Tuesday, January 21, 2020

War With Iraq is Not Necessary :: United States America Middle East

The debate whether America should have a war to Iraq lasted for about 2 years. As far as I am concerned, however, I agree that America should not have a war to Iraq. The first argument that can be presented to develop my position is that the immediate war to Iraq costs for the U.S. will come to about 200 billion, giving the American people heavy economical burden. A good example may be found in many documents and statistics. So far, Congress appropriated approximately&56 billion in April 2003;another &72 billion in November 2003. The total amounts to 2004 is over &150 billion, but will be higher as the bush administration requestz further spending later this year ( National priorities project 3-5 ).As everybody know, the attack on Iraq was not justified under the United Nations (UN), most countries in the world will not spend much money for the war. As a result of it , America people have to pay them. Under such a circumstance, the war affects everyone, not just those directly involved in the fighting. One of the more quantifiable effects of the war is that the financial burden it places on our tax dollars.Tax will be raised inevitably, damaging the developments of other aspects such as business, education and health care. There is another reason for me to choose this statement. I raq affects the economy of America sirously, making ameica have unbelievable high deficit, and making the exchange rate of USA dollars to other currency drops unhistorically. let us consider the American buget status in recent years. What’s happened is that between 1997 and 1998, the US achieved a balanced budget after almost two and a half decades of deficits. The White House estimates the budget deficit for 2003 will be $307 billion, and drop to $304 billion in 2004.Furthermore, the exchage rate for US dollars is weakening continuesly and the Euro is strengthening greatly because of american so massive

