Mlb monopoly market structure Essay Example for Free

Mlb monopoly market structure Essay Major League Baseball (â€Å"MLB†) is the only American Industry that is a self-regulating monopoly exempt from anti-trust law. In 1922, there was the U. S. Supreme Court Case of Federal Baseball Club v. National League and the judge unanimously decided that the Sherman Antitrust Act was not applicable to MLB and could therefore regulate as a monopoly. Furthermore, this decision was later reaffirmed in 1952 and 1972 in two different U. S. Supreme Court cases. This antitrust exemption has given increased monopolistic power to the MLB organization. MLB Monopolistic Characteristics Monopoly is defined as â€Å"A market structure in which there is only a single seller of a good, service, or resource. In antitrust law, a dominant firm that accounts for a very high percentage of total sales within a particular market. † The following characteristics that label the MLB as a Monopoly are the following: (a) one unique firm/product (i. e. , no other industry like the MLB and it’s impossible to duplicate); (b) absence of competition (i. e. , granted from anti-trust laws); (c) profit maximization (i. e. , attendance increasing even as prices increasing); (d). â€Å"Price Makers† (i. e. , control price and possible price discrimination); and (e) impenetrable barriers of entry into market (i. e. , highly unlikely to enter into industry). MLB Controlling Powers Major League Baseball and specifically their team owners can raise ticket and concession prices whenever they want to increase profits. For example, less desirable stadium seats are much lower in price than â€Å"good† seats. The MLB also sets prices based on team location. For example, I know first-hand that prices for the New York Yankees are much higher than those for the Chicago White Sox. In addition to controlling prices, MLB also controls output. They set the season schedule at 162 games with half of those being home games. Since there are limited amounts of homes games owners know that they can keep increasing prices for tickets and concession stands. Conclusion Major League Baseball’s ability to control prices, set extreme difficulty on barriers of entry and to eliminate competition definitely identifies them as a Monopoly market structure. Furthermore their use of pricing strategies, which include setting ticket prices according to the view of the field, discount group pricing for lower attended weekday games and games against lesser teams, discounts for seniors/students/military, increased prices for suites and luxury boxes, and parking priced depending on location to stadium (i. e. , closer parking to stadium is more expensive). However, even with all of these increasing prices and price controls the MLB continues to set attendance records each and every year. I personally love Major League Baseball and I’m willing to pay any prices when I want to go to the ballpark and watch a game. Bibliography/References Haupert, Michael, edit by Robert Whaples. (2007, December 3). The Economic History of Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 26,2011, from EH. Net Encyclopedia Web site: http://eh. net/encyclopedia/article/haupert. mlb McConnell, Campbell R. Economics, 19th Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2012. p. G-18.

A Greatly Troubled System - School :: essays research papers

The formal education system used in today’s schools is greatly troubled indeed. We are oblivious to the hundreds of thousands of students oppressed by tyranny that encapsulates our schooling system. From homework and grades to the progression of school; schools need changes. This system stands waiting, while the talents of many young men and women are exposed to a backward system with hypocritical framework. One of the many examples is the policy of homework. It seems that this tends to be abused to give students mere busy work, while students in their free time should be relaxing, and doing activities they enjoy. Yet another flaw among the many, is the grading methods used today. Afterall, a letter or percentile could never fully represent a human being’s interpretations, with many positive and negative sides and emotions. These "judgements† tend to cause for great stress and are in effective. Finally the last point to be stated in this essay (seeing as if all the points were stated this would turn into a novel and not an essay) is the matter of the pace of school and specialization in courses. Courses should be more varied and options given as well as changing the pace and time of school. Plain and simple; a more flexible form of education would prove to benefit everyone. With greater specialization, the learning process can become quicker, more efficient and less tedious. In the following paragraphs the points stated above will be further stressed. The concept of homework in our formal education is wide spread propaganda. This highly unconstitutional form of schooling tends to be more busy work under the much repeated cover of ‘reinforcing subjects learned.’ This disguise has flailed for years but the truth shall soon be found. Homework crowds the free time of students; free time that should be used to do other productive activities. Homework causes much stress to students which leads to the deterioration of interest in learning and eventually all hatred of anything school related. As Mark Twain so beautifully put it, "Don’t let your schooling interfere with your education.† This quote referring to the fact that experience in life can be gained outside of school in great abundance and proves the production of a much better education than that of sitting in a class-room scribbling characters onto paper. With a slightly longer and more efficient school day, time could be optimized and homework could be abolished in its entirety. A true balance of work and play could be formed leading to a bounteous and supreme education. The formal education system could be incredibly more productive and beneficial if our system of merit was modified.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Essay

