lecture continues...

Normative Ethics
Definition: A branch of philosophical ethics concerned with classifying actions as right and wrong.
It deals with what people should believe (Prescriptive) to be right & wrong, unlike descriptive ethics which deals with what people do believe (Descriptive) to be right & wrong.

Rule 72
In finance, the rule of 72 is used to estimate investments doubling or halving time.
According to the lecturer, if anything grows at 7.2%, it will double in 10 years.
Actual rate of population growth is approx 3.6%, and will double in 20 years.
E.g. In India, if no birth control is enforced, there will be 2 billion Indians in 20 years time.

British demographer and political economist, Thomas Robert Malthus predicted:
1. subsistence severely limits population-level
2. when the means of subsistence increases, population increases
3. population-pressures stimulate increases in productivity
4. increases in productivity stimulate further population-growth
5. since this productivity can not keep up with the potential of population growth for long,
population requires strong checks to keep it in line with carrying-capacity
6. individual cost/benefit decisions regarding sex, work, and children determine the expansion or contraction of population and production
7. checks will come into operation as population exceeds subsistence-level
8. the nature of these checks will have significant effect on the rest of the sociocultural system — Malthus points specifically to misery, vice, and poverty

Factors identified as root causes:
1. Judeo-Christian view about nature
All that God gives is to serve us
We have the right to do anything to the environment
2. Cartesia view about animals
Rene Descartes, father of modern philosophy, thinks that animals are just machines, made by God to be complex machines
We are special because we possess rationality, thus, animals are dumb.
E.g. Wash the 'car' (animal) as it has the right to be washed, not because we respect it.
3. Anthropocentrism: everthing have to be measured by human. We put the value on things,
without us, nothing has value.
Man is the measure of all things.

1st time crashing lecture at NUS!

Friday, attended the forensic science lecture at LT32 7pm-10pm. very interesting lecture indeed, as we were exposed to pictures of corpse, mutiliated bodies and 'blood-encrusted' body parts. Quite sad for the innocent loss of human lives, but the lesson itself was interesting to many, perhaps since people can be quite saddistic at times, desiring to see forbidden matters...

Wed
Attended USP lecture on ethics and the environment
Lecturer looks like he is trying hard to make the lecture interesting, but honestly, how interesting can philosophy be when the students do not understand half the things he is teaching...Luckily for a lost soul like me, I am able to understand about 60% of it after the initial scare and blurness...

Ethics and the Environment
*Factual v.s Moral
Ask the question: How does it relate ourselves to the world?
Since the world is fixed, if the statement fits the observed, it can be considered factual
*A judgement typically is made from experience, although some may claim it can be made from
feelings.
*Rationality is the only universal thing
*Feelings cannot be universal (it's arguable)
In order to prove that feelings is universal, have to provide reasons, otherwise the claim is
rejected.
*Moral theories provide moral(ethical) principles to justify matters
1) Teleological Theories suggests good outcome
- Most influential is Utilitarianism
Classical utilitiarianism equates it to happiness
People do things to make themselves happy. Anything that gives happiness is good vice
versa. Do things that gives greatest happiness.
19th century philosophers change utilitarianism to consequential
i.e. Do things that give the best consequence
2) Deontology argues that decisions should be made by considering the factors of one's duties
and other's rights
Most famous deontologist is Immanuel Kant. His Categorical Imparative roots morality in
humanity's rational capacity and asserts certain inviolable moral laws
E.g One should tell the truth no matter the consequence, such as Doctors should tell the truth
to patients as they have the right to know their medical condition.
In Kantian ethics, the key attribute is rationality!

I WANT TO BE AN OUSTANDING SURGEON

TARGET:

1. TOP IN MEDICAL STUDIES
2. MOST OUTSTANDING DOCTOR
3. MOST EXCELLENT, OUSTANDING AND SKILLFUL SURGEON

I remember many people once said this: if you know where you are heading to, then it is where you will reach. Goals have to be set, because only when we know where the goalpost is, then the ball can be shot into it! So I am setting lifelong goals now, knowing that with the Lord's guidance and my hard work, I will be able to achieve them!

