Junk food is killing America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Junk food is killing America - Essay Example nderstand how exactly the food has been made, but more importantly, a person should consider making personal food from clear ingredients other than consuming anonymous junk products. Most junk food contains an excessive amount of sugar that lacks no nutrients other than a large amount of energy. The above causes demoralizing effect and increases the rate of metabolic reaction beyond the required amount of calories. Excursive calories thus increase chances for Triglycerides and the indigestible amount of cholesterol that accumulates around the liver and the abdomen, which in turn create avenues to chronic diseases that claim numerous life’s for American citizens. Besides, junk foods are often processed from a centralized processing plant that is susceptible to spreading of germs and bacteria. Health practitioners in the United States argue that majority of citizens in the United States often fall sick after contracting pathogens associated with junk food outlets such as ground beef of, which 15% do not survive. Therefore, it is recommended that that fresh food from gardens, salad restaurants and positive eating habit is critical to improved performance and a positive, healthy impact in the future (Smith

Participation Of Lac In Decision Making Social Work Essay

Participation Of Lac In Decision Making Social Work Essay Introduction This essay aims to critically evaluate service user involvement specifically for looked after children (LAC). It explores evidence and research that considers the value of listening to the views of children who are looked after; regarding decisions about the care and support they receive. It considers how Leicester City councils procedures enable young people to contribute in decision-making about their care and support, whilst considering any barriers which may hinder effective participation. It also looks at how my work can support this view, whilst considering local and national legislative policies and theoretical frameworks to enhance participation of children and young people to develop care services. Evidence-based social care is a conscientious, explicit and judicious use of evidence in making decisions about the care of children, which is based on skills which allow a social worker to evaluate personal experience and external evidence in a systematic and objective manner (Sackett et al 1997, cited in Smith, 2004:8). Evidence-based approach to decision-making needs to be transparent, accountable and based on consideration of the most compelling evidence. This means adopting an ethical obligation to justify claims to expertise, being transparency with service users about decision-making and how these are formulated. By placing the childrens interests first, an evidence-based social worker may adopt a lifelong learning that involves continually posing specific questions (hypothesis) whilst, searching objectively and efficiently for the current best practice (Gibbs, 2003). Evidence-based approach implies, among other things, the application of the best current evidence, the value of empirically based research findings, the requirement of critical approach for assessment and theories which support evidence informed practice. Therefore, the use of research and evidence to enhance transparency for service users and stakeholders may increase objectivity and fairness in decision-making process. This may increase confidence in the quality of debate around decisions, and lead to effective outcomes for service uses, thereby increasing credibility of services as well as supporting professional development for social workers. Evidence and research finding in participation of LAC in decision-making and developing care services The term participation is a broad and multi-layered concept used to describe many different processes. It covers the level, focus and content of decision-making as well as the nature of the participatory activity, frequency and duration of participation and children participation (Kirby et al., 2003). The level and nature of participation may vary. It may mean merely taking part, being present, being involved or consulted in decision-making or a transfer of power in order for the views of participants to have an influence on decisions (Boyden and Ennew, 1997). The focus of childrens participation also varies, with the participation of children and young people in matters which affect them as individuals and as a group (Franklin and Sloper, 2004:4). The participation of children and young people in decisions that affect them as individuals means taking into account their wishes, feelings and their perspectives. Procedures such as, assessment, care planning and LAC review meetings, child protection conferences or complaints are there to achieve this. The Children Act 1989 provides assessment for greater involvement of children and young people in decision-making. The participation of children in matters relating to them as a group can be through local and national identification, development, provision, monitoring or evaluation of services and policies (Franklin and Sloper, 2004:5). This may be achieved through consultation exercises and research, involvement of children and young people in management committees, advisory groups, youth forums, partnerships and community initiatives or in the delivery of community services by acting as mentors, counsellors, volunteers or workers (Sinclair and