The Federal Bureau of Prisons was established in 1930. Its main goal is to provide humane care for Federal inmates. There are 11 Federal prisons in operation. The Bureau consists of 115 institutions, 6 regional offices, a Central Office (headquarters), 2 staff training centers, and 22 community corrections offices. The Bureau of Prisons career opportunities web page is the place where you can learn about BOP careers, the employment process and current vacancies. The BOP career opportunities web page has quick links to: application steps, attorney recruitment, career FAQs, health care careers, job descriptions and job vacancies. The Bureau has approximately 37,700 employees within 115 correctional institutions. The BOP is currently accepting applications for: Chaplain, Clinical Psychologist, Dental Officer, Medical Officer, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant and Registered Nurse. The jobs are accessible through USAJOBS. The bureau has approximately 37, 700 highly motivated individuals working in 115 correctional institutions across the country and a wide range of occupations. Job opportunities within the correctional facilities: automobile, painting, plumbing, carpentry, and electricity. They are always accepting applications for dental officer, medical officer, and registered nurse. Salaries are based on the position and location of the job you are selected to fill. The Law Enforcement Special Salary Rate and Locality pay scale may vary from the General Schedule and Locality pay scale. Salaries for positions such as Electrician, Mechanic, and Plumber, are found on the Federal Wage System pay scale. A variety of health insurance plans are available to Federal employees, with the Government paying about 60 to 72 percent of the cost and the employee paying 28 to 40 percent, depending on the health plan. Basic life insurance is automatic and effective on the first workday the employee is in pay and duty status, unless the employee chooses to waive life insurance coverage. Every employee is guaranteed a life insurance policy. The Government pays one-third of the cost for Basic life insurance. Basic life insurance is the employee’s salary rounded up. After 20 years of service in a position covered by â€Å"hazardous duty† law enforcement retirement provisions is eligible to retire at age 50. BOP has four different work life programs which makes it easier to balance work and family. These programs consist of teleworking, compressed, flexible, and part time work schedules. Under special, limited circumstances, inmates who meet strict requirements may be allowed temporary releases from the institution through furloughs and staff-escorted trips. A furlough allows inmates to be in the community without a staff escort. There are several purposes for furloughs: for example these enable inmates to be present during a family crisis, facilitate re-establishing family and community ties, and allow an inmate to participate in certain activities to help his/her release transition. The Bureau may authorize staff-escorted trips for purposes such as visiting a critically ill family member; attending a funeral; receiving medical treatment; or participating in educational, religious, or work-related functions. The Bureau’s philosophy is to release preparation begins the first day of incarceration, focus on release preparation intensifies at least 18 months prior to release. The Release Preparation Program includes classes in areas such as resume writing, job search, and job retention. The program also includes presentations by community-based organizations that help ex-inmates find jobs and training opportunities after release. The Bureau places appropriate inmates in halfway houses prior to release to help them adjust to life in the community and find employment. Some inmates will be eligible for a release gratuity, clothing, or money for transportation to their release destination. The Inmate Transition Branch provides additional pre-release employment assistance. Many institutions hold mock job fairs to provide inmates an opportunity to practice job interview skills and to expose community recruiters to the skills available among releasing inmates. Qualified inmates may apply for jobs with companies that have posted job openings. This Branch also helps inmates prepare release folders that include a resume; education certificates, diplomas, and transcripts; and other significant documents needed for a successful job interview. Medical, dental, and mental health services are provided to Federal inmates n Bureau facilities. Most Facilities provide one or more primary Physicians who specialize in family practice. Medical officer provide direct service to inmates in Federal prisons (e. g. performance of diagnostic and preventive). Nurses play an important role on patient health, patient safety and patient education. (e. g. observation