Monday, January 13, 2020

Narcissism in Young People

NEW NARCISSISM Assignment A 1. Narcissism is a notion, which describes the trait to have an exaggerated feeling of self-esteem, based on the person’s ego. A person who â€Å"suffers† from Narcissism feels a demand for being treated better than others. The person is very busy concerning wealth and fame, and considers himself as a person who naturally has to be in the centre of everything. An example of a person who suffers from Narcissism is a boy from Bumfuck, Tennessee called Chris Crocker. He became famous from one day to another, only by uploading a film on the internet. In this film he cries and screams â€Å"leave Britney alone! , because he believes that people have been too hard on her and don’t think of what she has been through. The strange thing is that he has filmed all this and even, vain enough, uploaded it on YouTube. Maybe Chris Crocker didn’t do all this only to express his strong opinion, but also to become famous. Because already two wee ks after the uploading he talks in an interview about hiring a bodyguard. You can definitely say that Chris Crocker lives up to the idea of Narcissism. He is definitely busy concerning fame and he finds it obviously natural that everyone wants to hear his opinion of Britney Spears’s situation. But don’t we want that?The film has been watched nearly 40 million times, and this proves that we actually want to see and hear his opinion, but also that we, as society lets people as Chris Crocker become famous, despite their lack of talent. Our acceptation of this vain behavior is definitely caused by the phenomenon: NEW NARCISSISM: It all begun with the myth from Greek culture, which is the story behind the notion Narcissism. The myth tells us about the handsome youth Narcissus, who is obsessed with his own beauty. The myth tells that the Gods punish him, by letting him fall hopelessly in love with his own reflection, which he sees in the water of the lake.He turns mad and de velops a desire to maltreat his beautiful body. Many years later Freud reviews the notion, and was the first to use it in connection with psychiatry. Soon afterward people recognized narcissism as a medical condition with the symptoms of vanity, self-importance and egotism. A narcissist is described as a man who, if he was given the choice to bring one effect to a desert island, would choose a mirror. 100 years after Sigmund Freud, the social critic Christopher Lasch relates narcissism to society. He maintains that society reproduces its culture and the ego is a mirror of this culture.Lasch uses fashion to describe narcissism, by explaining that it has existed for a very long time. The Victorian dandies, who tried to imitate aristocratic values, in the same way as the New Romantics reflected the materialism of Thatcher’s Britain. Lasch tells us that narcissism has developed so that it isn’t only elitist followers of fashion, but also middle class men in their early for ties, who submit to surgical operations, especially penis extensions. How vain can you be! As Nacissus did in the myth, people maltreat their bodies by surgical operations.But in the typical spirit of narcissism, the doctor Viel says that these operations do nothing but help people’s self-esteem. The new narcissists are not only obsessed with their looks, now they also want immediate stardom. A fine example of this is the X-Factor audition, where more than 150. 000 people were ready to be humiliated in front of many million people. As we see for ourselves on TV Friday nights: more than 80% are classic narcissists and convinced that they deserve success, even though they can neither sing nor perform.When the narcissists can’t get famous because of their lack of talent, they use the internet to get attention, as Chris Crocker did, believing that people want to read their everyday doings. The narcissists use the internet to promote themselves, by showing their private sna ps, blocking about themselves and attempting to interest people in their badly demos. On the internet they have the opportunity to talk about themselves all the time, without anyone interrupting them. Facebook, MySpace and the other blocking sites are simply the dream world of every narcissist.Christopher Lacsh believes that the internet, apart from being a site to promote yourself, also offers a feeling of solidarity and even a substitute family. The author Andrew Keen says about this that it’s even damaging for the social cohesion. The internet lumps all people together, in other words: tars with the same brush. You can compare it with the story of Chris Crocker. A few years ago he would have been described as a freak, but nowadays the attention-seeking freak is famous. This is due to the fact that he merely reflects society and its culture.In short narcissism has developed from ‘just’ being synonymous with a medical condition where the patient has an exaggerat ed feeling of self-esteem. Now it’s called new narcissism and has changed from being self-absorbed to focusing on fame, wealth and perfection. The new narcissists see themselves as exceptional and set unrealistic goals for their future, but especially for their looks. Therefore the expression new narcissism means that people today are willing to do anything to achieve fame, attention and wealth for their own benefit, even though it’s only â€Å"15 minutes of fame† (Andy Warhol) . . â€Å"Student narcissism on the rise† (text 2) has the same message as â€Å"Me, Me, Me,† (text 1), that the young people are more narcissistic than ever before. Janice McDuffie partly blames the parents for being too soft on their children: protect them from the real, tough world, which causes the children to believe they are allowed only to be thinking about themselves. This makes them too optimistic and confident about their futures, which doesn’t commit them e nough in the process of education and social needs.McDuffie believes it can be dangerous in the long run, if the young continue their narcissism. †Do today's young people really think they are so extraordinary? † (text 3) says, unlike the other two articles, that there has not been any significant change in the student’s attitude towards themselves. Jimmy Carter supports his statement with a research from a university in Western Ontario where they were unable to show any increase in the narcissism of today's youth, compared to earlier studies, and therefore disproving the term †generation me†.The two texts couldn’t have said anything more different. Text 2: â€Å"Student narcissism on the rise† says that today’s youth are more narcissistic than ever before, whereas text 3: †Do today's young people really think they are so extraordinary? †, says the totally opposite and maintains that the students today haven’t be en more narcissistic than their predecessors. But both texts are supported by scientific studies, which only make it more difficult for the reader to find out which is correct.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Exploring Corporate Strategy - Case - 164366 Words