Just finished watching Surgeon Bong Dal Hee, and I am so inspired by the determination and drive the doctors have. Of course, the love issue is so nice and sweet,but I guess the inspiring part is still the most important one. =) Anyway, the Dr Ahn Joong Guen is super super...cool...And, he is a cardiac surgeon!!! (in the show)

A coincidence indeed, especially since I want to be a surgeon, and a cardiac and thoracic surgeon is definitely the highest choice I have in my mind(dont dare to tell anyone, because I still need God's blessings to aid me to reach that goal). To be more resolute, I WILL BECOME A SURGEON!

Have not started medicine study in university, and counting down to the days, guess it is only slightly more than a month to when studies in Monash will start! This is after leaving all the orientation days aside. Maybe I can say that I am quite worried, scared of going to live alone and not knowing if I can get along with people there (plus have some close close good friends there). A little pressured too, but not really much excitement in it. Or should I say, I am really eager to start school and medical studies, since not many things make me joyful other than becoming a doctor and surgeon! I pray for God's Blessings!

Christmas

Christmas 2007 was fun!!!

On the eve, Daddy actually allowed me to drive all the way to Causeway point to collect the Dinner deal deluxe (Medium turkey, champagne ham, grilled beef, Guylian chocolates and a botttle of New Zealand Merlot wine, all packed in a wicket basket), a small turkey 3.5--4.5kg and a box of lovely chocolate & raisin cupcakes ( it had a butter-cream topping, wouldn't touch it).
Lunch was a plate of Yong Tau Foo (not nice gravy) and a huge ice-kacang with extra corn...yummy... following that was a fruitless hunt for Turkey gravy...which was all sold out. No wonder it is such a 'hot' christmas...
After that, I drove to Bukit Timah, Goldhill Road, through BKE, PIE and CTE. This is the furthest I have drove so far!!! From there, we went back to Woodlands and then to home.

Neighbour Louis and little Daniel came over to give us a black forest cake. Little Daniel kept saying it had 'funny funny things' on it...cute boy =) We got a remote-controlled car (hope it works) for him!

Preparing for dinner...














Made a chistmassy barbeque sauce. Very healthy one, with lots of tomatoes, herbs and large onion. Grandma said it is nice, hope it is true though...but at least it is 'MSG-free','fat-free', almost 'sodium-free' and 'diabetic-friendly' effort loaded sauce...




What a wonderful spread :D

With auntie Mervi...

With Me!!!

All of us attended the midnight mass at Christ the King church, and we did have seats!!! Hurray!!! Sang Feliz Navedan into Christmas day...

My furry brownie coatie...

The other day...

Daddy and Mummy went to get for me a 'water-proof', 'winter-proof' and I suppose should be 'fall-down proof''(since it is so thick) coat!!! It's brown and furry, quite nice actually, and undisputably expensive... haha...

Me with the tiny christmas tree :D

Xiu wanted to try on too...

The best thing is that if I do not want to look like a 'furry thing' with the furry cap (which is relatively nice when we look at it a couple of times), I can detach it!!! Nice!!!

Thanks Mummy and Daddy for all the effort! :)

Fast Food Nation--Eric Schlosser

Read FAST FOOD NATION the past few days (haven't completed it though...gosh...really lacking the determination to finish it in 1 day...am trying to regain it). A very informative book actually, not absolutely biased or prejudice, but still quite critical of the fast food companies around...

Was quite enlightening actually, for example, I didn't know that Tyson co. (the orange packaging of chicken drumsticks I used to look out, for during grocery shopping with mum) is the main supplier of all chicken in MacDonald's, and even 90% of restaurants in US! It all started in 1983 when they supplied chickens with uniquely large breasts for McNuggets (the super fatty food containing more fats than a hamburger, according to Eric Schlosser). Tyson is the overall in charge of the chickens, but they do not raise them. Instead, sub-contractors obtain the chicks, feed, equipments, technology etc from Tyson, who returns to collect the full-grown chickens in 7 weeks time. Interesting... And Macs is 2Nd only to KFC of being the world's largest consumer of chickens! Tyson must have been enjoying so much lucrative profits with every new fast food outlet opening.


