How to Analyze Your Competitive Landscape Using Game Theory

How to Analyze Your Competitive Landscape Using Game Theory Success in business is hinged on many factors that owners and managers must focus on. One of these factors is the competition or, in a broader sense, the competitive climate that the business is operating in. This calls for looking and understanding the competitive landscape of the company. © Shutterstock.com | ImageFlowIn this article, you will first 1) get a short overview ot techniques to investigate the competitive landscape, and learn then about 2) using game theory to analyze your competitive landscape.THE COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPECompetitive landscape is simply defined as the analysis of how a business compares to other similar or competiting businesses. This analysis is often seen as all-encompassing, as it takes a look at a company’s products, services, strengths, weaknesses, growth models, and even sales and market share levels. This also involves the identification of the company’s rivals in the industry or the niche it belongs to, understanding what makes them tick, and figuring out how to hold their own and, eventually, do better than the competition.Why is there a need for businesses to know what their competitors are doing? Why should they care? Never forget that markets are essentially systems, where one action in one area may evoke responses from other areas. If a business hopes to have a solid footing in the market, it has to be aware of the possible responses of the competition. By knowing your competition, you are in a better position to understand why they responded in one way, instead of another way.In order to analyze a company’s competitiveness in the face of its rivals and competitors, there are several techniques employed by the so-called competitive intelligence analysts. Here are some of the most commonly used techniques:ADL MatrixIn this matrix, analysts look into a company’s level of industry maturity in relation to its competitive position, and how their relationship figures in the overall competitive strategy employed by the company. It tackles four stages in the industry life cycle: Embryonic, Growing, Mature, and Aging; while it named four competitive positions, namely: Weak, Tenable, Favorable, Strong and Dominant.Porter’s Five ForcesIn this framework developed by Michael Porter of Harvard Business School, the level of competitiveness of a company depends on the balance of power, or the 5 competitive forces that influences an industry: Rivalry or competition, Threat of New Entrants, Threat of Substitutes, Supplier Power and Buyer or Customer Power. In order for a company to have an advantage over its rivals in the industry, these forces have to be analyzed and used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of an industry.The Space MatrixThis analysis method focuses mainly on the competitive position of a company, taking into consideration its competitive advantage, financial strength, environmental stability and industry strength. The results of the analysis of these dimensions will enable the company to determine whether its strategic strength is classified as aggressive, competitive, conservative, or defensive.War GamingAs the phrase implies, war gaming involves playing out various scenarios of probable business actions or moves by competitors, and the possible responses of the com pany to these tactics and strategic moves. It is a simulation method used by many businesses in anticipation of their competition’s actions. As a tool to analyze the competitive landscape, it is very useful in understanding barriers to entry, gathering competitive intelligence, validating competitors’ strategies, and optimizing operational parameters.These are only a few of the techniques used by analysts to gain an understanding of the competitive landscape. Aside from the abovementioned techniques, there is one other method commonly used by analysts and even some of the largest companies in the world today, such as Microsoft and Chevron: the Game Theory.USING GAME THEORY TO ANALYZE COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPEMany are likely to think that War Gaming and Game Theory are one and the same or, at least, very similar.In order to anticipate the future actions or strategic moves of competitors, Game Theory serves as the “systematic study of strategies for dealing with competitive situatio ns where the results of one party will depend largely on that of the other parties or players”. Simply put, it recognizes that the success of making a choice or a decision will depend largely on the choices or decisions made by others.The similarities seen by many between War Gaming and Game Theory is probably due to the fact that the latter traces its origins in military theory, based largely on several warfare strategies and tactics that were used during the cold war. Thanks to mathematics, it has evolved into something more structured; hence, the Game Theory that we know about today.There is one important note to be aware of when using Game Theory to analyze the competitive landscape of a business: it is relevant only when there are relatively few players, or competitors, within that landscape. The results of the analysis becomes slightly irrelevant when there are a lot of players involved, since the impact of an action by one player will not be significant for the others. This method also entails looking hard at pay-offs and, with multiple players in the fold, there’s a chance that analysts