Existence of God Essay -- Literary Analysis, Suma Theologica

In the â€Å"Suma Theologica,† by Saint Thomas Aquinas, Aquinas combines the doctrines of Christianity with Aristotelian philosophy, through the assertion that as a result of observation, utilization of the senses, and an empirical mindset, one can substantiate the existence of God. Aquinas holds the conception that in the quest for God’s existence, philosophy and theology are interwoven together and both play complementary roles. He infuses numerous theological doctrines, mainly from Saint Augustine, alongside Aristotelian ideals such as, the first mover, to corroborate his argument for the existence of God. Instead of basing his argument on human reason and rationality like his predecessor, Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Aquinas holds that it is instead through an empirical mindset that one is able to ascertain and comprehend the existence of God. Aquinas deems that all knowledge acquired originated from the experiences of our senses. He believes that by experiencing eve nts, the human being is aware of the fact that there exists an effect for every action that is undergone. Through this realization, Aquinas recognizes that there must exist a cause that triggered that event into existence, culminating in the conclusion that everything in existence must be characterized by a cause. This argument presented defines the cosmological argument, a belief that there is a first cause, which is God, who is seen as the source of the cosmos that sets in motion a cycle of cause and effect. To prove this argument, Aquinas presents five different variants, each with subtle distinctions that display two reoccurring themes, the importance of sense experience and the notion of causality, to prove the existence of God. In Aquinas’s first argument, he lin... ... cause and effect stopped at the Big Bang, as it does to claim it stopped at God. The Big Bang Theory, which has no previous cause, could have easily prompted the chain of cause and effect. Why must we presume the world to have a beginning and claim that the cosmos could not have been a cause of itself? Since Aquinas, at the time, does not fully understand the workings of the Universe, his claim that the infinite regression arbitrarily stopped at God, is misleading, since the regression could have stopped as the universe itself prompted the chain of cause and effect. I wholeheartedly agree that Aquinas’ cosmological argument proves the existence of an â€Å"uncaused cause,† however I believe that it fails in acknowledging other means of creation and holds no validation that the first cause attributes the characteristics of the God of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Tourist Satisfaction Towards Tourist Facilities

Tourism sector has become the third largest source of income from foreign exchange in Malaysia and Melaka is one of the most significant tourism destinations in Malaysia. Tourism sector has helped Malaysia in many ways. Some of the positive sides are that it helps to increase Malaysian quality of life, and promote Malaysia as a fine and save country to visit. As a world class tourism destination nominated by UNESCO in 2008, Melaka has served many tourists throughout the world. Since 2008, many of the study done were focused on heritage conservation and culture appreciation. A study of service quality is important in order to learn on tourists’ satisfaction towards tourists’ facilities. In tourism management, tourists’ facilities are essential to gain tourists’ loyalty, trust and satisfaction. Based on the survey and evaluation, the basis for recommendation and improvements can be allocated for upgrading the physical plan. This research therefore focuses on international tourists’ satisfaction on tourists’ facilities and Melaka has been chosen as the case study. This research’s objectives is (a) to identify tourism facilities needed by the tourist in Dutch Heritage Trail, Melaka. (b) to determine tourists satisfaction levels on tourism facilities. (c) to identify the issues related to tourism facilities. (d) to recommend possible improvements to improve the tourism facilities. This research analysed the current tourists’ satisfaction towards tourists’ facilities in Melaka Heritage Sites. To do so, 100 sets of questionnaire were distributed among the international tourist in Melaka who has experience tourists’ facilities for the purpose of data collection. The data collected were further analysed by carry out Relative Important Index (RII) and spearman test. The results shows that tourists were unsatisfied in certain tourists’ facilities existed despite the fact that Melaka Heritage Sites is the one of the significant tourism destinations in Malaysia. Besides, the results also revealed that there is significant relationship between some of the respondents groups and satisfaction level of tourists’ facilities. Some of the issues identified in this research were cleanliness, pedestrians, quality of information given to tourists and money changes or ATM machines are taken into consideration. Therefore, several suggestions and recommendations were formulated to enhance the existing service quality of tourists’ facilities based on the respondents’ feedback.