Do you know that KFC's founder, Colonel Sanders, became successful only at the age of 74? Do you know that Carl's Jr founder was actually the 1st in US in starting the drive-in restaurant idea? He actually started off with a hot-dog wagon (still kept the receipt for it till his last days), and was even thrown out of his own co. by the board of directors (sounds like Steve Jobs). Later, he made a comeback by collaborating with a huge conglomerate, by giving all the governing power to this co. to this day. Even though I'm not into Fat-laden gigantic burgers like Carl's Jr( also a rip-off in price), there is a single connection between Carl and I... that is... he is also a Catholic!!! Who said church-goers can't do business??? ha ha


So many facts in there... but 1 interesting thing is the flavours part... look carefully below:

STRAWBERRY MILK SHAKE

Amyl acetate, amyl butyrate, amyl valerate, anethol, anisyl formate, benzyl acetate, benzyl acetate, benzyl isobutyrate, butyric acid, cinnamyl isobutyrate, cinnamyl valerate, cognac essential oil, diacetyl, dipropyl ketone, ethyl acetate, ethyl amylketone, ethyl butyrate, ethyl cinnamate, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl propionate, ethyl valerate, heliotropin, hydroxyphenyl-2-butanone butyrate, lemon essential oil, maltol, 4-methylacetophenone, methyl anthranilate, methyl benzoate, methl cinnamate, methyl heptine carbonate, methyl naphthyl ketone, methyl salicylate, mint essential oil, neroli essential oil, nerolin, neryl isobutyrate, orris butter, phenethyl alcohol, rose, rumether, y-undecalatone, vanilla and solvent.

Ethyl-2-methylbutyrate smells just like an apple

Adding:

Methy-2-peridyketone makes something taste like popcorn
Ethyl-3-hydroxybutanoate makes something taste like marshmallow
Amyl acetate provides dominant note of banana flavour

Aroma:

Hexenal – smell of freshly cut grass
3-methyl butanoic acid – smell of body odour

Natural & artificial flavours sometimes contain exactly the same chemicals, produced through different methods. For example, when distill amyl acetate from bananas with a solvent, it is a natural flavour. When it is produce it by mixing vinegar with anylalcohol, adding sulphuric acid as a catalyst, amyl acetate is an artificial flavour. Either way it smells and tastes the same.

A natural flavour is not necessarily healthier or purer than an artificial one.
When almond flavour( benzaldehyde) is derived from natural sources, such as peach and apricot pits, it contains traces of hydrogen cyanide, a deadly poison.
Benzaldehyde derived through a different process – by mixing oil of clove and the banana flavour,amyl acetate – does not contain any cyanide. It is legally considered an artificial flavour and sells at a much lower price.

MacDonald’s Corporation refuse to reveal the exact origin of the flavour added to their fries. However, in response to inquires from Vegetarian Journal, they acknowledged that some of their characteristic flavour from ‘animal products’.

Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich contains beef extracts.
Burger King’s BK Broiler Chicken Breast Patty contains ‘natural smoke flavour’.
A firm called Red Arrow Products Company specializes in smoke flavour, which is added to barbeque sauces and processed meats. Red Arrow manufactures natural smoke flavour by charring sawdust and capturing the aroma chemicals released into the air. The smoke is captured in water and then bottled, so that other companies can sell food which seems to have been cooked over a fire.





Maybe some 'organic' obsessed ppl out there will have something else to chuck out of their diet... but i may still take the low-fat, low-calories strawberry milk shake if it floats my way... ha ha :P

Teach at Rempang Island

The 3rd Rempang trip!!!

On 2 Dec 2007, the IHM and St Anne's groups went to the Rempang Island for our last volunteer trip of the year. We organised a X'mas party for the orphans and poor villages there. A very memorable experience as the greatest gift we received was the improvement in their studies and the happy looks on their faces!!!

The sisters were also very pleasant. All the fried tapioca, pineapple tarts and ginger snaps were really good!!! Not only are they holy people, they are also good cooks & bakers! Very talented indeed!

Thanks be to God for all the love and blessings he showered on all the volunteers, in areas like the beautiful weather and safety, especially for all the blessed children and lovely Indonesians we met along the way!