Franklin, 2000). Research and evidence suggest that children and young people should be involved in making decisions that affect them. This is reflected in law, government guidance as well as in various regulations and policies. Increasingly, children are identified as a group in their own right. In 1991, the UK ratified the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (Child Convention), which grants children and young people the rights to participate in decision-making. Article 12 of the Child Convention provides that Children have the right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account. This may not necessarily mean that children and young people should directly make those decisions, rather that adults involve them in the decision-making process. The Care Standards Act 2000 highlights the importance of childrens participation in decision-making. Looked after children are entitled and should be encouraged to participate in the decision making-process. Policy documents and research relating to services for LAC and young people indicate the importance of their participation in decision-making both in policy-making as well as in practice. Research studies have emphasised the value of engaging with the perspectives of LAC (Thomas and Beckford, 1999; OQuigley, 2000). New initiatives from the Government such as the LAC Materials, Quality Protects, the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families, the Common Assessment Framework as well as other associated practice guides and non-governmental organisations have carried the same message (Jackson and Kilroe, 1996; Department of Health et al, 2000; Department of Health, 2002; Department for Education and Skills, 2004; Jenkins and Tudor, 1999; Horwath, 2000; British Association of Social Workers, 2003). Standard textbooks on social work with children and families as well as specialist texts on particular areas of practice have emphasised not only the desirability of listening to LAC but also in many cases their right to inclusion (Brandon et al, 1998; Butler and Roberts, 1997, Gilligan, 2001; Wheal, 2002). Evidence and research are implemented in practice, particularly in the agencies that actually look after children and young people, the decision-making processes involving looked after children and in interactions between those children and adults. However, some indication may also be gained from social workers directly involved in interpreting evidence and research findings and applying them into their practice (Thomas, 2005). This can be evaluated in terms of looking at the organisations policies and procedures for looked after children in decision-making process, involving LAC to give advice of how to include them with planning and review meetings and service planning, such as supporting them to access independent advocacy, and give them opportunities to meet together, meet with their friends, and support their voice, for example to make complaints and to include their views when writing and recording decisions about them. However, social worker may be described as making significant efforts to listen to children and young people, but the children and young people may necessarily feel that their voices are being heard. A study has found that whereas adults see listening in terms of paying respectful attention to what children and young people have to say, children and young people feel that listening is demonstrated by the delivery of services that accord with their expressed wishes (McLeod, 2006). Also, whilst adults regard the role of social worker as providing emotional support and therapeutic intervention, many children and young people regard their role as providing practical support combined with promotion of their self-determination (McLeod, 2006). These findings have implications for childcare social work. Participation of LAC in decision-making in Leicester City Council Leicester City Councils policy and guidance emphasise on the importance to involve children in the decision-making process in line with their age and understanding. Staff, carers, parents and children are informed about this policy through handbooks, workshops and interagency training events. Parents are informed by social workers, either formal, informal or both. The Leicester City Council Young Peoples Charter states that young people have the right to be listened to, have their view taken seriously and to be involved in decisions that affect them. Leicester City Council has also a Children and Young Peoples Strategic Partnership (2007) which is committed to involve and consult as many children, young people and their families as possible. The aim of this participation strategy is to enable children, young people and families to participate in decision-making process, service review and delivery as well as to influence policies and decisions that affect them. Leicester City Council has a policy which actively promotes the involvement of LAC in planning and review meetings. As a department, it has legal responsibilities as corporate parents. The policy encourages LAC to attend any meeting where their Care Plan will be discussed and decision made about their lives. However, some children or young people I have been working with feel that whether or not they attend the LAC planning and review meetings does not really make a difference because they consider those meetings to be merely procedural. A study has found that many children and young people find the review meetings as still alienating, uncomfortable, negative