and evaluation of patients, perform case histories, conduct physical examinations, and order laboratory tests). De ntal officers are responsible for the full range of dental care provided to inmates. Pharmacist provide pharmaceutical care, they are responsible for medication. (e. g. same as nurse). Over 3,000 health care positions are offered. The food service operation within each institution represents a major program area within the Federal Criminal Justice system. The Bureau offers a food service career for correctional cook supervisors in a fast pace and challenging environment. Cook supervisor receive full training and are responsible for serving nutritious meals and provides guidance/direction to inmate cooks, bakers, butchers as well as in sanitation. Meals are served to a population of several hundred to 2,000 per meal depending on size and type of facility. Completion of a 2 to 4 year culinary degree is desirable but qualifying experience in quantity production from the military or food hospital industry is acceptable. Even though cook supervisors are at the entry level position, ambitious and interested individuals can apply for higher positions to Assistant Food Service Manager to the top Food Service Administrator. Each federal prison has its own education department that provides educational and recreational activities to inmates. Inmates are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness, health education and leisure programs. Inmates who participate in industries or vocational training programs are more likely to find and keep a job upon release and less likely to return to prison. The Bureau offers a variety of programs for inmates to acquire literacy and marketable skills to help them obtain employment after release. All institutions offer literacy classes, English as a Second Language, parenting classes, wellness education, adult continuing education, library services, and instruction in leisure-time ctivities. In most cases, inmates who do not have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate must participate in the literacy program for a minimum of 240 hours or until they obtain the GED. Occupational and vocational training programs are based on the needs of the inmates, general labor market conditions, and institution labor force needs. An important component is on-the-job training, which inmates receive through institution job assignments and work in Federal Prison Industries. Parenting classes help inmates develop appropriate skills during incarceration. Recreation and wellness activities encourage healthy life styles and habits. Institution libraries carry a variety of fiction and nonfiction books, magazines, newspapers, and reference materials. Inmates also have access to legal materials to conduct legal research and prepare legal documents. The Bureau of Prisons has various job opportunities ranging from Automotive to electric and is always looking for professionals in the medical field. There are over 3,000 health care positions available ranging from Dental to nursing. While a job with the bureau of prisons maybe stressful it does offer benefits, such as retirement, paid holidays, flexibility room for growth and retirement options. Each federal prison has its own education department and inmates are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. It is often found that inmates who participate in industries or vocational training programs are more likely to find and keep a job upon release and less likely to return to prison.

The Economic Benefits Of Every Nation Impacts The Quality...

The economic benefits of every nation impacts the quality of life for each individual in a society. A strong economy is important as it enhances standards of living and pushes humanity forward with a great success, enabling a better future all. Generally, economic growth is the most essential for a strong economy. Fortunately, Canada’s economy grew excessively in the past years and to this day is one of the best economies in the world. In the past, Canada was facing a large economic recession as it struggled to recover from the great depression. In the 1930’s, Canada’s Gross National Product had fallen by 43%, their exports had dropped by 50% and their unemployment rate had risen to more than 25%. Prior to World War II, a major transformation in the Canadian economy was marked. There was an upturn in industrial production and manufacturing in Canada as the demand for manufacturing, mining and services increased rapidly due to the war. The unemployment rate decrea sed as well because new jobs were being created so industries can benefit from a highly trained and diversified labor force. Since the financial crisis in 2008, Canada’s economy has remarked as one of the advanced and largest economies in the world. Today, Canada’s economy only continues to grow stronger as it has a focusing government, new opportunities and choices for people and lastly, the openness for trade and foreign investments. Canada has a focusing government, meaning the government portrays efforts toShow MoreRelatedEconomic Globalization And Its Impact On Society1154 Words   |  5 PagesEconomic globalization has progressed significantly around the globe. First world republics have evolved due to economics, while possessing economical supremacy over the poor. Developing technologies, social interactions and the exchange of ideas knowledge promote the expansion of economical impacts on societies. 