Philosophy- Does God exist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Philosophy- Does God exist - Essay Example If so, then there must be a mover. This mover cannot be the thing itself for a thing cannot itself to move. So it must have been a first unmoved mover, i.e. God. Therefore, God exists. For many years, I was convinced of Aquinas’ argument until I learned of a philosopher who was quite skeptical of Aquinas’ ways. His name is David Hume. Hume was an empiricist who accepted the senses as the source of knowledge. He formulated his empiricist principle based on what we can know through our senses alone. Thus, metaphysical notions such as â€Å"God† are, for Hume, imaginary fictions of our minds, due to our notion of cause and effect. Therefore, the idea of a God is meaningless for Hume. â€Å"So God does not exist?† Asked my friend. â€Å"Hume does not think that should be the question to ask. But rather, is man capable of knowing if there’s anything beyond the realm of sense experience? And the answer is: we don’t know.† I answered. â€Å" But there must be a way to know!† My friend said. So I told her about a philosopher named Rene Descartes. Descartes was, unlike Hume, a rationalist. He provided three proofs for God’s existence. Only one however, drew my attention as well. Here, Descartes uses the process of elimination when asking whether I, who has an idea of a perfect being, can exist without that perfect being, i.e. God.

Developing Anti-Mycobacterial Therapeutics

Developing Anti-Mycobacterial Therapeutics Using a specific example discuss a possible target for the development of anti-mycobacterial therapeutics. Introduction It is estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide are infected by tuberculosis (TB)- an infectious disease caused by the etiologic agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) (Fullam et al., 2012). This bacterium is responsible for 2 million deaths each year and remains a continuing threat (Ouellet, Johnston and Montellano, 2011). 70-90% of individuals infected carry latent TB and never develop the disease, on the other hand, 10-30% of individuals infected can develop active TB. Over the years, the threat of TB has increased alarmingly due to the rise of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). The rise of MDR-TB and XDR-TB threatens to overwhelm all currently available drugs (Yam et al., 2009). Hence, the need to develop new anti-mycobacterial therapeutics. Currently, there have been numerous potential targets identified for the development of novel inhibitors. This review focuses on Mtb DNA gyrase as one such possible target (Mdluli and Spigelman, 2006). Structure and Function of DNA Gyrase DNA gyrase is an essential tetrameric enzyme involved in DNA synthesis and is understood to be the only type II topoisomerase present in Mtb. The structure of DNA gyrase consists of two subunits called GyrA and GyrB which initially form homodimers, called A2 and B2, and then form a larger heterodimer, called A2B2. The two subunits carry out different functions with the GyrA subunit carrying out cleavage of positive supercoiled DNA, while the GyrB subunit promotes ATP hydrolysis. The GyrA and GyrB subunits are products of the gyrA gene and gyrB gene. The gyrB gene is 34 base-pairs upstream to the gyrA gene and both genes are located close to the origin of replication (Unniraman, Chatterji and Nagaraja, 2002). Mtb reproduce by binary fission. During DNA replication, DNA helicase binds to the DNA double helix and begins to unwind the parental strands by utilising ATP to break the hydrogen bonds between the base-pairs. Single-stranded binding proteins help to stabilise the unwound DNA strands and prevent them from re-pairing. The point at which the two strands of DNA separate are known as replication fork. DNA polymerase then moves along each strand of DNA behind each replication fork synthesising new DNA nucleotides. As the replication fork expands, positive supercoils begin to accumulate ahead of the replication fork. For DNA replication to continue, the positive supercoils need to be removed. Supercoiling causes the DNA to form a more compact structure. DNA gyrase inserts negative supercoils to Mtb DNA. DNA gyrase binds to a circular, supercoiled DNA molecule and this alleviates