and boring process (Voice for the Child in Care, 2004, 51). The decision-making process may prioritise the best interests of the child, which may not necessarily represent what the child may consider to be his/her best interest on his/her own world. Planning and review meetings for LAC are chaired by an independent person, who has a duty to ensure that the views and feelings of children and young people are taken into account. However decision has to be made procedurally to meet the goals of the local authority, which may not take into account the needs of the child. Leicester City Council promotes the use of independent advocacy services for LAC, and makes provisions with representation when they make complaints. Leicester City Councils Children Rights and Participation Services works independently to ensure that children and young people participate in decision-making that affect them and that they are fully represented in their complaints. However, the independence of this Service may be questionable. The head of the Service is responsible to the head of Safeguarding Services Department who is also responsible to the Director of Children Services, who may influence the Department in performing its functions. Leicester City Council provides opportunities for LAC to meet together. This is done through a Children Forum within the organisation which organises different activities, such as dramas, role plays, and singing to enable them to express their feelings. The Children Forum also has a looked after children football team led by a youth worker who is attached to the LAC Services. Leicester City Council has policy guidance which requires prior permission from children to stay with friends overnight. However, there can be conflicts of interests when considering Frazer/Gillick competence of young peoples voices. Firstly, the process of performing checks may take time as it involves collecting information relating to the host, some of which may not be available before the proposed date of visit. This delay may cause the child or young person to feel that his/her wishes are not being considered and may also raise the childs level of anxiety. Secondly, young persons from another authority without checking requirements may be placed in the same placement with those from Leicester City Council. Those from Leicester City Council might feel not only that there are double standards, but they may also lose their trust to the social worker involved in granting the permission. Children who have taken part in research meetings have resented that their ordinary social contacts were obstructed by requirements to get a special permission, or even police clearance, before they could stay overnight with their friends, and wanted their carers to be able to make these decisions unimpeded (Thomas and OKane, 1998). As a social worker, it therefore, important to be aware of legislative and guidance requirements of participation as well as understand the benefits of participation. As Kirby et al (2003) pointed out the fact that participation is part of the law or a public policy is not enough to convince social workers to engage in the work of children and young people. However, there are obstacles to the inclusion of LAC and young people in decision-making process. These include the lack of staff and time caused by high case loads and other demands such as child protection work, court reports, and core assessments. There is also a lack of a common understanding of participation and this can be confusing for a social worker when working with other agencies with different understandings. Also, it may not cost a penny to listen to children and young people, but it cost money to ensure a development of an effective participation (Kirby, 2003). Organisations rarely dedicate a budget for participation (Cutler and Taylor, 2003). The notion of childrens participation in decision-making pertains to all children as a social group. However, historically, childrens participation has tended to focus on children in need. As a result, childrens participation has often been associated with forms of multiple disadvantage and social exclusion. LAC falls into the category of marginalised groups of children and young people. Young People with difficult life experiences are likely to have less confidence and self-esteem to participate in decision-making. For those who had their views and feelings not taken into account in the past, they are likely to be less motivated to participate in LAC planning and review meetings. If the past difficult experiences resulted from mistreatment by adults, they are likely not to trust the current adults intentions to engage them in participation. LAC may be subject to negative assumptions and stereotypes which may affect their full participation in decisions making (McNeish, 1999). Enhancing the participation of LAC in decision-making It is a good practice for carers to be empowered to make decisions for LAC wanting to stay with friends overnight, provided that they are able to assess the situation and make those decisions as if they were their own biological children. There should be a policy that explicitly allows for delegation to carers. For example, the Welsh Assembly Government has issued a guidance which makes it clear that criminal records checks should not be sought before an overnight stay, that decisions should in most circumstances be delegated to foster parents and residential care staff, and that looked after children should as far as possible