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Globalization binds nations together (TverbergRead MoreAttention on the Horn of Africa1094 Words   |  4 Pagesto Unit ed States non-interventionism is the idea of the Untied States not becoming involved in national alliances that would force our participation in potential conflict; accordingly, our relations with other nations should be purely for economic benefit. The Horn of Africa has economic value for the US, for the purpose of this paper, I argue that the US is intent on projecting itself in the region, be it through aid, trade and technical assistance, for the purpose of countering regional or potentiallyRead MoreEssay Global Integration1203 Words   |  5 Pageslead to growth in cross border relationships initiated by the drivers of globalisation. Embracing globalisation is encouraged due to its explicit benefits including reducing poverty, increasing living standards and increasing world trade. These advantages must be weighed against the negative impacts of loss of environmental quality, dominance of transnational corporations and exploitation of labour. .â€Å"The opening up of economies to international competition, allowing goodsRead MoreGlobalization : The World And Created Unity Out Of Great Diversity Essay1542 Words   |  7 Pagespeople, business-driven globalization means uprooting old ways of life and threatening livelihoods and cultures. Globalization cannot bring healthy economic development to the developing nations. The opinion for the issue that includes three sections: economy, environment and culture. Generally speaking, globalisation brings healthy economic development to developing countries 　　 　　Firstly, the impacts on developing country of the economic globalization have dualities. On one hand, According to economyRead MoreEnvironmental Policies Of The United States1155 Words   |  5 Pagesenvironment relationship. Americans had an anthropocentric worldview and wanted to protect anything could bring up the economic benefits so they mined and create settlements for their own benefits and ignored the impact to the environment. With the wealthy natural resources in the west, the U.S government passed many different policies to allow the citizens to cause the destruction for economic growth. When more people moved to the west, the demand extremely increased that led many companies unsustainablyRead MoreCause and Effect of Chronic Disease and Its Impact in the United States1186 Words   |  5 Pageseffect of chronic disease and its impact in the United States ********* **** Techniques 1 – Week 3 ****** ****** – Student ID: ******* Instructor: ******* ***** April 18, 2010 The United States is experiencing an unsustainable disease burden; 130 million people today suffer from chronic diseases, taking a tremendous toll on individuals, families, and communities. In addition to lives lost and quality of life lost, we are also a nation in crisis, an economic crisis. We spend over $2 trillionRead MoreNegatives Of Globalization1236 Words   |  5 PagesGlobalization is a complex term which is deeply controversial due to the socio-economic integration of the world into one global economy. It is the process that includes integration and interaction among the people, companies, money, and government of different nations. This process also includes the impact of economic development, cultural enhancement, changes in the environment, financial institution, technological transformation and human society all over the world. There are many factorsRead MoreSoccer: The Worlds Greatest Sport Essay944 Words   |  4 Pagesmatter of life and death. Im very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.† - Bill Shankley (Khurana) The passion around the world when it comes to the game of soccer is immeasurable. Known as football in all other nations except Canada and the United States, it is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. It is a game played by millions all across the world and in many countries, such as Brazil, soccer contributes to nationalism. Every four

The Concept Of Automation - 751 Words

Shrinking budgets, shortage of qualified personnel and growing workloads are shaping the organization of clinical laboratories and the networks around them. As a result, merging and consolidation of institutions is commonplace to take advantage of economies of scale and as a result, laboratory automation has been in the rise connecting more sectors to tracks. A key question to answer is what is the level automation system is right for each clinical laboratory? Automation can improve labs efficiency and help clinical outcomes. . However, each center must value its own objectives of automation for each sector and define if they will require modular type automation systems or automation. The concept of a consolidated laboratory†¦show more content†¦In this sense, a definition of automation would include the use of combined and computer set, robotics and the analyzers to manipulate the samples before, during and after measurements. The automation of the laboratory, in the broad sense, affects all stages of the analytical process. This means that new organizational approaches ranging from automation of individual processes to reorganization projects and total automation. Between both situations there are an important variety of scenarios that lead to models of laboratory. Total laboratory automation (TLA) involves the integration of analyzers together with pre-analytic and post-analytic. The