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Difference between Buddha and Karl Marx Thoughts
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Difference between Buddha and Karl Marx Thoughts
It can not be disputed that philosophical thoughts greatly influence the holistic wellbeing of the society. In most instances, the respective thoughts and ideas shape the decisions that are undertaken by various facets of the society. The economic and social decisions that are undertaken by individuals and the society as a whole in most instances tend to be based on distinct philosophical teachings. Just like certain religious beliefs and practices, philosophical ideas compel individuals and societies to behave in a particular manner. For instance, the thoughts of the Buddha as well as those of Karl Marks have influenced decision making in the social, economic and religious spheres. Although both Marx’s and Buddha’s ideas have had different implications on the society, there are distinct differences between the two schools of thought.
The first difference pertains to the religious perspectives that are held by the two individuals. In this regard, Marx argues that religion has devastating effects on the society and it should not have existed in the first place. From his point of view, region is contagious and undermines economic development of the society. According to Shils and Rheinstein, Marx was an atheist and considered religious practices to be responsible for compelling populations to disrupt the societal functioning and general wellbeing. In contrast, Buddha considers religion to be at the center stage of human functioning and general behavior. Although he did not lay his thoughts on the foundation of a super power, soul or god, he still considered the relative values to be instrumental in enhancing the harmonic functioning of the society. This is because they influence an individual to uphold important values and virtues that are acceptable by the society. Unlike Marx who considered the thoughts of Buddha to be purely philosophical, Buddha himself considered his thoughts to be inclined on important religious principles.
With respect to the human society, Buddha considered this to be characterized by alternating cycles that support evolution and dissolution. According to Bodhi, Buddha believed that every aspect of human life changes and nothing is static. Marx on the other hand believes that all human communities are basically arranged in a manner that supports distribution of different goods as well as products. Marx maintains that the economic factor has the greatest influence on the society than any other factors. The distribution of goods according to Mark is influenced by power and is unequal. The rise and fall of the societies through time according to Marx undermine the development of the productive power that is found in humans. In this respect, the perception of human societies by the two individuals differs considerably. The change in the respective society according to Buddha is natural while according to Marx, it is solely influenced by the economic power.
Whereas Buddha’s thoughts supported a democratic system, Marx supported a capitalistic system. In this regard, Buddha admired democracy because of the values that this societal system upheld. Moreover, the characteristic participation of all facets of the society in governance went a long way in enhancing harmonic coexistence. This was instrumental in furthering ethical living and enhancing justice. Karl Marx on the other hand based his thoughts on Capitalism. Essentially, this constitutes an economic system whose production means are owned privately and solely operated for profits. Further, the characteristic distribution, income, investment, pricing and production of products in this system are determined by the free market operations. This system of governance divides the society in two segments; the have and the have nots.
The two schools of thoughts also have varied perceptions regarding economic production. According to Marx, capital is at the center stage of economic production. This according to him plays an instrumental role in the creation as well as distribution and exchange of goods. Labor power according to Marx is a form of capital that is exchange with ages. Buddha on the other hand, Buddha argues that the deliberate use of state power by populations to maximize the social and economic wellbeing of the society is at the core of the economy. The Buddha also considered employment to be instrumental in economic production because of the fact that it enhances social harmony as well as economic development. Employment in this regard culminates in both spiritual and human fulfillment. Further, Buddha indicated that in order to derive immense benefits from the respective work, all humans need to skilled, courageous, honest and efficient.
The two thinkers also viewed poverty form different perspectives. According to Nhat, Buddha considered poverty to be the main cause of immorality. In this regard, it contributes to violence, hatred, falsehood, cruelty and theft. He encouraged humans to use the products to attain intrinsic satisfaction and fulfillment. Humans from the point of view of Buddha need to strive to live simple and moderate lifestyles that are devoid of extreme self indulgence and extreme self deprivation. This school of thought holds the government responsible for addressing poverty and enhancing the general living conditions of all individuals. Marx on the other hand emphasizes that the worker grows poorer when s/he produces more wealth. Increment of wealth from his perspective culminates in increased devaluation of the worker. At this point, Marx asserts that the mode of production that the universal mode of production in itself enhances poverty. He considers this a normal characteristic of a capitalistic society.