one positive supercoils. Gyrase first introduces a double-stranded break in the DNA, then a segment of DNA pass es through the break to the opposite side of the gyrase protein. This movement of the DNA requires ATP hydrolysis by gyrase, and introduces a negative supercoil into the DNA molecule. Subsequently, the break in the strands is repaired and gyrase is released from the DNA. Thus, a DNA molecule with one positive supercoil now has one negative supercoil. The GyrA subunit consists of two domains called the GyrA N-terminal domain (GyrA-NTD) and GyrA C-terminal domain (GyrA-CTD). The GyrA-NTD whereas, the GyrA-CTD stabilises the binding of DNA gyrase to DNA. The residue Tyr-122 of GyrA is the site of covalent attachment to DNA. Similarly, the GyrB subunit consists of two domains called the GyrB N-terminal domain (GyrB-NTD) and GyrB C-terminal domain (GyrB-CTD). The GyrB-NTD contains the ATP binding sites. DNA gyrase is absent in eukaryotic organisms even though a less homologous enzyme does exist. Fluoroquinolones Fluoroquinolones (FQs) bind to the enzyme-DNA complex. By targeting GyrA, the duration of treatment can be shortened making it a validated target. C-terminal Domain of GyrA  Ã‚   The ability of Mtb DNA gyrase to bind and insert negative supercoils into DNA is mediated by the C-terminal domain of the GyrA subunit (GyrA-CTD). Several highly-conserved residues in GyrA-CTD were selected as potentially participating in DNA binding and bending. The use of site-directed mutagenesis resulted in the identification of four key residues which were R691A, Y577A, R745A and D669A. Substitution of these four residues resulted in a total loss of DNA binding activity by GyrA. This in turn caused a loss in supercoiling activity and relaxation. The ability of Mtb DNA gyrase to carry out its function only occurs when the GyrA subunit is combined with the GyrB subunit. Mutagenesis of R691A, Y577A, R745A and D669A not only results in loss of DNA binding activity of GyrA in the absence of GyrB, but also results in a loss of DNA binding activity in the presence of GyrB. This again led to a loss in loss in supercoiling activity and relaxation. The findings of GyrA-CTD to be essential for Mtb survival strongly promotes the idea of a new potential drug target. GyrB Subunit of Mtb DNA Gyrase The emergence of fluoroquinolone-resistant tuberculosis has meant there is a need to develop new classes of drugs targeting Mtb DNA gyrase. A lot of emphasis is often focused on targeting the GyrA subunit and this had led to research in developing novel inhibitors targeting the GyrB subunit (Medapi et al., 2015). The GyrB subunit is an attractive target for the development of anti-mycobacterial therapeutics for several reasons. Firstly, the GyrB subunit is present in a single copy. Secondly, it is an essential gene for the survival of Mtb. Thirdly, there are no alternatives to GyrB present in Mtb which could carry out the same function if it is inhibited because it contains the ATP binding pocket. Fourthly, the various strains of Mtb have a 99.9% homology for GyrB. Fifthly, GyrB exerts the same phenotypic effects on Mtb viability as FQs. Finally, the development of inhibitors targeting GyrB can be effective in shortening the duration of TB treatment and delaying the emergence of drug resistance (Chopra et al., 2012). The residues involved in ATP binding are found in the GyrB-NTD and are between residues 1-220. Moreover, two further residues, Gln335 and Lys337, found in the GyrB-CTD are also involved in ATP binding. To the date, there are hundreds of potential novel inhibitors which have been identified to inhibit the activity of GyrB. Inhibitors could be design to target the ATP-binding site or the non-ATP-binding site, however, little is known about structure of the non-ATP binding site. Novobiocin is the only approved antibiotic which has shown to inhibit the activity of GyrB. However, novobiocin has been withdrawn from the market because it is extremely toxic and has low permeability. Another drug class of drugs, aminobenzimidazole, are another strong candidate for inhibiting GyrB due to their excellent efficacy against MDR-TB strains (Chaudhari et al., 2016).

The Impact of the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club on the City of Montrea