will end up looking at a multitude of possible outcomes, which will eventually cloud the results of the analysis.Through Game Theory, businesses can determine the probable strategies that will be employed by their competitors in order to maximize their business objectives. It is also a way for them to get into their competitors’ heads and understand how their own choices have influenced those strategies.Elements of the GameLet us first take a look at the concept of “game” in Game Theory. There are five components involved:A set of players, or the decision-makers;A set of available strategies, actions or moves that players can make at specific points in the game;A set of payoffs or outcomes that are determined by the sequences of strategies or moves made by the players;Sets of information or knowledge that players will base their decisions or choices on; andEqu ilibria, or a stable result, where players may have considered all the information and the actions and strategies of other players, but still did not change their earlier choice or decision.A game of chess has often been likened to the game played in business or economics. There are the players squaring off against each other over a chessboard, with moves that they can use, all of which have been defined by the rules of chess. It is possible that the more experienced player wins while the other loses, or the other way around. But another possibility is that the game ends up in a draw, with neither team having a decisive win. This whole concept is also applicable in business, where you have two firms or companies pitted against each other, selling the same products or services in the same industry, and targeting the same market or audience. They have their own sets of strategies in order to sell more, or reach more of the market. The possible outcomes include one company outdoing or “outselling” the other, or both companies making the same impact to the market, more like a “draw” in a game of chess.Knowing the elements of a game will help us better understand they key assumptions of Game Theory.The players are rational maximizers. The competitors are seen as individuals or entities that add up and look at the pros and cons of every action or decision, and make a choice based on the outcome, choosing that which maximizes the benefit in his favor. Essentially, the players are seen as egoists, tending to display rational behavior when it is their own interests at play.The general argument against this assumption is on the presumed rationality of the players. After all, in the real world, not all humans do behave rationally, even if it is for their own benefits.The players have full information about each other. The Game Theory assumes that the competitors or players already understand everything that you are doing, as well as everything that they can do.Al l the payoffs are known. The players are fully aware of what the possible outcomes are, and what payoffs are expected.In reality the full information and payoffs are not known with certainty.Type of Games and Modes of PlayIn Game Theory, there are two types of games: the simultaneous games and the sequential games. 1. Simultaneous GamesIn this type of game, the moves are made at the same time. In a business context, it could mean two or three competitors making choices simultaneously, even before knowing what choices or decisions the other players are making.An example would be two U.S. fast food chains â€" let us call them Company A and Company B â€" deciding whether to enter the Southeast Asian Market or not. Both are aware of the other contemplating on this entry, and they are also mulling over the decision at the same time.The two companies make their own analysis on the market entry, and come up with a decision without waiting to hear what the other company has decided on. For instance, Company A may have decided to enter the market without knowing that Company B decided not to set up shop in the region. 2. Sequential GamesAs the name implies, these are games where the strategies or moves are made in sequence. The classic example is a game of chess, where one player cannot make a move unless the other player is done with his turn. They will be making their move based on the action or move previously made by the competition. Logical reasoning often comes into play here, since the players strategize after the competition has made their choice.In the example used in the Simultaneous Games, let us assume that Company A already has entered the Southeast Asian market, and Company B is contemplating on whether to follow suit or not. Company B saw that Company A is doing well in the region, so now it is seriously considering opening its fast food chain in the region as well. This is sequential, since Company B is only making a decision after Company A has made it s move.More than timing, what really differentiates these games is the availability of information before they make their own moves. In the real world, businesses actually play both games, combining elements of simultaneous and sequential games when making decisions.There are two modes of play prevalent in Game Theory. a. Non-cooperative GamesThis approach assumes that each player aims to maximize its own profit, depending on how the other players will act. In these types of games, players have a ‘dominant strategy’, or that one strategy that provides a payoff higher than the others, regardless of the choice or decision made by the other players. When faced with several options or choices, Game Theory would hold that the