ECS8C_C01.qxd 22/10/2007 11:54 Page 597 CASE STUDIES ECS8C_C01.qxd 22/10/2007 11:54 Page 598 ECS8C_C01.qxd 22/10/2007 11:54 Page 599 Guide to using the case studies The main text of this book includes 87 short illustrations and 15 case examples which have been chosen to enlarge speciï ¬ c issues in the text and/or provide practical examples of how business and public sector organisations are managing strategic issues. The case studies which follow allow the reader to extend this linking of theory and practice further by analysing the strategic issues of speciï ¬ c organisations in much greater depth – and often providing ‘solutions’ to some of the problems or difï ¬ culties identiï ¬ ed in the case. There†¦show more content†¦Pharmaceutical Industry – global forces at work in the ethical pharmaceutical industry. TUI – competitive forces in the travel industry. HiFi – how can small players survive changing markets? Amazon (B) – latest developments in a successful dot.com. Formula One – developing the capabilities for competitive success in a hi-tech industry. Manchester Unite d – clash of expectations in the football world. Salvation Army – strategic challenges for a global not-for-profit organisation with a mission. Bayer MS –Show MoreRelatedEssay about International Strategic Management857 Words   |  4 PagesManagement Strategy is usually related and sometimes confused by people with planning. But as time course shows in the study of companies, there are different approaches of how a company can develop its strategy. Johnson, and Shcoles, in their book â€Å"Exploring Corporate Strategy† had studied the different ways that companies develop their strategy. The authors had formulated and structured three general ways how companies build it, there are: the design, experience and ideas lenses. â€Å"Exploring CorporateRead MoreSummary Chapter 1 Johnson, Whittington Scholes993 Words   |  4 PagesJohnson, Scholes amp; Whittington – Exploring Strategy, text and cases Chapter 1 – Introducing Strategy Defining strategy - Strategy is about the key issues for the future of organizations, or in other words, the long term direction for an organization. The description of strategy in the book has two advantages: 1. It can include deliberate, logical strategy and incremental, emergent patterns of strategy; 2. It can lay the focus on differences and competition as well as on recognizing theRead MoreThe Lego Group1284 Words   |  6 Pages Student Number : 19852274 20101233 20054057 Assignment Title : The LEGO Group: working with strategy. 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The first is the cost leadership, second the differentiation of the product and the third is choosing the small segment for competing and concentrating. Narrowing the segments causes a better scope for the competitive strategy. Thus a leader with low costRead MoreIntel Research: Exploring the Future1130 Words   |  5 PagesIntel Research: Exploring the Future This report discusses the case study ‘Intel Research: Exploring the Future [1], published in 2005 by the Harvard Business School. The discussion is divided into three different sections: overview, analysis and conclusion. 1-Overview In 2013, Intel spent more than 10.6 billion in Research and Development (Ramp;D), and became the third biggest spender in Ramp;D. Intel invests in Ramp;D to get on with Moore’s Law, an observation by company co-founder GordonRead More(a) Threat of New Entrants and Substitutes for Tesco1258 Words   |  6 Pagesconcepts and analytical techniques studied in this module. All the learning outcomes below will be assessed: 1. Demonstrate critical understanding and application of relevant theories associated with global corporate policies and strategies. 2. Understand the holistic nature of strategy and apply analytical techniques to solve complex problems in real life organizations 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the strategic decision making process through critical analysis of how strategic decision makingRead MoreHow Online Brand Communication And Customer Engagement Influence A Consumer s Decision Purchase872 Words   |  4 PagesResearch Question: â€Å"How online brand communication and customer engagement influence a consumer’s decision purchase.† The marketing strategy of branding is not a new concept. A company’s brand is not a logo, or a tag line, but rather the relationship it has with its customer base, it is in essence not how a company defines itself – but how the public defines it. 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Friday, December 27, 2019