The Impact of the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club on the City of Montreal A sports team is vital to a large city such as Montreal. A sports team may have positive or negative impacts on a city. The team that will be focused on is the Montreal Canadiens. Despite the poor seasons that the team has recently endured, the Montreal Canadiens are still one of the most winningest franchises in all of sports. The team’s long history as a winning organization has made the city of Montreal reputable. For my research, the three disciplines that will be focused on are sociology, geography, and economics. These disciplines are very much evident and important to my research topic, that being, the importance the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club for the City of Montreal. With the use of sources related to my topic, one will be able to grasp the overall context of my research. The direct question that my research intends to answer is; how has the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club impacted the City of Montreal as a whole? Literature Review   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The discipline of sociology studies groups of people in a specific area. In this case, the people we will focus on are the players playing for the Montreal Canadiens hockey team and the fans that support the team. After viewing a video on the Montreal Canadiens during the 1988-1989 season (Fisher 1989), the discipline of sociology is very much evident in this video. The video takes an in depth viewing of the team during the 1988-1989 season. It looks at the ups and downs the team faced during this particular season and how the Montreal Canadiens have over come obstacles.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the 1988-1989 season, the Canadiens advanced to the Stanley Cup final where they lost to the Calgary Flames in six games. A few years earlier, in 1986, the Canadiens beat those same Calgary Flames to win their twenty-third Stanley Cup. The player that led the Canadiens during the 1988-1989 season was none other than goaltender Patrick Roy. The pressures that were placed on the shoulders’ of Roy were unbelievable. This pressure came from fans and media alike. The fact he was a French- Canadian that grew up cheering for the Canadiens, did not help either. As Patrick said in the video, â€Å"Hockey in Montreal is not a sport, it’s a religion.† Also interviewed was .. ... I composed my questionnaire around my research question. The results of my fieldwork take into account the three disciplines that my literature review is based on, that being, sociology, geography, and economics. From the answer(s) that was derived from my fieldwork, the impact the Montreal Canadiens has on the city of Montreal as a whole is positive. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To explain the importance a sports team has on a city, a new avenue for future research would be the traveling to a city that lost a professional sports team and research the impact it had on places such as Winnipeg and Quebec, where the Winnipeg Jets and the Quebec Nordiques used to play respectfully. Economically, jobs are created within and around the team and city, which geographically is the reason why businesses are set up where they are, and sociologically, people come together in the supporting of their team. These three disciplines are lost with losing of a professional sports team. A sports team is vital to a large city such as Montreal. To conclude this report, the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club has a positive impact on the city of Montreal as a whole.