company should pick that which is best, since it is its dominant strategy.We have to take into account the so-called “Nash Equilibrium”, formulated by inventor John Nash. This is that state where “no player has an incentive to deviate from his chosen strat egy, even after taking into consideration the choice or decision made by the competition or other players. In short, even if the other players revealed their playing hand or their actions, it will not affect your own behavior or make you change your earlier decision or strategy, for the simple reason that it will not benefit you to do so. It becomes an equilibrium if the other player does the same, and neither of you has an incentive to change his chosen strategy.In conjunction with the Nash Equilibrium, the Prisoners’ Dilemma concept was also tackled. It gave the classic example of two prisoners being held for questioning in separate cells, with each of them given two choices: betray the other by turning in evidence and get a lighter jail sentence for it, or choosing not to snitch and keep quiet. It is either Defect or betray the other prisoner, or cooperate with the other prisoner and say nothing.The highest payoff is clear: getting a shorter jail sentence. However, there is a c hance that the two prisoners may choose to defect and betray each other. This would result in longer jail sentences for both of them. If only one defects and the other cooperates, the latter will get the harsher punishment, while the former will get the higher payoff.Nash equilibrium takes place when the two players choose to defect, because none of them is able to improve his situation or get the maximum possible payoff.Non-cooperative games are often presented in two forms: the extensive form and the normal form.Extensive Form: Normally used to represent non-cooperative games, this representation makes use of trees, with nodes (or vertex) representing points where the players have to make choices. It is somewhat similar to a decision tree, with lines representing possible actions and the payoffs presented at the bottom.In this form, the game is structured, with perfect information provided and decision-making done in a sequential manner. It begins with one player choosing one of a series of choices, and another player making a choice after having seen the decision by the first player. It ends when each player has obtained their payoffs.Normal Form: Also used for non-cooperative games, the normal form makes use of a matrix or a square with the main elements of the game â€" the players, actions/strategies, and payoffs â€" fully mapped out, with all the strategies or actions clearly associated with a payoff for each player.This representation also works best in simultaneous games, or games where the players make decisions without knowledge of the choices of the other players.b. Cooperative GamesThese take on a cooperative behavior among players, where they collaborate and agree on their strategic decisions and choices. The choices are made jointly, instead of separately.While there is no major argument against the overall cooperative approach, the main question arises with respect to the sustainability of its rewards. There are possibilities where a player can defect from what was agreed upon â€" after all, there is an incentive to do so, as the benefits could be greater for the player if it chooses to unilaterally alter its decision or switch strategies.Framework of Game TheoryThe applicability of the Game Theory varies, depending on the circumstances or the situations being evaluated or analyzed. However, over the years, analysts have been able to simplify its application. Here is a framework that can be followed by analysts when using the Game Theory to evaluate the competitive landscape.Defining the problem.Identifying the critical factors affecting competition, such as differentiated products, timing of entry, costs of entry and exit, and other variable costs.Building a game model. This would largely depend on the number of players involved, and what approach will be taken. Will it be cooperative, or non-cooperative?Development of intuition through the model built.Formulation of a strategy, after taking into account all the possible scenarios and situations.At best, the Game Theory is designed to come up with optimal rather than maximum strategies. It may not be the best and most recommended competitive intelligence analysis tool â€" even now, there are some questions on its applicability â€" but it certainly helps in providing businesses a clearer picture of the competitive field.

Biography of Granville T. Woods, American Inventor

Granville T. Woods (April 23, 1856–Jan. 30, 1910) was a black inventor so successful that he was sometimes referred to as The Black Edison. He dedicated his lifes work to developing a variety of inventions, many relating to the railroad industry. By the time of his early death at age 53, Woods had invented 15 appliances for electric railways and received nearly 60 patents, many related to the railroad industry. Fast Facts: Granville T. Woods Known For: Highly successful black inventorAlso Known As: The Black EdisonBorn: April 23, 1856 in Columbus, Ohio or AustraliaParents: Tailer and Martha Woods or Martha J. Brown and Cyrus WoodsDied: Jan. 30, 1910 in New York, New YorkNotable Invention: Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph Early Life Granville T. Woods was born on April 23, 1856. Most reports indicate he was born in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Tailer and Martha Woods, and