Social And Political Thought - 1722 Words

Sriya Siems Classics of Social and Political Thought Mr. Ellison SOSC 15100 Second Paper- #4 (Democracy) A Proposition To Abolish Democracy In the modern west, democracy is generally conceived as the â€Å"most free† regime. Democracy is uniquely characterized by majority rule. This gives its citizens the privilege to vote, overturn, and motion, with the purpose of best representing the desires of the population. Not only do societies strive for democracy to gain political freedom, but also personal freedom. Traditionally, we equate government intervention and regulation with harsh restrictions that devitalize our personal freedom, however, according to Socrates; regulation is necessary in order to experience â€Å"genuine freedom†. In the Republic, Socrates discusses his tripartite regime in which promotes optimal justice and happiness for its citizens. However, if we fully accept Socrates’ republic, this does not necessarily mean we have to reject democracy entirely. This idea will be furthered explored throughout the entirety of this essay. While Socrates describes democracy as the â€Å"fairestà ¢â‚¬  regime, he refutes this claim by exposing the disastrous effect lack of structure has in a democracy, producing only spurious pleasures and, therefore, failing to achieve Socrates’s justice, (demonstrated in his republic) which produces genuine pleasures that greatly benefit the individual and the city. Socrates uses a democratic society as a foundation to build his republic. Socrates says,Show MoreRelatedAfrican Social Political Thought1357 Words   |  6 PagesPHL 305: AFRICAN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THOUGHT QUESTION: TAKE ONE AFRICAN SOCIO-POLITICAL PHILOSOPHER AND DISCUSS: A. HIS POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY B. THE PROBLEM HE TRIED TO SOLVE C. THE EXTENT TO WHICH HE WAS SUCCESSFUL. African socialism was one of the earliest theories proffered by many African leaders at the outset of independence. Leaders such as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Obafemi Awolowo and Leopold Senghor all supported this concept but had different approaches toRead MoreTheoretical Perspectives On Political And Social Thought1859 Words   |  8 PagesOoychai Yuthiwattana 25844067 AZA2719 – Theoretical Perspectives in Political and Social Thought Assessment 1 – Individual Essay 27th May 2015 Capitalism tends to sow the seeds of its own destruction. Discuss. Introduction: Entering the 21st Century, these past few years we have begun to encounter and see the beginning of world economic crises. The financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the oil crisis of 2003-2008 are just the few of many examples that we have seen and been impacted by. These eventsRead MoreAfrican American Social And Political Thought Of Today1785 Words   |  8 PagesSayfur R Shuyeb FP7735 AFS 2210-001 African-American Social and Political Thought of Today I might not be a person like Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B Du Bois, Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, Bell Hooks, and Jesse Jackson, or I might not be a part of organizations like the NAACP, SCLC, Afro American Unity, and Black Panther Party, but if I ever get an opportunity to make a difference these people and organizations made to the lives of African-Americans, I would never hesitate to take it. Although, theseRead MoreThe United States Constitution: A Historical Representation of Political and Social Thought993 Words   |  4 Pagesform of social contract out of thin air. Instead, they drew from a long line of legal and social contracts and writings in order to develop a robust system of governance meant to protect the rights of the individual while maintaining a sufficiently strong federal government. 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I believe political correctness is a political ideology and it cannot be correct unless it is linked to genuine transformation. First, I will examine the origins of political correctness to try to get a clear understanding of what this movement is. Second, I will show you that political correctness is political and how it became a political ideology. Lastly, I shall discuss why this ideology does not work. PoliticalRead MorePHL 215 Version 6 Moral Social And Political Philosophy Matrix And Essay Parts 1 2 2 2993 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿University of Phoenix Material Moral, Social, and Political Philosophy Matrix and Essay Part 1 Matrix: Analyze moral, social, and political philosophy by completing the following matrix. Provide a definition of the branch of philosophy as given in a philosophical source (the readings, supplemental materials, or outside academic sources) and list a minimum of three historical developments, theories, key contributors, and principal issues. Bullet point answers are acceptable. Read MoreThe Unification Of China And Han Dynasty873 Words   |  4 PagesHan. There were formed schools of thought called Confucians, Daoists, and Legalists. These school of thoughts worked to bring political and social stability to China during the rule of the late Zhou dynasty which were chaotic years. Legalist principles and imposed centralized imperial rule were adopted by rulers of the Qin and Han dynasties. Political stability was the foundation of economic prosperity for the Han dynasty. There was a search of political and social order, unification of China, andRead MoreEssay on How Does Facebook and Twitter Affect Social Interaction1257 Words   |  6 Pagesworld that is more interconnected than ever before. The invention of the internet, cellphones, and computers have almost made everyone and everything within the reach of our fingertips. With the evolution of communications technology, methods of political participation and civic engagement have also changed to adapt to this advance made by mankind. Before, our choice was limited to holding demonstrations, going out to the streets, and protesting in order for our voices to be heard. Consequently, weRead MoreThe Political Philosophy of Karl Raimund Popper1139 Words   |  5 Pagesauthoritarian political systems and their philosophical foundations. This critique popper claimed was a response to the fantastic and futuristic assertions of these systems, which were simply an admixture of subjectively reasoned and uncritical thought about politics. Popper considered authoritarian and totalitarian systems to be based upon one sided thought, which marred the objectivity of reason in thought in the critical spirit of classical liberalism and its tradition of plurality in social life, the

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Obstetric Cholestasis - 3040 Words