work of a total automation system begins by managing the samples in an input module that classifies and loads them in the carriers, centrifuges tubes, uncaps them and direct them to the analyzers. The samples, after sampled by the analyzer are stored temporarily in dedicated output location, from where they may be automatically recovered in case it rerun or reflex testing in necessary. The automation of clinical laboratories, when done properly and in accordance with to the needs of each center, provides benefits that include an efficient increase in productivity, the possibility of adding new analytical procedures without increasing the resources human, the centralization of processes, reliable management of samples with full traceability, the standardization of the analytical process, a greater guarantee ofShow MoreRelatedQuestions On Ethical Theories And Tests1363 Words   |  6 Pagesthis section we will run the concept of automation in the workforce through 7 ethical theories/tests, to see if this concept fits ethical implications used in business. The principals under the Utilitarian Theory suggest that there must be a balance effort, that the harms do not outweigh the benefits (Jennings Units 1-3, 2015). 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William Paley, An English Clergyman And Philosopher

Marshall I. Cotta May 8, 2017 PHIL-110 Crawley Paley Perplexed William Paley, an English Clergyman and philosopher, has had us scratching our heads for centuries as we ponder the connection between the artificial and natural world. He suggested that if we were walking along a path and hit our foot against a stone, we would assume that the stone had been there forever because it was something â€Å"natural†. However, suppose for a second, that the stone was replaced with a watch. This is where the cogs start turning for philosophers. When we replace the stone with a watch, we are comparing something natural to something artificial. No one would question that the watch was made by a watchmaker. Therefore, according to Paley, logically, if†¦show more content†¦And, since two of the three criteria are met, we can then assume that there is a creator. We live in a world uniquely equipped to support mankind. There is only one explanation for this and that is that the world was designed by an intelligent creator. This omni-god must have had humans in mind when he created the world. (Holt) And, since everything we need is here on earth, it could not possibly be here by chance. There was no random selection or chance that just happened to serve all of our needs. Paley explains that it is perfectly logical to make the leap from watchmaker to omni-God. With concepts so complex as those found in nature, there is no doubt that they required a creator. There is no need to question anything that Paley asserts in his analogy between the watch and the world. Suppose there is an omni-god, an all powerful, all knowing super-being. This being would be perfect in its own right. Therefore, if this being was omnipotent and perfect, would it not make sense that everything it creates is perfect as well? Why would this being make anything less than perfect? Our perfect world would be filled with perfect people living perfect lives in perfect harmony with perfect understanding. Because, why would we worship or trust in a less than omnipotent God? We see no limits to God’s

Beliefs, Philosophy and Religion Free Essays

One of the most notable conflicts that have been debated by many scholars since the medieval ages is the controversy regarding the place of philosophy and religion in a society. The two have been used to attack each other in order to uphold their own credibility. The study of Philosophy is directed towards the speculation of the things that govern the world and its processes, and the nature of man and his relationship with other individuals as well as with the world (Gasset, 1964). We will write a custom essay sample on Beliefs, Philosophy and Religion or any similar topic only for you Order Now Philosophy attempts to scrutinize and make rational explication of almost everything that can be grasped by the human mind. Yet, it does not really provide sufficient and concrete answers to all its queries. Religion, on the other hand, focuses its scope on explaining things and phenomena that cannot be explained by science and at some point even those that cannot really be made explicit by philosophy. It tries to give reason for everything that is happening. Its justification for every reason that it provides is primarily founded on faith (Nasr, 1996). Hence, by faith, it need not be verifiable. A strong faith or believe could suffice one’s doubt and hesitation. However, philosophy would not really admit faith as the justification of something. Reason cannot be supported by merely appealing to one’s faith (Leahy, 2003). Philosophy moves away from dogmatism, which is a character present in religion. Philosophy has a character of skepticism. This means that not unless something is proven to be certain (that which is indubitable or cannot be doubted) philosophy would recognize its validity (Heidegger, 1956). It entails careful and keen analysis of the subject that is being studied. Whereas in religion, it is enough that someone has faith on something in order for it to become valid (Nasr, 1996). These are the most common distinctions that distinguish philosophy from religion. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how philosophy and religion are realized in particular Schools of Thought that influence China namely: Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism/Taoism. This paper will also compare and contrast these three Schools of Thoughts with Christianity by appealing to their own definitions of Philosophy and Religion. Schools of Thought Confucianism Confucianism is an anthology of ethical values and beliefs that is often equated with religion. These values and beliefs were rooted and developed from the teachings of one of the great thinkers in China, Confucius. His teachings and philosophy were used as the foundations of laws and way of government China and later on in other Asian regions (Chai Chai, 1973). The teachings of Confucius, like that of Socrates, were neither formally written nor published. Yet his students and disciples made the spread of his teachings. However, according to the Chinese History, most of the recordings of the Confucian teachings were burned up at some point in the Qin Dynasty (Chai Chai, 1973). Hence, there was a conflict of interpretation of the Confucian teachings that is evident in various strands of Confucianism. The rebirth of Confucianism was made during the Han Dynasty. It was the motivation for instituting the laws and set of rules of China. Nonetheless, it again faded after the fall of the Han Dynasty wherein Buddhism was introduced to China. Only in the seventh century that Confucianism was revived (Elman, 2002). The chief ideas that the Confucian teachings has were directed toward the ruler, upper class and scholars. Such is a great difference between Confucianism and Buddhism where the latter aims to include the common masses. The instillation of virtues to rulers and noble men is the most original concept in the Confucian teachings. The Golden Rule (Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you) is its most celebrated principle that which promotes harmony among all people (Chai Chai, 1973). With this, Confucianism detests war and the employment of too many laws. Confucianism upholds its defined five most fundamental relationships which entails varying responsibilities. These relationships include husband and wife, parent and child (filial piety), the elders and the younger ones, ruler and subject, and friendship (Elman, 2002). Among these five, filial piety is the most important relationship that is nevertheless accentuated these days in contemporary China. Lastly, Confucianism puts high regard with the notions of Heaven’s decree, Great Men and Saints, as well as in performing rituals or Li. Buddhism As mentioned earlier, Buddhism’s teachings are directed towards the general populace (Ch’en, 1972). The very concept of Buddhism is founded on the idea of the Enlightenment (wherein Buddha is said to be the Enlightened One). From then on, the goal of Buddhism is to bring man into Perfect Enlightenment or Nirvana (Hanh, 1999). Siddhartha Gautama is the Buddha. He reached nirvana or the enlightenment period through passionate contemplation. Reaching nirvana would make one free from hunger and selfish desires. It also marks the end of suffering. Once one reaches the enlightenment period, his mind will have everlasting peace (Hanh, 1999). Buddhism advocates the method of truthful inquiry. It tells man not to be overwhelmed by their blind faith. It teaches man to become open-minded and skeptic about the things around him. In accordance with this suggested way of inquiry, Buddhism has established the Four Noble Truths. This tells man that: 1. ) all forms of being, human and other wise are afflicted with suffering, 2. ) the cause of suffering is craving (an illusion of the soul), 3. ) suffering has a lasting end in the experience of nirvana, and 4. ) enlightenment is achieved by a gradual training of the Eightfold Path. These eightfold path is directed towards the clearing of mind and action from indulgence and lustful desires (Ch’en, 1972). Buddhism does not believe in a God or the likes. There is no one that can fully control one’s own self than him alone. Thus, one has the full responsibility of himself and his actions. And these are not predetermined by a Supreme Being. The concept of Karma is also one of the most distinct features in Buddhism (Ch’en, 1972). It pertains to the belief that all actions have subsequent consequences that are directed to the acting agent. Karma can be a good one or bad one. It depends on the nature of the action performed that produced the consequence that is reflected on the performer of such action. The concept of Rebirth can be best understood by appealing to the principle or doctrine of Karma (Hanh, 1999). Taoism/Daoism Taoism is a school of thought pioneered by Lao Tze or Lao Tzu, also one of the great thinkers in China. Taoism means the path or the way of living to obtain a harmonious relationship with the world and all its definitive processes (Po-Tuan, 2001). Taoism was started as simple philosophical discourse but eventually evolved and took the form of religion. One of its beliefs is the concept of Tao which is defined as the root cause of everything. Tao motivated the rise of the Yin Yang which causes the formation of the universe. Taoism highlights that man should live in harmony with the nature (Po-Tuan, 2001). And only when man achieves such harmony that he will leave in peace and prosperity. Taoism maintains the principle of Wu Wei or non-action which means that man should not go against the nature and must instead go with its operation (Taoist