that he and his parents were free African-Americans by virtue of the  Northwest Ordinance  of 1787, which prohibited slavery from the territory that included what would become the state of Ohio. However, Rayvon Fouchà © wrote in a Woods biography that, based on census records, Woods death certificate, and journalistic accounts published in the 1890s, Woods was born in Australia and apparently moved to Columbus at a young age. Some biographies list his parents as Martha J. Brown and Cyrus Woods. Early Career Most sources agree that Woods had little formal education, leaving school at age 10 to work as an apprentice, studying to be a machinist and a blacksmith, and literally learning his skills on the job. Woods held a variety of positions in his early teens, including working as an engineer in a railroad machine shop and on a British ship, in a steel mill, and as a railroad worker. While working, Woods took courses in fields such as engineering and electronics, realizing that education was essential to developing the skills he would need to express his creativity with machinery.​  Some reports say he had up to two years of college course training in either electrical or mechanical engineering or both, possibly in an East Coast college from 1876 to 1878. In 1872, Woods obtained a job as a fireman on the Danville and Southern railroad in Missouri, eventually becoming an engineer and studying electronics in his spare time. In 1874, he moved to Springfield, Illinois, and worked in a rolling mill. Four years later, he took a job aboard the British steamer Ironsides. Within two years, he became its chief engineer. Settling Down His travels and experiences finally led him to settle in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he dedicated himself to modernizing the railroad and its equipment. Woods invented more than a dozen devices to improve electric railway cars and other devices for controlling the flow of electricity. His most noted invention at this point was a system for letting a train engineer know how close his train was to others, which helped reduce collisions. He also developed a system for overhead electric conducting lines for railroads, which aided in the development of overhead railroad systems in cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, and New York. Woods eventually set up his own business, the Woods Electrical Co., in Cincinnati to develop, manufacture, and sell electrical apparatus. In his early 30s, he became interested in thermal power and steam-driven engines. He filed his first patent for an improved steam boiler furnace in 1889. His later patents were mainly for electrical devices. He also developed the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph, which allowed communications between train stations and moving trains. This made it possible for trains to communicate with stations and other trains so everyone knew exactly where the trains were at all times. Among his other inventions were an automatic air brake used to slow or stop trains and an electric car that was powered by overhead wires. It used a third rail system to keep the cars running on the right tracks. Other Inventors Telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bells company, American Bell Telephone Co., purchased the rights to  Woods patent on an apparatus that combined a telephone and a telegraph. The device, which Woods called â€Å"telegraphony,† allowed a telegraph station to send voice and telegraph messages over a single wire. Proceeds from the sale gave Woods the luxury of being a full-time inventor. Success led to lawsuits. One was filed by famed inventor Thomas Edison, who sued Woods on a claim that he, Edison, was the inventor of the multiplex telegraph. Woods eventually won the court battle, but Edison didnt give up easily when he wanted something. Trying to win over Woods and his inventions, Edison offered Woods a prominent position in the engineering department of Edison Electric Light Co. in New York. Woods declined, preferring to maintain his independence. Early in his career during the summer of 1881, Woods contracted smallpox, which was in its last years as a major health threat in the United States. The often fatal illness sidelined Woods for nearly a year and left him with chronic kidney and liver disease that might have played a role in his early death. He suffered a stroke on Jan. 28, 1910, and died at Harlem Hospital in New York two days later. During his smallpox illness, Woods was quoted as saying he had to take extreme measures to support his family. Another reference, in 1891, mentioned that he was being sued for divorce. Generally, though, newspaper accounts referred to Woods as being a bachelor. Legacy Granville T. Woods dozens of inventions and patents made life easier and safer for countless Americans, especially when it came to railroad travel. When he died, he had become an admired and well-respected inventor, having sold a number of his devices to such industrial giants as Westinghouse, General Electric, and American Engineering. Decades later, many of his other patents have been assigned to major manufacturers of electrical equipment that play a substantial role in daily life. To the world, he was known as the Black Thomas Edison, and his numerous inventions and improvements to existing technology seem to support that characterization. Sources Granville T. Woods:  1856–1910.Encyclopedia.com.Granville T. Woods. Biography.com.Granville T. Woods. AfricanAmericanHistoryOnline.com.Granville T. Woods. Famous Black Inventors.