Obstetric Cholestasis (OC) or Intraheptic Cholestasis of pregnancy is a disorder that is unique to pregnancy (Kelly and Nelson-Piercy, 2000).OC classically presents in the third trimester (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [RCOG], 2006), With maternal pruritus and raised bile acids (Geenes and Williamson, 2009).It is one of the few disorders of pregnancy that can affect both maternal well being and fetal outcome. OC usually resolves forty eight hours after delivery (Mays, 2010). This essay will examine the functions of the liver and discuss the role of bile acids in OC. The pathophysiology of OC will be explored. The role of the midwife within a multidisciplinary team, alongside the physical care that is offered to women†¦show more content†¦According to Bruce and Watson’s (2007) list of risk factors, Jacinta was increasingly at risk of OC as she had a family history and a previous OC pregnancy, as well as advanced maternal are 35years. Diagnosis of Obstetric Cholestasis is made by excluding all other liver diseases. Blood test to assess OC should generally include Liver Function tests as well as screening for Hepatitis B and C and Serum bile acids. (Bryne, 2000). Kenyon et al 2001 suggest that bile acid levels will often rise before liver function tests become abnormal so continual investigation is vital. Jacinta presented with intense pruritus however her liver function tests and serum bile levels were initially normal. Many women will have pruritus for days or weeks before the development of any abnormal liver function (Kenyon et al 2001). Midwives need to be extremely vigilant and not ignore persistent pruritus even in the presence of normal blood results. Diagnosis is suggested if a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy develops pruritus without a rash and at least one biochemical liver abnormality (See appendix) (Walker, Nelson –Piercy and Williamson, 2002). However OC has been diagnosed in women a t only eight weeks gestation, (Mays 2010) and Jacinta presented to her General Practitioner with pruritus at twenty four weeks. Diagnosis can be extremely

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

One Night Stand Lifetime Memory Essay Sample free essay sample

â€Å"You’re welcome! † her words followed by a ‘come hither’ smiling. I felt like embracing her difficult so and at that place. but abandoned the thought for the fright of the presence of anybody else in the flat. It was a dream of a sleeping room where her natess led me. A big mirror watched us from one side of the king-size four-poster bed. while the wall opposite it held a big posting picturing a piece of wild forest in such a manner that the bed looked like placed amid the wild plane! A swoon odor of aroma floated in the room possibly to heighten my animal cravings! â€Å"How do you like it? † She asked. â€Å"Oh it’s beautiful. all the manner! † I looked deep at her and inched near. but it was at that minute. another idea popped up in my head. a instead uneven one at that.Why would a adult female experience drawn to another adult male when her hubby had given her so much?However. I kicked aside my contemplations. and asked her. â€Å"Is there anybody else in the level? † â€Å"Nah. † she said with smiling eyes. â€Å"and none’s traveling to come either for the remainder of the dark. † She encircled my cervix with her custodies. pressing her lovely bosoms to my thorax. Wordss became excess as we fired up our lips with long. endearing investigation of togetherness. In between. my custodies worked overtime to undid her apparels as fast as possible. â€Å"I want to populate with you for the remainder of my life. Sam. † now she thought to lift to the juncture. by undoing my apparels. â€Å"You’re the adult male I ever dreamt of! † I didn’t reply to her words. alternatively showered her with busss. Despite my relationship with Milly being on the stones. I had neer spent a dark out.Possibly she’s holding pep negotiations!. Thinking no more. I let myself travel under the enchantment of her sensualness. Gradually the clock went back to the prehistoric times. as our bare organic structures met with such an obvious mode. on occasion punching the silence of the room with our moaning. It felt Godhead. Seconds seemed proceedingss. proceedingss seemed seconds – clip played buffooneries as we mellowed in each other clip and once more. *** When I opened my eyes I felt drained out. Sumi was trembling in pleasance that had its residue still in her organic structure. With a light buss I whispered in her ear. â€Å"Why did you give me so much. my love? † She half-opened her eyes and said. â€Å"It’s an uncoerced swapping of hubbies. love. † I got up with a start. â€Å"What’re you stating? † I shook her with my custodies. â€Å"Are you certain? † â€Å"Yes I’m. honey! At first I employed a investigator to happen out the crack between my hubby and your married woman. Then it took an ugly bend when she wrote me a missive to drag me out of his life. † â€Å"My God! † â€Å"Thank your typewriter excessively! . You gave it to the machinist for fix. and my investigator picked up the hint from at that place. as to who wrote that typewritten missive to me. † â€Å"Then? † I felt amazed. â€Å"Then I kept check on you through my investigator. and traveling by his study. and seeing you from a distance. I fell for you. That’s simple! Even I met you last dark by design. Don’t acquire hurt. honey. I did everything to acquire my love! † â€Å"You’re an astonishing adult female! † â€Å"Yes I’m! *** The storm came once more. the heavy wood of Sumi’s sleeping room caught a balefire once more. We rolled over and laic side by side. The moonshine caressed our organic structures. I told her about my want to go the big version of Peter Pan and asked her to fall in me.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Taoism Essays (2025 words) - Taoism, Tao Te Ching, Tao, Laozi

