this lifestyle by allowing same sex couples some of the rights afforded heterosexual couples. The idea of coming out of the 'closet' has moved to the forefront of homosexual individuals when it used to be the exception.English: DIGNITY & RESPECT (2001) is a U.S. Army t...The Government of Canada has recently passed law making it illegal to discriminate against an individual's sexual preference. With this in mind, the government would then require all facets of society, including religious communities, to welcome the marriages, adoptions, and families of homosexuals as though they were in no way different from heterosexual ones. It seems unreasonable that such an authority be involved in legislating the acceptance of an identifiable group that behaves in a manner unbecoming of any moral, decent, and even moderately religious human being, when our society itself can offer no consensus on such a moral issue.In order to conclude that the government is wrong by legislating, it must be shown that homosexuality is wrong as well. Many feel that such a lifestyle is acceptable so long as it is kept in the privacy...

Witchcraft Trials Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Witchcraft Trials - Essay Example It is based on the â€Å"said offences† that the inquisitor could punish any one (1484). Similarly the Dominican scholar Johannes Nider (1476) has pointed out that even confession or true repentance could not rescue a person accused as a witch from torture and death. For the society, church and individuals who carried out the witch hunt referred to here, the witches were not humans worthy of mercy. For example, the Papal Bull used the generalizing term, evils to describe the so-called witches, when it said it was duty-bound â€Å"to prevent the taint of heretical pravity and of other like evils from spreading their infection to the ruin of others† (Innocent VIII, 1484). By giving a blanket authority to the inquisitors to carry out â€Å"correcting, imprisoning, punishing, and chastising† against people accused as witches â€Å"for their said offences and crimes† (Innocent VIII, 1484). It is notable that in the above instruction, the inquisitors are given total power while the accused are defined very vaguely. Hence it becomes clear that theoreticall y, any person can become an accused under the slightest of doubt. From what Nider (1476) has written, it is evident that the â€Å"methods of primeval infection† to become a witch were nothing but certain oath taking and renouncing the church. This is a practice of cult formation that has existed always in the history of humanity. Yet this is viewed as an offense punishable by death, that too the most torturous kind, by the witch hunters. When this kind of a mindset exists in a society, and in the minds of its rulers, no person accused as a witch can hope for getting a fair trial. Though Christianity has been known for its focus on repentance and forgiving, Nider (1476) narrated that a man who truly repented and disclosed the methods by which he and his wife were initiated into witch craft, was not spared of death. It was even officially