The s Historical Atlas Of Central Asia - 1579 Words

For millennia, civilizations on either side of the Eurasian Continent exchanged both products and ideas through the complex networks of the Silk Route. Central Asia, given its strategic position on this route, long served a critical role at the crossroads between East and West. However, while cultures on both ends of the networks have by and large been extensively researched, Central Asia — despite its centrality — is frequently ignored or marginalized; rather than claiming a separate area of study, it oftentimes retreats to the peripheries of a larger grouping, whether the Islamic world, the Sinosphere, or the Russian Empire. Yuri Bregel, on the other hand, proposes an alternative perception of the region. He contends that Central Asia†¦show more content†¦Climate is a dominant factor in the development of Central Asian civilizations. In the first map, titled â€Å"The Principal Geographical Features and Provinces,† Bregel paints the environmental condi tions of each locale with rich details (3). Deserts cast a pervasive presence in the map, limiting both human movement and patterns of settlement. Because of Central Asia’s high aridity, most population centers lie on the banks of Amu-Darya and Sir-Darya, the main rivers in the region, as well as their tributaries. These circumstances, together with the ubiquity of mountains in the south, produce a series of sedentary provinces such as Ferghana and Khorezm that are relatively isolated from one another. Furthermore, the deserts act as a natural barrier disjoining the mountain-based farming communities from the vast steppes to their north, where a more temperate climate and flat terrains encourage nomadic ways of life. Conflicts often arise when the two groups intersect, and the struggle between sedentary city-states and nomadic empires comprises a key theme in the history of Central Asia. Nowhere is the distinction between the two categories more apparent than in the drawing of political boundaries. Bregel explains in the preface that â€Å"various Central Asian states knew to protect theirShow MoreRelatedIndia Size and Location1398 Words   |  6 Pagescountry into almost two equal parts. To the southeast and southwest of the mainland, lie the Andaman and Nicobar islands and the Lakshadweep islands in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea respectively. Find out the extent of these groups of islands from your atlas. †¢ The southernmost point of the Indian Union– ‘Indira Point’ got submerged under the sea water in 2004 during the Tsunami. LOCATION India is a vast country. 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Are Socrates’s Views on Death Consistent Throughout the Apology Free Essays

â€Å"A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live. † Martin Luther King said these words urging the importance of living with a cause. Socrates was a man who strictly lived his life with a purpose, and according to Plato’s Apology, died for the right to practice philosophy. We will write a custom essay sample on Are Socrates’s Views on Death Consistent Throughout the Apology or any similar topic only for you Order Now What perhaps is most interesting about Socrates’s view is his outlook on death. Death, to many, is a frightful end; something to be avoided for as long as one possibly can. Socrates disagrees, as seen most clearly in his very last speech prior to the conviction of his death. But was this acceptance of death with open arms Socrates’s view throughout the Apology? I believe yes, and it can be seen clearly first in Socrates’s defense speech, then the response to the question of what verdict Socrates himself sees fit, otherwise known as the epitimesis, and lastly in the speech immediately following the ruling of death. Since the beginning of the Apology, Socrates has proclaimed that he, in fact, knows â€Å"nothing† and because he understand this about himself, it makes Socrates wiser than most. I believe that this fundamental understanding of himself is the foundation for all of Socrates’s views, including his interesting take on death and the end. Throughout the defense speech as well as after, Socrates uses tactics that one convicted of a serious crime would do his best to avoid. Resorting to sarcasm, suggesting the overwhelming ignorance of the jurors, as well as very subtly over-exemplifying his own superior wisdom are all examples of his interesting behavior at court, that, many claim, resulted in Socrates condemning himself to death. During the defense speech, Socrates rhetorically asks himself why he would continue to partake in an activity that puts him in danger of the death penalty. He answers, â€Å"You are mistaken†¦if you think that a man who is worth anything ought to append his time weighing up the prospects of life and death. He has only one thing to consider†¦whether he is acting justly or unjustly. (28a-b, p. 54). Socrates clearly believes in the importance of being a good man and an asset to society. His duty, he feels is to lead a just philosophic life, as God ordered him to do, and Socrates feels that to abandon his responsibility for fear of death would not only be humiliating, but shameful and dishonorable as well. In fact, Socrates states that if he did act cowardly and leave his post for fear of death, it would then be just to convict him for disobeying the oracle and failing to adhere to his duties. Socrates believes that whether or not he is acquitted or not, he will never stop philosophizing or change his ways, not even if he has to â€Å"die a hundred deaths† (p. 56). It is not his fear of appearing cowardly, but Socrates’s lack of fear of death that can be directly connected to his core belief that the greatest injustice of all is thinking one knows what he does not know. Socrates explains that fearing death is dreading what one does not know, therefore is a form of the greatest injustice. â€Å"I shall never feel more fear or aversion for something which, for all I know, may really be blessing than for those evils which I know to be evils† (p. 55). Socrates goes beyond what many men fail to see, the fact that fearing the unknown is futile, and because of this very understanding he remains so steadfast in his beliefs and welcomes death when it comes calling. Closer to the end of the defense speech, Socrates brings up the idea that if executed, another practicing philosophy just as he did will come to the city. Socrates seems to enjoy subtly tormenting the jurors and almost threatening them with the appearance of another â€Å"Socrates†, as if to suggest