be granted the same permissions to take part in such acceptable age appropriate peer activities as would reasonably be granted by the parents of their peers (National Assembly for Wales Circular NAFWC 50/2004). Planning and review meetings should be chaired by a totally independent person, not someone employed by Leicester City council. One may argue that this may cause tension between independence provided by an outside Chair and the risk of alienating the child by having a stranger at their review. However, a chair coming within the organisation may not be fully independent as s/he may also be under a duty to promote the vision and goals of the organisation which may conflict with his/her role. There is a need for an effective definition of participation which encompasses an understanding of participation as an activity and as a process aiming at achieving positive outcomes for LAC, young people and organisations. Establishing a shared definition of participation can be a challenge, but once identified, it can benefit the organisations in terms of being consistence in the participation of children and young people in decision-making. There is a need for participation work to be adequately resourced in a long term basis as this will enable change (Robson, et al, 2003). Alternatively, the current budget should ensure that it is resourced to the participation of children and young people, particularly LAC. Maybe consideration to the times of day for young people should be taking into account, when holding review meetings, and not having as many people attending, which could be intimidating. Perhaps the local authority could consider using text messages or social networks to get real feedback about the views of young people. Perhaps to work in a more child centred way the process of participation may have more meaning to the child or young person, rather than being a process driven exercise. Conclusion There is plenty evidence and research findings on participation of LAC in decision-making and developing care services. They range from legislation, participation guidance, researches to academic works. All these influence social workers in practice. Leicester City Council attaches importance to the participation of LFC in decision-making. Nonetheless, participation of LAC means that children should be actively involved in the decision-making that affects them; and the adults who have the responsibility for these children should ensure that their views and wishes are listened to and represented in decision-making. REFERECES Boyden, J. and Ennew, J. (1997) Children in Focus. A manual for participatory research with children. Stockholm: RÃ ¤dda Barnen Brandon M, Schofield G and Trinder L, (1998) Social Work with Children, Basingstoke: Macmillan Butler I and Roberts G, (1997) Social Work with Children and Families: Getting into practice, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Culter, D. and Taylor, A. (2003) Expanding and Sustaining Involvement: a Snapshot of Participation Infrastructure for Young People Living in England, London: Carnegie Young People Initiative Department for Education and Skills (2004) Integrated Childrens System London: The Stationary Office Department of Health (2002) Listening, Hearing and Responding (Department of Health Action Plan: Core principles for the involvement of children and young people, available at http://www.longtermventilation.nhs.uk/_Rainbow/Documents/Listening,%20Hearing,%20responding%20to%20Children..pdf [accessed on 7/11/2012] Department of Health, et al, (2000) Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families, London: The Stationery Office Franklin, A and Sloper, P. (2004) Participation of Disabled Children and Young People in Decision-Making Within Social Services Departments, Quality Protect Research Initiatives, Interim Report York: The University of York Gibbs, L., (2003) Evidence-Based Practice for the Helping Professions: A Practical Guide with Integrated Multimedia, Brooks: Pacific Grove Gilligan R, Promoting Resilience: A resource guide on working with children in the care system, London: BAAF, 2001 Horwath J (ed) (2000), The Childs World: Assessing children in need, London: Jessica Kingsley Kirby, P. and Bryson, S. (2002) Measuring the Magic? Evaluating and Researching Young Peoples Participation in Public Decision-Making London: Carnegie Young People Initiative Kirby, P, et al (2003) Building a Culture of Participation, London: Department for Education and Skills Jackson S and Kilroe S (eds) (1996), Looking After Children: Good parenting, good outcomes, Reader, London: HMSO Jenkins J and Tudor K, (1999) Being Creative with Assessment and Action Records, Tonypandy: Rhondda Cynon Taff Borough Council Leicester City Council (2007) Leicester City Children ad Young Peoples Strategic Partnership: Participation Strategy Leicester: Leicester City Council McLeod, A., (2006) Respect or Empowerment? Alternative Understandings of Listening in Childcare Social Work Adoption and Fostering, Vol. 30, pp. 43-52 OQuigley A, (2000) Listening to Childrens Views: The findings and recommendations of recent research, York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2000 McNeish, D. (1999) From Rhetoric to Reality: Participatory Approaches to health Promotion with Young People, London: Health Education Authority Robson, P., et al (2003) Increasing User Involvement in Voluntary Organisation, York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation Sinclair, R. and Franklin, A. (2000) Young Peoples Participation, Quality Protects Research Briefing, No.3. London: Department of Health Smith, D (2004) Social Work and Evidence based Practice: Research Highlights in Social Work, London: Jessica Kingsley Publisher Thomas, N., (2005) Has anything really changed? Managers views of looked after childrens participation in 1997 and 2004 Adopting and Fostering, Vol. 29, pp. 67-77 Thomas C, and Beckford V, (1999) Adopted Children Speaking, London: BAAF Thomas N and OKane C. (1998), What makes me so different? Community Care 1253 Voice for the Child in Care, (2004) Start with the Child, Stay with the Child: A blueprint for a child-centred approach to children and young people in public care, London: Voice for the Child in Care Wheal A (ed.) (2002), The RHP Companion to Leaving Care, Lyme Regis: Russell House Publishing