Battle of Hamburger Hill in the Vietnam War

The Battle of Hamburger Hill was fought May 10-20, 1969, during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). In late spring 1969, American and South Vietnamese forces commenced Operation Apache Snow with the intent of driving North Vietnamese troops from the A Shau Valley. As the operation moved forward, heavy fighting developed around Hill 937. This soon became the focus of the battle and additional American forces were committed with the goal of securing the hill. After a grinding, bloody fight, Hill 937 was secured. The fighting on Hill 937 was covered extensively by the press who questioned why the battle was necessary. This public relations problem escalated when the hill was abandoned fifteen days after its capture. Fast Facts: Battle of Hamburger Hill Conflict: Vietnam War (1955-1975)Date: May 10-20, 1969Armies Commanders:United StatesMajor General Melvin Zaisapprox. 1,800 menNorth VietnamMa Vinh Lanapprox. 1,500 menCasualties:United States: 70 killed and 372 woundedNorth Vietnam: Approximately 630 killed Background In 1969, US troops began Operation Apache Snow with the goal of clearing the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN) from the A Shau Valley in South Vietnam. Located near the border with Laos, the valley had become an infiltration route into South Vietnam and a haven for PAVN forces. A three-part operation, the second phase commenced on May 10, 1969, as elements of Colonel John Conmeys 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne moved into the valley. Among Conmeys forces were the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry (Lieutenant Colonel Weldon Honeycutt), 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry (Lieutenant Colonel Robert German), and the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry (Lt. Colonel John Bowers). These units were supported by the 9th Marines and the 3rd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, as well as elements of the Army of Vietnam. The A Shau Valley was covered in thick jungle and dominated by Ap Bia Mountain, which had been designated Hill 937. Unconnected to the surrounding ridges, Hill 937 stood alone and, like the surrounding valley, was heavily forested. Moving Out Terming the operation a reconnaissance in force, Conmeys forces began operations with two ARVN battalions cutting the road at the base of the valley while the Marines and 3/5th Cavalry pushed towards the Laotian border. The battalions from the 3rd Brigade were ordered to search and destroy PAVN forces in their own areas of the valley. As his troops were air mobile, Conmey planned to shift units rapidly should one encounter strong resistance. While contact was light on May 10, it intensified the following day when the 3/187th approached the base of Hill 937. Sending two companies to search the north and northwest ridges of the hill, Honeycutt ordered Bravo and Charlie companies to move towards the summit by different routes. Late in the day, Bravo met stiff PAVN resistance and helicopter gunships were brought in for support. These mistook the 3/187ths landing zone for PAVN camp and opened fire killing two and wounding thirty-five. This was the first of several friendly fire incidents during the battle as the thick jungle made identifying targets difficult. Following this incident, the 3/187th retreated into defensive positions for the night. Fighting for the Hill Over the next two days, Honeycutt attempted to push his battalion into positions where they could launch a coordinated assault. This was hampered by difficult terrain and fierce PAVN resistance. As they moved around the hill, they found that the North Vietnamese had constructed an elaborate system of bunkers and trenches. Seeing the focus of the battle shifting to Hill 937, Conmey shifted the 1/506th to the south side of the hill. Bravo Company was airlifted to the area, but the remainder of the battalion traveled by foot and did not arrive in force until May 19. Soldiers inspecting the damage in the surrounding area of Dong Ap Bia during Operation Apache Snow, May 1969. US Army Military History Institute On May 14 and 15, Honeycutt launched attacks against PAVN positions with little success. The next two days saw elements of the 1/506th probing the southern slope. American efforts were frequently hindered by the thick jungle which made air-lifting forces around the hill impractical. As the battle raged, much of the foliage around the summit of the hill was eliminated by napalm and artillery fire which was used to reduce the PAVN bunkers. On May 18, Conmey ordered a coordinated assault with the 3/187th attacking from the north and the 1/506th attacking from the south. Final Assaults Storming forward, Delta Company of the 3/187th almost took the summit but was beaten back with heavy casualties. The 1/506th was able to take the southern crest, Hill 900, but met heavy resistance during the fighting. On May 18, the commander of the 101st Airborne, Major General Melvin Zais, arrived and decided to commit three addition battalions to the battle as well as ordered that the 3/187th, which had suffered 60% casualties, be relieved. Protesting, Honeycutt was able to keep his men in the field for the final assault. US Army Photographer and assistant climbing through the devastated landscape on Dong Ap Bia after the battle. US Army Military History Institute Landing two battalions on the northeast and southeast slopes, Zais and Conmey launched an all-out assault on the hill at 10:00 AM on May 20. Overwhelming the defenders, the 3/187th took the summit around noon and operations began to reduce the remaining PAVN bunkers. By 5:00 PM, Hill 937 had been secured. Aftermath Due to the grinding nature of the fighting on Hill 937, it became known as Hamburger Hill. This also pays homage to a similar fight during the Korean War known as the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. In the fighting, US and ARVN forces suffered 70 killed and 372 wounded. Total PAVN casualties are unknown, but 630 bodies were found on the hill after the battle. Heavily covered by the press, the necessity of the fighting on Hill 937 was questioned by the public and stirred controversy in Washington. This was worsened by the 101sts abandonment of the hill on June 5. As a result of this public and political pressure, General Creighton Abrams altered US strategy in Vietnam from one of maximum pressure to protective reaction in an effort to lower casualties.