the nuisance caused with his actions is immortal. Socrates’s defense speech, hardly served any sort of â€Å"defense† at all. Instead it seems that the preconceptions and slander that the jurors had about the convicted were actually proved, as Socrates continued to dispel any remorse towards his actions and fear towards forthcoming death. The second part of the Apology is when Socrates is asked to present his epitimesis, or an alternate punishment after the death penalty is issued. The alternate punishment Socrates offers, full of sarcasm and pure ridicule towards the jurors, is a free dinner. Socrates sees his will to philosophize as betterment to the city and its people, so therefore a reward, rather than a punishment, seems appropriate. â€Å"I set myself to do you †¦what I hold to be the greatest possible service: I tried to persuade each one of you not to think more of practical advantages than of his mental and moral being† (p. 65). His actions, Socrates believes, are free of wrongdoing and only benefit the jurors be attempting to convince them of caring for a morally just life. His clear derision of the jurors does anything but help Socrates’s case, and as wise man, though he does continue to refute that fact, he understands this. Any other man convicted of a serious crime, and endangered by the possibility of the death penalty would never dream of ridiculing the jurors in the manner in which Socrates continues to do so. As Socrates believes he has done nothing wrong, he also mentions in an almost apathetic way that he has already done as much as he can to convince the jurors of his just innocence. He then goes to mention that as he believes in his innocence, that proposing an alternate penalty proves to be unnecessary. Socrates also states that as he has no knowledge of death, whether it is to be feared or welcomed, he cannot possibly choose another punishment for himself. Furthermore, Socrates continues to say that if he is able to avoid the death penalty, he will never flee from his duties to society and stop philosophizing. â€Å"†¦to let no day pass without discussing goodness and†¦examining both myself and others is really the very best thing a man can do†¦life without this sort of examination is not worth living†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 6). It is made clear in the epitimesis, that Socrates is wholly committed to leading a good, just life, and practicing philosophy, whether or not his life is depended on it. Socrates truly believes in his innocence well as his cause, and therefore cannot succumb himself to pleading for another verdict. After the penalty of death has been announced, Socrates seems relatively calm. He mentions that he is so far along in life as it is, death seems timely, and claims that the jurors would have escaped the irksome task of a hearing had they had a little patience and let Socrates die of natural causes. After hearing that one is to be put to death, most would try whatever is left in his or her power to save themselves. Socrates, however, staying true to his beliefs of truth and justice refuses to â€Å"weep and wail† because he feels that doing so would not only dishonor himself, but result him in acting unjustly. â€Å"I would much rather die as the result of this defense†¦ in a court of law, just as in warfare, neither I nor any other ought to use his wits to escape death by any means† (p. 67). Socrates feels that attempting to run from death would result in admitting himself to evil, which he also suggests the jurors are condemning themselves to by prosecuting an innocent man. Socrates believes to die as a just man, rather than live his life any other way, and attempting to escape the finalized verdict would not only be catering to injustice, but would be seen as an insult to everything Socrates has practiced in his life thus. Therefore, Socrates accepts death as a blessing, and also characterizes it as two possible things; a dreamless sleep, or a migration to another place. For the first, Socrates welcomes this possibility, calling it a â€Å"marvelous gain†, considering it calming. If death is a truly a migration to another place, Socrates sees it has a chance to meet and converse with the brilliant minds of the past, and would love to experience such an opportunity. â€Å"I am willing to die ten times over if this account is true†¦at least it would be an wonderful personal experience to join them there†¦heroes of the old days who met their death through an unjust trial†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 70). Not only does Socrates mention how interesting it would be to meet wise men, but he also states that he would want to philosophize with them and try and determine who amongst them is truly wise, exactly the actions for which he is in court for. This shows his avid determination for his cause, and fearless attitude towards death, that even after his end he will continue to practice his duties and adhere by his just beliefs. Socrates’s core belief is understanding that he knows what he does not know, and thinking otherwise is a tremendous injustice. And because of this sole belief, he is able to form his fearless views on death and the afterlife. Socrates argues that since we cannot fathom any understanding of the afterlife, there is no use in fearing or running from it, and doing so would be unjust. Socrates does hold this view throughout the entire Apology. The only difference between the speeches may be that Socrates seems more welcoming of death in the final speech, after the verdict is finalized. However, this is not a proof of any sort of altering views. Instead, I believe that Socrates always talked about welcoming death when the time for it arrives, using it as an example of a probable end rather than a confirmed one. After Socrates feels that he has exhausted his own defense and preached the importance of justice and truth, and the verdict to death is the final conclusion, he is able to easily accept the end, and welcome it, since he would much rather see to dying as just man, instead of living in any other manner. In conclusion, Socrates’s principle beliefs allowed him to keep his views on death and the afterlife consistent throughout his trial as noted in Plato’s Apology. Socrates unswervingly remains true to this values of justice, refusing to succumb to the mercy of the jurors, and continuing to try to convince the court of his innocence through what was morally correct, as well as deity-approved duties. His vow to never give up on his morals and obligations to the city and its people enabled Socrates to die a noble, honorable, and just man, who instead of fleeing from death, embraced it. How to cite Are Socrates’s Views on Death Consistent Throughout the Apology, Papers