With respect to Human suffering, Karl Marx attributes this to the wealth disparities. According to Radkau, the process of accumulating wealth culminates in incidences of inhuman living conditions for a significant percentage of the population. This is further perpetuated by the social classes whose conditions culminate in intense suffering of the population. Buddha’s thoughts on the other hand attribute human suffering to various spiritual reasons. The cause of human suffering according to the Buddha is mainly human desire. While Marx considered human suffering to be permanent as long as the individual is poor, Buddha considers human suffering to be temporary and a state that can be halted by the ending of human desire.
As it has come out from the preceding study, there are distinct differences between the ideas or thoughts of Karl Marx and Buddha. These revolve around various issues such as religious beliefs, human suffering, human society, political governance, economic productivity, poverty and so forth. To a great extent, these have had significant impacts on the perceptions of the populations. Also worth mentioning is the fact that Buddha’s thoughts are mainly based on spirituality while Marx’s thoughts are driven by economics. Unlike Marx, Buddha does not advocate for either extreme deprivation or extreme indulgence.
Bibliography
Armstrong, Karen. Buddha. New York: Penguin Classics, 2004.
Bodhi, Bhikkhu. In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon. USA: Wisdom Publications, 2005.
Nhat, Thich. Old Path, White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha. USA: Full Circle Publishing Ltd, 1997.
Radkau Joachim. Max Weber. USA: Polity Press, 2005.
Shils Edward and Rheinstein Max. Max Weber Law in Economy and Society. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1964
Theory of addiction causation
Prevention Plan
Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u Theory of addiction causation PAGEREF _Toc380752569 h 3Primary prevention model describing my prevention approach PAGEREF _Toc380752570 h 3Strategies for prevention, intervention and treatment PAGEREF _Toc380752571 h 4School, Family, and Community Prevention Strategies PAGEREF _Toc380752572 h 4School-based prevention strategies PAGEREF _Toc380752573 h 5
Today, research shows that many people are today suffering from mental disorders as a result of alcohol and drugs addiction. This has caused parents, the elementary schools, communities as well as, mental health professionals to express their concern in regards to drug addiction in order to develop a prevention plan that will help teens/high school student before they become addicts. Drug addiction in families contributes to an extensive list of serious mental illness; as a result developing an invention plan is a good idea because it will minimize the chances of occurrence. The primary goals of the prevention plan include;
To reduce the use, the types of substances used as well as limiting the number of users
To ensure that the use of drugs and alcohols in teens/students are delayed. Delaying the use of drugs and alcohol reduces harm during a child’s development as well as reducing the risks for developing addiction and abusive patterns of use.
To prevent the transition from the “use” to “abuse”.
Diminishing the harms which may result from the use of those drugs.
Alcohol and drug use among teens/students has become a serious problem. Studies shows that most teens/high school student who begin drinking at an early age of 14 are significantly more likely to experience alcohol dependence in their lives compared to those who begin drinking after 20 years of age. Conversely, students who drink alcohol are most likely to experience negative consequences such as memory problems, impaired school performances and many others. Therefore, delaying the age of first use of drugs and alcohol is a significant goal of prevention. However, protective factors such as strong family bonds as well as, proactive parenting can also help delay teens’ experimentation with alcohol and drugs and thus may help reduce long-term problems.
Responsibility for prevention should belong to many individuals and groups, not just school-based prevention programs. Example of prevention plans may include designing programs to reduce drug availability such as law enforcement and educating the teens about the effects of drugs and alcohol prior to using them; this can be done by parents, communities, and in elementary schools. Parents are role models to their children; therefore, defining the standards behavior and providing consequences for risky behaviors to the teens may demonstrate the benefits of prevention. The use of drugs does not necessarily affect the abuser and his/her life, but it also affects the lives of the family members. As a result, when prevention plan begins, parents and elementary schools should be involved (Givaudan & Pick, 2001).
The other prevention plans which can be used are health prevention program model. The program is important because it will help in targeting behavior of the teens/student schools before they actually occur. The program can be used to target the elementary schools where the instructors can educate the teens/student on the risks of using such drugs. Conversely, secondary prevention programs can be developed to particularly for the people who have demonstrated some problematic behaviors. The main goal in this case is to help stop the peoples’ behaviors before they go sky-high. Other prevention plan may include addressing the community needs through Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) because this will make the program to be successful. The goal of DARE is to teach effective peer resistance as well as, refusal skills so that the teens can say “no” to drug abuse and to the friends who may wish to influence them in using the drugs.