Association of China, 2002). Man need not act since the nature will do the action provided that man lives in harmony with it. Unlike, Buddhism, Taoism believes in multiple Gods. It has hierarchy of Gods that represents system of government in the ancient China (Taoist Association of China, 2002). The ethics defined in Taoism is represented by the three Jewels that which symbolizes compassion, moderation and humility (Po-Tuan, 2001). Taoism encourages the people to examine their way of living by first making them realize that living with accordance to nature would mean peace. It also suggests that man should not overly use his being a man. It says that man should prioritize his needs and lessen his wants and desires. Lastly, it orders man not to become egocentric and egotistic. Christianity in China Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are the prevailing religions in China. Before the entrance of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism are two most notable and most patronized religions in China (Legge, 2004). In fact, the two seemed to be opponents of each other primarily because of their consistent difference on particular viewpoints and issues. But the penetration of Buddhism marks a turning point with regards to the religious inclinations in China. When Buddhism entered China, it signaled the redistribution and reconstruction of religions all throughout China. Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have been even combined at particular regions to serve as one religion. Hence, China’s religion cannot really be said to be concentrated with one of its three most recognized religions (Legge, 2004). In the seventh century A. D. , Christianity was introduced to China (during the Ming Dynasty) (Bays, 1999). Christianity is a very different religion as compared to the earlier religions in China. From then on, Christianity has been said to be the fastest growing religion in China. It is recorded that 40 million to 100 million of population in China are either Catholic or Protestant. This means that China has started to embrace the western religion that is very unlike with their traditional and ancient religions (Bays, 1999). The arrival of Robert Morrison in China has started the spread of Christianity towards China. The Bible has been even translated to Chinese in order to communicate with Chinese people and for them to have easy access to it. Since then, several Christian missionaries have visited and taught the doctrine of the Christian Faith (Bays, 1999). Christianity The most celebrated feature of Christianity is the fact that it deifies one God. This God is the cause of everything and the director of everything. All man’s action is caused by this all-powerful and all-knowing God. But these descriptions do not suffice the notion of the Christian God. The concept of the Holy Trinity, salvation, and life after death are also included in the doctrine of the Christian Faith (Borg, 2004). The story of Jesus Christ and His death on the Cross is also the highlights of the Christian Faith (Borg, 2004). It represents the martyrdom of the Son of the God in order to save mankind. All in all, the Christian Faith equates all the happening in this world to what God has originally ordained to occur. And no one can interfere nor change what God has decreed. God and Fate or Destiny have been often characterized as the same thing (Borg, 2004). But the former has the most perfect and powerful character. Analysis: Compare and Contrast Confucianism and Christianity Among the other school of thoughts (discussed in this paper), Confucianism is the most compatible religion with Christianity. They both advocate that Heaven’s decree is the most fundamental source of order in the world (Chai Chai, 1973). Only that, in Confucianism, there is no stress given to a god or a deity to be worshipped (Elman, 2002). Such obedience is directed to the Heaven itself. Whereas in Christianity, there is a God that is the end of one’s being obedient (Borg, 2004). As mentioned in the introduction, the defining mark that distinguishes philosophy from religion is the fact that the former repudiates dogmas that tend to confine and limits one’s way of thinking while the latter deliberately suggests and recommends particular doctrines in which one needs not to be certain of (Leahy, 2003). Philosophy speculates and examines the very concept of faith which is often used to justify religions and their established tenets. The belief of the Confucianism and the Christianity about the notion of Heaven’s decree obviously falls under the sphere of religion. It is primarily because the existence of such decree from heaven cannot be verified or confirmed yet can be justified through faith. Yet philosophy does not admit such finality. As cited, philosophy is still at the period of examining the very nature of faith as a source of justification of knowledge (Gasset, 1964). With regards to ethical patterns included in the Confucian and Christian faith implies that man should be virtuous in order for him to have a harmonious life. Yet both have different ways of looking at the concept of a harmonious life. For Confucianism, a harmonious life is the achievement of order in human relationships (Chai Chai, 1973). On the contrary, for Christians, a harmonious life is being free from sins which separate man from God (Borg, 2004). Seemingly Confucian notion of a harmonious life is philosophic in nature which really explains how harmony could be affected by