Problems of Karachi free essay sample

Pillion Riding Ban: Pillion riding ban was imposed for 3 days last year in November which is still imposed. It has greatly increased the problems for the citizens and they are forced to travel in rickshaws, busses and taxies unwillingly paying unfair demanded fares. Knowing the problem that they cannot travel on bikes, drivers and bus conductors ultimately demand unfair fares and rents to their destination and due to which they often misbehave with passengers knowing that they (citizens) do not have any other option for travel.Besides the demand of unfair fare, other hitch is the increasing berry and looting in busses. It Is becoming the usual that armed robbers get in the busses, rob people without any hesitation and then get off from the bus at the next stop, no prominent cure Is provided for this problem. New fashion of transport strike (wheel Jam) Is Increasing and It Is not wrong to say that these strikes are being backed by the political party and mostly strikes are called for political motives. We will write a custom essay sample on Problems of Karachi or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Yes! The motives are political but citizens suffer.A person who is earning on a daily basis wont be able to earn because transport is not available due o strike and cannot travel on a bike along with his friend because there is a ban on pillion riding In the city and the same goes for the students and citizens from all walks of life. Citizens, who were caught doing pillion ridings for some reasons, were caught and convicted In police stations and then later on released on ball. Youngsters and students suffered the most from this as they were forcefully criminality and convicted to the lockups of local police stations with handcuffs on.Literate citizens of Karachi especially youngsters and students are treated as repossession criminals In the name of pillion riding and by convicting and locking them up, Impression Is given that the citizens Including youngsters and students are professional criminals. Instead of terrorists, murderers and robbers, police lockups seem to be filled with literate citizens. Few days ago, a student of LSI year (intermediate apart) missed his exam when he was getting towards his examination center at jugular e hajji on a bike along with his brother and he was caught and convicted for pillion riding and missed hisArtificial Load shedding Another core issue of Karachi is the lack of electricity, which is mostly an artificial crisis increasing the problems of the citizens and frustrating them. Karachi being an economical hub with thousands of industries and factories, traders and businessmen all over the city is suffering due to the lack of electricity as load shedding is being done during working hours due to which the economy of city is getting down rapidly. Persons responsible for the artificial load shedding should know that Karachi is airing 68% of the total revenue of Pakistan. Enmity with Karachi is enmity with Pakistan and its economy.Not only traders and business man are suffering but citizens from all walks of life are suffering due to artificial load shedding especially students. Nowadays there are examinations of all boards underway including Intermediate, Post and Pre Graduate and students are suffering from long lasting load shedding and their studies and examination preparations are suffering greatly. Besides all these prominent problems due to load shedding there are many domestic robbers occurring which are becoming the cause of mental torture for citizens which is increasing the frustration among the citizens. In this extremely hot weather, lack of electricity is increasing. The lack of water and water supply in domestic and industrial areas is being affected, further increasing the problems of city and citizens. The related officials are being silent and careless, with regards to the artificial crisis. It is a clear indication that this artificial crisis has some reason and might be a part of political feud from which citizens are suffering.In this regard, City council Naif City Nazism and City Nazism extended their hands towards EKES and offered them that they are ready to cooperate on any thing for the solution of the crisis but EKES officials did not respond to the offer, may be due to political pressures. Land Grabbing Land grabbing is another issue that is creating a fuss and disturbance in the city. Land mafia seems to be very powerful with complete political backing, taking away the lands owned by citizens and also governments land. No one can dare to resist them as they are heavily armed and have political backing.Different gangs of land mafia clashing with each other disturbing the peace of city and if someone tries to resist, mafia excellently give it the ethnic color. It is right to say that these land grabbers and land mafia are using the ethnic excuse to create a fuss in a city and are responsible for the ethnic tension in the city. This entire circle of land mafia, politicians and officials of law enforcement agency are responsible for the ethnic rifts in the city in order to save the illegal lands. DRUGS: Use of drugs is increasing in the city and good number of youth is being targeted by rug mafia.In Karachi, some 2 million youth and children are at the risk of drug addiction, as prevalence of drug addiction in very high in this mega city. A Karachi- based MONGO working on the issues of street children and youth reported to a reputable news agency (The Nation) that in Karachi over two million youth are addicted, and rest of the youth and children are at also at a high risk of drug addiction, as drug trafficking is prevailing in every part of the city. In Karachi the main addiction is of Hashish, because this drug is easily available at every nook andParr Gang, Exam Bassist, Frontier Colon, Qaeda Bad, Chancres Goth, Dhobi Chat and Mans near Icemaker, Mummer Faro Colony, Mango Per, SITE, Microfarad Colony, Bill Colony, Aphelia Goth, Anta Khan Goth and Bait Colony. Drug mafia also seems to be operating with a political backing and law enforcement agencies have failed to stop the rapid growth of the drug trafficking in city. Drug mafia also has taken the ethnic cover and under the ethnic cover their drug business is flourishing with the backing of some personals of law enforcement agency and some prominent political figures.