Concusions in Athletes Essay examples -- Sports

In recent studies, it has been found that concussions resulting from athletics are becoming increasingly dangerous while at the same time given less consideration. Sports related mild traumatic brain injuries in children have increased by sixty percent in the last decade. Approximately 173,285 cases of mild traumatic brain injuries relating to sports are treated each year in U.S. emergency departments (CDC). One may ask just what exactly a concussion is. A concussion can be defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by immediate and transient impairment of neural function, such as alteration of consciousness, disturbance of vision, equilibrium, etc., due to mechanical forces (Roy/Irvin, 142). The brain is made up of a â€Å"tofu-like† substance which can impact against the rigid walls of the skull, causing a change in neurological function and more. Basically, a concussion is when the head or body suffers a blow and the brain gets â€Å"sloshed† around causing it damage (Roy/Irvin, 142). There are many ways that a person can obtain a concussion. Concussions could be a result of a car accident or an unexpected fall. In sports, they are usually caused by a direct blow to the head. This can happen when a bat, hockey stick, or any type of ball strikes the head. It can also happen when a player comes in contact with another player, as in tackling during football. A concussion could also be a result of colliding with a stationary object, such as a post or wall (Children’s Memorial Hospital). The most important and also the most difficult process of a concussion is recognizing one. Some athletes will experience obvious signs and symptoms of a concussion and others will have none. Each human brain is very different which makes recognition ver... ...p://www.childrensmemorial.org/depts/sportsmedicine/concussion-in-sport.aspx>. Faul, M., L. Xu, and VG Coronado. "CDC - Traumatic Brain Injury." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. . Gupta, Sanjay. "Sports Concussion - Protecting Youth Athletes from Concussions..." SportsConcussions.org | Concussion Testing Made Simple. 2011. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. . McBride, Tiffany. "Concussions in Sports." E-mail interview. 19 Jan. 2012. Roy, Steven, and Richard Irvin. Sports Medicine: Prevention, Evaluation, Management, and Rehabilitation. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1983. Print. Valovich McLeod, Tara C. "Concussions: Cognitive Rest." Athletic Therapy Today 2010: 1-4. Web.

Keep Fit Essay

To keep fit and healthy, follow a healthy and balanced diet everyday. Make sure that your everyday diet includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and protein. You should cut down on red meat, junk foods, caffeine, and sugar intake. Avoid soft drinks or canned fruit juices. Instead, opt for a variety of fresh fruits, vegetable salads, freshly made fruit juices, milk, nutritious energy drinks, etc. You need to be more active in order to keep fit and healthy. Modern life has become very sedentary, with fewer scopes for physical activities. You need to exercise in order to burn those calories. Minimum physical activity slows down your metabolism rate. So, you can put on weight even when you eat less. On the other hand, exercise and a more active life will burn up the calories, even when you eat a little more. You can simply go for a brisk walk, or jog, or you can join a gym. The important thing is that you must include some physical exercise in your everyday life, because fitness and health cannot be achieved without some physical exercise. For a healthy life sufficient sleep is important. Lack of sleep can make you feel tired the next day. So work hard, but make sure that you have enough sleep; so that your body gets the time to replenish itself. Do not skip your breakfast, no matter how busy you are. Breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day. It works as a fuel for your body and keeps you going for the rest of day. If you skip breakfast, you will feel hungrier in the latter part of the day, and you may end up eating more! So, you may run a risk of gaining weight, if you skip your breakfast frequently. If you are not a healthy eater and find it difficult to improve your food habits due to busy, erratic, work schedules, then you may be depriving your body of the essential nutrients that are important for good health. In the long run, unhealthy food habits can lead you to serious health hazards. An easy solution to this problem is to include multi-vitamin supplements in your daily food intake. Multi-vitamins can be taken to replenish the nutritional deficiencies in your daily diet.