Theory of addiction causationMost people believe in the multi-casual theory as a cause of drug addiction to the users. The multi-casual theory states that an individual falls into addiction for a combination of reasons such as physical dependency and positive reinforcement. Physical dependency has become the most popular model of addiction causation. For example, the nature of an individual’ body chemistry changes substantially when exposed to drug and alcohol, as a result, these teens/students cannot go forward until the drug is input inside their body causing the body to revolts (Givaudan & Pick, 2001). Conversely, positive reinforcement also stresses on physical dependency, however it approach the dependency being a means of receiving pleasure as well as, avoiding pain. Positive reinforcement in regards to multi-casual theory is somehow related to the idea of physical dependency that once a drug has been introduced into a person’s system, the drug will hamper with the normal production of natural chemicals in the body. In summary, regular use of drugs in the system will retard the ability of the brain to produce its pleasurable chemicals. This theory is important because people are able to know the contributory factors to the substance abuse, for example, it can be as a result of behavior such as attitude and lack of knowledge or as a result of environmental factors.
Primary prevention model describing my prevention approachDespite the best efforts of the State, as well as, local governments, research shows that the abuse of drugs is still posing serious threats to health and economic stability of teens/students in many societies. The causes associated with the drug abuse are more complex and even continues to vary across different segments of the population within different communities. The role of the communities in prevention on drug and alcohol abuse in teens/students should be participatory and not just responding to the services already planned and designed by the external agencies. The community should actively participate in developing solutions and evaluating interventions (Givaudan & Pick, 2001).
Strategies for prevention, intervention and treatmentVarious strategies for prevention, invention and treatment have been put in place in regards to prevention plan. Prevention strategies such as universal, selective and indicated prevention intervention are some of the methods that elementary schools and communities can use to develop a prevention plan for teens/students abusing drugs and alcohol. In universal prevention strategies, the entire populations are addressed. The populations in this case include the national, local community, neighborhood and schools (Keegan & Moss, 2008). The aim of these strategies is to prevent or delay the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Selective prevention strategies on the other hand are also important because it targets subsets of the total population deemed to be at risk of abusing drug by virtue of their membership in a population segment such as teens/students who are failing academically. These prevention interventions and treatment are intended to reduce the intensity of the problem so that the teens/students or any other individual at risk for substance abuse do not go on to require a clinical diagnosis of the disorder. Prevention strategies is important because it majorly focuses on the decreasing risk factors, or any other factors that are shown to increase the likelihood that a person will develop a mental or substance use disorder, or the likelihood that a person will develop a disorder even in the presence of risk (Givaudan & Pick, 2001).
School, Family, and Community Prevention StrategiesSelective, Universal and indicated approaches have been applied in prevention programs focusing on the school, family and community. Research has shown that these programs have been effectively implemented for general populations. However, parent training programs are effectively implemented with families and specific subgroups. The program is effective in that it has helped many family members to develop a prevention plan that help teens/high school student before they become addicts (Keegan & Moss, 2008).
School-based prevention strategiesSchool-based alcohol and drug abuse prevention strategies have served as the primary method for reaching the young people. The approaches mainly include prevention and skills training as well as tutoring and mentoring programmes.
Conversely, there are many factors which might prevent the plan from being successful. These factors include lack of authoritative and inflexible preventing and life skills, the family context and interpersonal problems. For example most families do not have enough time to interact with their children back at home, however, others may be able to do so but as a result of family conflict and weak relations with the parents, it may be difficult for them to educate their children at childhood age regarding the use of alcohol and drugs in teens. Conversely strengths such as integrating multiple areas of a person’s life and individuals to be research-based and theory driven can influence the plan to be successful.
References
Alexander, B. (2010). The Meaning of Addiction 3. Theories of Addiction. Overcome Addiction Life Process Program. Retrieved November 19, 2013, from http://lifeprocessprogram.com/the-meaning-of-addiction-3-theories-of-addiction/ www.mentorfoundation.org
Givaudan, M., & Pick, S. (2001). 1 A Preventive Program for Substance Abuse in Mexico: Best Practices . 1 www.mentorfoundation.org 1 A Preventive Program for Substance Abuse in Mexico: Best Practices . Retrieved November 21, 2013, from http://www.mentorfoundation.org/pdfs/prevention_perspectives/3.pdf
Keegan, K., & Moss, H. (2008). Chasing the high: a firsthand account of one young person’s experience with substance abuse. New York: Oxford University Press.
