Research philosophies and approaches Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Research philosophies and approaches - Essay Example Aesthetics pertain to what man considers beautiful or appealing. As art, architecture is also a form of expression executed in a manner considered appealing or beautiful. In constructing a structure, however, man uses inputs as well as produces waste. The use of inputs and wastes both affect man’s existence and in sustaining his way of life. Thus, the professional architect has to be responsible not only for his final product but also with the way he or she is able to produce his own product. It follows that the relevant philosophies that a professional architect should study must cover the following: man’s philosophies for existence and living that are basic for architectural designs the philosophies related to aesthetics and art as the bases for architectural designs that can be considered as aesthetically beautiful or artistic the relevant philosophies or ethics that the professional architect can adopt, and the philosophies relevant for professional architectural pr actice. Hence, the foregoing are some of the general areas in philosophy research that are most relevant for a professional architect or someone who seeks to become a professional architect. In developing research methods for any research, some of the more relevant philosophical perspectives are logical positivism, verstehen, and hermeutics. II. Man’s Philosophy for Living Man’s philosophy for living is varied. For example, a man’s philosophy for living may be simply to enjoy life and get the best pleasures from life. The situation of his or her fellow human being does not disturb him because the world is a jungle where the fittest rule and survives. He or she does not care for his or her fellow human being because he or she does not feel any sense of responsibility for another person. The need for architectural designs from this type of a person is simple: what appeals to him or her without regard to the possible effects of a design may have on resource use and wastes. On other hand, another philosophy of living can be altruistic or oriented to be of service to others. This can be reflected in how basic architectural decisions are made. For instance, an altruistic design may call for ensuring that architectural designs are useable by the disabled like the limping or lame, the blind, the aged, or those who are weak. The architectural designs of buildings, streets, and houses may be such that spaces are created for the disabled or for an aging and younger population. Another philosophy of living, however, may call for the use of more obviously expensive materials associated with wealth and power. This type of architectural clients may require, for example, floors or walls that are lined with gold or precious stones. They may require a Jacuzzi right in their rooms or a pool in many parts of their house with a specification that they are installed in an obvious way and that neighbors are made aware that they have these. The need for architect ural designs is not only for the sake of living and comfort but, more importantly, for conspicuous consumption. Conspicuous consumption may or may not be psychological but probably it is not only philosophical. As a philosophy for living, conspicuous consumption may result from a need to have a better standing in society. The standing can lead to better social influence, power, and esteem by the other members of society. Finally, another philosop

Ban Texting While Driving Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ban Texting While Driving - Research Paper Example Many policy makers claim texting on cell phone drifts the attention of the driver from the road since at least one hand or eye must be used to compose the text message, read the message or send a message on cell phone (MacKinnon 295). Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found out that driver inattention is responsible for about 30 percent of road crashes in the State (Pittman 73). Ban on texting while driving should be implemented across all States to control road accidents. Talking on cell phones (hand-held) is currently banned in 10 states that include Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, New York, Delaware, California, Connecticut and West Virginia, and the District of Columbia (Flynn 156). The use of cell phone by novice drivers is restricted in more than 30 states while text messaging while driving is restricted in 39 states including District of Columbia. School bus drivers are banned from texting while driving in Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi while novice drivers are banned from texting in New Mexico, Missouri and Texas. The ban on texting is enforced under secondary laws in other states whereby the law enforcement officers will have other reasons for stopping motor vehicles before charging the driver for use of cell phones. Arkansas has a primary law that has banned drivers between the age of 18 years to 21 from using hand-held devices while driving through highways or school zones while Illinois has banned drivers in construction zones or school speed zones from using hand-held devices. However, California has exempted use voice activated and hands-free cell phones while Illinois provides exemptions to drivers who text to communicate an emergency situation to emergency personnel. â€Å"Motorists who use cell phones while driving are four times likely to cause accidents and injuries according to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety† (Flynn