Ibn Sina/Avicenna

‘Ibn Sina’s renown brought him the title ‘the leading eminent scholar’ (al-Shayk al Ra’is). Discuss the significance of his philosophical ideas with special focus on his distinction between his essence and existence, and its role in his proof for God as the necessary existent. Ibn Sina, or Avicenna, born 980 AD, was a leading polymath of many subjects; many of his theories are still renowned today; 240 of (approximately) 450 works can authentically be attributed to him, contributing to mainly medicine and philosophy, but also astronomy, physics, psychology, geology and even poetry. A devout Muslim and child prodigy, he had memorised the Qur’an by the age of ten, and quickly surpassed his teachers of the Hanafi Sunni school, and by the age of 16 was fully learned in the sciences of his time.After studying medicine, he turned his attention to physics and metaphysics, reading Aristotle’s Metaphysics forty times, until he had memorised it, y et he could not grasp its meaning until reading al-Farabi’s commentary which enlightened his problems of understanding. He began writing his own discourse on this topic and many others on his travels to Isfahan whilst working as a physician to Kings and other important figures, gaining prestige in medical matters and his knowledge of philosophy, theology and metaphysics was widely recognised.Even after his death in 1038 AD, his works have continued to influence philosophical and medical thought; his ‘canon of medicine’ served as the highest medical authority for 600 years, and the translation of kitab al-Shifa (Book of Healing) into Latin served as the starting point for many other prestigious thinkers, such as Aquinas, and this discourse will be further looked at here.Avicenna is considered â€Å"the most famous and influential of the philosopher-scientists of the Islamic world† There are many other Islamic philosophers that have attempted to address meta physics, but Ibn Sina’s works alone systematically and consistently focus on both ontological and cosmological arguments that are not self-contradictory and address the underlying issue of reconciling the Islamic faith with philosophy. â€Å"Before Avicenna, falsafa (Arabic Aristotelian and Neoplatonic philosophy) and kalam (Islamic doctrinal theology) were distinct strands of thought, even though a good deal of cross-fertilization took place between them.After Avicenna, by contrast, the two strands fused together and post-Avicennan kalam emerged as a truly Islamic philosophy, a synthesis of Avicenna’s metaphysics and Muslim doctrine. † This is the primary reason for his lasting prestige; his ideas in the Book of Healing concentrated not on medicine, but on the healing of the soul and body, and held two key fundamental ideas; the distinction between essence and existence, and God as the necessary existent, a doctrine that has previously not been merged successfu lly.The doctrine of a ‘thing’ (shay’) proved difficult to define for the Mu’tazilis, as although they differentiated that a ‘thing’ can either be existent or non-existent; they struggled to define where the non-existent entities lay. Using the Qur’anic verse of creation: â€Å"our statement to a thing, when we wish it [to be], consist merely in our saying â€Å"Be! † and then it is. † (The Holy Qur'an 16:40), we can identify that something can exist in mentality before it exists in actuality; God thought of a ‘thing’ then willed it into being by saying â€Å"be! and it was. This shows that the idea of the ‘thing’ existed before its reality, meaning that the Mu’tazilis were able to conceive of the ‘thingness’ of contingent entities, and their universality (of thingness) can either exist in reality or in mentality. They could not address the idea of non-existent things, (ma†™dum) such as a square circle, as their impossibility cannot even exist in the mind. This idea opposes the Sunni theological perspective, where they hold that ‘thingness’ and existence are one and the same.They hold the idea of co-extensiveness (where all things are existents, and all existents are things) as they believe that this idea solves the problem of creatio ex nihilo; they did not want to give any flexibility to the idea that things existed before creation, or held eternality alongside God. They held that a ‘thing’ was the sum of all its predicates, one of which was existence; a thing could not be without it existing. However, this poses problems for the existence of things that can only occur in the mind, for example, a unicorn.There is a split in Sunni philosophy where some believe that a thing can either be considered as extra-mentally existent, (and so exist just as much as they would in actuality) or some believe a thing that only exists in the mind simply does not exist whatsoever. This is problematic, as we can all conceive of a unicorn, despite its non-reality, (therefore it cannot simply not exist at all), yet we cannot think of a unicorn existing in the mind on the same level as our own existence. Ibn Sina draws upon al-Farabi’s identification that ‘thing’ and ‘existence’ cannot be used as the same copula; you cannot ubstitute ‘thing’ for ‘exists’ in a sentence in a way that can make sense; for example, one can easily identify that the statement ‘Zayd exists as a man’ to be appropriate, but one cannot say ‘Zayd thing as a man’, as it is nonsensical. Therefore, Ibn Sina concludes that there is a distinction between ‘thing’ and ‘existence’, and also makes the distinction between existents and non-existents. For Avicenna, â€Å"there are four kinds of scientific questions. 