Dieting vs. exercise as a means of weight reduction
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Dieting vs. exercise as a means of weight reduction
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of dieting, and exercising as means of weight reduction. This was a self-reporting survey administered to colleges’ representative sample of 1200 female students who use either dieting or exercising as a means of weight reduction. The study was based on the hypothesis that exercising is a more effective method of weight reduction as compared to dieting. Data was analyzed for the 1200 students and associations between dieting and exercising were examined using mixed-model logistic regressions controlling for socio-demographic factors such as age, race, urban vs. non urban residence, and family status. The findings revealed that of the 500 students on exercise programs, only 200 (40%) reported successful weight reduction and maintenance of a healthy weight, while 300 out of 700 (42.8%) on the diet program reported weight loss success. Differences in dietary and exercise outcomes however were insignificantly dependent on the two weight loss-interventions. The findings suggest that further studies should look into how each of the socio-demographic factors influences the choice and outcome of a weight-loss program.
Introduction
Weight reduction is a major concern in the population as various demographic groups prefer to lose weight for a variety of reasons (Waaddegaard & Tove, p. 329). For example, females are likely to reduce weight because of the society’s mentality that slim is beautiful. Males prefer to lose weight and instead gain or tone muscles for the same beauty purposes. The aesthetic value of a lean physique is further enhanced in some professions like modeling, acting, or dancing, stewarding, in which the professional are advised retain a particular body size. Other than beauty, weight reduction is recommended for medical purposes and maintenance of a healthy body in bid to prevent diseases like obesity and diabetes which contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates. Nevertheless, some people prefer to have a reduced weight for personal reasons such as being physically fit or simply gaining confidence among their peers. Whatever the reason, various means are employed in bid to reduce weight and these include dieting, exercising or a diet-exercise combination.
Hypothesis
Participants who use exercising as a means of weight reduction obtain better long term results as compared to those that used dieting.
Problem Statement
Weight reduction is a matter of concern for many people and a variety of methods have been employed for the purpose (Waaddegaard & Tove, p. 330). While some weight loss instructors recommend diet as a better means to reduce weight, others believe that exercising is the best way to have a reduced weight in the long term. Moreover, some people give success stories of how dieting enabled them to reduce weight, while others claim that no satisfying results were obtained. The claims are similar for exercising. Moreover, dieting methods and exercising methods are as diverse as the people in need to reduce weights and what works for some cases does not work for others.
Research Question
What is the most effective weight reduction intervention between dieting and exercising?
Literature Review
Weight reduction refers to the process in which a person triggers physiological processes that can slow down the body’s intake of calories. Some people use exercises as a means to increase the body’s metabolism and burn calories while others prevent the direct calorie intake through dieting. Nevertheless, Waaddegaard and Tove, (p. 330) argues that maintaining a healthy weight loss can be challenging no matter the kind of means that one uses in the weight reduction program. A study by Clarke, et al. (p. 1893) examined the weight loss behaviors among various cohorts of young adults between the age of 19 and 26. The findings showed that young adult women exercised less as compared to young adult males and young women of higher socio-economic status persisted in health eating programs as compared to those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Clarke, et al. (p. 1898) show that the success of a weight reduction program not only depends on the method but on the persistence but this is determined by the social disparities of the individual. Racette, et al. (p. 245) examined the weight, exercise and dietary patterns of college students through a survey. The findings revealed that by the end of the sophomore year, most of the students had gained weight but this was neither associated with dietary nor exercise patterns and thus a further research was recommended. Malinauskas, et al. (p. 1) aimed to discover the dieting and exercising interventions among normal weight, overweight and obese college females and whether they vary in practice and outcome. The findings revealed that 83 percent of the participants believe that dieting was the ultimate way to lose weight while only 19 percent believed that exercising will help them control weight gain. However, Malinauskas, et al. (p. 5) found that most of the female students in all the three weight groups apply practices that contradict the 2005 American dietary guidelines and hence did not obtain expected health outcomes.
Methods
Study design and study population
Self- administered questionnaires were distributed to the study sample in a survey. The researcher developed a 30 item questionnaire specifically for this survey, that borrowed from literature and existing instruments that have adequate and relevant items to aid in answering the research questions. A survey was chosen for this study because it will enable the researcher to gain as much data as possible regarding weight loss attempts.