human relationships – that is verifiable and can be validated. Conversely, the Christian notion of a harmonious relationship is really superficial and metaphysical. One cannot really confirm the truthfulness of such statement. And it cannot even be explained by reasoning. But only faith can support it. Hence it is more of a religious belief rather than a philosophic one. Buddhism and Christianity On the other hand, Buddhisma and Christianity is not really compatible with each other (as religions). As discussed above, Christianity advocates a religion that which is primarily directed towards the belief to a God. Yet Buddhism undermines the concept of a Supreme Being that which is all-powerful and all-knowing, and that which controls man’s actions. Buddhism maintains that man can have the full control over his life therefore he does not need a god that would provide guidance and direction for him (Ch’en, 1972). Perfect enlightenment is the stage wherein a man successful reached the point of having a complete understanding of everything including his being (Hanh, 1999). For this reason, God and Buddha is never really equal to each other. Having such distinction, it can be inferred that Buddhism tends to avoid metaphysical speculation since it does not allow the concept of a supernatural entity as cause of man’s actions. Buddhism keeps its teachings to the moral standpoint and its reliance on experiential insight. Whereas, Christianity admits the existence of a God though there is no concrete and material evidence for such existence. The two can be analyzed in the light of a rationalist and an empiricist wherein Buddhism most likely supports the empiricist view of knowledge, that which lies in experience. However, Christianity supports the rationalist’s view that only reason itself even without experience can prove God’s existence. Thus, Buddhism and Christianity is really opposites of one another. Nevertheless, both of them considers codes or doctrines that are needed to achieved their established purpose (Buddhism is for enlightenment; Christianity is for salvation). Hence both suggest dogma that which their disciples must follow in order to achieved their goals. This is where religion is obviously manifested. In the first place, one can go against these codes and doctrines and look for other ways that can also bring the actualization of their goals. Philosophy suggests that one should not limit himself from what is traditionally accepted as true or what is traditionally accpeted the right way of doing something (Heidegger, 1956). Taoism and Christianity Like Buddhism, Taoism is also not compatible with Christianity. There are two major factors that make Taoism and Christianity very different with each other. The first one is that, Chirtianity is a monotheistic religion while Taoism adheres to mulitple gods hence making it a polytheistic religion (Legge, 2004). For Christians, there is only one God (The Holy Trinity is a representation of One God) (Bays, 1999). For Taoists, they have different and particular deities that vary in different regions (in China) (Taoist Association of China, 2002). Secondly, Christians believed that the order in the universe is predetermined and directed by God. On the contrary, Taoists believed that nature is responsible for whatever order the universe has. Such conceptions are significantly and obviously different. There is a semblance of philosophic character that is evident from the two. By appealing to ehtical or moral principles, Taoism suggests that man should live in harmony with nature thus also implying that man should act in accordance with what nature ordained. This appears like the Natural Law Theory. Nonetheless, Christianity upholds the Divine Command Theory which states that man’s action and all the process in the world is ordered and commanded by God or a Divine Entity. Such regard for who or what implies the order of the universe and all its processes can be considered as a philosophical discourse. Yet such is not really explicit in Christianity. On the other hand, Taoism is most likely illustratiing how nature directs and affects the universe and all the things that lie within it including the human persons and their relationship among each other (Po-Tuan, 2001). Conclusion Philosophy and religion are two different spheres. Philosophy does not provide all answers to all the questions that one can give but can provide different ways and approaches on arriving at the possible answers. Religion, in contrast, tends to have answers for all man’s questions that are founded and based on particular doctrines that it has. Yet, it does not give man the chance of verifying the truthfulness of each doctrine by means of other method but faith. Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are the most recognize and extensively used religions in China. But after the entrance of Christianity, the Chinese traditional culture and relgion have changed significantly due to differences that are distinguishable from the three schools of thoughts and Christianity. The most important note here is the fact that before these schools of thought became religions themselves, they first became philosophical underpinnings which aim to make people realize the obscurity of the world. But eventually they became religions when people started to impose doctrines and rules that are grounded from these teachings in order to live harmoniously with the world. How to cite Beliefs, Philosophy and Religion, Papers