1) One is a question about the â⠂¬Ëœexistence’ or ‘non-existence’ of things. 2) Another is about the ‘whatness’ of things. 3) And another is about the ‘whichness or ‘thatness’ of things. ) Also, there is the question about the ‘cause’ of things. † His distinction between essence and existence not only addresses the problem of the Sunni theologians, but, in his mind, satisfies what a ‘thing’ is, and that its ‘existence’ is not a predicate of thingness, and this argument can prove the existence of God as necessary. For Ibn Sina, existence adds to an essence specific determination external to the essence of a thing; existence adds to essence, an essence can be without existing, for example, the demonstration of the unicorn; its essence is separate from its existence as we can conceive of it without its actuality.He further explains this with categorising the necessary (wajib) and the possible/contingent (mumkir). Avicenna makes three distinctions: concrete existent, a mental existent and that which is neither of these two. A concrete existent is that which adds existence to its essence: that is to say that it, as an essence, also has existence. A mental existent is that which has essence, but not existence (such as a unicorn – it has essence because we can think of it).That which is neither is that which is logically impossible to exist even in the mind, such as a square circle; as it is impossible to conceive of such a thing, this does not even have essence. This solves the problem faced by Sunni philosophers, as it highlights the difference between mental essences without existence and concrete essences with existence. Avicenna continues to demonstrate three further aspects of essences: necessary, possible or impossible. Those that are impossible are those that it is illogical to think about, such as square circles, and as we have already shown, these do not have essence OR existence.That w hich is necessary is so because it’s very essence implies existence; its denial would involve a contradiction, (which we will further explain later). The possible is that which has essence that has potential to exist; it can either exist, or not exist. This is what contingent beings are categorised as; they have the potentiality to exist, through the cause of another; it cannot exist through itself, as otherwise it would be necessary, and it cannot not exist, as otherwise it would be impossible. Once actualised (through another), concrete existence is added to the essence.Avicenna would argue that mental essences are not concrete existents because they have not been brought into existence by another, so remain as potential essences that could exist, but do not in actuality. So far then, it has been demonstrated that Ibn Sina made the distinction of essences between that which cannot exist, that what can exist if brought into being by another, and that which exists through its own definition of its essence. When a possible essence is actualised through another, and becomes a concrete existent, it becomes ‘necessary through another’ – it must be caused by a cause external to itself.This in turn, must also be caused by another previous external cause, and so on. However, these causes cannot continue ad infinitum- there must be an external cause that itself is not caused by any other being external to itself, that is to say, that the cause is contained within itself, what Avicenna calls necessary through itself. There cannot be an infinite regress of causes, but must be one cause that can sustain and contain all possible causes, but itself need not be caused, as its essence itself contains existence, the Necessary Existent; God.So then, we have tackled the question previously posed of the existence or non-existence of things, what they are (possible/necessary), and the ‘thatness’ (whether it is necessary through another or i tself) – in turn answering the fourth question set out by Ibn Sina of the cause of things. Proof of God’s existence from this argument stems from the cosmological argument; an idea from Aristotle that there must be a First Cause in order to bring about the causes that cause others.However, Ibn Sina improves this argument by recognising that what something is differs from the fact that it is. â€Å"Ibn Sina’s way of making his point is to say that esse [fact of a things existence] is an accidental property of things – that is a quality it may or may not possess, without changing what it is†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Previously, philosophers such as Aristotle had only considered the nature of things, rather than setting them apart from their physical realisation. The distinction Avicenna makes between physical and mental existence is one that Aristotle had trouble in combatting. The most important text of this kind is Avicenna’s al-Shifa? ’ (The Healing, namely