1200 female students from statewide colleges participated in the survey. The female student sample was chosen because studies show that young adult females participate more in weight loss reduction as compared to their male counterparts (Clarke et al., p.1898). Convenience sampling was be used to classify the responses that will aid in deducing the findings for the study.
Data Collection and Instrument
Data was gathered from questionnaires which were administered by the researcher to the participants. The data collected was a self report of female students who had or were participating in weight reduction programs either through dieting or exercising.
The participants filled in the following information as required of the instrument;-age, the king of weight reduction program, reason for weight reduction, weight before the start of the program and current weight, and the participant’s level of satisfaction with the weight loss program. The instrument was pilot-tested for efficacy and reliability.
Data analysis
Statistical Analysis Software was used to generate two-way results relating to dieting and exercising. The analysis was computed separately for dieting and exercising. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the data. Body mass index before and after the programs was calculated using weight (kg) divided by square of height (m). The t-test was used to compare the continuous variables. Chi-square analysis was used to show the association between the various categorical variables such as urban dwelling and weight loss program. Regression analysis was used to ascertain differences in factors that result to weight reduction in the two groups.
Results
Across the full sample of 1200 representatives, 40 percent of exercising and 42 percent of dieting experienced satisfactory weight reduction. The findings disapprove the hypothesis that dieting is a more effective means of weight reduction as compared to dieting. The correlation between the two methods to weight loss was insignificant. Instead, it was discovered that socio-demographics factors contributed to success in weight reduction and this should form the area for further research. For instance, 82 percent of urban dwellers on exercising experienced satisfactory weight reduction as compared to only 6 percent of non-urban dwellers on exercising programs.
Discussion
The Conflict theory and weight reduction interventions
Participants experience reduction in weight depending with the type of method in each of the two interventions, for example, participants who exercise on the treadmill experienced a faster weight reduction as compared to those who jog on the track. Additionally, participants’ ability to consistently afford a certain diet determines the efficacy of weight loss. There lacks a clarity in determining the most effective method of weight reduction when comparing dieting and exercising as various social disparities come into play.
The hypothesis cannot be accepted because it is difficult to conclude that exercising is the most effective weight loss program without considering social factors. Social factors influence the success of weight reduction regardless of the weight intervention method used and therefore the second hypothesis is accepted. Conflict theory emphasizes inequality of various resources of a social group, and also the expression of differing interests for the same resources (Bartos & Wehr, p. 13). For, instance, the participants in the survey chose the kinds of weight loss programs depending with the social disparities. People in urban places will find it easier to access gyms equipped with modern weight loss facilities as compared to those in the rural location. Moreover, depending with the socio-economic statuses, some diet plans may deem unaffordable to certain individuals even though they intend to reduce weight. The research problem is addressed with the structural inequality assumption of the conflict theory (Slattery, p. 17). The society contains people who may work for the same goals but get different outcomes depending with the social disposition.
Conclusion
Neither dieting nor exercising is superior to the other as a means of weight reduction. Social aspects play a role in the determination of the kind of method that an individual chooses as a weight loss program. Moreover, social inequalities, as stipulated in the conflict theory, determine whether the individual can persist with a chosen method, and also the outcome of the method.
Works Cited
Bartos, Otomar & Wehr Paul Ernest. Using conflict theory. UK: Cambridge University Press, pp. 219
Clarke, Philippa, O’Malley, Patrick, Johnstone, Lloyd, Schulenburg, John and Lantz, Paula. Differential trends in weight-related health behaviors among American young adults by gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status: 1984-2006,” American Journal of public Health, 2009, vol. 99(10): 1893-1901
Malinauskas, Brenda, Raedeke, Thomas, Aeby, Victor, Smith, Jean & Dallas, Matthew. Dieting practices, weight perceptions, and body composition: a comparison of normal weight, overweight, and obese college females. Nutritional Journal, 2006, 5(11): 1-8
Racette, Susan, Deusinger, Susan, strobe, Michael, Highstein, Gabrielle, and Deusinger, Robert. Weight changes, exercise, and dietary patterns during freshmen and sophomore years of college. Journal of American College Health, 2005, 52(6): 245-251
Slattery, Martin. Key ideas in sociology, 2003, UK: Nelson Thornes
Waaddegaard, Mette and Tove Petersen. Dieting and desire for weight loss among adolescents in Denmark: a questionnaire survey. European Eating Disorder Review, 2002, 10: 329-346