Evaluating Areas of Knowledge

Music can affect us in many ways. It can evoke emotion or bring back a long-forgotten memory. It is present in nearly every aspect of life. Anywhere you travel, you come into contact with music. Whether it is on the radio in the car, in the supermarket, or on television, there is no escaping the constant presence of music. Music is composed for various reasons and purposes. Sometimes, composers are compelled to create a musical work to express their emotions, or even opinions. Music is also created to express the cultural aspects. Since there are so many reasons music is created and purposes it is used for, how is it possible to know music and in what ways can music be known? According to the International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge, there are several specific ways of knowing that allow knowledge claims to be evaluated. The infinitive, to know, can be evaluated by using reason, language, perception, and emotion. All of these ways can be utilized when evaluating the claim â€Å"I know this music. † Also, most of these mentioned ways of knowing can be applied to other areas of knowledge besides the arts. To begin, knowing music can be evaluated by using reason as logic. Obviously, if someone where to make this claim, he could simply be referring to the fact that he had heard it before. But logically, looking on a deeper level, the claim could mean that he had played through the music before. Often when musicians play a piece of music, or especially when it is performed, it has greater meaning to them and allows them to know it more intimately. When playing a piece of music, artists can put their own personal feeling into it. They can vary certain aspects such as tempo and phrasing. Not only does playing music speak to a listening audience, it speaks to the artist. This makes playing music a very psychological process, as it evokes certain feelings from listener and performer. Very gifted musicians are sometimes able to merely look at a piece of music, to analyze each note and rhythm, and be able to claim they know the piece. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was able to know music in this way. He would compose entire symphonies and concertos entirely in his mind before ever writing them down. And when he did write them down, he never changed a note. Mozart never had to physically hear a piece of music to know what it sounded like; he could hear it in his mind. Likewise, this was true for Beethoven, who composed and conducted his ninth symphony after becoming deaf. This process of knowing occurs on a much more intellectual level then actually playing music. However, both methods present knowledge of music. Besides using reason as logic, one can also consider the reason in the purpose of music in order to fully know it. Music is usually always created for some purpose. Composers are inspired and feel compelled to express their creativity. However, despite the composer's initial purpose for the music, its purpose to society may become completely different. For instance, many early classical composers were hired by courts and forced to compose music for the king. Often they would just write so as to get paid and to save themselves from poverty or execution. They would never have imagined that their music would, hundreds of years later, be listened to in the homes of middle class amilies as their children fervently practice the current assignment from the piano teacher. Music can be written to express opinions of society, culture, and authority. The popular rapper Eminem, constantly criticized for his outspokenness, articulates his views through his controversial lyrics. Similarly, the members of the heavy metal band Rage Against the Machine are known for their radical views of government and have even been arrested several times for protesting on the steps of the capital. Rage uses their music to communicate their opinions and speak to others who feel the same. Altogether, the purpose of music can be used to evaluate how it is known. Next, the claim can also be evaluated by analyzing certain aspects of language. Semantics is a term often applied to the study of meaning in language. In order to study language, one needs to consider two aspects of language: denotation and connotation. Denotation can be thought of as the way in which a word is defined, as in the dictionary. Connotation, on the other hand, is thought of as the color of the word, or what it implies. Therefore, according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the definition of the verb ‘to know' is: to perceive directly, or have direct cognition of, to have understanding of, to recognize the nature of, to recognize as being the same as something previously known, to be acquainted or familiar with, or to have experience of. The denotation of a word is very straightforward and differs from the connotation in that it lacks emotion. For example, when trying to explain love to a child, it does no good to give them a dictionary definition. On the other hand, the connotation of knowing can be explained in countless ways. For example, the word can infer that there is a strong emotional connection, whether it be positive or negative. The connotation also involves many other areas other than just the word, such as the tone of voice it is said in, or the context in which it is placed. When evaluating a claim, one cannot fully depend on a single aspect of semantics. Both denotation and connotation need to be taken into account in order to evaluate knowledge claims. In addition, perception is another way of knowing. Perception varies between all individuals. Perception makes each person unique. Therefore, it is difficult to make a generalized statement about perception besides the fact that it can drastically change the way identical events are interpreted. Perception can be influenced by many different factors such as culture, economic status, and religion. These factors can be described as filters through which the world is perceived. When applied to a knowledge claim, perception mainly varies between individuals' views of what it means to know something. Take, for instance, the individual making the knowledge claim, â€Å"I know this music. One person's perception of what it means to know could vary from the perception of the person being told. The only way to bridge this gap in perception, is to become tolerant of others' views. Applied to others areas of knowledge, these ways of analyzing knowledge claims are valid yet sometimes irrelevant. For instance, the methods work for theoretical, language, and creativity based areas such as politics and the arts. However, when applied to more factual areas like mathematics and the natural sciences, the above methods are not suitable. For these areas, processes such as proofs and the scientific method are used.

The Haunted House

MiKayla Jones Mrs. Ceballos PAP English 1 – 8 October 30, 2012 The Haunted House This was going to be my best Halloween ever. As I sat in class waiting anxiously for the bell to ring, I began wondering how much fun this is going to be. When Kaitlyn and I arrived at my house we sat around chatting waiting for it to get dark, before we started to trick or treat. As we were putting on our costumes, Kaitlyn had a difficult time putting her alien costume from outer space on because the directions were illegible.After I was put on my zombie cheerleader costume I noticed it looked a little sully. I didn’t mine because it was Halloween and things are sometimes not very comely. As we heard out the front door my mom jeered loudly and said, â€Å"be careful and stay in the neighborhood and don’t make any erratic turns†. I knew we had made a wrong turn when we went trick or treating at this old, run down dissolute house. When we knocked on the door it automatically op ened, a heavy wind came out and caused the pumpkins to sing and locked us in.All of a sudden I slipped on some fudder and something being to tantalizing me, I screamed and held on to Kaitlyn’s hand unflinching, I tried with all my might to fortify myself against the two headed monster, I screeched as loud as a mongoose. The more we fought the more the monsters proliferated. Some were mediocre, the monsters tried to tell us to subjugate but we kept on screaming and fighting until we freed ourselves for a moment.As we tried to expulsion from the back door a three legged lucretia ghost told us how to get out safely, we thanked the three legged ghost by giving him all of our trick or treat candy to compensate him for being so nice and helping us to escape. I feint that he was as friendly as Casper. Finally, we made it back to my house, I gave a short terse wave to Kailtlyn and she adjourns to her house. This would be one Halloween that I will never forget.