Taoism Throughout history, Taoism has been one of the most influential religions of Eastern culture. This is certainly one of the most unique of all religions. Many Taoists, in fact, do not even consider it a religion; and in many ways it is not. Taoists make no claim that the Tao exists.1 That is what essentially separates Taoism from the rest of the world religions: there is no heated debate or battle over Taoist doctrine; there have been no crusades to spread the religion. The very essence of Taoism is quite the opposite. Taoism's uniqueness and open-endedness have allowed the religion to flourish almost undisturbed and unchanged for over two thousand years. The founder of Taoism was a man named Lao Tzu, who lived around the year 604 B.C.E. According to Chinese legend, Lao Tzu was an archivist in the imperial library at Lo Yang was known for his knowledge, although he never taught.2 When Lao Tzu left his position at the library, he went to the Chinese province of Chou. At the border, however, he was stopped and forced to write down his teachings. During this time, he wrote the Tao Te Ching, the major scripture of Taoism.3 After Lao Tzu's death, a man named Yang Chu (440-366 B.C.E.) took up his teachings.4 A naturalist and philosopher, Yang Chu believed highly in self-regard and survival as the core of human nature and direction. His ideals were personal integrity and self-protection, and said that he was unwilling to pluck one hair from his head even if all humanity were to benefit from it.5 The next influential Taoist philosopher was Chang Tzu, who lived from 350-275 B.C.E. He defined existence using Lao Tzu's teachings.6 He wrote fifty-two books in response to the Tao Te Ching, thirty-three of which still survive today.7 Using exaggeration and fantasy, he illustrated Lao Tzu's teachings and how the Tao acted in nature. His theories spoke of a cosmic unity which encompasses all reality and guides it naturally, without force, to its proper end.8 The Yin and Yang theory became part of Taoist philosophy around 300 B.C.E. when they were mentioned in the Hsi tz'u, an appendix to the I Ching.9 Yin and Yang are defined as the two forces in nature. They are often called the two ?breaths? or ch'i.10 Yin is the feminine principle, representing darkness, coolness, and dampness; Yang is the masculine principle, representing brightness, warmth, and dryness.11 Neither principle is good or bad; they are not opposites, but each is needed to maintain stability in the universe.12 This belief holds that everything is defined through opposition; consequently, the virtues of balance and understanding are highly valued.13 Taoism became an official religion between 100 and 200 C.E.14 Due to competition from Buddhism, Taoists adopted many Buddhist beliefs. During this pivotal point in the religion's history, searching for self-knowledge and wisdom were replaced by searching for solutions to sorrows and other physical problems.15 Alchemy and superstition became highly popular during this period of time, as Taoists tried to escape reality rather than to control the artificial and unnatural. Many Taoists used magic and the concept of Tao to try to extend the physical life rather than to focus on the afterlife.16 Gradually the religion becomes more complicated, with a wide pantheon of gods and a ruling hierarchy.17 The leader Chang Ling took the title ?Heavenly Teacher? in 200 C.E. He created a dynasty of high priests who manipulated Taoism to support a superstitious doctrine of magic and mysticism.18 Seizing higher power as a religious leader, he pioneered a merging of Taoism and Zoroastrianism into a system called Five Bushels of Rice Taoism. Eventually this developed into a society based on Mazdaism, a Zoroastrian sect, where every believer was charged five bushels of rice.19 Although the believers followed the basic Zoroastrian worship format, they worshipped different gods: the Tao instead of Ahura-Mazda, and the various Chinese folk gods in place of the Persian Angels.20 Three hundred years later, the philosopher Honen moved away from Mazdaism and combined Taoism with Buddhism. This simplified religion he created became known as the Pure Land School, or Amidaism. Gradually, however, Taoism again became tied to magic, and it failed as a religion.21 Today, only its original philosophies survive and there are very few followers of Taoism, mostly found in Taiwan.22 Although Taoism's religious practices deteriorated with advancing Western influence, its philosophical aspects have outlasted those of Confucianism and Zen Buddhism.23 For centuries, Taoism has been known as the Way of Harmony.24 This is because Taoists believe that the Tao leads all nature toward a natural balance. The Tao, however, is not