Virtues Of A Perfect Bride

Virtues Of A Perfect Bride Virtues of a Perfect Bride by Chris Mount English 101 Dr. Mary Ann Kohli October 12, 2001 Chris Mount Dr. Mary Ann Kohli Eng 101 October 11, 2001 Virtues of a Perfect Bride In Dandin's "The Perfect Bride," Saktikumara is searching for patience, creativity and a good sense of other virtues in a wife along with her beauty. The definition of virtue is as follows: moral excellence and righteousness; goodness and an example or kind of moral excellence. Saktikumara is looking for a wife to do the daily duties around the house like clean, cook, and tend to Saktikumara's ever need. In his search for this perfect bride he gets laughed at but in the end he finds a girl whose name is never reviled. Through out the story the girl proves that she has all the wifely virtues along with the beauty that Saktikumara is looking for in a wife.English: Temple of Ancient Virtues Stowe Gardens. ...

Commands and Requests in Spanish Without the Imperative Mood

Commands and Requests in Spanish Without the Imperative Mood Although the imperative mood is frequently used to tell or ask people to do something, other verb forms also are used. This lesson covers some of the most common non-imperative ways of giving commands. Infinitives as Impersonal Commands The infinitive (the unconjugated verb form that ends in -ar, -er or -ir) is frequently used, especially in print and online rather than verbally, to give commands to no one person in particular. It is seen most commonly on signs and in written instructions. Examples: No fumar. (No smoking.) Hacer clic aquà ­. (Click here.) No tocar. (Do not touch.) Sazonar los frijoles y servirlos en un plato. (Season the beans and serve them on a plate.) Colgar el telà ©fono y esperar. (Hang up the telephone and wait.) Use of Present and Future Tenses to Give Commands As in English, the present and future indicative tenses can be used to issue emphatic commands. Using the present and future tenses in this way normally wouldnt be done when youre trying to be diplomatic; more likely, they would be used when simple persuasion hasnt been successful or if youre trying to be particularly matter-of-fact. Examples: Comers el brà ³coli. (You WILL eat the broccoli.) Me llamas maà ±ana. (You call me tomorrow.) Indirect Commands By using the subjunctive mood in a clause beginning with que, it is possible to indirectly give a command to someone other than the person being spoken to. As the following examples indicate, a variety of English translations can be used, depending on the context. Examples: Que Dios te bendiga. (God bless you.) Que vaya à ©l a la oficina. (Have him go to the office.) Que me traiga ella sus archivos. (Tell her to bring me her files.) Que en paz descanse. (May he rest in peace.) First-Person Plural Commands There are two ways to give a command to a group that includes yourself: use followed by the infinitive, or use the first-personal plural subjunctive form of the verb. These are typically translated in English by using lets. In the negative form (lets not), the subjunctive form (not no vamos a) is typically used. To say lets go, use vamos or vmonos; to say lets not go, use no vayamos or no nos vayamos. Examples: Vamos a comer. (Lets eat.) Comamos. (Lets eat.) No comamos. (Lets not eat.) Vamos a hacerlo. (Lets do it.) Hagmoslo. (Lets do it.) No lo hagamos. (Lets not do it.)