from ignorance). The title was wrongly (but aptly) translated into Latin as Sufficientia, as if Avicenna’s single comprehensive work was a sufficient replacement for the several books of Aristotle† This distinction was so important that every philosopher after Ibn Sina had to respond; the question was now apparent that there must be primacy of either essence or existence, as he had distinguished that they were not one and the same.Debate has followed Ibn Sina’s argument, that has mainly taken two paths; Suhrawardi decides that essence is prior to existence, whereas Ibn Arabi believes that only existence is real and essences are how existence presents itself to us. Thus, it has been demonstrated that Ibn Sina was successful in using an argument from reason that signifies God as the one creator, First to cause others, from which we could not possibly exist if it were not for His necessary existence through Himself.This was so profound for his time, as it had only been remarked that there previously lay a difference between the necessary and possible. Avicenna’s distinction between ‘through itself’ and ‘through another’ led to the reconciliation of Islamic thought and philosophical reason; there lies no contradiction between our own existence as concrete and God’s existence as wholly other, beyond our conception of contingent.This argument was so influential on both later thinkers due to his ability to draw upon early philosophical ideas and his faith brought together Aristotelian and neo-Platonic philosophy and Islamic theology in a way that made the distinction between theoretical and practical knowledge; logically acknowledging that the first cause as a necessary existent can only be a monotheistic God, as all predicates, including that of existence are perfectly contained within the very definition of His essence.This theory is reconcilable with Islamic thought as it signals disenchantment wit h neo-Platonic thought, developing a more personal philosophy that argues for our own necessary existence (through another), whilst still acknowledging that God is unattainably necessary through Himself. â€Å"[Ibn Sina] envisaged a world resting on two pillars: a) Greek philosophy and b) Qu’ranic revelation and the virtues of man†¦Ibn Sina was a highly spiritual and ethical person, considering that, for him, teaching and learning should lead also to rooting in faith deeply in the soul of the individual. This meant that each individual had meaning for their own life, which they could relate back to God, personally having their own cause rooted in the Divine Necessary Existent. Bibliography * Avicenna ; Farhang Zabeeh, ( Ed. Trans. ) Avicenna’s Treatise on Logic: Part One of Danesh-Name Alai (a Concise Philosophical Encyclopaedia and autobiography) (Martinus Nijoff, the Hague, 1971) * Charles Burnett, â€Å"Arabic into Latin: the reception of Arabic philosophy in to Western Europe† in The Cambridge Companion to Arabic philosophy, ed.Peter Adamson and Richard C Taylor (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005) * F. C. Bauerschmidt, Holy Teaching: Introducing the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas (Michigan, Brazos Press, 2005) * Robert Wisnovsky, â€Å"Avicenna and the Avicennan Tradition† in The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy, ed. Peter Adamson and Richard C Taylor (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005) * Sebastian Gunther, â€Å"Be Masters in That You Teach and Continue to Learn: Medieval Muslim Thinkers on Educational theory† in Comparative Education Review, Vol. 0, No. 3, (August 2006) Article DOI: 10. 1086/503881 Web Resources: * Encyclop? dia Britannica Online, s. v. â€Å"Avicenna,† accessed December 11, 2011, http://www. britannica. com/EBchecked/topic/45755/Avicenna * http://quran. com/ accessed 15/12/11 —————————— ————– [ 1 ]. Encyclop? dia Britannica Online, s. v. â€Å"Avicenna,† accessed December 11, 2011, http://www. britannica. com/EBchecked/topic/45755/Avicenna. [ 2 ]. Robert Wisnovsky, â€Å"Avicenna and the Avicennan Tradition† in The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy, ed.Peter Adamson and Richard C Taylor (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005) p. 92 [ 3 ]. The Holy Qur’an 16:40 as cited from http://quran. com/16/40 (Sahih International Translation) accessed on 15/12/11 [ 4 ]. Robert Wisnovsky, â€Å"Avicenna and the Avicennan Tradition† in The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy pp. 106-107 [ 5 ]. Avicenna & Farhang Zabeeh (Ed. Trans. ) Avicenna’s Treatise on Logic Part One of Danesh-Name Alai (a Concise PhilosophicalEncyclopaedia and autobiography) (Martinus Nijoff, the Hague, 1971) p. 5 [ 6 ]. F. C. Bauerschmidt, Holy Teaching: Introducing the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas (Michigan, B razos Press, 2005) p. 57 [ 7 ]. Charles Burnett, â€Å"Arabic into Latin: the reception of Arabic philosophy into Western Europe† in The Cambridge Companion to Arabic philosophy, p. 371 [ 8 ]. Sebastian Gunther, â€Å"Be Masters in That You Teach and Continue to Learn: Medieval Muslim Thinkers on Educational theory† in Comparative Education Review, Vol. 50, No. 3, (August 2006) pp. 376 – 377 Article DOI: 10. 1086/503881